Backpack chair

In one example, a backpack chair includes a U-shaped frame to form a base for the backpack chair. The U-shaped frame has two sides connected to each other by a semicircular section. In a sitting mode where the backpack chair is for sitting, the two sides of the U-shaped frame extend in a horizontal plane and the semicircular section extends in a substantially vertical plane. In a backpack mode where the backpack chair is carried as a backpack, the two sides extend in a vertical plane and the semicircular section extends in a substantially horizontal plane. The backpack chair comprises a top member that includes a combined seat and back support for the U-shaped frame. In the sitting mode, the top member is attached to the U-shaped frame, and in the backpack mode, the top member is detached from the U-shaped frame.

BACKGROUND

A physical brick and mortar location may be used by hair care providers to provide hair care services. For example, a barber may provide hair cutting services in a barber shop. Customers desiring hair cutting services can visit the barber shop to have services performed. At the barber shop, hair care services may be performed on a barber chair. The barber chair is itself specially designed for barbershops and may have a backrest, a footrest and a hydraulic mechanism for performing chair height adjustments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, hair care customers may visit a brick and mortar barber shop to receive hair care services. However, at other times, the hair care professional may make a house call. For example, a barber may visit a customer's home, office or other location outside of the barber shop to perform hair care services. The barber cannot travel with his or her barber chair to the remote location. The barber chair is large, heavy and is permanently installed in the barber shop. Also, in many cases, it is unclear whether the customer can provide a chair, much less an adequate chair that can be used to perform services. If a chair is unavailable, hair care services cannot be performed and the barber must return to his or her shop causing loss of revenue and time. In addition, when the barber travels to a remote location, the barber may need to locate a suitable bag to store and transport hair care implements such as cutting tools, lights, mirrors, etc.

Accordingly, an example of the present invention provides a backpack chair that can utilized in a sitting mode for hair care services as well as in a backpack mode. In one example, the backpack chair has a U-shaped frame to form a base for the backpack chair. The U-shaped frame has two sections or sides connected to each other by a semicircular section. The two sides of the U-shaped frame may extend in a horizontal plane and the semicircular section may extend in a substantially vertical plane when the backpack chair is used in the sitting mode. And in the backpack mode where the backpack chair is carried as a backpack, the two sides extend in a vertical plane and the semicircular section extends in a substantially horizontal plane.

The backpack chair also includes a top member that includes a combined seat and back support for the U-shaped frame. In the sitting mode, the top member is attached to the U-shaped frame, and in the backpack mode, the top member is detached from the U-shaped frame.

Another example of the present invention is a chair having a frame to form a base for the chair. The frame need not be U-shaped as in the example above. The frame has walls to form a receptacle. In a sitting mode, the walls of the frame extend from a surface that receives a seat to a position on the ground to form legs for the chair. In a backpack mode, the walls of the frame extend in a vertical plane and no portion of the walls touch the ground when the chair is carried.

In this example, the chair may have a top member that includes a combination of the seat and back support for the frame. In the sitting mode, the top member is attached to the frame, and in the backpack mode, the top member is detached from the frame and stored in the receptacle formed by the frame.

FIG. 1illustrates a backpack chair100according to an example of the present disclosure.

InFIG. 1, backpack chair100includes a U-shaped frame102to form a base for backpack chair100. Although not shown, U-shaped frame102may be other shapes consistent with the principles and precepts of the present disclosure. For example, U-shaped frame102may be rectangular. In another example, U-shaped frame102may be circular. In yet another example, U-shaped frame102may be polygonal.

In the example ofFIG. 1, U-shaped frame102has two sides (or sections) including a first side104and a second side106that are connected to each other by a semicircular section105. This U-shaped frame102can be used in any one of two modes including a backpack mode and a sitting mode. As implied by its name, a sitting mode is a mode in which backpack chair100is disposed for sitting. That is, U-shaped frame102of backpack chair100is positioned to support a customer that is sitting during a hair cutting service.

