U.S. patent application number 11/446710 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for curling iron for babies and young children.
Invention is credited to Lorraine Pencook.
Application Number | 20070278205 11/446710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788889 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070278205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pencook; Lorraine |
December 6, 2007 |
Curling iron for babies and young children
Abstract
A curling iron for styling and curling the hair of infants and
small children includes a heat-dispensing barrel mounted to a
handle powered by rechargeable batteries or from a standard
electrical outlet. The barrel surface includes heat-dispensing
apertures and enclosed within the barrel is a motor, a heat bulb, a
mini fan, and a gear mechanism for rotating a barrette holder
rotator. A barrette hair clip is mountable to the barrette holder
rotator adjacent the annular surface of the barrel and at one of
three levels, and a control switch is set at the level
corresponding to the position of the barrette hair clip for
rotating the barrette hair clip and with the hair of the individual
secured thereto about the barrel in a helical manner for heating
and styling the individual's hair.
Inventors: |
Pencook; Lorraine; (Bel Air,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE INVENTORS NETWORK, INC.
332 ACADEMY STREET
CARNEGIE
PA
15106
US
|
Family ID: |
38788889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/446710 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/367 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/222 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/36 20060101
A45D002/36 |
Claims
1. A curling iron for creating small, tight curls on a length of
hair of an infant or a young child, comprising: a barrel having a
distal end and an opposite handle end; the barrel having an annular
surface extending from the handle end to the distal end and
enclosing therein an interior cavity; a plurality of heat
dispensing apertures located on the annular surface and arranged in
a plurality of rows extending from the handle end to the distal end
for dispensing heat on the length of hair for styling and curling
the length of hair; a helical slot formed on the annular surface
and extending from the handle end to the distal end; the helical
slot defining a level one for hair rotation and curling, a level
two for hair rotation and curling and a level three for hair
rotation and curling; a helical wire disposed within the interior
cavity and coincident with the helical slot; means for selectively
rotating the wire within the interior cavity and coincident with
the helical slot; a barrette holder rotator mountable to the
helical slot on the annular surface of the barrel for rotating a
length of hair upon the barrel commensurate with level one, level
two or level three; a handle secured to the handle end of the
barrel and coaxially projecting therefrom; a power light located on
the handle for indicating the power status of the curling iron; a
three position barrette rotator level control switch disposed on
the handle and slidably positionable to a first level that
corresponds to the level one on the barrel, a second level that
corresponds to the level two on the barrel, and a third level that
corresponds to the level three on the barrel; the handle including
an interior chamber for housing therein at least one rechargeable
battery that provides the power for heating the curling iron and
turning the length of hair upon the barrel; a battery adaptor
slidably receivable on the handle and capable of being plugged into
an electrical receptacle or wall outlet for recharging the battery;
and whereupon securing the length of hair against the barrel and
then setting the barrette rotator level control switch to the
desired level causes the length of hair to be turned and heated to
the corresponding level on the barrel thereby heating and curling
the length of hair.
2. The curling iron of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the barrel
includes an air vent for dissipating heat generated by the curling
iron during the curling and styling of the length of hair of the
infant or the young child.
3. The curling iron of claim 2 further comprising a base located at
the handle end of the barrel and from which the handle coaxially
extends.
4. The curling iron of claim 3 further comprising a heat bulb
mounted to the base and extending within the interior cavity of the
barrel for providing the heat that is dispersed through the heat
dispensing apertures for heating and curling the length of hair of
the infant or young child.
5. The curling iron of claim 4 wherein the heat bulb has a wattage
of at least 80 watts.
6. The curling iron of claim 5 wherein the means for selectively
rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected
to the wire with the gear assembly disposed at the base of the
barrel.
7. The curling iron of claim 6 further comprising a barrette hair
clip securable to the barrette holder rotator and to which the
length of hair of the infant or young child is attached.
