HAIRDRESSING CHAIR

Abstract

 Provided is a barber/hairdressing chair which enables a shampoo bowl to be quickly prepared when needed and to be removed from the sight of a person who receives treatment when not needed. A barber/hairdressing chair 1 includes: a cover part 26 surrounding left and right side surfaces and a back surface of a chair body; a shampoo bowl 12 that changes states between a stored state or a treatment state when a lower back door cover 32 of the cover part 26 is opened or closed; and a four-bar linkage mechanism 44 connecting the shampoo bowl 12 and the chair body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a barber/hairdressing chair.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional barber/hairdressing facilities, such as hair salons, a person who receives treatment is seated on a barber/hairdressing chair and receives treatments such as haircuts and hair coloring. In recent years, receiving treatments in a private room or a semi-private room is preferred to ensure privacy. If a barber/hairdressing chair and a shampoo booth are installed at different places in a barber/hairdressing facility, a person who receives treatment may pass by another person who receives treatment or may see what is going on in another room when he/she moves between the barber/hairdressing chair and the shampoo booth. Thus, privacy cannot be ensured.

[0003] For example, with the technique described in PTL 1 (hereinbelow, referred to as "a published, publicly-known invention"), in which a portable shampoo bowl is connected to a hot water supply pipe under a floor, privacy is ensured because the shampoo bowl is carried to a private room as necessary, and the treatment is performed in the private room.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0004]  PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-4060

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0005] With the above-described published, publicly-known invention, if the person who receives treatment sees how the shampoo bowl is moved or how the shampoo bowl is connected to the hot water supply pipe, he/she gets a troublesome impression and, thus, cannot relax. In addition, it is necessary to secure a place for storing the shampoo bowl when not in use. However, if there is no appropriate place for storing the shampoo bowl in the barber/hairdressing facility, and the shampoo bowl is placed at a corner of a private room, the shampoo bowl may be in sight of the person who receives treatment and gives an inelegant impression to the person who receives treatment, or the shampoo bowl may not fit in the interior. Even if the shampoo bowl can be placed outside the private room, it takes time to carry the shampoo bowl.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a barber/hairdressing chair with which it is possible to quickly prepare a shampoo bowl when needed and to remove the shampoo bowl from the sight of the person who receives treatment when not needed.

Solution to Problem

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention includes: a chair body having a seat part, a backrest, and a frame part supporting the seat part and the backrest; a cover part surrounding side surfaces and a rear surface of the chair body, a rear surface side of the cover part being configured to be opened and closed; a shampoo bowl on which a head of a person who receives treatment is placed; and a connecting part connecting the shampoo bowl and the chair body. The shampoo bowl changes states between a stored state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned below the seat part and a treatment state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned behind the backrest.

[0008] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the connecting part is a linkage mechanism that displaces the shampoo bowl with a constant orientation.

[0009] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the linkage mechanism is a four-bar linkage including two links each having a fixed end connected to the chair body and a free end connected to the shampoo bowl.

[0010] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, a height of the shampoo bowl is changed in the treatment state.

[0011] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the treatment state includes a plurality of orientations in which the height of the shampoo bowl is different.

[0012]  In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, in the treatment state, the height of the shampoo bowl is changed to make fine adjustments, and an amount of change in height of the shampoo bowl in the fine adjustments is smaller than an amount of change in position of the shampoo bowl in a front-rear direction.

[0013] The barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention further includes a drive unit that operates the linkage mechanism.

[0014] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, a change to the stored state or to the treatment state occurs only when a rear surface side of the cover part is open to an extent larger than a predetermined degree of opening.

[0015] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the shampoo bowl includes a neck rest on which a neck of a person who receives treatment is placed, and the neck rest is deformed and accommodated inside the shampoo bowl.

[0016] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the neck rest has a shield part that is higher than a side wall of the shampoo bowl, and the shield part is deformed together with the neck rest and is accommodated inside the shampoo bowl.

[0017] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, supply of hot or cold water to the shampoo bowl in the stored state is automatically stopped.

[0018] The barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention further includes a blower above the shampoo bowl in the stored state.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0019] A barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention includes: a chair body having a seat part, a backrest, and a frame part supporting the seat part and the backrest; a cover part surrounding side surfaces and a rear surface of the chair body, a rear surface side of the cover part being configured to be opened and closed; a shampoo bowl on which a head of a person who receives treatment is placed; and a connecting part connecting the shampoo bowl and the chair body. The shampoo bowl changes states between a stored state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned below the seat part and a treatment state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned behind the backrest. Specifically, the shampoo bowl is connected to the chair body via the connecting part and is in the stored state when not in use, and is changed to the treatment state when in use. In the stored state, the shampoo bowl is stored below the seat part and is covered by the cover part. Hence, the shampoo bowl cannot be viewed from around the barber/hairdressing chair. In the treatment state, the shampoo bowl is positioned behind the backrest, and the head of the person who receives treatment is placed thereon, so that the treatment can be performed. Accordingly, the shampoo bowl can be quickly prepared when needed, and can be removed from the sight of the person who receives treatment when not needed.

[0020] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the connecting part is a linkage mechanism that displaces the shampoo bowl with a constant orientation. Specifically, the shampoo bowl is changed to the stored state or the treatment state while being maintained in an orientation in which the hemispherical surface, on which the head of the person who receives treatment is placed, faces upward by the linkage mechanism. Accordingly, water droplets or the like on the inner surface of the shampoo bowl do not spill, or there is no need to attach or detach the drain pipe or the like every time the state is changed.

[0021] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the linkage mechanism is a four-bar linkage including two links each having a fixed end connected to the chair body and a free end connected to the shampoo bowl. Hence, the shampoo bowl can be moved between the position below the seat part and the position behind the backrest while maintaining a constant orientation.

[0022] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the height of the shampoo bowl is changed in the treatment state. This configuration allows the height of the shampoo bowl in the treatment state to be finely adjusted to a height at which a person who performs treatment can easily perform treatment, according to the physique of the person who performs treatment.

[0023] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the treatment state includes a plurality of orientations in which the height of the shampoo bowl is different. Hence, the shampoo bowl can be set to a height suitable for the treatment in advance, and can be automatically displaced to the set height.

[0024] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, in the treatment state, the height of the shampoo bowl is changed to make fine adjustments, and the amount of change in height of the shampoo bowl in the fine adjustments is smaller than the amount of change in position of the shampoo bowl in the front-rear direction. This configuration allows the height to be finely adjusted to a height that allows the person who performs treatment to easily perform treatment.

[0025] The barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention includes a drive unit for operating the linkage mechanism. Hence, the linkage mechanism is automatically operated by the drive unit.

[0026] The barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention changes to the stored state or to the treatment state only when the rear surface side of the cover part is open to an extent larger than a predetermined degree of opening. Hence, it is possible to prevent damage due to interference between the rear surface side of the cover part and the shampoo bowl.

[0027] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the shampoo bowl has a neck rest on which a neck of a person who receives treatment is placed, and the neck rest is deformed and accommodated inside the shampoo bowl. Specifically, even when the neck rest is bulky and makes it difficult to achieve the stored state, by storing the neck rest inside the shampoo bowl, the stored state can be achieved.

[0028] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the neck rest has a shield part that is higher than a side wall of the shampoo bowl, and the shield part is deformed together with the neck rest and accommodated inside the shampoo bowl. Specifically, the neck rest has the shield part for preventing hot or cold water from splashing out of the shampoo bowl. Even when the shield part is bulky and makes it difficult to achieve the stored state, by storing the shield part inside the shampoo bowl, the stored state can be achieved.

[0029] In the barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention, the supply of hot or cold water to the shampoo bowl in the stored state is automatically stopped. The drain pipe is deformed in accordance with the change to the stored state or the treatment state. Because the drain pipe in the stored state extends toward a position higher than the drain hole in the shampoo bowl, if hot or cold water continues to be supplied, the hot or cold water is not drained and overflows. Hence, by detecting the stored state and automatically stopping the supply of hot or cold water, it is possible to prevent the hot or cold water from overflowing.

[0030] The barber/hairdressing chair according to the present invention incudes a blower above the shampoo bowl in the stored state. Specifically, in the stored state, because the shampoo bowl is surrounded by the cover part and is unlikely to be exposed to the outside air, the shampoo bowl is unlikely to be dried.

[0031] However, the shampoo bowl can be dried by the blower.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0032] 

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a top view of a barber/hairdressing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention in a stored state.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a side view of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a rear view of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a top view of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in a treatment state.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a side view of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the treatment state.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a rear view of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the treatment state.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a stored-state structural perspective view showing the internal structure of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a stored-state structural side view showing the internal structure of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a treatment-state structural side view showing the internal structure of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a stored-state operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a first-treatment-state operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a second-treatment-state operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a treatment-state adjustment-operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a first operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a second operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a third operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a fourth operation explanation side view for explaining the operation of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a rear perspective view showing a head support attached to a shampoo bowl of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the head support attached to the shampoo bowl of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention is accommodated in the shampoo bowl.

[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view showing a state before the head support of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention is accommodated in the shampoo bowl.

[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a rear perspective view showing a state after the head support of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention is accommodated in the shampoo bowl.

[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a side view showing the orientation of a drain pipe of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the treatment state.

[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a side view showing the orientation of the drain pipe of the barber/hairdressing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention in the stored state.

Description of Embodiments

[0033] A barber/hairdressing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figs. 1 to 6 show the exterior of a barber/hairdressing chair 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the barber/hairdressing chair 1 includes a shampoo bowl 12. When the shampoo bowl 12 is not in use, the shampoo bowl 12 is stored, whereas when a treatment using the shampoo bowl 12 is performed, the shampoo bowl 12 is moved to a position suitable for the treatment. Here, Figs. 1 to 3 show a state in which the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned below a seat part 3 (hereinbelow, referred to as a "stored state"), and Figs. 4 to 6 show a state in which the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned behind a backrest 5 (hereinbelow, referred to as a "treatment state").

[0034] In the following description, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front side of the barber/hairdressing chair 1 is regarded as forward (Front), the rear side of the barber/hairdressing chair 1 is regarded as backward (Back), the height direction of the barber/hairdressing chair 1 is regarded as upward (Up) or downward (Down), and the width direction of the barber/hairdressing chair 1 is regarded as leftward or rightward (Left, Right).

[0035] As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the barber/hairdressing chair 1 includes: a chair body 2; a cover part 26 covering left and right side surfaces and a rear surface of the chair body 2; the shampoo bowl 12 that is changed to a stored state or a treatment state when the rear surface side of the cover part 26 is opened and closed; four-bar linkage mechanisms 44, serving as a connecting part, for connecting the shampoo bowl 12 and the chair body 2; a drive unit 68 (see Fig. 7) for operating the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44; an operation part 22 for operating the shampoo bowl 12; and a control unit (not shown) for controlling various operations, interlocking, water supply, and the like. The barber/hairdressing chair 1 further includes: a lifting unit (not shown) for lifting the seat part 3; a lifting pedal 23 (see Fig. 2) for operating lifting of the seat part 3; an actuator 24 (see Fig. 8) for reclining or straitening the backrest 5; and a backrest operation part 25 (see Fig. 2) for operating the backrest 5. The state of the shampoo bowl 12 and the positions of the seat part 3 and the backrest 5 are detected by sensors (not shown). The seat part 3, the backrest 5, and the shampoo bowl 12 can be operated independently; the seat part 3 and the backrest 5 can be operated in conjunction with each other; or the shampoo bowl 12 can be operated in conjunction with the seat part 3 or the backrest 5.

[0036] The chair body 2 includes: a frame part 33; a pair of left and right side parts 10 and 11 formed of the frame part 33; the seat part 3 supported by the frame part 33 between the left and right side parts 10 and 11; a leg rest 4 attached to the front end of the seat part 3 between the left and right side parts 10 and 11; the backrest 5 connected to the rear end of the seat part 3 between the left and right side parts 10 and 11; and armrests 6 disposed on top of the left and right side parts 10 and 11 and to the left and right of the seat part 3 and the backrest 5. The rear ends of the left and right side parts 10 and 11 are open, forming openings 7 through which the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 enter and exit. An accommodation chamber 8 is formed below the seat part 3, and the shampoo bowl 12 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 8. A plate-like member 9 is attached to the upper side of the entrance/exit port of the accommodation chamber 8.

[0037] The cover part 26 includes an upper cover part 27 and a lower cover part 28. The upper cover part 27 extends upward from around the seat part 3, and the lower cover part 28 extends downward from around the seat part 3 to the vicinity of the installation surface. The upper cover part 27 includes upper side covers 29 that constitute the outer surfaces of the armrests 6, and an upper back cover 30 positioned behind the backrest 5. The lower cover part 28 includes lower side covers 31 connected to the bottoms of the upper side covers 29, and a lower back door cover 32 disposed below the upper back cover 30. The lower back door cover 32 is opened and closed via a hinge, which is the rear part of the right side part 11, and covers the accommodation chamber 8 and the openings 7 in a closed state. Whether the lower back door cover 32 is open or closed, and the degree of opening thereof are detected by a sensor (not shown).

[0038] The shampoo bowl 12 is used for a person who receives treatment (not shown), in a state of lying on his/her back on the chair body 2, to place his/her head and receive treatment. The treatment includes, for example, shampooing, scalp massage, coloring, permanent wave, and eye makeup. The shampoo bowl 12 is, for example, a substantially hemispherical bowl including a bottom part 13 and a side wall 14. The bottom part 13 is provided with a drain hole 15. A shower head (not shown), from which supplied warm water is discharged, a water stop valve 16 for the supplied warm water, and the like are installed inside the side wall 14. A drain pipe 17 is connected to the drain hole 15 from the back side of the bottom part 13. A solenoid valve (not shown) is connected to a water supply unit (not shown) for supplying hot or cold water. The front part of the side wall 14 is depressed so as to be lower than the other part of the side wall 14, and a neck rest 70 is attached thereto. The neck of the person who receives treatment is placed on the neck rest 70. A pair of left and right guided parts 21 for guiding the operation of the shampoo bowl 12 in the stored state are attached to the lower parts of the outer surface of the side wall 14.

[0039] Next, the frame part 33, the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44, and the drive unit 68 will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figs. 7 to 9, the frame part 33 and the four-bar linkage mechanism 44 are shown.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7, the frame part 33 includes a pair of left and right frame members 34 and 35, and a bottom frame member 38 connected to the left and right frame members 34 and 35, between the left and right frame members 34 and 35. The left and right frame members 34 and 35 each include an outer frame member 36, which is a frame formed in a quadrangular shape, and an inner frame member 37, which is a frame formed in a quadrangular shape and is shorter than the outer frame member 36 on the lower side thereof. The outer frame members 36 stand on the installation surface, and the inner frame members 37 positioned inside the outer frame members 36 are attached to the outer frame members 36 in an orientation parallel to the outer frame members 36 at a distance from the outer frame members 36, and so as to be floating from the installation surface. Guide rails 39 for guiding the guided parts 21 on the shampoo bowl 12 are attached to the bottoms of the outer frame members 36.

[0041] The pair of left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 are each achieved by including, between the inner and outer frame members 36 and 37, two links each having a fixed end connected to the inner and outer frame members 36 and 37 and a free end connected to the shampoo bowl 12. The links of each of the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 include a first link 45 and a second link 46.

[0042] In the right frame member 35, a right first fixed end 48, which is a fixed end of a right first link 47, is connected to the inner frame member 37 via a right first fixed joint 49, and a right first free end 50, which is a free end of the right first link 47, is connected, via a right first free joint 51, to the outer surface of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12, near the guided part 21. In the right frame member 35, a right second fixed end 53, which is a fixed end of a right second link 52, is connected to the outer frame member 36 via a right second fixed joint 54, and a right second free end 55, which is a free end of the right second link 52, is connected, via a right second free joint 56, to the outer surface of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12, near the guided part 21.

[0043] The right first fixed joint 49 is located above the top of the inner frame member 37 of the right frame member 35. The right first link 47 extends forward from the right first fixed joint 49, is bent downward at an acute angle from the extended end, and extends downward. The right second fixed joint 54 is located on the rear side of the upper part of the outer frame member 36 of the right frame member 35, in front of and obliquely below the right first fixed joint 49. The right second link 52 diagonally extends forward and obliquely downward from the right second fixed joint 54, is bent downward at an obtuse angle from the extended end, and extends downward. The right second free joint 56 is located in front of and obliquely below the right first free joint 51.

[0044] The right first link 47 and the right frame member 35 are connected to each other by a damper 67. The damper 67 operates either pneumatically or hydraulically, for example, and one end thereof is connected to the upper part of the right first link 47, and the other end thereof is connected to the front part of the right frame member 35, near the center.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, in the left frame member 34, a left first fixed end 58, which is a fixed end of a left first link 57, is connected to the outer frame member 36 via a left first fixed joint 59, and a left first free end 60, which is a free end of the left first link 57, is connected, via a left first free joint 61, to the outer surface of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12, near the guided part 21. In the left frame member 34, a left second fixed end 63, which is a fixed end of a left second link 62, is connected to the inner frame member 37 via a left second fixed joint 64, and a left second free end 65, which is a free end of the left second link 62, is connected, via a left second free joint 66, to the outer surface of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12, near the guided part 21.

[0046] The left first fixed joint 59 is located above the top of the outer frame member 36 in the left frame member 34. The left first link 57 extends forward from the left first fixed joint 59, is bent downward at an acute angle from the extended end, and extends downward. The left second fixed joint 64 is located on the rear side of the upper part of the inner frame member 37 of the left frame member 34, in front of and obliquely below the left first fixed joint 59. The left second link 62 diagonally extends forward and obliquely downward from the left second fixed joint 64, is bent at an acute angle downward from the extended end, and extends downward. The left second free joint 66 is located in front of and obliquely below the left first free joint 61.

[0047] The left second link 62 and the left frame member 34 are connected to each other by a drive unit 68. The drive unit 68 is, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic piston cylinder, and is connected at one end thereof to the upper part of the left second link 62 and is connected at the other end to the front part of the left frame member 34, near the top.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 9, a blower 69 is attached to the bottom frame member 38. The fan of the blower 69 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom frame member 38 and blows air toward the accommodation chamber 8 below the blower 69. A motor (not shown) or the like of the blower 69, as well as a lifting unit for lifting the seat part 3, the actuator 24 for reclining or straitening the backrest 5, and the like, are attached to the upper surface of the bottom frame member 38.

[0049] Next, the guide rails 39 will be described. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the pair of left and right guide rails 39 face the guided parts 21 on the shampoo bowl 12. The sliding of the guided parts 21 stabilizes the operation of the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 and the trajectory of the shampoo bowl 12. The guide rails 39 extend in the front-rear direction at the bottoms of the outer frame members 36, and the height thereof gradually increases from the rear side toward the front side, in other words, the height thereof gradually decreases from the front side toward the rear side. The guide rails 39 each have a first projection 40 at the front end, a first slope 41 inclined downward from the first projection 40 toward the rear side, a planar part 42 extending rearward from the first slope 41, and a second slope 43 inclined downward from the planar part 42 toward the rear side.

[0050] Next, the operation of the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 10 to 13 show the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 in a simplified manner with some parts omitted as appropriate to illustrate the operation of the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 and the trajectory of the shampoo bowl 12. Because the operations of the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 are the same, only the operation of the left four-bar linkage mechanism 44 shown in these figures will be described below.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 10, in the stored state, the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned below the seat part 3 and accommodated in the accommodation chamber 8. When the drive unit 68 is operated, the left second link 62 is pushed rearward, and the left second link 62 rotates (counterclockwise in Fig. 10) about the left second fixed joint 64. Following the left second link 62, the left first link 57 rotates (counterclockwise in Fig. 10) about the left first fixed joint 59. Because the left first link 57 and the left second link 62 are both curved in a convex arc shape in a U shape or a V shape projecting forward, the trajectory of the shampoo bowl 12, to which the left first free end 60 and the left second free end 65 are connected, extends substantially horizontally rearward, out of the accommodation chamber 8. While or after the shampoo bowl 12 exits the accommodation chamber 8, the shampoo bowl 12 moves in an arc to the diagonally upper rear side to be in the treatment state, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. At this time, the shampoo bowl 12 is displaced while maintaining the orientation in which the hemispherical surface thereof faces upward. In the treatment state, the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned at a position where the head is placed on the shampoo bowl 12 when the person who receives treatment lies on the chair body 2 with the backrest 5 reclined. The treatment state includes a plurality of orientations in which the height of the shampoo bowl 12 is different, and examples include a height suitable for treatment performed while the person who performs treatment is seated on a stool or the like (hereinbelow, referred to as "seated treatment") (see Fig. 11), and a height suitable for treatment performed while the person who performs treatment is standing (hereinbelow, referred to as "standing treatment") (see Fig. 12). The treatment positions are preset, and displacement is performed automatically.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 13, in both treatment positions suitable for the seated treatment and the standing treatment, the shampoo bowl 12 is further displaced upward or downward by the operation of the drive unit 68 so that the height of the shampoo bowl 12 is finely adjusted. At this time, the amount of change in position of the shampoo bowl 12 in the front-rear direction is smaller than that in height. Hence, the shampoo bowl 12 is displaced substantially vertically while maintaining the same orientation.

[0053] Next, the operation of the guide rails 39 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 14 to 17 show a state in which the guided parts 21 on the shampoo bowl 12 slide relative to the guide rails 39 in the process of changing from the stored state to the treatment state.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 14, in the stored state, the guided parts 21 on the shampoo bowl 12 are in contact with the first projections 40 of the guide rails 39 and are placed on the first slopes 41. When the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 are operated, as shown in Fig. 15, the shampoo bowl 12 moves rearward while the guided parts 21 slide on the first slopes 41. When the shampoo bowl 12 further moves, the guided parts 21 slide on the planar parts 42, as shown in Fig. 16, and the guided parts 21 leave the planar parts 42 and exit the accommodation chamber 8, as shown in Fig. 17. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 14 to 17, the guided parts 21 continue to be in contact with the entire area of the guide rails 39 from when the shampoo bowl 12 is in the stored state to when the shampoo bowl 12 exits the accommodation chamber 8. When the state is changed from the treatment state to the stored state, the guided parts 21 continue to be in contact with the entire area of the guide rails 39 in the reverse order to the above.

[0055] Next, the neck rest 70 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 18 and 19 show the shampoo bowl 12 that is about to enter the accommodation chamber 8. Fig. 18 shows a state in which the neck rest 70 can be used (hereinbelow referred to as "a use state"), and Fig. 19 shows a state in which the neck rest 70 is deformed and accommodated in the shampoo bowl 12 (hereinbelow referred to as "a non-use state"). Fig. 20 shows only the neck rest 70 in the use state, and Fig. 21 shows only the neck rest 70 in the non-use state.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 18, the neck rest 70 includes a deformable neck rest body 71, and a neck receiving recess 84 and neck receiving projections 85 attached to the neck rest body 71. The neck receiving recess 84 is in a concave shape so that the neck and the vicinity thereof of the person who receives treatment is placed, and the neck receiving projections 85 are in a spherical shape on which the back-head side parts of the vicinity of the neck of the person who receives treatment is placed. The neck rest 70 has shield parts 86 surrounding the neck rest 70 and attached to the neck rest 70. The shield parts 86 are connected to the left and right parts of the neck receiving recess 84 and are disposed on the left and right sides of the neck rest body 71. The shield parts 86 are higher than the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12. The neck rest body 71 and the shield parts 86 stand up and are in a use state outside the accommodation chamber 8. When entering the accommodation chamber 8, the neck rest body 71 and the shield parts 86 are deformed by the person who performs treatment or by coming into contact with the plate-like member 9 and are collapsed into the shampoo bowl 12, as shown in Fig. 19, and are accommodated in a non-use state.

[0057] As shown in Figs. 20 and 21, the neck rest body 71 includes three members connected one another, which move together to deform or change the height of the neck rest body 71. The neck rest body 71 includes a base part 72 attached to the shampoo bowl 12, an intermediate rotation part 75 connected to and supported by the base part 72, and a neck receiving base 79 connected to and supported by the intermediate rotation part 75. The base part 72 includes a planar base plate 73 and base shafts 74 protruding from both ends of the upper surface of the base plate 73. The intermediate rotation part 75 includes a rod-shaped rotation base 76, base-side arms 77 protruding rearward from both ends of the rotation base 76, and neck-receiving-side arms 78 protruding upward from both ends of the rotation base 76. The neck receiving base 79 includes a rod-shaped first receiving base 80, receiving base arms 83 protruding upward from both ends of the first receiving base 80, and a rod-shaped second receiving base 81 connected to the upper ends of the receiving base arms 83. Receiving-side shafts 82 are formed on the outer surfaces of the receiving base arms 83.

[0058] The base-side arms 77 of the intermediate rotation part 75 are connected to the base shafts 74 of the base part 72, and the neck-receiving-side arms 78 of the intermediate rotation part 75 are connected to the receiving-side shafts 82 of the neck receiving base 79. Hence, the intermediate rotation part 75 rotates about the base shafts 74, and the neck receiving base 79 rotates about the receiving-side shafts 82. When the intermediate rotation part 75 rotates, the neck-receiving-side arms 78 collapse rearward into the shampoo bowl 12, and as a result, the neck receiving base 79 also collapses rearward into the shampoo bowl 12 while rotating. When the neck rest 70 collapses, the shield parts 86 also collapse, following the neck rest 70. As a result, as shown in Fig. 19, the heights of the neck rest 70 and the shield parts 86 become lower than the height of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12.

[0059] Next, the control by the control unit will be described. The control mainly includes non-interference control between the shampoo bowl 12 and the lower back door cover 32, position control between the shampoo bowl 12 and the backrest 5, non-interlocking control between the shampoo bowl 12 and the lifting of the seat part 3, water supply control to the shampoo bowl 12, and drying control of the shampoo bowl 12.

[0060]  In the non-interference control, the state of the shampoo bowl 12 is changed only when the lower back door cover 32 is opened to a degree larger than a predetermined degree of opening (see Fig. 18). The predetermined degree of opening herein is a degree at which the shampoo bowl 12 that is being displaced does not come into contact with the lower back door cover 32. When a sensor detects that the lower back door cover 32 is closed and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit does not operate the drive unit 68 for the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44. When the sensor detects that the lower back door cover 32 is opened and the degree of opening exceeds a predetermined degree of opening and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit releases the restriction on the drive unit 68.

[0061] In the position control, change in the state of the shampoo bowl 12 is restricted when the backrest 5 is reclined (see Fig. 5). Specifically, when the sensor detects that the backrest 5 is in a reclined orientation and the shampoo bowl 12 is in the treatment state and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit does not operate the drive unit 68 for the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44. In the position control, the backrest 5 does not operate while the shampoo bowl 12 is being displaced. Specifically, when the sensor detects that the shampoo bowl 12 is being displaced and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit does not operate the actuator 24. Meanwhile, when the sensor detects that the shampoo bowl 12 is stopped and is in the treatment state and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit releases the restriction on the actuator 24. In the position control, the degree of reclining of the backrest 5 is differentiated between that in the treatment state and that in the stored state. Specifically, the degree of reclining of the backrest 5 in the stored state is larger than the degree of reclining of the backrest 5 in the treatment state. Hence, the backrest 5 is closer to horizontal in the stored state than in the treatment state. When the sensor detects the treatment state or the stored state and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit selects the operation range of the actuator 24 according to the state.

[0062] In the non-interlocking control, when the shampoo bowl 12 is in the treatment state (see Fig. 5), the lifting of the seat part 3 is restricted. Specifically, when the sensor detects that the lower back door cover 32 is opened and the degree of opening exceeds a predetermined degree of opening and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit restricts the lifting unit.

[0063] In the water supply control, when the shampoo bowl 12 is in the stored state, the supply of hot or cold water to the shampoo bowl 12 is automatically stopped. The significance of the water supply control will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 22 shows the orientation of the drain pipe 17 in the treatment state, and Fig. 23 shows the orientation of the drain pipe 17 in the stored state.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 22, the drain pipe 17 includes a straight pipe 18 connected to the drain hole 15 on the back side of the shampoo bowl 12, a flexible pipe 19 connected to the straight pipe 18, and a trap pipe 20 connected to the flexible pipe 19. In the treatment state, the drain pipe 17 extends forward and obliquely downward from the back side of the shampoo bowl 12. Hence, hot or cold water naturally flows down and is drained. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 23, in the stored state, the drain pipe 17 extends to a position higher than the drain hole 15, because the straight pipe 18 extends vertically and the flexible pipe 19 is curved upward. Because the water is not naturally drained, it is necessary to prevent the water from overflowing due to the failure to close the water stop valve 16.

[0065] Hence, in the water supply control, when the sensor detects that the shampoo bowl 12 is in the stored state and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit operates the solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve restricts the supply of water.

[0066] In the drying control, the shampoo bowl 12 is dried by the blower 69 (see Fig. 9) when the shampoo bowl 12 is in the stored state (see Fig. 8). Specifically, in the stored state, the fan of the blower 69 is located above the shampoo bowl 12. When the sensor detects that the shampoo bowl 12 is in the stored state and transmits a signal to the control unit, the control unit operates the motor of the blower 69.

[0067] The barber/hairdressing chair 1 is configured as described above. Next, the advantageous effects of the barber/hairdressing chair 1 will be described.

[0068] As described above, the barber/hairdressing chair 1 includes: the chair body 2; the cover part 26 covering the left and right side surfaces and the rear surface of the chair body 2; the shampoo bowl 12 that changes between the stored state and the treatment state as a result of the rear surface side of the cover part 26 being opened and closed; and the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 connecting the shampoo bowl 12 and the chair body 2. The cover part 26 extends to the vicinity of the installation surface. In the stored state, the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned below the seat part 3, accommodated in the accommodation chamber 8, and covered by the cover part 26. Hence, the shampoo bowl 12 cannot be viewed from around the barber/hairdressing chair 1. Meanwhile, in the treatment state, the shampoo bowl 12 is positioned at a position where the head is placed on the shampoo bowl 12 when the person who receives treatment lies on the chair body 2 with the backrest 5 reclined, so that treatment can be performed. Accordingly, the shampoo bowl 12 can be quickly prepared when needed, and the shampoo bowl 12 can be removed from the sight of the person who receives treatment when not needed.

[0069] The barber/hairdressing chair 1 has the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44, and the shampoo bowl 12 is changed to the stored state or the treatment state while being maintained in the orientation in which the hemispherical surface faces upward by the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44. Accordingly, water droplets or the like on the inner surface of the shampoo bowl 12 do not spill, or there is no need to attach or detach the drain pipe 17 or the like every time the state is changed.

[0070] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, the treatment state includes a plurality of orientations in which the height of the shampoo bowl 12 is different, and a height suitable for seated treatment and a height suitable for standing treatment are set in advance. Hence, the shampoo bowl 12 can be automatically displaced to the set height.

[0071] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, in both treatment positions suitable for the seated treatment and the standing treatment, the shampoo bowl 12 is further displaced upward or downward so that the height is finely adjusted. Hence, the height of the shampoo bowl 12 can be finely adjusted to a height at which the person who performs treatment can easily perform treatment, according to the physique of the person who performs treatment.

[0072] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, the left and right four-bar linkage mechanisms 44 are automatically operated by the operation of the drive unit 68, and thus are simple.

[0073] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, owing to the non-interference control, the state of the shampoo bowl 12 is changed only when the lower back door cover 32 is opened to a degree larger than a predetermined degree of opening. Hence, it is possible to prevent damage due to interference between the lower back door cover 32 and the shampoo bowl 12.

[0074] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, the front part of the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12 is depressed, and the neck rest 70 is attached. When entering the accommodation chamber 8, the neck rest 70 is collapsed into the shampoo bowl 12 by the person who performs treatment or by coming into contact with the plate-like member 9, and is accommodated in a non-use state. Specifically, even when the neck rest 70 is bulky and makes it difficult to achieve the stored state, by storing the neck rest 70 inside the shampoo bowl 12, the stored state can be achieved.

[0075] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, the neck rest 70 has the shield parts 86 surrounding the neck rest 70. The shield parts 86 are higher than the side wall 14 of the shampoo bowl 12. The shield parts 86 prevent hot or cold water from splashing out of the shampoo bowl 12. Even if the shield parts 86 are bulky and hinder the stored state, the shield parts 86 are accommodated inside the shampoo bowl 12, following the neck rest 70, and thus do not hinder the stored state.

[0076] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, a solenoid valve is connected to the water supply unit for supplying hot or cold water. In order to prevent water from overflowing due to failure to close the water stop valve 16 in the stored state, in the water supply control, the supply of water to the shampoo bowl 12 in the stored state is automatically stopped using the solenoid valve. Hence, the hot or cold water can be prevented from overflowing.

[0077] In the barber/hairdressing chair 1, the blower 69 for blowing air toward the accommodation chamber 8 is attached to the bottom frame member 38. In order to dry the shampoo bowl 12 that is surrounded by the cover part 26 and thus is difficult to dry, in the drying control, the blower 69 is operated to dry the shampoo bowl 12 when the shampoo bowl 12 is in a stored state.

[0078] In another embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit is not provided, and the shampoo bowl is displaced manually.

[0079] In another embodiment, the drive unit for operating the four-bar linkage mechanisms is, for example, a motor or the like.

[0080] In another embodiment, the number of orientations included in the treatment state is one.

[0081] In another embodiment, the number of orientations included in the treatment state is three or more.

[0082] In another embodiment, adjustment cannot be performed in the treatment state.

[0083] In another embodiment, there is no neck rest.

[0084] In another embodiment, there is a neck rest but not a shield part.

[0085] In another embodiment, the neck rest and the shield parts are lower than the side wall of the shampoo bowl.

[0086] In another embodiment, the control unit has any one or more of non-interference control, position control, non-interlocking control, water supply control, and drying control.

[0087] In another embodiment, the control unit does not have non-interference control, position control, non-interlocking control, water supply control, or drying control.

[0088] In another embodiment, a blower is not provided.

[0089] In another embodiment, the hinge about which the lower back door cover opens and closes is the rear part of the left side part.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the present invention, various design changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

Reference Signs List

[0091] 

1

barber/hairdressing chair

2

chair body

3

seat part

4

leg rest

5

backrest

6

armrest

7

opening

8

accommodation chamber

9

plate-like member

10

left side part

11

right side part

12

shampoo bowl

13

bottom part

14

side wall

15

drain hole

16

water stop valve

17

drain pipe

18

straight pipe

19

flexible pipe

20

trap pipe

21

guided part

22

operation part

23

lifting pedal

24

actuator

25

backrest operation part

26

cover part

27

upper cover part

28

lower cover part

29

upper side cover

30

upper back cover

31

lower side cover

32

lower back door cover

33

frame part

34

left frame member

35

right frame member

36

outer frame member

37

inner frame member

38

bottom frame member

39

guide rail

40

first projection

41

first slope

42

planar part

43

second slope

44

four-bar linkage mechanism (connecting part)

45

first link

46

second link

47

right first link

48

right first fixed end

49

right first fixed joint

50

right first free end

51

right first free joint

52

right second link

53

right second fixed end

54

right second fixed joint

55

right second free end

56

right second free joint

57

left first link

58

left first fixed end

59

left first fixed joint

60

left first free end

61

left first free joint

62

left second link

63

left second fixed end

64

left second fixed joint

65

left second free end

66

left second free joint

67

damper

68

drive unit

69

blower

70

neck rest

71

neck rest body

72

base part

73

base plate

74

base shaft

75

intermediate rotation part

76

rotation base

77

base-side arm

78

neck-receiving-side arm

79

neck receiving base

80

first receiving base

81

second receiving base

82

receiving-side shaft

83

receiving base arm

84

neck receiving recess

85

neck receiving projection

86

shield part

Claims

1. A barber/hairdressing chair comprising:

a chair body having a seat part, a backrest, and a frame part supporting the seat part and the backrest;

a cover part surrounding side surfaces and a rear surface of the chair body, a rear surface side of the cover part being configured to be opened and closed;

a shampoo bowl on which a head of a person who receives treatment is placed; and

a connecting part connecting the shampoo bowl and the chair body,

wherein the shampoo bowl changes states between a stored state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned below the seat part and a treatment state in which the shampoo bowl is positioned behind the backrest.

2. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 1, wherein the connecting part is a linkage mechanism that displaces the shampoo bowl with a constant orientation.

3. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 2,
wherein the linkage mechanism is a four-bar linkage including two links each having a fixed end connected to the chair body and a free end connected to the shampoo bowl.

4. The barber/hairdressing chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a height of the shampoo bowl is changed in the treatment state.

5. The barber/hairdressing chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment state includes a plurality of orientations in which the height of the shampoo bowl is different.

6. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 4, wherein, in the treatment state, the height of the shampoo bowl is changed to make fine adjustments, and an amount of change in height of the shampoo bowl in the fine adjustments is smaller than an amount of change in position of the shampoo bowl in a front-rear direction.

7. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 2 or 3, further comprising a drive unit that operates the linkage mechanism.

8. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 1, wherein a change to the stored state or to the treatment state occurs only when a rear surface side of the cover part is open to an extent larger than a predetermined degree of opening.

9. The barber/hairdressing chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the shampoo bowl includes a neck rest on which a neck of a person who receives treatment is placed, and the neck rest is deformed and accommodated inside the shampoo bowl.

10. The barber/hairdressing chair according to Claim 9, wherein the neck rest has a shield part that is higher than a side wall of the shampoo bowl, and the shield part is deformed together with the neck rest and is accommodated inside the shampoo bowl.

11. The barber/hairdressing chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein supply of hot or cold water to the shampoo bowl in the stored state is automatically stopped.

12. The barber/hairdressing chair according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising a blower above the shampoo bowl in the stored state.

Drawing