Abstract:
A support chair has a base with wheels, a support post with a translation mechanism, a power system with controls, an upper seat portion having a downward-extending post engaging the support post and engaging the translation mechanism such that the chair portion raises and lowers, a back-support portion hinged to the seat portion, a leg-support portion hinged to the seat portion, a plurality of attachment interfaces implemented to frame elements of the support chair, and at least one multiply-articulated peripheral support assembly having a padded surface at one end and a support interface at an opposite end, the support interface enabled to join to any one of the attachment interfaces implemented to the frame elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application 61/951,138, filed Mar. 11, 2014. All disclosure of the parent application is incorporated herein at least by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is in the technical field of torso positioning for procedures, such as medical procedures, and pertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for seating and positioning a subject for tattooing procedures. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the State of the Art 
         [0005]    In the field of medical equipment there are hydraulic lift chairs provided for seating and positioning individuals undergoing treatments or other procedures to specific areas or portions of their bodies. Hydraulic lift chairs are known in the art and used for many different service industries, including barber, medical, tattoo, massage, IV treatment, and others. A challenge with current hydraulic chair apparatus is the lack of flexible or adjustable features for providing comfort, ease and advantage for an artist or therapist. 
         [0006]    In many cases subjects must assume certain positions to enable access to areas of treatment or service for relatively long periods of time while seated on a chair apparatus that does not entirely support the position assumed. Subjects may be tempted to shift positions because of the discomfort involved in trying to maintain an unsupported position. Also, conventional such equipment is very limited in apparatus and method to support different areas of a human body to advantage. Therefore, what is clearly needed is a hydraulic chair apparatus including at least one body part positioning apparatus that solves the problems stated above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one embodiment of the invention a support chair is provided, comprising a base unit having wheels at one end, a vertically-oriented support post, a translation mechanism within the support post, and a power system with controls for powering the translation mechanism, an upper seat portion having a downward-extending post engaging the vertically-oriented support post and engaging the translation mechanism such that the chair portion raises and lowers in response to operation of the controls, a back-support portion hinged at one end of the seat portion and having a latching mechanism enabling orientation of the back-support portion at multiple angles from parallel to the seat portion to vertically upward, a leg-support portion hinged at an end opposite the end hinged to the back-support portion and having a latching mechanism enabling orientation of the leg-support portion at multiple angles from parallel to the seat portion to vertically downward, a plurality of attachment interfaces implemented to frame elements of the support chair; and at least one multiply-articulated peripheral support assembly having a padded surface at one end and a support interface at an opposite end, the support interface enabled to join to any one of the attachment interfaces implemented to the frame elements. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the invention the controls comprise a first and a second foot switch activating one or more actuators such that activating the first foot switch causes the translation mechanism to extend, raising the upper seat portion, releasing the first foot switch holds the upper seat portion at its raised position, and activating the second foot switch causes the translation mechanism to retract, allowing the upper seat portion to lower until the second foot switch is released. Also in one embodiment the upper seat portion is free to rotate in the vertically-oriented support post of the base portion. In one embodiment the plurality of attachment interfaces implemented to the frame elements comprise square tubing sections fastened to the frame elements and extending outward, and the support interface of the support assembly is a section of square tubing of a size to slide within the square tubing of the attachment interfaces fastened to the frame elements, such that support assemblies may be mounted to the chair at a plurality of places on the chair. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment the square tubing sections fastened to the frame elements and the square tubing sections of the support assembly have matching through-holes enabling insertion of a pin at various positions to constrain the tubing sections when joined. Also in one embodiment the support chair further comprises a padded head-support portion attached to the back-support portion at an end away from the hinged end. In one embodiment the padded head-support portion is attached by mechanisms allowing the padded head-support portion to be rotated, extended away from the back-support portion, and to be angled relative to the back-support portion. Also in one embodiment the at least one multiply-articulated peripheral support assembly, having the padded surface at one end and the support interface at the other end, comprises at least four sections, a first section joined to the support interface by a pivot mechanism with an axis allowing the first section to be rotated on a substantially horizontal plane with the peripheral support assemble engaged in one of the plurality of attachment interfaces, a second section joined to the first section by a pivot mechanism having an axis allowing the second section to be rotated in a second plane not parallel to the horizontal plane, a third section joined to the second section by a pivot mechanism having an axis allowing the third section to be rotated in a third plane, and a fourth section joined to the third section by a pivot mechanism having an axis allowing the fourth section to be rotated in a fourth plane, the padded surface joined to the fourth section. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment each of the sections comprises a linear arm with a centerline extending at an angle away from the axis of the pivot mechanism at the end closer to the attachment interface. Also in one embodiment the centerline of the arm for at least one of the sections is co-linear with the axis of the pivot mechanism at the end closer to the attachment interface. Also in one embodiment the centerline of the arm for at least one of the sections is orthogonal with the axis of the pivot mechanism at the end closer to the attachment interface. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the invention individual ones of the pivot mechanisms have mating serrated elements with a clamping mechanism allowing the mechanism to be loosened, rotated to a desired position around the axis, and to be securely clamped to stay in the desired position. Also in one embodiment individual ones of the linear arms comprise a translation mechanism allowing the arm to be extended or shortened in length, and to be secured at a chosen length. And in one embodiment the peripheral support assembly provides from four to ten degrees of freedom in placing and securing the padded surface in a position relative to the support chair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hydraulic chair apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the wheeled base station of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the chair back of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the chair foot of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the chair seat of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of chair seat  102  with foot  103  and back portion  101  removed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an existing barbers&#39; chair with the chair portion removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the innovative interface combining older existing barbers&#39; chairs base with the innovative chair of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an articulating rest platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of connective components of the articulating arm portion of the articulating rest platform of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of additional connective components of the articulating rest platform of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of additional connective components of the articulating arm of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the articulating rest platform of  FIG. 9  integrated with chair  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In various embodiments described in enabling detail herein, the inventor provides a unique powered hydraulic lift chair for industries such as the medical and tattoo industry. The present invention is described using the following examples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hydraulic chair apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Chair apparatus  100  includes a wheeled base station  118 . Base station  118  includes a wheelbase  105 . Wheelbase  105  includes opposing wheels axially mounted over an axle welded to or otherwise attached to a base plate  104 . Base plate  104  in this embodiment includes a support leg (U stand)  116  that is welded or otherwise attached thereto at or near the end of base plate  104  opposite to wheelbase  105 . In one embodiment base plate  104 , the axle portion of wheelbase  104 , and support leg  116  are fabricated of steel. In other embodiments, other durable metals and materials may be considered such as aluminum, polymers, and composite materials used in manufacturing and available to the inventor. 
         [0027]    Base station  118  includes a center post  108 . A chair post  109  translates vertically inside center post  108 , lifted from below by a hydraulic cylinder, not seen in  FIG. 1 . Center post  108  may be fabricated of steel tubing having an inside diameter large enough to accept the outside diameter of chair post  109 , and the outside diameter of the hydraulic cylinder and related components in place within the post to lift the chair portion of apparatus via chair post  109 . Post  108  is welded or otherwise installed in an opening provided through base plate  104  and is accessible from the underside of base plate  104 . In an alternative embodiment post  108  may be bolted to or welded to base plate  104 . 
         [0028]    Base station  118  may be operated like a dolly with chair  117  detached from cylinder  108 . Support leg  116  functions as a dolly handle allowing for reduced work relative to transporting and positioning chair apparatus  100  for use. The distance from the underside of base plate  104  to ground defines the profile height of base station  118  when station  118  is horizontally positioned on the ground. The overall height is dependent in part on the diameter of the wheels on wheelbase  105  and the length of the support legs of bar  116 . The overall height is sufficient to accommodate hydraulic equipment, a power source, and the associated electronics and hydraulic hoses without any of those components touching ground. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment a battery, such as battery  115  mounted on the underside of base plate  104 , powers hydraulic chair apparatus  100 . A fluid tank  112  is provided and mounted to the underside of base plate  104  and connected to a flange  113 . A fluid pump motor  114  is provided and mounted to the underside of base plate  104  and connected to flange  113  on the opposite side of fluid tank  112 . Flange  113  also serves as a pump and return hose housing (hoses not illustrated here). 
         [0030]    The system for driving the hydraulic cylinder in post  108  includes electronic components such as a solenoid, one or more relay switches, and one or more operational switches. In this embodiment two operational switches are provided in the form of foot-activated switches  106  and  107 . Switch  106  may be activated to lift chair  117  by providing hydraulic fluid to the cylinder in post  108 . Switch  107  may be activated to release fluid through a return line thus reducing the pressure in the cylinder and allowing chair  117  to be lowered under the combined weight of a person and the chair. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment there may be a single dual-function switch instead of two single function switches. In still another embodiment there may be a toggle function switch providing lift and lower functions in a single switch. In one embodiment an adjustable valve that regulates the amount of fluid return is provided (not illustrated here) to control the speed of descent when lowering the chair. The average weight of a person sitting in the chair may be a factor considered in valve adjustment. In this embodiment battery  115  is a rechargeable battery and may be connected to a normal AC power outlet via a battery charger unit. 
