WORK STATION

Technical Field

The present invention concerns a work station, in particular for use in hairdresser salons and the like.

Background Art

It is known that, in hairdresser salons and similar structures, chairs are used being provided with a washbasin for washing the hair of the users. Hairdresser chairs usually comprise, in use, a seat associated with a back-reclining backrest to ease the hair washing. At the top of the backrest, in this case, there is a suitable washbasin.

Some hairdresser chairs are also widespread which carry integrated accessories predisposed to increase the comfort or the wellness of the user, such as for example lifting leg rests or a basin for performing pedicure operations.

Patent 0001418763 shows, for example, a hairdresser chair comprising a seat associated with a backrest and a washbasin arranged at the top of the backrest. A basin is rigidly associated with the tank for performing pedicure operations.

In case of cutting, styling and/or dyeing operations, it is necessary to make the user change place, thus preparing a further dedicated chair. Such chair is usually arranged in front of a fixed mirror and can be associated with furniture complements comprising, for example, a table or a carriage on which the accessories necessary for performing the above-mentioned operations are placed, such as hair-driers, brushes, dye tanks and the like.

The need to change position involves a discomfort for the users, especially in case of people with limited movement abilities as the disabled or the elderly. Moreover, the movement of the user does not allow to perform consecutively the different treatments and then does not allow to optimize the working times with disadvantage both for the operator and for the user.

Disclosure

The task of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, devising a work station for use in hairdresser salons and the like, that allows to perform in the same location different kind of treatments such as washing, manicure, pedicure, cutting, dyeing and styling.

Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention to provide a work station which may easily assume the configuration suitable for the kind of treatment to perform.

A further scope of the invention is to provide a work station that allows to reduce the working time.

A further scope of the invention is to provide a work station of simple constructive and functional conception, provided with surely reliable functioning, versatile use as well as relatively economic cost. The cited scopes are reached, according to the present invention, by the work station according to claim 1 .

The work station comprises a chair provided with a support structure, a backrest connected to the support structure, and a seat associated with the backrest. The station is provided as well with a basin frontally associated, in use, with said seat, predisposed to be used to perform pedicure operations, a couple of armrests arranged laterally to the seat, at least one of the armrests, preferably both, being provided with at least one working compartment for performing manicure operations.

The station comprises as well a washbasin, which distance with respect to the chair can be adjusted to perform washing operations, the chair and the wash basin being associable in use. Moreover, the chair is rotatable about a substantially vertical swinging or rotation axis in order to be directed in a manner appropriate for the treatments to be performed, in particular to be associated or spaced from the washbasin. Preferably, the work station comprises a mirror device mobile with respect to the chair, that can be associated with the chair in use.

Preferably, the work station comprises a handling device associated with the support structure predisposed to lift or lower the seat of the backrest along a substantially vertical adjustment direction.

Preferably, the work station comprises rotatable coupling means shaping for example a fifth-wheel coupling below the support structure, predisposed to allow the rotation of the chair about the rotation or swinging axis.

Preferably, the chair can be operated in rotation for an angle equal to at least 180°.

Preferably, the chair comprises operation means predisposed to vary the inclination between the backrest and the seat so as to suitably incline the backrest towards the washbasin when this is approached, in use, to the chair.

Preferably, the armrests are constrained to the seat, being thus adjustable in height along with it.

Preferably, the working compartment for the manicure operations comprises a plurality of compartments intended for housing suitable manicure accessories.

Moreover, the working compartment is covered by a removable lid, functioning as well as support.

Preferably, the chair comprises activation means associated with at least one of said armrests, predisposed to operate the cited lid between a first configuration in which it is arranged above the armrest and a second configuration in which it is displaced towards the outside to free the access to the working compartment.

Preferably, the lid is arranged, in the above mentioned first configuration, adjacent to a fixed portion of the armrest so as to define a support surface for the arm of the user. Preferably, the lid is rotatable about an axis substantially orthogonal to the support surface, between the cited first and the second configuration.

The support structure of the chair advantageously defines a compartment below the seat in which a container is mounted slidable, like a drawer, predisposed to house the basin for the pedicure operations.

Preferably, the basin comprises a removable covering element, predisposed to define a support surface for the user, so as to use the basin as footrest when the cover element is over the same basin.

Moreover, the cited basin comprises a bowl, mounted on a support predisposed to house the water and drainage pipes.

Preferably, the support is arranged on a support base sliding in a transverse direction, for example horizontal, on slidable guides, to allow the best approaching between backrest of the chair and the washbasin.

Preferably, the cited mirror device comprises a framework on which at least one mirror device is mounted.

Preferably, the framework inferiorly has a base with which handling means are associated, of the type comprising a series of wheels which allow to displace the mirror device with respect to the chair, approaching it or spacing it.

Description of Drawings

Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the work station according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of the work station;

figure 2 shows a perspective view of the work station in a first configuration;

figures 3 and 4 respectively show a side view and a plant view of the work station in the first configuration;

figures 5 and 6 respectively show a perspective view and a plant view of the station in a second configuration;

figures 7 and 8 respectively show a perspective view and a plant view of the station in a third configuration:

figures 9 and 10 respectively show a perspective view and a side view of the station in a further configuration;

figures 1 1 and 12 respectively show a perspective view and a side view of the station in the above-mentioned configuration, in a different working step.

Best Mode

With particular reference to such figures, the work station is indicated in its entirety with 1 . The work station 1 comprises a chair 2 and a washbasin 3. The station 1 can comprise as well at least one mirror device 4, mobile with respect to the chair 2 and associable, in case it is required, with the chair 2 (see figure 1 and figures 9-12). The chair 2 is mobile with respect to the washbasin 3 and is associable with the basin 3 to perform washing operations.

The chair 2 comprises a support structure 5, a backrest 6 and a seat 7 frontally associated with such backrest 6, both connected to the support structure 5.

The backrest 6 and the seat 7 are connected to the support structure 5 by means of a handling device 8 predisposed to allow the lifting and the lowering in a substantially vertical adjustment direction A, so as to adjust the height. The handling device 8 can be, for example, a pantograph associated with the support structure 5 and operated, in use, by suitable actuation members, not represented.

The chair 2 comprises as well further operation means, not represented, preferably of electric type, predisposed to vary the inclination between the backrest 6 and the seat 7 so as to suitably incline the backrest 6 towards the washbasin 3, in particular when this is in a configuration approached to the chair 2 to perform washing operations.

At the sides of the seat 7 a pair of armrests 9a, 9b is preferably placed. Preferably, the armrests 9a, 9b are constrained to the seat 7 so as to be moved with it along the cited adjustment direction A, upon operation of the handling device 8.

At least one armrest 9a, 9b is provided with a working compartment 10, preferably at the top of the same armrest 9a, 9b, useful to perform manicure operations on the same armrest. According to a specific embodiment, the working compartment 10 shapes a plurality of compartments 100 of different shape designed to house the different manicure accessories. The at least one working compartment 10 can be closed through a removable lid 1 1 . Such lid 1 1 can be arranged in a first configuration, of closure, above the working compartment 10 and adjacent to a fixed upper portion 12 of the armrest 9a, 9b so as to define a continuous support surface for the arm of the user.

The lid 1 1 can be moved, for example upon control of suitable activation means 13 placed frontally to the same armrest, alternatively between the above mentioned first closure configuration and a second open configuration, in which the lid 1 1 is spaced from the opening of the working compartment 10, in particular directed outwardly to allow the free access to the working compartment 10 and/or to its content. In particular, the lid 1 1 can be hinged rotatably about a hinge axis B substantially orthogonal to the support surface. In the illustrated example, the activation means 13 are shaped by a button placed frontally to the armrest 9a, 9b. On each armrest 9a, 9b, preferably in a rear side, respective lighting devices 90 can be placed, for example of the LED type (see figure 1 ), for decorative purpose as well as for lighting the concerned working space.

On at least one armrest 9a, 9b or on both, control means 900 can be arranged, predisposed to operate the activation means predisposed for lifting the seat 7 and/or the backrest 6 along the adjustment direction A, as well as the activation means predisposed for inclining the seat 7 with respect to the backrest 6.

The support structure 5 defines a compartment 14 below the seat 7, in which a container 15 is mounted in sliding manner along guide means 16 preferably comprising telescopic guides. The container 15 is further provided with translation means 17, comprising for example a wheel mounted externally at the bottom of the container 15 of the compartment 14, in support on the same surface on which is mounted the chair 2.

Grasping means are connected to the container 15, for example a handle 18 for allowing, when necessary, an easy extraction of the container 15 from the compartment 14. As an alternative, the sliding of the container 15 can be operated by suitable operation members. Inside the container 15 a basin 19 adapted to perform pedicure operations is placed.

The basin 19 has a bottom 20 of substantially rectangular shape, preferably with rounded corners, provided with a drain 21 . A perimetrical wall 22 extends from the bottom 20; a water dispensing device 23 and a mixer 24 are arranged on the a perimetrical wall 22. The basin 19 is preferably provided with a hydro-massage device, for example of the magnetic drawing type, to ensure the optimal comfort of the user.

The basin 19 can comprise as well further lighting means, preferably with polychromatic effect, of the LED type or of different type, for simplicity not illustrated in figure, which can be advantageously arranged on the perimetrical wall 22, to combine chromotherapy treatments.

The basin 19 is suitably provided with a removable top element 26 which, in case pedicure operations are not performed, can be used as footrest.

The chair 2 can be associated in mobile manner, in particular orientable, with respect to the washbasin 3. In particular, the chair 2 is provided with rotatable coupling means interposed between the support structure 5 and the fixed base. Such rotatable coupling means, for example, are made up of a fifth-wheel coupling placed below to the support structure 5, so as to allow the swinging of the chair 2 about a substantially vertical swinging axis. Preferably, the swinging extent of the chair 2 is substantially equal to 180°. The operation of the required swinging can be performed manually, in an easy manner, due to the presence of the cited coupling means.

The washbasin 3 comprises a bowl 27 mounted on a support 28 predisposed to house the inlet piping and the drain, necessary to the bowl 27. The support 28 is arranged on a support base 29, sliding on suitable guides, to adjust the distance of the washbasin 3 with respect to the chair 2. In practice, the washbasin 3 is slidable on said guides between a first inactive position, spaced from the chair 2, and a second working position, approached to the chair 2.

The washbasin 3 is provided as well with a locking device, not represented, operable to lock the washbasin 3 in the first position or in the second position.

To perform washing operations, the chair 2 is then rotated so as to direct the backrest 6 towards the washbasin 3 and the washbasin 3 is approached to the chair 2 so that the bowl 27 is arranged over the backrest 6.

The bowl 27 has flared profile, shaping at the front a protruding portion 30. Such protruding portion 30 has an opening that extends from an external edge of the bowl 27 toward the inside and defines a bight predisposed to allow supporting the neck of the user during use. The bowl 27 comprises a water dispensing device 23 and a mixer 24.

A mirror device 4 can also be associated with the chair 2, comprising a frame 31 on which a mirror 32 is mounted at least at one side.

The frame 31 inferiorly has a base 33 with which handling means 34 are associated and said handling means 34 comprise for example wheels that allow approaching or spacing easily the mirror device 4 to the chair 2, according to exigencies.

In practice, to perform cut, styling and similar treatments, the mirror device 4 is approached to the chair 2 and placed in front of the seat 7.

The functioning of the work station is easy to understand from the preceding description. The work station 1 can suitably be configured according to the treatments required by the user. In particular, to perform washing operations, the chair 2 is placed in front of the washbasin 3, with the backrest 6 directed towards the washbasin 3. Such positioning is performed by swinging the chair 2 about the substantially vertical swinging axis, for a suitable extent. The washbasin 3 is further translated along the respective guides in order to be approached to the backrest 6. The backrest 6 is, when necessary, suitably inclined with respect to the seat 7, by control of the cited operation means, to ease hair washing operations and making the user as comfortable as possible.

To perform cut, styling, dyeing and similar operations that do not require the bowl 27, the washbasin 3 is spaced from the chair 2 and the chair 2 is rotated in suitable manner, further spacing from the washbasin 3, and thus enabling the operator to place himself behind the backrest 6. The mirror device 4 can thus be approached to the chair 2, frontally to the seat 7, with the mirror surface 32 turned toward the user.

In both configurations, the seat 6 and the backrest 7 can be lifted along the substantially vertical adjustment direction A, upon actuation of the handling device 8, for greater comfort of the user and of the operator in the working step. In case pedicure operations are required, the operator grasps the handle 18 and easily extracts the container 15 from the compartment 14. The container 15 slides on the guide means 16 and the translation means 17 ease its sliding towards the outside. Once extracted the container 15, the top element 26 is removed to allow the access to the basin 19 arranged frontally to the seat 7, and perform in this way the above-mentioned pedicure operations. When the basin 19 is not used to such purpose, it is again covered by the top element 26, to serve as footrest.

Otherwise, in case manicure operations are required, the activation means 13 are operated to rotate the lid 1 1 and make accessible the working compartment 10 where the suitable accessories are stored. Similarly, the lid 1 1 offers, in the activated configuration, a support surface for the user easing the above-mentioned operations.

The work station reaches the scope of performing in the same location different kind of treatments such as for example washing, manicure, pedicure, cut, dyeing and styling. As a matter of facts, it is sufficient to rotate the chair with respect to the washbasin, approaching or spacing the washbasin and moving the mirror device with respect to the chair to easily perform specific types of treatments. The structure of the chair allows as well to perform more operations at the same time, such as pedicure and manicure, due to the extractable basin and the armrest equipped for the manicure, without asking the user to change position.

A feature of the present invention is the fast change in the configuration of the station eased by the mobility of the chair, of the washbasin and of the mirror device as well as the versatility of the chair.

A further advantageous aspect to be considered is that the station can be configured quickly according to the treatment to perform, without requiring to change location according to the treatment, with considerable saving of time both for the operators and for the users.

A further feature of the invention is to lift the seat and the backrest along with the armrests and to adjust the inclination of the backrest, ensuring the comfort of the user during the use and increasing as well the comfort for the operators at work.

In practice, the used materials as well as the size and shape may vary according to the needs.

Should the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and thus they shall not be deemed limiting the scope of the element identified by such reference signs by way of example.