Ottoman Protecting Device

The present invention refers to a protective device useful in connection with chairs of the type having an extensible ottoman structure wherein the ottoman is extended from beneath or in front of the forward position of the chair to allow an occupant of the chair to rest his feet upon the ottoman.

In prior art chairs of this type, it frequently happens that the occupant of the chair will rest his feet upon the sidewall of the ottoman structure and cause the fabric on it to wear.

By use of the device of the present invention, a guard structure is automatically disposed in protective relationship to the ottoman to prevent such wear.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the device of the instant invention in non-operative position, and

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the device of the present invention in its extended ottoman protecting disposition.

Since the overall chair structure of a chair of the type to which this invention may be applied does not form part of the instant invention, such a chair is shown only schematically.

Affixed to the lower portion of the front supporting structure of the chair 12, is an ottoman structure 14 which may carry any suitable and appropriate linkage or connecting device 15. Loosely rotatably mounted on a link member 15 is a protective guard member 16. An actuating member 17 which may be fabric is secured to the protective guard 16 and the chair structure 12.

When the ottoman is extended by its supporting structure, not shown, the ottoman moves forwardly and upwardly away from the lower front portion of the chair. The fabric member 17 will be drawn taut and, as this happens, the fabric member 17 will exert a force upon the protective member 16 to rotate it counterclockwise, FIGS. 1 and 2, to position the distal end of the protective member in overlying relationship to the facing edge of the ottoman whereupon the facing edge of the ottoman will be protected against frictional wear of the type hereinabove described.

When the ottoman is returned from its extended position the fabric member 17 will be relaxed thus allowing the protective member 16 to rotate clockwise about its pivot on the link member 16 and out of protective overlying relationship with respect to the facing edge of the ottoman.

Although in the instant disclosure I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, a range of alteration, modification, change, and substitution is intended therein and in some instances some features of the invention will be utlized without a corresponding use of other features. For example, although in the instant embodiment I actuate the ottoman by means of the fabric member 17, the actuating mechanism for moving the blocking member into operative blocking position upon reclining movement of the chair could well take the form of a linkage assembly interconnected between a reclining chair linkage mechanism or the ottoman extending mechanism, both of which mechanisms are well known in the art, and the blocking member. Accordingly, it is intended that the claims be construed in a manner consistent with the full range of the spirit and scope of the invention herein.