U.S. patent application number 13/571925 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for apparatus for hair modification.
The applicant listed for this patent is Heidy Blaney Spenard. Invention is credited to Heidy Blaney Spenard.
Application Number | 20140041679 13/571925 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50065248 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140041679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spenard; Heidy Blaney |
February 13, 2014 |
APPARATUS FOR HAIR MODIFICATION
Abstract
An apparatus to assist in modifying hair. The apparatus includes
a plurality of curlers and a handle configured to removably retain
the curlers thereto. The handle includes a portion that has stepped
sections. The stepped sections are arranged to retain individual
curlers of different dimensions thereto. The handle is releasably
joined to a curler, the curler placed where desired and released to
stay in place. The handle may then be used to do the same with a
different curler of the same or a different size. As a result, a
single handle may be used to position a plurality of curlers of the
same or differing size where desired. The combination of the handle
and the curlers allows a user to place curlers in locations of
interest and retain them in place as a replacement for a styling
tool.
Inventors: |
Spenard; Heidy Blaney;
(Saco, ME) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spenard; Heidy Blaney |
Saco |
ME |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50065248 |
Appl. No.: |
13/571925 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/265 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 6/04 20130101; A45D
2006/005 20130101; A45D 6/00 20130101; A45D 2/2485 20130101; A45D
2/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/265 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus to facilitate modification of a person's hair, the
apparatus comprising a a. a handle including a first section and a
second section, wherein the second section is tapered; and b. a
plurality of curlers including a first set of one or more curlers
having a first inner dimension and a second set of one or more
curlers having a second inner dimension that is different from the
first inner dimension, wherein the tapered section of the handle is
configured to removably retain the curlers of the first set of
curlers thereto and to removably retain the curlers of the second
set thereto, wherein the tapered section of the handle includes a
plurality of stepped sections, wherein at least one of the stepped
sections of the plurality of sections is configured to removably
retain the curlers of the first set of curlers thereto and wherein
at least one other stepped section of the plurality of stepped
sections is configured to removably retain the curlers of the
second set thereto, and wherein the second section of the handle
includes a keyway extending across the plurality of stepped
sections and one or more of the plurality of curlers includes a key
arranged for removable capture in the keyway of the handle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of
curlers includes retention ports and wherein the apparatus further
includes hair retainers configured for removable placement in the
retention ports.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a curler retaining
tower including a plurality of ports for removably retaining
curlers therein.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the plurality of ports are of
variable inner dimensions.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the tower is of polygonal shape
formed of a plurality of side panels.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle and the plurality of
curlers are fabricated of a selectable material.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the selectable material is
wood.
8. (canceled)
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the stepped
sections are tapered.
10. (canceled)
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the curlers
includes bristles.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more
additional sets of curlers with inner dimensions different from the
first inner dimension of the first set of one or more curlers and
from the second inner dimension of the second set of one or more
curlers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hair modification
tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to tools
that aid in the styling, curling and/or straightening of hair.
Still more particularly, the present invention relates to tools
that enable hair modification for a selectable period of time
without requiring constant user contact therewith.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Hair curlers and round brushes used by individuals to modify
the shape and appearance of hair have been available for a
considerable amount of time. An individual generally uses a round
brush in combination with a blow dryer to establish curls in the
hair. The longer sections of hair remain engaged around the brush,
the longer the curl will remain in place after the brush has been
removed. A round brush of a relatively small diameter will produce
a tighter curl than a rounded brush of a relatively large diameter
will produce a larger curl. However, the person going through the
process of blow drying and curling the hair must keep the brush in
place for the length of time required to generate the curl and must
repeat that process over the entire head. That can be time
consuming and physically difficult, particularly for the physically
challenged.
[0005] Hair curlers may be used instead of a round brush, but they
have their own limitations in functionality, effectiveness and
convenience. In particular, they are time consuming to apply and
they limit the user's ability to vary the curling from one location
on the head to another as there is insufficient variability in
their dimensions to enable the user to change curl tightness. There
is also some concern that they do not enable curl maintenance as is
provided using a rounded brush and a blow dryer.
[0006] The alternatives of using hot rollers and/or curling irons
have their own time consumption limitations as well as the real
harm they can cause to the user. Regarding the time involved, both
tend to involve an initial process of drying the hair and then a
second action of styling, curling and/or straightening the hair
using the hot rollers or the curling iron. It would be useful to
style, curl and/or straighten and also dry in a single process. It
is also well known to those who use such equipment that they are
very hot and it is not at all uncommon for a person to burn his or
her skin using hot rollers and curling irons. It is desirable to
minimize or eliminate such harm.
[0007] Therefore, what is needed is a more effective apparatus for
modifying hair such as through hair styling, curling and/or
straightening. What is needed is such an apparatus that is
convenient to use by a wide range of people. What is also needed is
such an apparatus that provides the user with flexibility in the
hair styling, curling and/or straightening process with time
efficiency and a reduction in the likelihood of harm to the user in
the course of the process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
effective apparatus for modifying hair such as through hair
styling, curling and/or straightening. It is also an object of the
invention to provide such an apparatus that is convenient to use by
a wide range of people. The invention provides the user with
flexibility in the hair styling, curling and/or straightening
process. It can also improve the efficiency of the entire process
and reduces the possibility of generating skin bums during the
process.
[0009] The present invention is an apparatus comprising a set of
curlers and a handle configured for insertion into and removal from
the curlers. The curlers may be of varied diameters and may include
an arrangement for extending and retracting hair capturing
elements. Alternatively, hair capturing elements may be insertable
into the curlers and removable from the curlers. Further, the
curlers may include bristles to enhance gripping of the hair to
reduce undesired rotation of the curler when in place in the hair.
The invention also includes an optional curler retaining tower for
convenient placement and holding of a plurality of curlers.
[0010] The handle includes a plurality of interface steps designed
for frictional retention of curlers of differing sizes thereto.
That is, the interface steps are of different dimensions extending
from smallest to largest. The smallest one releasably retains
curlers with the smallest inside diameter to the handle and the
largest interface step releasably retains curlers with the largest
inside diameter to the handle. The handle is configured to allow
the user to select a curler of desirable dimension from the set of
curlers, curl hair around that curler and then release the curler
from the handle so that the curler remains in place where drying
air may be directed to it. A second and subsequent curlers of the
same or different size may be similarly placed in the hair where
desired until curlers are located where the user wishes them to be.
The user may then dry or otherwise modify the hair as desired
without the need to keep a styling tool, such as a rounded brush
but not limited thereto, in place where needed, removed and then
reapplied in a different location, all using a single handle, or at
least using fewer handles than the number of curlers used. That is,
the hair may be prepared using a certain number of curlers with a
lesser number of handles used to deploy those curlers.
[0011] The apparatus of the present invention eliminates the
difficulties and inconveniences associated with current
conventional hair curlers and styling tools such as rounded brushes
used to style, curl and/or straighten hair. This allows users of
all types to customize their styling/curling/straightening
activities without limitations associated with specific hair curler
forms and without extensive and time consuming use of the styling
tool and/or blow dryer. That is, the combination substantially
reduces the time involved in preparing hair. The time reduction may
be as much as one-half the time ordinarily spent in preparing hair.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be more
fully understood upon review of the following detailed description,
the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the apparatus of the
present invention including the handle, curlers and retaining
tower.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the apparatus of the
present invention including the handle, curlers and retaining tower
de view of the suspension device of FIG. 1 in use.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of curlers and a
plurality of curler retaining needles.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first section of the handle.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of a second section of the handle.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of the second section of the
handle.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a first curler positioned on
the handle.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a second curler positioned on
the handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0020] A hair modification apparatus 10 of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus 10 includes a curler
retaining tower 12, a handle 14 and a plurality of curlers 16. One
or more of the components of the apparatus 10 may be fabricated of
any selectable material, such as wood, metal, nonmetallic materials
such as plastic, or any combination thereof. The apparatus 10
optionally includes a rotatable tower retaining base 100 suitable
for holding the tower 12 and one or more other components of the
apparatus 10. A cover (not shown) may be provided as a tool to
cover the components of the apparatus 10. The cover may rest on the
base 100 or cover it as well and it may be of a decorative
design.
[0021] The tower 12 is a polygon formed of a plurality of side
panels 18 joined together at their respective edges. Alternatively,
the tower 12 may be a unitary structure and it may be of a shape
other than polygonal. Each of the side panels 18 includes a
plurality of curler ports 20. In the embodiment of the invention
shown, the ports 20 are of different inner diameter, with the ports
20 near a bottom section 22 of the tower 12 having larger inner
diameters than the ports 20 near a top section 24 of the tower 12.
The inner diameters of the ports 20 may get progressively smaller
from the bottom section 22 to the top section 24. Alternatively,
all of the ports 20 may be of the same size or they may vary in a
different order or they may be different on different ones of the
side panels 18. One or more of the ports 20 may be tapered. The
tower 12 also includes a top port 26 configured to receive the
handle 14 therein. The purpose of the tower 12 is to provide a
convenient location for storing and accessing the handle 14 and the
curlers 16.
[0022] The curlers 16 may all be of the same size or they may be of
different dimensions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Some of the curlers
16 may have a first outer diameter and others may have an outer
diameter that is greater or smaller than the first outer diameter.
