Eric D May

US Patent:

6375266, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Jan 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/765007

Inventors:

Jason R. Ferguson - Northville MI
Eric M. May - Sterling Heights MI
James A. Dykla - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

A47C 750

US Classification:

29742315, 29742326, 29742327

Abstract:

A footrest is mounted to the frame of a forward seat and is pivotally mounted thereto to be movable between a raised stored position adjacent the back of the seat to a lowered use position for supporting a second row passengers feet. The footrest responds to a force above a predetermined level to breakaway to prevent damage to the footrest which can be subsequently returned to the use or stored position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest comprises a generally U-shaped member having a mounting bracket including the pivot coupling to opposite ends of the member to allow such pivotal movement. In addition, the mounting bracket and U-shaped footrest include a deformable stop extending between the two which holds the footrest in a use position and allows the footrest to pivot downwardly if an excessive force is placed thereon.