U.S. patent application number 10/449567 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for hair wrapping device.
Invention is credited to Glucksman, Dov Z., McGonagle, Gary P., Nickerson, Laura J..
Application Number | 20040237991 10/449567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33451816 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040237991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glucksman, Dov Z. ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
Hair wrapping device
Abstract
A hair wrapping device has a handle portion and a carousel
structure. An electric drive in the handle rotates the carousel
about a central passage. The carousel structure includes bobbins
and structures for allowing decorative strands on the bobbins to be
directed into the central passage along with a tress of hair. When
the drive is energized the carousel structure rotates and wraps
each decorative strand around the tress as the wrapping device is
moved along the tress of hair.
Inventors: |
Glucksman, Dov Z.; (Wenham,
MA) ; Nickerson, Laura J.; (Andover, MA) ;
McGonagle, Gary P.; (Lynn, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEORGE A. HERBSTER
40 BEACH STREET
SUITE 303
MANCHESTER
MA
01944
US
|
Family ID: |
33451816 |
Appl. No.: |
10/449567 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/271 ;
132/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2002/007 20130101;
A45D 2/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/271 ;
132/212 |
International
Class: |
A45D 007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent
of the United States is:
1. A device for wrapping at least one decorative strand about a
tress of hair comprising: A) a handle having, at one end thereof, a
cylindrical support extending along a wrapping axis, B) a carousel
mounted on said cylindrical support member for rotation about the
wrapping axis, said cylindrical support and said carousel forming a
central passage along the wrapping axis for receiving the tress of
hair, C) at least one axle carried on said carousel for defining a
bobbin axis displaced from and parallel to the wrapping axis, D) a
bobbin on each said axle for carrying a decorative strand that is
led through said central passage and for rotating about the bobbin
axis, and E) means for rotating said carousel relative to said base
member thereby to wrap the decorative strand about the tress of
hair.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating
said carousel includes engagement means on said carousel and drive
means in said handle for contacting said engagement means.
3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said drive means includes
an electric motor.
4. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said handle means
includes an electric motor, battery supports, and first and second
electrical connections between said battery supports and said
electric motor, one of said electrical connections including a
switch mounted on said handle.
5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said carousel has a
circular base plate and spaced wall segments extending from the
plate.
6. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein said base plate includes
means proximate each bobbin axle for applying a frictional force to
the corresponding bobbin.
7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said base plate includes,
at each bobbin position, a retainer wall that partially surrounds
said bobbin for retaining the strand on said bobbin, said retainer
wall having a gap therethrough for passage of said strand as it
pays off said bobbin during a hair wrapping operation.
8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said retainer wall
defines a passage that guides the strand as it passes from said
bobbin through said gap and said central passage.
9. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein said carousel includes a
cover that closes said carousel thereby to capture each bobbin on
its axle.
10. A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said cover is detachable
from said carousel thereby to enable the removal and insertion of a
bobbin on its axle.
11. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said cover and said
wall portions include at least one detent assembly for detachably
retaining said cover on said carousel.
12. A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said each bobbin has a
primary wall that extends transversely to its axle and said cover
and said wall segments have a diameter that is less than the
diameter of a circle circumscribing said primary walls of all the
bobbins on said carousel, said cover having openings therethrough
aligned with said bobbins thereby to allow access to the
bobbins.
13. A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said carousel includes a
circular base plate for carrying said axles and said circular base
plate includes means at each axle for applying axial thrust to a
bobbin on said axle.
14. A device as recited in claim 13 wherein cover includes means
aligned with each said axle for limiting axial displacement of a
bobbin on said axle whereby said thrust means and said cover
generate a frictional force during rotation of said bobbin.
15. A device for wrapping at a plurality of decorative strands
about a tress of hair comprising: A) a handle having, at one end
thereof, a cylindrical support extending along a wrapping axis, B)
a carousel mounted on said cylindrical support member for rotation
about the wrapping axis, said cylindrical support and said carousel
forming a central passage along the wrapping axis for receiving the
tress of hair, C) a bobbin for each of the plurality of decorative
strands that is led through said central passage, D) an axle for
each of said plurality of bobbins carried on said carousel, said
plurality of axles lying on bobbin axes that are parallel to,
equally radially displaced from and equiangularly spaced around the
wrapping axis, E) a guide on said carousel proximate each of the
plurality of bobbins for guiding a decorative strand to said
central passage, and F) drive means for rotating said carousel
relative to said base member thereby to wrap the plurality of
strands about the tress.
16. A device as recited in claim 15 including a ring gear formed
about the periphery of said carousel and an electric drive with a
gear engaging the ring gear.
17. A device as recited in claim 16 wherein said electric drive
means includes an electric motor and a speed reducer between said
motor and said gear.
18. A device as recited in claim 17 wherein said electric motor is
battery operated, said handle including battery supports, supports
for said electric motor, an electric switch and electrical
connections among said battery supports, electric motor and
electric switch.
19. A device as recited in claim 15 wherein said carousel has a
circular base plate that supports said ring gear and wall segments
about portions of the base plate.
20. A device as recited in claim 19 wherein said base plate
includes means proximate each of said bobbin axles for applying a
frictional force to a bobbin mounted on said axle and rotates about
a bobbin axis.
21. A device as recited in claim 20 wherein said base plate
includes, at each bobbin position, a retaining wall that partially
surrounds said bobbin for retaining the strand on said bobbin, said
retaining wall having a gap therethrough for passage of said strand
as it pays off said bobbin during a hair wrapping operation.
22. A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said retaining wall
defines a passage that guides the strands it passes from said
bobbin through said gap and said central passage.
23. A device as recited in claim 19 wherein said carousel includes
a cover that closes said carousel thereby to capture each of said
bobbins on a corresponding axle.
24. A device as recited in claim 23 wherein said cover is
detachable from said carousel thereby to enable the removal and
insertion of bobbins on said axles.
25. A device as recited in claim 24 wherein said cover and said
wall portions include at least one detent assembly for detachably
retaining said cover on said carousel.
26. A device as recited in claim 23 wherein each of said bobbins
has a primary wall that extends transversely to the bobbin axis and
said cover and said wall segments have a diameter that is less than
the diameter of a circle circumscribing said primary walls of
bobbins on said carousel, said cover and wall segments having
openings and notches therethrough respectively, aligned with said
bobbins thereby to allow access to said primary walls of said
bobbins.
27. A device as recited in claim 26 wherein the periphery of said
primary walls are knurled.
28. A device as recited in claim 23 wherein said carousel includes
a circular base plate for carrying said axles and said circular
base plate includes means at each axle for applying axial thrust to
a bobbin on said axle.
29. A device as recited in claim 28 wherein said cover includes
means aligned with each said axle for limiting axial displacement
of a bobbin on said axle whereby said thrust means and said cover
generate a frictional force during rotation of said bobbin.
30. A device as recited in claim 15 additionally comprising means
for grasping a hair tress for placement in said central
passage.
31. A kit for enabling an individual to wrap at a plurality of
decorative strands about a tress of hair comprising: A) a hair
wrapping device including: i) a handle having, at one end thereof,
a cylindrical support extending along a wrapping axis and at the
other end thereof electrically interconnected battery supports, an
electric motor and an electrical switch accessible for operation
for the exterior of said handle portion, ii) a carousel mounted on
said cylindrical support for rotation about the wrapping axis, said
cylindrical support and said carousel forming a central passage
along the axis for receiving the tress of hair, said carousel
including: a) a circular base plate with a ring gear about the
periphery thereof, b) three axles extending from said base plate
along bobbin axes that are equally radially spaced from and
equiangularly spaced about the wrapping axis, and c) wall segments
extending from said base plate around said periphery thereof, iii)
a bobbin for each of the plurality of decorative strands that is
led through said central passage, for rotating on each of said
axles about a respective bobbin axis thereby to provide three
decorative strands, iv) speed reducing gear means between said
electric motor and said ring gear whereby energization of said
electric motor rotates said carousel, v) guides for directing the
decorative strands from through said central passage as the
decorative strands pay from said bobbins during rotation of said
carousel, and vi) cover means detachably attached to said wall
segments on said carousel, and B) means for grasping a hair tress
for placement in said central passage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to hair styling devices and
more particularly to devices for wrapping a tress of hair with at
least one strand of decorative material.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In recent years it has become popular to wrap tresses of
hair with decorative cords, ribbons or other decorative strands.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,036 (1989) to Buta discloses an
apparatus for spirally winding a thread about a tress of hair. This
apparatus includes an annular disk journaled on a casing. The
annular disk has a central opening through which hair is placed.
