Hand held blow dryer having airflow control means

A hand held blow dryer includes a barrel with a plurality of holes. A deflecting mechanism can be positioned within or substantially within the barrel, and an actuating mechanism can be operationally associated with the deflecting mechanism. The hand-held blow dryer can be utilized in at least a first mode in which air flow is directed through the barrel opening of the barrel, and a second mode in which the actuating mechanism is actuated to move the deflecting mechanism from at least a position in which the barrel opening is opened, to a position in which the barrel opening is substantially closed by the deflecting mechanism. Thus, in the second mode most of the air is deflected by the deflecting mechanism and forced through the holes of the barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention provides for an enhancement to a professional hair 
dressing blow dryer, more specifically to the blow dryer's barrel which 
permits variable airflow and saves energy. 
2. Discussion of the Related Art 
Conventional hair dressing "pistol-type" blow dryers utilize a 
one-directional airflow through a front opening of a cylindrical conduit 
or barrel of the blow dryer. Commercial attachments which are available to 
fit over the barrel opening to vary airflow require a two-handed 
operation. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,722 describes a mechanism for varying airflow by 
controlling an area of the barrel opening by a deflector which is 
activated by the trigger. However, this patent does not disclose airflow 
from the barrel surface itself. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,454 controls airflow from the barrel opening by the use 
of trap doors activated by a knob and a screw. This has a drawback in that 
it also requires a two-handed operation. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,757 describes variations of airflow, including 
secondary outlets on a barrel. However, this device like the remaining 
devices requires a two-handed operation, since full activation depends 
upon manual rotation of a collar, manual settings, as well as a 
trigger-operated baffle to vary the barrel opening. 
During hair styling utilizing a blow dryer, hair dressers use the blow 
dryer in one hand and point the barrel opening at the hair to be styled. A 
brush or other styling tool is utilized in the other hand. Additionally, 
when blow styling medium to long length hair, hair dressers use the barrel 
horizontally with the barrel opening pointed away from the head, to lift 
hair for the subsequent insertion of the tool in the other hand. During 
this function, air flow from the barrel opening is wasted, and the barrel 
itself affords no benefit of any drying/styling capability. 
Thus, conventional blow dryer devices do not provide for a barrel 
arrangement in which air can be directed through the barrel surface of the 
blow dryer. Additionally, conventional blow dryer devices do not provide 
for an efficient mechanism which permits a user to deflect air flow from 
the opening of the barrel, and simultaneously direct air flow through the 
barrel surface of the blow dryer by using a simple one-handed operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention therefore provides for a blow dryer arrangement which 
overcomes the drawbacks of conventional arrangements discussed above. 
The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention adds functionality to 
the blow dryer by varying airflow from the barrel surface, while 
conserving energy use. This permits the blow dryer of the present 
invention to be utilized for horizontal lifting/drying/styling, as well as 
a hot roller and diffuser. 
The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention can incorporate holes 
on the barrel surface and include a deflector associated with the barrel. 
By actuation of an actuator, the deflector associated with the barrel can 
gradually close down most of the airflow in varying degrees. This effects 
airflow from holes on the barrel in varying degrees, as well as some 
diffused air from the front opening. 
The present invention therefore provides for a blow dryer which comprises a 
body including a barrel having a barrel opening, with the barrel including 
a plurality of holes; a deflector positioned within the barrel, the 
deflector being movable between at least an open position in which the 
barrel opening is opened, and a deflecting position in which the barrel 
opening is substantially closed; and an actuator operationally connected 
to the deflector for moving the deflector between at least the open 
position and the deflecting position. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel having a barrel opening with the barrel comprising 
concentric inner and outer cylinders each having a plurality of holes; and 
an actuator operationally connected to one of the inner or outer cylinders 
for moving the one of the inner or outer cylinders with respect to the 
other one of the inner or outer cylinders between at least a first 
position in which the holes on the inner and outer cylinders are not 
aligned and a second position in which the holes on the inner and outer 
cylinders are aligned. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel with a plurality of first holes and a barrel opening; a 
cylinder movably mounted on the barrel and having a plurality of second 
holes; and a deflector positioned within the barrel and movable between at 
least an open position in which the barrel opening is opened and a 
deflecting position in which the barrel opening is substantially closed. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel having an opening, the barrel defining first and second 
concentric cylinders each having a plurality of holes; a deflector 
positioned within the barrel, the deflector being movable between at least 
an open position in which the opening is opened, and a deflecting position 
in which the opening is substantially closed by the deflector; and an 
actuator operationally connected to one of the first or second cylinders 
and operationally associated with the deflector for moving the deflector 
and the one of the first or second cylinders between at least a first 
position in which the holes on the first and second cylinders are not 
aligned and the deflector is in the open position, and a second position 
in which the holes on the first and second cylinders are aligned and the 
deflector is in the deflecting position. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel, with the barrel comprising a plurality of holes around 
its circumference; and a deflector positioned substantially within the 
barrel, the deflector being movable between at least an open position in 
which the barrel opening is opened, and a deflecting position in which the 
barrel opening is substantially closed; and an actuator operationally 
associated with the deflector for moving the deflector between at least 
the open position and the deflecting position. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel, with the barrel defining first and second concentric 
cylinders each having a plurality of holes; a deflector positioned 
substantially within the barrel, the deflector being movable between at 
least an open position in which the opening is opened and a fully 
deflecting position in which the opening is substantially closed by the 
deflector; and an actuator operationally connected to one of the first or 
second cylinders and operationally associated with the deflector for 
moving the deflector and the one of the first or second cylinders between 
at least a first position in which the holes on the first and second 
cylinders are not aligned and the deflector is in the open position, and a 
second position in which the holes on the first and second cylinders are 
aligned and the deflector is in the fully deflecting position. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel, with the body comprising a plurality of holes around 
its circumference; a deflector position substantially within the barrel, 
the deflector being movable between an open position in which the barrel 
opening is opened, at least one intermediate deflecting position in which 
the opening is partially closed, and a fully deflecting position in which 
the barrel opening is substantially closed; and an actuator operationally 
associated with the deflector for moving the deflector between the open 
position, the at least one intermediate deflecting position and the fully 
deflecting position. 
The present invention also provides for a blow dryer which comprises a body 
including a barrel, with the barrel defining first and second concentric 
cylinders each having a plurality of holes; a deflector position 
substantially within the barrel, the deflector being movable between at 
least an open position in which the opening is open, at least one 
intermediate deflecting position in which the opening is partially closed 
by the deflector and a fully deflecting position in which the opening is 
substantially closed by the deflector; and an actuator operationally 
connected to one of the first or second cylinders and operationally 
associated with the deflector for moving the deflector and the one of the 
first or second cylinders between at least a first position in which the 
holes on the first and second cylinders are not aligned and the deflector 
is in the open position, at least one intermediate second position in 
which the holes on the first and second cylinders are partially aligned 
and the deflector is in the intermediate deflecting position, and a third 
position in which the holes on the first and second cylinders are fully 
aligned and the deflector is in the fully deflecting position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate 
identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more 
particularly to FIGS. 1 and 5 thereof, FIG. 1 is a first view of the blow 
dryer assembly of the present invention while FIG. 5 is a perspective 
view. In FIGS. 1 and 5, the blow dryer includes a body 1 having a barrel 
3. The barrel 3 can include an inner cylinder 4 and an outer cylinder 5 
concentric with the inner cylinder 4. The outer cylinder 5 is slidably 
mounted on the inner cylinder 4. Each of the inner and outer cylinders (4, 
5) includes a plurality of holes (6, 7) thereon (holes 6 on inner cylinder 
4 and holes 7 on outer cylinder 5). 
As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the blow dryer assembly can also 
include a cap 8 which covers a pivotable flap mechanism 16. The cap 8 and 
pivotable flap mechanism 16 are positioned at the barrel opening 8a. The 
cap 8 in FIG. 6 shows a cut-out opening, however, it is recognized that 
the cap 8 can completely cover all the moving mechanisms including the 
pivotable flap mechanism 16 at the front of the barrel. Applicant notes, 
however, that the present invention can be used without the cap 8 and the 
use of the cap 8 depends on design considerations. 
FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 illustrate a first position of the outer cylinder 5 with 
respect to inner cylinder 4 in which the holes 7 on the outer cylinder 5 
are not aligned with the holes 6 of the inner cylinder 4 and the pivotable 
flap mechanism 16 is in an opened position. Therefore, any air flow 
through the barrel 3 will flow out of the barrel opening 8a. The 
non-aligned holes 6 and 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 will block 
any air flow through the surface of the barrel 3. 
In the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 the inner and outer cylinders 
4, 5 are aligned so as to align the respective holes 6, 7 of the inner and 
outer cylinders 4, 5. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the 
flap mechanism 16 is positioned as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7. That is, 
the flap mechanism 16 is positioned so as to substantially cover the 
barrel opening 8a as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7. 
It is noted that the movement of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 with 
respect to each other is coordinated with the movement of the flap 
mechanism 16 so as to achieve the positioning of the flap mechanism 16 as 
noted above. In this position (i.e., FIG. 7), the flap mechanism 16 will 
deflect most of the air flow so as to direct air flow to the aligned holes 
6 and 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5. Thus, air will be 
discharged through the surface of the barrel 3. Therefore, by actuation of 
an actuator 12, a user can gradually, controllably or continuously cause 
the flap mechanism 16 to move from an open position to a substantially 
closed position illustrated in, for example, FIG. 7. As a further option, 
by actuation of the actuator 12, the user can gradually, controllably or 
continuously cause the flap mechanism 16 to move from the open position, 
to one or a plurality of intermediate deflecting positions (an example of 
an intermediate deflecting position is shown in FIGS. 26 and 28) which 
permit a desired partial closing of the barrel opening 8a, to the final 
substantially closed position illustrated in, for example, FIG. 7. 
In coordination with the moving of the actuator the outer cylinder 5 can 
move in the direction A to cause the holes 6, 7 of the inner and outer 
cylinders 4, 5 to go from the fully non-aligned position of FIG. 5, to a 
final position in which the holes 6, 7 become fully aligned with each 
other as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 7. As a further option, between 
the fully non-aligned position (FIG. 5) and the fully aligned position 
(FIG. 7), in coordination with the movement of the actuator, the outer 
cylinder 5 can be moved to one or a plurality of intermediate positions in 
which the holes 6, 7 are partially misaligned (see FIG. 26). 
The actuator 12 can be continuously movable so as to be controllable by the 
user, or one or a plurality of stops for the actuator which correspond(s) 
to the above noted positions can be provided. 
Also, FIG. 26 shows the upper flap 16' moving in a counter clockwise 
direction and the lower flap 16" moving in a clockwise direction. It is 
noted that the rotational movement of the flaps is not limited to the 
disclosed movements. It is recognized that based on the position of the 
flap mechanism 16 within barrel 3, the flaps can move either clockwise or 
counter-clockwise to achieve the desired opening and closing of the barrel 
opening. The same applies to FIG. 28 which shows an example of an 
intermediate position of the deflector 109. It is therefore recognized 
that the direction of rotation of the deflector is based on design 
considerations. 
As a further embodiment, Applicant notes that actuation of the actuator 12 
can first cause a movement of one of the outer or inner cylinders 5, 4, 
and thereafter a delayed movement of the flap mechanism 16 to the 
substantially closed position. This approach will permit some diffused air 
to escape through the barrel opening. 
An example of a mechanism for achieving the above-noted movement of the 
inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 and the flap mechanism 16 will now be 
described. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, as well as FIGS. 9(b) and 
11(a)-11(c), the pivotable flap mechanism 16 includes first and second 
flaps 16', 16" having mounting axles 16b and mounting pins 16c extending 
therefrom. The mounting pins 16c are mounted in an offset manner on an 
oval activator 16a as illustrated in FIG. 8. The present invention can 
also utilize washers 16d (FIGS. (9) and 11(a)-11(c)) at the mounting pins 
16c to permit a smooth operation. The pivotable flap mechanism 16 with the 
mounting pins 16c are mounted within the barrel 3, substantially within 
the barrel 3, or at the barrel opening 8(a) as follows: the mounting axles 
16b and pins 16c are mounted so as to be inserted into elongated slots 17 
on the inner cylinder 4 and elongated slot 11 on the outer cylinder 5 (see 
FIG. 6, FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 10). The slot 11 on the outer cylinder 5 is 
positioned on a protruding portion 5a of the outer cylinder 5. Thus, a 
movement of the outer cylinder 5 in the direction of the arrow A (FIGS. 1 
and 7) will cause a movement of the pivotable flap mechanism 16 from at 
least the position illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the barrel opening 8a is 
opened, to a position illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the barrel opening 8a 
is substantially closed. This is due to the fact that the movement of the 
outer cylinder 5 in the direction A will cause the pins 16c of the 
pivotable flap mechanism 16 to rotate with the oval actuator 16a, which 
will thereby cause the pivotable flap mechanism 16 to rotate to the 
substantially closed position. 
The outer cylinder 5 can include the actuator such as, for example, the 
trigger 12 which is utilized to cause the sliding movement of the outer 
cylinder 5 with respect to the inner cylinder 4. The actuator or trigger 
12 includes a spring 13 positioned in a slot 15 in the outer cylinder 5 
which is guided by a pin 14 (FIGS. 1, 3, 10). The spring 13 urges the 
outer cylinder 5 in a direction opposite to direction A. Actuation of the 
actuator, such as, for example, pulling the trigger 12 in the direction A 
will cause the outer cylinder 5 to move in direction A which thereby 
causes the movement of the pivotable flap mechanism 16 from at least the 
position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the substantially closed position 
illustrated in FIG. 7. FIGS. 1, 3 and 10 show a single spring 13 
positioned on a lower portion of the barrel assembly 3. It is noted, 
however, that the barrel assembly can also include two springs 13 
positioned on diametrically opposed portions of the barrel assembly 3 to 
add stability to movement of the cylinders (4, 5). 
At the same time or approximately at the same time, movement of the outer 
cylinder 5 in the direction A will also cause the holes 6, 7 of the inner 
and outer cylinders 4, 5 to become aligned with each other as illustrated 
in FIG. 7. 
Therefore, in a first position (first mode) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, 
the pivotable flap mechanism 16 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 
to permit airflow through the barrel opening 8a and the hole on the inner 
and outer cylinders 4, 5 are not aligned (FIGS. 1 and 5) so as to block 
airflow through the surface of the barrel 3. This permits the user to use 
the blow dryer in a normal manner. 
When the hair dresser desires to utilize the blow dryer for horizontal 
lifting/drying, styling, as a hot roller, as a diffuser, etc., the hair 
dresser actuates the actuator, for example, pulls the trigger 12 in the 
direction A to position the outer cylinder 5 with respect to inner 
cylinder 4 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 (second or final 
mode). This will cause the holes 6, 7 on the inner and outer cylinders 4, 
5 to become aligned, and will cause the flaps 16', 16" of the flap 
mechanism 16 to gradually pivot to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to 
substantially close the barrel opening 8a. In this position, the flaps 
16', 16" will deflect air towards the aligned holes 6, 7 exposed on the 
barrel, and some diffused air will flow through the barrel opening 8a. In 
a further feature of the present invention, the user can move the actuator 
12 to intermediate positions which causes the flap mechanism 16 to 
controllably move through intermediate deflecting positions (one is shown 
in FIG. 26), and also causes the movement of one of the inner or outer 
cylinders 4, 5 to intermediate positions in which the holes 6, 7 are 
partially aligned (FIG. 26) so that a partial deflection will cause a 
desired air flow through the partially aligned holes 6, 7. Therefore, the 
use of intermediate positions of the actuator 12 can permit the user to 
finely control the amount of deflection by the flap mechanism 16 as well 
as the aligning positioning of the holes 6, 7. 
It is recognized that the present invention is not limited to described 
arrangement for movement of the flap mechanism and cylinders, and any 
device such as, for example, gears which can achieve the desired movements 
noted above can be utilized. 
The amount of movement of the outer cylinder 5 with respect to the inner 
cylinder 4 can be determined by providing for an elongated slot 10 on the 
outer cylinder 5 and a pin 9 on the inner cylinder 4 as illustrated in 
FIGS. 1, 3, 9(a) and 10. When the barrel opening 8a is substantially 
closed by the flaps 16', 16" as illustrated in FIG. 7, the barrel opening 
8a is not sealed tightly by the flaps 16', 16" so as to permit some air to 
be diffused from the barrel opening. 
The present invention can also provide for the cap 8 illustrated in FIGS. 6 
and 9(c) which can be utilized to cover the flap mechanism 16. The cap 8 
shows a cut-away portion to illustrate the side of the flap mechanism 16. 
It is recognized that the cap 8 can completely surround the 
circumferential front of the barrel. The cap 8 also can include stops 80 
(FIG. 9(c)) such that the cap 8 fits over the outer cylinder 5 and 
includes cooperating holes which permit the insertion of the axles 16b and 
pins 16c of the flap mechanism 16. 
The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention can also be utilized on 
a blow dryer la having a belly type curve 60 in the motor housing as 
illustrated in FIG. 12 or any other type of body. In the case of a belly 
type body, the actuator or trigger 12a would have a curve which matches 
the curve of the housing. This embodiment would operate in the same manner 
as the embodiment discussed above. 
Additionally, the actuator or trigger 12 of the present invention can be 
operationally associated with a control mechanism 50 (FIG. 13) which 
coordinates the actuation of the trigger 12 with temperature settings of a 
blow dryer. For example, a conventional blow dryer can include low, medium 
and high settings. The trigger mechanism 12 of the present invention can 
be operationally associated with a control mechanism 50 such as 
illustrated in FIG. 13 to lower a high temperature setting of a blow dryer 
to a temperature setting which is lower than the high temperature setting 
when the trigger 12 is actuated. 
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the positioning of the actuator or trigger 12 in 
the first position (FIGS. 1 and 5) in which the holes 6, 7 are not aligned 
and the air flow is through the front opening 8a of the barrel can permit 
the hair dryer setting to be set at the high temperature setting (R.sub.1) 
of a blow dryer. Movement of the actuator or trigger 12 to the second or 
final position (FIGS. 3 and 7) in which the holes 6, 7 are aligned and the 
front opening 8a is substantially closed, can cause the dryer setting to 
be positioned in a temperature setting (R.sub.2) which is lower than the 
high temperature setting of a blow dryer. The explanation given above has 
been given for the situation when the blow dryer is in the high 
temperature setting when the actuator or trigger is fully actuated. It is 
recognized that the control mechanism 50 can be designed so as to not 
lower the temperature if upon the actuation of the trigger 12, the blow 
dryer is set at the medium or low temperature settings. However, the 
lowering of the temperature setting of the blow dryer when the trigger 12 
is actuated, is based on design considerations and the desired temperature 
which would be preferable when the actuator or trigger 12 is actuated. It 
is further recognized that the blow dryer could include an additional 
actuator or trigger mechanism which is not associated with the actuation 
of the actuator or trigger 12 so as to permit the user to selectively 
lower the temperature from a high temperature to a temperature lower than 
the high temperature. 
FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the outer cylinder 5 of the barrel 3 
in which the outer cylinder 5 includes rings 200 that are spaced along the 
length of the outer cylinder 5, are affixed to the periphery of the outer 
cylinder 5 and extend around the circumference of the outer cylinder 5. 
The rings 200 serve to guide hair when the barrel assembly is positioned 
against hair. The rings 200 are aligned so as to not obstruct air flow 
from the holes (6, 7). These rings 200 can be utilized on any of the 
disclosed embodiments. 
FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the barrel 3 in which the outer 
cylinder 5 of the barrel 3 can include projections such as bristles or 
teeth 300 spaced between the holes 7 of the barrel as illustrated in the 
figure, so as to extend in a row between the holes 7. The bristles or 
teeth 300 can extend around the periphery of the outer cylinder 5 of the 
barrel 3 and can be utilized to guide hair and for further styling 
enhancement. These projections 300 like the rings 200 can be utilized on 
any of the disclosed embodiments. 
FIG. 1 shows the actuator being operationally connected to the outer 
cylinder of the barrel such that the outer cylinder is slidable with 
respect to the inner cylinder. However, the invention is not limited to 
this arrangement and Applicant notes that as a further embodiment, the 
inner cylinder 4 can slidably move within the outer cylinder 5 (FIG. 16). 
In this embodiment, the outer cylinder 5 would be fixed or integral to the 
body 1. With this arrangement, the inner cylinder 4 can be operationally 
connected to the actuator 12 so as to be slidable with respect to the 
outer cylinder 5. With respect to the remaining features of the invention, 
this arrangement would work in a similar manner as described above with 
respect to the first embodiment. 
FIG. 17 illustrates a further embodiment of the blow dryer of the present 
invention. In FIG. 17, the body 100 can be similar to the body 1 
illustrated in the previous embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 17 
includes a barrel 103 which is fixed or integral to the body 100 and has a 
plurality of holes 105. A deflector 109 can be positioned within the 
barrel 103 or substantially within the barrel 103. As an example, the 
deflector 109 can be positioned at an opening 107 of the barrel 103, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The deflector 109 can be arranged as 
illustrated in the previous embodiments or can be a vertically arranged 
deflector as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. Applicant notes, however, 
that the orientation of the deflector 109 is not limited to the horizontal 
or vertical arrangements shown, and can be oriented in any manner within 
the barrel 103. 
The deflector 109 of FIGS. 19 and 20 includes flaps 109a, 109b, and a plate 
member 111 and spring arrangement 115 (FIGS. 25(a), 25(b)) which maintains 
the deflector 109 in the open position illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 25(a). 
Attached to the plate member 111 is a connecting member 117 which extends 
along the barrel 103 to an actuator 119 on the barrel 103 or on the body 
100. Although the figures show the connecting member 117 outside the 
barrel 103, as shown in FIG. 27, it is recognized that the connecting 
member 117 can be contained within the barrel 103. 
Actuation of the actuator 119 in direction B causes the plate member 111 to 
move in direction C (FIG. 25(b)) to cause a gradual pivoting or rotation 
of the flaps 109a, 109b about pivot point 800. This causes a movement of 
the deflector mechanism 109 from at least the open position illustrated in 
FIGS. 19 and 25(a) to the substantially closed position of FIGS. 20 and 
25(b). As previously explained, it is further recognized that the actuator 
119 can be adapted so as to move the deflector 109 to different 
intermediate deflecting positions (one is shown in FIG. 28) between the 
open and substantially closed position depending on the desired air flow 
and design considerations. 
Although the plate member 111 and spring arrangement 115 is shown in an 
expanded portion 400 of the barrel 103, this configuration is shown for 
illustrative purposes and clarity. It is recognized that the plate member 
111, the spring 115 and the connecting member 117 can be arranged or 
contained within the barrel 103 so as to provide for a continuous and 
straight barrel as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 16 and 28. 
With the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, during a normal blow drying 
operation, the deflector 109 is in the open position (FIG. 19) and air 
travels through the opening 107 of the barrel 103. The provision of the 
holes 105 along the barrel 103 permit some amount of air to flow through 
the holes 105, but not enough to disrupt the conventional or normal blow 
drying operation. 
When the hair dresser desires to utilize the blow dryer for horizontal 
lifting/drying, styling, as a hot roller, as a diffuser, etc., the hair 
dresser actuates the actuator 119 in the direction B to gradually and 
substantially close the barrel opening 107 with the deflector 109. The 
deflector 109 will therefore deflect and ultimately force most of the air 
flowing through the barrel 103 out of the holes 105 on the barrel 103 so 
that the blow dryer can be utilized for horizontal lifting/drying, etc. As 
the deflector 109 is being actuated to the substantially closed position, 
depending on the preference of the user it can further variably deflect 
air in intermediate deflecting positions between the open position and the 
substantially closed position of the deflector. In this embodiment, the 
actuator 119 can be modified to provide for several stop positions which 
correspond to the intermediate positions of the deflector 109. However, 
the actuator 119 can also be freely and continuously movable to permit the 
user to control the amount of deflection. 
