Patent ID: 7069935
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: A45D,D04C

Abstract:
1. A hair braider configured to perform a three-bundle plait or braid comprising: a body having a handle and a head portion at one end of the handle; a selectively actuatable drive source disposed within the body; first and second rotatable rotors that are disposed within the head portion and are accessible through openings formed in the head portion, the first and second rotatable rotors being operatively coupled to the drive source through a plurality of gears such that the first and second rotors simultaneously rotate in opposite directions when the drive source is actuated, wherein the first and second rotatable rotors are at least partially overlapped; a plurality of hair retaining members that are received within openings formed through the first and second rotatable rotors, each hair retaining member having a bore formed therethrough for receiving one bundle of hair; and a mechanism for continuously transferring at a transfer location one hair retaining member from one rotor to the other rotor as the rotors rotate simultaneously, wherein the initial arrangement of the hair retaining members within the openings, the simultaneous rotation of the rotors in opposite directions and the successive transfer of one hair retaining member from one rotor to the other rotor results in a true, three-bundle braid being formed, wherein the mechanism includes a pivotable urging element that is separate from the rotors and selectively contacts and urges the hair retaining member and transfers it from one rotor to the other rotor and a plurality of gears that cooperate with one of the first and second rotors or the urging element such that the urgent element is actively driven by rotation of the gears.