Patent Publication Number: US-2018042352-A1

Title: Hair styling apparatus having dual switch and lock actuator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/373,136 filed Aug. 10, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a hair styling apparatus, and more particularly to a hair styling apparatus having a dual switch and lock actuator, and even more particularly such a dual switch and lock actuator that is operable to concurrently lock/unlock the apparatus against/for reconfiguration and to switch a heating assembly of the apparatus on/off. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many different types of hair styling apparatus are available for use in styling hair. For example, a hair styling apparatus may be used for straightening, curling, waving and/or otherwise achieving a desired look of the hair. In one common type of styling apparatus, a pair of arms are hinged to pivot relative to each other between opened and closed configurations. Opposed heated hair contact surfaces are provided on the arms so as to hold hair between the hair contact surfaces in the closed configuration thereof. A biasing mechanism typically biases the arms of the apparatus to the opened configuration. Such a hair styling apparatus applies high levels of heat directly to the hair. However, heated surfaces may present a burn hazard when the hair styling apparatus is not in use, particularly if the apparatus is left in its opened configuration while heat is applied to the hair contact surfaces. For example, a user may accidentally touch the heated surface after using the hair styling apparatus and waiting for the hair styling apparatus to cool down for storage. Children may also accidentally touch the heated surface, leading to painful burns. There is a need, therefore, for a hair styling apparatus that reduces the risk of inadvertent contact with the heated surfaces thereof when the apparatus is not in use. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a hair styling apparatus generally comprises a heating assembly for applying heat to hair. First and second arms are hingedly connected for selective movement relative to each other between an opened configuration and a closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus. The heating assembly includes a hair contact heating surface disposed on at least one of the first and second arms. An operating switch is operatively connected to the heating assembly and positionable between an on position in which the heating assembly is on and an off position in which the-heating assembly is off. A lock is operatively connected to at least one of the first and second arms and positionable relative thereto between a locked position in which the first and second arms are locked in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus and an unlocked position in which the first and second arms are positionable relative to each other to the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus. An actuator is operatively connected to both the operating switch and the lock, with the actuator being moveable between a first position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the on position and the lock is moved to the unlocked position and a second position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the off position and the lock is moved to the locked position. 
     In another aspect, an actuator for a hair styling apparatus is disclosed. The hair styling apparatus includes a pair of working arms wherein at least one of the working arms has a heating member. The actuator generally comprises a switch for turning the heating member on and off, a grip, and a switch actuator operatively connected to the grip such that movement of the grip results in movement of the switch actuator. The switch actuator comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced ribs defining a switch opening configured to receive and actuate the switch, and a lock structure comprising an angular locking interface configured to selectively inhibit separation of the working arms. 
     In still another aspect, a method of unlocking a pair of arm members of a hair styling device is disclosed. The method generally comprises sliding, in a linear manner, an actuator relative to the pair of arm members. The actuator moves a lock structure from an engaged position to a disengage position thereby allow separation of the arm members relative to each other, and simultaneously toggling a switch from an off position to an on position to thereby activate a heating assembly of at least one of the arm members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hair styling apparatus in a closed configuration thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an actuator of the hair styling apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of a switch of the actuator; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the actuator; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the actuator; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an actuator, first and second arms, and a second arm lock structure with partially cut away first and second arms and various structural components removed from the actuator and first and second arms to reveal additional construction. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a hair styling apparatus according to the present invention is generally designated  101 . The illustrated hair styling apparatus  101  is generally in the form of a flat iron, or hair straightener, which has opposed heating surfaces that can be used to straighten and/or curl hair. As explained in more detail below, the hair styling apparatus  101  includes a hinge lock that is intended to protect users and nonusers from burns by forcing the hair styling apparatus closed when it is turned off, thus reducing open exposure to the heating surfaces. In one example, the hinge lock is operated by an actuator that slides the hinge lock longitudinally relative to the apparatus  101  to inhibit or allow opening and closing of the apparatus. It is contemplated that in other embodiments the hair styling apparatus  101  may be of a type other than a flat iron or hair straightener, such as a curling iron, blow dryer, or other suitable type of hair styling apparatus that is adapted to heat hair during styling. 
     The hair styling apparatus  101  of the illustrated embodiment is generally elongate having longitudinal (e.g., proximal and distal) ends and including first and second working arms generally indicated at  102  and  103 , respectively. The working arms  102 ,  103  are held in assembly with each other by a suitable pivot, or hinged connection  104  (illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 ) at the proximal end of the hair styling apparatus. The first and second working arms  102 ,  103  are thus hingedly connected for movement relative to one another about a pivot axis defined by the pivot connection  104  between a closed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) of the hair styling apparatus  101  and an opened configuration (not shown) thereof in which the arms are spaced from each other for placement of hair therebetween to be treated. 
     Each of the first and second arms  102 ,  103  includes a heating assembly, generally indicated at  108  (broadly, a hair-heating device), operatively connected to an actuator  110  for operative control of the heating assembly. The illustrated heating assembly  108  includes a first heating member  106  disposed on the first working arm  102  and defining a first working or heating surface and a second heating member  107  disposed on second arm  103  and defining a second working or heating surface. The heating members  106 ,  107  are sufficiently located longitudinally on the respective arms  102 ,  103 , e.g., adjacent the distal end of the apparatus  101 , so that in the closed position of the hair styling apparatus  101  the heating members  106 ,  107  are opposed to each in closely spaced or contact relationship with each other to heat hair that is held therebetween. Heat from the heating members  106 ,  107  is thus applied to the hair in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus  101 . In the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus  101 , the heating members  106 ,  107  are spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to allow the introduction of hair between the hair-facing surfaces of the heating members. 
     A biasing member, such as a compression spring  105  (illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 ) or other suitable biasing member, may be disposed between the first and second working arms  102 ,  103  to bias the arms  102 ,  103  away from each other, e.g., toward the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment the compression spring  105  is seated within opposed spring seats formed on each respective working arm  102 ,  103 . However, it is understood that the biasing member  105  may be held in assembly with the working arms  102 ,  103  in any suitable manner that achieves the intended function of the biasing member. 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 2-6 , the actuator  110  for operating the heating assembly  108  includes a grip or knob  112  accessible exterior of both working arms  102 ,  103  and a switch actuator  114  connected to the grip for conjoint movement with the grip relative to the first and second working arms  102 ,  103 . The switch actuator  114  includes a pair of control electrodes  116  in electrical communication with a power source (not shown) and extending in a longitudinal direction of the actuator  110 . The switch actuator  114  also includes a lock structure  118  ( FIGS. 2, 5 ) that prevents pivoting movement of the first and second working arms  102 ,  103  relative to one another about the pivot axis of the pivot connection  104 . A switch  120  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ) for controlling the on/off state of the heating assembly  108  is mounted on the apparatus  101  adjacent the actuator  100  such that it is held stationery while the actuator  110  is capable of movement relative thereto. The switch  120  includes an on/off switch  123  that is slidable longitudinally of the switch  120  and communicates with a suitable power source (not shown), and a pair of temperature control electrodes  122  in electrical communication with the heating assembly  108 . The switch actuator  114  includes a pair of longitudinally spaced ribs, or tabs defining a switch opening  115  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) therebetween for receiving the on/off switch  123  to operatively connect the on/off switch to the actuator  110 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , using the grip  112  the user slides the actuator  110  in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second working arms  102 ,  103  as indicated by arrows  124 ,  128 . Sliding the actuator  110  in the longitudinally outward direction  124  moves the switch actuator  114  and hence the switch engagement opening  115  in the direction  124 . The switch actuator  114  (with the on/off switch disposed in the switch engagement opening  115 ) toggles the switch  123  to its on position, thus turning on the heating assembly  108  to heat the heating members  106 ,  107  for providing heat to the user&#39;s hair. Additionally, sliding the actuator  110  in the direction  124  repositions the control electrodes  116  into opposed, but closely spaced relationship with the temperature control electrodes  122  of the switch  120 . Movement of the actuator  110  in the opposite (inward) longitudinal direction, i.e., direction  128 , the switch actuator  114  toggles the switch  123  to its off position. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the actuator  110  interfacing with the first and second working arms  102 ,  103 . The first and second working arms  102 ,  103  are illustrated as partially cut away to allow viewing of a lock structure, indicated generally at  118 . Additionally, various structural components are omitted from the actuator  110  and working arms  102 ,  103  to allow viewing of the lock structure  118 . As seen best in  FIG. 6 , the second working arm  103  includes suitable blocking structure  126  configured to engage the lock structure  118  of the actuator  110 . In particular, the lock structure  118  of the actuator  110  includes an angular locking interface configured to interface with the blocking structure  126  of the working arm  103  when the working arms  102 ,  103  are in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus. For example, in  FIG. 6  the working arms  102 ,  103  are in the closed configuration. The actuator  110  is in its longitudinally inward position corresponding to the off position of the on/off switch  123  as discussed previously herein. The interface between the lock structure  118  of the actuator  110  and the blocking structure  126  of the working arm prevents the working arms  102 ,  103  from separating, thus holding the workings arms in the closed configuration of the apparatus. 
     To operate the heating assembly to treat hair, the user slides the actuator  110  in the longitudinal outward direction  124 , thus toggling the on/off switch  123  to the on position in the manner described previously herein. The hinge lock structure  118  of the actuator  110  is moved out of interfacing relationship with the blocking structure  126 , thus allowing pivoting movement of the working arms  102 ,  103  relative to each other while the heating assembly  108  is operating. The compression spring  105  biases the working arms  102 ,  103  away from each other (e.g., to the opened configuration of the apparatus  110 ) and the apparatus is operable to treat hair in a known manner using the heating surfaces of the heating members  106 ,  107 . Thus, it can be seen that a single movement of the actuator  110  concurrently configures the apparatus  101  to its opened (broadly an operating) configuration and turns on the heating assembly  108 . 
     When use of the hair styling apparatus  101  is completed, the user manually urges the working arms  102 ,  103  together (against the bias of the spring  105 ) and then slides the actuator  110  in the longitudinally inward direction  128 . This movement causes the locking structure  118  to move into interfacing relationship with the blocking structure  126  of the working arm  103 , thus locking the working arms  102 ,  103  in the close configuration of the apparatus  101 . Concurrently, the on/off switch  123  is moved to its off position, thus turning off the heating assembly  108 . Thus, it can be seen that a single movement of the actuator  110  concurrently configures the apparatus  101  to its closed (broadly, non-operating) configuration and turns off the heating assembly  108 . In this manner, the heating surfaces of the heating members  106 ,  107  are brought together and thus generally inaccessible to being touched by a user, or contacting surfaces or objects that can be damaged by heat, while the heating members are being cooled following operation of the apparatus  101 . 
     In one suitable embodiment, in the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus  101  the operating temperature of the heating members  106 ,  107  may be manually adjusted or controlled. For example, the actuator  110  may include a suitable temperature control system or arrangement to facilitate the manual selection of intermittent or infinite temperature settings. The temperature controls communicate with the control circuit, and the control circuit regulates the temperature of the heating members  106 ,  107  in response to signals received from the temperature controls. As a non-limiting example, the hair styling apparatus  101  may include the following selectable intermittent temperature settings: 230° C., 210° C., 190° C., 170° C., and 150° C. The hair styling apparatus  101  may include other temperature settings without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the grip or knob  112  is also rotatable relative to the working arms  102 ,  103  to selectively adjust the operating temperature of the heating members  106 ,  107 . In a particularly suitable embodiment, the grip  112  is rotatable a predetermined rotation angle in a clockwise direction  132 , and a predetermined rotation angle in a counterclockwise direction  130 , with the grip being biased by a suitable biasing member (not shown) to a neutral position (e.g., zero degree position). Upon sliding the actuator  110  in the longitudinally outward direction  124  to position the on/off switch  123  in the on position (and configure the working arms  102 ,  103  in the opened configuration of the apparatus  101 ), the control electrodes  116  of the actuator  110  are aligned with the temperature control electrodes  122  of the switch  120 . 
     The user can then select a desired operating temperature by rotating the grip  112  in either the clockwise direction  132  or counterclockwise direction  132 . Rotating the grip  112  in this manner conjointly rotates the switch actuator  114  and control electrodes  116  until one of the two control electrodes  116  comes into electrical contact with a corresponding one of the temperature control electrodes  122 . As a result, rotation in one direction (e.g., clockwise) causes an incremental (e.g., 10° C., 20° C., 30° C., 40° C., etc.) increase of the operating temperature while rotation in the opposition direction (e.g., counterclockwise) causes an incremental decrease (e.g., of the same or different incremental increase) in operating temperature. In either instance, the grip  112  is then released and biased back to its rotational neutral position at which it may be rotated again in either direction to further increase or decrease the operating temperature of the heating members  106 ,  107 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the grip  112  may not be rotational and instead the hair styling apparatus  101  may include one or more microcontrollers, one or more microprocessors, or other suitable components for regulating the heat output of the heating members  106 ,  107  and performing other functions or operations of the hair styling apparatus  101 . For example, a temperature sensing unit (not shown), such as a thermistor, may be in thermal contact with the heating members  106 ,  107  and electrically connected to the control circuit (not shown). The temperature sensing unit sends a temperature-indicating signal, indicative of the temperature of the heating members  106 ,  107 , to the control circuit. The control circuit is programmed or configured to regulate heating members  106 ,  107  in response to the temperature-indicating signal. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.