Furniture accessory footrest

Abstract

A device for protecting a substantially horizontal top of a piece of furniture from damage by either the back of the lower portion of the legs or the bottom of feet of a person sitting near the piece of furniture includes a cushion having two portion separated by a notch. The first portion of the cushion rests on the substantially horizontal top of the piece of furniture and under the back of the lower portion of the legs or the feet of the person sitting near the piece of furniture. The second portion of the cushion engages the edge of the substantially horizontal top of the piece of furniture.

Description

This patent application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/696,013, filed Jul. 1, 2005.

FIELD

The present invention pertains to an accessory usable with a piece of furniture; more particularly, the present invention pertains to an accessory that is usable with a piece of furniture having a substantially horizontal top surface such as a coffee table, a game/work/dining table, or a desk.

BACKGROUND

In many American homes there is what is commonly referred to as a living room or a sitting room. In the living room or the sitting room is typically found one or more chairs and one or more tables. Oftentimes, these items are arranged near or in close proximity to a television.

In homes with ample space, the chairs located in the living room or sitting room are normally paired with an ottoman. This ottoman characterized by having a soft top which enables the person occupying the chair to elevate his/her feet and rest the bottoms of the feet or the back of the lower portions of the legs on the soft top of the ottoman. Another popular piece of furniture found in many American homes is a lounge chair. The lounge chair often includes a built-in foot rest with a soft top. The built-in footrest is raised and lowered by a mechanism located under the lounge chair.

In smaller homes such as apartment homes, manufactured or trailer homes, or in recreational vehicles, available space may not permit the use of an ottoman or a lounge chair. Those occupying apartment homes, manufactured or trailer homes, or recreational vehicles who desire to elevate their feet when sitting in a chair have few alternatives than to use a nearby coffee table, game/work/dining table or a desk. Not only is the hard edge of the substantially horizontal surface of a coffee table, a game/work/dining table or a desk uncomfortable, repeated contact with the substantially horizontal top of a coffee table, a game/work/dining table or desk can soil or mar the surface finish.

One approach to solving the problem of having a comfortable place to support the lower portion of one's or to place the bottom of one's feet is to use a pillow on the substantially horizontal top of a coffee table, a game/work/dining table or a desk. While initially satisfactory, those using a pillow on the top of a piece of furniture often find that the pillow slides away from the edge of the substantially horizontal surface thereby re-exposing the hard edge of the substantially horizontal surface to the backs of the lower portions of the user's legs or the bottoms of the user's feet. Such sliding of the pillow to the middle of the table often happens when the person whose feet or legs are raised is watching a game or a movie on a television or is resting or sleeping in a chair located near the coffee table, the game/work/dining table or desk.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a furniture accessory that can be used with a piece of furniture having a substantially horizontal surface the will enable the piece of furniture to double as a footrest while at the same time protecting the substantially horizontal surface portion of the piece of furniture from damage.

SUMMARY

The furniture accessory footrest of the present invention is usable with a piece of furniture having a substantially horizontal surface such as a coffee table, a work/game/dining table or a desk. The disclosed furniture accessory footrest enables the piece of furniture to be used as a footrest and protects the substantially horizontal surface from damage.

The furniture accessory footrest described herein includes a cushion having a first part and a second part. Between the first part of the cushion and the second part of the cushion is a notch. The notch engages the edge of the substantially horizontal surface to maintain the position of the furniture accessory footrest on the piece of furniture. With the furniture accessory footrest of the present invention on the piece of furniture a person seated in a chair may rest either the bottom of his/her feet or the backs of the lower portions of the legs on the disclosed furniture accessory footrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A still better understanding of the furniture accessory footrest of the present invention may be had by reference to the drawing figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a person in a chair located near a coffee table using the furniture accessory footrest of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the furniture accessory footrest;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of an alternate shape of the furniture accessory footrest;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 having recessed portions for supporting the back of the lower portion of the legs;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 having recessed portions for supporting the back of the lower portion of the legs;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover which may be used of the furniture accessory footrest;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of first embodiment of the furniture accessory footrest;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the furniture accessory footrest; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the furniture accessory footrest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As may be seen in FIG. 1, the furniture accessory footrest 10 of the present invention is discussed for use by a person 100 sitting near a piece of furniture such as a table 102 having a substantially horizontal surface 104. Typically, the substantially horizontal surface 104 of the piece of furniture is elevated off of a floor by a base or set of legs 106. While a coffee table 102 is shown in FIG. 1, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosed invention 10 may also be used with a work/game/dining table or desk. As may be further seen in FIG. 1, a person 100 desiring to elevate his/her feet 108 typically rests either the bottom 110 of the feet 108 or the back of the lower portion of the legs 112 on an elevated surface. If the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture 102 located near a chair 114 is left unprotected, the person 100 sitting in the chair 114 eventually feels discomfort on the bottom 110 of the feet 108 or on the back of the legs 112 from the edge 116 of the substantially horizontal surface 104. Such discomfort can be partially alleviated by wearing shoes while elevating one's feet 108. Unfortunately, the bottoms of shoes often include a rough surface which can damage or mar either the edge 116 or the substantially horizontal surface 104 on the top of a piece of furniture 102. The solution to these problems is shown in FIG. 1 wherein the furniture accessory footrest 10 depicted in FIG. 2 is placed on the substantially horizontal surface 104 of a coffee table 102 so that it engages the edge 116 of the substantially horizontal surface 104 with a notch 12 formed on the underside 14 of the furniture accessory footrest 10 of the present invention. Either the bottoms of the feet 110 or the back of the lower portions of the legs 112 may then be placed on the top 11 of the furniture accessory 10.

As may be seen by reference to FIG. 2, the furniture accessory footrest 10 of the present invention is a cushion 20 having a first portion 22 and a second portion 24. Between the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 of the cushion 20 and on the underside 14 of the cushion 20, is a notch 12. The first portion 22 of the cushion 20 rests on the substantially horizontal surface 104 of the piece of furniture 102. The second portion 24 of the cushion 20 covers the edge 116 of the substantially horizontal surface as well as the side 120 of the substantially horizontal surface 104. The notch 12 between the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 of the cushion 20 contacts the edge 116 of the table 102 and the contact between the back 26 of the second portion 24 of the cushion 20 with the side 120 of the substantially horizontal surface 104 keeps the furniture accessory footrest 10 from sliding across the table 102. It has been found that with some pieces of furniture 102 that the back 26 of the second portion 24 need only have a very short dimension thereby creating a small notch 12. In still other situations where the use of a notch 12 against the edge 116 of the table 102 is impractical because of the shape of the edge 116 of the table or a delicate trim mounted to the edge 116 of the table, the furniture accessory footrest 10 the present invention may include a non-slip material on the underside 14 of the first portion of the furniture accessory footrest 10. Such non-slip material will keep the furniture accessory footrest 10 from sliding across the table 102. Such non-slip surfaces are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

While the top 11 of the furniture accessory footrest 10 shown in FIG. 2 has a semi-race track profile on the first portion 22 of the cushion 20, other profiles are possible such as the semi-circular profile of the footrest 310 shown in FIG. 3.

If desired, the furniture accessory footrest 10 of the present invention may also include indentations 430 shaped to cradle the back of the lower portions of the user's legs 112. Such indentations 430 are shown in embodiment 410 in FIG. 4A and embodiment 490 shown in FIG. 4B. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that still other modifications to the disclosed furniture accessory footrest can be made. Such other modifications may include the addition of a heating element, a gentle massage element, a music player, a clock, a radio or speaker, some type of low intensity lighting, or a pocket sized to hold a remote control or cell phone.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that a variety of different covers may be used with the furniture accessory footrest of the present invention. One such cover 550 is shown in FIG. 5. The cover 550 has two portions: an outer cover 552 and a segmented undercover 554. The open portions 556 of the segmented under cover 554 may be filled with a heavy material such as sand or shot for added weight. The outer cover 552 may be made from a resilient foam such as found in bed pillows or a material which temporarily takes the shape of a body part resting thereon. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the cover may also be formed from a single layer of material.

For outdoor use the cover over the disclosed footrest may be made from either a water resistant fabric to protect the furniture accessory footrest. Alternatively, a water absorbent fabric may be used when the furniture accessory footrest of the present invention is used near a pool.

A first alternate embodiment 610 of the furniture accessory footrest may be seen in FIG. 6. Therein it may be seen that the furniture accessory footrest 610 includes the first 622 and second 624 cushion portions as in the preferred embodiment but also includes a molded support section 660 under the cushion portions 622, 624. Mounted to the molded support section 660 are a plurality of feet 662 which have a bottom surface 664 which will not mar or damage the substantially horizontal surface 104 of the piece of furniture 102. Alternatively, suction cups well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (not shown) may be attached to the bottom of the feet 662.

Also mounted to the molded support section 660 are stoppers 666. These stoppers 666 are spaced apart a sufficient distance so that the edge 116 of the substantially horizontal surface 104 of the furniture 102 will be caught therebetween the keep the furniture accessory footrest 610 from sliding across the substantially horizontal surface 104. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that because the embodiment 610 described in FIG. 6 is symmetrical either end may be used to engage the edge 116 of the substantially horizontal surface 104 of the piece of furniture 104.

