STYLING STATION
A versatile styling station includes a product retainer, a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer and an attachment mechanism associated with the product retainer and the straps. The attachment mechanism connects the styling station to a corresponding base, comprising a chair back, an armrest or a door. The straps slidingly adjust to level the product retainer after connection of the styling station to the base. The corresponding attachment mechanism may comprise an adjustable hook or a pair of looped extensions formed from the straps.
The present invention generally relates to a styling station. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable and interchangeable shelving system capable of adaptively attaching to multiple chair backs.
Professional hairstylists and makeup artists (collectively “professional stylists”) typically require the use of many types of beauty products (e.g. makeup, scissors, styling gel, shampoo, etc.) and electrical hand-held appliances (e.g. blow dryers, curling irons, etc.). Workstations that store these beauty products and electrical appliances are generally known in the art and tend to vary extensively by design. In general, designs include workstations that organize power cords via retractable extension cords, large portable workstations and workstations having rigidly attached styling trays. There are many different types and forms of styling workstations available to professional stylists. But, there are currently no customizable and highly portable workstations widely used in the industry that are capable of adaptively storing beauty products and electrical appliances according to the specific needs of the professional stylist.
Workstations may incorporate one or more various devices that organize hairstyling products, makeup products and electrical appliances. Beauty products and other electrical appliances associated with hairstyling and makeup artists, hairdressing studios and hairstyling emporiums are ideally easily accessible to the professional stylist to ensure efficient styling. It is no surprise, therefore, that there are many special purpose workstations and styling trays that endeavor to solve a plurality of problems in the art. Professional stylists, especially those in the entertainment industry, often treat the skin and style hair, scalp, coiffure, wigs, and other accessories with a wide variety of products and procedures. These professional stylists need specialized workstation aids in order to provide exceptional and efficient styling services. Such workstation aids might include styling trays that organize products, devices that organize electrical cords or housings that shield the heating elements from a curling iron or blow dryer.
In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,245,716 to Danner discloses a styling tray rigidly mounted to a chair backrest. The styling tray is designed to efficiently disconnect from the chair backrest with minimum effort. The tray is vertically and horizontally adjustable via a set of sliding brackets of which some are rigidly screwed into the chair backrest. The tray is preferably placed directly behind the backrest to best accommodate the busy professional stylist. Such a tray has multiple receptacle portions for accommodating a variety of beauty products and hairstyling appliances. Removing the tray from the chair backrest allows the professional stylist to clean the tray. But, such a tray is not highly portable and is not usable with chairs that do not have brackets mounted thereto.
Another specific workstation design solves problems associated with storing and shielding dangling electrical cords of electrical appliances. This workstation includes a number of receptacles designed to hold electrical appliances, such as a blow dryer or curling iron, during non-use. Each receptacle has a charging plug from which the electrical appliance may draw electricity. The charging plug has a corresponding exposed adapter capable of being unwound to increase the operational distance of the electrical appliance. A set of electrical containers may be removably disposed in the receptacles and have varying interchangeable designs for storing other beauty products or tools.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,371 to Heel discloses a relatively large portable workstation that includes a movable cart and electrical supply. Portable workstations are especially useful for professional stylists that work at different locations all within the same general site. Such portable workstations are generally formed from a multi-sided box-like container having a set of wheels and a plurality of slots for storing beauty products and electrical appliances. These workstations can hold and organize small beauty products and accessories such as curlers, clips, hairpins, hair and scalp treatment solutions, etc. Mounting a container to larger portable workstations, for example, increases the on-site convenience of the workstation, but can decrease portability of the workstation among multiple locations (e.g. between movie sets).
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,773 to Losenno discloses a tool hanger for supporting electrical appliances like curling irons and blow dryers. The tool hanger specifically addresses a need in the art for safely using and storing curling irons, hot comb hangers and blow dryers. Previously, such devices were placed on a vanity or other comparable and convenient surface. This significantly increased the possibility of the heating elements coming into contact with the surroundings and, in turn, increased the fire hazard. Fire hazards were especially problematic when the heating elements were accidentally left on after completed use. Thus, the tool hanger provides an electrical appliance retainer that thermally insulates the heating elements from the surrounding environment. The hangers are designed to position the heating elements away from the face, hands and other body parts of the professional stylist. But, the tool hanger fails as a versatile portable storage device capable of aiding a professional stylist outside of simply holding electrical appliances.
One major problem with the prior art is that professional stylists tend to work in different environments, such as homes, styling establishments, backstage areas at theaters, movie sets, etc. Professional stylists that travel to different locations to do work may create an improvised or makeshift portable hairstyling station depending, of course, on the location, the surrounding environment and the type of work to be performed. This is particularly disadvantageous to the professional stylist as products may constantly require reorganization to create an adequate workstation for each location or work to be performed. In turn, the professional stylist may experience a decrease in efficiency and quality of work for the lack of being able to obtain certain beauty products and electrical appliances in a quick, consistent and efficient manner.
Thus, there is a need in the art for widespread adaptation of a versatile styling station that aids professional stylists in performing any of the above-described services. Such a styling station should be highly portable, foldable, include an interchangeable shelving storage system, and be capable of adjustment such that the styling station may attach to a wide variety of items with simple hooks, straps and retaining rings. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe versatile styling station disclosed herein includes a product retainer, a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer and an attachment mechanism associated with the product retainer and the straps. The attachment mechanism connects the styling station to a base and the straps slidably adjust to level the product retainer once connected. Preferably, the straps comprise a continuous strip of flexible material that encompasses the outer portion of the product retainer. The shape of the product retainer effectively gives the styling station its shape. The styling station may further include a product holder slidably receivable by the product retainer. In one embodiment, the product holder comprises a box for storing a plurality of styling products. In another embodiment, the product holder comprises a holder capable of insulating the heating elements of a hairdryer or curling iron. The product retainer may selectively disengage the straps and may be selectively positionable along the length of the straps. In a preferred embodiment, the styling station attaches to a base that comprises a chair back, an armrest or a door.
In one embodiment disclosed herein, the styling station includes an attachment mechanism that comprises an adjustable hook. The hook is selectively slidably engageable with a clip coupled to a strap. The hook further includes a lock that removably engages the clip to ensure securement thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the clip comprises a D-ring. Moreover, the hook should be sized to adaptively engage the corresponding base and may be configured to change in size depending on the corresponding application.
In an alternative embodiment of the versatile styling station disclosed herein, the attachment mechanism comprises a pair of looped extensions formed from the straps. The looped extensions are sized to encompass the width of the base. Moreover, the looped extensions are adjustable and are capable of attaching to differently sized bases. In this regard, the adjustment end of the straps enables a user to increase or decrease the length of the looped extensions, depending on the size and thickness of the corresponding base to which the styling station is to be attached. Moreover, the styling station may further include a connector that selectively engages each of the looped extensions. The connector effectively prevents the straps from pulling away from one another when the styling station is attached to the corresponding base. A cushion may selectively attach to the connector to ensure that a user does not come into contact with either the connector or the straps when sitting in a chair having the styling station attached thereto. Accordingly, the cushion may comprise a lumbar support or a pillow.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a styling station is referred to generally by the reference number 10. In general, the styling station 10 is a portable and versatile shelving system capable of adaptively attaching to multiple objects, such as chair backs. The adjustability and compatibility of using the styling station 10 in multiple settings derives primarily from the arrangement of a first strap 12 and second strap 14 that interconnect with at least one of a top shelf 16 and a bottom shelf 18.
The shelves 16, 18 may be permanently or removably attached to the straps 12, 14 by any mechanism known in the art, including rivets, screws, glue or by being sewn into the straps 12, 14. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the styling station 10 includes at least the bottom shelf 18 coupled to the straps 12, 14 to provide support and some structure as the straps 12, 14 themselves are generally flexible. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that any one of a number of different shelves may be used in conjunction with the styling station 10 as disclosed herein. The shelves 16, 18 may be fourteen inches wide by four inches deep to ensure adequate space for retaining a plurality of styling products. Preferably, the styling station 10 includes the top shelf 16 in a fixed location along the straps 12, 14 relative to the bottom shelf 18. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the space between the top shelf 16 and the bottom shelf 18 is ten inches. In an alternative embodiment, the top shelf 16 and the bottom shelf 18 may be adjusted by removably attaching the straps 12, 14 thereto via a hook and loop mechanism (e.g. Velcro), snaps, snap buckles or another set of connectors that allow adjustability of the shelves 16, 18 along the length of the straps 12, 14. The shelves 16, 18 as shown in
Moreover, the styling station 10 may include an upper bracket 42 and a lower bracket 44 for use with the top shelf 16 and the bottom shelf 18, respectively, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, the lower clips 34 may comprise a snap buckle and a set of adjustment clips located along the length of the straps 12, 14. In this embodiment, the adjustment end 36 of the straps 12, 14 simply snaps into the snap buckle threaded thereon, instead of threading through the lower clips 34. The snap buckle, like the lower clips 34, is slidably retained along the back section 28 of the straps 12, 14. The size of the loops 48 may be changed through use of the adjustment clips integral to the straps 12, 14, instead of the lower clips 34. In this regard, a user may adjust the size of the loops 48 with a set of three −bar adjustment clips mounted along the length of the straps 12, 14 between the first end 26 and the adjustment end 36.
Moreover,
The straps 12, 14 are flexible in that the styling station 10 does not need to pull tight against a back portion of the chair back 20 to operate. As shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
The styling station 10 may also retain other items in the shelves 16, 18, as shown in
The styling station 10 is specifically designed to be detached from the chair back 20 for travel with the professional stylist in and among varying locations without forcing the professional stylist to reconfigure the styling station 10 at each of the independent locations.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A versatile styling station, comprising:
- a product retainer;
- a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer; and
- an attachment mechanism associated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting the styling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to level the product retainer after connection of the styling station to the base.
2. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the straps comprise a continuous strip of flexible material.
3. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an adjustable hook.
4. The styling station of claim 3, wherein the hook selectively slidably engages a clip coupled to each strap.
5. The styling station of claim 4, wherein the hook includes a lock to removably engage the clip.
6. The styling station of claim 4, wherein the clip comprises a D-ring.
7. The styling station of claim 3, wherein the hook is sized to adaptively engage the base.
8. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a pair of looped extensions formed from the straps.
9. The styling station of claim 8, wherein the looped extensions are sized to encompass the base.
10. The styling station of claim 8, including a connector selectively engageable with each looped extension, for preventing the straps from pulling away from one another.
11. The styling station of claim 10, including a cushion selectively attachable to the connector, wherein the cushion comprises a lumbar support or a pillow.
12. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the product retainer selectively disengages the straps and is selectively positionable along the length of the straps.
13. The styling station of claim 1, including a product holder slidably receivable by the product retainer.
14. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a chair back, an armrest, or a door.
15. A versatile styling station, comprising:
- a product retainer;
- a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer; and
- an attachment mechanism comprising an adjustable hook associated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting the styling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to level the product retainer after connection of the styling station to the base and the hook includes a lock to removably engage a clip.
16. The styling station of claim 15, wherein the straps comprise a continuous strip of flexible material and the hook selectively slidably engages the clip coupled to each strap.
17. The styling station of claim 15, wherein the hook is sized to adaptively engage the base and the clip comprises a D-ring.
18. The styling station of claim 15, wherein the product retainer selectively disengages the straps and is selectively positionable along the length of the straps.
19. The styling station of claim 1, including a product holder slidably receivable by the product retainer, wherein the base comprises a chair back, an armrest, or a door.
20. A versatile styling station, comprising:
- a product retainer;
- a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer, wherein the straps comprise a continuous strip of flexible material; and
- an attachment mechanism comprising a pair of looped extensions formed from the straps associated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting the styling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to level the product retainer after connection of the styling station to the base and the looped extensions are sized to encompass the base.
21. The styling station of claim 20, including a connector selectively engageable with each looped extension for preventing the straps from pulling away from one another and a cushion selectively attachable to the connector, wherein the cushion comprises a lumbar support or a pillow.
22. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the product retainer selectively disengages the straps and is selectively positionable along the length of the straps and the base comprises a chair back, an armrest, or a door.
23. The styling station of claim 1, including a product holder slidably receivable by the product retainer.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 23, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2009
Inventors: Daniel Curet (Los Angeles, CA), Randa Squillacote (Orlando, FL)
Application Number: 12/359,086
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101);