U.S. patent application number 14/995916 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for booster seat for a barber chair.
The applicant listed for this patent is Semaj Jauron Wallace. Invention is credited to Semaj Jauron Wallace.
Application Number | 20160128482 14/995916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55911234 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160128482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wallace; Semaj Jauron |
May 12, 2016 |
BOOSTER SEAT FOR A BARBER CHAIR
Abstract
A booster seat apparatus mounted to a chair is provided. The
booster seat apparatus may include a lift assembly with a seat pad.
The chair may be a salon or barber chair and may include a chair
base frame, a chair back substantially perpendicular to the chair
base frame, and a foot rest extending downward from the chair base
frame. The lift assembly includes an expanded position and a
retracted position. The expanded position includes an increased
distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the
retracted position includes a decreased distance between the seat
pad and the chair base frame. Therefore, a child may be boosted
upward on the chair without the need of an extra booster seat.
Inventors: |
Wallace; Semaj Jauron;
(Miami Gardens, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wallace; Semaj Jauron |
Miami Gardens |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55911234 |
Appl. No.: |
14/995916 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14517316 |
Oct 17, 2014 |
9289066 |
|
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14995916 |
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61892829 |
Oct 18, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/183.1 ;
297/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/06 20130101; A47C
3/38 20130101; A47C 1/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/06 20060101
A47C001/06; A47C 3/20 20060101 A47C003/20 |
Claims
1. A booster salon chair comprising: a chair base frame; a chair
back substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame; a lift
assembly attached to the chair base frame; a seat pad comprising an
upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is
attached to the lift assembly; and a first arm rest secured to a
first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a
second side of the seat pad, wherein the lift assembly comprises an
expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded
position comprises an increased distance between the seat pad and
the chair base frame, and the retracted position comprises a
decreased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame,
and the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded
position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position
comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the
upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises
the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially
in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat
pad.
2. The booster salon chair of claim 1, wherein the lift assembly
further comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lift frame
connecting the lower frame and the upper frame, wherein the lower
frame and the upper frame are substantially parallel with one
another, and wherein the lower frame is mounted to the chair base
frame, and the seat pad is mounted to the upper frame.
3. The booster salon chair of claim 2, wherein the lift frame
comprises at least a first cross bar and a second cross bar each
comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of
the first cross bar is pivotally attached to the lower frame and
the first end of the second cross bar is pivotally attached to the
upper frame, wherein the first and second cross bars are pivotally
attached to one another at a crossing point.
4. The booster salon chair of claim 3, wherein the second end of
the first cross bar is slidably engaged with the upper frame, and
the second end of the second cross bar is slidably engaged with the
lower frame.
5. The booster salon chair of claim 4, further comprising a handle
mounted to the first cross bar near the second end.
6. The booster salon chair of claim 4, wherein the second end of
the first cross bar comprises a first roller, and the second end of
the second cross bar comprises a second roller.
7. The booster salon chair of claim 6, wherein the lower frame
comprises a plurality of notches formed to receive and secure the
second roller within.
8. The booster salon chair of claim 4, wherein the at least one
first cross bar is a pair of first cross bars, and the at least one
second cross bar is a pair of second cross bars.
9. The booster salon chair of claim 8, wherein the pair of first
cross bars is connected by at least a first connector bar near the
second ends of the pair of first cross bars, and wherein the pair
of second cross bars are connected to one another by at least a
second connector bar near the second ends of the pair of second
cross bars.
10. The booster salon chair of claim 9, further comprising a handle
assembly comprising a lower release bar attached to the second
connector bar and an upper release bar attached to the first
connector bar, wherein the lower and upper release bars are
pivotally attached to one another, and a handle is attached to the
upper release bar.
11. A booster seat apparatus comprising: a lower frame; an upper
frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a lower surface,
wherein the lower surface is attached to the upper frame; a first
arm rest secured to a first side of the seat pad and a second arm
rest secured to a second side of the seat pad; and a lift frame
attaching the lower frame and the upper frame together, and
operable to alter a distance between the lower frame and the upper
frame, wherein the first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise
an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded
position comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed
above the upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position
comprises the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed
substantially in between the upper surface and the lower surface of
the seat pad.
12. The booster seat of claim 11, wherein the lift frame comprises
at least a first cross bar and a second cross bar each comprising a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first
cross bar is pivotally attached to the lower frame and the first
end of the second cross bar is pivotally attached to the upper
frame, wherein the first and second cross bars are pivotally
attached to one another at a crossing point.
13. The booster salon chair of claim 12, wherein the second end of
the first cross bar is slidably engaged with the upper frame, and
the second end of the second cross bar is slidably engaged with the
lower frame.
14. The booster salon chair of claim 13, further comprising a
handle mounted to the first cross bar near the second end.
15. The booster salon chair of claim 13, wherein the second end of
the first cross bar comprises a first roller, and the second end of
the second cross bar comprises a second roller.
16. The booster salon chair of claim 15, wherein the lower frame
comprises a plurality of notches formed to receive and secure the
second roller within.
17. The booster salon chair of claim 13, wherein the at least one
first cross bar is a pair of first cross bars, and the at least one
second cross bar is a pair of second cross bars.
18. The booster salon chair of claim 17, wherein the pair of first
cross bars is connected by at least a first connector bar near the
second ends of the pair of first cross bars, and wherein the pair
of second cross bars are connected to one another by at least a
second connector bar near the second ends of the pair of second
cross bars.
19. The booster salon chair of claim 18, further comprising a
handle assembly comprising a lower release bar attached to the
second connector bar and an upper release bar attached to the first
connector bar, wherein the lower and upper release bars are
pivotally attached to one another, and a handle is attached to the
upper release bar.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S.
non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/517,316, filed Oct. 17,
2014 which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional
application No. 61/892,829, filed Oct. 18, 2013, the contents of
which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to barber chairs and, more
particularly, to a booster seat for a barber chair.
[0003] A barber chair is a chair for customers to a barber or
hairdresser. A smaller person or child may need a booster seat
while sitting in the barber chair.
[0004] Booster seats only provide a single level of increased
height. Typically booster seats wear down and tear within one to
two years. Further, when all of the boosters are in use at a barber
shop and additional booster seats are needed, the business is
negatively affected.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved booster seat
for a barber chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a booster salon
chair comprises: a chair base frame; a chair back substantially
perpendicular to the chair base frame; a lift assembly attached to
the chair base frame; a seat pad comprising an upper surface and a
lower surface, wherein the lower surface is attached to the lift
assembly; and a first arm rest secured to a first side of the seat
pad and a second arm rest secured to a second side of the seat pad,
wherein the lift assembly comprises an expanded position and a
retracted position, wherein the expanded position comprises an
increased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame,
and the retracted position comprises a decreased distance between
the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the first arm rest and
the second arm rest comprise an expanded position and a retracted
position, wherein the expanded position comprises the first arm
rest and the second arm disposed above the upper surface of the
seat pad, and the retracted position comprises the first arm rest
and the second arm rest disposed substantially in between the upper
surface and the lower surface of the seat pad.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a booster seat
apparatus comprises: a lower frame; an upper frame; a seat pad
comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower
surface is attached to the upper frame; a first arm rest secured to
a first side of the seat pad and a second arm rest secured to a
second side of the seat pad; and a lift frame attaching the lower
frame and the upper frame together, and operable to alter a
distance between the lower frame and the upper frame, wherein the
first arm rest and the second arm rest comprise an expanded
position and a retracted position, wherein the expanded position
comprises the first arm rest and the second arm disposed above the
upper surface of the seat pad, and the retracted position comprises
the first arm rest and the second arm rest disposed substantially
in between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seat
pad.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown
in use, with the seat in the expanded position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention, shown
in use, with the seat in the retracted position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of booster seat apparatus of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention, taken
along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a detail section view of the present invention,
illustrating the pivoting of the release bars;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention,
illustrating the lowering of the lift assembly;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the arm
assembly;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a section view, taken along line 9-9 in FIG.
8;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a section view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 12 is a detail side view of an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0022] The present invention includes a booster seat incorporated
into a Salon/Barber chair. By attaching a scissor lift mechanism
underneath the seat cushion of the chair and to the frame
underneath the seat, the present invention elevates the seat
cushion to at least two different height levels for added comfort,
convenience. Further, the present invention is economical, space
saving and time preserving and includes a design that is not
offered by other boosters.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may
include a booster seat apparatus mounted to a chair. The booster
seat apparatus may include a lift assembly 10 with a seat pad 12.
The chair may be a salon or barber chair and may include a chair
base frame 52, a chair back 56 substantially perpendicular to the
chair base frame 52, and a foot rest extending downward from the
chair base frame 52. The lift assembly 10 includes an expanded
position and a retracted position. The expanded position includes
an increased distance between the seat pad 12 and the chair base
frame 52, and the retracted position includes a decreased distance
between the seat pad 12 and the chair base frame 52. Therefore, a
child may be boosted upward on the chair without the need of an
extra booster seat.
[0024] The lift assembly 10 of the present invention may include
pivoting members, telescoping members, and the like to raise and
lower the seat pad 12. In certain embodiments, the lift assembly 10
may include an upper frame 14 and a lower frame 16. The seat pad 12
may be attached to the upper frame 14. A lift frame may attach the
lower frame 16 to the upper frame 14 and is operable to alter a
distance between the lower frame 16 and the upper frame 14.
[0025] The seat pad 12 of the present invention may include an
upper surface and a lower surface. The seat pad 12 may secured
within a seat frame 58 by fasteners 62. The fasteners 62 may run
through apertures 60 formed through the seat frame 58 and into the
lower surface of the seat pad 12. The seat frame 58 is attached to
the upper frame 14 of the lift assembly 10, thereby attaching the
seat pad 12 to the lift assembly 10. The seat frame may include a
first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a base
member connecting the first side and the second side together. In
certain embodiments, the seat pad 12 may include a pair of arm
rests 66. The arm rests 66 may be secured to the first side and the
second side of the seat frame 58 by arm uprights 64. The arm
uprights 64 elevate the arm rests 66 to a position above the upper
surface of the seat pad 12.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the arm rests 66 may be in an
expanded position and a retracted position. The expanded position
may include the arm rests 66 in the elevated position above the
upper surface of the seat pad 12 and the retracted position may
include the arm rests 66 substantially below the upper surface of
the seat pad 12. In such embodiments, each of the arm uprights 64
may include a first end and a second end. The first ends may be
pivotally secured to the frame 58 by pivot pins 68. The second ends
may include a female mating portion 65 operable to mate with a male
mating portion 67 of the arm rests 66. The male mating portion 67
and female mating portion 65 may pivot relative to one another. The
arm uprights 64 may pivot about the pivot pins 68, thereby pivoting
from the expanded position to the retracted position and vise
versa. In such embodiments, the seat pad 12 may include cutout
portions formed on opposing sides. The arm rests 66 may be disposed
within the cutout portions in the retracted position.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a
locking mechanism to lock the arm rests 66 in the expanded and
retracted position. For example, the present invention may include
a lock rod having a first end and a second end. The first end may
include a foot 74 having a larger diameter than the lock rod. A
push button 70 may be secured to the second end. The arm uprights
64 may each include a slot having a lock rod portion and a push
button portion. The lock rod portion has a smaller diameter than
the push button portion and is sized to accept the lock rod. The
push button portion is sized to accept the push button 70. A spring
72 may be disposed about the lock rod within the push button
portion of the slot, biasing the foot against the arm uprights 64.
Each of the first side and the second side of the seat frame 58 may
include a foot travel track 80 having an upper locking hole 76, and
a lower locking hole 78. The foot travel track 80 is sized to allow
the lock rod to travel from the upper locking hole 76 to the lower
locking hole 76. The upper locking hole 76 and a lower locking hole
78 are sized to retain the foot 74 within.
[0028] In use, the foot 74 may be resting within the lower locking
hole 78 in the retracted position. A user may push on the push
button 70 against the bias of the spring 72, thereby pushing the
foot 74 outside the lower locking hole 78. The lock rod is then
able to travel along the foot travel track 80, thereby allowing the
arm upright 64 to pivot about the pivot pin 68 to the expanded
position. Once the lock rod has reached the upper locking hole 76,
the spring 72 biases the foot into the upper locking hole 76,
thereby locking the arm rest 66 in the expanded position. To pivot
the arm rest 66 back to the retracted position, the user may press
the push button 70 and pivot the arm rest 66 downwards.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the lift frame may include a pair of
first cross bars 18 and a pair of second cross bars 20. The first
cross bars 18 and the second cross bars 20 may each include a first
end and a second end. The first end of a first cross bar 18 is
pivotally attached to the lower frame 16 at pivot point 30 and the
first end of a second cross bar 20 is pivotally attached to the
upper frame 14 at pivot point 28 on each side of the lift assembly
10. The first and second cross bars 18, 20 are pivotally attached
to one another at a crossing pivot point 26. The pair of first
cross bars 18 may be connected to one another by first connector
bars 40 at the first ends and the second ends. The pair of second
cross bars 20 may be connected to one another by second connector
bars 42 at the first ends and second ends.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the pair of first cross bars 18 and
the pair of second cross bars 20 slidably engage with the upper and
lower frames 14, 16, and thereby slidably engaging the lift
assembly 10 in between the expanded and contracted positions. In
such embodiments, the second ends of the first cross bars 18 may
slidably engage with the upper frame 14 and the second ends of the
second cross bars 20 may slidably engage with the lower frame 16.
In certain embodiments, the cross bars 20 may slidably engage with
the frames 14, 16 via rollers 22, 24. The first cross bars 18 may
include upper rollers 22 and the second cross bars 20 may include
lower rollers 24.
[0031] Utilizing the above disclosed rollers, 22, 24 the lift
assembly 10 may be altered from the retracted position to the
expanded position, and back the retracted position. In certain
embodiments, there may be more than one tier of expanded positions,
thereby allowing users to make multiple adjustments to the height
of the seat pad 12. For example, the present invention may include
a retracted position, a middle expanded position, and a fully
expanded position. In such embodiments, the lower frame 16 may
include a plurality of notches 32, 33, 34, formed to receive and
secure the second rollers 24 within. The plurality of notches 32,
33, 34 may include a retracted position notch 32, a middle expanded
notch 33, and a fully expanded notch 34. The rollers 24 may be
secured within each notch 32, 33, 34 to secure the lift assembly 10
within the respective position. A guide rail 25 may guide the
rollers into each notch 32, 33, 34.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the upper frame 14 may be
substantially straight without notches. In certain embodiments, the
upper frame 14 may include corresponding notches 41, 43, 45 to
further secure the lift assembly 10 in the retracted position, a
middle expanded position, and a fully expanded position. The
corresponding of notches 41, 43, 45 may also include a retracted
position notch 41, a middle expanded notch 43, and a fully expanded
notch 45.
[0033] The present invention may be changed from the retracted
position to the expanded position by mechanical means, a hydraulic
pressure booster mechanism, a racking booster mechanism, air
pressure, an electric lift mechanism, a retractable pole lift
mechanism and the like. In certain embodiments, the present
invention may include a handle assembly in order to grasp the lift
assembly 10 and alter the lift assembly 10 to a different position.
In such embodiments, the handle assembly may include a lower
release bar 38 and an upper release bar 36. The lower release bar
38 may be attached to a second connector bar 42, and the upper
release bar 36 may be attached to a first connector bar 40 on the
front side of the lift assembly 10. The lower release bar 38 may be
pivotally attached to the upper release bar 36 at pivot point 39. A
handle 35 may be attached to the upper release bar 36. Therefore, a
user may grasp the handle 35 and lift the second rollers 24 out of
a notch 32, 33, 34 and place the second rollers 24 into a different
notch 32, 33, 34 to alter the position of the lift assembly 10.
[0034] The booster seat apparatus of the present invention may be
attached to a chair or alternatively may rest on the chair and
thereby may be easily removed. When the booster seat apparatus is
attached, the lower frame 16 of the lift assembly 10 may include
connecting brackets 44 with bracket apertures 46. The chair base
frame 52 may include frame apertures 54 that align with the bracket
apertures 46. Bolts 48 may be placed through the aligned bracket
apertures 46 and the frame apertures 54. Nuts 50 may be secured to
the bolts 48, thereby securing the lift assembly 10 to the salon or
barber chair.
[0035] While in use, the lift assembly 10 may be in the retracted
position for an average sized adult. While in the retracted
position, the lower rollers 24 may be secured within the retracted
position notches 32. For an older child, the handle 35 may be
grasped, and the lower rollers 24 may be lifted out of the
retracted position notches 32. The upper rollers 22 may roll along
the upper frame 14, and the lower rollers 24 may be lowered into
the middle expanded notch 33 to lift the seat 12 to the middle
expanded position. For a younger child, the handle 35 may be
grasped and the lower rollers 24 may be lifted out of the middle
expanded notch 33. The upper rollers 22 may roll along the upper
frame 14 and lower rollers 24 may be lowered into the fully
expanded notch 34 to lift the seat 12 to the fully expanded
position. The seat 12 may be lowered by moving the lower rollers 24
back to the retracted position notches 32 using the method
described above.
[0036] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *