CA2953631A1 - Hair braiding machine to perform three-stranded braids - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair braiding machine that can perform three stranded braids starting from the root of the hair and going down their lengths. This machine completes this task with an integrated clamp system, present in the three rotors, which is used to secure each strand of hair. This securing mechanism utilises two electromagnetic clamps, inside each rotor, that perform the motions which create the braid pattern.
The first clamp secures the strands during the braiding process. The second clamp enables hair passing through the machine during the initial insertion of hair to correctly position the device for the braiding process. Each electromagnet clamp is composed of two separate electromagnets that are attracted together when electricity from a power source is passed through to grasp the strands. When the power is cut, springs enable the magnets to retract to their default positions, thus enabling the strands to pass through.

Description

Title Hair Braiding Machine to Perform Three-Stranded Braids Technical Field This present invention relates to braiding machines that can perform three stranded braids. More specifically, this machine is capable of starting the braid near the scalp and braiding down the strands of hair. While doing so, the device secures the strands which enables it to provide a strong and durable braid in a short amount of time.
Background of the Invention Presently, the most common way to braid hair is by hand. This method is often tedious, expensive and time consuming, sometimes taking more than four hours and a few hundred dollars for certain styles of braids. Even in the best settings, this time requirement will lead to fatigue for the stylist. This fatigue, then increases the stylist's chance of making mistakes, most frequently in regards to the tension of the braid. Hair sections too thin, the braid is prone to unravelling and will have a short lifespan. Hair sections too wide, the hair could get damaged and lead to eventual hair loss. This problem is very prominent in African-American communities where, per Summers et al. (2011), 60%
of women showed signs of advanced central hair loss with scarring and bacterial scalp infections (1).
In this study, a correlation was found between these symptoms and the hairstyles the women wore most often, specifically weaves and braids. The study also concluded that the expensive nature of the hairstyles was found to contribute to women subjecting their hair to damage for extended periods of time.
Therefore, an economical solution that provides the same result as when done by hand would be beneficial. Previous three-stranded braiding machines are shown in the expired United States of America patent application 6,164,289 A of Ogunro and Wan and in these United States of America patents:
7,905,237 Noh 7,069,935 Bousfield and Boysen 9,027,569 Chung et al.
4,369,690 S apkus Unfortunately, these devices are operated from the end of the hair strand, thus making it difficult for tension to be maintained in the entirety of the braid and may therefore cause the braid to unfold. The present invention improves on these designs by providing a machine capable of starting the braid at the scalp and lowering itself down the strands of hair in even, tight and small intervals. This will provide a uniform braid with sufficient tension to maintain the structure without causing damage to scalp or hair.
Summary of the Invention The object of this present patent is to provide a device which efficiently performs the task of hair braiding, by producing small uniform braids through a painless and fast process. A further object of the patent, is through the implementation of electrical clamps which allow the braiding process to start from the root of the hair and provide novelty to the design as opposed to previous designs.
Briefly, therefore, to achieve the aforementioned function, the braiding device contains: a handle, which includes the power source, three buttons controlling electric motors within the circular tubes, and a small speaker which beeps as a signaling mechanism; and a housing, which contains three huge cylinder tubes with slits for the insertion of three hair sections in close proximity, and gears between the cylinders to allow the rotation of tubes in a figure-of-eight shape during the braiding process. One of the unique designs of the apparatus is that each cylindrical tube contains two electric motor clamps.
The upper electric motor clamp is stationary while the lower clamp is attached to sliders which allow it to migrate up and down the cylinder. The function of the lower clamp is to help assist the strands of the hair to migrate down the tube during the initial hair insertion stage, as the function of the upper clamps is to the hold the hair strands during the braiding process.
The insertion of the hair section entirely down the cylinder tubes requires the user to place the ends of the hair into the tube first, followed by pressing on a button which controls the secondary sliding clamp within the cylinder. The sliding clamps then grasp the ends, and gently pull the hair strands down the cylinder through the sliding action of the clamp. A beeping sound will be signaled by the apparatus and the user can move the device upwards, followed by repetition of this step for a more

2 upward section hair to be inserted. When the hair sections have been inserted in the cylinders from root down, the user can hold the release button, allowing for the clamps to detach and return to the original positions.
The rotation of the three cylinders containing the hair sections in a figure-of-eight shape will allow for the braiding of the hair. After one area of the hair is braided, the device will signal a beeping sound, notifying the user to press on the release button, and to move the device down the hair strands allowing for the braiding down the length of the hair.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a top plan view per an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a proposed configuration of the electromagnetic clamps and springs within the hair holding chambers of the present invention.
FIG. 4 represents multiple operation diagrams illustrating configurations of the electromagnets of Figure 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration an embodiment of the hair holding chambers with hair secured within an electromagnet.
FIG. 6a and 6b are operation diagrams illustrating the motion of the movable rotors per an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description Reference will now be made in greater detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention regarding the accompanying drawings.

3 FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the hair braiding device 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The hair braider contains a handle 10 and an elliptical head portion both contained within a plastic outer shell 20.
The handle 10 includes a primary portion that is disposed to the head at a 1800 angle and a secondary portion which is angled 90 to the primary portion whilst being perpendicular in orientation to the head.
The primary handle portion, which is attached to the head, includes a plurality of buttons which control the operations of several elements of the device 100. The buttons included in the primary handle portion are constructed such that there is a stop button 4, a start button 6 and a button activating the operations of the secondary sliding clamp 8.
Constructed closest to the head portion is the secondary sliding clamp button 8 which operates the motor 2 such that the sliding electromagnetic clamps 44 receive an electric stimulus causing the electromagnets 44 to attract and migrate toward one another, clamping the section of hair tightly, and furthermore slide down the cylinder such that a section of hair can be pulled down within the device.
Farthest from the head portion is the stop button 4 which stops the operation of the device 100 when pressed wherein the motor 2 is deactivated. Located between the stop button 4 and the sliding clamp button 8 is the start button 6 which operates the activation of electromagnetic securing clamps 34 housed within each of the hair holding cylinders 22.
The secondary portion provides a handle section that can be grasped by the user when operating the device 100 and provides ergonomically easy access to the buttons which control the operations of the motor 2.
An external plastic elliptic cylinder shell casing 20 which also houses an internal gear box 12 and sits atop a plastic cylindrical shell casing 27 which surrounds a multiplicity of cylindrical hair holding chambers 26.
The tops of the chambers 26 are attached to rotatable gears 14 such that the gears 14 are also attached to rotatable gears 16a & 16b which sit on gears 14. The rotation of the aforementioned gears can be designed such that a figure-of-eight interchanging rotational motion is achieved, such as described in the previously mentioned Noh patent and Sapkus patent.

4 FIG. 2 is a side view of the head 20 and handle 10 portions and their attachments, as well as a cross-sectional view the casing for the hair holding chambers 27 for an embodiment of the present patent.
The casing for the gear box 12 and the casing for the holding chambers 27 are both connected by an external plastic cylindrical shell 28. A plastic elliptic cylindrical shell casing 30 which surrounds the gears (14, 16a, 16b, 18, 22 & 24) and part of the hair holding chambers 22 sits atop the casing for the gear box 20.
A cross-sectional view of the casing surrounding the hair holding chambers 27 is presented such that the plastic casing for the three cylindrical hair holding chambers 26 is visible. The sections of hair 50 inserted by the user into the hair holding chamber 22 is contained within the cylinders 22 for the duration of the operation of the device 100. When the stop button 4 is activated, the activity of the motor 2 is halted whereby the electromagnetic clamps 34 & 44 no longer attract and the user may remove the section of hair 50 from the hair holding chamber 22 in a safe manner.
A side view of the tops of the hair holding chambers 22 are presented. Hair sections are inserted by the tips of the hair strands into the tops of the holding chambers 22 such that a hair section is feed through the continuous chamber tube 22 of which the majority of the tube is housed within the shell 27 whereby a portion passes through the connector shell 28.
The secondary handle portion of the handle 10, which is angled 900 to the primary handle portion, consists of an internal motor 2, an internal sound box 11 and an external outlet for the attachment of a power source 24. The intended power source for the device 100 is a form of conventional direct current electric cable power source that may be plugged into wall sockets.
The internal motor 2 sits the handle 10 such that it may receive the electric energy source from the plugged cable attached at point 24.
The motor controls the rotation of the gears (14, 16a, 16b, 18, 22 & 24) as directed by the operation buttons 4, 6 & 8 of the handle and the emission of a high pitch low decibel noise from the sound box 11. This noise alerts the user to the correct operation of the device upon pressing the buttons 4, 6 &
8.

