Hair brush with curved styling surfaces

Abstract

A hairbrush (10) has rounded outer surfaces (23, 25) of hinged heads (22, 24) that, when the brush is closed, achieve a closed form that is generally round or spherical in cross-sectional shape. Another aspect of the present invention includes inner head surfaces (26, 28) that support bristles and that are complementarily shaped concave and convex, respectively, to hold a tuft of hair in a curved position as the tuft is pulled through the closed heads.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/687,479, filed Jun. 03, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to hairbrushes and, more particularly, to hairbrushes having cured surfaces integral to the brushes that are adapted to assist styling techniques.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Know hairbrushes, especially those used for straightening or for styling, have two brush heads with bristles that are joined by a hinge and adapted to close around a tuft of hair so that the hair is sandwiched between the brush heads while the brush is pulled through the hair. This can be used to straighten hair, typically done in cooperation with a hairdryer, or it can be used to introduce a "flip" or curved hair end by rotating the bush while pulling through and away. This type of hinged brush is often called a "straightening brush." Known straightening brushes have flat or planar surfaces on the heads on sides that are opposite to and adjacent to the bristles. These flat or planar surfaces are not as well adapted for flip or curl techniques as, for example, the rounded surfaces found on the outside barrel of a curling iron. A curling iron can be moved relative to the hair, i.e. in a flip or curl manner, to introduce a desired style.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is desirable to provide a hairbrush that is optimally adapted to styling techniques such as flip or curl or others where rotation of the brush relative to the hair while pulling is desired, while avoiding the shortcomings described above and while achieving other benefits.

[0007] A hairbrush according to the present invention has rounded outer surfaces of hinged heads that, when the brush is closed, achieve a closed form that is generally round or spherical in cross-sectional shape. Another aspect of the present invention includes inner head surfaces that support bristles and that are complementarily shaped concave and convex, respectively, the hold a tuft of hair in a curved position as the tuft is pulled through the closed heads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a hairbrush according to the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a hairbrush according to the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1C is a top view of a hairbrush according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 1D is a side view of a hairbrush according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1E is a bottom view of a hairbrush according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a hairbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a hair brush according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2C is a top view of a hairbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2D is a side view of a hairbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2E is a bottom view of a hairbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1A-E, a brush (10) according to the present invention has a first section (12) and a second section (14), each joined by a spring-loaded hinge (16). The first and second sections (12, 14) have respective handle portions (18, 20), and respective brush head sections (22, 24). As can be seen in FIG. 1B, the first brush head (22) has in inner concave surface (26) and the second brush head (24) has an inner convex surface (28), which close together in a complementary, nesting manner. Brush bristles (30, 32) are located on each respective surface (26, 28). When a tuft of hair is clamped between the complementary surfaces (26, 28), it is held in a curved path and a user can then rotate the brush while pulling through the hair so that the hair is guided along the arcuate path defined by the complementary surfaces (26, 28). The outer surface (23) of the firs head (22) is generally convex, and the outer surface (25) of the second head (24) is generally convex. These features impart a flip or curl to the hair when the brush is closed over a tuft of hair and the brush is rotated as it is pulled through the hair. Rotation of the brush is about an imaginary axis longitudinally aligned through the handle and head portions when the brush is closed.

[0019] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A- 2E, wherein, a brush (40) according to the present invention has a first section (42) and a second section (44), each joined by a spring-loaded hinge (46). The first and second sections (42, 44) have respective handle portions (48, 50), and respective brush head sections (52, 54). Each head (52, 54) has a generally flat inner surface (56, 58) and a convex outer surface (60, 62). Bristles (64, 66) are located on the inner surfaces (56, 58). When a tuft of hair is clamped between the heads (52, 54), and the brush is rotated while being pulled through the hair, the hair rolls around he convex outer surfaces (60, 62) to impart a flip, curl, or other desired style.

[0020] The present invention brush embodiments shown herein may include various additional features such as: ceramic or tourmaline coatings to emit ions; an ionic emitter that is powered by an electrical charge; an electric heating element; an electric fan for blowing heated air onto hair being styled; a variety of electric control buttons and display readouts including LCD, LED or other lights, and other features.

[0021] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been herein describe, various modification may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hair brush comprising a first portion (12, 42) comprising a first handle (18, 48) and a first head (22, 52) having an inner surface (26, 56) having a plurality of first bristles (30, 64) extending therefrom; a second portion (14, 44) comprising a second handle (20, 50) and a second head (24, 54) having an inner surface (28, 58) and a plurality of second bristles (32, 66) extending therefrom and having an outer convex surface (29, 62); and a hinge (16, 46) joining said first portion (12, 42) and said second portion (14, 44) so that said first inner surface (26, 56) and said second inner surface (28, 58) face each other and are adapted to contact each other when said first portion (12, 42) and said second portion (14, 44) are pivoted about said hinge (16, 46) toward each other.

2. A hair brush according to claim 1, wherein said inner surface (26) of said first head (22) is a concave surface (26); and said inner surface (28) of said second head (24) is a convex surface (28).

3. A hair brush according to claim. 1, wherein said inner surface (56) of said first head (52) is generally flat; and said inner surface (58) of said second head (54) is generally flat.

4. A hair brush according to claim 3, wherein said outer surface (60) of said first head (52) is convex.