U.S. patent application number 12/784485 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for mobile customized headrest stand.
Invention is credited to Althea McDonald.
Application Number | 20110127391 12/784485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44068115 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110127391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDonald; Althea |
June 2, 2011 |
MOBILE CUSTOMIZED HEADREST STAND
Abstract
A portable head rest stand for a person sitting in a chair which
includes a 4-wheeled base member positioned adjacent to the chair.
An adjustable pedestal is mounted upright on the 4-wheeled base
member. An adjustable head support assembly is mounted on a top end
ring adjuster of the pedestal to receive a head of the person
sitting on the chair. A joint allows the upper part stem of the
pedestal to incline or recline from the lower part stem. Two
adjustable knobs are used to tighten the upper part incline or
decline in a customized angle from the lower part stem so the
sitting person can have the best fit in inclined or declined angled
positions. Arm rest is mounted on the pedestal to receive hands of
the person sitting on the chair. An adjustable chest rest can also
be mounted to the pedestal, to receive a chest of the person
sitting on the chair.
Inventors: |
McDonald; Althea; (Lithonia,
GA) |
Family ID: |
44068115 |
Appl. No.: |
12/784485 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61179788 |
May 20, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/118 |
International
Class: |
A47B 97/00 20060101
A47B097/00 |
Claims
1. A portable head rest stand for a person sitting in a chair which
comprises: a) a 4-wheeled base member positioned adjacent to the
chair; b) an adjustable pedestal mounted upright on said 4-wheeled
base member, wherein the pedestal having a lower part stem and an
upper part stem; c) a joint allows the upper part stem of the
pedestal to incline or recline from the lower part stem; d) two
adjustable knobs are used to tighten the upper part incline or
decline in a customized angle from the lower part stem so the
sitting person can have the best fit in inclined or declined angled
positions; e) an adjustable head support assembly mounted on top
end ring adjuster of said pedestal to receive a head of the person
sitting on the chair; and f) an adjustable hand support assembly
mounted on said pedestal to receive hands of the person sitting on
the chair.
2. The stand as recited in claim 1, wherein said 4-wheeled base
member comprises: a) a stable, rectangular, retractable plate; and
b) a plurality of lockable wheel assemblies affixed to both end of
said plate for easy maneuvering of said plate along a floor.
3. The stand as recited in claim 2, wherein said 4-wheeled base
member further comprises: a) said plate having a plurality of
spaced apart receptacles; and b) a track pivotally mounted between
bottom of said pedestal and said plate, whereby said track can
slide said pedestal over said receptacles to center, left and right
positions on said plate and be collapsible onto said plate for
storage thereof.
4. The stand as recited in claim 2, wherein said 4-wheeled base
member further comprises a handle extending from a short side of
said plate for easy transportation of said stand.
5. The stand as recited in claim 1, wherein said pedestal is
telescopically to vary height thereof.
6. The stand as recited in claim 1, further comprising an
adjustable chest support assembly mounted to said pedestal to
receive a chest of the person sitting on the chair.
7. The stand as recited in claim 6, wherein said adjustable head
support assembly, said adjustable hand support assembly and said
adjustable chest support assembly, each comprises a padded cushion
thereon to supply comfort to the head, the hands and the chest of
the person sitting on the chair.
8. The stand as recited in claim 1, wherein an end of a gooseneck
connector is mounted on top end ring adjuster of said pedestal, and
the other end of the gooseneck connector is horizontally connected
to the adjustable head support assembly to receive the head of the
person sitting on the chair.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/179,788, filed on May 20, 2009, in the United
States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a stabilizing apparatus,
and more particular a portable head rest stand for a person sitting
in a chair.
[0004] The stand provides support to the head, chest, and arms
during lengthy cosmetic and clinical procedures and will assist
cosmetologists, estheticians, tattoo artists, dermatologists, and
others as they perform varied services on their client. The stand
helps to create comfort and protection to a customer receiving
treatments and is ideal for use in salons when a client is
receiving extended time services, such as hair braids, weaves, hair
fusion, dread locking, curling, and more. The stand provides
stylists with an easy way to manipulate the head during the styling
session, while it offers more comfort to the client and allows them
to relax and even fall asleep as they are being worked on. The
stand prevents individuals from awaking to a sore neck or back and
provides stylists with convenient access to the hair without
constant repositioning and it can also be used during other beauty
or clinical treatments.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Many times clients show up for hair appointments tired and
rundown. Some procedures take an extended amount of time. The
conventional styling chair is not conducive to sleeping or
relaxing. It is difficult to keep the head straight when nodding
off and stylists spend a lot of time straightening and
repositioning the head. Many people come to their appointments from
work, the gym, school, and other tiring activities. By the time
they get in the chair, they simply want to relax. The current
chairs leave individuals with neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Stylists want to keep their customers happy and comfortable in
order to retain their business. They also want the client
positioned in way that enables the stylist to do the best job
possible. A support system is needed to be used in conjunction with
a styling chair.
[0007] Numerous innovations for seating supports have been provided
in the prior art that will be described. Even though these
innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to
which they address, however, they differ from the present
invention.
[0008] A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,078, Issued on Mar. 28,
1995, to Riach teaches a unitary, portable, foldable and adjustable
therapy chair on which a patient is seated. The chair includes a
frame having two pivotal members which move in a scissor-like
manner. Attached to the frame are a seat, a chest support, an arm
support, a face support and a pair of leg supports. The chair is
adjustable from a collapsed position to a plurality of erect
positions. The frame may be secured in a desired use position. When
the chair is adjusted, the seat, the chest support, the arm support
and the leg supports move with respect to one another.
[0009] A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,590, Issued on Jan.
30, 1996, to Haynes teaches a chair to promulgate kinesthetic
therapy including a seat frame, a chest rest frame, an arm rest
frame and a base. The seat frame and the chest rest frame are
independently attached to the base and extend upwardly and inwardly
from the base where they support a seat and chest rest
respectively. Both the seat and chest rest are adjustable along the
same axis A via frames and respectively. Axis A makes an oblique
angle .alpha. with the plane of the base. The armrest frame is
attached to the base immediately in front of and parallel to the
chest rest frame. The arm rest frame includes an arm rest which is
horizontally supported and elevationally adjustable above the base.
A head support is spaced from the chest rest via a pair of spaced
parallel cantilevered arms.
[0010] A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,485, Issued on Oct. 26,
1999, to Clark teaches an adjustable and foldable chair for
massaging an individual which provides a pair of upwardly directed
support struts pivotally joined by a leg support strut and is able
to stand erect on a pair of laterally disposed feet at the ends of
the support struts. A buttock, leg, chest, arm and face supports
are positionally adjustable. The support struts are convergent with
the included angle being adjustable over a range of approximately
47.degree. degrees. This range of adjustability allows the chair to
accept the body conformations of children, women and men of all
sizes.
[0011] A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,808, Issued on May 23,
2000, to Tinsley teaches an adjustable and portable massage chair.
The massage chair includes a seat subassembly and an upper body
support subassembly. The seat subassembly is comprised of a pair of
front legs and a pair of rear legs, the rear legs being pivotally
attached to the front legs. A seat is pivotally attached to the
upper end of the pair of front legs and adjustably attached to the
upper end of a seat support post. The lower end of the seat support
post is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the rear legs. The
upper body subassembly is comprised of a pair of support legs
pivotally attached at their lower portion to a lower portion of the
front legs of the seat subassembly. A chest support is pivotally
attached to the upper portion of the support legs, and a face
cradle is pivotally attached to the chest support. An arm support
is located below the chest support and pivotally attached to a
mid-portion of the support legs. A pair of connector arms extend
between the support legs of the upper body support subassembly and
the front legs of the seat subassembly. The connector arms are
slidingly attached to the support legs and pivotally attached to
the front legs to thereby permit the seat subassembly and the upper
body support subassembly to be folded towards each other.
[0012] A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No.
