US20120292975A1 - Footrest Apparatus and Method - Google Patents
Footrest Apparatus and Method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120292975A1 US20120292975A1 US13/109,180 US201113109180A US2012292975A1 US 20120292975 A1 US20120292975 A1 US 20120292975A1 US 201113109180 A US201113109180 A US 201113109180A US 2012292975 A1 US2012292975 A1 US 2012292975A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- footrest
- attachment portion
- back attachment
- loop
- 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
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 206010051055 Deep vein thrombosis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000007101 Muscle Cramp Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000007536 Thrombosis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010047249 Venous thrombosis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000017531 blood circulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- YMTINGFKWWXKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N fenofibrate Chemical compound C1=CC(OC(C)(C)C(=O)OC(C)C)=CC=C1C(=O)C1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1 YMTINGFKWWXKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000010006 flight Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940051832 triglide Drugs 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/242—Bus seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/06—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of footrests
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/06—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of footrests
- B60N3/063—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of footrests with adjustment systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
- B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
- B64D11/0643—Adjustable foot or leg rests
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
- B60N2002/905—Details or parts not otherwise provided for the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas
Abstract
Systems and methods for enabling passengers to rest or elevate their feet. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a seat-back attachment portion, a support portion and a footrest portion integral to an adjustable loop of fabric. The seat-back attachment portion is positionable on a top or tray table of a seat-back. The support portion is coupled to the seat-back attachment and footrest portions and suspends the footrest portion at a variable height above the floor. The apparatus may include an integral cover which substantially encloses the apparatus when in a folded position. The footrest portion may have a substantially rigid lateral member, and may have padding secured to the rigid lateral member.
Description
- The invention relates generally to footrests and more particularly to systems and methods for supporting a user's feet in confined spaces such as between rows of seats on airplanes, trains and the like.
- Seating on airplanes, trains, busses and the like may be very restrictive. In many cases, rows of seats are placed very close to each other in order to increase the number of passengers that may be accommodated. Often, particularly in coach-class seating, no footrests are provided for passengers, due to such considerations as space and economy.
- The lack of a footrest may be more than a minor inconvenience for some travelers. For instance, because a passenger has little opportunity to leave his or her seat, and in some cases may not be allowed to leave the seat, the passenger's feet and legs do not get sufficient exercise or even movement to maintain proper blood circulation. As a result, the passenger may experience cramps, swelling, or even blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis). This problem obviously becomes worse as the length of time during which the passenger is confined to the seat increases, such as on overseas flights, and may be aggravated for passengers of shorter stature, whose feet may not reach the floor.
- Embodiments of the present invention may alleviate some of these problems by providing means for passengers to rest or elevate their feet. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a seat-back attachment portion, a support portion and a footrest portion. The seat-back attachment portion is configured to secure the apparatus to a seat-back. The support portion is coupled to the seat-back attachment portion and is configured to suspend the footrest portion above the floor. The support portion transfers weight from the footrest portion to the seat-back attachment portion. The seat-back attachment portion is configured to be removably positioned on top of the seat-back and held in position by the weight transferred by the support portion. The seat-back attachment portion may have a non-slip surface configured to contact the seat-back and prevent the seat-back attachment portion from slipping off the seat-back. The apparatus may include a cover which is connected to it. When the apparatus is in a folded position, the cover substantially encloses the apparatus and keeps it in the folded position. The support portion may be configured to adjustably suspend the footrest portion at a position which is a variable distance above the floor. The footrest portion may have a substantially rigid lateral member, and may have padding secured to the rigid lateral member. The apparatus may have an adjustable loop of fabric, a first portion of the loop forming the seat-back attachment portion, a second portion of the loop forming the support portion and a third portion of the loop forming the footrest portion.
- An alternative embodiment comprises a method. In this method, a footrest apparatus including a seat-back attachment portion, a footrest portion, and a support portion coupled between the seat-back attachment portion and the footrest portion is provided. The seat-back attachment portion is positioned on a seat-back, and the support portion and footrest portion are extended downward from the seat-back attachment portion. A user's feet are then placed on the footrest portion, thereby suspending the user's feet above the floor. The method may further include adjusting a length of the support portion of the footrest apparatus, thereby changing a height at which the footrest portion of the footrest apparatus is suspended above the floor. The method may further include, prior to positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back, unfastening a cover which contains the footrest apparatus and unfolding the footrest apparatus. The method may further include removing the user's feet on the footrest portion, removing the footrest apparatus from the seat-back, folding the footrest apparatus and fastening a cover around the footrest apparatus. The method may further include placing the seat-back attachment portion of a loop of fabric on top of the seat-back. The method may further include placing the seat-back attachment portion of a loop of fabric over a tray table which is connected to the seat-back.
