U.S. patent application number 15/975567 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-15 for adjustable footrest with book holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is SOLAIMAN B.S.A. AL-KHATTAF. Invention is credited to SOLAIMAN B.S.A. AL-KHATTAF.
Application Number | 20180325338 15/975567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64096273 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180325338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AL-KHATTAF; SOLAIMAN
B.S.A. |
November 15, 2018 |
ADJUSTABLE FOOTREST WITH BOOK HOLDER
Abstract
The adjustable footrest with a book holder is adapted to be used
in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the user to be
positioned in a squatting position to facilitate movement of the
user's bowels, and further being adapted for supporting reading
material. The adjustable footrest with a book holder includes a
pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and an upper
support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable beam
extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot
supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between
the pair of foot supports. A lower end of an elongated vertical
support rod is releasably secured to the at least one
telescopically adjustable beam. A panel is secured to an upper end
of the elongated vertical support rod. The panel is adapted for
supporting reading material, such as a book.
Inventors: |
AL-KHATTAF; SOLAIMAN B.S.A.;
(SAFAT, KW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AL-KHATTAF; SOLAIMAN B.S.A. |
SAFAT |
|
KW |
|
|
Family ID: |
64096273 |
Appl. No.: |
15/975567 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62503947 |
May 10, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 17/00 20130101;
A47B 19/10 20130101; A47K 17/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 17/02 20060101
A47K017/02; A47B 19/10 20060101 A47B019/10 |
Claims
1. An adjustable footrest with a book holder, comprising: a pair of
foot supports, each said foot support having at least one leg and
an upper support surface; at least one telescopically adjustable
beam extending horizontally between, and connecting, the pair of
foot supports, each to the other; an elongated vertical support rod
having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being
releasably secured to the at least one telescopically adjustable
beam; and a panel secured to the upper end of the elongated
vertical support rod, the panel being adapted for supporting a
book.
2. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein each said foot support further comprises a pair of
opposing sidewalls.
3. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
2, wherein the upper support surface is pivotally attached to the
pair of opposing sidewalls of each said foot support.
4. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
3, wherein a pair of pivot pins extend from opposed sides of the
support surface of each said foot support, the pair of pivot pins
being respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing
holes formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls.
5. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
2, wherein each said foot support further comprises front and rear
arches, wherein each of the front and rear arches extend between,
and connect, the pair of opposing sidewalls.
6. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, further comprising a bracket having a clip portion and a
receiver portion, the clip portion being adapted for releasably
grasping the at least one telescopically adjustable beam, and the
receiver portion being adapted for releasably receiving the lower
end of the elongated vertical support rod.
7. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein the elongated vertical support rod has an adjustable
height.
8. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein the panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the
elongated vertical support rod.
9. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein the at least one telescopically adjustable beam
comprises first and second parallel beams each having a unique and
distinct length.
10. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein the support surface of each said foot support has a
textured foot receiving portion for massaging a foot of a user.
11. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim
1, wherein the at least one leg of each said foot support has an
adjustable height.
12. An adjustable footrest kit, comprising: an adjustable footrest
comprising: a pair of foot supports, each said foot support having
at least one leg and an upper support surface; and at least one
telescopically adjustable beam extending horizontally between, and
connecting, the pair of foot supports, each to the other; a
bookholder comprising: a base; an elongated vertical support rod
having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being
secured to the base; and a panel secured to the upper end of the
elongated vertical support rod, the panel being adapted for
supporting a book.
13. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein
each said foot support further comprises a pair of opposing
sidewalls.
14. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the
upper support surface is pivotally attached to the pair of opposing
sidewalls of each said foot support.
15. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 14, wherein a
pair of pivot pins extend from opposed sides of the support surface
of each said foot support, the pair of pivot pins being
respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing holes
formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls.
16. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 13, wherein
each said foot support further comprises front and rear arches,
wherein each of the front and rear arches extend between, and
connect, the pair of opposing sidewalls.
17. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the
elongated vertical support rod has an adjustable height.
18. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the
panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the elongated
vertical support rod.
19. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the
at least one telescopically adjustable beam comprises first and
second parallel beams each having a unique and distinct length.
20. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the
support surface of each said foot support has a textured foot
receiving portion for massaging a foot of a user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/503,947, filed on May 10, 2017.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] The disclosure of the present patent application relates to
footrests, and particularly to a combination therapeutic footrest
and book holder for use while on a toilet.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Humans can move their bowels in a number of different
defecation postures. The two most common positions are the
squatting defecation posture and the sitting defecation posture.
The squatting posture is used for squat toilets as well or whent
toilets or other devices are absent. The sitting defecation posture
is used in Western style toilets, and has a lean-forward posture or
a 90.degree. posture. In general, the posture chosen is largely a
cultural decision.
[0004] In Western style toilets, the sitting position is primarily
used. The sitting position causes the defecating human to assume a
narrow anorectal angle, which some believe is obstructive and
causes difficulty in emptying the bowels. The sitting position can
cause the defecating human being to repeat the Valsalva maneuver
many times and with great force, which may overload the
cardiovascular system and cause defecation syncope. Studies have
also been performed with regard to the length of time needed to
defecate using various postures. These studies have shown that the
sitting defecation posture requires excessive expulsive effort
compared to the squatting posture. Further, a sitting posture may
increase diverticulosis of the colon. The magnitude of straining
during defecation is at least three times greater than with the
squatting posture.
[0005] The squatting defecation posture involves squatting by
standing with knees and hips sharply bent and the buttocks
suspended near the ground. Squat toilets are designed to facilitate
this posture and are more widespread in the developing world than
in the Western world. In the United States, the squatting position
is colloquially known as the "catcher's position" or the "catcher's
posture" because of its similarity to the posture that baseball
players must maintain while playing the catcher position. Research
has suggested that the squatting defecating posture can aid in the
prevention of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
[0006] The anorectal angle that results from squatting allows
smooth bowel elimination as the colon is straightened out, whereas
sitting causes it to become compressed and obstructive. The
squatting defecation posture requires less expulsive effort when
compared to the sitting defecation posture. Research further
suggests that the squatting position may prevent the risk of
defecation syncope and death due to cardiovascular complications
associated with the sitting position, as squatting requires less
amount of straining on the part of the defecating individual.
Additionally, squatting may be beneficial for patients suffering
from spastic pelvic floor syndrome, due to the increased anorectal
angle enabled by the posture. Thus, an adjustable footrest with a
book holder solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY
[0007] The adjustable footrest with a book holder is adapted to be
used in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the user
to be positioned in a squatting position to facilitate movement of
the user's bowels, and further being adapted for supporting reading
material. The adjustable footrest with a book holder includes a
pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and an upper
support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable beam
extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot
supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between
the pair of foot supports.
[0008] Each foot support preferably includes a pair of opposing
sidewalls, such that the upper support surface thereof may be
supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of opposing
sidewalls. A lower end of an elongated vertical support rod is
releasably secured to the at least one telescopically adjustable
beam. A bracket is provided for supporting the elongated vertical
support rod on the at least one telescopically adjustable beam. The
bracket includes a clip portion and a receiver portion. The clip
portion is adapted for releasably grasping the at least one
telescopically adjustable beam, and the receiver portion is adapted
for releasably receiving the lower end of the elongated vertical
support rod. A panel is pivotally secured to an upper end of the
elongated vertical support rod. The panel is adapted for supporting
reading material, such as a book or the like. The elongated
vertical support rod preferably has an adjustable height.
[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the adjustable footrest and
the bookholder are provided separately in the form of a kit.
Similar to the previous embodiment, the adjustable footrest
includes a pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and
an upper support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable
beam extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot
supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between
the pair of foot supports. Each foot support preferably includes a
pair of opposing sidewalls, such that the upper support surface
thereof may be supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of
opposing sidewalls.
[0010] In this embodiment, the bookholder stands separately from
the adjustable footrest. The bookholder includes a base, an
elongated vertical support rod and a panel. A lower end of the
elongated vertical support rod is secured to the base, and the
panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the elongated
vertical support rod. As in the previous embodiment, the panel is
adapted for supporting a book.
[0011] These and other features of the present disclosure will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable footrest with
a book holder.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
adjustable footrest with a book holder.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable
footrest with a book holder.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative adjustable
footrest kit.
[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 is adapted to
be used in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the
user to be positioned in a squatting position to facilitate
movement of the user's bowels, and further being adapted for
supporting reading material. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 includes a pair of foot
supports 12, each having at least one leg 14 and an upper support
surface 16. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1 and 2, each foot
support 12 is shown as having four legs 14, however, it should be
understood that each foot support 12 may be provided with any
desired numbers of legs. Further, as best shown in FIG. 3, legs 14
may have adjustable heights, with each leg 14 having first and
second telescopic portions 22, 24, respectively. Through engagement
of a conventional spring tensioned pin 18 in a corresponding bore
20 or the like, the height of each leg 14 may be adjustably
selected. Each leg 14 may also have a rubber pad or foot 40 or the
like, as is conventionally known.
[0018] At least one telescopically adjustable beam extends
horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot supports 12,
each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair
of foot supports 12. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1-3,
first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28,
respectively, are shown, however, it should be understood that any
suitable number of beams may be utilized. Through engagement of a
conventional spring tensioned pin 30, 32 in a respective
corresponding bore 34, 36 or the like, the length of each of first
and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28 may be adjustably
selected. In this example, in which first and second telescopically
adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, are provided, a gap is
defined between the pair of beams, thus defining an easily
graspable handle. This allows the user to easily pick up, carry and
transport the adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 when not in
use.
[0019] As best seen in FIG. 3, each foot support 12 preferably
includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 42, such that each upper
support surface 16 is supported by, and is pivotally attached to,
the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls 42. A pair of pivot
pins 44 may extend from opposed sides of the support surface 16 of
each foot support 12, as shown. The pairs of pivot pins 44 are each
respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing holes
46 formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls 42.
[0020] Further, as shown, each foot support 12 may also include
front and rear arches 50, 52, respectively. Each of the front and
rear arches 50, 52 extend between, and connect, the pair of
opposing sidewalls 42. One or more removable locking clips 54 may
be provided for securing upper support surface 16 in place to cease
rotation thereof with respect to the opposing sidewalls 42, thus
allowing the user to selectively lock the foot support 12 in place
as desired. As shown, each locking clip 54 releasably engages a
corresponding one of front and rear arches 50, 52, respectively,
and extends upward to contact and support an underside of the
corresponding upper support surface 16.
[0021] In the exemplary configuration of FIGS. 1-3, as noted above,
first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28,
respectively, are provided. As shown, each of first and second
telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, may have a
unique and distinct length associated therewith. In the
non-limiting example of FIGS. 1-3, the first beam 26 is shown as
being longer than the second beam 28, and the first and second
beams 26, 28 are shown extending parallel with respect to one
another, thus allowing each foot support 12 to be angled outwardly
with respect to the first and second parallel beams 26, 28,
respectively. Further, the first and second beams 26, 28 may
include rails 58, as shown. The rails 58 may be releasably held by
corresponding brackets 60 extending from the sidewalls 42, as best
seen in FIG. 3, to form a unitary, stable body.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower end 62 of an elongated
vertical support rod 60 is releasably secured to the first
telescopically adjustable beam 26. A bracket 66 is provided for
supporting the elongated vertical support rod 60 on the first
telescopically adjustable beam 26. The bracket 66 includes a clip
portion 68 and a receiver portion 70. The clip portion 68 extends
normal to the receiver portion 70. The clip portion 68 can include
a clip or jaw adapted for releasably grasping the first
telescopically adjustable beam 26, and the receiver portion 70 can
include a groove adapted for releasably receiving the lower end 62
of the elongated vertical support rod 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, a groove 72 may be defined in the first telescopically
adjustable beam 26 for engaging clip portion 68 of bracket 66.
[0023] A panel 76 is pivotally secured to an upper end 64 of the
elongated vertical support rod 60. The panel 76 is adapted for
supporting reading material, such as a book or the like. The
elongated vertical support rod 60 is preferably telescopic,
allowing the user to adjust the height thereof. Preferably, the
height is releasably lockable. It should be understood that panel
76 is shown for exemplary purposes only, and may have any desired
overall contouring, configuration or relative dimensions. In the
non-limiting example of FIG. 1, panel 76 is shown as further having
a pair of horizontally adjustable bars 78, allowing the user to
secure reading material having a variety of different widths
therebetween.
[0024] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the support surface 16 of
each foot support 12 has a textured foot receiving portion 80 for
massaging a foot of the user. While the user is sitting on the
toilet, his or her feet can be moved over the textured foot
receiving portions 80. The massaging motion of the feet over the
textured foot receiving portions 80 coupled with a rocking or
swinging motion of the feet, caused by the pivoting of each upper
support surface 16, improves bowel movement, thus making the user
more comfortable while he or she is trying to defecate. The
evacuation reflex of the user may be stimulated through this
massaging motion of the feet by targeting the reflex zones on the
bottom of the user's feet.
[0025] In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4, the adjustable
footrest 102 and the bookholder 104 are provided separately in the
form of a kit 100. In kit 100, the adjustable footrest 102 is
substantially identical to that described in the previous
embodiment, but adjustable footrest 102 is not releasably coupled
to bookholder 104. As in the previous embodiment, the adjustable
footrest 102 includes a pair of foot supports 112, each having at
least one leg 114 and an upper support surface 116. First and
second telescopically adjustable beams 126, 128 extend horizontally
between, and connect, the pair of foot supports 112, each to the
other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot
supports 112. Each foot support 112 preferably includes a pair of
opposing sidewalls 142, such that the upper support surface 116 may
be supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of opposing
sidewalls 142. As in the previous embodiment, the support surface
116 of each foot support 112 has a textured foot receiving portion
180 for massaging a foot of the user.
[0026] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bookholder 104 stands
separately from the adjustable footrest 102. The bookholder 104
includes a base 106, an elongated vertical support rod 160 and a
panel 176. A lower end 162 of the elongated vertical support rod
160 is secured to the base 106, and the panel 176 is pivotally
secured to the upper end 164 of the elongated vertical support rod
160. As in the previous embodiment, the panel 176 is adapted for
supporting a book.
[0027] It is to be understood that the adjustable footrest with a
book holder is not limited to the specific embodiments described
above, but encompass any and all embodiments within the scope of
the generic language of the following claims enabled by the
embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or
described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *