PEDICURE FOOT STOOL WITH TRANSLATING AND PIVOTING TOP TO TRANSITION BETWEEN STORAGE AND USE STATES

Abstract

An apparatus includes a plurality of sides configured as a container with at least a front and a back and a cavity therein. A first side of the plurality of sides includes a first major surface and a second major surface, which opposes the first major surface. The second major surface includes a foot support. The first side further includes a forward edge, a back edge, a side that extends between the front and back edges, and a hole in side adjacent to the back edge. A second side of the plurality of sides has a slot extending in a direction between the front and the back. A pin extends through the slot and into the hole securing the first side to the container. The first side pivots with the pin in the slot and translates with the pin in the slot between the front and the back.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following relates to a pedicure foot stool and more particular to a pedicure foot stool with a top side that is configured to manually translate and pivot to transition the pedicure foot stool between a storage state in which a foot support attached to the top side is stored inside the pedicure foot stool and a use state in which the foot support is positioned outside of the pedicure foot stool.

BACKGROUND

A pedicure is a treatment of a foot of an individual and has been done for cosmetic, therapeutic and medical purposes. For example, a pedicure has been performed to remove of dead skin cells, file nails, trim nails, polish and/or paint nails, etc. A pedicure is performed by trained personnel at spas, salons, etc., as well as at home, e.g., by the individual (a self-pedicure), a friend, a family member, etc. Some spas, salons, etc. have elaborate and expensive pedicure stations, which include chairs with a specialized foot stool and instrument storage compartment attached thereto. For a “home” pedicure, it can be difficult for the individual to position and maintain the foot in a comfortable position while performing the pedicure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,969 B2 ('969) discloses a self-pedicure unit with a foot support. Unfortunately, this self-pedicure unit is complicated to use, requiring opening multiple doors to set it up and have access to its storage compartments. Furthermore, it requires the user to raise the foot support up and lock it into place. Furthermore, this motion is restricted to either a flat or a single incline position, so it may difficult for the individual to position and maintain the foot in a comfortable position while performing the pedicure. Furthermore, when closed for storage, the foot support remains on the outside of the unit, leaving an extraneous protrusion susceptible to snagging on another object, increasing the overall size of the unit, and making it difficult to store, e.g., it may be difficult to place an item on top of the unit due to the uneven surface and protrusion.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the application address the above matters, and others.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a plurality of sides configured as a container with at least a front and a back and a cavity therein. A first side of the plurality of sides includes a first major surface and a second major surface, which opposes the first major surface. The second major surface includes a foot support. The first side further includes a forward edge, a back edge, a side that extends between the front and back edges, and a hole in side adjacent to the back edge. A second side of the plurality of sides has a slot extending in a direction between the front and the back. A pin extends through the slot and into the hole securing the first side to the container. The first side pivots with the pin in the slot and translates with the pin in the slot between the front and the back.

In another aspect, a method includes pivoting a top side of a pedicure foot stool about a pivot with respect to a body of the pedicure foot stool through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees. The method further includes translating the top side of the pedicure foot stool, via the pivot, through a slot in at least one side of the pedicure foot stool. The pivoting and translating transition the pedicure foot stool between a first state in which a foot support attached to a first major surface of the top side is positioned in a cavity of the pedicure foot stool and a second state in which the foot support attached to the first major surface of the top side is positioned outside of the cavity of the pedicure foot stool.

Those skilled in the art will recognize still other aspects of the present application upon reading and understanding the attached description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The application is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a pedicure foot stool in a storage state in which a foot support is inside a cavity of the pedicure foot stool;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a top-down view looking into a first major surface of a top side of the pedicure foot stool in the storage state, where the foot support is located on an opposing second major surface inside the cavity;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a top-down view looking into the opposing second major surface with the foot support;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a side view of the opposing second major surface with the foot support movably attached thereto;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a view looking into a right side of pedicure foot stool, which includes a slot;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view looking into the slot of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a first approach to moveably coupling the top side and the pedicure foot stool;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a second approach to moveably coupling the top side and the pedicure foot stool;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the pedicure foot stool in a use state in which the foot support is positioned outside of the pedicure foot stool;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a view looking into the cavity at a major surface of a bottom side of the pedicure foot stool;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool in the storage state;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool at a transition position between the storage state and the use state;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool at another transition position between the storage state and the use state;

FIG. 14 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool at yet another transition position between the storage state and the use state;

FIG. 15 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool at still another transition position between the storage state and the use state;

FIG. 16 schematically illustrate the pedicure foot stool in the use state;

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a variation of the top side shown in FIG. 2 with storage recesses; and

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storage recess of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example foot stool 100. Although the foot stool 100 is described herein with particular application to a pedicure foot stool, it is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the disclosure herein, and without undue experimentation, could user and/or modify the foot stool 100 for other applications such as a shoe shine foot stool and/or other foot stool, and/or other stool for purposes unrelated to the foot.

In this example, the pedicure foot stool 100 includes a top side 102, a left side 104 (not visible in FIG. 1), a right side 106, a front side 108, a back side 110 (not visible in FIG. 1) and a bottom side 112 (not visible in FIG. 1). Generally, the left side 104 is the same as the right side 106, the back side 110 is the same as the front side 108, and the bottom side 112 is the same as the top side 102 outside of the differences disclosed herein. The illustrated sides 102-112 are all planar with opposing major surfaces.

The left side 104, the right side 106, the front side 108, the back side 110 and the bottom side 112 are fixed together via a fixing material or element such as an adhesive (e.g., glue, tape, etc.), a nail, a screw, a doll pin, etc., and the top side 102 is moveably coupled to the left side 104 and the right side 106, as described in greater detail below. The top side 102, the left side 104, the right side 106, the front side 108, the back side 110 and the bottom side 112, when assembled, form a box with perpendicular sides with a material free region cavity therein.

The illustrated box is cubed shaped (e.g., a square cuboid). Suitable dimensions include a length, a width and a height in a range of six inches to three feet. For example, in one instance, the pedicure foot stool 100 is one foot by one foot by one foot. In another instance, the pedicure foot stool 100 is two foot by two foot by two foot. In yet another instance, the pedicure foot stool 100 is ten inches by ten inches by ten inches. In a variation, at least two pairs of opposing sides are rectangular in shape. In yet another variation, at least one side is not planar. For example, a side could be convex, concave, irregular, hexagonal, etc. shaped.

In the illustrated embodiment, a geometry (height and length) of the top side 102, the front side 108 and the back side 110 is smaller than a geometry of the left side 104, the right side 106 and the bottom side 108. Ends 114 of the front side 108 and ends (not visible in FIG. 1) of the back side 110 are attached to the inner major surface (not visible in FIG. 1) of the left side 104, an inner major surface (not visible in FIG. 1) the right side 106 and an inner major surface (not visible in FIG. 1) the bottom side 108. The illustrated configuration is not limiting, and other configurations are contemplated herein.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top side 102 includes recesses 116 on opposing first and second major surfaces 118 and 120 at a forward edge 122. The top side 102 further includes holes 202 (FIG. 2) at opposing sides 124 near a back edge 126, which opposes the forward edge 122. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, attached to the second major surface 120 is a foot support 302. The foot support 302 includes a heal support 304, which protrudes out of the foot support 302 in a direction perpendicular to the foot support 302.

With reference to FIG. 4, the foot support 302 is attached to the second major surface 120 of the top side 102 via a standoff 402. In the illustrated embodiment, the standoff 402 includes a bearing 404, which includes a first portion 406 movably coupled to a stationary second portion 408 and configured to move in two or three dimensions. The standoff further includes a first member 410 and a second member 412. The first member 410 is attached to the first portion 406. The second member 412 is attached to second first portion 412.

The second member 412 is attached to the second major surface 120 such that the standoff 402 extends perpendicular therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot support 302 is attached to the first member 410 at an angle of about forty-five degrees with respect to the second major surface 120. Suitable angles include an angle in a range of zero degrees to ninety degrees (e.g., thirty degrees, forty-five degrees, seventy-three degrees etc.). The attachments can be through an adhesive, a nail, a screw, a nut and bolt, a bracket, a fixture, etc.

A non-limiting example of the bearing 402 is a ball and socket bearing, which permits spherical rotation. Such a bearing allows for unlimited motion in three rotational degrees of freedom. The bearing 402 also includes a locking mechanism 414, which is configured with an actuator which when actuated locks the bearing 402 to maintain the current position of the first member 410 and inhibit movement of the first member 410 until the locking mechanism 414 is released. Examples of locking mechanisms 414 include a thumb screw, a threaded lock collar, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the right side 106 (and the left side 104) includes a slot 128. The slot 128 extends horizontally along the right side 106 between the front and back sides 108 and 110 and entirely through the thickness of the right side 106. The slot 128 is located at a top region 130 of the right side 106. A recessed lip 132 extends around a perimeter of the slot 128. FIG. 6 shows a view along the line A-A of FIG. 5 looking into the slot 128. From FIG. 6, the recessed lip 132 extends beyond the slot 128 at the ends 602 and 602.

Returning to FIG. 1, again, top side 102 is moveably coupled to the left side 104 and the right side 106. FIGS. 1 and 7 schematically illustrate one such coupling. In FIG. 7, a pin 702 extends through the slot 128 and into the hole 202 of the top side 102. In this example, the hole 202 includes a threaded collar 704, and the pin 702 includes a threaded portion 706 with threads complementary to threads of the threaded collar 704. The pin 702 further includes a shaft 708 and a cap 710.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7, the shaft 708 of the pin 702 has a first diameter and the cap 710 of the pin 702 has a second diameter. In this example, the second diameter is greater than the first diameter, providing a shoulder. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the cap 710 sits in the recessed lip 132, extending over the ends 602. With this configuration, the cap 710 is either flush with the outside of the right side 106 or recessed therein, and the cap 710 prevents the right side 106 from sliding over the pin 702.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 708 portion of the pin 702 has a smooth surface. In a variation, this surface is not smooth. The smooth surface of the shaft 708 rides in the slot 128, wherein the slot 128 acts as guide for the pin 702 and allows the shaft 708 and hence the pin 702 to translate from one end of the left side 104 and the right side 106 to the other end of left side 104 and the right side 106. In a variation, the slot 128 includes a track, which may provide further stability and reduce wear.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment in which the hole 202 initially has a smaller diameter than an end 802 of the pin 702. In this example, the pin 804 is coupled to the top side 102 via a press fit in which the end 802 of the pin 804 is urged (e.g., pushed) into the hole 202, and the friction between a wall of the hole and the end 802 fastens the pin 804 to the top side 102. The pin 702 in FIG. 8 includes the cap 710 discussed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 7. Other approaches are also contemplated herein.

The coupling discussed herein allows that the top side 102, via the pin 702, to translate and pivot with respect to the remainder of the pedicure foot stool 100, e.g., to pivot or flip one hundred and eighty degrees. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the pedicure foot stool 100 with the bottom surface 120 and the foot support 302 facing into the cavity. FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the pedicure foot stool 100 with the top side 102 flipped one hundred and eighty degrees and the bottom surface 120 and the foot support 302 facing out.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a view looking into the cavity and at an inner major surface 1002 of the bottom side 112 with the top side 102 removed. In this example, the inner major surface 1002 includes walls 1004 extending up therefrom. The regions within the walls 1004 and/or sides 104, 106, 108 and 108 provide volumetric compartments on the inner surface 1002, which can be used to store and/or hold objects such as nail polish, nail and/or skin files, rubbing alcohol, etc. In a variation, the walls 1004 are omitted and/or otherwise arranged.

FIGS. 11-16 illustrate example operation of the pedicure foot stool 100 to transition the pedicure foot stool 100 between a closed or storage state in which the foot support 302 is inside the cavity and an active or use state in which the foot support 302 is outside of the cavity. FIG. 11 shows the pedicure foot stool 100 in the storage state in which the foot support 302 is in the cavity. In FIGS. 12-16, the top side 102 is pivoted about the pin 702, which is translated in the slot 128 from one end to the other end of the slot 128, flipping the top side 102. For FIGS. 12-16, a user can grasp the top side 102 via the two recesses 116 and lift and pull concurrently or consecutively to pivot and translate the top side 102. FIG. 16 shows the pedicure foot stool 100 in the use state in which the foot support 302 is outside of the cavity. The pedicure foot stool 100 is transitioned from the use state to the storage state following FIG. 16 to FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a variation of the second major surface 120 of the tip side 102 that includes one or more storage recesses 1702. Each recess 1702 includes a holding mechanism 1704. In the illustrated example, the holding mechanism 1708 is configured to hold a container, e.g., a nail polish container, and includes a material free region in which the nail polish can be supported and secured by the holding mechanism 1704. FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a holding mechanism 1704

The pedicure foot stool 100 describe herein is readily easy to use. For example, in one instance it requires is pivoting and translating of the top side 102 to transition between storage and use states. Furthermore, if the foot support 302 is in a suitable position, no locking is required. Furthermore, the motion of the foot support is not restricted to two dimensions, allowing the individual to position and maintain the foot in a comfortable position while performing the pedicure. Furthermore, when closed for storage, the foot support 302 is hidden inside, leaving no extraneous protrusion susceptible to snagging on another object, and not increasing the overall size and/or making it more difficult to store at least since the top is a planar surface.

The application has been described with reference to various embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading the application. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations, including insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of sides configured as a container with at least a front and a back and a cavity therein;

a first side of the plurality of sides including: a first major surface; and a second major surface, which opposes the first major surface, wherein the second major surface includes a foot support attached thereto; a forward edge; and a back edge; a side that extends between the front edge and the back edge; and a hole in side adjacent to the back edge;

a second side of the plurality of sides with a slot extending in a direction between the front and the back; and

a pin that extends through the slot and into the hole securing the first side to the container, wherein the first side pivots with the pin in the slot and translates with the pin in the slot between the front and the back.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side is configured to pivot through one hundred and eighty degrees.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first side is configured to pivot and translate between a storage position and a use position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the foot support is disposed in the cavity in the storage position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the foot support is located outside of the cavity in the use position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hole includes a threaded sleeve and the pin includes a threaded member, wherein threads of the sleeve are complementary to the threads of threaded member, and the threads of threaded member engage the threads of the sleeve.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hole has a first diameter and the pin has a second diameter, the second diameter is greater than the first diameter, and the pin is secured in the hole via a frictional force between the second diameter and the first diameter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second side has an outer surface facing away from the cavity, the slot has a recessed lip around its perimeter and the pin has a cap on and end opposite the hole, and the cap pin sits in the recessed lip flush with the outer surface of the second side.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side further includes a standoff, wherein a first end of the standoff is affixed to the second major surface and a second end of the standoff is affixed to the foot support.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second end of the standoff is configured to move with respect to the first end of the standoff.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second end of the standoff is configured to move in three dimensions with respect to the first end of the standoff.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further including a locking mechanism to lock the second end of the standoff at a position with respect to the first end of the standoff.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the standoff is a ball and socket bearing.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container has a square cuboid shape.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container has a rectangular cuboid shape.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side has a first recess on the first major surface and a second recess on the second major surface, wherein the first and second recesses are disposed at the forward edge of the first side.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot support includes a heal support.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second major surface further includes at least one instrument holder.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least an inner surface of a bottom side of the container; wherein the inner surface includes at least one instrument holder.

20. A method, including:

pivoting a top side of a pedicure foot stool about a pivot with respect to a body of the pedicure foot stool through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees; and

translating the top side of the pedicure foot stool, via the pivot, through a slot in at least one side of the pedicure foot stool,

wherein the pivoting and translating transition the pedicure foot stool between a first state in which a foot support attached to a first major surface of the top side is positioned in a cavity of the pedicure foot stool and a second state in which the foot support attached to the first major surface of the top side is positioned outside of the cavity of the pedicure foot stool.