Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/362,469 filed on Jul. 14, 2016 and entitled “FOOT REST STAND,” which application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    People spend a large amount of time sitting. For example, many people spend a majority of their days sitting at a desk within an office. Similarly, individuals often sit on chairs at home while watching TV. Sitting for long periods of time can be uncomfortable and unhealthy. 
         [0003]    Many people find it more comfortable to sit with their feet elevated. Various furniture items have been provided to help user&#39;s raise their feet. For example, ottomans and recliners are both furniture pieces that can be used to elevate a user&#39;s feet. Many of these furniture pieces are large and heavy. The cumbersome nature of the furniture can lead users to limit the use of the furniture. Accordingly, there are improvements to be made to the art. 
         [0004]    The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    At least one embodiment disclosed herein comprises a furniture item for suspending a user&#39;s feet using a suspended foot rest. The foot rest comprises a first attachment portion at a first end of the suspended foot rest and a second attachment portion at a physically opposite second end of the suspended foot rest. The first attachment portion comprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar. The second attachment portion comprises a second structural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. The first pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion that extends above a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to the first structural attachment. The second pillar extends upward to a second elevated portion that extends above the floor. The second elevated portion is attached to the second structural attachment. The suspended foot rest is suspended between the first pillar and the second pillar. 
         [0006]    An additional or alternative disclosed embodiment comprises an adjustable stand for suspending a suspended foot rest. A first attachment portion comprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar. The suspended foot rest is attached to the first structural attachment member. A second attachment portion comprises a second structural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. The suspended foot rest is also attached to the second structural attachment member. The first pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion that extends above a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to the first structural attachment member. The first elevated portion is removable from a lower portion of the first pillar. The second pillar extends upward to a second elevated portion that extends above the floor. The second elevated portion is attached to the second structural attachment member. The second elevated portion is removable from a lower portion of the second pillar. A first furniture-mounting connector is configured to be mounted to an underside of a work surface. The first furniture-mounting connector comprises a first attachment feature configured to mount the first furniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface and a first pillar-receiving connector configured to receive the first upper section of the first pillar. 
         [0007]    Additionally, at least one embodiment comprises another adjustable stand for suspending a suspended foot rest. A first attachment portion comprises a first structural attachment member that is attached to a first pillar. A suspended foot rest is attached to the first structural attachment member. A second attachment portion comprises a second structural attachment member that is attached to a second pillar. The suspended foot rest is attached to the second structural attachment member. A horizontal beam spans between the first pillar and the second pillar. The first pillar extends upward to a first elevated portion that extends above a floor. The first elevated portion is attached to the first structural attachment. The first pillar comprises a first telescoping rod extending from a first extension point integrated into the first pillar such that the first pillar is positionable in an extended position or in a contracted position. The second pillar extending upward to a second elevated portion that extends above the floor. The second elevated portion is attached to the second structural attachment. The second pillar comprises a second telescoping rod extending from a second extension point integrated into the second pillar such that the second pillar is positionable in an extended position or in a contracted position. A furniture-mounting connector is configured to be mounted to an underside of a work surface. The furniture-mounting connector comprises an attachment feature configured to mount the furniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface. A stand-receiving connector is configured to receive the horizontal beam that spans between the first pillar and the second pillar. 
         [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0009]    Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand in use. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand with separated pillar portions. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to a work surface. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an embodiment of a furniture-mounting connector. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand with telescoping pillars. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to a work surface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  illustrates another embodiment of a furniture-mounting connector. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand pillar with a first structural attachment member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9B  illustrates an embodiment of a first attachment portion. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand attached to a work surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Disclosed embodiments comprise a stand that allows for suspended foot rests to function without requiring the foot rest to hang them from above, such as from the underside of a desk. As such, disclosed embodiments allow a suspended foot rest to be used anywhere with a flat surface because the suspended foot rest hangs from joints that are independent from the desk itself. Additionally, disclosed embodiment teach suspended foot rest systems that interoperate with the stand and work surfaces, such as desks. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, a foot rest stand is designed to be used in conjunction with a work surfaced-based system. 
         [0025]    The purpose of the foot rest stand is to provide increased versatility and ease of use to end users. For example, suspended foot rests may be attachable to the bottom of a desk. However, not every desk has an underside material that is ideal for adhering a foot rest. The foot rest stand disclosed herein provides a means for users to utilize a suspended foot rest regardless of whether their desks have an ideal adherence surface. As such, a foot rest allows any user to benefit from the elevated foot rest, without regard to the availability of a hanging surface to the user. 
         [0026]    For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand in use. As depicted, in at least one embodiment, a foot rest stand  110  comprises a suspended foot rest  100  comprising a first attachment portion  140   a  at a first end of the suspended foot rest  100  and a second attachment portion  140   b  at an opposite second end of the suspended foot rest  100 . The first attachment portion  140   a  and the second attachment portion  140   b  each comprise structural attachment members  150 ( a, b ) that are attached to the different respective pillars  120   a ,  120   b . For example, the structural attachment members  150 ( a, b ) may comprise metal rings that are integrated with the top of each pillar  120 ( a, b ). The metal rings receive webbing that is extending from the foot rest  100  such that the metal rings connect the foot rest  100  to the respective pillars  120 ( a, b ). 
         [0027]    As depicted, the first pillar  120   a  and the second pillar  120   b  extend upward to first and second elevated portions that extends above the floor. The foot rest stand  110  is supported by a stand  130  that is on the floor. In at least one embodiment, the stand comprises an H-brace with a beam (shown as “horizontal beam  600  in  FIG. 6 ) connecting a first set of legs under the first pillar  120   a  and a second set of legs under the second pillar  120   b.    
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand  110 . In the depicted embodiment, the first pillar  120   a  comprises a first connector  200   a  and the second pillar  120   b  comprises a second connector  200   b . A suspended foot rest  100  is suspending between the pillars  120 ( a, b ).  FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the foot rest stand  110  of  FIG. 2  with separated pillar portions. 
         [0029]    In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates that the first pillar  120   a  comprises an upper section  300   a  and a lower section  300   b  that are joined at the first connector  200   a . Similarly, the second pillar  120   b  comprise an upper section  310   a  and a lower section  310   b  that are joined at the second connector  200   b . In various embodiments, the connectors  200 ( a, b ) join the respective upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  and lower sections  300   b ,  310   b  through a threaded connection, through a button clip connection, through a press-fit connection, or through any other connection that is suitable for joining two tubes. As such, in at least one embodiment, the upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  are wholly removable from the lower sections  300   b ,  310   b . Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the connectors  200 ( a, b ) allow the height of the respective pillars  120 ( a, b ) to be adjusted. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 4A , an embodiment of a foot rest stand  110  attached to a work surface  400  is depicted. More specifically, a portion of the foot rest stand  110  that includes the upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  are attached to the underside of the work surface  400 , which in this example is a desk. As used within this application, a work surface includes a desk, a table, a bench, or any other piece of furniture that comprises a surface on which a user may work. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an embodiment of a furniture-mounting connector  405  that is used to connect the respective upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  to the work surface. The furniture-mounting connector  405  comprises an attachment feature  430  configured to mount the furniture-mounting connector to the underside of the work surface. The attachment feature  430  may comprise screw holes, nail holes, glue, tape, or any other connector that is able to permanently or semi-permanently attached the furniture-mounting connector  405  to the bottom surface of a working surface  400 . The furniture-mounting connector  405  also comprises a pillar-receiving connector  410  configured to receive an upper section  300   a ,  310   a  of a pillar  120 ( a, b ) The pillar-receiving connector  410  comprises a similar connector  420  to that which connected the respective upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  to the lower sections  300   b ,  310   b . For example, the connector  420  may comprise a threaded connection, a button clip connection, a press-fit connection, or any other connection that is suitable for joining two tubes. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  depicts two furniture-mounting connectors  405 ( a, b ) mounted to the underside of the work surface  400  through the attachment feature  430 . The upper sections  300   a ,  310   a  are disposed within the pillar-receiving connectors  410  such that the suspended foot rest  100  is suspended below the working surface  400 . Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, portions of a foot stand  110  can be easily incorporated into a suspending foot rest system that attaches to the bottom of a working surface. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate another embodiment of a foot rest stand with telescoping rods. In particular,  FIG. 5  depicts the pillars at least partially extended, and  FIG. 6  depicts the pillars at least partially contracted. In this depicted embodiment, the pillars  120 ( a, b ) comprise telescoping rods extending from extension points  500 ( a, b ) that are integrated into the pillars. As such, the pillars are each positionable in an extended position or in a contracted position. In at least one embodiment, each extension point  500 ( a, b ) also comprises locking mechanisms integrated into the extension point that when activated prevents the telescoping of the pillars. For example, the locking mechanism may comprise a button clip connection, a threaded squeeze fit connection, a clamp, or some other mechanism that prevents the telescoping rods from extending or contracting. Further, in at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism may be variable such that the telescoping rods are lockable in multiple positions of extension or contraction. This ability to variable lock the telescoping rods may allow a user to customize the height of the foot rest stand  110 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand  110  attached to a work surface  400  through a furniture-mounting connector  700 . The furniture-mounting connector  700  is depicted in  FIG. 7B . The depicted embodiment of the furniture-mounting connector is configured to be mounted to an underside of a work surface  400  through the attachment feature  720 . The furniture-mounting connector  700  comprises a stand-receiving connector  710  configured to receive a horizontal beam  600  that spans between the first pillar  120   a  and the second pillar  120   b.    
         [0035]    As depicted in  FIG. 7A , the furniture-mounting connector  700  is mounted to the underside of the work surface  400  through the attachment feature  720 . The horizontal beam  600  is disposed within the stand-receiving connector  710  such that the suspended foot rest  100  is suspended below the working surface  400 . 
         [0036]    In at least one embodiment, positioning the stand-receiving connector  710  such that it opens in the direction of the user provides several benefits. For example, when using the suspended foot rest  100 , a user is likely to exert a force in the direction away from the user. As such, positioning the stand-receiving connector  710  such that is opens towards the user allows the force that the user exerts to push the horizontal beam  600  more deeply into the stand-receiving connector  710 . 
         [0037]    Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the legs  730 ( a, b ) of the foot rest stand  110  also perform a function of stabilizing the suspending foot rest  100  when it is hanging from a work surface  400 . For example, forces exerted by a user onto the suspended foot rest  100  may exert a torque on the suspended foot rest  100  and foot rest stand  110 . The torque may cause the foot rest stand  110  to rotate within the stand-receiving connector  710 . Specifically, the torque may cause the horizontal beam  600  to rotate within the stand-receiving connector  710 . This rotation may cause the horizontal beam  600  to pop out of the stand-receiving connector  710 . In at least one embodiment, however, the legs  730 ( a, b ) prevent the foot rest stand  110  from rotating while it is hanging from the bottom of the work surface  400 . For example, in at least one embodiment, the legs  730 ( a, b ) may be positioned such that when the horizontal beam is within the stand-receiving connector  710 , the legs  730 ( a, b ) are held flat against bottom surface of the working surface  400 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that this configuration will limit or prevent the ability of the horizontal beam  600  to rotate within the stand-receiving connector  710 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a foot rest stand. In this depicted embodiment, the structural attachment members  150 ( a, b ) comprise portions of side-release buckles  800 ( a, b ). For example, the structural attachment members  150 ( a, b ) may comprise female portions of side-release buckles  800 ( a, b ). In contrast, the male portions of the side-release buckles  800 ( a, b ) may be integrated into the suspended foot rest  100 . For example,  FIG. 9A  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand pillar  120   a  with a first structural attachment member  120   a  in the form of a side-release buckle  800   a.    
         [0039]      FIG. 9B  illustrates an embodiment of the side-release buckle  800   a . The depicted side-release buckle  800   a  comprises a male portion  900  with at least one tab  920 . The depicted male portion  900  also comprises an attachment point  930 . In this embodiment, the attachment point  930  comprises a ring. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the attachment point  930  comprises any number of different mechanisms for connecting the suspended foot rest  100  from the male portion  900 . For example, the attachment point  930  may comprise a bolt, glue, tape, a tension hold, a slit, a hole, or any other suitable connection. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9B  also depicts an embodiment of a female portion  910  of the side-release buckle  800   a . The depicted female portion  910  comprises at least one tab slot  940  for receiving the tab  920  of the male. The female potion  910  also comprises an attachment point slot  950  that receives the attachment point  930  without interference. For example, a suspended foot rest  100  attached to the ring, as depicted by the male portion  900 , will fit within the attachment point slot  950  of the female portion  910  such that the female portion  910  does not interfere within the attachment point  910  or the suspended foot rest  100 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a foot rest stand  110  attached to a work surface  400 . In the depicted embodiment, furniture-mounting connectors  1000 ( a, b ) are configured to be mounted to an underside of a work surface  400 . The furniture-mounting connectors  1000 ( a, b ) comprise an attachment feature configured to mount the furniture-mounting connectors  1001 ( a, b ) to the underside of the work surface  400 . Additionally, each furniture-mounting connector  1001 ( a, b ) comprises a portion of a side-release buckle  800 ( a, b ) that is configured to receive a corresponding portion of side release buckle  800 ( a, b ) that is integrated into the suspended foot rest  100 . Additionally,  FIG. 10  shows the furniture-mounting connectors  1000 ( a, b ) mounted to the underside of the work surface  400  through the attachment feature. Additionally, as depicted the male portions of the side release buckles  800 ( a, b ) are disposed within the female portions of a side-release buckles  800 ( a, b ) such that the suspended foot rest  100  is suspended below the working surface  400 . 
         [0042]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: 1