Abstract:
A vehicle seat that embodies a foot support assembly that is movable from a stowed position proximate the seat back to a deployed position wherein the assembly extends rearwardly of the seat. The foot support assembly of the vehicle seat includes a sub-assembly that comprises a pair of side-support members that support a footrest, the sub-assembly being positioned so as to automatically pivot downwardly as the foot support assembly is moved into its deployed position. The footrest is pivotally connected to the pair of side-support members for movement from a stowed position between the side-support members to a deployed position wherein it extends outwardly from the side-support members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 12/221,378 filed Aug. 1, 2008 and U.S. Ser. No. 11/789,844 filed Apr. 25, 2007, now abandoned. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to seating. More particularly, the invention concerns a vehicle seat embodying a novel, retractable foot support assembly. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR 1.97 AND 1.98 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel vehicle seat that embodies a foot support assembly that is movable from a stowed position proximate the seat back to a deployed position wherein the assembly extends rearwardly of the seat. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat as described in the preceding paragraph that includes a novel connector means for connecting the foot support assembly to the vehicle seat that yieldably resists movement of the foot support assembly toward the deployed position. Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the aforementioned character in which the foot support assembly includes a sub-assembly that comprises a pair of side-support members that support a footrest, the sub-assembly being positioned so as to automatically pivot downwardly as the foot support assembly is moved into its deployed position. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the footrest is pivotally connected to the pair of side-support members for movement from a stowed position between the side-support members to a deployed position wherein it extends outwardly from the side-support members. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the class described that is of a simple construction that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat as described in the preceding paragraphs that is easy to install, requires little maintenance and is highly reliable in operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, generally perspective, rear view of an aircraft passenger seat showing the footrest assembly of the invention interconnected with the passenger seat and moved into a deployed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a generally perspective, partially exploded view of the form of the footrest assembly of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective, partially exploded view of the left hand portion of the footrest assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 4 , but showing the footrest assembly of the invention moved into a stowed position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary, generally perspective, rear view of an aircraft passenger seat showing an alternate form of the footrest assembly of the invention interconnected with the passenger seat and moved into a deployed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a generally perspective, partially exploded view of the form of the footrest assembly of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective, partially exploded view of the left hand portion of the footrest assembly shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged, generally perspective exploded view of one of the three part connector assemblies of the form of the footrest assembly of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 13 , but showing the footrest assembly of the invention moved into a stowed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , one form of the footrest of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  20 . The footrest of this form of the invention is designed to be used in combination with an aircraft passenger seat “S” that includes a backrest “BR” having a rear upper surface “US”, a rear lower surface “LS” and a rear intermediate surface “IS”. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the footrest here comprises first and second spaced-apart connector brackets  22  and  23  that are connected to the rear lower surface “LS” of the passenger seat “S” by conventional threaded connectors  24  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Pivotally connected to first connector bracket  22  by means of a conventional two-part connector assembly  25  is a first side member  26  that is movable relative thereto between a first lowered position shown in  FIG. 1  and a second upraised position shown in  FIG. 7 . For a purpose presently to be described, first side member  26  is provided with an arcuate-groove  28  and a through-bore  30  having an enlarged diameter portion  30   a  and a reduced diameter portion  30   b  ( FIG. 8 ). Pivotally connected to second connector bracket  23  is a second side member  32  that is movable along with first side member  26  between a first lowered position and a second upraised position. Second side member  32  is also provided with a through-bore  36  that is of similar configuration to through-bore  30 . A cross brace  39  is connected to and spans members  26  and  32  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
         [0030]    Also forming a part of the footrest of the present invention are first and second pivot pins  38  and  40 . Pivot pin  38  has a head portion  38   a , a shank portion  38   b  and a threaded end portion  38   c . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , pivot pin  38  is receivable within the through-bore  30  of the first side member  26 , so that the head portion  38   a  resides within enlarged diameter portion  30   a  and the shank portion  38   b  resides within reduced diameter portion  30   b . Second pivot pin  40 , which is of similar construction to pivot pin  38 , is receivable within the through-bore  36  of the second side member  32  in the manner indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    Pivotally connected to the first and second spaced-apart side members  26  and  32  for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first stowed position shown in  FIG. 7  and a second deployed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is a foot support assembly generally designated by the numeral  42 . As best seen in  FIG. 2  of the drawings, foot support assembly  42  comprises a first connector member  44  having an outwardly extending stop pin  46  that is closely receivable within the arcuate-groove  28  formed in first side member  26  (See  FIG. 3 ). Stop pin  46  and arcuate-groove  28  form a part of the stop means of the invention for controlling the extent of pivotal movement of the foot assembly  42  relative to the first and second side members  26  and  32 . Connector member  44  also has a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore  48  for threadably receiving the threaded end portion  38   c  of first pivot pin  38  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0032]    Foot support assembly  42  also comprises a second connector member  50  having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving the threaded end portion of second pivot pin  40 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , first connector member  44  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots  44   a  and  44   b . Second connector member  50  is also provided with a similar pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots (not shown). 
         [0033]    Connected to and spanning first and second spaced-apart connector members  44  and  50  is a generally planar foot support  54 . Foot support  54  has a first end  54   a  provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first protuberances  56   a  and  56   b  that are receivable within slots  44   a  and  44   b  ( FIG. 2 ). Similarly, planar foot support  54  has a second end  54   b  provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second protuberances  58   a  and  58   b  receivable within the pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots formed in the second connector member  50 . With this construction, the planar foot support can be secured to connector members  44  and  50  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1  to form a rigid support for the feet of the passengers. 
         [0034]    Forming an important aspect of the present invention is a pair of connector assemblies of novel construction that function to connect side members  26  and  32  to connector brackets  22  and  23 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5  of the drawings, each connector assembly of the pair of connector assemblies comprises an internally threaded member  25   b  having a generally hexagonally configured head portion  27  that is closely receivable within generally oval-shaped, locking cavities  65  formed in the pair of transversely spaced-apart connector brackets  22  and  23  (see for example  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 ). 
         [0035]    Each connector assembly of the pair of connector assemblies also comprises an externally threaded member  26   a  that is threadably connected to internally threaded member  25   b  in the manner indicated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Each connector assembly of the pair of connector assemblies further comprises conventional friction washers,  61  and  63 , the purpose of which will presently be described. As illustrated in the drawings, each of the connector arms  26  and  32  is provided with spaced-apart, generally circular shaped, washer receiving cavities  67  that closely receive the friction washers  61  and  63  (see for example  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0036]    It is important to note that each of the externally threaded members  25   a  of each of the connector assemblies has a tapered head  26   a  that is provided with an Allen wrench “W” ( FIG. 5 ) receiving socket  26   b  ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0037]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, when the connector assemblies are assembled in the manner shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the drawings with the hexagonal heads  27  of the internally threaded members locked against rotation within oval-shaped opening  63 , externally threaded member  25   a  can be readily tightened relative to internally threaded member  25   b  through the use of the Allen wrench “W” ( FIG. 5 ). In this way an appropriate amount of pressure can be exerted against friction washers  67 , which circumscribe externally threaded member  25   a , so as to thereby controllably adjust the force necessary to move the arms  26  and  32  from the stowed position shown in  FIG. 7  to the deployed position shown in  FIG. 4 . Because of the novel construction of the connector assemblies and because hexagonal heads  27  of the internally threaded members are securely located within opening  63 , once the unit is tightened, it cannot loosen due to continued movement of the arms  26  and  32  from the stowed position to the deployed position. This important feature of the invention comprises a substantial improvement over prior art devices of similar construction and function. 
         [0038]    Referring next to  FIGS. 9 through 18 , an alternate form of the footrest of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  80 . The footrest of this latest form of the invention is similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 9 through 18  to identify like components. As before, footrest  80  designed to be used in combination with an aircraft passenger seat “S” that includes a backrest “BR” having a rear upper surface “US”, a rear lower surface “LS” and a rear intermediate surface “IS”. As best seen in  FIG. 9 , the footrest here comprises first and second spaced-apart connector brackets  82  and  83  that are connected to the rear lower surface “LS” of the passenger seat “S” by conventional threaded connectors  84  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Pivotally connected to first connector bracket  82  by means of a novel three-part connector assembly  85  is a first side member  86  that is movable relative thereto between a first lowered position shown in  FIG. 9  and a second upraised position shown in  FIG. 18 . For a purpose presently to be described, first side member  86  is provided with an arcuate-groove  88  and a through-bore  90  having an enlarged diameter portion  90   a  and a reduced diameter portion  90   b  ( FIG. 17 ). Pivotally connected to second connector bracket  83  is a second side member  92  that is movable along with first side member  86  between a first lowered position shown in  FIG. 9  and a second upraised position. Second side member  92  is also provided with an arcuate-groove  93  and a through-bore  96  that is of similar configuration to through-bore  90 . A cross brace  39  is connected to and spans members  86  and  92  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). 
         [0039]    Also forming a part of the footrest of this latest form of the invention are first and second pivot pins  38  and  40 . Pivot pin  38  has a head portion  38   a , a shank portion  38   b  and a threaded end portion  38   c . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 17 , pivot pin  38  is receivable within the through-bore  90  of the first side member  86 , so that the head portion  38   a  resides within enlarged diameter portion  90   a  and the shank portion  38   b  resides within reduced diameter portion  90   b . Second pivot pin  40 , which is of similar construction to pivot pin  38 , is receivable within the through-bore  96  of the second side member  92  in the manner indicated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0040]    Pivotally connected to the first and second spaced-apart side members  86  and  92  for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first stowed position shown in  FIG. 18  and a second deployed position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 13  is a foot support assembly generally designated by the numeral  42 . As best seen in  FIG. 11  of the drawings, foot support assembly  42  comprises a first connector member  44  having an outwardly extending stop pin  46  that is closely receivable within the arcuate-groove  98  formed in first side member  86  (See  FIG. 11 ). Stop pin  46  and arcuate-groove  98  form a part of the stop means of the invention for controlling the extent of pivotal movement of the foot assembly  42  relative to the first and second side members  86  and  92 . Connector member  44  also has a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore  48  for threadably receiving the threaded end portion  38   c  of first pivot pin  38  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0041]    Foot support assembly  42  also comprises a second connector member  50  having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving the threaded end portion of second pivot pin  40 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , first connector member  44  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots  44   a  and  44   b . Second connector member  50  is also provided with a similar pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots (not shown). 
         [0042]    Connected to and spanning first and second spaced-apart connector members  44  and  50  is a generally planar foot support  54 . Foot support  54  has a first end  54   a  provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first protuberances  56   a  and  56   b  that are receivable within slots  44   a  and  44   b  ( FIG. 10 ). Similarly, planar foot support  54  has a second end  54   b  provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second protuberances  58   a  and  58   b  receivable within the pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots formed in the second connector member  50 . With this construction, the planar foot support can be secured to connector members  44  and  50  in the manner shown in  FIG. 9  to form a rigid support for the feet of the passengers. 
         [0043]    Forming an important aspect of the present invention is the previously identified three part connector assemblies  85  that function to connect side members  86  and  92  to connector brackets  82  and  83  in the manner shown in  FIG. 9 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12  of the drawings, each connector assembly  85  of the pair of connector assemblies comprises an internally threaded shaft  100  having an enlarged diameter portion  100   a  and a generally rectangular head portion  100   b , an integrally formed restraining member  102  rotatably connected to shaft  100  and a connector member  104  having an externally threaded shaft  104   a  and a head portion  104   b . The connector assemblies  85  are commercially available from Hanaya Inc. of Scarsdale, N.Y. As illustrated in  FIG. 11  of the drawings the rectangular head portion  100   b  of internally threaded shaft  100  of one of the connector assemblies  85  is closely receivable within a rectangular locking cavity  106  formed in connector bracket  82 . Similarly, the rectangular head portion  100   b  of internally threaded shaft  100  of the other of the connector assemblies  85  is closely receivable within a similar rectangular locking cavity formed in connector bracket  83 . Restraining member  102 , which is preferably constructed from spring steel, has a body portion  102   a  that is press fit to and closely circumscribes shaft  100  in the manner shown in  FIG. 15  to create a friction interference fit. Integrally formed with portion  102   a  and extending outwardly therefrom is a restraining tab  108 . 
         [0044]    Each of the first and second side members  86  and  92  is provided with a generally keyhole shaped opening  110  that, as best seen in  FIG. 11 , comprises a through bore  110   a  and a slot  110   b  that extends outwardly from the through bore. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , when the assemblies  85  are in position within keyhole shaped openings  110 , restraining tab  108  of each of the restraining members extends into the slot  110   b  so as to yieldably resist movement of the first and second side members  86  and  92  from the first lowered position shown in  FIG. 9  to the second upraised position. More particularly, as the first and second side members are moved toward the second stowed position, the restraining tabs  108  of each of the restraining members will urge the body portions  102   a  of the restraining members to rotate about the shafts  100  of the connector assemblies  85 . However, because of the resistance to rotation of the body portions  102   a  relative to the shafts  100  caused by the friction resistance between the parts, a predetermined force must be exerted on the footrest in order to move it toward the second stowed position and also to return it to its extended position. 
         [0045]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.