Portable Beauty Station

Abstract

This specification discloses a portable beauty station comprising a cabinet of horizontal trapezoidal cross-section that includes top, bottom, side and back walls that are permanently assembled and present an open front. A front panel is detachably mounted in closing position and displays the name of a beauty operator on its front face, while its rear face carries a pair of card holders and a mirror. Cooperating elements of a suspension device are provided on the front panel and back wall to support the front panel on the back wall with the card holders and mirror exposed. A sliding drawer and a plurality of pivotal trays are assembled in the cabinet and a handle is affixed to the top wall.

Description

The present invention relates to portable beauty stations and is concerned primarily with a station of horizontal trapezoidal cross-section and including a front panel that is completely removable from the cabinet and assembled on the rear thereof in a suspended position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At the present time, beauty operators are required to move about, not only in a particularly beauty parlor, but from one place to another, where a customer requires the services of the operator. At any one stop, the operator will have need of certain instruments, accessories and materials such as combs, brushes, hair curlers, lotions, creams and sprays. It is, therefore, desirable that the operator have a portable station in the form of a cabinet including one or more drawers and/or pivotal trays in which such articles may be kept in a segregated state to facilitate access thereto.

It is desirable that a portable beauty station display the name of the owner of the station when the cabinet is closed. Most jurisdictions require that an operator exhibit his picture and license while servicing a customer. Thus, the need for displaying these elements when the cabinet is in an open position and with the picture and license assembled on the cabinet is evident.

At the present time, the known art is notably lacking in a portable beauty station comprising a cabinet of horizontal trapezoidal cross-section and presenting an open front together with a front panel which in closing position displays the name of the owner and which may be completely removed from the cabinet.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in view the following objectives:

1. To provide a portable beauty station including an open front cabinet of horizontal trapezoidal cross-section.

2. To provide a beauty station of the type noted with a front panel that is detachably mounted on the cabinet in position closing the open front and which is completely removable from the cabinet.

3. To provide, in a beauty station of the character aforesaid, a cabinet including a back wall, and cooperating elements of a suspension device on the front panel and back wall.

4. To provide, in a beauty station of the kind described, a front panel having an inner face which is exposed when the panel is assembled on the back wall and a pair of holding devices on the inner face which receive a photograph of an operator and an operator's license.

5. To provide, in a beauty station of the type noted, a sliding drawer and a plurality of pivotally mounted trays in the cabinet.

6. To provide, in a beauty station of the character aforesaid, simple and effective mechanisms for securing the front panel in closing position on the cabinet.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connnection with carrying out the above ideas in a practical embodiment will, in part, become apparent and, in part, be hereafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a portable beauty station comprising a cabinet having top and bottom walls in the shape of trapezoids and side and back walls permanently assembled on said top and bottom walls and defining an open front. A front panel having inner and outer faces is removably mounted on the cabinet to close the open front. The inner face of the front panel carries a pair of holders for a photograph and license respectively and a mirror. Upper portions of the back wall and front panel are provided with cooperating elements of a suspension device. A handle is mounted on the top wall while a sliding drawer and a plurality of pivotally mounted trays are assembled in the cabinet.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a portable beauty station embodying the precepts of the present invention with a portion of the front panel broken away and depicting a pivotal tray in a swung out position;

FIG. 2 is a detail, partly in section and partially in elevation, showing the front panel as suspended from the back wall;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the inner face of the front panel;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the cabinet with the front panel removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective taken on an enlarged scale illustrating how the front panel of the modification of FIG. 5 is assembled in closing position;

FIG. 7 is another detailed perspective on an enlarged scale depicting the suspension device of the modification of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is still another detailed perspective of the upper portion of the front panel and a portion of the top wall of the modification of FIG. 5.

FIG. 1a is a perspective of a drawer per se.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before referring to the drawings, it is important to note that the subject portable beauty station may be made from any of several materials without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, is may be of wood, metal or plastic, with plastic being indicated as a preferred material and is the material illustrated in the drawings. It is also noted that the station may be of various sizes. Thus, the dimensions are not critical.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, a portable beauty station made in accordance with the principles of this invention is identified in its entirety at 10. It comprises a cabinet designated generally 11 and a front panel 12. Cabinet 11 consists of a top wall 13 of trapezoidal shape defined by a wide side edge 14, a narrow side edge 15, and converging back and front edges 16 and 17.

