U.S. patent application number 11/376734 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for revolvable hair curling iron.
Invention is credited to Patrick Bousfield, Ole Boysen.
Application Number | 20060237418 11/376734 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36499519 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bousfield; Patrick ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Revolvable hair curling iron
Abstract
A hair curling iron for curling hairs is disclosed which
includes a handle for housing a motor and a first member having a
first end rotatably coupled to the handle and selectively driven
into rotation by the motor. The first member has a second end
spaced from the first end in a direction of elongation. The hair
curling iron further includes a heating element disposed within the
first member and extending partially in the direction of elongation
between the first end and the second end and a clamp mounted for
rotation with the first member, the clamp having a closed position
suitable for retaining the hairs and an open position suitable for
receiving and withdrawing the hairs.
Inventors: |
Bousfield; Patrick;
(Middlesex, GB) ; Boysen; Ole; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Family ID: |
36499519 |
Appl. No.: |
11/376734 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60661748 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/225 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Claims
1. A hair curling iron for curling hairs, comprising: a handle; a
motor within the handle; a first member having a first end
rotatably coupled to the handle and selectively driven into
rotation by the motor, and having a second end spaced from the
first end in a direction of elongation; an elongated heating
element disposed within the first member and extending partially in
the direction of elongation between the first end and the second
end; and a clamp mounted for rotation with the first member, the
clamp having a closed position suitable for retaining the hairs and
an open position suitable for receiving and withdrawing the
hairs.
2. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heating element is
fixed relative to the first and second ends of the first
member.
3. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a clutch
rotatably coupled between the motor and the first member.
4. The curling iron of claim 3, wherein the motor has a shaft and
wherein the first member and the clutch rotate for so long as the
drag on the first member is less then a prescribed value and the
first member and at least part of the clutch slip relative to the
motor shaft if the drag on the first member is greater than the
prescribed value.
5. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heating element has an
axis and wherein the first member is coupled to the housing so as
to rotate parallel to or coincident with the axis.
6. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises
a heat conductor.
7. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heating element
includes a plurality of through-holes.
8. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a control switch
disposed on the handle to control activation and deactivation of at
least one of the heating element and the motor.
9. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a series of ribs
disposed circumferentially about the clamp.
10. The curling iron of claim 9, wherein the series of ribs
comprises a single rib oriented at an angle relative to the
direction of elongation and extending between the first and second
ends.
11. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the clamp is pivotally
mounted relative to the first member.
12. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a bezel, the
bezel being rotatably mounted to the handle and wherein the first
member is mounted to the bezel.
13. The curling iron as in claim 12, wherein the clamp is mounted
to the bezel.
14. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a spring
connected to the clamp to movably bias the clamp to the closed
position and to resist movement of the clamp to the opened
position.
15. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a tip connected
to the second end of the first member.
16. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising: a relay
circuit having an opened position and a closed position; a control
circuit connected between the relay circuit and the motor, the
control circuit having an input for sensing the closed position,
wherein the control circuit is operable to output a deactivation
signal to the motor when the relay is closed and reactivate the
motor after a predetermined time period has passed.
17. The curling iron of claim 16, wherein the relay closes for each
full rotation of the first member.
18. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a control
switch disposed on the handle to provide preselected levels of
power to the motor or to continuously vary the power to the
motor.
19. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a control
circuit connected to the motor, the control circuit being
programmed to intermittently rotate the motor in accordance with
prescribed time intervals or rotations of the first member.
20. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the motor is a variable
speed motor and the control switch is a motor speed selection
switch for controlling the speed of the motor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/661,748, filed on Mar. 14,
2005. The contents of this Provisional Application is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hand-held
hair-styling appliances. In particular, the present invention
relates to a hair-curling appliance that is electrically heated and
includes a motor to wind and unwind hair, to curl hair
automatically.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Heated styling irons are commonly used to style hair to a
wide variety of styles, such as by curling hair to impart a curl
that does not naturally occur in the hair and by straightening hair
to remove a kink or curl that does naturally occur in that hair.
For example, a circular or semicircular-shaped curl can be created
by wrapping hair about the outer surface of a heated cylindrically
shaped curling iron tip.
[0004] Conventional curling irons include a curling mandrel
comprising a generally cylindrical, elongated curling bar having a
clamping member adapted to fit about a portion of the circumference
thereof for at least a portion of the length thereof. During use,
the curling mandrel is heated and a strand of hair is clamped
against the bar by the clamping member. Manual rotation of the
entire curling iron winds the remainder of the strand of hair about
the mandrel. The heat in the mandrel alters the texture of the hair
so as to curl it and after a predetermined amount of time, the
curled hair is unwound.
[0005] One of the greatest difficulties encountered in the use of a
curling iron is that of winding the hair about the mandrel. Winding
is typically a slow process in which the entire curling iron must
be manually rotated. Such winding requires the use of two hands
thereby making it difficult for a person to set their own hair.
Rotating the entire device may also result in tangling of the power
cord or the need for the power cord to have an independent swivel
connection to the curling iron. Furthermore, since the degree of
curl is dependent upon the temperature of the mandrel and the time
of contact therewith, such winding should be rapidly or
consistently accomplished in order to allow for uniform curl
formation and to prevent burning of portions of the hair; however,
this is difficult to perform when the device must be manually
rotated. Accordingly, there is a need for a curling iron having a
driven mandrel which will simplify the winding of the hair
thereabout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the invention, a hair curling iron for
curling hairs is disclosed which includes a handle for housing a
motor and a first member having a first end rotatably coupled to
the handle and selectively driven into rotation by the motor. The
first member has a second end spaced from the first end in a
direction of elongation. The hair curling iron further includes a
heating element disposed within the first member and extending
partially in the direction of elongation between the first end and
the second end and a clamp mounted for rotation with the first
member, the clamp having a closed position suitable for retaining
the hairs and an open position suitable for receiving and
withdrawing the hairs.
[0007] In a further aspect of the invention, the hair curling iron
also includes a clutch rotatably coupled between the motor and the
first member wherein the first member and the clutch rotate for so
long as the drag on the first member is less then a prescribed
value.
[0008] These and other aspects, features and advantages, shall be
apparent from the accompanying drawing figures and description of
certain embodiments thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a particular hair styling
appliance structured in accordance with the principals of the
present invention in a closed position;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the hair styling appliance of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the styling appliance of FIG.
1 illustrating the major components thereof;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the hair styling appliance of
FIG. 1a broken away to show internal components;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic reed relay
structured in accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of control circuitry structured in
accordance with a salient aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention provides a curling iron constructed
and suitable for heating and revolving hair into a curl which is
set by the heat and contours of the curling iron. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, curling iron 10 is shown in a closed position and
generally includes a curling mandrel 12 and a handle 22. The
mandrel 12 includes an electrically heated male member 20.
Additionally, mandrel 12 is motor driven to allow for rotation in a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction to aid in curling of hair
around the mandrel. The mandrel 12 includes an elongated, generally
cylindrical male member 20 having a clamping element (female member
28) in contact with at least a portion of the circumference
thereof. The female member 28 is an elongated element which is
preferably pivotally attached to a bezel 65 (FIG. 3) at a pivot
point 34. Bezel 65 is rotatably mounted between handle 22 and male
member 20. Female member 28 includes a projecting contact portion
29 which can be used to move the female member 28 to an open
position wherein the curved portion thereof is pivoted out of
engagement with the male member 20. Projecting portion 29 is
adapted to bias the female member 28 between the open position and
a closed position to enable retention and release of one or more
strands of hair. For example, a spring 62 can be connected to the
female member 28 to movably bias the female member to the closed
position and to resist movement of the female member to the opened
position.
[0017] The handle 22 of the curling iron 10 can be provided with a
power cable 40 (as shown) or can be battery driven. The handle
preferably includes a switch 16 for controlling power to the
device. An indicator light 30 is provided on housing 22 for
indicating when the curling iron 10 is being heated. Handle 22
further includes a motor switch 32 for initiating and terminating
rotation of the mandrel 12. The motor switch 32 may further be
adapted to control the direction of mandrel rotation and it should
be understood that different arrangements for the switches can be
provided for control over heating and the motor. It will be noted
that curling iron 10 is configured so that the components thereof
are disposed along a common linear central axis so as to provide a
linear appliance. The particular arrangement of the components of
the curling iron readily adapts it for either right or left-handed
operation with equal facility. Male and female members, 20 and 28,
respectfully, are configured to project axially from handle 22.
Handle 22 is preferably provided with an ergonomic shape and is
made of heat resistant material for gripping by the user.
[0018] During operation of the curling iron 10, the power cord 40
is connected to a source of electrical energy. In accordance with
salient aspects of a curling iron in accordance with the present
invention, a heat level selector switch can be provided to control
an appropriate level of heat, typically a high or low level, and a
motor speed selection switch can be provided so as to choose a
desired mandrel rotational speed, typically a high, medium or low
speed. In order to curl hair, switch 16 is first turned on to heat
curling iron 10. Once sufficiently heated, projecting portion 29 of
female member 28 is depressed to open the female member 28. One or
more strands of hair are inserted between female member 28 and male
member 20, and projecting portion 29 is then released so as to
retain the strands of hair. The motor actuating switch 32 is then
activated to rotate the mandrel 12 and wind the hair about the
mandrel. Once the hair is fully wound, motor control switch 32 is
again pressed to terminate rotation.
