Abstract:
An adjustable footrest includes a pair of side members connected edge to edge by a plurality of hinges. A plurality of padded semi-circular apertures, located along the connected edges between the hinges, allows a user to rest his feet and legs in an elevated position, as required by certain medical conditions. The level of elevation is incrementally adjusted by widening or narrowing and subsequently locking the apex angle. An additional means of incremental elevation adjustment includes a plurality of telescoping legs and floor pads.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Mar. 22, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to footrests, and in particular, to a footrest with an elevation adjustment capable of supporting the feet of a user having a plurality of semicircular recesses for comfortably supporting the ankles of the user at different positions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Patients are often asked to keep their legs in an elevated position. The reasons for such a request include recovery after leg or foot surgery, to combat leg swelling and water retention, and to even help with congestive heart failure. Most people utilize a chair, a footstool, or other footrest to meet such requests, but such devices never seem to be comfortable or support the legs at the right height. Even if the user finds a comfortable position or elevation, after a short time the position must be adjusted. Additionally, the user may want or need to keep the feet separated or may want one leg elevated and one leg lowered at any given time. Many people even resort to the use of pillows while lying down, but pillows collapse over time and move about. Additionally, neither of these solutions allows for ready and simple height adjustment during use to facilitate comfort and neither aids in keeping the legs apart to help in healing. 
     While various available fixed and adjustable footrests may offer a benefit to a user, each suffers from at least one (1) deficiency or disadvantage in design or utilization. Fixed footrests are limiting in position, elevation, and comfort. Different adjustable footrests are complex, heavy, and difficult to manufacture and use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device and method of use by which legs and feet can be kept in an elevated and comfortably spaced position which addresses the deficiencies of current methodology as described. It is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing an adjustable footrest which allows those recovering from foot surgery or suffering from debilitative diseases the ability to keep their feet and legs elevated or separated in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a generally upstanding first side member having a first upper edge, a first lower edge, and opposing first side edges and an opposing generally upstanding second side member having a second upper edge, a second lower edge, and opposing second side edges. A plurality of hinges are provided to pivotably couple the first side member to the second side member along the first upper edge and the second upper edge to allow for the opening and closing movement of the first lower edge and the second lower edge relative to each other. This movement provides for a simple and effective method of adjusting the elevation of the footrest and foot supporting surfaces. A pair of adjusting straps is coupled between and extends transversely to the lower edges for securing the position of the first lower edge relative to the second lower edge. The first side member and the second side member each include a plurality of semicircular upper recesses disposed along coincident upper edges for supporting the ankles of the user. Additionally, the semicircular upper recesses each have a cushioned material affixed to an inner periphery to provide a more comfortable support surface. 
     The inventor also recognized the benefits of providing a pair of telescoping legs attached to each side member and extending past the lower edges for contacting the floor surface. The opposing vertical side edges of each of the side members also include a pair of additional semicircular recesses for supporting the ankle of the user at a different elevation and tilt angle. These semicircular recesses also include a cushioned material affixed to an inner periphery to provide a more comfortable support surface. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of an adjustable footrest  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the adjustable footrest  10  in an elevated state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of the adjustable footrest  10  in a lowered state, according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second telescoping member  18  of the adjustable footrest  10 , according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  adjustable footrest 
               11  first side member 
               12  second side member 
               13  adjusting strap 
               14  hinge 
               15  pin 
               16  first telescoping member 
               17  locking collar 
               18  second telescoping member 
               19  floor pad 
               21  first padding 
               22  second padding 
               23  detent ball 
               24  detent aperture 
               25  adjusting aperture 
               60  user 
               61  chair 
               62  floor 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure describes an adjustable footrest (herein described as a “device”)  10 , which provides for the resting of legs and feet of a user  60  in a comfortable elevated and spaced position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental perspective view of the device  10  is disclosed. The device  10  is depicted keeping the legs and feet of the user  60  in an elevated position while seated in a chair  61 . The device  10  includes a first side member  11  and a similar second side  12  member, each further including a plurality of similar semi-circular recesses cut along an upper edge portion and covered by a first padding  21 . The first side member  11  and the second side member  12  are pivotably joined along coincidental longitudinal upper edges by at least one hinge  14 , thereby forming a configuration similar to an “A” shape when in use. An elevation adjustment of the device  10  is achieved by widening or narrowing the distance between opposing lower longitudinal edges of the side members  11 ,  12  and thus an apex angle of the “A” configuration. The device  10  also includes a pair of adjusting straps  13  removably attached between exterior surfaces of the first side member  11  and the second side member  12 . The adjustable elevation is secured by inserting one of a plurality of adjusting apertures  25  longitudinally disposed through the adjusting straps  13  onto a pin  15  protruding from the exterior surface of the side members  11 ,  12 . The device  10  also includes a pair of telescoping legs mounted to each side member  11 ,  12 . The legs include an outer first telescoping member  16  and an inner second telescoping member  18  insertingly attached therewithin. A secondary elevating adjustment is achieved by uniformly extending each second telescoping member  18  outwardly from the corresponding first telescoping member  16  until a desired extended length is achieved. The second telescoping member  18  is secured within the first telescoping member by a spring loaded detent ball  23  which snaps into a corresponding one (1) of a plurality of detent aperture  24  disposed within each first telescoping member  16 . Each first telescoping member  16  also includes a locking collar  17  connected to a lower end portion. The locking collar  17  includes an inner collet which tightens around the second telescoping member  18  and restricts axial movement of the second telescoping member  18  relative to the first telescoping member  16 . A clockwise rotation of locking collar  17  firmly secures this position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10  in the elevated state is disclosed. The hinge  14  includes a first half which is fastened onto an upper inner edge portion of the first side member  11  between each first padding  21 . A second half of each hinge is fastened onto an opposing upper inner edge portion of the second side member  12  between each first padding  21 . Each side member  11 ,  12  includes the pair of fastened first telescoping members  16  having a plurality of detent apertures  24  and the locking collar  17 . Each second telescoping member  18  is slidingly installed within each first telescoping member  16  and includes the spring loaded detent ball  23  and a swiveling floor pad  19 . A first end of each adjusting strap  13  is permanently fastened onto a lower exterior surface of the second side member  12 . An opposing second end of each adjusting strap  13  includes the plurality of adjusting apertures  25  which maintain the desired elevation adjustment by fitting a selected adjusting aperture  25  onto the pin  15 . The assembly of each first telescoping member  16  and second telescoping member  18  provide for incrementally increasing the elevation of the device  10  to an additional level beyond the range of the first adjustment. The floor pad  19  is connected to a lower end portion of each second telescoping member  18  and maintains the device  10  in a stable position upon a floor surface  62 . This additional elevation is useful in cases where the ankles of the seated user  60  must be elevated to a level corresponding to a location of his heart. Furthermore, each lower side edge portion of the first side member  11  and the second side member  12  includes an additional lateral semi-circular aperture cushioned by a second padding  22 , intended for cases where the legs of the user  60  are to be kept apart at a lower elevation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the device  10  in the lowered state is disclosed. The device  10  is depicted with the pair of adjusting straps  13  extended into a far limit wherein the last adjusting aperture  25  of each adjusting strap  13  is secured onto the corresponding pin  15 . The second telescoping members  18  are depicted removed from the first telescoping members  16  due to the wide apex angle being beyond the capability of the floor pads  19  to effectively contact the floor  62 . 
     It is envisioned that the first side member  11  and the second side member  12  are made of wood, composite laminate, fiberglass, carbon fiber, polymeric or acrylic plastic materials. The hinges  14  can be made of plastic, brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. The first telescoping members  16  and the second telescoping members  18  are envisioned to be made of commercially available plastic, fiberglass or steel tubing material. The first padding  21  and the second padding  22  include a foam interior and a covering made of materials such as: vinyl, canvass, leather, imitation leather, or NYLON®. The pair adjusting straps  13  is envisioned to be made of a canvass or NYLON® webbing material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the second telescoping member  18  is disclosed. The second telescoping member  18  includes the swiveling floor pad  19  and the detent ball  23 . When slidingly assembled within each first telescoping member  16 , the second telescoping members  18  provide for incrementally raising the elevation of the device  10  to a higher elevation than achievable by adjusting the apex angle of the “A” configuration. The floor pads, made of a no-slip and non-marring material, are intended to provide the elevated device  10  with a stable and safe footing. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: unpacking the assembled device  10 ; moving the device  10  to the location of the user  60 ; determining a desired elevation of the user&#39;s feet; setting the elevation to the determined level by adjusting the apex angle between the first side member  11  and the second side member  12 ; using each adjusting strap  13  to secure the elevation adjustment by placing a corresponding adjusting aperture  25  onto each pin  15 ; raising and placing each leg of the user  60  into the selected first padding  21 ; readjusting the elevation to an optimum level of user  60  comfort by moving the adjusting strap  13  to an alternate adjusting aperture  25 ; or, raising a first end of the device  10  with a first hand; using a second hand to rotate each of the pair of nearby locking collars  17  counterclockwise to free the motion of the second telescoping member  18 ; extending each of the pair of nearby second telescoping members  18  to a desired length; allowing each detent balls  23  to snap into the corresponding aperture  24 ; performing similar steps at a second end of the device  10 ; locking the elevation by rotating each locking collar  17  clockwise; readjusting the posture of the user  60  as needed; uninstalling the device  10  after usage by following the above steps in a reverse order; and, cleaning, folding and storing the device  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.