U.S. patent application number 12/975541 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for adjustable-barrel curling iron.
Invention is credited to Cyan Godfrey, Shane Hill, David Milton, M. Shane Price, Justin Recchion, John D. Stevens, Nathan Wang, Christopher Ryan Yahnker.
Application Number | 20110203606 12/975541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45491803 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110203606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Recchion; Justin ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
ADJUSTABLE-BARREL CURLING IRON
Abstract
A radially adjustable barrel, a barrel-adjustment assembly, a
radially adjustable heater assembly, and a radially adjustable
distal-tip assembly. The barrel is radially adjustable between
expanded and contracted positions having different diameters. The
barrel-adjustment assembly includes a rotary ring defining a spiral
cam guide and includes a cam follower attached to the barrel. The
heater assembly includes a post, at least one heater, and at least
one spring mounting the heater to the post and biasing the heater
radially outward. In use, rotating the ring rotates the spiral cam
guide, which displaces the cam follower radially inward or outward,
which in turn displaces the outer end of the barrel radially inward
or outward to decrease or increase the diameter of the barrel. As
the diameter of the barrel is adjusted, the heaters remain in
contact with the barrel due to the outwardly biasing influence of
the spring.
Inventors: |
Recchion; Justin; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Yahnker; Christopher Ryan; (Raleigh, NC)
; Godfrey; Cyan; (Chapel Hill, NC) ; Wang;
Nathan; (Raleigh, NC) ; Milton; David;
(Garner, NC) ; Hill; Shane; (Cumming, GA) ;
Price; M. Shane; (Durham, NC) ; Stevens; John D.;
(Oxford, GA) |
Family ID: |
45491803 |
Appl. No.: |
12/975541 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12880427 |
Sep 13, 2010 |
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12975541 |
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61241526 |
Sep 11, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D
1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/269 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/16 20060101
A45D001/16 |
Claims
1. An adjustable-barrel curling iron, comprising: a handle; a
pivotal clip mounted to the handle; a radially-adjustable barrel
extending longitudinally from the handle, having an outer end and
an inner end that overlap each other in a spiral configuration, and
radially adjustable between expanded and contracted positions
having different diameters; a heater assembly that provides heat to
the barrel; and a barrel-adjustment assembly including a rotary
ring that defines a spiral cam guide and a cam follower extending
from the barrel and driven by the spiral cam guide, wherein the
rotating the ring relative to the handle rotates the spiral cam
guide, which displaces the cam follower radially inward or outward,
which in turn displaces the outer end of the barrel radially inward
or outward to adjust the barrel between the expanded and contracted
positions.
2. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 1, wherein the
spiral shape of the cam guide is selected so that the barrel is
concentric at every position as the cam follower is guided radially
inward and outward by the spiral cam guide.
3. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 1, wherein the
spiral cam guide is formed by a spiral groove in the rotary ring
and the cam follower is formed by an elongate clip attached to the
barrel.
4. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 3, wherein the cam
follower has an enlarged head and the spiral cam guide groove has
an enlarged portion through which the enlarged head fits, and
wherein the enlarged head does not fit through the rest of the
spiral cam guide groove.
5. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 1, wherein the
rotary ring includes a collar for user grasping and rotation.
6. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 1, wherein the
heater assembly is radially adjustable and includes a central
rotary post, at least one heater, and at least one spring mounted
between the heater and the post.
7. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 6, wherein the
spring biases the heater radially outward so that, as the diameter
of the barrel is adjusted, the heater remains in contact with the
barrel.
8. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 6, wherein the
spring includes a clip that couples the heater to the spring.
9. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 6, wherein the at
least one heater comprises three heaters and the central post has
three sides and a triangular cross section, with each one of the
heaters mounted to a corresponding one of the sides.
10. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 6, wherein the
central post is coupled to and rotationally driven by the rotary
ring.
11. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 10, wherein rotary
ring has an opening through which the central post extends, and
wherein the ring opening and the central post have confirming
geometry so that rotating the rotary ring causes the post to rotate
with it.
12. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 6, wherein the
handle includes a fixed ring that is adjacent the rotary ring and
has an opening through which the central post extends freely
without constraint, the post includes a stopper, and the handle
defines a cradle that receives the post and abuts the stopper to
constrain the post from linear movement while still permitting its
free-floating rotational movement.
13. An adjustable-barrel curling iron, comprising: a handle; a
pivotal clip mounted to the handle; a radially-adjustable barrel
extending longitudinally from the handle, having an outer end and
an inner end that overlap each other in a spiral configuration, and
radially adjustable between expanded and contracted positions
having different diameters; a radially adjustable heater assembly
that provides heat to the barrel and that includes a central rotary
post, at least one heater, and at least one spring mounted between
the heater and the post, wherein the central post is rotationally
driven by the rotary ring, and wherein the spring biases the heater
radially outward; and a barrel-adjustment assembly including a
rotary ring that defines a spiral cam guide and a cam follower
extending from a proximal end of the barrel and driven by the
spiral cam guide, wherein the spiral cam guide is formed by a
spiral groove in the rotary ring and the cam follower is formed by
an elongate clip attached to the barrel, wherein the rotating the
ring relative to the handle rotates the spiral cam guide, which
displaces the cam follower radially inward or outward, which in
turn displaces the outer end of the barrel radially inward or
outward to adjust the barrel between the expanded and contracted
positions, wherein the spiral shape of the cam guide is selected so
that the barrel is concentric at every position as the cam follower
is guided radially inward and outward by the spiral cam guide,
wherein as the diameter of the barrel is adjusted, the heater
remains in contact with the barrel due to the spring biasing the
heater radially outward.
14. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein the cam
follower has an enlarged head and the spiral cam guide groove has
an enlarged portion through which the enlarged head fits, and
wherein the enlarged head does not fit through the rest of the
spiral cam guide groove.
15. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein the
rotary ring includes a collar for user grasping and rotation.
16. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein the
spring includes a clip that couples the heater to the spring.
17. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein the at
least one heater comprises three heaters and the central post has
three sides and a triangular cross section, with each one of the
heaters mounted to a corresponding one of the sides.
18. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein rotary
ring has an opening through which the central post extends, and
wherein the ring opening and the central post have confirming
geometry so that rotating the rotary ring causes the post to rotate
with it.
19. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, wherein the
handle includes a fixed ring that is adjacent the rotary ring and
has an opening through which the central post extends freely
without constraint, the post includes a stopper, and the handle
defines a cradle that receives the post and abuts the stopper to
constrain the post from linear movement while still permitting its
free-floating rotational movement.
20. The adjustable-barrel curling iron of claim 13, further
comprising a cam follower extending from a distal end of the barrel
and a distal-tip assembly defining a spiral cam guide that
cooperates with the cam follower and that conforms to the
configuration of the spiral cam guide of the rotary ring, except
that it is reversed, so that rotation of the rotary collar causes
the proximal and distal ends of the barrel to be rotated
synchronously.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/880,427, filed Sep. 13, 2010, which application claims
the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/241,526, filed Sep. 11, 2009, both of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many women use electric hair-care appliances such as hair
dryers, flat irons, and curling irons to style their hair.
Conventional curling irons have a heated barrel that is used to
create curls in the hair. Different-sized curls are sometimes
desirable to create different styles suited for an occasion,
outfit, trend, preference, current hair-length, etc. To create
different-sized curls, different-sized curling iron barrels must be
used. Thus, in order to be able to style their hair with
different-sized curls, many women have several different curling
irons each with a different-sized barrel. However, many women have
limited storage space for curling irons and other hair-care
appliances, and arranging for sufficient storage space can be a
real problem.
[0003] In addition, there are usually a limited number of
electrical outlets available in bathrooms, where most hairstyling
is done. For women who use multiple electric hair-care appliances,
it's common to add plug-in outlet expansions and/or power strips.
This can lead to a potential safety hazard by too much current draw
interfering with GFCI operation and/or causing circuit
overloads.
[0004] Accordingly, it can be seen that there exists a need for a
better way for women to conveniently and safely create
different-sized curls in their hair. It is to the provision of
solutions to this and other problems that the present invention is
primarily directed.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention relates to adjustable-barrel curling
irons for curling hair into different-sized curls. In an example
embodiment there is provided a curling iron including a handle, a
pivotal clip, a radially adjustable barrel, a barrel-adjustment
assembly, a radially adjustable heater assembly, and a radially
adjustable distal-tip assembly. The barrel is radially adjustable
between expanded and contracted positions having different
diameters. The barrel-adjustment assembly includes a rotary ring
defining a spiral cam guide and includes a cam follower attached to
the barrel. The heater assembly includes a post, at least one
heater, and at least one spring mounting the heater to the post and
biasing the heater radially outward. In use, rotating the ring
rotates the spiral cam guide, which displaces the cam follower
radially inward or outward, which in turn displaces the outer end
of the barrel radially inward or outward to decrease or increase
the diameter of the barrel. As the diameter of the barrel is
adjusted, the heaters remain in contact with the barrel due to the
outwardly biasing influence of the spring.
[0006] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of the invention are explanatory
of example embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of
the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable-barrel curling
iron according to a first example embodiment of the present
invention, showing an adjustable barrel in a fully expanded
position.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1, with the barrel and
distal tip not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1, with the barrel and a
portion of the handle not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1, with the barrel and a
portion of the handle not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 1, with the barrel, heater assembly, and a
portion of the handle not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 1, with the barrel and a portion of the heater
assembly not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the barrel of
the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1, showing its
cylindrical shape and spiral configuration.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the barrel of
the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1, showing the elongate
clip mounted to it.
[0015] FIG. 9 is an opposite perspective view of the portion of the
barrel of the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 1 with the barrel-adjustable assembly adjusted
to a fully contracted, smallest-diameter position.
[0017] FIG. 11 shows the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 10
with the barrel-adjustable assembly adjusted to a partially
contracted, intermediate position.
[0018] FIG. 12 shows the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 10
with the barrel-adjustable assembly adjusted to the fully expanded,
largest-diameter position.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 13.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a portion of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 12.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable-barrel
curling iron of FIG. 15.
[0023] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of an
adjustable-barrel curling iron according to a second example
embodiment of the present invention, showing an adjustable barrel
in a fully expanded position.
[0025] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 18.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of an
adjustable-barrel curling iron according to a third example
embodiment of the present invention, showing an adjustable barrel
in a fully expanded position.
[0027] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the barrel of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 20.
[0028] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of an
adjustable-barrel curling iron according to a third example
embodiment of the present invention, with the barrel and distal tip
not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the barrel of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22.
[0030] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22, showing the barrel in an
intermediate position.
[0031] FIG. 25 shows the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 24
adjusted to a fully contracted, smallest-diameter position.
[0032] FIG. 26 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion
of the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22, showing details
of the distal tip.
[0033] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22, showing the distal tip
removed.
[0034] FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 27.
[0035] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a portion of the heater
assembly of the adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22.
[0036] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 22, with a portion of the
handle not shown to reveal its internal parts.
[0037] FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the portion of the
adjustable-barrel curling iron of FIG. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which
form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this
invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,
conditions, or parameters of the example embodiments described
and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example
only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and
is not intended to be unnecessarily limiting of the claimed
invention. For example, as used in the specification including the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
the plural, the term "or" means "and/or," and reference to a
particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any
methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the
sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other
sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein. Any and all
patents and other publications identified in this specification are
incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
[0039] With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIGS. 1-17 show an adjustable-barrel curling iron 10
according to a first example embodiment. Referring particularly to
FIGS. 1-2, the curling iron 10 includes a handle 12, a pivotal clip
14, a radially adjustable barrel 16, a barrel-adjustment assembly
18, a radially-adjustable heater assembly 20, and a distal tip
assembly 22.
[0040] The handle 12 can be of a conventional type used in
commercially available curling irons, with a generally cylindrical
and elongated shape, as depicted. A user interface 24 includes
controls (not shown), for example, as parts of the handle 12. The
user interface 24, including internal controls, can be of a
conventional type used in commercially available curling irons, for
example, a temperature control circuit for controlling the
temperature, an on/off switch, and other operational controls of
the curling iron 10.
