U.S. patent application number 12/460641 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for hair styling tool with two or more rotatable multipurpose-platforms.
Invention is credited to Venkata Parimal Devulapalli.
Application Number | 20110017225 12/460641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43496203 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110017225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Devulapalli; Venkata
Parimal |
January 27, 2011 |
Hair styling tool with two or more rotatable
multipurpose-platforms
Abstract
A hair styling tool includes two or more pivotally connected
arms, each having a handle portion and a hair engaging portion. At
least two arms of the tool are capable of housing one or more
rotatable platforms which are, in turn, capable of holding a
plurality of hair contacting elements. The tool may also include
one or more heating elements to provide heat for styling hair.
Various hair contacting elements can be selectively connected to
each rotatable platform of the tool to accomplish a variety of
different hair styling tasks.
Inventors: |
Devulapalli; Venkata Parimal;
(Irving, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Venkata Parimal Devulapalli
401 Sri Suryodaya Heavens 16-11-405/14 & 17, Moosarambagh
Hyderabad
500036
IN
|
Family ID: |
43496203 |
Appl. No.: |
12/460641 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/118 ;
132/119.1; 132/120; 132/224; 132/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
1/10 20130101; A45D 2/002 20130101; A45D 1/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/118 ;
132/224; 132/119.1; 132/120; 132/269 |
International
Class: |
A45D 24/10 20060101
A45D024/10; A45D 2/40 20060101 A45D002/40; A45D 24/00 20060101
A45D024/00; A45D 24/16 20060101 A45D024/16; A45D 1/00 20060101
A45D001/00 |
Claims
1. A tool suitable for hair styling comprising: two or more
pivotally connected arms, each having a handle portion and a hair
engaging portion; two or more rotatable multipurpose-platforms; one
or more motors adapted to rotate the multipurpose platforms; and
one or more heating elements to heat the air proximally surrounding
the multipurpose platforms.
2. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein said pivotal
connection allows the tool to be selectively biased to a closed
position and an open position.
3. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one said arm
has a handle portion detachably connected to a hair engaging
portion.
4. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein said
multipurpose-platforms are capable of holding one or more hair
contacting elements with or without an aid of fastening means.
5. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one said
multipurpose-platform has an array of vents to allow an
uninterrupted heat flow.
6. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one said
multipurpose-platform is replaced by a rotatable cylinder or a
rotatable brush.
7. The hair styling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one said
motor is rotatable in either direction by a predetermined
angle.
8. A hair contacting element of a hair styling tool having a base
with one or more engaging protrusions on one side for cooperating
with one or more complementary engaging grooves of a rotatable
multipurpose-platform.
9. The hair contacting element of claim 8, wherein an array of
bristles are surface-mounted on said base.
10. The hair contacting element of claim 8, wherein a curved sheet
is mounted on said base.
11. The hair contacting element of claim 8, wherein said base has
an array of vents for cooperating with vents (if any) of a
rotatable multipurpose-platform to allow an uninterrupted heat
flow.
12. The hair contacting element of claim 10, wherein said
curved-sheet has patterned grooves on one side.
13. The hair contacting element of claim 11, wherein an array of
bristles are surface-mounted on said base.
14. The hair contacting element of claim 11, wherein a curved sheet
is mounted on said base.
15. The hair contacting element of claim 14, wherein said
curved-sheet has an array of vents.
16. The hair contacting element of claim 14, wherein said
curved-sheet has patterned grooves on one side.
17. A tool suitable for hair styling comprising: two or more
pivotally connected arms, each having a handle portion and a hair
engaging portion; two or more rotatable cylinders; one or more
motors adapted to rotate the cylinders; and one or more heating
elements to heat the air proximally surrounding the cylinders.
18. The hair styling tool of claim 17, wherein said pivotal
connection allows the tool to be selectively biased to a closed
position and an open position.
19. The hair styling tool of claim 17, wherein at least one said
arm has a handle portion detachably connected to a hair engaging
portion.
20. The hair styling tool of claim 17, wherein at least one said
motor is rotatable in either direction by a predetermined angle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a hair styling tool allowing a
user to effectively brush and style hair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Brushing and combing help distribute the oil from scalp
throughout the hair and keep the hair healthy. Combing helps
detangle the hair whereas brushing helps remove the dirt
surrounding the hair. In addition to detangling and cleaning the
hair, many people like to style hair in particular shapes by
applying heat using flat iron, crimping iron, and/or curling
iron.
[0003] A drawback of the conventional flat iron, crimping iron, and
curling iron is that these tools provide a user with only a limited
set of features and styling options. Therefore, a user may require
two or more tools to accomplish the hair styling task.
[0004] Technological progress allows engineers to integrate a
multitude of hair styling tools into a single tool. As desired,
such a tool may be used to straighten, crimp, curl, or otherwise
style hair without using another tool. For example, a hair styling
tool may include a flat heating surface and a brush arranged so as
to allow a user to straighten and brush hair simultaneously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, a hair styling tool of the
present invention includes two or more arms pivotally connected at
a proximal end thereof. Each arm of the hairstyling tool may have a
handle portion and a hair engaging portion. At least two arms of
the tool are capable of housing one or more rotatable
multipurpose-platforms which are, in turn, capable of holding a
plurality of different hair contacting elements selected by a user
to accomplish the hair styling task. The hair styling tool also
includes one or more motors for rotating the multipurpose platforms
directly or indirectly.
[0006] The hair styling tool may further include one or more
heating elements for heating the air proximally surrounding the
hair engaging portion of the arms, thereby providing the desired
amount of heat to style hair. The hair styling tool may also
include electrical components and user interface to control the
functionality of the motors and the heating elements therein.
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or
more aforementioned rotatable multipurpose-platforms may be
replaced by rotatable cylinders and/or rotatable brushes in order
to allow a user to choose a variety of hair contacting
elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary hair
styling tool of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section, side elevation view of
the hair styling tool of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another exemplary hair
styling tool of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section, side elevation view of
the hair styling tool of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the hair styling tool of FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partial front perspective view of a four-faceted
rotatable-platform in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partial front perspective view of a six-faceted
rotatable-platform in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an end section view of the rotatable platform of
FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an end section view of the rotatable platform of
FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an exemplary hair
contacting element in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of another exemplary
hair contacting element in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of yet another exemplary
hair contacting element in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an end section view of fully-mounted
rotatable-platform of FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 14 is an end section view of partially-mounted
rotatable-platform of FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 15 is an end section view of fully-mounted
rotatable-platform of FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a partial front perspective view of a
rotatable-platform in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of yet another exemplary
hair contacting element in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of yet another exemplary
hair contacting element in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of yet another exemplary hair
contacting element in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of yet another exemplary hair
contacting element in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a hair
styling tool of the present invention has at least two arms 1
pivotally connected to each other at a proximal end 2 thereof. Each
arm of the hair styling tool has a handle portion 3 close to the
proximal end 2 and a hair engaging portion 4 close to the distal
end 5. The hair engaging portion 4 of each arm 1 can hold at least
one rotatable multipurpose-platform 6. Other mechanical and
electrical components (not shown in FIG. 1) of the hair styling
tool can be housed in the handle portion 3 of the arms 1 and can be
adapted to rotate the multipurpose platform(s) and also to heat the
air proximally surrounding the multipurpose platform(s). The
details of each component of the hair styling tool will be
discussed later in this description.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, in one illustrative embodiment of a
hair styling tool of the present invention, arms 1 of the tool are
connected at a proximal end 2 using a pivot hinge 7. The arms 1 of
the tool may be pivotally movable relative to each other. The hair
styling tool is said to be biased to a closed position when the
distal ends 5 of any two adjacent arms are brought as close as
possible and the tool is said to be biased to an open position
otherwise.
[0030] The hair engaging portion 4 of each arm removably holds a
hollow rotatable-platform 6 such that a portion of the platform 6
extends into the handle portion 3 of the respective arm 1. An
electrical motor 8 may be housed in the handle portion 3 of each
arm and adapted to rotate the hollow platform 6 held by the
respective hair engaging portion 4. In each arm of the tool, a
drive shaft 9 is attached to a drive gear 10 that interacts with
another gear 11 attached to the hollow platform 6. The electrical
motor 8 may be adapted to rotate the drive shaft 9 and the rotation
of the drive shaft 9 is transmitted via the gear system (10, 11) to
the hollow platform 6.
[0031] A heating element 12 is aligned along the rotational axis of
at least one hollow platform 6 and is non-rotatably held by the
respective hair engaging portion 4. A portion of the heating
element 12 extends into the respective handle portion 3 so as to
facilitate an electrical connection between the heating element and
a control unit 14. The control unit 14 includes electrical
components that may be adapted to control the functionality of the
motors 8 and the heating element(s) 12. A user interface 15 is
embedded inside or mounted on one of the arms and is accessible to
a user. The user interface 15 preferably allows a user to set the
speed and/or the direction of rotation of the motors 8 and the
temperature of the heating element(s) 12. All the electrical
components of the hair styling tool may be powered directly or
indirectly by one or more batteries or an electrical power cord
16.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in another illustrative
embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention, one or
more rotatable multipurpose-platforms (see FIGS. 1 and 2) may be
replaced by rotatable cylinders and/or rotatable brushes. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotatable brush 6 and a
rotatable cylinder 17 may be used instead of two rotatable
multipurpose-platforms. All other components of the hair styling
tool may preferably remain unchanged or may be modified so as to
improve the usability and/or safety of the tool.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, an illustrative block-diagram of a hair
styling tool of the present invention is shown. Generally, the
major blocks that constitute a hair styling tool of the present
invention can be classified into five types: (1) control unit, (2)
motor, (3) heating element, (4) gear system and/or coupler, and (5)
rotatable platform. The hair styling tool may include one or more
blocks of each abovementioned type. In the present context, a
motor, a gear system and/or coupler, and a rotatable platform may
be combinedly referred to as a rotary system. The control unit is
adapted to control the functionality of all the rotary systems and
the heating elements of the tool. Although the block diagram shown
in FIG. 5 includes only two rotary systems and one heating element,
one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that as many
rotary systems and heating elements can be included as
possible.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 4, arms 1 of a hair
styling tool of the present invention may be of any shape or size
sufficient to accommodate various components of the tool. In one
exemplary embodiment, the handle portion 3 and the hair engaging
portion 4 of one or more arms of the tool may be detachably
connected to each other. Also, arms 1 of the tool can be made of
any material suitable for safe handling. Arms 1 can be pivotally
connected preferably at any portion thereof and in any fashion
sufficient to allow a user to selectively bias the tool to a closed
position and an open position.
[0035] The details of the aforementioned rotatable-platforms and
the hair contacting elements will now be discussed. Referring to
FIGS. 6 through 9, the shape of a rotatable platform included in a
hair styling tool of the present invention preferably allows a user
to removably mount a plurality of complementary hair contacting
elements. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 10, each mounting
face 2 of a rotatable platform may have one or more engaging
grooves 1 (see FIG. 6) for cooperating with one or more
complementary engaging protrusions 3 (see FIG. 10) of an associated
hair contacting element. A rotatable platform included in the hair
styling tool may have as many mounting faces 2 as possible.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 2, a rotatable platform 6 included
in the tool may be preferably hollow to allow one or more heating
elements 12 to be held inside the platform 6. However, for other
configurations of heating elements, the rotatable platform may be
hollow or solid. A portion of the platform 6 may be thermally
conductive to allow an uninterrupted heat flow. Other portions of
the platform may be preferably made of any material for providing
safe handling.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12, three exemplary hair
contacting elements are shown. The base 2 of each hair contacting
element preferably has one or more engaging protrusions 3 on one
side for cooperating with one or more complementary engaging
grooves 1 (see FIG. 6) of the aforementioned rotatable-platform. On
another side of the base 2 of an exemplary hair contacting element,
an array of hard (see FIG. 10) or soft (see FIG. 11) bristles 1 may
be surface-mounted. The size and shape of the bristles 1 may vary
from one hair contacting element to another. Another exemplary hair
contacting element, as shown in FIG. 12, consists of a curved sheet
1 of any suitable material mounted on the base 2. The base 2 of
each hair contacting element may preferably be thermally
interactive with the rotatable platform.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 13 through 15, the aforementioned
rotatable-platforms may preferably be fully mounted (see FIGS. 13
and 15) or partially mounted (see FIG. 14). A variety of hair
styling tasks can be accomplished by mounting the rotatable
platform(s) with one or more hair contacting elements and
subsequently using the tool.
[0039] The engaging grooves 1 (FIG. 6) and the complementary
engaging protrusions 3 (FIG. 10) can be of any shape or size
sufficient to securely fasten the hair contacting element to the
rotatable platform. Although a specific system including grooves 1
(FIG. 6) and protrusions 3 (FIG. 10) is described herein, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are several
other fastening systems that can be adapted to detachably fasten a
hair contacting element to a complementary rotatable-platform
without significantly interfering with other components of the hair
styling tool.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 16 through 18, in one exemplary hair
styling tool of the present invention, a hollow rotatable-platform
(FIG. 16) and the complementary hair contacting elements (FIGS. 17
and 18) have an array of vents 1 for allowing the air contained by
the hollow platform to escape. The vents 1 also allow the heating
element(s) held inside the hollow platform to effectively heat the
air surrounding the hair engaging portion. The vents 1 may have any
shape, size, or pattern sufficient for safe handling.
[0041] A hair contacting element, as shown in FIG. 12, may have
vents 2 not only on the base but also on the curved surface 1 as
shown in FIG. 19. Another exemplary hair contacting element, as
shown in FIG. 12, may have patterned grooves 2 etched on the curved
surface 1 as shown in FIG. 20. The grooves 2 may have any shape,
size, or depth sufficient for styling hair in a predetermined
fashion.
[0042] The electrical components and the heating elements included
in a hair styling tool of the present invention may have any shape,
size, or configuration sufficient for safe handling. In one
exemplary embodiment, one or more motors used in the hair styling
tool may allow a user to continuously or discontinuously rotate the
respective multipurpose-platforms. In another exemplary embodiment,
one or more motors used in the hair styling tool allow a user to
selectively position one or more hair contacting elements relative
to the respective arms. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a
combination of the two abovementioned motor configurations may be
used. The heating elements may be held by the arms of the tool in
any appropriate position sufficient to ensure safety and to avoid
the heating elements to damagingly interfere with other components
of the tool.
[0043] Referring again to FIG. 2, a method to style hair using a
two-armed tool of the present invention will now be described. The
user may start off by selecting one or more hair contacting
elements suitable for the hair styling task and selectively
mounting the same on the rotatable platforms 6 of the tool. The
user may proceed further to set the operation temperature of the
tool as required. Also, the user may set the direction and/or the
speed of rotation of the rotatable platforms 6. Proceeding further,
the user may place the hair between the hair engaging portions 4 of
the arms 1 with the tool in its open position. The user may then
bias the tool to its closed position and activate the motors 8 and
the heating elements 12 of the tool. Subsequently, the user may
move the tool relative to the hair in a predefined manner, thereby
styling hair.
[0044] In one exemplary embodiment of a hair styling tool of the
present invention, the number of pivotally connected arms may be
greater than two so as to provide additional hair styling options
to users. To style hair using such a tool, the user may have to
select two mutually-adjacent arms to work with and then follow the
aforementioned method.
* * * * *