ANTI-SLIP TABLE TOP PILLOW

Abstract

A footrest device has a protective cushioning layer between one's feet and a tabletop. The footrest device protects the tabletop with a stabilizing material that grips the table and provides the user with an insulated envelope in which one can place their feet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application of international patent application number PCT/US12/21392, filed Jan. 13, 2012, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application number 61/433,108, filed Jan. 14, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footrest devices and, more particularly, to an anti-slip table top pillow for insulating and resting one's feet.

People regularly rest and expose their feet on hard living room surfaces, such as coffee tables. The act of resting one's feet on a coffee table is an uncomfortable, unstable and uninsulated experience that may damage the coffee table itself.

Normal pillows are not stable when they are placed on flat, hard surfaces because they easily slide and do not remain in place when one places their feet on top. Other cushioning devices also do not have an insulated envelope in which one can place their feet.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved foot rest device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a footrest device comprises a base; a cover enclosing at least a top side of the base; an anti-slip surface attached to a bottom side of the base; and a hood attached to the base, the hood forming an enclosure adapted to accept a user's feet therewithin.

In some embodiments, the hood is removably and replaceably attached to the base. For example, the hood can be attached to the base with one or more hook-and-loop fasteners. In some embodiments, a pillow can be disposed between the cover and the top side of the base. In some embodiments, the cover is removable from the pillow. In some embodiments, the hood is shaped so as to facilitate the insertion of a user's feet into an enclosure that it provides.

In another aspect of the present invention, a footrest device comprises a pillow forming a base of the footrest device; a cover enclosing the pillow; an anti-slip surface attached to a bottom side of the base; and a hood removably and replaceably attached to the base, the hood forming an enclosure adapted to accept a user's feet therewithin.

In further aspects of the present invention, a footrest device is disclosed that comprises a base having an anti-slip surface and a hood coupled to the base so as to provide an enclosure for receiving at least a user's feet. In some embodiments, the anti-slip surface can have a thickness equal to or less than about one inch (about 2.54 centimeters), e.g., in a range of about 1/64^th to about ½ inch. In some embodiments, the anti-slip surface can comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some embodiments, the footrest can further comprise a cover coupled to the base so as to provide a contact surface for the user's feet. In some embodiments, the hood is collapsible while in other embodiments the hood has a rigid structure. In some embodiments, the hood is removably and replaceably attached to the base.

In further aspects of the invention, a footrest is disclosed that comprises a pillow having a lower anti-slip surface and an upper surface adapted to provide a contact surface for a user's feet, and a hood that is coupled to the pillow to provide an enclosure for receiving at least the user's feet. In some embodiments, the anti-slip surface has a thickness less than about one inch. In some embodiments, the anti-slip surface comprises PVC.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footrest device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the footrest device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the footrest device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the footrest device of FIG. 1 in a collapsed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a footrest device having a protective cushioning layer between one's feet and a resting surface, such as a tabletop. In some embodiments, the footrest device engages with the resting surface, e.g., the tabletop, with a stabilizing material that grips the surface (e.g., the surface of the table), for example, to inhibit slippage, and provides the user with an insulated envelope in which the user can place his/her feet.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, in this illustrative embodiment, a footrest device 10 can include a base 12, a cover 16 enclosing a top end of the base 12, an anti-slip surface 22 attached to a bottom end of the base 12, and a hood 14 coupled to the base 12, e.g., in this embodiment attached to the sides and back end of the base 12, so as to provide an enclosure for receiving, e.g., a user's lower legs and/or feet.

The base 12 may anatomically support and cushion the lower legs and feet of a user when the footrest device 10 is placed on a surface. In some embodiments, the base 12 can be made of a soft material. In some embodiments, the base 12 may be made of foam, memory foam, rubber, plastic, gel, fluid, cloth, feathers, or synthetic material. In some embodiments, the base 12 can be anatomically contoured to comfort the user's feet and legs. The size of the base 12 may depend on the user's requirements. In some embodiments, the base 12 can be less than 5 feet long, less than 3 feet deep, and less than 1 foot high, typically, about 12 to 24 inches long, about 10-20 inches deep, and about 2-10 inches high. The base 12 may include a cushion or a pillow 24.

The anti-slip surface 22 may be placed on the bottom side of the base 12. The anti-slip surface 22 may be attached to the side of the base 12 that contacts the surface on which the footrest 10 may be placed. The anti-slip surface 22 may prevent the base 12 from moving during use. The anti-slip surface 22 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, gel or other surfaces that can safely provide a non-abrasive/non-slip surface 22. In some embodiments, the anti-slip surface 22 can have a thickness that is equal to or less than about one inch, for example, a thickness in a range of about 1/64^th to about 1/2 inch. The anti-slip surface 22 may vary in size and shape, however, in many embodiments, it will not exceed the bottom length and depth dimensions of the base 12.

The cover 16 may provide the contact surface on which the user may place their feet and legs. The cover 16 may be made of a soft material. In some embodiments, the cover 16 may be made of fleece, fabric, vinyl, polyester, or cloth material. The cover 16 may be designed to fit snuggly over the contours of the base 12, including, for example, the pillow 24. The cover 16 may be removable from the pillow 24. The cover 16 may include, for example, a zipper (not shown) for removing the cover from the pillow for washing, for example. Pockets (not shown) may be added to the cover 16 for storing small items.

The hood 14 may be designed to fit into the base 12, creating an enclosure, e.g., an insulated enclosure that may keep the user's legs and feet warm. The hood 14 may extend from the sides and back of the base 12. The hood 14 may be made of fabric, fleece, vinyl or cloth material, for example. The hood 14 may be connected to the bottom side of the base 12 by various mechanisms. In some embodiments, the hood 14 may be shaped to contour a user's foot, as show in FIG. 3, for example.

In some embodiments, the hood 14 can be collapsible when the user's lower legs and/or feet are not inserted in the enclosure it provides. In other embodiments, the hood 14 can retain its shape even when the user's lower legs and/or feet are not within the enclosure it provides (that is, the hood 14 is a rigid structure). In some embodiments, the hood 14 can include a substantially flat portion that extends to a semi-cylindrical portion. In some embodiments, the substantially flat portion can be tilted relative to the bottom side of the base. FIG. 5 shows one example of the footrest 10 in a state without a user's feet disposed under the hood 14.

In some embodiments, the connection mechanism may result in a removable and replaceable connection. For example, the connection system may be a hook and loop fastener system 18, 19, such as Velcro®. In other embodiments, the connection system may include clips, buttons or magnets. Folding lines 20 may be included on the hood 14 to help fold the hood 14 when removed from the base 12 and not in use.

A vibration device (not shown) may be added to the base 12 to provide a massage to the user. In some embodiments, the vibration device may be employed in or under the pillow 24.

A user may use the footrest 20 by setting the footrest 10 on a surface at the appropriate distance. Then, the user may introduce his/her feet on top of the base 12 and underneath of the hood 14. This action may completely cover the user's feet with the fabric material of the hood 14 while allowing the user to rest his/her feet on top of the base 12. Optionally, the user may place his/her feet directly on top of the hood 14. The anti-slip surface 22 may stabilize the base 12 when in use, preventing the base 12 from movement due to forces placed upon it by the user.

Due to the contour of the footrest device 10 the user may use the footrest device as a seat cushion and/or back support device.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A footrest device comprising:

a base;

a cover enclosing at least a top side of the base;

an anti-slip surface attached to a bottom side of the base; and

a hood attached to the base, the hood forming an enclosure adapted to accept a user's feet therewithin.

2. The footrest device of claim 1, where the hood is removably and replaceably attached to the base.

3. The footrest device of claim 1, further comprising a pillow disposed between the cover and the top side of the base.

4. The footrest device of claim 1, wherein the hood is shaped to a contour of the user's feet.

5. The footrest device of claim 2, wherein the hood is attached to the base with one or more hook and loop fasteners.

6. The footrest device of claim 3, wherein the cover is removable from the pillow.

7. A footrest device comprising:

a pillow forming a base of the footrest device;

a cover enclosing the pillow;

an anti-slip surface attached to a bottom side of the base;

a hood removably and replaceably attached to the base, the hood forming an enclosure adapted to accept a user's feet therewithin.

8. The footrest device of claim 7, wherein the hood is shaped to a contour of the user's feet.

9. The footrest device of claim 7, wherein the hood is attached to the base with one or more hook and loop fasteners.

10. The footrest device of claim 7, wherein the cover is removable from the pillow.

11. A footrest device comprising:

a base having an anti-slip lower surface; and

a hood coupled to the base so as to provide an enclosure for receiving at least a user's feet.

12. The footrest device of claim 11, wherein said anti-slip surface has a thickness less than about one inch.

13. The footrest device of claim 11, wherein said anti-slip surface has a thickness in a range of about 1/64 to ½ inch.

14. The footrest device of claim 11, further comprising a cover coupled to said base so as to provide a contact surface at least for the user's feet.

15. The footrest device of claim 11, wherein said anti-slip surface comprises polyvinyl chloride.

16. The footrest device of claim 14, further comprising a pillow disposed between the cover and an upper surface of said base.

17. The footrest device of claim 11, wherein said hood is collapsible.

18. The footrest device of claim 11, wherein said hood is removably and replaceably attached to said base.

19. A footrest comprising:

a pillow having a lower anti-slip surface and an upper surface adapted to provide a contact surface for a user's feet; and

a hood coupled to the pillow to provide an enclosure for receiving the user's feet.

20. The footrest of claim 19, wherein said anti-slip surface has a thickness less than about one inch.