GB2286771A - Viewing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A viewing device e.g. for hairdressing, comprises a plurality of mirrors mounted on an alignment unit which serves to reproducibly locate the plurality of mirrors relative to a datum position, such as a location on the back of a chair so that an occupant of the chair can view an image in one or more of the mirrors by way of another mirror located at a second datum position relative to the first. The device can incorporate an illuminating system mounted on the alignment system for brightening objects located in the vicinity of the mirrors. Typically in a combination of a chair and the viewing device, the chair serves to define the datum position, the alignment unit being adapted for demountable attachment to the chair at the datum position. <IMAGE>

Description

VtEWING UN1T This invention relates to a viewing unit. It is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with a viewing unit for use in hairdressing.

When a person is having their hair altered in appearance by a hairdresser it is usual for them to be seated in front of a mirror. This enables the person to see the state of the alteration. While this arrangement suffices for front and side views it does not enable the person to gauge the appearance of the hair towards the back of their head.

To this end the hairdresser can hold up a portable mirror to enable the person to view the the back of his head by way of the a reflection obtained by way of the front and portable mirrors. However this involves a degree of skill in the handling of the pivotable mirror by the hairdresser since he has to exercise judgement in aligning the portable mirror to enable the person to see the image in the portable mirror by way of the front mirror. This temporary viewing may not give sufficient time for the person to focus on the image of the back of their head and inspect the result of the operation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a viewing device comprising: a plurality of mirrors mounted on an alignment unit; the alignment unit serving to reproducibly locate the plurality of mirrors relative to a datum position, such as a location on the back of a chair so that an occupant of the chair can view an image in one or more of the plurality of mirrors by way of another mirror located at a second datum position relative to the first.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention there is provided an illuminating system on the alignment system whereby objects located in the vicinity of the plurality or mirrors are illuminated in order to brighten an image of such an object reflected in one or more of the mirrors.

According to the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a chair and a viewing device according to the first aspect or the first preferred version thereof; the chair serving to define the datum position, the alignment unit being adapted for demountable attachment to the chair at the datum position.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a viewing device; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the device of Figure 1 in use; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the device of Figure 1 in use.

Figure 1 Device 11 includes a plurality of mirrors 13-15. Mirror 13 is pivotably linked by hinge 16 to side 17 of central mirror 14. Likewise mirror 15 is pivotably linked by hinge 18 to side 19 of mirror 14. Mirror 14 is pivotably mounted on cross bar 21 of a T-piece 22 whose stem 23 is in the form of a hollow sleeve.

Alignment unit 24 comprises a curved stem 25 with upper end 26 of reduced diameter to receive sleeve 23. Lower end 27 of stem 25 is pivotably mounted on a clamping block 28 which provides for the attachment of the device 11 to a predetermined location 29 on the back of a chair 30. In this case attachment to the chair 30 is by way of a pair of spring loaded jaws 31 which once mounted on the location 29 are clamped in place by operation of a quick release lever 31.

The various coupling and hinging linking the mirrors to each other and to the stem and the fitments provided on the clamping block 28 provide for the ready adjustment of the plurality of mirrors 13-15 to reflect a particular region in front of the mirrors.

In this case for the chair 30 the region is that occupied by the head of a customer seated normally in the chair and facing away from the plurality of mirrors 13-15.

The device 11 is manufactured from plastics material and light alloy tubing to provide a light but strong device providing for its ready manipulation and positioning by a user.

Figures 2 and 3 show the device 11 in use. The chair 30 is occupied by a customer whose hair is being styled by a hairdresser. The customer C faces a conventional wall mounted mirror M enabling him to see readily the effect of styling on the front part of his head and, by turning his head, to see side views. To enable the customer C to readily view the rear of his head the device 11 is picked up from an accessible storage position and located at datum location 29 on the chair 30. The two datum positions of location 29 and mirror M are related to one another to provide for the customer to readily view the styling of the back of his head by way of the front mirror M and the plurality of mirrors of the device 11. In addition the hairdresser is free, typically to directly view the styling from a greater distance, without being obliged to manipulate the conventional rear view mirror.

The exemplary embodiment shows a device 11 having a variety of adjustments available to a user. However other embodiments of the invention include: a simplified device for use in relation to a specific chair so that the geometry of the device/chair combination is fixed and few or no adjusting means are required so simplifying the construction of the alignment unit; and a device permanently attached to the chair by way of an alignment unit incorporating a hinged, sliding or relative motion means so that while hair is being styled the alignment unit provides for the mirrors to be located in a retracted position affording unimpeded access to the head of an occupant of the chair by the hairdresser but once the device is required the alignment unit allows for the ready displacement of the mirrors by the motion means from the retracted to a working position where the occupant of the chair can view the rear part of his head by way of the plurality of mirros as described earlier.

Claims (4)

1 A viewing device comprising: a plurality of mirrors mounted on an alignment unit; the alignment unit serving to reproducibly locate the plurality of mirrors relative to a datum position, such as a location on the back of a chair so that an occupant of the chair can view an image in one or more of the plurality of mirrors by way of another mirror located at a second datum position relative to the first.

2 A viewing device as claimed in Claim 1 incorporating an illuminating system on the alignment system whereby objects located in the vicinity of the plurality or mirrors are illuminated in order to brighten an image of such an object reflected in one or more of the mirrors.

3 A combination of a chair and a viewing device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2; the chair serving to define the datum position, the alignment unit being adapted for demountable attachment to the chair at the datum position.

4 A viewing device as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.