Folding portable foot station

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding portable foot station that can be used for reflexology manipulation, foot massaging, or pedicures.

[0002] The prior art has addressed providing support means for massages by creating specialty chairs. A typical massage chair can be seen in D369,691 to Haynes. Adjustable folding massage chairs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,485 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,808. Usually, the comfort of the person receiving the massage is addressed and not also the comfort of the masseuse.

[0003] The present invention encompasses a novel folding portable foot station comprised of five main elements in combination. A base has a seating means attached such that it can move from a folded position in which the seating means is adjacent the base to an operating position in which a foot manipulator is seated thereon. (For the purposes of the present invention, a manipulator includes anyone who seeks to provide care for a person's feet, such as masseuses, pedicurists, reflexologists, or the like) The seating means provides support for the posterior of the foot manipulator. A seat support means is attached to the seating means so as to allow the seating means to move from the folded position to the operating position and yet to secure the seating means while in the operating position. A foot rest means is also attached to the base. The foot rest means provides support for at least one foot for a person who is to receive a manipulation of their feet. Thus, the foot rest means can move from a folded position in which the seat is adjacent the base to an operating position in which the foot to be manipulated is seated thereon. Finally, a foot rest support means is attached to the foot rest means so as to allow the foot rest means to move from the folded position to the operating position and secures the foot rest means in the operating position. In the operating position, the relationship between the foot rest means and the seating means is such that the manipulator can assume an ergonomic position with respect to the foot, providing for extended comfort.

[0004] Preferably, the base is dimensioned and configured so as to prevent the device from tilting when the seating means and the foot rest means are in the operating position. Also, the base can have a caster means attached thereto, thereby allowing the masseuse to move the device.

[0005] In certain configurations, one can provide for a cushion means to be attached to the base. By providing for the proper dimensioning of the elements, one can design the foot station such that in the operating position the foot manipulator can sit on the seating means and fold their legs such that the front portion of their lower legs is supported by the cushion means on the base.

[0006] Finally, the present folding portable foot station can have a handle means attached to one of the elements such as the base as well as the caster means. The attachment would be such that foot station can be moved into an upright position and transported by rolling on at least a portion of the caster means, such as in the case of conventional traveling luggage.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a stable station for resting a person's foot on while allowing an operator to assume a comfortable and ergonomic position.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a foot station that folds up so as to be truly portable for use by a professional that travels with the station to clients.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a foot station that folds up so as to take up little space for storage.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a forward perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present foot station in the operating position.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the foot station in FIG. 1 with the leg cushions removed.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the foot station in FIG. 2, except it is in the stored or folded position.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation view of the foot station in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a rearward perspective view of the foot station in FIG. 1.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the FIGURES. As seen in FIG. 1, the folding portable foot station (10) comprises five main elements in combination.

[0016] A base (20) is dimensioned and configured so as to provide a stable platform that is not susceptible to tilting and also has a handle (22) for carrying the station while in the folded position. A seating means (30) is attached to the base such that it can move from a folded position (as shown in FIG. 3) in which the seating means is adjacent the base to an operating position in which a foot manipulator is seated thereon. The seating means further comprises a seat (32), preferably ergonomically shaped and cushioned, for the posterior of the foot manipulator and a pair of movable members or legs (34) that are coupled in a rotating manner to the proximal end of the base. Cushions can also be provided (24) for supporting the legs of the foot manipulator, so as to provide support for the shins of the manipulator's legs if they elect to assume a seated kneeling position.

[0017] A seat support means comprises a movable slanted member or post (40) attached to the movable pair of legs so as to allow the seating means to move from the folded position (where the seat is adjacent the distal end of the base) to the operating position and yet to secure the seating means while in the operating position. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, one end of the post can be coupled to the movable pair of legs so as to be able to rotate between the movable pair of legs for stowage in the folded position. In the operating position, the other end of the post is secured to the base in a releaseable manner through conventional means, such as threaded mechanical fasteners.

[0018] A foot rest means (50) is also attached to the base. The foot rest means can comprise another movable member or leg (52) attached to the base at a proximal end fitting between the movable arms of the seating means. At the distal end, the foot rest means has a foot cushion (54) attached. Together these elements provide support for at least one foot for a person who is to receive a manipulation of their feet. The foot rest means is connected to a foot rest support means (60) comprised of a movable leg that can attach either to the base, the seating means, or the seating support means. One can make provision for the foot rest support leg to remain attached to the foot rest means while the foot station is in the folded position (where the foot cushion is adjacent the distal end of the base), again as shown in FIG. 3. In the operating position, the relationship between the foot rest means and the seating means is such that the manipulator can assume an ergonomic position with respect to the foot, providing for extended comfort.

[0019] The ordinarily skilled artisan can appreciate that the present invention can incorporate any number of the preferred features described above.

[0020] All publications or unpublished patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference thereto.

[0021] Other embodiments of the present invention are not presented here which are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, now or during the term of any patent issuing from this patent specification, and thus, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.