U.S. patent application number 13/157236 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for vibrating hair iron with noncontact switch.
Invention is credited to Izumi Uwano.
Application Number | 20120312319 13/157236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47292092 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120312319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uwano; Izumi |
December 13, 2012 |
Vibrating Hair Iron With Noncontact Switch
Abstract
A vibrating hair styling device for straightening and smoothing
hair is disclosed. The vibrating hair styling device comprises a
pair of arms extending from a pair of arms, a magnet, a noncontact
switch, a power on/off switch, a vibrating motor, a control circuit
and a power cord. The pair of arms includes an upper arm and a
lower arm. An upper heating plate is attached at a distal end of an
inner surface of the upper arm and a lower heating plate is
attached at a proximal end of an inner surface of the lower arm.
The noncontact switch is arranged in magnetic communication with
the magnet. The on/off switch turns on when the magnet and the
noncontact switch approach each other and transfer vibrations to
the upper heating plate and the lower heating plate thereby
allowing a user to straighten the hair.
Inventors: |
Uwano; Izumi; (Torrance,
CA) |
Family ID: |
47292092 |
Appl. No.: |
13/157236 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 ;
132/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/001 20130101;
A45D 2200/207 20130101; A45D 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/211 ;
132/224 |
International
Class: |
A45D 7/00 20060101
A45D007/00; A45D 1/04 20060101 A45D001/04 |
Claims
1. A vibrating hair styling device for straightening hair, the
device comprising: a pair of arms extending from a pivot point, the
pair of arms includes an upper arm and a lower arm; an upper
heating plate attached at a distal end of an inner surface of the
upper arm; a lower heating plate attached at a proximal end of an
inner surface of the lower arm; a magnet positioned on a protruding
member that extends from a proximal end of the inner surface of the
upper arm; a noncontact switch arranged in magnetic communication
with the magnet, the noncontact switch being at a slot on the inner
surface of the lower arm; a power on/off switch arranged at a
middle portion of the inner surface of the lower arm; a vibrating
motor operatively connected inside a middle portion of the upper
arm; a control circuit arranged inside a middle portion of the
lower arm; and a power cord connected to the control circuit
through a joining end of the upper arm and the lower arm; whereby
the on/off switch turns on when the magnet and the noncontact
switch approach each other in the closed position and transfer
vibrations to the upper heating plate and the lower heating plate
thereby allowing a user to straighten the hair.
2. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the vibration motor
is controlled by means of the control circuit.
3. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the noncontact switch
may be a magnetic sensor switch.
4. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the noncontact switch
does not contact physically and reduces chance for occurring
defects on human body.
5. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the noncontact has a
hysteresis that allows the stable operations without the chattering
malfunctions.
6. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein a light emitting
diode (LED) display screen is arranged on the inner surface of the
lower arm for displaying time and temperature.
7. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the pair of arms may
be made of flat iron.
8. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the flat iron may be
made from ceramic material.
9. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the hair styling
device may be made from variety of colors and sleek designs.
10. A method for straightening and smoothing hair utilizing a hair
styling device, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing
the vibrating hair styling device; b) connecting a power cord of
the device to an external power supply; c) enabling the vibrating
hair styling device by switching on the external power supply; d)
activating power on/off switch on the hair styling device; e)
placing human hair in between an upper arm and a lower arm of the
device; f) providing the upper arm proximate to the lower arm
device for activating vibrating effect; and g) sliding the device
over the hair for straightening and smoothing the hair.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the steps (f) through (g) can be
repeated until the user satisfied with straightness and smoothness
of hair.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the upper heating plate and the
lower heating plate allow the hair to slide more smooth and
straight.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the vibrating hair styling
device allows for straightening hair with a smooth, silky and
luscious shine in minutes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to hair styling devices and, more
particularly to a vibrating hair-styling device with a non contact
switch for straightening human hair.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0004] Presently, a wide variety of hair-styling devices has been
developed in the art for improving the appearance of human hair.
The hair-styling devices are used for providing a variety of
styling effects to the hair. Among the hair-styling devices, hair
irons play a vital role in smoothing, streamlining and providing a
`sleek` appearance to the hair. In most hair irons, heating and
vibrating mechanisms are used for straightening human hair.
[0005] One prior art taught in U.S. Pat. Application No.
20090044823 published to Overend discloses an electric hair iron
comprised of at least one heating element controlled by a
temperature sensor and a control circuit. The temperature sensor
and control circuit are configured so that power is supplied to the
heating element or elements only when the temperature reaches or
exceeds a predetermined minimum temperature. Also provided are
methods for straightening hair. However, the temperature sensor
activates only after a predetermined minimum temperature, causing
the hair iron to take a long time to heat and straighten the
hair.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,206 issued to Lee discloses a hair iron
that includes a pair of arms opened and closed by a pivot, and each
arm has a gripping portion and a hair treatment portion. The hair
treatment portions are provided with respective hair treatment
members between which the desired amount of hair is held and
pressed to style the hair. The hair treatment members are comprised
of planar top surfaces, or undulating top surfaces. An image marker
of concave and convex images are provided on the opposing surfaces
of the hair treatment members, which are also supported by
supporting protrusions formed on the arms. When the arms are
closed, the hair is held between the hair treatment members and
part of the hair is also held between the image marker so that an
image is imparted with the part of the hair by the pressure and
temperature applied to the hair. However, for creating a desired
hairstyle, a user wants to pull down the hair iron by pressing the
arms after holding the hair between the forming plates. This may
cause damage to hair and therefore the device is often ineffective
for straightening the human hair without harming the hair.
[0007] Another prior art discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,694
issued to Tsuji provides a hair styling iron for hair straightening
or curling, the device includes a generally circular cross-section
electrically heated barrel. An arm is movable relative to the
barrel for selectively clamping a strand of hair between the tongue
and the peripheral surface of the barrel for curling hair. The
barrel comprises first and second pipes each having a generally
semi-circular cross section with a top rounded outer surface and a
flat bottom outer surface. The pipes are movable relative to each
other between a closed position where the flat bottom surfaces are
kept in closed relation to each other and an open position where
the bottom surfaces are spaced away from each other. However, the
device is not secure because of the electrical power from the
contact switch may cause for occurring defects on human body while
straightening the human hair.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a hair iron for straightening
the human hair with a vibrating mechanism. Such a needed device
would have a noncontact on/off switch for controlling the vibrator.
The noncontact on/off switch would be more durable than a
mechanical switch and would last for a longer period of time. The
noncontact switch would be capable of reducing the chance of
occurring defects on human body when the vibrating hair-iron is in
use. The needed device would be easy-to-use, reliable with the
capability to straighten human hair with a smooth, silky, and
luscious shine. Such a needed device would have a shorter heat-up
time and a user would be able to straighten hair within minutes.
Finally, the needed device would have high quality, ceramic
tourmaline plates to prevent hair from drying out from use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a vibrating hair-styling device
with a noncontact switch for straightening human hair. The
vibrating hair-styling device comprises a pair of arms pivotally
arranged as an upper arm and a lower arm, an upper heating plate, a
lower heating plate, a magnet, a non-contact switch, a power on/off
switch, a vibrating motor, a control circuit, a power cord and a
Light Emitting Display (LED). The upper heating plate is attached
at a distal end of an inner surface of the upper arm. The lower
heating plate is attached at a distal end of an inner surface of
the lower arm. The noncontact switch is arranged in magnetic
communication with the magnet and the noncontact switch being at a
slot on the inner surface of the lower arm. The power on/off switch
is arranged at a middle portion of the inner surface of the lower
arm. A vibrating motor is operatively arranged inside a middle
portion of the upper arm. The power cord is connected to the
control circuit through a joining end of the upper arm and the
lower arm.
[0010] The noncontact switch may be a magnetic sensor which does
not require a physical contact and thereby reduces chance for
occurring defects on human body. The noncontact switch has a
hysteresis that allows the stable operations without the chattering
malfunctions. The upper heating plate and the lower heating plate
adopt a floating style to make the vibration easier and to vibrate
in three different axial directions.
[0011] The power on/off switch turns on when the magnet and the
noncontact switch approach each other in the closed position and
transfer vibrations to the upper heating plate and the lower
heating plate. The user can place the hair in between the upper
heating plate and the lower heating plate and slide the device over
the hair for straightening and smoothing the hair. The user can
repeat the process until he/she is satisfied with straightness and
smoothness of hair. Further, the present invention is having a fast
heat up time and the user can straighten the hair within minutes.
Finally, the device is having a high quality ceramic tourmaline
plates for retaining the moisture in the hair. Other features and
advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the
principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front cross sectional view of the present
invention illustrating a pair of arms of a vibrating hair styling
device in open position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front cross sectional view of the present
invention illustrating the pair of arms of the vibrating hair
styling device in closed position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a vibrating motor of the
present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation illustrating the
working of a control circuit of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention
illustrating a vibrating hair-styling device 10. The vibrating
hair-styling device 10 comprises a pair of arms 12 pivotally
arranged as an upper arm 14 and a lower arm 16, an upper heating
plate 18, a lower heating plate 20, a magnet (not shown), a
noncontact switch 24, a power on/off switch 26, a vibrating motor
(not shown), a control circuit (not shown), a power cord 32 and a
Light Emitting Display (LED) 34, a pair of arms pivotally arranged
as an upper arm and a lower arm, an upper heating plate. The upper
heating plate 18 is attached at a distal end of an inner surface 38
of the upper arm 14. The lower heating plate 20 is attached at a
distal end of an inner surface 40 of the lower arm 16. The
noncontact switch 24 is arranged in magnetic communication with the
magnet (not shown) and the noncontact switch 24 being at a slot on
the inner surface 42 of the lower arm 16. The power on/off switch
26 is arranged at a middle portion of the inner surface 44 of the
lower arm 16. A vibrating motor (not shown) is operatively arranged
inside a middle portion of the upper arm 14. The power cord 32 is
connected to the control circuit (not shown) through a joining end
of the upper arm 14 and the lower arm 16.
