Worktable
A cosmetic worktable (28) for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment is disclosed. The worktable (28) comprises a table top (30), a base (32) and a support leg (33). The base (32) takes the form of a U-shaped housing (34), to which the support leg (33) is fitted, the support leg (33) in turn comprising a base leg (42) and a sliding connector (44). The sliding connector (44) is fitted to the table top (30) and arranged to telescope within the base leg (42) for allowing the height of the table top (30) to be adjusted. The table top (30) is removably fitted with a padded support (52), which is used to support the relevant limb of the person being attended to. The table top cover (50) further defines a recess (54) for receiving the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during the treatment.
THIS invention relates to a worktable and in particular to an adjustable worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment. Pedicurists, manicurists and podiatrists, in general, treat the hands, nails, feet and toenails of people. This typically includes using a file or some other abrasive device to remove dead skin cells, trimming, cutting and filing nails, and, if necessary, removing coms and calluses. These steps are generally done by providing a worktable or some other support structure, such as the attendant's lap, on which the hands and feet of the person can rest, and so be attended to. There are, however, several disadvantages to this arrangement, including the fact that the hands and feet of the person are often not comfortably supported. In the event of a person's foot being supported on the attendant's lap, it is difficult to treat the underside of the foot, and thus typically the person's leg has to be supported by the attendant. This is awkward and uncomfortable for both the attendant and the person being treated. In addition, the dead skin shavings and cut nails are inconvenient to collect with a view to the disposal thereof, in that they are typically simply allowed to fall onto the floor. This necessitates the floor to be swept after each treatment, which is clearly inconvenient and labour intensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the invention there is provided a worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, the worktable comprising:
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- a table top including:
- cushioning means for supporting the hands or ankles of the person during the treatment; and
- a first recess defined in the table top for facilitating the collection, and thus hygienic disposal, of the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment;
- a base; and
- a support leg extending between the base and the table top for supporting the table top relative to the base. Conveniently, the worktable further includes adjustment means for allowing the height of the table top, relative to the base, to be varied. In particular, the height of the worktable can be correctly set so that it is at a comfortable height during a manicure, and to allow the ankles of a person, who is being attended to during a pedicure or podiatry treatment, to be sufficiently elevated. The adjustment means is also advantageously arranged to be able to lower the worktable to a sufficiently low height for facilitating work to be carried out on the upper area of the foot. This additional work includes the painting of toenails once the pedicure treatment has been completed.
Typically, the support leg comprises a base leg, which is fitted to the base, and a sliding leg member, which is fitted to the table top, the sliding leg member being arranged to telescope within the base leg. Significantly, the base is substantially U-shaped and comprises a pair of arms extending from a bight portion, the bight portion being arranged to receive a lowermost portion of the support leg. In one version of the invention, the table top comprises a table top base and a table top cover, the table top base being fitted to an uppermost portion of the support leg. Preferably, the table top cover defines a second recess for removably receiving the cushioning means. Conveniently, the second recess defines storage means for storing tools and equipment that will be used by the pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist. In another version of the invention, a trough is removably fitted within the first recess, the trough including a peripheral lip that is arranged to be co-planar with the table top for facilitating the collection of the dead skin shavings and cut nails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring first to
The base 32 takes the form of a U-shaped plastic housing 34, and comprises a pair of arms 36 and 38 extending away from a bight portion 40. The space between the pair of arms 36, 38 conveniently allows the person receiving the pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, and in particular the chair in which the person is sitting, to be shifted as close as possible to the worktable 28. Alternatively, or in addition, a foot spa or bath can be conveniently and easily positioned between the pair of arms 36, 38, for soaking the feet of the person being attended to. This is a significant feature of the present invention, resulting in a relatively compact and time-efficient design, which is especially advantageous in salons where space is limited and time is of the utmost importance. The support leg 33 comprises a base leg 42, in the form of a metal tube, that is fitted to the bight portion 40 of the base 32, and a sliding connector 44, also in the form of a metal tube, that is fitted to a neck portion 46 of the table top 30, as is clearly shown in
Claims
1. A worktable for assisting a pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist in attending to a person during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment, the worktable comprising:
- a table top including:
- cushioning means for supporting the hands or ankles of the person during the treatment; and
- a first recess defined in the table top for facilitating the collection, and thus hygienic disposal, of the dead skin shavings and cut nails that accumulate during a pedicure, manicure or podiatry treatment;
- a base; and
- a support leg extending between the base and the table top for supporting the table top relative to the base.
2. A worktable according to claim 1, wherein the worktable further includes adjustment means for allowing the height of the table top, relative to the base, to be varied.
3. A worktable according to either one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the support leg comprises a base leg, which is fitted to the base, and a sliding leg member, which is fitted to the table top, the sliding leg member being arranged to telescope within the base leg.
4. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is substantially U-shaped and comprises a pair of arms extending from a bight portion, the bight portion being arranged to receive a lowermost portion of the support leg.
5. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table top comprises a table top base and a table top cover, the table top base being fitted to an uppermost portion of the support leg.
6. A worktable according to claim 5, wherein the table top cover defines a second recess for removably receiving the cushioning means.
7. A worktable according to claim 6, wherein the second recess defines storage means for storing tools and equipment that will be used by the pedicurist, manicurist or podiatrist.
8. A worktable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a trough is removably fitted within the first recess, the trough including a peripheral lip that is arranged to be co-planar with the table top for facilitating the collection of the dead skin shavings and cut nails.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2003
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2005
Inventor: Rosemary Snead (Strathoven)
Application Number: 10/504,096