Abstract:
A footrest comprising a sling having two ends and a strap connected to each end of the sling. A user in a seat rests a foot in the sling where the straps of the sling are attached around an object in front of the seat.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of footrests, and more particularly to compact, portable, hammock style footrests. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many benefits may be achieved by elevating feet on a footrest. For example, a user in a seated position may relieve lower-back pain by elevating the user&#39;s feet. In addition, for people with short legs, painful cramps may develop behind the thighs when seated for prolonged periods of time. This often occurs during long flights, long trips in buses or automobiles, or long meetings. 
   Conventional footrests tend to be bulky, and are not easily portable. Moreover, because these footrests typically rest on the surface below the user, it is difficult to adjust the height of these footrests to account for users with different leg lengths. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a footrest is provided that comfortably elevates the legs in various settings. The footrest is compact, and easily portable. Moreover, the height of the footrest is easily adjustable for users with different leg lengths. 
   In accordance with one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a footrest is provided. The footrest includes a sling having two ends and a strap connected to each end of the sling. The straps of the sling are attached around an object in front of the user&#39;s seat so that the user may rest his or her feet in the sling. 
   In accordance with another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a footrest is provided. The footrest includes a sling having two ends and a slit, a strap connected to each end of the sling, and a pillow that is insertable into the sling through the slit. 
   In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided for elevating a foot while in a seat. The method comprising the steps of using a footrest having a sling with two ends and two straps where one strap is connected to one end of the sling and the other strap is connected to the other end of the sling, connecting the straps around an object in front of the seat, and placing a user&#39;s foot in the sling. 
   Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
       FIG. 1  depicts the top view of a footrest in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the footrest depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  depicts a second embodiment of a footrest in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the footrest depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  depicts a third embodiment of a footrest in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the footrest depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  depicts the footrest depicted in  FIG. 1  in use; and 
       FIG. 8  depicts a flow diagram illustrating the use of the footrest in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference now will be made in detail to an implementation consistent with the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  depict one embodiment of a footrest  100  consistent with the present invention. The footrest  100  includes a sling  110  and two straps  120 ,  130  connected to two ends  140 ,  150  of the sling  110 . The ends of the straps  120 ,  130  may be connected by tying the straps  120 ,  130  together. Although depicted as a textured, flexible material, the sling  110  may be made of any flexible material known in the art, including leather, cloth or plastic. Due to the flexibility of the footrest, the entire footrest may be folded to a pocket size for portability. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  depict another embodiment of a footrest  300  consistent with the present invention. The footrest  300  includes a sling  310  and two straps  320 ,  330  connected to two ends  340 ,  350  of the sling  310 . The footrest  300  also includes a platform  360  embedded in the center of the sling  310  so that, in use, the legs may rest on the platform  360 . The platform  360  may be made of a variety of materials known in the art, including a rigid material, a flexible material, padding or foam. The footrest  300  further includes a partition  370  extending from the sling  310  above the platform  360 . In use, the partition  370  may be placed between the user&#39;s feet. The partition  370  may be made of a variety of materials known in the art, including a rigid material, a flexible material, padding or foam. The straps  320 ,  330  may be connected by inserting a loop  380  attached to the end of the strap  320  into a hook  390  attached to the end of the other strap  330 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  depict another embodiment of a footrest  500  consistent with the present invention. The footrest  500  includes a sling  510  and two straps  520 ,  530  connected to two ends  540 ,  550  of the sling  510 . The footrest  500  also includes a pillow  570  that may be inserted through a slit  560  in the sling  510 . The pillow  570  may be made of a variety of materials known in the art, including a rigid material, a flexible material, padding or foam. The footrest  500  also includes clasps  580 ,  590  at the end of the straps  520 ,  530  to easily connect the ends of the straps. One of the clasps  590  is depicted with a strap adjustor to easily adjust the length of the strap. One skilled in the art will appreciate that either or both ends of the straps may be adjustable using any system known in the art. Moreover, although a hook  390  and loop  380  and clasps  580 ,  590  are depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that other connectors known in the art may be used, including a Velcro-type fastener or a buckle. Finally, although depicted as three different embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that any combination of the features may be included in a footrest consistent with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7  depicts the footrest in use, and  FIG. 8  depicts a flow diagram illustrating the use of the footrest in accordance with methods consistent with the present invention. The user  700  may insert the pillow  570  through the slit in the foot sling (step  800 ). Alternatively, the user may use a footrest with a built-in platform  360 , or may use a footrest without a pillow or platform. The user  700  may then connect the straps  120 ,  130  of the footrest  100  around an object  710  in front of the user&#39;s seat (step  810 ), and adjust the length of the straps (step  820 ). As discussed above, the user may connect the straps by tying the ends together, by inserting the hook  390  into the loop  380 , by attaching the clasps  580 ,  590  together, or by any other known method in the art. The user may then place his or her feet into the sling  110  of the footrest  100 , on the pillow or platform if appropriate (step  830 ). If the footrest includes a partition  370 , the user may place the partition  370  between the user&#39;s feet (step  840 ). 
   The user may use the footrest of the present invention while traveling in a vehicle, such as a car or an airplane. The user may attach the footrest to a headrest of the seat in front of the user. Alternatively, the user may attach the footrest to a tray table in front of the user, and return the tray table to its upright position. One skilled in the art will appreciate that these footrests also may be used while seated in any setting as long as there is an object in front of the user to which the user may attach the footrest. 
   The foregoing description of an implementation of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the invention.