Importance

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Abstract

A compact and modular armrest having a frame with a pair of spaced apart downturned sidewalls each possessing a slot for capturing a portion of the thumbwheel that receives a height adjuster bolt having one end threaded into a nut anchored to a top wall web interconnecting the sidewalls of the frame and a head at its other end rotatively coupled to the thumbwheel with the bolt head bearing against the free end of a post attached to a bracket pivotally mounting the armrest to a vehicle seat. A retainer ring is secured to the bolt adjacent the head for keeping the thumbwheel and bolt captive to the frame. The ring also limits how far the thumbwheel can slide axially along the bolt head which also limits armrest height adjustment in one direction when the bolt is rotated in one direction. Height adjustment in the opposite direction can be limited by the ring bearing against the anchor nut when the bolt is rotated in the opposite direction. Preferably, height adjustment in the opposite direction is limited by an unthreaded portion of the bolt stem stopping against the threads of the anchor nut. A pad covering the frame also lines at least a portion of each slot for contacting the thumbwheel to dampen vibration and oppose random thumbwheel rotation. During operation, the thumbwheel is manually grasped between the thumb and forefinger of a seat occupant and rotated thereby rotating the bolt to raise or lower the armrest depending upon the direction of thumbwheel and bolt rotation.

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First Claim