Patent Application
20230091868
The present invention relates generally to the field of salon chair devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved salon chair buddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracket that can be secured to a salon chair, allowing users and stylists to practice on a mannequin at any desired position or angle. Accordingly, this disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in salon chairs. Barbers and stylists may need to consistently practice their skills on mannequins and wigs to learn how to style hair for a client. Users may lack the means to stabilize a mannequin and/or a wig, resulting in frustration and difficulties during their learning experience. Further, if a mannequin head can be stabilized, it typically can only be placed in one position.
Thus, it is necessary for users to have a means for securing a mannequin head to a salon chair to practice cutting and styling hair. Further, users need a means for securing the mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle, as well as allowing a user to change the angle and/or move the mannequin head as needed during use. During use, barbers and stylists must be able to wash, cut, style, color, dry, etc., a mannequin’s hair, and thus must be able to move the mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles as needed.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracket that can be secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin at any desired position or angle. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that allows users to firmly secure the device to the back of a salon chair via a knob that moves the plates of the device between a maximum and minimum width. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that includes a small knob that can rotate to any desired position and angle to support a mannequin head at a desired position. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that features a storage plate on the back to accommodate styling tools like curling irons, flat irons, etc. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that offers a way for barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin, enabling them to wash, style, cut, color, etc., in a simple and convenient manner. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that stabilizes a mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a salon chair buddy device. The device is designed to be secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The device comprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow the device to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and close via a control knob, which allows the release plates to open to a maximum and minimum width. Above the release plates, the device further comprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Once secure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to any desired position or angle. Further, the back of the device can also comprise a storage tray component used to support styling items, such as curling irons, flat irons, etc. Thus, the device allows barbers and stylists to wash, cut, style, color, etc., the mannequin hair for practice.
In this manner, the salon chair buddy device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that enables users to wash, style, cut, color, etc., a mannequin’s hair for training purposes. The device provides users with a clamp-style bracket which secures to a salon chair for retaining a mannequin head in a desired position and/or angle. The device fits most salon chairs and is securable to most mannequin heads.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a salon chair buddy device. The device is designed to be secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The device comprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow the device to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and close via a control knob, which allows the release plates to open to a maximum and minimum width. Above the release plates, the device further comprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Once secure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to any desired position or angle.
In one embodiment, the device comprises a pair of open and close release plates. Typically, the pair of open and close release plates are a mirror image of each other, but do not have to be identical and can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art. The pair of release plates are disposed in a spaced apart position, one in front of the other, movably secured together to form a generally cylindrical cavity. The generally cylindrical cavity is then positioned over a salon chair back and secured.
In one embodiment, the device comprises a control knob that is used to move the release plates closer together or farther apart, depending on the width of the salon chair back in which the device is being secured to. Typically, the control knob is threaded through the first release plate and then movably secured to the second release plate. Thus, when the control knob is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, it moves the release plates. A user would rotate the control knob to move the release plates farther apart. Once in a desired distance, the release plates are placed around a salon chair back. The control knob is then rotated in an opposite direction to move the release plates closer together. The release plates are then secured around the salon chair back.
In one embodiment, the device comprises an axis ball joint that secures the mannequin head to the device. The axis ball joint is a typical ball and socket joint that allows the mannequin head to swivel in multiple directions and angles during use. Typically, the mannequin head is secured to the axis ball joint via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as gluing, welding, screwing, etc.
In one embodiment, the device secures a mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles, but any suitable portion of a mannequin can be used, including the torso, etc.
In one embodiment, the back of the device comprises a storage tray component used to support styling items, such as curling irons, flat irons, etc. The storage tray component can be any suitable tray as is known in the art. The tray can have multiple opening and/or through holes which can hold various styling items and accessories as is known in the art, based on the needs and/or wants of a user.
In yet another embodiment, the salon chair buddy device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In one embodiment, the salon chair buddy device is typically manufactured from sheet metal or other suitable flexible metals, or heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material as is known in the art, etc. Generally, the salon chair buddy device is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or water permeable.
In yet another embodiment, a method of securing a mannequin head in desired positions and/or angles on a salon chair is described. The method includes the steps of providing a salon chair buddy device comprising a pair of open and close release plates controlled by a knob. The method also comprises positioning the release plates over the back of a salon chair and twisting the control knob to secure the release plates against the salon chair back. Further, the method comprises securing a mannequin head to the axis ball joint. Finally, positioning the mannequin head in any desired position and/or angle as needed for use.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracket that can be secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin at any desired position or angle. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that allows users to firmly secure the device to the back of a salon chair via a knob that moves the plates of the device between a maximum and minimum width. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that includes a small knob that can rotate to any desired position and angle to support a mannequin head at a desired position. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that features a storage plate on the back to accommodate styling tools like curling irons, flat irons, etc. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that offers a way for barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin, enabling them to wash, style, cut, color, etc., in a simple and convenient manner. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that stabilizes a mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel salon chair buddy device. The device is designed to be secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The device comprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow the device to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and close via a control knob, which allows the release plates to open to a maximum and minimum width. Above the release plates, the device further comprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Once secure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to any desired position or angle. Further, the back of the device can also comprise a storage tray component used to support styling items. The present invention also includes a novel method of securing a mannequin head in desired positions and/or angles on a salon chair. The method includes the steps of providing a salon chair buddy device comprising a pair of open and close release plates controlled by a knob. The method also comprises positioning the release plates over the back of a salon chair and twisting the control knob to secure the release plates against the salon chair back. Further, the method comprises securing a mannequin head to the axis ball joint. Finally, positioning the mannequin head in any desired position and/or angle as needed for use.
Referring initially to the drawings,
As shown in
In one embodiment, the device 100 comprises a control knob 110 that is used to move the release plates 106, 108 closer together or farther apart, depending on the width of the salon chair back 202 which the device 100 is being secured to. Typically, the control knob 110 is threaded through the first release plate 106 and then movably secured to the second release plate 108. Thus, when the control knob 110 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, it moves the release plates 106, 108 closer or farther apart. Thus, a user would rotate the control knob 110 to move the release plates 106, 108 to the desired distance. Once at a desired distance, the release plates 106, 108 are placed around a salon chair back 202. The control knob 110 is then rotated in an opposite direction to move the release plates 106, 108 closer together. The release plates 106, 108 are then secured around the salon chair back 202. The release plates 106, 108 can move using any suitable moving means as is known in the art, with or without use of a control knob or any other control component as is known in the art, depending on the wants and/or needs of a user.
As shown in
Further, the device 100 secures a mannequin head 102 in multiple positions and/or angles, but any suitable portion of a mannequin can be used, including the torso, arms, legs, full body, etc., depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.
As shown in
In yet another embodiment, the salon chair buddy device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 504. The release plates 106, 108 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the outer surface, or any other indicia 504 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 504 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be salon or brand related.
Furthermore, the salon chair buddy device 100 is typically manufactured from sheet metal or other suitable flexible metals, or heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc. or any other suitable material as is known in the art, etc. Generally, the salon chair buddy device 100 is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or water permeable, or the release plates 106, 108 can comprise a coating that is water resistant or water permeable.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “salon chair buddy device”, “salon chair device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the salon chair buddy device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the salon chair buddy device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the salon chair buddy device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/246,924, which was filed on Sep. 22, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63246924 | Sep 2021 | US |
