Abstract:
The present disclosure describes a tray assembly uniquely configured to be removably mounted to the back of a chair such as that of a beauty salon The tray may include cut outs or similar holders for color bowls. Further, the tray may have a lip along its outer perimeter to prevent spills of the coloring or other liquids. Still further the tray may include various storage and/or attachment apparatuses for storing immediately necessary tools to aid in the hair coloring, or hair treatment, or styling process. The tray is attachable so as to create an ergonomical environment for the hairdresser to allow access to all tools and accessories without the need of repetitive bending and/or reaching as well as to avoid spills or otherwise knocking needed equipment to the ground.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a removably mountable chair tray and more particularly, to a tray removably mountable to the back of a hairdresser&#39;s chair for containing color bowls and other accessories used for the coloring or styling of hair and the preparation of the hair before and after coloring or styling while providing an ergonomical and non cumbersome environment for the hairdresser. 
       BRIEF BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Typically, when a patron goes to a beauty salon they must often remain seated in a beautician&#39;s chair for extended periods of time. A beautician&#39;s chair can be of a variety of configurations depending on the type of salon. Typically, the type of chair that is more widespread or common is one having a vertical pedestal with a holddown and floor mounting base at the bottom. Such a chair can be elevated, as necessary, to accommodate the patron as well as the beautician or stylist. It should be appreciated that the terms beautician, stylist, salon employee, salon operator, cosmetologist or similar terms are used synonymously herein. The device disclosed herein is suitable for use by professional salon employees as well as for home use or use by part time stylists. A variety of other chairs may also be utilized depending on the salon preference as well as chairs used by solo stylists, work at home stylists, as well as people who perform hairstyling as a hobby or to help friends and family members. The predominant feature, among the variously configured chairs, is the chair back which supports the patron. Typically, the chair back will rise no higher than the patron&#39;s shoulders to provide full access to the patron&#39;s head and hair. 
         [0003]    Typically, a salon and the stylist service a wide-variety of patron needs. The beauticians or hairstylists must have access to a diverse assortment of hairstyling and cosmetic accessories in a convenient but unobtrusive fashion. The stylist performs a variety of work including, but not limited to hair cutting, shaving, hair coloring, bleaching, frosting, highlighting, perming, french braiding, corn rowing, eye brow thinning, and other styling tasks. Thus, the stylist must have access to such varied hairstyling accessories, such as but not limited to, scissors, combs, brushes, hair dryers, razors, trimmers, clippers with variable-sized blade attachments, tweezers, roller sets, curling irons, dyes, and other hair and/or scalp treatment liquids, gels, foams, barrettes, hair clips, and bobby pins. 
         [0004]    Typically, the stylist must access the various accessories and tools throughout the styling process. Many times supplies or accessories are dropped or spilled because of all the movements the stylist must make. Further, when the stylist must constantly reach for items or bend over to pick up items, injuries (such as, but not limited to, muscle strains, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and the like) or additional spills are possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the instant disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment with a tray containing color bowls mounted on a chair back in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an unmounted embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of an embodiment of the mounting apparatus of the mountable tray in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the mountable tray having a power strip in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the mountable tray in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment with a tray assembly  13  attached to the back of chair  10 . The present disclosure is far superior to the often used trays perched atop the upper end of a vertical standard which is a component part of a tripod type stand having outer legs with casters or wheels. The tripod arrangement requires that the stand be pushed around the floor often in limited and crowded spaces. Typically, the wheels of these wheeled trays can get caught in loose hair or floor mats which restricts the mobility of the trays and many times leads to accidental toppling of the tray and the materials thereon including color bowls. The present tray assembly  13  allows the stylist to utilize all necessary accessories, in the available space, with freedom and certainty as well as safely and expeditiously, and also while substantially eliminating spillage problems. 
         [0012]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tray assembly  13  may contain color bowls  12  and is preferably mounted on a chair  10  in preparation for hair coloring or other styling. It should be appreciated that the number and size of color bowls  12  may vary and are only illustrated herein for a better appreciation of the novelty of the device disclosed herein. It should be understood that the chair  10  is a conventionally available chair. Thus, the exact configuration of the chair, possibly varying from a commercial salon chair to a typical house chair, does not form a part of the instant disclosure and as such should not be viewed as a limitation herein. Preferably, tray assembly  13  basically comprises a tray  14  and an undercarriage  18  both of which are described in more detail hereinbelow. Color bowls  12  are illustrated as freestanding on tray  14 . In at least one embodiment, color bowls  12  are placed into cut outs  15  (see  FIGS. 2 &amp; 5 ). It is envisioned that color bowls  12  may be attached in a variety of ways both detachably and fixedly. Therefore, the exact placement, positioning, or mounting of color bowls  12  should not be viewed as a limitation herein. Further it should be appreciated that the size and material of construction, of color bowls  12  may vary from conventionally available salon utilized color bowls to home made or home utilized color bowls and as such should not be viewed as a limitation herein. 
         [0013]    Tray  14  is preferably of a length less than or equal to the length of the chair back  11 . Thus, it should be appreciated that just as the chair back  10  width of different chair types may vary, so may the tray  14  length vary. Preferably, tray  14  is of a substantially rectangular shape so as to allow the stylist to easily reach the patrons head and hair. However, it is envisioned that the tray  14  may be slightly arcuate or even somewhat concave for a more ergonomical design. Further, it should be appreciated that the substantially rectangular shape is preferred for economic reasons for manufacturing. It should still further be appreciated that the side of tray  14 , which abuts the chair back  11 , my be substantially parallel to the chair back  11  or even slightly arcuate if necessary to match an arcuate chair back. The material of tray  14  is preferably a plastic material or other light weight material. This preference is for ease of manufacture and to maintain low production costs. However, it is envisioned that tray  14  may be of a variety of materials and as such the material should not be viewed as a limitation herein. Preferably, tray  14  is configured so as to have a lip  16  around the outside perimeter of the tray  14 . It should be appreciated that in one embodiment the side of the tray  14 , which is nearest the chair back  11 , may be free of lip  16  if tray assembly  13  is slightly tilted to maintain any liquids therein to prevent spillage on the chair back  11 , the patron&#39;s back, the floor or any combination thereof. It should be appreciated that lip  16  is to retain any spilled liquids as well as to retain any tools/accessories placed on the tray  14  during use. It should be appreciated that tray  14  should not be so deep dished that accessories placed therein are hard to reach because they are literally buried beneath each other. Therefore, the height of lip  16  may vary by personal operator preference but is preferably not so high as to impede easy access into the tray by the stylist. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , lip  16  may also be used to facilitate the holding of various clips  44  or barrettes used during a coloring or styling session. 
         [0014]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , tray  14  is preferably mounted on undercarriage  18 . Preferably, tray  14  is removably attached to undercarriage  18  to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing. It should be understood that tray  14  may be fixedly attached to undercarriage  18 . It should be further understood that tray  14  may be mounted by a variety of fastening methods such as, but not limited to, screws, snaps, hook and loop arrangements such as Velcro® (Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V.), latches, slotted or grooved connections, bolts, glued, welded, brazed, be integral to the undercarriage  18 , or similar methods. The exact method of attachment should not be viewed as a limitation herein. Undercarriage  18  preferably comprises a drawer or basket  20  to hold additional tools or accessories. The drawer or basket  20  may be attached beneath tray  14  or near the back edge of tray  14 . It should be appreciated that the drawer or basket  20  preferably does not stick out to far beyond the back edge of tray  14  as that would interfere with the stylist and possibly limit the stylist&#39;s reach to the patron. Further, drawer or basket  20  may also be mounted on a track or rail (not shown) so as to allow the drawer or basket  20  to be moved from below tray  14 . It should be appreciated that basket  20  may be individual containers ( FIG. 1 ) or an open space ( FIG. 2 ) or a combination thereof. 
         [0015]    The undercarriage  18  preferably has a series of accessory holders or hangers  22  preferably attached to basket  20 . However, it should be understood that if basket  20  is slidably movable then the accessory holder or rack  22  may be attached to the undercarriage  18 . These hangers  22  can be for such accessories such as, but not limited to, a blow dryer  24  or a curling iron  26  (see  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). The holders or hangers  22  can be a series of separate holders  22  or a rack which substantially surrounds the undercarriage  18  on at least three sides (or in an arcuate embodiment, the part of the curvature away from the chair back  11 ). It should be appreciated that the accessory rack or holders  22  should be positioned so as not to get in the way between the stylist and the patron to minimize any reach obstruction of the patron&#39;s head and hair. It should be further appreciated that the rack or holder  22  may contain various sized or variously spaced openings (or hooks) to allow for the fitting/storage of various sized accessories (i.e. large dryer  24  and small curling iron  26 ). The rack or holder  22  may be attached to the undercarriage  18  or to the basket  20  utilizing a variety of attachment methods such as, but not limited to, bolts, screws, rivets, welding, brazing, snaps, hook and loop attachments, integrally molded, and the like. Further, it should be appreciated that the rack or holder  22  may be detachable from the undercarriage  18  or basket  20  for ease of storage, cleaning, or sanitizing. In another embodiment, the rack or holder  22  may be attached to the tray  14  or to the undercarriage  18  or to the basket  20  or any combination thereof. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated a preferred method of mounting the tray assembly  13  to the chair back  11 . It should be appreciated, by those in the art, that one of the points of novelty of the present disclosure, is the ability to removably mount the tray assembly  13  to substantially all chairs  10  having a chair back  11  without having to modify the chair  10  with additional support hardware or making holes for screws or bolts. However, it is envisioned that the tray apparatus  13  may be more permanently or foldably mounted to a chair back  11 , particularly to dedicated salon chairs and as such should not be viewed as a limitation therein. 
         [0017]    Preferably, tray mounting apparatus  28  removably attaches the tray assembly  13  to chair back  11  with no permanent modification of the chair back  11  or chair  10 . Mounting apparatus  28  preferably has a front section  30  which fits over the chair back  11  and a rear section  32  which contacts the back side of chair back  11  and connects to the tray assembly  13 . Preferably mounting apparatus  28  is hook shaped and may substantially match at least part of the contour of the chair back  11 . Preferably the rear section  32  of mounting apparatus  28  may be connected in a variety of methods to the tray assembly  13  such as, but not including, bolting, screwing, welding, brazing, quick connects, snaps, press fits, hook and loop connections, or similar connections. It should be appreciated that the connection between the rear section  32  of the mounting apparatus  28  and the tray assembly  13  can be a permanent connection, semi permanent, fixed, foldable, or detachable. In another embodiment, mounting apparatus  28  is a clamp. In yet another embodiment, mounting apparatus  28  is a hoop and loop configuration. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a view of the tray assembly  13  which is unmounted. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly  13  does not extend the entire width of chair back  11  and thus allows the stylist room to treat the patron&#39;s hair. It is further illustrated that in an embodiment having a fixed basket  20 , the tray  14  does not fully cover the basket  20  to allow easy access to the basket  20 . 
         [0019]    While performing duties required to style hair or color hair, hair stylists must use several electrical tools such as blow dryers, curling irons and clippers. These tools require electrical power which requires the use of electrical cords plugged into a power supply. The many electrical appliances used in salons also present a safety hazard, as contact with water or other liquids can cause the user to suffer a severe electrical shock. Liquids can pool on countertops and thus it is not desirable to place appliances such as hair dryers on a countertop for storage when not in use. Moreover, such countertop areas typically are also very cluttered with other objects and require the stylist to reach or reposition themselves to reach countertop items; thus increasing chances of spills, dropped items, accidents, or the like. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , there is illustrated a power strip  34  having multiple outlets  36  and a power cord  38 . Power strip  34  provides a convenient outlet for plugging in electrically powered accessories  24 ,  26 . It should be understood that electrically powered accessories  24 , 26  are only described in illustration of such accessories and as such should not be viewed as a limitation herein. Preferably, power strip  34  is mounted to undercarriage  18  so as to be out of the stylist&#39;s way. Thus, power strip  34  decreases the amount of power cords stretched between chair  10  and a conventional wall or counter mounted power source. Thus, there are fewer cords that may cause tripping accidents or other disruptions to the styling process. Power strip  34  may be fixedly mounted to the undercarriage  18  or may be removably mounted and attached only as needed. 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the tray assembly  13 . Preferably the tray assembly  13  is compact and does not extend far from chair  10 . Thus, the stylist can easily reach the patron&#39;s hair.  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  illustrate other typical items that may be kept in basket  20  for easy access such as, but not limited to, hair brushes  40 , and color brushes  42  (particularly when not wet). In another embodiment, basket  20  may have a solid bottom and/or solid walls/sides. 
         [0022]    In use, tray apparatus  13  is mounted or hung over chair back  11 . It should be appreciated that if tray assembly  13  is modular, it may be assembled either prior to being mounted on the chair back  11  or afterwards. Next, the various accessories, required for the instant styling job may be placed around the tray  14 , the tray lip  16 , the basket  20 , the hangers or rack  22 , or any combination thereof. The color bowls  12  may be placed in appropriate cut outs  15 , or mounted as necessary. It should be appreciated that the color bowls should be restrained in place to prevent accidental spillage. The coloring may be placed in the bowls  12  prior to setting the bowls  12  in tray  14  or after placement of the bowls  12 . The power cord  38  can be plugged into an appropriate power source (such as, but not limited to, a wall or counter outlet, an extension cord, or the like) and any required electrical accessories can be plugged into the outlets  36 . Preferably, once the hair coloring or styling process begins, the stylist will have all necessary accessories, tools, items, and the like within easy and ergonomical reach. Thus, other than breaks or special circumstances, the stylist will not have to interrupt the styling or coloring process. After completing the styling or coloring process, the tray assembly  13  can be cleaned up and all accessories put in their proper place. If necessary, tray assembly  13  can be cleaned and sanitized and removed from the chair back  11 . Further, in embodiments having a detachable tray  14 , the tray  14  can be removed for cleaning and/or sanitizing. 
         [0023]    While the present system and method has been disclosed according to the preferred embodiment, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the expressions “in one embodiment” or “in another embodiment” are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the system or methods disclosed herein to those particular embodiment configurations. These terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and are combinable into aggregate embodiments. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” may also mean “one or more”. Thus, when a single embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device. None of the description in this specification should be read as implying that any particular element, step or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope. Unless explicitly recited, other aspects of the instant disclosure as described in this specification do not limit the scope of the claims. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Obviously, other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments described above which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.