CA2017814A1 - Footstool - Google Patents

Footstool

Info

Publication number
CA2017814A1
CA2017814A1 CA002017814A CA2017814A CA2017814A1 CA 2017814 A1 CA2017814 A1 CA 2017814A1 CA 002017814 A CA002017814 A CA 002017814A CA 2017814 A CA2017814 A CA 2017814A CA 2017814 A1 CA2017814 A1 CA 2017814A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
foot rest
rest device
radius
convex
convexity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002017814A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stephen C. Fox
Vladimir Mueller
Jocelyn Beaulieu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Global Upholstery Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Global Upholstery Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Global Upholstery Co Ltd filed Critical Global Upholstery Co Ltd
Priority to CA002017814A priority Critical patent/CA2017814A1/en
Publication of CA2017814A1 publication Critical patent/CA2017814A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C16/00Stand-alone rests or supports for feet, legs, arms, back or head
    • A47C16/02Footstools; Foot-rests; Leg-rests
    • A47C16/025Footstools; Foot-rests; Leg-rests adjustable, swivelling, rocking

Landscapes

  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

There are disclosed foot rest devices having a flat rectangular side forming a chord with an opposed curved side which, in turn, has two partial cylindrical sections.
In one embodiment, the two partial cylindrical sections have an equal radius with respect to one another. In another embodiment, one of the two partial cylindrical sections has a greater radius than the other. This gives the foot rest device different modes of use, namely, a flat side down where the user can rest a foot on one or the other cylindrical portion, or both; or curved side down, where, in the first embodiment, the user can rest his foot on one of the two slopes, or, in another embodiment, the user can rest his foot on a steeper slope or alternately, on a flatter slope, depending on which cylindrical portion rests on a substrate.

Description

2~)1781~
FOOT REST
' " ' ' ' This invention relates to foot rest devices. More p~r~-c~l-dl~, t~l-is i~v~r~Li~n ~ates t~ f~t rest ~ev~c~
having different contoured surfaces, either one of which may be used both to rest the foot or feet or to contact the floor.
There are different types of foot rest device which are known; these range from non-movable or non-rotatable footstools of various configurations, to larger hassocks which are basically also non-movable.
In many cases, it would be desirable to provide a movable, foot-actuatable foot rest device; accordingly, this invention is directed to an improvement in a foot rest ~
device in which different types of movement can be achieved, - ~~
due to the structure of the device.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is '' ~ .'.' i f'"' provided in a foot rest device having a surface adapted to provide a bearing surface for a foot or feet, the `
lmprovement wherein the foot rest device includes a convex 20 sur~ace comprising two convex segments, and wherein each ~ ;
convex segment has a radius of curvature identical to that ;~
of the other of the convex segments, thus forming surfaces for the foot rest device with identical convex con~lguratlons.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided in a foot rest device having a surfaçe adapted to provide a bearing surface for a foot or feet, the improvement wherein the foot rest device includes a convex ;
sur~ace comprising first and second convex segments, and wherein each of the convex segments has different radii of curvature, thus forming surfaces for the foot rest device with variable convex configurations. ;
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In another aspect of this invention, there is provided a foot rest device having different foot rest positions in use, and wherein the foot rest supporting areas comprisè a plurality of planar surfaces, at least two of which are of a non-linear configuration, and form chords of a circle, and in which each of the two or more chords are of differing lengths relative to each other.
In a still further aspect of this invention, there is provided a foot rest device comprising first and second opposed surfaces, the first surface being a generally flat planar surface and having first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends, and the second surface being generally convex and comprising a median apical region extending on one side to one of the ends of the first surface and on the other side to the other of the ends of the first surface to form first and second curvilinear segments of the second convex surface whereby the first ~egment of the second convex surface has a first convexity, and the second segment has a second convexity, wherein the flrst convexity is greater than the second convexity.
In preferred embodiments of the above foot rests the foot rest device has a form where the first and second convexities are shaped to have a smooth curve configuration, and have a width similar to the width of the first surface.
In another embodiment, the foot rest device is one wherein the first and second convexities have cylindrical .. ~.
curvatures, with the first convexity having a first radius, the second convexity having a second radius, and with the .
second radius being greater than the first radius.
Particularly preferred structures are where the foot rest has a first radius of curvature for one segment with a ratio to the second radius of curvature of the second ;
segment of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.30, and more preferably of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.15 or more 35 desirably of between about 1:1.02 and 1:1.05.

