FOLDING FOOTREST SYSTEM AND PROCESS

Abstract

A folding footrest system and process for a sitting chair. The system and process include a first linear hinge connected to the sitting chair and a first section, where the first section is pivotally connected with the front portion of the sitting chair. A second linear hinge is connected to a second section and the first section, where the first section is pivotally connected with the second section. A third linear hinge is connected to a third section and the second section, where the third section is pivotally connected with the second section. A sliding plate can be slidingly connected with the third section, where the sliding plate can slidingly move in a linear and limited range of travel relative to the third section. A linear actuator is connected to the sitting chair and the sliding plate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims: the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/446,995, filed Feb. 20, 2023, and titled: FOLDING FOOTREST SYSTEM AND PROCESS, as well as the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/403,505, filed Sep. 2, 2022, and titled: FOLDING FOOTREST.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to human furniture, in particular but not exclusively, living room furniture, which is to be used for footrest operation with or without a mechanism, designed to fit a person's leg elevation comfort and improving the quality of people's lives.

BACKGROUND

On motion chairs/furniture the mechanism consists of a footrest, the footrest is extended either by a mechanical devise or through the use of an actuator. Upon extension, the footrest becomes unprotected, when this happens it leaves itself venerable. The slightest one-sided downward pressure can cause the footrest to bend. Once this happens, the footrest will not close properly, and with time and continuation of use, the mechanism will need to be replaced. Thus, an improved folding footrest is needed.

SUMMARY

The folding footrest may function on a side chair, recliner, loveseat or sofa as an aid in elevating the lower portion of a person's legs into a restful or specific location of choice. The folding footrest is the first footrest that has three sized sections that are hinged together to make one footrest. This creates a top and bottom, a pair of slides are mounted on the back side of the lower section, which are then attached to a sliding member in such a way for it to slide in a downward motion, which will aid in overall elevation of the lower section through elevation. The upper section is hinged to the front upper portion of the chair where it can hang freely.

To address one or more deficiencies in the art and/or better achieve the desirable requirements for a folding footrest, there is provided a folding footrest system for a sitting chair. The system includes a first linear hinge connected to a front portion of the sitting chair and a top edge of a first section, where the first section is pivotally connected with the front portion of the sitting chair. A second linear hinge is connected to a top edge of a second section and a bottom edge of the first section, where the first section is pivotally connected with the second section. A third linear hinge is connected to a top edge of a third section and a bottom edge of the second section, where the third section is pivotally connected with the second section. A sliding plate can be slidingly connected with the third section, where the sliding plate can slidingly move in a linear and limited range of travel relative to the third section. A linear actuator is connected at a first actuator end to the sitting chair and at a second actuator end to the sliding plate.

In other aspects, there is disclosed a folding footrest process for a sitting chair. The process includes utilizing a first linear hinge connecting a front portion of the sitting chair and a first section in a pivotally connected relationship. Another step is utilizing a second linear hinge connecting a second section and the first section in a pivotally connected relationship. And, there is a step utilizing a third linear hinge connecting a third section and the second section in a pivotally connected relationship. Further, there is a step moving the third section from a vertical orientation through a circular path to a horizontal orientation wherein the sections are in series pivotally connected to each adjacent section and the first section with the sitting chair.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to configurations and features for the linear hinge itself and relative to the sections, the linear actuator, at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars, and combinations thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of three sections of my innovative folding footrest system before they are connected together;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the folding footrest system, which shows the three sections and two out of the three hinges connected therewith;

FIG. 3 is a right view of the folding footrest system in a vertical orientation, which shows the three sections, location of the three linear hinges, drawer slides, and the sliding plate;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the folding footrest system, which shows the three sections, two out of the three hinges, and two female portions of drawer slides;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the sliding plate, which shows the sliding plate with two male portions of two drawer slides;

FIG. 6 is a right view showing the folding footrest as it moves through a circular path from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, and in reverse as well, and the hinge locations and linear and limited range of travel of the sliding plate relative to the third section;

FIG. 7 is a right view of the folding footrest and without the sliding plate or drawer slides attached thereto;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic cut away right-side view of the sitting chair, folding footrest in a vertical orientation attached to the front edge of chair, and with a linear actuator and at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars connected to and between the folding footrest and actuator, with the linear actuator and the linkage bars in a fully extended position, and the third section in the horizontal orientation; and,

FIG. 9 shows a schematic cut away right-side view of that in FIG. 8, but now with the linear actuator and the linkage bars in a fully retracted position, and the third section in the vertical orientation.

