Abstract:
A hair styling apparatus includes a pair of mating surfaces which engage one another and a handle which guides them into engagement at the manual control of a user. Hair to be styled is placed between the engaged surfaces. A plurality of pins extend from both of the surfaces and engage holes in the other of the surfaces. One or both surfaces may incorporate a source of dry heat. In another aspect of the invention, a source of steam is provided together with a trigger for discharging the steam through holes in at least one of the surfaces as an aid to hair styling.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of hair care and styling. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many devices have been devised over the ages to aid in styling hair. Hair curlers, for example, are used to impart curls into hair. They may be used on dry hair but work best on wet hair. Steam may be applied to assist in setting the hair to the curl of the curlers. Curling irons typically incorporate an electrical heating element to heat one or both sides of a smooth but curved pair of mating surfaces between which hair is placed to be curled. The hair may preferably be pulled through the interface of the mating surfaces of the curling iron to aid in curling the hair. On the other hand, hair straighteners and smoothers operate much like curling irons, but they have flat or curved, smooth mating surfaces which act more like a clothes iron to straighten and/or smooth, or curve or curl the hair when compressed against and pulled along the hair. 
         [0003]    Many examples of such irons and straighteners comprise a pair of smooth untextured surfaces for engaging the hair. As a result, the hair can become tangled, or require much additional brushing with another apparatus such as a brush in order to achieve the desired style. This additional brushing can undesirably disrupt the style imparted by the irons and straighteners. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to obviate this need for an additional implement because the time required to style the hair could be reduced and less heat would need to be imparted to the hair because the styling process would take less time. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide hair styling devices capable of use in curling, straightening, smoothing, curving and/or waving hair. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    In one embodiment a device for styling hair includes a first housing having a first face, a second housing having a second face, a hinged frame coupled to the first and second housings and hinged to permit a user to bring the first face and the second face together into a closed position where the hair is engaged between the first and second faces. A first plate coupled to a first section of the first face includes first pins extending therefrom. A second plate coupled to a first section of the second face includes holes for engaging the first pins. Second pins disposed on a second section of the second face engage second holes formed in a second section of the first face. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention. 
           [0007]    In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment shown in an open position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front end view of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear end view of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of one face of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the surface shown in  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of one face of a hair styling device in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the surface shown in  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10-11  are drawings illustrating the dimensions of a hair styling apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a detailed perspective view of a heater and steam generator of a hair styling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is another view of the heater shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0022]      FIGS. 16-18  are schematic illustrations showing alternative embodiments of a device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the context of a hair styling device. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of various embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0024]    In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5  a first housing  10  has a first face  12  and a second housing  14  has a second face  16 . Proximal ends of the housings  10  and  14  are coupled to handle  18  which includes a first handle member  20  to which first housing  10  is coupled and a second handle member  22  to which second housing  14  is coupled. These housings/handle members may each, in one embodiment, be formed of a single piece of a material such as a plastic capable of withstanding the operating temperatures of the hair styling device. 
         [0026]    The first handle member  20  and second handle member  22  are coupled together at their proximal ends by hinge  24  and optionally biased toward an open position as, for example, with a spring or other biasing element (not shown). An operator may press the handle members  20  and  22  together to locate the first face  12  and second face  16  in opposed relationship with each other as shown in  FIG. 1 . This may be referred to as the “closed” position. The length of the pins and the depth of the holes may be configured to leave a minimum gap between the first and second plates in the closed position to avoid pinching the hair. Alternatively, the hinge  24  may be so configured. 
         [0027]    The first housing  10  includes a side member  26  and an end member  28 . Likewise the second housing  14  includes a side member  30  and an end member  32 . A plurality of fins  34  are coupled to the side member  26  and end member  28  of the first housing  10 , and a plurality of fins  34  are coupled to the side member  30  and end member  32  of the second housing  14 . Each of the fins  34  comprises in one embodiment of the present invention a substantially flat, thin ridge of constant height, having one edge coupled to a side member or end member and terminating in a rounded end spaced apart from the side member or end member. The fins on a side member are in one embodiment of the present invention all substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other a constant distance throughout their length. Likewise the fins on an end member are in one embodiment of the present invention all substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other a constant distance throughout their length. 
         [0028]    During normal operation of the hair styling device the side members  26  and  30  and the end members  28  and  32  become hot. However, the exposed ends of the fins  34  do not get significantly hotter than ambient temperature. All of the fins  34  are spaced apart from one another a distance less than the width of a human finger (less than approx 0.5 in) so that a user of the apparatus may grasp it or inadvertently touch it without touching the side members  26  or  30  or the end members  28  or  32 . Thus the fins  34  help protect the user from coming into direct contact with hot side members or end members. 
         [0029]    The handle  18 , in one embodiment, includes a proximal guide  36  and a distal guide  38  which assist in alignment of the first and second plates  12  and  16  when a user closes the device. As best shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the proximal guide  36  includes a proximal male alignment part  40  coupled to the second handle member  22  and a proximal female alignment part  42  coupled to the first handle member  20 . Similarly, the distal guide  38  includes a distal male alignment part  44  coupled to the second handle member  22  and a distal female alignment part  46  coupled to the first handle member  20 . 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6-9 , the first face  12  has a plurality of pins or tangs  48  disposed thereon and a plurality of holes  50  disposed therein. The second face  16  has a plurality of holes  50  disposed therein and a plurality of pins or tangs  48  disposed thereon. Pins  48  and holes  50  are formed and disposed so that pins  48  enter holes  50  when first face  12  and second face  16  are in close relationship when the apparatus is in the “closed” configuration. There is no requirement that pins and holes correspond in a one-to-one fashion. A plurality of pins can be configured to enter a single “hole” as in the case of a hole elongated in one or both planar dimensions to form a slot or a large aperture. 
         [0031]    The first face  12  comprises a first plate  52  coupled to a section of the first face to form a first covered zone  54  and a first uncovered zone  56  which is not covered by first plate  52 . Pins  48  extend from both first covered zone  54  and first uncovered zone  56  of the first face  12 . Also, holes  50  are formed in both the first covered zone  54  and the first uncovered zone  56  of the first face  12 . A conventional electrical heating coil  58 , ceramic heater, or the like is configured to heat first plate  52 . 
         [0032]    The second face  16  comprises a second plate  60  coupled to a section of the second face  16  to form a second covered zone  62  and a second uncovered zone  64  which is not covered by second plate  60 . In one embodiment, holes  50  are formed in both the second covered zone  62  and the second uncovered zone  64  of the second face  16 . Also, pins  48  extend from both second covered zone  62  and second uncovered zone  64  of the second face  16 . Optionally, a second conventional electrical heating coil, ceramic heater, or the like, not shown (but similar to that shown in  FIG. 7  at reference number  58 ), may be configured to heat second plate  60 . As those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize, the plates, faces, pins and the like may be fabricated of any suitable heat-resistant materials such as high-temperature plastic, metal, coated metal, ceramic, ceramic coated materials, and the like. 
         [0033]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize that the diameter, especially the entry diameter, of holes  50 , the length and thickness of pins  48 , and the length and orientation of first face  12  and the second face  16  need to be coordinated so that pins  48  will engage holes  50 . There is no requirement that each pin engage only a corresponding hole, and, for example, a plurality of pins may engage a single “hole” if the “hole” is shaped accordingly, e.g., as a lengthwise slot. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment the location of the pins  48  relative to one another and similarly the relationship of the holes  50  relative to one another can be configured to improve operation of the device.  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the relative location of the holes  50  in accordance with one such embodiment, and it should be understood that the location of the pins in this embodiment is in mirror image to the location of the holes, so that they will engage in the closed position. Accordingly, the relative location of the pins will not be shown in another figure. The holes are disposed in 4 rows, labeled R 1  through R 4 , which are parallel to first edge  66  of the face  16 . Also, in one embodiment, the rows R 1  through R 4  extend from the distal end of the face  16 , which is labeled  70 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 11  the location of the holes is shown. The following dimensions are in millimeters and are to the centers of the holes in accordance with this embodiment. A=10.10, B=8.80, C=6.10, D=4.80, G=7.90, H=21.20, I=15.40, J=9.60, K=3.20, and L=3.95. Two of these dimensions should be emphasized. Distance L is the distance between the centers of each of the holes in row R 1 , namely 3.95 mm, and distance G is the distance between the centers of each of the holes in all other rows, i.e. rows R 2  through R 4 , namely 7.90 mm. An important point to note is that the distances between the holes in rows R 1  and R 4  are significantly less than the distances between the holes in the other rows. It is believed that this spacing is helpful to detangling curly or wavy hair and that drawing curly or wavy hair through the device is facilitated by such spacing. Those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize that other pin/hole arrangements may also be usefully employed. 
         [0036]    It should be understood that the holes are spaced as described below. The first row of holes R 1  is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the second face  14  by a first distance. The second row of holes R 2  is spaced apart from the first row R 1  by a second distance. The third row of holes R 3  is spaced apart from the second row R 2  by a third distance, and the fourth row of holes R 4  is spaced apart from the third row R 3  by a fourth distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance and the third distance is substantially equal to the fourth distance. 
         [0037]    Each hole in the first row R 1  is spaced apart from the adjacent hole or holes in the first row R 1  by a first distance in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R 1 , i.e., a first Y distance. Each hole in the second row of holes R 2  is spaced apart from the adjacent hole or holes in the second row of holes R 2  by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance is less than the second Y distance. 
         [0038]    Like the holes, the pins are spaced as described below. The first row of pins R 1  is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the first face  10  by a first distance. The second row of pins R 2  is spaced apart from the first row R 1  by a second distance. The third row of pins R 3  is spaced apart from the second row R 2  by a third distance, and the fourth row of pins R 4  is spaced apart from the third row R 3  by a fourth distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance and the third distance is substantially equal to the fourth distance. 
         [0039]    Each pin in the first row R 1  is spaced apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the first row R 1  by a first distance in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R 1 , i.e., the first Y distance. Each pin in the second row of pins R 2  is spaced apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the second row of pins R 2  by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance is less than the second Y distance. 
         [0040]    Although a specific layout of pins and holes has been described and illustrated, it should be understood that this layout is only one embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this specific layout. 
         [0041]    It should be understood that when a user closes the handle members  20  and  22  to bring the plates  52  and  60  to bear on hair, it is critical that the pins line up with corresponding holes. In one embodiment, due to flex in the hinge  24  it is important to provide alignment of the pins and holes to insure correct alignment. Alignment of the pins and holes is accomplished in one embodiment by means of two guide members  36  and  38 . 
         [0042]    Turning now to FIGS.  3  and  12 - 13 , the proximal guide member  36  includes a proximal male alignment part  40  coupled to the second handle member  22  and a proximal female alignment part  42  coupled to the first handle member  20 . The proximal male alignment part  40  has two faces  74  and  76  which are shaped substantially as truncated triangles when viewed in  FIG. 12 . The two faces  74  and  76  are spaced apart from one another where they are fixed to second handle member  22 , and the faces are coupled to one another at their ends which are spaced apart from second handle member  22 . Accordingly, when viewed in  FIG. 12 , it can be seen that the faces  74  and  76  are nearer to one another in the horizontal direction when they are farther from second handle member  22  in the vertical direction. The proximal female alignment part  42  has two faces  78  and  80 . The two faces  78  and  80  are spaced apart from one another where they are fixed to first handle member  20 , and the faces are a greater distance from one another at their ends which are spaced apart from first handle member  20 . 
         [0043]    The proximal male alignment part  40  and the proximal female alignment part  42  are constructed and arranged so that when the handle is in the open position the alignment parts are not engaged with one another. As the user moves the handles toward the closed position the proximal male alignment part  40  and the proximal female alignment part  42  engage one another and tend to force the handles into alignment to the extent that they are out of alignment. In other words, when a user moves the handle from a first partially closed position to second partially closed position and from the second partially closed position to the closed position the proximal alignment parts engage one another to cause initial alignment of the first plate  52  and the second plate  60 . 
         [0044]    The distal guide member  38  comprises a distal male alignment part  44  coupled to second handle member  22  and a distal female alignment part  46  coupled to first handle member  20 . The distal male alignment part  44  includes a substantially cone shaped structure  82  coupled to second handle member  22  and a substantially cylindrical part  84  coupled to the lower end of the cone shaped structure  82 . The distal female alignment part  46  includes a conical shaped opening  86  which is sized to fit snugly around the cone shaped structure  82 . 
         [0045]    The distal male alignment part  44  and the distal female alignment part  46  are constructed and arranged so that when the handle is in the open position the alignment parts do not engage one another. As a user moves the handles toward the closed position the handles reach a first partially closed position and the proximal alignment members  40  and  42  initially contact one another to bring about partial alignment. At this time the distal alignment members  44  and  46  do not engage one another. Thereafter, as the user continues to close the handles, and when the handles reach a second partially closed position, the distal alignment parts engage one another to cause final alignment of the first plate  52  and the second plate  60  as the user closes the device. 
         [0046]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, dry heat may be provided to one or both of plates  52  and  60  by incorporating a conventional electrical heating coil  58 , a ceramic heater, or the like behind each respective plate. In this case it would be desirable to form the respective heated (and non-heated) surface of the temperature resistant materials, such as aluminum and high temperature plastics such as PTFE (also known by the trade name Teflon®). An electrical switch  88  may be conveniently disposed in the handle to control one or both electrical heating coils, ceramic heaters, or the like. Conventional AC power is provided by wires  90  to power the circuit, which is not shown. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15  in accordance with one embodiment, steam is provided through holes in the second plate  60 . It will now be appreciated that steam may be supplied through one or both plates through special purpose holes provided for that purpose alone or through some or all holes  50 . 
         [0048]    The second handle member  22  includes a water reservoir  92 , and a metered amount of water can be drawn from the reservoir  92  through tubes, not shown, by activation of a pumping mechanism by a trigger  93 . The water then flows to steam generator  94  which is heated by a heating element  96 . This heated water therein forms steam, which then exits the steam emitting holes  98  disposed along the lower surface of steam generator  94 . Steam heating element  96  is supplied electrical current via wires  90 . From the steam emitting holes  98  the steam travels, in one embodiment, through holes  50  in second plate  60 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the steam generator  94  comprises a body  100  which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and extends substantially the length of second housing  14 . Within the body  100  there is a steam chamber  102  wherein the water is vaporized and which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and is in communication with the steam emitting holes  98 . The steam chamber  102  contains felt or a similar material  104 . The purpose of the felt  104  is to reduce or eliminate the possibility of any condensation which forms in the steam chamber  102  from leaving the steam generator  94  as water droplets. 
         [0050]    As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , as an alternative to a plurality of steam emitting holes  98  disposed along the bottom faces of steam generator  94 , slots  106  can be formed along the bottom of the steam generator  94 . In one embodiment, the water reservoir  92  is removable from second handle member  22 , and the handle includes a compartment to accommodate the water reservoir. Water reservoir  92  can be removed to facilitate filling it with water. 
         [0051]    It should be noted that while the specific layout of pins and corresponding holes or apertures is viewed as an aspect of the present invention, it is not critical to the entire invention and other aspects of the invention may be used with or without this particular aspect of the invention. 
         [0052]    It should also be noted that while round pins are shown and described herein, other shapes of pins/holes may also be employed and will now be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0053]    Turning now to  FIGS. 16 and 18 , alternative embodiments of first face  12  are illustrated schematically. It should be understood that in these embodiments, second faces are not shown since it should be recognized that the second faces include holes  50  to accommodate the pins  48  regardless of where the pins  48  are disposed. 
         [0054]    In the  FIG. 16  embodiment, first face  12  comprises a first plate  52  which forms a first covered zone  54  and a pair of sections not covered by first plate  52  and which are designated first uncovered zone  56 . As shown in  FIG. 16  there are pins on one area of the uncovered zone  56  and holes on another. First plate  52  includes regions with pins and other regions with holes. There is no requirement that first plate  52  include holes or pins. Where pins/holes are shown, there may be zero, one or more rows or sets of pins/holes. In accordance with this embodiment, pins extend from both the first face  12  and the second face  14 . 
         [0055]    In the  FIG. 17  embodiment, there are two first plates  52   a  and  52   b  disposed in the first covered zone  54  of first face  12 . Each may have zero, one or more rows or sets of pins/holes. The first uncovered zone comprises the three regions denoted  56  and each portion of that zone may have zero, one or more rows or sets of pins  48 /holes  50  as long as some pins are disposed in these regions and some pins extend from both first face  12  and second face  16 . 
         [0056]    The  FIG. 18  embodiment is similar to the  FIG. 16  embodiment except that holes  50  of various shapes and adapted to accommodate more than one pin are provided in first covered zone  54 . Both pins and holes are provided in first uncovered zone  56  as shown. 
         [0057]    It should be understood that the illustrated shapes of the holes are merely examples, and other shapes may be useful in appropriate circumstances, as can now be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It should be understood that in these embodiments, second faces are not shown since it should be recognized that the second faces include holes  50  to accommodate the pins  48  regardless of where the pins  48  are disposed, and the second faces may include plates in opposition to the plates comprising the first faces. 
         [0058]    Other features may, of course, be incorporated such as the vibrating feature described in more detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/526,207, filed Sep. 22, 2006 in the name of the same inventor hereof and commonly owned herewith. 
         [0059]    While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.