GB2423704A

GB2423704A - Assembly including first and second chairs wherein the second chair is pivotal about the first chair by attachment of first and second chair support pillars

Info

Publication number: GB2423704A
Application number: GB0504620A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Creed
Original assignee: VILLAGE Ltd COMP
Current assignee: VILLAGE Ltd COMP
Priority date: 2005-03-05
Filing date: 2005-03-05
Publication date: 2006-09-06
Also published as: GB0504620D0

Abstract

A chair assembly 2 comprises a first chair 4 which has a first seat portion 5 and a first support pillar 8 attached thereto and a second chair 14 which has a second seat portion 15 and a second support pillar 16 attached thereto. The second support pillar is attached to the first support pillar through a collar 18 which has a gear arrangement inside it and which engages with a collar 20 driving to a fixed gear 22 on the first support pillar. The arrangement allows the second chair to be rotated about the first chair by way of an electric motor actuated by foot pedals 24a,26a. The assembly may be used by a hair stylist when cutting or styling hair, or by beauticians and other professionals who normally stand while attending to seated clients.

Description

Chair Assembly The present invention relates to a chair assembly, and more

particularly, but not exclusively, to a chair assembly which may be utilised by a hair stylist when cutting or styling hair.

Conventional hairdressing chairs require the stylist to work in a standing position, thereby causing the stylist to become tired and to suffer from problems associated with long periods of standing, including varicose veins, haemorrhoids, aching legs, backache and other medical problems.

In order to overcome some of the problems associated with long periods of standing it is common for hair stylists to sit on a stool, which may typically be provided with castor wheels to enable the stylist to move easily around the customer. This is not entirely satisfactory as it does not enable the stylist to attain the optimum position for cutting or styling the customer's hair. Furthermore, since the stylist must be able to reach the floor with their feet in order to manoeuver the stool, the height of the stool is limited by the height of the stylist.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome some of the problems of the prior art, or at least to provide an alternative to the chairs currently available.

According to the present invention there is provided a chair assembly comprising a first chair having a first seat portion and a first support pillar attached thereto and a second chair having a second seat portion and a second support pillar attached thereto, wherein the second support pillar is pivotally mounted on the first support pillar such that the second chair is pivotal about the first support pillar.

The chair assembly is of particular benefit to hairdressers, hair stylists, beauticians and other professionals who have traditionally had to stand while attending to seated clients. The chair assembly may be utilised by a number of different professionals as described above.

However, for clarity, it will be described herein with reference to its use as a chair assembly for hair stylists. In use of the chair assembly the client will sit in the first chair, which may typically take the form of a conventional stylists chair. The stylist can then sit in the second chair while cutting or styling client's hair. This allows the stylist to be seated while working, thus leading to a reduction of the injuries normally associated with occupations in which long periods of standing are involved, such as varicose veins, leg ache, muscle problems, backache, tiredness and haemorrhojds. In addition, the chair assembly enables the stylist to be seated in an optimum position and to move around the client as required.

The second chair may conveniently be provided with control means for controlling the pivotal movement about the first support pillar. The control means enables the stylist to easily control their position in relation to the client and avoids the need for the stylist to move around on a stool, which is a commonly utilised solution to the problems associated with long periods of standing.

The control means preferably comprises an electric motor. The electric motor may conveniently be housed within the first support column and may be provided with its own power supply, in the form of a battery, or it may be provided with means for connecting it to the mains.

The second chair is preferably provided with actuation means for actuating movement of the second chair about the first support pillar. The actuation means may suitably comprise a foot pedal mounted on the second support pillar. The foot pedal may conveniently be provided on a foot rest, in the form of a cross bar, on the second support pillar. More preferably, the actuation means comprises two foot pedals mounted on the second support pillar - a first pedal for controlling pivotal movement in a clockwise direction and a second foot pedal for controlling movement in an anti-clockwise direction.

In addition, it is preferred that the second support pillar is moveable longitudinally about the first support pillar. This enables the stylist to control the height of the second chair relative to the first chair. The longitudinal movement may conveniently be controlled by an electric motor. The electric motor may also be actuated by a foot pedal mounted on the second support pillar. Preferably, the second support pillar is provided with two foot pedals - a first foot pedal for controlling upward movement and a second foot pedal for controlling downward movement. This arrangement enables the user to attain the optimum working position while still facilitating easy access and making the chair assembly adaptable for users of different heights.

It is preferred that the first chair is arranged such that, in use, the head of a person sitting in the first chair is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first support pillar. This ensures that the head of the person sitting in the first chair remains in the same position relative to the person sitting in the second chair (the stylist) as the second chair pivots about the first support pillar.

The second chair is preferably provided with an adjustable lumber support. This enables the user to attain a comfortable working position. Furthermore, the second seat portion is preferably adjustable relative to the second support pillar. This enable the stylist to move the second seat portion towards and away from the first chair as required.

It is preferred that the chair assembly further comprises a tool tray pivotally mounted on the second support pillar. The tool tray may be provided with compartments for holding tools as required by the stylist. For example, the tool tray may comprise compartments for holding scissors and brushes etc. The tool tray may be pivoted about the second support pillar in order to position it on the left or right side of the second chair according to the preference of the stylist.

Preferably, the tool tray is provided with means for adjusting the lumber support. More preferably, the tool tray is also provided with means for adjusting the position of the second seat portion. The movement of the lumber support and the second seat portion may conveniently be effected by means of electric motors. As before, the electric motors may be provided with their own power supplies or the may be provided with means for connecting them to the mains.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. I shows a perspective view of a chair assembly.

The chair assembly 2 comprises a first chair 4, which is a client chair and is similar to a conventional hairdressing chair. The first chair 4 comprises a first seat portion 5 and a back support 6 and may additionally comprise arm rests (not shown) and foot rests (not shown).

The first chair 4 is attached to a first support pillar 8 by means of a cantilever support 10.

The back support 6 of the first chair 4 is angled such that when a client sits in the first chair 4 their head is aligned with the longitudinal axis A-A of the first support pillar 8. The first support pillar 8 is attached to a base plate 12. The base plate 12 must be of sufficient diameter to spread the load of the client and the stylist to the floor area. In use, the base plate 12 will be fixed onto the salon floor, for example by means of one or more bolts. This will ensure that the chair assembly cannot tip over.

A second chair 14, which is a user chair is attached to the first support pillar 8 of the first chair 4 by means of a second support pillar 16 in the form of a tubular support. As used herein, the term "user chair" refers to the second chair 14 which, in use, is utilised by a stylist or other professional as listed above and the terms "user chair" and "stylist chair" are used interchangeably. The second chair 14 may be in the form of a chair with a back support (as shown) or it may simply take the form of a seat portion 15. The second support pillar 16 is attached to the first support pillar 8 through a collar 18.

The collar 18 has a gear arrangement inside it and which engages with a collar 20 driving to a fixed gear 22 on the first support pillar 8. This arrangement enables the second support pillar 16 to pivot about the first support pillar 8 which, in turn, enables the second chair 14 to be rotated about the first chair 4. This allows the stylist, seated in the second chair 14, to obtain access to a client, seated in the first chair, from all sides. The rotation of the second support pillar 16 about the first support pillar 8 is powered by an electric motor (not shown) housed within the first support pillar 8. The electric motor is actuated by means of foot pedals 24a, 26a, as will be described in more detail below.

The collar 18 also engages with collar 20 on the first support pillar by means of a further gear assembly 23 on the outside of collar 20 which controls the rise and fall of the second chair 14 relative to the first chair 4. A second electric motor (not shown) rotates collar 18 which causes the second chair 14 to rise or lower depending on the direction of rotation.

The second electric motor is also actuated by means of foot pedals 24b, 26b as will be described in more detail below.

The electric motors may be provided with their own power supplies, in the form of batteries housed within the first support pillar 8, or the power may be supplied by from the mains via a cable (not shown) which is fed up through the centre of the first support pillar 8.

The stylist operates the rise and fall and rotation of the second chair 14 by means of foot pedals 24, 26 fitted to a cross bar 28 which is, in turn, fitted to the second support pillar 16.

These pedals 24, 26 are used to control the electric motors. Each pedal has a front portion 24a, 26a which controls the rotation of the second chair 14 and a rear portion 24b, 26b which controls the rise and fall of the second chair 14. When the front portion 24a of the right hand pedal 24 is depressed by the stylist (using her/his right foot) the second chair 14 rotates in an anti- clockwise direction. When the front portion 26a of the left hand pedal 26 is depressed by the stylist (using the left foot) the second chair 14 will rotate in a clockwise direction. In this way the stylist can move through 360 degrees around the first chair 4 enabling her/him to constantly select a comfortable position while cutting and styling the clients hair.

The foot pedals 24, 26 have a dual function and can be operated by depressing the front portion of the pedals 24a, 26a with the ball of the foot or depressing the rear portion of the pedals 24b, 26b with the heel of the foot. Movement of the front portion of the pedals 24a, 26a operates the rotation of the seat and the movement of the rear portion of the pedals 24b, 26b operates the height variation of the second seat 14.

The second chair 14 comprises a chassis 28 attached to the second support pillar 16. It has an electrically operated slider and rake mechanism (not shown) of the kind used in motor car seats which allows the stylist to move the second chair 14 closer to the first chair 4 or to move it further from the first chair 4 as required, and also to change to rake of the second chair 14 by raising or lowering the rear of the seat portion 15 of the second chair 14. The second chair 14 has a lumber support pad 30 which supports the small of the stylist's back and is fitted on a tubular bar 32 which is itself fitted to the chassis 28. The lumber support pad 30 is adjustable backwards and forwards by an electric motor (not shown) fitted at the base of the bar where it connects to the chassis 28.

A tool tray 34 is fitted to the second support pillar 16 by means of a support post 36 and a clamped collar 38 and wing nut (not shown) which allows it to be rotated around the second support pillar 16 and positioned either to the right or left of the user as required. The tool tray 34 may be used by the stylist to store tools, such as brushes or scissors, lotions or other products which the stylist may need to use during the cutting or styling of the client's hair.

By means of the wing nut and clamped collar 38 this tool tray 34 can by secured at either the left or right hand side of the second chair 14 depending on whether the stylist is left handed or right handed. The position of the tool tray 34 will stay constant to the second chair 14 as it is rotated or the height is adjusted because it is fixed to the second support pillar 16.

This tool tray 34 is further provided with controls (not shown) for controlling the movement of the second chair 14 and the lumber support pad 30. A first control switch operates the electric motor under the second chair 14 causing it to move forward or backwards. A second control switch operates the rake mechanism under the second chair 14 and allows the stylist to raise or lower the rear of the seat 15 which causes him/her to lean forward or backward from the client. A third control switch operates the lumber support pad 30 in a forward or backward movement enabling the stylist to position the pad 30 to provide maximum support for his/her back at whatever rake position he/she chooses.

By using these switches the stylist can move the second chair 14 to exactly the distance she/he prefers from the first chair 4, and therefore the client, to enable her/him to work comfortably. The lumber support pad 30 is attached to the tubular bar 32 which is, in turn, attached to the second support pillar at the rear of the chassis 28 through a fixed collar (not shown) of similar profile so that it can be secured tightly at a number of incremental height positions by clockwise rotation of a wing nut which threads through a threaded drilling in the collar and slots into one of a number of holes drilled in the back support pole. The spacing of these holes determines the increments at which the back pad 30 can be raised or lowered and fixed.

This device will enable the hair stylist to spend most of her working day sitting in a comfortable position while still being able to move easily to whatever position she/he wants without removing her/his hands from the scissors or other hair styling tools. She/he will use her/his feet to push the foot pedals 24, 26 to rotate around her/his client and also to raise or lower her/his chair 14.

If the stylist needs to adjust the height of the back support 30 she/he will need to step down from the chair 14 and adjust it manually. This will only be necessary when a different stylist uses the chair 14.

Claims

Claims 1. A chair assembly comprising a first chair having a first seat

portion and a first support pillar attached thereto and a second chair having a second seat portion and a second support pillar attached thereto, wherein the second support pillar is pivotally mounted on the first support pillar such that the second chair is pivotal about the first support pillar.
2. A chair assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second chair is provided with control means for controlling the pivotal movement about the first support pillar.
3. A chair assembly according to claim 2, wherein the control means comprises an electric motor.
4. A chair assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second chair is provided with actuation means for actuating movement of the second chair about the first support pillar.
5. A chair assembly according to claim 4, wherein actuation means comprises a foot pedal mounted on the second support pillar.
6. A chair assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second support pillar is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the first support pillar.
7. A chair assembly according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal movement is controlled by an electric motor.
8. A chair assembly according to claim 7, wherein the electric motor is actuated by foot pedals mounted on the second support pillar.
9. A chair assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first chair is arranged such that, in use, the head of a person sitting in the first chair is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first support pillar.
10. A chair assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second chair is provided with an adjustable lumber support.
11. A chair assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second seat portion is adjustable relative to the second support pillar.
12. A chair assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a tool tray pivotally mounted on the second support pillar.
13. A chair assembly according to claim 12, as dependent on claim 10, wherein the tool tray is provided with control means for adjusting the lumber support.
14. A chair assembly according to claim 12, as dependent on claim 11, wherein the tool tray is provided with control means for adjusting the position of the second seat portion.
15. A chair assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.