Patent Abstract:
Method and apparatus providing a rest member having a support surface and a stand for the rest member, with the rest member having a plural multiplicity of apertures therein to permit the adjustment in height thereof with respect to the stand, which can take the form of an expandable member associated with the rest member and being contractable as well as expandable inwardly and outwardly and accompanied by means for inhibiting the separation of the rest member from stand after the rest member has been positioned on the stand.

Full Description:
This is a Continuation in Part of Ser. No. 10/228,386, filed Aug. 27, 2002, scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,147 on Jan. 27, 2004. The invention relates to an adjustable support and, more particularly, to a foot rest support which can be adjusted in both height and width. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   2. Description of the Need for the Invention 
   Many persons, particularly elderly and disabled persons, often desire to have an accessory, such as a foot rest, which can be used in a variety of ways. In one usage, a person might wish to elevate the foot or both feet in order to alleviate a physical condition, such as pain that is occasioned by having the foot occupy a restrained position for a prolonged period of time. In other usages, the foot rest can provide a suitable support when the person is seated or is in a position where such support is desired. 
   The prior art provides a number of footrest. One type is provided by a frame that is inserted into separated slots of a plate, but this arrangement is not adjustable in height or width. 
   Other solutions have been proposed which typically are complex and costly. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a support that is inexpensive and simple to construct and can meet the requirements of persons who wish to adjustably support body appendages such as legs in order to satisfy a physical or exercise requirement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides a rest member having a support surface; and a stand for the rest member; which has apertures therein to permit the adjustment in height thereof with respect to the stand; and the stand has means thereon for inhibiting any tendency for the stand to become separated from the rest member during usage thereof. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the inhibiting means is compressible to permit the stand to be inserted thru the rest member and expandable thereafter to inhibit separation of the rest member from the stand. The inhibiting means can comprise at least one object. Alternatively, the inhibiting means can be a projection from the stand to inhibit separation of the rest member once it is positioned on the stand. The projection can can have the same or a lesser width that portion of the rest member that is inserted on the stand. 
   Where the stand has a tubular portion the object can be attached to the tubular portion, and the object can projects from the stand, being compressible if the object is wider than the tubular portion and being non-compressible if the object is equal or narrower than the tubular portion, which can have a variety of cross sections and include a rectilinear channel member having an open side. Alternatively, the stand can be a solid member. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the inhibiting member is movable inwardly and outwardly, and can comprise an elastomeric object, or a plurality of elastomeric objects, such as a rubber ring. 
   In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the stand can have an apex and the inhibiting means can be positioned at the apex. 
   In a method of the invention for supporting an object, the steps can include (a) providing a rest member having a support surface; (b) forming a plurality of differently dimensioned constructs in the support surface; and (c) positioning the rest member on a stand therefor to permit the adjustment in height of the rest member with respect to the constructs 
   The method can include the step of positioning means for inhibiting the accidental separation of the stand from said rest member after the stand has engaged the constructs, which can be apertures. 
   The stand can have at least one apex and further include the step of positioning inhibiting means at the apex, with the inhibiting means comprising an elastomeric object and further include the step of engaging at least one of the constructs by the elastomeric object, which can take the form of a rubber ring and further include the step of engaging at least one construct by the rubber ring. 
   At least one of the constructs can be an aperture smaller than the maximum dimension of the rubber ring when positioned on the stand and further include compressing the rubber ring to allow insertion into the aperture, followed by the step of pushing the rubber ring thru the aperture. 
   The rubber ring can be variably positioned on the stand. 