2002/0067060, Published on Jun. 6, 2002, to Lloyd teaches a
collapsible chair for supporting a person that includes a seat and
a chest rest. The chest rest may be adjusted longitudinally and
rotationally when a cam lever is moved into an unlocked position.
An adjustable face rest is connected to the chest rest. The chair
may also include an adjustable armrest, and detachable knee
rests.
[0013] A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,831, Issued on Mar. 2,
2004, to Lloyd teaches a collapsible chair for supporting a person
which includes a seat and a chest rest. The chest rest may be
adjusted longitudinally and rotationally when a cam lever is moved
into an unlocked position. An adjustable face rest is connected to
the chest rest. The chair may also include an adjustable armrest,
and detachable knee rests.
[0014] A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,690, Issued on May 4,
2004, to Roleder et al. teaches a massage chair. The massage chair
includes a front lower support including a front attachment
section, a rear lower support including a rear attachment section,
a seat secured to the rear lower support, a front upper support
including an upper attachment section, a chest rest secured to the
front upper support, and a connector. Importantly, the connector
connects the front attachment section, the rear attachment section
and the upper attachment section and allows for relative motion of
the front lower support, the rear lower support and the front upper
support about the connector. As a result of this design, the
massage chair easily moves between a transport position and an
upright position. Further, as a result of this design, the profile
of the massage chair in the transport position is relatively
small.
[0015] AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,447, Issued on Jul.
6, 2004, to Tinsley teaches an epidural stabilization device for
restraining a sitting patient against movement during an epidural
procedure. The device includes an adjustable face cradle, an
adjustable chest support, and an arm support. The face cradle,
chest support and arm support are attached to a support post. A
support leg extends downwardly from the support post. The support
leg is preferably adapted to be received and held by a conventional
IV clamp attached to an operating or examination table.
[0016] A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,962, Issued on Nov. 1,
2006, to Dixon teaches a patient support for providing
supplementary support for patients undergoing procedures such as
epidurals. The support can be secured in position alongside a bed
or operating table provides a number of options as to the mode of
the support required by the patient for various procedures and
treatments.
[0017] A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,080, Issued on Dec. 5,
2006, to Lloyd teaches a portable massage chair which uses a
multi-disk friction clamp to permit adjustment of a chest support
member. The chair may be collapsed or set up for use by alternately
connecting and disconnecting a rigid triangular support structure
formed by a seat support frame portion, a chest support frame
portion, and a knee support frame portion.
[0018] AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No.
2008/0143164, Published on Jun. 19, 2008, to Ghilzai teaches a
modular ergonomic chair capable of accommodating a variety of users
and uses that includes a chair base, a support column coupled to
the chair base, a seat base, including a seat base pivot, with the
seat base coupled to the support column, a seat, including one or
more mounts, with the seat coupled to the seat base pivot, and one
or more knee support pads coupled to a knee support pivot, with the
knee support pivot coupled to any of the preceding chair elements.
The modular ergonomic chair is capable of supporting a user in a
reclined, upright, or inclined position and may accommodate a
number of additional task-specific components.
[0019] It is apparent now that numerous innovations for seating
supports have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for
various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be
suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they
address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes
of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a portable
head rest stand for a person sitting in a chair that avoids the
disadvantages of the prior art.
[0021] ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
portable head rest stand for a person sitting in a chair that is
simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0022] STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide
a portable head rest stand for a person sitting in a chair that is
simple to use.
[0023] BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present
invention is to provide a portable head rest stand for a person
sitting in a chair which comprises a 4-wheeled base member
positioned adjacent to the chair. An adjustable pedestal is mounted
upright on the 4-wheeled base member. An adjustable head support
assembly is mounted on a top end of the pedestal to receive a head
of the person sitting on the chair. An adjustable hand support
assembly is mounted on the pedestal to receive hands of the person
sitting on the chair. An adjustable chest support assembly can also
be mounted to the pedestal, to receive a chest of the person
sitting on the chair.
[0024] The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0025] The figures of the drawings are briefly described as
follows:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in
use;
[0027] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the front of portable head
rest stand as shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the back of portable head
rest stand;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing
various positions of the pedestal on the 4-wheeled base member;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the present invention
in a collapsed position for easy storage;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable head rest stand
in use having a chest support;
[0032] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the portable head rest
stand as shown in FIG. 5;
[0033] FIG. 6B is a front view of the portable head rest stand as
shown in FIG. 5;
REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
[0034] 110 portable head rest stand [0035] 112 person [0036] 114
chair [0037] 116 4-wheeled base member of stand 110 [0038] 118
adjustable pedestal of stand 110 [0039] 118A lower stem [0040] 118B
upper stem [0041] 104A an adjustable knob 104A allows the lower
stem 118A to go up and down to customize the height [0042] 104B an
adjustable knob allows the arm rest 126 to move up and down via
slot on the pedestal 118 [0043] 104E an adjustable knob allows the
chest rest 148 to move up and down via a slot on the pedestal 118
[0044] 118A-B a joint allows the upper part 118B to incline or
recline [0045] 120 adjustable head support assembly of stand 110
[0046] 122 ring adjuster at top end of pedestal 118 [0047] 123
flexible gooseneck connector [0048] 124 head of person 112 [0049]
126 adjustable hand/arm support assembly or arm rest of stand 110
[0050] 128 hand of person 112 [0051] 130 rectangular plate of
4-wheeled base member 116 [0052] 132 lockable wheel assembly of
4-wheeled base member 116 [0053] 132A a lock for wheel assembly
[0054] 134 floor [0055] 136 receptacle in plate 130 [0056] 138
track on 4-wheeled base member 116 [0057] 140 bottom of pedestal
118 [0058] 142 handle of 4-wheeled base member 116 [0059] 144 short
side of plate 130 [0060] 146 telescopic stem for pedestal 118
[0061] 148 adjustable chest support assembly or chest rest of stand
110 [0062] 150 chest of person 112 [0063] 152A padded cushion of
head rest of stand 110 [0064] 152B padded cushion of chest rest of
stand 110 [0065] 152C padded cushion of hand or arm rest of stand
110
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0066] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, and as
such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
[0067] The present invention is a portable head rest stand 110 for
a person 112 sitting in a chair 114 which comprises a 4-wheeled
base member 116 positioned adjacent to the chair 114. An adjustable
pedestal 118 is mounted upright on the 4-wheeled base member 116.
An adjustable head support assembly 120 is mounted on a top end
ring adjuster 122 of the pedestal 118 to receive a head 124 of the
person 112 sitting on the chair 114. An adjustable hand support
assembly 126 is mounted on the pedestal 118 to receive hands 128 of
the person 112 sitting on the chair 114.
[0068] The 4-wheeled base member 116 comprises a stable,
rectangular, retractable plate 130. A plurality of lockable wheel
assemblies 132 are affixed to the plate 130 for easy maneuvering of
the plate 130 along a floor 134. A lock 132A is provided for wheel
assembly 132. The 4-wheeled base member 116 further comprises the
plate 130 having a plurality of spaced apart receptacles 136. A
track 138 is pivotally mounted between bottom 140 of the pedestal
118 and the plate 130. The track 138 can slide the pedestal 118
over the receptacles 136 to center, left and right positions on the
plate 130 and be collapsible onto the plate 130 for storage
thereof.
[0069] The 4-wheeled base member 116 further comprises a handle 142
extending from a short side 144 of the plate 130 for easy
transportation of the stand 110. The pedestal 118 comprises a
telescopic stem 146 to vary height thereof. The stand 110 further
comprises an adjustable chest support assembly 148 mounted to the
pedestal 118 to receive a chest 150 of the person 112 sitting on
the chair 114. The adjustable head support assembly 120, the
adjustable hand support assembly 126 and the adjustable chest
support assembly 148, each comprises a padded cushion 152A-152C
thereon to supply comfort to the head 124, the hands 128 and the
chest 150 of the person 112 sitting on the chair 114.
