Retractable footrest

Abstract

A 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. The foot support assembly of the vehicle seat 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. 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.

1 . In combination with a seat, including a seat portion and a backrest having a rear upper surface, a rear lower surface and a rear intermediate surface, a footrest assembly comprising:
 (a) a pair of transversely spaced-apart side members pivotally connected to said rear lower surface of said backrest and movable relative thereto between a first lowered position and a second upraised position;   (b) a foot support assembly pivotally connected to said spaced-apart side members, said foot support comprising:
 (i) a pair of transversely spaced-apart connector members; and 
 (ii) a generally planar foot support connected to and spanning said spaced-apart connector members, said pair of transversely spaced-apart connector members being pivotally movable relative said spaced-apart side members between a first stowed position wherein said connector members are generally parallel with said spaced-apart side members to a second deployed position wherein said connector members are angularly inclined relative to said spaced-apart side members. 
   
   
   
       2 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which each of said spaced-apart side members is provided with an arcuate-groove and in which each of said spaced-apart connector members is provided with an outwardly extending pin that is closely receivable within said arcuate groove. 
   
   
       3 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which said foot support assembly further comprises a pair of pivot pins, each having a shank portion and a threaded end portion and in which each of said spaced-apart connector members is provided with a generally centrally disposed threaded-bore for threadably receiving said threaded end portion of a selected one of said pair of pivot pins. 
   
   
       4 . The combination as defined in  claim 3  in which each of said spaced-apart side members is provided with a through-bore for receiving a selected one of said pair of pivot pins. 
   
   
       5 . In combination with a seat, including a seat portion and a backrest having a rear upper surface, a rear lower surface and a rear intermediate surface, a footrest assembly comprising:
 (a) first and second spaced-apart side members pivotally connected to said rear lower surface of said backrest and movable relative thereto between a first lowered position and a second upraised position, each of said first and second side members having a through-bore;   (b) a first pivot pin receivable within said through-bore of said first side member, said first pivot pin having a threaded end portion;   (c) a second pivot pin receivable within said through-bore of said second side member, said second pivot pin having a threaded end portion;   (d) a foot support assembly pivotally connected to said spaced-apart side members for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first stowed position and a second deployed position, said foot support comprising:
 (i) a first connector member having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving said threaded end portion of said first pivot pin; 
 (ii) a second connector member having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving said threaded end portion of said second pivot pin; and 
 (iii) a generally planar foot support connected to and spanning said first and second spaced-apart connector members. 
   
   
   
       6 . The combination as defined in  claim 5 , further including first and second spaced-apart connector brackets connected to the rear upper surface of the seat portion, said side members being pivotally connected to said connector brackets. 
   
   
       7 . The combination as defined in  claim 5  in which each of said first and second spaced-apart side members is provided with an arcuate-groove and in which each of said spaced-apart first and second connector members is provided with an outwardly extending pin that is closely receivable within said arcuate-groove. 
   
   
       8 . The combination as defined in  claim 5  in which said first connector member is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots and in which said second connector member is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots. 
   
   
       9 . The combination as defined in  claim 8  in which said planar foot support has a first end provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first protuberances receivable within said pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots in said first connector member and in which said planar foot support has a second end provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second protuberances receivable within said pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots in said second connector member. 
   
   
       10 . In combination with an aircraft passenger seat including a seat portion and a backrest having a rear upper surface, a rear lower surface and a rear intermediate surface, a footrest assembly comprising:
 (a) first and second spaced-apart connector brackets connected to the rear upper surface of the seat portion;   (b) a first side member pivotally connected to said first connector bracket for movement relative thereto between a first lowered position and a second upraised position, said first side member having an arcuate-groove and a through-bore;   (c) a second side member pivotally connected to said second connector bracket for movement relative thereto between a first lowered position and a second up-raised position, said second side member having an arcuate-groove and a through-bore;   (d) a first pivot pin receivable within said through-bore of said first side member, said first pivot pin having a threaded end portion;   (e) a second pivot pin receivable within said through-bore of said second side member, said second pivot pin having a threaded end portion; and   (f) a foot support assembly pivotally connected to said first and second spaced-apart side members for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first stowed position and a second deployed position, said foot support comprising:
 (i) a first connector member having an outwardly extending first pin that is closely receivable within said arcuate-groove formed in said first side member and also having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving said threaded end portion of said first pivot pin; 
 (ii) a second connector member having an outwardly extending second pin that is closely receivable within said arcuate-groove formed in said second side member and also having a generally centrally disposed, threaded-bore for threadably receiving said threaded end portion of said second pivot pin; and 
 (iii) a generally planar foot support connected to and spanning said first and second spaced-apart connector members. 
   
   
   
       11 . The combination as defined in  claim 10  in which said first connector member is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots and in which said second connector member is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots. 
   
   
       12 . The combination as defined in  claim 11  in which said planar foot support has a first end provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated first protuberances receivable within said pair of spaced-apart, elongated first slots in said first connector member and in which said planar foot support has a second end provided with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated second protuberances receivable within said pair of spaced-apart, elongated second slots in said second connector member.