Hair styling device and method of operation

In one embodiment a hair styling device includes a first plate having a plurality of pins, a second plate having a plurality of pin-receiving apertures, each of the pin-receiving apertures configured to receive at least one respective pin from the first plate, a hinged frame holding the first plate and the second plate and hinged to permit a user to bring the first plate and the second plate into proximity with one another, and a vibrator coupled to vibrate the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of hair care and styling.

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 or 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 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.

OVERVIEW

In one embodiment a hair styling device includes a first plate having a plurality of pins, a second plate having a plurality of pin-receiving apertures, each of the pin-receiving apertures configured to receive at least one respective pin from the first plate, a hinged frame holding the first plate and the second plate and hinged to permit a user to bring the first plate and the second plate into proximity with one another, and a vibrator coupled to vibrate the device.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments are described herein in the context of a hair styling device and method of use thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following 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 the example embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts.

With reference now toFIGS. 1-4, a first plate10is connected to a first housing12and second plate14is connected to a second housing16of an embodiment of the hair styling device. The proximal ends of the housings12and16are coupled to handle18which includes a first handle member20to which first housing12is coupled and a second handle member22to which second housing16is coupled.

The first handle member20and second handle member22are coupled together at their proximal ends by hinge24and optionally biased toward an open position as, for example, with a spring (not shown) or other types of hinging device. A user of the hair styling device may press the handle members20and22together to engage the first plate10and second plate14together into proximity with one another and with the hair to be styled disposed between the plates.

A vibrator26is mounted inside the handle member20as schematically illustrated inFIG. 1. The vibrator26will be further discussed below with reference to FIGS.19and32-33.

The first housing12includes a face member30and an end member32. Likewise the second housing16includes a face member34and an end member36. A plurality of fins40are coupled to the face member30and end member32of the first housing12, and a plurality of fins40are coupled to the face member34and end member36of the second housing16. Each of the fins40comprises in one embodiment a substantially flat, thin ridge of constant height, having one edge coupled to a face member or end member and terminating in a rounded end spaced apart from the face member or end member. The fins on a face member are in one embodiment all substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other a constant distance throughout their length although this is not a requirement. Likewise the fins on an end member are in one embodiment all substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other a constant distance throughout their length. As can be seen best inFIGS. 1 and 24the fins40located on face members30and34extend from a location adjacent one edge of a plate10or14to a location adjacent the opposing edge of the same plate. As can best be seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, the fins40located on an end member32or36extend from one edge the end member to the opposing edge of the same end member.

During operation of the hair styling device the face members30and34and the end members32and36become hot. However, the exposed ends of the fins do not get significantly hotter than ambient temperature. All of the fins40are spaced apart from one another a distance less than the width of a finger so that a user of the apparatus may grasp it or inadvertently touch it without touching the face members30or34or the end members32or36. Thus the fins40help protect the user from being burned by the face members or end members.

The handle18includes a proximal guide42and a distal guide46which assist in alignment of the first and second plates10and14when a user closes the device. As best shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, the proximal guide42includes a proximal male alignment part48coupled to the second handle member22and a proximal female alignment part50coupled to the first handle member20. Similarly, the distal guide46includes a distal male alignment part52coupled to the second handle member22and a distal female alignment part54coupled to the first handle member20.

Turning now toFIGS. 5-8and29-31, the first plate10has a plurality of pins60disposed thereon. The second plate14has a plurality of holes or apertures62disposed therein. This arrangement may be reversed, if desired. Pins60and holes62are formed and located so that pins60enter holes62when first plate10and second plate14are in close face-to-face relationship when the apparatus is in the “closed” configuration, i.e., with the first plate10and second plate14in proximity with one another.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize that the diameter, especially the entry diameter, of holes62; the length and thickness of pins60; and the length and orientation of first plate10and the second plate14need to be coordinated so that pins60will engage holes62. Those of skill in the art will now realize, however, that apertures or holes62need not be round or of any particular shape and they need not have a one to one correspondence with the pins. For example, a hole or aperture62could be formed as a slot receiving a plurality of pins would work as well.

FIG. 9illustrates an example of how the first plate10may be fabricated in accordance with one embodiment. Plate10includes a number of slots70which include holes72. A brush-like structure74includes a number of pins60disposed along its structure. The location of the pins on the comb-like structure74mates with holes72in a corresponding slot70of plate10. By having the shape of the pins slightly larger in at least one direction than the holes into which the pins are fit, the comb-like structure74can be permanently press fit into corresponding slot70.

If desired, additional alternative or supplemental attachment mechanisms may be used, such as spot welding where the components are metal, adhesives and/or melting where plastics are used. The advantage of this approach is that a smooth finish may be provided to the plate10using conventional techniques for preparing a flat surface with a smooth finish. The pins (which may be cast, molded, injected, machined, or otherwise prepared) are then simply inserted through the holes72and held in place as discussed above. The fabrication of smooth pins is a conventionally available technology, and thus, the fabrication of the plate10in this way yields a snag-free surface with relatively little effort and at relatively low cost.

FIG. 10illustrates a side elevation of plate10showing how comb-like structures74are inserted therethrough.FIG. 11illustrates the assembled plate10.FIG. 12illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein individual pin carriers76(each carrying one pin78) are inserted into a plurality of receptacles80on the back of the plate10and may be held in place by an interference fit and/or adhesive or welding techniques.

Another method of fabricating the plate and pin structure is illustrated inFIGS. 13-16. In this embodiment the pins81have bases82which are substantially hollow cylinders. The plate10includes holes84which are cylindrical and have diameters slightly less than the outside diameter of the base82so that the base can be press-fitted into the holes84. A flange86is affixed to the pin and base to cooperate with a corresponding hole84in the plate.

FIGS. 17 and 18illustrate the location of the pins60in accordance with one example embodiment, and it should be understood that the location of the holes or apertures62is such that they will engage the pins60on either a one to one basis or a one to plural basis. As shown inFIG. 17the pins are located in 8 rows, labeled R1through R8, which are parallel to first edge90and second edge92of the plate10. Also, the rows R1through R8extend between the distal end of the plate10, which is labeled94, and the proximal end, which is labeled96.

InFIG. 18the location of the pins60are shown. The following dimensions in accordance with this example embodiment are in millimeters and are to the centers of the pins. A=10.10, B=8.80, C=6.10, D=4.80, E=6.40, F=8.80, 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 pins in rows R1and R8, namely 3.95 mm, and distance G is the distance between the centers of each of the pins in all other rows, i.e., rows R2through R7, namely 7.90 mm. An important point to note is that the distances between the pins in rows R1and R8are significantly less than the distances between the pins in the other rows. This spacing has been helpful in one example embodiment in detangling curly or wavy hair.

It should be understood that the pins in this example embodiment are spaced as follows:

The first row of pins R1may be spaced apart from the nearest edge of the first plate10by a first distance. The second row of pins R2may be spaced apart from the first row R1by a second distance. The third row of pins R3may be spaced apart from the second row R2by a third distance, and the fourth row of pins R4may be spaced apart from the third row R3by a fourth distance. The second distance may be greater than the first distance and the third distance may be substantially equal to the fourth distance.

The eighth row of pins R8is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the first plate10by a ninth distance. The seventh row of pins R7is spaced apart from the eighth row R8by an eighth distance. The sixth row of pins R6is spaced apart from the seventh row by a seventh distance, and the fifth row of pins R5is spaced apart from the sixth row R6by a sixth distance. The eighth distance may be greater than the ninth distance and the seventh distance may be substantially equal to the sixth distance.

The fifth row of pins R5is spaced apart from the fourth row R4by a fifth distance, and the fifth distance may be greater than the fourth distance.

Each pin in the first row R1may be spaced apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the first row R1by a first distance in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R1, i.e. a first Y distance. Each pin in the second row of holes R2may be spaced apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the second row of pins R2by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance may be less than the second Y distance.

The holes or apertures are adapted to engage the pins on either a one pin to one hole basis or a multiple pin to one hole basis (e.g., a slot may engage a number of pins).

For example, in a one to one arrangement, the first row of holes R1is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the second plate14by a first distance. The second row of holes R2is spaced apart from the first row R1by a second distance. The third row of holes R3is spaced apart from the second row R2by a third distance, and the fourth row of holes R4is spaced apart from the third row R3by a fourth distance. The second distance may be greater than the first distance and the third distance may be substantially equal to the fourth distance.

The eighth row of holes R8is spaced apart from the nearest edge of the second plate14by a ninth distance. The seventh row of holes R7is spaced apart from the eighth row R8by an eighth distance. The sixth row of holes R6is spaced apart from the seventh row by a seventh distance, and the fifth row of holes R5is spaced apart from the sixth row R6by a sixth distance. The eighth distance may be greater than the ninth distance and the seventh distance may be substantially equal to the sixth distance.

The fifth row of holes R5is spaced apart from the fourth row R4by a fifth distance, and the fifth distance may be greater than the fourth distance.

Each hole in the first row R1of this example may be spaced apart from the adjacent hole or holes in the first row R1by a first distance in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the row R1, i.e. the first Y distance. Each hole in the second row of pins R2may be spaced apart from the adjacent pin or pins in the second row of holes R2by a second Y distance, and the first Y distance may be less than the second Y distance.

Although a specific layout of pins and holes has been described and illustrated, it should be understood that this layout is only one example embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this specific layout.

It should be understood that when a user closes the handles20and22to bring the plates10and14into proximity with one another to bear on hair, the pins should line up with corresponding holes. Due to flex in the hinge24alignment of the pins and holes to insure correct alignment may be accomplished by means of two guide members42and46.

Turning now toFIGS. 19-21, the proximal guide member42includes a proximal male alignment part48coupled to the second handle member22and a proximal female alignment part50coupled to the first handle member20. The proximal male alignment part48has two faces100and102which are shaped substantially as truncated triangles when viewed inFIG. 19. The two faces100and102are spaced apart from one another where they are fixed to the handle22, and the faces are connected to one another at their ends which are spaced apart from the handle22. Accordingly, when viewed inFIG. 20it can be seen that the faces100and102are nearer to one another in the horizontal direction when they are farther from the handle22in the vertical direction. The proximal female alignment part50has two faces104and106. The two faces104and106are spaced apart from one another where they are fixed to the handle20, and the faces are a greater distance from one another at their ends which are spaced apart from the handle20.

The proximal male alignment part48and the proximal female alignment part50are 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 part48and the proximal female alignment part50engage 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 and the second plate.

The distal guide member46comprises a distal male alignment part52coupled to the second handle member22and a distal female alignment part54coupled to the first handle member20. The distal male alignment part52may include a substantially cone-shaped structure108connected to the handle22and a substantially cylindrical part110connected to the lower end of the cone shaped structure108. The distal female alignment part54may include a conical shaped opening112which may be sized to fit snugly around the cone shaped structure108.

The distal male alignment part52and the distal female alignment part54may be 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 members48and50initially contact one another to bring about partial alignment. At this time the distal alignment members52and54do 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 and the second plate as the user closes the device.

In accordance with one embodiment, dry heat may be provided to one or both of plates10and14by incorporating a conventional electrical heating coil114behind 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 Teflon®. An electrical switch116is located in the handle to control one or both electrical heating coils. Conventional AC power may be provided by wires118to power the circuit, which is not shown.

With reference to FIGS.19and32-33, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a vibrator26is shown. Vibrator26is conventional and may be, for example, of the type commonly used in cell phones as a vibration ringer and therefore will not be discussed in detail herein. The vibrator26may include a motor150with a rotatable shaft152. An eccentric weight154may be mounted on the shaft152, and the motor may be mounted to the inside of the first handle member20. The position of the center of gravity of the eccentric weight154is not coincident with the center line of the shaft152. Accordingly, when the shaft rotates, the vibrator20is caused to vibrate thereby causing the first handle member20and the complete hair styling device to vibrate. Other types of vibrators may also be used as will now be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The motor150may be powered by the circuit160shown inFIG. 33which comprises resistor161, capacitors162and164, and diodes166,168,170and172. The circuit also includes voltage control tube174and switch176which can be controlled by the user of the device. In this example the motor150operates on DC, and the circuit is powered by AC which is supplied by wires118to power the rest of the device as well. Switch176may be mounted to turn on motor150when the plates10,14are brought into proximity with one another, it may be a push button type switch or a rocker or slide type switch mounted on the side of the device.

In this example the motor is designed to operate at 6000 rpm, which results in vibration of 100 Hertz. In practice operating the motor at 6000 rpm gives good results; however operating at other frequencies should provide satisfactory results as well. Specifically I have found that when the hair styling device, and particularly the first plate10and the pins mounted on the plate10, vibrate at about 100 Hz this aids in reducing tangling of the hair adjacent the pins as the user pulls the device through the hair and results in improved straightening of the hair.

With reference to FIGS.19and22-25, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, steam is provided through holes in the second plate14.

In accordance with this example embodiment, the second handle member22includes a water reservoir120, and a metered amount of water can be drawn from the reservoir120through tube122by activation of a pumping mechanism by trigger124. The water then flows to steam generator125which is heated by a heating element126. This heated water therein forms steam, which then exits the steam emitting holes128disposed along the lower surface of steam generator125. Heating element126is supplied electrical current via wires118. From the steam emitting holes128the steam travels through holes131in the plate14.

As shown inFIG. 22the steam generator125comprises a body140which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and extends substantially the length of second housing16. Within the body140there is a steam chamber142wherein the water is vaporized and which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and is in communication with the steam emitting holes128. The steam chamber142contains felt132. The purpose of the felt132is to reduce or eliminate the possibility of any condensation which forms in the steam chamber142from leaving the steam generator as water droplets.

As can be seen inFIG. 23, as an alternative to a plurality of steam emitting holes128disposed along the bottom faces of steam generator125, slots129can be formed along the bottom of the steam generator125. As can be seen fromFIG. 25the water reservoir120is removable from the handle22, and the handle includes a compartment130to accommodate the water reservoir. The reservoir120can be removed to facilitate filling it with water.

With reference toFIGS. 26-28it can be seen that the fins40are aligned with certain of the pins60. More specifically, when the present device is used to straighten hair134it is important that the hair be maintained substantially straight throughout the process. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the present device one fin40is aligned with each pin60in the first row of pins R1. The fins are linear and extend around the housing12, and on the opposite side of the plate10are aligned with a corresponding pin60in the eighth row of pins R8, not shown. Since the pins in both rows R1and R8are aligned with a fin40the user can conveniently use the device effectively with either hand and on either side the head.

It should also be noted that fins40may extend beyond the plane of the upper surface of the corresponding heated plates10,14to provide additional protection to prevent having a finger or other part of the body come in contact with the heated plates10,14. Similarly, while round pins and apertures are shown and described herein, other shapes could also be employed as will now be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.