U.S. patent application number 11/917634 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for hair styling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRAUN GMBH. Invention is credited to Georg Boeger, Sebastian Hottenrott.
Application Number | 20080236565 11/917634 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37177828 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080236565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boeger; Georg ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
Hair Styling Device
Abstract
A hair styling device includes a styling rod and a handle
connected with the styling rod, which features a holding device and
a pivoting cap connected to the holding device. The cap can be
pivoted between an opening and closing position and serves to close
the housing for the gas cartridge. The inside of the cap features
in the area of its free end contact parts, which are designed to
exert, upon closure of the cap, a displacement force on the gas
cartridge in axial direction of the device. As a result, by closing
the cap, the gas cartridge is moved directly into operating
position during which a needle valve is inserted in a valve of the
gas cartridge by displacing the gas cartridge. In addition, in the
area of its linkage to the holding device, the cap features a clamp
which, upon opening of the cap, exerts an axial displacement force
on the gas cartridge in longitudinal direction of the device toward
the handle's end of the hair styling device and thus brings it into
a position of removal.
Inventors: |
Boeger; Georg; (Steinbach,
DE) ; Hottenrott; Sebastian; (Idstein, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
BRAUN GMBH
Kronberg
DE
|
Family ID: |
37177828 |
Appl. No.: |
11/917634 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
June 7, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/005403 |
371 Date: |
June 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/409 ;
126/408; 132/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/409 ;
126/408; 132/228 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/02 20060101
A45D001/02; A45D 6/00 20060101 A45D006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2005 |
DE |
102005027980.5 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A hair styling device comprising: a hair styling rod, and a
graspable housing connected to the styling rod, the housing
defining a gas cartridge compartment; and a cover positionable to
close the gas cartridge compartment; wherein the cover is connected
to the housing with a pivot connection, such that the cover is
movable between an open position and a closed position.
17. The hair styling device of claim 16, further comprising a
locking mechanism to lock the cover in the open position.
18. The hair styling device of claim 16, further comprising a gas
cartridge positioned within the compartment.
19. The hair styling device of claim 18, configured such that
closing the cover moves the gas cartridge along an axial direction
of the hair styling device into an operating position.
20. The hair styling device of claim 18, wherein the cover includes
a gas cartridge contact surface spaced from the pivot connection
and disposed on a side of the cover that faces the cartridge
compartment in the closed position.
21. The hair styling device of claim 20, wherein the gas cartridge
contact surface is configured such that closing the cover forces
the cartridge toward the forming rod.
22. The hair styling device of claim 18, configured such that
opening the cover moves the gas cartridge in an axial direction of
the hair styling device into a take-out position.
23. The hair styling device claim 18, wherein the cover includes a
protrusion adjacent the pivot connection and extending from a side
of the cover that faces the cartridge compartment in the closed
position.
24. The hair styling device claim 23, wherein the protrusion is
configured to force the cartridge away from the forming rod in a
release position as the cover is opened.
25. The hair styling device of claim 18, wherein the housing
includes means for moving the cover from the closed position to a
take-out position.
26. The hair styling device of claim 22, wherein the cover includes
a spring element that biases the cover toward the take-out
position.
27. The hair styling device claim 25, further comprising a cover
release clement embedded in an end of the housing.
28. The hair styling device of claim 16, wherein the housing
includes an interior wall that forms an end of the gas cartridge
compartment at an end of the housing.
29. The hair styling device of claim 28, wherein the wall and the
cover are configured to engage in a snap connection.
30. The hair styling device of claim 29, further comprising a
release element configured to be activated against a spring to
unlatch the snap connection.
31. The hair styling device of claim 30, wherein the spring is
formed of a single piece of material.
32. The hair styling device of claim 16, wherein the housing and
the cover have coordinated outlines constituting a cylinder-like
form in the closed position.
