Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02397220 2002-08-08
PORTABLE FOOT REST
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 to 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,
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CA 02397220 2002-08-08
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
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the invention;
Figure 4 is a side view of the invention;
Figure 5 is a front view of the invention;
Figure 6 is a back view of the invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternate, preferred, view of the present
invention; and
Figure 8 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 7:
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CA 02397220 2002-08-08
Detailed Description of the Invention
A first embodiment is illustrated in Figures 1 - 6.
The invention is a portable foot rest made from flexible foam. First (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.
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.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a preferred form of the present invention is
illustrated. A foot rest having the same general configuration as that shown
in
Figures 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,
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CA 02397220 2002-08-08
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.
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