Footrest device

Abstract

To miniaturize a footrest device.SOLUTION: The footrest device includes a base that forms a footrest on which a person can place his or her feet, and a leg that is attached to a back surface side of the base and is rotatable about an axis extending in a direction along the back surface of the base between a non-deployed state in which the leg extends along the back surface of the base from one end on a shaft side to the other end on a distal end side and a deployed state in which the leg projects outward from the one end on the shaft side to the other end on the distal end side. The leg portion is disposed between both ends of the base portion in a direction along the axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a footrest device used as a footrest device on which a person places their feet. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, footrest devices for supporting the feet of a vehicle occupant are known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The footrest device described in Patent Document 1 includes a base portion forming a footrest and legs that are rotatable relative to the base portion. The base portion is formed in a case shape. The legs are rotatable around an axis that extends in a direction along the back surface of the base portion, and are formed in an arm shape extending from one end on the axis side to the other end on the tip side.

[0003] The legs are rotatable between a non-deployed state in which they extend along the back surface of the base from one end on the shaft side to the other end on the tip side, and a deployed state in which they extend and protrude outward from the back surface of the base from one end on the shaft side to the other end on the tip side. When the footrest device is placed on the floor in front of the vehicle seat, the foot rests of the base face substantially vertically upward in the non-deployed state of the legs, but are inclined diagonally upward toward the vehicle seat with respect to the floor in the deployed state of the legs, making it easier to support the feet of a vehicle occupant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 6-8920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the footrest device described in Patent Document 1, both ends of the leg protrude beyond both ends of the side walls of the base at the location where the shaft is provided. Specifically, when the leg is in a non-deployed state relative to the base, a portion of the leg covers the side walls at both axial ends of the base from the axial outside. This limits how short the axial length between the ends of the leg can be made, and the size of the footrest device becomes large when the leg is rotated between the non-deployed state and the deployed state relative to the base.

[0006] The present specification has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a footrest device that can be made smaller in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification discloses a footrest device comprising: a base forming a footrest on which a person can place their feet; and legs attached to the underside of the base and rotatable between an unexpanded state in which the legs extend along the underside of the base from one end on the axis side to the other end on the tip side around an axis extending in a direction along the underside of the base, and an expanded state in which the legs extend from the one end to the other end, protruding outward from the underside of the base, wherein the legs are arranged within the space between both ends of the base in the direction along the axis.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the footrest device can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a footrest device according to an embodiment, viewed from the front side, with legs in an unfolded state. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a footrest device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the legs are unfolded. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the footrest device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of the footrest device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a top view of a heater included in the footrest device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a footrest device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side, with legs in an undeployed state. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a footrest device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side, with legs in an unfolded state. [Figure 8] 1 is a rear view of the footrest device of the embodiment when viewed from the back side in a state where the legs are unfolded. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge portion of the footrest device of the embodiment in a non-deployed state. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge portion of the footrest device of the embodiment in an unfolded state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Specific embodiments of the footrest device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The footrest device 1 according to one embodiment is a structure on which a person seated on a seat or the like places their feet, and is a device that supports the feet of the person. The footrest device 1 is portable and can be carried around. The footrest device 1 is placed, for example, on the floor in front of the vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as the installation floor 2; see FIG. 2), and can support the feet of a vehicle occupant seated on the vehicle seat.

[0012] In the following description, directions such as "forward" and "rearward" are based on the front direction facing the person who places their feet on the footrest device 1. For example, "forward" refers to the direction in which the person who places their feet on the footrest device 1 extends their legs, and "left and right directions" refer to the left and right directions based on the person who places their feet on the footrest device 1.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the footrest device 1 includes a base 10, a cover 20, a leg 30, a heater 40, a control unit 50, a non-deployment lock mechanism 60, and a deployment lock mechanism .

[0014] The base 10 is a member that forms the main body of the footrest device 1. The base 10 forms a footrest 11 on which a person can place their feet. The base 10 is formed, for example, in a rectangular or trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and in a plate-like shape with a predetermined thickness. The base 10 is large enough for a person to place two feet side by side, and has a structure and thickness that ensures rigidity against the load when two feet are placed on it. Note that the surface of the base 10 may be formed in a flat plate shape or a mesh-like shape, as long as it can support a person's feet when placed on it. Note that the base 10 may be designed to be placed on by a person with or without shoes.

[0015] The base 10 is composed of an inner base material 12 and an outer base material 13. The inner base material 12 is a case member arranged on the back side of the base 10. The outer base material 13 is a lid member arranged on the front side of the base 10 and covers an opening of the inner base material 12. The inner base material 12 and the outer base material 13 are stacked on top of each other in the thickness direction of the base 10 (i.e., the front-to-back direction) and assembled by claw fitting or the like. The inner base material 12 and the outer base material 13 are each formed from, for example, a resin material.

[0016] The inner base material 12 preferably has an internal rib structure to ensure rigidity. The outer base material 13 has a groove 13a. The groove 13a is a portion that accommodates a part of the skin portion 20 and the heater 40. The groove 13a is recessed from the front surface of the outer base material 13 to the back surface.

[0017] The base 10 has an inner base material 12 and an outer base material 13 assembled together to form a closed internal space 14 (see FIG. 4). That is, the internal space 14 is formed between the inner base material 12 and the outer base material 13. The base 10 is formed in the shape of a housing provided with the internal space 14. A control unit 50, which will be described in detail later, is housed in the internal space 14.

[0018] The skin portion 20 is a member that covers the front surface side of the base portion 10 (specifically, the outer base material 13). The skin portion 20 is composed of a urethane material 21, a cushion material 22, and a skin 23. The skin portion 20 is arranged in the order of the urethane material 21, the cushion material 22, and the skin 23 from the back surface side.

[0019] The urethane material 21 is a hard or soft resin having heat insulating and shock absorbing properties. The urethane material 21 is formed in contact with the surface of the outer base material 13 of the base 10 and covers the entire surface of the outer base material 13. The cushion material 22 is a member that ensures cushioning when a person places their feet on it. The cushion material 22 is arranged on the surface of the urethane material 21. The urethane material 21 and the cushion material 22 are housed in the groove portion 13a of the outer base material 13. The skin 23 is a leather member that is exposed on the surface of the footrest device 1. The skin 23 entirely covers the outer surfaces of the urethane material 21 and the cushion material 22, and also covers the outer surface of the outer base material 13 (specifically, the outer surface of the frame portion that is exposed outside the groove portion 13a of the outer base material 13).

[0020] The leg 30 is a member for tilting the footrest 11, i.e., the surface of the base 10, relative to the installation floor 2 when the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2. The leg 30 is attached to the back side of the base 10. The position of the leg 30 can be changed relative to the base 10. Specifically, the leg 30 can rotate about an axis 31 between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The leg 30 rotates between the non-deployed state and the deployed state by operation by a person who is an operator.

[0021] The shaft 31 extends in a direction (specifically, in the left-right direction) along the back surface of the base 10. The shaft 31 forms a hinge that is made up of a shaft hole 31a formed in the base 10, a shaft hole 31b formed in the leg 30, and a shaft pin 31c (see FIG. 3).

[0022] The leg portion 30 is formed in a plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction from one end on the shaft 31 side to the other end on the tip side, while widening along the direction of extension of the shaft 31. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, for example, the leg portion 30 is formed in a bifurcated shape having a rectangular leg body portion 32 and a first shaft support portion 33 and a second shaft support portion 34 extending in the longitudinal direction from the leg body portion 32. The leg portion 30 has a honeycomb structure, a lattice structure, a rib structure, or the like to ensure rigidity against the load when a person's foot is placed on the footrest 11.

[0023] The first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34 are provided at a distance from each other in the left-right direction in which the shaft 31 extends. A gap 35 is formed between the first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34. The first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34 each have a portion through which the shaft 31 passes at the tip side, away from the leg body portion 32 in the longitudinal direction. The first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34 rotate integrally with the leg body portion 32 around the shaft 31.

[0024] It is sufficient that the leg 30 extends in the longitudinal direction from at least one end on the shaft 31 side to the other end on the tip side, and may be composed of a plurality of rod-shaped bodies separated in the left-right direction of extension of the shaft 31. Furthermore, the leg 30 may be a rotating body that rotates around at least one shaft 31, and may be, for example, a plurality of rotating bodies that rotate corresponding to a plurality of shafts 31 arranged parallel to one another.

[0025] The non-deployed state refers to a state in which the leg 30 extends from one end on the shaft 31 side to the other end on the tip side along the back surface of the base 10. The undeployed state refers to a state in which the leg 30 extends from one end on the shaft 31 side to the other end on the tip side, protruding outward from the back surface of the base 10. That is, the tip side of the leg 30, in particular, is close to the base 10 in the non-deployed state, but protrudes outward away from the base 10 in the undeployed state. When the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2 with the leg 30 unfolded, the other end on the tip side of the leg 30 and a part of the base 10 come into contact with the installation floor 2.

[0026] In addition, the angle that the leg 30 forms with respect to the rear surface of the base 10 in the unfolded state is limited to one and may be a fixed value of approximately 90°. Furthermore, when the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2 with the leg 30 in the unfolded state, the footrest 11 of the base 10 is inclined with respect to the installation floor 2. The angle that the footrest 11 forms with respect to the installation floor 2 may be an optimum angle that does not cause fatigue to a person even if the person places their feet on the footrest 11 for a long period of time, and may be, for example, in the range of 15° to 30°, and is preferably a fixed value of approximately 20°. In addition, the length from one end to the other end of the leg 30 may be set so that the angle that the footrest 11 forms with respect to the installation floor 2 in the unfolded state of the leg 30 is that fixed value.

[0027] The legs 30 are arranged to be contained between both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction along the axis 31. Specifically, when the legs 30 are in an undeployed state, both ends of the legs 30 in the left-right direction at each longitudinal portion are located laterally inward of both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction. The distance between both ends of the legs 30 in the left-right direction along the axis 31 is smaller than the distance between both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction along the axis 31 at the location where the legs 30 are arranged. Specifically, when the legs 30 are in an undeployed state, the distance between both ends of the legs 30 in the left-right direction at each longitudinal portion is smaller than the distance between both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction at the longitudinal position of that portion of the leg 30.

[0028] It is sufficient that the leg 30, at least in the undeployed state, is disposed between both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction along the axis 31. In other words, if the outer shape of the leg 30 is not rectangular but, for example, trapezoidal, the leg 30 may be formed so that a part of it is positioned outside either end of the base 10 in the left-right direction in the undeployed state.

[0029] The base 10 has a storage recess 15. The storage recess 15 is a portion that stores the leg portion 30 in an undeployed state. The storage recess 15 is provided on the back surface of the base 10. The storage recess 15 may be provided on the front side of the back surface of the base 10. The storage recess 15 is recessed from the back surface of the base 10 to the front surface. The storage recess 15 stores the leg portion 30 in an undeployed state and is exposed on the back surface of the base 10 in an undeployed state. The storage recess 15 has a shape that matches the shape of the leg portion 30 and is formed so that the entire leg portion 30 does not protrude from the back surface of the base 10. The storage recess 15 stores the leg portion 30 in an undeployed state with its leg main portion 32 positioned rearward and its first shaft support portion 33 and second shaft support portion 34 positioned forward.

[0030] The base 10 has an operation recess 16. The operation recess 16 is a portion into which an operator can insert their finger to rotate the leg 30 from the undeployed state to the deployed state. The operation recess 16 is integrated with the storage recess 15. That is, the operation recess 16 is provided contiguous with the storage recess 15 and is recessed from the back surface of the base 10 toward the front surface. The operation recess 16 is exposed on the back surface of the base 10 both when the leg 30 is stored in the storage recess 15 and in the undeployed state, and when the leg 30 is separated from the storage recess 15 and in the deployed state. The operation recess 16 preferably continues from the position where the shaft 31 is disposed in the storage recess 15 to a position as far outward (i.e., rearward) from the shaft 31 as possible in the radial direction of the shaft 31. The operation recess 16 may be provided in one or more locations, for example, one on each side of the storage recess 15.

[0031] The leg 30 has an operating portion 36. The operating portion 36 is a portion for hooking the operator's finger inserted into the operating recess 16 of the base 10 when the leg 30 is in the undeployed state. The leg 30 is provided on the left and right side walls of the leg 30 and has a notch 37 that is continuous with the operating recess 16 when the leg 30 is in the undeployed state. The operating portion 36 can be hooked and pulled by the operator's finger that is inserted into the operating recess 16 of the base 10 and has advanced into the notch 37 when the leg 30 is in the undeployed state, and the finger can apply a force that rotates the leg 30 from the undeployed state to the undeployed state.

[0032] The leg 30 has a contact surface 38. The contact surface 38 is a portion that comes into planar contact with the installation floor 2 when the leg 30 is in an unfolded state. The contact surface 38 is provided to stabilize the position of the footrest 11 when the leg 30 is in an unfolded state. The contact surface 38 is formed in a flat shape on the end surface of the tip of the leg 30, opposite the end on the shaft 31 side. It is preferable that a connecting member 39 made of a protective member such as a protective sheet or film tape to prevent scratches or an anti-slip member to prevent slipping is attached to the contact surface 38.

[0033] The ground contact surface 38 is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30, depending on the angle that the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30 forms with the vertical when the leg 30 is in an unfolded state. That is, when the angle that the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30 forms with the vertical when the leg 30 is in an unfolded state is zero, the ground contact surface 38 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction extending between the one end and the other end of the leg 30, whereas when the angle that the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30 forms with the vertical when the leg 30 is in an unfolded state is, for example, 22°, the ground contact surface 38 is inclined by 22° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the direction extending between the one end and the other end of the leg 30.

[0034] The base 10 has an inclined surface 17. The inclined surface 17 is a portion that comes into contact with the installation floor 2 in a planar manner (specifically, a flat surface) when the legs 30 are in an unfolded state. The inclined surface 17 is provided to stabilize the posture of the footrest 11 when the legs 30 are in an unfolded state. The inclined surface 17 is located rearward of the positions of the legs 30 on the base 10, and is formed as a flat surface that extends in the left-right direction along the axis 31 at the connection between the back surface of the base 10 and the rear end surface. The inclined surface 17 is inclined with respect to the back surface of the base 10 and also with respect to the rear end surface of the base 10. The inclined surface 17 is inclined with respect to the back surface of the base 10 at the same angle as the angle that the footrest 11 makes with respect to the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are in an unfolded state. It is preferable that a connecting member 19 be attached to the inclined surface 17, which may be a protective member such as a protective sheet or film tape to prevent scratches or an anti-slip member to prevent slippage.

[0035] The heater 40 is a heat-generating member for warming the feet of a person placed on the footrest 11. The heater 40 is disposed within the surface skin 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the heater 40 is disposed between the cushion material 22 and the surface skin 23. The heater 40 may also be disposed between the urethane material 21 and the cushion material 22. The heater 40 heats the surface skin 20 to warm the feet of a person placed on the footrest 11.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, the heater 40 has a heating element 42 held by an insulating sheet 41. The insulating sheet 41 holding the heating element 42 is sandwiched between the cushioning material 22 and the cover 23. The heating element 42 is made of a hot wire and is activated to generate heat when power is supplied from an external battery or the like. When the heating element 42 of the heater 40 generates heat, the surface temperature of the footrest 11 reaches a predetermined temperature. This predetermined temperature is a temperature at which a person's feet feel warm even in winter, and is preferably set to an experimentally determined value, such as 33°C or higher.

[0037] 6, the heater 40 may have a first region 43 and a second region 44 in which the density of the heating elements 42 varies. The first region 43 is a region in which the heating elements 42 are densely arranged. The second region 44 is a region in which the heating elements 42 are sparsely arranged. The first region 43 is located on the front side of the footrest device 1, and the second region 44 is located on the rear side of the footrest device 1. In this structure, when power is supplied to the heating elements 42, the first region 43 heats up more easily than the second region 44, making it easier for the toes in particular to warm up when a person places their feet on the footrest 11.

[0038] The control unit 50 is an electronic device that controls heating by the heater 40. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the heating element 42 of the heater 40. The control unit 50 turns on the heating element 42 by turning on a dedicated heater switch 51, and turns off the heating element 42 by turning off the heater switch 51. The heater 40 may be automatically turned on or off in conjunction with the operation of an air conditioner of a vehicle in which the footrest device 1 is installed. The heater 40 may also be automatically turned on when a temperature sensor detects that the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature, and may also be automatically turned off when the temperature sensor detects that the outside air temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

[0039] The control unit 50 is housed in the internal space 14 of the base 10. The internal space 14 is provided in the base 10 and includes a corresponding portion 14A that corresponds to the gap 35 between the first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34 when the leg portion 30 is in a non-deployed state. The control unit 50 is housed in the corresponding portion 14A in the internal space 14.

[0040] The control unit 50 is connected to a heater switch 51 and a connector 52. The heater switch 51 is a switch that turns the operation of the heating element 42 on and off. The connector 52 is a connection part for supplying power to the heating element 42. The heater switch 51 and the connector 52 are provided on the front end surface of the base 10. One end of a cable 90, such as a USB cable, can be connected to the connector 52. The cable 90 is detachable from the connector 52, and connects an external battery to the connector 52 to supply power from the external battery to the heating element 42 via the control unit 50.

[0041] The non-deployment locking mechanism 60 is a mechanism that locks the leg section 30 in a non-deployed state. The non-deployment locking mechanism 60 prevents the leg section 30 from transitioning from a non-deployed state to a deployed state by fixing the base section 10 and the leg section 30 together using claw engagement or magnetic force from a magnet when the leg section 30 is in a non-deployed state. The non-deployment locking mechanism 60 is provided at locations around the shaft 31 on the base section 10 and the leg section 30, or at locations where the base section 10 and the leg section 30 face each other when the leg section 30 is in a non-deployed state, as shown in FIG. 8 . The non-deployment locking mechanism 60 can be released by the operator pulling the operating section 36.

[0042] The deployment lock mechanism 70 is a mechanism that locks the leg section 30 in the deployed state. The deployment lock mechanism 70 prevents the leg section 30 from transitioning from the deployed state to the undeployed state by fixing the base section 10 and the leg section 30 together using claw engagement or magnetic force from a magnet when the leg section 30 is in the deployed state. The deployment lock mechanism 70 is provided around the shaft 31 on the base section 10 and the leg section 30 as shown in FIG. 10 . The locking of the leg section 30 in the deployed state by the deployment lock mechanism 70 can be released by the operator pressing the leg section 30 in the deployed state toward the storage recess 15.

[0043] Next, the operation of the footrest device 1 will be described. When the footrest 11 of the footrest device 1 is not in use, the legs 30 are stored in the storage recesses 15 of the base 10 and are locked in a non-deployed state by the non-deployment locking mechanism 60. In this state, the legs 30 do not protrude outward from the rear surface of the base 10, improving the portability of the footrest device 1 when carried by a person.

[0044] Furthermore, when the footrest device 1 is used with the leg sections 30 locked in the non-deployed state, the operator first inserts his or her fingers into the operation recesses 16 of the base 10 and into the notches 37 of the leg sections 30 to hook onto the operation sections 36. When the operator pulls the operation sections 36 outward in this state, the leg sections 30 are unlocked from the non-deployed state and rotate toward the deployed state relative to the base 10. When the leg sections 30 reach the deployed state, the deployment lock mechanism 70 locks the leg sections 30 in the deployed state. In this state, the leg sections 30 protrude outward from the rear surface of the base 10, and the footrest device 1 can be placed on the installation floor 2 and used as the footrest 11.

[0045] When the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2 in front of the seat with the legs 30 in the unfolded state, a person sitting on the seat can place their legs on the footrest 11 which is inclined relative to the installation floor 2. Therefore, according to the footrest device 1, when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state, the legs 30 are inclined diagonally upward toward the seat relative to the installation floor 2, making it easier to support the feet of a person sitting on the seat.

[0046] When the heater 40 of the footrest device 1 is used, first, one end of the cable 90 is connected to the connector 52 of the base 10, thereby enabling power to be supplied from an external battery to the control unit 50 and the heating element 42. Then, when the heater switch 51 is turned on, power from the external battery is supplied to the heating element 42 via the control unit 50. When power is supplied to the heating element 42, the heating element 42 generates heat, heating the surface portion 20. Therefore, the feet of a person placed on the footrest 11 can be warmed, especially in winter.

[0047] Next, the effects of the footrest device 1 will be described. In the footrest device 1, the leg 30 is disposed between both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction along the axis 31. In this structure, the leg 30 is prevented from protruding outward in the left-right direction beyond both ends of the base 10 in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the size of the base 10 (particularly the distance between both ends in the left-right direction) is large, the left-right distance between both ends of the leg 30 can be shortened regardless of the size of the base 10, and therefore the footrest device 1 can be made smaller when the leg 30 is rotated between the undeployed state and the deployed state relative to the base 10.

[0048] Furthermore, in the footrest device 1, the left-right distance between both ends of the leg 30 along the axis 31 is smaller than the left-right distance between both ends of the base 10 along the axis 31 at the location where the leg 30 is disposed. Even with this structure, the footrest device 1 can be made smaller in size when the leg 30 is rotated relative to the base 10 between the undeployed state and the deployed state.

[0049] Furthermore, when the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2 with the legs 30 in an unfolded state, the contact surface 38, which is the end surface at the tip of the leg 30, and the inclined surface 17, which is formed in a flat shape at the connection between the back surface and the rear end surface of the base 10, come into contact with the installation floor 2. With this structure, the floor contact area of ​​the footrest device 1 that comes into contact with the installation floor 2 is prevented from extending over the entire back surface of the base 10, and the floor contact area is limited to a narrow range. This makes it difficult for a person's hands to touch the floor contact area of ​​the portable footrest device 1, and prevents a person's hands from getting dirty when carrying the footrest device 1.

[0050] The contact surface 38 of the leg 30 described above comes into planar contact with the installation floor 2 when the leg 30 is unfolded. This structure ensures an area where the leg 30 comes into contact with the installation floor 2 when the leg 30 is unfolded, thereby improving the posture stability of the footrest device 1 when the leg 30 is unfolded. Furthermore, the contact surface 38 is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30, depending on the angle that the direction extending between one end and the other end of the leg 30 makes with the vertical direction when the leg 30 is unfolded. This allows the area where the contact surface 38 comes into contact with the installation floor 2 to be planar.

[0051] Furthermore, the inclined surface 17 of the base 10 described above comes into planar contact with the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state. With this structure, even if the footrest 11 is inclined relative to the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state, the area of ​​the base 10 that comes into contact with the installation floor 2 can be secured, thereby improving the posture stability of the footrest device 1 when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state.

[0052] Furthermore, in the footrest device 1, the base 10 has a storage recess 15 on the back side that stores the leg portion 30 in an undeployed state. In this structure, the leg portion 30 is stored in the storage recess 15 of the base 10 in an undeployed state, and therefore the leg portion 30 is prevented from protruding outward from the back side of the base 10 when the leg portion 30 is in an undeployed state. This prevents the external shape of the footrest device 1 when the leg portion 30 is in an undeployed state from becoming a distorted shape that is not rectangular, and the footrest device 1 with the leg portion 30 in an undeployed state can be stored in a more stable state.

[0053] The base 10 also has an operating recess 16 that is continuous with the storage recess 15 and into which an operator can insert their finger to rotate the leg 30 from the undeployed state to the undeployed state. This structure makes it easier for an operator to rotate the leg 30 with their finger from the undeployed state to the undeployed state, improving the ease of rotation.

[0054] Furthermore, the leg 30 has an operating portion 36 for hooking the operator's finger inserted into the operating recess in the undeployed state. In this structure, the operator can hook the finger on the operating portion 36 when rotating the leg 30 from the undeployed state to the deployed state, which assists the rotation operation and improves the ease of rotation.

[0055] The footrest device 1 also includes a non-deployment lock mechanism 60 that locks the leg section 30 in a non-deployed state. With this structure, the leg section 30 can be maintained in a non-deployed state when it is in the non-deployed state, and therefore the leg section 30 in the non-deployed state can be prevented from easily moving toward the deployed state.

[0056] Furthermore, the footrest device 1 is provided with an unfolded lock mechanism 70 that locks the leg section 30 in the unfolded state. With this structure, the unfolded state of the leg section 30 can be maintained, and the unfolded leg section 30 can be prevented from easily shifting to the unfolded state.

[0057] The footrest device 1 is provided with a heater 40 that is disposed within a surface layer 20 that covers the surface side of the base 10 and heats the surface layer 20. With this structure, the surface layer 20 can be heated using the heater 40, so that the feet of a person who places themselves on the footrest 11 can be warmed by heat transfer.

[0058] The heating of the heater 40 is controlled by a control unit 50 electrically connected to the heater 40. The control unit 50 is housed in an internal space 14 formed between the inner base material 12 and the outer base material 13 of the base 10. With this structure, the internal space 14 formed between the inner base material 12 and the outer base material 13 that constitute the base 10 of the footrest device 1 can be used as a housing space for housing the control unit 50. This allows for efficient use of the space created in the thickness direction of the footrest device 1.

[0059] In addition, in a structure in which the leg portion 30 is bifurcated and has a first shaft support portion 33 and a second shaft support portion 34 extending longitudinally from the leg body portion 32, as in this embodiment, a gap 35 is formed between the first shaft support portion 33 and the second shaft support portion 34. The internal space 14 includes a corresponding portion 14A that corresponds to the gap 35 when the leg portion 30 is in the undeployed state. The control unit 50 is accommodated in the corresponding portion 14A in the internal space 14. With this structure, the corresponding portion 14A of the internal space 14 that corresponds to the gap 35 when the leg portion 30 is in the undeployed state can be used as a storage space for the control unit 50, thereby enabling efficient use of the space available in the thickness direction of the footrest device 1.

[0060] In the above embodiment, when the footrest device 1 is placed on the installation floor 2 with the legs 30 in the unfolded state, the points where the footrest device 1 comes into contact with the installation floor 2 are the contact surfaces 38 of the legs 30 and the inclined surfaces 17 of the base 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the base 10 may have fixed legs that stabilize the angle that the footrest platform 11 makes with respect to the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state, and the points where the footrest device 1 comes into contact with the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are in the unfolded state may include the fixed legs of the legs 30 in addition to the contact surfaces 38 of the legs 30 and the inclined surfaces 17 of the base 10.

[0061] The fixed legs may be formed as protrusions that protrude outward from the back surface of the base 10, with the tips of the protrusions being configured to come into contact with the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are unfolded. The fixed legs may be provided on the back surface of the base 10 in proximity to the inclined surface 17 that comes into contact with the installation floor 2 when the legs 30 are unfolded, and for example, a pair of fixed legs may be provided near the left and right ends of the back surface of the base 10.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the angle that the leg 30 forms with respect to the rear surface of the base 10 when the leg 30 is in the unfolded state is limited to one. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the angle may be adjustable in two or more stages, and the footrest device 1 may be provided with an angle adjustment mechanism that can adjust the angle in two or more stages. According to the structure of this modified embodiment, the angle that the leg 30 forms with respect to the rear surface of the base 10 when the leg 30 is in the unfolded state can be adjusted in multiple stages by the angle adjustment mechanism, so that the angle that the footrest 11 forms with respect to the installation floor 2 can be changed to suit the preference of the person who places their feet on the footrest 11 of the footrest device 1.

[0063] In the above modified embodiment, the contact surface 38 of the leg 30, where the footrest device 1 comes into contact with the installation floor 2, may be curved or have a polygonal cross section rather than being flat, and the portion of the base 10 where the footrest device 1 comes into contact with the installation floor 2 may be a curved surface or a polygonal surface with a polygonal cross section rather than the inclined surface 17 which is inclined flat. With this structure, the contact points of the leg 30 and base 10 with the installation floor 2 can be stably secured in accordance with the angle that the footrest platform 11 makes with respect to the installation floor 2, thereby improving the posture stability of the footrest device 1 when the leg 30 is in the unfolded state.

[0064] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, this specification not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas obtained by appropriately combining the matters set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Footrest device, 2: Installation floor, 10: Base, 11: Footrest, 12: Inner base material, 13: Outer base material, 14: Internal space, 14A: Corresponding location, 15: Storage recess, 16: Operation recess, 17: Inclined surface, 20: Surface, 30: Leg, 31: Axis, 33: First axis support portion, 34: Second axis support portion, 35: Gap, 36: Operation portion, 38: Ground surface, 40: Heater, 42: Heating element, 50: Control portion, 60: Non-deployment lock mechanism, 70: Deployment lock mechanism, 90: Cable

Claims

1. a base forming a footrest on which a person can place their feet; a leg portion attached to the back surface side of the base portion and rotatable about an axis extending in a direction along the back surface of the base portion between an undeployed state in which the leg portion extends along the back surface of the base portion from one end on the axis side to the other end on the tip side, and an undeployed state in which the leg portion extends from the one end to the other end and protrudes outward from the back surface of the base portion; Equipped with The footrest device, wherein the leg portion is disposed between both ends of the base portion in the direction along the axis.

2. 2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the ends of the legs in the direction along the axis is smaller than the distance between the ends of the base in the direction along the axis at the locations where the legs are arranged.

3. The footrest device according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion has a receiving recess on a rear surface side thereof for receiving the leg portion in the undeployed state.

4. 4. The footrest device according to claim 3, wherein the base portion has an operating recess that is continuous with the accommodation recess and into which an operator's finger can be inserted to rotate the leg portion from the unextended state to the extended state.

5. 5. The footrest device according to claim 4, wherein the leg portion has an operating portion for hooking the operator's finger inserted into the operating recess in the non-deployed state.

6. 2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion has a contact surface formed on the end surface of the other end side, the contact surface being in planar contact with the installation floor in the unfolded state.

7. 2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein the base has an inclined surface that contacts the installation floor in a planar manner when the leg is in the unfolded state, or a curved surface that is curved at a portion that contacts the installation floor.

8. 2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a fixed leg portion that stabilizes an angle that the footrest forms with respect to an installation floor when the leg portion is in the unfolded state.

9. a non-deployment locking mechanism that locks the leg portion in the non-deployed state; a deployment lock mechanism that locks the leg portion in the deployed state; 2. The footrest device of claim 1, comprising:

10. a skin portion covering the surface side of the base portion; a heater disposed within the skin portion and configured to heat the skin portion; 10. A footrest device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. a control unit electrically connected to the heater; The base is formed in a housing shape having an internal space, The footrest device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is accommodated in the internal space.

12. The leg portions are provided spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the shaft extends, and each include a first shaft support portion and a second shaft support portion through which the shaft passes, the internal space is provided to include a corresponding portion corresponding to a gap between the first shaft support portion and the second shaft support portion of the leg portion in the non-deployed state, The footrest device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is accommodated in the corresponding location in the internal space.

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