Electrically Heated Comb And Curler

Abstract

An electrically heated combination hair comb and curling iron. An elongated handle is rotatably mounted with respect to a stationary grip. An elongated heat conductive base extends outwardly from the handle and contains electrically operated heating means. A heat conductive comb extends radially outwardly from the base. A clamp is pivotally mounted on the opposite side of the base from the comb. A section of hair is wound around the comb and base by rotating the handle and base toward the scalp while the hair section is held by the gripping portion of the clamp. The hair is then released by repeated pivotal movements of the clamp to give the hair section a gentle curl or curve. A modified embodiment can be used to straighten the hair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

The invention relates to an electrically heated combination comb and curling iron for use on human hair.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Combs and curling irons, both heated and unheated, are known in the prior art as separate devices. Whether used separately or together, they do not provide the type of combing and curling which is required for present day hair styles for both men and women.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electrically heated combination comb and curling iron which functions both as a comb and as a curler and which provides results not obtainable through use of previously known devices. The primary object of the invention is to provide a single device of the type described which is capable of combing, heating and curving the hair to provide the effects required by present day hair styling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which gives the hair a gentle directional curve, rather than a tightly formed curl.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which will curve the hair in either direction, either toward or away from the head of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined comb and curler in which the comb aligns the hair fibers for smooth and even winding around the curler and prevents bunching of the hair by distributing it evenly beneath the clamp.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which can be used to comb, tease and back comb the hair as well as to curve it.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a modified form of the invention a device which can be used to remove waving and curling and straighten the hair.

A further object of invention is to provide such a device which is simple to operate, so that it can be used by anyone, including persons who are relatively unskilled and untrained in treating the hair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which is simple in its structure, so that it is dependable and long lasting and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price for widespread sale and use.

It is also among the objects of the invention to provide a combination comb and curler having all of the advantages and benefits set forth above and described hereinafter in this specification.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments of my invention, it should be understood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 comprises a side elevational view of an electrically heated comb and curler constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the same, taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view mostly in section of the electrical contact assembly;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modified form of clamp which may be used to straighten the hair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises a pistol-shaped stationary member 10, which carries an electrical switch 11 and an indicator light 12. Rotatably mounted with respect to the stationary member 10 is an elongated handle 13. The stationary member 10 and handle 13 may conveniently and economically be formed of substantially rigid molded plastic material which is a relatively poor conductor of heat.

Extending outwardly from one end of the handle 13 is an elongated slightly tapering metallic base 14, which serves as a base for both the comb and curling iron. Mounted within the base 14 is an elongated electrically operated heating element 15 which extends for substantially the full length of the base 14. The heating element which is shown in the drawings comprises fine tungsten wire disposed within insulating material which extends in a loop from the end of the base 14 adjacent to the handle 13 out to the end of the base 14 and then back. Any other type of heating element or heating means may also be used.

Extending radially outwardly from one side of the base 14 and preferably formed integrally therewith are the teeth of a comb 16. Mounted on the opposite side of the base 14 from the comb 16 is an elongated metallic curling clamp 17. The gripping portion 18 of the clamp 17 is curved complementarily to and concentric with the adjacent portion of the base 14. The gripping portion 18 fits directly against the base 14 for the major portion of its length.

The clamp 17 is provided with a pair of wings through which a bolt or other fastening member extends to mount the gripping portion 18 for pivotal movement toward and away from the base 14.

The remaining portion of the clamp 17 extends away from the base 14 and is then bent at a right angle to extend parallel to the adjacent portion of the handle 13. This part of the clamp 17 carries a thumb button 19, which is preferably formed of plastic or other material which will not conduct heat. A flat spring 20 is attached at one end thereof to the clamp 17 directly beneath the thumb button 19. The other end of the spring 20 fits against and slidably engages the periphery of the base 14 adjacent to the handle 13 and opposite from the comb 16. The spring 20 resiliently urges the portion of the clamp 17 carrying the thumb button 19 away from the handle 13. It thereby urges the gripping portion 18 of the clamp 17 into engagement with the adjacent portion of the base 14.

An electric cord 21 extends outwardly from the end of the stationary member 10 from the handle 13. The cord 21 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical supply. When the electrical current and switch 11 are on, the indicator light 12 glows and the heating element 15 supplies heat to the base 14, comb 16 and the gripping portion 18 of the clamp 17. The stationary member 10, handle 13 and thumb button 19 remain relatively unheated and can be handled and held.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, one end of the handle 13 extends into the end of the stationary member 10. It includes a pair of circular members 22 and 23 which are spaced apart from each other by another circular member 24 of smaller diameter. The stationary member 10 has an annular inwardly directed flange 25, which fits between the circular members 22 and 23 and around the circular member 24 to mount the handle 13 for rotation with respect to the stationary member 10.