FIG. 3 illustrates a proposed configuration of the electromagnetic clamps and springs within the hair holding chambers of the present invention. While FIG. 4 are multiple operation diagrams illustrating configurations of the electromagnets of FIG. 3.
The Hair cylinder 22 contains an exterior casting 46 and 26 with a slit 38 in the middle, where the sections of hair can be inserted. There are two pairs of electrical clamps 34&46, where the closing positions of the clamps will fill in the cavities within the slits of the cylinder, and the opening of the clamps will expose the opening of the slits 38. A pair of stationary semicircle shaped electromagnetic clamps 34 is present on top, attached to the sides of the cylinder 22 through a pair of springs 32.
Underneath lies a pair of movable clamps 44, which are connected to a pair of springs 42, connected to the wall with a pair of sliders 40 indented into the walls of the cylinder tube 46, where the sliders can move up and down along the wall of the cylinder tube 46.
The closing of the stationary electric clamp 34 is activated by pressing the button 6, while the simultaneous closing and downward migration of the sliding clamps 44 are controlled by the pressing of button 8, and the opening of both clamps 34,44 as well as the upward migration of the sliding clamps 44 to their initial position are all activated by the pressing of button 4.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of the hair holding chambers 38 with hair secured within two electromagnets 34 made from a ferromagnetic metal, such as, but not limited to, iron wrapped by a copper wire. The surface of each electromagnet in contact with the strand 50 is insulated and cushioned with a material such as, but not limited to, felt. This will also provide comfort to the user.
It is important to note that both pairs of electromagnets 34 and 44 (not shown) function in the same way, but for explanation purposes only the mechanism of the first electromagnet will be explained. It is also important to note that this mechanism is present in each of the three rotating units 22.
This mechanism requires the springs 32 used in the retractable function of the electromagnets 34.
Furthermore, these springs 32 will be attached to a holding apparatus 48 which will enable the passing of an electrical current provided by the power source 2 (not shown) to the copper wire wrapping the electromagnets 34. This current will create an electromagnetic field in each electromagnet 34 of opposite poles. This will cause their attachment therefore firmly trapping the strand of hair 50 located in the opening between the two electromagnets 38. Without current, the electromagnets 34 are in their relaxed state, therefore separated from each other by the springs 32 to leave the channel 38 open and the strand 50 will be loose. The current causes the polarized electromagnets 34 to overcome the springs' 32 resistance and come together to clamp the strands 50 and immobilize it.

These electromagnets 34 and their associated parts 32 and 48 are all confined inside each of the three rotating units 22. Each of these units are further segregated to an area 38 only accessible to the strands of hair 50. This area 38 and the rotating unit 22 is composed of a plastic polymer 36 and 46 allowing the fluid rotation of each unit 22 during the braiding process and allowing the strand to avoid entanglement in the electromagnet's springs 32.
FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are operation diagrams illustrating the motion of the movable rotors per an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6a is an overview of the gear system that allows the movement in a specific pattern of the rotors A 22 (not shown), B 22 and C 22 all equal size. It is important to note that the movable rotors are based on US patent 4,369,690.
Originating from the motor 2 (not shown), it will power the movement of the main gear 62. This gear will cause the movement of a smaller gear 58 that is located overhead and perpendicular to the previous gear 62. This smaller gear 58 will be attached to a holder 60 to allow it to be fixed in location.
This gear 58 will then enable the movement of the attachment units 54 and 56 with the presence of the teeth found at their exterior 14.
The movement of the attachment units 54 and 56 is dictated by their elliptical shape. The movement of the main gear 62 turning in a clockwise manner will cause the attachment unit teeth 14 to also move in a clockwise manner.
FIG. 6b provides a close up of the attachment units 54 and 56 with their teeth 14 that provides it the means to perform the braiding motion. The turning of the teeth 14 will cause a 180 rotation of units' A 54 and B 56 in a clockwise manner which will cause a substitution in their position. A
counterclockwise rotation will happen afterwards with the unit C 54 and unit A
54 (in the original position of unit B 56). These two movements will be equal to one complete maneuver of the device, thus completing one braid of the three strands 50 (not shown) each inserted into one of the rotors 22.
This movement will continue (with C exchanging with B and A with C, etc.) for a fixed number of maneuver with an auditory signal indicating the user to continue to the next step.
Example of Use A moderate portion of human hair is divided into three sections. One section is inserted into a hair holding chamber 22, in a tip to root direction, such that the hair section 50 falls through the holding chamber 38 between the electromagnetic securing clamps 34 and the electromagnetic sliding clamps 44. With the sections of hair 50 inserted within each of the hair holding chamber 26, the button controlling the secondary sliding clamp 8 is pressed and activated such that within each hair holding chamber 22 the sliding clamps 44 attract and the hair 50 is secured within the partially contracted clamps 44.
A low pitch beeping noise is emitted from the speaker box 11 signaling to the user that the sliding clamps have been activated. The action of the sliding clamps 44 allows the entirety of the hair to be passed through the hair holding chamber 22. The device 100 is then slide up the hair length 50 close to the roots of the hair 50. The start button of the device 6 is then pressed causing the primary securing clamp 34 to activate and contract upon the hair 50, the sliding clamps 44 simultaneously release and expand around the hair 50, and a low pitch beeping noise is emitted from the speaker box of the device 11. The gears (FIG. 6) then rotate the cylinders 26 in a figure-of-eight pattern such that a single three-bundle braid or plait is produced. When the hair between the scalp of the user and the tops of the cylinders 22 is too short to produce a braid, the user again may press the button controlling the secondary sliding clamp 8, whereby the gear rotation is halted and the primary securing clamps 34 are released. The secondary sliding clamps 44 activate and contract upon the hair 50 such that the hair 50 can be slid down the device 100, whereby more hair is available between the scalp of the user and the tops of the cylinders 22. Upon pressing the start button 6 once again, the securing clamps 34 contract, the speaker box 11 emits a low pitch beep, and the cylinders 22 are rotated by the gears such that braids are produced.
The alternation between the starting mode and the sliding mode produces braids from the roots and down the length of the portion of hair 50. When the satisfactory amount of braids has been produced, the user may press the stop button 4 such that the rotation of the cylinders 26 by the gears is brought to a stop and the clamps 34 & 44 are released, therefore the hair sections 50 can be removed from the cylinders 22 and the process may be repeated on another portion of hair.

References 1. Summers, Pamela, Angela Kyei, Wilma Fowler Bergfeld, and Melissa Piliang.
"Medical and Environmental Risk Factors for the Development of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia:
A Population Study." Archives of Dermatology 147.8 (2011): 909-14.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A device that securely and tightly holds three hair sections, beginning close to the base of the scalp, and braiding to create three-bundle braid or plait with the hair.
a. A securing device for a section of hair that uses electromagnetic clamps allowing user-determined sections of hair to be secured.
b. A magnetic mechanism whereby current is utilized to provide a hair sliding mechanism within the tubes, such that after a set number of rotations, the current will be weakened for 4 seconds to allow the user to slide the device down the hair section permitting the next hair segment to be available to braiding by the device.

2. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 1, that produces a high pitch low decibel beep sound at the beginning and end of a four second weakening interval which signals that the user may slide the device down the next segment of hair during the braiding process, as well as slide the device up the hair segment during the hair insertion process.

3. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 1, consisting of three holding channels which are held within a rotating gear system wherein the hair being braided is housed.

4. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 1, that contains a lateral gear system capable of moving the holding channels in a regular exchanging motion wherein a braid is constructed.

5. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 1, that contains a second lateral gear system capable of migrating vertically within the cylinder to assist the insertion of the hair strands. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 3, whereby electromagnets, made of a ferromagnetic metal, are encased within the holding channels.

6. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 6, wherein the electromagnets are attached to spring coils.
a. When a current is passed through the spring, the magnets move closer together, placing pressure on the enclosed hair thus securing the hair.
b. When a current does not pass through the spring to the magnets, the magnets do not attract and the spring allows them to return to a contracted position.

7. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 3, will utilize a DC current flowing from an electrical outlet connected to the plug to power the movement of the gears.

8. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 5, will utilize a DC current flowing from an electrical outlet connected to the plug to power the electromagnet, including activation of the buttons to control the electromagnets , vertical gliding of the electromagnets as well as the closing of the clamps.

9. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 2, will utilize a DC current flowing from an electrical outlet connected to the plug to power the high pitch low decibel beep sound.

10. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 3, that contains a pair of buttons which activates the closing of both the stationary electromagnetic clamp and the downward movement of the electromagnetic clamp.

11. The hair braiding machine, as of claim 3, contains a tertiary button which simultaneously activates the opening of both clamps and restores the vertical position of the gliding electromagnetic clamp.