COMBINATION HAIR STYLING DEVICE

Abstract

A combination hair styling device, including: a base plate having a top face and a bottom face, both the top face and the bottom face having a groove therein, a top section with a bottom side opposite a first styling side having a first styling structure extending therefrom, the bottom side slidably coupled with the groove of the top face, a bottom section with a top side opposite a second styling side having a second styling structure extending therefrom, the top side slidably coupled with the groove of the bottom face, and a fastener, the fastener able to hold the bottom side within the groove of the top face so that the bottom side and top face do not move relative to one another without an outside force being applied

Claims

1. A combination hair styling device, comprising: a) a base plate having a top face and a bottom face, both the top face and the bottom face having a groove therein, b) a top section with a bottom side opposite a first styling side having a first styling structure extending therefrom, the bottom side slidably coupled with the groove of the top face; c) a bottom section with a top side opposite a second styling side having a second styling structure extending therefrom, the top side slidably coupled with the groove of the bottom face; and d) a fastener, the fastener able to hold the bottom side within the groove of the top face so that the bottom side and top face do not move relative to one another without an outside force being applied.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first styling structure includes bristles.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the second styling structure includes a sponge.

4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the groove in the top face has an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section.

5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the fastener is rigidly connected to the base plate.

6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the fastener is rigidly connected to the top section.

7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a magnet.

8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the base plate.

9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of fasteners.

10. A combination hair styling device, comprising: a) a base plate having a top face and a bottom face, both the top face and the bottom face having a groove therein, b) a top section with a bottom side opposite a first styling side having a first styling structure extending therefrom, the bottom side slidably coupled with the groove of the top face; c) a bottom section with a top side opposite a second styling side having a second styling structure extending therefrom, the top side slidably coupled with the groove of the bottom face; and d) a plurality of fasteners, the fasteners able to hold the bottom side within the groove of the top face so that the bottom side and top face do not move relative to one another without an outside force being applied as well as able to hold the top side within the groove of the bottom face so that the top side and bottom face do not move relative to one another.

11. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the first styling structure includes bristles.

12. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the second styling structure includes a sponge.

13. The appliance of claim 11, wherein one or more fasteners are rigidly connected to the base plate.

14. The appliance of claim 12, wherein one or more fasteners are rigidly connected to the top section.

15. The appliance of claim 13, wherein one or more fasteners are rigidly connected to the bottom section.

16. The appliance of claim 14, wherein the groove in the top face has an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section.

17. The appliance of claim 15, wherein the groove in the bottom face has an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section.

18. The appliance of claim 16, wherein the plurality of fasteners are magnets.

19. The appliance of claim 17, wherein the base plate includes a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the base plate.

20. A combination hair styling device, comprising: a) a base plate including: i) a top face, the top face having a first groove therein, the first groove having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section; ii) a bottom face, the bottom face having a second groove therein, the second groove having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section; and iii) a plurality of lips extending outwardly from the base plate; b) a top section with a bottom side opposite a first styling side having a brush extending therefrom, the bottom side slidably coupled with the groove of the top face; c) a bottom section with a top side opposite a second styling side having a sponge extending therefrom, the top side slidably coupled with the groove of the bottom face; d) a plurality of magnets rigidly connected to the base, the top side, and the bottom side, the magnets able to hold the bottom side within the groove of the top face so that the bottom side and top face do not move relative to one another without an outside force being applied as well as able to hold the top side within the groove of the bottom face so that the top side and bottom face do not move relative to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a combination hair styling device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a combination hair styling device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a combination hair styling device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a semi-exploded view of a combination hair styling device, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a combination hair styling device in use by a user, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0029] Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

[0030] Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

[0031] As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

[0032] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a combination hair styling device 100, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a combination hair styling device 100 including a base plate 102, a top section 104, a bottom section 106, and a plurality of fasteners 108, the plurality of fasteners 108 configured to stably couple the top and bottom section 106s to the base plate 102 when they are fully inserted into their respective groove 116s in the base plate 102.

[0033] The illustrated base plate 102 includes a top face 110, a bottom face 112, and a lip 114. Both the top face 110 and the bottom face 112 include a groove 116 therein, each groove 116 having a mouth 118 thereof into which the top and bottom section 106, respectively, enter and thereby couple to the base plate 102. The groove 116 in the top face 110 and the bottom face 112 has an upper section 120 and a lower section 122, the upper section 120 having a width which is smaller than the width of the lower section 122. This allows the groove 116 to assist in guiding the connection of the base plate 102 and the top face 110 or bottom face 112 as well as helps to hold the two sections together by restraining the movement between them. In other embodiments, the groove 116 may be any number of shapes and widths, including tapered groove 116s to allow for a friction fit between the base plate 102 and the top face 110 and/or bottom face 112.

[0034] The illustrated mouth 118 of the groove 116 extends through one end of the base plate 102 and is the same size and shape as the rest of the groove 116. The mouth 118 of the groove 116 is configured to match an end of the top section 104 and/or bottom section 106, and may be any number of shapes and/or sizes so that the top section 104 and/or the bottom section 106 can fit easily and are flush with the base plate 102 when fully inserted. In other embodiments, there may be multiple mouths 118 corresponding to multiple grooves 116, or on the other end of the groove 116 to allow the user to insert a section on either side of the device.

[0035] The illustrated lip 114 extends upwardly and outwardly from the base plate 102. The lip 114 extends around most of the top face 110 and the bottom face 112 so as to not interfere with the coupling of the base plate 102 and the top section 104 or bottom section 106. The illustrated lip 114 is tapered at the ends. In other embodiments, the lip 114 may extend around the entirety of the top face 110 and/or bottom face 112, in which case the coupling action is more likely a snap-fit between the groove 116 and the face opposite the styling side 130.

[0036] The illustrated base plate 102 is oval shaped however, the base plate 102 may be any number of various geometric shapes and designs to add to the look or easier use of the combination hair styling device 100, including but not limited to square, rectangular, ovoid, trapezoidal, and/or irregular.

[0037] The illustrated top section 104 includes a bottom side 126 and a styling side 130 opposite the bottom side 126. The bottom side 126 is configured to be slidably coupled with the groove 116 of the top face 110 or the bottom face 112. The styling side 130 includes a styling structure 124 which extends therefrom. The styling structure 124 may include, but is not limited to one or more of bristles, teeth, knobs, sponges, fabric, and the like and combinations thereof.

[0038] The illustrated bottom section 106 includes a top side 128 and a styling side 130 opposite the top side 128. The top side 128 is configured to be slidably coupled with the groove 116 of the top face 110 or the bottom face 112. The styling side 130 includes a styling structure 124 which extends therefrom. The styling structure 124 may include, but is not limited to one or more of bristles, teeth, knobs, sponges, fabric, and the like and combinations thereof.

[0039] As with the base plate 102, the illustrated top section 104 and bottom section 106 are oval shaped however, the top section 104 and/or bottom section 106 may be any number of various geometric shapes and designs to add to the look or easier use of the combination hairstyling device 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, the styling structure 124 may include a filler piece and/or grip that may simply fill the groove 116 of the top and/or bottom face 112 and/or give the user a more comfortable or easier place to hold the device. This would also allow the user to remove attachments that have hair care product in them so that when using the opposite side of the device, the user doesn't grasp or otherwise get product all over their hands.

[0041] The illustrated fasteners 108 are rigidly connected within the base plate 102, the top section 104, and the bottom section 106. The fasteners 108 cooperatively hold the bottom side 126 within the groove 116 in the top face 110 or the groove 116 in the bottom face 112. The fasteners 108 also cooperatively hold the top side 128 within the groove 116 in the top face 110 or the groove 116 in the bottom face 112. The fasteners 108 are able to hold to top side 128 or bottom side 126 within the groove 116 in the top or the bottom face 112 such that the top side 128 or bottom side 126 does not move relative to the groove 116 in the top or the bottom face 112 without an outside force being applied.

[0042] The illustrated fasteners 108 are cylindrical magnets rigidly disposed within the base plate 102 and the top section 104 and bottom section 106, flush with the groove 116 and the sections, and oriented to attractively couple to each other. However, such magnets may be located elsewhere or non-exposed and may be any shape and/or thickness, so long as such cooperatively attract in order to maintain a stable positional relationship between their respective coupled sections. This stable positional relationship may be destabilized by the user pulling the sections apart, such that the magnets are no longer close enough to hold to each other.

[0043] In other embodiments, other fasteners 108 and/or fastening methods may be used to hold the base plate 102 to the top section 104 and/or bottom section 106, including but not limited to: mechanical fasteners, adhesives, friction fitting, suction cups, hook and loop fasteners, dowels, and the like and combinations thereof. Alternative fasteners and/or fastening methods may allow for easier assembly or disassembly or provide a more secure connection between the base plate 102 and the top section 104 and/or bottom section 106.

[0044] Each of the base plate 102, top section 104, and bottom section 106 may be made of injection molded plastic, however, other embodiments may be any other number of strong and/or stiff materials including but not limited to: resins, epoxies, metals, hard plastics, soft plastics, woods and the like and combinations thereof. These materials may also or instead be blow molded, rotational molded, casted, extruded, machined, formed, printed, and the like and combinations thereof. Furthermore, these materials may be plated, coated, sealed, or painted to assist with preventing damage and/or staining from contact with water, hair care products, or to add strength and/or hardness, as well as to promote comfort, easier grasping, and/or easier assembly and disassembly.

[0045] In operation, the user assembles the combination hair styling device 100 by lining up the bottom side 126 of the top section 104 or the top side 128 of the bottom section 106 with the groove 116 in the top face 110 or the bottom face 112 of the base plate 102. The user then slides the lined-up section and the base plate 102 together until the fasteners 108 in the two sections connect. Once the fasteners 108 connect, the user stops pushing the section and the base plate 102 together, and is free to let go of the section, as the fasteners 108 will hold the section firmly in place in relation to the base plate 102. Once the desired section is connected to the base plate 102, the user may attach another section to the opposite groove 116 in the same way the initial section was attached or may instead use the attached section.

[0046] To use the assembled combination hair styling device 100, the user grasps the base plate 102 and holds the combination hair styling device 100 with the desired section containing the styling structure 124 exposed. The user then uses the desired styling structure 124 as intended, and when done, the user may flip 114 the combination hair styling device 100 in order to use the other section containing another styling structure 124.

[0047] To disassemble or change the top section 104 and/or the bottom section 106 to another styling structure 124, the user grasps the base plate 102 and the desired section and applies force to slide them apart. Upon force being applied, the fasteners 108 will release from one another, allowing the base plate 102 and the section to slide freely relative to one another and if slid further, will fully detach the section from the base plate 102. The user is then free to attach another section to the base plate 102.

[0048] Advantageously, the combination hair styling device 100 is a device that is very easy to assemble, use, and customize, while also being compact, portable, and ergonomic. This allows the combination hair styling device 100 to be used for a wide range of hair styling techniques by a wide range of users. The combination hair styling device 100 is thereby more effective than a single standalone product as well as more practical and affordable than carrying around multiple specialized products.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a combination hair styling device 200, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a fully assembled combination hair styling device 200, including a base plate 202, a top section 204 coupled to the base plate 200, and a bottom section 206 coupled to the base plate 202 opposite the top section 204.

[0050] As illustrated, the bottom side 208 of the top section 204 is sitting within a groove 210 in the base plate 202 with an end of the bottom side 208 and an end of the groove 210 flush with one another. Similarly, the top side 212 of the bottom section 206 is sitting within a separate groove 210 in the base plate 202 with an end of the top side 212 and an end of the groove 210 flush with one another. The styling structures 214 of the top section 204 and the bottom section 206 are facing away from one another, thereby allowing the user to easily switch the styling structure 214 used by simply flipping the device over.

[0051] The lip 216 of the top section 204 is fitted next to the lip 216 on the base plate 202 to form a relatively continuous lip around one side of the base plate 202, while the lip 216 of the bottom section 206 and another lip 216 on the base plate 202 are fitted next to one another to form a relatively continuous lip around the other side of the base plate 202. This allows the combination hair styling device 200 to maintain a relatively symmetrical look and aesthetic appeal, as well as a consistent feel and ergonomic shape when assembled.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an assembled combination hair styling device 300, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown an assembled combination hair styling device 300, including a base plate 302, a top section 304 coupled to the base plate 302, a bottom section 306 coupled to the base plate 302 opposite the top section 304, and a plurality of fasteners 308.

[0053] As illustrated, there are one or more fasteners 308 rigidly connected to each of the base plate 302, the top section 304, and the bottom section 306. The fasteners 308 are pressed into the base plate 302, top section 304, and bottom section 306, and are flush with the outside of each. The illustrated fasteners 308 are placed so that when the top section 304 or bottom section 306 is fully inserted into the groove 310 of the base plate 302, the fasteners 308 line up and magnetically hold the top section 304 or bottom section 306 and the base plate 302 together so that they do not move relative to one another without unfastening them from one another. Where using non-magnetic fasteners, such fasteners may be interlocked or otherwise coupled together when the device is fully assembled.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a semi-exploded view of a combination hair styling device 400, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a partially assembled combination hair styling device 400, including a base plate 402, a bottom section 404 coupled to the base plate 402, and a top section 406 which is not coupled to the base plate 402.

[0055] As illustrated, the base plate 402 and top section 406 include magnetic fasteners 408 embedded therein which hold the top section 406 and bottom section 404 to the base plate 402 so that they do not move relative to one another when the section is coupled with the base plate 402. This allows the combination hair styling device 400 to be assembled and disassembled easily by the user, however, also allows the device to remain together once assembled.

[0056] The interchangeable and easily replaceable heads allow users to use multiple distinctly different styling sections 410 so that the user can quickly and easily swap between various hair styles anywhere and using only one compact and portable device, rather than having to carry multiple haircare devices around. It also allows a user to carry a styling section 410 designed to create and maintain their hair style as well as another styling section 410 to create and maintain the style of their beard. It also allows a user to replace a broken, worn out, or damaged section without needing to throw out the entire device and buy a completely new one.

[0057] Additionally, the lips 412 on the base plate 402, top section 406, and bottom section 404 assist with the aesthetic appeal as well as the ergonomics of the device and keep the user's hand from slipping into a styling section 410 when using the device. They also assist with keeping hair care product from running down the side of the device and getting into the opposite styling section 410.

[0058] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a combination hair styling device 500 in use by a user, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown an assembled combination hair styling device 500 in use by a user. The user grasps one end of the combination hair styling device 500, exposing the styling structure 502 on the opposite end, and uses that styling structure 502 as it is intended, such as brushing with a brush end or pushing and twisting with a twist sponge. The user may then flip the device around to use the opposite styling structure (See FIG. 6).

[0059] The fasteners within the combination hair styling device 500 hold the top section 504 and/or bottom section 506 to the base plate 508 so that the force applied by the user when using a styling structure 502 does not separate the top section 504 and/or bottom section 506 from the base plate 508 nor allow the sections to move relative to base plate 508. However, the fasteners are also designed, placed, and affixed so that the user may still quickly and easily unfasten a section from the base plate when they are ready to change a section out.

[0060] It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0061] For example, although the combination hair styling device is designed to be used for styling the hair of a user, the device may also have additional various attachments that allow it to be used for other applications. Such attachments may include, but are not limited to, a rag and sponge for washing and waxing a vehicle, a rubber pad and brush for shedding an animal, a pumice stone and brush for nail care, and the like and combinations thereof.

[0062] Additionally, the base plate may be formed, grooved, or molded with a handle or other gripping device, or alternatively have a section to which a handle or gripping device may be attached to allow a user to have an easier time grasping and/or greater control over the combination hair styling device.

[0063] It is also envisioned that the base plate, first section, and/or second section may be broken down into additional smaller sections to enable a user to disassemble or fold the combination hair styling device. This would allow a user to break down and pack the combination hair styling device into a space smaller than the fully assembled device would take.

[0064] It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the base plate includes perforations and/or a cavity wherein the user can store and/or dispense product to use in conjunction with the combination hair styling device.

[0065] Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.