[0019] After an amount of time sufficient to heat-set the curls in
the hair, the motor rotation switch 32 can be again activated to
reverse the direction of mandrel 12 rotation so as to unwind the
hair therefrom; and/or the projecting portion 29 can be depressed
so as to release the now curled strands of hair.
[0020] In a variation of the foregoing, the mandrel 12 may simply
be disengaged from the motor at the end of the curling time, so as
to spin free of the motor. In this embodiment a slight pull on the
curling iron can allow the mandrel to rotate freely thereby
unwinding the curled hair. Such modification is readily
accomplished by including a release clutch 60 (FIG. 3) for
disengaging the mandrel 12 from the motor 102. Clutch 60 is
rotatably coupled between the motor and the male member 20 and the
male member and the clutch rotate together for so long as the drag
on the male member is less then a prescribed value, but the clutch
permits slippage of the motor shaft while the mandrel stays
stationary if the drag exceeds the value.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded view of
a curling iron 10 generally similar to that illustrated with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The curling iron 10 includes a handle
22 which doubles as a housing for the internal components of the
curling iron. Handle 22 houses an electric motor 102 adapted to
rotate curling mandrel 12. The male member 20 has a first end
rotatably coupled to handle 22 and selectively driven into rotation
by the motor and a second end spaced from the first end in a
direction of elongation. The motor 102, which may be a conventional
stepper motor, is coupled to a clutch assembly 60 having an adapter
shaft 65 adapted to engage a portion of the mandrel 12 through
bezel 67. Bezel 67 is rotatably mounted to handle 22.
[0022] The clutch 60 is preferably a spring loaded face plate type
of clutch and is adapted to slip if the load on the motor 102
becomes too great. The clutch 60 is a safety feature which prevents
damage to the motor or injury to the user in the event that hair
becomes caught in the rotating mandrel 12 or the motor control
switch 32 fails. In such instances, the clutch will allow for
slippage, thereby preventing harm or damage.
[0023] The mandrel 12 includes a heating element 42 disposed within
the male member 20 in a generally coaxial relationship with the
circumference thereof and extending partially in the direction of
elongation between the first end and the second end of the male
member 20. Heating element 42 is composed of material that has a
high heat conducting efficiency and is fixed relative to the first
and second ends of the male member. As shown, plural holes can be
formed on its surface to improve the efficiency of
heat-conductivity. Heating element 42 has an axis extending in the
direction of elongation of male member 20. Male member 20 is
coupled to the housing so as to rotate parallel to or coincident
with this axis. A heating device (not shown), such as an electric
or gas-burning heater, can be mounted within handle 22 for heating
heating element 42. For details on a gas burning heater, see
co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/717,575,
60/752,115 and 60/764,991 entitled "Cordless Hairdryer with Movable
Baffle," filed, Sep. 14, 2005, Dec. 19, 2005 and Feb. 2, 2006,
respectively, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0024] There is also disposed an indicator lamp 30 in series with
the heating element 42 for indicating when the heating element 42
is energized. The lamp 30 can be an incandescent lamp, a gas
discharge lamp such as a neon lamp, a light emitting diode LED or
the like. In other embodiments, the mandrel 12 may have
thermochromic material placed thereupon, to indicate by suitable
color change when a proper hair curling temperature is reached.
[0025] Electrical power is communicated to the motor 102 via the
switch 32. The switch 32 can provide preselected levels of power to
the motor. Optionally, the switch 32 can continuously vary the
power to the motor or it may be a stepwise acting switch adapted to
provide various levels, as for example high, medium and low levels
of power to the motor. Other combinations of speed and/or heat
settings can be utilized. All such modifications should be apparent
to one of skill in the art in light of the disclosure herein.
[0026] The operation of the projecting portion 29 is to bias the
female member 28 between an open and closed position. Female
portion 28 has a central opening therein and is disposed so that
the male member 20 passes through the central opening. Female
member 28 and its projecting portion 29 are preferably composed of
a temperature-resistant material exhibiting a low coefficient of
friction, among such materials are metals and various synthetic
polymers such as nylon, Dehrin, Teflon, and the like.
[0027] Female member 28 preferably defines a "crescent" shaped
cross-section. Referring to FIG. 1, when hair styling device 10 is
in the closed position male member 20 forms a nested concave/convex
relationship with the female member 28 partially covering the male
member 20. Male member 20 has a generally circular-shaped
cross-section and female member 28 has a generally crescent-shaped
cross-section. Thus, when members 20 and 28 are brought into
contact with each other the convex face of male member 20 abuts the
concave face of female member 28. Members 20, 28 can have smooth
surfaces, lacking any bristle, rib, projection or other feature
which might impede their movement through the hair 89. Preferably
at least one of the male and female members includes a series of
ribs disposed circumferentially about its surface. Such a series
can be oriented at an angle relative to the direction of elongation
and extend between the first and second ends.
