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Vehicle seating with foot rest

Vehicle seating with foot rest description/claims

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/596,477 having a 371(c) filing date of Jun. 14, 2006, which is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/US04/42077 filed Dec. 15, 2004, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/589,297 filed Jul. 20, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/529,686 filed Dec. 15, 2003.

This invention relates generally to vehicle seating and more particularly to a tourist/coach class aircraft seating arrangement. Aircraft seating is typically divided into various classes, for example first class, business class, and coach or tourist class. For each class of seating, an individual passenger is allotted a preselected amount of space (both area and volume). First-class seats provide the most individual space, and also may include features to improve comfort, such as fully reclining sleeper functions. In contrast, the tourist/coach class is provided with a relatively small amount of space, in order to provide the most efficient transportation and lowest cost. However, this space limitation can produce passenger discomfort or possibly even physical ailments, and also makes it difficult for a passenger to find a comfortable position in which to sleep on long flights.

To alleviate discomfort, it is advantageous for a passenger to be able to support his or her feet raised above the floor of the aircraft. This not only provides a better sitting posture but also enables the passenger to keep his or her feet out of contact with the floor, which may be relatively dirty and cold. Unfortunately, prior art coach class seats do not readily accommodate a foot support. Furthermore, the space in front of a seated passenger is typically left clear in order to store luggage or various carry-on items.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a footrest for a passenger seat which supports a passenger's feet above the floor of a vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a footrest which supports a passenger's feet in different longitudinal positions.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a passenger seat for a vehicle, including: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by the frame; a seat bottom carried by the frame for supporting a passenger; and a footrest disposed forward of the seat bottom. The footrest has a foot supporting surface positioned above the floor.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the footrest includes: an enclosure having a front wall, opposed top and bottom walls, opposed side walls, and a rear opening, the enclosure defining a surface for support a passenger's foot; and means for suspending the enclosure underneath a second seat positioned forward of the seat.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a drawstring is disposed around the periphery of the rear opening.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the top wall of the footrest is attached underneath a bottom of the second seat by a plurality of fasteners.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a footrest assembly for a passenger seat which is mounted to a floor includes: an enclosure having a front wall, opposed top and bottom walls, opposed side walls, and a rear opening, the enclosure defining a surface for support a passenger's foot; and means for supporting the enclosure above the floor.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the footrest is suspended underneath a second seat positioned forward of the seat.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a drawstring is disposed around the periphery of the rear opening.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the top wall of the footrest is attached underneath a bottom of the second seat by a plurality of fasteners.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a passenger seating arrangement for vehicle includes: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; a seat bottom disposed on the frame for supporting a passenger; and a footrest disposed forward of the seat bottom for supporting the feet of a passenger above the floor with each foot in a different longitudinal position relative to the seat bottom.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the footrest includes: a first block for supporting a first foot of the passenger, the first block mounted for longitudinal translation relative to the seat; and a second block for supporting a second foot of the passenger, the second block mounted for longitudinal translation relative to the seat.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second blocks are interconnected such that forward longitudinal movement of one block causes reward longitudinal movement of the other block.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each block includes a non-slip surface thereon.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the blocks are carried by a pair of spaced-apart rails, the rails being pivotally attached to the floor and moveable between: an upwardly-extending stowed position; and a use position wherein the rails extend along the floor.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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