The tube has an axis and two ends. A motor rotates a disk that
carries one or more spools of winding material about an axis. A
guide directs winding material to the hair.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,759 (1997) to Chung et al. discloses
another type of hair wrapping device in which a housing supports a
rotating spindle, a spool and a motor for rotating the spindle. As
the spindle rotates, a single cord is dispensed from a spool and
wrapped around the hair in the spindle bore.
[0006] As disclosed, both of these devices, particularly the device
in the Buta patent, seem complicated to build and difficult to
operate. Although Chung et al patent overcomes some of these
difficulties, it is still subject to certain operating problems.
For example, the cord can become tangled with the apparatus as it
pays off a single spool. Moreover, this device is also limited to
dispensing a single cord. Therefore what is needed is a hair
wrapping device that has the flexibility of wrapping one or more
decorative strands about a tress of hair in a reliable manner which
device is inexpensive to build, easy to prepare for use and easy to
use.
SUMMARY
[0007] Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a
device for wrapping at least on decorative strand about a tress of
hair.
[0008] Another object of this invention is to provide a device for
wrapping at least one decorative strand about a tress of hair that
is easy to prepare for use.
[0009] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
device for wrapping a tress of hair with at least one decorative
strand that is easy to use.
[0010] Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a
device for wrapping at least one decorative strand around a tress
of hair that minimizes manufacturing costs by simplifying the
manufacturing process.
[0011] In accordance with this invention, a device for wrapping a
tress of hair with at least one decorative strand includes a handle
with a cylindrical support member extending along a wrapping axis
at one end. A carousel mounts for rotation on the support member
and forms a central passage with the central support member. The
carousel carries at least one axle displaced from and parallel to
an axis of rotation. The axle receives a bobbin for carrying a
length of the decorative strand that is led through the central
passage. When the carousel is rotated relative to the base member,
the decorative strand wraps about the tress of hair led through the
central passage.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of this invention a device
wraps a plurality of decorative strands about a tress of hair. A
handle has, at one end, a cylindrical support member extending
along a wrapping axis. A carousel mounts on the cylindrical support
member for rotation about the wrapping axis and defines, with the
cylindrical support member, a central passage along the wrapping
axis for receiving the tress of hair. A bobbin is provided for each
of the plurality of decorative strands. The carousel carries an
axle for each of the plurality of bobbins. The axles rotate about
bobbin axes that are parallel to, equally radially spaced from and
equiangularly spaced about the wrapping axis. A guide on the
carousel at each of the plurality of bobbins leads the decorative
strand to the central passage. A drive rotates the carousel
relative to the handle thereby to wrap the plurality of decorative
strands about the tress of hair.
[0013] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention a
kit for wrapping a plurality of decorative strands about a tress of
hair includes a hair wrapping device and a tool for grasping the
hair tress. The hair wrapping device includes a handle having a
cylindrical support member at one end extending along a wrapping
axis. The other end of the handle includes electrically
interconnected battery supports, an electric motor and an electric
switch accessible for operation from the exterior of the handle
portion. A carousel mounts on the cylindrical support for rotation
about the wrapping axis and forms, with the central support member,
a central passage along the wrapping axis for receiving the tress
of hair located in the central passage by the hair grasping tool.
The carousel includes a base plate with a ring gear about its
periphery, three axles extending from the base plate along bobbin
axes that are equally radially spaced from and equiangularly spaced
about the wrapping axis and wall segments that extend from the base
plate about the periphery. A bobbin for each of the plurality of
decorative strands can rotate on each of the axles thereby to
provide three decorative strands. Speed reducing gears connect the
electric motor and the ring gear so energization of the electric
motor rotates the carousel. Guides direct each decorative strand
from its respective bobbin through the central passage. As the
decorative strands pay from the bobbins during rotation of the
carousel, they wrap around the tress of hair. A cover detachably
attaches to the walls on the carousel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The appended claims particularly point out and distinctly
claim the subject matter of this invention. The various objects,
advantages and novel features of this invention will be more fully
apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair wrapping device
constructed in accordance with this invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool that is useful with
the operation of the device shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 3A through 3D depict the use of the hair wrapping
device of FIG. 1 and tool in FIG. 2 for the purposes of wrapping
decorative strands about a tress of hair;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bobbin useful in
accordance with this invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the hair wrapping device shown
in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a section view taken along lines 6-6 shown in
FIGS. 1 and 6;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in
FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the hair
wrapping device shown in FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C depict the method by which the hair
wrapping device in FIG. 1 is prepared for use.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a hair wrapping device 10 for wrapping at
least one decorative strand about a tress of hair that embodies
this invention. The hair wrapping device 10 has an elongated handle
11 and, at one end thereof, a carousel 12 that rotates about a
wrapping axis 13. An electric switch 14 controls the rotation. The
carousel 12 carries one or more decorative strands 15, three
strands in this embodiment, that exit from a central passage 16 and
from the bottom of the hair wrapping device 10 in the orientation
shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] Although not required for the operation of the hair wrapping
device 10, a tool 20 shown in FIG. 2 facilitates the use of the
hair wrapping device 10. As an example of such a tool, FIG. 2
depicts a structure with bifurcated arms 21 and 22 extending from
an apex 23. The other ends of the arms 21 and 22 terminate as open
or free ends with clamping structures 24 and 25. The clamping
structures 24 and 25 could be any one of a number of well-known
structures that are particularly adapted for closing injected
molded parts.
[0026] Assuming that the hair wrapping device 10 is prepared for
use, an individual 30, as shown in FIG. 3A manipulates the tool 20
in open position to surround and form a tress 31 of hair. Then the
arms 21 and 22 can be squeezed to close and clamp the structure
through the clamping structures 24 and 25. The tool 20 then grasps
the hair tress for placement in the central passage.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3B, the individual 30 then positions the
hair wrapping device 10 near the tress 31 and directs the tool 20
through the central passage 16 so the tress 31 is drawn through the
central passage 16 along with decorative strands 15. In FIG. 3C the
tool 20 is removed and the hair wrapping device 10 is positioned
along the tress 31 at a starting point generally close to the
scalp. Now the individual can manipulate the switch 14 to initiate
rotation of the carousel 12 and simultaneously can draw the hair
wrapping device 10 away from the scalp. As shown in FIG. 3D as this
occurs the decorative strands 15 wrap around the tress 31. When the
tress 31 is fully wrapped, the individual can then tie or otherwise
affix the ends of the decorative strands 15 to the end of the tress
31 and cut or sever the decorative strands 15. Thus in accordance
with certain objects of this invention, it will now be apparent
that the hair wrapping device 10 is easy to use and allows the
individual to wrap multiple decorative strands around a single
tress.
[0028] The structure for providing this function is contained in
the carousel 12 that carries multiple bobbins. In this particular
embodiment the carousel 12 includes three bobbins, but other
numbers could also be included, constrained only by the needs of
the market and limits on the size of the hair wrapping device
10.
[0029] Each of the bobbins has the same structure. FIG. 4 depicts
one bobbin 32A that carries the decorative strand 15A within the
carousel 12. Each bobbin includes a drum 33 for rotation about an
axle or bobbin axis. A primary wall 34 and secondary wall 35 at the
ends of the drum 33 form a reel structure to capture the wound
decorative strand 15A. A journal 36 through the center of the
primary wall 34, secondary wall 35 and drum 33 allows rotation
about an axle in the carousel 12.
[0030] The primary wall 34 also contains a knurled edge 37 that
facilitates winding of material on the bobbin and a notch 38 for
capturing one end of the decorative strand 15A during winding. An
arrow 39 can optionally be positioned on the primary wall 34 to
indicate an appropriate winding direction. The diameter of the
primary wall 34 is greater than the diameter of the secondary wall
35 to assure proper orientation in the carousel 12 and to minimize
the possibility that the decorative strand 15A will escape and be
subject to tangling, as will be described later.
[0031] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 5 through 7, a cylindrical
support 40 extending from a base plate 15 along the wrapping axis
13 is integral with one end of the handle structure 11 and carries
the carousel 12. A ferrule 43 proximate the base 41 extension of
the handle extension 42 engages a carousel body 44 formed with a
circular base plate 45, a central cylindrical support 46 and a
detent 47. During manufacture the carousel body 44 is located on
the cylindrical support 40. As downward force is applied in the
carousel body 44, the detent 47 snaps onto the ferrule 43. Thus the
cylindrical support 40 captures the carousel body 44 to prevent any
axial displacement while allowing the carousel body 44 to rotate
about the wrapping axis 13.
[0032] As shown more specifically in FIGS. 5 and 7, a gear 50 is
formed proximate the periphery 51 of the plate 44. As is most
clearly seen from FIG. 7, the gear 51 is formed on a downwardly
depending annular structure 52 that provides additional rigidity of
the plate. The annular structure is spaced from a bottom concave
surface 53 of the base 41.
[0033] In this particular embodiment an electrically operated drive
unit engages the gear 51 to rotate the carousel 12 about the
wrapping axis 13 and a tress of hair in the central passage 16.
Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the handle extension 42 that
carries the base 41 extends radially from the wrapping axis 13 at a
downward angle as shown in FIG. 7 to provide a comfortable handle
grip. The handle extension 42 forms the bottom of the handle 11 and
carries two spaced battery supports 54 and 55 and batteries 56. An
end cap 57 engages the proximate battery terminals in a
conventional manner to connect the batteries in series.
[0034] The handle extension 42 also carries an electric motor 60.
First electrical contacts 61 provide a direct connection from the
batteries to one input of the electric motor 60. Second electrical
contacts 62 provide a connection to the electric motor 60 through
the electric switch 14. The operation of such components and
circuits is well-known in the art so no further discussion is
deemed necessary.
[0035] The electric motor 60 has an output gear 63 that drives a
speed reducing gear train 64 and an output gear 65 that engages the
ring gear 50. Thus when the electric switch 14 is actuated, the
motor 60 causes the carousel structure 12 to rotate about the
wrapping axis 13. As will be apparent particularly from viewing
FIG. 7 in a preferred embodiment, the base 41 with its bottom
concave surface 53 provides a structure that covers the ring gear
50 during this operation.
[0036] Still referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the carousel body 44
includes three equiangularly spaced carousel wall segments 70
extending from the periphery of the circular base plate 45. Each
wall segment 70 defines a bobbin position. Bobbin positions 71A,
71B and 71C are depicted in FIGS. 5 and 8. Each wall segment 70
also supports a cover 72.
[0037] Each bobbin position is characterized by an identical
structure so the description is limited to the first bobbin
position 71A. A semicircular retainer wall 73 extends inwardly from
the wall segment 70 and is spaced essentially equidistantly from an
axle 74. The distance is selected so that when a bobbin, such as
bobbin 32A, is placed on the axle 74 the secondary wall has a
corresponding cross-sectional area. The height of each retaining
wall 73 is selected that the top/edge lies just below the primary
bobbin wall 34 at its periphery. The primary wall has a greater
diameter than the secondary wall 35, so a portion of the primary
wall 34 extends through a notch 74 formed in the wall segment
70.
[0038] A free end 75 of the retainer wall 73 is formed in a reverse
curve and with the wall segment 70 defines a gap 76 through which a
decorative strand can pay out from the bobbin 32, such as the
bobbin 32A in FIG. 8. A passage 76 with a side slot allows an
individual to position the decorative strand, such as strand 15A in
FIG. 8, so that it captures the decorative strand and directs it to
the central passage 16.
[0039] An axle 78 carried on the carousel 12 and extending from the
plate 45, receives the bobbin. As particularly viewed from FIG. 8
when the three bobbins 32A, 32B and 32C are located on their
respective axles, the bobbins rotate about bobbin axes that are
parallel to and equidistant from the wrapping axis 13 and that are
equiangularly spaced about the wrapping axis. Each of the
decorative strands 15A, 15B and 15C individually pays off its
respective bobbin, passes through the respective passages in the
free ends 75 and then is directed to the central passage 16. The
close fit of the primary wall 34 as in the bobbin 32A with its
respective retaining wall 73, together with the location of the
passage 76, minimizes the potential of decorative strand coming off
inappropriately and tangling during use.
[0040] The hair wrapping device 10 also controls the pay out of
each decorative strand 15 by applying a frictional force to each
bobbin to reduce rotational velocity and to apply some tension in
each of the decorative strands as they pay out from their
respective bobbins. FIG. 7 shows one structure for providing this
frictional force to a bobbin. Specifically the plate 45 has a tab
80 formed in the material as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A. Using
techniques well-known in the art, the tab 80 is designed to flex
and exert an axially upward force in the orientation of FIG. 7 as
it is pushed toward alignment with the plate 45 or loaded. The
cover 72 has a thrust bearing 81 aligned with the primary plate 34
and the axle 78. When the cover 72 is in place and captures the
bobbins, it produces a loading between the tab 80 and the secondary
plate 35. The resulting force produces sliding friction between the
bobbin 32A and the plate 45.
[0041] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 7 and 9C, the cover 72
also has a concave top structure 82 with a central aperture 83 that
aligns with the central passage 16 formed by the cylindrical
support 40 and the carousel 12. Thus when assembled the central
passage 16 is unobstructed.
[0042] Detent structures formed between the cover 72 and the
carousel body 44 prevent the cover 72 from dislodging during use
and provide a proper orientation of the cover 72 relative to the
carousel body 44. More specifically, a side skirt 84 on the cover
has at least one inner tab 85 at one detent position. In this
particular embodiment three equiangularly spaced tabs are formed on
the inner portion of the skirt 84. Corresponding equiangularly
spaced structures are formed in the wall segments with an axially
ramped surface 86 leading to a cavity 87. When the cover 72 slides
over the wall segments 70 each tab 85 tab must align with a ramped
surface 86. Then the cover 72 and tabs 85 advance until the tabs 85
fall into the cavities 87 to lock the cover 72 in position.
[0043] This angular alignment allows the formation of three
equiangularly spaced slots 90 formed proximate the intersection of
the skirt 84 and the concave top 82. These slots 90 are aligned
with the notch 74 and the bobbins at each of the bobbin positions
when the cover 72 is locked in position. This provides access to
the knurled edge 37 of each primary wall 34. Thus it is possible
for the individual to rewind decorative strands 15 onto their
respective bobbins without removing the cover 72.
[0044] As will now be appreciated from FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the
hair wrapping device 10 is easy to prepare for use. FIG. 9A depicts
the hair wrapping device 10 with the bobbins 32A, 32B and 32C
positioned for being placed in the bobbin positions 71A, 71B and 7C
respectively after decorative strand material is wound on each.
FIG. 9B depicts the hair wrapping device after the individual
strands 15A, 15B and 15C are led through the retaining wall 73 and
the central passage 16. As will be apparent positioning the
decorative strands in the central passage 16 can be accomplished
manually or with the use of the tool in FIG. 2. In FIG. 9C the
cover 72 is positioned so that the tabs 85 align with the
respective detents. Thereafter the cover is firmly placed on the
carousel body 44. At this point the hair wrapping device is ready
for use as previously described with respect to FIGS. 3A through
3D.
[0045] As will now be apparent, particularly from FIGS. 5 through
7, a hair wrapping device 10 constructed in accordance with this
invention meets the other objects and advantages of this invention.
Each of the structures, such as the carousel cover 72, the carousel
body 44, the handle 11 and the handle cover 66 can all be made by
standard injection molding processes. Consequently the cost per
unit of manufacture of these components is small. The electrical
components, including the electric motor and gear trains are all
standard devices that are relatively inexpensive. Assembly effort
is minimized. Consequently, a hair wrapping device constructed in
accordance with this invention is readily manufacturable at a low
cost.
[0046] This invention has been disclosed in terms of certain
embodiments. It will be apparent that many modifications can be
made to the foregoing disclosed embodiment. For example, details of
the interface between the cylindrical support 40 and the
cylindrical support 46 can be changed. In the figures a portion of
the central cylindrical support 46 overlies the end of the support
40. In another embodiment the reverse might occur allowing the
cylindrical support 40 to extend beyond the cylindrical support 46.
Different structures for the various retaining walls and wall
segments could also be substituted. The drawings show three bobbin
positions. As previously indicated other numbers of bottom
positions could be incorporated in a device. A battery-operated
electric motor drive is shown. In some embodiments it might be
desired to use standard power or to substitute a mechanical
equipment for the electric drive means. Thus the figures show a
particular specific embodiment including certain configurations and
providing a certain appearance. However, many variations could be
made to this embodiment. Consequently, it is the intent of the
appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as
come within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *