FOOTREST ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A footrest arrangement (100) for a vehicle is described. The arrangement comprises a pair of brackets (102a, 102b) that can be attached to the lateral ends of a frame section (201) of a seat (200). The footrest is positioned between each of the two brackets and is slidably connected to each of the brackets. The footrest is configured to be displaced between an extended position (F) and a retracted position (S) relative to the pair of brackets. At least one actuator is coupled to the footrest via a connecting element (105) and is configured to displace the footrest between the extended and retracted positions. The arrangement of this disclosure can provide the occupant with support for resting and supporting their feet, thereby reducing the load on the occupant's feet.

Description

PREAMBLE FOR DESCRIPTIONIn the following description, the invention and the manner in which it is practiced will be described in more detail.TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of motor vehicles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a footrest assembly for vehicles. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a configuration of the footrest assembly for an occupant seated in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.BACKGROUNDPassenger cars have evolved over several decades to provide optimum comfort for the occupants. Nowadays, the focus is to make the interior more comfortable and luxurious for the occupants. Plush and luxurious cabins provide the occupants with more comfort and comfort. To provide the passenger's convenience on the passenger seats of vehicles, various features are incorporated into the passenger compartment. These include armrests, headrests, adjustable leg braces or adjustable seats which are generally present in the vehicle. In an effort to further improve occupant comfort and comfort, certain vehicles are also equipped with foot rests that support the occupants' feet. Moreover, the use of such footrests can avoid soiling of the vehicle floor.Typically, footrest assemblies for the occupants of the rear seats are located in the lower portion of the vehicle and are located at the rear of the front row of seats of the vehicle. In some configurations, the footrest assemblies may be housed in the seats or in the dashboard of the vehicle, or in the center console between the seats of the first row of the vehicle. When an occupant of the vehicle desires to place their feet on the footrest, the occupant may electronically or manually actuate the footrest so that the footrest slides on the floor of the vehicle. However, the conventional configurations of footrests present some challenges, such as packaging constraints or space requirements in the case of footrests housed under the seats of the first row. The footrest, in the form of a cot or footrest extending from the dashboard, may not provide sufficient support to the feet of the occupants and may be uncomfortable for the occupants.In vehicles, there are conventional footrest configurations for supporting the feet of the occupants. For example, Patent Publication No. 111548424B2 discloses a motor-driven leg rest for a vehicle having a pair of fixed plates, a main pipe connected to the inner surfaces of the fixed plates, and a tilting motor tiltably attached to the main pipe. The leg rest further includes a pair of main links fixed to the outer surfaces of the fixed plates by respective first hinge pins, a support tube connected to the front end portions of the main links, a lead nut holder coupled to a lead screw and movable forward and backward and hingedly fixed to the support tube. A pair of leg support members mounted on both sides of a leg support frame and a pair of drive members each of which is hingedly attached to the respective leg support members, the main members and the fixed plates which operate in conjunction with the main member and fold the pair of leg support members in and out. Although the conventional configurations provide support for the feet of the occupants, such configurations take up more space in the cabin and are significantly more complex. In addition, the number of components required for the conventional footrest may be significantly higher and require a higher maintenance effort.The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the foregoing limitations or other limitations associated with the prior art.The information disclosed in this Background of the Disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or an indication that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREOne or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome and additional advantages are provided by the arrangement as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized by the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered part of the claimed disclosure.In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a footrest assembly for a vehicle is described. The footrest assembly includes a pair of brackets. One end of each bracket of the pair of brackets is attachable to the lateral ends of a frame portion of a reconfigurable seat. The footrest assembly further includes a footrest that forms a support surface for an occupant's foot. The footrest is disposed between each of the two brackets and slidably connected to each of the brackets. The footrest is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position relative to the two brackets. At least one actuator is coupled to the footrest via a link and is configured to translate the footrest between the first position and the second position.In an embodiment of the disclosure, in the second position, the footrest slides outward relative to the reconfigurable seat to receive the occupant's foot. In the first position, the footrest is stored below the reconfigurable seat.In an embodiment of the disclosure, another end of each of the two brackets opposite to the one end is fixed to the lateral ends of the portion of the frame and provided with an elongated slot extending toward the vehicle front and rear.In one embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated slot is structured to receive a portion of the footrest and slidably support the footrest. The footrest is slidable along a length of the elongated slots when actuated by the at least one actuator.In an embodiment of the disclosure, the link is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion on the pair of brackets. One end of the link is coupled to a rear end of the footrest and another end opposite the one end of the link is operatively connected to the at least one actuator via a link.In an embodiment of the disclosure, the link is rotated clockwise by the displacement of the link in a direction "A" by the at least one actuator, thereby displacing the footrest in a direction "D" to displace the footrest to the retracted position. Displacement of the link in a direction "B" by the at least one actuator rotates the link counterclockwise, thereby displacing the footrest in a direction "C" to displace the footrest to the second position.In one embodiment of the disclosure, the footrest assembly includes an additional bracket. One end of the additional bracket is attachable to the portion of the frame of the reconfigurable seat and another end opposite the one end is structured to receive and support the at least one actuator.In a further non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a reconfigurable seat for a vehicle is described. The reconfigurable seat includes a seat base frame and a seat back frame each provided with a cushioning component. The backrest frame is adjustably mounted on a seat base frame. A footrest assembly is provided on a rear portion. The footrest assembly includes a pair of brackets. One end of each bracket of the pair may be fixed to the lateral ends of a frame portion of an adjustable seat. The footrest assembly further includes a footrest that forms a support surface for an occupant's foot. The footrest is disposed between each of the two brackets and slidably connected to each of the brackets. The footrest is configured to be movable between a second position and a retracted position relative to the two brackets. At least one actuator is coupled to the footrest via a link and is configured to translate the footrest between the second position and the retracted position.In a further non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle is described. The vehicle includes a body having an occupant compartment partially defined by a floor panel. A reconfigurable seat is mounted over the floor panel of the passenger compartment. The reconfigurable seat includes a seat base frame and a seat back frame each provided with a cushioning component. The backrest frame is adjustably mounted on the seat base frame. A footrest assembly is provided on the rear. The footrest assembly includes a pair of brackets. One end of each bracket of the pair may be fixed to the lateral ends of a frame portion of an adjustable seat. The footrest assembly further includes a footrest that forms a support surface for an occupant's foot. The footrest is disposed between each of the two brackets and slidably connected to each of the brackets. The footrest is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position relative to the two brackets. At least one actuator is coupled to the footrest via a link and is configured to translate the footrest between the first position and the second position.The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments and features described above, other aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGSThe novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, as well as a mode of use, other objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood, however, by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which: FIG. 1 shows an example perspective illustration of a reconfigurable seat having a footrest assembly for supporting the occupant's foot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the footrest assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 shows a side view of the footrest assembly of FIG. 1 in the second position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The figures show embodiments of the disclosure, which are for illustrative purposes only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the mechanism illustrated herein may be used without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONWhile the embodiments described in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular form shown, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.It should be appreciated that one skilled in the art will be rendered motivatable by the present disclosure and may alter various features of the footrest assembly without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only the specific details that are relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure in order not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the present description. Also, the arrangement of the present disclosure may be used in any type of vehicle including small commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and the like. The vehicle is not shown in the corresponding figures for the sake of simplicity.The terms "comprises... a", "comprising", or other variations thereof used in the disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system comprising a list of components not only includes those components, but may also include other components not expressly listed or belonging to such a system. In other words, one or more elements in a system initiated with "comprises... a" does not exclude, without further limitations, the existence of other or additional elements in the system.Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a footrest assembly for a vehicle. The footrest assembly of the present disclosure is designed to provide significantly better support and feel to an occupant's feet as compared to conventional footrests. The footrest assembly of the present disclosure may require minimal parts, resulting in a reduction in inventory and storage costs. Moreover, the footrest assembly is simple to assemble. The footrest assembly is also compact and can be retrofitted to existing vehicles. In addition, the footrest assembly is cost effective and requires less maintenance.The footrest assembly for the vehicle includes a pair of brackets, one end of each bracket of the pair being attachable to the lateral ends of a frame portion of an adjustable seat. The assembly further comprises a footrest. The footrest may form a reclining surface for an occupant's foot. The footrest may be disposed between each of the two brackets and slidably connected to each of the brackets. The footrest may be configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the two brackets. At least one actuator may be coupled to the footrest via a link and configured to translate the footrest between the extended position and the retracted position. Other features and features of the footrest assembly may be found / appreciated from the following sections of the present disclosure. The features of the footrest arrangement will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 to 3.In the following sections, the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 to 3. In the figures, the same element or elements having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Referring generally to the drawings, a foot support assembly for a vehicle for supporting an occupant's foot in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral 100 in the corresponding figures. Other features and elements of the footrest assembly (100) are represented in the corresponding figures by corresponding reference numerals [see list of reference numerals], which will be used hereafter according to the respective features. It should be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to a particular vehicle. Also, the corresponding figures depict only a portion of the vehicle in which aspects of the present disclosure are embodied. In the figures, only a portion of the interior space is shown showing an occupant and a reconfigurable seat, and is denoted by reference numerals (200). Accordingly, the drawings show only the specific details that are relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having regard to the present description.The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and use. Moreover, there is no intention to be bound by any theory set forth in the foregoing background or in the summary or in the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the disclosure may take various alternative orientations, unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices or components illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions or other physical properties relating to the embodiments are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some specific terms are used that point in a particular direction, the use of these terms or words is merely intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Accordingly, it should be noted that the meaning of these terms or words should not unduly limit the technical scope of the present invention.Further, the term approximation, such as "substantially," when used in relation to physical properties in the present disclosure should be understood to encompass a range of deviations that is considered satisfactory for a corresponding use, function, purpose, or the like by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term "substantially" is a descriptive term that is frequently used in disclosures to avoid strict numerical limitation of the specified parameter. The term "substantially" should be read in connection with the terms "perpendicular", "central", "circular", "along a radius", "vertical", "conformal", etc.It is also to be understood that the terminology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be considered as limiting. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "housed," "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled," and variations thereof, are used in the broadest sense to include both direct and indirect attachments, connections, supports, and couplings. Moreover, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, applications, conditions, or parameters described and / or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention as claimed. In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are outlined in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In addition, known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the described embodiment. The footrest arrangement ( 100) used in the vehicle is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 to 3 in connection with the present invention.The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may be used to allow passengers or occupants seated in a rear passenger compartment of the vehicle to rest or rest their feet. Moreover, the footrest assembly (100) according to the present disclosure may also be used to provide luxurious or ergonomic comfort to the occupant seated in the vehicle [not explicitly shown]. The vehicle may include a plurality of wheels to ensure mobility of the vehicle. Generally, the vehicle may include a bumper coupled or connectable to a beam located at the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle frame can also be referred to as a chassis and is used interchangeably below. The vehicle frame may include a pair of left and right lower parts [side frames] that extend directly from front to rear and are connected to a lower surface of a metal floor panel, which will also be referred to as a floor or a floor portion of the vehicle below. The floor panel is a portion that forms a floor surface of the occupant cabin. The floor panel is manufactured by, for example, pressing a steel plate, and forms a part of the monocoque structure of the vehicle body. The vehicle may further comprise a front part with provisions for receiving a bonnet which may be configured to cover a space for receiving a propulsion unit such as an internal combustion engine or a traction / propulsion motor. The vehicle also includes a rear end configured to receive a tailgate and cover the rear of the vehicle. A central portion extending between the front end and the rear end of the vehicle defines a passenger compartment or cabin.Moreover, the passenger compartment includes, among other components, an instrument panel disposed between the front end and the central portion. The driver seat and a passenger seat are attached to the floor panel at the front end of the vehicle immediately after the instrument panel. The driver seat and the passenger seat may form the front part of the passenger compartment. Likewise, the passenger cabin may also include a rear occupant. The rear passenger compartment may include a plurality of rows of seats of the vehicle. The number of rows of seats in the rear passenger compartment may be determined based on the dimensions or size of the vehicle. In the corresponding figures, only the seat (200) configured to receive the occupant is shown. The seat (200) may be configured as a driver seat, a passenger seat, or even a seat for the occupants in the rear compartment after the seats in the front compartment of the vehicle. In this case, the seat (200) may be reconfigured into various positions to provide optimal comfort to the occupant, and may therefore be referred to as a reconfigurable seat (200). The terms "reconfigurable seat ( 200)" and "seat ( 200)" are used interchangeably before and after one another within the scope of the present disclosure. The occupant further includes an insulating layer disposed on the floor panel of the vehicle. The insulating layer may be made of materials including, but not limited to, foam, cellulose, glass fiber, mineral wool, and the like. The insulation layer may be provided to reduce the NVH levels in the vehicle. A carpet layer (not explicitly shown) may be placed over the insulation layer to cover the insulation and improve the occupant's aesthetic and ambiquity. Once the carpet is laid on the insulation layer, the reconfigurable seats (200) may be secured to the floor panel.The reconfigurable seat (200) may include a seat base segment (202) and a backrest segment (203), each provided with a cushioning component. The backrest segment (203) is adjustably mounted on the seat base segment (202). The seat bottom segment (202) may include a seat bottom frame (not explicitly shown) and the backrest segment (203) may include a seat back frame. The seat base frame and the seat back frame may be configured to receive and support a cushioning component for the occupant. The seat base frame may include a pair of frame members disposed on the lateral sides of the seat base segment (202). The pair of frame members may be connected to each other by front and rear rods. In the figures, only the rear bar is shown and denoted by the reference numeral "201". The front rod and the rear rod (201) may be disposed between the pair of frame parts of the seat base frame, which may be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The pair of frame members may extend in length in a vehicle front-rear direction, while the front rod and the rear rod ( 201) may extend in length in the vehicle width direction between the pair of frame members. The footrest assembly (100) may be attached to a portion of the frame of the reconfigurable seat (200). The portion of the frame may refer to the "rear rod (201)" of the adjustable seat (200) and may accordingly be denoted by the reference number "201". Accordingly, the footrest assembly (100) may be provided at a rear end of the seat base. The footrest assembly (100) may be attached to a front end of the reconfigurable seat (200) and connected to the front rod of the reconfigurable seat (200) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The footrest assembly (100) will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3 in conjunction with Figure 1.The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may be mounted in the rear passenger compartment as described. The term "rear passenger compartment" should not be viewed as limiting to the second row of occupants in the vehicle, and may include a plurality of rows of seats in the vehicle according to the dimensions or size of the vehicle. The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may also be disposed in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle adjacent to the driver seat, i.e., on the passenger side. In one embodiment, the footrest assembly (100) may also be provided to the driver without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may be provided in the rear passenger compartment and the front passenger compartment for resting the feet of the occupant seated in the respective compartments. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the occupant seated on the reconfigurable seat (200) of the vehicle can move the footrest assembly (100) from a first position (S) to a second position (F). The first position (S) may also be referred to as a stowed position or a retracted position (S) and may be used interchangeably. In the retracted position (S), the footrest assembly (100) may be received in a space below the seat bottom (200). The second position (F) may also be referred to as the extended position (F) and may be used interchangeably. The footrest assembly (100) shown in FIG. 1 may be in the first position (S) / stowed position (S), and the second position (F) / deployed position (F) of the footrest assembly (100) may be seen in FIG. 3. The occupant may actuate the footrest assembly (100) between the first position (S) and the second position (F) by actuation of a switch. In one embodiment, the footrest assembly (100) can be selectively operated between the first position (S) and the second position (F) based on preset functions. The preset functions include the lounge mode, the sleep mode, the relaxation mode, and the like, in which the position of the seat (200) is adjusted accordingly. In one implementation, the footrest assembly (100) may be provided with a motion sensor that may be capable of detecting a swiping motion or a stepping motion to displace the footrest assembly (100) between the first position (S) and the second position (F).Conventional footrest configurations may enter the occupant cabin and consume space even when not in use. Unlike the conventional arrangements, the footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may be disposed in a space defined between the floor panel and the seat (200) in the occupant cabin of the vehicle. Unlike the conventional configurations, this arrangement does not consume space in the passenger compartment. The footrest assembly ( 100) is explained in more detail in the following embodiments with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the footrest assembly (100), which may be referred to in explaining the components / features of the footrest assembly (100).The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may include a pair of brackets (102a, 102b) [clearly seen in FIG. 2]. The two brackets (102a, 102b) may be attached to the rear rod (201) of the reconfigurable seat (200). The pair of brackets ( 102 a, 102 b) may be fixed to the rear rod ( 201) by at least one of a mechanical joining method, a thermal joining method, and the like. For example, the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) may be welded to the rear rod (201) of the reconfigurable seat (200). In an embodiment, the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) may be attached to the lateral ends of the rear rod (201) at one end. Another end of each bracket (102a, 102b) that may be opposite to the one end may be provided with an elongated slot (103). The elongated slot (103) may extend toward the vehicle front and rear. In one embodiment, the elongated slot (103) may be provided with a bezel (104) along the peripheral portion to obscure the edges of the elongated slot (103). The footrest assembly (100) may further comprise a footrest (101) that may form a support surface for the occupant's foot.The footrest (101) may be disposed between the two brackets (102a, 102b) fixed to the lateral ends of the rear rod (201), and may be slidably fixed to each of the two brackets (102a, 102b). The footrest (101) is slidably receivable within the elongated slots (103) formed in the pair of brackets (102a, 102b). In an embodiment, a rear end of the footrest (101) may be provided with a protrusion that can be received in the elongated slots (103). The protrusions may allow the footrest (101) to slide within the elongated slots (103). The footrest (101) may be slidable along the length of the elongated slots (103). In one embodiment, the footrest (101) may be secured relative to the elongated slots (103) by a fastener (108), as shown in FIG. 3. The footrest (101) may be adjustable between the first position (S) and the second position (F) relative to the pair of brackets (102a, 102b). That is, the footrest (101) may be adjusted between the retracted position (S) and the extended position (F) relative to the seat (200). The footrest ( 101) can be displaceable between the retracted position (S) and the extended position (F) by at least one actuator ( 107). As described above, the at least one actuator ( 107) can be triggered by the occupant in order to shift the footrest ( 101) between the first position (S) and the second position (F) by actuating a switch. In one embodiment, the footrest (101) may be selectively adjusted between the first position (S) and the second position (F) based on preset functions. The preset functions include the lounge mode, the sleep mode, the relaxation mode, and the like, in which the position of the seat (200) is adjusted accordingly. In one implementation, the footrest (101) may be provided with a motion sensor that may be capable of detecting a swiping motion or a stepping motion to translate the footrest (101) between the retracted position (S) and the extended position (F). The at least one actuator ( 107) may be supported by the pair of brackets ( 102 a, 102 b). In one embodiment, an additional bracket ( 109) [see FIG. 2 ] may be provided to receive and hold the at least one actuator ( 107). One end of the additional bracket (109) may be attached to the rear rod (201) of the reconfigurable seat (200), and another end opposite the one end receives the at least one actuator (107).The at least one actuator ( 107) can be coupled to the footrest ( 101) via a connecting member ( 105). The link (105) may be pivotally supported at a substantially central portion on the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) and configured to rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise upon actuation by the at least one actuator (107). One end of the link (105) may be coupled to the rear end of the footrest (101). In one embodiment, the one end of the link (105) may be fixed to the protrusion received in the elongated slots (103). Likewise, another end of the link (105) may be operatively coupled to the at least one actuator (107). The other end of the connecting member ( 105) can be coupled to the at least one actuator ( 107) via a connecting element ( 106). The connecting element ( 106) can be a spindle which can connect the other end of the connecting member ( 105) to the at least one actuator ( 107). As shown in FIG. 3, upon triggering of the at least one actuator (107), the connecting element (106) may be displaced in a direction "A", whereby the connecting member may in turn be rotated clockwise, whereby the footrest (101) is displaced in a direction "D" to displace the footrest (101) into the retracted position (S). Likewise, upon actuation of the actuator ( 107), the connecting element ( 106) can be displaced in a direction "B", whereby in turn the connecting member ( 105) is rotated counterclockwise, whereby the footrest ( 101) is displaced in a direction "C" in order to displace the footrest ( 101) into the extended position (F).When the occupant sits on the reconfigurable seat (200) of the vehicle and wishes to place his foot on the footrest assembly (100), the occupant may extend the footrest assembly (100). In one embodiment, the footrest assembly (100) can be deployed by the occupant by actuating the switch disposed proximate the occupant. The switch can be arranged on a center console located in the rear. In one embodiment, the footrest assembly (100) can be operated via an intuitive screen. According to an alternative embodiment, the footrest assembly ( 100) may have the capability to automatically adjust the footrest assembly ( 100) between the retracted position (S) and the extended position (F) (e.g., by a motion sensor, without being limited thereto). Actuation of the footrest assembly (100) may be controlled by a controller that may be disposed proximate to the footrest assembly (100). Upon actuation of the footrest assembly ( 100) by the occupant, the at least one actuator ( 107) may be triggered to displace the connecting element ( 106) in direction "A" and direction "B". By displacing the connecting element ( 106) in the direction "A", the connecting member ( 105) can be rotated in the clockwise direction. By rotating the link (105) clockwise, the footrest (101) can be slid in direction (D) to bring the footrest (101) into the retracted position (S). In order to displace the footrest ( 101) into the extended position (F), the at least one actuator ( 107) can displace the connecting element ( 106) in the direction "B". By the displacement of the connecting element ( 106) in the direction "B", the connecting member ( 105) can be rotated counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the link (105) may displace the footrest (101) in direction (C) to bring the footrest (101) to the extended position (F).In one embodiment, the footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure may provide the occupant with support for depositing and resting his feet. Accordingly, the footrest assembly (100) reduces the load on the feet of the occupant. The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure is compact. The footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure provides an adjustable mechanism to support the feet in various positions. Also, the footrest assembly (100) of the present disclosure is simple and inexpensive.In addition, the footrest assembly ( 100) is less maintenance-requiring. Advantageously, the footrest assembly ( 100) can be used in a series of vehicle lines and can also be retrofitted to existing vehicles. The costs for manufacturing the footrest assembly (100) are lower, as the number of parts required for manufacturing the footrest assembly (100) is lower, which reduces the parts costs.It is understood that a person skilled in the art can develop a system having a similar configuration without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.Equivalents:With regard to the use of terms in the plural and / or singular, the person skilled in the art can translate from the plural into the singular and / or from the singular into the plural depending on the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly listed herein for clarity.Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms used herein, and particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the portions of the appended claims), are generally to be understood as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to", the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "comprising, but not limited to", etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that when a particular number of introduced claims are intended, such an intention is expressly recited in the claim and that when such a suggestion is absent, such an intention is not present. For convenience in explanation, the following claims may use the introductory terms "at least one" and "one or more" to initiate claim statements. However, the use of such terms should not be construed as the introduction of claim enumeration by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limiting a particular claim containing such introduced claim enumeration to inventions containing only such enumeration, even if the same claim contains the introductory terms "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should typically be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same applies to the use of certain articles to introduce claim formulations. Although a particular number of claims introduced are expressly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such enumeration should generally be construed to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the mere enumeration of "two enumerations" without other modifiers will generally mean at least two enumerations or two or more enumerations). Moreover, in cases where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, generally such a construction is meant in the sense that one skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that virtually any disjunction word and / or set of two or more alternative terms in the specification, claims or drawings should be understood to include one of the terms, one of the terms or both terms. Thus, for example, the formulation "A or B" includes the possibilities "A" or "B" or "A and B". Although various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive, the true scope being indicated by the following claims.List of reference numbers:100 Footrest assembly 101 Footrest 102 a, 102 b Halterungen 103 Elongated slot 104 Bezel 105 Connecting member 106 Connecting member 107 Actuator 108 Fastening member 109 Additional bracket 200 Reconfigurable seat 201 Portion of frame 202 Seat base segment 203 Backrest segmentReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 11548424B2

