Patent ID: 6036268
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
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 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 selective forward and rearward movement in relation to the chair attachment means; anda foot contact surface and at least one foot contact surface support arm disposed between the foot contact surface and the chair attachment means;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 contact surface 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 contact surface support arm moveably suspends the foot contact surface in relation to the chair attachment means;and, wherein the foot rest actuation mechanism engages the at least one foot contact surface support arm, wherein movement of the foot rest actuating mechanism moves the foot contact surface;wherein the foot rest contact surface may be centered in relation to the front edge of the chair seat;and wherein the foot contact 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 contact surface support arm as well as the foot contact surface are substantially disposed beneath the chair seat, within the perimeter edge of the chair seat, wherein the foot contact surface is disposed 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; to a position where the foot contact surface is substantially in front of the front of the chair seat; and wherein the foot contact surface is disposed 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 the entirety of 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 contact surface support arm when the foot contact surface is substantially beneath the front of the chair seat, as well as when the foot contact surface is disposed in front of the front of the chair seat; andwherein the entirety of the foot contact surface 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.