U.S. patent application number 14/201921 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chang Su Park. Invention is credited to Chang Su PARK.
Application Number | 20150114425 14/201921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50893167 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Chang Su |
April 30, 2015 |
ROTATIONAL HAIR STYLING DEVICE FOR EASILY MAKING SPIRAL CURLS
Abstract
Disclosed therein is a rotational hair styling device for easily
making spiral curls including: an upper case being elongated; a
lower case rotatably hinge-coupled with a hinge part of the upper
case; a heating member of a bar shape horizontally located in the
winding space part; a driving motor embedded in the lower case
collinearly with the heating member; and a winder member connected
to a driving gear of the driving motor and rotated forwardly and
reversely around the heating member inside the heating space part
for spirally winding the hair.
Inventors: |
PARK; Chang Su; (Ulsan,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Park; Chang Su |
Ulsan |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
50893167 |
Appl. No.: |
14/201921 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2001/004 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2/367 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/229 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04; A45D 2/36 20060101 A45D002/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0128752 |
Claims
1. A rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls
comprising: an upper case being elongated, the upper case having
hair pressing part which is formed at one end thereof and is in
contact with the upper portion of the hair and a hinge part formed
at the other end; a lower case rotatably hinge-coupled with a hinge
part of the upper case, the lower case having a winding space part
formed at one end thereof corresponding to the hair pressing part,
the winding space part having an opened upper portion in which the
hair is accommodated; a heating member of a bar shape horizontally
located in the winding space part, the heating member having a
heating space part between the heating member and the inner
circumferential surface of the lower case for winding and heating
the hair; a driving motor embedded in the lower case collinearly
with the heating member; and a winder member connected to a driving
gear of the driving motor and rotated forwardly and reversely
around the heating member inside the heating space part for
spirally winding the hair, which is grasped between the winding
space part and the hair pressing part, from the middle to the end
of the hair when the upper and lower cases are closed and for
heating the hair in a state where the hair is in contact with the
surface of the heating member.
2. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein
the auxiliary heating member is mounted in the winding space part
of the lower case while keeping an interval from the outer
circumferential surface of the heating member, and comprises a
curved inner surface formed to heat the outer surface of the hair
spirally wound on the heating member by the winder member.
3. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein
the upper case comprises a hair passing hole formed at both sides
of the hair pressing part thereof when the upper and lower cases
are closed by rotating around the hinge parts.
4. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein
the winder member comprises: a rotary ring connected to the driving
gear of the driving motor and rotated in forward and backward
directions; a winder perpendicularly extending from the rim of the
rotary ring, the winder having a width surrounding a portion of the
outer surface of the heating member and an inner circumferential
surface curved inwardly; dented portions formed at both edges of
the winder so as to spirally wind and rotate the hair; and a
downwardly curved protrusion formed at an external end portion of
the dented portion along the circumferential direction for catching
the middle of the hair accommodated in the winding space part and
sending the hair to the dented portion so as to spirally wind and
form the hair into a coil shape.
5. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 4, wherein
the winder member comprises: a through hole formed at the center of
the rotary ring in such a way that the heating member is mounted
through the through hole; a pair of planetary gears interlocking at
both sides of the driving gear of the driving motor; and an inner
ring gear rotating in interlock with the planetary gears, wherein
the rotary ring is integrally assembled to the inner ring gear such
that the winder member rotates forwardly and reversely around the
heating member.
6. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein
a power line for supplying electric power to the heating member is
connected with the heating member and the auxiliary heating member
through power line holes formed above and below the planetary gears
and arranged at right angles to the planetary gears so as to supply
electric power.
7. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 2, wherein
a power line for supplying electric power to the heating member is
connected with the heating member and the auxiliary heating member
through power line holes formed above and below the planetary gears
and arranged at right angles to the planetary gears so as to supply
electric power.
8. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein
the upper case comprises a pressing protrusion downwardly protrudes
from the external front end of the hair pressing part of the upper
case, the rotational hair styling device further comprising: a
contact member which is mounted to be outwardly resilient in such a
manner that the contact member is moved inwardly by the pressing
protrusion so as to move the hair toward the heating member when
the upper case is rotated and lies upon the lower case.
9. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 8, wherein
the contact member comprises: a fixing boss mounted at the external
end portion of the heating member and having an elastic member
accommodated therein; a movable body mounted on the fixing boss in
an axially movable manner; a movable piece upwardly protruding from
the outer circumferential surface of the movable body in such a way
as to be in contact with the pressing protrusion; and a round
contact member formed inside the movable piece.
10. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 8,
wherein the contact member comprises: a hinge shaft located outside
the heating member and having a lower end portion transversely
assembled to the inner circumferential surface of the lower case; a
movable lever extending upwardly from the hinge shaft and being in
contact with the pressing protrusion, the movable lever pushing the
hair toward the heating member while inwardly rotating on the hinge
shaft; and an elastic member located between the hinge shaft and
the movable lever in such a way that the movable lever is outwardly
resilient on the hinge shaft.
11. The rotational hair styling device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a detection sensor for detecting a rotational
position in order to return the winder member to its initial
position after the winder member is rotated forwardly and
backwardly; and a sensor member engaged with the detection sensor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2013-0128752 filed on Oct. 28, 2013 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a rotational hair styling
device, and more particularly, to a rotational hair styling device
for easily making spiral curls, which includes a winder connected
to a driving motor and rotated forwardly and backwardly in a
circumferential direction around a heating member of a bar shape
mounted at one end of upper and lower cases which are opened and
closed like tongs so that the middle part of the hair is caught to
the winder and rotated in one direction so as to be wound and
heated on the heating member, thereby minimizing hair damage by
heat and easily and rapidly making spiral curls.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, in order to produce a user's wanted hairstyle
after washing the user's hair, the user produce hairstyle after
drying his or her hair using a drier or produce hairstyle using a
roll brush at the same time drying his or her hair.
[0006] However, such conventional methods using the drier or the
roll brush are complicated and it takes a long time to produce the
wanted hairstyles.
[0007] In order to solve the problems, Korean Utility Model
Publication No. 20-2011-0008835 discloses a `styling brush with
spinning device` including: first and second members 12 and 14
operatively connected to each other and adapted for relative
movement between a generally open position to receive a length of
hair and a generally approximated position to engage the length of
hair; and a brush 22 mounted relative to the first and second
members 12 and 14. The brush 22 is adapted for rotational movement
about a longitudinal axis defined thereby to brush the length of
hair when the first and second members 12 and 14 are in the
approximated condition. At least one, if not both, of the first and
second members 12 and 14 may include a heating element 58 for heat
treating the length of hair.
[0008] Such a conventional device has an advantage in that it can
produce various hairstyles, such as in-curve, out-curve, roll
straight, and others, while drying wet hair through styling work,
such as straightening, curling, brushing or combing without using
additional drier or roll brush, but has a disadvantage in that it
cannot make spiral curly hair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of
the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is
an object of the present invention to provide a rotational hair
styling device for easily making spiral curly hair, which can
simultaneously dry hair and make spiral curls.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls in
which a winder rotating forwardly and backwardly on a heating
member of a bar shape catches the middle part of the hair by a
grasping action of upper and lower cases opened and closed like
tongs and rotates the hair in one direction so as to wind and heat
the hair on the heating member, thereby minimizing hair damage by
heat and easily and rapidly making spiral curls.
[0011] To accomplish the above object, according to the present
invention, there is provided a rotational hair styling device for
easily making spiral curls including: an upper case being
elongated, the upper case having hair pressing part which is formed
at one end thereof and is in contact with the upper portion of the
hair and a hinge part formed at the other end; a lower case
rotatably hinge-coupled with a hinge part of the upper case, the
lower case having a winding space part formed at one end thereof
corresponding to the hair pressing part, the winding space part
having an opened upper portion in which the hair is accommodated; a
heating member of a bar shape horizontally located in the winding
space part, the heating member having a heating space part between
the heating member and the inner circumferential surface of the
lower case for winding and heating the hair; a driving motor
embedded in the lower case collinearly with the heating member; and
a winder member connected to a driving gear of the driving motor
and rotated forwardly and reversely around the heating member
inside the heating space part for spirally winding the hair, which
is grasped between the winding space part and the hair pressing
part, from the middle to the end of the hair when the upper and
lower cases are closed and for heating the hair in a state where
the hair is in contact with the surface of the heating member.
[0012] Moreover, the auxiliary heating member is mounted in the
winding space part of the lower case while keeping an interval from
the outer circumferential surface of the heating member, and
comprises a curved inner surface formed to heat the outer surface
of the hair spirally wound on the heating member by the winder
member.
[0013] Furthermore, the upper case includes a hair passing hole
formed at both sides of the hair pressing part thereof when the
upper and lower cases are closed by rotating around the hinge
parts.
[0014] Additionally, the winder member includes: a rotary ring
connected to the driving gear of the driving motor and rotated in
forward and backward directions; a winder perpendicularly extending
from the rim of the rotary ring, the winder having a width
surrounding a portion of the outer surface of the heating member
and an inner circumferential surface curved inwardly; dented
portions formed at both edges of the winder so as to spirally wind
and rotate the hair; and a downwardly curved protrusion formed at
an external end portion of the dented portion along the
circumferential direction for catching the middle of the hair
accommodated in the winding space part and sending the hair to the
dented portion so as to spirally wind and form the hair into a coil
shape.
