U.S. patent application number 13/040777 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for upright hair dryer.
Invention is credited to Clifford Wright.
Application Number | 20120000085 13/040777 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45398600 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Clifford |
January 5, 2012 |
UPRIGHT HAIR DRYER
Abstract
An upright hair dryer device includes a base that is adapted to
support the hair dryer in a predetermined orientation, such as in
an upright orientation. The base is configured to serve as a stable
platform for the hair dryer so as to reduce the likelihood of the
hair dryer undesirably toppling over.
Inventors: |
Wright; Clifford; (San
Diego, CA) |
Family ID: |
45398600 |
Appl. No.: |
13/040777 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61310442 |
Mar 4, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
34/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/10 20130101;
A45D 20/12 20130101; A45D 20/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/97 |
International
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20060101
A45D020/12 |
Claims
1. An upright hair dryer system, comprising: a base; a neck
extending from the base, the neck attached at a proximal end to the
base; an air flow outlet at a distal end of the neck; a motor
configured to propel air out of the air flow outlet; and an
attachment mechanism on the base, the attachment mechanism
configured to lockingly attach the base to a flat surface.
2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a display configured
to provide a visual representation of a state of airflow.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the neck is rotatingly attached
to the base.
4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the air flow outlet is
rotatingly attached to the neck.
5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
comprises a suction cup.
6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the attachment mechanism
comprises a plurality of suction cups on a bottom surface of the
base.
7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the neck comprises a handle.
8. A system as in claim 7, further comprising a coating on the
handle wherein the coating is pliable.
9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the motor includes a rotor.
10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
comprises a rubber diaphragm configured to sealingly attach to a
flat surface via a vacuum.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT
[0001] This application claims priority of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/310,442 filed on Mar.4,
2010. The disclosure of the Provisional Patent Application is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to hair care products and
more particularly relates to an upright hair dryer.
[0003] Hair dryers are well known and broadly used by barbers,
beauticians, hair stylist and by individuals in their own homes and
hotel rooms. A hair dryer is used to apply warm or hot air to dry
an individual's hair. The dryer can be combined with a brush, comb,
or other grooming product for grooming the hair as it is being
dried.
[0004] Existing hair dryers have drawbacks in that they are
unwieldy and often cumbersome to use. In view of the foregoing,
there is a need for an improved hair dryer device.
SUMMARY
[0005] In view of the foregoing, there is disclosed an upright hair
dryer device. In an embodiment, the hair dryer includes a base that
is adapted to support the hair dryer in a predetermined
orientation, such as in an upright orientation. The base is
configured to serve as a stable platform for the hair dryer so as
to reduce the likelihood of the hair dryer undesirably toppling
over.
[0006] The hair dryer includes an ergonomic neck that supports an
air outlet through which air can exit the hair dryer. The neck is
ergonomically designed to provide the user with a comfortable means
of holding and manipulating the hair dryer.
[0007] Various embodiments of the roller system are described
below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the disclosed devices and
methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a front, perspective view of an upright
dryer.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a rear, perspective view of the dryer.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective, bottom view of the dryer.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of an air outlet
of the dryer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Before the present subject matter is further described, it
is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is
not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of
course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
here in is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise,
all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter
belongs.
[0013] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments
described and illustrated herein has discrete components and
features which may be readily separated from or combined with the
features of any of the other several embodiments without departing
from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Any recited
method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any
other order which is logically possible.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an upright dryer 105 that
is adapted to propel air out through an orifice such as for the
purpose of drying hair. The dryer 105 includes a base 110 that can
be positioned on a surface for supporting the dryer in a
predetermined orientation. An elongated neck 115 extends upwardly
from the base 110 and forms into an air outlet 120 that is adapted
to expel air as described in more detail below. The neck 115 is
sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand such that the next
115 can serve as a handle for holding and manipulating the upright
dryer
[0015] The upright dryer 105 includes an internal air blower such
as in the form of an axial flow fan driven by a motor to generate
an axially forced air flow directed from an air inlet 205 (FIG. 2)
at the rear end of the base 110 towards the air outlet 120 provided
at the end of the neck 115. The motor is disposed downstream of the
blower and may be coupled to an internal rectifier having baffles
for rectification of the forced air flow. In this regard, the dryer
105 may include any of a variety of internal air flow directors or
diffusers for guiding, diffusing or otherwise manipulating the air
flow as it flows from the air inlet 205 to the air outlet 120. The
motor may be any of a wide variety of motors including a DC or an
AC powered motor. The motor may include a turbine having a series
of rotating vanes for effecting air flow when the motor is
activated. The air flow can occur along any of a variety of
directions through the upright dryer, including a horizontal
direction, vertical direction, or combination thereof.
[0016] The dryer 100 may include an internal heater that is adapted
to heat air that flows through the dryer 100. The heater may be
coupled to a controller that permits a user to vary the level of
heat that is applied to the air.
[0017] The base 110 is sized and shaped to support the dryer in an
upright orientation or any orientation that extends outwardly fro a
flat or substantially flat surface on which the base 110 is
positioned. For example, the base 110 may be positioned on a flat,
horizontal surface such that the neck 115 extends vertically from
the horizontal surface. Alternately, the base 110 can be suctioned
(as described more fully below) to a vertical or inclined surface
such that the neck 115 extends horizontally from the base 110.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a perspective, bottom view of the dryer 100
with a view of the bottom surface of the base 110. The bottom
surface of the base 110 may include an attachment mechanism that
permits the base 110 to be lockingly attached to a flat surface.
For example, the attachment mechanism may be configured to lock the
base to the flat surface in a suction manner. For example, the base
110 may include one or more suction cups through which suction can
be applied to the flat surface. In another embodiment, the base has
a suction base bottom that can be secured to a flat surface such as
using a cam lever coupled to a diaphragm on the base. When
actuated, the cam lever manipulates the diaphragm to cause the
suction diaphragm to hold a vacuum allowing the dryer to stick to
the flat surface. In this regard, the flat surface need not be a
horizontal surface. The flat surface can be horizontal, vertical,
or inclined such that the flat bottom of the base can be suctioned
to any flat surface.
[0019] The base 110 is sized and shaped to serve as a secure and
stable support platform for the dryer 100. In this regard, the base
110 can be widened or flared relative to the size of the neck 115
such that there is a reduced tendency for the dryer to topple over.
The base 110 can have sufficient mass such that the center of
gravity of the dryer is relatively low along the vertical axis of
the device thereby reducing the tendency of the device to topple
over. When combined with the suction capability, the size and shape
of the base reduces or eliminates the likelihood that the dryer 100
will unintentionally topple once the dryer 100 is positioned on a
flat surface.
[0020] With reference again to FIG. 1, dryer 100 includes a display
screen 122 that displays information. The information on the
display screen 122 can vary and can include, for example,
temperature of the air, air flow direction, air flow type, on-off
state, etc. In an embodiment, the display screen 122 is adapted to
display a visual representation of the state of the air flow such
as in the form of one or more charts, graphs, velocity, waveforms,
etc. The display screen 122 can also display an indicator that
indicates when the dryer is blowing air or heating air. The display
screen 122 can also include or be coupled to controllers, such as
knobs, buttons, dials, switches, etc. that can be used to control
the dryer 100. For example, the controllers can be used to raise or
lower the air flow velocity, activate or deactivate the dryer, vary
the heating temperature, etc.
[0021] As mentioned, the neck 115 can serve as a handle for a user
to grasp the dryer and manipulate the dryer in a desired manner.
The neck 115 may be ergonomically configured to optimize the
comfort of the user when holding the neck 115. For example, the
neck 115 may be sized and shaped to conform to a user's hand and
can include indentations that are sized and shaped to align with
the user's fingers. The neck 115 may also be at least partially
manufactured or coated with a pliable material, such as silicon or
rubber, that gives and conforms to the shape of the user's hand
when the user grasps and applies pressure to the neck 115.
[0022] The neck 115 may be movably attached to the base 110 such as
at an interface 125 that permits the neck 115 to be movably
adjusted or reoriented relative to the base 110. The interface
desirably permits the neck 115 to be rotated up to 360 degrees
relative to the base 110. In addition, the airflow outlet 120 is
movably attached to the neck 115 at an interface 130 that permits
the airflow outlet 120 to be movably adjusted (e.g., rotated or
extended) relative to the neck 115. The relative movement of the
airflow outlet 120 and the neck 115 relative to one another and to
the base 110 permit the dryer 100 to be arranged in a variety of
spatial configurations and orientations.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of an air outlet
120 of the dryer. The air outlet 120 can have any of a variety of
shapes adapted to achieve a desired air flow profile. For example,
the air outlet 120 can have a nozzle configuration. The air outlet
120 comprises an opening 405 through which air flows out of the
dryer in a desired direction. The opening 405 can be equipped with
one or more structures such as baffles or filters to achieve a
desired air flow profile. The opening 405 can be adapted to diffuse
air.
[0024] While this specification contains many specifics, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention
that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as
descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments.
Certain features that are described in this specification in the
context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features
that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also
be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any
suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be
described above as acting in certain combinations and even
initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed
combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and
the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a
variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are
depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be
understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the
particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all
illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable
results.
[0025] Although embodiments of various methods and devices are
described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it
should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of
use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the
spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to
the description of the embodiments contained herein.
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