Patent ID: 6196631
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
In combination, a work chair and a foot rest mechanism for a work chair comprising:a work chair including a base, a column disposed on the base, and a chair seat having a perimeter edge including at least a front edge and two side edges;a foot rest comprising:chair attachment means for attachment to the work chair proximate to the underside of the work chair seat; wherein the chair attachment means is disposed substantially within the perimeter edge of the chair seat;a foot rest actuating mechanism supported by the chair attachment means for rotational movement in relation to the chair attachment means; anda foot rest brace and at least one foot rest brace support arm disposed between the foot rest brace and the foot rest actuating mechanism;a first pivot on the chair attachment means; wherein the first pivot is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation;wherein the at least one foot rest brace support arm is pivotally attached to the chair attachment means at the first pivot for movement in a substantially vertical plane;and wherein the at least one foot rest brace support arm moveably suspends the foot rest brace in relation to the chair attachment means; and, wherein the foot rest brace includes a foot contact surface;and, wherein the foot rest actuating mechanism engages the at least one foot rest brace support arm, wherein movement of the foot rest actuating mechanism moves the foot contact surface;wherein the foot rest brace may be centered in relation to the front edge of the chair seat;and wherein the rest brace surface when centered in relation to the front edge of the chair seat is selectively movable through at least a range of movement from a position where the entirety of each foot rest brace support arm as well as the foot rest brace are substantially disposed beneath the front edge of the chair seat, within the perimeter edge of the chair seat; to a position where the foot rest brace is substantially in front of the front of the chair seat;wherein the foot contact surface is separated from the chair seat by a spaced apart distance substantially equal to the length of the at least one foot rest brace support arm when the foot rest brace is substantially beneath the front edge of the chair seat, as well as when the foot rest brace is disposed in front of the front edge of the chair seat; andwherein the foot contact surface of the foot rest brace is disposed at the spaced apart distance from the chair seat for direct support of a chair user's feet in an elevated position in relation to a surface on which the chair base is supported;wherein rotational movement of the foot rest actuating mechanism causes the foot rest brace to move in relation to the chair attachment means.