33. The hair styling device of claim 32, wherein the cylinder-like
form narrows towards an end of the housing away from the styling
rod.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a gas-operated hair styling device
including a handle and a styling rod connected to the handle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hair styling devices, which include a styling rod for
shaping, in particular straightening, curling or waving hair, at
which the hair can be placed between tongs facing each other and
the tongs can be transferred from an open to a closed condition and
vice versa are known in prior art. For example, WO 2004/019723
shows a gas-operated hair styling device of the kind mentioned
above, which has a replaceable gas cartridge in the handle of a
hair styling device.
[0003] In this case, the housing for the gas cartridge is closed by
a removable closing cap, which is removed from the handle if the
gas cartridge is exchanged, i.e., if the cartridge has to be
removed from the handle. To remove an empty gas cartridge, the user
has to manually detach the gas cartridge from a needle valve to be
able to remove it from the housing of the handle. To insert a new,
gas-filled cartridge it is required that the cartridge is manually
attached to the needle valve provided for the withdrawal of gas.
Finally, before use, the user has to close the handle by means of
the closing cap.
[0004] The exchange procedure described has its disadvantages with
regard to user friendliness and manageability since, on the one
hand, the user has to handle several parts, namely at least the
handle and the closing cap and, on the other hand, he has to make
sure that the closing cap is again placed at the handle in the
correct and specified direction.
[0005] Especially in an embodiment in which the closing cap is
designed to be placed at the end of the handle and to be removed
from the handle by means of a snap-on mechanism, there is an
increased risk of being injured if the cartridge has to be
exchanged while the hair styling device is in use. With such
implementation, secure handling of the handle is possible only in a
very restricted way after the closing cap has been removed.
Especially the process of detaching the closing cap can cause the
handle to slip away and, as a result, the user's hand may come in
contact with hot styling rod. This, in turn, can result in painful
burnings.
[0006] Furthermore, a removable closing requires, at least
partially, a double-walled design of the handle to provide the
necessary space for guide length and inlet guide. In particular
with regard to portable hair styling devices for which it is
especially desired to reduce size and weight of the component, this
at least partially double-walled embodiment of the handle is
especially disadvantageous. Moreover, a detachable connection
between the removable closing cap and handle of the hair styling
device usually causes the impression in the user of dealing with a
less stable device.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a hair styling device that
improves handling of the device in exchanging the gas
cartridges.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a hair styling device
includes a styling rod and a handle connected to the styling rod.
The handle is configured to accept a gas cartridge and features a
holding device and a pivoting cap to close the housing for the gas
cartridge. The pivoting cap is connected to the holding device and
can be pivoted between an opening and a closing position.
[0009] The pivoting cap prevents the user of the hair styling
device from having to deal with several components of the hair
styling device if the gas cartridge has to be exchanged. Since the
pivoting cap is designed as an integral part of the handle of the
hair styling device, it is effectively avoided that, during the
process of changing the gas cartridge, a removable closing part
can, for example, be misplaced, damaged or incorrectly connected to
the handle. Since the closing cap no longer has to be detached in
order to change the cartridge, it is also prevented that the user
gets burned because of coming in contact with the hot styling
rod.
[0010] Typically, the pivoting cap rotates around a fixed pivot
axis, preventing an incorrect closing of the housing.
[0011] In addition, the closing cap allows for a single-wall
embodiment of the holding device which considerably reduces the
size of the holding device compared to devices according to prior
art.
[0012] In some embodiments of the invention, the hair styling
device includes a snap-on means to lock the cap in opening
position. For instance, if the user transfers or pivots the cap
from closing position to opening position, the snap-on mechanism
allows the cap to be stopped or locked in the opening position. In
opening position, the housing for the gas cartridge is especially
easy to access and the fact that the cap is locked in opening
position prevents the cap from switching automatically to closing
position during the process of removing or inserting the gas
cartridge. The locking in opening position therefore considerably
increases manageability and user friendliness of the hair styling
device during the process of changing the gas cartridge.
