US3386767A - Appliance stand and storage device - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1968 E. J. PETRICK x-:TAL 3,336,767

APPLIANCE STAND AND-STORAGE DEVICE Filed sept. 14, 196e' f 5 sheets-sheet 1 June 4, 1968 E. J. PETRICK ETAL. 3,386,767

APPLIANCE STAND AND STORAGE DEVICE Filed Sept. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-5heet 2 Flc-'5.3

June 4, 1968 E. J. PETRICK ETAL 3,386,767

APPLIANCE STAND AND STORAGE DEVICE Filed Sept. 14, 1966 5 sheets-sheet s United States iPatent O 3,386,767 APPLIANCE STAND AND STQRAGE DEVICE Edward J. Petrick, Park Ridge, and Horst Genger, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. I4, 1966, Ser. No. 579,270 S Claims. (Cl. 297-193) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLSURE A combination appliance standard and seating device of the type having an upwardly extending telescoping rod for supporting a removable appliance, such as a hair dryer bonnet, characterized in that the chair portion thereof has a removable seat pad supported on a cage-like structure within which the appliance may be stored when not in use, and during which time the apparatus may still be used as a seating device.

This invention relates to an appliance standard and more particularly to a combination seating device and appliance standard such as a combination vanity chair and hair dryer.

Hair drying apparatuses are generally divided into three classiiications, namely, the portable hair dryers which are normally stored in a small carrying case; the table model hair dryers, which are relatively compact but must be placed on a table or other elevated structure to support the hair drying bonnet at a sufficient height to permit a user to sit under the bonnet with the head inserted therein; and the floor model hair dryers which are generally provided with an elongated standard to which the hair dryer bonnet is attached, the standard holding the bonnet at a sufficient elevation to permit a person to insert his head into the bonnet while occupying a chair positioned adjacent the standard. The portable hair dryer possesses the advantage of being very compact to store and to carry around, but has limited drying capabilities. The table model hair dryers generally have improved drying capabilities and are relatively compact to store, but require the use of an auxiliary supporting surface while in use. The oor model hair dryers have the best hair drying characteristics and do provide their own supporting standard for the proper elevation of the bonnet but do present a storage problem due to their increased bulk. In addition, all the aforementioned hair dryers require the provision of a separate seating surface for the user of the dryer.

The present invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of a combination storage-seating device and appliance standard, particularly a combination hair drying apparatus and vanity chair which provides a supporting standard for the hair dryer when in use and further provides a means for storing components of the hair dryer during periods of nonuse by removal of the hair dryer bonnet from its supporting standard and insertion under the seat portion of the chair. In addition, the device is further usable as a chair during periods of nonuse of the hair dryer components thereof.

Preferably the chair is more particularly of the type which is intended to be used with a vanity or makeup 3,385,757 Patented June 4, i968 Vice or dressing table. The seat pad of the chair may be removed to gain access to the space thereunder which serves as a storage area for the hair dryer bonnet. Chairs normally utilized with such tables necessarily occupy a portion of the room in which the chair is found, and thus the provision of the chair of this invention, which also serves to store the hair dryer components within itself, results in the creation of more storage space in that the usual shelf or closet space required to store even the smallest hair dryer is freed for other storage use.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved iioor mounted appliance stand.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel combination floor model hair dryer and vanity chair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel oor model hair dryer stand which may be normally used as a seating device and which is further provided with an extensible portion which can be utilized to support a hair dryer bonnet for use of the structure as a combination seating device and hair dryer stand.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel floor model hair dryer stand which includes a seating surface for the user of the hair dryer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel door model hair dryer which may be utilized as a vanity chair during periods of nonuse and further serves to store components o-f the hair dryer during such periods of nonuse, the device being provided with an extensible portion for supporting a removable hair dryer bonnet in an operative position spaced above the seating surface for use of the device as a floor model hair dryer with a selfcontained seating surface.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the novel combination seating device and appliance stand of this invention showing the telescoping member of the stand extended and supporting an appliance in the form of a detachable hair drying bonnet in a position for insertion of a users head who may be occupying the seat portion of the device;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the device as shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the device as shown in FIGURE l with the detachable bonnet removed from its releasable connection with the free end of the extensible member;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the device as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the device as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the device with the extensible member retracted inwardly and the detachable bonnet stored Within the cage-like contines of the seat supporting structure;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken generally along the line '7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged View, partially broken away in section, showing the relationship of the seat pad structure to the legs of the seat supporting frame;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary enlarged View showing, in side elevation, the releasable connection between the hair dryer bonnet and the extensible member;

FIGURE l is a rear elevational view of the bracket mounting shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 1l is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line lll-lll of FIGURE 6 showing the swingable connection of the backrest to the elongated standard; and

FIGURE l2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the lower end portion of the device as shown in FIG- URE 6 illustrating in greater detail the relationship between the open end of the bonnet and the bent ends of the feet of the seat supporting structure when the bonnet is stored within the cage-like contines thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, the combination seating device and appliance stand lt of this invention (hereinafter referred to as stand), includes a support portion generally designated l2 and a removable hair dryer bonnet generally designated 14. The bonnet is similar to that described and claimed in the copending Iapplication of Genger, one of the coinventors of the instant invention, Ser. No. 439,561, now Patent No. 3,335,203, filed Mar. l5, 1965, and entitled, Hair Dryer Bonnet. Briefly, the bonnet includes a motor chamber i6, a fan chamber 18, and a drying chamber 2o. A control knob 22. is provided for controlling the heat produced by the dr-yer according to the desires of the user. The bonnet drying chamber 2t) is provided with an open end 22a generally of a size and shape to receive the head of a user and permit insertion of the head into the drying chamber.

Bonnet 14 is provided with a bifurcated bracket 24 which is slotted at 26 to receive -a pin 28 of extensible member 30 for detachably mounting the bonnet to the top of the support portion. A rivet 3l extends between the bifurcation -at the lower end thereof. As shown in FIG- URE 9, rivet 31 is positioned to abut extensible member 30 so that the bonnet is mounted with the plane of the open end slightly angled for receiving the head of a user.

The support portion 12 is unique in that it serves the function of providing a supporting standard for a floor model hair dryer, further provides a storage space for a component of the dryer when the dryer is not in use, and finally serves as a chair which may be utilized as the seating surface for the user of the hair dryer when the device is so being used for performing the hair drying function. In addition, the chair may be further utilized as a. vanity chair or dressing table chair during periods of nonuse of the hair drying components when the bonnet is stored within the contines of the support portion and the extensible member retracted inwardly as best shown in FIGURE 6.

To this end, the support portion l2 is provided with a frame including a plurality of upright members or legs 32a, 32b, 32e and 34. In the preferred embodiment, the legs are of square tubular configuration. Three of the legs 32a, 32b, and 32C, are of uniform height, and the fourth, 34, is vertically elongated and serves as a standard or tubular housing for the extensible member 36. Extensible member 3d is slidably mounted within the member 34 for movement between positions of extension as shown in FIGURES l and 2 and a position of retraction as shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the extensible member is almost completely depressed within the standard 34 with pins 28 serving as stop members preventing the complete retraction of the extensible member 3@ inwardly of the standard.

A wire-like member 36 is bent upon itself and secured together at its ends by suitable means, such as by butt Welding, and formed thereby into a generally circular configuration. Member 36 is also welded in notches 38a, 381) and 38C formed at the upper or free end of the three uniform legs 32a, 32h and 32C, respectively, and is further welded to a forward face 34er of the elongated leg or standard 34. This circular ring or member 36 serves as a horizontal support for the chair seat pad 40 which is removably mounted thereon and dellnes the opening through which the bonnet le is inserted and removed.

The frame is provided with a base generally indicated 42, which, in the preferred embodiment is also fabricated from members of square tubing, two pieces of which, 44 and do, are secured by means, such as by welding, medially of a third piece, 43, affording a generally X shaped configuration. The distal ends or feet 44a, 46a and 48a, 48h, of the members are bent downwardly at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal so that the medial or intersecting portion of the base is elevated relative to supporting surface 50, thereby affording a generally four-point support for the chair at the four ends of the eet.

t is desirable that the legs 32a, 32h, 32e and 34 which form the sides of the cage-like housing be so oriented so as to assist in receiving the bonnet as it is inserted therein and to further tend to hold the bonnet in its centered relationship, cooperating with the tapered surfaces afforded by the bent feet of the base. To this end, the legs `are secured to the tops of the feet by suitable means such as by welding, so that cach leg extends upwardly at a slightly obtuse angle relative to the horizontal, which in the preferred embodiment is approximately 5. Since the bonnet tapers inwardly at its open end, the legs may be spaced more closely together `at their point of securement to the feet than would be permissible with a bonnet which was not tapered in such a fashion, this permitting a smaller opening in the area of the ring 36 which, in turn, permits the size of the seat pad 40 necessary to cover the opening to be of suiciently limited dimension so as to not appear unsightly and massive.

The frame as described, including the base portion, the legs and the ring provide a cage-like housing generally indicated which receives and stores the bonnet 14 spaced from a supporting surface 5t) during periods of nonuse of the hair dryer bonnet. The bent feet of the legs 44a, 46:1, 43a and 48]; provide surfaces which taper downwardly and away from the medial portion of the base, these surfaces serving to cooperate with the open ends of the bonnet to tend to center the bonnet wihin the conlines of the cage-like house.

The seat pad 40 includes a decorative cover 54 made of a suitable material, such as one of several commercially available vinyl plastic products. The pad is further provided with a suitable cushioning material (not shown) inside the cover 54, one such suitable cushioning material being a foam rubber or the like. The bottom 56 of the seat pad is preferably made of a relatively heavy formable material and, in the prefered embodiment, is a metal stamping.

The bottom includes a rst registration means or ernbossed annular ring Sil having an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the circle dened by the uprights 32a, 32h, 32C 34 and the ring 36. The outer edge of the seat pad is provided with a downwardly extending flange 60 which is notched at 62 on the side of the seat pad which is intended to abut the elongated upright 34. The outer configuration of the llange 60 is provided with spaced indentations 62a and 62b which closely abut ring 36 and spaced surfaces 62C and 62d which also closely abut ring 36. When the seat pad is placed over ring 36, notch 62 slightly embraces the standard 34 and ilange surfaces 62a, 62h, 62C and 62d closely abut ring 36. Notch 62, flange 60, and embossed ring 58 all serve to orient the seat pad on the top of the cage-like frame and hold the seat pad against substantial movement relative to the frame Iwhile permitting easy access to the interior of the cage-like housing 52 by permiting manual removal of the seat pad from the top of the housing to permit extraction of the bonnet.

The backrest 70 is also provided with a suitable decorative cover 72 which may be made of a vinyl material and is cushioned with an appropriate material such as foam rubber (not shown). The rear of the backrest is a rigid member 74 of durable material, such as a metal stamping or the like. A channel-like bracket 76 is secured to the rear panel 74 of the backrest by suitable means such as rivet 77. The rearwardly extending ears 78a and 78b of bracket 76 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the lateral dimension of standard '34. Aligned openings Sfla and 8017 are formed in ears 78a and 78h, respectively, for receiving a fastening means such as bolt 82 and nut 84.

A sleeve 86 is welded to the forward face of the standard 34 generally midway between the free end of the standard and the removable seat pad. The backrest is secured to the sleeve by -means of bolt 82 and nut 84 to pivotally mount the backrest to the upright standard for limited swingable movement thereby providing an adjustable backrest for the comfort of the user. Preferably, the top edge of the backrest is generally aligned with the top of the extensible member when the extensible member is -depressed within the elongated upright 34 so as to generally mask the standard 34 from view, thus lending a decorative and pleasing appearance to the chair when it is not being used as a hair dryer stand.

This invention provides a structure which may be utilized as a chair, an appliance storing device and an appliance supporting device for periods of use of the appliance. Several components of the novel stand of this invention serve to perform more than the usual functions attributed to such components, and in addition, combine with other components so that the totality of the combination provides a unique appliance stand having several functional attributes which exceeds the functional attributes of the basic components. For example, the leg members not only support the seat pad but also form a housing for storing the appliance. Also, one of the leg members serves as an elongated standard for telescopically receiving an extension member and further serves to mount the backrest to the chair. The chair is easily converted from an appliance standard to a normal vanity chair requiring no tools nor difficult manipulation of components.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A stand for use in supporting a detachable appliance, comprising: means defining a seat supporting structure, said means constructed and arranged for affording a housing of a size and shape to confine said detachable appliance therein against unintended removal, said housing having a closable access opening for gaining access to the interior thereof to extract the appliance for use and to close the opening to confine the appliance therein 'when not in use; a seat member supported by said seat supporting structure providing a seating surface for occupation by a user; and an elongated appliance supporting standard connected to said seat supporting structure, said standard having means for detachably supporting the appliance thereto at an elevation relative to the seat supporting surface to permit occupation of the seat supporting surface by a user for use of the appliance when the appliance is removed from the housing afforded by the seat supporting structure and detachably secured to the elongated standard.

2. The hair dryer of claim 1 wherein the seat supporting means has an open upper end of a size and shape to receive said detachable appliance which comprises the housing access opening and the seat member includes a seat pad which normally covers the open end of the seat frame, the seat pad being movable with respect to the seat frame to permit access to the housing defined by the frame for insertion and extraction of an appliance relative to the housing through said upper end.

3. The stand of claim 2 wherein the frame includes a plurality of upright leg members which support the movable seat member, said upright leg members constituting the lateral confines of the housing and wherein one of said upright leg members is the elongated stand-ard, the elongated standard being provided with an extensible member which is movable with respect to the standard between an extended appliance supporting position and a masked retracted position.

4. The stand of claim 1 wherein an elongated standard is connected to the seat supporting structure, the elongated standard being provided with an extensible member which is movable with respect to the standard between an extended appliance supporting position and a masked retracted position, and further including a backrest member connected to the elongated standard for providing back support to the user -of the chair and for further masking a substantial portion of the elongated standard.

5. A stand for use in supporting a detachable appliance, comprising:

means defining a seat supporting structure, including a frame having an open upper end and a base portion connected to the frame, the base portion having feet for engaging a supporting surface, said feet being tapered downwardly and outwardly at their distal ends to provide limited areas of engagement between the fr-ame base and a supporting surface, said feet further providing centering means for cooperation with the open end of an appliance to be stored in the housing to generally center the appliance with respect to the housing and hold the appliance spaced from a supporting surface;

a seat member supported by said seat supporting struc ture, including a sea-t pad which normally covers the open end of the seat frame to provide a seating surface for occupation by a user, the seat pad being movable with respect to the seat frame to permit access to the housing dened by the frame for insertion and extraction of an appliance relative to the housing; and

an elongated appliance supporting standard connected to the seat supporting structure, said standard having means for detachably supporting the appliance thereto at an elevation relative to the seat supporting lsurface to permit occupation of the seat supporting surface by a user for use of the appliance when the appliance is removed from the housing afforded by the seat supporting structure and detachably secured to the elongated standard.

6. A stand for use in supporting a detachable appliance comprising:

means defining a seat supporting structure including a frame having an open end affording a housing for the detachable appliance, the frame also including a plurality of upright leg members which constitute the lateral confines of the housing, the leg members extending upwardly at a slight obtuse angle providing guiding surfaces for receiving and guiding an appliance;

a seat member supported by the upright leg members including a seat pad which normally covers the open end of the frame for providing a seating surface for occupation by a user, the seat pad being movable with respect to the seat frame to permit access to the housing defined by the frame for insertion and extraction of an appliance relative to the housing; and

an elongated appliance supporting standard connected to said seat supporting structure, said standard having means for detachably supporting the appliance thereto at an elevation relative to the seat supporting surface to permit occupation of the seat supporting sur- 7 8 face by a user, for use of the appliance when the -ap- References Cited pliance is removed from the housing afforded `by :the UNITED STATES PATENTS tegffnscrf and detachably secured to 2,696,873 12/1954 Mundtet al 297-191 7. The stand of claim 6 wherein the seat member bot- 5 Ilqon t1 tom is provided with spaced downwardly extending sur- 3189380 6/1965 Reilitriiane a n 297:191 faces which generally embrace the opening defined by the 323 0006 1/1966 SOOHS 297 193 seat supporting structure for retaining the seat against lat- 3:2481146 4/1966 Cowen 1- 221111111 297 217 eral movement relative to the seat supporting structure.

8. The stand of claim 7 wherein the seat supporting 10 FOREIGN PATENTS `structure has a ring-like top and the seat member bottom 604,415 7/ 1948 Great Britain. is provided with an outer flange having surfaces posi- 978,401 12/ 1964 Great Britain. tioned to abut portions of the ring-like top to hold the seat 756,484 9/1933 France.

member pad against substantial movement relative to he sea Supporting Stmcture- 15 JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

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