U.S. patent application number 14/559473 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for hair styling device.
The applicant listed for this patent is WIK Far East Ltd.. Invention is credited to Marwin Kock.
Application Number | 20150150350 14/559473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52738348 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kock; Marwin |
June 4, 2015 |
Hair Styling Device
Abstract
A hair styling device is described with two arms that can be
adjusted relative to one another in an articulated manner for
receiving and shaping a strand of hair. Each arms carries on its
side facing the other arm a shaping plate with a shaping surface
that makes contact with the hair strand to be shaped during the
hair styling process. It is especially characteristic that a
blocking rib is provided adjacent to the shaping surfaces of each
of the two shaping plates on their side remote from the pivot axis
of the arms and projecting in the direction of the particular other
arm and running transversally to the longitudinal extension of the
particular arm. The two blocking ribs are arranged offset to one
another and adjacent in the closed position of the arms and which
run parallel to one another and overlap above a certain height, and
which do not extend to the particular other arm in this position of
the two arms to one another.
Inventors: |
Kock; Marwin; (Essen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WIK Far East Ltd. |
Hong Kong |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
52738348 |
Appl. No.: |
14/559473 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/224 ;
132/229; 132/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/001 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101; A45D 2/40 20130101; A45D 1/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00; A45D 2/40 20060101 A45D002/40; A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2013 |
DE |
20 2013 105 507.7 |
Claims
1. A hair styling device with two arms that can be adjusted
relative to one another in an articulated manner for receiving and
shaping a strand of hair, said device comprising each of said arms
having on a side facing the other arm a shaping plate with a
shaping surface that makes contact with a hair strand to be shaped
for the process of a hair styling; a blocking rib located adjacent
to each of said shaping surfaces on a side remote from a pivot axis
of the arms and projecting in the direction of the other arm, said
blocking rib running transversally to a longitudinal extension of
the particular arm said two blocking ribs being offset to one
another and adjacent in a closed position of the arms and which run
parallel to one another and overlap above a certain height, and
which do not extend to the particular other arm in this position of
the two arms to one another.
2. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein least one of the two
shaping plates is supported in a floating manner against a return
force.
3. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein at least one shaping
plate is held for the purpose of its support in a frame supported
in a floating manner and that the blocking rib is arranged on the
frame.
4. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the blocking ribs
are stiff bodies.
5. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the blocking ribs
have a curved surface on their particular upper side in the
transverse direction.
6. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein one of the two arms
further comprises a hair support on its side carrying the shaping
plate, which hair support is arranged at a distance to the shaping
surface of this arm in order that the other arm fits in between the
hair support and the shaping plate of this arm and that the two
arms can be adjusted to one another in the manner of scissors
relative to the two shaping plates and that a plane of the shaping
surfaces of the two arms is inclined relative to a movement plane
of the arms for their articulated adjustment.
7. The hair styling device of claim 6, wherein the angle of
inclination of the shaping surfaces of the two arms relative to the
movement plane of the arms to one another is inclined by a maximum
of 20.degree., in particular by not more than 10.degree..
8. The hair styling device of claim 6, wherein the arm that is
adjustable relative to the arm carrying the hair support, comprises
an outer side that is suitably constructed for shaping a strand to
a curl or a wave.
9. The hair styling device of claim 6, wherein the arm carrying the
hair support has a V-shaped cross-sectional geometry, that the two
shanks of the V-shaped design enclose an arm receptacle, that the
shaping plate is arranged on the inner side of one of its shanks
(25) and that the outer side of the other arm is constructed and
dimensioned in a complementary manner to fit into the arm
receptacle and carries its shaping plate on it outer side facing
the shaping plate of the other arm.
10. The hair styling device of claim 9, wherein the other shank
that does not carry the shaping plate and of the arm forming the
hair support, and the outer side of the other arm facing the inner
side of this shank carry hair guide structures.
11. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
blocking ribs has a bend on its free end in the direction of the
adjacent shaping plate.
12. The hair styling device of claim 11, wherein the both blocking
ribs have a bend on their free end in the direction of the adjacent
shaping plate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Application
No. 20 2013 105 507.7 filed Dec. 4, 2013, which is incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a hair styling device with
two arms that can be adjusted relative to one another in an
articulated manner for receiving and styling a strand of hair. Both
arms have a facing shaping plate with a shaping surface that makes
contact with the hair strand during the hair styling process.
