GB2355183A

GB2355183A - Foot rest.

Info

Publication number: GB2355183A
Application number: GB9924167A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amnon Boxer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-12
Filing date: 1999-10-12
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-12
Also published as: GB2355183B; GB9924167D0

Abstract

A foot rest primarily intended for travellers comprises a cushion having a substantially planar lower surface (1) and an upper surface (2) which is spaced from and inclined to the lower surface (1). A pair of depressions (8) are provided in the upper surface (2) which are intended, in use, to receive the heels of a user. Swaps (9, 10) may be provided for releasably holding the foot of a user in place on the cushion. The cushion can be inflatable so that, when not required for use, it can be deflated and stowed away occupying a minimum amount of space.

Description

2355183 Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN FOOTRESTS This invention relates to foot

rests.

A problem frequently encountered by long-distance travellers is the lack of support for the legs and feet. Existing foot rests, which are usually pivotally mounted at the front of seats on, for example, aircraft, are frequently hard and not adjustable so that they do not provide a comfortable support for the legs and, particularly for passengers with long legs, no support for the feet.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement over the known arrangements.

According to the invention, there is provided a foot rest which comprises a cushion having a first surface which is intended, in use, to rest on the floor and a second surface which is spaced from and inclined to the first surface and in which a pair of depressions are provided, said depressions being adapted to receive the heels of a user.

Preferably, the foot rest takes the form of an inflatable cushion. The cushion can then be folded substantially flat when not required for use and can be conveniently stowed in a traveller's luggage. When required for use, the cushion can be inflated by mouth or by means of a suitable pump and then deployed in front of a seat.

The depressions may extend right through the cushion from the inclined second surface to the first surface. With this arrangement the cushion can be of minimal thickness while still providing suitably deep locations for the heels.

Strips of a grippable material such as VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) may be applied to the first surface to prevent the cushion from moving when it is placed on a floor.

2 The cushion may further be provided with one or more straps by means of which the feet of a user can be held in place on the cushion. The ends of the straps may be secured together by releasable fastening means such as VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark).

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:- Fig. I is a perspective view of the upper side of one embodiment of a foot rest according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the underneath of the foot rest shown in Fig.

1 Fig. 3 is a plan view of the foot rest shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the same foot rest; Fig. 5 is a front view of the foot rest; Fig. 6 is a side view of the foot rest; Fig. 7 is a rear view of the foot rest; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a foot rest according to the invention; and Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line IX - IX in Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrows; In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

3 Referring to the drawings, a foot rest according to the invention comprises an inflatable cushion having a substantially planar lower surface I and an upper surface 2 which is spaced from and inclined to the lower surface'l. The cushion is closed by side walls 3, a relatively narrow end wall 4 and a relatively wide end wall 5. The end walls 3 and 4 are desirably rounded as shown in the drawings.

An inflater 6 provided with a plug 7 is located in one of the side walls 3 adjacent to the wider end of the cushion.

A pair of depressions 8 are provided in the upper surface 2 of the cushion adjacent to the narrow end, said depressions being adapted and intended to receive, in use, the heels of a user. The depressions 8 may extend right through the cushion to the lower surface I as shown in the drawings.

A strap 9, 10 may be secured to each side of the cushion, adjacent to its sides 3, the free ends of the straps 9 and 10 being provided with releasable fastening means such as VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) The lower surface 1 of the cushion is provided with a series of strips I I of a grippable material which serve to prevent the cushion from moving over a floor surface when the cushion is in use.

The embodiment shown in Figs 8 and 9 of the drawings is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. I to 7 except that, in this case, no straps 9 and 10 are provided.

When the foot rest is required for use, a traveller can simply inflate the cushion and place it on the floor at a convenient location in front of its seat so that his heels are comfortably located in the depressions. The straps 9 and 10, if fitted, can then be drawn over the feet and releasably fastened in position. The cushion will then provide a convenient and comfortable foot rest for the passenger regardless of the length of the legs of the passenger or the height of the seat.

4 The cushion may be made of any suitable material although it should be air-impermeable. Preferably, a soft flexible plastics material is employed which may be covered on its outer surface with a suitable fabric.

The invention is not restricted to above-described embodiments but modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the cushion need not be inflatable but could be made of a flexible sponge-like material. Further, the lower surface may be provided with legs or other support members to space said surface from the floor.

Claims

1. A foot rest which comprises a cushion having a first surface which is intended, in use, to rest on the floor and a second surface which is spaced from and inclined to the first surface and in which a pair of depressions are provided, said depressions being adapted to receive the heels of a user.

2. A foot rest according to claim 1, wherein the foot rest takes the forrn of an inflatable cushion.

3. A foot rest according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the depressions extend right through the cushion from the inclined second surface to the first surface.

4. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein strips of grippable material are applied to the said first surface.

5. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushion is provided with one or more straps byrneans of which the feet of a user can be held in place on the cushion. 15

6. A foot rest according to claim 5, wherein a respective strap is provided at each side of the cushion, each strap being secured at one end to the cushion and being provided, at its other end, with releasable fastening means by means of which it can be releasably fastened to the other strap.

7. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 20 cushion is made of air-impermeable plastics material.

8. A foot rest according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material takes the form of sheeting which is covered on one side with fabric material.

6

9. A foot rest according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is made of a flexible sponge-like material.

10. A foot rest substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

7 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

I 1. A foot rest which comprises a cushion having a first substantially planar surface which is intended, in use, to rest or be supported on the floor and a second surface which is spaced from and inclined to the first surface and in which a pair 5 of depressions are provided, said depressions being adapted to receive the heels of a user. 2. A foot rest according to claim 1, wherein the foot rest takes the form of an inflatable cushion. 3. A foot rest according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the depressions extend 10 right through the cushion from the inclined second surface to the first surface. 4. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein strips of grippable material are applied to the said first surface. 5. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushion is provided with one or more straps by means of which the feet of a user 15 can be held in place on the cushion.

7. A foot rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushion is made of air-impermeable plastics material. 8. A foot rest according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material takes the form of sheeting which is covered on one side with fabric material.

9. A foot rest according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is made of a flexible sponge-Ue material.