[0015] In addition, the winder member includes: a through hole
formed at the center of the rotary ring in such a way that the
heating member is mounted through the through hole; a pair of
planetary gears interlocking at both sides of the driving gear of
the driving motor; and an inner ring gear rotating in interlock
with the planetary gears, wherein the rotary ring is integrally
assembled to the inner ring gear such that the winder member
rotates forwardly and reversely around the heating member.
[0016] Moreover, a power line for supplying electric power to the
heating member is connected with the heating member and the
auxiliary heating member through power line holes formed above and
below the planetary gears and arranged at right angles to the
planetary gears so as to supply electric power.
[0017] Furthermore, the upper case includes a pressing protrusion
downwardly protrudes from the external front end of the hair
pressing part of the upper case, and the rotational hair styling
device further includes: a contact member which is mounted to be
outwardly resilient in such a manner that the contact member is
moved inwardly by the pressing protrusion so as to move the hair
toward the heating member when the upper case is rotated and lies
upon the lower case.
[0018] Additionally, the contact member includes: a fixing boss
mounted at the external end portion of the heating member and
having an elastic member accommodated therein; a movable body
mounted on the fixing boss in an axially movable manner; a movable
piece upwardly protruding from the outer circumferential surface of
the movable body in such a way as to be in contact with the
pressing protrusion; and a round contact member formed inside the
movable piece.
[0019] In addition, the contact member includes: a hinge shaft
located outside the heating member and having a lower end portion
transversely assembled to the inner circumferential surface of the
lower case; a movable lever extending upwardly from the hinge shaft
and being in contact with the pressing protrusion, the movable
lever pushing the hair toward the heating member while inwardly
rotating on the hinge shaft; and an elastic member located between
the hinge shaft and the movable lever in such a way that the
movable lever is outwardly resilient on the hinge shaft.
[0020] Moreover, the rotational hair styling device further
includes: a detection sensor for detecting a rotational position in
order to return the winder member to its initial position after the
winder member is rotated forwardly and backwardly; and a sensor
member engaged with the detection sensor.
[0021] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the rotational hair styling device for easily making
spiral curls can easily make spiral curls by the wider member which
forwardly and reversely rotates around the heating member by the
driving motor.
[0022] Particularly, in the case of making the spiral curls by the
heating member and the auxiliary heating member, the rotational
hair styling device for easily making spiral curls minimizes a
thermal damage, rapidly and easily make spiral curls, and maintains
the spiral curls for a long time because the inside and the outside
of hair are heated at the same time while the hair is wound by the
winder member.
[0023] Of course, because such effects of the present invention are
showed by the structure of the present invention without regard to
whether or not the inventor of the present invention recognizes,
the above-mentioned effects are merely some of various effects
obtained according to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, and hence, it should not be acknowledged that all
effects capable of being gasped or made by the present invention
are described in this specification.
[0024] Furthermore, the above and other objects, features and
advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Even
though there is no specific description, if those skilled in the
art can acknowledge as effects which obtainable through this
specification, it will be understood that such effects belong to
the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outward appearance of a
rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIGS. 3 to 5 are an enlarged side sectional view and
enlarged flat sectional views of essential parts showing states of
the rotational hair styling device before and after making spiral
curly hair according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a longitudinally sectional view showing forward
and reverse rotation operations of a winder member of the
rotational hair styling device;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outward appearance of a
rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7; and
[0032] FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged flat sectional views of
essential parts showing states of the rotational hair styling
device before and after making spiral curly hair according to the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] Hereinafter, reference will be now made in detail to the
preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to
the attached drawings.
[0034] The preferred embodiments of the present invention with
reference to the attached drawings are to describe in detail enough
for those skilled in the art to easily make the invention.
Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art that the technical idea and scope of the present invention is
not limited to the example embodiments and the attached
drawings.
[0035] Moreover, in the description, the thicknesses of the lines
or the sizes of the components shown in the drawing may be
magnified for the clarity and convenience of the description.
Further, the terms as will be discussed later are defined in
accordance with the functions of the present invention, but may be
varied under the intention or regulation of a user or operator.
Therefore, they should be defined on the basis of the whole scope
of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outward appearance of a
rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, FIGS. 3 to 5 are
an enlarged side sectional view and enlarged flat sectional views
of essential parts showing states of the rotational hair styling
device before and after making spiral curly hair according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a
longitudinally sectional view showing forward and reverse rotation
operations of a winder member of the rotational hair styling
device, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outward appearance of a
rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral curls
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7, and
FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged flat sectional views of essential parts
showing states of the rotational hair styling device before and
after making spiral curly hair according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Reference will be now made in detail to a rotational hair
styling device for easily making spiral curls according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the
attached drawings.
