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The present invention relates generally to seating. More particularly, the invention concerns a vehicle seat embodying a novel, retractable foot support assembly.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel vehicle seat that embodies a foot support assembly that is movable from a stowed position proximate the seat back to a deployed position wherein the assembly extends rearwardly of the seat.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the aforementioned character in which the foot support assembly includes a sub-assembly that comprises a pair of side-support members that support a footrest, the sub-assembly being positioned so as to automatically pivot downwardly as the foot support assembly is moved into its deployed position.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the footrest is pivotally connected to the pair of side-support members for movement from a stowed position between the side-support members to a deployed position wherein it extends outwardly from the side-support members.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat of the class described that is of a simple construction that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat as described in the preceding paragraphs that is easy to install, requires little maintenance and one that is highly reliable in operation.
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, generally perspective, rear view of an aircraft passenger seat showing the footrest assembly of the invention interconnected with the passenger seat and moved into a deployed position.
FIG. 2 is a generally perspective, partially exploded view of the form of the footrest assembly of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective, partially exploded view of the left hand portion of the footrest assembly shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but showing the footrest assembly of the invention moved into a stowed position.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4.
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, one form of the footrest of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 20. The footrest of this form of the invention is designed to be used in combination with an aircraft passenger seat “S” that includes a backrest “BR” having a rear upper surface “US”, a rear lower surface “LS” and a rear intermediate surface “IS”. As best seen in FIG. 1, the footrest here comprises first and second spaced-apart connector brackets 22 and 23 that are connected to the rear lower surface “LS” of the passenger seat “S” by conventional threaded connectors 24 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Pivotally connected to first connector bracket 24 by means of a conventional two-part connector assembly 25 is a first side member 26 that is movable relative thereto between a first lowered position shown in FIG. 1 and a second upraised position shown in FIG. 7. For a purpose presently to be described, first side member 26 is provided with an arcuate-groove 28 and a through-bore 30 having an enlarged diameter portion 30a and a reduced diameter portion 30b (FIG. 8). Pivotally connected to second connector bracket 25 is a second side member 32 that is movable along with first side member 26 between a first lowered position and a second upraised position. Second side member 32 is also provided with a through-bore 36 that is of similar configuration to through-bore 30. A cross brace 39 is connected to and spans members 26 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
Also forming a part of the footrest of the present invention are first and second pivot pins 38 and 40. Pivot pin 38 has a head portion 38a, a shank portion 38b and a threaded end portion 38c. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, pivot pin 38 is receivable within the through-bore 30 of the first side member 26, so that the head portion 38a resides within enlarged diameter portion 30a and the shank portion 38b resides within reduced diameter portion 30b. Second pivot pin 40, which is of similar construction to pivot pin 38, is receivable within the through-bore 36 of the second side member 32 in the manner indicated in FIG. 2.
Pivotally connected to the first and second spaced-apart side members 26 and 32 for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first stowed position shown in FIG. 7 and a second deployed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is a foot support assembly generally designated by the numeral 42. As best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, foot support assembly 42 comprises a first connector member 44 having an outwardly extending stop pin 46 that is closely receivable within the arcuate-groove 28 formed in first side member 26 (See FIG. 3). Stop pin 46 and arcuate-groove 28 form a part of the stop means of the invention for controlling the extent of pivotal movement of the foot assembly 42 relative to the first and second side members 26 and 32. Connector member 44 also has a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore 48 for threadably receiving the threaded end portion 38c of first pivot pin 38 (FIG. 3).
Foot support assembly 42 also comprises a second connector member 50 having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving the threaded end portion of second pivot pin 40. As best seen in FIG. 2 first connector member 44 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots 44a and 44b. Second connector member 50 is also provided with a similar pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots (not shown).
Connected to and spanning first and second spaced-apart connector members 44 and 50 is a generally planar foot support 54. Foot support 54 has a first end 54a provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first protuberances 56a and 56b that are receivable within slots 44a and 44b (FIG. 2). Similarly, planar foot support 54 has a second end 54b provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second protuberances 58a and 58b receivable within the pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots formed in the second connector member 50. With this construction, the planar foot support can be secured to connector members 44 and 50 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 to form a rigid support for the feet of the passengers.
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.