- Numerous other embodiments are also possible.
- Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of a footrest apparatus positioned on a seat-back in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating plan views of a footrest apparatus positioned on top of a seat-back in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a footrest apparatus having an integral cover in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the construction of the footrest portion of a footrest apparatus in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating plan views of a footrest apparatus positioned on the tray table of a seat-back in accordance with one embodiment. - While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment which is described. This disclosure is instead intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
- One or more embodiments of the invention are described below. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments described below are exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the invention rather than limiting.
- As described herein, various embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for allowing passengers to rest or elevate their feet by providing a footrest that is attachable to the seat-back of a seat in front of the passenger.
- One embodiment comprises a footrest apparatus that can be placed on the back of a seat in front of the passenger. The apparatus consists of a loop of fabric such as nylon webbing with a substantially rigid footrest attached to one side of the loop. The side of the loop opposite the footrest is placed over the top of the seat-back as shown in
FIG. 1 . (The seat and seat-back are shown by the dotted lines in the figure.) The sides of the loop extend downward along the sides of the seat, with the footrest suspended above the floor. The size of the fabric loop can be adjusted to vary the height at which the footrest is suspended. The footrest apparatus can be removed from the seat-back and folded so that it can be conveniently stowed, and includes an attached fabric cover that can be wrapped around it to hold it in a folded position. - An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be discussed in detail with reference to Referring generally to
FIGS. 1-4 . The footrest apparatus consists of three primary components: a seat-back attachment portion 110, asupport portion 120, and afootrest portion 130. Seat-back attachment portion 110 provides a means to attach the apparatus to the seat in front of a passenger.Support portion 120 provides a means to suspend thefootrest portion 130 above the floor.Footrest portion 130 provides a means to support the passenger's feet above the floor - In this embodiment, the different portions of the footrest apparatus are formed in part from a loop of fabric. Seat-
back attachment portion 110 is formed by one part of the loop, whilefootrest portion 130 is formed in an opposite side of the loop.Support portion 120 is formed by the two opposing portions of the loop that are between seat-back attachment portion 110 andfootrest portion 130. The loop may be made of a material such as two-inch wide polyester webbing. - Seat-
back attachment portion 110 is attached in this embodiment to the seat-back simply by placing the corresponding portion of the loop over the top of the seat-back. No fasteners are necessary, as the weight of the passenger's feet on the footrest will hold the fabric of the loop in position on top of the seat-back. A non-slip surface may be provided on the seat-back attachment portion of the loop to increase the friction between seat-back attachment portion 110 and the top of the seat-back. - The length of the fabric loop is adjustable. This allows the effective length of
support portion 120 to be changed, thereby changing the height at whichfootrest portion 130 is suspended above the floor. The adjustability of the fabric loop is provided in this embodiment by aplastic loop 140 andtriglide slide 150. The fabric loop consists of a length of webbing approximately 9 feet long.Plastic loop 140 is attached to one end of the webbing. The other end of the webbing is passed throughslide 150 andplastic loop 140 and is then attached to the center ofslide 150. The length of the resulting fabric loop is changed by changing the position ofslide 150 on the webbing. -
Footrest portion 130, in this example, includes a substantially rigid lateral member. This component provides a flat surface on which the passenger's feet can be positioned. Additionally, the rigid component prevents the loop from collapsing and pressing the passenger's feet together. In one embodiment, the rigid component offootrest portion 130 is a simple block ofwood 132, approximately 12 inches long and 2-2.5 inches wide. A layer ofpadding 134 may be placed on top of the rigid component for added comfort. The wood and padding are sheathed in a layer of fabric which serves to protect the padding and which is easily attachable to thewebbing 138 of the fabric loop - The embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1 includes afabric cover 160. When the footrest apparatus is not in use, the fabric loop can be folded and placed againstfootrest portion 130.Fabric cover 160 can then be wrapped around the folded apparatus to keep it in a folded position. The cover may conveniently be attached (e.g., sewn) to the fabric loop so that it cannot be misplaced. Any suitable means can be used to close the cover. InFIG. 3 , squares of hook material (161, 162) and loop material (163, 164) are provided to fasten the cover around the footrest apparatus, although snaps, elastic closures or other means could be used. With the cover on the apparatus, it can be easily stowed in a briefcase or other carry-on luggage. - The described footrest apparatus can be easily used when traveling by airplane, train, or other conveyance. First, the cover is opened and the apparatus is unfolded. The attachment portion of the apparatus is then placed on top of the seat-back in front of the passenger. The support portion and footrest portion are extended downward, and the passenger adjusts the support portion so that the footrest portion is at a desired height. When the passenger is through using the apparatus, the attachment portion is removed from the seat-back and folded, and the cover is wrapped around it and fastened.
- In an alternative scenario, the footrest apparatus can be used by placing the attachment portion over a tray table which is connected to the seat-back. This scenario is illustrated in
FIGS. 5A and 5B . Preferably, the attachment portion is placed over the part of the tray table closest to the seat-back in order to minimize the stress on the tray table. The support portion of the footrest apparatus will likely have to be adjusted to shorten its length, since the tray table is lower than the top of the seat-back. - It should be noted that alternative embodiments may include variations of the features described above. For instance, rather than using a slide to adjust the length of the fabric loop, adjustably positioned hook-and-loop material or other means may be used. Alternative embodiments may also use different materials for the fabric loop, rigid footrest component, padding, cover, and the like. Still other variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed within the following claims.
- The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including the elements or limitations which follow those terms. Accordingly, a system, method, or other embodiment that comprises a set of elements is not limited to only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiment.
Claims (14)
1. An apparatus comprising:
a seat-back attachment portion configured to secure the apparatus to a seat-back;
a support portion coupled to the seat-back attachment portion; and
a footrest portion coupled to the support portion;
wherein the support portion is configured to suspend the footrest portion and to transfer weight from the footrest portion to the seat-back attachment portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seat-back attachment portion is configured to be removably positioned on top of the seat-back and held in position by the weight transferred by the support portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the seat-back attachment portion has a non-slip surface configured to contact the seat-back.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cover which is connected to at least one of the seat-back attachment portion, the support portion and the footrest portion, wherein when the apparatus is in a folded position, the cover is configured to substantially enclose the apparatus and to maintain the apparatus in the folded position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support portion is configured to adjustably suspend the footrest portion from the seat-back attachment portion at a position which is a variable distance below the seat-back attachment portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the footrest portion has a substantially rigid lateral member.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the footrest portion includes padding secured to the rigid lateral member.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric, a first portion of the loop forming the seat-back attachment portion, a second portion of the loop forming the support portion and a third portion of the loop forming the footrest portion.
9. A method comprising:
providing a footrest apparatus including a seat-back attachment portion, a footrest portion, and a support portion coupled between the seat-back attachment portion and the footrest portion;
positioning the seat-back attachment portion on a seat-back;
extending the support portion and footrest portion downward from the seat-back attachment portion; and
placing a user's feet on the footrest portion, thereby suspending the user's feet above a floor.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising adjusting a length of the support portion of the footrest apparatus, thereby changing a height at which the footrest portion of the footrest apparatus is suspended above the floor.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising, prior to positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back, unfastening a cover which contains the footrest apparatus and unfolding the footrest apparatus.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising removing the user's feet on the footrest portion, removing the footrest apparatus from the seat-back, folding the footrest apparatus and fastening a cover around the footrest apparatus.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the footrest apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric which forms the seat-back attachment, support and footrest portions, and wherein positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back comprises placing the seat-back attachment portion of the loop on top of the seat-back.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the footrest apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric which forms the seat-back attachment, support and footrest portions, and wherein positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back comprises placing the seat-back attachment portion over a tray table which is connected to the seat-back.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/109,180 US20120292975A1 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2011-05-17 | Footrest Apparatus and Method |
US13/925,570 US8864237B2 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2013-06-24 | Footrest apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/109,180 US20120292975A1 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2011-05-17 | Footrest Apparatus and Method |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/925,570 Continuation-In-Part US8864237B2 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2013-06-24 | Footrest apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120292975A1 true US20120292975A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 |
Family
ID=47174400
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/109,180 Abandoned US20120292975A1 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2011-05-17 | Footrest Apparatus and Method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20120292975A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130200663A1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2013-08-08 | Monti Marsters | Travel Foot Rest |
US20140217800A1 (en) * | 2012-11-12 | 2014-08-07 | Ryan Block | Adjustable footrest |
US20150061340A1 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-03-05 | Barbara J. Fleming | Head Hammock |
US10166902B2 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2019-01-01 | Jennifer CAYZER | Travel support device |
-
2011
- 2011-05-17 US US13/109,180 patent/US20120292975A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130200663A1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2013-08-08 | Monti Marsters | Travel Foot Rest |
US20140217800A1 (en) * | 2012-11-12 | 2014-08-07 | Ryan Block | Adjustable footrest |
US8905483B2 (en) * | 2012-11-12 | 2014-12-09 | Compass Designs LLC | Adjustable footrest |
US20150061340A1 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-03-05 | Barbara J. Fleming | Head Hammock |
US10166902B2 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2019-01-01 | Jennifer CAYZER | Travel support device |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MAC VENTURES, L.L.C., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LONG, MARIANA;REEL/FRAME:026289/0912 Effective date: 20110512 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |