Abstract:
Disclosed is an interchangeable hair dryer styling attachment. The device includes an elongated hose having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a hair dryer connector and the second end includes a hair styling tool connector. The hose is flexible and heat-insulated so that it can be manipulated easily while withstanding hot air from a hair dryer. The hair dryer connector is funnel-like in shape and is configured to snugly fit to a barrel of the hair dryer. The hair styling tool connector includes a grooved end that removably connects to various hair styling tools such as brushes and hoods or bonnets. The hose provides air communication between the hair dryer and the hair styling tools, and is of sufficient length that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the hair styling tools are used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a hair styling tool for use with a hair dryer. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved interchangeable hair styling tool that is attached to an elongated hose, wherein the hose can removably connect to a hair dryer to provide air communication between the hair dryer and the interchangeable hair styling tool. 
         [0003]    Traditional methods of drying hair require an individual to hold a blow dryer in one hand and a hair styling tool, such as a comb in the other hand. This can be inconvenient and difficult to accomplish as many individuals do not possess a proper blow drying technique and may have difficulty concurrently utilizing multiple tools to achieve a desired hair style. Thus, individuals spend a considerable amount of time readjusting their grip on the hair dryer and the hair styling tool to direct hot or cool air to a desired location on their hair. 
         [0004]    Some hair dryers are provided with a plurality of styling attachments such as combs for combing the hair while drying, diffusers for spreading blown air over a larger area, and concentrators for increasing the velocity of the air flow from the hair dryer. These attachments, however, still require the user to hold the hair dryer, which can be relatively heavy and bulky. Additionally, these attachments are generally connected directly to the barrel of a hair dryer so that it delivers high temperature air to the user&#39;s hair. This is disadvantageous because exposing hair to high temperature can cause the hair to become damaged and brittle over time. 
         [0005]    The present invention provides interchangeable styling attachments for hair dryers. The present invention comprises various hair styling tools, which can connect to the barrel of a hair dryer by means of a flexible, heat-insulated hose. The hose comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a hair dryer connector and the second end comprises a hair styling tool connector on which a styling tool may be removably secured. The hose is constructed so that it directs air from the hair dryer to the hair styling tool. Additionally, the hose is dimensioned so that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the user is holding the hair styling tool in one hand. In this way, the present invention increases the ease of styling hair with a blow dryer. 
         [0006]    Moreover, the hair styling tools of the present invention are interchangeable so that a single hose can removably secure to a wide variety of tools, such as brushes, combs, hoods, and bonnets. The ability to use different hair styling tools offers versatility and convenience to the user. Each tool comprises at least one aperture that is in air communication with the hair dryer so that hot or cool air is directed to a desired location on the user&#39;s head where the tool is used. In this way, the present invention functions similarly to a conventional hair dryer without requiring the user to hold a hair dryer in one hand and a hair styling tool in the other hand. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0008]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to hair dryer attachments. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose concentrator nozzles that help direct air flow from the barrel through a narrow outlet so as to increase the velocity of the air. Other devices disclose a diffuser that help disperse the air flow and spread it over a larger area. 
         [0009]    The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices are limited in that they require the user to hold the hair dryer while using the styling attachment. Additionally, the prior art devices do not comprise interchangeable styling attachments that can be used with a flexible hose that direct air flow from the hair dryer to the styling attachment. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a hose with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the barrel of a hair dryer and the second end attaches to a hair styling tool. The hose is elongated so that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the styling tool is held by the user. Additionally, the present invention increases versatility to the user by providing one that can be utilized with a number of different interchangeable styling tools. 
         [0010]    It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to hair dryer attachments. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hair dryer attachments now present in the prior art, the present invention provides new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments wherein the same can be utilized for styling hair with a hair dryer. 
         [0012]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments that have all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments that allow one or both of the user&#39;s hands to be free for styling the user&#39;s hair with a hair dryer. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments comprising various hair styling tools such as a round brush, a paddle brush, a comb, and a hood, among others. 
         [0015]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments comprising a flexible, heat-insulated hose having a first end with a hair dryer connector and a second end with a hair styling tool connector. 
         [0016]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments having an elongated hose and a hair styling tool, wherein the hose provides air communication between a hair dryer and a hair styling tool. 
         [0017]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a disassembled view of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the present invention as attached to a hair dryer. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a view of an embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to style hair with a hair dryer. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a view of the interchangeable hair dryer styling attachment  21  of the present invention. The present invention comprises a flexible, heat-insulated hose  22  having a first end  43  and a second end  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hose  22  is an accordion style hose that can be flexed and bent in any direction. The first end  43  of the hose  22  comprises a hair dryer connector  23  having a funnel-shape with a proximal end  45  and a distal end  46 , wherein both of the proximal end  45  and the distal end  46  are open. The proximal end  45  is connected to the first end  43  of the hose  22  via a joint  47 , which may be a component of the hair dryer connector  23  or the hose  22 , depending upon embodiment. The distal end  46  comprises an opening  31 , which provides access to the hollow interior  27  of the hose  22 . The hair dryer connector  23  is tapered so that the distal end  46  comprises a larger diameter than the proximal end  45 . It is contemplated that the tapering increases the velocity of the air flow to ensure that the air flow speed is not lowered due to the distance that the air must travel through the hose  22 . 
         [0026]    The hair dryer connector  23  is composed of flexible and resilient material, such as rubber, silicone, or the like. In this way, the hair dryer connector  23  can conform to the shape of the barrel of a hair dryer. In use, the hair dryer connector  23  can be press-fitted to the barrel of a hair dryer and remain removably secured thereto. The opening  31  comprises a lip  48  therearound, which helps to increase the grip the barrel of a hair dryer. Additionally, the user can grab the lip  48  with his or her fingertips to detach the hair dryer connector  23  from the hair dryer. 
         [0027]    The second end of the hose  22  comprises a hair styling tool connector  24  having a proximal end  49  that is connected to the second end  44  of the hose  22 , and a grooved distal end  30 . Similar to the hair dryer connector  23 , both of the ends  30 ,  49  of the hair styling tool connector  24  are opened. The distal end  30  is adapted to removably secure to a hair styling tool  25  at the opened connecting end  26  thereof. The opened connecting end  26  comprises a greater diameter than the diameter of the distal end  30  so that the distal end  30  and the connecting end  26  can removably attach via a press fit or a friction fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool  25  comprises a round brush. The round brush comprises a cylindrical body  50  with a plurality of bristles  51  around the exterior thereof and a hollow interior  29 . The cylindrical body  50  of the brush comprises a plurality of vents  28  thereon. The vents  28  provide access to the hollow interior  29  of the brush. In this way, air can flow from the hair dryer, travel through the hose  22 , and flow out of the air vents  28  of the hair styling tool  25 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a view of the present invention as connected to a barrel  52  of a hair dryer  32 . The hair dryer connector  23  is connected to the barrel  52  of the hair dryer  32  so that the opening  31  on the distal end of the hair dryer connector  23  is aligned with the barrel of the hair dryer  32  and the hair dryer connector  23  is pressed towards the back of the barrel until it is resisted. The hair dryer connector  23  may comprise a diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of the barrel  52  to form a mating friction fit with the barrel  52  of the hair dryer  32 . 
         [0029]    The hair dryer connector  23  is adapted to snugly fit the barrel of the hair dryer  32  via a friction fit so that air can flow directly from the hair dryer  32  into the first end  43  of the hose  22 . The hair dryer connector  23  further comprises a biased lip  48  which resiliently retains the dryer barrel  52 . In other embodiments, however, the hair dryer connector  23  may further comprise a clip or a similar fastening means that can attach onto the end of the barrel  52  of a hair dryer  32 . 
         [0030]    The second end  44  of the hose  22  is connected to a hair styling tool  33  via a hair styling tool connector  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool  33  comprises a comb having a handle  53 , a base  54 , and a plurality of teeth  55  thereon. The handle  53  is insulated so that it is not excessively hot to the touch during usage thereof. The base  54  of the comb comprises a plurality of apertures through which air can escape. The teeth  55  may be spaced far apart or close together, depending upon embodiment. Additionally, the teeth  55  may be slideably attached to the base  54  so that different types of comb or brush may be utilized. Preferably, the apertures are positioned between the teeth  55  of the comb so that the air flow is distributed evenly along the comb. 
         [0031]    The hose  22  is elongated and is dimensioned so that the hair dryer  32  can rest on a surface while the hair styling tool  33  is held by the user during use. In this way, the user is not required to hold the hair dryer  32  in one hand and a hair styling tool  33  in the other, allowing the user to utilize his or her free hand to style his or her hair. Furthermore, the hair styling tool  33  may be rotatably attached to the hair styling tool connector  24  so that it can rotate 360 degrees. This eliminates the need for the user to adjust his or her grip when turning the hair styling tool  33  or when using the hair styling tool  33  on different parts of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a view of an embodiment of an interchangeable styling attachment of the present invention. The illustrated hair styling tool  34  comprises a paddle brush having a handle  56 , a base  57 , and a plurality of bristles  58  extending therefrom. The bristles  58  may be composed of natural or synthetic material, and in some embodiments, may comprise a brush-comb hybrid. The base  57  of the brush comprises a plurality of apertures  59  thereon. The apertures  59  provide access to a hollow interior of the brush, which is in air communication with the hose  22  and a hair dryer on which it is attached. The apertures  59  are spaced evenly throughout the base so that the air flow is evenly distributed. 
         [0033]    In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  56  of the brush is connected to the hose  22  by means of a second embodiment of the hair styling tool connector  35 . The hair styling tool connector  35  is affixed to the second end of the hose  22 , and may comprise a curved end that connect to the handle  56  of the brush. Preferably, the exterior surface  62  of the hair styling tool connector  35  is substantially contiguous with the exterior surface  63  of the handle  56  so that it comprises a unitary appearance and is comfortable to hold. In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool connector  35  further comprises a plurality of ridges  61  thereon. The ridges  61  allow the user to grip the connector  35  easily when installing and removing the hair styling tool  34 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a view of another embodiment of an interchangeable styling attachment of the present invention. The illustrated styling tool comprises a hood  38  that is attached to a cylindrical handle  36  by means of a hood connector  37 . Each of the handle  36  and the hood connector  37  comprises an open upper end and an open lower end. The upper end  65  of the connector  37  is affixed to an opening  64  on the underside of the hood  38 . The opening  64  is sealed around the perimeter thereof so that air does not escape therefrom. The lower end  66  of the connector  37  is attached to the upper end  67  of the handle  36 . The lower end  68  of the handle  36  is attached to the hair styling tool connector  35  at the second end of the hose  22 . 
         [0035]    The hood  38  is composed of nylon, or other lightweight, durable material. The hood  38  is adapted to cover the user&#39;s hair and can secure to the user&#39;s head by means of drawstrings  40  disposed around the opening  39  thereof. The drawstring  40  can be tightened or loosened as desired by the user. Additionally, the hood  38  may comprise elastic  41  along the top portion  69  of the opening  39  so that the top portion  69  of the hood  38  can be fitted to the contours of a user&#39;s face. The elastic  41  may be sewn along the top portion  69  of the hood  38  so that it corresponds with the user&#39;s forehead when worn. The hood  38  is constructed so that it can over the user&#39;s head while the user is wearing hair rollers thereunder. 
         [0036]    The hood  38  comprises a plurality of apertures  42  that provide ventilation so that air can escape out of the hood  38 . The apertures  42  are sparsely disposed on the hood  38  so that it does not allow excessive amount of air to escape therethrough, allowing the hood  38  to retain sufficient amount of heat therein. Thus, the hood  38  is ideal for use when the user is receiving heat-activated hair treatments, or applying conditioners, hot oils, and the like. 
         [0037]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0038]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.