EP1013191A1 - Hairclip - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a hair clip (1) for hairdressing, characterised in that it consists of at least three prongs (3, 5, 7) each formed by a squeezing part called blade (13, 15, 17) and an end part acting as a lever mechanism (23, 25, 27) for spacing the corresponding blades in pairs.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pliers hair intended to be used to maintain hair in place when styling. It concerns more especially the pliers which are used to form and hold the locks of hair in high or flat curls during the styling or during the perm.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

When styling and, especially during the so-called permanent treatment, the hairdresser uses different ways to wind the hair and keep in rolled up position during treatment.

After treatment, the accessories used are of course removed and the hair is wavy or curly in a more or less durable way depending on the position that was imposed during processing and fixation techniques that have been used.

Initially, we mainly used rollers or curlers to impose the wrapped shape when treatment.

However, this provision of a fairly large number of curlers or rollers is generally not appreciated due to the size and weight of rollers or curlers, even if these are made of light material such as synthetic materials.

In addition, the use of these curlers or rollers causes a series of disadvantages including we can cite, in addition to the size and weight, a unsightly alignment effect of successive loops, a limitation of the diameter of the loops imposed by the diameter of the curlers and a tension of the hair which can cause damage as a result of their winding tightened on the curler during treatment.

To overcome these disadvantages and, in particular to achieve a 〈〈 inflated 〉〉 structure of the hair without alignment effect and without the treatment does cause tight hair curling, we proposed the use of tongs which make it possible to prepare the hair for treatment with greater freedom, especially with regard to the arrangement of the wicks rolled up both to avoid the alignment effect and to avoid very tight windings.

Using pliers of this type, the hairdresser trains a series of curls by winding strands of hair, either according to a fixed diameter, or by choosing a variable diameter but, preferably, avoiding alignments made almost inevitable by technique curlers or rollers.

Hair clips allow you to fix winding a lock of hair in a good position defined and chosen by the hairdresser, unlike curlers and rollers. Clamp fixing allows the taking finer wicks with a winding diameter variable, individual direction and lines of practically non-existent separation while avoiding too much traction on the hair.

In practice, however, despite the advantages intrinsic clips to fix compared to curlers and rollers, the technique of winding the wick, preliminary to fixing, by the clamp is very complicated and requires a knack that many hairdressers do not have or require any way a relatively long time to get effects aesthetically pleasing.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to simplify the winding prior to fixing the strands of hair, using pliers improved compared to conventional pliers and also aims to facilitate the implementation of hairstyling techniques based on the use of pliers of the type described.

SUMMARY OF THE STATE OF THE ART

The various forms of known styling pliers conventionally, come in the form of a two-person tool branches articulated with respect to an axis of articulation transverse arranged between the ends of the branches of so that two parts of each branch qualified below blades, forming jaws, can be spread one from the other or close in position practically from complete contact under the effect of two parts of the branch qualified as levers.

Clamps of this type are described in particular in the following documents FR-1 317 575, GB-1 013 720 and US-2,133,145.

These documents describe specific forms for the components of the clamps which are possible according to the present invention, without the invention is however not limited to practical details specific information described in these documents.

In document FR-770 805, a clamp is described whose 〈〈 jaws 〉〉 do not match the shape specific envisaged by the present invention but which provides an interesting technical solution for what concerns the design of the spring.

The articulation of the branches on the transverse axis is carried out conventionally by different means elastic such as a spring made of a metal wire helical elastic, wrapped around the axis transverse joint, a first end of the wire metallic projecting radially from the axis and coming in support under the first opening lever and the second end of the wire extending radially from the axis and coming to bear under the second opening lever.

Other means such as springs made up by an elastic U-shaped blade whose branches come in support under the opening levers to move them apart the other are possible.

We also know elastic means under shape of an open metal ring with round section or plate etc.

The function of the spring is conventionally keep the opening levers apart so that the blades constituting the other end of the branch articulated are brought into contact so as to pinch the hair.

Many specific shapes of the blades have been offered such as point blades, blades constituted by forks with two or three teeth, with or without interposition of spacers, blades provided with serrations on their edges etc.

The use of these pliers implies that the hairdresser forms curls by looping a lock of hair, possibly twisted and maintained then the curl of hair rolled up using the pliers.

A first risk during this operation is to 〈〈 crunch 〉〉 the tip of the hair. Anyway, this operation is relatively delicate since it involves manually forming the loops by manipulating strand by strand the hair and then keep it in loops in the desired position using the pliers.

CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a hair clip is proposed. intended for hairdressing characterized in that it is composed of at least three branches.

Each branch is in principle made up of a qualified clamping part of blade and one end acting as a control lever to spread the blades corresponding.

At least two main embodiments for said clamp are possible.

According to a first form, a first branch (exterior) is articulated with respect to a second neighboring branch along an axis which is different from the axis ensuring the articulation of this second branch by report to the next third branch and so on, if there are more than three branches. In other words, the articulation is carried out by couple.

According to a second form, the different branches are articulated around a common axis.

In the two embodiments, one or more springs, of different types can be envisaged, the function is to maintain the blade of the first branch on the blade of the second branch and the blade of the second branch on the blade of the third branch and so on, while allowing their separation into actuating the corresponding levers of the pliers against the spring force.

In the case of pliers with three branches, a first and a second blade are used to fix the point of the lock of hair and keep it in place winding it, with or without twisting, to form a loop.

The loop thus formed can then be held in place between the second blade and the third blade.

In the case of pliers with more than three branches, we can first hold as shown above the tip of the wick between the first and the second blade, then fix a first loop turn (with or without twist) between a second and a third blade on a part of the length of the wick and then redo loop loop on the remaining length of the drill bit (with the same or a different diameter, with the same winding direction or not, with or without twisting) etc. for as long as the length of the wick allows.

This alternative form of execution allows to wind a long hair with a variable diameter in keeping at all times of the winding, the wick of hair in the clamp without having to let go and so carry out an easy, technically perfect winding with very fine separations without pulling on the hair. A long hair should dry for a long time on a roller, while it can be dried much faster on a clamp, which therefore saves time and energy.

Various specific shapes of the blades can be considered, most of which have been described in the aforementioned prior art documents.

Advantageously, the spring which maintains in contact position the pliers blades is constituted by a helical elastic metal wire, wrapped around the transverse articulation axis, the ends of which protrude radially from the axis and come to bear under the branches which the spring is intended to hold in contact in the absence of action on the lever against the force spring.

Various other embodiments of springs are however possible such as elements in 〈〈 U 〉〉 or other elastic means such as open rings etc.

It should be noted that hair clips of this type are often in contact with moisture and various treatment products. When using a metallic element to form the spring it's advantageous to use a stainless material, preferably nickel-plated or chrome-plated, to resist the effect of humidity and treatment products.

The branches of the pliers can also be made of metallic material as long as they withstand humidity conditions and treatment used in hairdressing. For reasons of lightness, it may be better to use elements made of plastic which combine lightness and mechanical resistance required.

The length, width, thickness and shape constituent elements of the clamp, in particular blades, can be adapted to various circumstances as long for the opening levers as for this which concerts the blade. This of course applies also the choice of materials and colors.

This is how the blades can be pointed, (as shown in Figure 8 of GB-A-1,013,720), may consist of forks two or more teeth, with or without interposition spacers or that the blades can also be serrated on their edges.

In particular, the lever portion can be wider or narrower than the constituent part the blades. It is also possible to integrate into each pliers or to add a comb system in order to facilitate its use.

The pliers of the type according to the invention can be provided with any decoration or elements complementary styling attached to the clips to achieve specific hairstyle effects.

This is how we can provide a system of grooves or a hanging liner on the inside blades or part of them for fixing best strands of hair.

It can also be provided that the first blade and the second blade are curved (channel-shaped or ledge) in the longitudinal direction and that the other blades are flat.

It is still possible to plan for one or more several blades, in particular those used for gripping wick initial, protection or pocket or whatever other equivalent means to provide protection additional tip which is often very sensitive.

It is still possible to plan on one or several blades a tongue fixed perpendicular to the blade, through which the lock of hair can be guided to a chosen loop diameter, possibly by being stretched on this tongue which is preferably made in a semi-rigid material.

In principle, any system fixed or fixable to the clamp, the purpose of which is to stretch, support, guide, wrap the lock of hair to facilitate its winding, keep the loop away from its axis and give additional stability to the loop, maybe considered.

In the order of the possibilities of realization of branches, we can mention the possibility that a blade is longer than others and is folded at its end to allow even better lock the lock of hair.

We can also consider a system of sliding, lengthwise or widthwise, branches for facilitate the use of pliers and the installation of curls.

Similarly, a rod, combined or not with one of the elements ensuring the clamping function, can be provided for easier handling and rotation.

Pliers of the mentioned type can be also provided with a complementary fixing system, both in the open position of the different blades relative to each other, only in the positions correspondents closed.

The major advantage of a clamp comprising at least three branches according to the invention lies in the fact that the handling of strands of hair by the hairdresser is greatly facilitated.

The hairdresser can carry out practically the described operation of placing the clamps, without having to form the loop beforehand using your fingers.

Pliers with three or more branches depending on the invention therefore makes it possible to produce loops of different diameters without the system being essentially more bulky than conventional pliers two branches and allows greater freedom in the choice of the diameters of the loops formed and their relative provision, in particular avoiding the effects almost inevitable alignment in curlers or rollers.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

The invention will be described in more detail in reference to embodiments of the illustrated invention in the accompanying drawings.

Short description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view a clamp consisting of three branches in position separated from the blades, this position being produced in pressing the two outer levers.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a pliers according to Figure 1;

FIG. 3 represents a profile view of this same clamp in closed position and;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a shape possible execution in which the blade is formed in point ;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a variant execution of three blades, the first two being formed into cornices of complementary shape and the third being planar.

In the figures, a shape has been represented of execution in which a first external branch is articulated with respect to a central branch according to a its own axis, while a second branch is articulated with respect to this same central branch at using a second axis.

However, there is nothing to prevent the joint respective of the two outer branches with respect to the central branch is carried out along a common axis.

In the embodiment shown, we also refers to the use of a coil spring although other equivalent embodiments for the function exercised are possible.

Also in the drawings, marks of identical reference are used for means identical or similar for the views of the different figures.

The clamp according to the invention which bears the mark general 1 consists of a first branch exterior 3, a second exterior branch 5 and a central branch 7. The outer branch 3 has a blade 13 shown in Figures 1 to 3, without this does not constitute a limiting character, in the form of a two tine fork 13. For example, Figure 4 represents a shape of point blade. The other extremity of the first branch 3 is constituted by a part forming a lever 23.

Similarly, the second branch outer 5 has a blade 15 and a lever 25 while that the central branch 7 has a blade 17 and a lever 27. Blades 15 and 17 are also shown as being formed by a fork with two branches but it there is no obligation that the blades, 15 and 17 are identical configuration to blade 13. Blade 17 could for example be a flat blade or be a blade narrower than the outer blades 13 and 15, so that create micro waves along the length of the wick.

In the illustrative illustration in Figure 5, there is shown the sectional view of a blade in iche cornice représenté for two blades, the third being flat.

Likewise it is possible as we have shown, that one of the outer blades is slightly curved (blade 13) while the remaining blades are practically flat, of course, that an effect clamping between the blades is carried out in the position of closing.

The ends forming the levers 23, 25 and 27 can also affect different forms.

In the embodiment shown, axes 31 and 33 respectively ensure the articulation of the blades external to the central blade.

Advantageously, the spring which is not shown only partially in figure 3 by the reference 35 is made in the form of a helical winding of a wire whose two ends deviate radially and end up taking support under (i.e. internally) levers 23 and 27 and 25 and 27, of so as to keep the blades in the position shown in Figure 2.

By acting on levers 23 and 27 and 25 and 27, the blades 13 and 17 and the blades 15 and 17.

It now becomes possible to pinch first the end of a lock of hair between the blades 13 and 17, to wrap the lock of hair in a loop, with or without twist, by manipulating the lock of hair during the intervention of the pliers and then hold the lock of hair in loop position by pinching the loop wick near the scalp between blades 15 and 17.

We can then, when all the locks have rolled up, proceed to further processing of hair in order to fix it by any appropriate means, putting in pleats, permanent with the use of usual treatment for this type of operation.

Although an embodiment has been described preferred of the invention, it is of course possible to make many changes and resort to variants as indicated in the claims that follow.

Claims (11)

Hair clip (1) for hairdressing characterized in that it is composed of at least three branches (3, 5, 7). Hair clip according to claim 1, characterized in that a first outer branch is articulated with respect to a central branch (7) according to a axis (31) which is different from the axis (33) ensuring the articulation of a second outer branch (5) by relative to the central branch (7). Hair clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the two outer branches (3, 5) and the central branch (7) are articulated around an axis common. Hair clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one or more springs (35) have the effect of holding the blade (13) from the first outer branch (3) on the blade (17) of the central branch (7) and the blade (15) of the second branch outer (5) on the blade (17) of the central branch (7) while allowing their separation by operating the corresponding levers of the clamp, against the force of the spring. Hair clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blades are at the tip, are constituted by forks of two or three teeth, with or without interposition of spacers and / or that the blades are serrated on their edges. Hair clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring (35) which keeps the blades of the clamp consists of an elastic metal wire helical, wrapped around the hinge pin transverse, the ends of which protrude radially from the axis and come to rest under the branches as the spring is intended to keep in contact in the absence of action on the lever against the spring force. Hair clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring is consisting of an element in 〈〈 U 〉〉 or another means elastic such as an open ring. Hair clip according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the spring consists of a stainless material, preferably nickel-plated or chrome-plated, for resist the effect of humidity and treatment. Hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is with decoration or additional elements styling attached to the clips to achieve specific hairstyle. Hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is provided with grooves on the internal face of the blades for a more intense fixing of the locks of hair. Hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is provided with an additional fixing system, as well in the open position of the different blades one by relative to each other, only in the corresponding positions closed.

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