Tablet arm assembly for seats

Claim 2

A foldable tablet assembly for the arm rest of a seat, comprising; a member pivotally mounted for movement about a fixed first horizontal axis extending transversely of said arm rest, said pivotal member being movable from a raised operative position to a stowed position, the movement between said positions being effected by rotation of the pivotal member downwardly from said raised position, a tablet member pivotal on sAid pivotal member about a second axis perpendicular to said first pivotal axis, and interengaging means restricting and guiding movement of said assembly, said interengaging means including: a. a fixed surface extending transversely of the arm rest and a part of the tablet member engageable therewith when the pivotal member is in its raised operative position and when the tablet member is other than substantially vertical, the engagement occurring at locations spaced from said first axis to prevent downwards movement of said pivotal member from its raised position when said tablet member is other than substantially vertical, and b. a fixed vertical surface extending longitudinally of the arm rest and engageable with a part of said tablet member and forming guide means to maintain the tablet in a substantially vertical disposition when the pivotal member is displaced downwardly from said raised position.

Claim 3

A foldable tablet assembly according to claim 1, wherein said interengaging means comprise a lug forming part of the tablet member and extending radially of the said second axis, and wherein the arm rest presents a first surface extending transversely thereof and engageable with the lug to hold the pivotal member in its raised position when the tablet member is substantially displaced from the vertical plane, and a second vertical surface parallel to the arm rest which constitutes part of guide means which co-act with the lug to hold the tablet member in a substantially vertical plane while the pivotal member is moved downwardly from the raised to the stowed position.

Claim 4

A foldable tablet assembly according to claim 2, wherein said tablet member includes a shaft rotatable on said pivotal member about said second axis, and wherein said shaft also carries said lug.

Claim 5

A tablet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the arm rest includes a guide member fixed thereto and having a rearwards facing transverse surface against which the lug is engageable when the pivotal member is raised and when the tablet member is displaced from the vertical position.

Claim 6

A tablet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the said lug also engages with a part of said arm rest to prevent rotation of the tablet member below the horizontal working position.

Claim 7

A seat having an arm rest equipped with a foldable tablet assembly according to claim 1.

Claim 8

A seat having an arm rest equipped with a foldable tablet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the said arm rest is formed as a channel member having its recess facing downwardly, and wherein a guide member is secured internally to one of the flanges of the arm rest, said guide member having a first transverse surface facing rearwardly of the seat and a second surface lying in a vertical plane parallel to the flanges of the arm rest, part of said pivotal member being movably disposed between said second surface and the opposed inner surface of the arm rest flange, and wherein said opposed surfaces provide guide means for a lug forming part of said tablet member, said guide means engaging said lug to hold the tablet member substantially vertical while the pivotal member is moved to or from its raised position, and said first surface engaging with said lug to prevent movement of the pivotal member from the raised position while the tablet member is swung about said second axis from the vertical position.

Claim 9

A seat according to claim 7, wherein said guide member comprises a bent plate having opposite edges thereof secured internally of the arm rest, said rearwardly facing surface being constituted by one edge of a vertical groove in said plate.

Claim 10

A seat having an arm rest equipped with a foldable tablet assembly, wherein said arm rest is formed as a channel member having its recess facing downwardly, said tablet assembly comprising a member pivotally mounted for movement about a first horizontal axis extending transversely of said arm rest, said pivotal member being movable from a raised to a stowed position, a tablet member pivotal oN said pivotal member about a second axis perpendicular to said first pivotal axis, and interengaging means restricting movement of said assembly, said interengaging means including a guide member secured internally to one of the flanges of the arm rest, said guide member having a first transverse surface facing rearwardly of the seat and a second surface lying in a vertical plane parallel to the flanges of the arm rest, part of said pivotal member being movably disposed between said second surface and the opposed inner surface of the arm rest flange, said interengaging means also comprising a lug forming a part of said tablet member, said first surface engaging with said lug when the pivotal member is raised and when the tablet member is other than substantially vertical, the engagement occurring at locations spaced from said first axis to prevent downwards movement of the pivotal member from its raised position while the tablet member is swung down about said second axis from the vertical position, and wherein said second surface and the opposed inner surface of the arm rest flange provide guide means engaging said lug to hold the tablet member substantially vertical while the pivotal member is moved to or from its raised position.

Claim 11

A seat having an arm rest equipped with a foldable tablet assembly, wherein said arm rest is formed as a channel member having its recess facing downwardly, said tablet assembly comprising a member pivotally mounted for movement about a first horizontal axis extending transversely of said arm rest, said pivotal member being movable from a raised to a stowed position, a tablet member pivotal oN said pivotal member about a second axis perpendicular to said first pivotal axis, and interengaging means restricting movement of said assembly, said interengaging means including a guide member secured internally to one of the flanges of the arm rest, said guide member having a first transverse surface facing rearwardly of the seat and a second surface lying in a vertical plane parallel to the flanges of the arm rest, part of said pivotal member being movably disposed between said second surface and the opposed inner surface of the arm rest flange, said interengaging means also comprising a lug forming a part of said tablet member, said first surface engaging with said lug when the pivotal member is raised and when the tablet member is other than substantially vertical, the engagement occurring at locations spaced from said first axis to prevent downwards movement of the pivotal member from its raised position while the tablet member is swung down about said second axis from the vertical position, and wherein said second surface and the opposed inner surface of the arm rest flange provide guide means engaging said lug to hold the tablet member substantially vertical while the pivotal member is moved to or from its raised position.

Claim 12

A seat according to claim 9, wherein said guide member comprises a bent plate having opposite edges thereof secured internally of the arm rest, said rearwardly facing surface being constituted by one edge of a vertical groove in said plate.