In one embodiment of the invention, there may be four different
curler diameters, although more or fewer curler sizes are
contemplated. The curlers may be of a selectable length but are
generally similar in length to that of conventional curlers. The
curlers 16 may be smooth or they may include a plurality of
retention ports 28 configured to allow a hair retainer 30 shown in
FIG. 3 to removably pass therethrough. The hair retainer 30 may be
used to minimize unintended rotation of the curler 16 when the
curler 16 is in place in the hair. Alternatively, as shown in the
drawings, one or more of the curlers 16 may include bristles to
facilitate hair retention when the curler 16 is in place so as to
minimize unintended rotation. The outer diameter of the curler 16
is preferably dimensioned to cause a snug fit of the curler 16 in a
corresponding port 20 of the tower 12. A user of the apparatus 10
may place one or more of the curlers 16 in the hair where it is
desired to create a curl, to style the hair and/or to straighten
the hair. The curlers 16 are of sufficient physical and structural
integrity so as to permit the direction of hot air from a blow
dryer onto them without causing a loss of structural integrity or
harm to the user through the transfer of excess heat to the scalp.
In other words, the curlers 16 may used in the manner curlers are
ordinarily used.
[0023] The handle 14 shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 includes a first
section 32 and a second section 34. The first section 32 is shaped
and dimension to allow a user to place her or his hand on it and
rotate it to facilitate the rotation of one of the curlers 16
attached thereto to wrap strands of hair around the curlers 16. The
particular shape and length of the first section 32 of the handle
14 is selectable. The second section 34 of the handle 14 includes a
plurality of stepped sections 36. The stepped sections 36 are
shaped and configured to establish a frictional and removable fit
of one of the curlers 16 thereto. That is, each of the stepped
sections 36 has dimensions that are slightly smaller than the
dimensions of the inner diameters of the curlers 16 so that the
curlers 16 are releasably secured to the handle 14. Further, the
stepped sections 36 has a taper or angle, which may be a slight
taper or angle extending outwardly from the particular stepped
sections top portion to its base in the form of a truncated cone.
The taper or angle permits initial joining of the curler 16 to the
stepped section 36 and the fit between the two becomes tighter as
the curler 16 is fully engaged on its particular stepped section
36. Each of the plurality of stepped sections 36 is configured to
pair up with respective curlers 16 of corresponding inner
dimension. For example, the curlers 16 with the smallest inner
diameter fit to stepped section 38 while the curlers 16 with the
largest inner diameter fit to stepped section 40. It is to be noted
that the inner dimensions of the curlers 16 and the outer
dimensions of the stepped sections 36 may not be limited to round
dimensions. The handle 14 is, in effect, tapered using the stepped
sections 36. Alternatively, the handle 14 may be tapered in a more
smooth transition or sloped manner, wherein it would engage with
the curlers 16 of different inner dimensions at different locations
along the length of the handle in the area of the stepped sections
36.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, second section 34 also
includes a keyway 42 extending angularly across the stepped section
36. The keyway 42 is shaped and configured to engage with a key 44
located on the interior of the curlers, such as shown in some of
the curlers 16 of FIGS. 1-3. The combination of a key 44 of the
curler 16 with the keyway 42 of the handle 14 allows for some slack
in the proximity of the dimensions of the exterior of the stepped
sections 36 and the dimensions of the interior of the curlers 16.
That is, the key 44/keyway 42 combination ensures that the curler
16 will remain on the handle 14 until the user specifically
releases the handle 14 from the curler 16 by twisting the handle 14
while keeping the curler 16 in a fixed position. Other means for
releasable securing of the curler 16 to the handle 14 may be
employed. The keyway 42 may also be used with a smooth tapered
version of the handle 14.
[0025] Returning to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 optionally includes
one or more of the hair retainers 30. The retainers 30 are
optionally used to fix the curlers 16 in place in the hair. They
are rigid or semi-rigid bars that are configured to pass through a
first and then a corresponding second one of the retention ports 28
of the curlers 16. The retainers 30 may be used to limit the
ability of the curlers 16 to twist and thereby loosen retained hair
by blocking unintended rotation of the curlers 16 while positioned
with hair strands joined thereto. Other forms of curler rotation
minimization may be employed without deviating from the purpose of
the hair retainers 30, including, for example, curlers with
bristles as shown.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a first one of the curlers 16, one with
bristles, releasably secured to the handle 14, wherein the curler
is secured onto a relatively larger step just above step 40 of the
handle 14. FIG. 8 shows a second one of the curlers 16, one with
retention ports 28 and one of the retainers 30 passing through a
pair of the retention ports 28, releasably secured to the handle
14, wherein the curler is secured onto relatively smaller step 38
of the handle 14.
[0027] The present invention has been described with respect to
various examples. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. All equivalents are deemed to fall within
the scope of this description of the invention.
* * * * *