[0019] The pair of arms 12 may be made of flat iron which is made
of ceramic material. The noncontact switch 24 may be a magnetic
sensor and does not require a physical contact and thereby reduces
chance for occurring defects on human body. The noncontact switch
24 has a hysteresis that allows the stable operations without the
chattering malfunctions. The upper heating plate 18 and the lower
heating plate 20 adopt a floating style to make the vibration
easier and to vibrate in three different axial directions. The LED
screen 34 is arranged for displaying time and temperature.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention
illustrating the vibrating hair-styling device 10. The vibrating
hair-styling device 10 comprises the upper arm 14, the lower arm
16, the upper heating plate 18, lower heating plate 20, the magnet
22, the noncontact switch 24, power on/off switch 26, the vibrating
motor 28, the control circuit (not shown), the power cord 32 and
the LED display 34. The upper heating plate 18 comprises an upper
steel-leaf spring bar, an upper heating bar 48, an upper heater
cover 50 and an upper heater plate 52. The lower heating plate 20
comprises a lower steel-leaf spring bar 54, a lower heating bar 56,
a lower heater cover 58 and a lower heater plate 60. A plurality of
screws 62 utilizes to attach the upper heating plate 18 and the
lower heating plate 20 with the upper arm 14 and the lower arm 16
respectively. The lower arm 16 also comprises a lower PCB (Printed
Circuit Board) 64, lower inner cover 66, a switch cover 68, a
switch frame 70, and the magnet 22. The upper arm also includes an
upper inner cover 70, upper PCB 72 and a vibration motor 74. The
magnet 22 is positioned on a protruding member 74 at a proximal end
of the inner surface 76 of the upper arm 14. The upper arm 14 and
the lower arm 16 of the device 10 are pivotally arranged and
secured using a right hinge cover 78 and a left hinge cover 86
connected by a screw 80 a screw nut 82, and a shaft 84. The
proximal end of the lower arm 16 includes a tail cover 88, a
plurality of screws 90, a ring 92 and a power receptacle 94. The
pivoting mechanism of the upper arm and the lower arm is achieved
by means of a spring 94 which is affixed with the pair of arms 12
utilizing a right spring fixture 96 and a left spring fixture 98.
The power cord 32 comprises a power plug 100, a soldering
receptacle 102, a cylinder 104, a reinforcement unit 106 and a
reinforcing rubber 108.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front cross sectional view of the present
invention illustrating a pair of arms 12 of a vibrating
hair-styling device 10 in open position. When the device 10 is in
the open position, the magnet 22 and the noncontact switch 24 does
not contact each other. In open position, the power on/off switch
22 being in off state and the control circuit (not shown) is in
inactive state so that the vibration motor 74 does not turn on and
no vibration transmits to the upper heating plate 18 and the lower
heating plate 20.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front cross sectional view of the present
invention illustrating a pair of arms 12 of a vibrating
hair-styling device 10 in closed position. The power on/off switch
26 turns on when the magnet 22 and the noncontact switch 24
approach each other in the closed position and transfer vibrations
to the upper heating plate 14 and the lower heating plate 16.
Thereby a user can place the hair in between the upper heating
plate 14 and the lower heating plate 16 and sliding the device 10
over the hair for straightening and smoothing the hair. The user
can repeat the process until he/she is satisfied with straightness
and smoothness of hair.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a vibrating motor 74
operatively arranged inside a middle portion of the upper arm 14.
The vibration motor 74 is affixed in between an upper cradle 110
and a lower cradle 112. An eccentrically damper 114 is connected
with one end of the vibration motor 74. The vibration motor 74 is
electrically connected to the control circuit (not shown) utilizing
a plurality of wires 116. The vibration motor 74 is controlled by
means of the control circuit (not shown). The vibration motor 74
activate only when the magnet (not shown) and the noncontact switch
(not shown) approach each other. It is possible to attach the
vibration motor 74 inside the middle portion of the upper arm 14
either horizontally or vertically. The vibrations can be altered
depending on the user's choice by changing the direction.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation illustrating the
working of a control circuit 118. When the pair of arms 12 closes
each other, the noncontact switch 24 senses magnetic voltages from
the magnet 22 and the control circuit 118 causes to activate. The
vibration motor 74 is electrically connected to the control circuit
118 and the vibration motor 74 is controlled by means of the
control circuit 118. The on/off state of the vibrating motor 74 is
controlled by the control circuit 118.
[0025] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *