BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
By way of background, turkey hunters must be mobile to find their game. When in the presence of game, hunters often sit on the ground in improvised sitting positions, often resting against a tree, log, rock, or other natural structure for support. To be successful, it is often important to stay seated and still for a long period of time. The ground where hunters sit may be flat or uneven. This uneven ground often places each foot in an uncomfortable position which makes it difficult to sit still and be quiet. To support the legs and body from slipping in the seated position, each foot must resist the force of the leg and foot against slipping. The outdoor environment often includes dirt, mud, leaves, and loose debris that make it easy for the foot to slip. Further, the presence of leaves, twigs, and debris around the foot of a hunter can make noise which alerts the game to their presence.
People may carry portable footrests to aid in the comfort of placing their feet on the ground while sitting. These footrests may be one piece and not adaptable to uneven ground. Further, they do not allow the hunter to place their feet in positions of different length from the body. Also, these footrests are often too big to easily scratch away leaves that make noise. Further, many of these portable footrests are large and not easily transported.
Turkeys are known to scratch away leaves to search for food. A turkey foot has three large toes toward the front used for scratching. Mimicking the sound of a turkey scratching can attract other turkeys.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a footrest to support the feet while in a seated position outdoors. There is a need in the art for a portable footrest that is easily transportable. There is a missing need in the art for a footrest that can be used to clear away leaves. Further, there is a missing need in the art for individual footrests that allow for customized foot placement positions. There is a missing need in the art for a footrest that can be used to mimic the sound of turkey scratching leaves. There is a missing need in the art for a footrest that is portable, easily placed and easily removed.
Also, campers and beachgoers may carry chairs to sit on the beach or in nature. There is a need to have an individually customized foot position to sit on the ground or beach in nature. Also, it may be necessary or enjoyable to scoop away debris, dirt, or sand while outdoors. At the beach, a device to dig sand, scoop sand, and scoop water is useful for building decorative structures with sand.
Therefore, this is a need in the art for portable footrest for uneven ground for leisure activities such as camping or at the beach. A footrest that can be used for clearing debris, digging, or moving dirt or sand is unique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview. Rather its purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved footrest device for outdoor applications. More specifically, the footrest device is comprised of an angled platform for resting feet where the bottom of each foot is in an inclined position relative to the ground. The angled platform is formed by the intersection of two inclined planes that form an angle relative to each other. The two inclined planes form the top of the footrest. These two inclined planes are supported by side planes that extend down. A portion of the side plane extends below a reference plane on each side. The edges of this extended side plane is comprised of an edge with steps. These stepped edges push against the dirt, mud, sand, or ground to prevent sliding and support the foot and leg when seated. Further, the footrest are individual pieces so the left and right foot can be placed in the optimal position for sitting on the ground. The two individual footrest pieces nest together for storage or transport.
The footrest incorporates tabs protruding out the front that also prevent sliding. Further, these tabs function as a device to remove debris that can make noise in a hunting application. Further, these tabs can be used to mimic the sound of a turkey scratching leaves.
The footrest device can also be used for other outdoor activities such as sitting on sand and the beach. The tabs can be used at a beach for digging sand. The shape of the footrest creates a pocket that functions as a scoop for moving sand or water. The footrest can be used to construct shapes out of sand, mud, or dirt for function or leisure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a right side view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of (2) footrest devices of the present invention nested together for storage or transport in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 7 illustrates a view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in an outdoor hunting situation with the hunter resting against a tree and the hunter's right and left legs are in different positions and supported by each individual footrest in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 8 illustrates a view of one potential embodiment of a footrest device of the present invention in a beach or shoreline situation where the footrest device forms a comfortable position for the beachgoer's feet to rest on uneven sand in accordance with the disclosed architecture.
FIG. 9 illustrates a view of one potential embodiment of the a footrest device of the present invention with a curved surface in lieu of the forward or rearward plane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a footrest device 1. The device 1 is a footrest for use on a supporting surface of the ground such as dirt or sand. The footrest 1 provides a support surface for the feet. The footrest 1 is useful when sitting outdoors such as sitting on the ground in hunting applications or in the sand at the beach. In hunting applications such as turkey hunting, hunters often find themselves moving around in pursuit of their game. This involves moving to new locations and sitting on the ground and often resting their back against a tree, stump, rock, log or embankment. This puts the hunter's feet in uncomfortable positions, especially when the ground is flat or slopes away from the hunters seated position. The top surface of the footrest 1 are comprised of two planes 2 and 3. These planes, primarily plane 2, are at an angle against which the person's foot can rest. This provides support for the person's feet in a more comfortable position. This allows the person to be still and stay in position longer without the discomfort caused without a footrest. The two planes 2 and 3 intersect to form the top surface of the footrest device. The device 1 can be formed with these two planes 2 and 3 at a range of angles to allow for different slopes. Further, each footrest device 1 are of a size and shape to be individually used for each foot. This way, a pair of footrest device 1 form a set for the left and right feet. This allows the optimal placement of the device 1 on the ground for the best position and comfort for outdoor situations such as hunting. This optimal placement is often at different lengths and elevations from the body due to the uneven ground experienced in outdoor applications.
In FIG. 2, the sideplanes 4 and 5 are identified. These sideplanes 4 and 5 intersect with the top planes 2 and 3. These sideplanes 4 and 5 are at an acute angle for ease of release from a casting mold or injection molding tool. This acute angle allows the two pieces of device 1 to nest together for storage and transport. The planes 23 have a thickness of material to the inside of the footrest to form the top of the footrest. The sideplanes 4 and 5 have a thickness of material to the inside of the footrest to form the sides of the footrest. The bottom edges 678 and 9 of the top 23 and sides 4 and 5 form a reference plane 10. This reference plane represents the ideal intersection with the ground. This reference plane exists whether the edges 8 and 9 of top 2 and 3 and edges 6 and 7 of sides 4 and 5 are continuous or form some other shape. The edge 6 of side 4 is shown in FIG. 1. The edge 8 of top 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The reference plane 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 3 the edge 7 of side 5 is shown. The reference plane 10 is shown.
In FIG. 4 the edge 9 of top 3 is shown. The bottom of the footrest device 1 can be seen in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, a pocket formed by the enclosed sides 4 and 5 and top 2 and 3 is visible. This pocket functions as a scoop. Therefore, the device 1 can be used to scoop water, dirt, sand and other media for purposes of recreation, or in an emergency situation, water can be scooped for use in cooking, cleaning, or consumption.
In FIG. 1. a portion of the side 4 extends down below the reference plane 10 to form tabs 11 and 12. In FIG. 3. a portion of the side 5 extends down below the reference plane 10 to form tabs 13 and 14. These tabs 111213 and 14 extend below the surface of the ground when in use.
One or more edges of the tabs 111213 and 14 may contain intersecting lines, such as but not required to be vertical and horizontal, that form steps 15 along the edge. In this way, one or more edges of tabs 111213 and 14 are not a straight continuous line. These steps 15 provide resistance to horizontal motion of the footrest device 1 when the foot and leg place forces on it from sitting. The steps 15 prevent sliding of the footrest 1. This resistance to sliding provides support for the feet when sitting.
In FIG. 1, A platform 16 is shown extending out from the top 3. This platform 16 is shown parallel with reference plane 10. This platform 16 can be at a small acute angle from reference plane 10. The bottom surface 17 of platform 16, along with edges 6 and 7 from sides 4 and 5 and edges 8 and 9 from top 2 and 3, provides resistance to keep the footrest device 1 from submerging too far below the ground when the ground is wet or is loose such as sand. This platform 16, can extend out along plane 10 or a shallow angle from plane 10. Further, platform 16 can extend out from any of the sides 4 and 5 or top 2 and 3.
In FIG. 5 the area of platform 16 extending from the top 3 to form tabs 18 is shown. The number of tabs 18 extending out from platform 16 can be three or more or less than three. In FIG. 5, the tabs 18 are formed by edges 19 at an acute angle to each other to form a point 20. This point 20 can be sharp or can have a radius or other shape at the connection of the two sides 19 for each tab 18. The multiple tabs 18 act together like teeth on a rake. Three tabs are best suited to mimic the forward toes of a turkey in turkey hunting situations. These tabs 18 can be raked against leaves in a hunting situation to mimic the action and sound of a turkey scratching away leaves and debris searching for food. Further, these tabs 18 can rake away leaves, twigs, and other debris before the device 1 is placed on the ground. The sitting area in a hunting situation, such as the base of a tree, can be raked away with these tabs 18. Removing debris such as leaves and twigs will reduce noise and prevent spooking game if the hunter shifts position. Further, at a beach, campsite, sandbox, creek or river bank or other recreational area, the tabs can be used as a rake for the enjoyment of building or construction of the earth or sand such as sand castles at the beach. They can also remove debris to create a space for sitting or placing objects.
In FIG. 6 a side view of (2) footrest devices 1 nested together for storage or transport is shown.
In FIG. 7 device 1 being used in a hunting situation is shown, where the hunter is leaning against a tree and the each foot is in a position at a different length form the body.
In FIG. 8. a person is shown at a beach or shoreline with the device 1 in sand to create a comfortable position for their feet to rest on the uneven sand is shown.
In FIG. 9. a potential embodiment of the footrest device where the forward 21 and rearward 22 surfaces are curved instead of flat planes 2 and 3.
Patent Application
20250127306
