Ergonomic handle-less hair dryer

Abstract

An ergonomic handle-less hairdryer having a rotating adjustable strap allowing a user to hold and use the hairdryer in either hand without causing undue strain on the user's hand.

Claims

1. A handle-less hair dryer comprising: a housing comprising an air inlet and an air outlet, said housing having a circumference; a first recess formed along an upper half of said circumference of said housing; a second recess formed along said upper half of said circumference of said housing, said second recess spaced from said first recess; an adjustable strap attached to said housing and held within said first and second recesses; an on/off switch provided on said housing; and a plurality of buttons provided in between said first and second recesses for controlling heat and speed of the handle-less hairdryer; wherein a user can hold said handle-less hair dryer by said housing in either hand without gripping said housing; and wherein the adjustable strap can rotate around said housing by sliding through said first and second recesses.

2. The handle-less hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap can rotate at least 180 degrees around said housing.

3. The handle-less hair dryer of claim 1, wherein a rechargeable battery is held within said housing allowing the hairdryer to operate without a cord.

4. The handle-less hair dryer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of buttons are provided on a top of said housing.

5. The handle-less hair dryer of claim 1, wherein some of said plurality of buttons are staggered to allow for access to said buttons with either hand of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained with reference to the Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ergonomic handle-less hair dryer in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the ergonomic handle-less hair dryer of FIG. 1; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of the ergonomic handle-less hair dryer of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Referring now to FIG. 1, ergonomic handle-less hair dryer 101 is shown. Ergonomic handle-less hair dryer 101 has a housing 102 having an air inlet 103 and an air outlet 104. Housing 102 is generally tubular. Provided along housing 102 are first and second recesses or channels or gutters 105a and 105b, which allow adjustable strap 106 to slide around the circumference of the housing 102.

(6) Adjustable strap 106 is held in the housing by mechanical parts such as two attached rings rotating in the recesses 105a and 105b, for example.

(7) Also provided on housing 102 is an on/off switch 107 and speed and heat control buttons 108a-f. Speed functions can include low, medium and high; heat functions can include hot, cold and warm, for example. Control buttons 108a-f are arranged and staggered as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 for easy ergonomic access by a user's fingers.

(8) In use, a user can hold hairdryer 101 in either hand by sliding adjustable strap 106 around the housing 102 of hairdryer 101. As mentioned above, control buttons 108a-f are positioned such that a user can reach control buttons 108a-f with either a right-hand or left-hand grip. Adjustable strap 106 reduces the amount of gripping required to hold hairdryer 101, and allows for a natural grip, improving ergonomics.

(9) Hairdryer 101 can be used corded or cordless. Internal battery 111 is provided in housing 102. Battery 111 can be rechargeable via cord 109.

(10) Adjustable strap 106 can rotate around the body of hairdryer, approximately 180 degrees to allow the hairdryer 101 to be held in either hand.

(11) A heat-resistant plastic can be used around the body of the hairdryer or underneath portions that a user's hand would touch the hairdryer.

(12) While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combination, and equivalents of the embodiments, methods, and examples provided herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the embodiments and examples disclosed here, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.