HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE BAR STOOL

Abstract

A handicap accessible bar stool may include a main chair unit. The main chair unit may include a chair sub frame, a back cushion, a seat cushion, and at least one armrest. At least one footrest may attach to the chair sub frame. The at least one footrest may be adjustable in position and distance from the chair sub frame. A post which may move telescopically may be attached to the chair sub frame and a floor base plate. The main chair unit may rotate around the post. The post may be placed over lock down handle pegs and secured by a plurality of lock down handles. The main chair unit may also include a seat belt.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/714,644, filed Oct. 16, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bar stools and, more particularly, to bar stools that are accessible for a mobility impaired person.

Currently in public social areas and restaurants, a separate area away from the rest of the bar may be available with a lowered section for wheelchair accessibility. This separates the mobility impaired person from the rest of the population in the bar or restaurant. This separation brings attention to that individual and may have a negative impact.

As can be seen, there is a need for a handicap accessible bar stool that may be placed where other bar stools are located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a handicap accessible bar stool comprises: a post having a top side and a bottom side; a main chair unit comprising: a chair sub frame having a first section, a second section and a third section, wherein the chair sub frame attaches to the top side of the post; a back cushion attached to the first section of the chair sub frame; a seat cushion attached to the second section of the chair sub frame; and at least one armrest attached to the chair sub frame; and at least one footrest, wherein the at least one footrest attaches to the third section of the chair sub frame.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of accommodating a handicapped individual at an establishment comprises: providing a main chair unit comprising a chair sub frame having a first section, a second section and a third section, wherein the chair sub frame attaches to the top side of the post; a back cushion attached to the first section of the chair sub frame; a seat cushion attached to the second section of the chair sub frame; and at least one armrest attached to the chair sub frame; and at least one footrest, wherein the at least one footrest attaches to the third section of the chair sub frame; attaching the main chair unit to a post; mounting the post to a floor base plate; and allowing the main chair unit to adjust in height so that a handicapped individual may sit alongside other individuals in front of a high top surface.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in an elevated configuration;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in a non-elevated configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating an armrest in an up position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating an adjustable footrest in a down position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating an adjustable footrest in an up position; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a handicap accessible bar stool that may include a main chair unit. The main chair unit may include a chair sub frame, a back cushion, a seat cushion, and at least one armrest. At least one footrest may attach to the chair sub frame. The at least one footrest may be adjustable in position and distance from the chair sub frame. A post which may move telescopically may be attached to the chair sub frame and a floor base plate. The main chair unit may rotate around the post. The post may be placed over lock down handle pegs and secured by a plurality of lock down handles. The main chair unit may also include a seat belt.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the handicap accessible bar stool may include a main chair unit 11. The main chair unit 11 may include a chair sub frame 22. The chair sub frame 22 may have a first section 19, a second section 21 and a third section 23. The first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22 may be substantially perpendicular to the second section 21 of the chair sub frame 22. The third section 23 of the chair sub frame 22 may be at an angle that is at or below the plane of the second section 21. The first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22 may be in a plurality of segments that spread out across the width of the device as is shown in FIG. 2. Attached to the first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22 may be a back cushion 14. A seat cushion 16 may be attached to the second section 21 of the chair sub frame 22.

At least one armrest 10 may be attached to the first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22. In certain embodiments two armrests 10 may be attached to the first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22. In certain embodiments, the at least one armrest 10 may be able to pivot from a position approximately parallel to the seat cushion to a position approximately parallel to the back cushion and back. When in the positions, the at least one armrest 10 may be locked into position in order to provide a sturdy extension of the device and provide support. A locking component 13 may be attached to the at least one armrest 10 around a pivot point of the at least one armrest 10. The locking component 13 may be a button that may engage a locking mechanism internally or the like that may lock the at least one armrest 10 in place, preventing the at least one armrest 10 from pivoting.

In certain embodiments, a seat belt 12 may be attached to the first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22 as is shown in FIG. 4. At least one footrest 28 may be attached to the third section 23 of the chair sub frame 22. The at least one footrest 28 may have a connection sleeve 25. The connection sleeve 25 may have a plurality of holes. In certain embodiments, the third section 23 of the chair sub frame 22 may include an adjustment peg 27. The connection sleeve 25 of the at least one footrest 28 may slide up and down the third section 23 of the chair sub frame 22. The adjustment peg 27 may be pressed in while the connection sleeve 25 is moving along the third section 23, and then released when the connection sleeve 25 is in a location that may be locked. The adjustment peg 27 may then extend through one of the plurality of holes in the connection sleeve 25 in order to lock the connection sleeve 25 into place. The at least one footrest 28 may pivot from a position approximately parallel to the position of the second section 21 of the chair sub frame 22 to a position approximately parallel to the position of the first section 19 of the chair sub frame 22. The at least one footrest 28 may pivot when required for use or out of the when not required as is shown in FIG. 6.

A post 24 may include a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the post 24 may include a flanged plate that may include apertures. The top side of the post 24 may be attached to the main chair unit 11 by way of the chair sub frame 22. The main chair unit 11 may be able to rotate around the post 24 360 degrees. The post 24 may be telescopic so that the height of the seat may be adjusted. The adjustment of the height of the handicap accessible bar stool may be controlled by a control arm 20 that may be attached to the post 24 and to the second section 21 of the chair sub frame 22. The control arm 20, when engaged, may set the level that the handicap accessible bar stool and lock the rotation of the main chair unit 11. An arm air pump 18 may also be attached to the post 24 and the second section 21 of the chair sub frame 22. By rotating the arm air pump 18 a user may be able to change the height of the post 24, and thereby, change the height of the main chair unit 11. The user may increase or decrease the air that may be positioned inside the post.

In certain embodiments the bottom side of the post 24 may be attached to a floor base plate 30. The floor base plate 30 may include a plurality of lock down handle pegs 32. The plurality of lock down handle pegs 32 may allow for the securing of the post 24 onto the floor base plate 30. Once the apertures along the bottom side of the post 24 may be positioned onto the plurality of lock down handle pegs 32, a plurality of lock down handles 26 may lock the post 24 into place on the floor base plate 30.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A handicap accessible bar stool comprising:

a post having a top side and a bottom side;

a main chair unit comprising: a chair sub frame having a first section, a second section and a third section, wherein the chair sub frame attaches to the top side of the post; a back cushion attached to the first section of the chair sub frame; a seat cushion attached to the second section of the chair sub frame; and at least one armrest attached to the chair sub frame; and at least one footrest, wherein the at least one footrest attaches to the third section of the chair sub frame.

2. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, further comprising a floor base plate comprising a plurality of lock down handle pegs, wherein the floor base plate removably attaches to the bottom side of the post.

3. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 2, wherein a plurality of lock down handles attach to the lock down handle pegs of the floor base plate.

4. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lock down handles comprises three lock down handles.

5. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lock down handle pegs comprises three lock down handle pegs.

6. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, wherein the post is a telescoping post.

7. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, wherein the at least one footrest comprises a connection sleeve, wherein the connection sleeve attaches to the third section of the chair sub frame.

8. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, wherein the at least one footrest comprises two footrests.

9. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 7, wherein the connection sleeve of the at least one footrest comprises a plurality of holes.

10. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 9, wherein the third section of the chair sub frame further comprises an adjustment peg configured to fit within the plurality of holes of the connection sleeve of the at least one footrest.

11. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, further comprising a seat belt attached to the chair sub frame.

12. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, wherein the main chair unit rotates around the post.

13. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, further comprising a control arm attached to the post and to the second section of the chair sub frame, wherein the control arm locks the main chair unit from rotating.

14. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, further comprising an arm air pump attached to the top side of the post.

15. The handicap accessible bar stool of claim 1, wherein the at least one armrest further comprises a pivot point, wherein a locking component attaches to the at least one armrest at the pivot point locking the at least one armrest in position.

16. A method of accommodating a handicapped individual at an establishment comprising:

providing a main chair unit comprising a chair sub frame having a first section, a second section and a third section, wherein the chair sub frame attaches to the top side of the post; a back cushion attached to the first section of the chair sub frame; a seat cushion attached to the second section of the chair sub frame; and at least one armrest attached to the chair sub frame; and at least one footrest, wherein the at least one footrest attaches to the third section of the chair sub frame;

attaching the main chair unit to a post;

mounting the post to a floor base plate; and

allowing the main chair unit to adjust in height so that a handicapped individual may sit alongside other individuals in front of a high top surface.