GB2214067A

GB2214067A - Footstool

Info

Publication number: GB2214067A
Application number: GB8800103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Robert Perkins
Original assignee: POLLY PERKINS PRODUCT S Ltd
Current assignee: POLLY PERKINS PRODUCT S Ltd
Priority date: 1988-01-05
Filing date: 1988-01-05
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Also published as: GB8800103D0

Abstract

A footstool 1 in the manner of a conventional type of footstool used in shoe-shops has a transparent window panel 9, which can be slidably opened. The footstool is intended for use as a children's plaything and toy articles resembling conventional items sold or used in a shoe-shop can be contained within the footstool and displayed through the window panel. <IMAGE>

Description

FOOTSTOOL The present invention relates to a footstol and more particularly to a footstool which is especially suitable for use by children.

According to the present invention, a footool comprises a hollow structure having a surface L'Dn which a foot is intended to be supported, an opting through which articles can be placed within the structure, and a window formed from a transparert material so that the articles so placed can be viewed from outside of said structure.

In one embodiment, a wall of the structure formed from a panel of transparent plastics ma.e--al, for example, "Perspex". The panel may be movably mounted, for example within grooves to provide sliding door, or by hinges, so as to provide tr opening into the structure. Alternatively, the pending may be provided through a movably mounted upper panel forming a lid or through another wall of the stature.

The upper surface preferably comprises a generally horizontal seating portion and a sloping portion, upon which a foot is intended to be supported. Te footstool may thus be shaped to resemble a foots-Dol of the conventional type used in a shoe shop.

The footstool is preferably made from wooc plastics material and is especially suitable fc- use by children as a plaything.

To this end and from another aspect theref-re, the invention provides a footstool as above ces~r bed and suitable for use by children as a plaything -n combination with miniature shoe boxes, containin miniature shoes, and other accessories, which together may be housed in the footstool and displayed through the window to form a miniature shoe shop.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a footstool, in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the footstool shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a footstool 1 comprises two generally vertical side walls 2, 3 and a front wall 4. An upper surface consists of a generally horizontal seat 5 and a sloping portion 6, upon which a foot is intended to be placed. Provided along the lower edge of the sloping portion is an upstanding ridge /, against which the back of the foot can be rested to prevent the foot from sliding off of the sloping portion.

Rear 8 of the footstool has an opening which is closed by a window panel 9 of transparent plastics material, for example "Perspex". This panel 9 slides in a vertical direction in two longitudinal grooves 10, 11 and is provided with a knob 12 to enable the panel to be lifted and lowered.

The footstool is hollow, so that articles (not shown) can be placed within the structure of the footstool by lifting the panel 9. These articles are supported on a raised base 13 of the footstool and can be displayed and viewed through the window panel 9.

The footstool has a frame r:ade from timber or a plastics material and the walls, upper surface and base are formed from a plywood or plastics material. The dimensions of the rootstool may be length approximately 46 cm (18"), width approximately 25 cm (10"), and maximum height also approximately 25 cm (10").

The footstool is intended for use as a children's plaything. The shape in accorc-nze with the embod- iment shown and described resembles a footstool of the conventional type used i shoe shops. In this respect, it is intended to contain toy articles resembling conventional items soffid or used in a shoe shop. These items may comprise cardboard shoe boxes for dolls shoes, a shoehorn and a foot measure both made in a plastics material, small tins of polish and a sales receipt book. The items may be mounted within the footstool structure to form a shoe shop window display, which is viewed through the Perspex panel.Thus, a child ra play at running a shoe shop in conjunction with other children or dolls.

The footstool is construct to take the weight of a seated child and ma be painted and decorated with any desired desing and/or lettering, using non-toxic materials, such as a vinyl.

Whilst a particular embodfflrent has been described, it will be understood that varies modifications may be made without departure from the scope of the invention. For example the window panel 9 may be fixed and the horizontal seat 5 formed as a lid to afford access to the interior of the footstool. In a further alternative embodiment, one or both of the side walls 2, 3 may be formed as or incorporate a window. In yet another alternative, the window panel 9. may be arranged to slide in a horizontal direction.

Claims

1. A footstool comprising a hollow structure having a surface upon which a foot is intended to be supported, an opening through which articles can be placed within the structure, and a window formed from a transparent material so that the articles so placed can be viewed from outside of said structure.

2. A footstool as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wall cf the structure is formed from a panel of transparent plastics material.

3. A footstool as claimed in claim 2, wherein the panel is movably mounted so as to provide the opening into the structure.

4. A footstool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the panel is mounted within grooves to provide a sliding door.

5. A footstool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the panel is mounted by hinges.

6. A footstool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening is provided through a movably mounted upper panel forming a lid or through another wall of the structure.

7; A footstool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface comprises a generally horizontal seating portion and a sloping portion upon which a foot is intended to be supported.

8. A footstool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the footstool is made from wood or plastics material.

9. A footstool substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A footstool as claimed in any preceding claim and suitable for use by children as a plaything, in combination with miniature shoe boxes, containing minature shoes, and other accessories, which together may be housed in the footstool and displayed through the window to form a miniature shoe shop.