[0041] The pivotal clip 14 can be of a conventional typical used in
commercially available curling irons. Thus, the pivotal clip 14 is
pivotally coupled to a fixed component of the curling iron 10 so it
can pivot between an open position (not shown) and a closed
position (see FIG. 1) where it clamps hair down onto the barrel 16
for curling. For example, the pivotal clip 14 can be mounted to the
handle 12 adjacent its distal end and include an actuator lever 26
that is depressed by the user to pivot the hair-engaged clamp 28
away from the barrel 16.
[0042] Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-6, the barrel-adjustment
assembly 18 is located at the distal end portion of the handle 12
and the proximal end portion of the barrel 16. The
barrel-adjustment assembly 18 includes a rotary drive assembly
having a spiral cam guide and it includes a cam follower that is
attached to the barrel 16. When the rotary drive assembly is
operated, its spiral cam guide drives the cam follower to radially
adjust the barrel 16.
[0043] In the depicted embodiment, for example, the rotary drive
assembly includes a fixed ring 30 and rotary collar 32. The fixed
ring 30 is attached to the handle 12 and does not move. The rotary
collar 32 surrounds a transverse rotary ring 34 that defines the
spiral cam guide 36. The rotary collar 33 provides a ready location
for user to grasp to rotate the ring 34 relative to the handle 16.
In typical commercial embodiments, the spiral cam guide 36 is
formed by a spiral groove formed in the rotary ring 34, for
example, about 3 mm deep. These components can be made of a
material such as a hard plastic.
[0044] In addition, in the depicted embodiment the cam follower 41
is formed by the proximal end of an elongate clip 40. The cam
follower 41 extends into the spiral cam groove 36 of the rotary
collar ring 34. Thus, when the rotary collar 32 is rotated by a
user, the cam follower 41 is guided radially inward or outward by
the spiral cam groove 36. In other embodiments the cam follower is
a separate piece that is attached to the clip or the clip itself is
formed as an integral feature of the barrel. Additional details of
the cam follower 41 and its relationship to the barrel 16 will be
described below.
[0045] Turning now to the radially adjustable heater assembly 20,
it includes at least one heater 21 and a central rotary post 38.
The rotary post 38 extends freely through and is not driven or
constrained by the fixed ring 30, and is coupled to and driven by
the rotary collar 32. For example, the fixed ring 30 can have a
central circular opening 31 (see FIG. 17) through which the rotary
post 38 freely extends. And the rotary collar ring 34 can have a
central opening 33 through which the rotary post 38 extends, with
the collar opening and the post having a conforming non-circular
geometry. Electric power wires or leads 42 for the heaters 21 can
also extend through the fixed ring opening 31 and wire openings 35
in the collar ring 34 (see FIGS. 6 and 17). Also, the proximal end
of the post 38 can include a stopper 44 and the handle 12 can
include at least one cradle portion 46 that receives the post and
abuts the stopper to constrain the post from linear movement, while
still permitting its free-floating rotational movement.
[0046] The heaters 21 can be provided by conventional electric
resistance heating elements 53 in housings 55, as depicted. There
are three of the heaters 21 shown in the depicted embodiment.
Because there are three heaters 21, the rotary post 38 in this
embodiment is has a portion that is three-sided, that is it has a
triangular transverse cross-section. According, the central opening
33 of the rotary collar ring 34 has a conforming triangular shape
and is sized so that the post 38 fits through it only when properly
oriented. Thus, rotation of the rotary collar 32 drives the rotary
post 38 to rotate with the collar. In other embodiments, there are
more or fewer of the heaters 21. So for embodiments with eight
heaters 21, the rotary post and the collar ring central opening 33
are octagonal. And in still other embodiments, the post has another
regular or irregular shape, regardless of the number and shape of
heaters used or is circular and is attached to the rotary ring by
fasteners.
[0047] The heaters 21 are biased radially outward relative to the
rotary post 38. For example, each of the heaters 21 can be mounted
to the rotary post 38 by at least one spring. In the depicted
embodiment, the springs are provided by leaf springs 48 (see also
FIG. 9) that include heater clips 51 that hold the heaters on the
leaf springs. This enables the heaters 21 to remain in constant and
continuous contact with the barrel 16 to provide even and uniform
heating. In other embodiments, other springs such as torsion or
coil springs are used. In any event, the heaters are biased
radially outward toward their least radially compact position, and
are squeezed down radially inward toward their most radially
compact position when the barrel is adjusted to a smaller diameter,
as described in more detail below. In other embodiments in which
the cam follower is also attached to one of the heaters, the
heaters are biased radially inward toward their most radially
compact position, and are pulled radially outward toward their
least radially compact position when the barrel is adjusted to a
larger diameter, as described in more detail below. To insure
proper heating of the barrel 16, a thermistor can be attached to
the barrel to provide feedback to the temperature control
circuit.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the barrel 16 and the elongate
clip 40 are constructed from a strong, flexible, thermal-conductive
material, such as light-gauge steel. The material is initially in
the shape of a flat sheet, and is then rolled into a generally
cylindrical shape, with an inner end 52, an outer end 54, and an
overlapping middle portion 56 in a spiral configuration. When the
barrel 16 is adjusted to a relatively larger diameter, the middle
overlapping portion 56 is reduced, and similarly when the barrel is
adjusted to a relatively smaller diameter, the middle overlapping
portion is enlarged. The barrel 16 can be provided with its neutral
state being the smallest diameter desired, the largest diameter
desired, or an intermediate diameter (between the smallest and
largest diameters desired) for a given size of curling iron 10. In
the first design, moving the outer end 54 radially outward will
cause the barrel 16 to increase in diameter, and when the outer end
is released the barrel will return to more-or-less its original
position with the smallest diameter. Similarly, in the second
design, moving the outer end 54 radially inward will cause the
barrel 16 to decrease in diameter, and when the outer end is
released the barrel will return to more-or-less its original
position with the largest diameter. In the depicted embodiment, the
barrel 16 is provided with its neutral state being an intermediate
diameter, so moving the outer end 54 radially outward or inward
will cause the barrel to increase or decrease in diameter,
respectively, and then releasing the outer end will allow the
barrel to return to more-or-less its original position with the
intermediate diameter. The inner end 52 of the barrel 16 is not
fixed in place, so as the outer end 54 is adjusted radially inward
or outward, the resiliency of the barrel material causes the inner
end to expand radially outward as much as permitted to maintain the
cylindrical shape at all positions. And the outwardly-biased
heaters 21 will always push radially outward on the barrel 16 to
that it will always be in the largest-diameter position permitted
by the barrel-adjustment assembly 18.
[0049] The elongate clip 40 is coupled to the barrel 16 adjacent
its outer end 54. The elongate clip 40 can be so coupled by for
example spot welding, a longitudinal "C" joint snapped onto the
edge of the outer end 54 with a friction fit, by adhesives, or by
other conventional bonding and/or attachment techniques. In
embodiments in which the elongate clip 40 has a curved or angled
profile, the barrel 16 can include one or more fold lines 58 so the
outer end 54 of the barrel 16 lies close to the rest of the barrel
and does not protrude away from it.
[0050] The cam follower 41 is formed at the proximal end of the
elongate clip 40 and extends proximally and longitudinally from the
barrel 16. The spiral cam guide 36 is slightly oversized so that
the cam follower 41 can easily slide and be guided along its spiral
length. The shape of the spiral cam guide 36 is preferably selected
so that the barrel 16 is concentric at every position as the cam
follower 41 is guided radially inward and outward by the spiral cam
guide 36.
[0051] The cam follower 41 can include an enlarged head portion 60
that fits through an enlarged groove portion 62 of the spiral
groove 36 (see FIG. 12) but does not fit through the rest of the
groove. In this way, the enlarged head portion 60 can be inserted
through the enlarged groove portion 62 until it extends out the
other side, and then rotated out of that groove portion so that the
cam follower 41 is locked into the spiral groove and cannot be
pulled out of it. In the depicted embodiment, for example, the
enlarged groove portion 62 is formed by two flaps formed by the cam
follower and folded over to provide an increased thickness. In
addition, the elongate clip 40 can include one or more hooks 64
that extend longitudinally and distally from its distal end, with
the hooks loosely receiving therethrough in a sliding fashion the
middle overlapping portion 56 of the barrel 16 so that the barrel
changes its diameter generally uniformly along its entire
length.
[0052] Having described the major components and construction of
the curling iron 10, its operation and use will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 10-16. In FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, the barrel
16 is the fully contracted, smallest-diameter position, with the
cam follower 41 of the elongate clip 40 at the radially innermost
end 66 of the spiral cam guide 36. The heaters 21 are in their
fully contracted, most radially compact position, contacting and
biasing radially outward against the barrel 16 due to the biasing
influence of the springs 48 for good heat transfer to the barrel.
The curling iron 10 in this position can be used to make
smaller-diameter curls.
[0053] As the rotary collar 32 is rotated (as indicated by the
angular directional arrow of FIG. 11), the spiral cam guide 36 is
rotated with it, thereby pulling the cam follower 41 of the
elongate clip 40 radially outward (as indicated by the linear
directional arrow of FIG. 11). Because the elongate clip 40 is
attached to the outer end 54 of the barrel 16, this causes the
barrel to unwind to the intermediate-diameter position of FIG. 11.
The heaters 21 are expanded to their radially intermediate
position, contacting and biasing radially outward against the
barrel 16 due to the biasing influence of the spring 48 for good
heat transfer to the barrel. The curling iron 10 in this position
can be used to make intermediate-diameter curls.
[0054] As the rotary collar 32 is rotated further, the barrel 16 is
unwound further. In FIGS. 12, 15, and 16, the barrel 16 is has been
adjusted to the fully expanded, largest-diameter position, with the
cam follower 41 of the elongate clip 40 at the radially outermost
end 68 of the spiral cam guide 36 (excluding the enlarged portion
64 for assembly/disassembly of the cam follower into the spiral cam
guide). The heaters 21 are in their fully expanded, least radially
compact position, contacting and biasing radially outward against
the barrel 16 due to the biasing influence of the spring 48 for
good heat transfer to the barrel. The curling iron 10 in this
position can be used to make larger-diameter curls.
[0055] To adjust the barrel 16 back to the smaller-diameter
position, the rotary collar 32 is rotated in the opposite
direction. The opposite-direction rotation of the spiral cam guide
36 of the rotary collar 32 pushes the cam follower 41 of the
elongate clip 40 radially inward, which causes the barrel 16 to
wind in as more and more of it submerges under its outer end 54 to
decrease its diameter. This in turn causes the heaters 21 to be
squeezed radially inward as well.
[0056] The barrel-adjustment assembly 18 and the barrel 16 can be
constructed to provide a plurality of preset barrel diameters that
are commonly used and seen in the market. For example, the rotary
collar 32 and the handle 12 can cooperatively define detents that
form discrete, repeatable rotational positions to produce a minimum
and maximum diameter of the barrel 16 of 0.75 and 1.75 inches,
respectively, with 0.25 inch increments. In this example, the
curling iron 10 can be adjusted to five positions having barrel
diameters of 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, and 1.75 inches, thereby
enabling a single one of the curling irons 10 to do the job of five
conventional curling irons. One skilled in the art will recognize
that a number of possible combinations and permutations for the
sizing and arrangement of the barrel 16 and the barrel-adjustment
assembly 18 can be provided to produce a number of different barrel
sizes and discrete adjustment positions.
[0057] The adjustable distal end assembly 22 is located at and
forms the distal end of the curling iron 10. The adjustable distal
end assembly 22 can include a distal tip cover 70 and a plurality
of fan blades 72 (see FIG. 17). The fan blades 72 are coupled to
and extend between the tip cover 70 and the distal end of the
barrel 16 such that they overlap and layer upon one another in a
decreased-diameter arrangement when the barrel 16 is in the
contracted position and they fan out into an increased-diameter
arrangement when the barrel is in the expanded position. In this
way, the adjustable distal end assembly 70 provides adjustable
coverage for the open end of the barrel 16 as its diameter is
radially adjusted (increased or decreased). Further details of one
such adjustable distal end assembly 22 of a typical commercial
embodiment are disclosed related U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,427, filed Sep. 13, 2010.
[0058] With reference now to FIGS. 18-19, there are shown major
components of an adjustable-barrel curling iron 110 according to a
second example embodiment. The curling iron 110 is similar to that
of the first embodiment in that it includes a handle 112, a pivotal
clip 114, a radially adjustable barrel 116, a barrel-adjustment
assembly 118, a radially-adjustable heater assembly 120, and a
distal tip assembly (not shown). The barrel-adjustment assembly 118
includes the rotary collar ring 134 defining the spiral cam guide
136. In this embodiment, however, the rotary post 138 has a square
cross section and there are four leaf springs 148 and four heaters
121.
[0059] With reference now to FIGS. 20-21, there are shown major
components of an adjustable-barrel curling iron 210 according to a
third example embodiment. The curling iron 210 is similar to that
of the second embodiment in that it includes a handle 212, a
pivotal clip 214, a radially adjustable barrel 216, a
barrel-adjustment assembly 218, a radially-adjustable heater
assembly 220, and a distal tip assembly 222. In this embodiment,
the distal tip assembly 222 includes at least two extension blades
272 that extend distally from the distal end of the barrel and
rotate independently of each other about the pivotal end 274 of the
rotary post 238 to help the barrel 216 adjust radially inward and
outward uniformly along its length.
[0060] With reference now to FIGS. 22-31, there are shown major
components of an adjustable-barrel curling iron 310 according to a
fourth example embodiment. The curling iron 310 is similar to that
of the above-described embodiments in that it includes a handle
312, a pivotal clip (not shown), a radially adjustable barrel 316,
a barrel-adjustment assembly 318, a radially-adjustable heater
assembly 320, and a distal tip assembly 322. The
radially-adjustable heater assembly 320 includes at least one
heater 321 and a central rotary post 338.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 22-25, in this embodiment the heaters 321
that are not coupled to the heater guide bracket 380 each include a
guide plate 382 to prevent interference and restriction by the
heater guide bracket. In a typical commercial embodiment, the guide
plates 382 can be provided by copper plates, for example, 0.15 mm
TK plates mounted to the heater jacket housings 355 by eyelets (see
FIG. 22). The heater guide bracket 380 is coupled to the barrel 316
inside the barrel adjacent its inner edge 352 (see FIG. 23). One of
the heaters 321 (e.g., its jacket housing 355) couples to the
heater guide bracket 380 (e.g., by sliding into inward lips formed
by end channel portions of the bracket). So when the central rotary
post 338 and its heaters 321 are rotated, the inner edge 352 of the
barrel 316 is rotated with them to wind the barrel about the post
and adjust the diameter (see FIGS. 24-25), as can be seen by
reference to the relative positions of the inner and outer edges
352 and 354 of the barrel.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 26-28, the distal end assembly 322 of
this embodiment is not adjustable. However, it includes a distal
tip cover 370 defining a spiral cam guide 384 that cooperates with
a cam follower 386 that is attached to the distal end of the barrel
316. In the depicted embodiment, the spiral cam guide 370 is formed
by a spiral groove, for example, about 3 mm deep. The spiral cam
guide 384 conforms to the configuration of the spiral cam guide 36
of the rotary collar 33 (except that it is reversed), and the cam
follower 386 can be formed by the distal end of the elongate clip
40 that also forms the cam follower 41. In this way, rotation of
the rotary collar causes both ends 352 and 354 of the barrel 316 to
be rotated synchronously. This helps with the alignment of the
barrel 316 as it is adjusted radially and controls the gap between
the barrel and the outer edge 354. In addition, the distal tip
cover 370 can be mounted in place for example by an insert pin
screw 388, a self-locking nut 389, and a screw cover 390.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 29-31, the proximal end of the central
post 338 can include a stopper 344 and the handle 312 can include
at least one cradle portion 346 that receives the post and abuts
the stopper to constrain the post from linear movement, while still
permitting its free-floating rotational movement. The central post
338 can also include one or more bearings 391 to facilitate a
smooth rotational operation. Also, the non-circular portion of the
post 338, which is triangular in the depicted embodiment, can be
formed by mounting (e.g., spot-welding) panels 392 onto the
post.
[0064] It should be noted that the features of each of the
embodiments described herein can be combined in other embodiments
not expressly described herein. Thus, one or more features of one
of the embodiments can be combined with one or more features of
another one of the embodiments to form yet another embodiment.
[0065] While the invention has been shown and described in example
forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *