US20110018327A1 - Footstool - Google Patents

Footstool Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110018327A1
US20110018327A1 US12/864,503 US86450308A US2011018327A1 US 20110018327 A1 US20110018327 A1 US 20110018327A1 US 86450308 A US86450308 A US 86450308A US 2011018327 A1 US2011018327 A1 US 2011018327A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
displacement
footstool
resistant
sole
supporting surface
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
US12/864,503
Inventor
Mohamed Hosny Abolkheir
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20110018327A1 publication Critical patent/US20110018327A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C16/00—Stand-alone rests or supports for feet, legs, arms, back or head
    • A47C16/02—Footstools; Foot-rests; Leg-rests

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a displacement-resistant sole-supporting footstool.
  • a footstool is normally used by a person to support the feet by using the back of the heels and or an area all the way up to the back of the calves as a point or points of contact with the supporting surface of the footstool. Although this is traditionally regarded as a comfortable form of seating, it can encourage slouching.
  • An alternative way of supporting the feet is to use the soles as the point or points of contact with a supporting surface, which—especially if slightly angled so that the toes are higher than the heels—can help to minimize slouching.
  • the supporting surface that the soles are being pushed against is of considerable stability, for example it is fixed to the floor or a wall, is of an abnormally heavy weight or is connected to the seat that the person is sitting on, the forces that are generated by the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces will displace the supporting surface away from the person and resulting in the soles losing contact with the supporting surface.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a free-standing footstool of normal weight which can be used to support the soles of the feet.
  • the invention provides a displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one possible way of constructing the invention, comprising a footstool 1 that consists of a rotationally unstable sole-supporting surface 2 that consists of an upholstered panel 2 a and lever arms 2 b; a ground-supported base 3 that consists of a platform 3 a and rubber feet 3 b; and connecting means 4 that is hidden underneath a safety guard 4 c that has slots 4 d for lever arms 2 b to move freely through.
  • a footstool 1 that consists of a rotationally unstable sole-supporting surface 2 that consists of an upholstered panel 2 a and lever arms 2 b
  • a ground-supported base 3 that consists of a platform 3 a and rubber feet 3 b
  • connecting means 4 that is hidden underneath a safety guard 4 c that has slots 4 d for lever arms 2 b to move freely through.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIG. 1 , and illustrates the connecting means 4 that consists of a limited-travel hinge 4 a that only allows a travel of approximately 30° as indicated by reference number 5 a, and compression springing means 4 b. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the angle at which the bottoms of lever arms 2 b are bent (permanently) which is approximately 30° , as illustrated by reference number 2 b′ . The initial angle of the sole-supporting surface in relation to the floor is approximately 60° as indicated by reference number 5 b, which is the angle at which the soles touch the sole-supporting surface on first contact.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIGS. 1 and 2 , but with the person's feet 6 in contact with the sole-supporting surface 2 that is shown at its downward resting angle, which is approximately 30° in relation to the floor, as indicated by reference number 5 c.
  • the invention can also be manufactured using a variety of manufacturing techniques including multi-segment/function moulded plastics, foam or rubber.

Landscapes

  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)

Abstract

A displacement-resistant footstool (1) comprising a sole-supporting surface (2), a ground-supported base (3) and connecting means (4) that connects the sole-supporting surface (2) to the base (3) and substantially redirects the sole-released forces, which are generated by the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces from a substantially horizontal direction that points away from the person to a substantially vertically downward direction towards and pressing onto the floor. In effect substantially converting the sole-released forces from being displacement forces to being displacement-resistant forces.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a displacement-resistant sole-supporting footstool.
  • A footstool is normally used by a person to support the feet by using the back of the heels and or an area all the way up to the back of the calves as a point or points of contact with the supporting surface of the footstool. Although this is traditionally regarded as a comfortable form of seating, it can encourage slouching.
  • An alternative way of supporting the feet is to use the soles as the point or points of contact with a supporting surface, which—especially if slightly angled so that the toes are higher than the heels—can help to minimize slouching. However, unless the supporting surface that the soles are being pushed against is of considerable stability, for example it is fixed to the floor or a wall, is of an abnormally heavy weight or is connected to the seat that the person is sitting on, the forces that are generated by the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces will displace the supporting surface away from the person and resulting in the soles losing contact with the supporting surface.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a free-standing footstool of normal weight which can be used to support the soles of the feet.
  • The invention provides a displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one possible way of constructing the invention, comprising a footstool 1 that consists of a rotationally unstable sole-supporting surface 2 that consists of an upholstered panel 2 a and lever arms 2 b; a ground-supported base 3 that consists of a platform 3 a and rubber feet 3 b; and connecting means 4 that is hidden underneath a safety guard 4 c that has slots 4 d for lever arms 2 b to move freely through.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIG. 1, and illustrates the connecting means 4 that consists of a limited-travel hinge 4 a that only allows a travel of approximately 30° as indicated by reference number 5 a, and compression springing means 4 b. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the angle at which the bottoms of lever arms 2 b are bent (permanently) which is approximately 30° , as illustrated by reference number 2 b′. The initial angle of the sole-supporting surface in relation to the floor is approximately 60° as indicated by reference number 5 b, which is the angle at which the soles touch the sole-supporting surface on first contact.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but with the person's feet 6 in contact with the sole-supporting surface 2 that is shown at its downward resting angle, which is approximately 30° in relation to the floor, as indicated by reference number 5 c.
  • When the soles come into contact with the sole-supporting surface 2, the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces will cause the sole-supporting surface—as a result of its rotational instability—to drop downwards taking the feet along with it until the resting angle is reached. At this point, although the sole-supporting surface 2 will be at a 30° angle in the relation to the floor—as illustrated by reference number 5 c in FIG. 3—the bottoms of lever arms 2 b will be pressing onto the hinge 4 a in a vertical direction. This means that the sole-released forces, which originated at a substantially horizontal direction that points away from the person have been redirected to a substantially vertically downward direction towards—and pressing onto—the floor. In effect, the sole-released forces will have been substantially converted from being displacement forces to being displacement-resistant forces.
  • The invention can also be manufactured using a variety of manufacturing techniques including multi-segment/function moulded plastics, foam or rubber.

Claims (21)

1. A displacement-resistant footstool comprising a partially unstable sole-supporting surface, a ground-supported base and connecting means that connects the sole-supporting surface to the base so that when the soles touch the sole-supporting surface the sole-supporting surface moves whereby the connecting means substantially redirects the sole-released forces downwards and thus converting them into displacement-resistant forces.
2. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 1, in which the connecting means triggers the rebounding of the sole-supporting surface to its initial position when the footstool is not in use.
3. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is horizontal instability.
4. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is vertical instability.
5. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is rotational instability.
6. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 2, in which the connecting means is a springing means.
7. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 6, in which the connecting means is a nested springing means.
8. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 6, in which the connecting means is springing means on a sloped platform.
9. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 8, in which the connecting means is compression springing means on a sloped platform.
10. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and springing means.
11. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and torsion springing means.
12. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and compression springing means.
13. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and suspension springing means.
14. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting means is a combination of shafting means and clock springing means.
15. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the connecting means is a gas cylinder means.
16. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the distance between the sole-supporting surface and the floor is adjustable.
17. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the sole-supporting surface is wide enough for at least 2 persons to use it.
18. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which there are at least 2 separate sole-supporting surfaces for at least 2 persons to use separately.
19. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the resistance of the connecting means is adjustable.
20. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the downward travel of the sole-supporting surface is adjustable.
21-22. (canceled)
US12/864,503 2007-12-24 2008-12-24 Footstool Abandoned US20110018327A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0725221A GB2455985B (en) 2007-12-24 2007-12-24 A footstool
GB0725221.6 2007-12-24
PCT/GB2008/004287 WO2009081173A1 (en) 2007-12-24 2008-12-24 A footstool

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110018327A1 true US20110018327A1 (en) 2011-01-27

Family

ID=39092367

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/864,503 Abandoned US20110018327A1 (en) 2007-12-24 2008-12-24 Footstool

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20110018327A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2242399B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102006802A (en)
AU (1) AU2008339632A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2766020A1 (en)
DK (1) DK2242399T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2455985B (en)
PL (1) PL2242399T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2009081173A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9414719B2 (en) 2012-10-30 2016-08-16 2M Products, LLC Corner support platform
US11299862B1 (en) * 2018-08-29 2022-04-12 Studio5051, Llc Portable street planter

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103659760A (en) * 2013-12-10 2014-03-26 江苏蛟龙重工集团有限公司 Pedal plate
WO2017066948A1 (en) * 2015-10-22 2017-04-27 林铭昭 Pedal capable of automatically standing
CN105342192A (en) * 2015-11-13 2016-02-24 鹤山市康美家具卫浴有限公司 Antiskid foot support for foot massage chair
CN109431142A (en) * 2018-12-18 2019-03-08 梁左钰 A kind of supporting leg device of low stool upper surface water removal

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2112678A (en) * 1937-08-16 1938-03-29 Frank A Rausch Resiliently mounted leg rest
US2881823A (en) * 1957-11-29 1959-04-14 William H Abraham Foot rest
US3554600A (en) * 1968-09-23 1971-01-12 Lyle C Hennessey Leg lounger
US3785702A (en) * 1971-05-17 1974-01-15 A Buehring Foot rest
US4287835A (en) * 1978-07-31 1981-09-08 Stratton David W Slipper tray and footrest
US4441758A (en) * 1980-07-08 1984-04-10 Willy Fleischer Metalwarenfabrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Adjustable foot support
US5028024A (en) * 1990-01-29 1991-07-02 Welles William F Footrest for toilet
US5683331A (en) * 1994-10-07 1997-11-04 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Step exercise bench with ratcheting height adjustment
US5765921A (en) * 1997-01-29 1998-06-16 Chuang; Min Lon Pedal structure
US6631524B1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2003-10-14 Marcia A. Dixon Height-adjustable footrest for toilets
US20090058164A1 (en) * 2007-08-28 2009-03-05 Quy That Ton Footrest Apparatus

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE426541C (en) * 1926-03-13 Wilhelm Endemann Footstool
US2528331A (en) * 1948-12-24 1950-10-31 Alfred B Bell Tiltably adjustable foot and leg rest
DE3411188A1 (en) * 1984-03-27 1985-10-10 Fried. Krupp Gmbh, 4300 Essen Foot rest
GB2275183A (en) * 1993-02-01 1994-08-24 Alpa Ind Ltd Adjustable footrest
FR2714582B1 (en) * 1994-01-06 1996-03-15 Michel Chassy Leg rest with adjustable height and tilt.
US5558625A (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-09-24 Mckay; Don W. Foot massager apparatus
DE19801898A1 (en) * 1998-01-20 1999-07-22 Karl Kemper Foot support with frame profile
NO324923B1 (en) * 2005-10-26 2008-01-07 Ekornes Asa Mobile turning device, and footstool comprising the turning device

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2112678A (en) * 1937-08-16 1938-03-29 Frank A Rausch Resiliently mounted leg rest
US2881823A (en) * 1957-11-29 1959-04-14 William H Abraham Foot rest
US3554600A (en) * 1968-09-23 1971-01-12 Lyle C Hennessey Leg lounger
US3785702A (en) * 1971-05-17 1974-01-15 A Buehring Foot rest
US4287835A (en) * 1978-07-31 1981-09-08 Stratton David W Slipper tray and footrest
US4441758A (en) * 1980-07-08 1984-04-10 Willy Fleischer Metalwarenfabrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Adjustable foot support
US5028024A (en) * 1990-01-29 1991-07-02 Welles William F Footrest for toilet
US5683331A (en) * 1994-10-07 1997-11-04 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Step exercise bench with ratcheting height adjustment
US5765921A (en) * 1997-01-29 1998-06-16 Chuang; Min Lon Pedal structure
US6631524B1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2003-10-14 Marcia A. Dixon Height-adjustable footrest for toilets
US20090058164A1 (en) * 2007-08-28 2009-03-05 Quy That Ton Footrest Apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9414719B2 (en) 2012-10-30 2016-08-16 2M Products, LLC Corner support platform
US11299862B1 (en) * 2018-08-29 2022-04-12 Studio5051, Llc Portable street planter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2242399B1 (en) 2013-11-27
GB2455985A (en) 2009-07-01
GB0725221D0 (en) 2008-02-06
EP2242399A1 (en) 2010-10-27
DK2242399T3 (en) 2014-03-10
WO2009081173A1 (en) 2009-07-02
GB2455985B (en) 2010-05-05
CA2766020A1 (en) 2009-07-02
AU2008339632A1 (en) 2009-07-02
CN102006802A (en) 2011-04-06
PL2242399T3 (en) 2014-04-30

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