Abstract:
A curling iron operable to protect a portion of the user&#39;s skin that is adjacent the heating element from incidental contact with the heating element. The curling iron further includes a handle that is integrally mounted to the heating element. A shield is slidably mounted to the handle and is configured to be deployed to substantially extend the length of the heating element. The shield is further configured to be rotatable about the circumference of the heating element so as to maintain a position such that the shield is intermediate the heating element and the user&#39;s skin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hair styling device, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a heated curling iron that further includes a retractable and rotatable heat shield to protect the user&#39;s skin from the heating element during use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of women engage in hygiene and beauty routines on a daily basis. One part of such a daily routine often involves the styling and/or combing of their hair. Commonly, women will style their hair with the use of styling devices such as hair dryers and curling rollers. Another device that is commonly used to provide temporary shape to at least a portion of the women&#39;s hair is a curling iron. 
     As is known in the art, curling irons utilize a conventional heating element that is generally cylindrical in shape that can be heated to a temperature of approximately four hundred and thirty degrees. The heat facilitates the molding of the hair to the desired shape and the subsequent desired molded shape is usually further retained by the use of a hairspray. Conventional curling irons utilize a lever that is pivotally attached to the curling iron proximate the handle. The user typically biases the lever away from the heating element so as to create a space to grasp the hair by releasably securing the hair intermediate the lever and the heating element subsequent the lever being biased against the heating element. Ensuing placing the hair in this position, the user typically rolls the curling iron in a desired direction to produce a shape for the hair. 
     One problem with existing curling irons, is that during the rolling process, the heating element is exposed to the skin of the user generally in the neck and face region. As the user rolls the curling iron, the heating element thereof provides a significant risk to the user and routinely burns the skin of the face or neck region of the user. This is a common and known problem with existing curling irons. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a styling aid, more specifically a heated curling iron that further includes the ability to protect the skin of the user in the face and neck region during utilization of the heated curling iron so as to substantially prevent burns to the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a hair styling aid, more specifically a heated curling iron that further includes a shield to protect the user&#39;s skin during the utilization of the heated curling iron. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a heated curling iron that includes a shield to protect the user&#39;s skin from burns that is retractable. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a heated curling iron that includes a shield to protect the user&#39;s skin from burns during utilization wherein the shield is further rotatable about the heating element. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a heated curling iron that includes a retractable shield that is integrally mounted into the handle of the heated curling iron. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a heated curling iron having a retractable shield integrally mounted into the handle of the heated curling iron that is manufactured of a heat insulating material such as but not limited to ceramic or porcelain. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a heated curling iron that includes a retractable shield integrally formed into the handle of the heated curling iron that is easy to use with one hand. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the alternative embodiment includes a handle having a retractable and rotatable heat shield that can be integrally mounted to a handle of a conventional curling iron without inhibiting utilization of conventional operational controls of the conventional curling iron. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a hair styling device  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hair styling device  100  further includes a body  10  that is generally elongated and cylindrical in shape. The body  10  comprises a handle  15  and a heating element  20  that are integrally joined utilizing suitable and durable methods. The heating element  20  is cylindrical in shape and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The hair styling device  100  is operably couplable to a conventional power source such as but not limited to a 120 or 220 volt ac electrical outlet. Although not illustrated herein the heating element  20  has disposed therein conventional heating wires wherein subsequent to be operably coupled to an electrical source will provide a desired heat transfer to the heating element  20  facilitating the use of the hair styling device  100 . It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the heating element  20  could be manufactured in a variety of different lengths and diameters. 
     Mounted intermediate the handle  15  and the heating element  20  is a lever  25 . The lever  25  is pivotally mounted to the body  10  utilizing suitable conventional methods. Integrally formed with the lever  25  is an arm  30 . The arm  30  is generally elongated being planar and arcuate in shape. The arm  30  has a length that is approximately equivalent to the length of the heating element  20 . The arm  30  is biased against the heating element  20  in its first position. The lever  25  functions to move the arm  30  to its second position wherein the user applied a downward force to the end  26  of the lever  25 . Subsequent a downward force being applied to the end  26  of the lever  25  the arm  30  pivots away from the heating element  20  creating a space therebetween that is sufficient in size to accommodate a lock of hair. A user can release the downward force being applied to the end  26  of the lever  25  in order to move the arm  30  to its first position wherein the lock of hair intermediate the arm  30  and the heating element  20  is releasably secured and can be shaped with the hair styling device  100 . 
     Integrally formed with the handle  15  and slidably and rotatably mounted thereto is a shield  50 . The shield  50  is generally planar and arcuate in shape and functions to cover a portion of the circumference of the heating element  20 . The shield  50  is manufactured from a suitable durable rigid material that has been shown to have heat-insulating properties. More specifically but not by way of limitation, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  50  can be manufactured from porcelain or ceramic. Additionally, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  50  could be manufactured from a rigid base such as metal and have a heat insulating material disposed on the exterior surface such as but not limited to a silica textile wrapping or glass fiber wrapping. The shield  50  functions to protect the user&#39;s skin from the heating element  20  that is most proximate thereto during use. Typically during use of the hair styling device  100  a portion of the circumferential surface  80  of the heating element  20  is exposed to the user&#39;s skin when the shield  50  is retracted. Deployment of the shield  50  positions the shield  50  intermediate the heating element  20  and the user&#39;s skin covering a portion of the circumferential surface  80  providing a substantially reduced potential of the user&#39;s skin contacting the heating element  20 . A gap  90  exists between the deployed shield  50  and the heating element  20  so as to allow a sufficient amount of hair therebetween to allow normal operation of the hair styling device  100 . 
     The shield  50  is operably connected to a knob  55 . The knob  55  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The knob  55  is generally annular in shape and extends outward from the handle  15 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the knob  55  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes and constructed from a vast array of material and still perform the desired function as described herein. The knob  55  is slidably mounted to the handle  15  and functions to deploy or retract the shield  50 . The knob  55  traverses within the longitudinal channel  60  in order to deploy or retract the shield  50 . When the knob  55  is moved in a direction towards the end  99  the shield  50  deploys from the handle  15  until the knob  55  reaches the stop  65 . Subsequent to reaching the stop  65  in the longitudinal channel  60  the shield  50  is substantially deployed such that the shield  50  covers a portion of the circumferential surface  80  of substantially the length of the heating element  20 . The knob  55  further functions to rotate the shield  50  about the circumferential surface  80  of the heating element  20 . The knob  55  traverses within the lateral channel  70 , which moves the shield  50  about the circumferential surface  80  of the heating element  20 . This functions to provide the user of the hair styling device  100  more efficient protection from the heating element  20  during use and providing specific coverage of the heating element  20  that is most proximate the skin during utilization of the heating element  20 . The lateral channel  70  function to allow the shield  50  to rotate about the circumferential surface  80  of the heating element with the exception of the portion that is engaged with the arm  30 . This allows the arm  30  to be moved from its first position and then returned to its second position without interference from the shield  50 . While the shield  50  is illustrated in the accompanying drawings submitted herewith as being slidably mounted to the handle  15 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  50  could be spring-loaded within the handle  15  such that the user could depress the knob  55  and substantially deploy the shield  50  to its fully extended position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein. The hair styling device  200  further includes a body  210  that is generally cylindrical in shape having an interior volume  205 . The body  210  functions to be mateably mounted over a handle to a conventional curling iron wherein the handle is journaled into the interior volume  205  of the body  210  and releasably secured through suitable durable methods such as but not limited to mechanical clasps, snaps and frictional keepers. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  210  subsequent placement over a handle of a conventional curling iron will not inhibit the use of any controls present on the handle of the conventional curling iron. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the body  210  could have apertures or slots present therein to accommodate controls such as but not limited to power switches. 
     The body  210  further includes a handle  215  that provides a user interface to operate the hair styling device  200 . The handle  215  is manufactured from a suitable durable material and is manufactured to a suitable length to accommodate a handle of a conventional curling iron therein. Integrally mounted within the handle  215  is a shield  250 . The shield  250  is generally planar and arcuate in shape and functions to cover a portion of the circumference of a heating element of a conventional curling iron. The shield  250  is manufactured from a suitable durable rigid material that has been shown to have heat-insulating properties. More specifically but not by way of limitation, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  250  can be manufactured from porcelain or ceramic. Additionally, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  250  could be manufactured from a rigid base such as metal and have a heat insulating material disposed on the exterior surface such as but not limited to a silica textile wrapping or glass fiber wrapping. The shield  250  functions to protect the user&#39;s skin from a heating element of a conventional curling iron that is most proximate thereto during use. Typically during use of a conventional curling iron, a portion of the circumferential surface of the heating element is exposed to the user&#39;s skin. Deployment of the shield  250  covers a portion of the circumferential surface providing a substantially reduced potential of the user&#39;s skin contacting the heating element. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shield  250  subsequent to being fully deployed from the handle  215  covers a portion of the circumferential surface of a heating element of a conventional curling iron that is substantially the length of the heating element. 
     A knob  255  is operably connected to the shield  250 . The knob  255  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The knob  255  is generally annular in shape and extends outward from the handle  215 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the knob  255  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes and constructed from a vast array of material and still perform the desired function as described herein. The knob  255  is slidably mounted to the handle  215  and functions to deploy or retract the shield  250 . The knob  255  traverses within the longitudinal channel  260  and moves the shield  250  in the same direction. When the knob  255  is moved in a direction towards the end  299  the shield  250  deploys from the handle  215  until the knob  255  reaches the stop  265 . Subsequent to reaching the stop  265  in the longitudinal channel  260  the shield  250  is substantially deployed such that the shield  250  covers a portion of the circumferential surface of substantially the length of the heating element of a conventional curling iron. The knob  255  further functions to rotate the shield  250  about the circumference of the heating element of a conventional curling iron. The knob  255  traverses within the lateral channel  270 , which moves the shield  250  about the circumferential surface of the heating element of a conventional curling iron. This functions to provide the user of the hair styling device  200  more efficient protection from the heating element during use and providing specific coverage of the heating element that is most proximate the skin during utilization of a conventional curling iron. 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description of the operation of the hair styling device  100  is as follows. In use, the user will engage the hair styling device  100  with a suitable power source and allow sufficient time for the heating element  20  to reach a desired temperature. Subsequent the heating element  20  reaching the desired temperature, the user will apply a downward force to the end  26  of the lever  25  facilitating the movement of the arm  30  from its original biased position. The user will then place the desired lock of hair intermediate the arm  30  and the heating element  20  and return the arm  30  to its original biased position. Subsequent to returning the arm  30  to its biased position the user will utilize a rotating motion until the desired amount of hair intermediate the arm  30  and the heating element  20  is rolled. The user then engages the knob  55  to deploy the shield  50  from the handle  15 . The knob  55  is traversed through the longitudinal channel  60  until the knob  55  reaches the stop  65 . In this position, the shield  50  is substantially deployed such that its extended length is approximately equivalent to the length of the heating element  20 . The user engages the knob  55  as the hair styling device  100  is rotated to shape the hair as desired and the user traverses the knob  55  within the lateral channel  70  to rotate the shield  50  about the circumferential surface  80  of the heating element  20  such that the shield is intermediate the heating element  20  and the user&#39;s skin most proximate thereto. Ensuing completion of utilization of the hair styling device  100 , the shield  50  is retracted into the handle  15 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.