[0013] In some embodiments of the invention, during the process of
closing the cap axially in longitudinal direction of the device
toward the styling rod, the gas cartridge, which can be inserted in
the housing of the holding device, can be moved into operating
position. In operating position, the gas cartridge is pushed onto a
pin or needle valve, in order to extract gas from the cartridge.
Consequently, the housing for the gas cartridge allows an axial
movement of the gas cartridge between operating position and
position of removal. In the position of removal, the gas cartridge
is typically detached from the pin or needle valve and can be
directly removed from the housing. Compared to the position of
removal, in operating position, the cartridge is moved toward the
styling rod. The position of removal, on the other hand, is
arranged further away from the styling rod.
[0014] In some embodiments of the invention, the inside of the cap
features in the area of its free end contact parts which, upon
closure of the cap, exert a displacement force on the gas cartridge
in the direction of the styling rod. The free end of the cap is the
end opposite of the pivot axis. The contact parts can be designed,
for example, as angular faces which can switch a radial or vertical
force on the cap to an axial or horizontal displacement force
whereby the displacement force acts on the gas cartridge in order
to move it in the direction of the styling rod until it reaches its
operating position.
[0015] The contact parts and the associated switching of the force
exerted on the cap especially achieve that, directly at the closing
of the cap, the gas cartridge is automatically pushed on the pin or
needle valve to extract the gas. This makes it unnecessary to
manually push the gas cartridge on the pin of needle valve, as
designed in prior art.
[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, the cap has on its
inside a projection in the area of its linkage to the holding
device. This projection is designed, upon opening the cap, to exert
a displacement force on the gas cartridge away from the styling
rod. The projection is arranged to form a rigid piece with the cap,
spaced from the pivot axis. As a result, upon opening the cap, the
projection attaches to the gas cartridge and the gas cartridge, in
turn, automatically is pulled away from the pin or needle
valve.
[0017] These embodiments include a further improvement of the hair
styling device because, compared to prior art, it is no longer
necessary to manually remove or pull away the gas cartridge from
the pin or needle valve. Consequently, after the cap is opened or,
in particular, after the cap locks into its opening position, the
used gas cartridge has been removed from the pin and lies
unattached in the housing, which makes it especially advantageous
for a user to remove the gas cartridge from the housing in a user
friendly and easy manner.
[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
holding device features an opening mechanism to lift the cap from
its closing position into a release position. Since in closing
position the cap and the holding device are typically attached to
each other in flush fashion, it is only possible to a limited
extent, for example, because of a smooth surface structure, to lift
the cap from its closing position. However, in release position,
the cap is opened at least a little, forming a gap between the cap
and the holding device, which makes it considerably easier to take
and lift the cap. In addition, the opening mechanism serves the
purpose of automatically lifting the free end of the cap from
closing position to release position.
[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the inside of the cap
features at least one spring-loaded element to lift the cap from
its closing position. For example, upon closing the cap, this
spring-loaded element can be tensioned, allowing the spring energy
stored in the spring-loaded element to lift the cap into release
position if the cap is opened or unlocked. Therefore, the
spring-loaded element can be tensioned, for example, against the
inserted gas cartridge if the cap is closed.
[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, the opening mechanism
can be operated by an unlocking device, which is preferably
counter-sunk at the end of the holding device. For example, the
unlocking device can be designed as a key or push button, a slider
or button. Its counter-sunk arrangement in the surface of the
housing prevents the opening mechanism from being activated
unintentionally, allowing the hair styling device to be put down in
any position without risking that the opening mechanism is
activated unintentionally.
[0021] An actuation of the unlocking device primarily serves the
purpose of releasing a locking device or connection between cap and
holding device, pressing the pre-tensioned spring-loaded element
against the cap and bringing the cap in release position. In some
embodiments of the invention, the holding device features at its
end a wall section extending to the interior and restricting the
housing for the gas cartridge. This wall section, which is designed
at the end of the hair styling device's handle at the holding
device, prevents the gas cartridge from unintentionally slipping
out if the cap is opened. For example, if the cap is in opening
position and the hair styling device is held in a way that the end
of the handle points downward, the wall section forms a stop
position for the gas cartridge, which is free to move in the
housing axially in longitudinal direction of the device. In order
to take the gas cartridge out f the housing, it is required to
slightly lift the gas cartridge above the restricting wall section,
which typically requires an additional movement on the part of the
user. In this way an uncontrolled slipping of the gas cartridge is
largely avoided.
[0022] In some embodiments of the invention, the wall section and
the cap are designed to form a form-fit snap-on connection.
Consequently, in closing position of the cap, parts of the cap and
the wall section are arranged to partially overlap to form a
snap-on connection. For this, the wall section and/or cap feature
matching snap-on elements.
[0023] In some embodiments of the invention, the unlocking device
can be actuated against spring tension to release the snap-on
connection. The unlocking device can be arranged at the wall
section of the holding device or at the cap. Depending on the
design of the snap-on connection, by actuating the unlocking
device, latches or corresponding undercuts are moved against spring
tension, releasing the snap-on connection. The latches or
corresponding undercuts can be arranged at the wall section or at
the cap.
[0024] In some embodiments of the invention, the spring tension to
release the snap-on connection can be derived from a one-piece
spring-loaded element, which is provided also to actuate the
opening mechanism. For example, the one-piece spring-loaded element
can be arranged to form a rectangular spring element at the
interior side of the cap in such a way that one end contacts the
unlocking element positioned at the end and the other end contacts
the shell or cylindrical surface of the inserted gas cartridge.
[0025] In some embodiments of the invention, the cap features at an
end a snap-on element with at least one latch to form a snap-on
connection with the wall section of the holding device. The snap-on
element is designed for reception at the wall section and, if the
snap-on element rests against the wall section, its latches can
engage in corresponding undercuts to form a form-fit snap-on
connection.
[0026] In some embodiments of the invention, the holding device and
the cap feature matching outer surfaces, which supplement each
other to form a cylindrical shape in closing position. The outer
surface of the holding device is tapering toward the end.
Consequently, in the area of the handle's end, the cap surrounds
more than half of the radial circumference of the inserted gas
cartridge in closing position. If the cap is opened, such design
makes it possible that a user can grip the inserted gas cartridge
below its medium center line between thumb and index finger and
lift it out. Thus, if the cap is opened, the side areas of the
cartridge are easily accessible, having an advantageous effect on
handling the device during the process of changing the cartridge.
It has also been designed that, in direction of the end pointing to
the styling rod, the outer surface of the holding device encloses
the inserted gas cartridge much more than the cap. An associated
maximizing of the surface of the holding device is especially
advantageous for handling the entire hair styling device during the
process of changing the cartridge. For instance, the user can
securely hold the hair styling device in one hand even if the cap
is opened.
[0027] The following description of the drawings show further
objectives, advantages, characteristics and forms of application of
aspects of the invention. All characteristics described and/or
illustrated represent in itself or in any combination aspects of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair styling device with
inserted gas cartridge.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hair styling device with
extracted gas cartridge.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing for the gas
cartridge with opened cap.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cap interior.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the end area of the holding
device.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a radial cross section through the hair styling
device.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross section along the cut E-E indicated in
FIG. 6.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross section along the cut F-F indicated in
FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section along the cut A-A
indicated in FIG. 6 with opened cap.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross section along the cut A-A
indicated in FIG. 6 with closed cap.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross section through the hair
styling device along the cut B-B indicated in FIG. 6.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pivot bearing of the
cap with snap-on mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the hair styling device 1
which has a styling rod 2 and an associated handle 3. The housing
of the handle 3 is divided into a holding device 5 and a cap 4
pivoting at the holding device. In opening position, the pivoting
cap 4 uncovers a housing, which is designed to receive a gas
cartridge 6. The user can insert the gas cartridge 6 into a housing
which is restricted by holding device 5. By closing the cap 4, it
is pushed into operating position. At the end, i.e., the side
opposite of the styling rod 2, the holding device 5 has a wall
section 8 extending to the interior, which restricts the housing
area for the gas cartridge 6 toward the handle's end and
consequently prevents that, while the cap is opened, the gas
cartridge 6 is slipping out of the housing axially in longitudinal
direction.
[0041] At its end, the cap 4 has a snap-on element 7 which is
designed to form a form-fit connection with the wall section 8 of
the holding device 5. The snap-on element 7 features at least one,
preferably two latches 11, 12, which are designed to engage in
corresponding undercuts of the wall section 8. By activating the
actuating element or button 9, the snap-on element 7 and the two
latches 11, 12 are moved in axial direction toward the styling rod
2, releasing the snap-on connection between snap-on element 7 and
wall section 8 and opening the cap 4.
[0042] In the depicted embodiment, the cap 4 and the holding device
5 have outer surfaces supplementing each other to form a
cylindrical shape, at which the outer surface of the holding device
5 is tapered toward the end of the handle. As a result, at the end
of the handle 3, the cap 4 has a larger radial circumference than
the holding device 5 and thus, below the medium center lines, the
gas cartridge 6 can be lifted above the wall section 8 and the user
is able to grip the gas cartridge between thumb and index finger,
easily lifting it out of the housing.
[0043] The radial circumference of the outer surface of the holding
device 5 remains the same in the direction of the styling rod 2.
However, preferably it is designed larger than the cap 4. This
serves to maximize the radial circumference or shell of the holding
device 5 in order to guarantee that the user can hold the handle 3
and thus the entire hair styling device 1 securely in one hand
without slipping while exchanging the cartridge.
[0044] In addition, the hair styling device 1 features at the
handle two switches 17, 18, which can be designed, for example, as
key switches, rocker switches, or slider switches and have the
purpose of regulating the temperature or operate the movable
elements of the styling rod 2.
[0045] The gas cartridge 6 is axially movable in longitudinal
direction of the hair styling device 1 between an operating
position and position of removal. Especially during the process of
opening the cap 4, the gas cartridge is pushed into the position of
removal, and during the process of closing the cap 4, it is pushed
in operating position. In operating position, the left end of the
cartridge 6 is pushed on a needle valve or pin 10, as shown in the
perspective view of FIG. 2. Therefore, during the process of
closing the cap 4, the gas cartridge 6 is pushed onto the pin 10,
resulting in the extraction of gas from the gas cartridge 6
required for operating the hair styling device without further
interaction or actuation by the user.
[0046] The gas cartridge 6 can be pushed onto the pin 10 through
depression on the cap 4, for example, by the contact parts arranged
inside the cap 4, such as angular faces. If, upon closing the
handle 3, the cap 4 is attached to the inserted gas cartridge 6, an
angular face arranged inside the cap 4 diverts a force exerted on
the cap 4 vertically from the outside to a displacement force
exerted basically horizontally, in axial longitudinal direction
toward the styling rod 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, it is
not necessary to manually insert or push the gas cartridge 6 on the
pin 10, as in some prior art. This has an advantageous effect on
manageability and user friendliness of the hair styling device
1.
[0047] In the area of its linkage, i.e., in the area of the pivot
axis 19, the cap 4 features a latch or clamp 20, which serves the
purpose that, upon opening the cap 4, the gas cartridge 6 is pushed
toward the handle's end into position of removal. Consequently,
upon opening the cap 4, the gas cartridge 6 is pulled away from the
pin 10. As a result, if the cap 4 is opened, the gas cartridge
basically lies loosely in the housing of the holding device 5 and
can be removed by easily lifting it above the wall section 8 of the
handle 3.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the hair styling device 1
corresponding to FIG. 1 with removed gas cartridge 6. In the view
shown in FIG. 2, the needle valve or pin 10, which is designed to
extract gas from the gas cartridge 6, can be clearly seen.
