阅读说明：本技术 可伸缩扶手装置 (Telescopic armrest device ) 是由 卡维莎·普鲁绍塔玛 于 2019-12-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种可伸缩扶手装置(100),其布置成在车辆操作者进入和/或离开车辆期间帮助车辆操作者,可伸缩扶手装置(100)包括：抓握把手(102),其包括细长上抓握把手部分(104)和下抓握把手部分(106),该下抓握把手部分(106)能够沿细长上抓握把手部分(104)的至少一部分移动；往复式连接元件(108),其包括第一部分(110)和第二部分(112),该第一部分固定地连接到细长上抓握把手部分(104),该第二部分包括上铰链部分(114),该上铰链部分(114)能够可旋转地连接到车辆的固定部分；以及第一可旋转连接元件(120),其包括抓握把手连接部分(122)和内连接部分(124),该抓握把手连接部分被可旋转地连接到下抓握把手部分(106),该内连接部分包括下铰链部分(126),该下铰链部分(126)能够可旋转地连接到车辆的固定部分。(The present disclosure relates to a retractable armrest apparatus (100) arranged to assist a vehicle operator during entry and/or exit of the vehicle operator into and/or out of the vehicle, the retractable armrest apparatus (100) comprising: a grip handle (102) comprising an elongated upper grip handle portion (104) and a lower grip handle portion (106), the lower grip handle portion (106) being movable along at least a portion of the elongated upper grip handle portion (104); a reciprocating connecting element (108) comprising a first portion (110) fixedly connected to the elongate upper gripping handle portion (104) and a second portion (112) comprising an upper hinge portion (114), the upper hinge portion (114) being rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle; and a first rotatable connection element (120) comprising a grab handle connection portion (122) rotatably connected to the lower grab handle portion (106) and an inner connection portion (124) comprising a lower hinge portion (126), the lower hinge portion (126) being rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle.)

1. A retractable armrest apparatus (100), the retractable armrest apparatus (100) being arranged to assist a vehicle operator during entry and/or exit of the vehicle operator into and/or out of a vehicle, the retractable armrest apparatus (100) comprising: a grip handle (102), the grip handle (102) comprising a lower grip handle portion (106) and an elongated upper grip handle portion (104), the lower grip handle portion (106) being movable along at least a portion of the elongated upper grip handle portion (104); a reciprocating connection element (108), the reciprocating connection element (108) comprising a first portion (110) and a second portion (112), the first portion (110) being fixedly connected to the elongated upper grip handle portion (104), the second portion (112) comprising an upper hinge portion (114), the upper hinge portion (114) being rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle; and a first rotatable connection element (120), the first rotatable connection element (120) comprising a grab handle connection portion (122) and an inner connection portion (124), the grab handle connection portion (122) being rotatably connected to the lower grab handle portion (106), the inner connection portion (124) comprising a lower hinge portion (126), the lower hinge portion (126) being rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle.

2. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein said reciprocating connection element (108) comprises: an outer connection element (111), the outer connection element (111) comprising the first portion (110); and an inner connection element (113), the inner connection element (113) comprising the second portion (112), wherein one of the inner connection element (113) and the outer connection element (111) is arranged to telescope with respect to the other of the inner connection element (113) and the outer connection element (111).

3. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the upper hinge portion (114) is arranged to rotate about an upper geometric axis (200), wherein a direction of the upper geometric axis (200) is substantially parallel to an extension of the elongated upper gripping handle portion (104).

4. The telescopic armrest apparatus (100) of claim 3, wherein the lower hinge portion (126) is arranged to rotate about a lower geometric axis (202), wherein a direction of the lower geometric axis (202) is not parallel to a direction of the upper geometric axis (200).

5. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the direction of said lower geometric axis (202) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of said upper geometric axis (200).

6. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated upper and lower grip handle portions (104, 106) form a telescopic interconnection.

7. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said grip handle connection portion (122) is arranged to rotate about the following geometric axis (204): the geometric axis (204) is perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion (104).

8. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower grip handle portion (106) is an elongated lower grip handle portion having an extension in the same direction as the elongated upper grip handle portion (104).

9. The retractable armrest apparatus (100) of claim 8, wherein the first rotatable connection element (120) is connected to an upper portion (130) of the elongated lower grip handle portion (106), wherein the retractable armrest apparatus (100) further comprises a second rotatable connection element (150), the second rotatable connection element (150) comprising a lower grip handle connection portion (152), the lower grip handle connection portion (152) rotatably connecting the second rotatable connection element (150) to a lower portion (140) of the elongated lower grip handle portion (106).

10. The telescopically grippable handle arrangement (100) according to claim 9, wherein the second rotatable connection element (150) comprises a second inner connection portion (154), the second inner connection portion (154) comprising a second lower hinge portion (156), the second lower hinge portion (156) being rotatably connectable to a fixed part of the vehicle.

11. The retractable gripping handle arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the lower gripping handle connection portion (152) is arranged to rotate around the following geometrical axes: the geometric axis is perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion (104).

12. A vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle door (30) rotatably connected to a fixed portion (12) of the vehicle (10), the vehicle further comprising a retractable armrest apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and lower hinge portions are connected to the fixed portion (12) of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the elongated upper grip handle portion is connected to the door.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the reciprocating connecting element is disposed in an extended state when the door is open from the vehicle and in a retracted state when the door is closed.

15. The vehicle of any of claims 13-14, wherein the lower grip handle portion moves away from the reciprocating connecting element in a vertical direction when the door is opened.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a retractable armrest apparatus. The telescopic armrest apparatus is particularly suitable for use in vehicles. Accordingly, the present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising such a retractable armrest apparatus. Although the retractable armrest apparatus will be described primarily with respect to trucks, it may also be applicable to other types of vehicles where it is desirable to assist a driver in accessing a cab compartment. Such a vehicle may be, for example, a construction machine or the like.

Background

When a vehicle operator enters the vehicle cab, a grab handle is preferably used to assist the operator in efficiently reaching the relatively tall cab compartment. Grip handles are also often utilized when leaving the vehicle cab. In particular, during entry, the operator reaches far enough to grasp the handle and, in conjunction with the use of the foot supports, raises himself to gain access to the vehicle cab. For safe and comfortable access, the vehicle operator preferably has a three-point contact support before lifting himself up to the vehicle cab. Three-point contact means that the operator places one foot on the ground, one foot on the foot support, and at least one hand on the gripping handle.

A conventional solution is to use a first gripping handle connected to the so-called a-pillar of the vehicle, and a second gripping handle connected to the door. Once seated, the second grip handle is also preferably used to close the door. By using such a fixed gripping handle, it may be difficult to reach one of the gripping handles while maintaining balance with one foot on the ground and the other foot on the foot support. Furthermore, the use of a first gripping handle connected to the a-pillar may restrict the operator during driving, as the first gripping handle may become an obstacle and fail to provide sufficient driver knee clearance when the door is closed. A further problem is that the second gripping handle connected to the door may be too far from the operator to reach when seating and closing the door.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a grip handle that can simplify entry and exit from the vehicle cab. The grip handle should also preferably be fairly easily accessible and provide adequate knee clearance.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to describe a retractable armrest apparatus that at least partially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. This is achieved by a telescopic armrest apparatus according to claim 1.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a retractable armrest apparatus arranged to assist a vehicle operator during entry and/or exit from a vehicle, the retractable armrest apparatus comprising: a grip handle comprising an elongated upper grip handle portion and a lower grip handle portion, the lower grip handle portion being movable along at least a portion of the elongated upper grip handle portion; a reciprocating link element including a first portion fixedly connected to the elongate upper grip handle portion and a second portion including an upper hinge portion rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle; and a first rotatable connection element comprising a grab handle connection portion rotatably connected to the lower grab handle portion and an inner connection portion comprising a lower hinge portion rotatably connectable to a fixed portion of the vehicle.

The term "first rotatable connecting element" should be interpreted as an element that rotates with respect to its connecting portion, i.e. when connected to the lower grip handle portion and to a stationary part of the vehicle, the element rotates with respect to the lower grip handle portion and with respect to the stationary part of the vehicle. Further, the lower grip handle portion can be moved along the elongated upper grip handle portion in different ways, for example, by being telescopically connected to the elongated upper grip handle portion, or slidably connected to the elongated upper grip handle portion.

One advantage is that the accessibility of the armrest apparatus will be improved. In particular, when the retractable armrest apparatus is connected to a vehicle door, the lower grip handle portion will slide downward when the vehicle door is opened (i.e., during rotation of the upper hinge portion of the reciprocating connecting element). Thereby, the operator can easily reach down to grip the handle portion to enter the vehicle cab. By using a retractable armrest apparatus, the driver's knee clearance will also be improved, since the retractable armrest apparatus may be arranged close to the vehicle door when the vehicle door is closed. In other words, when the door is opened, the actuated lower grip handle portion is easily accessible to the vehicle operator and comfortably enters the vehicle cab. After entering the vehicle cab, the operator can use the same armrest apparatus to close the doors without accessibility problems. The telescopic armrest apparatus will also improve the safety of the operator during driving, as it will be able to provide more knee clearance.

According to an example embodiment, the reciprocating connection element may include: an outer connecting element comprising the first portion; and an inner connecting element comprising the second portion, wherein one of the inner and outer connecting elements is arranged to telescope relative to the other of the inner and outer connecting elements.

The telescopic interconnection is adapted to effect a reciprocating movement of the reciprocating connecting element.

According to an example embodiment, the upper hinge part may be arranged to rotate around an upper geometrical axis, wherein the direction of the upper geometrical axis is substantially parallel to the extension of the elongated upper gripping handle part.

The upper geometric axis will therefore move in a substantially horizontal plane and may therefore be suitably connected to the door to follow the movement of the door when opening and closing the door.

According to an example embodiment, the lower hinge part may be arranged to rotate around a lower geometrical axis, wherein the direction of the lower geometrical axis is not parallel to the direction of the upper geometrical axis.

Thus, the lower hinge part can rotate such that: when the door is opened, the lower grip handle portion will move downward.

According to an example embodiment, the direction of the lower geometric axis may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of the upper geometric axis.

According to an example embodiment, the elongated upper and lower gripping handle portions may form a telescopic interconnection.

Other alternatives are also conceivable, such as a connecting portion arranged to slide along the elongated upper gripping handle portion. In fact, any arrangement that will move the lower grip handle portion relative to the elongated upper grip handle portion may be used.

According to an example embodiment, the grip handle connection portion may be arranged to rotate around the following geometrical axes: the geometric axis is perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion.

According to an example embodiment, the lower grip handle portion may be an elongated lower grip handle portion having an extension in the same direction as the elongated upper grip handle portion.

The use of an elongate lower grip handle portion is advantageous as it will be easier for the operator to reach when entering the vehicle cab.

According to an example embodiment, the first rotatable connection element may be connected to an upper portion of the elongated lower grip handle portion, wherein the telescopic armrest apparatus further comprises a second rotatable connection element comprising a lower grip handle connection portion rotatably connecting the second rotatable connection element to a lower portion of the elongated lower grip handle portion.

Thus, by using more connection points, the retractable armrest apparatus will be more robust.

According to an example embodiment, the second rotatable connection element may comprise a second inner connection portion comprising a second lower hinge part which is rotatably connectable to a fixed part of the vehicle.

According to an example embodiment, the lower grip handle connection portion may be arranged to rotate around the following geometrical axes: the geometric axis is perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion.

Preferably, the geometric axis about which the lower grip handle attachment portion rotates is parallel to the geometric axis about which the grip handle attachment portion rotates.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a door rotatably connected to a fixed part of the vehicle, the vehicle further comprising a retractable armrest apparatus according to any of the above embodiments of the first aspect, wherein the upper and lower hinge parts are connected to the fixed part of the vehicle.

According to an example embodiment, the elongated upper grip handle portion may be connected to a vehicle door.

According to an example embodiment, the reciprocating connecting element may be arranged in an extended state when the vehicle door is opened from the vehicle and in a retracted state when the vehicle door is closed.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower grip handle portion may be moved away from the reciprocating connecting element in a vertical direction when opening the vehicle door.

Thus, when the door is opened, the operator will be able to reach sufficiently under the grip handle portion.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different features may be combined to produce embodiments other than those described below without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be better understood from the following illustrative, non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an example embodiment of a vehicle in the form of a truck, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle cab;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a vehicle cab depicting an exemplary embodiment of a retractable armrest apparatus when a vehicle door is closed;

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a vehicle cab depicting an exemplary embodiment of the retractable armrest apparatus when the vehicle door is open; and is

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a retractable armrest apparatus according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided for sufficiency and completeness. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 in the form of a truck is provided. Vehicle 10 includes a vehicle cab 20 and a door 30, and an operator of vehicle 10 may enter or exit vehicle cab 20 through door 30. As depicted in fig. 1, the vehicle 10 further includes a retractable armrest apparatus 100, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 being connected to the vehicle door 30 and to at least one fixed portion 12 of the vehicle 10 (see, e.g., fig. 2 a-2 b). The retractable armrest apparatus 100, described in more detail below with reference to fig. 2 a-3, is arranged to assist a vehicle operator in entering and exiting the vehicle cab 20. The retractable armrest apparatus 100 may also be used by an operator to close the vehicle door 30 once the operator is seated in the vehicle cab 20.

To describe the retractable armrest apparatus in more detail, referring to fig. 2 a-2 b, fig. 2 a-2 b are perspective views of a vehicle cab and the retractable armrest apparatus according to example embodiments. In particular, fig. 2a shows the retractable armrest apparatus 100 in its position when the vehicle door is closed. For ease of understanding, the vehicle door is omitted from fig. 2a, while fig. 2b shows the retractable armrest apparatus 100 in its position when the vehicle door 30 is open. As can be seen in fig. 2a to 2b, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is actuated by movement of the vehicle door 30. In particular, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is disposed within a vehicle cab structure when the vehicle door 30 is closed. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the gripping handle 102 of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is arranged substantially parallel to the vehicle door. The telescopic armrest apparatus also includes a reciprocating connecting member 108, the reciprocating connecting member 108 connecting the telescopic armrest apparatus 100 to the fixed portion 12 of the vehicle. When the door is closed, the reciprocating connecting element 108 extends substantially in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

As described above, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is preferably actuated by movement of the vehicle door 30. Therefore, a portion of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is preferably attached to the vehicle door 30. Preferably, at least one of the upper grip handle portion 104, the first rotatable connecting element 120 and the second rotatable connecting element 150 of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 is connected to the vehicle door 30 so as to follow the movement of the vehicle door 30 when the vehicle door 30 is opened and closed. The retractable armrest apparatus 100 is preferably attached adjacent to the interior surface of the vehicle door 30 so as not to interfere with the driver's knee clearance when the vehicle door 30 is closed. When the vehicle door 30 is opened, the lower grip handle portion 106 of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 will move vertically downward. Thus, during entry into the vehicle cab 20, the operator may use a so-called three-point contact here to improve balance. Thus, the operator will be able to place one foot on the ground 800, one foot on the foot support 802, and one hand on the lower grip handle portion 106 of the retractable armrest apparatus 100.

To describe the retractable armrest apparatus 100 and its functionality in more detail, referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a perspective view of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 according to an example embodiment. In particular, fig. 3 shows the retractable armrest apparatus 100 in solid lines when the vehicle door 30 is closed, and shows the retractable armrest apparatus 100 in dashed lines when the vehicle door 30 is open. The door 30 is omitted from fig. 3 for simplicity of illustration. Fig. 3 further illustrates the movement of the various components of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 during opening/closing of the vehicle door 30.

The retractable armrest apparatus 100 includes a grip handle 102, the grip handle 102 including a lower grip handle portion 106 and an elongated upper grip handle portion 104. According to the example embodiment depicted in the figures, the lower grip handle portion 106 is also elongated and extends in the same direction as the main portion of the elongated upper grip handle portion 104. As depicted by the vertical arrow 402, the lower grip handle portion 106 is movable relative to the elongated upper grip handle portion 104. As also depicted in fig. 3, the elongated upper and lower grip handle portions 104, 106 form a telescoping interconnection. Here, the elongated upper grip handle portion 104 is movable within the lower grip handle portion 106. The upper and lower grip handle portions 104, 106 are here formed from respective tubes, wherein the tube diameter of the lower grip handle portion 106 is larger than the tube diameter of the upper grip handle portion 104.

In addition, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 includes a reciprocating connecting member 108, the reciprocating connecting member 108 connecting the elongated upper grip handle portion 104 to the fixed portion 12 of the vehicle 10. In particular, the reciprocating connection element 108 includes a first portion 110 fixedly connected to the elongated upper grip handle portion 104, and a second portion 112 including an upper hinge portion 114. Further, the upper hinge portion 114 is rotatably connected to the fixed portion 12 of the vehicle 10. As can be seen in fig. 3, the upper hinge part 114 is arranged to rotate about the upper geometrical axis 200, which rotation is depicted by arrow 404. According to the embodiment depicted in fig. 3, the upper geometric axis 200 is more or less parallel to the extension of the elongated upper gripping handle portion 104.

As also shown in fig. 3, the reciprocating connecting element 108 includes an inner connecting element 113 and an outer connecting element 111. Here, the reciprocating connecting element 108 is telescopic, since the outer connecting element 111 is movable relative to the inner connecting element 113. In detail, the inner connection element 113 and the outer connection element 111 are arranged to telescopically interconnect, wherein the inner connection element 113 is movable in the direction of arrow 406.

In addition, the retractable armrest apparatus 100 further comprises a first rotatable connection element 120, the first rotatable connection element 120 comprising a grip handle connection portion 122. The grip handle attachment portion 122 is rotatably attached to the upper end 142 of the lower grip handle portion 106. The grip handle attachment portion 122 is rotatable about a geometric axis 204. The geometric axis 204 is preferably perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion 104. Furthermore, the first rotatable connection element 120 further comprises an inner connection portion 124. The inner attachment portion 124 includes a lower hinge portion 126, and the lower hinge portion 126 is rotatably attached to the stationary portion 12 of the vehicle 10. Lower hinge portion 126 is arranged to rotate about a lower geometric axis 202. The lower hinge part 126 can here be rotated in the direction of arrow 408.

The retractable armrest apparatus 100 further includes a second rotatable connecting element 150, the second rotatable connecting element 150 being connected between the lower portion 140 of the lower grip handle portion 106 and the fixed portion 12 of the vehicle 10. In particular, the second rotatable connection element 150 includes a lower grip handle connection portion 152, the lower grip handle connection portion 152 rotatably connecting the second rotatable connection element 150 to the lower portion 140 of the lower grip handle portion 106. The lower grip handle attachment portion 152 is rotatable about a geometric axis 206. The geometric axis 206 is preferably perpendicular to the direction of the elongated upper gripping handle portion 104.

The second rotatable connection element 150 further comprises a second inner connection portion 154, the second inner connection portion 154 comprising a second lower hinge portion 156. The second lower hinge portion 156 can be rotatably connected to a fixed portion of the vehicle. The second lower hinge part 156 is arranged to rotate around a second lower geometrical axis 208. The second lower hinge part 156 can here be rotated in the direction of arrow 410.

The movement of the above-described components during actuation of the vehicle door 30 (i.e., when opening and closing the vehicle door 30) will be described below. For simplicity of description, the description will be focused on opening the vehicle door from its closed position to its open position.

When the vehicle door 30 is closed, the reciprocating connecting element 108 is disposed in its retracted position and the lower grip handle portion 106 is disposed at its uppermost position along the elongated upper grip handle portion 104. Thus, the first rotatable connection element 120 and the second rotatable connection element 150 are positioned pointing upwards.

When the door 30 is open, the elongated upper grip handle portion 104 will follow the movement of the door 30. The upper hinge portion 114 will rotate about the upper geometric axis 200 to rotate as indicated by arrow 404. Because the elongated upper grab handle portion 104 will follow the movement of the vehicle door 30, the reciprocating connecting element 108 will expand and be disposed in an extended state such that the elongated upper grab handle portion 104 moves laterally away from the upper hinge portion 114. Due to the rotatable connection of the grab handle connection portion 122 to the lower grab handle portion 106 and the connection of the lower hinge portion 126 to the fixed portion 12 of the vehicle, movement of the vehicle door 30 will also cause the lower grab handle portion 106 to move downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 402. The second rotatable connection member 150 will also cause the lower grip handle connection portion 152 to move downwardly. Thus, when the door 30 is opened, the lower grip handle portion 106 moves laterally and downward, which will improve accessibility to an operator when the operator intends to use the retractable armrest apparatus 100 as a support for accessing the vehicle.

When the vehicle door 30 is thereafter closed, the above-described components of the retractable armrest apparatus 100 will move in the opposite direction to that described above.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; rather, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims set forth below.