Abstract:
A center footrest apparatus for use on an existing wheelchair comprises a foot resting plate arranged in a sling-like manner and attached to each side of the chair frame. The apparatus is further provided in a second embodiment comprising a rigidly mounted and height adjustable center footrest portion supported by a T-bar that attaches to the chair frame. The center footrest allows a person to be moved around in tight quarters without interference caused by conventional folding dual footrests.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/271,542 filed Jul. 23, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to wheelchairs, and in particular, to an attachment for wheelchairs which provides an adjustable and compact foot rest function for a wheelchair. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheelchairs are one of the most commonly utilized tools in the various care giving fields such as health care, nursing homes, and the like. Wheelchairs are useful as temporary and permanent aids to people with a variety of temporary and permanent conditions including injury, loss of use of limbs, fatigue, nausea, and the like. In many cases, wheelchairs are utilized for those with diminished leg function. Such users generally maneuver their own wheelchair with use of their arms or powered driving features. 
     One (1) of the most important functions of wheelchairs is obviously that of maintaining a user&#39;s legs and feet in a desirable position during use. Many times when a wheelchair is necessary it is due to some condition which affects a user&#39;s ability to move their legs or feet; as such, a supportive feature such as a footrest is critical for allowing the user to move about safely and comfortably. However, many such footrests are bulky, adding a non-trivial length to the front of the wheelchair which can make it difficult for a user to maneuver in tightly enclosed spaces such as bathrooms and hallways. In some cases, the added length may prevent a user from being able to turn around in such locations, which can lead to great frustration. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide wheelchair footrests. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,744, issued in the name of Rodaway, describes a hingedly deployable wheelchair foot rest assembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,467, issued in the name of Zinn, describes a footrest unit for wheelchairs which allows a user to rotate each footrest portion outward to an out-of-the-way position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,509, issued in the name of Gay et al., describes a wheelchair footrest assembly which is rotatable up and down to provide a desired angle to a user&#39;s legs during use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,050, issued in the name of Dickie et al., describes an adjustable footrest which allows a user to selectively adjust the angle and height of each foot&#39;s footrest individually. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for a wheelchair footrest exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 315,539, D 395,263 and D 530,651. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices pose a hindrance to a user&#39;s movement when in confined locations such as bathrooms or hallways. Also, many such devices do not provide a full range of desirable adjustability including height adjustability. Furthermore, many such devices which allow for compaction cease to provide their footrest functions when compacted and as such are only suited for maneuvering in close quarters for purposes of storage and the like. Accordingly, there exists a need for a footrest for wheelchairs without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide consistent, adjustable, comfortable footrest functionality for a user in a wheelchair in a manner which maximizes the user&#39;s ability to navigate narrow locations without affecting footrest functions. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a footrest for a wheelchair which provides a narrowed wheelchair assembly, thereby allowing an occupant to move freely through tightly confined quarters. This is accomplished by providing a centrally located footrest platform for a common wheelchair in lieu of conventional fold-down footrests. 
     Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to selectively adjust the height of the platform via a pair of length adjustable straps which suspend the platform in place. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to permanently or temporarily attach the device to a wheelchair. The device comprises a pair of offset posts which attach to front vertical frame members of a wheelchair with clamping fittings, thereby providing an attachment means to the straps for suspending the platform at a central and slightly forward location relative to the wheelchair. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to rotate the footrest relative to the straps in order to achieve a desired comfortable positioning of their feet. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate rigid-footrest embodiment comprising a vertically adjustable “T”-shaped support member which is attachable to vertical frame members of a wheelchair. The support member provides connection to a centrally-located rigid footrest which allows for easier maneuvering in tightly confined quarters. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of removing previously installed fold-down footrest portions from vertical frame members of an existing wheelchair, installing the offset posts onto the vertical frame members of the existing wheelchair via the corresponding fittings, tightening the fittings at a desired height, securing an end of each of the pair of straps to one of the offset posts, suspending the footrest platform at a central position in front of the wheelchair via the straps, selectively adjusting the length of the straps to locate the footrest at a desired height and horizontal position, and placing an occupant&#39;s feet on the footrest to provide a compact and rotatably adjustable foot support function. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention 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 view of a center footrest for a wheelchair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the center footrest for a wheelchair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a strap fastener portion  34  for the center footrest for a wheelchair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental view of a rigid footrest embodiment  15 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5   a  is a front perspective view of the rigid footrest embodiment  15 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5   b  is a rear perspective view of the rigid footrest embodiment  15 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  center footrest for a wheelchair 
               15  rigid footrest embodiment 
               20  platform 
               22  curb feature 
               24  top surface 
               30  offset post 
               32  “T” fitting 
               34  strap fastener 
               36  end cap 
               38  welded joint 
               40  strap 
               42  strap fitting 
               70  rigid platform 
               80  upper support member 
               81  adjustable support member 
               82  first adjusting aperture pair 
               84  locking pin 
               85  second adjusting aperture pair 
               86  retaining pin fastener 
               88  brace 
               100  first fastener 
               105  second fastener 
               110  third fastener 
               150  wheelchair 
               155  vertical frame member 
               157  front wheel 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3  and in terms of an alternate rigid embodiment, depicted within  FIGS. 4 through 5   b . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. 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 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 invention describes a center footrest for a wheelchair (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides temporary or permanent attachment of a centrally-located platform  20  to a common wheelchair  150 . The apparatus  10  provides height adjustability of said platform  20  via a pair of length-adjustable straps  40 . The apparatus  10  may be utilized in lieu of a pair of conventional fold-down footrests, thereby providing a narrowed wheelchair assembly  150  and allowing an occupant to move freely through tightly confined quarters with ease and increased independence. The apparatus  10  may be permanently or temporarily attached thereto an existing wheelchair  150  due to its simple design. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental and perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a platform  20 , a pair of offset posts  30 , and a pair of supporting straps  40 . The platform  20  provides a foot resting surface comprising a suspended rectangular support plate made of lightweight metal further comprising a machined or cast textured top surface  24  and vertically upturned curb features  22  along both side edges to help contain and/or center an occupants feet. The occupant may place their feet side-by-side or slightly on top of each other upon the platform  20 . The platform  20  is therefore located between front vertical frame members  155  and front wheels  157  of said wheelchair  150  at a central and slightly forward location. It is envisioned that the platform  20  is to be fabricated using durable lightweight materials such as, but not limited to: aluminum, plastic, or the like. The platform  20  provides an attachment to the straps  40  along both side surfaces being affixed using a pair of first fasteners  100  at an intermediate location along each side vertical surface allowing the platform  20  to be tilted freely by the occupant using his/her feet to obtain a comfortable resting angle. Said first fasteners  100  are envisioned to comprise shoulder bolts or similar fastener types which would allow free rotation of the straps  40  thereupon, relative to the platform  20 . The straps  40  are to extend upwardly at a diverging angle forming a looping connection to respective strap fastener portions  34  which are affixed to a distal bottom surface of respective offset posts  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The offset posts  30  comprise horizontal round tubular members made using lightweight materials such as tempered aluminum or the like, being approximately four (4) inches long, thereby providing correct forward positioning of the platform  20 . Each offset post  30  is attached to said vertical frame members  155  slightly below a seat portion of the wheelchair  150 . Said offset posts  30  are connected to and extend forwardly from said vertical frame members  155  via commercially-available two-piece clamping “T”-fittings  32 . Said “T”-fittings  32  provide a coincidental tightening around both the offset post  30  and the vertical frame member  155  by tightening integral second fasteners  105  such as through-bolts, screws, or the like. However, said “T”-fittings  32  may also be introduced having various similarly designed fittings while still providing equivalent clamping functionality and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . The offset posts  30  also comprise a plastic or rubber cap  36  being inserted into a forward distal end portion to safely cover any sharp edges (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Each strap  40  provides support to the downward force applied by leg portions of the occupant. Each strap  40  is envisioned being made using a strong solid or woven strapping material such as nylon, leather, or the like, and further comprises an adjusting strap fitting  42 , thereby providing the occupant with a length adjusting means to position the platform  20  with regards to an occupant&#39;s particular leg length as well as allowing easy detachment of the straps  40  and platform  20  from the wheelchair  150  if desired. The adjusting strap fittings  42  preferably comprise tri-glide-type fittings; however, other length adjusting devices may also be incorporated with equal benefit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a close-up view of the strap fastener portion  34  for the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The strap fasteners  34  are envisioned to be smooth “U”-shaped metal structures having round cross-sections, thereby providing an effective attachment means to each strap  40 . Each strap fastener  34  is affixed to a respective offset post  30  preferably using welded joints  38  or an equivalent permanent connection method. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an environmental view of the rigid footrest embodiment  15 , according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The rigid footrest embodiment  15  comprises a “T”-shaped upper support member  80 , an adjustable support member  81 , and an alternate platform  70 . Said upper support member  80  comprises a “T”-shaped weldment being attached to the vertical frame members  155  of the wheelchair  150  slightly below a seat portion and spanning horizontally from one (1) vertical frame member  155  to the other. The upper support member  80  comprises a tubular construction having a horizontal member being attached at outer end portions to the vertical frame members  155  in a similar manner and location as the previously described offset posts  30  using “T”-fittings  32 . The center vertical member of the upper support member  80  extends centrally downwardly to provide an inserting attachment of the adjustable support member  81  in a telescoping manner. Said adjustable support member  81  provides vertical adjustment of the attached alternate platform  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , front and rear perspective views of the rigid footrest embodiment  15 , according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The adjustable support member  81  and attached alternate platform  70  are secured at a desired elevation to the upper support member  80  via selective insertion of a locking pin  84  through a first adjusting aperture pair  82  and a second adjusting aperture pair  85 . The first adjusting aperture pairs  82  comprise a plurality of vertically arranged and aligned holes through the adjustable support member  81 . The second adjusting aperture pair  85  comprises a single pair of aligned holes through the upper support member  80 . The locking pin  84  illustrated here comprises a common round-headed fastener being secured using a common cotter-type retaining pin fastener  86 ; however, other fastening means may also be used with equal benefit such as, but not limited to: nuts and bolts, ball-lock quick-release pins, button actuated pins, or the like. 
     The rigid footrest embodiment  15  provides a stationary attachment of the adjustable support member  81  to the rigid horizontal platform  70  via a pair of integral welded braces  88  at a bottom end portion which protrude outwardly along opposing side surfaces of said adjustable support member  81  being fastened to said rigid platform  70  using non-rotating third fasteners  110  such as screws, rivets, or the like. The rigid platform  70  provides similar functionality as the aforementioned platform portion  20  of the preferred embodiment  10  having curb features  22  and a textured top surface  24  in like manner. 
     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  10  and alternate  15  embodiments 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 preferred apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The method of installing and utilizing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  suitable for an existing wheelchair  150  model; removing previously installed fold-down footrest portions from the vertical frame members  155  of an existing wheelchair  150 ; installing the offset posts  30  onto said vertical frame members  155  by sliding the “T” fittings  32  around said vertical frame members  155  at a desired height; tightening said “T” fittings  32  to said vertical frame members  155  by tightening the integral second fasteners  105  until said “T” fittings  32  are secured to said vertical frame members  155 ; looping the straps  40  through respective strap fastener portions  34  of each offset post  30 ; joining and adjusting each strap  40  to a desired length and height using the strap fittings  42 ; placing an occupant&#39;s feet on the platform  20 ; and, utilizing the wheelchair  150  in a normal manner as well as allowing said occupant to pass through narrow halls as needed. 
     After initial purchase or acquisition of the alternate rigid embodiment  15 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 4 . The method of installing and utilizing the alternate rigid embodiment  15  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the alternate rigid footrest embodiment  15  suitable for an existing wheelchair  150  model; removing previously installed fold-down footrest portions from the vertical frame members  155 ; attaching the “T” fitting portions  32  of the upper support member  80  thereto the vertical frame members  155  by sliding the “T” fittings  32  around said vertical frame members  155  at a desired height; tightening said “T” fittings  32  to said vertical frame members  155  by tightening the integral second fasteners  105  until said “T” fittings  32  are secured to said vertical frame members  155 ; inserting the adjustable support member  81  into the vertical leg of said upper support member  80 ; adjusting a length of the adjustable support member  81  and attached rigid platform  70  by selecting aligned first  82  and second  85  adjusting aperture pairs which result in a desired height of the rigid platform  70 ; inserting the locking pin  84  through said aligned first  82  and second  85  adjusting aperture pairs; securing said locking pin  84  using the retaining pin fastener  86 ; placing the occupant&#39;s feet thereon the rigid platform  70 ; and, utilizing the wheelchair  150  to allow an occupant to move freely through tightly confined quarters with ease and increased independence. 
     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 and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and 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. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.