[0038] The rotational hair styling device for easily making spiral
curls according to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention is in the form of tongs in order to simultaneously dry
hair and make spiral curly hair.
[0039] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the rotational hair
styling device 100 for easily making spiral curls according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a pair
of an upper case 10 and a lower case 20 whose end portions are
rotatably hinge-coupled with each other by hinge parts 13 and
23.
[0040] Here, in this specification, one end portion means the
opposite side of the hinge parts 13 and 23, and the other end
portion means the side of the hinge parts 13 and 23.
[0041] The upper case 10 is elongated and includes: a hair pressing
part 11 formed at one end thereof and getting in contact with the
upper part of hair; the hinge part formed at the other end: and a
hand-grip part 12 formed between the hinge part 13 and the hair
pressing part 11 for allowing a user to grasp the hair styling
device 100 with the hand.
[0042] The hair pressing part 11 is formed in a plate type, and has
a three-dimensional curve formed on the inner circumferential
surface thereof for receiving and winding hair.
[0043] Moreover, the lower case 20 has the same length as the upper
case 10, and includes: a hand-grip part 22 formed corresponding to
the hand-grip part 12 of the upper case 10; and the hinge part 23
formed at the other end portion thereof and rotatably assembled
with the hinge part 13 of the upper case 10.
[0044] Furthermore, the lower case 20 includes a winding space part
21 formed at one end portion thereof in correspondence with the
hair pressing part 11 of the upper case 10, the winding space part
21 being opened at an upper side through which the hair is
received.
[0045] As shown in the drawings, the lower case 20 is formed by
assembly of a left case 24 and a right case 25, and accommodates a
heater T, a winder member 50 and an auxiliary heating member 31,
which will be described later, therein and has the winding space
part 21 formed therein for having the hair wound.
[0046] In the above structure, the upper case 10 includes a hair
passing hole 14 formed at both sides of the hair pressing part 11
thereof for grasping the hair when the upper and lower cases 10 and
20 are closed by rotating on the hinge parts 13 and 23.
[0047] Therefore, in the state where the upper and lower cases 10
and 20 lie one upon another and are closed, the hair passing hole
14 guides the hair to be put and accommodated on the hair pressing
part 11, the winding space part 21 and a heating member 30, which
will be described later, neatly.
[0048] Additionally, the lower case 20 includes stepped retaining
jaw portions 26 formed at both sides of the opened upper end
thereof in order to guide that the hair is wound spirally inwardly
from the front end portion of the heating member 30.
[0049] In addition, the heating member 30 is mounted in the lower
case 20. The heating member 30 is horizontally located on the
winding space part 21 so as to form a heating space part for
heating the wound hair on the inner circumferential surface of the
lower case 20.
[0050] Preferably, the heating member 30 has a diameter
(approximately, 20 mm to 30 mm) fit to produce the best hairstyle
when the hair is wound spirally and heated.
[0051] The heating member 30 is constructed of a hollow tube, and a
PTC heater or a ceramic heater (not shown in the drawings) is
mounted inside the heating member 30. A thermal diffusion member
made of an aluminum material or a copperplate material for evenly
transferring heat of the heater T to the entire outer surface of
the heating member 30 is assembled in contact with the inner
circumferential surface of the heating member 30.
[0052] Alternatively, a film heater may be assembled in contact
with the inner circumferential surface of the heating member 30 so
as to transfer heat to the entire outer surface of the heating
member 30 without needing the thermal diffusion member, such that
the heating member 30 can become lightened.
[0053] For reference, temperature of the PTC heater or the ceramic
heater can be controlled by a temperature sensor which is mounted
on the inner circumferential surface of the heating member 30, but
of course, in case of the ceramic heater, it is also possible that
temperature of the ceramic heater is controlled by a digital
circuit for sensing a change in resistance value, namely, electric
current or voltage, according to a change in temperature during
heating of the hair by the heating member 30.
[0054] The film heater is formed in such a way that a heating
resistor is printed between polyimide films having heat resistance
to withstand more than 300 degrees. The film heater can heat the
entire outer surface of the heating member 30 at uniform
temperature, and thus, can minimize hair damage and produce
spirally curly hair.
[0055] Moreover, a driving motor M is mounted inside the hand-grip
part 22 of the lower case 20 collinearly with the heating member
30.
[0056] The driving motor M is a DC reduced motor, and as described
later, is embedded in the hand-grip art 12 of the upper case 10 or
the hand-grip part 22 of the lower case 20 and is rotated forward
or backward by manipulation of a control part 42 electrically
connected with a control circuit part 40 for controlling
temperature of the heating member 30 and operation of the driving
motor M.
