Hair styling tool with removable handle

Abstract

A hair styling tool kit has cylindrical hollow hair roller(s) having bristles positioned on exterior thereof, a handle engaging member extending co-axially within a cavity of the hair roller. A transverse plate partially closes a proximate end of the hair roller, and the handle engaging member is secured to the transverse plate. The handle has a roller engaging part, which matches configuration of the interior of the handle engaging member. A magnet is fitted in the contact ends of the handle engaging member and the roller engaging part allowing the handle and the hair roller to stay connected while the suer rolls her hair on the hair roller.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 12/930,960 for "Hair Styling Tool with Detachable Handle" filed on Jan. 20, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 12/590,791 for "Hair Styling Assembly" filed on Nov. 13, 2009, the full disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, and priority of which is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to hair styling tools, and more particularly to hair rollers that can be heated during a hair styling process.

[0003] In the field of hair styling, it is conventional to roll hair about a plurality of cylindrically-shaped rollers while the hair is damp and then dry the hair while it is still in its rolled state. The object of the process is to obtain a hair style having a fuller appearance and enhanced body.

[0004] Currently, there are two principal methods for rolling and drying hair. The first involves the use of a hairbrush with a hair dryer to brush the hair strands, while lifting the hair and rolling it over the brush head. Another method involves rolling strands of hair on a plurality of cylindrical rollers and allowing the hair to dry either under a hair dryer or while using a blow dryer. The stylist uses a hair comb to separate strands of hair, which are subsequently rolled on individual hair roller.

[0005] However, each of these methods has its drawbacks, one of the principal being difficulty in coordinating rolling and blow drying, particularly when not done by a hairdresser. Often times, the result of home styling is less than satisfactory particularly in the back of the head, when a person has to use an additional mirror. A person has to hold a brush in one hand, a blow dryer--in another and also manipulate the mirror for better view of the back of the head.

[0006] As to the hair rollers, it is well known that most conventional hair rollers are formed from plastic with no hair bristles, which makes it difficult in achieving "natural" curls and waves. Furthermore, conventional clips, when left on the hair roller for long periods of time during drying of the hair tend to leave a wave line where the clip compresses the hair. As a result, the task of properly styling hair becomes frustrating and time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a hair roller and hairbrush assembly with a removable handle, a tool that can be used by a person while styling hair at home to achieve professional results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hair styling tool that can be used to roll and brush hair in one application.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a hair styling assembly that uses a detachable handle with bristled hair rollers.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair styling tool assembly that uses magnets on the removable hair roller and a brush handle for detachably securing the hair rollers to a handle, one at a time.

[0011] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a hair styling tool assembly that has a means for preventing rotation between the hair roller and the handle when the hair is being rolled on the roller, thereby eliminating twisting of the engaged roller and handle.

[0012] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a styling tool that can be used by professional hair dressers and non-professional users for styling the hair.

[0013] These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a kit that has a plurality of bristled hair rollers and a detachable handle. Each hair roller comprises a substantially hollow body with a handle engaging member extending co-axially within an inner cavity, an open proximate end, and a closed distant end. The handle comprises a roller engaging portion and a gripping portion unitary connected to the roller engaging portion, said roller engaging portion having a contact end.

[0014] A roller magnet member is fitted in the distant end of the hair roller and a handle magnet member is fitted in the contact end of the roller engaging portion. The opposite polarity magnets are configured to detachably matingly engage when the roller engaging portion is positioned in the handle engaging member of the hair roller, such as during a hair rolling process.

[0015] The assembly also comprises a means for preventing rotation of the hair roller in relation to the roller engaging portion during a hair rolling process. The rotation prevention means are formed on cooperating surfaces of the handle and the hair roller.

[0016] The assembly can be sold as a kit that has a plurality different size rollers and one or more handles, clips for securing hair rolled on the hair rollers and an instruction sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

[0018] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the hair styling tool assembly according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the handle of the hair styling tool according to this invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an end view of the distant end of a hair roller according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an end view of proximate end of the hair roller.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool according to this invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the hair styling tool or assembly according to the invention. The assembly 10 comprises a plurality of generally cylindrical hair rollers 12 (only one such hair roller is shown in the drawings) and a handle 14 detachably securable to one hair roller 12 at a time. It will be understood that other hair rollers, with different diameters can be interchangeably secured in place of the hair roller 12 to the handle 14. Such hair rollers have similar construction and therefore reference will be made to a single hair roller 12. A kit containing a plurality of hair rollers, hair clips (not shown) and a handle 14 can be provided according to one aspect of the invention.

[0024] The exterior of the roller 12 carries a plurality of bristles 17. The bristles 17 are designed to provide fuller and higher appearance to the styled hairdo.

[0025] In one aspect, the body of the roller 12 is formed from a heat-conductive material, for instance ceramic having a pre-determined thermal conductivity. As will be described below, the heat capacity of the ceramic material, the ability to absorb heat from a blow dryer plays a role in the operation of the instant hair styling tool. The roller body can be provided with a plurality of openings to facilitate air circulation through the roller 12.

[0026] The roller 12 has a first distant end 16 and a second proximate end 18. The roller 12 is configured as a generally hollow body defining a substantially cylindrical cavity 21 defined by an inner wall 15. The distant end 16 is open, while the proximate end 18 is partially closed by a transverse inner plate 22.

[0027] A handle engaging member 24 is integrally unitary connected to the inner transverse plate 22. The handle engaging member 24 extends a distance inwardly from the transverse inner plate 22 within the inner cavity 21 of the hair roller 12 co-axially in relation to the body of the hair roller. In one aspect of the invention, the handle engaging member 24 is formed from the same material as the hair roller 12.

[0028] The exterior surface of the handle engaging member 24 has a generally frustoconical longitudinal section, as shown in FIG. 5, with the widest part being unitary connected to the inner transverse plate 22. The inner surface of the handle engaging member is provided with a means for preventing free rotation of the hair roller 12 in relation to the handle 14. The means for preventing rotation comprises opposing straight surfaces 30, 32 integrally continuously connected by arcuate sides 34, 36. As will be explained below, the straight surfaces 30, 32 engage with the mating surface of the handle 14.

[0029] A first magnet member 38 is secured in an apex 40, which forms the narrow innermost part of the handle engaging member 24. An inwardly facing shoulder 46 is formed between an outer surface 42 of the transverse plate 22 and the inner wall 15 of the roller 12. A circumferential flange 48 is unitary continuously connected to the proximate end 18 of the hair roller and extends outwardly therefrom. The flange 48 extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the hair roller 12 and in a substantially parallel relationship to the transverse plate 22. The flange 48 forms a contact surface for user's fingers when disengaging the handle 14 from the hair roller 12, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

[0030] The handle 14 has a gripping portion 50 and a roller engaging portion 52 unitary integrally connected to the gripping portion 50. The roller engaging portion 52 is configured to engage with the handle engaging member 24. The roller engaging portion 52 comprises a proximate part 54, which is has an exterior that matches the interior of the handle engaging member 24. The proximate part 54 is tightly fits within the handle engaging member 24 and telescopically slides in and out of engagement with the handle engaging member 24. Similarly to the handle engaging member 24, the proximate part 54 of the handle 14 has a generally frustoconical longitudinal section, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The exterior surface of the proximate part 54 has opposing straight cut surfaces 56, 58, which match the straight surfaces 30, 32 of the handle engaging member 24. The straight cut surfaces 56, 58 are joined by arcuate surfaces 60, 62.

[0031] The length of the proximate part 54 is slightly smaller than the length of the handle engaging member 24. A free end of the proximate part 54 carries a magnet 68, which has an opposite polarity to the magnet member 38 of the handle engaging member 24. The magnet members 38 and 68 are designed to magnetically attract the magnet each other while retaining the handle 14 and the hair roller 12 temporarily engaged to each other.

[0032] A circumferential collar 70 is formed on the roller engaging portion 52. The collar 70 abuts the shoulder 46 and the transverse plate 22 when the handle 14 is engaged with the hair roller 12. By partially fitting within a groove defined by the outer surface of the transverse plate 22 and the inner wall 15 of the hair roller 12, the collar 70 prevents slipping of the hair roller 12 from the handle 14 during rolling of hair on the hair roller 14. Additionally, the transverse plate delimits movement of the roller engaging portion 52 into the handle engaging member 24.

[0033] In operation, a user selects a hair roller 12 from a plurality of hair rollers having different length and diameter depending on the desired finished style. The user then aligns the straight surfaces 30, 32 of the handle engaging member 24 with corresponding straight surfaces 56, 58 of the roller engaging portion 52. The user then slides the proximate part 54 into the handle engaging member 24 thereby temporary engaging the roller 12 with the handle 14.

[0034] The magnet members 38 and 68 attract causing the handle 14 to be locked with the hair roller 12 while the user rolls her hair on the roller 12. The user then separates a strand of damp hair and lifts the strand of hair using the roller/brush assembly 10, while the handle 14 is engaged with the roller 12. The user then rolls the strand of hair on the hair roller 12, separating the strand of hair into small segments by the bristles 17. The user may then clip the strand of hair rolled on the roller 12 using one of the provided clips (not shown).

[0035] Once the user is finished with that particular hair roller, the user pulls on the handle 14, while resting the thumb and pushing against the flange 48 to overcome the strength of the magnetic field created between the magnet members 38 and 68. The user then withdraws the roller engaging portion 52 from its engagement with the hair roller 12. The user then engages the handle 14 with another roller 12 from the plurality of hair rollers provided in the kit. The user continues the steps of rolling and clipping the hair in the desired section of the head, or over the entire head.

[0036] Once all desired strands of hair have been rolled on the rollers 12 and secured with the clips, the user may use a hair dryer, which can be a hand-held hair dryer for drying the hair. The heat-conductive rollers 12 absorb the heat and transmit the heat to the hair, drying the hair while it is still rolled on the rollers 12. Since the hair roller is substantially hollow, air is free to circulate within the cavity 15 thus facilitating hair drying process.

[0037] In one aspect, the instructions provided in the kit would suggest that the user leave the rollers in the hair until the rollers are cool, which can take 5-10 minutes. The user then removes the rollers and brushes the hair into a desired style.

[0038] It is envisioned that the kit containing the rollers, handles, clips and instruction sheet can be made available to both professional hairdressers and individual users. The ease of operation makes the assembly of the instant invention applicable to many conditions. It is also envisioned that the types of bristles, their number and size can be determined by the manufacturer.

[0039] The strength of the magnets can be selected depending on the mass of the hair rollers and the handle. The heavier the rollers and the handle the stronger the attracting magnet members should be in order to securely retain the bristled hair rollers with the handle. It is envisioned that the straight cut mating surfaces of the hair engaging member and the proximate part of the handle may be substituted by cylindrical members having alternating grooves and ridges, as long as the ridges are wide enough to prevent rotation of the hair roller in relation to the handle during the hair rolling step. As a result twisting of the roller and the handle is prevented, thus increasing reliability and longevity of the hair styling tool.

[0040] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair styling tool assembly comprising: a substantially hollow hair roller having an inner cavity, a handle engaging member fitted within the inner cavity and extending co-axially therewith, an open proximate end and an open distant end; a removable handle configured for sliding detachable engagement with the hair roller, said handle comprising a roller engaging portion and a gripping portion unitary integrally connected to the roller engaging portion; and wherein a roller magnet member is fitted in the handle engaging member and a handle magnet member is fitted in the roller engaging portion, said roller magnet member and the handle magnet member detachably matingly engage when the roller engaging portion is positioned in the cavity of the hair roller.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximate end of the hair roller carries a transverse plate extending across an opening in the proximate end of the hair roller, and wherein the handle engaging member extends inwardly into the inner cavity from said transverse plate.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said handle engagement member comprises a generally frustoconically shaped body unitary connected to the transverse plate.

4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising a means for preventing free rotation of the hair roller relative to the handle when the hair roller is engaged with the handle.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said means for preventing free rotation of the hair roller comprises a pair of opposing straight cut surfaces formed on interior of the handle engaging member and a matching pair of opposing straight cut surfaces formed on exterior of the roller engaging portion, each of said straight surfaces of the handle engaging member frictionally engage a corresponding straight surface of the roller engaging portion when the roller engaging portion is fitted in handle engaging member.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein a widest part of the frustoconically shaped body of the handle engaging member is integrally secured to the transverse plate.

7. The assembly of claim 2, wherein an inwardly facing shoulder is formed between an inner wall of the hair roller body and an outer surface of the transverse plate.

8. The assembly of claim 7, said handle comprising a griping portion.

9. The assembly of claim 8, said handle is provided with a circumferential collar unitary connected to the roller engaging portion and the gripping portion, said collar abutting the inwardly facing shoulder when the roller engaging portion is fitted in handle engaging member.

10. The assembly of claim 1, comprising a circumferential flange secured to the proximate end of the hair roller and extending transversely outwardly therefrom.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller engaging portion has a proximate part sized and shaped to substantially match interior of the handle engaging member.

12. The assembly of claim 1, said hair roller being provided with a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the hair roller.

13. The assembly of claim 1, said hair roller being formed from a heat-conductive material.

14. The assembly of claim 1, said roller magnet member and said handle magnet member having opposite polarity.

15. A hair styling tool assembly comprising: a substantially hollow hair roller with exterior bristles, an inner cavity, a handle engaging member extending co-axially within the inner cavity, a partially open proximate end, and an open distant end; a removable handle detachably engageable with the hair roller, said handle comprising a roller engaging portion and a gripping portion unitary integrally connected to the roller engaging portion, said roller engaging portion having a contact end; a means for preventing free rotation of the hair roller in relation to the roller engaging portion carried by the handle engaging member and the roller engaging portion; and wherein a roller magnet member is fitted in the distant end of the hair roller and a handle magnet member is fitted in the contact end of the roller engaging portion, said roller magnet member and the handle magnet member detachably matingly engage when the roller engaging portion is positioned in the cavity of the hair roller.

16. The assembly of claim 15, said handle engaging member has a generally frustoconical opening formed therein, said roller engaging portion has a matching frsutoconical exterior configuration.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said means for preventing free rotation of the hair roller comprises a pair of opposing straight cut surfaces formed on interior of the handle engaging member and a matching pair of opposing straight cut surfaces formed on exterior of the roller engaging portion, each of said straight surfaces of the handle engaging member frictionally engage a corresponding straight surface of the roller engaging portion when the roller engaging portion is fitted in the opening of the handle engaging member.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the proximate end of the hair roller carries a transverse plate extending across an opening in the proximate end of the hair roller, and wherein the handle engaging member extends inwardly into the inner cavity from said transverse plate.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein a widest part of the handle engaging member is integrally secured to the transverse plate.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said handle engagement member unitary integrally connected to the transverse plate.

21. The assembly of claim 18, wherein an inwardly facing shoulder is formed between an inner wall of the hair roller body and an outer surface of the transverse plate.

22. The assembly of claim 21, said handle comprising a griping portion.

23. The assembly of claim 22, said handle is provided with a circumferential collar unitary connected to the roller engaging portion and the gripping portion, said collar abutting the inwardly facing shoulder when the roller engaging portion is fitted in handle engaging member.

24. The assembly of claim 15, comprising a circumferential flange secured to the proximate end of the hair roller and extending transversely outwardly therefrom, said flange forming a pushing surface for user's hand when the handle is being disengaged from the hair roller.

25. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the roller engaging portion has a proximate part sized and shaped to substantially match interior of the handle engaging member.

26. The assembly of claim 15, said hair roller being formed from a heat-conductive material.

27. The assembly of claim 15, said roller magnet member and said handle magnet member having opposite polarity.