Cross-legged chair with swinging footrest

Abstract

A cross-legged chair includes a base, a height adjustable seat post mounted on the base, a seat mounted on the height adjustable seat post, a swinging footrest, and a height adjustment mechanism connecting the swinging footrest to the height adjustable seat post. The height adjustment mechanism allows vertical adjustment and rotational movement of the swinging footrest relative to the height adjustable seat post.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to cross-legged chairs.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cross-legged chairs include an elevated seat pad and footrest in a lower offset position relative to the seat pad. The footrest generally provides a wide platform for supporting a user’s legs and feet in a cross-legged position while sitting on the seat pad.

[0003] The multi-level configuration of the seat pad and footrest facilitates different sitting positions, such as standard with both feet on the floor, cross-legged, kneeling, and squatting. In addition, to sitting cross-legged, a user can rest one or both feet on the floor as in a standard chair. The user can also place one or both feet directly on the footrest with a raised knee (in a squatting position), or the user . The multiple sitting positions of a cross-legged chair allows for active movement throughout the day, reducing fatigue and improving user comfort.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] Cross-legged chairs disclosed herein include an elevated seat pad and footrest with a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism. The free swinging example allows users to adjust position and allows for active movement of the footrest relative to the seat pad. In some examples, the height adjustment facilitates a coplanar position between the seat pad and footrest, providing a large combined platform configuration in addition to a offset configuration with the elevated seat pad.

[0005] In one example, a cross-legged chair includes a base, a height adjustable seat post mounted on the base, a seat mounted on the height adjustable seat post, a swinging footrest, and a height adjustment mechanism connecting the swinging footrest to the height adjustable seat post. The height adjustment mechanism allows vertical adjustment and rotational movement of the swinging footrest relative to the height adjustable seat post.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIGS. 1A – 1C illustrate a cross-legged chair including footrest with a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism.

[0007] FIGS. 2A – 2D illustrate the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism for the footrest of the cross-legged chair of FIGS. 1A – 1C.

[0008] FIGS. 3A – 3E illustrate steps for assembling the cross-legged chair of FIGS. 1A – 1C.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-legged chair including footrest including a footrest floor support and a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-legged chair including footrest including a footrest floor support and a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism.

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an add-on footrest for an office chair, the add-on footrest including a footrest floor support.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIGS. 1A – 1C illustrate a cross-legged chair 100 with an elevated padded seat 110 and a padded footrest 120. Cross-legged chair 100 includes a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 for footrest 120. More specifically, FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of chair 100, FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of chair 100, and FIG. 1C is a top view chair 100 illustrating the mating features of padded seat 110 and foot pad 121.

[0013] A height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted on the base 140. The height adjustable seat post 170 may comprise a gas spring mechanism, enabling vertical adjustment of the seating position. A seat post sleeve 154 fits over the height adjustable seat post 170, forming part of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150.

[0014] The padded seat 110 is mounted on a height adjustable seat post 170 via a seat mounting bracket 171. A seat pad 111 may form the upper surface of the padded seat 110, providing a comfortable seating area. A lever 172 allows a user to release the height adjustment locking mechanism within the height adjustable seat post 170. For example, the height adjustable seat post 170 may include a gas spring mechanism with an actuatable lock adjacent the seat mounting bracket 171. Actuation of the lever 172 frees the gas spring locking mechanism to facilitate the height adjustment of padded seat 110. In various examples, The height adjustable seat post 170 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable seat post 170 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections.

[0015] The height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted within a socket 144 of base 140. The socket 144 is a recess that receives the height adjustable seat post 170 and secures it in an upright position.

[0016] Base 140 includes legs 142 arranged in a radial pattern. The legs 142 may provide stability and support for the cross-legged chair 100. Swiveling rollers 146 may be attached to ends of the legs 142, allowing for easy movement of the cross-legged chair 100.

[0017] Padded footrest 120 is mounted to a foot pad mounting plate 191 of a lower support 190, which in turn is mounted over seat post 170 via a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 allows a user to set the height of the footrest 120 relative to the base 140. In particular, the lower support 190 includes a clamp 192 with a clamp handle 194 to selectively release and lock clamp 192 to facilitate the height adjustment of lower support 190.

[0018] Free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 includes a seat post sleeve 154 which rotates freely relative to the height adjustable seat post 170 and the base 140. The clamp 192 of lower support 190 fits over the seat post sleeve 154 and rotates freely with the seat post sleeve 154. In this manner, lower support 190 and footrest 120 rotate freely relative to the other components of chair 100. The swinging footrest 120 is vertically adjustable to a position coplanar with the seat 110.

[0019] The combination of vertical adjustability and free rotation provided by the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may offer several benefits to users of the cross-legged chair 100. Users may adjust the height of the padded footrest 120 to align with their preferred sitting position, whether they choose to sit with legs crossed, extended, or in any other comfortable posture. The ability to freely rotate the padded footrest 120 may allow users to easily transition between different sitting positions without the need to stand up or make complex adjustments.

[0020] In some cases, the free-swinging capability of the padded footrest 120 may enhance the overall ergonomics of the cross-legged chair 100. Users may find it easier to maintain proper posture and reduce strain on their lower back, hips, and legs by adjusting the padded footrest 120 to support their feet or legs in various positions throughout the day.

[0021] The adaptability provided by the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may make the cross-legged chair 100 suitable for a wide range of users with different body types and sitting preferences. The mechanism may allow each user to customize the chair configuration to their individual needs, potentially increasing comfort during extended periods of sitting.

[0022] Padded backrest 130 is mounted to a backrest post 182 of a upright support 180. Upright support 180 extends from the seat mounting bracket 171 via a flexible hinged connection. A spring adjustment knob 184 allows a user to set a desired spring force for the padded backrest 130.

[0023] Padded backrest 130 is mounted to a backrest post 182 of a upright support 180 via a backrest bracket 136. In turn the backrest bracket 136 is attached to a locking bracket 132 , which slides over the backrest post 182. A height of the backrest 130 can be set by releasing the locking bracket 132 with a clamp handle 134. Once free, the locking bracket 132 may slide up and down on the backrest post 182, secured at any desired position with the clamp handle 134.

[0024] A back pad 131 may form the front surface of the padded backrest 130. In some cases, the padded backrest 130 may be height-adjustable along the upright support 180. The padded backrest 130 may be fixed or adjustable in some cases. Adjustability could include height, angle, and lumbar support adjustments. The back pad 131 may comprise mesh, padded fabric, molded plastic, or wood in various implementations.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1C, the padded seat 110 includes a convex curve and the padded footrest 120 includes a mating convex curve. This allows the padded footrest 120 to swing freely past the padded seat 110 when both are set at a common level.

[0026] Base 140 also includes optional swiveling rollers 146. Rollers 146 may be free rolling or include an optional locking mechanism. Any combination of free-rolling or locking wheels, swiveling or non-swiveling, may be used. Other examples may not include any rollers, such that base 140 is configured to remain stationary on the floor.

[0027] FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the cross-legged chair 100. A locking bracket 132 may be provided for securing the padded backrest 130 at a desired height along the upright support 180. The locking bracket 132 may comprise a clamp handle 134 for releasing and tightening the locking bracket 132. A backrest bracket 136 may connect the padded backrest 130 to the locking bracket 132.

[0028] A spring adjustment knob 184 may be included for adjusting tension of the upright support 180 relative to the padded seat 110. This may allow users to customize the resistance of the padded backrest 130.

[0029] The padded footrest 120 may be mounted on the lower support 190. The lower support 190 may be connected to the seat post sleeve 154. In some cases, the lower support 190 may comprise the lower support clamp 192 for securing the lower support 190 at a desired height along the seat post sleeve 154. The clamp handle 194 may be used for releasing and tightening the lower support clamp 192.

[0030] FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the cross-legged chair 100. A foot pad 121 may form the upper surface of the padded footrest 120. A foot pad mounting plate 191 may connect the foot pad 121 to the lower support 190. The seat post sleeve 154 may rotate freely around the height adjustable seat post 170, allowing the padded footrest 120 to swing relative to the padded seat 110.

[0031] In some cases, the seat pad 111 may comprise a convex curve along its front edge, while the foot pad 121 may comprise a concave curve along its rear edge. These complementary curves may allow the padded footrest 120 to swing freely past the padded seat 110 when both are set at a common level.

[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of components of a height adjustment assembly and footrest. The assembly includes a padded footrest 120 connected to a lower support 190. A foot pad mounting plate 191 is positioned on the lower support 190, and a lower support clamp 192 is attached to the lower support 190. The assembly incorporates a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150, which includes a seat post sleeve 154. A height adjustable seat post 170 extends through the assembly and includes a seat post cap 174 at its upper portion.

[0033] The components are arranged in a configuration that allows for height adjustment and positioning of the footrest 120. The seat post sleeve 154 freely accommodates the height adjustable seat post 170 within its inner diameter, enabling free rotation. The seat post sleeve 154 freely accommodates the height adjustable seat post 170 within its inner diameter, enabling height adjustment of padded seat 110 via seat post 170 without interference from seat post sleeve 154.

[0034] The lower support 190 extends horizontally from the vertical components and supports the padded footrest 120. The lower support clamp 192 provides a means for securing the position of the lower support 190 relative to the base 140, which supports the lower end of the seat post sleeve 154. The seat post sleeve 154 may be formed from a durable material, such as metal, or composite material to support the clamp 192 without being crushed. A height of the lower support 190 can be set by releasing the clamp 192 with a clamp handle 194. Once free, the lower support 190 may slide up and down on the seat post sleeve 154, secured at any desired position with the clamp handle 194. In this manner the height of footrest 120 is adjustable independent of seat post 170 and padded seat 110.

[0035] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of components of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may include the padded footrest 120 connected to the lower support 190. The lower support 190 includes a foot pad mounting plate 191 on one end of a bar, and the lower support clamp 192 on the other end. The seat post sleeve 154 may be a part of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The height adjustable seat post 170 may extend through the assembly and include a seat post cap 174 at its upper portion.

[0036] The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 facilitates height adjustment and positioning of the padded footrest 120. The seat post sleeve 154 may freely accommodate the height adjustable seat post 170 within its inner diameter, enabling free rotation and height adjustment of seat 110 and seat post 170. The lower support 190 extends horizontally from the clamp 192 and support the padded footrest 120. The lower support clamp 192 may provide a means for securing the position of the lower support 190 relative to the base 140, which may support the lower end of the seat post sleeve 154. The seat post sleeve 154 may be formed from a durable material, such as metal or composite material, to support the lower support clamp 192 without being crushed. A height of the lower support 190 may be set by releasing the lower support clamp 192 with the clamp handle 194. Once free, the lower support 190 may slide up and down on the seat post sleeve 154, secured at any desired position with the clamp handle 194.

[0037] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a portion of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may incorporate the seat post sleeve 154 with sleeve bushings 156 positioned along its length. The height adjustable seat post 170 may extend through the seat post sleeve 154 and may be topped with the seat post cap 174.

[0038] The sleeve bushings 156 may facilitate smooth movement of the components within the assembly. The arrangement may allow for vertical adjustment of the height adjustable seat post 170 within the seat post sleeve 154, while the lower support 190 with its foot pad mounting plate 191 maintains a fixed position when secured by the lower support clamp 192 and clamp handle 194.

[0039] FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view of components of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The seat post cap 174 provides and interface between seat post 170 and seat mounting bracket 171. Below this may be the height adjustable seat post 170, which may form the main upright support component. The seat post sleeve 154 may include the sleeve bushings 156 positioned at both its upper and lower ends. A stop ring 158 may be positioned to interface with the upper portion of the seat post sleeve 154 and prevent upward movement of the seat post sleeve 154 relative to the height adjustable seat post 170.

[0040] FIG. 2D shows an exploded view of components of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may connect with the seat post sleeve 154. The seat post sleeve 154 may incorporate the sleeve bushings 156 and the stop ring 158 for controlled movement.

[0041] The height adjustable seat post 170 may extend through the assembly and connect to the seat post cap 174 at its upper portion. The lower support 190 may connect to the foot pad mounting plate 191. The lower support 190 may include the lower support clamp 192 that features the clamp handle 194 for adjustment purposes. A clamp bushing 196 may be positioned within the assembly to facilitate smooth operation of the clamping mechanism.

[0042] The components may be arranged in a manner that allows for vertical adjustment and secure positioning of the assembly. The seat post sleeve 154 and associated sleeve bushings 156 loosely register the inner diameter of the seat post sleeve 154 with the base and the seat post 170, while the lower support clamp 192 and clamp handle 194 may enable secure positioning of the lower supppott 190 at desired heights.

[0043] In various examples, the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 may utilize various clamping designs such as a lever clamp, threaded clamp, or quick-release mechanism. In some aspects, it may incorporate sleeve bushings 156 made of metal, plastic, or composite materials to facilitate smooth rotation.

[0044] FIG. 3A illustrates an orthogonal side view of a base assembly for the cross-legged chair 100 during installation of the seat post 170 into the base 140. In some cases, a post socket 144 may be centrally located in the base 140 to receive the seat post 170. Swiveling rollers 146 may be attached at the ends of the legs 142. The swiveling rollers 146 may insert into the underside of the base 140, providing mobility for the cross-legged chair 100.

[0045] The figure shows a vertical assembly arrangement where the seat post sleeve 154 may align with the base 140. The stop ring 158 may be positioned along the height adjustable seat post 170. The height adjustable seat post 170 may extend vertically through the assembly, enabling height adjustment of the cross-legged chair 100 components.

[0046] FIG. 3B illustrates an orthogonal side view of a portion of the cross-legged chair 100 assembly illustrating the installation of lower support 190 over the seat post sleeve 154. The lower support clamp 192 may be attached to the seat post sleeve 154, allowing for height adjustment of the lower support 190. The lower support clamp 192 includes a clamp handle 194, providing a means for securing the height of the lower support 190 on the seat post sleeve 154.

[0047] FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the cross-legged chair 100 assembly, showing mounting of the padded seat 110 to the seat post 170 via the seat mounting bracket 171. The lever 172 may be attached to the assembly, allowing for height adjustment of the seat 110 and seat post 170. In some cases, the padded seat 110 may be secured to seat mounting bracket 171 flathead M6x8mm screws.

[0048] FIG. 3D illustrates installation of the seat assembly of FIG. 3C on the base and seat post assembly. The seat post cap is slipped over the top end of the seat post 170. This positions lever 172 with the gas spring locking mechanism release on the top end of the seat post 170.

[0049] FIG. 3E illustrates installation of the padded backrest 130 on the backrest post 182 of the upright support 180. The clamp handle 134 and locking bracket 132 facilitates securing the padded backrest 130 at any height along the backrest post 182.

[0050] As used herein, terms such as "upper," "lower," "side," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," and similar relational descriptors are used to convey the relative positions of components within a device or system. These terms do not denote absolute positions, but rather to describe the spatial relationships between elements as they are typically oriented during standard use or as depicted in the accompanying figures. For instance, "upper" may refer to an element that is above another component when the device is in its intended operational orientation, while "lower" would refer to a component situated beneath it. Similarly, "side" could refer to a lateral aspect of an element relative to the central axis or main body of the device. It is understood that the actual orientation of the device may change during use, and thus these terms are flexible and relative to the context provided in the description.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-legged chair 200 with an elevated padded seat 110 and a padded footrest 120. Cross-legged chair 200 includes a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 for footrest 120. Cross-legged chair 200 is substantially similar to cross-legged chair 100 except that the footrest 120 is supported by a lower support 290 including a height adjustable lower support post 270. The lower support 290 is attached to the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. Reference numerals shown in FIG. 4 for cross-legged chair 200 represent components that are substantially similar with the same reference numerals used for cross-legged chair 100. For brevity, such elements are described in limited or no detail with respect to cross-legged chair 200.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted on the base 140. The height adjustable seat post 170 may comprise a gas spring mechanism or other height adjustment mechanism, enabling vertical adjustment of the seating position. A seat post sleeve 154 fits over the height adjustable seat post 170, forming part of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150.

[0053] The padded seat 110 is mounted on a height adjustable seat post 170 via a seat mounting bracket 171. For example, the height adjustable seat post 170 may include a gas spring mechanism with an actuatable lock adjacent the seat mounting bracket 171. Actuation of the lever 172 frees the gas spring locking mechanism to facilitate the height adjustment of padded seat 110. In various examples, the height adjustable seat post 170 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable seat post 170 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections.

[0054] The height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted to base 140 as previously described with respect to cross-legged chair 100. Base 140 includes legs 142. The legs 142 may provide stability and support for the cross-legged chair 200. Swiveling rollers 146 may be attached to ends of the legs 142, allowing for easy movement of the cross-legged chair 200.

[0055] Padded footrest 120 is mounted to a foot pad mounting plate 191 of a lower support 290, which in turn is mounted over seat post 170 via a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 allows a user to set the height of the footrest 120 relative to the base 140. In particular, the lower support 290 includes a clamp 192 with a clamp handle 194 to selectively release and lock clamp 192 to facilitate the height adjustment of lower support 290 relative to seat post 170. The swinging footrest 120 is vertically adjustable to a position coplanar with the seat 110.

[0056] Free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 includes a seat post sleeve 154 which rotates freely relative to the height adjustable seat post 170 and the base 140. The clamp 192 of lower support 290 fits over the seat post sleeve 154 and rotates freely with the seat post sleeve 154. In this manner, lower support 290 and footrest 120 rotate freely relative to the other components of chair 200.

[0057] In contrast to lower support 190 of chair 100, lower support 290 includes height adjustable footrest post 270. The height adjustable footrest post 270 provides added strength and stability of the footrest 120 and is set to correspond to the height of the footrest 120. The height adjustable footrest post 270 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable footrest post 270 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections. Lower support 290 includes an optional swiveling roller 246. Roller 246 may be free rolling or include an optional locking mechanism. Other examples may not include a roller, such that footrest post 270 is configured to remain stationary on the floor.

[0058] The lower support 290 includes a frame element 291 connecting the clamp 192 to the footrest mounting plate 191 and the height adjustable footrest post 270. The lower support 290 includes an optional clamp 292 connecting the frame element 291 to the height adjustable footrest post 270. In other examples, height adjustable footrest post 270 may be attached by other techniques, such as being fixedly connected to the frame element 291. The frame element 291 is long enough such that roller 246 does not interfere with the base 140. For example, the frame element 291 may be at least 14 inches, such as at least 16 inches, such as between 16 and 20 inches long. This allows footrest 120 to rotate around the seat post 170 without the footrest post 270 running into the base 140.

[0059] In the example of lower support 290, the foot pad mounting plate 191 sits on top of a protruding segment of the frame element 291. Such a design locates the adjustable footrest post 270 further from the base 140, ensuring that the adjustable footrest post 270 does not interfere with the base 140 while rotating relative to the base 140.

[0060] In some examples, the padded footrest 120, the seat post sleeve 154 and the lower support 290 may be packaged as an add-on kit for a standard office chair. For example, most office chairs include height adjustable posts 170 with gas spring diameters of 2 inches or 50 millimeters (mm) seat post sleeve 154 may be sized to fit freely over such standard gas spring diameters, e.g., by having an inner diameter of greater than 50 mm, such as greater than 2 inches (50.8 mm) such as between 51 mm and 60 mm.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted on the base 140. The height adjustable seat post 170 may comprise a gas spring mechanism or other height adjustment mechanism, enabling vertical adjustment of the seating position. A seat post sleeve 154 fits over the height adjustable seat post 170, forming part of the free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150.

[0062] The padded seat 110 is mounted on a height adjustable seat post 170 via a seat mounting bracket 171. For example, the height adjustable seat post 170 may include a gas spring mechanism with an actuatable lock adjacent the seat mounting bracket 171. Actuation of the lever 172 frees the gas spring locking mechanism to facilitate the height adjustment of padded seat 110. In various examples, the height adjustable seat post 170 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable seat post 170 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections.

[0063] The height adjustable seat post 170 is mounted to base 140 as previously described with respect to cross-legged chair 100. Base 140 includes legs 142. The legs 142 may provide stability and support for the cross-legged chair 300. Swiveling rollers 146 may be attached to ends of the legs 142, allowing for easy movement of the cross-legged chair 300.

[0064] Padded footrest 120 is mounted to a foot pad mounting plate 191 of a lower support 390, which in turn is mounted over seat post 170 via a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150. The free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 allows a user to set the height of the footrest 120 relative to the base 140. In particular, the lower support 390 includes a clamp 192 with a clamp handle 194 to selectively release and lock clamp 192 to facilitate the height adjustment of lower support 390 relative to seat post 170.

[0065] Free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 includes a seat post sleeve 154 which rotates freely relative to the height adjustable seat post 170 and the base 140. The clamp 192 of lower support 390 fits over the seat post sleeve 154 and rotates freely with the seat post sleeve 154. In this manner, lower support 390 and footrest 120 rotate freely relative to the other components of chair 300. The swinging footrest 120 is vertically adjustable to a position coplanar with the seat 110.

[0066] In contrast to lower support 190 of chair 100, lower support 390 includes height adjustable footrest post 370. The height adjustable footrest post 370 provides added strength and stability of the footrest 120 and is set to correspond to the height of the footrest 120. The height adjustable footrest post 370 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable footrest post 370 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections. Lower support 390 includes an optional swiveling roller 346. Roller 346 may be free rolling or include an optional locking mechanism. Other examples may not include a roller, such that footrest post 370 is configured to remain stationary on the floor.

[0067] The lower support 390 includes a frame element 391 connecting the clamp 192 to the footrest mounting plate 191 and the height adjustable footrest post 370. The lower support 390 includes an optional clamp 392 connecting the frame element 391 to the height adjustable footrest post 370. In other examples, height adjustable footrest post 370 may be attached by other techniques, such as being fixedly connected to the frame element 391. The frame element 391 is long enough such that roller 346 does not interfere with the base 140. For example, the frame element 391 may be at least 14 inches, such as at least 16 inches, such as between 16 and 20 inches long. This allows footrest 120 to rotate around the seat post 170 without the footrest post 370 running into the base 140.

[0068] In the example of lower support 390, the foot pad mounting plate 191 sits on top of the footrest post 370. Such an example simplifies the design compared to the frame element 291 (FIG. 4), so long as the adjustable footrest post 370 is outside the base 140. Interference with the base 140 would limit the range of motion of the footrest 120.

[0069] In some examples, the padded footrest 120, the seat post sleeve 154 and the lower support 390 may be packaged as an add-on kit for a standard office chair. For example, most office chairs include height adjustable posts 170 with gas spring diameters of 2 inches or 50 mm seat post sleeve 154 may be sized to fit freely over such standard gas spring diameters, e.g., by including an inner diameter of greater than 50 mm, such as greater than 2 inches (50.8 mm) such as between 51 mm and 60 mm.

[0070] FIG. 6 illustrates an add-on footrest 400 for an office chair. Add-on footrest 400 is functionally the same as footrest 120 with lower support 290 in cross-legged chair 200 and footrest 120 with lower support 390 in cross-legged chair 300. For example, clamp 192 may be part of a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 such that it may be sized to mount over a seat post sleeve 154 (not shown in FIG. 6). Reference numerals shown in FIG. 6 for add-on footrest 400 represent components that are substantially similar with the same reference numerals used for cross-legged chair 100. For brevity, such elements are described in limited or no detail with respect to add-on footrest 400.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, padded footrest 120 is mounted to a foot pad mounting plate 191 of a lower support 490, which in turn is mounted over a chair seat post 170 via clamp 192. Clamp 192 allows a user to set the height of the footrest 120 relative to a base of the chair. The swinging footrest 120 may be vertically adjustable to a position coplanar with the seat of the chair.

[0072] Clamp 192 may optionally connect to a chair seat post with a free-swinging height adjustment mechanism 150 with a seat post sleeve 154 which rotates freely relative to the adjustable seat post. In such examples, the clamp 192 of lower support 490 fits over the seat post sleeve 154 and rotates freely with the seat post sleeve 154. In this manner, lower support 490 and footrest 120 rotate freely relative to the other components of the chair.

[0073] Lower support 490 includes height adjustable footrest post 470. A lever 472 allows a user to release the height adjustment locking mechanism within the height adjustable footrest post 470. For example, the height adjustable footrest post 470 may include a gas spring mechanism with an actuatable lock adjacent the footrest mounting plate 191. Actuation of the lever 472 frees the gas spring locking mechanism to facilitate the height adjustment of footrest 120. In various examples, The height adjustable seat post 470 may utilize a gas spring mechanism, a threaded spindle mechanism, or an electric motor-driven linear actuator for height adjustment. In some cases, the height adjustable footrest post 470 could be telescoping with multiple nested sections.

[0074] The lower support 490 includes a frame element 491 connecting the clamp 192 to the footrest mounting plate 191 and the height adjustable footrest post 470. The height adjustable footrest post 470 is fixedly connected to the frame element 491. The frame element 491 is long enough such that base 492 does not interfere with the base of an office chair. For example, the frame element 491 may be at least 14 inches, such as at least 16 inches, such as between 16 and 20 inches long. This allows footrest 120 to rotate around an office chair seat post without running to the office chair base.

[0075] Lower support 290 includes an optional horizontal base 492 with swiveling rollers 446. Base 492 is oriented generally perpendicular relative to the frame element 491 to provide stability for the footrest 120. Rollers 446 may be free rolling or include an optional locking mechanism. Other examples may not include a roller, such that base 492 is configured to remain stationary on the floor.

[0076] In some examples, the padded footrest 120, the seat post sleeve 154 and the lower support 490 may be packaged as an add-on kit for a standard office chair. For example, most office chairs include height adjustable posts 170 with gas spring diameters of 4 inches or 50 millimeters (mm) seat post sleeve 154 may be sized to fit freely over such standard gas spring diameters, e.g., by including an inner diameter of greater than 50 mm, such as greater than 2 inches (50.8 mm) such as between 51 mm and 60 mm.

[0077] The specific techniques for cross-legged chairs, including techniques described with respect to cross-legged chairs 100, 200, 300, and add-on footrest 400, are merely illustrative of the general inventive concepts included in this disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A cross-legged chair, comprising:a base;a height adjustable seat post mounted on the base;a seat mounted on the height adjustable seat post;a swinging footrest; anda height adjustment mechanism connecting the swinging footrest to the height adjustable seat post, wherein the height adjustment mechanism allows vertical adjustment and rotational movement of the swinging footrest relative to the height adjustable seat post.

2. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises a seat post sleeve that fits over the height adjustable seat post.

3. The cross-legged chair of claim 2, wherein the seat post sleeve rotates freely around the height adjustable seat post.

4. The cross-legged chair of claim 3, further comprising a lower support connected to the seat post sleeve, wherein the swinging footrest is mounted on the lower support.

5. The cross-legged chair of claim 4, wherein the lower support comprises a clamp for securing the lower support at a desired height along the seat post sleeve.

6. The cross-legged chair of claim 5, wherein the clamp comprises a clamp handle for releasing and tightening the clamp.

7. The cross-legged chair of claim 2, further comprising sleeve bushings positioned within the seat post sleeve to facilitate smooth movement.

8. The cross-legged chair of claim 2, further comprising a stop ring positioned on the height adjustable seat post to limit upward movement of the seat post sleeve.

9. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a convex curve along its front edge.

10. The cross-legged chair of claim 9, wherein the swinging footrest comprises a concave curve along its rear edge that mates with the convex curve of the seat.

11. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, wherein the height adjustable seat post comprises a gas spring mechanism.

12. The cross-legged chair of claim 11, further comprising a lever connected to the seat for actuating the gas spring mechanism.

13. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, wherein the swinging footrest is vertically adjustable to a position coplanar with the seat.

14. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of legs arranged in a radial pattern.

15. The cross-legged chair of claim 14, further comprising swiveling rollers attached to ends of the plurality of legs.

16. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, further comprising a backrest mounted on an upright support extending from the seat.

17. The cross-legged chair of claim 16, wherein the backrest is height-adjustable along the upright support.

18. The cross-legged chair of claim 17, further comprising a locking bracket for securing the backrest at a desired height along the upright support.

19. The cross-legged chair of claim 18, wherein the locking bracket comprises a clamp handle for releasing and tightening the locking bracket.

20. The cross-legged chair of claim 16, further comprising a spring adjustment knob for adjusting tension of the upright support relative to the seat.

21. The cross-legged chair of claim 1, further comprising a lower support including a height adjustable lower support post connecting the swinging footrest to the height adjustment mechanism.

22. The cross-legged chair of claim 21, wherein the height adjustable lower support includes a frame element connecting the height adjustment mechanism, the lower support post and the swinging footrest.

23. The cross-legged chair of claim 21, further comprising a roller on an end of the height adjustable lower support post.

24. A footrest kit for a chair, comprising:a sleeve configured to slide over a seat post of a chair;a clamp configured to be secured to the sleeve;a base;a height adjustable footrest post mounted on the base;a footrest mounted on the height adjustable footrest post; anda frame element connecting the clamp to the height adjustable footrest post.

25. The footrest kit of claim 24, wherein the height adjustable footrest post comprises a gas spring mechanism.

26. The footrest kit of claim 25, further comprising a lever connected to the footrest for actuating the gas spring mechanism.

27. The footrest kit of claim 24, further comprising a roller under the base.

28. The footrest kit of claim 24, wherein the sleeve has an inner diameter between 51 millimeters (mm) and 60 mm.

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