US20170049206A1 - Heated hair curler with hinged hair grip and applicator handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprises implements, each including a body, a receptacle disposed on one end of the body and having a bore and an aperture formed through spaced apart wall portions of the receptacle, a clip pivotally attached to the elongated body, and a spring operable to bias the clip for a contact with the elongated body. An applicator handle includes a body having a hollow interior and an end thereof sized and shaped to fit the bore of the receptacle, a resilient member disposed within the hollow interior, a pair of pins upstanding on the ends of the resilient member and sized to be received within the aperture and two buttons engageable with the resilient member and mounted for a linear movement, the two buttons are manually operable to move the pins toward each other for a selective engagement or disengagement of the pins with the aperture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/206,172, filed Mar. 12, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/788,928 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference as is fully set forth herein. This application is related to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/004,793 filed by Applicant on Dec. 21, 2007 and published as US 2008-0210255 A1 on Sep. 4, 2008. Teaching of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/004,793 is incorporated into this document by reference thereto. This application is also related to a U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/449,616, entitled “Hair Styling Curler” and filed by the inventor of this invention on Mar. 15, 2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates, in general, to hair styling devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to hair styling curlers, curler applicator handles and curler cradles configured to heat curlers positioned therewithin.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• N/A
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
• N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• As is generally well known, hair curlers, either heated or unheated have been used extensively in styling one's hair with the use of applicator handle. However, it has been found that there is a need for an improved hair styling curler and applicator handle combination, particularly in the area of grasping and releasing the hair styling curler with the applicator handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention provides hair curling implements, applicator handle and a heating apparatus that define a system for styling hair of the user with heat provided by heated implements. In operation, the hair curling implements are seated onto the elongated members protruding from the apparatus and are heated for transferring the heat onto the hair of the user.
• In one embodiment, the invention provides a hair styling system. The hair styling system comprises one or more hair styling implements. Each implement includes an elongated body, a receptacle disposed on one end of the body and having a bore with an out-of-round cross-section in a plane transverse to a length of the elongated body and an aperture formed through spaced apart wall portions of the receptacle. A clip is pivotally attached to one of the elongated body and the receptacle. A spring is mounted in an abutting contact with an inner surface of the clip and operable to bias the clip for a contact with the elongated body. There is also an applicator handle that includes a body having a hollow interior and an end thereof sized and shaped to fit the bore of the receptacle. A U-shaped resilient member is disposed within the hollow interior. A pair of pins upstand on the ends of the U-shaped resilient member and are sized to be received within the aperture when the end of the body of the handle is inserted into the bore. There is also a pair of button-shaped members engageable with the U-shaped resilient member and mounted for a linear movement in a direction transverse to a length of the body of the applicator handle. The pair of button-shaped members are manually operable to move the pins toward each other for a selective engagement or disengagement with the apertures and selective engagement of the end with the bore or a removal therefrom.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
• It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a hair styling curler having a hinged grip portion.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling curler configured to receive and retain heat.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling curler configured to transfer heat to a strand of hair curled on a body thereof.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling curler having a connection with an applicator handle.
• A further object of the present invention is to provide an applicator handle configured to grasp heated hair styling curler and release such hair styling curler at a point of use.
• Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an applicator handle that is easy and convenient to use.
• An additional object of the present invention is to provide an applicator handle that includes a resilient gripping member.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having one or more heating elements disposed within a hollow interior of a housing and configured to transfer heat to vertically disposed elongated members partially extending past the exterior surface of the housing.
• A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to at least temporarily retain an applicator handle for hair styling curler on the exterior surface of the housing.
• In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair styling curler;
• FIG. 2 is a left end elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 3 is a right end elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 4 rear side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 5 front side elevation view thereof;
• FIG. 6 top planar view thereof;
• FIG. 7 bottom planar view thereof;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an applicator handle for use with hair styling curlers ofFIGS. 1-7;
• FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8, particularly illustrating engagement with the hair styling curlers ofFIGS. 1-7;
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8 and the hair styling curler ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of the applicator handle and the hair styling curler ofFIG. 10;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8, particularly illustrating a curler gripping member;
• FIG. 13 is a top planar view of an apparatus for heating hair styling curlers ofFIGS. 1-7;
• FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the apparatus ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 15 is a bottom planar view of the apparatus ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 16 illustrates elevation view of a distal end of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 17 illustrates a rear elevation view of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 18 illustrates elevation view of a proximal end of the applicator handle ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 19 illustrates one alternative form of an engagement between the hair styling curler and the applicator handle;
• FIG. 20 illustrates another alternative form of an engagement between the hair styling curler and the applicator handle;
• FIG. 21 illustrates a further alternative form of an engagement between the hair styling curler and the applicator handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
• The instant invention provides a hair styling system that comprises one or more hair styling curlers or implements, generally designated as100, and an applicator handle, generally designated as200.
• Reference is now made, toFIGS. 1-7, wherein there is shown a hair styling curler or implement100 configured to transfer heat to a strand of hair curled on a surface thereof. Moreover, the implement100 includes anelongated body110 having ahollow interior112 and a ring shaped cross-section in a plane transverse to a length of theelongated body110. Such ring shape cross-section defines a wall thickness of theelongated body110. Anannular abutment120 is disposed on anexterior surface118 of theelongated body110 generally at oneend114 thereof.
• Theelongated body110, in one form, is manufactured from plastic, ceramic or composite materials. Theelongated body110, in another form, is manufactured from a metal. Theannular abutment120 is preferably manufactured from plastic, ceramic or composite materials.
• There is also areceptacle130 disposed on an axiallyopposite end116 of theelongated body110 in axial alignment therewith. Thereceptacle130 has abore132 with an out-of round cross-section in the plane transverse to the length of theelongated body110. In a presently preferred embodiment, thereceptacle130 is illustrated as having a pair ofwall portions134 disposed in a parallel relationship with each other.Wall portions134 are formed by thebore132. Anaperture136 is formed through a thickness of eachwall portion134.
• Thereceptacle130 is preferably manufactured from plastic, ceramic or composite materials.
• A unitary clip orgrip140 has an elongatedfirst portion142 with an arcuate cross-section in the plane transverse to the length of theelongated body110. Thefirst portion142 is movable between a first position being disposed in a direct contact with theexterior surface112 of theelongated body110 or spaced apart therefrom by hair strands and a second position being inclined at an angle relative to the length of theelongated body110. Theunitary clip140 further includes asecond portion150 having an arcuate cross-section in the plane transverse to the length of theelongated body110 and in a plane parallel to the length of theelongated body110. Thesecond portion150 narrowing from aproximal end152 thereof to adistal end154 being spaced apart from thereceptacle130 and theelongated body110. Theunitary clip140 is pivotally attached, generally mediate first and second portions thereof, to eitherelongated body110 orreceptacle130 generally adjacent the axiallyopposite end116 of theelongated body110. Theunitary clip140 is preferably manufactured from metal.
• An optional soft andresilient grip member160 may be affixed to thedistal end154 of thesecond portion150 by way of acavity162 sized to receive suchdistal end154 therewithin either in a frictional manner, by way of adhesive (not shown) or being molded thereonto.
• There is also a pair ofelongated abutments164 disposed in a spaced apart relationship with each other on anexterior surface138 of thereceptacle130 in a general alignment with thefirst portion132 of theunitary clip130. Each of the pair ofelongated abutments164 having aspring aperture166 formed axially along a partial length thereof and can extend through entire length.
• Finally, aspring170 is positioned and configured to bias thefirst portion142 into the first position. Thespring170 includes a generallyspherical member172 positioned to abut aninner surface156 of thesecond portion150, a pair oflegs174 having proximal ends176 thereof extending from diametrically opposite points on the generallyspherical member172 and having distal ends178 thereof received withinspring apertures166 of the respectiveelongated abutments164, and one ormore coil portions180 defined between the proximal and distal end,176 and178 respectively of eachleg174.
• In operation, the hair strands of the user are curled (wrapped or coiled) around theexterior surface118 of theelongated body110 and are held/gripped in place by thefirst portion142 of theclip140 while the heat from thebody110 is being transferred to such curled hair strands. The user manually operates theclip140 in order to curl or release the curled hair strands by a pivoting motion enacted by thesecond portion150.
• Reference is now made, toFIGS. 8-12 and 16-18, wherein there is shown theapplicator handle200. Thehandle200 includes anelongated body210 having a generally closed hollow interior212. Theelongated body210 has a cross-section at a midpoint thereof being smaller than cross-section at eachend214,216 of theelongated body210. Furthermore, theelongated body210 may be provided by a pair of sections or halves joined together by any conventional techniques, such as fastening, molding, adhesives and the like.
• A pair ofmembers220 and222 are disposed in a spaced apart relationship with each other on anexterior surface218 of one end of theelongated body210, shown asproximal end214. The pair ofmembers220,222 are sized and configured to fit within thebore132 of thereceptacle130. The invention also contemplates that the pair ofmembers220,222 may be configured to a define a unitary construction
• Anaperture224 is formed through a thickness of theproximal end214 and being generally disposed between the pair ofmembers220,222.
• A resilient grippingmember230 is provided and has a generally U-shapedfirst portion232 thereof mounted within the hollow interior212 and having a pair ofsecond portions236 partially extending from thefirst portion232 through theaperture224 in theproximal end214 of theelongated body210 past theexterior surface218 thereof.
• There is a pair ofpins240, each extending outwardly from a respectivesecond portion236 generally perpendicular to the length of thehandle200. The pair ofpins240 are being disposed between the pair ofmembers220,222.Pins240 are sized and shaped to be received within theapertures136 of thereceptacle130. The pair ofmembers220,222 may be also provided as defining a unitary end of theapplicator handle200, for example when thebody210 is manufactured from a pair of halves.
• A pair of buttons or button-shapedmembers242 may be also provided with each of the pair ofbuttons242 having aninterior end244 thereof abutting an exterior surface of thefirst portion232 and having aportion246 thereof extending past an exterior surface of theelongated body210.
• In operation, depression of button shapedmembers242, upon a manual force applied thereto, causes the second portions or ends236 to collapse toward each other and further causes thepins240 to move toward each other, thus enabling a withdrawal of thepins240 from engagement withapertures136, and further allows themembers220,222 to be withdrawn from thebore132 of thereceptacle130. In a similar manner, depression ofbuttons242 causes thesecond portions236 to collapse toward each other thus allowing insertion of themembers220,222 into thebore132. Subsequent removal of the manual force and subsequent release of the button shapedmembers242 causes thefirst portion232 to spring back, due to the resiliency of the resilient grippingmember230, and further causes thepins240 to engage theapertures136, thus at least temporarily securing the implement100 on theapplicator handle200.
• Thus, the resilient grippingmember230 with the button shapedmembers242 essentially provide a manually operable means for selectively engaging the end of the applicator handle200 with thereceptacle130 of thehair styling curler100 or disengaging the end of the applicator handle200 therefrom.
• Applicator handle200 can be rested on a foot orsupport248 with or without the implement100.
• The presently preferred appearance of theapplicator handle200 defines a peripherally concave transition between the proximal anddistal ends214 and216 respectively and further defines a generally bulbousproximal end214 with a generallyplanar surface218. Thedistal end216 defines a generallyplanar surface217, as best shown inFIG. 10.
• Now in reference toFIGS. 13-15, therein is illustrated an optional apparatus, generally designated as250 for heating the hair styling implements100. Theapparatus250 includes ahousing260 having a generally closedhollow interior262 andexterior surfaces264 and266.
• One ormore heating elements270, for example such as conventional heating coils are disposed within thehollow interior262 and operatively coupled to a source of electrical power. The one ormore heating elements270 are configured to generate heat energy upon supply of electrical power thereto.
• Elongated members280 are provided and have afirst portion282 thereof disposed within thehollow interior262 in an operative coupling with the one ormore heating elements270 and having asecond portion284 thereof extending past thesurface266 of thehousing260, generally perpendicular thereto.
• Aswitch290 is manually operable from theexterior surface264 or266 of thehousing260 to selectively supply and discontinue supply of the electrical power to theelongated members280, whereby theelongated members280 radiate heat external to thehousing260 when theswitch290 is operable to supply the electrical power to one ormore heating elements270. Thus, eachelongated member280 functions as a heat transfer element to transfer heat energy from the one ormore heating elements270 to thebody110 of thehair styling curler100.
• Ahandle292 is disposed on theexterior surface266 of thehousing260. A cradle, defined by afirst member294 and a second member ortab296, is disposed on theexterior surface266 of thehousing260 and is configured to retain the applicator handle200 therewithin.
• A dome shapedcover298 may be provided and configured to selectively cover and uncover thesecond portions284 of theelongated members280.
• Implements100,applicator handle200 andapparatus250 define a system for styling hair of the user with heat provided byheated implements100.
• Receptacle130,members220,222 and grippingmember230 provide means for selectively gripping and releasing the implement100 that can be also defined by theelongated body110 and theclip140.
• Apparatus250 provides means for heating implements100 so that the heat can be then transferred to strands of user's hair curled on theelongated body110 and gripped or clipped in place with theclip140.
• In operation, theimplements100 are seated onto thesecond portions284 and are heated for transferring the heat onto the hair of the user. The user then uses thehandle200 to individually removeheated implements100 and support each implement100 during the curling effort. When the hair strand is curled about theperipheral surface118 of theelongated body110, the user presses the button-shapedmembers242 to disengage the applicator handle200 from the implement100. The process continues until the user used sufficient number ofimplements100.Implements100 can be returned into theapparatus250 and reseated onto thesecond portion284 either manually or by way of theapplicator handle200.
• Although the present invention has been shown in terms of the engagement between thehair styling curler100 and theapplicator handle200 by way ofmovable pins240 andapertures136, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that other releasable engagements may be applied in the instant invention.
• By way of one example ofFIG. 19, thepins240 are replaced by a pair ofspherical members300 disposed withincavities302 in theend242′ of theapplicator handle200 and are sized to engageapertures136. Thespherical members300 are biased by aspring304 for a reciprocal movement in adirection306.
• By way of another example ofFIG. 20, theapertures136 are replaced withgrooves310 sized to receive thepins240 therewithin. Embodiment ofFIG. 20 also allows to provide a round shape of thebore132, with thegrooves310 even being a continuous groove.
• It would be understood that the instant invention is contemplated to at least significantly reduce if not eliminate in its entirety a contact with the heatedhair curling rollers100 during removal of such heatedhair curling rollers100 from theheating elements280 and during disengagement of theapplicator handle200 after the strand of hair has been curled around theperipheral surface118 of thebody110.
• However, the instant invention allows for the user to grasp thegrip140, which is generally unheated, during disengagement of theapplicator handle200 after the strand of hair has been curled around theperipheral surface118 of thebody110, and further allows different engagement arrangements between thehair styling curler100 and theapplicator handle200, even when thereceptacle130 is sized to be received within theend242″ of theapplicator handle200, as it is shown by way of a further example inFIG. 21, wherein theend242″ is adapted with abore320 havingapertures322 formed through walls of the now partiallyhollow end242″ and wherein thereceptacle130 may be adapted with the arrangement ofFIG. 19.
• Furthermore, in applications when the user is to grasp thegrip140, theends220,242 may be configured to frictionally engage thebore132 of thereceptacle130, for example in a manner when such ends220,242 are manufactured from a resilient material, thus eliminating the need forapertures136 and the resilient grippingmember230 of theapplicator handle200. Or, alternatively, thereceptacle130 may be configured without thebore130 to fit thebore230 ofFIG. 21 sufficiently to provide means for transferring thehair styling curler100 from theapparatus250 to a location of use.
• It will be further understood that thehousing260 may be provided in different shapes and sizes to accommodate desired number of hair curling implements100.
• Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1-16. (canceled)

17. An applicator handle for hair styling implement(s), comprising:

a body comprising a generally closed hollow interior and a pair of apertures, each aperture formed through a wall thickness of said body;

a pair of members disposed in a spaced apart relationship with each other on an exterior surface of one end of said body;

an aperture formed through a thickness of said one end between said pair of members;

a resilient member having a generally U-shaped first portion thereof mounted within said hollow interior and having a pair of second portions partially extending from said first portion through said aperture in said one end of said body past said exterior surface thereof;

a pair of pins, each of said pair of pins extending outwardly from a respective second portion of said resilient member generally perpendicular to said length of said body, said pair of pins being disposed between said pair of spaced-apart members; and

a pair of buttons, each of said pair of buttons having an interior surface thereof abutting an exterior surface of said first portion of said resilient member and having a second portion thereof extending, through a respective aperture from said pair of apertures, past an exterior surface of said body.

18. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, wherein said pair of members disposed in said spaced apart relationship with each other are sized to engage a bore within a receptacle of a hair styling implement and wherein said pair of pins are sized and positioned to selectively engage or disengage apertures or groves in spaced apart walls of the receptacle defined by the bore when said pair of spaced apart members are inserted into the bore during use of said applicator handle.

19. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, wherein each of said pair of pins extends outwardly from a respective end of said U-shaped resilient member and in a direction generally perpendicular to said length of said body.

20. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, wherein one of said pair of members comprises a curved surface.

21. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, wherein said body comprises a cross-section at a midpoint thereof being smaller than a cross-section at each end of said body.

22. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, wherein said body comprises a pair of sections or halves joined together by one of fastening, molding, and adhesive.

23. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, further comprising a housing and cradle disposed on an exterior surface of said housing.

24. The applicator handle ofclaim 23, wherein said cradle comprises a tab and an elongated member positioned in a vertical spaced apart relationship with said tab, said cradle being configured to retain therewithin said body if said applicator handle.

25. The applicator handle ofclaim 17, further comprising a support disposed on said exterior surface of said body adjacent said one end thereof, said support configured to rest said body thereon.

26. An applicator handle for hair styling implement(s) with a receptacle having a bore defining spaced-apart wall portions and apertures formed through the spaced apart wall portions of the receptacle or grooves in said wall portions, said applicator handle comprising:

a body comprising a hollow interior and a pair of members disposed in a spaced apart relationship with each other on an exterior surface of an end of said body and being sized and shaped to fit into the bore of the receptacle;

a U-shaped resilient member disposed within said hollow interior;

a pair of pins upstanding on ends of said U-shaped resilient member between said pair of spaced apart members and being sized to be received within the apertures when said pair of spaced apart members are inserted into said bore; and

a pair of button members engageable with said U-shaped resilient member and mounted for linear movement in a direction transverse to a length of said body of said applicator handle, said pair of button members are manually operable to move said ends of said U-shaped resilient member toward each other for a selective engagement or disengagement of said one end with the bore and for a selective engagement or disengagement of said pair of pins with the apertures or the grooves.

27. The applicator handle ofclaim 26, wherein each of said pair of button members has an interior surface thereof abutting an exterior surface of said U-shaped resilient member and has an exterior portion thereof extending, through an aperture in a wall thickness of said body, past an exterior surface of said body.

28. The applicator handle ofclaim 26, wherein each of said pair of pins extends outwardly from a respective end of said U-shaped resilient member and in a direction generally perpendicular to said length of said body.

Images