[0049] FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the handle 3 with
opened cap 4 and removed gas cartridge 6. It clearly shows the
actuating element 9, which is arranged counter-sink at the end of
the cap 4 and which is provided for the snap-on mechanism to open
the cap 4. FIG. 3 also shows the snap-on element with its two
latches 11 and 12 protruding from the end of the cap 4.
[0050] If the cap 4 is in closed position, the projection 16, which
is arranged at the wall section 8 extending to the internal area of
the housing for the gas cartridge 6, forms an undercut for the two
latches 11, 12 of the snap-on element 7. By pressing down the
actuating element 9 designed in the shape of a button, the snap-on
element 7 is moved in the direction of styling rod 2, releasing the
snap-on connection between the cap 4 and the wall section 8 of the
holding device 5.
[0051] Preferably, the button 9 is pressed down against spring
tension which makes sure that it is principally not possible that
the cap 4 is opened unintentionally. The counter-sunk arrangement
of the button 9 also has the advantage that, for example, the cap 4
is not opened if the hair styling device 1 is put down on the end
of the handle 3. Consequently, it is effectively being prevented
that the cap opens unintentionally.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a perspective interior view of the cap 4, which
features on its inside at its loose end, i.e., at the end opposite
of the styling rod 2, a snap-on element, two angular faces 13, 14,
as well as a rectangular spring element 15. During the process of
closing the cap 4, both angular faces 13, 14 become attached with
the inserted gas cartridge 6. By further pressing down the cap 4 in
its closing position, an axial displacement force in longitudinal
direction to the styling rod is exerted on the gas cartridge,
making sure that the gas cartridge 6 is pushed on the pin or needle
valve 10.
[0053] In the embodiment depicted here, the spring element 15
designed in one piece has a two-fold function. On the one hand, the
part of the spring element 15 arranged on the upper side of the
cap's interior causes the cap 4 to spring open if the snap-on
element is released from the wall section 8. In closing position of
the cap 4, the spring element 15 is attached to gas cartridge 6 and
is tensioned during the process of closing the cap 4. If the
snap-on mechanism is opened, the spring element 15 can release
tension, resulting in the fact that the cap 4 is transferred from
closing position to release position, forming a gap between the cap
4 and the holding device 5. In release position, the cap 4
typically has an opening angle toward the center line of the hair
styling device 1. The gap that is formed between the cap 4 and the
holding device 5 makes sure that the cap 4 can be securely and
easily gripped to completely open it.
[0054] On the other hand, with the part attached to the snap-on
element 7, the spring element 15 exerts spring tension to prevent
the actuating element 9 from being pressed down, guaranteeing that
the two latches 11, 12 of the snap-on element 7 will always lock in
place.
[0055] Other embodiments are possible in which the opening
mechanism for the cap 4 and the snap-on element is each activated
by a spring element. For instance, in such embodiments two separate
spring elements can be arranged at the interior side of the cap 4,
for example at the snap-on element 7 and at any place inside the
cap 4.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a perspective inside view of the holding device
5 with opened cap 4 and extracted gas cartridge 6. The wall section
8 extending to the interior can be clearly seen. On the one hand,
this wall section prevents the gas cartridge 6 from slipping out of
the shell formed by the holding device 5. On the other hand, the
wall section forms an undercut for the snap-on element 7 of the cap
4 to lock in place.
[0057] In addition, it has to be pointed out that, for instance,
the actuating element 9 can also be arranged appropriately at the
holding device 5. Furthermore, the snap-on element 7 can also be
arranged at the holding device 5, and the wall section 8 engaging
in the snap-on element 7 can be arranged at the cap 4. In
alternative embodiments, the snap-on mechanism can also be realized
by means of a displacement element or a rotating element.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a radial cross section through the hair styling
device 1 with closed cap 4 and inserted gas cartridge 6. Both
actuating elements 17, 18 to operate the hair styling device 1 can
clearly be seen because they protrude from the cylindrical shell of
the hair styling device 1. Further cross section surfaces A-A, B-B,
E-E and F-F are drawn in, the cross sections of which are shown in
FIGS. 7 through 11.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows the cross section proceeding through the cut
E-E through the end of the handle 3 with closed cap 4. At the left
lower edge it can be seen how the latch 12 engages in a respective
undercut formed by the wall section 8. It is also shown that the
button 9 directly interacts with the snap-on element 7 which forms
a unit with the latch 12. Consequently, pressing the button 9 down
causes the snap-on mechanism to be released and allows the cap 4 to
spring open due to the spring tension the spring element 15 applies
on the shell of the gas cartridge 6. In the same way, the
vertically arranged spring element 15 keeps the latch 12 in closing
position.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a cross section along the cut F-F corresponding
to FIG. 7. In this cross section, the angular face 14 of the cap 4
can be clearly seen. If the cap 4 is pressed down, it becomes
attached to the left end of the of the gas cartridge 6 and causes
the gas cartridge 6 to be displaced to the right, i.e., in the
direction of the styling rod. Thus, by means of the angular face
14, a vertical force exerted on the cap 4 is diverted into a force
exerted horizontally to the right on the gas cartridge.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows a cross section along the cross section line
A-A with opened cap 4, as indicated in FIG. 6. The pivot axis 19 of
the cap 4 and a clamp element 20 connected with the cap 4 allow the
gas cartridge 6 to be displaced into the position of removal, i.e.,
to be displaced toward the wall section 8 of the holding device
5.
[0062] Upon opening of the cap 4, the clamp element 20, which forms
a projection, becomes attached to the front surface on the left
side of the gas cartridge 6. Because of its geometry and
arrangement with regard to the pivot axis 19, during the process of
opening the cap 4, the clamp element 20 allows the gas cartridge 6
to be pulled away from the needle valve 10.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows a cross section through the handle 3 with
closed cap 4, corresponding to FIG. 9. Compared to the cross
section in FIG. 9, here the gas cartridge 6 is displaced toward the
left side, resulting in the fact that the needle valve 10 is
inserted in the valve 24 of the gas cartridge 6. Since the cap 4 is
closed, the clamp element 20 is not necessarily attached to the
left end of the gas cartridge 6. The fact that the clamp element 20
is not attached to the gas cartridge 6 is actually advantageous
because, if the opening mechanism is activated, the cap 4 activated
through the tensioned spring element 15 transfers automatically
from closing position to release position.
[0064] Consequently, after activating the button 9, the cap 4 can
automatically spring open a little. In order to open the cap 4
completely, which involves a movement of the gas cartridge 6 to the
right, the user has to perform a respective action.
[0065] FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal cross section through the
handle 3 along the cross section line B-B with opened cap 4, as
indicated in FIG. 6. At this, the gas cartridge 6 is in position of
removal because it is attached to the right side of the wall
section 8 of the holding device 5. Compared to FIG. 10, it can be
seen that the needle valve 10 in FIG. 11 is not inserted in the
valve 24 of the gas cartridge 6.
[0066] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the snap-on means which
are designed to snap the cap 4 into opening position. The
perspective view of FIG. 12 shows the pivoting bearing of the cap
4, which features at its end the clamp 20 that is pivot-mounted at
the pivot axis 19. Around the pivot axis 19, a cylindrical spacer
21 has been arranged. The front side of the cylindrical spacer has
at least one projection 22 which has two typically recesses of
different size. In the area of the contact part to the cylindrical
spacer 21, the clamp element 20 features a projection 23
corresponding to the projection 22. Through a rotation of the cap 4
and an associated turning of the clamp element 20, both projections
22, 23 are displaced against each other. Because of the flexibility
intrinsic in the plastic material of the clamp element 20 and the
spacer 21 or the cap 4, they give way if they face each other. If
the opening position of the cap 4 is reached, the projection 23 is
in the recess 25. The geometry of both projections 22 and 23
prevents the cap 4 to be snapped close merely by its weight.
Consequently, the snap-on means depicted here prevent the cap 4
from automatically and possibly unintentionally being snapped close
during the process of exchanging the gas cartridge 6.
* * * * *