Shown in FIG. 7 is another embodiment 710. Included is a biased C-shaped section 772 formed as part of the molded section 760. The bias of the C-shaped section acts as a clamp against the substantially horizontal surface 102 for attachment of this embodiment 710 of the furniture accessory footrest to a table. If desired, one or more pieces of a non-slip material, 774 may be added on the inside surface 766 of the C-shaped section 772 molded section 760. As in the prior embodiment, the first 722 and second 724 portions of the cushion 720 are positioned over the molded section 760.

Still another embodiment 810 is shown in FIG. 8. Therein the cushion 820 may include plurality of segmented sections 880. Each of the openings 882 in the segments 880 may be filled with a bean bag type material, plastic granules, sand, or metal shot. As in the preferred embodiment, the embodiment 810 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a first cushion portion 822 and a second cushion portion 824. When the edge 118 of the table 102 is caused to fall in a seam 884 between the segments 880 in the embodiment 810 shown in FIG. 8, the footrest 810 will tend to stay in position and not slide across the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture.

While the present invention has been described by reference to its preferred and alternate embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that yet additional embodiments have been enabled by the foregoing disclosure. Such additional embodiments shall be included within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for permitting a person sitting near a piece of furniture having a substantially horizontal surface such as a coffee table, a desk, or a work game/dining table to support his/her feet or the back of the lower portion of his/her legs using the substantially horizontal surface without damaging the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture, said system comprising:

a cushion having a first portion constructed and arranged for resting on the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture under the feet or the back of the lower portion of the legs of the person sitting near the piece of furniture;

said cushion having a second portion constructed and arranged to contact and cover an edge of the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture;

whereby the contact between the second portion of said cushion and the edge of said substantially horizontal surface keeps said cushion in place with respect to the edge of said substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said cushion and said second part of said cushion are separated by a notch.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 further including:

a cushion support piece formed under said cushion, said cushion support piece further including a plurality of feet to contact the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture;

a stopper for engaging the edge of the substantially horizontal surface.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality of feet include suction cups.

5. The system as defined in claim 3 further including a biased clamping piece constructed and arranged for frictional engagement with the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture.

6. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said cushion includes indentations formed in the top thereof.

7. A device for protecting a substantially horizontal top surface of a piece of furniture from the effects of contact by the backs of the lower portions of the legs of a person or contact by the feet of a person sitting near the piece of furniture, said device comprising:

a cushion having a first portion and a second portion;

said first part of said cushion being constructed and arranged for resting on the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture under the lower portion of the legs of a person or under the feet of a person;

said second part of said cushion constructed and arranged to contact an edge of the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture;

whereby the contact of the second part of said cushion with the edge of the substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture restricts said cushion from movement over said substantially horizontal surface of the piece of furniture.

8. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein said first portion of said cushion and said second portion of said cushion are separated by a notch.

9. The device as defined in claim 7 further including:

a cushion support piece formed under said cushion.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 further including:

a pluality of feet for contacting the substantially horizontal surface attached to the bottom of said cushion support piece.

11. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the first portion of said cushions further includes a pair of indentations formed therein.

12. A piece of furniture comprising:

a substantially horizontal surface;

a base to elevate said substantially horizontal surface;

a cushion for resting on said substantially horizontal surface;

said cushion including a first portion sized for engagement with the either the back of the legs or the bottom of the feet of a human being;

said cushion further including a second portion constructed and arranged to contact the edge of said substantially horizontal surface.

13. The piece of furniture as defined in claim 12 wherein said cushion is supported by a cushion support piece including a plurality of feet for contacting said substantially horizontal surface.

14. The piece of furniture as defined in claim 13 wherein said cushion support piece further includes a spring biased claimping piece constructed and arranged for engagement with the underside of said substantially horizontal surface.

15. A method for protecting the top of a piece of furniture on which people are likely to rest either the back of their legs or the bottoms of their feet, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a cushion having a first portion and a second portion;

placing the underside of said first portion of said cushion on the top of the piece of furniture;

engaging the second portion of said cushion with an edge of the top of the piece of the piece of furniture.

16. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein the first portion of said cushion includes indentations shaped to engage the back of the lower portion of the legs of a person.

17. The method as defined in claim 15 further including the step of supporting said cushion with a cushion support piece.

18. The method as defined in claim 17 further including mounting a plurality of feet to the bottom of said cushion support piece.

19. The method as defined in claim 17 further including the step of mounting a stop constructed and arranged to contact the edge of top of the piece of furniture to the bottom of said cushion support piece.

20. A method for protecting the top of a piece of furniture on which people are likely to rest either the back of their legs or the bottom of their feet, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a cushion constructed and arranged for placement on the top of the piece of furniture;

placing a non-slip bottom on the surface of said cushion to engage the piece of furniture;

placing said cushion with said non-slip bottom on the top of the piece of furniture;

whereby a person will be able to place the back of their legs or the bottoms of their feet on the cushion and the cushion will not slide across the top of the piece of furniture.