Footrest Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling passengers to rest or elevate their feet. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a seat-back attachment portion, a support portion and a footrest portion integral to an adjustable loop of fabric. The seat-back attachment portion is positionable on a top or tray table of a seat-back. The support portion is coupled to the seat-back attachment and footrest portions and suspends the footrest portion at a variable height above the floor. The apparatus may include an integral cover which substantially encloses the apparatus when in a folded position. The footrest portion may have a substantially rigid lateral member, and may have padding secured to the rigid lateral member.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a seat-back attachment portion configured to secure the apparatus to a seat-back;   a support portion coupled to the seat-back attachment portion; and   a footrest portion coupled to the support portion;   wherein the support portion is configured to suspend the footrest portion and to transfer weight from the footrest portion to the seat-back attachment portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seat-back attachment portion is configured to be removably positioned on top of the seat-back and held in position by the weight transferred by the support portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the seat-back attachment portion has a non-slip surface configured to contact the seat-back. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover which is connected to at least one of the seat-back attachment portion, the support portion and the footrest portion, wherein when the apparatus is in a folded position, the cover is configured to substantially enclose the apparatus and to maintain the apparatus in the folded position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support portion is configured to adjustably suspend the footrest portion from the seat-back attachment portion at a position which is a variable distance below the seat-back attachment portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the footrest portion has a substantially rigid lateral member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the footrest portion includes padding secured to the rigid lateral member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric, a first portion of the loop forming the seat-back attachment portion, a second portion of the loop forming the support portion and a third portion of the loop forming the footrest portion. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 providing a footrest apparatus including a seat-back attachment portion, a footrest portion, and a support portion coupled between the seat-back attachment portion and the footrest portion;   positioning the seat-back attachment portion on a seat-back;   extending the support portion and footrest portion downward from the seat-back attachment portion; and   placing a user's feet on the footrest portion, thereby suspending the user's feet above a floor.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adjusting a length of the support portion of the footrest apparatus, thereby changing a height at which the footrest portion of the footrest apparatus is suspended above the floor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, prior to positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back, unfastening a cover which contains the footrest apparatus and unfolding the footrest apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising removing the user's feet on the footrest portion, removing the footrest apparatus from the seat-back, folding the footrest apparatus and fastening a cover around the footrest apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the footrest apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric which forms the seat-back attachment, support and footrest portions, and wherein positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back comprises placing the seat-back attachment portion of the loop on top of the seat-back. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the footrest apparatus comprises an adjustable loop of fabric which forms the seat-back attachment, support and footrest portions, and wherein positioning the seat-back attachment portion on the seat-back comprises placing the seat-back attachment portion over a tray table which is connected to the seat-back.