The drawings show some but not all embodiments. The elements depicted in the drawings are illustrative and not necessarily to scale, and the same (or similar) reference numbers denote the same (or similar) features throughout the drawings, though all the same (or similar) features are not always separately numbered to help avoid over numbering and obscuring what the drawings are disclosing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the practice of my innovative folding footrest, and in reference to the Figures, there is provided a folding footrest system 10 for a sitting chair 20. The system includes a first linear hinge 30 connected to a front portion 22 of the sitting chair and a top edge 34 of a first section 32. The first section 32 is pivotally connected with the front portion 22 of the sitting chair 20. A second linear hinge 50 is connected to a top edge 54 of a second section 52 and a bottom edge 36 of the first section 32. The first section 32 is pivotally connected with the second section 52. The system further includes a third linear hinge 60 connected to a top edge 64 of a third section 62 and a bottom edge 55 of the second section 52. The third section 62 is pivotally connected with the second section 52. Further, a sliding plate 80 can be slidingly connected with the third section 62. In this way, preferably, the sliding plate 80 can slidingly move in a linear and limited range of travel, e.g., between positions 82a and 82b, relative to the third section 62. For example, the sliding plate can have rigidly connected thereto a male ball retainer drawer slide 84 that mates with a female ball retainer drawer slide 86, and where female slide 86 is rigidly connected to the bottom side 68 of the third section 62. Finally, the system includes a linear actuator 90 connected at a first actuator end 92 to the sitting chair 20 and at a second actuator end 94 to the sliding plate 80.

Without being limited by a theory of understanding, the inventor has surprisingly found that this three-section system, with linear hinges connecting each adjacent section, and then the first section connected by a linear hinge to the sitting chair 20, provides a more reliable and efficient folding footrest than ever before possible. And, other features and enhancements can be employed as desired for even better function of the folding footrest system. It is also possible to use system 20 with a traditional mechanism along the sides of the sections, as long as the linear hinges are also still employed as taught herein.

Turning to other features of the invention, and as seen in the Figures, hinge particulars can be adjusted. For example, the first linear hinge 30 can be connected to a bottom side 38 of the first section 32. Additionally, or alternately, the second linear hinge 50 can be connected to a top side 40 of the first section 32 and a top side 56 of the second section 52. Still additionally, or alternately, the third linear hinge 60 can be connected to a bottom side 58 of the second section 52 and a bottom side 68 of the third section 62. In a similar regard, additionally or alternately, at least a portion of the first linear hinge 30 can be located between a front edge 24 of the sitting chair and the top edge 34 of the first section 32. In a related way, additionally or alternately, at least a portion of the third linear hinge 60 can be located between the bottom edge 58 of the second section and the top edge 64 of the third section.

Further aspects of the folding footrest are also directed to the linear hinge. For example, each linear hinge 30, 50, 60 can be a single continuous linear hinge, as seen in the Figures. Additionally, each linear hinge can have a hinge length 100 at least 40% as long as, and up to 100% as long, as a length 102 of the sections to which the linear hinge is connected. The linear hinge can be an existing elongated folding hinge that is connectable along its sides to respective sections 32, 52 and 62. Stated another way, each linear hinge 30, 50 and 60 can have an effective hinge length of at least 25% as long as the length 102 of the sections 32, 52, 62 to which the linear hinge is connected, respectively. By “effective hinge length” I mean the total length of any hinge structure connected between a pair of sections, or the first section 32 and the front portion 22 of the sitting chair. For example, the linear hinge can be discontinuous along the length of the joint between a pair of sections, or the first section 32 and the front portion 22 of the sitting chair, e.g., the linear hinge being two or more separate and spaced linear hinge structures connected along the length of the joint between a pair of sections, or the first section 32 and the front portion 22 of the sitting chair. To get the “effective hinge length”, the length of each hinge structure connected to two sections (or the first section to the chair) is measured and added together and that combined length compared to the total length of the two sections so connected together by those hinge structures.

Other features of the folding footrest system can be directed to the linear actuator 90, e.g., as seen in FIGS. 6-8. For example, the linear actuator can be, and preferably is, pivotally connected at the first actuator end 92 to the sitting chair 20 and pivotally connected at the second actuator end 94 to the sliding plate 80, for example, via at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 as described hereafter. In another aspect of the linear actuator, and in combination with the rest of the system 10, the sections 32, 52, 62 are in series pivotally connected to each adjacent section 52, 62 and then the first section 32 with the sitting chair 20 (preferably via front edge 24), the linear actuator moves the third section 62 through a circular path 12 with the third section being in a vertical orientation 70 when the linear actuator is in a fully retracted position 96 and the third section 62 being in a horizontal orientation 72 when the linear actuator is in a fully extended position 98. Further in this regard, it is also the limited range of travel of the sliding plate 80 relative to the third section 62, that also contributes to the third section properly and consistently achieving the horizontal orientation 72. As mentioned earlier, achieving the desired horizontal orientation has not been so easy to do, especially not consistently, before my innovative folding footrest system and process.

Still other features of the folding footrest system can be directed to at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 connected to and between the second actuator end 94 and the sliding plate 80, e.g., as seen in FIGS. 8-9. For example, a first pivotally-connected linkage bar 112 can be pivotally connected to the second actuator end 94 at one end of the bar 112 and pivotally connected at another end of the bar 112 to the sliding plate 80. A second pivotally-connected linkage bar 114 can be pivotally connected to bar 112 somewhere along each linkage bar's length, and linkage bar 114 is attached at one end to a structure 115 that is fixed in place relative to the actuator 90 (at least as concerns longitudinal movement), and then linkage bar 114 is attached at its opposite end to the sliding plate 80, and the end of bar 114 can be spaced apart from the end of bar 112 that is also attached to plate 80. Further, preferably, two identical sets of pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 can be connected to and between two identical actuators 90s and fixed structures 115 at one end and the sliding plate 80 at the other end, similar to how an existing reclining chair mechanisms with footrest linkages operate, one on each of the left side and the right side of the chair and footrest.

In operation, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 8-9, and in combination with the rest of the system 10, as the linear actuator(S) 90 moves the pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 (or two sets of these), the bars 110 in turn act upon third section 62 to move it through circular path 12 with the third section being in a vertical orientation 70 when the linear actuator(s) is in the fully retracted position 96, as is the pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 (or two sets of these) in a fully retracted position. And then, when the third section 62 is in the horizontal orientation 72, the linear actuator(s) is in the fully extended position 98, as are the pivotally-connected linkage bars 110 (or two sets of these) in a fully extended position. Further in this regard, it is also the limited range of travel of the sliding plate 80 relative to the third section 62, that also contributes to the third section properly and consistently achieving the horizontal orientation 72. As mentioned earlier, achieving the desired horizontal orientation has not been so easy to do, especially not consistently, before my innovative folding footrest system and process, especially when including pivotally-connected linkage bars 110, if desired.

My innovative folding footrest also discloses a new folding footrest process for sitting chair 20. A first step is utilizing a first linear hinge 30 connecting the front portion 22 of the sitting chair and the first section 32 in a pivotally connected relationship. A next step is utilizing the second linear hinge 50 connecting the second section 52 and the first section 32 in a pivotally connected relationship. Then, there is the step utilizing the third linear hinge 60 connecting the third section 62 and the second section 52 in a pivotally connected relationship. And finally, there is moving the third section 62 from the vertical orientation 70 through the circular path 12 to the horizontal orientation 72, such that the sections 32, 52, 62 are in series pivotally connected to each adjacent section 52, 62, and the first section 32 with the sitting chair 20. If desired, there can also be he step utilizing the sliding plate 80 that is slidingly connecting with the third section 62 and slidingly moving the sliding plate in the linear and limited range of travel, e.g., between positions 82a and 82b, relative to the third section 62.

Other aspects of the process are direct to use of the footrest, and its movement between an in-use position and a stored position. For example, in use, a person can temporarily lock the third section in the horizontal orientation to more reliably support the feet of a user. This can include the linear actuator positions and configuration, in combination with the sections 32, 52 and 62, characteristics. Then when done with use of the footrest, the process can include moving the third section from the horizontal orientation 72 through the circular path 12 back to the vertical orientation 70. For example, to do these movements of the footrest, the step moving the third section from the vertical orientation 70 through the circular path to the horizontal orientation 72 can be actuating the linear actuator 90 from the fully retracted position 96 to the fully extended position 98. Similarly, but in reverse, the step moving the third section from the horizontal orientation 72 through the circular path back to the vertical orientation 70 can be actuating the linear actuator 90 from the fully extended position 98 back to the fully retracted position 96.

In other aspects of the process, and similar to the system, there can be utilizing at least a portion of the first linear hinge 30 being located between the front portion 22 of the sitting chair and the first section 32, e.g., top edge 34. Additionally, or alternately, can be the step utilizing at least a portion of the third linear hinge 60 being located between the second section 52 and the third section 62, e.g., bottom edge 55 of the second section and top edge 64 of the third section. Yet additionally, or alternately, the process can include each linear hinge 30, 50, 60 being a single continuous linear hinge, as preferred, but the process and system (as discussed above) can also employ multiple spaced apart linear hinges connecting the sections 32, 52, and 62, as well as 32 with chair 20.

Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application governs.

The invention includes the description, examples, features, embodiments, and drawings disclosed; but it is not limited to such description, examples, features embodiments, or drawings. As briefly described above, the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the animal leash arts, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A folding footrest system for a sitting chair, comprising:

a first linear hinge connected to a front portion of the sitting chair and a top edge of a first section wherein the first section is pivotally connected with the front portion of the sitting chair;

a second linear hinge connected to a top edge of a second section and a bottom edge of the first section wherein the first section is pivotally connected with the second section;

a third linear hinge connected to a top edge of a third section and a bottom edge of the second section wherein the third section is pivotally connected with the second section;

a sliding plate slidingly connected with the third section wherein the sliding plate can slidingly move in a linear and limited range of travel relative to the third section; and

a linear actuator connected at a first actuator end to the sitting chair and at a second actuator end to the sliding plate.

2. The folding footrest system of claim 1, wherein the first linear hinge is connected to a bottom side of the first section.

3. The folding footrest system of claim 2, wherein the second linear hinge is connected to a top side of the first section and a top side of the second section.

4. The folding footrest system of claim 3, wherein the third linear hinge is connected to a bottom side of the second section and a bottom side of the third section.

5. The folding footrest system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first linear hinge is located between a front edge of the sitting chair and the top edge of the first section.

6. The folding footrest system of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the third linear hinge is located between the bottom edge of the second section and the top edge of the third section.

7. The folding footrest system of claim 1, wherein each linear hinge is a single continuous linear hinge.

8. The folding footrest system of claim 1, wherein each linear hinge has a hinge length at least 40% as long as a length of the sections to which the linear hinge is connected.

9. The folding footrest system of claim 1, wherein each linear hinge has an effective hinge length of at least 25% as long as a length of the sections to which the linear hinge is connected.

10. The folding footrest system of claim 1, further comprising the linear actuator being pivotally connected at the first actuator end to the sitting chair and pivotally connected at the second actuator end to the sliding plate.

11. The folding footrest system of claim 1, comprising the sections being in series pivotally connected to each adjacent section and the first section with the sitting chair wherein the linear actuator moves the third section through a circular path with the third section being in a vertical orientation when the linear actuator is in a fully retracted position and the third section being in a horizontal orientation when the linear actuator is in a fully extended position.

12. The folding footrest system of claim 1, further comprising at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars connected to and between the second actuator end and the sliding plate.

13. A folding footrest process for a sitting chair, comprising:

utilizing a first linear hinge connecting a front portion of the sitting chair and a first section in a pivotally connected relationship;

utilizing a second linear hinge connecting a second section and the first section in a pivotally connected relationship;

utilizing a third linear hinge connecting a third section and the second section in a pivotally connected relationship; and

moving the third section from a vertical orientation through a circular path to a horizontal orientation wherein the sections are in series pivotally connected to each adjacent section and the first section with the sitting chair.

14. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising temporarily locking the third section in the horizontal orientation to support the feet of a user.

15. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising moving the third section from the horizontal orientation through the circular path back to the vertical orientation.

16. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising utilizing at least a portion of the first linear hinge being located between the front portion of the sitting chair and the first section.

17. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising utilizing at least a portion of the third linear hinge being located between the second section and the third section.

18. The folding footrest process of claim 13, wherein each linear hinge is a single continuous linear hinge.

19. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising utilizing a sliding plate that is slidingly connecting with the third section and slidingly moving the sliding plate in a linear and limited range of travel relative to the third section.

20. The folding footrest process of claim 13, wherein the step moving the third section from the vertical orientation through the circular path to the horizontal orientation comprises actuating a linear actuator from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position.

21. The folding footrest process of claim 15, wherein the step moving the third section from the horizontal orientation through the circular path back to the vertical orientation comprises actuating a linear actuator from a fully extended position back to a fully retracted position.

22. The folding footrest process of claim 13, further comprising:

utilizing at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars connected to the third section and to the sitting chair; and,

actuating the at least two pivotally-connected linkage bars from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position to aid in the step moving the third section.