GB2235368A

GB2235368A - A suspended foot-rest

Info

Publication number: GB2235368A
Application number: GB8919066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julia Ann Scott-Barrett
Original assignee: SCOTT BARRETT JULIA ANN
Current assignee: SCOTT BARRETT JULIA ANN
Priority date: 1989-08-22
Filing date: 1989-08-22
Publication date: 1991-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-22
Also published as: GB2235368B; GB8919066D0

Abstract

A seating accessory offering a method of improving seating comfort by providing a suspended foot-rest, suitable for the use of persons who have occasion to use cramped and/or uncomfortable seating accommodation such as is found on aircraft, trains and the like. A seating installation wherein a foot support platform 1, having upwardly extending, elongate, flexible suspension elements, 2a and 2b, is suspended by being hung over or attached to a fixed body such as a similarly facing seat 5 or folding table 6. Adjustment of the length of said suspension elements, 2a and 2b, is conveniently affected through use of a friction grip sliding buckle 4. In use the position and angle of the foot support platform 1 relative to the horizontal plane are adapted to the users foot position. <IMAGE>

Description

SEATING ACCESSORY The present invention relates to a seating accessory suitable for the use of persons who have occasion to use, for long or short periods of time, cramped and/or uncomfortable seating conditions as found in aircraft, cinemas, trains and the like.

Many people whilst in such cramped seating conditions find it difficult to relax due to the difficulty of finding a comfortable seating position.

It is an object of the present invention to improve comfort in more or less cramped seating accommodation, by providing a footrest combining a foot support platform having upwardly extending, elongate flexible suspension elements, laterally spaced apart, which suspend and support said foot support platform close to, but above the ground, so as to support the users feet and legs by readily adopting, through free movement and by swinging into a natural position, a more comfortable seating position.

The present invention provides in another aspect a seating installation comprising at least one seat with a fixed upright body substantially directly in front of, yet in close proximity to said seat, wherein is provided a foot support platform having upwardly extending, elongate flexible suspension elements, laterally spaced apart, which are mounted and secured to said upright fixed body, in front of said seat, with said platform above the floor so as to support the feet and legs of a user seated on said seat.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a seating accessory suitable for the use of persons who have occasion to use more or less cramped or uncomfortable seating accommodation which comprises a foot support platform having at least two elongate flexible suspension elements each having one end secured to the platform at laterally spaced apart portions thereof, which elements may be secured, in use, to a fixed upright body, substantially directly'in front of, yet in close proximity to the users seat and allows the users feet and legs to be suspensed and supported close to yet above the ground in a readily adopted position, through the free movement and by a swinging motion into a natural and more comfortable seating position.

Advantageously and conveniently the method of the invention includes the feature of detachably securing said support elements to said fixed body and/or of variably changing the length of the elements to adjust the footrest height to suit different individual users.

Conveniently, the suspension elements are comprised by respective end portions of a generally continuous support element. In one form of the invention the end portions are securely attached to apertures on said foot support platform.

In another form of the invention said end portions are securely attached to the fixed body.

In a further form of the invention said end portions may be connected to each other to form a continuous loop.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of some preferred embodiments illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a partial orthoganol view of a first foot-rest of the invention Fig. II is a partial orthoganol view of the underside of the foot-rest of Fig. I Fig. III shows a friction grip sliding buckle suitable for use with the foot-rest of Fig. I.

Fig. IV shows one form of permanent mounting for a footrest of the invention.

Fig. V is a side elevation of a seating arrangement of the invention showing a number of different forms of foot-rest mounting, seating instalment and arrangement possiblities.

Fig. 1 shows a foot-rest of the invention comprising a foot support platform 1 mounting on two flexible elongate suspension elements 2a and 2b. The suspension elements 2a and 2b are held in place by a horizontal lateral apertures 3a and 3b in each opposite side of the foot support platform 1.

In more detail Fig. II shows the reverse side of the platform 1, as in Fig. I, showing the open box construction the apertures 3a and 3b the support element 2 and a possible method of attaching the support element 2.

A friction grip sliding buckle 4, of generally known constructions, Fig. III is used to change the length of the flexible support element 2 and hence the height of the platform 1 above the ground.

The flexible support elements 2 may be arranged to support the platform in the following possible methods - a closed loop support element 2 utilising one buckle 4 threaded through apertures 3a and 3b providing suspension elements 2a and 2b at opposite sides of the platform; - two single support elements 2, the lowerend of each securely connected to apertures 3a and 3b of the platform respectively, the upper ends of said flexible support elements 2 connected with a buckle 4 to form a loop; - using two unequal length support elements 2, the upper end of each attached to the fixed body, the longer support element being fed through apertures 3a and 3b and connected with the buckle 4 connected to the shorter length support element 2; or - using one buckle 4 and two support elements 2 to form the suspension element for each opposite side of the platform.The upper end of each suspension element firmly attached to the fixed body, the lower ends firmly attached to the platform, the two support elements then connected by a buckle 4 and similarily for the other opposite side.

These forms of arrangement ensure, through adjustment of the buckles 4 and equalling the length of each support element 2 the platform 1 can be kept in the horizontal plane.

The flexibility of the support elements 2 allows the foot support platform Fig. V(a) to swing into a natural position whereby the users legs and feet are supported in front and ahead of the front edge of the seat thereby allowing the legs to relax at a comfortable angle.

Fig. V illustrates some different ways in which the foot-rest may be mounted. For example, an airline or railway seat 5 with a folding table 6, may have the support element 2 placed over the table 6, the foot support platform 1 thereupon supported after suitable adjustment of the length of the support elements 2 by use of the buckle 4 Fig. V(a).

Alternatively the foot-rest may be used by placing the support element 2 over the top of the seat 5 and as above suitably adjusted Fig. V(b).

A permanent, yet still adjustable method of use is shown in Fig.V(c)this involves fixing the suspension elements 2a and 2b to either side of the seat 5 by a screw 7 or some other suitable fixing method, adjustment is still achieved by the friction grip sliding buckle 4.

Removeability and portability may be achieved by using a hook and eye arrangement 8, for the mounting of the suspension elements 2a and 2b Fig. IV.

The foot support platform 1 may be made of a suitably strong yet lightweight material, for instance moulded polypropylene. Advantageously, such a material allows indentations for the feet to be moulded into the surface.

The flexible support elements 2 may be made of leather or a woven cloth/plastic strap or any other suitable material. Conveniently the angle of the foot support platform 1 relative to the ground is totally variable, due to the flexible suspension elements 2a and 2b and depending on how the user places his/her feet on the platform 1 and on the forces they exert in any particular direction.

The adjustment buckle 4 may be made of metal or plastic material . in the generally known construction and design, which allows an infinite number of adjustments in the length of suspension elements 2a and 2b to be made.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, a ratcheted assembly, may be attached between the foot support platform and the suspension elements, hence enabling the angle of the feet to be held in any one of a number of alternatively predetermined positions.

Also the orthopaedically sound seating position, as described above, may be further enhanced, by the addition to the upper surface of the foot support platform, a number of small rounded projections to increase relaxation and comfort.

Claims

1. A method of improving comfort in more or less cramped seating accommodation, by providing a foot-rest combining a foot support platform-having upwardly extending, elongate flexible suspension elements, laterally spaced apart, which suspend and support said foot support platform close to, but above the ground so as to support the users feet by readily adopting, through free movement and by swinging into a natural position, a more comfortable seating position.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein are provided suspension elements having length adjustment means and which method includes the step of adjusting the length of said elements so as to vary the height of the foot support platform above the ground.

3. A seating installation comprising at least one seat with a fixed upright body, substantially directly in front of, yet in close proximity to said seat, wherein is provided a foot support platform having upwardly extending, elongate flexible suspension elements, laterally spaced apart, which are mounted and secured to said upright fixed body, in front of said seat, with said platform above the floor so as to support the feet and legs of a user seated on said seat.

4. A seating installation as claimed in claim 3 wherein adjustment of the suspension elements if facilitated by a friction grip sliding buckle thereby changing the length of the suspension elements and hence the height of the platform above the ground.

5. A seating installation as claimed in claim 3 wherein said foot support platform is provided with sole shape indentations on the surface thereby aiding comfort and providing easy location for the feet.

6. A seating accessory suitable for the use of persons who have occasion to use more or less cramped or uncomfortable seating accommodation which comprises a foot support platform having at least two, elongate flexible suspension elements each having one end secured to the platform at laterally spaced apart portions thereof, which elements may be secured, in use, to a fixed upright body, substantially directly in front of yet in close proximity to the users seat and allows said users feet to be suspended and supp orted close to, yet, above the ground in a readily adapted position, through the free movement and by a swinging motion into a natural and more comfortable seating position.

7. A seating accessory as claimed in claim 6 wherein the suspension elements are comprised by free end portions of a flexible support element, slidably extending through apertures provided at said laterally spaced portions of said foot support platform.

8. A seating accessory as claimed in claim 6 wherein the suspension elements are comprised by free end portions of a flexible support element, securely attached to the apertures provided at said laterally spaced portions of said foot support platform.