Abstract:
An apparatus that supports a tattoo artist in a variety of positions to comfortably apply one or more tattoos to skin of a subject is herein disclosed. The apparatus can be reconfigured to optimally position and support the arms and/or chest of the tattoo artist. A method for using a tattoo stool can involve rotating armrests of the apparatus from a stowed position to a deployed position. The armrests can support the user&#39;s forearms while supporting the user&#39;s chest such that the user can comfortably tattoo a portion of the subject positioned in front of the stool.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present technology is related to support apparatuses for tattoo parlors and associated methods of using the same. In particular, the present technology is related to tattoo stools and tattoo chairs. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In tattoo parlors, tattoo artists often sit on stools or chairs while applying tattoos. Conventional stools and chairs are not ergonomically designed for tattoo artists and are not comfortable when, for example, applying relatively large tattoos. For example, a tattoo artist&#39;s arms and shoulders can experience significant fatigue when leaning forward to apply a tattoo. Additionally, if a tattoo artist leans forward for a significant period of time, the artist&#39;s lower back may experience fatigue and discomfort. Accordingly, there is a need for stools or chairs that can help tattoo artists comfortably apply tattoos to different parts of a subject&#39;s body. 
       SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0003]    An exemplary embodiment is a support apparatus for supporting a tattoo artist. The apparatus can place the tattoo artist&#39;s body in ergonomic positions to help reduce or limit fatigue (e.g., muscle fatigue in the artist&#39;s arms, shoulders, back, etc.), discomfort, and/or pain. The tattoo artist can straddle the apparatus and can lean forward against a padded chest support. The padded chest support can be narrower than the artist&#39;s chest to provide unrestricted movement of the artist&#39;s arms on the front side of the chest support. The apparatus can have armrests that are shorter than the artist&#39;s forearms to provide unrestricted movement of the artist&#39;s hands while the artist&#39;s forearms rest on the armrests. The support apparatus can be a stool, a chair, or other reconfigured equipment capable of placing the artist&#39;s body in different ergonomic positions. The support apparatus can also be used by a client (i.e., person obtaining a tattoo) and in other settings. 
         [0004]    In one embodiments, the apparatus can support a tattoo artist in a variety of positions to comfortably apply one or more tattoos to skin of a client. The apparatus can be a tool stool that is reconfigurable to optimally position and support the arms and/or chest of the tattoo artist. A method for using a tattoo stool can involve rotating armrests of the apparatus from a stowed position for supporting the tattoos artist&#39;s arms to a deployed position for supporting the tattoo artist&#39;s arms. The armrests can support the user&#39;s forearms while supporting the user&#39;s chest such that the artist can comfortably tattoo a body part of the subject positioned in front of the tattoo stool. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, a stool comprises a seat assembly and a chest support assembly. The chest support assembly can include a padded chest support and at least one armrest moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The chest support is configured to support the chest of a tattoo artist sitting on the seat assembly while allowing movement to the artist&#39;s arms on a front side of the chest support. The armrest, in the deployed position, can extend away from the chest support such that the artist&#39;s arm is capable of resting on the portion of the armrest located in front of the chest support. The artist can adjust the configuration of the stool any number of times during a tattoo session. The seat assembly, in some embodiments, includes a seat, a pedestal, hydraulics, mechanisms (e.g., locking mechanisms, tilt adjustment mechanisms, etc.) and/or a plurality of wheels for rolling along a support surface. When the artist straddles the stool (e.g., straddles a vertical support of the chest assembly), the artist can conveniently wheel the stool along the support surface. The seat assembly can include a swiveling padded seat to permit convenient rotation of the padded seat. In the stowed position, the armrest can be positioned alongside the chest support. In the deployed position, an elongated main body of the armrest can extend substantially perpendicular to the chest support. However, the armrest can be located at other orientations. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, a support apparatus comprises a seat assembly, a chest support, and an armrest. The chest support can be carried by the seat assembly and is positioned to contact a user&#39;s chest while the user sits on the seat assembly. An end of the armrest moves away from the user&#39;s chest when the armrest rotates from a raised position to a lowered position. In the raised position, the armrest can support the user&#39;s chest for enhanced comfort. In the fully lowered position, the armrest can be positioned to support a user&#39;s forearm. For example, the lowered armrest can be oriented horizontally. The end of the lowered armrest and seat assembly can be positioned on opposite sides of a chest pad of the chest support. In some embodiments, most of the length of the armrest (e.g., 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% of the total length of the armrest) and most of the seat are located on opposite sides of an imaginary vertical plane (e.g., a vertical plane positioned along the chest support). 
         [0007]    The support apparatus, in some embodiments, can include a pair of armrests rotatably coupled to opposing sides of the chest support. In one embodiment, the armrests rotate together relative to the chest support. In other embodiments, the armrests are independently rotatable relative to the chest support. For example, a pivoting mechanism can rotatably couple one armrest to the left side of the chest support, and another pivoting mechanism can rotatably couple the other armrest to the right side of the chest support. The pivoting mechanisms can have different states of operation, such as a locked state and an unlocked state. 
         [0008]    In further embodiments, a support apparatus can comprise a seat assembly, means for supporting the chest of a user, and means for supporting the user&#39;s arm. The seat assembly can carry the means for supporting the chest of the user. The means for supporting the user&#39;s arm can support a user&#39;s arm while the user sits on the seat assembly and the user&#39;s chest rests against the means for supporting the user&#39;s chest. In one embodiment, the means for supporting the user&#39;s chest includes a padded chest support and a vertical rod, which couples the padded chest support to the seat assembly. The means for supporting the user&#39;s arm can include one or more rotatable armrests. The armrests can be padded for enhanced comfort. 
         [0009]    In yet further embodiments, a method for using a stool is provided. The method comprises rotating at least one armrest of the stool from a stowed position to a lowered position. A tattoo artist can tattoo at least a portion of a subject (e.g., a client) while the lowered armrest supports the artist&#39;s arm and also while the artist&#39;s chest rests against a chest support of the stool. In other embodiments, the client can sit on the stool. The client&#39;s arm can rest on the armrest while it is tattooed. In other embodiments, the method can be performed using a chair that includes a chest support and armrests. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a stool with raised armrests in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the stool of  FIG. 1  with lowered armrests. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the stool of  FIG. 1  with raised armrests and a tattoo artist sitting on the stool. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the stool of  FIG. 1  with lowered armrests and the tattoo artist sitting on the stool. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a chest support in different positions in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are back views of the stool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a stool with raised armrests in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a back view of the stool of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a back view of the stool of  FIG. 8  with an upper chest support in a raised position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a chest support assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the chest support assembly of  FIG. 11  with a tilted chest support. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the chest support assembly of  FIG. 11  in different positions. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a chair in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a stool  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The stool  100  can include a seat assembly  102  and a chest support assembly  104 . A tattoo artist (“artist”) can sit on the seat assembly  102  such that the artist&#39;s chest rests against the chest support assembly  104 . The chest support assembly  104  can help position the artist&#39;s upper body and can include armrests  110   a ,  110   b  (collectively “armrests  110 ”) movable between stowed or raised positions ( FIG. 1 ) and lowered or deployed positions ( FIG. 2 ). The raised armrests  110  of  FIG. 1  are positioned to contact and support the artist&#39;s chest whereas the lowered armrests  110  of  FIG. 2  can support the tattoo artist&#39;s forearms. During a tattoo session, the armrests  110  can be raised and lowered any number of times to tattoo different parts of a person&#39;s body. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows the seat assembly  102  including a seat  116  and a base assembly  120 . The seat  116  can be padded for comfortable sitting. The base assembly  120  can include a base member  119 , a foot rest  122 , and wheels  124   a,    124   b,    124   c,    124   d ,  124   e  (collectively “wheels  124 ”). The base member  119  can include a hydraulic assembly  130  used to raise (indicated by arrow  132 ) and lower (indicated by arrow  136 ) the seat  116 . The hydraulic assembly  130  can include a bearing mount or pivot that allows rotation (indicated by arrow  121 ) of the seat  116  about a vertical axis of rotation  117 . A control element in the form of a lever  140  can be used to lower the seat  116 . The foot rest  122  can be a ring fixedly coupled to the hydraulic assembly  130  or other component of the base member  119 . The wheels  126  can be casters configured to roll along a support surface. The base assembly  120  can have other configurations that provide desired functionality. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , chest support assembly  104  can include a chest support  150  and an elongate member  152 . The chest support  150  has a front side  160  for facing a person to be tattooed and a backside  162  facing the tattoo artist. The chest support  150  can include armrest-receiving portions  170   a,    170   b  having a complementary shape with the armrests  110   a,    110   b,  respectively. When the armrests  110  are in the stowed position ( FIG. 1 ), the armrests  110   a,    110   b  can be received by the armrest-receiving portions  170   a,    170   b,  respectively, such that the chest support assembly  104  (i.e., the chest support  150  and armrests  110 ) has an upside down U-shape configuration. The size and configuration of the chest support assembly  104  can be selected based on the desired amount of cushion, size of the user, and/or desired range of motion of the tattoo artist. 
         [0026]    The armrests  110   a,    110   b  can be generally similar to each other, and accordingly, the description of one armrest  110   a,    110   b  applies equal to the other armrest  110   a,    110   b,  unless indicated otherwise. The armrest  110   a  can include a mounting end  180 , a terminal end  182 , and an elongated main body  184  therebetween. The mounting end  180  can be pivotally coupled to the chest support  150 . The elongated main body  184  can have an upper surface  196  upon which the artist&#39;s arm can rest. A rod (not shown) within the chest support  150  can couple the armrests  110   a,    110   b  together. As such, the armrests  110  can rotate together about an axis of rotation  190 . In other embodiments, the armrests  110  are independently rotatable about the axis of rotation  190 . For example, one armrest  110  can be in the stowed position while the other armrest  110  can be in the deployed position. The axis of rotation  190  can be a horizontally oriented axis for up and down rotation of the armrests  110 , but the axis of rotation  190  can be other orientations. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the stool  100  with raised armrests  110 .  FIG. 4  is a side view of the stool  100  with lowered armrests  110 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the stowed armrest  110  can be at an upright or substantially vertical orientation. As used herein, the term “substantially vertical” refers to ranges of small angles from vertical, for example, angles between about 0 degrees and 10 degrees from vertical, such as angles less than about 5 degrees, for example, angles less than about 2.5 degrees. The upper surface  196  can be approximately flush with a surface  202  of the chest support  150 , illustrated in a substantially vertical orientation. The chest support  150  and the armrests  110  provide a relatively large surface area for contacting the artist&#39;s chest. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the armrest  110  can rotate (indicated by arrow  212  in  FIG. 3 ) about the axis of rotation  190  an angle α ( FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the angle α ( FIG. 4 ) can be about 70 degrees to about 100 degrees. In one embodiment, the armrest  110   a  is rotatable along an arc of about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle α is about 90 degrees. The armrest  110  can be rotated from an upright position in which a longitudinal axis  214  of the armrest  110   a  is substantially vertical ( FIG. 3 ) to the fully deployed position in which the longitudinal axis  214  is substantially horizontal ( FIG. 4 ). As used herein, the term “substantially horizontal” refers to ranges of small angles from horizontal, for example, angles between about 0 degree and 10 degrees from horizontal, such as angles less than about 5 degrees, for example, angles less than about 2.5 degrees. In other embodiments, the fully lowered armrest  110  can be located at other orientations, such as a declined orientation, selected based on the desired body position of the artist. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the armrest  110  can extend substantially perpendicular to the vertically oriented chest support  150  and away from the user&#39;s torso during use. The user&#39;s chest  181  (illustrated in phantom line) can contact the backside  162  of the chest support  150 , and the artist&#39;s arm  215  can rest on the armrest  110 , which extends outwardly on the front side  160  of the chest support  150 . The armrest  110  can be shorter than the artist&#39;s forearm to provide unrestricted movement of the artist&#39;s hand. In some embodiments, the length of the armrest  110  is in a range of about 5 inches (12.7 cm) to about 1 ft. (30.5 cm), but other lengths can be selected based on, for example, the length of the artist&#39;s forearm. If the stool  100  is used by a client, longer armrests can be used to support the client&#39;s forearm and hand. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the artist&#39;s leg  278  can be positioned generally underneath the armrest  110  to help keep the artist&#39;s body properly aligned with the chest support  150 . The artist&#39;s arm  215  can freely move to tattoo a subject located in front of the stool  100  while the chest support  150  comfortably supports the artist&#39;s chest/stomach  181  to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate fatigue (e.g., muscle fatigue in the artist&#39;s arms, shoulders, and/or back), discomfort, and/or pain. 
         [0030]    The chest support  150  can be rotationally fixed to the elongate member  152  and can remain in a substantially vertical orientation during use. In some embodiments, the chest support  150  can be rotated relative to the elongate member  152  for enhanced comfort.  FIG. 5  is a side view of the chest support  150  rotated in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. A pivoting or tilt mechanism  230  (illustrated in phantom line) has an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the pivoting mechanism  230  allows rotation of the chest support  150  about an axis of rotation  232  to move the chest support  150  between a first orientation (e.g., a vertical orientation) to another orientation (e.g., a non-vertical orientation). The axis of rotation  232  can be aligned with the axis of rotation  190  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). For example, the axis of rotation  232  can be parallel to the axis of rotation  190 . However, the axes of rotation  190 ,  232  can be at other orientations. 
         [0031]    The pivoting mechanism  230  can include, without limitation, one or more release mechanisms, hinges, bearings, pins, or combinations thereof and may be capable of manual locking and unlocking. In the locked state, the pivoting mechanism  230  inhibits or prevents rotation of the chest support  150  about the axis of rotation  232 . In the unlocked state, the chest support  150  can be rotated about the axis of rotation  232  an angle of rotation β equal to or less than a maximum angle, such as about 70 degrees, 80 degrees, or 90 degrees. In push-button embodiments, the pivoting mechanism  230  can include a button that can be depressed to switch the state of the pivoting mechanism  230 . The configuration and operation of the pivoting mechanism  230  can be selected based on the desired reconfigurability of the stool  100 . Pivoting mechanisms can also be incorporated into armrests, and in certain embodiments, such pivoting mechanisms can lock armrests at multiple orientations (e.g., a declined orientation, a horizontal orientation, an inclined orientation, a vertical orientation, etc.). 
         [0032]    The chest support  150  can be positioned at different angles of inclination ω (i.e., the angle defined by the chest support  150  and a generally horizontal imaginary plane  240 ). In some embodiments, the angle of inclination ω is equal to or greater than about 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees, or 85 degrees. In particular embodiments, the angle of inclination ω is in a range of about 45 degree to about 90 degrees. The artist can reposition the chest support  150  at any time during the tattoo session to minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate fatigue discomfort and/or pain. If the artist has to lean over for a significant length of time, the inclination of the chest support  150  can be varied as desired. The armrest  110   a  (or armrest  110   b ) can be locked at a desired position relative to the inclined chest support  150 . For example, the angle of inclination ω can be about 45 degrees while one or both armrests  110  are substantially horizontal. The chest support  150  and armrests  110  can be conveniently repositioned any number of times during a single tattoo session. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the stool  100  with the chest support  150  at a lowered position.  FIG. 7  is a back view of the stool  100  with the chest support  150  at a raised position. The stool  100  can include a vertical adjustment mechanism  260  coupling the elongate member  152  to the seat assembly  102 . A user can operate a control element  272  (illustrated as a lever) to switch the adjustment mechanism  260  between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the adjustment mechanism  260  allows vertical movement of chest support  150  relative to the seat  116  to adjust a height H of a leg-receiving gap  276 . In the locked state, the adjustment mechanism  260  can prevent vertical movement of the chest support  150 . When the artist straddles the elongate member  152 , the artist&#39;s legs can be positioned in the leg-receiving gap  276  and securely held between a bottom  280  of the chest support  150  and the seat  116 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows the chest support assembly  104  overlaying a user&#39;s chest. Laterally-extending side portions or wings  233  (“side portions  233 ”) of the chest support  150  can extend across most or substantially all the width of the armrest ends  182 . In some embodiments, at least about ¼, ½, or ¾ of the width of each armrest  196  is positioned directly underneath respective side portions  233 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the armrests  196  can be positioned vertically between the side portions  233  and the seat  116 . However, the armrests  196  can be at other orientations and have other configurations. 
         [0035]    The user&#39;s shoulders  282   a,    282   b  can be spaced apart from the chest support  150  and armrests  110  to permit free movement of the user&#39;s arms  284   a,    284   b.  In some embodiments, the chest support assembly  104  is generally narrower than the width of the user&#39;s torso such that the artist can move their elbows along their sides without contacting the chest support assembly  104 . In some embodiments, a height H c  ( FIG. 7 ) of the chest support  150  can be in a range of about 5 inches (12.7 cm) to about 1 ft. (30.5 cm). The width W c  ( FIG. 7 ) of the chest support assembly  104  can be in a range of about 8 inches (20.3 cm) to about 1 ft. (30.5 cm). As such, the chest support assembly  104  can be narrower than the tattoo artist&#39;s chest to provide generally unrestricted movement of the tattoo artist&#39;s arms on the front side of the stool  100 . In one embodiment, the chest support  150  and armrests  110  are dimensioned to overlay the chest of the tattoo artist such that most of the surfaces  196 ,  202  contact the artist&#39;s chest. The thickness t ( FIG. 5 ) of the chest support  150  and/or armrests  110  can be in a range of about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) to 2 inches (5 cm). The dimensions of the components of the chest support assembly  104  can be selected based on, for example, the size of the tattoo artist, desired amount of support, and/or type of tattooing to be performed. Accordingly, other dimensions can be used, if needed or desired. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a stool  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of the stool  100  discussed in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 7  applies equally to the stool  300 , except as detailed below. The stool  300  can include a chest support assembly  304  with armrests  310   a,    310   b,  a chest support  350 , and an upper chest support member  324  (“upper support member  324 ”). The upper support member  324  is moveable between a lowered position ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and a raised position ( FIG. 10 ). The armrests  310  can be raised and lowered independent of the position of the upper support member  324 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the upper support member  324  can include a main body  330  and a pair of rods  332   a,    332   b  (collectively “rods  332 ”). The main body  330  can be padded and can include a lower portion  340  configured to mate with the armrests  310   a,    310   b  and the chest support  350 . The chest support  350  can have a generally square shape (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) or rectangular shape, but it can have other configurations. When the upper support member  324  is in the lowered position ( FIG. 9 ), the rods  332  can be positioned within the chest support  350 . A user can lift upwardly on the main body  330  to raise the support member  324  relative to the chest support  350 . The rods  332  can extend from the chest support  350  until the upper support member  324  is at the desired height. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism can be used to lock and unlock the upper support member  324 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a portion of a stool  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The stool  400  can include a chest support assembly  410  and a seat assembly  412 . The chest support assembly  410  can include a chest support  420  and a frame  422 , which couples the chest support  420  to a seat  430 . The chest support  420  can have an upside down V-shape or U-shape. The frame  422  can be fixedly coupled to the chest support  420  by, for example, one or more brackets, fasteners (e.g., screws, nut and bolt assembles, etc.), or the like. The frame  422  can include rods  440   a,    440   b  (collectively “rods  440 ”) slidably received by receivers  450   a ,  450   b,  respectively, of the seat assembly  412 . One or more pins can be removed from holes  460  to vertically move the frame  422 . The pins can be inserted in the holes  460  to lock the chest support assembly  410  to the seat assembly  412 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the chest support assembly  410  of  FIG. 11 . A tilt mechanism  461  can allow rotation of the chest support  420  about an axis of rotation  462 . A hinge (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) can rotatably couple the chest support  420  to the frame  422 . The tilt mechanism  461  can be unlocked by removing a pin, and the chest support  420  can be rotated about the axis of rotation  462 . The pin can be inserted into one of the holes  464  to lock the chest support  420  at the desired angle of inclination. Other types of mechanisms (e.g., tilt mechanisms, pivot mechanisms, etc.) can be utilized. 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a tilt mechanism  484  for tilting the chest support assembly  410 . A pin can be removed from one of the holes  480  to rotate the frame  422 , as indicated by arrow  490 . When the chest support  420  is at the desired orientation, the pin can be inserted through the appropriate hole  480  to lock the chest support assembly  410 . 
         [0041]    To tattoo a lower body part (e.g., a client&#39;s leg when the client is sitting in a chair), the chest support  420  can be moved forward. Once the chest support  420  is at the desired orientation, the tilt mechanism  481  can be locked. The tattoo artist can straddle the chest support assembly  410  and can comfortably lean on the chest support  420  for a relatively long period time to work on the client&#39;s leg. Although not shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , armrests can be incorporated into the chest support assembly  410 . For example, armrests can be rotatably coupled to the sides of the chest support  420 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a tattoo chair  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The tattoo chair  500  can include a chest support assembly  510 , a back support assembly  512 , and a seat assembly  514 . The chest support assembly  510  can include a chest support  520  and a connector apparatus  542 . In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the connector apparatus  542  includes members  540 ,  545  and pivots  530   a,    530   b,    530   c.  The elongated member  540  can extend between the pivots  530   a,    530   b.  The elongated member  545  can extend between the pivots  530   b,    530   c.  The back support assembly  512  can include a back support  560  for supporting the artist&#39;s back. The artist can sit on a seat  562  and either lean rearward against the back  560  or lean forward against the chest support  520 . 
         [0043]    A person receiving a tattoo can sit on the stools discussed in connection with  FIGS. 1-13  or the chair discussed in connection with  FIG. 14 . In a single tattoo session, stools  100 ,  300 , or  400  or chair  500  can be alternatively used by the client and the artist. The client and tattoo artists can simultaneously sit on two stools or chairs. The embodiments, features, and methods and techniques described herein may be incorporated into other types of support apparatuses (e.g., stools and chairs) used in a wide range of settings. In some embodiments, the apparatuses disclosed herein include one or more of the features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/876,953, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the stools and chairs discussed herein can include hydraulics systems, hinges, locking mechanisms, or other components disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/876,953. In some procedures, a person receiving a tattoo can be supported by one of the apparatuses disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/876,953 while the tattoo artist sits on the stool  100 . In addition, the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques described herein may, in certain embodiments, be applied to or used in connection with any one or more of the embodiments, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/876,953. 
         [0044]    Unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. The term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. It will also be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.