PAPERCLIP ARMREST
The award-winning Paperclip Armrest is a patented design concept that solves the perennial problem of fighting for elbowroom in high-density seating. It features a unique double-deck geometry that allows two persons to share an armrest in places such as the aircraft cabin, trains or theatres.
The concept has won a number of high-profile international design awards including the Crystal Cabin Award, Red Dot Award, Good Design Award and the A' Design Award.
The Paperclip Armrest can be incorporated into your seating products. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in experiencing the concept, or if you just require further information.
THE ARMREST WAR
It is a common-place experience: flying on a plane, riding on a train, sitting in a lecture or watching a movie– the fight for the armrest. It’s a trivial yet annoying aspect of everyday life.
And how often do people sit there fuming over the frustration. Yet armrest design has remained static for decades- a plain two-dimensional plane.
THE THIRD DIMENSION
The Paperclip Armrest makes use of the 3rd dimension- vertical space- to add a second deck and thus double the surface available. Most people assume this means neighbours need to be of specific heights to make that work. In fact, our arms are flexible and can easily adapt to different heights: the forearm pivots around the shoulder joint, while swinging the elbow forward also raises it. The key is that the gap between the upper level of the armrest and the backrest makes way for the arm using the lower level.
PAPERCLIP TO THE RESCUE
The Paperclip Armrest doubles the space available, so adjacent passengers or patrons can use the same armrest. If one person is already using one level, the other just swings their arms a bit to use the other level.
The Paperclip Armrest is a better way to ensure that the end-users of public seating facilities are accommodated in greater comfort.
VARIATIONS ON A THEME
The dual-user Paperclip armrest is merely a basic concept that can appear in many different shapes, forms and materials.
In order for it to achieve its goals, the basic criteria need to be followed: i.e. the two levels must be approximately three inches (7.5 cm) apart, with a roughly 8-inch (20cm) gap between backrest and the upper level.
APPLICATIONS
The Paperclip armrest is useful in all types of high-density seating arrangements, where people sit side-by-side with only enough room for one narrow armrest between them.
Applications include aircraft cabins, ferry cabins, coaches, cinemas, theatres, lecture halls, and public seating in the waiting areas of airports, train stations, ferry terminals, bus terminals, public offices, clinics and hospitals.
LICENSING OPPORTUNITIES
Patents for the Paperclip Armrest has been granted in the USA and UK, and pending in a number of other countries and regions.
The design concept can be incorporated into your seating products to help you step ahead of competition with a differentiated product.
Please contact us if you’d like experience the concept on a prototype, or if you’d like to learn more about how the Paperclip Armrest can benefit your business.
