Patent Application
20220031080
The present disclosure relates to a footrest device for supporting feet of a user.
Workplace ergonomics is an area which has drawn much attention over the past few years. A common example involves a computer user who may have his/her arms at an ergonomically appropriate angle for using the computer to minimize chances of repetitive stress. Generally, users are presented with desks or tables at workplaces that are disposed at a pre-determined height from a floor. Further, a height-adjustable chair may be used to bring an upper body of the user into a proper relationship with the desk or table. Several chair manufacturers now incorporate mechanisms that allow a seat pan and a backrest of the chair to self-adjust and follow motions of the user. Such adjustments, however, do not take into consideration the relationship of the user to the floor. It is thus desirable to provide a footrest device to bring legs of the user into an ergonomically correct position to avoid problems such as leg strain, back strain, and/or circulatory problems.
Further, the footrest devices include a curved surface and a planar surface such that each of the curved surface and the planar surface may be embodied as foot supporting surfaces. Moreover, the footrest devices may be switched or flipped between the curved surface and the planar surface, based on user preference. Accordingly, the footrest device may include some means to switch the footrest devices between the curved surface and the planar surface. Conventional footrest devices include a complex mechanism for allowing flipping of the footrest devices between the curved surface and the planar surface. Further, the footrest devices also include multiple parts which may add to an overall weight and cost of the footrest device.
Generally, the present disclosure relates to a footrest device. In view of the forgoing disclosure, there is a need for an improved footrest device that includes a robust and ergonomic design, is light in weight, and is simple to use. Accordingly, the footrest device described in the present disclosure includes a base portion having a pair of side surfaces. Each side surface includes an indentation. The indentations allows a user to flip the footrest device between a first position and a second position while sitting or standing thereby eliminating a requirement of leaning of the user. More particularly, users may use their toes or front portion of their foot to flip the footrest device between the first and second positions without lifting the footrest or leaning down. The footrest device also includes limit stops to restrict a range of movement of the base portion. Further, the footrest has been ergonomically designed to accommodate dimensions as per the ANSI/HFES 100-2007 standard approved by American National Standards Institute.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a footrest device is provided. The footrest device includes a base portion adapted to be switched between a first position and a second position. The base portion includes a first surface having a curved profile, wherein the first surface provides foot support to a user when the base portion is in the first position. The base portion also includes a second surface having a planar profile, wherein the second surface provides foot support to the user when the base portion is in the second position. The base portion further includes a pair of side surfaces extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein at least one of the pair of side surfaces defines an indentation. The footrest device also includes at least one limit stop projecting from the first surface of the base portion, wherein the at least one limit stop is disposed proximate at least one of the pair of side surfaces.
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numerals used in the figures refer to like components.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
In the context of present disclosure, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and “fourth” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and “fourth” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.
As mentioned above, conventional footrest devices include a complex mechanism for allowing flipping of the footrest devices between the curved surface and the planar surface. This is a problem because these devices, especially when they have multiple parts, add to the overall weight and cost of the footrest device and may break or malfunction which decreases the useful life of the footrest device. As a solution to one or more of these problems, the present disclosure relates to a footrest device having an ergonomically improved design. Further, the footrest device includes a robust design. The footrest device can be used in a first position and a second position based on a comfort of a user. The footrest device includes an indentation on each side surface of a base portion of the footrest device that allows switching of the footrest device between the first and second positions. Further, the user may switch the footrest device between the first and second positions while sitting or standing. Thus, a design of the footrest device described herein eliminates a need of leaning down or lifting the footrest device for switching the footrest device between the first and second positions. The footrest device does not include complex mechanisms for switching the footrest device between the first and second positions, thereby providing the footrest device that is light in weight and cost effective. Further, the footrest device includes limit stops to restrict a range of movement of the base portion when the footrest is in the second position. Further, the footrest device has been ergonomically designed to accommodate dimensions as per ANSI/HFES 100-2007 standard approved by American National Standards Institute.
The footrest device 100 includes a base portion 102 adapted to be switched between a first position and a second position. The base portion 102 may be manufactured using different types of materials depending upon cost, weight, durability, and other such factors. Generally, metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites may be used for manufacturing the base portion 102. The base portion 102 of the footrest device 100 defines a first width “W1” and a first length “L1”.
The base portion 102 includes a first surface 104 having a curved profile. The first surface 104 provides foot support to a user when the base portion 102 is in the first position.
Further, the second surface 106 provides foot support to the user when the base portion 102 is in the second position. The base portion 102 is illustrated in the second position in
As shown in
Further, at least one of the pair of side surfaces 112, 114 includes an indentation 116. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pair of side surfaces 112, 114 includes the indentation 116. Further, each indentation 116 in the pair of side surfaces 112, 114 have identical shape and dimensions. In another embodiment, one of the first side surface 112 and the second side surface 114 may include the indentation 116. The indentation 116 is disposed centrally along the first length “L1” defined by the base portion 102. Further, the indentation 116 defines a second length “L2”. The second length “L2” of the indentation 116 may be approximately one third of the first length “L1”. The indentation 116 may be substantially trapezoidal in shape.
The indentation 116 defines a taper surface 118 extending between the first surface 104 and the second surface 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the indentation 116 tapers from the first surface 104 of the base portion 102 towards the second surface 106 of the base portion 102. In another embodiment, the indentation 116 may taper from the second surface 106 of the base portion 102 towards the first surface 104 of the base portion 102. The taper surface 118 allows the user to switch the base portion 102 between the first position and the second position. More particularly, the taper surface 118 is adapted to engage with the foot of the user for switching the base portion 102 between the first position and the second position. For example, users may use their toes or front portion of their foot to switch the footrest device 100 between the first and second positions without lifting the footrest device 100 or leaning down. It should be noted that the footrest device 100 excludes an energy storage device. More particularly, the footrest device 100 does not include energy storage devices, such as springs or other complicated mechanisms including springs, for switching the base portion 102 between the first and second positions.
Further, the base portion 102 include a third side surface 120 and a fourth side surface 122. The pair of side surfaces 112, 114, the third side surface 120, and the fourth side surface 122 along with the first surface 104 and the second surface 106 define an integrated solid body of the footrest device 100. Further, a strap 124 is adapted to be coupled to the base portion 102. The strap 124 is used to grip the footrest device 100 by the user for handling or carrying the footrest device 100. The strap 124 provides ease in handling and shifting the footrest device 100 from one place to another. The strap 124 may be coupled to the third side surface 120 or the fourth side surface 122. In the illustrated example, the strap 124 is coupled to the third side surface 120. In other examples, each of the third and fourth side surfaces 120, 122 may include the strap 124. Further, the strap 124 may be replaced by other gripping elements such as handle, knob, shaft, stem, arm, and the like. In one example, the strap 124 includes a harness clip 126 that allows coupling of the strap 124 with an attachment portion 128 extending from the third side surface 120. The attachment portion 128 may define a groove to engage with the strap 124. However, the strap 124 may include other clamping arrangements instead of the harness clip 126. For example, buckle, clasp, clip, catch, fastener, and the like may be used to couple the strap 124 with the third or fourth side surfaces 120, 122.
Referring now to
As shown in
As illustrated, the first segment 130 is disposed proximate the third side surface 120 of the base portion 102 and the second segment 132 is disposed proximate the fourth side surface 122 of the base portion 102. Each of the first and second segments 130, 132 have identical shape and dimensions. Although the footrest device 100 described herein includes two segments 130, 132, in other embodiments, the footrest device 100 may include only one of the first and second segments 130, 132.
Further, in the illustrated example, each of the first and second segments 130, 132 is integral with the base portion 102. For example, the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be integrally formed with the base portion 102. In an alternate example, each of the first and second segments 130, 132 is adapted to be coupled with the base portion 102. In such an example, the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be manufactured as separate components that are coupled to the base portion 102 to form the footrest device 100. The first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be coupled to the first surface 104 using mechanical fasteners such as bolts, rivets, screws, and the like. Alternatively, the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be coupled to the first surface 104 using adhesives or any other joining techniques known in the art.
Further, the first and second segments 130, 132 may be made from polymer, metal, ceramics, composites, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, first segment 130, the second segment 132, and the base portion 102 are made of same material. In alternate embodiments, the first segment 130, the second segment 132, and the base portion 102 are made of different materials. The material of the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 may be selected based on durability, weight, cost, working environment, etc. Generally, the first and second segments 130, 132 are in direct contact with the floor in the second position of the footrest device 100. Thus, the first and second segments 130, 132 may be subjected to wear and tear since a weight of the footrest device 100 and a weight of user's feet may be supported by the first segment 130 and the second segment 132. Accordingly, the first and second segments 130, 132 may be manufactured of a wear resistant material to prolong usability of the footrest device 100. Further, in some examples, a flexible material may be disposed on the first and second segments 130, 132 that contacts the floor or the first and second segments 130, 132 may itself be manufactured of the flexible material.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first segment 130 and the second segment 132 includes at least one limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140. More particularly, in the illustrated example, the footrest device 100 is designed such that each of the first and second segments 130, 132 include the first limit stop 134, 136, the second limit stop 138, 140, and a projecting portion 142, 144 extending between the first limit stop 134, 136 and the second limit stop 138, 140. Each projecting portion 142, 144 includes a curved surface 146 (best seen in
The footrest device 100 further includes the at least one limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 projecting from the first surface 104 of the base portion 102. The at least one limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 is adapted to restrict a range of movement of the base portion 102 when the base portion 102 is in the second position. The term “range of movement” used herein may be defined as an allowable rocking movement of the footrest device 100 along the first surface 104 of the base portion 102 when the base portion 102 is in the second position. As illustrated, the at least one limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 is disposed proximate at least one of the pair of side surfaces 112, 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the footrest device 100 includes a plurality of limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 projecting from the first surface 104 of the base portion 102. More particularly, the footrest device 100 includes four limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 projecting from the first surface 104 of the base portion 102. As illustrated, the footrest device 100 includes two first limit stops 134, 136 disposed proximate the first side surface 112 and two second limit stops 138, 140 disposed proximate the second side surface 114.
In another example, the footrest device 100 may include at least one first limit stop 134, 136 disposed proximate the first side surface 112 of the pair of side surfaces 112, 114 and at least one second limit stop 138, 140 disposed proximate the second side surface 114 of the pair of side surfaces 112, 114. For example, the footrest device 100 may include the first limit stop 134 disposed proximate the first side surface 112 and the second limit stop 138 disposed proximate the second side surface 114. Alternatively, the footrest device 100 may include the first limit stop 136 disposed proximate the first side surface 112 and the second limit stop 140 disposed proximate the second side surface 114. In another example, the footrest device 100 may include the first limit stop 134 and the second limit stop 138. In yet another example, the footrest device 100 may include the first limit stop 136 and the second limit stop 140.
In the illustrated example, the first and second segments 130, 132 define the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140. Alternatively, the footrest device 100 may eliminate the first and second segments 130, 132 and the footrest device 100 may only include the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 that may be embodied as tabs projecting from the first surface 104. Further, the at least one limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 includes a planar surface 148. The planar surface 148 is adapted to contact the floor when the footrest device 100 is in the second position. The planar surface 148 of the corresponding limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 contacts the floor in order to restrict the range of movement of the base portion 102 when the base portion 102 is in the second position. Each limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 further includes a side portion 150 extending between the first surface 104 and the planar surface 148. The side portion 150 is substantially semicircular or semielliptical in shape, but the shape of the side portion 150 may vary as per design requirements.
As shown in
It should be noted that the range of movement may vary based on a positioning of the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 and dimensions of the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140, such as the first thickness “T1”. In the illustrated embodiment, the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 are designed to restrict the range of angular movement to a value between 25 degrees and 35 degrees. In one specific example, the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 may be designed to restrict the range of angular movement to 30 degrees. It should be noted that the first thickness “T1” of each limit stop 134, 136, 138, 140 may be decided based on the desired value for the range of angular movement. Accordingly, the first thickness “T1” of the limit stops 134, 136, 138, 140 may vary to provide different ranges of angular movement. For example, the first thickness “T1” may increase for a lower value of the range of angular movement and the first thickness “T1” may increase for a higher value of the range of angular movement.
As illustrated in the
In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of leg portions 152, 154 are integral with the base portion 102. The pair of leg portions 152, 154 and the base portion 102 are manufactured using the same material. In another embodiment, the pair of leg portions 152, 154 may be manufactured as separate components that are coupled to the base portion 102. In examples where the material of the pair of leg portions 152, 154 is different from the material of the base portion 102, the material of the pair of leg portions 152, 154 may be selected based on durability, weight, cost, working environment etc. As the pair of leg portions 152, 154 are in contact with the floor in the first position of the base portion 102, the leg portions 152, 154 may be subjected to wear and tear of the pair of leg portions 152, 154 since the weight of the footrest device 100 and the weight of user's feet is supported by the pair of leg portions 152, 154. Accordingly, the leg portions 152, 154 may be made of a wear resistant material or the wear resistant material may be disposed on the surface 156, 158 of the leg portions 152, 154.
In some examples, the footrest device 100 may be embodied as a single piece assembly. Alternatively, one or more components of the footrest device 100 may be individually manufactured and assembled together to form the footrest device 100, without any limitations. The footrest device 100 described herein includes fewer components and provides a simple device that allows switching of the base portion 102 between the first and second positions. Further, the footrest device 100 does not include any complicated mechanism for switching of the base portion 102 between the first and second positions thereby reducing a weight and cost associated with the footrest device 100. Thus, the footrest device 100 may provide a light weight and cost effective device.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63058149 | Jul 2020 | US |