The inner circular member 22 carries on its face a circular electrical contact plate 26 and at its center a smaller central contact element 27 which is electrically insulated from the contact plate 26. The stationary member 10 carries a spring urged central contact pin 28 which maintains constant electrical contact with the central contact element 27 during rotation of the handle 13. The stationary member 10 also carries a pair of spring urged outer contact pins 29, one or both of which may be used to maintain constant electrical contact with the contact plate 26 during rotation of the handle 13. The electrical wiring extends from the contact pins 28 and 29 to the switch 11, indicator light 12 and cord 21 in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art.

The hair should be dry before the device is used. The comb 16 is first used to separate off a small section of hair. The comb is preferably run through the hair section several times in order to preheat the hair and align and distribute it properly for curling.

The thumb button 19 is then depressed to open the gripping portion 18 of the clamp 17. The device is positioned so that the portion of the hair sections near the scalp is held between the gripping portion 18 and the base 14. The device is then slidably moved by a pressure on the handle 13 but without rotation thereof to a position where the device is disposed adjacent t the outer end of the hair section.

The handle 13 is then rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction toward the scalp to wind the hair section around the base 14. The tightness of the rolling action determines the amount of curl or curve which will be imparted to the hair. The direction of rotation (inward or outward) determines the direction of the curl or curve.

The device should then be held stationary for several seconds to permit the hair to take a set, due to the combined heating and gripping action. The hair of the held section is then gradually released, preferably by repeatedly opening and closing the gripping portion 18 to alternately grip and release the hair section as the handle 13 is slidably moved outwardly and rotated slightly in the opposite direction. The comb 16 can then be used to finish shaping the curve. The comb 16 can also be used as desired to back comb or tease the hair.

During the entire period when the device is in use, it is held by manually gripping the handle 13. The stationary member 10 remains stationary during rotation of the handle 13 and thereby prevents tangling of the electrical cord 21.

During the use of the device, the comb 16 acts to separate and align the hair fibers for smooth and even winding of the hair around the curler base 14. It prevents bunching of the hair and distributes it evenly beneath the gripping portion 18 of the clamp 17. The comb 16 also helps to prevent the hair from slipping out from beneath the gripping portion 18.

FIG. 6 of the drawings shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the gripping portion 18a of the clamp is outwardly curved for use in straightening the hair. This embodiment is used by gripping a section of the hair near the scalp and sliding the device outwardly with a slight rotation to bring the hair into engagement with either side edge of the gripping portion 18a, so that the hair is straightened rather than curled.

Claims

I claim:

1. A combination hair comb and curling iron comprising a stationary member, an elongated handle rotatably connected to said stationary member, an elongated heat conductive base extending outwardly from said handle, heating means disposed within said base, a heat conductive comb extending radially outwardly from said base, a clamp having an elongated heat conductive gripping portion formed substantially complementarily to the periphery of the adjacent portion of said base, said gripping portion being mounted for movement toward and away from said base to grip and release hair disposed between said gripping portion and said base while said handle and base are rotated simultaneously with respect to said stationary member, and an electrical cord connected to said stationary member remotely from said handle, said stationary member remaining substantially stationary during the rotation of said handle and base to prevent the tangling of said electrical cord.

2. The structure described in claim 1, said heating means comprising an electrically operated heating element disposed within said base, and electrical contact means whereby constant electrical contact is maintained between said heating element and said stationary member during the rotation of said handle with respect to said stationary member.

3. The structure described in claim 2, said base being substantially cylindrical in cross section, said comb extending radially outwardly from one side of said base and said gripping portion of said clamp being disposed diametrically opposite from said comb.

4. The structure described in claim 3, one end of said clamp being pivotally connected to the portion of said base adjacent to said handle, said clamp having a thumb button disposed above and adjacent to said handle, said thumb button being depressible to pivot said gripping portion of said clamp away from engagement with said base.

5. The structure described in claim 4, and resilient means urging said thumb button toward elevated position to urge said gripping portion of said clamp into engagement with said base.

6. The structure described in claim 5, said resilient means comprising an elongated flat spring having one end thereof secured to said thumb button, the other end of said spring slidably engaging the periphery of said base adjacent to said handle.

7. The structure described in claim 3, the gripping portion of said clamp being curved outwardly along at least one longitudinal edge thereof for use in straightening the hair.

8. The structure described in claim 2, said base having a circular contact plate and a contact element disposed adjacent to the center of said contact plate and electrically insulated therefrom, at least one spring urged outer contact pin and a spring urged central contact pin carried by said stationary member, said contact pins engaging said contact plate and contact element respectively during the rotation of said base with respect to said stationary member.

9. The structure described in claim 6, said base having a circular contact plate and a contact element disposed adjacent to the center of said contact plate and electrically insulated therefrom, at least one spring urged outer contact pin and a spring urged central contact pin carried by said stationary member, said contact pins engaging said contact plate and contact element respectively during the rotation of said base with respect to said stationary member.