[0005]

Claims

A footrest assembly (100) for a vehicle, the assembly (100) comprising: a pair of brackets (102a, 102b), one end of each bracket of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) being mountable to lateral ends of a frame portion (201) of a reconfigurable seat (200); a footrest (101) defining an occupant's foot resting surface, disposed between each of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b), and slidably connected to each of the brackets (102a, 102b), the footrest (101) configured to be displaceable between a first position (S) and a second position (F) relative to the pair of brackets (102a, 102b); and at least one actuator (107) coupled to the footrest (101) via a link (105) and configured to translate the footrest (101) between the first position (S) and the second position (F).The assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein in the second position (F) of the footrest (101), the footrest (101) slides outward relative to the reconfigurable seat (200) to receive the occupant's foot, and in the retracted position (S), the footrest (101) is stored below the reconfigurable seat (200).The assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein another end of each bracket of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) opposite to the one end fixed to the lateral ends of the frame portion (201) is provided with an elongated slot (103) extending in a vehicle front-rear direction.The assembly (100) of claims 1 and 3, wherein the elongated slots (103) are structured to receive a portion of the footrest (101) and slidably support the footrest (101), the footrest (101) being slidable along a length of the elongated slots (103) upon actuation by the at least one actuator (107).The assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the link (105) is hinged at a substantially central portion to the pair of brackets (102a, 102b).The assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein one end of the link (105) is coupled to a rear end of the footrest (101), and another end opposite the one end of the link (105) is operatively connected to the at least one actuator (107) via a link (106).The assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a displacement of the connecting element (106) by the at least one actuator (107) in a direction "A" rotates the connecting member (105) in a clockwise direction, thereby displacing the footrest (101) in a direction "D" to displace the footrest (101) into the retracted position (S), and a displacement of the connecting element (106) by the at least one actuator (107) in a direction "B" rotates the connecting member (105) in a counterclockwise direction, thereby displacing the footrest (101) in a direction "C" to displace the footrest (101) into the second position (F).The assembly (100) of claim 1 comprising an additional bracket (109), wherein one end is attachable to the portion (201) of the reconfigurable seat (200) and another end opposite the one end is structured to receive and support the at least one actuator (107).A reconfigurable seat (200) for a vehicle, the reconfigurable seat (200) comprising: a seat base frame and a seat back frame each provided with a cushioning component, the seat back frame being adjustably attached to a seat base frame; and a footrest assembly (100) provided at a rear end of the seat base frame to support a foot of an occupant, the assembly (100) comprising: a pair of brackets (102a, 102b), one end of each bracket of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) being attachable to lateral ends of a frame portion (201) of a reconfigurable seat (200); a footrest (101) defining a support surface for an occupant's foot, disposed between each of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b), and slidably coupled to each of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b), the footrest (101) configured to be slid between a second position (F) and a first position (S) relative to the pair of brackets (102a, 102b); and at least one actuator (107) coupled to the footrest (101) via a link (105) and configured to slide the footrest (101) between the second position (F) and the first position (S).A vehicle comprising: a body having an occupant space partially bounded by a floor panel; a reconfigurable seat (200) mounted over the floor panel of the occupant cabin, the reconfigurable seat (200) having a seat base frame and a seat back frame each provided with a cushioning component, the seat back frame adjustably mounted to a seat base frame; and a footrest assembly (100) provided at a rear end of the seat base frame to support the foot of an occupant, the assembly (100) comprising: a pair of brackets (102a, 102b), one end of each bracket of the pair of brackets (102a, 102b) being attachable to lateral ends of a frame portion (201) of a reconfigurable seat (200); a footrest (101) defining an occupant's foot resting surface, disposed between each of the two brackets (102a, 102b), and slidably connected to each of the two brackets (102a, 102b), the footrest (101) configured to be movable between a second position (F) and a first position (S) relative to the two brackets (102a, 102b); and at least one actuator (107) coupled to the footrest (101) via a link (105) and configured to move the footrest (101) between the second position (F) and the first position (S).

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