More specifically, in this sitting mode, second side106of U-shaped frame102is positioned on the ground to form legs of backpack chair100as shown while first side104's surface is positioned to receive the seat108. In other words, in the sitting mode, first side104and second side106extend in a horizontal plane H while semicircular section105extends in a substantially vertical plane V. Vertical plane V and horizontal plane H are more clearly shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

Backpack chair100is also operable in the second or backpack mode as shown inFIG. 2. As implied by its name, the backpack mode is a mode in which backpack chair100is a backpack. That is, U-shaped frame102of backpack chair100can be carried as a backpack by hair service personnel from one location to another. More specifically, in this backpack mode, the two sides—namely first side104and second side106—extend in the vertical plane while semicircular section105extends in a substantially horizontal plane H as shown inFIG. 3. In this mode, U-shaped frame102may form a storage receptacle.

InFIG. 1ANDFIG. 4, backpack chair100further includes a top member110that includes a combined seat108and back support112. In the sitting mode, top member110is attached to U-shaped frame102as inFIG. 1, and in the backpack mode, top member110is detached from U-shaped frame102as inFIG. 2. The detached top member110can then be stored in the receptacle formed by U-shaped frame102. Thereafter, user202can carry the backpack chair100as a backpack as shown.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 4, seat108may include a shaft114and a hinge116that enables back support112to collapse on seat108. Thus, back support112can be raised in the direction A so that back support112is upright and extends along vertical plane V, and that seat108, which extends along horizontal plane H is perpendicular to back support112. Back support112may also be lowered in the direction B for storage.

Shaft114is an elongated member that is attached to and extends from side-to-side, that is, inFIG. 4, from side420to side422along a back418of seat108. Shaft114also protrudes generally one to three inches beyond each side420and side422of seat108. InFIG. 4, a left-side protrusion414B is shown. The right-side protrusion414A is on the other end of shaft114indicated as414A although not shown. As shown inFIG. 3B, right-side protrusion414A can engage a right-side lip320A while left-side protrusion414B can engage a left-side lip320B.

As can also be seen inFIG. 3B, right-side lip320A and left-side lip320B are mounted or formed on U-shaped frame102to engage the right-side protrusion414A and left-side protrusion414B of shaft114(FIG. 4) so as to secure top member110(FIG. 4) onto U-shaped frame102during a hair cutting session. Specifically, left-side lip320B (FIG. 3B) engages left-side protrusion414B while right-side lip320A is to engage right-side protrusion414A (FIG. 4). The result is that top member110is securely attached to U-shaped frame102as inFIG. 1.

In operation, in the sitting mode, top member110ofFIG. 4, may be in a collapsed state with back support112laying on seat108. Top member110is then positioned above U-shaped frame102(FIGS. 3A and 3B). Protrusions414A and414B are aligned and then engaged with respective lips320A and320B. Seat108is then placed on first side104of U-shaped frame102. Back support112is raised to a vertical position and a user may thereafter sit on seat108for a hair cutting session.

In the backpack mode, the steps described above are reversed. First, back support112is lowered in the direction B over seat108(FIG. 5). Top member110is then detached from U-shaped frame102by disengaging shaft114and protrusions414A,414B from lips320A,320B. The entirety of top member110is then inserted in U-shaped frame102which is inverted to form a receptacle. A pair of straps204A,204B with grommets206(FIG. 2) on the strap ends, the grommets206to engage lips320A,320B in the backpack mode, and to transport backpack chair100.

FIG. 6illustrates top member110according to an example of the present disclosure.

InFIG. 6, back support112and seat108are hollowed to each form a receptacle for storage. Here, back support112may include a sleeve504into which a hair cutting implement such as a mirror502is inserted for storage during the backpack mode. Seat108may include various padded partitions to store hair cutting implements such as a comb602, a pair of scissors604, clippers606, for example.

While the above is a complete description of specific examples of the disclosure, additional examples are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.