DESK AND FOOTREST ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY THEREFOR

Abstract

A desk includes a top defining a working surface, at least one pair of opposed supporting legs supporting the top above a floor, and a swinging footrest assembly pivotally connected to at least one of the supporting legs. The swinging footrest assembly is selectively removable from the desk and can be selectively positioned at a plurality of vertical positions with respect to the floor.

Description

The present invention relates generally to office and classroom furniture and workspaces and, more particularly, to a desk and footrest assembly for a desk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, desks for the classroom have only been designed to serve the function of providing a surface for writing or other related school activities. In classrooms across the country, teachers often require students to sit at their desks for extended periods of time. Research has shown, however, that students need to move throughout the day and often feel frustrated when they sit stationary at their desk for hours at a time. Naturally, after long periods of time of sitting still, almost every student will eventually lose focus, thereby inhibiting the ability to absorb the material being taught. This is particularly true for those with certain attention disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Research has shown that students, especially those with ADHD and other similar disorders or conditions, such as restless leg syndrome, autism and anxiety disorders, can concentrate better when they're allowed to fidget. Accordingly, numerous devices have been developed to allow students to fidget, such as stress balls, fidget spinners and balance balls. Many of these devices are very visible to others in the class and can be easily dropped on the floor or otherwise misused, thereby actually inhibiting learning rather than facilitating it. Indeed, while certain devices may provide useful for those with conditions that affect the ability of such students to focus, such devices may divert the attention of others in the classroom from the teacher to fellow students using these devices.

In view of the above, there is a need for an apparatus that allows students to expend energy in a constructive manner and which does not distract other students in the classroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a desk.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a desk with a swinging footrest assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a desk with a swinging footrest assembly that can be selectively deployed and stowed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a desk with a swinging footrest assembly that is removable from the desk.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a desk with a swinging footrest assembly that can be selectively adjusted to allow for ergonomic use by students of any height.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a swinging footrest assembly that can be retrofit to existing desks and which is easily adjustable.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention.

In an embodiment, a desk includes a top defining a working surface, at least one pair of opposed supporting legs supporting the top above a floor, and a swinging footrest assembly pivotally connected to at least one of the supporting legs. The swinging footrest assembly is selectively removable from the desk and can be selectively positioned at a plurality of vertical positions with respect to the floor.

In an embodiment, a swinging footrest for a desk includes at least one upright arm member, a transverse bar connected to a distal end of the at least one upright arm member for providing support for a user's foot, and a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a leg of a desk. The upright arm member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket for rotation about a generally horizontal axis.

In another embodiment, a method of configuring a desk with a swinging footrest includes pivotally connecting at least one upright arm member of the swinging footrest to a desk to position a foot support of the swinging footrest at a first distance above the floor, and adjusting the swinging footrest to position the foot support at a second distance above the floor, wherein the second distance is different from the first distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk having a swinging footrest, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the swinging footrest, shown attached to a desk in a use position.

FIG. 3 is another enlarged, rear perspective view of the swinging footrest, shown attached to a desk in a use position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the swinging footrest, shown attached to a desk in a stowed position.

FIG. 5 is another enlarged, rear perspective view of the swinging footrest, shown attached to a desk in a stowed position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the swinging footrest.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a mounting bracket of the swinging footrest.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the desk having a swinging footrest of FIG. 1, showing a seated desk position and the footrest in a use position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the desk having a swinging footrest of FIG. 1, showing a seated desk position and the footrest in a stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a desk 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The desk 10 includes a top 12 having a generally planar work surface. The top 12 may take any shape known in the art, such as rectangular, ovular, crescent-shaped, or any other geometric configuration desired. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the desk 10 includes a pair of opposed support legs 14 attached to the underside of the top 12 that terminate in a pair of opposed feet 16 that support the desk 10 on a floor or other surface. In an embodiment, the legs 14 may each include an upper leg portion 18 and a lower leg portion 20. For example, the upper leg portions 18 may be slidably received in the lower leg portions 20 so as to provide for selective height-adjustment of the desk 10, enabling a user to position the top 12 at a variety of heights with respect to the floor. In an embodiment, one or more of the support legs may include an internal gas spring or similar biasing device to provide an assisting force when raising the desk 10. As also shown in FIG. 1, a generally U-shaped stabilizer bar 22 extends horizontally rearward from the lower leg portions 20 and connects the lower leg portions 20 to one another. While desk 10 is illustrated and described herein as a height-adjustable desk having two legs, it is contemplated that the desk may have more than two legs and the height of the top 12 may be fixed.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the desk 10 also includes a footrest assembly 100 pivotally connected to the legs 14. FIGS. 2 and 3 best illustrate the configuration of the footrest assembly 100. The footrest assembly 100 is generally U-shaped and includes a pair of upright arm members 110 and a transverse bar 112 connecting the upright arm members 110 at the respective distal ends thereof. As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the footrest assembly 100 further includes a pair of opposed mounting brackets 120 that are used to attach the footrest assembly 100 to the legs 14 (in particular, the lower leg portions 20 of the legs 14). While FIGS. 2 and 3 show the footrest assembly 100 attached to both of the legs 14, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that only one of the upright arm members 100 may be attached to one of the legs 14 (in which case the footrest assembly may be generally L-shaped rather than U-shaped).

FIGS. 6 and 7 best illustrate the mounting brackets 120 and the manner in which the footrest assembly 100 is attached to the desk 10. As shown therein, each mounting bracket 120 includes a two-piece clamping collar 122 configured to closely receive the lower leg portion 20. In particular, the inner diameter of the clamping collar 122 is configured to be generally equivalent to, and preferably slightly less than, the outside diameter of the lower leg portion 20 so that the clamping collar 122, when tightened using fasteners 124, exerts an axial holding force on the lower leg portion 20. The mounting brackets 120 also each include a cantilever arm member 126 that extends forward in the horizontal direction from the clamping collar 122. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the proximal ends of each upright arm member 110 are pivotally connected to the distal ends of the cantilever arm members 126 at a pivot point 128, such as through a shaft or bolt. In this manner, the footrest assembly is rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends through the pivot points 128 of each mounting bracket 120.

Importantly, the mounting bracket 120 allows the footrest assembly 100 to be removably attached to the desk 100 such that it can be both installed and removed as desired. In addition, this feature allows the footrest assembly 100 to be installed as an aftermarket item to existing desks, obviating the need to fully re-furnish a classroom if desks with a swinging footrest are desired. In addition, the mounting bracket 120 allows a user to position the footrest assembly 100 at a variety of vertical positions along the legs 14, to accommodate both sitting and standing positions, and in dependence upon the height of a student.

While FIGS. 1-7 illustrate the use of mounting brackets 120 having a clamping collar 122 that is utilized to attached the footrest assembly 100 to the legs 14 of the desk 10, other attachment means are also possible without departing from the broader aspects of the invention. In yet other embodiments, the arm members 110 may be directly coupled to the legs 14 such as through projections or pins on the upright arm members 100 that are received in corresponding recesses or apertures in the legs 14.

In operation, once the footrest assembly 100 is installed at a desired height above the floor, the footrest assembly 100 is freely rotatable in a pendulum-like manner about pivot points 128 under urging via a student's foot. By allowing the student more freedom of movement, the desk 10 and footrest 100 of the present invention serves to improve student comfort and therefore the student's time spent in the classroom. In particular, the footrest 100 allows students to expend energy and fidget in a constructive, rather than destructive manner.

Referring back to FIGS. 2-5, the stabilizer bar 22 and the configuration thereof is an important aspect of the present invention. In particular, the stabilizer bar 22 allows the swinging footrest 100 to be moved from a deployed or use position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to a stowed position out of the way of a user's feet and legs, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In particular, when stowing of the swinging footrest is desired, a used can simply rotate the swinging footrest 100 rearwardly and upwardly until it rests upon the stabilizer bar 22 out of the way of a user's feet. This feature allows the swinging footrest 100 to be stowed away when its use is not desired or needed. In other embodiments, a clip or fastening device may be used to retain the swinging footrest 100 a stowed position. In yet other embodiments, one of the pivot points may be configured with a set screw or other device that be used to retain the footrest assembly 100 in a stowed position.

Turning finally to FIGS. 8 and 9, in addition to using the footrest assembly 100 in a standing position of the desk 10 (as shown in FIG. 1), the footrest assembly 100 can also be as easily utilized in a seated position of the desk 10.

In contrast to existing devices, the swinging footrest assembly 100 of the present invention can be removably attached to almost any existing desk, allowing for retrofitting or upgrading of desks already in use in the classroom. This feature likewise allows the footrest assembly 100 to be easily and quickly removed from the desk in situations where it is no longer needed or desired. Moreover, the height-adjustment provided by the mounting brackets 120 allows the transverse bar 112 of the footrest 100 to be positioned at the most comfortable position for a student, in either a standing or seated position. This feature also allows the position of the footrest 100 to be easily adjusted to better suit the particular height or leg length of any given student, providing for more ergonomic and comfortable use than has heretofore been possible.

In addition to easy removability and installation, and customization for any student, the footrest assembly 100 can also be easily deployed for use or stowed out of the way of a student's feet or legs, as desired, without tedious removal or installation steps. That is, to stow the assembly 100, a user may simply rotate the assembly 100 forward and upward until it rests on the stabilizer bar 22. Likewise, to deploy the footrest assembly 100, a student simply grasps one of the arms 110 or bar 112 and rotates the assembly 100 forward and downwardly.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A desk, comprising: a top defining a working surface;at least one pair of opposed supporting legs configured to support the top a distance above a floor; andand a swinging footrest assembly pivotally connected to at least one of the supporting legs;wherein the swinging footrest assembly is selectively removable from the desk and is selectively positionable at a plurality of spaced vertical positions with respect to the floor.

2. The desk of claim 1, further comprising: a stabilizer bar extending generally horizontally and connecting the opposed supporting legs;wherein the swinging footrest assembly is movable from a use position in which the swinging footrest assembly is freely rotatable, and a stowed position in which the swinging footrest assembly rests on the stabilizer bar.

3. The desk of claim 1, wherein: the swinging footrest assembly includes:at least one upright arm member;a transverse bar connected to a distal end of the at least one upright arm member for providing support for a user's foot.

4. The desk of claim 3, wherein: the swinging footrest assembly further includes a mounting bracket attached to at least one of the supporting legs;wherein the at least one upright arm member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket.

5. The desk of claim 4, wherein: the mounting bracket includes a clamping collar for removably securing the swinging footrest to the supporting leg.

6. The desk of claim 3, wherein: the at least one upright arm member is two upright arm members; andthe transverse bar connects distal ends of the upright arm members to one another.

7. The desk of claim 1, wherein: the swinging footrest assembly is movable from a use position in which the swinging footrest assembly is freely rotatable, and a clearance position in which the swinging footrest assembly is positioned out of the way of a user's feet beneath the desk.

8. The desk of claim 1, wherein: the opposed supporting legs are vertically adjustable to allow for selective adjustment of the distance of the top above the floor.

9. A swinging footrest for a desk, comprising: at least one upright arm member; anda transverse bar connected to a distal end of the at least one upright arm member for providing support for a user's foot;wherein the at least one upright arm member is configured for operative connection to a leg of the desk for rotation about a generally horizontal axis.

10. The swinging footrest of claim 9, further comprising: a mounting bracket configured for removable connection to a leg of the desk;wherein the at least one upright arm member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket.

11. The swinging footrest assembly of claim 10, wherein: the mounting bracket includes a clamping collar for removably securing the swinging footrest to the supporting leg.

12. The swinging footrest assembly of claim 9, wherein: the at least one upright arm member is two upright arm members; andthe transverse bar connects distal ends of the upright arm members to one another.

13. The swinging footrest assembly of claim 9, further comprising: an adjustment mechanism permitting selective positioning of the transverse bar at a desired distance above the floor.

14. The swinging footrest assembly of claim 9, wherein: the swinging footrest assembly is movable from a use position in which the swinging footrest assembly is freely rotatable, and a clearance position in which the swinging footrest assembly is positioned out of the way of a user's feet beneath the desk when the at least one upright arm member is connected to the leg of the desk.

15. A method of configuring a desk with a swinging footrest, comprising the step of: pivotally connecting at least one upright arm member of the swinging footrest to a desk to position a foot support of the swinging footrest at a first distance above the floor; andadjusting the swinging footrest to position the foot support at a second distance above the floor;wherein the second distance is different from the first distance.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: rotating the swinging footrest to a stowed position where the foot support is positioned generally outside of an area beneath a surface of the desk occupied by a user's feet.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: the step of connecting the at least one upright arm member to the desk includes connecting the at least one upright arm member to a leg of the desk.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein: the step of pivotally connecting the at least one upright arm member of the swinging footrest to the desk includes pivotally connecting a pair of opposed upright arm members of the swinging footrest to opposed legs of the desk.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: the opposed upright arm members are pivotally connected to the opposed legs by adjustable mounting brackets.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: removing the swinging footrest from the desk and connecting the swinging footrest to another desk.