CHAIR HAVING A REMOVABLE HEADREST COVER

Abstract

This invention relates to a chair having a selectively removable, replaceable headrest cover. The chair has a headrest and a removable headrest cover configured to fit on at least a portion of the headrest. The headrest is hingedly attached to the chair so that the headrest can be rotated away from the chair to a second, open position to allow a user access to a bottom side of the headrest. The headrest cover is selectively attachable to or detachable from the headrest when the headrest is in the second, open position. Upon positioning the headrest in a first, closed position, the headrest cover appears to be a conventional (i.e., non-removable) headrest cover.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/514,889, filed on Aug. 3, 2011, which is which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a chair having a removable headrest cover. More particularly, this invention relates to a chair having a selectively removable, replaceable headrest cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional chairs such as an office or executive chair are formed with a seating surface and a back (usually a high back). A headrest configured to support and cushion the head of a user of the chair is positioned on the back of the chair. Conventional headrests for chairs are integrally formed with the chair so that the headrest is permanently, fixedly attached to the back of the chair. Further, it is common for there to be a logo or design printed or embroidered onto a headrest cover permanently, fixedly attached to the headrest.

Because a conventional headrest is formed integrally with the chair, if the headrest cover becomes worn or excessively dirty, the headrest cover cannot be changed and the entire chair must be replaced. Further, if a user of a conventional chair desires a custom headrest cover (having, for example, a company logo on the headrest cover), a manufacturer of the chair must attach the headrest cover to the chair during the manufacturing process. This can be an inefficient and error-prone process, especially when small lot sizes of chairs are ordered. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a chair having a removable headrest cover that can easily and selectively be replaced by a user and/or a manufacturer of the chair. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as describe herein.

SUMMARY

The application relates to a chair comprising a headrest and a removable headrest cover. In one aspect, the headrest can be hingedly attached to the chair so that the headrest can be rotated away from the chair to a second position in which a user of the chair can access a bottom side of the headrest. The headrest cover can be selectively attached to or detached from the headrest when the headrest is in the second position. In another aspect, the headrest can be secured to the chair with hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers and the like positioned on the chair and the bottom side of the headrest. Similarly, the headrest cover can be attached to the headrest with hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers and the like positioned on the cover and the bottom side of the headrest.

In one aspect, the headrest cover can have a predetermined design printed or embroidered on it. The headrest cover can be customizable and selectively replaceable by a user. For example, the user could be provided a headrest cover having a predetermined color and a predetermined design such as a logo printed or embroidered on the cover. In another example, a user could be provided a plurality of headrest covers that can be selectively changed by the user to replace a worn or dirty headrest cover, or to change the look of the chair.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair having a removable headrest cover, according to one aspect.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1, showing the headrest in a second, open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the chair of FIG. 1, showing the headrest in a first, closed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the chair of FIG. 1, showing the headrest in a first, closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a headrest cover” can include two or more such headrest covers unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The application relates to a removable headrest cover for a chair 10 and methods for using the same. In one aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the chair can comprise a headrest 12 and a removable headrest cover 14. As will be described more fully below, the removable headrest cover can be selectively replaceable by a user of the chair.

The chair 10 can be a conventional chair. For example and without limitation, the chair can be an office chair or an executive chair. In one aspect, the chair can have a high back 16, or alternatively, the chair can have a mid or a low back. Of course, it is contemplated that the chair can be other types of chairs, such as, for example and without limitation, a reclining chair, a sofa, and the like. The chair can be covered with materials such as leather, vinyl, linen, and the like

The headrest 12 can appear to be a conventional headrest sized and shaped to support the head of a user of the chair 10. However, in one aspect, at least a portion of the headrest 12 can be rotatably attached to the chair 10. In another aspect, a least a portion of the headrest can be securedly attached to the chair 10. In still another aspect, a portion of the headrest can be sewn to the chair. For example and with reference to FIG. 2, a portion of a rear surface 18 of the headrest can extend beyond a body 20 of the headrest and can be attached to the back 16 of the chair. In other examples, at least a portion of the headrest can be securedly attached to the chair with at least one fastener 26 such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers and the like positioned on the back of the chair 10 and the rear surface of the headrest. In another aspect, at least a portion of the headrest can be formed integrally with the chair. For example, a portion of the rear surface 18 of the headrest can extend beyond the body 20 of the headrest and can form at least a portion of the back 16 of the chair.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one aspect, the headrest 12 can be rotatably attached to the chair so that the headrest can be rotated about and between a first, closed position, in which a front surface 22 of the headrest faces generally the same direction as a front surface 24 of the back 16 of the chair, and a second, open position, in which the front surface of the headrest faces away from the front surface of the back of the chair. As can be appreciated, in the first, closed position, a portion of the rear surface 18 of the headrest can contact the front surface 24 of the back of the chair. In another aspect, the means for attaching the headrest 12 to the chair 10 can act as a hinge about which the headrest rotates relative to the chair 10. For example, if a portion of the rear surface 18 of the headrest is sewn to the back of the chair, the portion of the rear surface of the headrest 12 extending beyond the body 20 of the headrest can act as a hinge about which the headrest rotates relative to the chair 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. With the headrest in the second, open position, the rear surface 18 of the headrest can be accessible, while in the first, closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the headrest 12 can appear to be a conventional (i.e., non-rotatable) headrest. In one aspect, the means for attaching the headrest 12 to the chair 10, and/or a means for attaching the headrest cover 14 to the headrest (described more fully below) can be positioned on the rear surface 18 of the headrest such that they are hidden from view when the chair is in use with the headrest 12 in the first, closed position.

The headrest cover 14 can be configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface 22 of the headrest 12. In one aspect, the headrest cover can be configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface and the sides of the headrest. The headrest cover 14 can be formed from the same material as the chair 10, for example, leather, vinyl, linen, and the like. Alternatively, the headrest cover can be formed from a different material than the chair. In one aspect, the headrest cover 14 can be attached to the headrest 12 with at least one fastener 26 such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers and the like positioned on an inner surface of the cover. In another aspect, the headrest cover can be customizable and selectively replaceable by a user. For example, a user of the chair 10 can be provided a headrest cover having predetermined color and/or a predetermined design such as a logo printed or embroidered on the cover. As described more fully below, the user can selectively attach or detach the headrest cover to the headrest when the headrest is in the second, open position.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in use, the headrest 12 can be rotated to the second, open position, in which the front surface 22 of the headrest faces away from the front surface 24 of the back 16 of the chair 10. In the second position, the rear surface 18 of the headrest is exposed and accessible to the user. The headrest cover 14 can be placed on the body 20 of the headrest so that at least a portion of the front surface of the headrest is covered by the headrest cover. The headrest cover can be secured in the desired position by attaching the fasteners 26 on the inner surface of the headrest cover 14 to complementary mating fasteners on the rear surface 18 of the headrest. For example, hook fasteners positioned on the inner surface of the headrest cover can matingly engage loop fasteners 26 positioned on the rear surface of the headrest 12.

After the headrest cover 14 has been secured in the desired position on the headrest 12, the headrest can be rotated to the first, closed position, in which the front surface 22 of the headrest faces generally the same direction as the front surface 24 of the back 16 of the chair 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one aspect, the headrest can be securedly attached to the chair in the first position by attaching fasteners 26 on the rear surface 18 of the headrest 12 to complementary mating fasteners on the front surface 24 of the back 16 of the chair. For example, hook fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the headrest can matingly engage loop fasteners positioned on the front surface of the chair. In another aspect, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the headrest cover 14 can also be attached to the chair 10 in the first, open position by attaching fasteners 26 on the rear surface of the headrest cover to complementary mating fasteners on the rear surface 28 of the back 16 of the chair.

Upon installation of the headrest cover 14 on the headrest 12, and with the headrest in the first, closed position, the headrest cover 14 can appear to be a conventional (i.e., non-removable) headrest cover, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. In one aspect, any perimeter edges 30 of the headrest cover can be hidden from view and/or made to appear that they are formed integrally with the chair when the headrest cover 14 is in the first position.

In use, in one example, a user could be provided a plurality of headrest covers 14 that can be selectively changed by the user to replace a worn or dirty headrest cover, to change the look of the chair 10, and/or to change a logo or design displayed on the headrest cover. In another example, a manufacturer of the chair could easily provide a custom chair to a user by manufacturing a conventional chair and then adding a predetermined replaceable, removable headrest cover 14.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A chair comprising:

a chair back having a front surface;

a headrest rotatably attached to the chair back such that the headrest is rotatable about and between a first, closed position, in which a front surface of the headrest faces generally the same direction as the front surface of the chair back and a portion of a rear surface of the headrest contacts the front surface of the chair back, and a second, open position, in which the front surface of the headrest faces away from the front surface of the chair back; and

a headrest cover configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface of the headrest, wherein the headrest cover comprises a means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest when the headrest is in the second, open position.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein in the first, closed position, the means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest is hidden from view.

3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest comprises at least one fastener positioned on an inner surface of the headrest cover and a mating fastener positioned on the rear surface of the headrest.

4. The chair of claim 3, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

5. The chair of claim 2, wherein in the first, closed position, a perimeter edge of the headrest cover is hidden from view.

6. The chair of claim 2, wherein in the first, closed position, a perimeter edge of the headrest cover appears to be formed integrally with the chair.

7. The chair of claim 2, wherein the headrest cover is customizable and selectively replaceable by a user.

8. The chair of claim 1, wherein a portion of the headrest is sewn to the chair back.

9. The chair of claim 8, wherein the headrest comprises a body and a rear surface, wherein a portion of the rear surface extends beyond the body, and wherein the portion of the headrest sewn to the chair is the portion of the rear surface extending beyond the body.

10. The chair of claim 9, wherein in the first, closed position, the means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest is hidden from view.

11. The chair of claim 10, wherein the headrest cover covers at least a portion of the front surface and the sides of the headrest.

12. The chair of claim 1, wherein a portion of the headrest is formed integrally with the chair.

13. The chair of claim 12, wherein the portion of the rear surface extending beyond the body of the headrest forms at least a portion of the chair back.

14. A removable headrest cover for a headrest of a chair, the headrest cover comprising:

a means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest, wherein the headrest cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface of the headrest and wherein the means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest is hidden from view when the chair is in use.

15. The headrest cover of claim 14, wherein the means for selectively attaching the headrest cover to the headrest comprises at least one fastener positioned on an inner surface of the headrest cover and a mating fastener positioned on a rear surface of the headrest.