A bottom wall 18 is of the same size and shape as top wall 13 and has side, front and back edges corresponding to these same edges of the top wall 13.

A wide side wall 19 extends between the wide side edges 14 of top and bottom walls 13 and 18. Likewise, a narrow side wall 20 extends between the narrow side edges 15 of the top and bottom walls 13 and 18 and a back wall 21 extends between back edges 16 of top and bottom walls 13 and 18. Walls 13, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are permanently assembled and define cabinet 11 as presenting an open front.

A handle 22 is mounted on the exposed face of top wall 13 as by tabs 23. It will be understood that the particular handle illustrated is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention, as any handle of a wide variety in construction and material may be used.

An elongated bar hook 24 is mounted on the outer face of back wall 21 adjacent to its upper edge as shown in FIG. 2. Bar hook 24 has an inclined upper surface 25 which imparts to the bar the ability to function as a suspension device.

Front panel 12 has an outer face 26 which appears in FIG. 1 and an inner face 27 which shows in FIG. 3. Projecting from outer face 26 and located at the upper edge of panel 12 is a bar member 28 having a lower inclined surface that is complemental to inclined surface 25 of bar hook 24. Thus, bar members 24 and 28 constitute cooperating elements of a suspension device, whereby front panel 12 may be assembled on back wall 21 in a suspended position. A name plate 30 is mounted on outer face 26 of front panel 12 in any preferred manner such as by an adhesive. Ordinarily, it will display the name of the owner of the station.

Mounted on the rear face 27 of front panel 12 are: a holder 31 which is intended to receive a photograph of the operator, another holder 32 for the operator's license, and a mirror 33. It will be understood that when front panel 12 is assembled in suspended position on back wall 21, mirror 33, the photograph in holder 31, and the license in holder 32 are visible.

Extending forwardly from the front edge of side wall 20 and slightly offset laterally therefrom is a front panel retainer 34. This retainer is of angular cross-section and presents a flange 35 which is spaced from the plane of the front edges 17 of top wall 13 and bottom wall 18 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of front panel 12. A hasp 36 is secured to outer face 26 of front panel 12 at a side edge thereof. Hasp 36 includes a hinged leaf 37 formed with a slot 38 which receives a staple 39 that is mounted on side wall 19. It is evident that front panel 12 may be assembled on cabinet 10 to close its open front by first sliding one side edge thereof beneath flange 35, moving it towards the cabinet so that the inner face 27 engages the front edges of walls 13, 18, 19 and 20, and then swinging leaf 37 of hasp 36 over staple 39. A padlock (not illustrated) may then be assembled on staple 39 to secure the assembled relation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a shelf 40, of trapezoidal shape corresponding to that of walls 13 and 18, extends between side walls 19 and 20 in spaced relation to top wall 13. A drawer 41 is slidable in cabinet 11 on shaft 40.

Extending from top wall 13 to bottom wall 18 and spaced from side wall 20 is a cylindrical rod 42 which functions as a pintle. Each of a plurality to trays 43 is provided with a laterally extending tab 44 having an opening (not designated) which receives rod 42 to pivotally mount the tray in cabinet 11. Rod 42 is removable.

The several trays 43 are shown as being of different volumetric capacity as they are intended to receive certain instruments, devices and materials used by the operator. The particular variations in size illustrated may be altered within a wide range depending on the requirements of a particular operator.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the mode of usage of this embodiment is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawings and description of parts set forth above, it may be briefly outlined as follows:

When an operator is to proceed to a particular location to perform his services, he first ascertains that drawer 41 and trays 43 contain the necessary instruments and materials. Front panel 12 is now assembled on cabinet 11 to close the open front and the assembly secured by hasp 36 and staple 39. Handle 22 is grasped and the operator carries the station to the job site. Upon arrival at the scene of his operations, front panel 12 is removed from its front closing position and assembled on back wall 21 by the suspension device comprising bar members 24 and 28. When so positioned, his photograph and license are displayed as is required in many jurisdictions and mirror 33 is available for use. Drawer 41 is slid out and may be completely removed from the cabinet, and trays 43 swing out as their contents are required.

THE MODIFICATION

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a modification involving changes in the manner in which the front panel is assembled in closing position and assembled on the back wall in a suspended position. In these views, the elements which are common to the form of FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive bear the same reference characters.

Front panel 12 is formed with a pair of spaced apertures 45 adjacent to its upper edge. Between apertures 45 is a slot 46. Another slot 47 is formed in front panel 12 adjacent to its lower edge and in a position corresponding to the location of slot 46. Panel 12 is also formed with a pair of spaced recesses or notches 48 which open onto a side edge thereof. A hasp 49 is mounted on panel 12 at the side edge remote from that in which recesses 48 are formed. Hasp 49 is of the same construction as hasp 36 of FIGS. 1 to 4 and cooperates with a staple and padlock in exactly the same manner as does the hasp 36. The only difference between the two hasps and cooperating elements resides in the fact that the staple for hasp 49 is on the narrow side wall 20, rather than on the wide side wall 19 as in FIG. 1.

Extending forwardly from the front edge of side wall 19 are a pair of studs 50, each having a head 51. These studs 50 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of recesses 48 in which they are adapted to be received. As shown in FIG. 8, a rib 52 projects from the front edge of top wall 13 and is of a thickness to be fitted in slot 46 with a fair degree of snugness. It is shorter than slot 46 to permit lateral sliding movement of panel 12 after rib 52 is positioned in slot 46. Another rib corresponding to rib 52 is mounted on the front edge of bottom wall 18 for reception in slot 47. The front edge of this second rib shows in FIG. 5.

Projecting from back wall 21, adjacent to its upper edge are a pair of hooks which are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of apertures 45 in which they are received when front panel 12 is removed from closing position and suspended on the back. It is evident that apertures 45 and hooks 53 cooperate to provide a suspension device.

The manner of using the station of FIGS. 5 to 8 is believed to be obvious. When front panel 12 is to be assembled in closing position on cabinet 11, it is positioned so that ribs 52 are received in slots 46 and 47. It is then shifted or slid laterally to the left (speaking with reference to the illustrations of FIGS. 5 or 6) to cause studs 50 to be received in recesses 48. The leaf of hasp 49 is then swung over the staple in wall 20 and a padlock applied.

The front panel is removed from closing position by a reversal of the above steps and assembled on back wall 21 by fitting apertures 45 over hooks 53.

While preferred specific embodiments are herein disclosed, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable beauty station,

a. a cabinet comprising top and bottom walls of trapezoidal shape, a back wall, a wide side wall and a narrow side wall, said walls being permanently assembled and presenting an open front,

b. a handle secured to said top wall,

c. a front panel completely removable from said cabinet and having inner and outer faces,

d. a photograph holder and a license holder on said inner face,

e. a mirror on said inner face,

f. means for detachably securing said front panel in position on said cabinet closing said open front,

g. cooperating elements of a suspension device on said front panel and said back wall adjacent to the upper ends thereof for assembling said front panel on said back wall in a suspended position;

h. a drawer of trapezoidal shape slidable in said cabinet; and

i. at least one tray pivotally mounted in said cabinet with the pivot adjacent to said narrow side wall.

2. The portable beauty station of claim 1 in which there are a plurality of trays all pivotally mounted on a rod extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said narrow side wall.

3. The portable beauty station of claim 1 in which said suspension device comprises an elongate bar hook projecting from the front face of said front panel adjacent to the upper end thereof and a complemental elongate bar hook projecting from said rear wall adjacent to the upper end thereof.

4. The portable beauty station of claim 1 in which said suspension device comprises a pair of spaced apertures in said front panel adjacent to the upper edge thereof and a pair of hooks on said back wall adjacent to the upper edge thereof and spaced apart a distance the same as the spacing of said apertures, said hooks being received in said apertures when said front panel is assembled on said back wall in a suspended position.

5. The portable beauty station of claim 1 in which the means which detachably secures the front panel in closing position comprises a flange on the front edge of said narrow side wall, said flange being spaced from the front edges of said top, bottom and narrow side walls a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said front panel, a hasp on said front panel and a staple on said wide side wall with which said hasp cooperates.

6. The portably beauty station of claim 1 in which the means which detachably secures the front panel in closing position comprises a pair of headed studs in spaced relation on the front edge of said wide side wall, a rib projecting from the front edge of said top wall, a rib projecting from the front edge of said bottom wall, a pair of recesses opening onto a side edge of said front panel and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said headed studs which are received in said recess, a slot in the front panel adjacent its upper edge and receiving the rib on said top wall, another slot in said front panel adjacent to its lower edge and receiving said rib on said bottom wall, said slots being longer than said ribs, a hasp on the front panel at the side edge remote from that in which said recesses are formed, and a staple on said narrow side wall cooperating with said hasp.