[0003] Such hair styling devices are used, for example, for
smoothing hair. For this reason they are often also designated as
"straighteners". In the prior art hair styling device the facing
shaping surfaces of the shaping plates carried by each arm are
designed in a planar manner. As a result of the articulated
connection of the two arms the shaping plates can be moved toward
and away from one another. In the closed position of the two arms
the shaping plates lie against one another with their shaping
surfaces. The shaping plates are heated, for example, by PTC
heating elements connected to them. A heating of the shaping plates
can also be provided by a current of warm air or by a combination
of these two heating techniques. The first step in smoothing a
strand of hair with such a hair styling device is when a hair
strand is laid in the opened device and the hair styling device is
subsequently closed. In the closed position of the hair styling
device the closing pressure acts on the hair strand inserted
between the shaping plates. The hair strand is subsequently drawn
through the two heated shaping plates pressing against one another.
The hair styling device is moved during this hair styling process.
The heat and the shaping pressure bring about the desired smoothing
of the hair.
[0004] With such a hair styling device, a person may smooth their
own hair. In such a use of the hair shaping device the movement of
hair styling device does not always take place in a translatory
manner but often in a curved path. Because of this, it is often the
case that parts of the initially grasped hair strand come out
during the hair styling process from the hair styling slot on its
side further removed from the articulation of the two arms. The
managing handle of such a hair styling device is located on the
arms on the side of the shaping plates that is closer to the
articulation.
[0005] Such hair styling devices can also be used to shape curls or
waves because the are designed to have a cross section that is
usually approximately semicircular or has a semi-elliptical shape
and the heated hair can be would around the outer side of the
closed arms. In such a use a straightener is used like a curler
rod. The outer side of at least one arm then functions like a
shaping body. The previously described, undesired exiting of hair
from the shaping slot transversely to the direction of pulling a
strand of hair through the hair styling slot occurs more strongly
when using such a hair styling device for forming curls or
waves.
[0006] The foregoing example of the related art and limitations
related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not
exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become
apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the
specification and a study of the drawings.
SUMMARY
[0007] Starting from this discussed prior art, the present
disclosure has the basic problem of further developing an initially
cited hair styling device in such a manner that an exiting of hair
from the hair styling slot located between the two shaping plates
is prevented, or at least hindered.
[0008] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described
and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which
are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.
In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems
have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are
directed to other improvements.
[0009] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments
described above, further aspects and embodiments will become
apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
of this specification wherein like reference characters designate
corresponding parts in the several views.
[0010] This problem is solved the present disclosure by a generic
hair styling device in which a blocking rib is provided adjacent to
the shaping surfaces of each of the two shaping plates on their
side remote from the pivot axis of the arms and projecting in the
direction of the particular other arm and running transversally to
the longitudinal extension of the particular arm, The two blocking
ribs are arranged offset to one another and adjacent in the closed
position of the arms and which run parallel to one another and
overlap above a certain height, and which do not extend to the
particular other arm in this position of the two arms to one
another.
[0011] In this hair styling device blocking ribs are provided
adjacent to the shaping surfaces, as a result the exiting of hair
from the hair styling slot transversally to the direction of
drawing a strand of hair through the hair styling slot is
effectively hindered or prevented. In this embodiment of a hair
styling device each arm carries a blocking rib projecting toward
the particular other arm and whose longitudinal extension is
arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the arm and
adjacent to the side of the shaping surfaces of the shaping plates,
which side is remote from the pivot axis of the arms. Of course,
the blocking ribs can also be arranged adjacent to the shaping
plates. Typically, an attempt is made to keep the distance of the
blocking ribs from the shaping surfaces as small as possible. The
height that the blocking ribs project from the surface of the arm
carrying the blocking rib in the direction of the other arm is
adjusted in such a manner that in the closed position of the arms
they are arranged offset to one another and running parallel to one
another and overlapping in their height in one section. Therefore,
the minimum height of the blocking ribs is the height that they
must have so that the desired overlapping is given in the closed
position of the arms. This serves to form a labyrinth for hindering
or preventing the exiting of hair on the side of the forming
surfaces located transversely to the direction of pulling the hair
through. The embodiment of the closed position of the arms also
comprises in this connection the closed position itself with a
strand of hair inserted between the two shaping plates for the
purpose of shaping the hair. However, the height of the blocking
ribs is not so high that the blocking ribs of the one arm reach the
other arm in the closed position. As a consequence, the closing
movement of the arms is not adversely affected by the blocking
ribs. In the closed position of the arms there is preferably an air
slot with a low width between the sides of the blocking ribs facing
one another in the plane of the shaping surface. However, in
principle the blocking ribs can also rest on one another but this
is not preferred. The slot width between the two blocking ribs in
their closed position is sufficiently small so that a tuft of hair
cannot readily exit from the hair styling slot during the course of
hair styling movement carried out in a customary manner. The slot
width is typically between 0.1 and 2.0 mm. This ensures that during
the closing of the arms any hair trapped between the blocking ribs
due to their offset and overlapping arrangement can be pulled
out.
[0012] Since during the hair styling process with this hair styling
device an unintended exiting of hair from the hair strand
originally placed into the hair styling slot is avoided, the result
of the hair styling is much more uniform. Typically, an unintended
lateral exit of tufts of hair from the hair styling slot is not
noticed, which makes the user believe that the entire hair strand
originally placed in the hair styling slot had been smoothed.
[0013] This concept can be used in hair styling devices of the type
under discussion, that is, in particular in so-called
straighteners, independently of whether the shaping plates are
rigidly held on the particular arm or are mounted in a floating
manner. The concept of a floating support of at least one shaping
plate used in the framework of these comments denotes a flexible
support in a direction at right angles to the extension of the
shaping surface of the shaping plate. In the case of such a
floating support the shaping plate is held in its initial position
by one or more elements that make a return force available. Such a
shaping plate can be pressed in counter to the force of the return
element or return elements by the admissible amount of the floating
support into the arm carrying this shaping plate. The return
elements can be of a different nature. For example, one or more
return springs can also be provided to this end as well as
elastically reacting material, such as, silicone supports or also
magnetic return forces. "Floating" also denotes in the framework of
these comments a support of such a shaping plate which support is
constructed like a whip, as is described in DE 20 2008 016 616 U1.
In a preferred embodiment of the hair styling device both shaping
plates are mounted in a floating manner.
[0014] In the case of a floating support of the at least one
shaping plate it is held according to an exemplary embodiment in a
shaping plate frame. In the case of such a construction the frame
is supported in a floating manner and therefore also the shaping
plate held by it. The blocking rib is preferably arranged on the
frame in such an exemplary embodiment and therefore follows its
support movements. This ensures that even in the case of a shaping
plate pressed into the floating support the blocking rib does not
reach the other arm. This is naturally also true when the blocking
rib is formed on the shaping plate.
[0015] The blocking ribs are typically constructed as rigid,
non-flexible bodies and comprise a curved crown on the upper side
facing the other arm.
[0016] The central longitudinal plane of the blocking ribs can be
designed to be straight. It is also possible to form the blocking
ribs in such a manner that their central longitudinal plane is
curved, namely, with a radius of curvature that corresponds to the
distance of the central longitudinal plane of a blocking rib from
the pivot axis of the two arms.
[0017] According to a depicted embodiment of such a hair styling
device one of the two arms comprises a hair support on its side
carrying the shaping plate. The hair support is arranged at a
distance to the shaping surface of the forming plate of this arm in
order that the other arm fits in between the hair support and the
arm carrying it. The two arms can be adjusted in the manner of
scissors in such an exemplary embodiment relative to the shaping
plates carried by them. The plane of the shaping surfaces of the
shaping plates of the two arms is inclined relative to the movement
plane of the arms. This means that the two arms can be adjusted
against one another in the plane of the shaping surfaces or at
least with a determining vectorial amount located in this plane. To
this extent the pivot axis of these arms is not in the plane of the
shaping surfaces, as is the case in traditional hair styling
devices, but rather at an angle to it, in particular at an angle
greater than 70.degree.. In addition, it is provided that one of
the two arms carries a hair support. This hair support is at a
distance from the side of the arm that carries the shaping plate,
namely, so far that the other arm fits in between the hair support
and the arm carrying the hair support. The hair support typically
extends parallel to and at least over the longitudinal extension of
the shaping plate of this arm. Due to the previously described
scissor-like adjustability of the two arms of this hair styling
device to one another, the arm that does not carry the hair support
can be pivoted out of its position of use when it borders with its
shaping surface on the shaping surface of the other arm. An ability
to pivot is allowed at least to the extent that a hair strand can
be placed on the hair support and the side of the arm carrying the
hair support, which side is arranged at a distance from the hair
support. The hair strand is then supported at two points. If the
other, second arm that is pivoted out opposite the first arm
carrying the hair support is pivoted back into its position of use,
the hair strand located on the previously described support
arrangement is drawn in with this arm into the closing hair styling
slot. In this process the hair strand lies automatically on the
outer side of the arm closing the hair styling slot. If the arms of
this hair styling device are closed with the previously drawn-in
hair strand, the hair strand is located in the intended support on
the outer side of an arm so that a rotation of the hair styling
device in order to place the hair to be shaped on the outer side of
an arm serving as shaping body is no longer necessary.
Consequently, the manipulation is made easier, which is especially
noticeable when a person is shaping their own hair and must look
into a minor to do so.
[0018] An especially advantageous construction is one in which the
plane of the shaping surfaces of the shaping plates of the two arms
is inclined relative to the movement plane of the arms. According
to a preferred embodiment of such a hair styling device the
inclination of the shaping surface to the movement plane of the
arms is not more than 20.degree.. An arrangement of the planes of
the shaping surfaces with a greater angle of inclination has the
result that the contact of the hair strand to be shaped on the
outer side of the one arm serving as shaping body makes contact
only extending over a lesser angular amount. The attempt is
typically made to the extent possible to use the outer side of the
one arm as a shaping contour for forming curls or waves. It is
understood that the outer side of the arm that is not carrying the
hair support is either appropriately shaped for the desired shaping
or comprises appropriate elements on which, or in which, a hair
strand that was previously heated between the shaping plates is
drawn over them and brought into the desired shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a hair styling device
comprising two arms attached to one another in an articulated
manner in the open position of the two arms
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the area of the free ends
of the two arms of the hair styling device of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows the two end sections of the arms of FIG. 2 in
their closed position.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a hair styling device corresponding to the one
in the previous figures with another embodiment of its blocking
ribs in a view corresponding to the one of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a view of the hair styling device of FIG. 4 in
the closed position of its arms according to FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows another hair styling device that corresponds in
principle to the hair styling device of FIGS. 4 and 5 but with
another embodiment of one of its two blocking ribs.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a hair styling device according to yet another
embodiment.
[0026] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the particular
arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced
figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and
figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather
than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
[0027] The invention is described in the following using exemplary
embodiments with reference made to the attached figures, from which
other advantages of the invention result. In the figures:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A hair styling device 1 conceived as a straightener
comprises two arms 2, 3 connected to one another in an articulated
manner. The pivot axis of the two arms 2, 3 relative to one another
is designated by the reference numeral 4. Each of the two arms 2, 3
carries a shaping plate 5 and 6 on the side facing the other one.
The shaping plates 5, 6 comprise a planar shaping surface 7 and 8
on the sides facing one another. The shaping plates 5, 6 are
electrically heated, in the exemplary embodiment shown by a PTC
element connected on the back side. The pivot axis 4 is located in
the plane of the shaping surfaces 7, 8 in the hair styling
device.
[0029] Each arm 2, 3 carries a blocking rib 9, 10 adjacent to the
side of the shaping plates 5, 6 facing away from the pivot axis 4
and therefore adjacent to the two shaping surface 7, 8.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows in a schematic sectional view the end section
of the arms 2, 3 with the arrangement of the blocking ribs 9, 10 to
one another and to the particular shaping plates 5, 6. The shaping
plate 5 is held in a shaping plate frame 11. The shaping plate
frame 11 itself is supported in a floating manner in the arm 2. The
shaping plate frame 11 is supported on its back side on several
pressure springs 12 for the floating support of the shaping plate
5. In the exemplary embodiment shown such a pressure spring 12 is
present in each corner area of the shaping plate frame 11. The
other ones are therefore not visible. The shaping plate frame 11 is
held by the pressure springs 12 in its position shown in FIG. 2 as
stop position. The shaping plate 5 and therefore the shaping plate
frame 11 can be pressed into the arm 2 by a certain amount counter
to the force of the return springs 12. The shaping plate 6 is
supported analogously in a floating manner on the arm 3.
[0031] The blocking rib 9, that is connected to the shaping plate
frame 11, is located immediately adjacent to the shaping plate 5.
FIG. 2 shows the blocking rib 9 in a transversal side view. The
blocking rib 9 extends substantially over the entire width of the
shaping plate 7 and of the arm surface 13 carrying the shaping
plate frame 11. The blocking rib 9 comprises a crown 14 formed
rounded facing the arm 3. The blocking rib 10 is connected in an
analogous manner to the shaping plate frame 15 of the arm 3 but
with a certain distance to the closure of the shaping plate 6 on
this side. This spacing of the blocking rib 10 from the shaping
plate 6 serves the purpose that in the closed position of the two
arms 2, 3 the two blocking ribs 9, 10, as FIG. 3 shows, are
arranged offset relative to one another and therefore overlap over
a certain extent of their height. The height of the blocking ribs
9, 10 is dimensioned in such a manner that the overlapping area is
advantageously more than 30% of the total height of the blocking
ribs 9, 10 but typically even more than 50% of their height in the
closed position of the two arms 2, 3. The height of the blocking
ribs 9, 10 is provided regarding the overlapping in such a manner
that an effective overlapping is given even if a hair strand is
inserted between the two shaping surfaces 7, 8 of the two shaping
plates 5, 6 and one or both shaping plates 5, 6 is somewhat pressed
with their particular shaping plate frames 11 and 15 into the
particular arm 2 or 3 against the direction of closing counter to
the force of the return springs 12.
[0032] The height of the blocking ribs 9, 10 is typically the same
height.
[0033] The arrangement of the blocking ribs 9, 10 to one another in
the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures is provided with an
air slot 16 with a small width. The slot width in this exemplary
embodiment is approximately 0.3 mm.
[0034] The closed position of the two arms 2, 3 shown in FIG. 3 and
the arrangement of the blocking ribs 9, 10 to one another brought
about as a consequence makes it clear that a blocking labyrinth is
made available by this arrangement that effectively avoids a
lateral sliding out of hair located between the shaping plates 5, 6
transversely to the direction of pulling along which the hair
styling device 1 is moved along for smoothing a hair strand on it.
On the other side the height of the blocking ribs 9, 10 is not so
great that they extend to the particular other arm and consequently
in the closed position shown in FIG. 3 of the two arms 2, 3 do not
contact the shaping plate frame 15 or 11 of the particular other
arm 3 or 2.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a modification of the exemplary embodiment of
the previous figures. The hair styling device 1.1 according to
FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the one of FIGS. 1 to 3 by the design of
its blocking ribs 9.1, 10.1. Otherwise, the hair styling device 1.1
is identical to the hair styling device 1. The same structural
parts are indicated in it with the same reference numeral
supplemented by a ".1".
[0036] The blocking ribs 9.1, 10.1 differ from the blocking ribs 9,
10 of the exemplary embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 3 by a bend A
directed in the direction of the particular adjacent shaping plate
5.1 or 6.1. The bends A of the blocking ribs 9.1, 10.1 serve to
reinforce the labyrinth effect in order to prevent a pulling out of
hair when using the hair styling device 1.1.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the hair styling device 1.1 in the closed
position of its two arms 2.1, 3.1. It becomes clear from a
comparison with the related view of the hair styling device 1 of
FIG. 3 that the labyrinth through which a pulling out of hair
should be prevented is improved by the bends A. The bend A of the
blocking rib 9.1, that is closer to the shaping plates 5.1, 6.1, is
located at a height between the two arms 2.1. 3.1 such that its
side facing the arm 2.1 is offset in the direction of the shaping
plate 6.1 of the arm 3.1 relative to the hair styling slot present
between the shaping plates 5.1, 6.1. Hair exiting from the hair
styling slot is then caught especially effectively by this bend
A.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows yet another hair styling device 1.2, that
corresponds to the hair styling device 1.1. The same structural
parts are indicated in this figure with the same reference numeral
supplemented by a ".2". The hair styling device 1.2 differs from
the hair styling device 1.1 by the formation of the bend A of its
blocking rib 9.2. The latter is inclined somebody in the direction
of the shaping plate 6.1 relative to the bend A of the hair forming
device 1.1. In the represented arrangement of the blocking ribs
9.2, 10.2 hair exiting out of the hair styling slot between the two
shaping plates 5.1, 6.1 is even more effectively kept away from the
slot between the end of the bend A and the adjacent shaping plate
6.1.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of a hair styling
device 17 that can be used, among other things, as a straightener
that is constructed using the principle of the hair styling device
of the FIGS. 1 to 3. Therefore, the comments made for the latter
also apply to the hair styling device 17. The two arms 18, 19 are
also adjustable to one another around the pivot axis 20 in an
articulated manner like pliers or shears. FIG. 7 shows the hair
styling device with open arms 18, 19. In the hair styling device 17
the shaping plates are not arranged in a vertical alignment with
one another regarding the shaping surfaces in distinction to the
arrangement of the shaping plates 5, 6 of the hair styling device
1, but rather the shaping plates 21, 22 are inclined as concerns
their shaping surfaces relative to the movement path of the arms
18, 19 for opening and closing them, typically at an angle between
10.degree. and 20.degree.. This can be recognized from the course
between the plane of the shaping surface of the shaping plate 21
and the course of the pivot axis 20. The shaping plates 21, 22 are
supported in the same manner floating on the particular arm 18 and
19, as is described for the shaping plates, 5, 6 for the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 1. Also, a blocking rib 23, 24 is located
adjacent to the shaping plates 21, 22 on each end facing the free
end of the arms 18, 19. These blocking ribs assume the same
function as the blocking ribs 9, 10 of the hair styling device 1.
The comments about the blocking ribs 9, 10 of the hair styling
device 1 apply in the same manner to the blocking ribs 23, 24 of
the hair styling device 17 as regards their arrangement relative to
the shaping plates and to one another.
[0040] In the hair styling device 17 the arm 19 is V-shaped. The
shaping plate 22 is located on the one shank 25 of the V-shaped
design. The two shanks 25, 26 of the arm 19 enclose an arm
receptacle 27 for receiving the arm 18 for a hair styling. The arm
18 is constructed and dimensioned in a complementary manner for
this purpose as regards its cross-sectional geometry in that in the
closed position of the two arms 18, 19 the shaping plates 21, 22
rest on one another. The inside of the shank 26 and the outside of
the arm 18 on its side opposite the shaping plate 21 carry hair
guide structures. The upper termination 28 of the shank 26 serves
in the hair styling device 17 as a hair support. Before the closing
of the two arms 18, 19 the hair strand to be shaped lies on the
upper terminations of both shanks 25, 26 and therefore bridges the
arm receptacle 27. During the closing of the two arms 18, 19 the
bottom of the arm 18 engages into the arm receptacle 27 so that the
hair strand is guided onto the shaping surfaces of the two shaping
plates 21, 22, rests there and is guided out of the arm receptacle
27 again on the other side of the arm 18.
[0041] The hair styling device 17 is used either as a straightener
for smoothing hair or as a curler rod for forming a curl or wave
depending on the direction of movement with which the hair styling
device 17 is drawn on the grasped hair strand. In the first
instance the hair styling device 17 is moved in such a manner
opposite the hair strand to be shaped that the hair heated by the
shaping plates 21, 22 exits at the upper termination of the shank
25. In the other instance the hair strand is drawn in on this side
at first between the shaping plates 21, 22 in order to heat the
hair strand and is drawn around the lower termination of the arm 18
and the outer side of the arm 18 (not visible in FIG. 7). The curl
or the wave is formed by drawing the hair strand, that was brought
to an appropriate temperature, over the lower, V-shaped arm 18 and
the outer side, that is not visible in FIG. 7.
[0042] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have
been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize
certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations
therefore. It is therefore intended that the following appended
claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such
modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are
within their true spirit and scope. Each apparatus embodiment
described herein has numerous equivalents.
[0043] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used
as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any
equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should
be understood that although the present invention has been
specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional
features, modification and variation of the concepts herein
disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that
such modifications and variations are considered to be within the
scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Whenever
a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and
subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges
given are intended to be included in the disclosure. When a Markush
group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of
the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the
group are intended to be individually included in the
disclosure.
[0044] In general the terms and phrases used herein have their
art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard
texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in
the art. The above definitions are provided to clarify their
specific use in the context of the invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0045] 1, 1.1, 1.2 hair styling device
[0046] 2, 2.1 arm
[0047] 3, 3.1 arm
[0048] 4 pivot axis
[0049] 5, 5.1 shaping plate
[0050] 6, 6.1 shaping plate
[0051] 7 shaping surface
[0052] 8 shaping surface
[0053] 9, 9.1, 9.2 blocking rib
[0054] 10, 10.1, 10.2 blocking rib
[0055] 11 shaping plate frame
[0056] 12 return spring
[0057] 13 arm surface
[0058] 14 crown
[0059] 15 shaping plate frame
[0060] 16 air slot
[0061] 17 hair styling device
[0062] 18 arm
[0063] 19 arm
[0064] 20 pivot axis
[0065] 21 shaping plate
[0066] 22 shaping plate
[0067] 23 blocking rib
[0068] 24 blocking rib
[0069] 25 shank
[0070] 26 shank
[0071] 27 arm receptacle
[0072] 28 termination
[0073] A bend
* * * * *