Abstract:
A hair curling apparatus provides a frame having an open center that includes a frame (preferably rectangular or square) having an open center, the frame having preferably lateral sides, but at least a lower surface that is shaped (as arcuately) to conform generally to the head of a user and an upper surface that provides a plurality of receptacles thereon which receives one or more hair curlers. A plurality of rollers may removably attach to the frame, the roller occupying the open center of the frame. Each roller has opposed end portions that engage receptacles on the frame when the roller is attached thereto. A majority of the length of each roller occupies the open center during use. Preferably, the rollers also exhibit a curved or arcuate profile in one longitudinal plane such that they also conform to the head of the user when the rollers are inserted into the frame. The curlers can be selectively oriented either longitudinally or laterally upon the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/264,146, filed Jan. 25, 2001. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hair curling devices and more particularly to an improved hair curling apparatus that features a specifically configured frame having an open center portion that is receptive of a plurality of curler rollers, the end portions of the curlers having locking members that interlock with the frame at selected positions on the frame. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Hair curler devices have commonly been used to curl the hair of a user when left in place over a period of time. However, such curlers are typically uncomfortable for a user if left in the user&#39;s hair for a long period of time such as when sleeping. 
     One of the most common types of curling devices is a single curler having an attachment that spans between the ends of the curler to strap the user&#39;s hair in place. Such a self supporting single curler is shown in the Smith U.S. Pat. No. 365,449 entitled “Hair Curler”. 
     Some individual hair curlers have straps or bands that grip the hair and hold it against the curler roller, once the hair is fully rolled on the curling roller. An example can be see in the Gosewisch U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,356 entitled “Hair Waver”. In that patent, the curler provides a core wrapped with a cover of paper, fabric, leather or a synthetic pliable material. An elastic band extends from end to end of the body of the device and is secured at each end by a wrapping which also pinches the covering material to close the ends of the core. 
     The Buchanan U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,225 discloses an appliance that is said to prevent frizzling and kinking of hair during permanent waving operation. 
     The Hildreth U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,754 discloses a permanent wave accessory, including a base implement for pre-sectioning of hair, the base implement being comfortable to the scalp contour and positionable in a spaced apart relation from the scalp; roller means for receiving hair as pre-sectioned by the base implement, such roller means being axially deformable in accordance with the scalp contour as assumed by the base implement; and means for mounting the roller means side-by-side along the base implement and which may cooperatively interact with the roller means for maintaining the roller means at a given position of rotation as interconnected therewith. 
     In the Beier U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,375, there is disclosed an elongated, cylindrical hair curling roller comprised of polyester fibers adhesively secured together so that the roller will yieldably retain its cylindrical shape and density. Preferably, the fibers are coated with a latex material which binds the fibers together. 
     In the Wiggin U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,160 there is disclosed a hair curling rod assembly consisting of an elongated hollow rod molded of thermoplastic material and having one closed end and an opposite open end. The open end of the rod has a cylindrical opening and the closed end of the rod has an axial hole in the center of its closed end. A hair tress-fastening cord of stretchable elastomeric material passes through the axial hole at the closed end of the rod with the end of the cord lying within the hollow rod being knotted so as to secure it within the rod. 
     The Vogelzang et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,323 discloses a hair curler comprising a roller and a support therefor. The support includes jaws which permit the roller to slide along between an entrance position in which the roller is freely rotatable, and a grasping position which permits final adjustment of hair tension on the roller. The support includes a comb, and hair tension locks the comb in position on the scalp. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,187 there is provided a hair roller that provides for the use of a cylindrical tube rolled from a rectangular perforated sheet of flexible material. The sheet has an outer edge which overlaps a portion of the tube. The tube has a pair of opposing transverse edges, each of which is engaged within a spiral groove formed in opposing caps. The caps are rotationally mounted on an elongated shaft, such that rotation of the disks causes advancement of the transverse edges within the spiral groove, changing the diameter of the outer tube, as desired. An indicia on the outer surface of one or two caps allows to select the diameter of the tube when rotating the caps. The shaft has slotted projections on opposing ends with one or both of which an elongated resilient band is engaged. 
     Most of these prior art patents relate to single roller constructions rather than to a frame that is fitted to the head of a user and which accepts one or more rollers that removably attach to the frame. One patent does disclose a frame with closely spaced partitions that define close spacing for segments of hair. The present invention provides a frame that allows horizontal and vertical rollers of different sizes to be fitted thereto because there is no separating parts to partition the hair. There is therefore a greater flexibility in roller placement and in the amount of hair that can go to a selected roller. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention thus provides an improved hair curling apparatus that includes a frame (preferably rectangular or square) having an open center, the frame having preferably lateral sides, but at least a lower surface that is shaped (as arcuately) to conform generally to the head of a user and an upper surface that provides a plurality of receptacles thereon. 
     A plurality of rollers are provided that removably attach to the frame, the roller occupying the open center of the frame. Each roller has opposed end portions that engage receptacles on the frame when the roller is attached thereto. A majority of the length of each roller occupies the open center during use. Preferably, the rollers also exhibit a curved or arcuate profile in one longitudinal plane such that they also conform to the head of the user when the rollers are inserted into the frame. 
     The frame is preferably of a soft material such as foam, rubber, or soft plastic, enabling a user to sleep while the frame is in place. While sleeping, it rolls her hair. 
     At least the underside of the frame can be made of a flexible material that conforms to the contours of the user&#39;s head. 
     The frame can be any selected shape but is preferably rectangular or square. 
     The frame open center can be any shape but is preferably rectangular or square. 
     The rollers are removably attachable to the frame and preferably in parallel fashion so that a number of closely spaced apart rollers can be attached to the frame, each one generally parallel to the one next to it. 
     The frame preferably provides receptacles thereon that enable rollers to be attached to the frame in various positions as selected by a user. 
     The frame preferably has a first pair of generally parallel side walls and a second pair of generally parallel side walls. 
     The frame preferably provides receptacles on the side walls of the frame. Receptacles can be provided that enable the rollers to be placed side-by-side and can be parallel if desired. 
     The method of the present invention includes the providing of a frame that can be fitted to the head of a user, the frame having a generally open center through which a portion of the user&#39;s hair can be passed and then fitted with a roller. The method contemplates the curling of a selected lock of hair that has passed through the open center of the frame to a selected roller. The rollers can include rollers of different sizes (such as different diameters), enabling a user flexibility in the amount of hair that can be rolled to a particular roller. The rollers can be of a cylindrical core of foam or soft rubber covered with fabric. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial, bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the frame portion; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the frame portion; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial end view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a part of the frame and a plurality of rollers; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a portion of the frame and some of the receptacles that receive rollers as attached thereto; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating one form of roller that can be attached to the frame; 
     FIG. 8 is another partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an additional construction for a roller that can be attached to the frame; 
     FIG. 9 is another partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating yet another roller construction that can be attached to the frame; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an attachment of a roller to the frame; and 
     FIGS. 11-13 are sectional fragmentary views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating attachment of a roller to the frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-2 show generally the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Hair curling apparatus  10  includes a frame  11  that can be fitted to the head  31  of a user  30 , conforming generally to the user&#39;s scalp  32 . 
     The frame  11  provides an open center portion  16  through which a portion of the user&#39;s hair  33  can be extended. A selected portion of the hair  33  can then be curled upon a selected roller. For example, in FIG. 1, a portion of the user&#39;s hair  33  has passed through the open center portion  16  and then divided into four locks of hair, each lock wound or curled upon a roller  34  (or  44  or  57 —see FIGS.  1  and  5 - 9 ). 
     One of the advantages of the present invention is that different types of rollers  34 , 44 ,  57  and rollers of differing diameters can be used with the frame  11 , enabling the user to curl a selected portion of hair  33  upon a selected roller. 
     Frame  11  can be comprised of a plurality of walls or a single peripheral wall. In the preferred embodiment, the frame  11  is generally rectangular or square in shape, providing walls  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . Each of the walls  12 - 15  has an upper surface. The wall  12  has upper surface  17 , wall  13  providing upper surface  18 , wall  14  providing upper surface  19  and wall  15  providing upper surface  20 . Likewise, each of the walls  12 - 15  provides a respective lower surface  21 - 24  as shown in the drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 4, frame  11  as viewed laterally includes curved or generally arcuate opposite walls  12 ,  14  and  13 ,  15  (FIG.  1 ), such that frame  11  readily conforms to the head of the user. 
     The frame  11  has a plurality of combs  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  that are mounted on the underside of the frame as shown in FIG.  3 . The combs  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  are mounted in spaced apart relationship, such as for example, at the corners of the frame  11  as shown in FIG.  3 . These combs enable a user to anchor the frame  11  to the user&#39;s hair  33 . 
     Frame  11  provides a plurality of attachment portions that are receptive of a corresponding attachment portion on the end of a roller. In the preferred embodiment, this attachment portion on the frame can be in the form of a receptacle  29  (see FIGS. 2,  3  and  10 - 13 ). In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle  29  is in the form of a socket that communicates with the upper surfaces  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20  respectively of the walls,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . 
     A plurality of rollers can preferably be removably attached at selected positions to frame  11  as shown in FIGS.  2  and  10 - 13 . In FIGS. 5-9, the rollers are shown more particularly and can include different roller configurations such as the roller  34  shown in FIG. 7, the roller  44  shown in FIG. 8, or the roller  57  shown in FIG.  9 . 
     In FIG. 7, roller  34  includes a cylindrically shaped body  35  having an outer surface  36 . It is preferable that outer surface  36  be of a smooth texture with respect to the hair such that the air does not catch or cling to the surface  36 . Should the roller body be constructed of such as a foamed rubber or plastic, the smooth surface may be achieved by covering body  35  with a slick material such as satin. A pair of end plates  37 ,  38  can be fastened to cylindrically shaped body  34 , each plate  37 ,  38  having a connecting portion for connecting to a receptacle that is comprised of stem  39  and ball  40  (or stem  41  and ball  42 ). A selected portion of hair  33  of the user  30  can be placed under band  43  (see arrow  64 ) as shown in FIG. 7 so that the hair  33  is secured to the roller  34  as shown by the arrow  64  in FIG.  7 . Once the lock of hair  33  is secured with band  43 , the user then curls the hair  33  about the roller cylindrically shaped body  35  and connects the opposing ball  40 ,  42  and stem  39 ,  41  portions to selected opposed receptacles  29  on frame  11  such as is shown in FIG.  2 . 
     For example, in FIG. 2 there are two rollers  34  schematically illustrated in phantom lines, each having connected end portions that include a stem  39  and ball  40  and an additional stem  41  and ball  42 . In FIG. 2, two of the rollers  34  are shown in phantom lines connected to receptacles  29  at wall  12  and to wall  14 . FIG. 2 illustrates selective placement of one or more rollers  34  spanning between wall  12  and wall  14 . In FIG. 2, there is also a schematic illustration of roller placement (in phantom lines) spanning from wall  13  to wall  15 . Thus, a selected roller such as any of the rollers shown in FIGS. 5-9 can be placed in either a longitudinal direction, spanning between walls  12  and  14 , or in a transverse direction spanning between walls  13  and  15 . In the direction that spans between walls  12  and  14  in FIG. 2, there are four receptacles  29  at each of the walls  12 ,  14 , thus defining four different positions for a selected roller  34 ,  44 ,  57 . Either one, two, three or four rollers could be spanned between walls  12  and  14 . 
     It should also be noted that in a preferred form of the invention, as also illustrated in FIG. 7, roller  34  along its longitudinal axis connecting opposing stems  39 ,  41  and balls  40 ,  42  is arcuate to a degree generally equal to the profile of frame  11  (illustrated in FIG.  4 ). By providing an arcuate longitudinal axis for rollers  34 , they may be aligned in frame  11  so as to better conform to the head of the user than prior hair curling apparatus. Further improving the ability of the roller  34  to conform to the head of the user is the fabrication of the roller  34  of resilient materials such that it too may bend and adopt the profile of the user&#39;s head when roller  34  is installed into frame  11 . 
     Alternatively, if a user selects a transverse direction for the rollers, there are five receptacles  29  on each of the walls  13  and  15  as shown in FIG.  2 . In a transverse direction, the frame  11  can receive one, two, three, four or five rollers spanning between walls  13  and  15  though only one roller is illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Roller  44  is shown in FIG. 8 as including a cylindrically shaped body  45  having outer surface  46 . As with roller  34 , the cylindrically shaped body  45  has end plates  47 ,  48  each having a stem and ball that define a connector for attaching to a receptacle  29 . The end plate  47  has stem  49  and ball  50 . The end plate  48  has stem  51  and ball  52 . 
     In FIG. 8, a sheet  53  of material such as a fabric material is provided that can be rolled about the cylindrically shaped body  45  as shown by arrow  56 . The sheet  53  has strips  54  of loop material whereas the outer surface  46  of the cylindrically shaped body  45  has strips  55  of hook material. Such a hook and loop or Velcro® attachment enables the sheet  53  to be wrapped about the roller cylindrically shaped body  45 , holding a length of hair  33  in between the sheet  53  and the outer surface  46  of the roller body  45 . 
     In FIG. 9, the roller  57  has a cylindrically shaped body  58  with an outer surface  59 . 
     Each of the end plates  60 ,  61  provides an attachment  62 ,  63  respectively. Each attachment  62 ,  63  can be comprised of a stem and ball as with the roller shown in FIGS. 7-8 and  10 - 13 . 
     A fabric cover  71  envelopes most of the outer surface  59  of cylindrically shaped body  58  as shown in FIG.  9 . Fabric cover is preferably of a satin or satin-like smooth material, against which the hair will slide and not catch or snag. Certain types of hair are known to be more brittle than others, and I have found that the inclusion of such as a satin cover over the roller  34  outer surface  59  to be a material improvement in the overall performance of curler apparatus  10 , particular if worn for prolonged periods of time. A gap  72  enables a selected length of user&#39;s hair  33  to be inserted into the space that is formed in between fabric cover  71  and outer surface  59  of cylindrically shaped body  58 . Arrow  65  schematically illustrates the placement of hair  33  into slot  72  and about the outer surface  59  of roller body  58 . In a preferred embodiment of the roller 34  of FIG. 9, fabric  71  may completely encircle the roller body  58 , similar to the sheet  53  and be permanently secured to the end plates  60 , 61  by such as and adhesive, or by such as entrapping the edge of fabric  71  under the cylindrical edges of end plates  60 , 61  whereby opening  72  is formed by the end edge of the fabric  71  overlapping the adjacent layer of fabric  71 , forming a slot allowing the hair  33  to be inserted therein. 
     FIG. 5 shows a plurality of rollers  34 ,  44 ,  57  in position and after hair  33  of a selected length have been wrapped about each of the rollers as discussed with respect to FIGS. 7,  8  and  9 . 
     In FIGS. 10-13, the locking arrangement of each of the rollers  34 ,  44 ,  57  is shown with the ball  40  fitting into receptacle  29 . The receptacle  29  preferably provides side walls  69 ,  70  each having a flange  66 . Flanges  66  are spaced apart a distance defined by gap  67  in FIG.  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the ball  40  has a diameter  68  that is larger than the gap  67  between flanges  66 . However, the flanges  66  can be of a pliable or deformable material such as rubber, foam or plastic so that they displace or deflect as shown in FIG. 13, enabling the ball  40  to travel in the direction of arrow  73  until it enters a receptacle  29  and reaches the position shown in FIG.  13 . In the position shown in FIG. 13, the flanges  66  can act as a retainer to prevent removal of a roller  34 ,  44 ,  57  until it is forcibly removed by the user. 
     Parts List 
     The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 hair curling apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 frame 
               
               
                 12 
                 wall 
               
               
                 13 
                 wall 
               
               
                 14 
                 wall 
               
               
                 15 
                 wall 
               
               
                 16 
                 open center 
               
               
                 17 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 18 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 19 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 20 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 21 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 22 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 23 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 24 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 25 
                 comb 
               
               
                 26 
                 comb 
               
               
                 27 
                 comb 
               
               
                 28 
                 comb 
               
               
                 29 
                 receptacle 
               
               
                 30 
                 user 
               
               
                 31 
                 user&#39;s head 
               
               
                 32 
                 scalp 
               
               
                 33 
                 hair 
               
               
                 34 
                 roller 
               
               
                 35 
                 cylindrically shaped body 
               
               
                 36 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 37 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 38 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 39 
                 stem 
               
               
                 40 
                 ball 
               
               
                 41 
                 stem 
               
               
                 42 
                 ball 
               
               
                 43 
                 band 
               
               
                 44 
                 roller 
               
               
                 45 
                 cylindrically shaped body 
               
               
                 46 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 47 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 48 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 49 
                 stem 
               
               
                 50 
                 ball 
               
               
                 51 
                 stem 
               
               
                 52 
                 ball 
               
               
                 53 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 54 
                 strip 
               
               
                 55 
                 strip 
               
               
                 56 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 57 
                 roller 
               
               
                 58 
                 cylindrically shaped body 
               
               
                 59 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 60 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 61 
                 end plate 
               
               
                 62 
                 attachment 
               
               
                 63 
                 attachment 
               
               
                 64 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 65 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 66 
                 flange 
               
               
                 67 
                 gap 
               
               
                 68 
                 diameter 
               
               
                 69 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 70 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 71 
                 fabric cover 
               
               
                 72 
                 gap 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims: