Abstract:
A chair adapted for putting on and removing shoes and other footwear having an elevated seating platform located about twenty-two inches above the local grade and a stationery, outwardly extending, and attached footrest located about fourteen inches above local grade, the chair may further have storage compartments formed beneath the seating platform or footrest.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application claims a priority based on a previously filed provisional application Ser. No. 60/249,872 filed Nov. 20, 2000.  
           [0002]    The invention relates to chairs. More specifically, it relates to a chair with an attached, stationery footrest, located at a comfortable distance below the seat, to facilitate putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes. In addition, the chair may provide for convenient storage of shoes and/or socks.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Many people have difficulty in putting on and removing their shoes because of the bending over that is required. This is especially true of the elderly and those with physical limitations or disabilities. Even those without physical problems would welcome the comfort and ease that this chair provides in the daily activity of putting on and removing their shoes. An additional difficulty arises with children for putting on and taking off shoes, in that although children are very flexible, they are smaller than adults and do not fit in an adult sized chair to put on or remove shoes. Frequently, when a small child is putting on shoes while sitting on a chair, the child will bring his foot up onto the seating surface to put on the shoe.  
           [0004]    As an added convenience, the storage compartments allow for one&#39;s shoes and/or socks to be conveniently located within the chair that the person uses to put on or take off his or her shoes.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0005]    For the purpose of putting on and removing their shoes, people usually sit on a chair, bed, or other seating area in their bedroom, such as a bench, stool, trunk, or windowseat. Some people sit on the floor. Those who have homes with a stairwell in proximity to the room where they get dressed often sit on a stair and place their feet on the next step down, which is an easy-to-reach distance for putting on an removing their shoes.  
           [0006]    There is currently no item of furniture with a stationary, attached footrest designed specifically for ease and comfort in putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes. The prior art includes two examples of articles intended for this purpose, but, these articles, employ retractable footrests which are difficult to use by the elderly and those with disabilities, joint pain, stiffness, or back problems. While the present invention provides ease and comfort for any user, it is designed specifically for those individuals who normally have difficulty in putting on and removing their shoes, and it thereby circumvents the shortcomings in the prior art.  
           [0007]    The combined stool and retractable, single-foot footrest disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,931 issued to Subotic requires the user to sit down on a relatively low seat and then bend over to pull out the retractable footrest. Subotic includes no arms to help the user steady themselves in sitting down or to help the user stand up. Moreover, the retractable footrest has a slanted shoe support which places one&#39;s foot at a difficult to reach angle.  
           [0008]    The dressing chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,505,829, issued to Warnecke also has a retractable, single-foot footrest. Warnecke requires the user to bend over to pull out the footrest. It also has a slanted footrest which positions one&#39;s foot in a difficult to reach angle.  
           [0009]    The night stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,870, issued to Schultz is not designed, as a whole, for putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes, but it does include a retractable footrest and slanted foot support which can be used for this purpose. The seat potion is low, and without arms, and is difficult to use by the elderly and others who have difficulty putting on and removing shoes.  
           [0010]    The footrest for chairs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 155,016, issued to Eberhard has a retractable footrest which is close to the floor. Eberhard&#39;s purpose is for resting one&#39;s feet while sitting. The footrest is too close to the floor to make one&#39;s feet easy to reach for the purpose of putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes.  
           [0011]    The adjustable chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 799,171, issued to Bartlett also has a retractable footrest which is close to the floor. Bartlett includes a slanted footrest for resting one&#39;s feet while sitting.  
           [0012]    The footrests for chairs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 155,524, issued to Lambert has a retractable footrest which extends out from directly below the seat. Lambert could be used for putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes, but this would be difficult because the angle of the footrest extends away from the user and because the footrest is much too close to the seat.  
           [0013]    The combined stool and retractable footrest disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,607,946 issued to Price has a footrest which can be pulled out if the user wants a place to rest his feet while sitting on the stool. The footrest is too far below the stool top to easily reach one&#39;s shoes. Moreover, the user is required to first sit down, then bend over to retract the footrest.  
           [0014]    The combined chair and apparel cabinet disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,124, issued to Olan has a footrest which can be pulled out from beneath the seat if the user wished to extend his legs and have a place to rest his feet. Because the footrest is only a few inches below the seat, it would be awkward and uncomfortable to use for putting on or removing one&#39;s shoes.  
           [0015]    The stool and shoe receptacle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,447,145, issued to Morrell consists of a stool and storage area for shoes underneath, but has no footrest for putting on or removing one&#39;s shoes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The present invention overcomes the problems associated with prior art in the following respects:  
           [0017]    It is an advantage of the present invention to combine a chair and an attached footrest specifically designed for ease and comfort in putting on and removing one&#39;s shoes.  
           [0018]    It is another advantage of the invention to locate the footrest located approximately eight inches below the seat to provide a comfortable and easy-to-reach distance to one&#39;s feet, and thus shoes, when sitting on the seat.  
           [0019]    It is another advantage of the invention to provide a footrest attached to the front of the chair in a stationery position so that the user does not need to bend over to pull the footrest out from under the chair  
           [0020]    The present invention contains two additional features that relate to comfort and convenience. First, the seat is higher by approximately four inches than the average chair seat. This is an important feature because the footrest, which is attached to the front of the chair, forces the user to stand approximately eight inches from the front before lowering himself or herself onto the seat. Alternatively, the user could straddle the footrest in order to be closer to the seat before sitting down. In either case, the fact that the seat is higher than the average chair makes it easier for the user to lower himself or herself onto the seat and to stand up again after putting on or removing his or her shoes.  
           [0021]    Second, the present invention may contain storage compartments for one&#39;s shoes, socks, and/or foot apparel such as sandals or slippers. Thus, these items can be conveniently ready-at-hand within the storage compartments when a person uses the chair to put on his or her shoes. When the person uses the chair to take off his or her shoes, these can then be put away right in the storage compartments.  
           [0022]    The chair with attached footrest was tested by eleven individuals, including two children (ages 7 and 10) and three seniors over 65 years old. The testing proceeded in two stages. In the first stage, different distances between the seat and footrest were employed in order to determine the most comfortable distance. The distances ranged between five inches to eleven inches. Some taller subjects preferred to have the footrest located at approximately ten inches below the seat, and some shorter subjects preferred to have the footrest located at approximately six inches below the seat. The average preferred distance was eight inches.  
           [0023]    In the second stage, the footrest was attached at eight inches below the seat to create a prototype of the invention. The eleven subjects then used the invention to put on and take off their shoes. The results showed that each tester found the invention to facilitate this activity. The height of the seat made it easy and comfortable for the testers to lower themselves onto to the seat. They then lifted their feet onto the footrest, which was now attached at the average preferred distance of eight inches below the seat. Each subject found, regardless of height or age, that this distance made it easy to reach their feet to put on and remove their shoes. The elderly testers expressed their appreciation of the fact that no bending over was required to reach their feet. All the subjects found that it was easy to stand up from the seated position because of the height of the seat. The elderly noted that it was much easier than getting up from a normal chair. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 shows the combined seat and attached footrest.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 shows a user sitting on the seat and putting on her shoes.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 shows a version of the invention with three open storage compartments.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 shows a version with two closed storage compartments, one is in a drawer that slides out from the front of the footrest, and the other is located under the seat.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 shows the addition of a back support behind the seat to make the unit have the look and function of a chair.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 shows the addition of arms to facilitate lowering oneself onto the seat and standing up again.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 shows a version of FIG. 6 without the upper back support.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the combined seat and attached footrest  12 . The chair with attached footrest  11  has a seat  10 , a footrest  12 , and two side panels  14 . The seat is typically rectangular in shape and is preferably about 12×16 inches in size. The footrest  12  is typically rectangular in shape and is preferably approximately about 9×16 inches in size. The footrest  12  is located below seat  10  to allow the user to place their feet  25  on the footrest  12  while seated on the seat  10 . While the distance from the seat  10  to the footrest  12  may vary, the preferred distance is to place the footrest  12  eight inches below the seat  10 . Both the seat  10  and footrest  12  are supported by the side panels  14 , each of which has a base  16 . The base  16  must be of sufficient size to support the chair  11  with and a user  24  and provide sufficient stability to preclude the chair  11  from tipping and upsetting the user  24 . The preferred length of each side  14 , is approximately 21 inches. The back  18  must also have sufficient strength to support the chair  11  and a seated user  24 . The width of the back  18  may also correspond to the width of the seat  10 . The preferred width of the back  18  is approximately 16 inches.  
         [0032]    An upper face  20  extends below the front of the seat  10 , at perhaps a 90 degree angle, to the back of the footrest  12 . The upper face  20  is sized to fill the space between the seat  10  and the footrest  12  and is typically a rectangle 8×16 inches. A lower face  22  extends below the front of the footrest  12 , at an approximately 90 degree angle, to approximately 1 inch above the floor and is typically a rectangle 13×16 inches.  
         [0033]    The dimensions define the preferred embodiment and may be varied as desired to suit an individual user  24 . For proper functioning, the distance between the seat  10  and footrest  12  should be between 4 inches and 12 inches and most preferably 8 inches.  
         [0034]    It is paramount that the seat  10  be located at a height from the floor that is higher than a conventional chair. While the height may be varied, the preferred height is 21.5 inches. With the seat  10  at the aforementioned height and the footrest  12  located at the preferred distance of eight inches below the seat  10 , a user  24  may partially sit on the seat  10  without lowering their body to the lower height of a conventional chair. With the user  24  partially seated, a foot  25  may be raised and placed on the footrest  12  while the remaining leg is left extended with the foot  25  remaining on the floor. In this position, the user may more easily reach the elevated foot  25  to put on or remove the shoe  25  as the extended leg and foot  25  remains on the floor to stabilize the user  24  while the lifted foot is located within the reach of the user&#39;s  24  hands for manipulation of the shoe  25 .  
         [0035]    The elevated seat  10  allows a user  24  to assume a comfortable partially seated position when putting on or removing a shoe  25  such that one leg is almost fully extended to stabilize the user while the second leg is drawn in to manipulate the shoe  25 . It has been discovered that in this position users  24  who have a large chest or a large belly can move the elevated foot to the side of their chest or belly and more easily access the shoe  25 .  
         [0036]    When a user  24  is seated, as shown in FIG. 2, the shoes  25  may be easily reached to put on, remove, or to tie. Additionally the arrangement of the seat  10  and the footrest  12  allow a user to sit on the seat  10  while the user  24  has their legs partially extended and their feet  25  still remaining on the floor.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 shows a user  24  sitting on seat  10  and using the footrest  12  to place her shoes upon her feet  25 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention with three open storage compartments. The components and approximate dimensions shown in FIG. 1 apply to this figure, with the following exceptions:  
         [0039]    The upper face  20  has been removed and a storage shelf  26  is positioned directly below the seat  10 , perhaps coplanar with the footrest  12 . The shelf  26  is sized to fit the available space and is typically a rectangle 12×16 inches. This change from the embodiment of FIG. 1 creates an upper storage compartment  28 .  
         [0040]    The lower face  22  has been removed and storage shelves  30  and  32  are positioned directly below the footrest  12 . The storage shelves  30 ,  32  may be located anywhere within the open space, however, it is advantageous to locate the lower storage shelf  32  near the bottom of the chair  11  to maximize the available storage area. The upper storage shelf  30  is approximately 6 inches below the footrest  12  and the lower storage shelf  32  may be approximately 6 inches below the upper shelf  30 . Each storage shelf  30 ,  32  may be preferably a rectangle approximately 9×16 inches. This change from the embodiment of FIG. 1 creates two lower, frontal storage compartments  34  and  36 .  
         [0041]    In another embodiment, a portion of a side panel  14  may be removed and storage shelves  38  and  40  are positioned directly below storage shelf  26  referred to above. The portion of the side panel  14  that is removed may be of any suitable size, and is typically a rectangle approximately 12×13 inches and is removed from the bottom back corner of the side panel  14 . Storage shelves  38 ,  40  may be of any suitable size and location to provide the type of storage desired. Two shelves  38 ,  40  have been shown for convenience, it being understood that the location and number of shelves may be varied to provide the desired storage. Preferably, storage shelf  38  is approximately 6 inches below storage shelf  26  and storage shelf  40  is approximately 6 inches below storage shelf  38 . Each storage shelf is typically a rectangle 12×16 inches. This embodiment creates two side storage compartments  42  and  44 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment with two closed storage compartments  50 ,  52 . The components  50 ,  52  and approximate dimensions shown in the first embodiment apply to this figure, except as indicated hereinafter. The seat  10  is secured to the back by at least one hinge  46  which enables the seat to be rotated open as shown in FIG. 4. A compartment bottom  48  is positioned directly below the seat  10 . The compartment bottom  48  may at any desired location below the seat  10  and for ease of fabrication may be coplanar with the footrest  12 . When the compartment bottom  48  is coplanar with the footrest  12  the compartment bottom is approximately 8 inches below the seat  10 . This change from the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 creates an openable storage compartment  50  under the seat.  
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the lower face  22  becomes the front of a drawer  52  that slides from underneath the footrest  12 . The drawer  52  may be of any suitable size and is typically a rectangular box 14 inches (wide)×19 inches (long)×10 inches (deep). A drawer handle  54  is attached to the front of the drawer.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment with the addition of an upper back  56  to making the chair  11  have more of the look and function of a conventional chair. The upper back  56  may be of any usable size or construction, and is typically a rectangle 16×21 inches. The back  56  is shown for convenience as a simple planar back  56 , it being understood that the back  56  may be of other forms such as the multiple bent slats of a ladder back chair, the multiple spindles of a Windsor chair, an upholstered cushion, or any other conventional chair back form. With the exception of this addition, the other components and approximate dimensions of the first embodiment apply to this embodiment. The addition of an upper back as shown in this figure can also be applied to the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.  
         [0045]    The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 incorporates the upper back  56 , as shown in FIG. 5, and the addition of two arms  58  and  60  the sides of the chair  11 . The basic dimensions and components of the first embodiment remain the same in this embodiment. With the exception of the addition of the arms  58 ,  60 , and that the entire unit is typically constructed wider to allow the placement of the user  24  between the arms  58 ,  60 . Preferably, the chair  11  will be approximately 20 inches in width instead of the typical 16 inches width shown in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the width of the various components will be adjusted.  
         [0046]    The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 with the exception that the upper back  56  is removed. In this embodiment, the side arms  70  and  72  (instead of attaching to the upper back as in FIG. 6) are attached to the side panels  14  proximate the back of the seat  62  and extend upwardly approximately 7 inches above the seat, and extend out from that point as shown in FIG. 6. The addition of storage compartments, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, can also be applied to this embodiment.  
         [0047]    Several embodiments of the chair with attached footrest  11  have been described, it is understood that each embodiment can be fabricated from any of numerous suitable materials. In the simplest construction, the chair with attached footrest  11  may be constructed from sheets of plywood or other suitable sheet goods material such as oriented strand board, or medium density fiberboard or wood. Other suitable materials for the fabrication of the chair with attached footrest  11  would include metals, polymers, and composites such as glass filled polymers. The material selected for fabrication must have sufficient strength, rigidity and stiffness to support a user in the chair with attached footrest  11 , yet, be sufficiently light weight so that the chair with attached footrest  11  can be moved to a chosen location without undue stress to the user or use of additional moving equipment.  
         [0048]    Although, the several embodiments of the chair with attached footrest  11  have been shown in FIGS.  1 - 7  in a block form for ease of illustration, it is understood that the chair with attached footrest  11  may be modified from the block form to, for example, an Arts &amp; Craft form using quarter sawn white oak for construction without departing from the invention. Other furniture styles, may be adapted for use in the chair with attached footrest  11 , some with greater success than others.  
         [0049]    The height of the seating platform  10  above the floor of other support surface may be varied to suit the needs of the intended user. It has been found, however, that the seat  10  functions best when located about twenty-two inches above the floor, or about four inches higher than a standard chair when he intended use is by adults of average height. Obviously, when the chair with attached footrest  11  is intended for use with children, the height may be less, thereby locating the seat  10  much closer to the floor.  
         [0050]    It is understood that the actual dimensions of the seat  10  and the footrest  12  may be varied within a fairly wide range to suit the particular user or for stylistic purposes. For example, when the chair with attached footrest  11  is intended to be used by small children the seat  10  and therefore the footrest  12  may be smaller. Conversely, when the chair with attached footrest  11  is intended for use with adults the seat may be larger, particularly when the intended user is of above average size.  
         [0051]    In its use, the chair with attached footrest  11  is placed in a suitable location chosen by the user  24 . The user  24  then selects suitable footwear to be put on. The selected footwear may be stored in the chair with attached footrest  11  in which case, the user  24  need only remove the footwear from the storage location for use, or the footwear may be stored elsewhere, in which case, the user  24  will bring the footwear to the chair with attached footrest  11  to be put on.  
         [0052]    The user  24  then places himself or herself on the seat  10  and places at least one foot on the footrest  12  or  62  where the footwear can be put on. Thus, in a comfortable stabilized and partially seated position, the user may insert a foot  25  into a shoe. After the footwear has been put one foot  25 , the other footwear is placed on the other foot  25 . If the footwear needs to have laces tied, or other retaining means fastened, the user  24  may fasten either one foot after the foot  25  is placed in the footwear, or may place both feet in the footwear before fastening the foot wear. After the footwear has been put on, the user  24  is free rise from the chair with attached footrest  11  and continue about his or her business.  
         [0053]    When the user  24  wishes to remove the footwear, the process as described above is reversed and the footwear removed. The footwear thus removed, may be then stored either in the chair with attached footrest  11  or in another location.  
         [0054]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.