Abstract:
This invention is directed to a hairbrush/roller combination with a removable roller. A handle carries a securing member for securing the roller to the handle. An activating member for activating the securing member allowing the roller to be released from the handle. The rollers attached to the handle can vary in size.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is directed to a hairbrush/roller combination, and more particularly to a hairbrush with removable roller which can have a plurality of sizes for use with brushing and styling hair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the styling of hair, it is common to use a brush that has a generally circular shape with bristles carried by the brush to grab the hair and form it around the circular roller of the brush. The brush can also have holes so that air can travel from the interior of the brush to the exterior to facilitate styling and drying of the hair. The diameter of the roller comes in various sizes based upon the needs of the hairdresser and the style desired so that generally a plurality of roller brushes with varying diameters are used by hairstylists. Further, in the styling of hair, the brush is used in the hair so that hair rolls around the brush and then a clamp is placed on the brush to hold the brush in place to act as a traditional roller. This practice has developed since there has been a need to provide for a roller brush that can be left in the hair so that a roller apparatus with bristles needs to be attached to a handle while also needing to be clipped and left in the hair for styling. Unfortunately, this has required a hairdresser to purchase several brushes of varying diameters, each with a handle which, when clipped to the hair, adds additional weight and can twist the roller out of the desired position, which can result in an undesired styling of the hair. Therefore, there is a need in this field for a hairbrush/roller combination so that the roller can be used as a brush with a handle attachment and the handle can be removed so that the roller can be used as a traditional hair roller for styling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention is directed towards a hair styling apparatus having a handle having a first end and a second end; a brush detachably carried by the first end of the handle; a securing member carried by the handle for securing the brush to the handle having a secured and a released position; an actuating member carried by the securing member for actuating the securing member between the secured and the released positions; an engaging member carried by the securing member; and, a receiving member carried by the brush for receiving the engaging member so that the brush is secured to the handle when the securing member is in the secured position. 
         [0004]    The apparatus includes a plurality of securing arms included in the securing member wherein the securing arms are outwardly biased from a central axis of the securing member; and, the actuating member generally surrounding the securing arms so that the actuating member positions the securing arms inwardly toward the central axis allowing the brush to engage the first end of the handle. 
         [0005]    The apparatus includes a plurality of receiving members carried by the brush for receiving the engaging members so that the brush is secured to the handle when the securing member is in the secured position. 
         [0006]    The apparatus includes a securing arm included in the securing member wherein the securing arm is biased in a direction allowing the engaging member to engage the receiving member of the brush. 
         [0007]    The apparatus wherein the engaging member has generally a triangular shape. 
         [0008]    The apparatus wherein the engaging member has generally a cylindrical shape. 
         [0009]    The apparatus includes a plurality of detachable brushes with each having a unique size. 
         [0010]    The apparatus includes a size indicator carried by each of the plurality of detachable brushes to identify each detachable brush size. 
         [0011]    The apparatus wherein the detachable brush is generally circular in shape; with a plurality of openings contained in the brush to allow airflow between the exterior and interior of the detachable brush. 
         [0012]    A method of styling hair comprising the steps of providing a hairbrush having a detachable roller carried by a handle; styling the hair of an individual using the hairbrush by rolling hair around said roller; and detaching the detachable roller from the handle while the hair is still rolled on the roller. 
         [0013]    The method of including the step of attaching a hair clip to the roller to hold the roller in the individual&#39;s hair. 
         [0014]    The method of including the steps of attaching a second detachable roller to the handle; and, styling the hair of the individual using the hairbrush having the second detachable roller attached to the handle. 
         [0015]    The method of including the steps of styling the hair of the individual by rolling hair around the second detachable roller; and, detaching the second detachable roller from the handle while the hair is still rolled in the first detachable roller and the second detachable roller. 
         [0016]    The method of including the step of attaching a second hair clip to the detachable roller to hold the second detachable roller in the individual&#39;s hair. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the invention showing the attachable roller brush and handle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the invention showing the detachable roller and locking mechanism; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the handle and detachable roller plus showing the locking mechanism; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional of the detachable roller brush and handle with the brush detached; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is one embodiment of a locking mechanism; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  is one embodiment of a locking mechanism; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3C  is one embodiment of a locking mechanism; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the invention of the detachable roller brush and handle; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of the invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of detachable roller brush with a clip to hold the roller brush in the hair of the individual whose hair has been styled. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , the detachable roller brush  10  is shown having tracks  12  for receiving a securing member and recesses  14  for receiving the prongs of a securing member. Roller brush  10  detaches from handle along a general path shown as  18  to be removed from the handle. The handle has a first end  20  and a second end  22  so that the handle can carry the detachable roller brush at the first end. Actuating member  24  moves in a lateral direction shown as  26 . A securing member  28  the locking mechanism is carried by the handle for securing the detachable roller brush to the handle. The securing member has a secured position for securing the roller brush to the handle and a release position allowing the detachable roller brush to be detached from the handle. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 1B , securing member  28  is shown with actuating member  24  being carried by the securing member. In one embodiment, securing member  28  contains a plurality of prongs  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d  which are biased outwardly from the center of said securing member so that when said actuating member is in the secured position, the prongs engage the recess of the detachable brush and secure the brush to the handle. When the actuating member is moved in a direction shown as  32 , the securing arms  30   a  through  30   d  are forced in an inward represented by direction  34   a  so that the securing arms are released from the detachable roller brush and the roller brush can be detached from the handle. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , the detachable roller brush contains a receiving member  36  which receives securing member  28  and secures the detachable roller brush to the handle. When actuating member is forced in a direction shown generally as  38 , engaging member  40  is released from receiving member  36  allowing detachable brush to be removed from the handle. In  FIG. 2B , actuating member  24  is shown in a depressed position allowing engaging member  40  to be released from receiving member  36  so that the detachable brush can be removed from the handle. 
         [0032]    The detachable brush can have a cap  42  at the end disposed away from the handle and can have an identification band  44  which can have size indicators representing varying diameters for the detachable roller brush. The indicator can represent the sizes of the roller brush so that the hairstylist will know which brush to use for which application without having to measure or be able to visually determine the actual diameter of the brush. In one embodiment, the band can contain alphanumeric characters or other identifications such as color to indicate specific or predetermined diameters of the roller brush. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , the securing member carried by the handle is shown having a generally triangular shaped engaging member and cylindrical actuating member. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B , the securing member  28  is shown having a generally cylindrical engaging member and generally cylindrical actuating member. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C , securing member  28  is shown having a generally rounded engaging member and generally cylindrical actuating member  24 . Those skilled in the art would come to understand that this specific of the actuating member need not be cylindrical, but can encompass any number of shapes. One skilled in the art would also come to understand that the engaging member need not be of the shape specifically described, but can be any number of shapes so as to engage the receiving member of the detachable roller brush to secure the roller brush to the handle. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a receiving member as shown as a generally cylindrical shape carried by handle  16  for receiving detachable brush  10 . A raised portion  42  is carried by the receiving member for being received in a recess defined on the internal portion of the detachable roller brush  44  so that a securing member  42  allows the roller brush to be secured to the handle. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , a generally rounded portion  44  of securing member  40  is biased through spring securing member spring  42  outward from a central access of the receiving member for being received by recess  44  to secure the detachable brush to the handle. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 4C , rounded portion  44  biased by securing member spring  42  carried by receiving member  40  is for being received in recess  44  to secure the brush to the handle. Clip  46  can be added or used for the roller brush to secure the roller brush to the hair and the handle be removed to allow for the hair to be styled. 
         [0039]    While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.