[0070] In review the portable head rest stand 110 will assist
cosmetologists in styling hair. The stand 110 allows the person 112
to rest their head 124, chest 150, and arms 128. There are five
basic components to the stand 110. The first is the stable,
rectangular, retractable 4-wheeled base member 116 to act as
horizontal support for the pedestal 118. The lockable wheel
assemblies 132 are attached for easy maneuvering. The 4-wheeled
base member 116 contains the receptacles 136 and track 138 which
allows the pedestal 118 to be positioned and mobilized in center,
left, and right positions.
[0071] The 4-wheeled base member 116 includes the handle 142 for
easy transporting. The 4-wheeled base member 116 adjusts in length
from approximately twenty-two inches to thirty-two inches
horizontally, depending on the style and size of the chair 114
being used in conjunction with the stand 110. The pedestal 118 is a
vertical, adjustable, tubular or square stem 146 that supports the
head support assembly 120, chest support assembly 148, and hand
support assembly 126. The pedestal 118 may be made of metal and is
adjustable in height. The telescopic stem 116 adjusts from
approximately twenty-seven inches to a maximum length of sixty
inches. An adjustable knob 104A allows the lower stem 118A to go up
and down to customize the height. An adjustable knob 104B allows
the arm rest 126 to move up and down via slot on the pedestal 118.
An adjustable knob 104E allows the chest rest 148 to move up and
down via a slot on the pedestal 118.
[0072] A joint 118A-B allows the upper part 118B to incline or
recline from sitting person 112. Two adjustable knobs 104E-D are
tightened (located on both sides of the pedestal 118) the upper
part stem 118B incline or decline a customized angle (from
1.degree. to 45.degree. degrees) from the vertical lower part stem
118A. The sitting person 112 can select the best fit in inclined or
declined angled positions (as in FIGS. 1-6).
[0073] The stand 110 is flexible in the head support assembly 120,
can be maneuvered into convex and concave positions. The pedestal
118 is also collapsible for storage purposes. The head support
assembly 120 is oval shaped and is cushioned for comfort. It is
horizontally positioned at the top end ring adjuster 122 of the
pedestal 118 and measures approximately seventeen inches in length.
It may contain a sponge interior and may have a solid material,
such as plastic or ply board to support the sponge. It may be
covered in a soft leather or vinyl material with a center incline
to cradle the head 124 and neck. In FIGS. 5-6, an end of a flexible
gooseneck connector 123 is mounted on top end ring adjuster 122 of
said pedestal 118 and the other end of the gooseneck connector is
horizontally connected to the adjustable head support assembly 120
to receive the head of the person sitting on the chair. The
flexible gooseneck connector 123 is bended in 90.degree.
degrees.
[0074] The head support assembly 120 has swivel capabilities of
about three hundred and sixty degrees and can lock into any
position. The chest support assembly 148 is approximately six
inches by twelve inches and is rectangular in shape. There is an
attachable padded cushion head rest 152A and the chest support
assembly 148 can be vertically positioned immediately below the
head support assembly 120. The chest support assembly 148 may have
similar interior and exterior surfaces as the head support assembly
120.
[0075] There may be an attachment to accommodate full-breasted
women. The attachable padded cushion chest rest 152B helps to
relieve pressure and can be adjusted to varying heights by sliding
the chest support assembly 120 up and down on the pedestal 118. The
hand support assembly 120 has a semi-circular configuration for the
hands 128. It is situated below the chest support assembly 150, on
the opposite side of the pedestal 118. It is collapsible and can
adjust up or down on the pedestal 118.
[0076] A padded cushion of hand or arm rest 152C of stand 110 is
provided.
[0077] All of the above components are mounted and assembled
together to form the stand 110. The stand 110 can be used in a
variety of applications, such as in salons, in doctor's offices, in
tattoo parlors, and more. The stand 110 can be used in any setting
that requires the person 112 to be in a comfortable, accessible
position. The stand 110 may be available in a variety of colors,
such as black and silver. The exact specifications may vary.
[0078] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0079] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodiments of a portable head rest stand for a person sitting in a
chair, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it
will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device
illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the
art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0080] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
* * * * *