Abstract:
Disclosed is a hair styling device and its employment in a specific styling method. The device comprises an elastomeric block having an elliptically-shaped substantially smooth top surface, a patterned, sculptured and textured bottom surface, and a continuous side panel integrally connected to the edges of both the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface is further constructed with parallel V-shaped channels and a plurality of regularly-spaced circular chambers, the chambers being orthogonal to the bottom surface. The device is used by placing the bottom-located channels and chambers against sections of hair while simultaneously using varying pressure and rotary movement of the bottom surface upon the hair. In this manner the hair may be styled into a multiplicity of twists or spirals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/334,795 filed on May 11, 2016, which provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
       [0004]    The inventive concept is involved with devices and professional accessories used by hair stylists and barbers. 
       (2) Description of the Related Art, including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 .and 1.98. 
       [0005]    U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/334,795 filed on May 11, 2016 by the current inventor, describes an elastomeric sponge block having a relative smooth, semi-rigid top surface and an elastomeric bottom surface constructed of regularly-spaced circular chambers and groupings of V-shaped channels. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,050 (April 03, 2007) discloses a method for hair styling incorporating the use of a handheld device. The device is intended for sculpting hair and includes a pliable member having a substantially smooth bottom surface. A plurality of spaced-apart bores is disposed in the bottom surface. When the handheld device is placed against a person&#39;s head, the pliable member at least partially deforms to conform to the shape of the person&#39;s head. By repeatedly pulling the bottom surface of the pliable member across the hair tangentially to the surface of the person&#39;s scalp, the plurality of spaced-apart bores disposed in the bottom surface cause clumps of hair to be formed at substantially regular intervals that are a function of the distance between ones of the spaced-apart bores. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,565 issued on Dec. 04, 2001 to Girardot et al. The invention discloses an applicator for applying and distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator comprises a substantially planar sheet of compressible, conformable material having opposed first and second surfaces and an interior region. The interior region decreases in volume when subjected to an externally-applied force. The applicator further includes at least one discrete reservoir extending inwardly of the first surface into the interior, is partially filled with a substance and at least one discrete aperture in the first surface in fluid communication with the reservoir. Compression of the first surface expresses product from the aperture and translational motion of the first surface relative to a target surface applies and distributes the product onto the target. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of apertures is associated with corresponding reservoirs. A hand-held applicator, which is preferably resilient both in compression and in bending to conform to irregular target surfaces may be used with the invention. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,943,365 issued on Jan. 16, 1934 to Borden, discloses an improvement to band-held sponge rubber devices, which features a plurality of spaced open ducts. The preferred embodiment comprises a sponge-rubber lathering and washing appliance, further comprising two sponge-rubber boards, superposed one on the other and secured together, at least one being a split of a sponge rubber slab and at least one having skin on its abutting face, said device having distributed over substantially its entire area a plurality of spaced -normally open ducts extending entirely through it transversely of its abutting lace skin whereby the sponge cells adjacent thereto are freely vented. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The inventive concept disclosed sets forth a device for conducting a specific method of styling hair. The subject device is essentially an elastomeric block having an elliptically-shaped, substantially smooth top surface, a patterned, sculptured and textured bottom surface, and a continuous side panel integrally connected to the edges of both the top surface and the bottom surface. 
         [0010]    The device is referred to in this document as an “elastomeric block”  1 .  FIG 5  depicts a perspective view of the elastomeric block  1  with the bottom surface facing upward in the drawing. The bottom surface is constructed with two groupings of parallel, V-shaped channels and a plurality of regularly-spaced circular chambers drilled perpendicularly into said bottom surface. 
         [0011]    The elastomeric block  1  is used by a hair stylist or barber to produce a uniquely-designed hairstyle featuring multiple sections of hair twists or spirals. The hair stylist grasps the top surface of the device and places the channels and chambers of the bottom surface into direct contact with strands of hair. Simultaneously with the initiation of the contact, the hair stylist uses varying pressure and-directions of movement of the bottom surface against the hair. In this manner the hair may be styled into a multiplicity of twists, spirals, or twined segments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG 1  depicts a schematic plan view of the bottom surface of the elastomeric block  1  showing the main channels, cross-channels, and circular chambers. 
           [0013]      FIG 2  presents a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastomeric block  1  as seen from section lines  2 - 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG 3  presents a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastomeric block  1  as seen from section lines  3 - 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG 4  a perspective view of the bottom surface  4  elastomeric block  1 . 
           [0016]      FIG 5  shows the top surface  3  of the elastomeric block  1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows the general layout and positioning of the circular chambers on the bottom surface of the elastomeric block; twenty-two of which are labeled. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a photograph of the actual elastomeric block  1  as used in commerce. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Nomenclature for Invention Components 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   1. 
                   Elastomeric block 
                 
                 
                   2.  
                   Side 
                 
                 
                   3.  
                   Top surface 
                 
                 
                   4. 
                   Bottom surface 
                 
                 
                   5.-10. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   11. 
                   Longitudinal axis 
                 
                 
                   12. 
                   Upper edge 
                 
                 
                   13. 
                   Bottom edge 
                 
                 
                   14.-20. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   21.  
                   First main-channel 
                 
                 
                   22. 
                   Second main-channel 
                 
                 
                   23. 
                   Third main-channel 
                 
                 
                   24. 
                   Fourth main-channel 
                 
                 
                   25. 
                   Fifth main-channel 
                 
                 
                   26. 
                   Sixth main-channel 
                 
                 
                   27. 
                   Seventh main-channel 
                 
                 
                   28. 
                   Eighth main-channel 
                 
                 
                   29. 
                   Ninth main-channel 
                 
                 
                   30. 
                   First cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   31. 
                   Second cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   32.  
                   Third cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   33.  
                   Fourth cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   34. 
                   Fifth cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   35. 
                   Sixth cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   36.  
                   Seventh cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   37.  
                   Eighth cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   38.  
                   Ninth cross-channel 
                 
                 
                   39.-69. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   70.  
                   First column lower chamber 
                 
                 
                   71.  
                   First column, upper chamber 
                 
                 
                   72.  
                   Second column 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   73.  
                   Second column, 2 nd  chamber 
                 
                 
                   74.  
                   Second column, 3rd chamber 
                 
                 
                   75.  
                   Second col, 4th chamber 
                 
                 
                   76.  
                   Third column, 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   77.  
                   Third column, 2 nd  chamber 
                 
                 
                   79. 
                   Third column, 4 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   80.  
                   Third column, 5 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   81.  
                   Fourth column, 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   85.  
                   Fourth column, 5 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   86.  
                   Fifth column, 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   90.  
                   Fifth column, 5 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   91. 
                   Sixth column, 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   95.  
                   Sixth column, 5 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   96.  
                   Seventh col, 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   97.  
                   Seventh col. 2 nd  chamber 
                 
                 
                   98.  
                   Seventh col. 3 rd  chamber 
                 
                 
                   99.  
                   Seventh col. 4 th  chamber 
                 
                 
                   100.  
                   Eighth col. 1 st  chamber 
                 
                 
                   101. 
                   Eighth col. 2 nd  chamber. 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling seven ( 7 ) figures, show the basic components and functions of the preferred embodiment. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures. 
         [0020]    A general perspective view of the bottom surface of the elastomeric block  1  is shown in  FIG. 4  and also in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen, the bottom surface is essentially an elliptically-shaped contour which is jaggedly-patterned, sculptured and textured. There is a continuous side panel  2  which is integrally connected to the edges  12  of the top surface and the edge  13  of the bottom surface  4 . The side panel  2  is of a denser, more rigid material than the bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  presents a schematic plan view of the bottom, surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1  showing a grouping of parallel main channels (not numerically referenced, due to lack of space), a grouping of cross-channels (not numerically referenced, due to lack of space), and a plurality of circular chambers  70 - 101  (not all chambers are labeled in  FIG. 1 , due to space constraints). 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, there is a total of thirty-two (32) circular chambers. For illustrative purposes, a few of the circular chambers  70 ,  74 , 75 ,  76 ,  100 , and  101  are labeled as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The totality of the circular chambers  70 - 101  of the elastomeric block  1  (not all chambers labeled in  FIG. 1 ) are arrayed in eight columns, said columns oriented vertically with reference to the top of Sheet  1 / 3 . Further, the first column is designated as being the rightmost column in  FIG. 1 , and contains circular chambers # 70  and immediately above it, circular chamber  71  (not labeled). The eighth column, is the leftmost vertical, column of circular chambers, and contains circular chambers #  100  and  101 . 
         [0023]    Because of the extremely limited space in  FIG. 1 , the only circular chambers labeled in  FIG. 1  include the first column lower chamber  70 , second column 3rd chamber,  74 , second column 4th chamber  75 , third column 1 st  chamber  76 , eighth col 1 st  chamber  100 , and the eighth col. 2 nd  chamber  101 . This serves to give a representation of the method of designation of the thirty-two circular chambers-of the preferred embodiment of the elastomeric block  1 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7  further show that the bottom surface  4  is characterized by nine (9) V-shaped main-channels  21 - 29 , which channels are parallel to each other and oriented on the bottom surface  4  at an approximate 45 degree right angle to the longitudinal axis  11  of the elastomeric block  1  when viewing the elastomeric block  1  bottom surface  4  from a direct plan view. Further, there are nine (9) V-shaped cross-channels  30 - 38  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which are oriented on the bottom surface  4  at an approximate 45 degree left angle to the longitudinal axis  11  of the elastomeric block  1  when viewing the elastomeric block  1  bottom surface  4  from a direct plan view. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastomeric block  1  as seen from section line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . Portions of the walls of the V-shaped spacing in main channels  21 - 29  are visible in this view. The view presented in  FIG. 2  is also more readily understood by reference to  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , from left to right, the interiors of the third circular chamber of the sixth column  93 , the third circular chamber of the fifth column  88 , the third circular chamber of the fourth column  81 , and the third circular chamber of the third column  78 , are visible. 
         [0026]    The aforementioned numbered circular chambers must be deduced from the presentation of numbered circular chambers generally around the periphery of the bottom surface  4  shown in  FIG. 6 . Due to space constraints, not all circular chambers that are in view in  FIG. 6  are labeled. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  presents a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric block  1  as seen from section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , which section line  3 - 3  is oriented perpendicularly with reference to cross channels  31 - 38 . From the view of  FIG. 3 , the V-shaped profiles of the cross channels  31 - 38  are seen. Section line  3 - 3  also exposes the interior of the third circular chamber  74  of the second column. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a general perspective vie w of the bottom surface  4  elastomeric block  1 . A photographic presentation of the bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows the top surface  3  of the elastomeric block  1 . The top surface  3  is constructed of a firmer, or more rigid, material than the bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts a schematic plan view of the bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom surface  4  is constructed with eight (8) columns of circular vertical chambers ( 70 - 101 , all of which are not labeled) fabricated into said bottom surface  4 . The depth of the circular chambers  70 - 101  does not extend to the top surface  3  of the elastomeric block  1 . The circular chambers  70 - 101  are oriented perpendicularly to both the bottom surface  4  and the top surface  3  at a vertical depth of approximately one-half the distance between the bottom surface  4  and the top surface  3 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 6 , it is seen that portions of the surface circumferences of said chambers  70 - 101  intersect a plurality of the main-channels  21 - 29  (not labeled) and cross-channels  30 - 38  (not labeled) at irregular locations along the bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a reproduction of a photograph of the actual elastomeric block  1  as used in commercial service. The pattern of the V-shaped channels  21 - 38  (not labeled) can be seen. Several of the circular chambers  70 - 101  (not labeled) are visible, interspersed with the array of V-shaped channels. 
         [0033]    A hair stylist or other user of the elastomeric block  1  performs a styling of hair by the steps of 
         [0034]    a) ensuring that the hair of an imminent customer, or of a wig, is free of any styling liquid or other substances; 
         [0035]    b) Grasping the elastomeric block  1  simultaneously by the side  2  and top surface  3  while orienting the elastomeric block  1  such that said bottom surface  4  is immediately adjacent to the hair of a customer; 
         [0036]    c) placing the bottom surface  4  of said elastomeric block  1  against a section of strands of the customer&#39;s hair; 
         [0037]    d) applying a series of generally planar or circular twisting motions of the bottom surface  4  against the customer&#39;s hair. The bottom surface  4  of the elastomeric block  1  may flex slightly during this step. Additionally, the aforementioned twisting motions may approximately correspond to the general shape of a customer&#39;s head; 
         [0038]    e) circularly rubbing the bottom surface  4  of said elastomeric block  1  across the sections of hair, thereby causing the main-channels  21 - 29  and cross-channels  30 - 38  to tunnel sections of hair strands into the circular chambers  70 - 101 . This rubbing motion serves to create spiraling twists within the circular chambers  70 - 101 . As necessary, the stylist or user repeats steps b) through e) to create a substantial plurality of sections of hair twists and spirals. 
         [0039]    While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, or in combination with features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and limited only by the scope of the claims presented herein.