They didn't even patent the shape. They basically patented any armrest consisting of two an upper and lower armrest, where the upper armrest is smaller in width

They didn't even patent the shape. They basically patented any armrest consisting of two an upper and lower armrest, where the upper armrest is smaller in width and/or length than the lower armrest. This also includes designs where the two armrests are joined at the side (or back), instead of just at the front (as depicted in their product images). Honestly, it's a pretty silly patent... http://www.google.com/patents/US7959231 http://www.google.com/patents/US7959231