[0028] The male member is preferably heated by the heating element
42 being located within it; however, in certain embodiments, male
and female members 20, 28 are both heated or the heating element
can be disposed in the female member 28.
[0029] The female member 28 has a spring 62 associated with the
pivot point 34 thereof for purposes of biasing the female member 28
to its closed position. Release of a manual force on the projecting
portion 29 allows the spring 62 to return the female member 28 to
the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, motor 102 can be a DC
motor. The use of a DC motor confers several advantages in curling
irons. DC motors are typically small sized and therefore allow for
lightweight, compact appliances having a linear configuration.
Additionally, use of DC motors allows for the ready, electrical
control of motor rotation so as to provide for simple control of
mandrel rotation.
[0031] Surfaces 20 and 28 can grasp the trapped hair strands yet
slide freely in a stroking manner from the scalp to the hair tips
to accomplish a hair straightening effect. Slight rotation of hair
styling appliance 10 as by cooking the user's wrist during the
stroke, adds a flip to the hair.
[0032] As described above, members 20 and 28 are simultaneously
rotated along the P axis to rotational angles in the range of
0.degree. to 360.degree.. As the rotational angle is rotated past
0.degree. to an order of 180.degree. or more, any hair 89 pressed
between the male and female members is curled. Note that the term
"press," "pressed" or "pressing" as used herein describes closing
the members 20, 28 of the hair styling apparatus 10 together to
form an inside or anterior contact surface between the members in
which any hair 89 is secured between the members.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, hair styling apparatus 10 includes
magnetic reed relay 500 for monitoring the revolutions of the motor
102, and consequently the revolutions of the mandrel. This
information can be used in a variety of ways, i.e., to detect motor
malfunctions, count the number of mandrel revolutions, etc. A
magnet 502 is connected to the motor shaft gear 504. As motor 102
drives the motor shaft gear 504 the magnet 502 comes into and
out-of contact with the magnet reed relay 500. When magnet 502
reaches magnet reed relay 500 it causes contacts A and B to short
circuit. Magnetic reed relay 500 can be connected to a
microprocessor via contact A and B for detecting, for example, the
short circuit of contacts A and B, thereby recording each
revolution of the motor shaft gear 504.
[0034] Signals issued by the rotating shaft can comprise a magnetic
field that selectively influences the magnet reed relay 500, e.g.,
to close the relay whenever the magnet is proximate the relay
(e.g., in the 12 o'clock position as shown). Closure of the relay
can interrupt power to the motor for a moment (as timed by suitable
electronic circuitry or software) or until the switch 16 is
activated again. In this way, the user can cease curling operations
precisely at each complete rotation and be able to open female
member and free the curled hair 89 from the hair styling appliance
10. More generally, circuitry can be provided to limit each
actuation to a certain number of rotations or time of rotation for
more precise curling control by the user.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, an example of suitable electronic
circuitry for interrupting and controlling power to the motor is
disclosed for the embodiment of FIG. 5. Specifically, a controller
700 with inputs for sensing closure of relay 500 via contacts A and
B is provided. When the relay 500 is closed, control circuit 700
will output a signal on terminal 709 stopping the motor 102 for a
predetermined time period set by RC circuit 703. The motor 102 can
be reactivated by triggering switch 16 or, otherwise, waiting a
prescribed time interval upon which control circuit 700 will
automatically reactivate the motor 102. Accordingly, the above
described arrangement will permit controllable reactivation of
motor 102 after each full rotation of the mandrel. After each full
rotation, the user will be given the choice to stop further curling
and free the hair held thereby or to continue curling for another
complete rotation.
[0036] The relay described above can be set upon activating the
motor and reset when a short circuit signal is generated after the
mandrel has rotated 360.degree., or vice versa. If for any reason
the reset condition does not occur, such as if motor 102
experiences a jam or a power off condition occurs prior to a full
360.degree. rotation of motor shaft gear 504, the relay will remain
set informing the microprocessor that the motor has not completed
its rotation and may have been unnecessarily prevented from
completing its cycle.
[0037] Embodiments of the hair styling technology described herein
may be applied to various other hair treating or styling devices
for shaping hair, such as, curlers, clamp curling brushes, steam
curlers, hair rollers, hot hair rollers, hair straighteners, hair
flatteners, and curling wands. Furthermore, while specific
embodiments of the hair styling appliance with concave/convex
heating surfaces of the present invention have been shown and
described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the invention in its broader aspects.
[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to
several embodiments thereof, the invention is more broadly defined
and limited only by the recitations in the claims appended hereto
and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *