HAIR STYLING APPARATUS

Abstract

Disclosed is a hair styling apparatus comprising a body and a hair styling element rotatably mounted to the body so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis. The hair styling element comprises first and second portions and each portion is rotatable with the hair styling element. The second portion is further moveable relative to the first portion. The apparatus further includes a trigger mounted to the body and an actuation mechanism operatively connecting the trigger to the second portion. The operative connection is such that depressing the trigger moves the second portion relative to the first portion.

Claims

1. A hair styling apparatus comprising: a body; a hair styling element rotatably mounted to the body so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis, the hair styling element comprising first and second portions, each portion rotatable with the hair styling element, the second portion further moveable relative to the first portion; a trigger mounted to the body; and an actuation mechanism operatively connecting the trigger to the second portion, the operative connection being such that depressing the trigger moves the second portion relative to the first portion.

2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a cam surface and the trigger includes an engagement portion configured to abut against and move the cam surface when the trigger is actuated.

3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam surface and engagement portion are not attached to one another.

4. The hair styling apparent according to claim 3, wherein the cam surface is pivotably connected to the hair styling element.

5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cam surface forms part of a rocker linkage, the rocker linkage pivotably mounted to the hair styling element.

6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rocker linkage is moveably mounted to the second portion, the mounting being such that pivoting of the rocker linkage causes linear movement of the second portion.

7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of the rocker linkage and the second portion comprises a pin and the other of the rocker linkage and the second portion comprises a slot for receipt of the pin.

8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam surface is configured to move along a linear axis when moved by the engagement portion.

9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the linear axis along which the cam surface moves in use is substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the hair styling element.

10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cam surface forms part of a collar mounted to a shaft slideably mounted to the hair styling element.

11. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the engagement portion of the trigger is bifurcated so as to extend both side of the shaft.

12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a terminal linkage, a first end of the terminal linkage pivotably connected to the shaft and an opposite second end of the terminal linkage pivotably connected to the second portion.

13. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger is pivotably mounted to the body.

14. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1. wherein the second portion is moveable along a linear movement axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis.

15. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the linear movement axis intersects the rotational axis.

16. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the styling element is a comb and each of the first and second portions comprising a transversely extending row of comb teeth, wherein the rows of comb teeth are adjacent to one another, and wherein the second portion is moveable along the transverse axis relative to the first portion in response to the trigger being depressed.

17. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1, that is in the form of a hair styling attachment, the body comprising a mounting portion for releasable mounting of the body to a hair styling device.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0038] Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0039] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a first embodiment of a hair styling apparatus mounted to a hair styling device;

[0040] FIGS. 1C and 1D are perspective section views of the first embodiment of the hair styling apparatus;

[0041] FIGS. 1E and 1F are section views of the first embodiment of the hair styling apparatus with a trigger of the apparatus in undepressed and depressed positions;

[0042] FIG. 2A is a perspective section view of a second embodiment of a hair styling apparatus; and

[0043] FIGS. 2B and 2C are section views of the second embodiment of the hair styling apparatus with a trigger of the apparatus in undepressed and depressed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0045] FIGS. 1A to 1F illustrate a first embodiment of a hair styling apparatus 100, which is provided in the form of an attachment for mounting to a hair styling device. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the apparatus 100 mounted to such a hair styling device 101, which is in the form of a hair dryer.

[0046] The device 101 includes a cylindrical device body 102 having forward 103 and rearward 104 ends. The forward end 103 of the device body 102 tapers inwardly (so as to have a frustoconical shape) to an opening defining an outlet (not shown) of the device 101. The device 101 also includes a cylindrical handle 105 that extends radially outward from the device body 102 (in FIG. 2A, the handle 105 extends downwardly) at a location between the forward 103 and rearward 104 ends.

[0047] The hair styling apparatus 100 is releasably mounted at the forward end 103 of the device 101 and includes an annular body 106, a hair styling element 107, a trigger 108 and an internal actuation mechanism 109 (shown in FIGS. 1C to 1F). To provide the releasable mounting to the device 101, the body 106 includes a mounting portion 110 in the form of an annular flange of the body 106 which comprises a plurality of magnets for releasable mounting to the device 101 (which includes a ferromagnetic portion for interaction with the magnets). Alternatively, a single annular magnet may be provided. As should be appreciated, releasable mounting may otherwise be provided by e.g. a bayonet mechanism, snap fit mechanism, etc.

[0048] Although not shown, the outlet of the device may be annular and may surround a central recess (or bore) formed in the device. A spigot may be provided that projects from the body 106 into the recess of the device 101. The spigot may fit closely within inner walls of the recess of the device 101 so as to restrict movement between the body 106 and the device 101 (i.e. providing a more robust connection between the apparatus 100 and the device 101).

[0049] The hair styling element 107 is rotatably mounted to the body 106 of the apparatus 100 so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis (which is parallel to a central axis of the device 101). This is most apparent from FIGS. 1A and 1B in which the hair styling element 107 is shown in two different orientations, perpendicular to one another. FIGS. 1C and 1D also show two different orientations (albeit with the trigger 108, rather than the body 106, appearing rotated). While only two orientations are shown, it should be appreciated that the hair styling element 107 is fully rotatable about the rotational axis (i.e. can rotate a full 360 degrees about the rotational axis). Accordingly, the orientation of the hair styling element 107 is not fixed in relation to the handle 105 of the device 101. This improves usability of the device, because it avoids the need for a user to move the handle 105 into potentially awkward positions to maintain a desired orientation of the hair styling element 107 (instead, the hair styling element 107 can rotate as required).

[0050] The hair styling element 107 comprises first 111 and second 112 portions. Both of these portions 111, 112 are rotatable with the hair styling element 107. However, as will be described further below, the second portion 112 is further moveable (along a linear axis) relative to the first portion 112.

[0051] In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 is in the form of a comb attachment such that the hair styling element 107 is in the form of a comb. Each of the first 111 and second 112 portions of the hair styling element 107 comprises a respective transversely extending row of comb teeth 113. Each tooth 113 of the first portion 111 defines an inner triangular opening 114 in which a triangular tooth 113 of the second portion 112 is received. Thus, the row of teeth 113 of the first portion 111 together define a transverse passage along which the row of teeth 113 of the second portion 112 move. In use, hair received between the teeth 113 can be clamped by movement of the second portion 112 relative to the first portion 111. The clamping force applied to the hair is dependent on the amount of displacement of the second portion 112. In this way, a user can adjust the tension applied to e.g. a tress of hair by altering the amount of displacement of the second portion 112.

[0052] Each row of comb teeth 113 extends across an outlet 120 of the apparatus 100. An internal passage 121 of the apparatus 100 fluidly connects the outlet 120 to a circular inlet 122 of the apparatus 100. The inlet 122 is defined within the mounting portion 110 of the body 106, such that when the body 106 is mounted to the device 101, the inlet 122 receives a heated airflow from an outlet of the device 101. This heated airflow passes through the passage 121 and is discharged from the outlet 120 of the apparatus 100, between the teeth 113 of the first 111 and second 112 portions. In this way, in operation, heated air can be discharged onto hair that is clamped between the teeth 113 of the first 111 and second 112 portions.

[0053] A user is able to control movement of the second portion 112 by depressing the trigger 108, which is pivotably mounted to the body 106 of the apparatus 100. By mounting the trigger 108 to the body 106 (rather than the hair styling element 107), the trigger 108 remains fixed relative to the device 101 (and thus relative to the handle 105 of the device 101). The trigger 108 includes an annular grip portion 115 pivotably connected to an elongate lever 116 (which is in turn pivotably mounted to the body 106).

[0054] The trigger 108 is operatively connected to the second portion 112 by the actuation mechanism 109. The actuation mechanism 109 is configured to permit movement of the second portion 112 by the trigger 108 regardless of the rotational orientation of the hair styling element 107.

[0055] The actuation mechanism 109 includes a rocker linkage 117, which is pivotably mounted to the hair styling element 107, so as to pivot about a pivot axis that extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the hair styling element 107. As is apparent from FIGS. 1E and 1F, this pivotable mounting is provided by a bore 118 extending through the rocker linkage 117 and a pin 119 that extends through the bore 118 across the internal passage 121 of the apparatus.

[0056] The rocker linkage 117 has a generally triangular shape. The bore 118 is formed proximate to one apex of the rocker linkage 117. A planar cam surface 123 is formed proximate to another of the apices of the rocker linkage 117 and is arranged such that it faces towards the inlet 122 of the apparatus 100 (i.e. in an upstream direction). The cam surface 123 is positioned generally centrally within the internal passage 121 such that it is in contact with, but not attached to, an engagement portion 124 of the trigger 108. The engagement portion 124 forms part of a rod 125 that extends from an end of the lever 116 of the trigger 108. The engagement portion 124 of the rod extends on an angle with respect to the remainder of the rod 125.

[0057] The contact between the engagement portion 124 and the rocker linkage 117 means that when the trigger 108 is pivoted (by a user depressing the trigger 108) the engagement portion 124 engages the cam surface 123 and causes the rocker linkage 117 to pivot. Because the cam surface 123 and the engagement portion 124 are detached from one another, the engagement portion 124 is able to rotate relative to the cam surface 123 (i.e. with rotation of the hair styling element 107). Likewise, the arrangement of the cam surface 123 and the engagement portion 124 is such that the rocker linkage 117 pivots in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the hair styling element 107 (providing a consistent movement regardless of the position of the hair styling element 107).

[0058] The remaining apex of the rocker linkage 117 (i.e. that not proximate with the cam surface 123 or the bore 118) comprises a slot 126, best seen in FIGS. 1E and 1F. The second portion 112 includes a pin 127 that is received in the slot 126. As the rocker linkage 117 is pivoted (by depression of the trigger 108), the pin 127 is moved by way of its receipt in the slot 126. This causes the second portion 112 to move transversely relative to the first portion 111. The movement of the second portion 112 is facilitated, in particular, by the slideable mounting of the second portion 112 to two support bars 128 that extend transversely across the outlet 120 of the apparatus 100.

[0059] Accordingly, depressing the trigger 108 causes linear transverse movement of the second portion 112 regardless of the rotational position of the hair styling element 107.

[0060] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C depict a hair styling apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment. This hair styling apparatus 100 has many of the same features as the previously described embodiment and the same reference numerals are therefore used. For brevity, only differences are discussed below.

[0061] The actuation mechanism 109 of the apparatus comprises a collar 136 mounted to an elongate shaft 129. The shaft 129 extends centrally within the hair styling element 107 and is collinear with the rotational axis of the hair styling element 107. The shaft 129 is supported in this position by a guide 130 that projects inwardly from a peripheral wall 131 of the hair styling element 107 and which includes a circular aperture 132 through which the shaft 129 extends. The shaft 129 is slideably mounted in the aperture 132 so as to be moveable in a direction along the rotational axis of the hair styling element 107.

[0062] An end of the shaft 129 proximate the second portion 112 is pivotably connected to a terminal linkage 133, which extends from the shaft 129 to the second portion 112, and which is also pivotably connected to the second portion 112. The pivotable connections of the terminal linkage 133 to the shaft 129 and the second portion 112 are arranged so as to have pivot axes that are parallel to one another and that are both perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second portion 112 in use.

[0063] An end of the lever 116 of the trigger 108 (which is pivotably mounted to the body 106) is bifurcated so as to include two fingers 134 that define a space therebetween in which the shaft 129 is received. When the trigger 108 is depressed, the lever 116 pivots and the fingers 134 engage a cam surface 123 of the collar 136 (a surface of the collar 136 facing the inlet 122). In particular, collar-facing surfaces 135 of the fingers 134 abut the cam surface 123 to move the cam surface 123. To provide a consistent rate of movement, the collar-facing surfaces 135 are curved and convex.

[0064] Movement of the cam surfaces 123, results in movement of the collar 136 and the shaft 129 in a direction along the rotational axis of the hair styling element 107 towards the outlet 120 of the apparatus 100. This causes the terminal linkage 133 to move the second portion 112 along the support bars 128. FIG. 2C shows the apparatus 100 in this depressed position.

[0065] In this way, transverse movement of the second portion 112 is provided by depressing the trigger 108 (and causing the lever 116 of the trigger 108 to pivot). As should be appreciated, because the lever 116 is not attached to the cam surface 123, the cam surface 123 is able to rotate relative to the lever 116 when the hair styling element 107 is rotated. In this way, regardless of the orientation of the hair styling element 107 depressing the trigger results in movement of the second portion.

[0066] The exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0067] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0068] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise and include, and variations such as comprises, comprising, and including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0069] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term about in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/10%.