Footstool

Abstract

A displacement-resistant footstool (1) comprising a sole-supporting surface (2), a ground-supported base (3) and connecting means (4) that connects the sole-supporting surface (2) to the base (3) and substantially redirects the sole-released forces, which are generated by the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces from a substantially horizontal direction that points away from the person to a substantially vertically downward direction towards and pressing onto the floor. In effect substantially converting the sole-released forces from being displacement forces to being displacement-resistant forces.

Description

The present invention relates to a displacement-resistant sole-supporting footstool.

A footstool is normally used by a person to support the feet by using the back of the heels and or an area all the way up to the back of the calves as a point or points of contact with the supporting surface of the footstool. Although this is traditionally regarded as a comfortable form of seating, it can encourage slouching.

An alternative way of supporting the feet is to use the soles as the point or points of contact with a supporting surface, which—especially if slightly angled so that the toes are higher than the heels—can help to minimize slouching. However, unless the supporting surface that the soles are being pushed against is of considerable stability, for example it is fixed to the floor or a wall, is of an abnormally heavy weight or is connected to the seat that the person is sitting on, the forces that are generated by the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces will displace the supporting surface away from the person and resulting in the soles losing contact with the supporting surface.

An object of the invention is to provide a free-standing footstool of normal weight which can be used to support the soles of the feet.

The invention provides a displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one possible way of constructing the invention, comprising a footstool 1 that consists of a rotationally unstable sole-supporting surface 2 that consists of an upholstered panel 2a and lever arms 2b; a ground-supported base 3 that consists of a platform 3a and rubber feet 3b; and connecting means 4 that is hidden underneath a safety guard 4c that has slots 4d for lever arms 2b to move freely through.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIG. 1, and illustrates the connecting means 4 that consists of a limited-travel hinge 4a that only allows a travel of approximately 30° as indicated by reference number 5a, and compression springing means 4b. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the angle at which the bottoms of lever arms 2b are bent (permanently) which is approximately 30° , as illustrated by reference number 2b′. The initial angle of the sole-supporting surface in relation to the floor is approximately 60° as indicated by reference number 5b, which is the angle at which the soles touch the sole-supporting surface on first contact.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic section of the same footstool as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but with the person's feet 6 in contact with the sole-supporting surface 2 that is shown at its downward resting angle, which is approximately 30° in relation to the floor, as indicated by reference number 5c.

When the soles come into contact with the sole-supporting surface 2, the weight of the feet and a proportion of the weight of the legs plus any additional foot-pushing forces will cause the sole-supporting surface—as a result of its rotational instability—to drop downwards taking the feet along with it until the resting angle is reached. At this point, although the sole-supporting surface 2 will be at a 30° angle in the relation to the floor—as illustrated by reference number 5c in FIG. 3—the bottoms of lever arms 2b will be pressing onto the hinge 4a in a vertical direction. This means that the sole-released forces, which originated at a substantially horizontal direction that points away from the person have been redirected to a substantially vertically downward direction towards—and pressing onto—the floor. In effect, the sole-released forces will have been substantially converted from being displacement forces to being displacement-resistant forces.

The invention can also be manufactured using a variety of manufacturing techniques including multi-segment/function moulded plastics, foam or rubber.

Claims

1. A displacement-resistant footstool comprising a partially unstable sole-supporting surface, a ground-supported base and connecting means that connects the sole-supporting surface to the base so that when the soles touch the sole-supporting surface the sole-supporting surface moves whereby the connecting means substantially redirects the sole-released forces downwards and thus converting them into displacement-resistant forces.

2. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 1, in which the connecting means triggers the rebounding of the sole-supporting surface to its initial position when the footstool is not in use.

3. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is horizontal instability.

4. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is vertical instability.

5. A displacement-resistant footstool according to claim 2, in which the partial instability of the sole-supporting surface is rotational instability.

6. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 2, in which the connecting means is a springing means.

7. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 6, in which the connecting means is a nested springing means.

8. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 6, in which the connecting means is springing means on a sloped platform.

9. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 8, in which the connecting means is compression springing means on a sloped platform.

10. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and springing means.

11. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and torsion springing means.

12. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and compression springing means.

13. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 10, in which the connecting means is a combination of hinging means and suspension springing means.

14. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting means is a combination of shafting means and clock springing means.

15. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the connecting means is a gas cylinder means.

16. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the distance between the sole-supporting surface and the floor is adjustable.

17. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the sole-supporting surface is wide enough for at least 2 persons to use it.

18. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which there are at least 2 separate sole-supporting surfaces for at least 2 persons to use separately.

19. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 1, in which the resistance of the connecting means is adjustable.

20. A displacement-resistant footstool as claimed in claim 5, in which the downward travel of the sole-supporting surface is adjustable.

21-22. (canceled)