8. A curling iron for heating and curling a length of hair of an
infant or a young child, comprising: a barrel having a distal end
and an opposite handle end; the barrel including an annular surface
extending from the handle end to the distal end and enclosing
therein an interior cavity; a plurality of heat dispensing
apertures located on the annular surface and arranged in a
plurality of rows extending from the handle end to the distal end
for dispensing heat on the length of hair for styling and curling
the length of hair; a helical slot formed on the annular surface
and extending from the handle end to the distal end; the annular
surface of the barrel defining a level one for hair rotation upon
the annular surface, a level two for hair rotation upon the annular
surface, and a level three for hair rotation upon the annular
surface; a helical wire disposed within the interior cavity and
coincident with the helical slot; means for selectively rotating
the wire within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical
slot; a barrette holder rotator mountable to the helical slot for
rotating the length of hair upon the annular surface of the barrel
commensurate to level one, level two or level three; a handle
secured to the handle end of the barrel and coaxially projecting
therefrom; a three position barrette rotator level control switch
disposed on the handle and selectively slidably positionable to a
first level that corresponds to level one on the annular surface, a
second level that corresponds to the level two on the annular
surface, and a third level that corresponds to the level three on
the annular surface; the handle including an interior chamber for
housing therein at least one rechargeable battery that provides the
power for heating the curling iron; a battery adaptor slidably
receivable on the handle and capable of being plugged into a wall
outlet or electrical receptacle for charging the battery; and
whereupon securing the length of hair against the annular surface
of the barrel and then setting the barrette rotator level control
switch to the first level, the second level, or the third level
cause the length of hair to be turned and heated to the
corresponding level one, level two or level three on the annular
surface so that the length of hair can be heated and curled.
9. The curling iron of claim 8 further comprising a power light
located on the handle for indicating the power status of the
curling iron.
10. The curling iron of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the
barrel includes an air vent for dissipating heat generated by the
curling iron during the curling and styling of the length of hair
of the infant or young child.
11. The curling iron of claim 10 further comprising a base located
at the handle end of the barrel and from which the handle coaxially
extends.
12. The curling iron of claim 11 further comprising a heat bulb
mounted to the base and extending within the interior cavity of the
barrel for providing heat that is dispersed through the heat
dispensing apertures for heating and curling the length of hair of
the infant or young child.
13. The curling iron of claim 12 wherein the heat bulb has a
wattage of at least 80 watts.
14. The curling iron of claim 13 wherein the means for selectively
rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected
to the wire with the gear assembly located at the base of the
barrel.
15. The curling iron of claim 14 further comprising a barrette hair
clip securable to the barrette holder rotator and to which the
length of hair of the infant or young child is attached so that the
length of hair can be turned and heated upon the annular surface of
the barrel.
16. A curling iron for heating and curling a length of hair of an
infant or young child in order to create small, tight curls,
comprising: a barrel having a distal end, an oppositely disposed
handle end, an annular surface extending from the handle end to the
distal end, an interior cavity enclosed by the annular surface and
coextensive therewith, and a plurality of heat dispensing apertures
arranged in annular rows on the annular surface from the distal end
to the handle end for allowing the passage therethrough of heat for
heating and curling the length of hair of the infant or young
child; a helical slot formed on the annular surface of the barrel
and extending from the distal end to the handle end, the helical
slot defining a level one for rotation of the length of hair about
the annular surface of the barrel, a level two for rotation of the
length of hair about the annular surface of the barrel, and a level
three for rotation of the length of hair about the annular surface
of the barrel; a helical wire disposed within the interior cavity
with the coils of the helical wire being coincident with the
helical slot; means for selectively rotating the wire within the
interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot; a barrette
hair clip mountable to the annular surface adjacent the helical
slot so that the length of hair can be secured to the barrette hair
clip for heating, turning and curling about the annular surface of
the barrel; a handle mounted to the handle end of the barrel and
coaxially projecting therefrom; a three position barrette rotator
level switch disposed on the handle and selectively slidably
positionable to a first level that corresponds to level one on the
annular surface of the barrel, a second level that corresponds to
the level two on the annular surface of the barrel, and a third
level that corresponds to the level three on the annular surface of
the barrel; the handle including an interior chamber for housing
therein a plurality of rechargeable batteries for providing the
power that heats and curls the length of hair turned about the
annular surface of the barrel; and whereupon securing the length of
hair to the barrette hair clip and against the annular surface and
then setting the barrette rotator level control switch to the
selected first level, second level, or third level causes the
length of hair to be heated and turned about the barrel thereby
styling and curling the length of hair.
