IE20130299A1 - Retractable footrest - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a footrest 20 where a footplate 22 of the footrest may be retracted behind a legrest portion of a seat to which the footrest is mounted. This permits the occupant of the seat, when the footplate 22 is retracted, to place his feet on the ground immediately in front of the front edge of the seat, to assist when either exiting or entering the chair. The footrest of the invention only requires the occupant to raise their feet slightly, in order to either permit the footplate 22 to be pulled out and thus be deployed so as to support their feet, or to permit the footplate 22 to be pushed back to the retracted position, from under the occupants feet, to permit the occupant to place their feet on the floor. <Figure 6>

Description

Retractable Footr The present invention relates to a retractable footrest and is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to a specialist posture management static seat, as may be used by the elderly or disabled. However, the invention has applications to many types of seating incorporating a footrest rest, both domestic and commercial and may for example be applicable to wheelchairs or other transportation seating, such as aircraft seating.

As the invention is particularly applicable to a specialist posture management static I ϋ sealing system, the invention will be described in the context of such a seating system.

However, this does not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the attached claims.

A first known type of posture management seating system, in this case a chair, is disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, The chair, indicated generally as 1, comprises a base 2, a frame 3, a seat portion 4 and a legrest 5. The frame 3 may be tilted on the base 2 about pivot point 6 by means of actuator (not shown), which is commonly referred to as tilt in space (TIS). The backrest, not shown, may be reclined in the frame 3 and the position of the base of the backrest adjusted forward or backwards in the frame 3, to shorten or lengthen the seat portion 4 that is available for an occupant to sit on. The legrest 5 is inclined by means of actuator 7 and the seat width can be set by the arms 8 attached to the frame.

To the back of the legrest 5 is mounted a fitting 9 for receiving footrest 10, for 25 supporting the foot and thus the lower leg 12 of an occupant. ...... fVYtAG ΐγϊ oo An occupant of tliis type of chair will normally sit in it for many hours each day and may depend on a nurse or carer to assist them to get out of the chair, to adjust the chair or even to adjust their posture within the chair. It is for this reason that it is necessary that the chair has a number of independently adjustable components, for it is important that the occupant is correctly supported to avoid any pressure points, which may lead to discomfort, a degradation of the body tissue or restricted circulation and the problems associated with ϋ pimi tr !Ίςϊ?Γ,-·-·- i r ':.· h l-jL.-J L J Ε h- >-· · - t ί,Κϊίι — /' . J . rn rrr, rp. n ,r-.TUi-p H b fp. π ] ιη ρχ · ”> Ί /. .ι ij .ι ι jj j j io iii j υ it-··.. ... -i ’ j '·. i!-’o of 111 3 0 2 39 Ρ10912ΪΙΕ00 this. It is also important to provide proper support to maintain an occupant’s posture, For example, undue leaning could result in a scholiotic profile, where the spine curves to maintain an upright head position, Furthermore, because an occupant is likely to be in tbe chair for long periods of time, it is important that each component is individually adjustable, so that the seating position of the occupant can both be tailored to the occupant and adjusted from time to time for an occupants comfort, The footrest 10 of chair 1 is detachable from fitting 9, to permit an occupant to place their feet on the floor below their knee 11, to assist the occupant when entering or exiting the chair 1, This can be problematic with certain patients because the legrest 5 first has to be raised, to permit a nurse or carer to gain access to fitting 9. to release the footrest 10, In addition to any possible discomfort the occupant may experience during this process and tlie time the carer has to spend first raising the legrest 5, detaching the footrest 10 and then lowering the legrest 5 again, there is also the problem of ensuring that the footrest ] 0 is put away so it does not cause a hazard, but is readily to hand when next required.

Another problem that arises with a footrest 10, when it is directly attached to legrest 5 of chair 1, is apparent from Figure 2, where the legrest 5 is shown in a fully raised position. Because the legrest 5 Is pivotally connected to frame 3 under the seat portion 4, the legrest 5 rotates about a different axis to the point 11 in the occupant’s knee, about which the lower leg 12 of tlie occupant notates. This results in legrest 5 being drawn upwards along the occupants calves as it is raised, so that a point A on the legrest 1, aligned with a point A’ on the occupants lower leg 12 in Figure 1, will be displaced to the position shown in Figure 2, the points A and A’ becoming several centimetres apart. In addition to this possibly causing discomfort by causing the occupants clothing to become crumpled, it may also displace the body tissue on the occupants lower leg 12 which, if maintained in this position for a long period, could damage the body tissue or restrict circulation. It also requires that the footrest 10 be repositioned as shown in Figure 2, requiring more of a nurses or carers time. However it is important that the footrest 10 is correctly positioned and supports the foot properly, for this may assist the occupant in making some slight positional changes to IE 1 3 0 2 99 Ρ109121ΪΕΟΟ their position when the legresl 5 is raised. It may also reduce the pressure between the occupants upper leg and the seat portion 4 of the seat 1 when the legrest 5 is in its lowered position.

An alternative arrangement of a chair is illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 which addresses some of the issues discussed above. Referring to Figure 3, die chair 13 is generally adjustable in the same manner as the chair of Figures I and 2, The chair 13 comprises a seat portion 14 and legrest 15. However, the footrest 17 of chair 13 is not connected to the legrest 15, but is supported separately by a linkage mechanism, indicated generally as 16, l'he linkage mechanism 16 is operated by an actuator IS, which is most clearly seen from Figure 3. When the actuator 18 is operated to extend the linkage mechanism 16 to the position shown in Figure 4, a small pad 19 pushes against legrest 15, which legrest 15 is pivotally connected to the seat portion 14 as shown in Figure 4. An advantage of this arrangement is tiiat it permits the linkage 16 to be arranged so that the footrest is maintained in the correct position, both when the legrest is lowered, as shown in Figure 3, and when the legrest is raised, as shown in Figure 4. This can be seen from a comparison of the distances between the bottom ofthe legrest 15 and footrest 17 shown in Figure 3 and 4, the distance being greater in the raised position of Figure 4, With the chair 13, illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, when the legrest is in a lowered position, shown in Figure 5, the footrest 17 may be pivoted upright behind legrest 15. Tins enables the footrest 17 to be folded away without having to be detached, but it causes legrest 15 to protrude slightly forward of the seat portion 14 which may be a slight hindrance to an occupant exiting the chair. It also does not solve the problem that the legrest 15 first has to be raised before the footrest 17 can either be deployed or stored. Indeed, in this arrangement, the legrest 15 will need to be manually lifted to permit footrest 17 to be folded away or deployed.

It is an object of the present invenlion to provide an improved retractable footrest.

IE 1 3 0 2 9 9 Pl 09121 ΙΕΟΟ According to the present invention there is provided a footrest arranged to be mounted on a seat, the footrest comprising a retractable footplate assembly for supporting the feet of an occupant of the scat and a support structure for the footplate assembly, wherein die support structure comprises a mounting to be fixed to a portion of the seat and wherein the support structure is arranged to permit the footplate assembly to extend forward of said portion of the seat when the footplate assembly is in a deployed position and to be retracted to a position substantially behind said portion of the seat when the footplate assembly is in a retracted position, wherein the support structure is connected to the footplate at a first fixed location on the footplate assembly towards the rear of the footplate f) assembly and at a second non-fixed location on the footplate assembly between the first location and the front of the footplate assembly, wherein the support structure is arranged such that the second location is fixed relative to the mounting and the first location is movable so that, in use, pushing the footplate assembly backwards from a fully deployed position causes the second location at which the footplate is supported to move forward on Ute footplate assembly as the footplate assembly is retracted and causes the first location fixed towards the rear edge of the footplate assembly to move so that the footplate assembly is inclined as it is retracted.

For the purposes of this specification, including the claims, ‘mounting’ is defined as a component or components of the support structure that are intended to attach die support structure to a seat. This term thus encompasses a single component or multiple components which may be intended to attach the support structure at different locations on the seat.

The present invention provides a footrest which may be retracted substantially behind a portion of a seat to which the footrest is mounted, permitting the occupant of the seat, when the footrest is retracted, to place his feet on the ground immediately in front of the front edge of the seat, to assist when either exiting or entering the chair. When in the chair, an occupant only has to raise their feet slightly, in order to either permit the footplate assembly to be pulled out and thus be deployed so as to support their feet, or to permit the footplate assembly to be pushed back to the retracted position, from under the occupants feet, to permit the occupant to place their feet on the floor. ΙΕί 3 0 2 9 9 P109121IE00 l he footplate assembly, in adopting an inclined position, which is advantageously less than 20° from vertical, may be stored in a location below a front edge of the seat. This may be advantageous if there is limited space available below the seat, for example as in the case of an aircraft seat where the space below the seal is used to accommodate the feet or luggage of an occupant in a seat immediately behind.

The invention is particularly advantageously employed with a seat comprising an elevating legrest, with the footrest mounted on the legrest. The invention permits the footplate assembly to be stored immediately behind the back ofthe legrest and is ID advantageous over traditional footrests employed with legrests, where the footplate assembly folds up over a front surface of the legrest. This is because the present invention does not require the occupants legs to be raised before the footplate assembly can be folded up and avoids the footrest possibly protruding forward of the front edge of die scat when folded, especially in the case of prior designs which have an additional cushion to go over the folded footplate assembly. Any such forward extension in a folded state may hinder the occupant placing their feet under the front edge of die seat, in order to assist them when exiting from the chair. The present invention also offers an advantage over footrests that arc detachably mounted on legrests, because these again requite the legrest to first be raised prior to the footrest being disconnected and the legrest to then be lowered te permit the occupant to exit the chair.

Advantageously, the support structure comprises a 'first member which guides the first location on the footplate assembly in an arc and a second member which supports the footplate assembly at said second location on the footplate assembly so that the footplate assembly can be drawn past die second member as the footplate assembly is retracted. This permits the footplate assembly to be pushed back past the second member, thus causing die point of support at the second location on the footplate assembly to move forward on the footplate assembly and the first member, connected at the first location towards a rear edge ofthe footplate assembly, to prescribe an upward arc to incline the footplate assembly.

The first member could be a slot, channel, rail or some other such guide member formed in the shape of arc, along which a runner attached at the first location on the ΪΕ 1 3 0 2 99 P109121IEO0 footplate assembly runs. There may be two such guides at the same location but on opposite sides of the footplate assembly. Alternatively die first member may be an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first fixed location on the footplate assembly, with the other end of the arm pivotally connected to a point on the mounting which is substantially above the second location. In this manner, as the footplate assembly is pushed backwards the arm may swing, possibly through 99° or more and advantageously through more than 160° from a vertically downward position towards a vertically upright position, so that the footplate assembly adopts a position inclined towards the vertical as it is retracted.

Advantageously, the footrest comprises two second members which are fixed to the mounting and extend down either side of the footplate assembly to support die footplate assembly at a second location, which second location is defined by a line extending between the bottom of said second members. Supporting the footplate assembly at either side maximises lateral stability of the footplate assembly.

Advantageously, the support structure comprises two first members in the form of arms pivotally connected to the mounting and extending to respective pivot points on either side of the footplate assembly, which pivot points define an axis at the first location towards the rear edge of the footplate assembly. Employing two first members pivotally connected to either side of die footplate assembly also assists to maintain lateral stability of the footplate assembly.

Preferably, when in a deployed position, the footplate assembly is supported at the first position and the second position abuts die first position towards fhe rear edge of the footplate assembly, so that the footplate assembly Is cantilevered. This permits the footplate assembly to extend forward of the support structure leaving the footplate assembly substantially unimpeded.

The footplate assembly may comprise a footplate and attachment points for connecting to the first and second members, sueh that the footplate, (the plate portion on which a person places their feet), is directly attached to the support assembly.

IEl 30 2 99 P109121IE00 Io an alternative arrangement, the footplate assembly comprises a frame supported by the support structure and a footplate mounted on the frame so that the footplate may move backwards and forwards on the frame This permits the footplate, when the footplate assembly in a deployed position, to be moved forward on the frame to further extend foe footrest forward of a seat to which the footrest is mounted. Then, prior to the footrest assembly being retracted foe footplate may be retracted on foe frame such as to reduce foe distance between foe front and back of footplate assembly. Tbe footplate may conveniently be arranged to slide forward and backward relative to the frame.

The above arrangement permits foe footplate of foe footplate assembly to be move forward so that the whole of foe footplate may be cantilevered forward of the second members. If foe footrest is mounted to a legrest of a seal, this permits foe footplate to be moved forward so that the maximum front to back dimension of the footplate may be minimised to a length which is required to comfortably support the occupants feet. This has the advantage that foe footplate may be retracted on the frame such that the dimension of foe footplate assembly, from front to back, is the same as the dimensions of the footplate from front to back, thus minimising the front to back dimensions of the footplate assembly. This assists foe footplate assembly to be stored in a vertical, or near to vertical, position under a seat, where the space available for storage is dictated by the distance between foe floor and the underside of the seat.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to foe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used throughout to indicate like parts and of which: Figure 1 shows a known chair with a footrest attached to a legrest in a lowered position; Figure 2 shows the chair of Figure 1 with the legrest in a raised position; Figure 3 shows an alternative known chair with footrest and a legrest in a lowered position; Figure 4 shows the chair of Figure I with the legrest in a raised position; Figure 5 shows the chair of Figure 3 with the footrest folded lo a stored position Figure 6 is a perspective view of a footrest in accordance with the present invention; IE 1 3 0 2 99 P109121IEOO Figure 7 shows the footrest of Figure 6 in a partially deployed position; Figure 8 shows the footrest of Figures 6 and 7 in a fully deployed position; Figure 9 shows the footrest of Figures 6 to 8 fully deployed and with the footrest extended; Figure 10 is an underneath view of the footrest of Figure 8, fully deployed but not extended; Figure 11 is an underneath view of the footrest of Figure 9 fully deployed and extended; Figure 12 is a partially cutaway side elevation of a seat incorporating the footrest of figures 6 to 11, with the footrest attached to a legrest with die legrest fully lowered and the footrest retracted; Figure 13 shows the cliair of Figure 12 with the legrest lowered and the footrest deployed; and Figure 14 shows a chair of Figures 12 and 13 with the legrest fully raised and the footrest fully deployed.

Referring now to Figure 6, a footrest in accordance with the present invention, indicated general ly as 20, comprises a footplate 22 having a recess 23 formed towards its front edge 34 and a support frame 24. The support frame 24 comprises an attachment tube , which may be attached to a chair frame or a legrest of a chair. Attached to the bottom of the tube 25 is a crosspiece 26, supporting end plates 27 and 28. The bottom of end plates 27 and 28 in turn support respective machined blocks 29 and 30, shown clearly in Figure 10.

As can be seen from Figure 10, a cross member 33 lies under footplate 22 toward the front edge 34, but footplate 22 is not attached lo the cross member 33 and is free to slide over the cross member 33. Two rods 31 and 32 are attached to either end of the cross member 33, such that they are spaced slightly apart from footplate 22, The rods 31 and 32 pass through drilled holes in machine block 29 and 30, (such that they can slide there through) and are attached at their opposite ends to a rear cross member 35, most clearly seen in Figure 9. ΙΕί 3 0 2 9 9 P1O9121IE00 As can be seen from Figures 9 and 10, rods 31, 32, front cross member 33 and rear cross member 35 form a square frame across which a central rod 36 extends, between rear cross member 35 and the front cross member 33. The central rod 36 has a machined block mounted thereto which can slide along the rod. It is to this block 37, that the foot plate is attached by bolts 38.

The rear cross member 35 of frame 31,32,33,35 is connected al its ends to respective stub shafts 39 and 40, Stub shafts 39 and 40 have ends for receiving turned knobs 41 and 42. Turned knobs 41 and 42 are sprung loaded and machined such that, fixed to the ends of respective stub shafts 39 and 40, they retain the stub shafts in a selected one of three possible locations in apertures 43 in respective swing supports 44 and 45, but let the stub shafts 39,40 rotate therein. The swing supports 44 and 45 are pivotally connected at their respective ends, opposite to apertures 43, to upper portions of end plates 27 and 28.

Tliis arrangement permits the footplate 22 to adopt a fully retracted position, as shown in Figure 6, where rods 31 and 32 are fully retracted in the machined blocks 29 and 30 so that front cross member 33 abuts machined blocks 29 and 30. Thus the footplate 22, attached to central rod 36, may be retracted, behind a legrest of a chair for example, with only the front edge 34 and the recess 23 protruding below the bottom edge of the legrest. In tills position the footrest will not obstruct an occupant placing liis feet on the floor immediately in front of a lowered leg rest, when the occupant wishes to enter or exit a chair to which the footrest 20 is fitted, for example a chair 55, as illustrated in Figure 12 and discussed below.

With reference to Figure 6, pulling the footplate 22 in the region of the recess 23, pulls the footplate 22 from under a legrest, in the manner illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, until the rear cross member 35 comes into contact with the back of machined blocks 29 and 30, where the footplate adopts the position shown in Figure 8. Fulling the footplate 22 further forward causes the footplate 22 to slide over front cross member 33, but to be retained in place by machined block 37 sliding along the central rod 36, as most clearly seen in Figures and 11, until the machined block 37 abuts metal stop 46. Here magnets 47 and 48 (see IE1 3 0 2 99 P109121IE00 Figure 10) retain the machined block 37 in position against the stop 46, locking the footplate 22 in the fully extended position, as shown in Figures 9 and 11. This further forward extension of the footplate 22 enables the footplate 22 to be less deep than would otherwise be necessary, assisting storage if there is limited space available behind the foot rest 20.

To ensure the footplate 22 does not unintentionally slip from the retracted position shown in Figure 6, as can most clearly be seen from Figure 11, lugs 49 are provided on the front cross member 33, which lugs 49, when the footplate 22 is fully retracted to the position shown in Figure 6, engage with catches 50 fixed to a shaft 51. The shaft 51 extends between and is rotatable in the machined blocks 29 and 30. Catches 50 are biased to an engaged position with the lugs 49 by springs 52. To release footplate 22 from the position shown in Figure 6, a nurse or carer reaches under the footplate 22 to reach the bar 53, shown in Figure 11, which is welded to the shaft 51. Fulling the bar 53 rotates the shaft 51 releasing catches 50 from lugs 49 permitting the footplate 22 to be pulled forward.

Similarly, to ensure the footplate 22 does not unintentionally slip back from its fully deployed position shown in Figures 8 to 11, especially when attached to a raised legrest, an additional bar 54 is provided attached to the rear cross member 35. As can be most clearly seen from Figures 9 and 10, when the footplate 22 is in the fully deployed position, shown in these Figures, the bar 54 engages towards its ends witii respective catches 50, thus locking the rear cross members 35 against machined blocks 29 and 30, retaining the footplate 52 in the fully deployed position, but letting it slide forward to a fully extended position along central rod 36. To release tiie footplate 22 a nurse or carer pulls the bar 53 to rotate the shaft 51, releasing catches 50, permitting the footplate 22 to be pushed back.

With reference to Figures 12 to 14, there is illustrated a chair 55 similar to the chairs illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. A significant difference though with this chair is that the legrest 56 is not pivotally connected to the frame, but is instead attached to a linkage mechanism, not shown in the present application but subject of a co-pending application, which linkage mechanism not only raises the legrest 56 but also controls the position ofthe legrest 56, As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 13 and 14, the linkage mechanism I) ΪΕί 30 2 99 P109121IEO0 permits a point A on the legrest 56 remains aligned with a point A’ on the occupants lower leg 12 as the legrest 56 is raised from the position shown in Figure 13 to the position shown in Figure 14.

When the footrest 20 in accordance with the present invention 20 is mounted by attachment tube 25 to the back of legrest 56, the footplate can be conveniently retracted to the position indicated in Figure 12, without first requiring the legrest 56 to be raised. Thus an occupant, who has previously been supporting his lower leg 12 on tbe footplate 22, may ease some of his weight off the footplate 22, permitting a nurse or carer to push the [ f) footplate 22 back to the position shown in Figure 12. This then permits the occupant to place their feet on the floor immediately adjacent to the front edge of the scat 55.

Similarly, when an occupant sits on the chair they need only slightly raise their feet above the ground to permit the footplate 22 to be pulled forward, by the carer, to the position indicated in Figure 13.

When the legrest 56 is fully retracted, as shown in Figure 13, it is desirable that the footrest 20 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the legrest 56, for when an occupant has his lower legs 12 lowered, the foot may be comfortably maintained pointing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the lower leg 12 extends. However, as the lower leg 12 is elevated by the legrest 56, to the position shown in Figure 14, the tendons down tlie back of the lower leg will tighten. Thus when the occupants lower leg 12 is fully elevated to the position shown in Figure 14, it may be more comfortable for the occupant if the angle of the footplate 22 of the footrest 20 is adjusted.

With reference to Figure 11, this can be achieved by pulling the turned knobs 41 and 42 and then sliding these and the stub shafts 39 and 40 to one of the other two locations in apertures 23. This causes the footplate 22 to adopt a less acute angle.

A footrest 20 of the present invention may be particularly advantageous when fitted to the legrest 56 of chair 55 of Figures 12 to 14, for the reasons explained above. However, the compact nature of the retractable footrest 20 and the ability to stow it without detaching it means that it has many applications and it could, for example, be used as the footrest on IE 1 30 2 99 Ρ10912ΠΕ00 the chair disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, or with any other seat where it is desirable to have a retractable footrest.

When the footrest of the present invention is fitted to a legrest 5 of a chair 1, as 5 illustrated in Figure 1 for example, it may be necessary to employ a mechanism by which the position of the footrest 20 can be adjusted to compensate for the legs of an occupant extending further along the legrest 5 when the legrest 5 is raised than when lowered, as explained above with reference to figures 1 and 2. Indeed, tliis may be desirable even with the chair illustrated in figures 12 to 14, to enable the footrest to be correctly positioned for a particular individual.

A degree of seat 1 to footplate 22 distance adjustment may be achieved in any conventional manner, for example by an array of holes (not shown) on the tube 25 of the footrest support 24, of the embodiment of the present invention disclosed in Figures 6 to 11 and an indexer on a receiving tube (fitting 9 of Figure 1) attached to the legrest.

It will be realised that many other modifications can be made to the arrangement depicted in the embodiment shown in the drawings without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. , A footrest arranged to be mounted on a scat, the footrest comprising a retractable footplate assembly for supporting foe feet of an occupant of the seat and a support structure

2. A footrest as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a first member which guides tire first location on the footplate assembly in an are and a second member which supports the footplate assembly at said second location on the footplate assembly so that foe footplate assembly can be drawn past the second member as the footplate assembly is retracted.

3. , A footrest as ciaimed in Claim 2, wherein the first member is an aim pivotally connected to the first fixed location on the footplate assembly at one end, with the other end of the arm pivotally connected to a point on the mounting substantially above foe second location,

4. A footrest as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, comprising two second members which are fixed to tire mounting and extend down either side of the footplate assembly to support the IE 1 3 0 2 99 P109121IEOO footplate assembly at the second location, which second location is defined by a line extending between the bottom of said two second members, 5. Two first members in the form of arms pivotally connected to the mounting and extending to respective pivot points on either side of the footplate assembly, which pivot points define an axis at the first location towards the rear edge of the footplate assembly.

5. A footrest as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the support structure comprises: 5 for the footplate assembly, wherein foe support structure comprises a mounting to be fixed to a portion of foe seat and wherein the support structure is arranged to permit the footplate assembly to extend forward of said portion of foe seat when foe footplate assembly is in a deployed position and to be retracted to a position substantially behind said portion of the seat wfoen the footplate assembly is in a retracted position, wherein foe support structure is

6. A footrest as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, when in a deployed position, 10 the footplate assembly is supported at the first position and the second position abuts foe ±irst position towards the rear edge ofthe footptate so that the footplate assembly is cantilevered.

7. A footrest as claimed in Claim 6, wherein foe footplate assembly comprises a 15 footplate and attachment points for connecting to foe first and second members.

8. A foot rest as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the footplate assembly comprises a frame supported by the support structure and a footplate mounted on the frame whicli can move backwards and forwards on the frame such that when foe footplate 20 assembly is in a deployed position, where the first location abuts the second location, die footplate may be moved forward on the frame to further extend the footrest forward of a seat to which the footrest is mounted and wherein, prior to the footrest assembly being retracted the footplate may he retracted on foe frame such as to reduce the distance between foe front and back of front plate assembly,

9. A footrest as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the frame comprises: two rods, one at either side of the frame, which are slidably and pivotally connected to two second members fixed to and extending down either side ofthe footplate assembly from the mounting; a front cross member extending between front ends of the rods over which the footplate may 30 slide; and a rear cross member to which the support structure is pivotally connected at the first location. IE 1 3 0 2 9 9 PW9121IE00 10. The footrest in tiie fully deployed position,

10. A footrest as claimed in Claim 9, comprising one or more footplate retaining members extending between the front and rear cross members upon which the footplate is slidably mounted and permit the footplate to extend forward of tlie front cross member in a cantilevered manner. 10 connected to the footplate at a first fixed location on the footplate assembly towards the rear of foe footplate assembly and at a second non-fixed location on the footplate assembly between the first location and the front of the footplate assembly, wherein foe support structure is arranged such that the second location is fixed relative to foe mounting and the first location is movable so that, in use, pushing the footplate assembly backwards from a 15 fully deployed position causes the second location at which the footplate is supported to move forward on the footplate assembly as the footplate assembly is retracted and causes the first location fixed towards the rear edge of the footplate assembly to move so that foe footplate assembly is inclined as it is retracted. 20

11. A footrest as claimed in any one oi’Claims 8 to 10. comprising locking means for retaining the footplate tn a forward extended position on the frame.

12. Λ footrest as ciaimed in any preceding claim, comprising a locking means to retain

13. A footrest as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising locking means to retain the footrest in a fully retracted position, 15

14. A footrest as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the footplate assembly in a retracted position is inclined to an angle of less than 20° from vertical,

15. , A footrest substantially as hereinbefore descried with reference to, and/or as illustrated in one or more of-figures 6 to 14 of the accompanying figures,