GB2385005A

GB2385005A - A foot rest exercising device

Info

Publication number: GB2385005A
Application number: GB0203217A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marion Buchanan Judd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-12
Filing date: 2002-02-12
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Also published as: GB0203217D0

Abstract

A foot rest exercising device comprises upper and lower boards 10,12 arranged to pivot relative to each other along their rear edges, and an inflatable envelope 20 disposed between the upper and lower boards and arranged to allow the user to urge the upper board downwardly using his or her feet. The envelope 20 may be formed with a series of pleats and provide with a valve 28 enabling the envelope to be inflated by the user blowing air in to it using their mouth. The device may be folded flat for storage.

Description

Foot Rest Exercising Device The present invention relates to a combined foot rest and exercising device for use by a person when seated.

Often people who are obliged to sit for an extended period of time, particularly airline passengers, suffer from discomfort and also the risk of deep vein thrombosis developing. Various exercising devices have been proposed which could be used in these circumstances, but these are generally of complicated construction or difficult to use.

I have now devised a foot rest exercising device which is of simple construction and which is easy and effective to use.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foot rest exercising device which comprises upper and lower boards arranged to pivot relative to each other along their rear edges, and an inflatable envelope disposed between the upper and lower boards and arranged to allow the user to urge the upper board downwardly using his or her feet.

Preferably the envelope may be deflated and the upper and lower boards brought together to provide a flat configuration for the device, to enable it to be stored conveniently in a briefcase or overnight bag.

Preferably the device is provided with an airvalve enabling its envelope to be inflated by the user blowing air into it, using his or her mouth.

Preferably the envelope is provided with a series of folds or pleats, in the manner of a bellows, enabling it to expand and contract as the upper board of the device pivots away from or towards the lower board.

Preferably the envelope comprises a front wall which extend between the front edges of the two boards of the device, and a pair of opposite end walls which extend between the respective end edges of the two boards of the device.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a foot rest exercising

device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of the device, shown in its compressed or collapsed condition; Figure 3 is an end view of the device; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device; and Figure 5 is a front view of the device.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a device which serves as a combined foot rest and exercising device, particularly for use by airline passengers. The device comprises a pair of rectangular boards 10,12 joined by an inflatable envelope 20. The envelope 20 has a front wall 22, which extends between the front edges of the boards 10,12, and opposite end walls 24,26 which extend between the respective end edges of the boards 10,12. The envelope 20 is formed with a series of parallel folds or pleats which extend across its front wall 22 and its end walls 24,26, enabling the envelope 20 to expand and contract by pivotal or hinging movement of the boards 10,12 relative to each other along their rear edges.

The envelope 20 is formed of a flexible, airtight sheet material and is provided, in its front wall 22, with an air valve 28. The envelope 20 may be inflated by the user blowing air into it through the airvalve 28 and may be deflated by pinching the airvalve 28 and urging the two boards 10,12 together.

When not in use, the device may be deflated and flattened to the configuration shown in Figure 2, then stored in a brief-case or overnight bag. When required for use, the envelope 20 of the device is inflated to the configuration shown in Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5. The device is then placed on the floor in front of the seated user, with its rear edge towards the user, who places his or her feet on the upper board 10 with his feet, to urge the upper board e. g. 10 of the device, acting as a foot rest. The device also provides the potential for a degree of exercise, the user pressing down on the upper board 10 with his or her feet, to urge the upper board downwardly and so partially compress the envelope 20. When the user relaxes this downward pressure, the air within

the envelope 20 acts to return the device to its fully-expanded configuration. In this way, the user is able to rest his or her feet at a chosen angle, to relieve pressure from the seat edge on the backs of the thighs. The device also enables the user to gently exercise the feet, ankles and calf muscles with the aim of preventing circulating stasis in the lower leg, thus helping to reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Preferably the outer surfaces of the boards 10,12 are of non-slip nature so that the device will not slide over the floor and the user's feet will not slide off the device.

In a modification of the device which has been described, a spring may be provided to urge the two boards 10, 12 apart, i. e. towards the expanded configuration of the device.

It will be appreciated that the device which has been described is simply constructed of lightweight materials, easy to use and carry and takes up little space to store.

Claims

Claims 1) A foot rest exercising device which comprises upper and lower boards arranged to pivot relative to each other along their rear edges, and an inflatable envelope disposed between the upper and lower boards and arranged to allow the user to urge the upper board downwardly using his or her feet.

2) A device as claimed in claim 1, arranged so that said envelope may be deflated and the upper and lower boards brought together to provide a flat configuration for the device for storage. 3) A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an air valve enabling said envelope to be inflated by the user blowing air into it, using his or her mouth.

1 4) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said envelope is formed with a series of folds or pleats, enabling it to expand and contract as the upper board pivots away from or towards the lower board.

5) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said envelope comprises a front wall which extends between the front edges of the upper and lower boards, and a pair of opposite end walls which extend between the respective end edges of the upper and lower boards.

6) A foot rest exercising device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.