EP2687118B1 - Hair styling apparatus equipped with a comb locking system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hairdressing appliance, of the straightening type, comprising two arms for thermal treatment of the hair by pinching and equipped with removable combs. Such combs make it possible to detangle and comb the hair during a pre-smoothing, and can be removed for a smoothing finish or even simply for cleaning the combs and the hairdressing appliance.

Hairdressing apparatus of the straightener type, as described in the document US 8 146 605 B1 are known to those skilled in the art. It appears in particular from the prior art the publications EP 1 652 445 B1 and US 2011/0220141 A1 which each disclose a hairdressing apparatus comprising two arms articulated together to form a clamp and each comprising a heating system for the treatment of the hair when they are pinched between these two arms. The hairdressing apparatus comprises two combs mounted in sliding connection on one of the two arms in the direction of its longitudinal axis. Each slide connection consists of a longitudinal groove arranged on the arm and a longitudinal rail arranged on the comb and of complementary shape to said groove. The rail comb is introduced into the groove of the arm, which allows the guide and the sliding of the comb on the arm for its introduction and removal. In the document EP 1 652 445 B1 the comb is simply engaged in a sliding connection on the arm; only the friction force exerted between the rail and the groove allows the comb to be held in position on the arm. It is the same in the document US 2011/0220141 A1 which however provides, in a variant, a nesting between the rail and the groove for holding the comb on the arm.
It is understood that according to this design of the hairdressing appliance, as described in the publications EP 1 652 445 B1 and US 2011/0220141 A1 , it is necessary to exert a sufficiently great friction between the rail and the groove to maintain the comb in the suitably position on the arm during the use of the apparatus of hairstyle and, consequently, to provide a more or less tight fitting between these elements. This has the disadvantage of making it difficult to place the comb on the arm because of the friction exerted during the sliding of the rail in the groove. It is the same during the removal of the comb, this difficulty may be accentuated due to the expansion of the rail and / or the groove generated by the actuation of the heating system. In addition, the use of the hairdressing appliance can cause wear of the rail and / or slide, which, by use, causes play in the slide connection and, consequently, poor maintenance of the comb on the arm.
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages of known hairdressing appliances. To this end, the invention relates to a hair styling apparatus of the hair straightening type, as defined in claim 1. The hairdressing apparatus comprises two arms each equipped with a heating system and configured to form a clamp allowing the heating systems to thermally treat, concomitantly, the hair, especially when they are pinched. This hairdressing apparatus also comprises at least one comb assembled in slide connection with at least one of the two arms in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said arm. In addition, according to the invention, the arm comprises a locking system configured to be actuated, on the one hand, in a stop position in which the locking system locks in the assembled position the at least one comb on this arm or on the other hand, in a retracted position according to which the locking system allows the sliding of the at least one comb on this arm.

Thus, according to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, it is not necessary to provide friction in the slide connection between the comb and the arm, which facilitates the establishment of the comb. It is the same when removing the comb. Such a locking system further ensures proper retention of the comb on the arm during use of the hairdressing apparatus. The implementation of such a retractable locking system also makes it ergonomic assembly and disassembly of the comb on the arm, since it is sufficient to actuate said locking system for easily slide the comb over the arm in one direction or the other and thus position or remove it. The locking system includes a button mounted to connect to the arm to be operated in two positions. The locking system also comprises at least one stop finger configured to block the sliding of the at least one comb in abutment position and to allow the sliding of the at least one comb in the retracted position. In addition, the locking system comprises transmission means configured so that the actuation of the button in its two positions respectively allows the displacement of the stop finger in the stop position and in the retracted position.

According to a first variant of this preferred mode of design of the hairdressing apparatus, the button is mounted in translation on the arm along an axis disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm and the at least one finger of stop is attached to the button. Thus, the stop finger translates identically to the button during its displacement in the stop position or in the retracted position.

According to a second variant of this preferred mode of design of the hairdressing apparatus, the button is mounted in pivot connection on the arm along an axis disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm and the at least one finger stop is attached to the button. The pivoting of the button thus allows a circular translation of the stop finger for its displacement in abutment position or retracted position.

According to these two aforementioned variants, the transmission means consist of a flush connection. This advantageously makes it possible to constitute the button and the at least one stop finger in one piece. However, it is possible to provide separate pieces fixed together. In addition, other variants of this preferred design of the hairdressing apparatus are conceivable within the scope of the invention. It could indeed consider a transmission between the button and the stopper fingers consist of individual parts. For example, suitable transmission means could be provided according to which a translation of the button along a first axis, disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm, would cause a translation of the stop fingers along a second axis different from the first axis and also disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the arm comprises at least one housing configured to receive the at least one stop finger in the retracted position. This simplifies the design of the hairdresser and limits its size. However, it is possible to envisage housingless design variants according to which, in the retracted position, the stop finger would be disengaged from the comb without being housed in the arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the locking system comprises a return system in abutment position. This improves the ergonomics of the device since it is sufficient to actuate the locking system in the only retracted position, the return to the stop position is automatically by the return to said stop position. However, it is possible to design design variants requiring manual actuation in the two positions of stop and retracted.

In a preferred mode of design of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the heating system comprises a heated planar surface arranged longitudinally on the arm, said hairdressing apparatus comprising two combs respectively arranged on the lateral sides of the heating plane surface. . However, variants of the design of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention could be envisaged, comprising, for example, arms equipped with heating surfaces of complementary circular shapes.

In a preferred embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the locking system is arranged at the end of the arm and abuts against the end of the at least one comb. This facilitates the design of the arm and the comb. However, there could be other arrangements of the locking system on the arm, which would for example abut against a notch arranged at a certain position along the comb.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the two arms each have an inner face, the two inner faces being arranged opposite. Similarly, the two arms each have an outer face, the two outer faces being arranged in opposition. In a preferred mode of design of the hairdressing apparatus, the locking system is configured to be actuated from the inner face of the arm. This has the advantage of avoiding inadvertent manipulation of the locking system during use of the hairdressing apparatus. However, it is possible to envisage an alternative design of the hairdressing apparatus, according to which the locking system is configured to be actuated from the outer face of the arm.

• La figure 1 illustre une vue d'ensemble en perspective d'un appareil de coiffure selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 illustre en perspective un premier bras de l'appareil de coiffure de la figure 1, comportant un système de verrouillage escamotable ;
• La figure 3 illustre en perspective un second bras de l'appareil de coiffure de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue agrandie de la partie avant du premier bras de la figure 2;
• Les figures 5, 6 et 7 illustrent en détail les éléments constitutifs d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage escamotable ;
• Les figures 8 et 9 illustrent un second mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage escamotable, respectivement en position de butée et en position escamotée ;
• Les figures 10 et 11 illustrent un doigt de butée respectivement en position de butée et en position escamotée selon ce second mode de réalisation des figures 8 et 9 ;
• La figure 12 illustre un troisième mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage escamotable en position de butée ;
• Les figures 13 et 14 illustrent un quatrième mode de réalisation d'un système de verrouillage escamotable en position escamotée respectivement pour un premier peigne et un second peigne.

The characteristics and advantages of the hairdressing apparatus which is the subject of the invention will become apparent on reading the attached description with reference to the drawings which illustrate nonlimiting embodiments, among which:

• The figure 1 illustrates an overall perspective view of a hairdressing apparatus according to the invention;
• The figure 2 illustrates in perspective a first arm of the hairdressing apparatus of the figure 1 , having a retractable locking system;
• The figure 3 illustrates in perspective a second arm of the hairdressing apparatus of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 4 is an enlarged view of the front part of the first arm of the figure 2 ;
• The figures 5 , 6 and 7 illustrate in detail the constituent elements of a first embodiment of a retractable locking system;
• The Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of a retractable locking system, respectively in the stop position and in the retracted position;
• The Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a stop finger respectively in the stop position and in the retracted position according to this second embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 ;
• The figure 12 illustrates a third embodiment of a retractable locking system in abutment position;
• The Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a retractable locking system in retracted position respectively for a first comb and a second comb.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the hairstyling apparatus 1 is of the straightener type and comprises two arms 2, 3 which are hinged to each other by means of a pivot connection 4 of the hinge type. Thus, the two arms 2, 3 constitute a clamp which allows either an angular spacing between these two arms 2, 3, or an approximation one against the other of these two arms 2, 3 to allow the pinching of hair arranged between said two arms 2, 3.

These arms 2, 3 each comprise a heating system. In addition to electric heating means (not shown) and control means and thermal regulation (not shown), these heating systems each comprise a heating system 5, 6, taking the form of a flat surface 5, 6 such that illustrated on the Figures 2 and 3 . These planar heating surfaces 5, 6 are arranged on the inner faces 7, 8 of the arms 2, 3. Thus, during a nip, the two flat heating surfaces 5, 6 are arranged facing one another and allow concomitantly perform a heat treatment of the hair, to perform their smoothing.

As illustrated on figures 1 , 2 and 4 , the first arm 2 comprises two combs 9, 10 which are each mounted in slide connection 11, 12 respectively on the two lateral sides 5a, 5b of the flat heating surface 5. These two combs 9, 10 make it possible to untangle and comb the hair during their smoothing. As illustrated in figure 4 , the slide links 11, 12 each consist of a guide groove 13 arranged on the arm 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of said arm 2 and a rail 14 arranged on the combs 9, 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. The rail 14 engages and slides in both directions within the guide groove 13, in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, which allows sliding in one direction or in the other, to mount the combs 9, 10 on the arm 2 or, conversely, to disassemble them. Good understood variations of slide connection can be envisaged. For example, a guide rail could be provided on the arm 2 and a groove on the combs 9, 10 slidably engaging the guide rail.

As illustrated on figures 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 7 , the arm 2 comprises a first embodiment of a locking system 15 which is arranged at the distal end 2a of said arm 2. The locking system 15 comprises a body 16 which comprises a tubular portion 17 of axis Y. This Y axis is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the arm 2, with an orientation in the direction of the thickness of said arm 2. As shown in FIGS. figures 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 7 , the locking system 15 also comprises a button 18 which can be actuated from the inner face 7 of the arm 2. The button 18 comprises an axial portion 19 of Y axis which engages in the tubular portion 17. The button 18 comprises two stop fingers 20, 21 which extend symmetrically with respect to the axial portion 19, perpendicular to the axis Y and transversely on the arm 2. In addition, the body 16 comprises two notches 22, 23 in which engage respectively, the two stop fingers 20, 21. This makes it possible to make a Y-axis slide connection when the button 18 is assembled with the body 16. Thus, when the button 18 is pressed from the inner face 7 of the arm 2, said button 18 translates along the Y axis inside the body 16 and, consequently, the stop fingers 20, 21 translate and rise in the notches 22, 23. It can be seen, with regard to these figures 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 7 , that the arm comprises two housing zones 24, 25 arranged in part on the body 16, which respectively allow the reception of the two stop fingers 20, 21 when they go up in the notches 22, 23 and thus, allow a retraction of these stop fingers 20, 21 inside the arm 2 when the button 18 is depressed. In this retracted position, the stop fingers 20, 21 are disengaged from the ends 9a, 10a of the combs 9, 10, which allows the sliding of these combs 9, 10 relative to the arm 2 to perform their implementation or, on the contrary, their withdrawal.

As illustrated on figures 5 , 6 and 7 , the locking system 15 comprises a spring 26 which is housed in a non-through hole 27 arranged on the button 18, according to the axis Y. This spring 26 is compressed inside the arm, between said arm 2 and the button 18. The axial portion 19 of the button 18 comprises a shoulder 28 which abuts against the peripheral edge 29 of the tubular portion 17 of the body 16. Thus the spring 26 in the compressed state, pushes the button 18 outwardly, while the shoulder 28 limits the translation outwardly along the Y axis of said button 18 relative to the body 16. This allows an automatic return of the knob 18 in the disengaged position of the body 16 in which the two stop fingers 20, 21 are disengaged from the housings 24, 25 and abut on the ends 9a, 10a of the combs 9 , So as to block their sliding relative to the arm 2.

The Figures 8 to 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a locking system 30 on the arm 2. According to this design, the locking system 30 comprises a body 31 which comprises a tubular portion 32 provided with an internal shoulder 33. The locking system 30 comprises also a button 34 which comprises an axial portion 35 provided with an outer shoulder 36 and a hole 37 non-opening. The locking system also comprises a spring 38 which is partially housed in the hole 37 and which is compressed inside the arm 2, between said arm 2 and the button 34. This spring 38 is oriented along an axis Y1, in the direction of the thickness of the arm 2 and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of said arm 2, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 8 and 9 .

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 a pivot connection 39 is arranged between the body 31 and the distal end 35a of the axial portion 35 of the button 34. As can be seen from these Figures 8 and 9 the pivot connection 39 is slightly offset outwards with respect to said distal end 35a and the axis Y1. This pivot connection 39 is oriented along a transverse axis Z on the arm 2, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of said arm 2. The button 34 comprises two stopper fingers, one of which is shown on FIG. Figures 10 and 11 . These stop fingers 40 have a design and an orientation on the button 34, substantially similar to those previously described for the stop fingers 20, 21 arranged on the button 18 and illustrated in FIG. Figures 4, 5 and 7 .

According to this conception illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 when pushing the button 34 from the inner face 7 of the arm 2, this button 34 is pushed into the body 31 by pivoting along the axis Z, which allows the two stop fingers 40 to translate circularly and to sinking into the body 31, as illustrated in figure 11 . Of course, housing of similar design to the housing 24, 25 illustrated in FIG. Figures 4 to 6 , in this depressed position of the button 34, the stop fingers 40 are retracted, that is to say freed from the ends 9a, 10a of the combs. 9, 10, which allows to slide in one direction or the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, the combs 9, 10 on the arm 2. When it stops pressing the button 34, the spring 38, which has been compressed and is in the position illustrated in FIG. figure 9 , relaxes and rotates the button 34 along the axis Z, to automatically return it to the unobstructed position of the body 31 illustrated in FIG. figure 8 , according to which the stop fingers 40 come to block the ends 9a, 10a of the combs 9, 10, as illustrated in particular in FIG. figure 10 .

On the figure 12 is illustrated a third alternative design of a locking system 41 on the arm 2, whose operating principle is identical to that described above for the first locking system 15 illustrated in FIG. Figures 1 to 7 . This locking system 41 comprises a body 42 which comprises a tubular portion 43 of axis Y2 directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the arm 2, with an orientation in the direction of the thickness of said arm 2. The locking system 41 also comprises a button 44 which comprises an axial portion 45 of axis Y2 and a groove 46 in which the tubular portion 43 abuts and abuts, thereby limiting the stroke of the button 44 towards the outside of the body 42, along the axis Y2, during its actuation and its return to the open position on the inner face 7 of the arm 2. The button 44 also comprises two stop fingers 47, 48 directed perpendicular to the axis Y2, in the transverse direction arm 2 to abut against the ends 9a, 10a of the combs 9, 10 when the button is in the open position of the arm 2, as shown in this figure. According to this variant, the button 44 comprises two holes 49, 50 that do not open, respectively allowing the partial reception of two springs 51, 52 oriented parallel to the axis Y2, as illustrated in FIG. figure 12 . These springs 51, 52 are compressed between the button 44 and the arm 2 and thus allow the automatic return of the button 44 from a position pressed into the body 42, in which the stop fingers 47, 48 are retracted and allow the sliding combs 9, 10, to the disengaged position, when one stops pressing said button 44.

On the Figures 13 and 14 is illustrated a fourth design variant of a locking system 53 on the arm 2. According to this design, the locking system 53 comprises a body 54 which has an oblong slot 55 of axis Y3 directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the arm 2, with a transverse orientation on the arm 2. The locking system 53 also comprises a button 56 of oblong shape, configured to be housed and slide in the oblong slot 55, in both directions of the axis Y3, as illustrated on these Figures 13 and 14 . The button 56 is actuated from the inner face 7 of the arm 2. This button 56 comprises two stop fingers 57, 58 which extend in opposition along the axis Y3. When the button 56 is disposed in abutment against the first end 55a of the oblong slot 55, as illustrated in FIG. figure 13 , the first stop finger 57 is retracted inside the body 54 and is released from the end 9a of the first comb 9, which allows the comb 9 to slide on the arm 2 to mount or remove it. Conversely, when the button 56 is translated in abutment against the second end 55b of the oblong slot 55, as illustrated in FIG. figure 14 the second finger 58 is retracted into the body 54 and is released from the end 10a of the second comb 10, which allows this comb 10 to slide on the arm 2, to mount or remove it.

This locking system 53 also preferably comprises a return system (not shown) of the button 56 in a central position in the oblong slot 55, in which the two stop fingers 57, 58 remain free of the body 54, in abutment respectively against the ends 9a, 10a of the two combs 9, 10. This return system consists for example of two springs oriented along the axis Y3, respectively on each side of the button 56, and compressed between the button 56 and the body 54 These two springs are identical, that is to say they have a identical length and stiffness constant, which ensures a central equilibrium position of the button 56 in the oblong slot 55. One can also provide a single spring which, when the button 56 is actuated abutting on one or the other of the ends 55a, 55b of the oblong slot 55, is in compression or on the contrary in extension and which, when the button is released, naturally returns to the equilibrium state in which the button 56 is repositioned in a central position in the oblong light 55.

According to these various variants described above for the locking system 15, 30, 41, 53, the button 18, 34, 44, 56 and the stop fingers 20, 21, 40, 47, 48, 57, 58 are constituted of a single piece, which consists of a connection between these elements. However, it is possible to provide separate pieces fixed together. The movement of the stop fingers 20, 21, 40, 47, 48, 57, 58 is thus conditioned by the connection implemented between the button 18, 34, 44, 56 and the body 16, 31, 42, 54. D Other variants are, furthermore, conceivable for the design of the locking system on the arm 2. Transmission means could be provided between the button and the stop fingers, other than a flush connection. One could, for example, provide a design variant according to which the button would be actuated in the direction of the Y axis illustrated in FIG. figures 2 , 4 to 7 and transmission means for simultaneously moving the stop fingers inside or outside the body, respectively in the retracted position or in the stop position, in the direction of the axis Y3 illustrated in FIG. figure 13 and 14 .

One could also provide design variants of the locking system according to which the button is actuated from the outer face 59 of the arm 2, preferably at its end 2a.

One could also provide variants of hairdressing appliances comprising one or two combs arranged on each of the arms 2, 3. In this case the two arms 2, 3 each have a locking system, these locking systems can be operated from the inner faces 7, 8 of the arms 2, 3 or, alternatively, from the outer faces 59, 60 of the arms 2,3.

Claims (9)

1. Hairstyling apparatus (1), of the hair straightening type, comprising two arms (2, 3), each equipped with a heating system (5, 6) and configured to form a clamp allowing the heating systems (5, 6) to thermally treat, in a concomitant manner, the hair and, at least one comb (9, 10) assembled via a slide link (11, 12) with at least one of the two arms (2) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) of said arm, said arm (2) comprising a locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) configured such that it is actuated, on the one hand, in an abutted position, according to which the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) locks the at least one comb (9, 10) in the assembled position on said arm (2) or, on the other hand, in a retracted position, according to which the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) allows the at least one comb (9, 10) to slide on said arm (2), characterised in that the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) comprises a button (18, 34, 44, 56) mounted via a link on the arm (2) so as to be actuated in two positions, at least one stop pin (20, 21, 40, 47, 48, 57, 58) configured to block the at least one comb (9, 10) from sliding in the abutted position and to allow the at least one comb (9, 10) to slide in the retracted position and, transmission means configured such that the actuation of the button (18, 34, 44, 56) according to the two positions thereof respectively allows the stop pin (20, 21, 40, 47, 48, 57, 58) to move into the abutted position and the retracted position.
2. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the button (18, 44, 56) is mounted such that it translates on the arm (2) along an axis (Y, Y2, Y3) positioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the arm, and the at least one stop pin (20, 21, 47, 48, 57, 58) is secured to the button.
3. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the button (34) is mounted via a pivot link on the arm (2) about an axis (Z) positioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the arm, and the at least one stop pin (40) is secured to the button (34).
4. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the arm (2) comprises at least one housing (24, 25) configured so as to receive the at least one stop pin (20, 21, 40, 47, 48, 57, 58) in the retracted position.
5. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) comprises an automatic return system (26, 38, 51, 52) for automatically returning to the abutted position.
6. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the heating system comprises a flat heating surface (5, 6) arranged longitudinally on the arm (2), said hairstyling apparatus (1) comprising two combs (9, 10) respectively arranged on the lateral sides (5a, 5b) of the flat heating surface (5).
7. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) is arranged at the end (2a) of the arm (2) and abuts against the end (9a, 10a) of the at least one comb (9, 10).
8. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the two arms (2, 3) each comprise an inner face (7, 8), the two inner faces being positioned opposite one another, the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) being configured such that it is actuated from the inner face (7) of the arm (2).
9. Hairstyling apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the two arms (2, 3) each comprise an outer face (59, 60), the two outer faces being positioned such that they face away from one another, the locking system (15, 30, 41, 53) being configured such that it is actuated from the outer face (59) of the arm (2).

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