Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Bottom and back movable as a unit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-10-02
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Bottom and back movable as a unit
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention is related to a chair for use in a hair salon. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a chair specifically adapted for use in shampooing the scalp and hair of a person seated in the chair.
Reclining chairs for use when shampooing a person are legion in number. Typically, they comprise a lift mechanism such that the chair can be raised, or lowered, and a chair back which is pivotally attached to the seat of the chair. The chair back allows the person seated in the chair to partially lay down so that their head is over a shampooing sink.
It is apparent to anyone skilled in the art that the current state of the art chairs are uncomfortable for the person seated therein. One reason for this discomfort is the fact that the seat and seat back move up, or down, as a unit. Therefore, a tall person is not supported adequately when the back of the chair is reclined since their upper torso and head extend beyond the seat back. They must be supported to insure that they do not strike their head or neck on the shampoo sink. A shorter person may not reach far enough above the seat back for their head to be over the shampoo sink. In this instance the person must slide upwards on the seat back when it is reclined at which point they are no longer seated. These problems are particularly relevant for elderly people who may lack the strength necessary to support their own upper torso and head when suspended over the back of a chair or may not have the strength to slide upwards on the chair back and maintain themselves in a precarious position.
It has been a long felt desire in the art to provide a shampoo chair which is comfortable and adaptable to people of various sizes and physical conditions
Efforts to fulfill this desire are provided in the art but deficiencies still remain. U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,767 provides a chair which travels along a guide path. The mechanism reduces the room between the chair and sink and virtually eliminates the ability of the beautician to traverse between the chair and shampoo sink. The complex mechanism also increases the cost. The combination of high cost and restricted traverse have rendered this particular chair impractical in hair salons.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,486 provides pivoted frame members manipulated by an internal hydraulic cylinder. This design does not alleviate the primary deficiency described above.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shampoo chair which is comfortable and which can be used by people of different heights.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shampoo chair which is easily adjustable and the base does not have to be moved during use.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that the inventive chair is safer since a tall person does not risk having to support an upper torso and head which is extended beyond the edge of the chair back.
Yet another particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that the seat can be raised and lowered without moving the back rest.
These and other advantages, as will be apparent, are provided in a shampoo chair comprising a base and a hydraulic cylinder attached to the base. A piston is received by the hydraulic cylinder; and an actuator, which is integral to the hydraulic cylinder, causes the piston to raise and lower. A seat is attached to the piston and raises and lowers in concert with the piston. A mounting cylinder and back bracket are also attached to the base. A seat back is pivotally attached to the back bracket.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided in a shampoo chair comprising a base with a hydraulic cylinder attached to the base. A piston is received by the hydraulic cylinder and a foot actuator, which is integral to the hydraulic cylinder, is capable of causing the piston to rise. A seat is attached to the piston and rises with the piston. A mounting cylinder is attached to the base and the hydraulic cylinder is contained within the mounting cylinder. A back bracket is attached to the mounting cylinder and a seat back is pivotally attached to the back bracket.
Yet another preferred embodiment is provided in a shampoo chair comprising a base wherein the base comprising a table rotatably attached to the base. A hydraulic cylinder is attached to the table and a piston is by the hydraulic cylinder. An actuator, integral to the hydraulic cylinder, is capable of causing the piston to move up and down in a direction which is substantially parallel to the hydraulic cylinder. a seat is attached to the piston and moves in concert therewith. A mounting cylinder is also attached to the table. A back bracket is attached to the mounting cylinder and a seat back is pivotally attached to the back bracket.
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Burr Julia C.
Laudenslayer Joseph G.
Chen José V.
Guy Joseph T.
Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard LLC
White Rodney B.
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