         [0032]    In alternative embodiments there may be a direct AC connection to a wall socket to power the chair, and the circuitry may be arranged to recharge the battery while the chair is plugged in to AC power. The battery then provides power in locations where AC outlets are not available. 
         [0033]    Chair  117  may be adjustable in position relative to three chair parts that are hinged together. These are a chair back  101 , a chair seat  102 , and a chair foot  103 . Chair back  101  is hinged to chair seat  102 , which in turn is hinged to chair foot  103 . 
         [0034]    An angularly adjustable back support frame  110  is provided to further connect chair back  101  to chair seat  102 . Back support frame  110  may be fabricated of square steel tubing in one embodiment. In another embodiment, aluminum or some other durable metal may be used in place of steel in the fabrication of back support frame  110 . Back support frame  110  may be manually adjustable in angular position to recline and advance back chair  101  angularly relative to chair seat  102 . The angular range of adjustment of chair back  101  to seat  102  using frame  110  may be from 90 to approximately 180 degrees enabling a person sitting in the chair to sit upright or to recline to a horizontal position. The mechanism of adjustment may be manual with a lock mechanism to secure a particular angular position of chair back  101  relative to seat portion  102 . In one embodiment the adjustment may be made using hydraulic or other powered assistance without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0035]    An angularly adjustable support frame  111  is provided to further connect chair foot  103  to chair seat  102 . Support frame  111  may be fabricated of square steel tubing in one embodiment. In another embodiment, aluminum or some other durable metal may be used in the fabrication of Support frame  111 . Chair foot  103  may be angularly adjusted relative to chair seat portion  102  using a manually operated mechanism connected to frame  111 . A range of angular adjustment may be from approximately 180 degrees to approximately 90 degrees in the opposite direction from the back chair relative to seat  102  allowing a subject seated in chair apparatus  117  to sit with the legs down or extended to a relatively horizontal position. The method of angular adjustment of chair foot  103  may be incremental using a pin under spring tension and ladder shelf apparatus mounted to the underside of chair foot  103  and connected to frame  111 . More detail about the angular adjustment of chair back  101  and chair foot  103  is provided later in this specification. 
         [0036]    Chair apparatus  117  may be freely rotatable about cylinder  108  and may be locked into a particular rotation angle using a mechanically operated locking collar and handle, such as a spring loaded or threaded T-handle provided on a locking collar  119 . In one embodiment chair apparatus  117  includes one or more armrests that may be mounted and positioned relative to the position of a seated subject. Such armrests may be installed and removed for convenience and may be positioned, when installed, to provide optimal access to a clinician such as a tattoo artist for working on the arm, forearm, etc. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the wheeled base station of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . The underside of wheeled base station  118  is depicted to show basic hydraulic components provided for lifting and lowering chair apparatus  117  relative to base station  118 . In this view wheels are depicted for reference only. Station  118  includes a hydraulic pump system including a hydraulic fluid reservoir  204 , a flange apparatus  206 , and a hydraulic pump  205 . Hydraulic reservoir  204  may be mounted to the undersurface of base plate  104  using conventional mounting apparatus such as bracket and bolts, for example. Hydraulic reservoir  204  may be fabricated of stainless steel or similar durable materials. Reservoir  204  is mounted to flange  206 . Flange  206  functions as a seal and as the housing for a hydraulic fluid pump line  208  and a hydraulic fluid return line  215  situated beneath the pump line. Hydraulic pump motor  205  is mounted to flange apparatus  206  on the other side of reservoir  204  and has pump access to reservoir  204 . 
         [0038]    A battery  202  in this embodiment provides power for hydraulic lift. Battery  202  may be a conventional 12-volt battery. Battery  202  may have a relatively thin profile to facilitate mounting beneath base plate  104  so as not to come in contact with the ground when base station  118  is in a horizontal position on the ground or floor. The negative terminal of battery  202  is connected to ground (base plate  104 ) for safety. A conventional solenoid switch  203  is provided and connected to battery  202  and mounted to the underside of base plate  104  by conventional mounting apparatus such as a bracket and bolts. Solenoid  203  is electrically connected to pump motor  205  and to foot-operated up and down switches  106  and  107  described further above relative to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    A pump line hose  208  and fittings ( 212 ,  207 ) are provided to lift chair apparatus  117  to a desired height. A return line  215  with return line fittings (not visible) is provided to return fluid back into reservoir  204  during chair descent operations. The pump and return line hoses are connected from flange apparatus  206  to a solenoid-operated valve housing  209 . Valves are provided within valve housing  209  to control pump line operation when the chair apparatus is being lifted and to control fluid return operation when the chair apparatus is being lowered. A mechanically operated flow valve  210  is provided to regulate the speed of ascent and descent of the chair apparatus ( 117 ) while operating. Flow valve apparatus may be mechanically adjusted via a fluid flow adjustment knob  214  accessible from the backside of the flow valve  210 . Valve  214  may be turned in one direction to restrict fluid flow and in the opposite direction to relax fluid flow into hydraulic cylinder  108 . In one embodiment two flow valve knobs may be provided, one for restricting or relaxing the flow of pump line fluid into the hydraulic cylinder and one for restricting or relaxing return line fluid going back into reservoir  204 . 
         [0040]    A bi-directional hydraulic line hose  211  is connected from the mechanical flow valve  210  to the hydraulic cylinder in center post  108  through base plate  104 , and is secured by a fitting  213 . Conventional hydraulic seals may be used where required to maintain the integrity of the hydraulic system for lifting and lowering the chair apparatus. In one embodiment flow restriction valve  210  is an automatic valve that may be controlled by an electronic switch and sensors to adjust the speed of lift and decent relative to the weight of a person sitting in the chair. In one embodiment the valve is electronically operated with a manual override switch enabling manual adjustment. 
         [0041]    In operation, an operator may activate foot switch  106 , for example, causing a power connection from the battery to pump motor  205 . In one embodiment the switch is activated by foot pressure to raise the chair apparatus the apparatus continuing to rise while foot pressure is applied to the switch. In this aspect, the pump may be turned off when the operator releases foot pressure from the switch. The amount of table rise is controlled by the amount of time the operator applies force to switch ( 106 ). In another aspect the switch is dually operated where the operator activates the switch to start lift and then reactivates the switch to stop lift. In this aspect switch ( 107 ) may be activated to start descent and then reactivated to stop decent. The speed of ascent and decent may be controlled by flow knob  214  controlling valve flow valve  210 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment battery  202  may be electrically charged using a conventional battery charger. In one embodiment chair apparatus  117  is detachable from station  118  and station  118  may be stood upright using fold out legs or “kick stands” to position it vertically during maintenance operations. An operator may transport base station  118  like a dolly using u-bar  116  as a dolly handle and rolling the station about on the wheels. In one embodiment the wheels in wheelbase  105  are lockable to prevent unintended rolling. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the chair back of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Chair back  101  is depicted in elevation view to show the underside of the chair back including angular adjustment apparatus and frame connection. Chair back  101  includes a vertically-oriented ladder-shelf  301 . Ladder shelf  301  has a back mounting plate and two sidewalls that include multiple pin shelf positions (nine in this example). Ladder shelf  301  may be mounted to the back of chair back  101  using conventional hardware at two or more mounting positions  302  (one on each end). Ladder shelf  301  may be fabricated from steel, aluminum, or other durable metals or materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    A pin shelf position is defined as a horizontal shelved position of a horizontal pin via symmetrical slots machined into the sidewalls of the ladder shelf. In this example, a ladder pin  303  is provided and attached between members of a frame  306 . Frame  306  may be fabricated of steel tubing or rod that may be welded together to form the frame. In one embodiment the tubing or rod used to fabricate the frame is square or rectangular. Frame  306  is rotatably pinned to frame members  309  of frame  11  described further above in  FIG. 1  via a stainless steel frame pin  308 . Frame pin  308  may be permanently or removable installed through aligned openings provided through appendages of frame  306  and through frame members  309  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Shelf ladder  301  includes a retainer spring  304 . Retainer spring  304  is installed over shelf ladder  301  orthogonally relative to the pin shelves. In this example, spring  304  is bolted at the same positions as the shelf ladder. Retainer spring  304  is adapted in this embodiment to retain pin ladder  303  in a shelf position on shelf ladder  301 . Retainer spring  304  may be a standard stainless steel spring with stiff spring resistance. Frame element  306  includes a handle  305 . Handle  305  is adapted as a gripping handle for an operator to hold when adjusting the angular position of chair back portion  101  relative to chair seat portion  102 . Handle  305  may be fabricated of steel rod or another durable material. Handle  305  is welded to or otherwise attached to frame  306 . It will be apparent to the skilled person that the functions of these mechanisms may be accomplished in a number of other ways, with other well-known mechanisms. 
         [0046]    Frame  306  includes a spring attachment pin  307 . A second spring  310  is provided to maintain tension between frame  306  and frame  111 . One end of spring  310  is attached to pin  307  on frame element  306  while the other end of the spring is attached to a spring attachment pin  513  depicted on frame member  309  in  FIG. 5  described further below. Spring  310  provides tension between frame  306  and frame  111 , which includes frame members  309 . 
         [0047]    An operator working with chair apparatus  100  may grab handle  305  on the back of chair back  101  and physically pull pin  303  out of a current shelf position for repositioning at another shelf position thereby changing the angle of tilt for chair back  101  relative to seat  102 . The lowest shelf position provides the greatest angle of tilt while the top-most shelf position provides the smallest angle of tilt to near horizontal. Retention spring  304  prevents ladder pin and frame  306  from falling away from the ladder shelf while adjustments are made. Hinge elements at the bottom of the view are illustrated for reference only. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the chair foot of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Chair foot  102  is depicted in elevation view to show the underside of the foot including angular adjustment apparatus and frame connection. Chair foot  103  includes a vertically oriented ladder-shelf  401 . Ladder shelf  401  is similar to ladder shelf  301  described further above and has a back mounting plate and two sidewalls that include multiple pin shelf positions (nine in this example). Ladder shelf  301  may be mounted to the back of chair foot  103  using conventional hardware at two or more mounting positions  402  (one on each end and one in middle). Ladder shelf  401  may be fabricated from steel, aluminum, or other durable metals or materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    Chair foot  103  includes a pin handle apparatus  403 . Apparatus  403  serves has a handle via handlebars  405  and as angular position retainer device via pin or cross member  403 . Cross member  404  may be disposed on one of the shelf positions on shelf ladder  401 . Handle bar  403  is welded on the end of frame  406  and is a rigid part of the frame. Frame  406  is attached at the end opposite handle  403  to frame members of frame  111  discussed further above. The method of attachment is freely rotatable using a frame pin (not illustrated here) installed between frame members  406  and frame posts or members of frame  111  described further above in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]    Frame  406  and handle  403  may be fabricated of steel and then welded together to form the frame. A stiff grade steel spring  407  is provided in this example to serve as a tension spring between frame  406  and frame members  111  further described above. Spring  407  is connected to a spring-mounting pin  408  at one end and to a spring mounted pin  502  depicted further below in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0051]    In use, an operator may lift chair foot  103  while grabbing and moving handle  403  out of a shelf position on ladder shelf  401 . Spring  407  provides spring tension to help urge pin  404  into the desired shelf position on the ladder shelf. The opposite end of frame  406  is rotatably pinned to frame elements of chair seat  102 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the chair seat of the chair apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Seat  102  is depicted in elevation view showing the hardware elements mounted to the underside of the seat. Seat  102  includes a rectangular frame  501 . Frame  501  provides a connection point for frame elements  406  of  FIG. 4 , which are analogous to frame  111  of  FIG. 1 . Frame  501  also provides a connection point for frame elements  309  of  FIG. 3 , which are analogous to frame  110  of  FIG. 1 . Rectangular frame  501  may be fabricated from stainless steel rectangular tubing or similar durable metals. Frame  501  may be bolted to the underside of seat  102  using conventional hardware, in this example, bolts  509 . Frame  501  supports two upright frame posts  514 . Frame posts  514  are welded or otherwise attached to frame  501  in an upright position. Frame posts  514  functions as an installation point for connecting frame  406  in a rotatable fashion to chair seat  102 . Frame  406  is rotatably pinned to posts  514  via a pin  506  inserted through aligned openings provided through the frame posts and proximal to the ends of frame  406 . 
         [0053]    Spring  407  is attached to a spring pin  512  welded or otherwise attached to frame  501 . The opposite end of spring  407  is attached to pin  408  as viewed in  FIG. 4 . Seat  102  is also hinged to chair foot  103  using a conventional piano type hinge in this example. Frame  501  also supports frame elements  309  that are rotatably pinned via pin  308  to frame  306  of  FIG. 3 . Frame elements  309  may be welded or otherwise attached to frame  501 . Spring  310  is attached to frame element  309  at a spring attachment pin  513 . The opposite end of spring  310  is attached to spring pin  307  as viewed in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    Seat  102  includes a pivot plate  502 . Pivot plate  502  may be fabricated of stainless steel or another durable metal or material. Pivot plate  502  is rotatably pinned to frame  501  via a pin  503  inserted through an opening provided through or otherwise formed on the underside of the plate. Pivot plate  502  includes a latch plate  505  that may function to latch or otherwise secure pivot plate  502  to pin  503 . Pin  503  extends into frame  501  at both ends. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, pivot plate  502  may be pivoted up from flush orientation with frame  501  and locked in one or more alternate positions defined by a locking plate  510  and a spring tensioned T-Handle  511 . Locking plate  510  may be fabricated from stainless steel or another metal and is welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the top surface of pivot plate  502 . Locking plate  510  includes two or more recesses of sufficient inside diameter to accept the pin portion of T-handle  511 . The range of pivot for pivot plate  501  is defined by the location of the recesses on locking plate  510 . T-handle  511  is inserted horizontally through an upright post  515  welded to or otherwise attached to frame  501 . T-handle  511  and post  515  may be fabricated of stainless steel or other durable metals or materials. 
         [0056]    Pivot plate  501  functions in one embodiment as a seat for chair apparatus ( 117 ). A post collar  504  is provided and welded or otherwise attached to pivot plate  502 . Post collar  504  has an inside diameter of sufficient dimension to accept post  109  of  FIG. 1 . Post collar  504  has an outside diameter of sufficient dimension to be inserted into locking collar  119  of  FIG. 1 . Chair apparatus ( 117 ) may be freely rotatable about post ( 119 ) and may be locked into position using the T-handle of locking collar ( 119 ). Collar  119  may be welded onto the end of post or ram  109  or otherwise rigidly attached thereto. 
         [0057]    In this embodiment, seat  102  may be pivoted from horizontal to assume an angle defined by the two or more recesses provided in locking plate  510  using T-handle  511  to lock the plate into the desired position. The range of pivot may be from horizontal to approximately 20 degrees in the direction of pivot, which is in the direction of chair back  101 . Therefore, seat  102  may be pivoted back from horizontal up to 20 degrees or more depending on the parameters of locking plate  510 . This may result in more elevation for chair foot  103 , which supports the legs of a subject sitting in the chair apparatus. In another embodiment of the invention there may be removable and adjustable armrests that can be attached to or removed from the structure of the tattoo chair. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  is a front view of chair seat  102  with foot  103  and back portion  101  removed. Seat portion  102  has a base which may be metal, to which a piece of square steel tubing is attached, one on each side, such as by common fasteners. These instances of steel tubing allow for smaller cross-section square tubing  604  to be inserted into tubing  602 , and may be positioned at different distances from the chair seat and fixed in position by insertion of a pin  603  through the two pieces of tubing. In addition tubing  602  may be mounted at an angle to the side edges of seat  102  to extend at an angle either forward or backward with the sides of the seat. 
         [0059]    Vertical risers  605  in one embodiment, which may also be fabricated of square steel tubing, may be attached to extensions  604 , in some embodiments with a pivoted joint  608 , so that padded armrests  606  may be placed to support a subject&#39;s arm. Pivot  608  allows armrests to be rotated down to below extensions  604  when not needed, as shown in dotted and broken view in  FIG. 6 . Armrests may be secured in the up or down position in any one of several ways known in the art. Padded arm rests  606  may be attached to risers  605 , and ball elements  607  may be attached at various positions for a person to grip when tattoos are in progress. It will be apparent to the skilled person that there are a variety of ways that armrests may be fabricated and joined to the chair structure, and the descriptions here are indicative of one particular embodiment, of which there may be many. In particular, multiply articulated armrests are shown in later figures and described below, which may be interfaces to the chair at the same square tubing interfaces as described above. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an existing barbers&#39; chair with the chair portion removed. Because there is no good off-the-shelf tattoo chair available on the market, many tattoo practitioners buy old barbers chairs to use as tattoo chairs. The problem with this is that the old barbers&#39; chairs lack the innovative features of the present invention. The inventor discovered that the old barbers&#39; chairs typically have the same bold pattern. Referring to  FIG. 7 , an existing older barbers&#39; chair is illustrated comprising hydraulic controls  705  and  706 , motor  702 , plug  703  and base  701 . The inventor has discovered an innovative interface  703  that enables the adaptation of the older hydraulic pump, hydraulic ram, base and motor of an older chair to be used with the innovative chair of the present invention. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the innovative interface combining older existing barbers&#39; chairs base with the innovative chair of the present invention. Tubular member  804  is affixed to square tubing member  805 . Member  805  is adapted to bolt onto existing ram  801  of the older barbers&#39; chair via bolts  802 . Post collar  504  ( FIG. 5 ) of the innovative chair of the present invention is lowered onto member  804  of  FIG. 8 . The post collar is tightened via bolt  806  and knob  803 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a multiply articulated jointed arm rest apparatus  900  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Arm rest apparatus  900  comprises a platform  901 , which may be padded, and may be provided in a variety of thicknesses, sizes, padding options and the like. A mechanically-operated extension arm of multiple jointed sections to support pad  901  is shown assembled to an extension and positioning component  910  of the assembly. Platform  901  may be rectangular in shape or a variety of other shapes for supporting certain parts of the body of a subject during, for example, having a tattoo accomplished by a tattoo artist. Typically speaking the most common body part supported by platform  8901  may be a subject&#39;s arm. However, this should not be construed as a limitation to practice of the invention as other body parts of a subject may be supported, such as the subject&#39;s feet, leg or head in different positions. 
         [0063]    Like other soft components of chair  100  described further above, platform  901  may be a stuffed and upholstered piece with a metal or other durable backing (not illustrated) for supporting assembly. Platform  901  may be stuffed with a soft fill material for comfort, such as foam, soft pellets, or other materials designed to provide comfort to a subject. 
         [0064]    Arm rest assembly  900  in this embodiment includes an articulated extension arm (assembled from individual sections) that is mechanically operable to enable adjustment of length or elevation of the platform and angular position of platform  901  relative to a seated subject. Platform  901  has a backing that supports a post  902  fixed orthogonally to the underside of the platform in a sufficiently centered position on the underside of the platform for weight distribution. Post  902  in this embodiment is made of rectangular metallic square tubing. Post  902  is adapted to accept an annular member having a diameter just smaller than the inside diameter of the square tubing. The annular member just mentioned is not visible in this view and has a fixed connection at one end (non inserted end) to one half of a rotary cap joint. The annular member is secured within post  902  with a screw and handle apparatus  903  threaded through the side wall of post  902 . 
         [0065]    The other half of the rotary joint assembly just below the platform includes a second annular member  904  fixed to the second half of the rotary cap joint just described. The rotary caps are adapted to fit together to form an adjustable connection between the two sections having the annular members. Annular member  904  is adapted to fit into an extension section  906  made of the square tubing. A ball handle  905  having a screw post is provided and threaded through the side wall of section  906  in order to secure annular member  904  therewithin. This particular configuration just below the platform is adapted to provide at least 180 degrees of angular adjustment of the platform relative to a horizontal plane. 
         [0066]    The cap joint comprises two annular caps of same size dimensions with the open rim of each cap supporting gear teeth that are of a spacing angle and depth so as to fit into one another when the rimmed edges of the cap are placed together. A T-handle having a threaded post is inserted through the center of the cap joint and added lock nuts aid to enable secure tightening of the cap joint at a desired angle along the plane of tooth integration. In one embodiment a section of the extension arm has one half portion of the cap joint welded thereto and has a threaded handle for securing an annular member such as member  904 . Other sections have caps welded at both ends for joining with other extension sections to form the extension arm. 
         [0067]    The extension arm assembly includes an extension section  907 . Extension section  907  comprises a square tube cut to length with two halves of the cap joint welded thereto at opposing ends of the tubing. In one embodiment the cap joint halves are welded in a same orientation, for example, the caps facing the same direction. However, other sections such as extension section  909  include caps welded to both ends but one is welded 90 degrees offset from the other to achieve freedom of angular adjustment horizontally and vertically. In this example, an extension section  909  is provided with just one joint end wherein the opposite end of the section may be block welded or otherwise fixed to a utility such as chair  100  of  FIG. 1  or to any solid structure close enough to the seated position of the subject. 
         [0068]    In this embodiment the arm extension sections are manufactured of steel square tubing and the cap joints are manufactured from steel annular tubing with annular back plates welded to one end to close off the end not supporting gear teeth. Other types of available rotary joints may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The inventor provides steel sections and joints for the purpose of durability and weight support at the platform. Each joint in the arm extension includes a threaded T-handle and nut configuration to lock the joints together at a desired angle or rotation. To adjust an angle of rotation at a joint the operator may loosen the joint by turning the T-handle to a point where the interfacing teeth of the joint halves may be disengaged. The operator may then rotate the sections to acquire the desired angle and may retighten the joint by turning the T-handle to lock the teeth together at a new angle. 
         [0069]    It will be apparent to the skilled person that the articulated arm assembly allows in this embodiment provides at least six degrees of freedom, tilt angle from vertical around in 360 degrees, and rotation in multiple planes. Essentially any desired position of rest  901  for supporting a body part of a subject may be attained. 
         [0070]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of connective components of the jointed extension arm portion of the arm rest platform of  FIG. 9 . In this view, extension section  910  is illustrated in a position to be joined to section  909 . The square tubing portion of section  910  may be fixed to a structure such as a chair bench or other support structure in the vicinity of the seated subject. Section  910  includes cap  1002  facing downward in this example. Section  909  has two caps one welded at each end. In this configuration cap  1001  joins with cap  1002  and is locked in the desired angular position using T-handle  1003 . The mated gear tooth pattern is represented herein as pattern  1004 . 
         [0071]    Section  909  includes a cap welded at the unsecured end that is ninety degrees offset from cap  1001  in orientation. Therefore a next section may be added with vertical rotational abilities in adjustment. In this view the T-handles and cap joints are identically operated and are interchangeable. In this way an extension arm may be built using fewer or more sections of differing configurations to attain the desired elevation and angle of position of the platform relative to the seated subject. In this view a nut is visible at the opposite surface of the square tube of section  909 . In another embodiment the nut at the far end may be recessed within the tube and stopped by the back wall of the cap joint if provided. 
         [0072]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of additional connective components of the jointed arm rest platform of  FIG. 9 . Extension section  907  has a cap welded at both ends wherein the caps face the same direction and function more or less as a length extender. Therefore, this section may be added multiple times to attain certain length of the extension arm and height for the platform. T-handle  1003  is used to tighten the cap joints to secure the sections together at the desired angles. 
         [0073]    Section  906  includes one half of the cap joint and is adapted with a ball handle  905  and threaded post inserted through one wall of the tubing section to secure an annular member of another type of section used just below the platform. The ball may be a stainless steel ball with a threaded opening to accept the post. The threaded post may be welded at the opening in the ball to ensure that the ball handle does not become unthreaded from the post. 
         [0074]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of additional connective components of the jointed arm rest platform of  FIG. 9 . In this view, the extension sections immediately below the armrest platform depicted in a position to be jointed together. Extension section  1201  includes an annular post fixed to a cap ( 1001 ). Both caps forming the cap joint are given the same element number  1001 . The annular post of section  1201  is just smaller in diameter than the square tubing of section  906  described above. The post portion is secured within section  906  of  FIG. 11  using ball handle  905 . 
         [0075]    Extension section  1202  also includes an annular post fixed to cap ( 1001 ). Extension section  1202  includes a T-handle  1003  and threaded post to lock the sections together at the cap joint. The annular post portion of section  1202  fits into the square tubing of post section  902  of  FIG. 9  and is secured in place by handle  903 . In one embodiment, extension section  1201  and  1202  are identical and T-handle  1003  might be installed through either cap  1001  of the cap joint. The annular posts in these extension sections may be made from steel, aluminum, polymer, or other durable materials. In one embodiment the posts are steel and are welded to the caps. 
         [0076]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the jointed arm rest platform  900  of  FIG. 9  integrated with chair  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Platform extension  900  may be secured to any solid structure relatively close to a seated subject, for example, undergoing a process such as receiving a tattoo. In this embodiment, armrest extension platform  900  is block welded to the steel base plate of chair  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this example the extension platform is positioned on the right side of the chair. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be lowered and positioned over to the left side of the chair without completely disassembling the apparatus. 
         [0077]    The armrest platform might be removed and replaced with a platform of another configuration such as a head rest or chin rest platform. The apparatus may be elevated further by adding more extension sections. Platform extension  900  may be welded or otherwise fixed to the back frame of chair  100  or on the frame beneath the seat portion of the chair instead of at the base plate without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In several preferred embodiments of the invention square tubing interfaces such as those illustrated in  FIG. 6  and described relative to  FIG. 6  may be provided in a variety of places attached to the framing for the chair of the invention, and articulated arm assemblies as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  may be interfaced at these places. 
         [0078]    It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the system of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention that may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0079]    It will also be apparent to the skilled person that the arrangement of elements and functionality for the invention is described in different embodiments in which each is exemplary of an implementation of the invention. These exemplary descriptions do not preclude other implementations and use cases not described in detail. The elements and functions may vary, as there are a variety of ways the hardware may be implemented and in which the software may be provided within the scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the breadth of the claims below.