U.S. patent application number 14/838922 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for rotation responsive motorized hair curler.
This patent application is currently assigned to T3 Micro, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is T3 Micro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul POFCHER, Michael ROCHA, Michael TROPPER, George WATSON, Sam YAN, Kent YU.
Application Number | 20160058150 14/838922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55400650 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160058150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YU; Kent ; et al. |
March 3, 2016 |
ROTATION RESPONSIVE MOTORIZED HAIR CURLER
Abstract
A curling iron having a handle, a heated barrel rotatable
relative to the handle, a spring loaded clamp, and a motor coupled
between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel in at
least one of two directions relative to the handle. A motor control
switch that enables and disables the rotation of the barrel and a
rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch to sense the
initial direction of rotation of the handle. A motor control
circuit is coupled to the motor, the motor control switch, and the
rotation sensor, and the motor control circuit causes the barrel to
rotate in an initial direction after rotation of the barrel has
been enabled and rotation of the handle has been detected. The
motor control circuit can cause the barrel to stop rotating once
rotation of the barrel has thereafter been disabled.
Inventors: |
YU; Kent; (Venice, CA)
; POFCHER; Paul; (Venice, CA) ; ROCHA;
Michael; (Venice, CA) ; YAN; Sam; (Venice,
CA) ; WATSON; George; (Venice, CA) ; TROPPER;
Michael; (Venice, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
T3 Micro, Inc. |
Venice |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
T3 Micro, Inc.
Venice
CA
|
Family ID: |
55400650 |
Appl. No.: |
14/838922 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62043763 |
Aug 29, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/211 ;
132/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2007/004 20130101;
A45D 1/28 20130101; A45D 2001/002 20130101; A45D 1/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 1/04 20060101
A45D001/04; A45D 1/28 20060101 A45D001/28; A45D 7/02 20060101
A45D007/02 |
Claims
1. A curling iron comprising: a handle; a heated barrel rotatable
relative to the handle; a spring loaded clamp comprising: a spoon
shaped paddle over the barrel clamping a lock of hair to the
barrel; and an elongated lever extending towards the handle for
positioning the paddle away from the barrel; a motor coupled
between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel in at
least one of two directions relative to the handle; a motor control
switch enabling and disabling the rotation of the barrel; a
rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch sensing the
initial direction of rotation of the handle after rotation of the
barrel has been enabled by the motor control switch; and a motor
control circuit coupled to the motor, the motor control switch, and
the rotation sensor, wherein the motor control circuit causes the
barrel to rotate in an initial direction after rotation of the
barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been
detected, and wherein the motor control circuit causes the barrel
to stop rotating once rotation of the barrel has thereafter been
disabled.
2. The curling iron of claim 1 further comprising: a temperature
control switch controlling temperature of the barrel; a display
indicating at least one of the temperature set by the temperature
control switch, a desired temperature and a current temperature; a
temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the
barrel; and wherein the motor control circuit is also coupled to
the temperature control switch to establish a desired rotational
speed for the barrel.
3. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the temperature control
switch is also used to turn the iron on and off, and either a fast
or a slow rotational speed is selected when the iron is turned on
prior to the selection of the desired barrel temperature.
4. The curling iron of claim 3, wherein the display also indicates
the selected rotational speed.
5. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a guard
surrounding the barrel at position adjacent the handle, the guard
comprising: a foot configured to support the curling iron; and a
connection point coupling the clamp to the barrel, whereby the
clamp is maintained approximately opposite a work surface when the
curling iron is resting on the work surface.
6. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a current
monitor monitoring the current draw of the motor at least during
rotation, wherein if the monitored draw is greater than or equal to
a preset threshold value, stopping the rotation of the motor.
7. The curling iron of claim 6, wherein if the monitored draw is
less than a preset threshold value, permitting the motor to
continue to function.
8. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heated barrel is
removably attached to the handle.
9. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the heated barrel includes
a plurality of heated barrels each having a different diameter and
being one of straight and tapered.
