Abstract:
The present invention is a platform and mat for use by barbers. The platform elevates a mat a few inches above the ground and is generally of rectangular shape with a semicircular cut out to account for a barber chair in the shape of a barber mat in which a barber can stand on. The shape should not be construed as limiting; however, as relevant mats in the field exist in a variety of shapes and sizes. Additionally, the invention may comprise a lip extending approximately an inch above the mat along the upper perimeter of the platform to give the barber notice of the edge of the platform before falling off the platform.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/172,788 filed Jun. 8, 2015 and entitled Barber Matt Elevators/Barber Elevated Matt, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to platforms for elevating barbers and hair stylists. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Conventional barber mats typically rest on the ground and are only an inch or less in height. The prior art does not demonstrate elevated barber mats. 
         [0007]    To the extent that previously existing mats may be elevated, they generally are not particularly safe for barbers as the barber may easily step off the platform and trip. Moreover, similar elevated mats may not necessarily account for the shape of the barber chair and/or platform. 
         [0008]    Other barber mats may not necessarily have the comfort associated with the present invention. That is, the present invention acknowledges material and cushion and allows the barber to work for extended periods of time. 
         [0009]    Other problems include mats or platforms that are not appropriate size: either too large or too small. To the extent that mats are too large, they don&#39;t account for the actual positioning of other barber chairs in barber shops. On the other hand, barber mats that are too small don&#39;t allow for a barber to work and move around the customer when working on their hair. 
         [0010]    Although this application is generally discussed with reference to barbers, it applies with equal force to hair stylists and other related disciplines. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a platform and mat for use by barbers. It is elevated a few inches above the ground and generally of rectangular shape with a semicircular cut out to account for a barber chair in the shape of a barber mat in which a barber can stand on. The shape should not be construed as limiting; however, as relevant mats in the field exist in a variety of shapes and sizes. Additionally, in certain embodiments the invention will comprise a lip extending approximately an inch above the mat along the upper perimeter of the platform to give the barber notice of the edge of the platform before falling off the platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof without a barber mat 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  as used with a barber chair. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  with a riser. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a riser as used with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of a barber platform and mat. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a platform  50  generally having a rectangular shape with a semicircular cut out along one of its sides. The platform  50  comprises a top face  52  (not depicted in  FIG. 1 ) that in most embodiments is covered by a barber mat  54 . The barber mat  54  is used to provide comfort to the barber as he/she works for extended periods of time. Along the perimeter of the top face  52  of the platform  50  is a lip  56  that extends vertically above the top face  52 . The lip  56  is positioned along the perimeter of the top face  52  so as to form a reservoir above the top face  52 . The resulting reservoir can hold a barber mat  54 . The lip  56  also warns a barber of the edge of the platform  50  so that the barber does not accidently step off the platform  50 . Although not illustrated, in certain embodiments, the platform  50  will consist of a frame that forms the overall shape of the platform  50 , a top face  52  supporting a barber mat  54 , and a lip  56 . The frame may be alternatively characterized as a series of sidewalls. 
         [0021]    In alternative embodiments, the lip  56  will not be present. 
         [0022]    As discussed below, the frame in certain embodiments will comprise a generally rectangular shape with a semicircular cutout along one of the sidewalls. In other embodiments, the cutout might be a square or other shape. The cutout shape is generally intended to resemble the shape of a barber chair  60  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in association with the platform  50 . Similarly, and in alternative embodiments, the platform  50  itself may resemble a shape other than a rectangle. For instance, bar mats often come in different shapes, such as semicircles. Accordingly, it is intended that in other embodiments, the shape of the platform may more closely resemble the shape of alternatively shaped barber mats. Such alternative shapes may include ovals or semi-circles. 
         [0023]    By incorporating a semicircular cut out, the platform  50  can more closely resemble and correspond with the shape of a barber chair  60 . The platform  50  is of generally sufficient size so as to give the barber plenty of space to work around the barber chair  60 . Similarly, the platform  50  is not so large as to take up unnecessary space in a barber shop. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 1  without a mat. The mat can be removed from the platform  50  in order to properly clean the mat and/or the remainder of the platform  50 ; to allow the barber or stylist to interchange mats while cleaning or for personal style and pizazz or for other reasons. Alternatively, the barber may opt to use the platform  50  without the mat. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the embodiment discussed above as used with a typical barber chair  60 . The semi-circular cut out is characterized in part by its diameter being slightly larger than the diameter of the base of the column supporting the barber chair  60 . In embodiments where the cut out is a shaper other than a semi-circle, the cut out may be characterized by other geometric attributes or dimensions, including: the diagonal or length of a rectangle; the hypotenuse of a right triangle. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising a riser  70 . The riser  70  may be used to add additional height to the platform  50 . In this particular embodiment, the riser  70  extends the lower perimeter of the platform  50  along the bottom of the sidewalls. The riser  70  may vary in height depending on the need of the barber. The riser is of a similar shape to that of the platform  50  itself (i.e., generally rectangular with a semi-circular cut out). 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the riser  70  depicted and discussed in  FIG. 4 . In this particular embodiment, the riser  70  is generally shorter along an outer diameter  72  having a height (h OD ) than an inner diameter  74  having a height (h ID ). The disparate heights between the inner diameter  74  and outer diameter  72  allow the platform  50  to rest along the outer diameter  72 . Similarly, the inner diameter  74  allows the platform  50  to remain in place laterally. As used here, the riser  70  is generally the same shape as the external perimeter of the platform  50 . Often, the outer diameter may  72  be of a width (w OD ) equal or close to the width of the sidewalls of the platform  50 . Alternative to a riser  70 , the invention may use legs or other means for extending the height for the platform  50 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates the top plan view of the platform  50  discussed above with a barber mat  54 . 
         [0029]    Alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise a narrower semicircular cut out. In this particular, the narrower semicircular cut may closer resemble the shape and dimensions of the pole connecting the barber chair  60  to the supporting circular base. It is generally practiced in the prior art to have a base for a barber chair  60  that is wider than the pole connecting the base to the chair. In such an embodiment, the cut out may be narrower, but the bottom of the platform  50  would accommodate a wider chair base to extend underneath the platform  50 . This accommodation would be possible through an external perimeter of the platform  50  (and supporting framework) through a cutout along the side face of the platform containing the semicircle cutout. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment does not comprise a semicircular cut out. Instead, the platform  50  would be positioned adjacent/tangential to the pole connecting the barber chair  60  and barber chair base and allowing a barber chair base to extent underneath the platform  50 . The base of the barber chair  60  would to extend underneath the platform  50  through a cutout along the side face of the platform containing the semicircle cutout. 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, this invention is made of durable material which may include metal, or plastic, fiberglass, or a number of other materials. Metal can come from machined aluminum, aluminum weldment or castings or similar steel or alloy. Molded and machine plastic can be used with recommended strengthening. The preferred embodiment materials will be a very light weight. The particular thickness and other dimensions of the materials are not particularly important so long as the pieces are necessarily durable for the purpose of a barber safely standing on a mat indoor platform  50  wall, working on someone&#39;s hair. In most embodiments, the invention will include various nuts, bolts, screw, etc. for securing the pieces together. However, the present invention may be constructed of generally, singular material and molded such that do not require these fastening material and connecting pieces. The length and width of these pieces may be in various dimensions. 
         [0032]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in these specific embodiments while maintaining the scope of the invention as described through the present embodiments and are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrated. Non-restricted other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications and the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention with the invention being solely by the script of the following: