Patent Publication Number: US-2007119474-A1

Title: Hair curler

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a hair curler which has an essentially cylindrically shaped roller.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Rollers with a variety of configurations are typically used for curling hair. They are used such that a separated hair strand is wound by “rolling” the roller starting at the hair tips typically to the hair base and subsequently fixed by means of a fastening clip. Although the harmfulness of this method, especially to the hair ends, has been emphasized for already some time, so far there has been no alternative method permitting a gentle way of rolling hair strands. The condition of curls and waves formed by using such hair curlers also leaves more to be desired—on the one hand, because the nubbly rollers rarely produce the desired smoothness. On the other, because the “rolling” can never be carried out in a homogenous way with respect to the tension of the hair strands, resulting in visible irregularities and deviations from an ideal curl shape result.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 1,760,320 A and U.S. Pat. No. 1,956,257 A each disclose hair curlers in a very similar way, with a cylindrical roller which has a fastening device at one of its ends in the shape of the two disks which can be pivoted relative to each other. This device serves to fasten the hair base to the roller. A tube-shaped part with a tappet protruding from the tube jacket is pulled from the other end of the roller onto the roller and slid to the hair base, where the tappet catches the hair strand and winds it up.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 1,900,126 A discloses a cylindrical roller with a fastening device for hair strands at one of its ends and a spiral-shaped part, which is slid onto the roller from the other end. Very similar to previous publications, the hair strand is caught with the end of the spiral and wound onto the roller.  
      EP 0754 418 A2 discloses a roller which includes telescoping parts. The hair strands are wrapped by hand around the roller. U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,871 A describes a roller based on a similar principle.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 2,229,841 A also discloses a telescoping or retractable roller composed of tube-shaped parts which have a polyhedral cross-section and exhibit a smaller cross-section relative to the respective adjacent part and which can be slid into this part. A comb is fastened or connected in one piece at the middle part with the largest diameter or cross-section in an embodiment. The comb provides the additional option of being able to comb one&#39;s hair with the hair curler; however, it does not have a function of its own when rolling curls.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,183 A discloses a hair curler comprising an inner core onto which the hair strands starting with the tips are rolled. Once the hair tips are fastened, a jacket is put over the core with a slit for the hair strands and twisted against the core, whereby the hair strands are rolled onto the core. This is a fairly complicated procedure, especially since hairs can get caught between the core and the jacket.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is the object of the present invention to provide a hair curler with which curls and waves of particularly smooth and even hair strands can be made in a gentle way. The hair strands may not be mechanically stressed or disheveled anywhere; in particular, individual hairs should not get caught in the roller. The handling of the hair curler must work in an uncomplicated way and a simple construction shall ensure low costs.  
      These objectives are met in a hair curler of the aforementioned type, by providing a clamping part which is open at one end and can be clamped onto the roller, wherein the clamping part, which when clamped on, surrounds the roller and exhibits a comb structure which protrudes away from the surface area of the roller.  
      When making curls or permanent waves with the hair curler according to the invention, the roller is applied normally or at an angle to the hair strand to be curled, preferably at the hair base or the hair strand is wrapped once around the roller, subsequently the clamping part is clipped onto the roller, such that the abutting part of hair strand is locked between the clamping part and the roller. By turning the clamping part around the cylindrical roller, the remaining hair strand is increasingly grasped by the comb, while the clamping part slides over the hair strand and winds it up.  
      The comb teeth of the comb structure protrude tangentially in a variation of the invention. The hair is grasped early on and guided into the desired bundle.  
      In a further variation the curvature of the comb teeth diminishes toward their tip. This ensures a continuous transition of the free hairs between the clamping part and the roller.  
      In a preferred embodiment at least three comb teeth are provided, wherein both outer comb teeth are longer than the remaining comb teeth. In this way, the entire hair strand is first bundled and then only subsequently distributed onto the other teeth, thereby preventing hairs from being caught or disheveled.  
      In a further embodiment grooves extend in the roller, thereby providing the rolled hair with additional structure.  
      In a particularly advantageous embodiment the roller comprises at least two, telescoping roller parts. This makes it possible to easily adapt the hair roller body to different needs, especially to various curl sizes.  
      In a further embodiment the roller comprises at least two roller parts which are stuck together at their ends. This makes it possible to infinitely extend the roller during the rolling procedure, should one realize that the hair strands are too long.  
      In a variation the roller parts are friction-tight relative to each other. In a further variation the roller parts cannot be twisted against each other. Notches for axially fixing two adjacent roller parts are provided in a further embodiment. Grooves extend in at least one roller part in another variation.  
      In a further variation continuous holes are provided in at least one roller part.  
      In a further variation at least one roller part tapers off conically at one of its ends.  
      The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
      In the Drawing:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hair curler according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a clamping part according to the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping roller;  
       FIG. 4  is a spatial view of the roller according to the invention; and  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a variation of the roller.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the hair curler according to the invention. This includes an essentially cylindrical roller  1  and a clamping part  2  which can be clipped onto the roller  1 . The longitudinal axis of the roller is denoted with reference number  3 . The clamping part  2  has an area  4  which is circularly curved around the axis  3 , wherein the radius of curvature basically corresponds to or is slightly larger than the radius of the cylindrical roller  1 , so that it can closely surround the roller. The clamping part  2  however is not a closed jacket, rather it is open enough at one end that by splaying, i.e., a slight elastic deformation by overcoming a resistance, a clamping and therefore the creation of a non-positive connection in the direction normal to the axis  3  can be actuated. When clamped on, the inner surface of the clamping part  2  rests on the roller  1  in an essentially form-fitting way.  
      The curved, shell-shaped area  4  of the clamping part  2  merges into an area  5  having a comb-shaped structure with at least two comb teeth  6 —four in the illustrated example. The comb teeth  6  protrude from the cylinder surface of an imaginary extension of the curved area  4  which completes the circle. For example, this can be executed in a way that the radius of curvature which is provided by the shell-shaped area  4  becomes increasingly bigger over the course of the comb teeth  6  or that the teeth stick out tangentially. Depending on the length, density and quality of hair an inflexion point may be provided at which the curvature reverses. In each case, the comb teeth shall make it possible to grasp the hair strands and enable the sliding on of the clamping part.  
      It would be conceivable that the comb teeth  6  are positioned differently than in the illustrated embodiment not normal to the axis  3 , but are aligned somewhat outwardly inclined to be able to completely grasp and bundle a wider strand of hair. It is also possible that the comb teeth already begin in the shell-shaped area  4  and only subsequently complete a change in curvature which leads to their protrusion.  
      In the illustrated embodiment the clamping part  2  has four comb teeth  6 , wherein both the outer teeth are longer than both of the inner teeth. Longer outer teeth make sure that the hair strands are first caught by the clamping part and only subsequently distributed to the individual comb teeth and taken along between them. More comb teeth can also be provided; however, at least two teeth are absolutely necessary.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cylindrical roller  1  also exhibits holes  7  at its end which serve to fix the hair curler at the base of the hair or at that place where a curl or permanent wave should begin, for example, via rods led through the holes. Other fastening devices can be used instead of holes, such as for example, a clip or a second clamping part which can be clipped on.  
      The handling of the hair curler according to the invention shall be briefly described in the following. First, the hair curler is applied to or fixed to a hair strand, preferably at the hair base. Next, the hair strand to be curled is wrapped once around the cylindrical roller. Afterwards, the clamping part is clipped onto the roller, namely exactly over the wound up hair strand, so that the strand of hair rests between the cylinder and the clamping part. By twisting the clamping part in the direction of the comb teeth tips (as shown with arrow  8  in  FIG. 1 ) the hair strand is increasingly grasped to the hair tips, pressed between the clamping part and the cylinder, and in this way rolled around the cylinder.  
      Depending on the form and size of the curls or permanent waves, the clamping part can be turned remaining constant around the roller, or it can be shifted along the roller during rotation, whereby the hair strand takes on a corresponding form by means of its spiral movement.  
      The hair clip is elastically deformable to facilitate clipping. Depending on the desired size of the curls the radius of the cylindrical roller part and of the corresponding clip can be selected differently. In further embodiments of the invention grooves may be provided in the roller which give the hair strands additional form and structure. These can extend spirally or circularly on the surface of the cylinder. However a smooth surface is preferred for particularly smooth waves.  
      Deviations from the cylinder shape of the roller are possible, thus a slightly curved roller, as long as the clamping part remains slidable along the roller. These embodiments are included in the formulation “essentially cylindrically shaped”.  
      The clamping part is preferably one piece; however it is by all means conceivable that the comb teeth are designed to be removable from the curved area  4  of the clamping part, thereby enabling an adaptation to various types of hair.  
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show a further variation of the invention, namely a hair roller  1  which includes two telescoping or retractable roller parts  1   a  and  1   b , wherein each roller part itself enables a rolling of hair. Both roller parts  1   a ,  1   b  are essentially cylindrically shaped, wherein the outer diameter of the inner roller part is approximately as big as the inner diameter of the outer roller part, so that both parts contact each other along their surfaces and have essentially no play in radial direction. The corresponding measurements can be dimensioned (for example, a slight size allowance for the inner roller part) such that there is a friction-tight engagement between the roller parts and the roller parts cannot fall apart by themselves; rather a certain force must be overcome to move the parts against each other. In this preferred embodiment it is important that the rollers are telescoping.  
      Such a roller can be used to make curls of various sizes. If smaller curls are wanted the roller part with a smaller diameter is pulled out of the surrounding outer roller part and a clamping part  2  with a corresponding inner diameter is clipped over the hair rolled onto the roller part and turned. For curls with bigger diameters the inner roller part is slid into the outer part and the hair is wound over the surface of the outer roller part.  
      Holes  7  are preferably provided at the ends of the roller  1   a ,  1   b  which serve for fixing the hair. The roller parts taper off conically at one of their ends to facilitate the fixing of hair to be rolled and especially to have the curl begin already at the hair base.  
      Naturally more than two rollers can be telescoping in order to provide several diameters for hair curls of various sizes in one single roller. Such a roller can also be designed, so that each roller part can be completely pulled out and removed from the roller part surrounding it. However, an axial stop can also be provided at the end which prevents the pulling out or taking apart of two adjacent roller parts.  
      In addition, locking mechanisms can be provided which enable an axial fixing of two roller parts relative to each other in a certain position. This can be effected for example by means of a spring-loaded pin which locks in a corresponding recess of the adjacent roller part or movable catches which prevent an axial relative movement when activated from outside. This is especially advantageous if a hair curl having a variable diameter should be rolled: for example at the hair base with a small diameter and with a larger diameter toward the hair tips. At the transition from a roller part with a smaller diameter to a roller part with a larger diameter it is only necessary to exchange the clamping part  2  and replace it with a part having a larger or smaller diameter.  
       FIG. 4  shows a variation in a pulled out position with an additional feature, namely an axially extending guide  9  into which a guiding element  10 , for example a bar or one or several pins, protruding at the outer surface of the inner roller part  1   b  clamps. Although both roller parts are axially telescoping, they cannot be turned relative to each other in this embodiment and are thus connected in a torque proof way around their joint axis. The outer roller part can be used as a handle in the process.  
      A single hair roller according to the invention features several options and variations for making hair curls as a result of the roller parts with various sizes. The coiffeur or hair designer merely has to choose the appropriate diameter and pull out the corresponding roller part or leave it sticking out.  
      The features described in connection with the simple roller can also naturally be transferred to the individual roller parts, such as for example the holes, deviations from the cylinder shape, etc.  
      In connection with the shape of the roller the general definition of a cylinder is referred to comprising a curve and a straight line in space. Taking all the parallels to the straight line which have one point in common with the curve, they form the cylinder surface. This general cylinder definition also applies to, for example, prisms. Thus, it is conceivable to use a prism-shaped roller part, for example with a preferably regular polygon, for example a hexagon, octagon as a base or directrix instead of a circular cylinder. The shape should however be such that the clamping part can be turned on the roller part without difficulties.  
      In a further embodiment of the invention the hair roller is composed of several roller parts. Thus, one can start to roll curls with one roller part and if it turns out that the hair strands are longer, an additional roller can be plugged into the first roller. This can be repeated as necessary.  FIG. 5  shows such an embodiment, wherein the diameter of both roller parts is equal. At least at one of their ends they have an area with a smaller diameter or a conically tapered off part in order to be plugged into the other tubular roller part and be held there in a friction tight engagement. The interlocking roller parts thus form an extended hair roller.  
      While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.