Abstract
A clip-on heat shield for use on a hair gathering accessory, such as a comb, is configured to be attached to the body of the hair gather accessory at a back edge of the hair gathering accessory. A void at an engagement edge of the clip-on heat shield is configured to frictionally engage the back edge of the hair gathering accessory to retain the clip-on heat shield on the hair gathering accessory.
Claims
1. A clip-on heat shield for use with a hair gathering accessory, comprising: a heat resistant portion having a distal edge, and an engagement edge opposite the distal edge; the engagement edge having a “C” shaped void that runs a length of the heat resistant portion and configured to fit over, and frictionally engage a back of a hair gathering accessory; and wherein the “C” shaped void is formed by a “C” shaped clip disposed in the engagement edge, and the heat resistant portion is overmolded over the “C” shaped clip.
2. The clip-on heat shield of claim 1, wherein the “C” shaped clip has a first end and a second end at the engagement edge, and wherein a spring property of the ‘C” shaped clip resists deflection of the first and second ends.
3. The clip-on heat shield of claim 1, wherein the “C” shaped clip is made of plastic.
4. The clip-on heat shield of claim 1, wherein the heat resistant portion is silicone.
5. The clip-on heat shield claim 1, wherein the heat resistant portion tapers from a thickest section adjacent the engagement edge to the distal edge.
6. The clip-on heat shield of claim 1, wherein a width from the engagement edge to the distal edge is between three quarters of an inch to two inches.
7. A clip-on heat shield configured to fit on a back edge of a comb, comprising: a heat resistant portion comprised of silicone having an engagement edge in which a “C” shaped void is formed along a length of the heat shield, the heat resistant portion further having a distal edge opposite the engagement edge; and wherein the “C” shaped void is configured to fit over the back edge of the comb and frictionally engage the back edge of the comb to retain the heat shield on the back edge of the comb, and wherein the “C” shaped void is formed by a “C” shaped clip disposed in the engagement edge, and the heat resistant portion is overmolded over the “C” shaped clip.
8. The clip-on heat shield of claim 7, wherein the “C” shaped clip has a first end and a second end at the engagement edge, and wherein a spring property of the ‘C” shaped clip resists deflection of the first and second ends.
9. The clip-on heat shield of claim 7, wherein the “C” shaped clip is made of metal having a spring property.
10. The clip-on heat shield of claim 7, wherein the heat resistant portion tapers from a thickest section adjacent the engagement edge to the distal edge.
11. The clip-on heat shield of claim 10, wherein the thickest section is located between a back of the “C” shaped void and the engagement edge.
12. A clip-on heat shield for use with a comb having a back edge, comprising: a heat resistant portion having a distal edge, and an engagement edge opposite the distal edge; the engagement edge having a “C” shaped void that runs a length of the heat resistant portion and is configured to fit over, and frictionally engage a back edge of a comb; the heat resistant portion having a thickest section adjacent the engagement edge and having opposite sides that are flat from the thickest section to the distal edge, and wherein a thickness of the heat resistant portion decreases from the thickest portion to the distal edge.
13. The clip-on heat shield of claim 12, wherein the “C” shaped void is narrower at a bottom opening of the “C” shaped void than at a top of the “C” shaped void.
14. The clip-on heat shield of claim 12, wherein the “C” shaped void is formed by a “C” shaped clip disposed in the engagement edge, and the heat resistant portion is overmolded over the “C” shaped clip.
15. The clip-on heat shield of claim 14, wherein the “C” shaped clip has a first end and a second end at the engagement edge, and wherein a spring property of the ‘C” shaped clip resists deflection of the first and second ends.
16. The clip-on heat shield of claim 14, wherein the “C” shaped clip is made of plastic.
17. The clip-on heat shield of claim 12, wherein the heat resistant portion is silicone.
18. The clip-on heat shield of claim 12, wherein a width from the engagement edge to the distal edge is between three quarters of an inch to two inches.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(6) FIG. 5 is a view of a disassembled hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(7) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional end view of a body of a hair gathering accessory, in accordance with some embodiments;
(8) FIG. 7 is a cross section end view of a heat shield for use with a hair gathering accessory, in accordance with some embodiments;
(9) FIG. 8 is a view of a disassembled hair gathering accessory having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments;
(10) FIG. 9 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield and a full comb, in accordance with some embodiments;
(11) FIG. 10 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield in an embodiment that includes a brush, in accordance with some embodiments;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a person using a hair gathering accessory having a heat shield with a hair iron, in accordance with some embodiments;
(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heat shield for use with a hair gathering accessory, in a clip-on form factor, in accordance with some embodiments;
(14) FIG. 13 is an end view of a heat shield for use with a hair gathering accessory, in a clip-on form factor, in accordance with some embodiments; and
(15) FIG. 14 is a view of a heat shield for use with a hair gathering accessory, in a clip-on form factor, being assembled onto a comb, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(16) While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
(17) The present invention provides a novel and efficient hair gathering accessory having a heat shield to allow the use of a hair iron on a portion of a person's hair, where the heat shield that is integrally coupled, connected, or formed with the hair gathering accessory protect the person from the heat of the hair iron and inadvertent contact between the hair iron and the person's skin, which could otherwise cause a painful (or worse) burn. Some embodiments are configured in the form of a comb device, while other embodiments are configured in the form of a brush device.
(18) FIGS. 1-4 represent substantially similar embodiments, and use the same reference numerals to refer to similar or the same structure. The hair gathering accessory in each of FIGS. 1-4 can be the same hair gathering accessory. As used here, a hair gathering accessory is a device or structure that uses tines, teeth, bristles, or other similar structures to engage a portion of a person's hair, thereby gathering the portion of the person's hair so that the person, or another person, can apply a treatment to the gathered portion of hair, such as applying a hair iron to the gathered portion of hair. Combs and brushes are often used in this manner to gather hair, and can further be used to comb/brush the hair.
(19) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory 100 having a heat shield, in accordance with some embodiments. In particular the hair gathering accessory 100 is shown in the form of a comb device. FIGS. 2-4 show an isometric perspective view, an end view, and an exploded plan view of the hair gathering accessory 100, respectively, in accordance with some embodiments. The hair gathering accessory 100 includes a handle 102 that extends from a body 104 along an elongated direction away from the body 104, and is configured to be gripped by a person. The body 104 and handle 102 can be integrally formed of the same material, such as a thermoplastic that is molded into the desired shape. The body 104 extends from the handle 102 to the opposite end 106 of the body 104 from the handle 102. Along one side of the body 104 are a plurality of tines 108 or similar structures for engaging a portion of a person's hair. The tines 108 can likewise be integrally formed with the body 104 and can take the form of teeth, bristles, or similar structures, as are known. As shown in FIGS. 104, the tines 108 provided in the form of comb teeth that are all of about equal length and having regular spacing and equivalent thickness/width.
(20) Opposite the tines 108 is a heat shield 110 that is coupled to the body 104. The heat shield 110 can be formed of a heat resistant material that is more flexible than the material used to form the handle 102, body 104, and tines 108. For example, the heat shield 110 can be formed of silicone rubber such as that commonly used in cooking implements. In order to retain the heat shield 110 on the body 104, the heat shield 110 can be overmolded onto a retention feature 112 that can be an extension on a spine of the body 104. As used herein, the term “overmolded” means that a material is integrally conformed over, and coupled with, an underlying structure to create a unitary article comprising two or more different materials. Typically the material formed over the underlying structure is a moldable material. The retention feature 112 will be inside a portion of the heat shield 110, and through holes or openings 114 in the retention feature allow the material of the heat shield 110 to pass through the retention feature 112, fixing the heat shield onto the retention feature 112 permanently. The base 116 of the heat shield 110 abuts the body 104 along the length of the body 104. The edge 118 of the heat shield is opposite the base 116, and in some embodiments can have a width in the range of 0.75-1.5 inches, and more or less in other embodiments. The material of the heat shield 110 can be colored, translucent, or opaque. The heat shield 110 further can have a length along the edge 118 parallel to the body that is substantially equal to a length spanned by the tines 108.
(21) In FIG. 4 the heat shield 110 is shown apart from the body 104 for exemplary purposes only. This is not to imply that the specific embodiment represented by FIGS. 1-4 are assemble as separate pieces, but rather to show the detail of the retention feature 112 and openings 114 without the heat shield 110 obscuring the view of these features. However, in some embodiments, the heat shield 110 can be provided as a separate piece that is attached to the body 104 such as by an adhesive, or by mechanical means.
(22) FIG. 5 is a view of a disassembled hair gathering accessory 500 having a heat shield 510, in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, embodiments represented by FIG. 5, the heat shield 510 is retained on the body 504 by mechanical means. The hair gathering accessory 500 includes a handle 502 coupled to the body 504 and extending away from the body 504. The body further comprises a plurality of tines 508 that are uniformly arranged on one side of the body 504 between the end of the handle 502 and the end 506 of the body 504. The body 504 includes a longitudinal retaining groove 512 into which a corresponding retaining flange 514 on the base of the heat shield 510 fits by sliding the retaining flange 514 into and along the retaining groove 512 as indicated by arrow 516. FIGS. 6 and 7 show cross sectional end view taken along line AA and BB, respectively, to show the detail of the retaining groove 512 and retaining flange 514.
(23) FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional end view of the body of the hair gathering accessory, include a tine 508 that extends from a body 504 of the hair gathering accessory. A retaining groove 512 is formed as a channel along the body 504, opening at the end 506 of the body 504. The retaining groove 512 is formed with a wider portion in the body 504 that creates an interior shoulder 602 next to a narrower portion of the channel. An exterior shoulder 604 is formed on the outside of the body 504 along both sides of the channel. FIG. 7 shows an cutaway end view of a heat shield having a retaining flange 514 that interfaces with the retaining groove 512, and has a cross sectional shape that corresponds to the cross sectional shape of the retaining groove 512. Specifically, the retaining flange 514 forms an interior shoulder 702 that interfaces with interior should 602 of the retaining groove 512 to create a mechanical interference that retains the heat shield 510 in the retaining groove 512. The heat shield 510 can also include an exterior shoulder 704 that interfaces with the exterior should 604 of the retaining groove 512 to form a smooth transition from the body 504 to the heat shield 510. Other equivalent arrangements of such tongue and groove retention configurations can be used, as will occur to those skilled in the art.
(24) FIG. 8 is a view of a disassembled hair gathering accessory 800 having a heat shield 810, in accordance with some embodiments. The hair gather accessory 800 can be provided in the same form factor as that shown in FIGS. 1-5, but uses an alternative structure to retain the heat shield 810 into the body 804. Accordingly, the hair gathering accessory 800 includes an elongated handle 802 that extends from the body 804 and is configured to be grasped by a person while operating or using the hair gathering accessory 800. The body has a plurality of tines 808 that extend away from the body and which are configured to engage a portion of a person's hair. The tines 808 span the body 804 from near the handle 802, where the handle 802 meets the body 804, to near the end 806, in a conventional configuration.
(25) To retain the heat shield 810, which can be made of, for example, silicone rubber, the heat shield 810 includes some interlocking retention features that mate with corresponding features on the body 804, opposite the tines 808. The body 804 forms a first pocket 812 and a second pocket 814. The pockets 812, 814 are at opposite ends of the heat shield 810 to body 804 interface site on the body 804, and have openings that face each other, along the elongated direction of the body 804. That is, the pockets 812, 814 are recesses that are covered along the back of the body 804 by portions 818, 820, respectively. Between the pockets 812, 814 is a support insert 816 that fits within a groove or channel 840 formed in the base of the heat shield 810. The heat shield further includes foot portions 826 and 828 that correspond with, and fit into pockets 812, 814, respectively.
(26) To attach the heat shield 810 to the body 804, as indicated by arrow 838, foot portion 826 can be first inserted into a gap 822 between an end of the support insert 816 and the first pocket 812, and then the foot portion 826 is then maneuvered into the first pocket 812 such that portion 818 fits into recess 830 in the heat shield 810. Likewise, foot portion 828 can be inserted into gap 824 and maneuvered into second pocket 814 such that portion 820 fits within recess 832 in the heat shield. Recesses 830 and 832 define the respective foot portions 826, 828. After placing foot portions 826, 828 into pockets 812, 814, support insert 816 will be inside channel 840 in the heat shield 810 to provided lateral support and prevent the central portion of the heat shield 810 from moving transversely (i.e. in a direction that is in or out of the page, as shown here). Portions 818, 820 form an interference with foot portions 826, 828 when in recesses 830, 832, thereby retaining the heat shield 810 onto the body 804.
(27) FIG. 9 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory 900 having a heat shield 910 and a full comb, in accordance with some embodiments. The hair gathering accessory 900 here is formed generally as comb having a plurality of tines 904 that span substantially the full length of a body 906, along a portion 902 that can act as a handle or place to hold the accessory 900, to an end 908. The heat shield 910 can be attached to the body 906 by means such as those described in FIGS. 1-8 or equivalent means. In embodiments represented by structures like that shown here in FIG. 9, the hair gathering accessory 900 provides the benefit of a longer comb section, while still providing the benefit of a heat shield.
(28) FIG. 10 is a plan view of a hair gathering accessory 1000 having a heat shield 1010 in an embodiment that includes a brush, in accordance with some embodiments. The brush 1000 includes an elongated handle which extends from a body 1004 of the brush 1000. A plurality of brush bristles 1008 can be disposed on one side of the brush body 1004 along the body from the point where the handle 1002 joins the body 1004 to an end 1006 (e.g. a distal end). The heat shield 1010 can be attached to the body 1004 using any of the structures and techniques described herein, or equivalent structures. Given the various types of hair, it may desirable in some circumstance to have a brush instead of a comb.
(29) In use, a hair gathering accessory as exemplified by embodiments represented by FIGS. 1-10, includes a heat shield on a body of the hair gathering accessory that is positioned opposite the hair engaging tines (e.g. teeth, bristles). This allows a person to use the hair gathering accessory to gather a portion of hair on a person's head (e.g. their own head or, as a hair stylist, someone else's head) for treatment with a hair iron. The hair iron can engage the gathered portion of hair close to the hair gathering accessory, over the heat shield. The heat shield is capable of withstanding very high temperatures (e.g. over 500 degrees F.), and so prevents burns that would otherwise occur due to inadvertent contact between the hot hair iron and the person's scalp or other part of the head. The heat shield can have a cross section similar to a blade, where is it wider at the base where it joins to the body of the hair gathering accessory, and then tapers to an edge at the portion farther from the body of the hair gathering accessory. The heat shield generally extends along the body of the hair gathering accessory (i.e. less that the entire length of the hair gathering accessory), but it is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the heat shield can extend along the handle as well. For example, in embodiments represented by FIG. 9, the heat shield 910 can extend along the handle 902, in effect making the handle 902 and body 906 indistinguishable from each other. In some embodiments the heat shield can have a length of about four inches (i.e. along the elongated direction of the body), and in some embodiments the heat shield can have a width, from its base to the edge, of about 1.1 inches. In some embodiments the heat shield can have a base of about 0.2 inches, and taper down towards the outside edge.
(30) FIG. 11 shows an example 1100 of a person 1104 using a hair gathering accessory 1106 having a heat shield 1112 with a hair iron 1102, in accordance with some embodiments. The hair gathering accessory 1106 can be designed equivalently to any embodiments represented by FIGS. 1-10, and includes a plurality of tines 1110 used to gather a portion of hair 1108 that is engaged by the heated portion of a hair iron 1102, over the heat shield 1112. The heat shield 1112 provides a heat resistant barrier between the heated portion of the hair iron 1102 and the bare skin of the user 1104. The hair gathering accessory 1106 and the hair iron 1102 can be operated by the user 1104, or by another person who is styling the hair of the user 1104.
(31) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heat shield 1200 for use with a hair gathering accessory, in a clip-on form factor, in accordance with some embodiments. The heat shield 1200 is further shown in FIG. 13-14 as well. The heat shield comprises a heat resistant portion 1202 that is comprised of a material such as silicone rubber, and is generally blade-shaped, have a length 1205, and a width 1208. The length 1205 can correspond approximated to the length of a set of tines in a hair gathering accessory such as a comb. The width 1208 can be on the order of three quarters of an inch to two inches wide, or more or less in some embodiments. The heat shield 1200 can taper to a distal edge 1210. The heat resistant portion 1202 can be molded over (i.e. “overmolded”) an elongated “C” clip 1204 to form an engagement edge that is bifurcated to sides 1214, 1216. The “C” clip 1204 can be made of a different material than the heat resistant portion 1202, such as plastic or metal with a spring property to the material. In some embodiments the “C” clip 1204 can be simply a “C” shaped portion of the heat resistant portion 1202. The “C” shaped portion or clip 1204 defines a “C” shaped void into which is configured to fit over the back edge of a comb. The “C” clip 1204 runs the length 1205 of the heat shield 1200, and is designed to frictionally engage the back edge of a comb onto which the heat shield 1200 is clipped, and to provided sufficient clamping or frictional force to retain the heat shield 1200 on the back edge of the comb. Accordingly, the interior of the “C” shaped clip can be sized to accommodate the thickness of the back edge of the comb, while the opening 1206 can be narrower than the back edge of the comb to naturally provide force against the comb body when placed on the comb.
(32) In FIG. 13, with the heat shield 1200 seen from an end view, it can be seen that the heat resistant portion 1202 tapers to a distal edge 1210 from an engaging portion, having a thickest section between locations 1218 and 1220 of the heat resistant portion 1202. Locations 1218, 1220 are located between the back 1212 of the “C” shaped void, which can be the back of a “C” clip or simply the material of the heat resistant portion 1202 if no “C” clip is used. The “C” shaped void can have a widest point between locations 1222, 1224, which are adjacent the back 1212, and a distance between sides 1214, 1216 at the bottom opening of the “C” shaped void can be narrower than the distance between locations 1222, 1224 adjacent the top of the “C” shaped void. The heat resistant portion 1202 is generally blade-shaped, having opposite sides 1226, 1228 that are flat from locations 1218, 1220 at the thickest section of heat resistant portion 1202, adjacent the engagement edge, to the distal edge 1210, and the thickness of the heat resistant portion decreases from the thickest portion to the distal edge 1210.
(33) In FIG. 14 the heat shield 1202 is shown apart from a comb 1402, to be assembled onto the comb at a back edge 1404 of the comb. The back edge 1404 can be pressed into the opening (1206) of the heat shield, as indicated by arrows 1406, until the back edge 1404 of the comb is against a corresponding back 1212 of the “C” clip 1204. The portion of the “C” clip between the opening 1206 and the back 1212 will then be forced into frictional engagement with the surface of the body 1408 of the comb 1402, and thereby the heat shield will be retained on the comb 1402. In some embodiments the comb 1402 can have a body 1408 that has a cross sectional profile to match the interior of the “C” shaped clip.
(34) A hair gathering accessory has been disclosed that includes a plurality of tines on one side of a body of the hair gathering accessory, and a heat shield on a side opposite the plurality of tines which extends away from the body of the hair gathering accessory. The heat shield is made of a heat resistant, flexible material (more flexible than the material used to make the body of the hair gathering accessory) this is also heat resistant, and able to withstand the temperatures of styling tools such as hair irons, for example. The disclosed embodiments of the hair gathering accessory and equivalent devices provide the benefit of allowing a user to gather hair conventionally using the tines, and also providing a heat shield that moves with the hair gathering accessory, unlike prior art heat barriers that attach independently to the hair and have to be moved independently to the hair gathering accessory. The disclosed hair gathering accessory also provides a benefit over heat shields mounted on a styling device like a curling iron because operating the curling iron then requires carefully arranging the hair so that the iron is applied at the desired place along the hair, and the integral shield is oriented towards the person whose hair is being styled.
