Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 479,334 filed on Sep. 05, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to inventions that include elements or attachments for hair devices and, more particularly, to a combination of a hair dryer with interchangeable brush attachments with a wall mountable mechanism for holding and retaining the device.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Personal hair styles are as unique as one&#39;s personality. In the world of hair styling, there are literally thousands of styles from which to choose. Those of us who have curly or wavy hair and wish to have a straight hair style are forced to spend time and energy straightening it out. One of the most common ways to accomplish this is by using a hair dryer and a brush by holding the hair straight while drying it. This requires the use of two hands and is somewhat tiring. Also, many times the hair must be re-wetted using a spray bottle. Since three hands are now required, the user must put down either the brush or hair dryer, thus taking more time.  
           [0006]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:  
           [0007]    The following patents disclose a stand for converting hand-held hair dryer to a chair-type unit.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,815 issued in the name of Wilson  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,203 issued in the name of Thomas  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,223 issued in the name of Fauteux  
           [0011]    The following patents describe the design and function of a hair styling brush attachment for hot air blow dryers.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,980 issued in the name of Kingsbury  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,135 issued in the name of Scivoletto  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. D 430,348 issued in the name of Moreno  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. D 421,508 issued in the name of Moreno  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. D 409,796 issued in the name of Moreno  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. D 386,816 issued in the name of Seifert  
           [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. D 354,152 issued in the name of Mathews  
           [0019]    Consequently, there is a need for a means by which those with curly hair can easily straighten their hair using a hair dryer in a manner which is quick, easy and efficient.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved hair blow dryer attachment for aiding in the straightening of hair.  
           [0021]    It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved hair blow dryer attachment that forms an air penetrable brush attachment that allows for the actions of brushing the hair and drying the hair simultaneously.  
           [0022]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric hair dryer with separate, but attachable wooden brush is provided. The cored, wooden brush snaps onto the hair dryer over the air output port. The invention is available with four different wooden brushes of varying bristle length to accommodate all types of hair. The invention is also supplied with a wall mounting wall bracket to allow the invention to be hung from the wall in the bathroom. A hanging hook located near the power cord entry point allows the invention to be hung from any handy hook. Finally, an integral spray bottle, which sprays water, allows for the invention to re-wet hair while drying to aid in the styling process.  
           [0023]    The use of the present invention allows one to easily care for almost any hair style, especially those which require straightening or removal of curls, in a manner which allows one to use only one hand in a simple and effortless manner. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a blow dryer with attachment according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of wall mounting wall bracket for use with the blow dryer and attachment of the present invention; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 5 a - 5   d  are front elevational views of alternate brush attachments for use within the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.  
         [0031]    1. Detailed Description of the Figures  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 2 , a hand held hair blow dryer apparatus  10  is shown, according to the present invention, having a linearly elongated grappling handle  12  aligned along the base of the lateral centerline of the dryer  10 . Extending from the handle  12  along the lateral centerline is a directional head  14  having an angularly disposed directional nozzle  16  directed perpendicularly from the lateral centerline. An air outlet port  18  is formed at the center of the nozzle  16  and is circumscribed by a peripheral rim  20 . The head  14  supports heating coils  22  and encloses a blower (not shown) as with an otherwise conventional hair blow dryer. A brush attachment  30  is attached about the peripheral rim  20  covering the air outlet port  18  and attached to the head  14  by a brush attachment means  32 . A power cord  24  extends from the handle  12  in a conventional fashion, and includes a hook grasping means  26  that will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIG. 3, the brush attachment  30  is shown in which a brush attachment base  34  is formed in a semi-cylindrical manner and supporting a plurality of attached bristles  36  extending outward therefrom in an aligned pattern. A plurality of air dispersion orifices  38  are formed penetrating the wall of the brush attachment base  34  an allow fluid communication of flowing air through the brush attachment means  32 . It is envisioned that various aligned patterns of bristle attachment can be used. Similarly, it is also envisioned that the air dispersion orifices  38  are spaced and patterned between attached bristles, such as to allow airflow outward between adjacent bristles. Finally, the brush attachment means  32  is shown herein as a series of tethers, affixed at each end to the brush attachment base  34  and designed to circumscribe the head  14  in a manner that forms a firm mechanical connection of the base  34  to the outer peripheral rim  20 . It is envisioned in this manner, the overall outer circumference of the base  34  would be flat and shaped generally similar to the shape of the air outlet port  18 . In this manner, the base  34  can form a continuous connection about the rim  20  to prevent blowby of forced air from the outlet port  18  and thereby forcing the air to be communicated through the air dispersion orifices  38 . Although a circumscribing tether is shown as an example embodiment of the attachment means  32 , it is anticipated and understood that one skilled in the art, in conjunction with the enclosed teachings, could form an alternate attachment means consistent with the features and functionalities of the present invention. By way of example, and not by limitation, such alternate attachment means can include mechanically impinged fasteners interlocking between the base  34  and the peripheral rim  20 .  
         [0034]    Finally, referring to FIG. 4, a wall mounting wall bracket  40  is shown for use with the blow dryer and attachment of the present invention. The bracket  40  forms a retainer housing  42  with a front face surface  44  that forms a concave dryer receiving cavity  46  and a brush receiving cavity  48 . The concave dryer receiving cavity  46  is shaped and formed such as to house and receive the hand held hair blow dryer apparatus  10 . Held in by either a frictional form fit or an impinging retention tab, a cord passage conduit  50  penetrating the housing into the concave dryer receiving cavity  46  allows the power cord  24  to hang free of the housing  42 . Similarly, a brush attachment receiving cavity  48  is formed in a concave fashion within the front face  44  and is shaped and formed such as to house and receive the brush attachment  30  by either a frictional form fit or an overextending impinging retention tab. Finally, it is anticipated that a pair of blade contacts  60  extend outward from the rear of the bracket  40 , and are provided for insertion into a conventional electrical power outlet. In this manner, at least one expansion electrical outlet  62 , supported by the side or front of the housing  42  can allow easy and convenient attachment of the power cord  30 . As such, it is envisioned that the blade contacts  60  are is electrical communication with the expansion electrical outlet  62 .  
         [0035]    Referring finally to FIGS. 5 a - 5   d , a series of alternate brush attachments  30  are shown. Each is intended as being interchangeably attached within the scope of the above disclosure. Although other attachments are envisioned, FIG. 5 a  shows a large round brush having an overall diameter of approximately 1.75 inches. FIG. 5 b  shows a medium round brush having an overall diameter of approximately 1.25 inches. FIG. 5 c  shows a small round brush having an overall diameter of approximately 0.75 inches. And, FIG. 5 d  shows a flattened brush having an flattened, curved outer surface.  
         [0036]    2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0037]    To use the present invention, the hand held hair blow dryer apparatus  10  is uses as one would an otherwise conventional hair blow dryer. By attaching the brush attachment  30  over the nozzle  16 , the user can combine the styling elements of directed, headed forced air with a brushing or combing means. Use of such a system in envisioned as allowing for convenient hair straitening for curly or wavy hair. Upon completion of use, both the hand held hair blow dryer apparatus  10  and brush attachment  30  are stored withing their respective cavities  46 ,  48  within the retainer housing  42  of the wall mounting bracket  40 .  
         [0038]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

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