Going back to FIG. 17, during the normal operation of the blow dryer in 
which the deflector 109 is in the open position (FIG. 19), if the user 
desires that less air escape through the holes 105 on the barrel 103, as a 
further embodiment of the invention, the barrel 103 can include a 
mesh-type screen 121 positioned cylindrically around the barrel 103 (FIG. 
18). The mesh-type screen 121 serves to block or obstruct some air 
traveling through the holes 105 in the blow drying mode of FIG. 19. 
However, in the variably deflecting positions as well as the deflecting 
position of FIG. 20 in which the deflector 109 substantially closes the 
barrel opening 107, enough air will be forced through the holes 105 so as 
to permit horizontal lifting/drying, etc. The embodiment of the barrel 103 
with the mesh-type screen 121 illustrated in FIG. 18 shows the mesh around 
the barrel 103. However, as a further option, the mesh-type screen 121 can 
be positioned cylindrically within the barrel 103 as illustrated in FIG. 
23 or the mesh-type screen 121 can be integrated into the holes as 
illustrated in FIG. 24. 
As a further option, the barrel can include a foam-type covering 123 over 
the mesh-type screen 121 or over the barrel 103 (FIG. 21) so as to further 
block or obstruct some air traveling through the holes 105 during the 
normal or conventional blow drying operation of FIG. 19. However, the 
foam-type covering 123 is porous to permit deflected air forced through 
the holes 105 when the deflector 109 is in intermediate deflecting 
positions between the open and substantially closed position or in the 
substantially closed position (FIG. 20) to escape from the barrel surface, 
so that the user can utilize the blow dryer for horizontal lifting/drying, 
etc. 
The mesh-type screen 121 can be made of any type of material which is 
capable of withstanding the temperatures which are prevalent in blow 
drying operations and is bendable into a cylindrical configuration to 
match the barrel 103. For example, the mesh-type screen 121 can be a frame 
grid of wire netting. The foam-type arrangement 123 can also be made of 
any material which is able to withstand the temperatures of a blow drying 
operation and can be an elastic type member which can be easily slipped on 
or off of the barrel 103. The material of the mesh and foam arrangements 
is such that in the deflecting positions of the blow dryer (FIG. 20), air 
forced out through the holes 105 can pass through the materials for the 
use of the blow dryer for horizontal lifting/drying, etc. 
As a further feature of the present invention the holes 105 on the barrel 
103 can be slanted (FIG. 22) so as to provide for a variation in the 
direction of air in the deflecting position (FIG. 20), and also provide 
for a desired obstruction of air when the blow dryer is used in a normal 
operation (FIG. 19) in which the deflector 109 is open. Although FIG. 22 
illustrates the holes 105 as slanted in one direction, it is recognized 
that the holes 105 can be slanted in various directions depending on 
design considerations. 
Also, although the illustrated blow dryer of FIG. 17 shows a belly-type 
body, the actuator 119 can be positioned anywhere with respect to the blow 
dryer assembly depending on the type of barrel and blow dryer body 
utilized. The blow dryer of the above-noted embodiments can also use a 
control mechanism 50 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Additionally, the barrel 
of the blow dryer of these embodiments can include the modifications with 
respect to the rings 200 and the bristles or teeth 300 illustrated in 
FIGS. 14 and 15. 
Thus, the blow dryer of the present invention maximizes the blow dryer's 
capability by incorporating multiple functions in one tool. It thereby 
provides a hair dresser or stylist with a wide range of airflow use by 
utilizing a single tool that is operated by one hand. That is, by simply 
actuating an actuator such as pulling on the trigger 12, the hair dresser 
can vary the air flow through the barrel. Any desired attachments can be 
fitted over the barrel of the present invention Just as with current blow 
dryers, and used whether or not the actuator is operated. The blow dryer 
of the present invention can also be used as a large hot roller, and it 
has some diffusing capabilities from the barrel opening when the actuator 
is operated and also from the entire barrel surface if the blow dryer 
motor speed is set lower. 
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention 
are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be 
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may 
be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.