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In another preferred form of the foot rest device the above defined second surface is generally convex and comprises spaced apart ends operatively associated with a respective end of the first surface, the second surface having opposed, generally curvilinear sides, the convex surface having a median apical region extending between the opposed sides thereof and forming a smooth cylindrical join between the first and second convexities in the apical region. -` ~;
In still other preferred forms of the invention, the form of the first and second convexities in the foot rest are independently selected from smooth curves, and have the same cross-section perpendicular to the third and fourth edges, from the third curvilinear edge to the fourth lS curvilinear edge. The curves can be selected from circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, parabolas, cycloids, involutes, evolutes, and other smooth mathematical curves.
Conveniently the first and second convexities have cylindrical curvatures, the first convexity having a first 20 radius, the second convexity having a second radius, the second radius being larger than the first radius.
In the foot rest device of the present invention, one or more o~ the surfaces may be provided with anti-skid ; ;
or anti-slip properties. While these may take different 25 forms, such as with the choice of material used to form the Zurface, the surface may also be provided with spaced apart i~
grooves or ridges.
The surface of the foot rest device of the present invention can be made of any suitable material; for example, , ~;
30 the device may be formed with a frame component conforming generally to the contours desired and a surface covering in turn placed over the frame. Thus, a suitable frame " , .

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structure of wood, plastic or metal can be formed, and a suitable covering material secured by appropriate means to the frame can be provided to form the surfaces of the foot rest device. Alternately, the device may be formed as a one-piece or integral unit by, for example, injection moulding and, if desired, appropriate surface coverings can be fixedly secured thereto.
The surface coverings may be any suitable material, such as rubber, cloth or other fabrics which have a des~red appearance and structural characteristics, e.g., anti-skid properties. The grooves are preferably, when provided, formed from the material providing the surface 3tructure, but it will be appreciated that they can also be formed by adding transversely extending strips of suitable material extending across a portion or the total width of the foot rest device surfaces.
A particularly preferred form of the foot rest device of the present invention includes a generally rigid frame structure, but with a foot rest device surface of semi-flexible or compressible material to provide a "feel"
of depth and a cushion effect for the product. To this end, the choice of material forming the surface will be selected to have these properties, e.g., rubber, foam or the like.
The size of the foot rest device of the present invention may vary considerably, for example, smaller units can be designed for providing a single foot rest device, or alternately, euch foot rest devices may have length and width characteristics sufficient to accommodate a pair of feet. Typically, the overall width dimension of the device may range from about 6 to about 8 inches for smaller units, to about 36 inches or more for larger units, and have depth ~ 31'781~ `

dimensions ranging from about 6 to about 8 inches, to about 18 inches or more~. Likewise, the length of the cylindrical surfaces may range from, e.g., 20 to 40 inches or more.
The device of the present invention provides a very relaxing type of foot rest device which can be used in a variety of positions, depending on the wishes of the user.
~hus, a user may choose from at least three different foot rest device configurations, one or more of which will provide a fixed position "rocking" action, while in other embodlments, the user may merely rotate or turn over the device to provide a non-rocking action, with different foot `
re3t device configurations.
Having thus generally described the invention, re~erence will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments, and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred foot rest device o~ the present invention;
Figure 2 i9 a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in use; and Figure 3, 4, and 5 are detailed side views of ~;
three alternative different modes of utilising the invention. -''" ., '''~.

Preferred embodiments are illustrated in the drawings; the foot rest device is generally indicated by numeral 10, and has a generally flat, planar surface 12, and a generally convex surface 14. Planar surface 12 forms a chord to convex surface 14, with end panel 16 filling the space between surfaces 12 and 14. Planar surface 12 is of a generally flat, rectangular outline, thus the foot rest - ;
device 10 resembles in side elevation a partial cylinder.

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Surfaces 12 and 14 meet at rounded ends 18 and 20. The side surfaces of foot rest device 10 are bordered by edges 22, extending parallel to rounded ends 18 and 20. Convex surface 14 has two convex portions or segments 24 and 26, both of which are of different convexity with portion 24 having greater convexity than portion 26. Both portions 24 and 26 blend smoothly into each other. In this embodiment, the two portions 24 and 26 form parts of a cylindrical surface, with the greater convex portion 24 having a lesser radius of generation than the less convex portion 26.
A general mode of use is shown in Fig. 2, where the foot rest device 10 has its planar surface 12 resting or a substrate or floor 28, with a user 30 sitting in a chair 32, and resting his/her foot/feet on the less convex portion 26 of surface 14.
Amongst other use possibilities, a user can place the foot rest device 10 with the planar surface 12 on a ~ubstrate or floor 28, and then rest his/her foot/feet on the greater convex portion 24 (forming a steeper curve as shown in Figure 4), or on the less convex portion 26 ~forming a flatter curve as shown in Figure 5), according to the desire of the user 30. Accordingly, the user can place the foot rest device 10 with the convex surface 14 on a substrate 28, and rest hi-~/her foot/feet on the planar surface 12; in this case, the less convex portion 26 of surface 14 is in contact with the substrate 28, forming a flatter slope for the foot/feet to rest on and allowing a slower rocking motion. Alternately, placing the greater convex portion 24 of surface 14 in contact with the substrate 28 would form a steeper slope, and allow a faster rocking motion according to the desire of the user.
As those skilled in the art will realise, these preferred illustrated dimensions, details and proportions can be subject to substantial variations, modifications, ~ .

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changes, alterations, and substitutions without affecting or modifying the function of the illustrated embodiments.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, the device of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the :;
spirit, nature and scope of the invention as claimed and de~cribed.
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Claims (22)

1. In a foot rest device having a surface adapted to provide a bearing surface for a foot or feet, the improvement wherein said foot rest device includes a convex surface comprising two convex segments, and wherein each of said convex segments has a radius of curvature identical relative to the other of said convex segments, thus forming surfaces for said foot rest device having identical convex configurations with respect to one another.
2. In a foot rest device, the improvement wherein there is provided a foot rest device having different foot rest device positions in use, and wherein said foot rest device positions comprise a plurality of planar surfaces, at least two of which form chords of a non-linear configuration, and in which each of said two or more chords are of identical curvature relative to each other.
3. A foot rest device comprising first and second opposed surfaces, wherein said first surface is a generally flat planar surface and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends, and wherein said second surface is generally convex and comprising a median apical region extending on one side to one of said ends of said first surface and on the other side to the other of said ends of said first surface to form two curvilinear segments of said second convex surface, whereby each of said two curvilinear segments of said second convex surface has a convexity which is identical relative to the other.
4. The foot rest device of Claim 3, wherein said convexity is shaped to have a smooth curve configuration, and wherein said curvilinear segments have a combined width similar to the width of said first surface.
5. The foot rest device of Claim 4, wherein said convexity of each of said curvilinear segments has a cylindrical curvature, said curvature having a radius.
6. A foot rest device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first and second surfaces have elongated ridges thereon extending across the width thereof.
7. The foot rest device of Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said device has a surface covering having transversely extending ridges thereon.
8. The foot rest device of Claim 4 or 5, wherein said device has a surface covering having transversely extending ridges thereon.
9. In a foot rest device having a surface adapted to provide a bearing surface for a foot or feet, the improvement wherein said foot rest device includes a convex surface comprising first and second convex segments, and wherein each of said convex segments has different radii of curvature, thus forming surfaces for said foot rest device with variable convex configurations.
10. In a foot rest device, the improvement wherein there is provided a foot rest device having different foot rest device positions in use, and wherein said foot rest device positions comprise a plurality of planar surfaces, at least two of which form chords of a non-linear configuration, and in which each of said two or more chords are of differing curvatures relative to each other.
11. A foot rest device comprising first and second opposed surfaces, wherein said first surface is a generally flat planar surface and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends, and wherein said second surface is generally convex and comprising a median apical region extending on one side to one of said ends of said first surface and on the other side to the other of said ends of said first surface to form first and second curvilinear segments of said second convex surface whereby said first segment of said second convex surface has a first convexity, and said second segment has a second convexity, wherein said first convexity is greater than said second convexity.
12. The foot rest device of Claim 11, wherein said first and second convexities are shaped to have a smooth curve configuration, and have a width similar to the width of said first surface.
13. The foot rest device of Claim 12, wherein said first and second convexities have cylindrical curvatures, said first convexity having a first radius, said second convexity having a second radius, said second radius being greater than said first radius.
14. The foot rest device of Claim 13, wherein said first radius has a ratio to said second radius of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.30.
15. The foot rest device of Claim 14, wherein said first radius has a ratio to said second radius of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.15.
16. The foot rest device of Claim 9, wherein the radius of one convex segment has a ratio to the radius of the other convex segment of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.05.
17. A foot rest device as defined in Claim 3 or 11, wherein said second surface is generally convex and comprises spaced apart ends operatively associated with a respective end of said first surface, said second surface having opposed, generally curvilinear sides, said convex surface having a median apical region extending between said opposed sides thereof and forming a smooth cylindrical join between said first and second convexities in said apical region.
18. The foot rest device of Claim 17, wherein said first and second convexities have cylindrical curvatures, said first convexity having a first radius, said second convexity having a second radius, said first radius having a ratio to said second radius of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.30.
19. The foot rest device of Claim 18, wherein said first radius has a ratio to said second radius of between about 1:1.02 and about 1:1.15.
20. A foot rest device as defined in Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said first and second surfaces have elongated ridges thereon extending across the width thereof.
21. The foot rest device of Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said device has a surface covering having transversely extending ridges thereon.
22. The foot rest device of Claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein said device has a surface covering having transversely extending ridges thereon.
CA002017814A 1990-05-30 1990-05-30 Footstool Abandoned CA2017814A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002017814A CA2017814A1 (en) 1990-05-30 1990-05-30 Footstool

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002017814A CA2017814A1 (en) 1990-05-30 1990-05-30 Footstool

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2017814A1 true CA2017814A1 (en) 1991-11-30

Family

ID=4145096

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002017814A Abandoned CA2017814A1 (en) 1990-05-30 1990-05-30 Footstool

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2017814A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103192752A (en) * 2013-04-12 2013-07-10 岐周 Foot support for riding
AU2009233637B2 (en) * 2008-11-28 2015-04-02 Nathan Jay Port A footrest
WO2022061391A1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2022-03-31 Steven Teh Ergonomic foot rest and massager
USD950970S1 (en) 2020-07-30 2022-05-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Footrest
US11547215B2 (en) 2020-07-29 2023-01-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Footrest device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2009233637B2 (en) * 2008-11-28 2015-04-02 Nathan Jay Port A footrest
CN103192752A (en) * 2013-04-12 2013-07-10 岐周 Foot support for riding
US11547215B2 (en) 2020-07-29 2023-01-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Footrest device
USD950970S1 (en) 2020-07-30 2022-05-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Footrest
WO2022061391A1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2022-03-31 Steven Teh Ergonomic foot rest and massager

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 19921130