[0057] Furthermore, the driving motor M receives AC power from the
outside through an AC/DC power stabilization circuit part 41
interlocking with the control circuit part 40, and then, supplies
AC power to the heater T of the heating member 30 as it is but
supplies AC-to-DC converted power to the reduced motor.
[0058] Additionally, the control part 42 includes: a temperature
setting part for setting heating temperature, and a forward and
reverse rotation setting part for selecting styling by winding side
hair spirally to the left or to the right based on the face.
[0059] Moreover, a heating time setting part for setting rotation
time of the driving motor M, such as 8 seconds, 10 seconds, or 12
seconds, when the hair is spirally wound and heated on the heating
member 30, such that the state of the spirally curled hair can be
set in a strong mode, a middle mode, and a weak mode.
[0060] It is preferable that the hair styling device further
include a sound output unit for generating a signal sound at an end
point when the setting time is finished after the user waits in the
state where the upper case and the lower case are closed during the
set heating time.
[0061] It is preferable that an operation key 43 of the control
part 42 be mounted on the right side of the lower case 20 such that
the right-handed user can conveniently manipulate the key 43 while
grasping the hand-grip parts 12 and 22 with one hand.
[0062] In the meantime, the hair styling device according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an
auxiliary heating member 31 for rapidly producing the spiral curls
by simultaneously heating the outer surface of the hair wound on
the heating member 30.
[0063] The auxiliary heating member 31 is mounted in the winding
space part 21 of the lower case 20 while keeping an interval 32
from the outer circumferential surface of the heating member
30.
[0064] The auxiliary heating member 31 has a curved inner surface
in order to heat the outer surface of the hair spirally wound on
the heating member 30 by the winder member 50, and the PTC heater
or the ceramic heater may be mounted at the center of the rear side
of the auxiliary heating member 31. The film heater is preferably
in contact with the entire rear side of the auxiliary heating
member 31 so as to uniformly heat the entire inner circumferential
surface of the auxiliary heating member 31.
[0065] Preferably, the auxiliary heating member 31 and the heating
member 30 are assembled in such a way as to maintain an interval 32
between the auxiliary heating member 31 and the heating member 30
in consideration of the maximum thickness of the hair wound on the
heating member 30.
[0066] Additionally, the hair styling device according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes the
winder member 50 for winding the hair while rotating around the
heating member 30.
[0067] That is, the winder member 50 is constructed to rotate
between the heating member 30 and the auxiliary heating member 31.
For this, the winder member 50 is made of heat-resisting synthetic
resin because it must pass a space where heat ranging from
80.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. is generated.
[0068] Furthermore, as described later, the winder member 50 is
assembled in such a way as to be rotated in a state where the outer
surface of a winder 51 of the winder member 50 almost touches the
auxiliary heating member 31.
[0069] In addition, one end portion of the winder member 50 is
connected to a driving gear M1 of the driving motor M so as to
rotate forward and backward around the heating member 30 inside the
heating space part.
[0070] Therefore, the hair grasped between the winding space part
21 and the hair pressing part 11 by the closing action of the upper
and lower cases 10 and 20 is wound spirally from the middle to the
end of the hair and is heated in a state where the wound hair is in
close contact with the surface of the heating member 30.
[0071] Such a winder member 50 includes: a rotary ring 52 connected
to the driving gear M1 of the driving motor M and rotated in
forward and backward directions; and the winder 51 perpendicularly
extending from the rim of the rotary ring 52, the winder 51 being
formed in a plate shape having a width surrounding a portion of the
outer surface of the heating member 30 and having the inner
circumferential surface curved inwardly so as to have a curvature
larger than the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of
the heating member 30.
[0072] Therefore, the winder 51 can spirally wind the hair from the
front end portion to the inside end portion of the heating member
30 while being rotated around the heating member 30 by the forward
and backward rotation of the driving motor M.
[0073] Furthermore, the winder member 50 further includes: dented
portions 53 formed at both edges of the winder 51 so as to spirally
wind and rotate the hair; and a downwardly curved protrusion 54
formed at an external end portion of the dented portion 53 along
the circumferential direction for catching the middle of the hair
accommodated in the winding space part 21 and sending the hair to
the dented portion 53 so that the hair is wound spirally and formed
into a coil shape. It is preferable that the curved protrusion 54
is located at the external front end portion of the heating member
30.
[0074] Moreover, the dented portion 53 may be formed at a right
angle from the curved protrusion 54, but in this embodiment, an
inclined guide portion 55 is formed between the end portion of the
curved protrusion 54 and the dented portion 53.
[0075] Accordingly, in the state where the hair is put on the
heating member 30 inside the winding space part 21, when the winder
51 rotates, the curved protrusion 54 is rotated in the state where
it is catching the hair, and in this instance, the hair moves
toward the dented portion 53 by the inclined guide portion 55 and
is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the heating member
30.
[0076] Furthermore, the hair continuously wound by the winder 51 is
continuously guided toward the internal end portion of the heating
member 30 by the inclined guide portion 55, and the succeeding hair
is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the heating member
30 spirally.
[0077] There is some difference according to the length of the
hair, but based on hair of a normal length (200 mm to 300 mm), the
hair is instantaneously wound from the middle to the end of the
hair even before the winder 51 rotates about four times or five
times.
[0078] After that, the hair wound on the heating member 30 is dried
and styled by the heating action of the heating member 30 between
the winder 51 and the heating member 30 during the setting time,
e.g., 8 seconds to 12 seconds, while the winder 51 rotates.
[0079] In this instance, the internal surface of the hair is
spirally curled by the heating member 30 and the external surface
of the hair is heated in direct contact with the auxiliary heating
member 31 in the case that the hair is large in quantity.
[0080] Additionally, in the case that the hair is small in quantity
and does not directly touch the auxiliary heating member 31, the
hair is heated by radiant heat of the auxiliary heating member 31,
such that the hair is rapidly dried and curled spirally.
[0081] In this instance, the winder 51 is continuously rotated
around the hair wound on the heating member 30 for the set
operation time while winding the hair.
[0082] That is, the inner circumferential surface of the winder 51
brushes the hair by friction force while continuously rotating
during the setting time in the state where the inner
circumferential surface of the winder 51 is in contact with the
outer circumferential surface of the hair.
[0083] In addition, the winder 51 stores heat of about 70 degrees
to 90 degrees by the radiant heat of the auxiliary heating member
31.
[0084] Therefore, while the winder 51 rotates in sliding contact
with the outer surface of the hair, the hair is more rapidly dried
and made into spirally curled hair.
[0085] As described above, because the winder 51 of the winder
member 50 rotates in direct contact with the hair, in the case that
the winder 51 is made of heat-resisting synthetic resin, it is
preferable to mix materials which provide good effects to the hair
and emit far-infrared radiation, such as tourmaline anion powder or
ceramic material, when the winder 51 is injection-molded.
[0086] Moreover, in the case that the winder 51 is made of metal
material, such as aluminum, with high heat conductivity, the
surface of the winder 51 has a ceramic coating layer or is
hard-anodized or soft-anodized, so as to emit far-infrared
radiation or anions.
[0087] In this instance, the winder 51 and the rotary ring 52 of
the winder member 50 may be made of the same material, and if
necessary, are separately insert-molded of metal material and of
synthetic resin material or are integrated after being individually
assembled.
[0088] Furthermore, the winder member 50 includes a through hole
52a formed at the center of the rotary ring 52 in such a way that
the heating member is mounted through the through hole 52a; a pair
of planetary gears 57 interlocking at both sides of the driving
gear M1 of the driving motor M: and an inner ring gear 56 rotating
in interlock with the planetary gears 57. The rotary ring 52 is
integrally assembled to the inner ring gear 56, such that the
winder member 50 rotates forwardly and reversely around the heating
member.
[0089] For this, a fixing housing 58 is disposed at the front end
of the driving motor M and assembled to the left case 24 and the
right case 25, and the planetary gears 57 are symmetrically located
around the driving gear M1 in the fixing housing 58 and are
rotatably assembled to the fixing housing 58.
[0090] Therefore, the planetary gears 57 are assembled in such a
way that the internal end portions of the planetary gears 57
interlock with the driving gear M1 and the external end portions
are exposed to the outside of the fixing housing 58, such that they
interlock with teeth formed on the inner circumferential surface of
the inner ring gear 56.
[0091] The inner ring gear 56 is assembled to the outside of the
planetary gears 57 and rotatably assembled by a fixing ring 59
screw-coupled with the fixing housing 58.
[0092] Furthermore, the heating member 30 is fixed at the center of
the fixing housing 58 nonrotatably, such that the winder member 50
screw-coupled with the front face portion of the inner ring gear 56
after passing through the center of the fixing ring 59 rotates
around the heating member 30 in front of the fixing housing 58, and
the rotary ring 52 of the winder member 50 can spirally wind the
hair together with the inner ring gear 56 while rotating around the
heating member 30.
[0093] In this instance, in this embodiment of the present
invention, a power line for supplying AC power to the heating
member 30 from the control circuit part 40 is connected with the
heating member 30 and the auxiliary heating member 31 through power
line holes formed above and below the planetary gears 57 and
arranged at right angles to the planetary gears 57 so as to supply
electric power.
[0094] Furthermore, the upper case 10 further includes a push
protrusion 16 formed at the bottom surface thereof, and the lower
case 20 further includes a switching member 17 disposed at a
corresponding position of the push protrusion 16 and operated by
the push protrusion 16.
[0095] Therefore, when the upper case 10 and the lower case 20 are
closed, the push protrusion 16 presses the switching member 17,
such that the switching member 17 sends a signal to the control
circuit part 40 so as to operate the driving motor M.
[0096] When the hair styling device is turned on by the
above-mentioned structure, the heating member 30 is heated to the
set temperature by the temperature control part, and the driving
motor M is operated so as to rotate the winder 51 as soon as the
upper case 10 and the lower case 20 are closed in the state where
the hair of a fixed quantity is located in the winding space part
21. After a sound on completion of curling, when the upper case 10
and the lower case 20 are opened, the push protrusion 16 and the
switching member 17 are separated and the driving motor M stops the
operation.
[0097] Here, the hair styling device according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention may further include: a
detection sensor 44 for detecting a rotational position in order to
return the winder member 50 to its initial position after the
winder member 50 is rotated forwardly and backwardly: and a sensor
member 45 engaged with the detection sensor 44.
[0098] In other words, as described above, when the push protrusion
16 and the switching member 17 are separated and the driving motor
M is stopped, because malfunction may occur according to the
position of the winder 51 when the hair for the following work is
wound, it is preferable that the winder 51 must be always located
at the initial position, for instance, below the heating member
30.
[0099] Therefore, the driving motor M stops its operation at the
moment the detection sensor 44 and the sensor member 45 senses the
initial position of the winder member 50 after the driving motor M
is further rotated to the initial position through the detection
sensor 44 and the sensor member 45.
[0100] For instance, as a component rotated together with the
driving motor M, the sensor member 45 has a sensor hole 45 (which
has the same reference numeral as the sensor member) which is
circularly extended from the rim of the rotary ring 52.
[0101] The sensor hole 45 may be formed in a hole shape or in a
recess shape opened to the outside.
[0102] Additionally, as the detection sensor 44, a photo coupler 44
is mounted at the corresponding position of the sensor hole 45,
such that the driving motor M stops the operation as soon as the
photo coupler 44 senses the initial position of the winder 51.
[0103] In the meantime, the hair styling device according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes
contact members 60 and 160 for pushing the hair accommodated in the
winding space part 21 toward the heating member 30 without missing
such that the hair is spirally curled by the winder 51.
[0104] That is, a pressing protrusion 15 downwardly protrudes from
the external front end of the hair pressing part 11 of the upper
case 10.
[0105] The pressing protrusion 15 is formed in such a way that the
front end portion of the hair pressing part 11 downwardly protrudes
into a sharp form and curved or bent inwardly and upwardly. The
pressing protrusion 15 is outwardly resiliently mounted at the
external end portion of the heating member 30 in such a manner that
the contact members 60 and 160 are moved inwardly by the pressing
protrusion 15 so as to move the hair toward the heating member 30,
when the upper case 10 is rotated and lies upon the lower case
20.
[0106] Now, the contact member 60 according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention will be described in more
detail as follows.
[0107] The contact member 60 includes: a fixing boss 61 mounted at
the external end portion of the heating member 30 and having an
elastic member 70 accommodated therein; a movable body 62 mounted
on the fixing boss 61 in an axially movable manner; a movable piece
63 upwardly protruding from the outer circumferential surface of
the movable body 62 in such a way as to be in contact with the
pressing protrusion 15; and a round contact member 64 formed inside
the movable piece 63.
[0108] Through the above structure, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in
the state where the pressing protrusion 15 is in contact with the
upper end portion of the movable piece 63, the movable body 62 is
moved toward the heating member 30 while overcoming the power of
the elastic member 70, which is a coil spring, by the inclined
guide portion 55.
[0109] Therefore, the hair which is spread at one side of the
contact member 64 and put on the heating member 30 is gradually
collected on the heating member 30, and in this instance, the upper
case 10 and the lower case 20 are closed together.
[0110] Moreover, the hair is aligned neatly through the hair
passing hole 14 of the upper case 10.
[0111] Furthermore, as another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the contact member 160
includes: a hinge shaft 161 located outside the heating member 30
and having a lower end portion transversely assembled to the inner
circumferential surface of the lower case 20; a movable lever 162
extending upwardly from the hinge shaft 161 and being in contact
with the pressing protrusion 15, the movable lever 162 pushing the
hair toward the heating member 30 while inwardly rotating on the
hinge shaft 161; and an elastic member 70 located between the hinge
shaft 161 and the movable lever 162 in such a way that the movable
lever 162 is outwardly resilient on the hinge shaft 161.
[0112] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressing
protrusion 15 is rotated toward the heating member 30 while
overcoming the power of the elastic member, which is the coil
spring, on the hinge shaft 161 by the inner inclined surface of the
pressing protrusion 15 in the state where the pressing protrusion
15 is in contact with the upper end portion of the movable lever
162.
[0113] Therefore, the hair which is spread at one side of the
movable lever 162 and put on the heating member 30 is gradually
collected toward the heating member 30, and in this instance, the
upper case 10 and the lower case 20 are closed together. Moreover,
the hair is aligned neatly through the hair passing hole 14 of the
upper case 10.
[0114] Now, the hair styling process according to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention will be described as
follows.
[0115] In the state where a user grasps the hair of a proper
quantity with one hand, the user puts the hair into the opened
front end portion of the hair styling device 100 with the other
hand, and then, puts the hair on the winding space part 21 between
the upper and lower cases 10 and 20.
[0116] In this state, when the upper and lower cases 10 and 20 are
closed, the pressing protrusion 15 pushes the contact members 60
and 160 toward the heating member 30, such that the hair is grasped
on the winding space part 21 of the lower case 20 by the hair
pressing part 11 of the upper and lower cases 10 and 20 and the
lower end portion of the hair is aligned neatly through the hair
passing hole 14 in the state where the hair is caught by the
stepped retaining jaw portions 26.
[0117] Moreover, the push protrusion 16 of the upper case 10 gets
in contact with the switching member 17 and transfers a sensing
signal of the closed condition of the upper and lower cases 10 and
20 to the control circuit part 40.
[0118] Therefore, the control circuit part 40 rotates the driving
motor M, and in this instance, the driving gear M1 of the driving
motor M is rotated in the forward or backward direction according
to the user's setting of the control part 42.
[0119] Accordingly, because the planetary gears 57 interlocking
with the driving gear M1 is rotated in the opposite direction, the
inner ring gear 56 rotates in one direction, and finally, the
rotary ring 52 and the winder 51 are rotated together.
[0120] Furthermore, the heating member 30 and the auxiliary heating
member 31 are heated while keeping the set temperature selected by
the control part 42 if there is no specific manipulation of
temperature.
[0121] Next, the hair aligned neatly is caught to the curved
protrusion 54 of the winder 51 whose middle portion is rotated, and
then, is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the heating
member 30 by the winder 51 continuously rotated while being drawn
into the dented portions 53 along the inclined portion.
[0122] In this instance, because the curved protrusion 54 catches
the middle portion of the hair and winds it to the heating member
30, the lower end portion of the hair is naturally drawn in by the
rotation of the winder 51 and wound on the heating member 30 in the
spiral form.
[0123] The internal surface of the spirally wound hair is dried and
styled by heat generated from the heating member 30, and at the
same time, the external surface of the hair is also heated by the
heat generated from the auxiliary heating member 31, such that the
hair can be rapidly dried and styled.
[0124] Additionally, because the winder 51 is continuously rotated
during the setting time, for instance, for 8 seconds, 10 seconds or
12 seconds, while the hair is dried and styled, in the state where
the inner circumferential surface of the winder 51 is in contact
with the outer circumferential surface the winder 51 is rotated in
the spirally winding direction so as to make glossy styled
hair.
[0125] Particularly, in the case that the inner surface of the
winder 51 is coated with tourmaline or ceramic material to provide
excellent surface roughness, the hair becomes glossy.
[0126] In this state, when the heating is finished, a signal sound
is generated, and then, the user opens the upper and lower
cases.
[0127] In this instance, while the upper and lower cases 10 and 20
are opened, the OFF signal generated when the push protrusion 16 is
separated from the switching member 17 is transferred to the
driving motor M.
[0128] Here, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the winder 51 always stops at the initial position, the
driving motor M is operated till the position is checked through
the photo coupler and the sensor hole 45 formed in the rotary ring
52.
[0129] Therefore, the winder 51 is further rotated even in the
opened state of the upper and lower cases, and then, always stops
at the initial position by the detection signal of the photo
coupler 44 and the sensor hole 45.
[0130] At the same time, when the user grasps the middle of the
hair and pulls the hair styling device 100, the hair spirally wound
on the heating member 30 is released from the heating member
30.
[0131] In this instance, the hair hangs down like a coil spring in
a bouncy hairstyle so as to show beautiful hair curls.
[0132] As described above, because the winder 51 provides a
friction action similar with combing in the grain direction of the
hair while rotating in contact with the hair, the hair styling
device according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention can rapidly dry and style the hair so as to minimize hair
damage and produce glossy and spirally curled hair.
[0133] Furthermore, after the completion of hairstyling, the
spirally curled hair becomes bouncy hair, and the spirally curled
state can be kept for a long time.
[0134] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to
be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims.
It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or
modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *