US20030071508A1

US20030071508A1 - Multifunctional rocking footstool

Info

Publication number: US20030071508A1
Application number: US09/976,590
Authority: US
Inventors: Chieh-Tsung Lu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-15
Filing date: 2001-10-15
Publication date: 2003-04-17

Abstract

A rocking footstool comprises a base and a main structure which is mounted on the base and is formed of two rocking mechanisms and two footrests. The rocking mechanisms are formed of a transmission wheel, and an action rod which is fastened with the transmission wheel. The transmission wheels of the rocking mechanisms are driven by a motor. The two footrests are movably fastened with the action rods such that the footrests sway in a reciprocating manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a footstool, and more particularly to a multifunctional rocking footstool.

2. Description of Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a

leisure footstool

10 of the prior art comprises a base 13, a support frame 16 mounted on the base 13, and a footrest 11 fastened with two swivel arms 12 which are respectively pivoted with a connection rod 14 by a pivot 15. The connection rod 14 is fastened at other end with the support frame 16. In use, both feet of a seated person are rested on the footrest 11 which is caused to swivel by a rocking motion of the body of the seated person. The prior art leisure footstool 10 is limited in design in that it is suitable for use only by a person who is in a seated position, and that its rocking movement is initiated and persisted by the rocking motion of the body of the seated person. It is therefore readily apparent that the prior art leisure footstool 10 is a tiresome device.

As shown in FIG. 2, a prior art foot-

rocking device

20 comprises a main body 21, and a rocking member 22 which is mounted on the main body 21 and is provided with two footrests 23 of a recessed construction. When the rocking mechanism of the main body 21 is started, the rocking member 22 is actuated to sway rapidly in a reciprocating manner. The prior art foot-rocking device 20 is intended for use by a person which is in a reclining or lying position.

In other words, the prior art foot-

rocking device

20 is limited in design in that it is not adapted for use by a seated person.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a rocking footstool which is free of the deficiencies of prior art devices described above.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a multifunctional rocking footstool which can be used in recuperation of a foot under treatment.

In keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing objectives of the present invention are attained by a multifunctional rocking footstool comprising a base, and a main structure mounted on the base. The main structure comprises two horizontal rocking mechanisms and two footrests. The horizontal rocking mechanisms are formed of a transmission wheel and an action rod which is fastened with the transmission wheel. The transmission wheels of the two horizontal rocking mechanisms are driven by the same motor. The two footrests are fastened with the action rods such that the footrests sway horizontally in opposite directions in a reciprocating manner. The two action rods of the two horizontal rocking mechanisms are further provided with an action frame enabling the two footrests to,sway horizontally in the same direction or in the opposite directions.

The two horizontal rocking mechanisms may be replaced by two vertical rocking mechanisms so as to enable the two footrests to sway vertically in opposite directions.

The base of the present invention may be mounted rotatably on a rotary seat to facilitate the turning of the footstool of the present invention.

The features and the functions of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of three preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side schematic view of a leisure footstool of the prior art. [0013]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a prior art foot-rocking device in action. [0014]
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0016]
FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0017]
FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in action. [0018]
FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in action. [0020]
FIG. 9 shows another sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in action. [0021]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in operation. [0022]
FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0023]
FIG. 12 shows a side sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination. [0024]
FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention in operation. [0025]
FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of the rotation of the present invention. [0026]
FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of the tilting of the footrests of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 16 shows another schematic view of the tilting of the footrests of the present invention.[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. [0029] 3-6, a multifunctional rocking footstool of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 30, and a main structure 31 mounted on the base 30.
The [0030] base 30 is rested on a surface and is provided in the interior with a receiving space.
The [0031] main structure 31 comprises two horizontal rocking mechanisms 32 and two footrests 34 and 35.
Each of the two [0032] horizontal rocking mechanisms 32 is formed of a frame 325, a transmission wheel 322 fastened with the frame 325 and driven by a motor 321, and an action rod 323 fastened movably with the transmission wheel 322 in conjunction with two auxiliary rods 324. The two action rods 323 of the two horizontal rocking mechanisms 32 act in opposite directions.
The two [0033] footrests 34 and 35 are respectively provided with a fastening member 341, 351. The fastening member 341, 351, is provided with a locating hole 342, 352. The footrests 34 and 35 are fastened respectively with the action rods 323 by the fastening member 341, 351, such that the two footrests 34 and 35 sway horizontally in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIGS. [0034] 7-9, a multifunctional rocking footstool of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 30, and a main structure 31 mounted on the base 30.
The [0035] base 30 is rested on a surface and is provided in the interior with a receiving space.
The [0036] main structure 31 comprises two horizontal rocking mechanisms 32, an action frame 33, and two footrests 34 and 35.
The two [0037] horizontal rocking mechanisms 32 are formed of a frame 325, a transmission wheel 322 fastened with the frame 325 and driven by a motor 321, and an action rod 323 fastened movably with the transmission wheel 322 in conjunction with two auxiliary rods 324. The two action rods 323 of the two horizontal rocking mechanisms 32 act in opposite directions.
The [0038] action frame 33 is provided with two planar surfaces 331 and 332, which are in turn provided with a fitting body 333 and an insertion rod 334, with the fitting body 333 being fastened with one of the action rods 323, and with the first planar surface 331 being fastened with the first footrest 34.
The [0039] first footrest 34 is fastened with the first planar surface 331 of the action frame 33 by a plurality of screws 40 via the through holes 335. The second footrest 35 is provided with a fastening member 351 having a locating hole 352. The second footrest 35 is fastened with other action rod 323 or the insertion rod 334 by the fastening member 351. The two footrests 34 and 35 sway horizontally in the same direction or in the opposite directions.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a multifunctional rocking footstool of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a [0040] base 30 and a main structure 31 mounted on the base 30.
The [0041] base 30 is rested on a surface and is provided in the inte with a receiving space.
The [0042] main structure 31 comprises two vertical rocking mechanisms 32 and two footrests 34 and 35.
The two [0043] vertical rocking mechanisms 32 are formed of a frame 325, a transmission wheel 322 fastened with the frame 325 and driven by a motor 321, and an action rod 323 fastened movably with the transmission wheel 322 in conjunction with two auxiliary rods 324. The two action rods 323 act vertically in opposite directions.
The [0044] first footrest 34 is provided with a fastening member 341 havin a locating hole 342. The first footrest 34 is fastened by the fastening member 341 with the action rod 323. Similarly, the second footrest 35 is provided with a fastening member 351 having a locating hole 352. The second footrest 35 is fastened by the fastening member 351 with the action rod 323. The two footrests 34 and 35 sway vertically in opposite directions in a reciprocating member, as shown in FIG. 13.
The [0045] action rods 323 of the rocking mechanisms 32 are provided at a top end with a plurality of slots 42. The fastening members 341 and 351 of the footrests 34 and 35 are provided with a retaining piece 43 which cooperates with the slots 42 to enable the footrests 34 and 35 to be tilted, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.
The [0046] base 30 of the present invention may be mounted rotatably on a rotary seat 50, as shown in FIG. 14.
The [0047] footrests 34 and 35 are provided in the interior thereof with a vibration unit 60 having a massaging effect.
The [0048] action rods 323 are provided with a fastening hole 326 by which the action rods 323 of the rocking mechanisms 32 are fastened with the footrests 34 and 35 by the fastening bolts 41, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The [0049] fitting body 333 and the insertion rod 334 of the action frame 33 are provided with a fastening hole 336 for receiving the fastening bolts 41, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As described above, the rocking footstools of the present invention are multifunctional in design in that they can be used to relax a person's feet, to massage a person's feet, or to recuperate a person's feet under treatment. The [0050] footrests 34 and 35 of the present invention can be tilted and caused to sway vertically or horizontally in the same direction or opposite directions in a reciprocating manner. In addition, the present invention can be revolved and used by a person who is in a seated position, a standing position, or a lying position.
The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following claims. [0051]

Claims

I claim:

1. A rocking footstool comprising:

a base rested on a surface; and

a main structure mounted on said base and comprising:

two horizontal rocking mechanisms, with each being formed of a frame, a transmission wheel fastened with said frame and driven by a motor, and an action rod fastened movably with said transmission wheel in conjunction with two auxiliary rods whereby said action rods of said two horizontal rocking mechanisms act in opposite directions; and

two footrests, with each being provided with a fastening member having a locating hole whereby said two footrests are respectively fastened with said action rod of said two horizontal rocking mechanisms by said fastening member thereof such that said two footrests sway horizontally in opposite directions in a reciprocating manner.

2. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 1, wherein said action rods of said horizontal rocking mechanisms are provided at a top end with a plurality of slots; wherein said fastening members of said footrests are provided with a retaining piece whereby said retaining piece cooperates with said slots of said action rods to enable said footrests to be tilted.

3. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 1, wherein said base is rotatably mounted on a rotary seat.

4. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 1, wherein said two footrests are provided in an interior with a vibration unit having a massaging effect.

5. A rocking footstool comprising:

a base rested on a surface; and

a main structure mounted on said base and comprising:

two horizontal rocking mechanisms, with each being formed of a frame, a transmission wheel fastened with said frame and driven by a motor, and an action rod fastened movably with said transmission wheel in conjunction with two auxiliary rods whereby said action robs of said horizontal rocking mechanisms act in opposite directions;

an action frame provided with a first planar surface and a second planar surface, which are in turn provided with a fitting body and an insertion rod, with said fitting body being fastened with one of said two action rods; and

a first footrest and a second footrest, with said first footrest being fastened with said first planar surface of said action frame, said second footrest being provided with a fastening member by which said second footrest is fastened with other one of said two action rods whereby said first footrest and said second footrest sway horizontally in the same direction, or in opposite directions in a reciprocating manner.

6. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 5, wherein said action rods of said horizontal rocking mechanisms are provided at a top end with a plurality of slots; wherein said fastening members of said two footrests are provided with a retaining piece whereby said retaining piece cooperates with said slots of said action rods to enable said footrests to be tilted.

7. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 5, wherein said base is rotatably mounted on a rotary seat.

8. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 5, wherein said two footrests are provided in an interior with a vibration unit having a massaging effect.

9. A rocking footstool comprising:

a main body rested on a surface; and

a main structure mounted on said base and comprising:

two vertical rocking mechanisms, with each being formed of a frame, a transmission wheel fastened with said frame and driven by a motor, and an action rod fastened movably with said transmission wheel in conjunction with two auxiliary rods whereby said action rods act vertically in opposite directions; and

a first footrest and a second footrest, with said first footrest and said second footrest being provided with a fastening member, said first footrest being fastened by said fastening member thereof with one of said two action rods, said second footrest being fastened by said fastening member thereof with other one of said two action rods whereby said first footrest and said second footrest sway vertically in opposite directions in a reciprocating manner.

10. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 9, wherein said action rods of said vertical rocking mechanisms are provided at a top end with a plurality of slots; wherein said fastening members of said two footrests are provided with a retaining piece whereby said retaining piece cooperates with said slots of said action rods to enable said footrests to be titled.

11. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 9, wherein said is rotatably mounted on a rotary seat.

12. The rocking footstool as defined in claim 9, wherein said two footrests are provided in an interior with a vibration unit having a massaging effect.