US20030047979A1

US20030047979A1 - Foot rest

Info

Publication number: US20030047979A1
Application number: US10/223,154
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Carom
Original assignee: Azar Group International Inc
Current assignee: Azar Group International Inc
Priority date: 2001-08-16
Filing date: 2002-08-16
Publication date: 2003-03-13
Also published as: CA2355092A1; CA2397220A1

Abstract

The invention is a portable foot rest made from flexible foam. A first and second planar upper surface are at an angle to each other, forming a ledge for placement of the user's feet. Four planar side surfaces are perpendicular to the floor when the foot rest is placed on the floor. The bottom of the foot rest is a seventh planar surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable foot rest made from flexible foam, particularly one which may be used by airline passengers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, increased media attention has been focussed on the cramped conditions aboard aeroplanes. In particular, concerns have been raised over the potential threat of deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a condition whereby blood clots form, usually in the lower legs. The formation of clots is caused by prolonged periods of sitting or immobilization of the legs (as on a lengthy flight). The condition may be fatal if the blood clots break off and lodge in the lungs, heart or brain.

It is estimated that approximately one to two people in every thousand suffer from deep vein thrombosis, and Ashford Hospital near London's Heathrow Airport has reported 30 deaths over the last three years from deep vein thrombosis arising from air travel. Moreover, as many as one in ten people may have a tendency to form small clots during flights of at least eight hours.

One precaution for preventing deep vein thrombosis is to periodically walk around or to exercise the leg muscles while seated. This invention helps prevent deep vein thrombosis by allowing the legs to be positioned more comfortably. This promotes better circulation in the legs, and facilitates the performance of leg muscle exercises. The invention could be distributed by flight attendants along with a list of suggested exercises.

Foot rests now in use in aeroplanes are typically rigid metal structures attached to the seat in front of the passenger. These foot rests are not convenient for everyone, particularly for people who are either taller or shorter than average. The present invention, by contrast, may be moved to adjust for leg length. Moreover, the present invention is made from a flexible foam material which allows the user to flex and point his or her feet while they are resting on the foot rest, thus increasing his or her comfort.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a flexible foot rest to support the feet of users in a sitting position.

In another broad aspect, the present invention relates to a foot rest having an inclined upper surface upon which a user's feet may be rested, and a ridge upstanding from said upper surface, upon which the heels of said user's feet may be rested, to prevent said user's feet from sliding off said foot rest.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible foot rest for the use of airline passengers which will assist in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis.

Broadly, this invention relates to a foot rest having two planar upper surfaces at an angle to each other, four planar side surfaces, and one planar bottom surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention; [0010]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the invention; [0012]
FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention; [0013]
FIG. 5 is a front view of the invention; [0014]
FIG. 6 is a back view of the invention; [0015]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate, preferred, view of the present invention; and [0016]
FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7. [0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. [0018] 1-6.
The invention is a portable foot rest made from flexible foam. First ([0019] 1) and second (2) planar upper surface are at an angle to each other, forming a ledge (3) for placement of the user's feet. Four planar side surfaces (4) are perpendicular to the floor when the foot rest is placed on the floor. The bottom of the foot rest is a seventh planar surface (5).
It will be noted, moreover, that the footrest, while preferably made from a high density, flexible foam, most preferably a closed cell foam, may also be made from any other suitable material, such as rubber, wood, metal or plastic panels or cardboard. Moreover, the footrest may be inflatable, fabricated from vinyl, rubber coated nylon, or any other suitable sheet material, the selection of which will be a matter of choice to one skilled in the art. It will be understood that the footrest may also be of the self-inflating sort, utilizing known technology for that purpose. [0020]
In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the two planar upper surfaces is between 90 degrees and 120 degrees, and the ratio of the width of the first planar upper surface to the width of the second planar upper surface is approximately 3:1. [0021]
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated. A foot rest having the same general configuration as that shown in FIGS. [0022] 1 - 6 is provided with a bottom surface 5, and generally planar side surfaces 4. However, the front 6 surface is curved, and extends from the bottom surface up and over in a fairly tight radius curve (about 1″ radius in a preferred form), a top surface 7 upon which the feet may be placed. Top surface 7 is generally flat, and inclined from the horizontal at an angle of between about 15 and about 45 degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 30 degrees, most preferably about 26 degrees. The rear surface of the preferred form of foot rest of the present invention is at an angle to the vertical, so that the foot rest may be inserted in a tight spot, such as under an airliner seat. The rear surface is preferably curved in a wide, gentle curve, with a radius of about 6 inches for aesthetic purposes, and to make the foot rest of the present invention easier to carry.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of ergonometric design without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention. [0023]

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows

1. A foot rest having first and second planar upper surfaces at an angle to each other, four planar side surfaces, and one planar bottom surface.

2. A foot rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second planar upper surfaces are at an angle of between 90 degrees and 120 degrees to each other.

3. A foot rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the width of the first planar upper surface to the width of the second planar upper surface is approximately 3:1.

4. A foot rest as claimed in claim 3, made from a flexible foam material.

5. A foot rest as claimed in claim 3, fabricated from inflatable vinyl material, or other inflatable sheet material.

6. A foot rest having an inclined upper surface upon which a user's feet may be rested, and a ridge upstanding from said upper surface, upon which the heels of said user's feet may be rested, to prevent said user's feet from sliding off said foot rest.

7. A foot rest as claimed in claim 6 wherein said upper surface is inclined at an angle of from 15 to 45 degrees from the horizontal, toward the user of the foot rest.

8. A foot rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper surface is angled at an angle of from 20 to 30 degrees from the horizontal, toward the user.

9. A foot rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper surface is angled at an angle of from about 26 degrees from the horizontal, toward the user.

10. A foot rest as claimed in claim 8, made from a flexible foam material.

11. A foot rest as claimed in claim 9, made from a flexible foam material.

12. A foot rest as claimed in claim 9, made from inflatable vinyl, or other inflatable sheet material.