   The method can further include the step of providing the rest member with a plurality of elongated apertures of different lengths, with the stand inserted into two of the apertures and inhibited from separation therefrom by the inhibiting means. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent after considering several illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable support in accordance with the invention that permits forward and backward movement of its support surface and inhibits separation of the support surface from its stand; 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an adjustable support in accordance with the invention that permits forward and backward movement of its support surface and alternatively inhibits separation of the support surface from its stand; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the support for the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the support for the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1  for which the support surface has been lowered by being moved to the outermost support position of the stand with inhibition of separation of the support surface from its stand at the lowered position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 3  which has been positioned for possible side-to-side movement of an object placed on the support surface with double inhibition of separation of the support surface from its stand; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment in which the elongated support surface of  FIG. 4  has been positioned for possible forward and backward movement; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing separation of the tubular members forming the stand and indicating the use of two objects for inhibiting the separation of the support surface from its stand at two different levels. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , an adjustable support  10  in accordance with the invention is formed by a support member  20  having a support surface  22  and a plurality of pairs P 1  thru P 3  of elongated apertures in the support surface  22 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  there are three pairs of apertures P 1 , P 2  and P 3 , with the first pair P 1  formed by elongated apertures P 1 - 1  and P 1 - 2 , the second, shorter pair P 2  formed by elongated apertures P 2 - 1  and P 2 - 2 , and the third pair P 3 - 1  and P 3 - 2  formed by a still shorter pair P 3 . The longer pair P 2  accompanies the shorter pairs P 1  and P 3  in order to permit adjustment in height of the support surface  22  with respect to a stand  30 . The support member  20  is positioned at its aperture positions over apex portions  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  of the stand  30 , which includes apex inhibiting grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the support member  20  has its apertures P 1 - 1  and P 1 - 2  on the apex members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  so that the support surface is in its intermediate lower position. When the stand  30  is adjusted so that the apex members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  respectively occupy the apertures P 3 - 1  and P 3 - 2 , the support surface is in an elevated position. 
   Whether the stand occupies the first pair of apertures P 1 , the second pair of apertures P 2 , or the third pair of apertures P 3 , the support  10  permits forward movement as indicated by the arrow F, and backward movement as indicated by the arrow B of the support surface  22 , with separation of the support  10  from the members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  inhibited by the grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2 . Although the grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  are shown at the apex positions, i.e. the peaks of the stand  30 , they may be positioned at other locations on the stand as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
   In addition the grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  may be used singly or multiply and are illustratively constructed of elastomeric material to be larger, when place on the stand  30  than the apertures through which they are moved. This takes place by compression as the grommets are moved through their apertures, followed by expansion once they have cleared the apertures. Although the grommets are desirably elastomeric, non elastomeric grommets may also be employed to provide a measure of separational inhibition. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , which is a perspective view of the support  10  for the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the stand  30  is formed by a pair of tubular members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 . The members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2  are adjustable inwardly and outwardly by virtue of rods  33  which are inserted between adjoining legs of the tubular members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 . Each tubular member  32 - 1  or  32 - 2  has a leg  34 - 1  or  34 - 2  extending to an upwardly disposed connector  35 - 1  that forms an acute angle A with respect to the leg  34 - 1  or  34 - 2 . The upward connector  35 - 1  or  35 - 2  can be extended to a downwardly disposed connector  36 - 1  or  36 - 2  attached to a leg  37 - 1  or  37 - 2 . At the apexes  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  of the legs  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  there arer respective grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2 . 
   Insertion of the rod  33  into a leg  34 - 1  of the stand  30  permits connection to an opposite leg  34 - 2 , and relative movement between the connected legs  34 - 1  and  34 - 2 . Similarly, insertion of the rod  33  into a leg  37 - 1  permits connection to an opposite leg  37 - 2 . Because of the adjustability of the stand  30 , the support member  20  is provided, as discussed above with a plurality of elongated apertures P 1  and P 2  of different lengths into which the stand  30  is insertable. As in the case of  FIG. 1 , the support surface  22  can be moved forwardly in the direction of the arrow F or backwardly in the direction of the arrow B. 
   As shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 1A  an alternative support  10 ′ in accordance with the invention is formed by a support member  20 ′ having a support surface  22 ′ and a plurality of pairs P 1  thru P 2  of apertures in the support surface  22 ′. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  there are two pairs of apertures P 1  and P 2 , with the first pair P 1  formed by apertures P 1 - 1  and P 1 - 2 , and the second, longer pair P 2  formed by apertures P 2 - 1  and P 2 - 2 . The longer pair P 2  accompanies the shorter pair P 1  in order to permit adjustment in height of the support surface  22 ′ with respect to a stand  30 ′. The support member  20 ′ is positioned at its aperture positions over apex portions  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  of the stand  30 , which includes apex inhibiting projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2   
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the support member  20 ′ has its apertures P 1 - 1  and P 1 - 2  on the apex members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  so that the support surface  22 ′ is in its highest position. When the stand  30 ′ is adjusted so that the apex members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  respectively occupy the apertures P 2 - 1  and P 2 - 2 , the support surface  22 ′ is in a lower position. 
   Whether the stand occupies the first pair of apertures P 1 , or the second pair of apertures P 2 , the support  10 ′ permits forward movement as indicated by the arrow F, and backward movement as indicated by the arrow B of the support surface  22 ′, with separation of the support  10  from the members  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  inhibited by the projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2 . Although the projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2  are shown at the apex positions, i.e. the peaks of the stand  30 ′, they may be positioned at other locations. 
   In addition the projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2  may be used singly or multiply and are illustratively constructed of rigid or flexible material to be equal in width or smaller, when place on the stand  30 ′ than the apertures through which they are moved. The projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2  may be formed by a bend of the tubular members  36 - 1  and  36 - 2 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2A  which is a perspective view of the stand  30 ′ for the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the stand  30 ′ is formed by a pair of members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 . Although the tubular members  36 - 1  and  36 - 2  have circular cross-sections, other cross sections are suitable, including elliptical and rectangular. Alternatively the  32 - 1  and  32 - 2  may be solid rods or take the form of rectangular channel members having an open forth side. 
   In addition, although the members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2  are adjustable inwardly and outwardly by virtue of rods  33  which are inserted between adjoining legs  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 , the legs  32 - 1  and  32 - 2  may be separate structures that are independently movable with respect to the apertures P 1  and P 2 . Although the upwardly disposed connector  35 - 1  in  FIG. 2A  forms an acute angle A with respect to the leg  34 - 1 , the angle A may be increase to about ninety degrees and the legs  34 - 1  and  37 - 1  extended, for example at a right angle to provide base support for the connectors  35 - 1  and  36 - 1 . 
   At the apexes  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  of the legs  34 - 1  and  34 - 2  there are respective projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2 . The projections  42 - 1  and  42 - 2  can take the form pins inserted thru the connectors  36 - 1  and  36 - 2 , and capped with a rounded end to avoid stick injuries to the user. 
   For adjustability of the stand  30 ′ of  FIG. 1A , the support member  20 ′ is provided, as discussed above with a plurality of apertures P 1  and P 2  into which the stand  30 ′ is insertable. As in the case of  FIG. 1 , the support surface  22  can be moved forwardly in the direction of the arrow F or backwardly in the direction of the arrow B. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , which is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1 , the support surface  22  has been lowered by being moved to the outermost support position provided by the apertures P 2  of the stand  30 . The grommets  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  have been lowered to stabilize the new position of the support surface  22 . 
   By contrast, with  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 3 , which has been positioned for possible side-to-side movement indicated by the arrows S of an object placed on the support surface  22 . Each leg of the stand  30  includes two grommets  41 - 1  and  42 - 1  on one leg, and grommets  41 - 2  and  42 - 2  on the other leg. 
   In the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the elongated support surface  22  of  FIG. 4  has been positioned for possible forward and backward movement, again indicated by the arrows F and B by the use of an elongated pair of apertures P 1 - 1  and P 1 - 2 . In addition, a further set of shorter apertures P 3 - 1  and P 3 - 2  are positioned near the respective elongated edges  35 - 1  and  35 - 2  to permit forward and backward movement of the support surface  22  in the position of maximum elevation for the support  10 . 
   To clarify the relationship of the rods  33  to the stand members  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 , the portion  32 - 1  is shown in  FIG. 6  separated from the portion  32 - 2 , with one rod  33  removed and the other rod  33  retained in only one leg. In addition the leg  32 - 1  is shown with two grommets  41 - 1  and  43 - 1  at two separated positions on the leg below the apex  31 - 1 . This provides inhibition of the separation of the support from the stand at two different positions. It is apparent that one or more grommets may be used for each different support position 
   It will be understood that the foregoing detailed description is illustrative only and that modifications may be made without the departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0