Abstract:
A footrest for airplane passengers includes a platform and a number of supporting legs, at least some of which contain springs or resilient members so that when the legs are deployed the passenger can exercise his feet and legs by pressing down on the platform. The legs can be folded or otherwise collapsed against the platform when the device is not in use.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. application No. 60/598848, filed Aug. 5, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     An average aircraft seat is only 17 inches wide and has only about 32 inches of “pitch” or distance between the back of the seat facing the passenger and the back of the seat in which the passenger is seated. Such cramped configuration has concerned travelers and health practitioners alike. An estimated 30,000 people a year could develop dangerous lower leg blood clots, commonly referred to as “economy class syndrome,” as a result of sitting in cramped conditions for more than five hours.  
         [0003]     To avoid “economy class syndrome,” health specialists suggest exercising the legs. Such may be achieved with, for example, an exercise footrest. However, while redesigns may be possible, airline seats have been largely unchanged for the last 25 years due to elaborate safety certification processes related to issues and costs. Thus, redesigning airline passenger seating to allow for more leg room and include health-safety features, such as footrests, is not foreseeable. While comforts and luxuries are increasingly available for first- and premium-class passengers, economy class passengers are likely to be left with the cramped spaces that are not only uncomfortable but also can pose serious health hazards.  
         [0004]     Additionally, as technology pervades home and work lives, people increasingly travel with laptops and other devices that they operate from their “laps” at airports, rail stations, make-shift offices, homes etc. Sitting in a chair for long periods of time can cause back and other problems. These problems may be avoided, but at considerable expense or encumbrance.  
         [0005]     What is needed is a portable footrest that helps alleviate pressure on the lower back by raising the level of the knees to reduce back strain, muscle fatigue and injury, and to allow for better circulation of blood in the lower legs. While such may not be a “medical solution” and does not guarantee prevention against potential health hazards from traveling in cramped positions, it is widely regarded as a practical solution by medical practitioners and health experts alike because a portable footrest can help prevent and/or reduce back and lower leg conditions, including stress injuries and blood clots in the lower legs, that may develop due to travel in cramped spaces and/or due to poor posture when working in a seated position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention is a portable travel footrest with which a traveler may exercise while seated in a plane or other cramped conditions and avoid uncomfortable and dangerous lower leg conditions.  
         [0007]     An object of this invention is to provide a device that enables airline passengers to exercise the legs while seated.  
         [0008]     Another invention is to make such a device collapsible so that it can be carried and stored conveniently.  
         [0009]     These and other objects of the invention are satisfied by the collapsible footrest described below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, from below, of an embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged detail of a portion of the footrest;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a modified form of the footrest;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation thereof;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , wherein the platform is partially folded;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , wherein the platform is almost entirely folded;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the platform is folded to define a closed position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of one panel of the platform of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a platform of another embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a similar view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , partially assembled;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a platform of another embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is perspective view of another embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a bottom elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , partially collapsed;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a bottom elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , entirely collapsed;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a platform of another embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  shows a leg assembly of another embodiment of a footrest constructed according to principles of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     A footrest embodying the invention includes a platform mounted on a nearer pair of non-resilient legs and a longer farther pair of resilient legs.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 1-4  show a first embodiment of the footrest  100  includes a platform  105  from which extends a nearer pair of non-resilient detachable legs  110  and a longer farther pair of resilient detachable legs  115 . The footrest  100  provides for raising and inclining a user&#39;s feet and exercising same with a back-and-forth motion.  
         [0029]     The legs  110 ,  115  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  are detachably connectable to the platform  105  via threaded, snap-in-snap-out, velcro® or other fasteners  116 . The legs  110 ,  115  also may be permanently attached to fixed positions on the platform  105  so as to collapse and fold under the platform  105  through a release or hinge mechanism. In that case, in the collapsed position, the legs  110 ,  115  lie flush with the platform  105 . The platform  105  may have deep grooves (not shown) for receiving each leg  110 ,  115  so that the legs  110 ,  115 , when collapsed, rest inside such a groove. The legs  110 ,  115  then may be secured by a fastening clip (not shown) or other device that does not allow the legs to fall out once collapsed inside a groove.  
         [0030]     The legs  110 ,  115  are sized and configured to position the platform above ground level at an incline or angle so that the front edge  130  is nearer to the user&#39;s feet and to the ground and the back edge  135  is farther to the user&#39;s feet and higher than the front edge  130 . Thus, when resting on the platform, the heel or heels of the user&#39;s foot or feet will be closer to the ground and the toes will be higher than the heel(s) in a naturally inclined position when the user&#39;s legs are extended outwardly and away from the body.  
         [0031]     When attached, the legs  110  may define a 90° angle, or other angle, relative to a surface on which the footrest is disposed. Consequently, the legs  110  are not square to, but define a predetermined angle  140  relative to the platform  105 .  
         [0032]     The legs  115  define a 90° angle, or other angle, relative to the platform  105 . Consequently, the legs  115  are not square to, but define a predetermined angle  145  relative to a surface on which the footrest is disposed.  
         [0033]     The lengths of the legs  110 ,  115  are adjustable. Adjustment may be achieved through incorporating telescoping, threading or other mechanisms (not shown).  
         [0034]     Each leg  110 ,  115  has anti-skid material for contacting a supporting surface or floor. The anti-skid material may be selected from rubber, felt, plastic, metal, wood or other materials that would prevent the footrest  100  from skidding on a surface on which it is placed.  
         [0035]     The legs  115  each include a spring mechanism  117  ( FIG. 2 ) that allows for repeated telescoping motion commensurate with back-and-forth movement of the feet alternately applying and releasing moderate pressure on the platform  105 . The spring mechanism may be effectuated with pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems or other systems that allow for reciprocal foot/feet movement. This “exercise” feature is a common thread in all embodiments of footrests constructed according to this invention.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the platform  105  is constructed from plastics, wood, polymer, metal, resin, leather, fabric or other man-made or natural material that can function as the platform. The platform  105  is foldable along one or more vertical or horizontal joints  120 , defining a plurality of panels  123 . When open, each joint  120  or foldable or collapsible part of the platform  105  is supported by latches  125  or lock or lock-like mechanisms to hold all joined panels  123  of the platform  105  together in a substantially planar manner.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the footrest  100  may be collapsed and stored for easy transportation. The user detaches and sets aside the legs  110 ,  115  from the platform  105 . The user then unlatches the latches  125 , and folds the panels  123  along the joints  120 , progressively defining the partially closed position of  FIG. 5 , the nearly closed position of  FIG. 6  and the closed position of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the panels  123  may have shafts  150  or throughbores sized and configured for receiving and storing at least one of the legs  110 ,  115 . The legs  110 ,  115  and/or shafts  150  are configured so that the legs  110 ,  115  are removably retained in the shafts  150 . That is, a user may securely store the legs  110 ,  115  in the shafts  150  when not needed, yet remove the legs from the shafts  150  as needed. If the platform  105  has no shafts  150 , the legs  110 ,  115  may be stored separately in a carry case (not shown) or bag.  
         [0039]     The footrest  100 , when fully assembled and operational, fits under most airline seats in front of the passenger using the footrest. When folded for portability, the footrest  100  fits into most travel bags, hand bags, computer cases or in a specially designed carrying case or bag.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , another embodiment of a platform  205  constructed according to the invention includes a plurality of panels  223  that interconnect via conventional tongue and groove structures. For example, the panel  223   a  has a groove  250  sized and configured to receive a tongue  255  extending from the panel  223   b.    
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of a platform  405  constructed according to the invention combines features of the previous embodiments. The platform  405  includes hinged pairs of panels  423   a,b  and  423   c,d  that interconnect via tongue and groove structures. The latches  425  hold each pair of joined panels  423   a,b  or  423   c,d  together in a substantially planar manner.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , another embodiment of a footrest  500  constructed according to the invention includes a platform  505  having a hinge  520  running vertically from the front edge  530  to the back edge  535 . Arms  560  extend from each corner of the front edge  530  and define an acute angle  565  relative to the platform  505 . The legs  515  extend from back edge  535  of the platform  505  so that, when deployed in an open position as shown in  FIG. 12 , the legs  515  rest against a supporting surface and define a right or obtuse angle relative to the platform  505 . The legs  515  each contain a spring mechanism (not shown) that allows for repeated telescoping motion commensurate with the back-and-forth movement of the feet alternately applying and releasing moderate pressure on the platform  505 .  
         [0043]     The arms  560  and legs  515  are collapsible and fold parallel to and flush against the underside of the platform  505 . A clasp  575  or locking arrangement holds the arms  560  and legs  515  in a locked position, as shown in  FIG. 13 . Once locked, the platform  505  can be folded along the hinge  520  for further compactness and enhanced portability, as shown in  FIG. 14 . When the platform is open, as in  FIG. 12 , the user&#39;s feet can rest on or cyclically push against the platform  505 , applying then releasing pressure, allowing the spring mechanism  570  in the legs  515  to restore the platform  505  and the user&#39;s feet back to the original position.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 15 , another embodiment of a platform  605  constructed according to the invention includes telescopingly nestable panels  623 . The panels  623  are constructed of composite plastic, polymer, metal, rubber, wood or other hard material, with or without coatings or coverings. The panel  623   c  has a slot sized and configured to receive a panel  623   b,  which has a slot sized and configured to receive a panel  623   a.  When collapsed, the platform  605  is reduced to a fraction of its size compared to when completely open.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 16 , another embodiment constructed according to the invention includes a leg assembly  700  including integral or detachable non-resilient legs  710  and longer resilient legs  715  that are joined with connecting levers  775 . The levers  775  can open and spread the legs  710 ,  715  apart or fold them together like a tripod stand.  
         [0046]     Common design features in the embodiments described herein relate to: (1) compactness, for making the device truly portable through compacting the entire structure to some fraction of its operational size; and (2) the use of the device for exercise, involving built-in resilient mechanisms.  
         [0047]     The invention provides for a carry case or carry bag for receiving and transporting any collapsed footrest embodiment described herein.