17. The curling iron of claim 16 further comprising a battery
adaptor slidably receivable onto the handle and capable of being
plugged into a wall outlet or electrical receptacle for engaging
the batteries and charging the batteries.
18. The curling iron of claim 17 wherein the distal end of the
barrel includes at least one air vent for dissipating heat
generated by the curling iron during the curling and styling of the
length of hair.
19. The curling iron of claim 18 wherein the means for selectively
rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected
to the wire with the gear assembly located at the base of the
barrel.
20. The curling iron of claim 19 further comprising a barrette
holder rotator attachable to the wire so that the length of hair
can be secured to the barrette hair clip and the barrette hair clip
can be mounted to the barrette holder rotator whereupon rotation of
the wire results in the movement of the barrette holder rotator and
the barrette hair clip about the annular surface and the turning
and heating of the length of hair to the level set by the barrette
rotator level control switch.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to curling irons, and more
particularly pertains to a curling iron for creating small curls in
babies and young children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Curling irons are one of the primary accessory items used to
maintain, improve and enhance one's appearance, especially for
presentation in social and employment settings and environments.
Curling irons are handy and easy to use devices that when properly
heated are capable of curling or straightening one's hair as
desired. Curling irons can be both battery-powered through
rechargeable batteries, or they can plug directly into a standard
wall outlet. For added convenience they are also lightweight
(composed wholly of plastic or primarily of plastic components) and
easily portable in purses, backpacks, gym bags, fanny packs, etc.,
and thus can be used anywhere standard electrical outlets are
available.
[0003] However, it is not only adults that avail themselves of the
use of curling irons, but increasingly such items are used in
conjunction with maintaining, improving and enhancing the
appearance of children and even babies after they attain a certain
age that in some instances can be as young as six months. Parents
take pride in their children's appearance, and one sure way to
improve and enhance that appearance is by having stylishly coiffed
hair. Nonetheless, care must be taken in styling the hair of babies
and young children so that the injury doesn't occur to the hair or
scalp. Also, it may be necessary to adapt the design and dimensions
of the curling iron to the smaller-sized head. In view of the
above, the prior art discloses a number of curling irons.
[0004] For example, the Manabe et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No.
4,354,092) discloses a hair curling iron that includes a
sheet-shaped heater mounted to a handle with a storage battery
enclosed within the handle and which is electrically interconnected
to a battery charger when the handle is placed within the battery
charger.
[0005] The Carfaro patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,702) discloses a
battery powered electrical curling iron having a detachable wand
and a self-contained battery charger contained within the handle. A
metal foil heating substance encompasses the wand and is used to
heat the wand.
[0006] The Montagnino et al. patent (U.S. des. Pat. 321,412)
discloses an ornamental design for a curling iron.
[0007] The McGee patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,629) discloses a hair
curling iron that includes a pair of heat conductive tubular
barrels pivotally interconnected to handles with each barrel having
a flat surface for contacting, heating and curling the hair. A heat
plate attachment is also included for heating the curling iron.
[0008] The Tsuji et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,694) discloses
a hair styling iron that includes a tongue pivotally interconnected
to a barrel for clamping and curling hair therebetween, with the
barrel also including a pair of movable pipes for substantially
straightening the hair.
[0009] Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices,
there remains a need for a handy, portable curling iron for small
children and babies (above a predetermined age) that can quickly
and easily create small curls for appearance enhancement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention comprehends a curling iron for styling
and curling the hair of infants (generally not under six months
age) and small children. The curling iron of the present invention
is especially useful for creating small curls for the
individual.
[0011] The curling iron includes a cylindrical barrel having a
plurality of heat dispensing apertures arranged in rows along the
barrel from a distal end to a handle end. The distal end of the
barrel includes an air vent for the dissipation of excess heat
produced within the barrel. An annular helical groove or slot
extends along the barrel from the distal end to the handle end and
delimits three separate levels of barrette hair clip rotation:
specifically, a level one for barrette hair clip rotation; a level
two for barrette hair clip rotation; and a level three for barrette
hair clip rotation.
[0012] The barrel includes an interior cavity and contained within
the interior cavity are a number of interconnected structural
elements for heating, turning and styling the hair of the infant or
small child. Located at the handle end of the barrel is a base, and
mounted to the base is the circuitry that controls the operation of
the curling iron, a heat bulb that provides the heat to style the
hair, and a variable speed motor held in place within the cavity by
metal bar holders that extend from the base to the distal end of
the barrel. Projecting outwardly from the motor toward the distal
end of the barrel is a fan axle, and mounted on the fan axle is a
mini fan. Also mounted to the base is a gear assembly that is
electrically interconnected to the circuitry and the motor. The
gear assembly actuates for rotation a spinner coil or wire that is
disposed within the cavity and which extends from the handle end to
the distal end. The spinner coil or wire is circumjacent the metal
bar holders along the extension of the metal bar holders within the
cavity.
[0013] Projecting from the handle end of the barrel is a handle,
and the handle includes an on/off power switch, a power light to
apprise users of the power status of the curling iron, and a three
position barrette rotator level control switch all of which are
electrically interconnected to the circuitry. The handle also
includes an interior chamber for holding therein at least three
rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries, and electrical wiring
extends from the batteries to the circuitry.
[0014] The curling iron includes a battery adaptor for recharging
the batteries when necessary. The battery adapter includes an
interior battery holder having at least three compartments with
each compartment receiving therein one battery, and one charging
point or electrical contact is located at the bottom of each
compartment. The battery adaptor also includes a pivotally mounted
electrical plug that is plugged into a standard wall outlet or
electrical receptacle to thereby charge the batteries.
[0015] A barrette holder rotator is mountable to the annular
surface of the barrel and attachable to the spinner coil, and a
barrette hair clip is securable to the barrette holder rotator so
that both the barrette holder rotator and the barrette hair clip
rotate together about the annular surface of the barrel. The end of
the individual's hair is then secured to the barrette hair clip so
that the hair can be curled and styled commensurate with the level
set by the barrette level rotator control switch.
[0016] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
curling iron for babies and small children to provide a safe,
insulated curling iron for infants and young children's hair.
[0017] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a curling iron for babies and young children wherein the heating
element is heated by rechargeable batteries.
[0018] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide a curling iron for babies and young children in which the
heating element is heated via a standard electrical outlet.
[0019] It is still yet another objective of the present invention
to provide a curling iron for babies and young children that is
capable of creating various styles of curls.
[0020] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a curling iron for babies and young children that includes
an insulative material to ensure that any metal elements of the
curling iron do not come in contact with the head of the baby or
young child.
[0021] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a curling iron for babies and young children that is capable of
adding tiny curls to babies without the danger of burning the
babies' scalp.
[0022] Still yet another objective of the present invention is to
provide a curling iron for babies and young children in which
precisely defined curls can be created through the rotational level
setting of the curling iron.
[0023] These and other objects, features, and advantages will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the
following detailed description read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention illustrating the use of
an electrical cord and plug to provide power to the curling
iron;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the barrette and the barrette rotator levels;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the slidable on/off power switch and the three-position barrette
rotator level control switch;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view of the curling iron
for infants and small children of the present invention
illustrating internal structural elements and mechanical parts of
the curling iron;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention illustrating the
rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries enclosed within the handle of
the curling iron;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention illustrating the
barrette clip holder that is mounted within the various levels of
the helical barrette holder groove;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention illustrating the heat
bulb that is enclosed within the barrel of the curling iron that
provides the heat for hair styling and curling;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the curling iron for infants
and small children of the present invention illustrating the
battery adaptor and the interior battery holder compartments and
the pivotable battery plug;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the mini fan used for heat dissipation throughout the barrel of the
curling iron;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the various steps undertaken from setting the barrette level
rotator control switch to recharging the curling iron;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the
curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch
is set at level one;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the
curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch
is set at level two; and
[0037] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the curling iron for
infants and small children of the present invention illustrating
the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the
curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch
is set at level three.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 is a curling iron 10 for creating
curls, and especially small tight and tiny curls, in infants and
young children ranging in age from approximately 18 months to five
to six years of age. The curling iron 10 of the present invention
is lightweight and easily portable, and can include a decorative
carrying case (not shown).
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 12-14, the curling iron 10
includes a cylindrical barrel 12. The barrel 12 includes a distal
end 14 and an opposite handle end 16. The handle end 16 is closed
off by a floor or base 18, and the distal end 14 includes an air
vent 20 to allow for heat dissipation during and after the use of
the curling iron 10. The barrel 12 defines an interior cavity 22,
and the interior cavity 22 is commensurate in length with the
barrel 12. The barrel 12 includes an annular surface 24, and
arranged in a rows extending from the handle end 16 to the distal
end 14 are a plurality of heat dispensing apertures 26. The heat
dispensing apertures 26 allow passage therethrough of heat for
heating and curling the hair of the infant or small child. Also
disposed and formed on the annular surface 24 of the barrel 12 is a
helical groove or slot 28 that defines several levels of rotation
for the hair that is to be curled and styled. Specifically, there
are three levels of hair rotation, a level one 30, a level two 32,
and a level three 34, and each level corresponds to a given amount
of rotation for the length of hair to be curled. As shown in FIGS.
1-5 and 12-14, the helical groove 28 extends from the handle end 16
to the distal end 14 of the barrel 12 with level one 30 comprising
that extent of the groove 28 adjacent the distal end 14, level two
32 being intermediate the handle end 16 and the distal end 14, and
level three 34 being adjacent the handle end 16 of the barrel 12.
The levels 30, 32 and 34, may also be referred to as the barrette
rotator levels and they are coextensive with the annular surface of
the barrel.
[0040] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 12-14 is a handle 36 that is
coaxially mounted to the handle end 16 of the barrel 12. The handle
36 is generally cylindrically shaped and includes an external
annular surface 38 and an opposite interior chamber 40. Mounted to
the annular surface 38 of the handle 36 is an on and off power
switch 42 that is disposed within a slot 44 that is capable of
slidable movement to either an on position or an off position and
is pushed in for activating the curling iron. A power light 46 is
mounted on the annular surface 38 to visually apprise the user of
the operational status of the curling iron 10. A removable cap or
lid 48 is securable to the bottom of the handle 36 for closing off
the interior chamber 40 of the handle 36. As specifically shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the interior chamber 40 is configured to hold at
least three batteries 50, preferably three rechargeable
nickel/cadmium batteries, that are electrically interconnected to
other mechanical and electrical elements hereinafter further
described. The batteries 50 supply the power to the mechanical and
electrical elements. A battery connection wire 52 extends from the
batteries 50 to the electrical elements hereinafter to be described
and plugs into a battery connection 54 on the base 18 of the barrel
12. In addition, the handle 36 also includes a slidable three
position barrette rotator level control switch 56 that is slidably
positionable to three different hair rotation settings;
specifically, a first level 58 (or level one hair rotation), a
second level 60 (or level two hair rotation), and a third level 62
(or level three hair rotation). The respective levels 58, 60 and
62, at which the level control switch 56 can be set correspond to
the level one 30, the level two 32, and the level three 34
positions on the barrel 12 for hair rotation. The length of hair is
heated and turns about the annular surface 24 until the respective
level 30, 32 or 34 is reached whereupon the action of the curling
iron 10 halts as well as the turning, heating and curling of the
length of hair thereupon. FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative
embodiment for supplying power to the various mechanical and
electrical elements of the curling iron 10. The curling iron 10 of
FIG. 2 includes an electrical plug 64 and a flexible electrical
wire 66 of sufficient length with the plug 64 capable of being
plugged into a standard electrical outlet or wall receptacle.
