U.S. patent application number 13/791880 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for hair dryer attachment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Adrian Salas Vasquez. Invention is credited to Adrian Salas Vasquez.
Application Number | 20130232809 13/791880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49112747 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130232809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vasquez; Adrian Salas |
September 12, 2013 |
HAIR DRYER ATTACHMENT
Abstract
A hair dryer attachment provides a concentrated,
adjustable-direction air flow to prevent frizz and provide an
ergonomic benefit to the user. The hair dryer attachment fits over
an airflow output end of a hair dryer and includes side walls that
concentrate the air flow out of an elongated slot of the
attachment. An adjustment mechanism is disposed at the airflow
output of the attachment to allow the user to adjust the direction
of the airflow output. The adjustment mechanism can be fixed at two
of more angles in addition to allowing the air flow to pass
straight out of the attachment.
Inventors: |
Vasquez; Adrian Salas;
(Rockford, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vasquez; Adrian Salas |
Rockford |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49112747 |
Appl. No.: |
13/791880 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61608530 |
Mar 8, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/124 20130101;
A45D 20/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/97 |
International
Class: |
A45D 20/00 20060101
A45D020/00 |
Claims
1. A hair dryer attachment comprising: an attachment end fitting on
an airflow output end of a hair dryer; a first set of opposing side
walls reducing an airflow width toward an output opening of the
hair dryer attachment; a second set of opposing side walls
extending from the attachment end to the output opening of the hair
dryer attachment; and an airflow diverter adjustably disposed at
the output opening of the hair dryer attachment, the airflow
diverter movable between at least three positions, each position
providing an airflow output from the hair dryer attachment at
different angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the hair dryer
attachment.
2. The hair dryer attachment of claim 1, further comprising end
pieces pivotably disposed on the second set of opposing side walls,
the end pieces supporting the airflow diverter.
3. The hair dryer attachment of claim 2, further comprising
protrusions extending from the end pieces and fitting into one of a
plurality of holes formed in the second set of opposing side walls,
wherein movement of the airflow diverter causes the protrusions to
be disposed in one of the plurality of holes corresponding to one
of the at least three positions.
4. The hair dryer attachment of claim 2, further comprising an
increased friction portion of the end pieces operable to be rotated
by a user to adjust the airflow diverter.
5. The hair dryer attachment of claim 4, wherein the increased
friction portion includes ridges formed along an outer periphery of
the end pieces.
6. The hair dryer attachment of claim 1, further comprising vanes
disposed in the output opening of the hair dryer attachment.
7. A hair dryer attachment comprising: an attachment end fitting on
an airflow output end of a hair dryer; a first set of opposing side
walls reducing an airflow width toward an output opening of the
hair dryer attachment; a second set of opposing side walls
extending from the attachment end to the output opening of the hair
dryer attachment; an airflow diverter adjustably disposed at the
output opening of the hair dryer attachment, the airflow diverter
movable between at least three positions, each position providing
an airflow output from the hair dryer attachment at different
angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the hair dryer
attachment; end pieces pivotably disposed on the second set of
opposing side walls, the end pieces supporting the airflow
diverter; protrusions extending from the end pieces and fitting
into one of a plurality of holes formed in the second set of
opposing side walls, wherein movement of the airflow diverter
causes the protrusions to be disposed in one of the plurality of
holes corresponding to one of the at least three positions; and
vanes disposed in the output opening of the hair dryer
attachment.
8. The hair dryer attachment of claim 7, further comprising an
increased friction portion of the end pieces operable to be rotated
by a user to adjust the airflow diverter.
9. The hair dryer attachment of claim 8, wherein the increased
friction portion includes ridges formed along an outer periphery of
the end pieces.
10. The hair dryer attachment of claim 8, wherein the plurality of
holes includes three holes to provide the airflow output at a first
angle of about zero degrees, a second angle of about 45 degrees,
and a third angle of about 90 degrees.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/608,530, filed Mar. 8, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to hair dryer attachments and,
more particularly, to hair dryer attachments for directional air
flow to prevent frizz and provide an ergonomic benefit.
[0003] Using a conventional hair dryer can cause frizz due to the
large area of air output and the lack of providing directionality
to the air flow out of the hair dryer.
[0004] By expelling air straight out of a hair dryer, the user has
to adjust their arm position to focus the air flow onto the
recipient's head. This can be tiring and, often, the user will not
be directing the airflow onto the recipient's head and may direct
the airflow more toward the person's hair strands, resulting in
frizz.
[0005] Conventional hair dryers typically do not allow for focusing
air flow, not only in a smaller area, but in a selective direction.
As a result, the user often has to hold the hair dryer at unusual
angles, usually with their arms over their shoulders, resulting in
fatigue and potential shoulder injury.
[0006] As can be seen, there is a need for a hair dryer attachment
that concentrates airflow and provides an adjustable angle of
airflow output from the hair dryer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a hair dryer
attachment comprises an attachment end fitting on an airflow output
end of a hair dryer; a first set of opposing side walls reducing an
airflow width toward an output opening of the hair dryer
attachment; a second set of opposing side walls extending from the
attachment end to the output opening of the hair dryer attachment;
and an airflow diverter adjustably disposed at the output opening
of the hair dryer attachment, the airflow diverter movable between
at least three positions, each position providing an airflow output
from the hair dryer attachment at different angles relative to a
longitudinal axis of the hair dryer attachment.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a hair dryer
attachment comprises an attachment end fitting on an airflow output
end of a hair dryer; a first set of opposing side walls reducing an
airflow width toward an output opening of the hair dryer
attachment; a second set of opposing side walls extending from the
attachment end to the output opening of the hair dryer attachment;
an airflow diverter adjustably disposed at the output opening of
the hair dryer attachment, the airflow diverter movable between at
least three positions, each position providing an airflow output
from the hair dryer attachment at different angles relative to a
longitudinal axis of the hair dryer attachment; end pieces
pivotably disposed on the second set of opposing side walls, the
end pieces supporting the airflow diverter; protrusions extending
from the end pieces and fitting into one of a plurality of holes
formed in the second set of opposing side walls, wherein movement
of the airflow diverter causes the protrusions to be disposed in
one of the plurality of holes corresponding to one of the at least
three positions; and vanes disposed in the output opening of the
hair dryer attachment.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair dryer attachment, in
a zero degree orientation, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hair dryer attachment of
FIG. 1, illustrating a first angled adjustment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hair dryer attachment of
FIG. 1, illustrating a second angled adjustment; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0019] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
hair dryer attachment that provides a concentrated,
adjustable-direction air flow to prevent frizz and provide an
ergonomic benefit to the user. The hair dryer attachment fits over
an airflow output end of a hair dryer and includes side walls that
concentrate the air flow out of an elongated slot of the
attachment. An adjustment mechanism is disposed at the airflow
output of the attachment to allow the user to adjust the direction
of the airflow output. The adjustment mechanism can be fixed at two
of more angles in addition to allowing the air flow to pass
straight out of the attachment.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, a hair dryer attachment
10 can fit onto a hair dryer 14 at its airflow output end.
Typically the hair dryer attachment 10 can frictionally fit on the
end of the hair dryer 14 with a connection end 12 of the hair dryer
attachment 10, however, various attachment mechanisms can be
provided to more securely connect the hair dryer attachment 10 to
the hair dryer 14. Such attachment mechanisms, such as pins and
slots, protrusions and indents, clips, or the like, are
contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
[0021] First sets of opposite sides 30 of the hair dryer attachment
10 can be angled to reduce an output opening 32 of the hair dryer
attachment 10. A second set of opposite sides 16 of the hair dryer
attachment 10 can support an adjustable airflow diverter 24. The
first set of opposite sides 30 and the second set of opposite sides
16 can define the output opening 32 which is smaller than the
output of the hair dryer 14, thus concentrating the airflow. In
some embodiments, the length of the output opening 32 can be wider
than the output of the hair dryer.
[0022] The adjustable airflow diverter 24 can span the length of
the output opening 32 and can be supported by end pieces 26. The
end pieces 26 can pivot on the second set of opposite sides 16
about a pivot point 18. Pivoting the end pieces 26 causes the
adjustable airflow diverter 24 to direct the airflow output of the
hair dryer attachment 10 to a desired angle. In some embodiments,
an outer periphery of the end pieces 26 can have a high friction
surface, such as a ridged surface as shown in FIG. 1, to allow a
user to use their thumbs or fingers adjust the angle of the
adjustable airflow diverter 24.
[0023] The second set of opposite sides 16 can have a plurality of
holes 20 formed therein. The end pieces 26 can have a protrusion 28
fitting into each of the plurality of holes 20 as the adjustable
airflow diverter 24 is adjusted. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,
the protrusion 28 is disposed in an uppermost hole 20, providing
approximately a zero degree output from the hair dryer attachment
10 (degree measurement relative to the airflow out of the hair
dryer 14). As shown in FIG. 5, the end pieces 26 can be pivoted so
that their protrusions 28 are in a middle one of the holes 20,
providing a first angled air delivery, such as an angled air
delivery of about 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7, the end pieces 26
can be pivoted so that their protrusions 28 are in a lower one of
the holes 20, providing a second angled air delivery, such as an
angled air delivery of about 90 degrees.
[0024] By adjusting the angle of air output, the user can direct
air flow out of the output opening 32 to provide a comfortable
position for use. With a conventional hair dryer, the user often
has to hold the hair dryer above their shoulders, often at awkward
angles. This results in fatigue and potential shoulder injury. With
the hair dryer attachment of the present invention, the user can
adjust the angle of output of air flow to provide a concentrated,
directed airflow that can prevent the need to hold the hair dryer
at awkward angles.
[0025] While the Figures show three holes 20 providing three
adjustments, additional holes can be included to provide additional
adjustment positions for the airflow diverter 24.
[0026] Two or more diffuser vanes 22 can be disposed in the output
opening 32. The vanes 22 can help diffuse the airflow while also
providing support for the airflow diverter 24 that is disposed
between the end pieces 26.
[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *