Patent Application
20240215729
Often, clients of beauticians and barbers become quite relaxed as they are worked on, and have a tendency to fall asleep in the chair. This can result in the sudden forward motion of the client's head, which can be disruptive to the haircut process and even dangerous to the client with the risk of accidental cuts from the beautician's scissors and/or razor blades. Likewise, the client's entire body may slump or lean with the onset of drowsiness or sleep. Moreover, the client may then suddenly jerk awake, with an accompanying motion that likewise presents its own set of perils as sharp instruments are still in play around the client's head.
Thus there is a need for a preventing sudden movements of the client during the haircut process, as well as for allowing the client to sleep peacefully while in the beautician's chair if the client so desires. The present novel technology addresses this need.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.
One embodiment of the present novel technology, as shown in
Frame portion 20 includes a pair of spaced side members 35 connected by a connection member 40 extending therebetween. Members 35, 40 are typically made of a memory foam material, and side members 35 are typically curved inwardly towards one another, while connection member 40 is typically an elongated, linear or straight member. However, any of the members 35, 40 may be shaped as desired.
Face-supporting portion 25 includes a generally U-shaped support member 40 and a chin holding portion 50 operationally connected thereto. The support member 45 is likewise typically made from a memory foam material, and the chin holder defines a soft cup, typically foam or cloth, for engaging the chin or face of the user to comfortably support the same.
Support member 45 is typically connected to frame 20 at joint 55. In some embodiment, the frame and U-shaped portion are formed unitarily, while in other embodiments joint 55 is a connector joining the two 20, 45.
Soft padding 60 is typically positioned on member 45 and spaced opposite joint 55 so as to provide comfortable support to the face of the user.
Members 35, 40, 45 typically include an inner support member 65. Support member 65 is typically made of a structural material, such as aluminum, steel, or the like, and is positioned within the typically foam members 35, 40, 45 to provide support. Support members 65 may be made substantially rigid, defining a predetermined shape, or may be somewhat plastic and deformable. Generally, support members 65 may be made of plastic, metal, or any convenient material that can be formed, machined, molded or stamped into the shape of the members 35, 40, 45.
In some embodiments, the strap 30 includes two separate flexible strap members, 30A, 30B, both ending in matable buckle portions, 31A, 31B
In operation, the headrest assembly 10 is engaged to a beautician's or barber chair 15 via the strap 30. Strap is lockingly connected to the char 15, tightly enough so that the frame 20 and chin holder 50 enjoy little to no play and the user's head is held comfortably immobile once engaged thereto. The user then positions their chin into the chin holder portion 50, and allows their head to be supported by the assembly 10 for the duration of their visit, enjoying a nap if they are so inclined.
An armature assembly is operationally connected to and extends from the frame portion 120 and is likewise operationally connected to a head-engaging assembly 150. Armature assembly 140 includes a plurality of elongated members, or arms, extending therefrom; in this embodiment, a first elongated member arm 160 is pivotably connected to the frame portion 120 at one end and to a joint 165, such as a ball joint, at the other end. A second elongated member arm 170 is pivotably connected to the ball joint 165 at one end and to another joint 175 at the opposite end. Likewise, a third elongated member arm 180 is pivotably connected to joint 175 at one end and operationally connected to joint 185 at the opposite end, and a fourth elongated member arm 190 is pivotably connected to joint 185 at one end and pivotably connected to joint 195 at the opposite end. Joint 195 is also pivotably connected to head-engaging assembly 150. In operation, the armature assembly 140 may be pivoted and adjusted to bring the head-engaging assembly 140 to comfortably hold a client's head secure while the client rests and/or sleeps and the beautician works on the client's hair.
The armature assembly 140 is typically made of structural members 160, 170, 180, 190 made of a structural material, such as steel, aluminum, shaped member metal alloy, or the like, and that are covered in a soft outer material, such as foam, memory foam, padding or the like.
While the claimed technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the claimed technology are desired to be protected.
