Calf rest for a vehicle seat, motor vehicle seat and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a calf rest (10) for a vehicle seat (12), having a first fixing element (16) and a second fixing element (18), which are configured for fixing the calf rest (10) to the vehicle seat (12), a first displacement element (22) being rotatably connected to the first fixing element (16), a second displacement element (26) being fixedly connected to the second fixing element (18), a first support element (30) being arranged on a first end (28) of the first displacement element (22) and being rotatably held on the first displacement element, the first support element being lockable to a second support element (36) by means of a locking device (32), the second support element being arranged rotatably on a second end (34) of the second displacement element (26), the two support elements (30, 36) being displaceable from a use position to a non-use position by means of the displacement elements (22, 26), and the first support element (30) additionally being displaceable from the use position to a table position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle seat (12) and to a motor vehicle (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to leg rests for vehicle seats. Furthermore, the invention also relates to vehicle seats including leg rests, and motor vehicles having leg rests and / or vehicle seats. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, all have interior space. People's mobility is constantly increasing. Therefore, the interior space has gradually evolved into a living space, meaning that vehicle users frequently spend more time in the vehicle, performing more and more tasks within it. Therefore, if possible, the interior space should provide exceptionally high comfort and / or exceptionally high flexibility for various uses. Extendable calf supports or leg pads are very helpful in improving the comfort of vehicle seats in motor vehicles.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2010 030 553 A1 shows a leg rest for a vehicle seat. This leg rest has a support member for supporting the occupant's lower leg, a load-bearing element, and a first thrust element arranged on the load-bearing element, which is displaceable in a first displacement direction and is oscillatingly connected to the support member.

[0004] The disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art are, for example, the lack of flexibility of the calf support, or its limited functionality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a leg rest, vehicle seat and motor vehicle, through which the leg rest can be used in a particularly flexible manner and / or provide particularly great functionality.

[0006] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the technical solution described below.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a leg rest for a vehicle seat. According to the invention, the leg rest includes a first fixing element and a second fixing element, designed to secure the leg rest to opposite side areas of the vehicle seat. A first displacement element is provided in the leg rest, rotatably connected to the first fixing element. Furthermore, a second displacement element is provided, fixedly connected to the second fixing element. A first support element is provided at the end of the first displacement element away from the first fixing element in a use position. This first support element is rotatably held on the first displacement element and can be locked together with a second support element by a locking device. The second support element is rotatably arranged at the end of the second displacement element away from the second fixing element in the use position. The two support elements can be moved from the use position to a non-use position by means of the two displacement elements, particularly moving together, i.e., particularly when the locking device is engaged or engaged. Furthermore, the first support element, unlocked from the second support element in the use position, can be moved or displaced to a table position by means of rotation of the first displacement element relative to the first fixing element.

[0008] The first and second fixing elements can be designed as support seats, respectively. Each support seat or fixing element, by fixing to the side area, stops or fixes the lower leg and thus holds it on the vehicle seat. Each displacement element can extend or shift along its length or in a certain direction, especially along the displacement direction. The displacement element preferably has a portion fixed to the fixing element, such as a guide element, and also has a second portion, such as a support arm, that can move or shift relative to the fixing element.

[0009] The rotatable connection between the first fixed element and the first displacement element can be achieved through a rotary joint / hinge or similar means. The two support elements, especially when locked together by a locking device or abutting against each other, can collectively serve as a support or bracket for at least one lower leg or calf of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. In the non-use position, the support element is positioned relative to, for example, the seat surface of the vehicle seat—in its mounted state—e.g., directly on or below the seat surface. In particular, by extending or moving the displacement element, the support element is positioned in the use position, for example, approximately leg length or lower leg length from the seat cushion of the vehicle seat, thus advantageously functioning as a calf rest. If the locking device is released, i.e., the first support element is unlocked relative to the second support element, the first support element can be rotated or displaced—e.g., via a rotary joint—from the use position, thereby allowing the first support element to function as a table or shelf for the occupant in a table position.

[0010] In the use position or use state, the first support element is preferably located at or below the height level of the seat surface of the vehicle seat, and can be moved to a height level above the seat surface by rotating the first support element to a table position. The use position—which can be rotated from the use position to the table position—is preferably the end position in which the displacement element extends or moves relative to the non-use position. The use position preferably describes one of a plurality of suitable positions that can serve to support the lower leg. Thus, when the displacement element moves, or particularly when the locking device is open, when the second displacement element moves to the suitable position, the lower leg rest can be adapted to the leg length of the occupant, wherein the use position advantageously defines the maximum possible adjustable length.

[0011] The rotatable supports at the respective ends of each support element have the effect that each support element (e.g., with a placement facility on one side, particularly in the form of a cushion) can be oriented toward the occupant's lower leg, so that the cushion and the lower leg can comfortably guide each other.

[0012] In other words, the leg rest of the vehicle seat includes a first support and a second support, which are respectively fixed to the side area of ​​the vehicle seat. A first guide element is rotatably connected to the first support, and a second guide element is fixedly connected to the second support. Each guide element is part of a displacement element, which can move between a non-use position and a use position. In the use position, each support element is rotatably arranged at the end of the displacement element away from the vehicle seat. In this case, the support elements can be locked together by a locking mechanism. In the unlocked state, the support elements are rotatably arranged on the support via the first displacement element. The support elements can be moved from the use position to a table position by swinging, in which the support elements can be used as a table by the vehicle occupant.

[0013] In summary, a calf rest in the form of a leg rest for a vehicle seat is demonstrated, wherein the calf rest can be arranged or fixed to a length adjustment rail of a vehicle seat length adjustment device, because such a length adjustment rail is formed, for example, on the corresponding side area of ​​the vehicle seat. In this case, the calf rest is fixed in a pull-out and swing-out manner. The support device includes two support elements that can be locked and unlocked to each other, wherein the first support element can be flipped upwards for use as a table.

[0014] Based on the correct sitting posture of vehicle occupants in the vehicle seat, the side areas of the vehicle seat are preferably located on the left and right sides of the vehicle seat. Vehicle seats that provide leg rests are advantageous for motor vehicles.

[0015] The leg rest of the present invention has several advantages. For example, the leg rest designed according to the present invention provides a particularly simple solution, namely, the leg rest can be designed with particular flexibility and practicality because, in addition to supporting the calf, it also provides a table function for the occupant. Another advantage of this dual function is that, for example, there is no need to carry a table in addition to the leg rest, thus making the vehicle seat and motor vehicle design particularly lightweight. Furthermore, more components can be eliminated; for example, due to fewer components, the fail-safety is particularly high, and the price of the leg rest, vehicle seat, and / or motor vehicle is also particularly low.

[0016] Therefore, we offer a simple and economical solution that integrates the dual functions of a calf rest and a table into a single functional unit. Furthermore, the mounting elements can directly transfer force into the vehicle's frame, for example, through connections on the vehicle seat's length adjustment rails (especially movable length adjustment rails). This allows for exceptionally simple fitting and requires very little installation space.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first support element has a desktop extension element, particularly a foldable desktop extension element. In other words, the desktop extension element extends or expands the area of ​​the first support element, which is rotatably mounted on a first end, that can be used as a desktop. For example, the desktop extension element can extend from a portion of the support element to expand the desktop. Advantageously, however, the desktop extension element is foldable, particularly by means of a folding mechanism, such as a hinge. By means of a folding mechanism, the desktop extension element can be arranged on a portion of the support element, particularly on the portion serving as a leg rest. In the table position, the first support element can be swung so that the side of the support element serving as the desktop faces upwards, so as to function as a tabletop. The desktop extension element can be arranged in this way by means of a folding mechanism. By folding, particularly a 180-degree fold, the desktop extension element can be moved, thereby expanding the desktop.

[0018] Therefore, the leg rest has the particularly advantageous dual function as a table because it provides a particularly large tabletop. Furthermore, the portion of the tabletop extension element or other support element that serves as the tabletop can have recesses for placing beverage cups and / or cutlery and / or utensils and / or electronic devices and / or other items. This allows for additional functionality within the table position.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, each displacement element includes a guide element connected to a fixed element and a support arm movable relative to the guide element, the support arm having respective ends for arranging the respective support elements. Thus, a first guide element is rotatably connected to a first fixed element, while a second guide element is fixedly connected to a second fixed element. Each guide element serves to guide, particularly when moving the support arms, to move the support arms between a non-use position and a use position, or between a non-use state and a use state. Therefore, each guide element is fixed relative to the vehicle seat or at least one component of the vehicle seat (such as a seat element). Thus, each support arm can move relative to the vehicle seat via the guide element. An advantage of this displacement element design is that the displacement of the support elements between the non-use position and the use position can be performed very conveniently, for example, using only a very small number of components.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first drive mechanism is provided, by which the first support element can be moved from a use position to a table position. Additionally or alternatively, a second drive mechanism is also provided, by which two interlocked support elements can be moved between a use position and a non-use position. For example, each drive mechanism may have a motor, which is powered, in particular, by means of onboard electronics. The second drive mechanism is designed, for example, by arrangement on the second displacement element, to allow the two support elements to move in a locked state by a locking device, i.e., eliminating the need for a third drive mechanism. Furthermore, the primary function of the second drive mechanism is to move or displace the two support elements, or the second support element in an unlocked state, to one of the applicable positions. An advantage of using at least one of the drive mechanisms is that the leg rest can be operated in a particularly advantageous manner because the movement from the use position to the non-use position or from the use position to the table position is quasi-independent for the occupant, since the occupant does not have to move to the corresponding position by their own strength and / or movement. Therefore, the occupant will experience particular comfort.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second support arm has teeth and / or rack and / or pivot, which can be moved between a used position and a non-used position by means of a second drive mechanism. In other words, the movement of the support element is achieved by driving or moving the teeth and / or rack and / or pivot by the second drive mechanism. The advantage obtained here is that the movement of the leg rest is achieved mechanically with particular reliability.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first support element has a first connecting surface that overlaps with a second connecting surface of the second support element when the two support elements are locked together. That is, the first connecting surface coincides with the second connecting surface. Furthermore, in the locked state, the connecting surfaces advantageously abut or rest directly against each other. Additionally or alternatively, the two connecting surfaces also have an overlapping area through which the connecting surfaces contact each other when the first support element moves from a table position to a use position, thereby allowing the support elements to move toward each other for locking or locking by a locking device. In other words, the first and second connecting surfaces contact or overlap each other, and when the first support element moves from a table position to a use position through the contact of the connecting surfaces, the two support elements can move toward each other for locking.

[0023] For example, the two connecting surfaces can be inclined. Here, inclination means that the direction is neither perpendicular nor horizontal to the direction determined by the rotation or rotational movement of the first support element between the table position and the use position. Therefore, during movement, the two support elements move towards each other in a controlled manner from a specific swing angle position, which is the state between the table position and the use position (and / or the use position and the non-use position), at which point the locking mechanism or locking device can be locked particularly easily. The advantage obtained by the connecting surfaces is that only a very small amount of energy is required to operate for locking, because the two support elements contact each other through the connecting surfaces and come into close contact with each other after rotational movement, moving towards each other almost automatically to the locked position. By having the connecting surfaces overlap in the locked state of the locking device, the leg rest can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0024] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second support element is wider than the first support element. Specifically, the width of the second support element can be twice that of the first support element; thus, in the entire width of the support elements, the first support element occupies one-third of the width of the portion of the leg rest used for placing the lower leg (the two support elements), and the second support element occupies two-thirds. The advantage of dividing the support elements or using different widths is that when the first support element is in the table position, the second support element, continuing to function as a support for the lower leg, still has a certain width, which can comfortably support not only one lower leg of the occupant but also both lower legs. Furthermore, for the first support element, such width is unnecessary, for example, due to the presence of the tabletop extension element, as the tabletop can be expanded by the tabletop extension element. The resulting advantage is that the leg rest can be used in a particularly comfortable manner.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a leg rest or one of the embodiments of the leg rest according to the invention. In this case, the vehicle seat can be designed as a fixed vehicle seat, such that two fixing elements can be fixed, particularly directly, to the floor connection of the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the length of the vehicle seat, or along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, can also be adjusted, and a corresponding length adjustment device is provided. In this case, the first fixing element is fixed to a first length adjustment guide rail of the length adjustment device, and the second fixing element is fixed to a second length adjustment guide rail of the length adjustment device.

[0026] The advantage of the vehicle seat according to the invention is that it provides a particularly comfortable leg rest, whether in a fixed vehicle seat or a length-adjustable vehicle seat.

[0027] A third aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, particularly an automobile designed as a passenger vehicle, having an advantageous embodiment of a leg rest and / or leg support according to the invention, and additionally or alternatively having a vehicle seat according to the invention.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the first fixing element and components disposed on the first fixing element, such as a first displacement element and a first support element, are arranged on one side of the vehicle seat or on the side of the vehicle seat away from the door. In other words, the first support element can form a table function or table position, and the first support element is arranged on the aisle side of the vehicle. The advantage of arranging it on the side of the vehicle seat away from the door is that even if the first support element is in a table position, it is easy to enter and exit the vehicle seat.

[0029] The advantages and advantageous designs of the first aspect of the present invention should be regarded as advantages and advantageous designs of the second and / or third aspects of the present invention, and vice versa. Therefore, the advantages and advantageous designs of the third aspect of the present invention should be regarded as advantages and advantageous designs of the second and / or first aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, the advantages and advantageous designs of the second aspect of the present invention should be regarded as advantages and advantageous designs of the first and third aspects of the present invention.

[0030] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention are set forth in the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the features and combinations of features mentioned in the specification and those mentioned and / or shown individually in the drawings may be used not only in their respective combinations, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0031] In the attached image:

[0032] Figure 1An oblique perspective view of a leg rest for a vehicle seat is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 It shows including according to Figure 1 A schematic top view of the lower leg supports of the two supporting elements shown;

[0034] Figure 3 It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat with a calf rest, where the support element of the calf rest is in a non-use position.

[0035] Figure 4 It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figure 3 The schematic side view of a vehicle seat with a calf rest shown, where the support element is in the use position;

[0036] Figure 5 It shows according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows a schematic top view of a vehicle seat, in which the support elements are unlocked relative to each other in the use position;

[0037] Figure 6 It shows Figures 3 to 5 The schematic perspective view of the vehicle seat shown indicates that the first support element is in the table position and the second support element is in the use position;

[0038] Figure 7 It shows Figures 3 to 6 The schematic front view of the vehicle seat shown shows the desktop extension element of the first support element folded down;

[0039] Figure 8 It shows Figures 3 to 7 The schematic perspective view of the vehicle seat shown indicates that the desktop extension element is flipped open, and the second support element is shifted between a use position and a non-use position to a suitable position. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Motor vehicles have gradually increased people's mobility. Therefore, the interior space of motor vehicles (such as passenger cars) is used more frequently and for a wider range of purposes. Thus, the interior space should provide as much comfort as possible for occupants. Furthermore, efforts should be made to improve comfort without increasing weight. Therefore, the following figures illustrate the leg rest 10 used in vehicle seat 12, and for example... Figure 3 The vehicle seat 12 is shown. In addition... Figure 3The vehicle 14 is shown at least schematically, including a vehicle seat 12 and a calf support 10. The calf support 10 shown, which is used to support at least one lower leg or at least one calf muscle of the occupant and may also be called a calf support, has a dual function, being not only particularly comfortable but also particularly lightweight.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown in the schematic perspective view, the calf support 10 includes a first fixing element 16 and a second fixing element 18. In this case, as... Figure 3 As shown, the first fixing element 16 and the second fixing element 18 are used to fix the lower leg support 10, that is, to hold it in the opposite side area 20 of the vehicle seat 12, thereby holding the lower leg support 10 on the vehicle seat 12 or relative to the vehicle seat.

[0042] The first displacement element 22 is rotatably connected to the first fixed element 16, particularly via a rotary joint 24. The second displacement element 26 is fixedly connected to the second fixed element 18. Unlike the first displacement element 22, the fixed nature of the second displacement element 26 means that it is essentially non-rotatable.

[0043] A first support element 30 is provided on the end 28 of the first displacement element 22 opposite to the first fixing element 16 in a use position. The first support element 30 and the second support element 36 can be locked together by means of a locking device 32. The second support element is rotatably arranged on the end 34 of the second displacement element 26 away from the second fixing element 18 in the use position. Figure 1 schematic perspective view and Figure 2 The top view shows the support elements 30 and 36 locked together by locking device 32.

[0044] In order to enable the illustrated calf support 10 to be used in a particularly advantageous manner and with a particularly wide range of functions, the first support element, which is unlocked from the second support element 36 in the use position, can be displaced by rotating the first displacement element 22 relative to the first fixing element 16. Figures 6 to 8 The table location is shown.

[0045] Advantageously, each displacement element 22 and 26 includes a guide element 38 connected to the corresponding fixing elements 16 and 18 and a support arm 40 displaceable relative to the guide element 38, the support arm having corresponding ends 28 and 34 at which corresponding support elements 30 or 36 are arranged.

[0046] To facilitate the particularly advantageous removal of the support elements 30 and 36, which are used to accommodate the occupant's lower legs in the usage position, from their non-use positions, and to also move the first support element 30 from the usage position to the table position, drive mechanisms 42 and 44 are provided. The first drive mechanism 42 is used to move the first support element 30 from the usage position to the table position and back. The second drive mechanism 44 is used to move the two interlocked support elements 30 and 36 between the usage position and the non-use position, such as... Figure 3 As shown, in the non-use position, support elements 30 and 36 are arranged at vehicle seat 12 or below seat element 56 of vehicle seat.

[0047] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen from the diagram, the second support arm 40 of the second displacement element 26 has teeth 46, additionally or alternatively has a rack, and additionally or alternatively has a pivot 48. Displacement can be implemented or caused between a used position and a non-used position by means of the teeth, rack, and pivot via the second drive device 44. Additionally or alternatively, another tooth and / or another rack and / or another pivot is provided so that displacement can be implemented or caused between a used position and a table position by means of the first drive device 42.

[0048] also, Figure 2 It is also shown that the locking device 32 advantageously has an operating element 54 for locking and unlocking, that is, the operating element is used to open and close the locking device 32 and thus for connecting and / or separating the two support elements 30 and 36 to each other.

[0049] Due to the rotatable supports or arrangements of the support elements 30 and 36 on their respective ends 28 and 34, the two support elements 30 and 36 can rotate about the rotation axis 78. When the locking device 32 is opened, thereby allowing the two support elements 30 and 36 to separate, the rotation axis 78 can be separated.

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of the leg rest 10 arranged on the vehicle seat 12 is shown. Figure 3 The schematic arrangement of the vehicle seat 12 in the motor vehicle 14, as illustrated in the schematic description, is further shown.

[0051] The vehicle seat 12 shown has a length adjustment device 50, which has a length adjustment guide 52. To hold or secure the leg rest 10 to the vehicle seat 12 in a particularly advantageous manner, a first fixing element 16 is fixed to a first length adjustment guide in the length adjustment guide 52 on a first side region 20. A second fixing element 18 is fixed to a second length adjustment guide in the length adjustment guide 52 on a second side region 20.

[0052] In order to use the vehicle seat 12 in a particularly advantageous manner, the first fixing element 16 of the motor vehicle 14 including the vehicle seat 12 is arranged on the side of the vehicle seat 12 away from the door, and thus arranged on the aisle side rather than the door side.

[0053] In addition to seat element 56, vehicle seat 12 may also include backrest 58 and headrest 60. Furthermore, seat element 56 may have frame element 62, which is arranged on length adjustment device 50 via length adjustment guide 52. Additionally, vehicle seat 12 may have partially visible decorative elements and / or adjustment elements 64 for the length adjustment device.

[0054] In order to support the lower leg with the calf support 10 in its use position, and further to use the first support element 30 as a table in the table position, a method including multiple steps can be set to operate the calf support 10:

[0055] In the first step, the two connected, locked support elements 30 and 36 are fully extended by means of the drive device 44. Figure 4 The usage location is shown. The difference is that... Figure 3 The lower leg support or its supporting elements 30 and 36 are shown in the non-use position. Advantageously, displacement or movement between the use position and the non-use position can be made along the displacement direction 72.

[0056] Figure 5 This illustrates how, in the second step of the method, the locking device 32 is unlocked via operating element 54. Figures 1 to 4 In this case, the operating element is in the locked or latched position.

[0057] In the third step of the method, the first support element 30—specifically via the first drive device 42—moves from the use position to the table position. The table position is as follows: Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown.

[0058] Figure 6 This further illustrates how, in the fourth step, the first support element 30 is rotated in the direction of rotation 68 indicated by the arrow, from, for example, a position where the support element 30 is positioned towards the leg rest on the vehicle roof, to a table position. In the table position, the table-like side of the support element 30 faces the vehicle roof. Figure 7 As shown.

[0059] Subsequently, Figure 7 In the fifth step shown, the desktop extension element 66 can be unfolded along the folding direction 70 indicated by the arrow to form an exceptionally wide usable desktop, such as... Figure 8 As shown.

[0060] In addition to this method of operation, the present invention may also alternatively employ the following method, namely, omitting the [alongside / along] path. Figure 6 The rotation is in the direction of rotation 68 shown. That is, as described above, the support element 30 swings upward, as... Figure 6 As illustrated, the surface that is also used as a calf support is used directly as a tabletop, or / and a tabletop is created by a subsequent swinging process along the folding direction 70.

[0061] Finally, adjust the length in step six. The result of adjusting the length is as follows. Figure 8 As shown. During this process, the distance between the seat element 56 and the second support element 36 is adjusted by moving the displacement element 26 along the displacement direction 72, thus allowing for the assumption of an applicable position different from the usage position. In the usage position, the support elements 36 (and / or 30) are fully extended by the displacement elements 26 (and / or 22). The applicable position can be the usage position of the support elements 36 or the support elements 30 and 36, or a position different from the non-use position. The displacement direction 72 is the direction of displacement of the support elements 30 and 36 between the non-use position and the usage position. Thus, even with both support elements 30 and 36 locked, the applicable position of the support elements 30 and 36—particularly according to the occupant's leg length—can be adjusted between the usage position and the non-use position to support the lower legs.

[0062] from Figures 5 to 7 The comparison shows that the first support element 30 has a first connecting surface 74. When the two support elements 30 and 36 are locked together, the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface 76 of the second support element 36 are oriented or overlapped, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 As shown. Furthermore, the two connecting surfaces 74 and 76, by forming an overlapping area, ensure that when the first support element 30 moves from the table position to the use position, the two connecting surfaces 74 and 76 come into contact with each other, thereby allowing the support elements 30 and 36 to move toward each other so that the locking device 32 can be locked in a particularly easy manner. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The mutual orientation of the connecting surfaces 74 and 76 illustrates this point.

[0063] The diagram also shows that the second support element 36 is wider than the first support element 30, specifically twice the width of the first support element 30. Therefore, one-third of the total width of the leg rest 10 is comprised of the first support element 30, and two-thirds is comprised of the second support element 32. Because the second support element 36 is wider, there is sufficient space to accommodate the occupant's two lower legs when the first support element 30 is used in the table position.

[0064] at last, Figure 7 and Figure 8Specifically shown is the first support element 30, which includes a foldable desktop extension element 66. From Figure 8 As can be seen, the desktop formed by the support element 30 can also be provided with a storage groove 80 for storing items, especially beverage cups.

[0065] In summary, the figure shows the leg rest 10, the vehicle seat 12, and the motor vehicle 14. Supports in the form of support elements 30 and 36 are arranged on movable length-adjustable guide rails 52 on the left and right sides of the vehicle seat 12, respectively. Each support is connected to a guide element 38, which is fixedly connected to and / or integrated with the support on the door side. Meanwhile, on the aisle side, i.e., the side away from the door, the guide element 38 is connected to the support via a rotary joint 24. Furthermore, the guide element 38 on the aisle side is also connected—specifically, fixedly—to a drive unit 42, which swings the guide element upward to achieve a table-like function.

[0066] These guide elements 38 move the calf support or the support arm 40 of the calf support 10. This moves the calf support from a non-use position, particularly directly located at the seat cushion or seat element 56, of the support elements 30 and 36, to a suitable position desired by the occupant, up to the maximum usable position. The actual calf support is rotatably supported, particularly about its respective axis of rotation 78. Therefore, the calf support, or the calf support formed by the support elements 30 and 36, can automatically adjust to an angle particularly advantageous to the occupant due to its rotatability. For movement between the usable and non-use positions, the support arm 40 is preferably equipped with teeth 46, particularly on the aisle side, which perform the displacement via a drive mechanism 44. Alternatively, the support arm 40 may also be equipped with a rack, or additionally or alternatively with a pivot 48 for the drive mechanism.

[0067] Advantageously, two-thirds of the calf support is divided into support elements 36, and one-third into support elements 30. The two-thirds portion of support element 36 serves solely as a calf support, while the one-third portion of support element 30 can function as both a calf support and a table. To function as a table, the calf support must first be positioned at the front, i.e., the usage position. Then, the locking mechanism, locking device 32, is activated to separate the calf support formed by support elements 30 and 36. For ease of operation, the occupant should be able to easily move their legs to the door-side portion of the calf support 10. The table, essentially formed by support element 30, can then be swung upwards to the table position via the drive device 42. When used as a table, this portion of the calf support can rotate 180 degrees and then unfold again to increase the table area. Alternatively, a design can be adopted where the 180° rotation is not required; one-third of the calf support can be used directly as a tabletop, or unfolded to form a tabletop. Since the support arm 40 for the table function is advantageously arranged on one side of the passage, it is also possible to smoothly enter and exit the vehicle seat 12 when using the table function.

[0068] When the support element 30 is in the table position, the door-side portion of the calf support, i.e., the support element 36, can move freely back and forth to achieve a favorable applicable position. To restore the original calf support function, the support element 30 swings downward by rotation. If the support element 36 is in an applicable position different from the usage position, the support element is moved to the usage position, thus moving it to the foremost position, for example... Figures 4 to 7 As shown. Conversely, Figure 8 The applicable position is shown as different from the usage position. Due to the inclined connecting surfaces 74 and 76, the two support elements 30 and 36 can be positioned relative to each other particularly easily. Therefore, in the foremost position of the two support elements 30 and 36, which is the usage position, the two support elements can move towards each other in a practically controllable manner from a specific swing angle position. Now, the locking device 32 can be locked again, and the calf support 10 formed by the support elements 30 and 36 can be used like a conventional calf support.

[0069] In summary, a leg rest 10 for a vehicle seat 12 is shown, having a first fixing element 16 and a second fixing element 18 configured to fix the leg rest 10 to the vehicle seat 12. A first displacement element 22 is rotatably connected to the first fixing element 16, and a second displacement element 26 is fixedly connected to the second fixing element 18. At the first end 28 of the first displacement element 22, a first support element 30 is provided, which is rotatably held on the first displacement element. The first support element can be locked to the second support element 36 by means of a locking device 32. The second support element is rotatably arranged at the second end 34 of the second displacement element 26. The two support elements 30 and 36 can be moved from a use position to a non-use position by means of the displacement elements 22 and 26. In addition, the first support element 30 can also be moved from the use position to a table position.

[0070] Similarly, the calf support 10 shown can also be used on a fixed vehicle seat that does not have a length adjustment device 50, unlike the embodiment of vehicle seat 12. In this case, the fixing elements 16 and 18, as well as, for example, the drive devices 42 and 44, are directly connected to the floor connection of the vehicle seat.

[0071] The calf support 10, vehicle seat 12, and motor vehicle 14 shown have exceptionally high comfort and numerous functions, while also being particularly compact in terms of structural space or weight.

Claims

1. A leg rest (10) for a vehicle seat (12), comprising a first fixing element (16) and a second fixing element (18) configured to fix the leg rest (10) to opposite side regions (20) of the vehicle seat (12), wherein a first displacement element (22) is rotatably connected to the first fixing element (16), and a second displacement element (26) is fixedly connected to the second fixing element (18); a first support element (30) is provided on the end (28) of the first displacement element (22) away from the first fixing element (16) in the use position, and is rotatably held on the first displacement element; the first support element is lockable to the second support element (36) by means of a locking device (32); and the second support element is rotatably arranged on the end (34) of the second displacement element (26) away from the second fixing element (18) in the use position, wherein, The two support elements (30, 36) can be moved from the use position to the non-use position by means of the displacement elements (22, 26). By rotating the first displacement element (22) relative to the first fixed element (16), the first support element (30) which is unlocked from the second support element (36) in the use position can be moved to the table position.

2. The calf support (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The first support element (30) has a desktop extension element (66).

3. The lower leg support (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, Each displacement element (22, 26) includes a guide element (38) connected to a corresponding fixed element (16, 18) and a support arm (40) movable relative to the guide element (38). The support arm has a corresponding end (28, 34) with a corresponding support element (30, 36) arranged at the end.

4. The calf support (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, A first drive device (42) is provided, by means of which the first support element (30) can be moved from the use position to the table position, and / or a second drive device (44) is provided, by means of which the two mutually locked support elements (30, 36) can be moved between the use position and the non-use position.

5. The calf support (10) according to claim 3. Its features are, A second drive device (44) is provided, by means of which two mutually locked support elements (30, 36) can be moved between a use position and a non-use position. The second support arm (40) has teeth (46) and / or a rotating shaft (48), by means of which the movement between the use position and the non-use position can be realized by means of the second drive device (44).

6. The calf support (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The first support element (30) has a first connecting surface (74) which overlaps with the second connecting surface (76) of the second support element (36) when the two support elements (30, 36) are locked together, and / or the two connecting surfaces (74, 76) have an overlapping area. When the first support element (30) moves from the table position to the use position, these connecting surfaces (74, 76) come into contact with each other through the overlapping area, thereby enabling the support elements (30, 36) to move toward each other to lock the locking device (32).

7. The calf support (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The second support element (36) is wider than the first support element (30).

8. The calf support (10) according to claim 7. Its features are, The width of the second support element (36) is twice the width of the first support element (30).

9. The calf support (10) according to claim 2. Its features are, The desktop extension element (66) is foldable.

10. A vehicle seat (12) comprising a leg rest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The fixing elements (16, 18) are fixed at the floor connection of the vehicle seat (12), or the vehicle seat (12) has a length adjustment device (50) with a length adjustment guide (52), the first fixing element (16) is fixed on the first length adjustment guide in the length adjustment guide (52), and the second fixing element (18) is fixed on the second length adjustment guide in the length adjustment guide (52).

11. A motor vehicle (14) comprising a leg rest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and / or a vehicle seat (12) according to claim 10.

12. The motor vehicle (14) according to claim 11; Its features are, The first fixing element (16) is arranged on the side of the vehicle seat (12) away from the door.

Images