[0041] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, 9 and 12-14 is a battery adaptor
68 that is slidably receivable onto the handle 36 for recharging
the batteries 50. The battery adaptor 68 is generally cylindrical
shaped and has a diameter that is greater than that of the handle
36. As shown in FIG. 9, the battery adaptor 68 includes an interior
battery compartment 70 configured with individual slots 72 each of
which receives one of the three batteries 50. Each slot 72 also
includes an electrical contact or charging point 74 that each
respective battery 50 contacts thereby enabling battery recharging.
The exterior of the battery adaptor 68 also includes an in-use
charging light 76 to apprise the user that the batteries 50 are
undergoing recharging, and recharging of the batteries 50 is
completed when the in-use light 76 goes out. A pivotally mounted
battery adaptor plug 78 is used to convey electrical current from
an electrical outlet or wall receptacle to the batteries 50 for
recharging the batteries 50. The battery adaptor plug 78 is
pivotally mounted within a recess 80 formed on the sidewall of the
battery adaptor 68 by a pair of oppositely extending pivot pins 82
mounted to the recess 80. When battery recharge is completed, the
battery adaptor plug 78 can be unplugged from the outlet or
receptacle and pivoted back into the recess 80 so that the battery
adaptor plug 78 is positioned out of the way during the use of the
curling iron 10.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, enclosed within the interior
chamber 22 of the barrel 12, and electrically interconnected to the
batteries 50, are a number of electrical and mechanical elements
that provide for the rotation and curling of a given length of
hair. Mounted on the base 18 of the barrel 12 are circuitry
elements 84 (that can be micro circuitry commonly used in the
field) for controlling the various features of the curling iron 10.
The circuitry elements 84 are interconnected to the batteries 50
through the battery connection 54 and battery connection wire 52.
Extending from the base 18 to the distal end 14 of the barrel 12
are four spaced-apart elongated metal bar holders or supports 86.
The metal bar holders 86 are used for the mounting of a motor 88
within the cavity 22. A fan axle 90 extends in axial alignment from
the motor 88 and projects toward the distal end 14 of the barrel 12
and is selectively rotatably from the motor 88. Mounted to the fan
axle 90 is mini fan 92 that is driven by the motor 88. The mini fan
92 provides for heat dissipation partially through the air vent 20
so that the curling iron 10 doesn't overheat during use.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, mounted to the metal bar
supports 86 opposite of the fan axle 90 and fan 92 is a heat sheet
94. The heat sheet 94 separates the motor 88 from a heat bulb 96,
preferably having a wattage of at least 80 watts, and which is
mounted to the base 18 and is coaxial with the motor 88 and the fan
92. Power for the heat bulb 96 is supplied from the batteries 50 to
which the heat bulb 96 is electrically interconnected. The heat
bulb 96 generates heat that is dispersed through the heat
dispensing apertures 26 for styling and curling the hair of the
infant or young child. Mounted to the base 18 of the barrel 12 is a
gear assembly 98. The gear assembly 98 is actuated by the on and
off power switch 42 being placed in the on disposition, and the
gear assembly 98 is controlled from the circuitry 84. The gear
assembly 98 specifically includes three gears: a driving gear, an
idler gear and a driven gear. A 360-degree retractable wire 100--or
spinner--is disposed within the interior cavity 22 of the barrel 12
and is circumjacent the metal bar supports 86. The retractable wire
100 has an attachment end for interengagement to the gear assembly
98 and a distal wire end. The coils of the wire 100 are coincident
with and adjacent to the helical groove 28 of the barrel 12 so that
actuation of the gear assembly 98 causes the wire 100 to rotate
coincident to and adjacent the helical groove 28 thereby resulting
in the rotating and heating of the hair on the barrel 12.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a 360-degree barrette holder
rotator 102 is removably securable to the coils of the wire 100.
The barrette holder rotator 102 includes a tapered insertion and
attachment end 104 that is slipped through the helical groove 28 at
any desirable point therealong for securement to the wire 100.
Generally the barrette holder rotator 102 will be secured to the
coils of the wire 100 adjacent level one 30. With the barrette
holder rotator 102 mounted to the wire 100, the rotation of the
wire 100 causes the barrette holder rotator 102 to move coincident
with the helical groove 28 and to the level set by the barrette
rotator level control switch 56. A mesh barrette hair clip 106 is
attachable to the barrette holder rotator 102 for rotation
therewith. The end or tip of a length of hair is secured to the
barrette hair clip 106 for rotation with the barrette hair clip 106
to the level set by the barrette rotator level control switch 56
that is generally set after the end of the length of hair is
secured to the barrette hair clip 106.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a representative schematic 108 of the operation
of the curling iron 10. The on and off power switch 42 is turned on
and the power light 46 flashes on to indicate that there is power
for the curling iron 10. The on and off power switch 42 would also
be pushed in to activate the power to the heat bulb 96 for
producing the requisite heat for styling and curling the hair.
Should the power light 46 fail to light, this would indicate that
the batteries 50 of the curling iron 10 require recharging, and the
handle 36 would then be placed in the battery compartment 70 of the
battery adaptor 68. With the curling iron 10 turned on the user
would then secure the length of hair to the barrette hair clip 106.
The end of the length of hair can be passed through a rod or
support 110 secured to the barrel 12 that extends from the handle
end 16 to the distal end 14 and which is slightly spaced from the
annular surface 24 of the barrel 12 to allow the hair to pass
therebetween. The rod 110 can be removed from the barrel 12 after
the hair has been curled. The user would then set the level control
switch 56 to the desired level--level one 58, level two 60 or level
three 62--and thereby initiate the engagement of the circuitry 84
and the gear assembly 98 to turn or rotate the wire 100 so that the
length of hair turns on the barrel 12 to the level set by the level
control switch 56. The gear assembly 98 will automatically stop
after the desired level of hair turning or rotation has been
attained. When the user is satisfied that the hair has been
appropriately curled, the on and off power switch 42 can be slid to
the off position thereby stopping the curling iron and allowing the
heat to dissipate through the air vent 20 for cooling off the
curling iron 10.
[0046] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the manner of hair curling for each
specific level setting. Thus, FIG. 12 illustrates the curling of a
length of hair 112 when the curling iron 10 is set at level one 58
by the barrette rotator level control switch 56. FIG. 13
illustrates the curling of the length of hair 112 when the curling
iron 10 is set at level two 60 by the barrette rotator level
control switch 56. FIG. 14 illustrates the curling of the length of
hair 112 when the curling iron 10 is set at level three 62 by the
barrette rotator level control switch 56. For each setting the end
114 of the length of hair 112 is secured to the barrette hair clip
106, and the barrette hair clip 106 is, in turn, secured to the
barrette holder rotator 102. When the curling iron 10 is set at
level one 58, the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least
once upon the barrel 12; when the curling iron 10 is set at level
two 60 the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least twice
upon the barrel 12; and when the curling iron 10 is set at level
three 62, the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least
three times upon the barrel 12. In all cases small tight curls are
formed thereby styling the hair of the infant or young child.
[0047] Although a preferred embodiment for this invention has been
described and disclosed, it will be apparent that various
modifications, alterations, and changes can be made by those
skilled in the art, and such modifications, alterations, and
changes are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the
appended claims.
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