10. A method of curling hair using a curling iron having a handle,
a heated barrel rotatable relative to the handle, a spring loaded
clamp capable of clamping a lock of hair to the barrel, a motor
coupled between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel
in at least one of two directions relative to the handle, a motor
control switch for enabling and disabling the rotation of the
barrel, and a rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch,
comprising the steps of: selecting, using the motor control switch,
one of enabling and disabling the rotation sensor; selecting, using
the motor control switch, one of enabling and disabling rotation of
the barrel; sensing the initial direction of rotation of the handle
after rotation of the barrel has been enabled by the motor control
switch; and rotating the barrel to rotate in the initial direction
after rotation of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the
handle has been detected.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of setting
a rotation speed of the motor to rotate the barrel.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein when the selecting step
disables the rotation sensor, the method further comprises the step
of rotating the barrel in only one of the clockwise or
counterclockwise direction.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring a current draw of the motor; and if the monitored draw
is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, stopping the
rotation of the motor.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein if the monitored draw is less
than a preset threshold value, permitting the motor to continue to
function.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of
replacing the barrel with a second barrel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/043,763 filed Aug. 29, 2014. The entirety of
this application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to curling irons, and in particular,
to an improved curling iron having a rotatable barrel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hairstyles are as unique as one's personality. One popular
tool used by many to style their hair is that of the curling iron.
It is commonly used to add style, body, flips, flair and the like
to ones hair in a quick manner with a minimum of fuss. However, to
do these tasks, one must grab a swath of hair in the curling iron
and then turn the whole iron to twirl the hair around the heated
barrel. This is a task that is easier said than done, especially
for younger children, elderly, or those with diminished mobility in
their arms. Many times, users cannot hold the iron long enough to
effect a curl or turn the iron tight enough to create the desired
curl. Additionally, some users can accidentally contact the hot
heating barrel and become burned on their arms and hands while
attempting to twirl the iron. Even if one does not burn themselves,
the process of curling one's hair takes a valuable amount of
time.
[0004] Further, curling irons exist wherein the barrel of the iron
rotates. However, that is controlled solely either by a single
switch for one direction or multiple switches, at least one for
each direction. While more advanced than a basic curling iron, it
still requires an unnatural sequence of actions to direct the
rotation of the iron. Accordingly, there is a need for a curling
iron that can ease the use of the iron for all users and still act
in the typical series of motions for a user.
SUMMARY
[0005] Examples of the curling iron of the present invention can
have a handle, a heated barrel, a spring loaded clamp having a
spoon shaped paddle over the barrel for clamping a lock of a user's
hair to the barrel, and an elongated lever extending towards the
handle for positioning the paddle away from the barrel. A
temperature control switch can control a temperature of the barrel
and a display can indicate that temperature. The heated barrel can
rotate relative to the handle by way of a motor coupled between the
handle and the barrel. A motor control switch can enable and
disable the rotation of the barrel. A rotation sensor can be
coupled to the motor control switch to sense an initial direction
of rotation of the handle after rotation of the barrel has been
enabled by the motor control switch. Additionally, a motor control
circuit can be coupled to the motor, and with the motor control
switch, and the rotation sensor, the motor control circuit can
cause the barrel to rotate in the initial direction after rotation
of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been
detected, and can stop the rotation of the barrel once rotation of
the barrel has thereafter been disabled.
[0006] In another example, the curling iron can further include a
temperature control circuit including a temperature control switch
separate from the motor control switch. The temperature control
switch can control the temperature of the barrel. A display can
also be included that indicates the desired and current
temperatures. Further, the motor control circuit can also be
coupled to the temperature control switch to establish a desired
rotational speed for the barrel.
[0007] A further example of the curling iron can have the
temperature control switch turning the iron on and off, and be used
to select either a fast or slow rotational speed at the time when
the iron is turned on, and prior to the selection of a desired
barrel temperature. Another example has the display indicating the
selected rotational speed.
[0008] Other examples include an annular rest surrounding the
barrel at position adjacent the handle. The annular rest can have a
lower portion configured to support the iron when not in use and an
upper portion for coupling the clamp to the barrel. This allows the
clamp t be maintained at a convenient position above the barrel
when the iron is resting on a work surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] This invention is described with particularity in the
appended claims. The above and further aspects of this invention
may be better understood by referring to the following description
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various
figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the
invention. The drawing figures depict one or more implementations
in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not
by way of limitation.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front, top, left side perspective view of an
example of a curling iron of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a left-side view of the curling iron of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a right-side cross-section view of the curling
iron of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an example of a component diagram of the curling
iron of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is another example of a component diagram of the
curling iron of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram describing one example method of
using the curling iron of the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example of a motorized hair curling
iron 100. The curling iron 100 can have a handle section 102
attached at one end to a barrel section 104. The two sections 102,
104 can be separated, in some examples, by a guard 106. The barrel
section 104 can include a heated barrel 108 which has a cylindrical
shape and is designed to contact and heat a user's hair. Further,
on the barrel section 104, can be a spring loaded clamp 110 having
a spoon shaped paddle 112 covering at least a portion of the barrel
108 which can clamp a lock of a user's hair to the heated barrel
108. An elongated lever 114 is attached at one end to the paddle
112 and can extend toward the handle section. The lever 114 allows
the user to position the paddle 112 away from the barrel 108 when
depressed. When the lever 114 is released, the paddle 112 can be
positioned at its closest to, or in partial contact with, the
barrel 108.
[0020] In some examples, the clamp 110 can be connected at the
guard 106 and uses that connection point 116 as its fulcrum.
Further, the guard 106 can include foot 118. The foot 118 can be a
flattened section of the circular guard 106, or one more or more
protrusions which allow the curling iron 100 to stay stationary on
a generally flat surface. Given the circular nature of the handle
section 102, the barrel section 104, and the guard 106, the foot
118 permits the user to put the curling iron 100 down and not have
it roll. The foot 118 can be positioned approximately opposite (or,
in some examples 180.degree. from) the connection point 116. This
allows the clamp 110 to always remain on the "top" of the curling
iron 100. This can be important since the barrel section 104 with
the clamp 110 rotates and may not be in line with the switches 122
and display 124 (discussed below) after a rotation. In other
examples, the components of the curling iron 100, including the
location of interior components and exterior features can be as
such so that when the curling iron 100 is placed on the foot 118,
the barrel section 104 is kept at a distance from the surface it is
resting on.
[0021] Turning to the handle section 102, it can include a handle
120 for the user to grip while using the curling iron 100. Included
on the handle 120 can be one or more switches 122. The switch 122,
in one example, can have multiple functions, or multiple switches
122 (not illustrated) can be included as described below. The
switch 122 can act as a power switch 122a energizing and
de-energizing the curling iron 100. The switch 122 can also act as
a temperature control switch 122b which can control a temperature
of the heated barrel 104.
[0022] The handle 120 can also include one or more displays 124.
Similar to the switch 122, the display 124 can indicate a number of
different settings, or multiple displays 124 can be provided. The
display 124a can indicate if the curling iron is powered on and/or
off. The display 124b can also indicate the temperature setting of
the barrel 108. The temperature display 124b can indicate the
barrel temperature numerous ways, including displaying a
temperature (in Fahrenheit or Celsius) or displaying a setting
indicator (for example, a number 1-5) which can correspond to a
particular temperature of the barrel 108. The temperature display
124b can be also be, in some examples, a series of LED lights, the
sequence of which indicates increasing temperature settings, or the
display 124b can change colors to the same effect.
[0023] In a further example, the display 124 can be an audio-only
display, with changes in pitches, tones, rapidity, and/or volume to
denote any of the changes noted above. The display 124 can also be
vibratory, with changes in frequency and intensity to denote any of
the changes noted above. The display 124 can also be any
combination of the above, wherein different display "mediums" can
be used to denote different settings or the settings for different
features as discussed herein.
[0024] The handle section 102 can also include a power cord 126
attached opposite the barrel section 104. This can supply power to
the components described below.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an example of the curling iron
100 and illustrates some of the interior components. In the barrel
section 104 are heating elements 200 which heat the heated barrel
108. In the handle section 102 there can be a motor 202 coupled
between the handle 120 and the barrel 108. Also note that the motor
202 can be mounted in the barrel section 104. The motor 202 can
rotate the heated barrel 108 with respect to the handle 120 in
either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to a
longitudinal axis 204 running through the curling iron 100. The
motor 202 can also have one or more different rotational speeds. In
one example, the motor 202 can be a typical 3-phase motor wherein a
change in phase can change the rotation direction of the motor
202.
[0026] A motor control switch 206 can be disposed on the handle
section 102 and can enable and disable the operation of the motor
202. A rotation sensor 208 can be coupled to the motor control
switch 206 and can sense an initial direction of rotation of the
handle 120 after rotation of the barrel 108 has been enabled by the
motor control switch 206. The rotation sensor 208 can be gyroscopic
or any other sensor known to those or ordinary skill to detect
rotational movement.
[0027] In an example, the rotation sensor 208 and the motor 202
interface directly. However, alternately, a motor control circuit
210 can be coupled to the motor 202, the motor control switch 206,
and the rotation sensor 208. The motor control circuit 210 can
cause the barrel 108 to rotate in the initial direction after
rotation of the barrel 108 has been enabled and rotation of the
handle 120 has been detected, and can stop the rotation of the
barrel 108 once rotation of the barrel 108 has thereafter been
disabled. See FIG. 7.
[0028] Further, the motor control circuit 210 can monitor the
current delivered to the motor 202, at least while the motor is
active. If the motor control circuit 210 detects a high current
draw, that is a current draw either below or equal or above or
equal to a preset threshold, the motor control circuit 210 stops
the motor 202. A high current draw can be an indication that the
motor 202 is stuck, likely in the user's hair, and the motor 202 is
stopped as a safety precaution so as to not tear out the user's
hair. If the detected current remains at a normal state, e.g. below
the preset threshold, then the motor 202 can be stopped only when
the user releases the motor control switch 206.
[0029] In one example of enabling the motor 202, the motor control
switch 206 does not actually start the motor 202, it allows the
motor 202 to be activated to rotate the barrel 108 in one of the
two directions. The user depresses the motor control switch 206 and
then rotates her wrist in a typical motion used to curl hair. The
rotation sensor 208 detects the direction of the rotation imparted
to the curling iron 100 by the user and provides that input to the
motor control circuit 210. The motor control circuit 210 then
directs the motor 202 to rotate the barrel 108 in the same
direction. In this way, the motor 202 assists in the curling of the
user's hair without the user having to maintain the curling action.
Once the initial rotation direction is imparted to the barrel 108,
the user does not have to maintain a rotational force on the handle
120. In one example, the user must continue to activate the motor
control switch 206 for the motor 202 to continue to rotate the
barrel 108. Once the motor control switch 206 is deactivated, the
motor 202 can stop.
[0030] Another example rotates the barrel section 104 along with
the guard 106. Thus, in practice with the curling iron, the user
depresses the switch 122 to power on the curling iron 100, and
maybe set the temperature. The user depresses the lever 114,
displacing the paddle 112 from the barrel 108, and places a lock of
hair between the paddle 112 and the barrel 108. Releasing the lever
114 traps the lock in place. The user now depresses and holds the
motor control switch 206 and rotates her wrist either toward or
away from her face (thus imparting a clockwise or counterclockwise
rotation to the handle 120). The rotation sensor 208 detects the
direction of the rotation, informs the motor control circuit 210
that then instructs the motor 202 to rotate in the same direction
as detected. When the user is done curling that particular lock,
she releases the motor control switch 206 to stop the motor
202.
[0031] A further example of the curling iron 100 allows the user to
set the speed of rotation, which in one example can be fast or
slow. The switch 122 can be a motor speed switch 122c or the speed
can be determined from the motor control switch 206. In addition,
the display 124 can be a rotation speed display 124c to display at
least two speed settings. FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified schematic
of the components above.
[0032] Turning next to yet another example, the curling iron 100
can have a 1.5 inch diameter barrel 108, five heat settings and two
speed settings. Turning to the heat settings, the barrel
temperature can range from 127.degree. C.-210.degree. C. Particular
examples of the setting temperatures can be as follows:
[0033] Setting 1=127.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0034] Setting 2=149.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0035] Setting 3=177.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0036] Setting 4=199.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.; and
[0037] Setting 5=210.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.
[0038] These temperatures are generated by the heating elements
200. The elements 200 need to be heated to a slightly higher
temperature to impart the specific temperatures to the barrel 108,
in one example, these temperatures can be:
[0039] Setting 1=132.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0040] Setting 2=154.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0041] Setting 3=182.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.;
[0042] Setting 4=204.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.; and
[0043] Setting 5=215.degree. C.-.+-.10.degree. C.
[0044] The motor 202, in one example, can have two speeds, a low
and high. Low speed can indicate a rotation of about 30 rpm and
high speed can indicate a rotation of about 60 rpm. In addition,
the clamp 110 can have a clamp force of approximately 325 g at
three points (front, mid rear) under the paddle 112.
[0045] Given the above, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a method
of using the curling iron 100 of the present invention. To begin,
the user plugs the curling iron 100 into a power supply (step 900)
and then depresses switch 122, acting as power switch 122a (step
902). A quick press (in one example approximately 0.2 seconds) of
the switch 122, now acting as motor speed switch 122c, sets the
rotation speed of the barrel 108 to a fast setting (in one example,
approximately 60 rpm)(step 904) or a long press (in one example,
approximately 2.0 seconds) to a slow setting (in one example,
approximately 30 rpm)(step 906). In this example, once the speed is
set, the barrel 108 begins to heat, using heating elements 200, to
its last set temperature (step 908). The user now has at least two
options, one of which is to change the last set temperature, and
the other is to begin curling hair.
[0046] Taking the "curling hair" branch first, the user presses the
motor control switch 206 (step 910) and either holds it (step 912)
or give it at least 2 quick presses (step 914). Holding the motor
control switch 206 enables user rotation detection via the rotation
sensor 208 (step 912) and can set the current position to zero,
i.e. the point from which all future rotation is determined. Once
enabled, the rotation sensor 208 detects the rotation of the user's
wrist vis-a-vis the rotation of the handle section 102 (step 916).
Once detected, the motor 202 rotates in the matching direction to
the detected rotation, either clockwise or counterclockwise (step
918). While rotating, the motor control circuit 210 can monitor the
current draw of the motor 202 (step 920). As above, if there is a
high draw state, that is a current draw either below or equal or
above or equal to a preset threshold, the motor control circuit 210
stops the motor (step 922). A high current draw can be an
indication that the motor 202 is stuck, likely in the user's hair,
and the motor 202 can be stopped as a safety precaution so as to
not tear out the user's hair. If the detected current remains at a
normal state, e.g. below the preset threshold, then the motor is
stopped only when the user releases the motor control switch 206
(step 924).
[0047] Following the other "curling" option, the at least two quick
presses disables (or does not enable) user rotation detection and
activates the motor 202 to rotate only in one direction (step 926).
In one example it can be preset to one of the clockwise or
counterclockwise direction. In another example, the user can set a
default direction. The barrel 108 rotates at least one 360.degree.
turn (step 928) and then stops (step 922). From the motor stop step
(step 922) the user has the option to reengage the motor 202 by
again pressing motor control switch 206 (step 910) to trigger
either two modes.
[0048] Turning to the temperature selection branch, once the switch
122 is depressed for the initial speed setting (step 902) (acting
as motor speed switch 122c), if the switch is pressed again, the
switch then acts as the temperature control switch 122b (step 930).
At least two quick presses of the switch 122b puts the device into
temperature selection mode (step 932) which allows the user to
depress the temperature control switch 122b to set the desired
temperature (step 934). Once set, the barrel 108 heats to the
selected temperature (step 936). If the temperature control switch
122b is depressed for a long duration, the curling iron 100 is
powered off (step 938). Note that if the switch 122 is not pressed
after the speed selection step (step 902), the device retains its
last temperature setting (step 940) and heats to that temperature
(steps 908,936). The user then has the option to reselect the
temperature or engage the motor control switch 206 as described
above.
[0049] Note, for the above method, that it is presumed that at some
point in the process, the user separates some hair and engages that
hair between the heated barrel 108 and the paddle 112 of the clamp
110 so that it can be heated and curled. Exactly when in the
process that happens is arbitrary to the user, however, there is a
high likelihood it happens before step 910. These steps are
presumed but not necessary to the functioning of the curling iron
as claimed.
[0050] In addition to the above examples, another variant can be
that the barrel section 104 is removably attached to, i.e. can be
disconnected from and reattached to, the handle section 102. This
allows different diameter barrels 108 to be interchanged onto the
device. The barrels 108 can vary in diameter from 0.75 inch to 1.75
inch and can be straight or tapered. In the tapered example, the
barrel 108 can vary in diameter across any two points within the
above range, for example between 0.75 inches at a point distal from
the handle section 102 and 1.25 inches at a point proximal to the
handle section 102. Further, the spring loaded clamp 110 and/or the
guard 106 can be sized to match the various diameters of the barrel
108. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be
the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various
modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter
disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples,
and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications,
only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by
the following claims to claim any and all applications,
modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the
present teachings.
* * * * *