GB2224437A - A hair styler and safety device for preventing burns - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair styler includes a handle H, a heatable barrel 12,(112) and a curling clamp 18,(118) pivotally attached to the heatable barrel wherein the clamp in the closed position in conjunction with the periphery of the barrel supports a plurality of annuli 33, 34,(133, 134) made of non-heat conductive material and spaced along the longitudinal length of the barrel to preclude direct contact between the user and the heatable barrel. The annuli 34,(134) are carried on the barrel by means of a trackway (13, 113) formed on an outer surface of the barrel accessible by a removable end cap 16 on the barrel at an end distal from the handle (H) and tracks (36, 136) on the annuli complementally formed to the trackway support the annuli by means of radially extending legs (32, 132). <IMAGE>

Description

A HAIR STYLER AND SAFETY DEVICE FOR PREVENTING BURNS This invention relates generally to a hair styler and safety device for preventing burns to the skin yet which allows hair to be heated and styled safely.

Those skilled in the art of hair styling recognise that a curl can be imparted to a lock of hair by engaging the lock of hair with a source of heat and winding the lock about the heat source for a certain period of time.

First, the lock of hair is extended radially from the scalp. The hair extremities are placed between the clamp and the heating iron. After scrolling the hair about the heating implement, for a predetermined amount of time and releasing, a wave is imparted into the hair fiber.

When this procedure is performed by an experienced stylist, the possibility of mishandling the styler or heating iron is at a minimum since the operator has both hands and full attention directed towards the endeavor. It is known, however to provide home curling units where the consumer personally will manipulate the heating iron device. Should the consumer mishandle the heating iron and since there is no insulation between the curling iron and the skin of the person handling the device mismanagement of the device can lead to serious burns.

The following patents reflect the known prior art, but it is clear that none of these patents is directed to precluding the possibility of serious burns should the curling iron engage a portion of the person other than the hair to be curled.

U.S. Patent 4,368,376 Andis January 11, 1983 U.S. Patent 3,731,694 Moro May 8, 1973 U.S. Patent 3,922,521 Visgel et al November 25, 1975 U.S. Patent 1,549,130 Fromager et al August 11, 1925 U.S. Patent 1,605,540 Gibney November 2, 1926 U.S. Patent 4,163,143 Federico et al July 31, 1979 None of these patents are concerned with avoiding the possibility of burning either the stylist using the curling iron or the person whose hair is being curled. It is a likely and foreseeable event that the iron will slip because of entanglement with the hair or for other reasons.

It is important to note that the critical step for effectively imparting curl to hair is contacting hair strands with a source of heat. Any other consideration is ancillary to the curling process. While-it is true that different "scrolling" techniques will modify the type of the curl imparted into the hair, exotic scrolling techniques merely add to the difficulty in using curling irons both at home and professionally.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair styler including, a handle supporting a heatable barrel, a clamp pivotally attached to the barrel, said clamp being openable to receive hair between the barrel and said clamp for curling hair, and a plurality of non-heat conductive means carried on said clamp on a surface thereof remote from the barrel whereby said clamp will not burn the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety device for preventing burns when used with a hair styler which has a heatable barrel, which safety device includes, a plurality of annuli positionable to circumscribe the barrel of the hair styler and to be spaced along its longitudinal extent, which annuli are formed from non-heat conducting material with each said annulus being spaced from an adjacent annulus, and being operable to preclude contact of the barrel by the user whilst allowing hair contact with the barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto, wherein said plurality of annuli are each interconnected by means of longitudinally extending tracks disposable about the outer periphery of the barrel and slidably constrained therewithin, wherein a plurality of legs extend from each track to said annuli to space said annuli away from the heatable barrel, and wherein said annuli each have an interrupted circumferential portion, the interrupted portion of each of the annuli being in axial alignment to provide a longitudinal gap for receiving a pivoted hair clamp associated with the barrel of the hair styler.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety device for preventing burns when used with a hair styler having a heatable barrel, which device includes, a plurality of annuli for circumscribing the barrel of the hair styler so as to be spaced along its longitudinal extent, which annuli are formed from non-heat conducting material with each said annul us being spaced from an adjacent annulus, being operable to preclude contact of the barrel by the uer whilst allowing hair contact with the barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto, and with said annuli each having a smooth outer periphery devoid of any bristles or comb-like tines which have a tendency to entrain hair, each said annulus being supported solely by contact with the barrel through legs extending from each said annulus.

The non-heat conductive rings which circumscribe the barrel are spaced along the length of the barrel so that hair can pass between adjacent rings to get beneficial heat imparted thereto but so that one grasping the barrel or one touching the barrel with a portion of the skin will not come in contact with the heating element.

Some prior art devices include a plurality of bristles extending from the barrel of the curling iron which may incidentally preclude contact with the heating element. But the placement of these bristles is not sufficiently coextensive about the heating barrel so that contact with the heat in an unwanted manner may still occur. Moreover, the use of rings prevents entanglement of the hair when unwinding the hair from the heating barrel. It is noted that bristles promulgate hair entrainment and therefore exacerbate the problem of snags.

This may cause one to lose grip upon the curling iron handle.

The heating barrel of the hair styler of the invention is preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending trackways exposed about the periphery of the heating barrel. These trackways are accessible by removal of a plug positioned at a terminus of the heating barrel remote from the handle. Access to these trackways along the periphery of the heating barrel allows an integrally formed series of rings to be slideably placed upon the heating barrel. Provision is made for an outer exposed surface to the barrel on a pivoting clamp which together with the barrel define a pair of jaws. The clamp allows exposure to a portion of the heating barrel not having rings carried thereon.Instead, an outer surface of the clamp which is not in contact with the heating barrel has a portion of the ring extending outwardly therefrom to provide complete protection around the heating barrel with the clamp.

Thus the hair styler and/or safety device of the invention minimises the risk of a user being burned and minimizes the possibility of hair entanglement with the styler which heretofor has been an aggravating condition not only with respect to effective hair curling per se, but also with respect to inducing mishandling of the styler, leading to burns of the skin.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of hair styler according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the styler of Figure 1 with a clamp in an open position, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 5, Figure 5 is a side view similar to that of Figure 1 but illustrating a second form of the invention, Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the styler of Figure 1, Figure 7 is an end view of Figure 6, Figure 8 is an end view of Figure 9, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified part of the styler of the invention, similar to that of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings now, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 1D is directed to a hair styler and safety device according to one form of the invention and reference numeral 110 is directed to a second form of the invention.

Each hair styler includes a handle H of conventional commercial manufacture, an on/off switch S for enabling a heatable barrel 12 (112) and an AC cord C which provides power for the device.

A terminal portion of the heatable barrel 12 (112) includes a plug 16 which is removeably attached thereto. Upon removal plug 16 exposes a trackway system as shown in figures 2 and 4. Specifically, a mortise type trackway 13 (figure 2) or a T shaped trackway 113 (figure 4) is provided along the outer periphery of the heatable, barrel running along the longitudinal extent of the barrel for purposes to be assigned.

In addition, the hair styler includes a clamp 18 which pivots from a first closed position as shown in figures 1 and 5 to an open position as shown in figure 3 by moving the clamp 18 in the direction of the double ended arrow A. Each clamp 18, 118 is fixed to the heatable barrel 12, 112 by means of pivot 21, 121. A clamp lever 20, 120 extends on a side of the clamp along side the pivot 21, 121. A thumb tab 22, 122 is provided at a free end of the lever so that, against biasing from a spring 19, the clamp 18 can move as per figure 3 in the direction of the arrow A. The clamp is not heat conductive.

A top surface of each clamp 18, 118 is provided with a plurality of arcuate segments 33, 133 formed from non-heat conductive material and fixed to the outer arcuate surface of the clamp by means of adhesive or by being integrally formed therewith. Each arcuate segment 33, 133 is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the heatable barrel, which barrel is shown in the drawings as being substantially cylindrical. It is clear, however, that other configurations for the barrel are possible as are other configurations for segment 33, as will become evident.

The trackway 13, 113 is provided with a safety device which renders it extremely unlikely that a heating iron such as the one described can impart a burn to the user. In addition, entanglement of the heating device with hair is much less likely than with the known prior art. With respect to figures 6 through 9, the trackways receive a plurality of tracks 36, 136 having an outer countour complimental to the configuration of the trackway 13, 113. Thus, the mortise shaped trackway 13 will receive a tenon shaped track 36 for a dovetail type interlocking arrangement, or the T shaped recess 113 will have a complimentary formed T shaped track 136 for similar purposes. Details of the tracks 36, 136 are shown in figures 7 and 8.More particularly, the tracks are detailed to show that the ends which ride within the trackway 13, 113 have a configuration complimental to the contour of the trackways and have radially extending legs 32, 132 which terminate in a ring segment 34, 134 forming a major portion of an arc of a circle.

A plurality of these rings are disposed along the length of the track 36, 136 so that the ring segments circumscribe a major portion of the heatable barrel 12 along its entire length.

Attention is directed to figures 1 and 5 which show arcuate segments 34, 134 below the pivot 21, 121 which completes the protection along a bottom surface of the hair styling safety device. The lesser dimension of these segments provide clearance for the pivot 21, 121.

As shown in figures 2 and 4, the top surface of each clamp is provided with further arcuate segments 33, 133 fixed to a top surface of clamps 18, 118 so that any portion of the heatable barrel 12 can be grasped without direct contact to the hot portion of the heating barrel. It is to be noted that the clamp lever 20, 120 is not heat conductive.

In use and operation, the styling device is manipulated to an open position as shown in figure 3 so that a lock of hair can be placed between the clamp 18 and the barrel 12 and heat can be imparted to the hair. The hair is wound upon the styling device once the clamp has been released to assume the figure 5 position. The presence of each arcuate segment and ring segment define an annulus circumscribing the barrel which facilitates winding the hair about the barrel between the intersticies defined by adjacent ring and arcuate segment pieces. This precludes entanglement of the hair and minimizes the possibility of a person getting burned should the person manipulating the device lose grip on the handle, or if the heated rod gets too close to the skin of the person whose hair is being curled causing the heating iron to engage the hand, neck or face area of the person whose hair is being curled.

Claims (29)

1. A hair styler including, a handle supporting a heatable barrel, a clamp pivotally attached to the barrel, said clamp being openable to receive hair between the barrel and said clamp for curling hair, and a plurality of non-heat conductive means carried on said clamp on a surface thereof remote from the barrel whereby said camp will not burn the user.

2. A hair styler according to claim 1, wherein said barrel includes a plurality of radially extending ribs carried on an outer surface of said barrel, each said rib being spaced one from the other and aligned with said non-heat conductive means carried on said clamp so that a plurality of spaces are provided between adjacent non-heat conductive means continuous with said ribs to preclude burns by a user of the hair styler.

3. A safety device for preventing burns when used with a hair styler which has a heatable barrel, which safety device includes, a plurality of annuli positionable to circumscribe the barrel of the hair styler and to be spaced along its longitudinal extent, which annuli are formed- from non-heat conducting material with each said annulus being spaced from an adjacent annulus, being operable to preclude contact of the barrel by the user, whilst allowing hair contact with the barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto, wherein said plurality of annuli are each interconnected by means of longitudinally extending tracks disposable about the outer periphery of the barrel and slideably constrained therewithin,wherein a plurality of legs extend from each track to said annuli to space said annuli away from the heatable barrel, and wherein said annuli each have an interrupted circumferential portion, the interrupted portion of each of the annuli being in axial alignment to provide a longitudinal gap for receiving a pivoted hair clamp associated with the barrel of the hair styled.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein said clamp has an arcuate top surface upon which a plurality of arcuate segments is integrally formed which, in conjunction with said plurality of annuli,completely circumscribe the barrel.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said tracks are substantially tenon shaped.

6. A device according to claim 4,wherein said tracks are ubstantially "T" shaped in configuration.

7. A safety device for preventing burns when used with a hair styler having - a hestable barrel, which device includes a plurality of a annuli for circumscribing the barrel of the hair styler so as to be spaced along its longitudinal extent, which annuli are formed from non-heat conducting material with each said annulus being spaced from an adjacent annulus, and being operable to preclude contact of the barrel by the user, whilst a allowing hair contact with the barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto, wherein said annuli each have an interrupted circumferential portion, with the interrupted portion of each of the annuli being in axial alignment to provde a longitudinal gap operable to receive a pivoted hair clamp associated with the barrel of the hair styler.

8. A device according to claim 7,wherein said plurality of annuli are each interconnected by means of longitudinally extending tracks disposable about the outer periphery of the barrel and slideably constrain able therewithin.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of legs extend from each track to said annuli to space said annuli away from the heatable barrel.

10. A device according to claim 9,wherein said clamp has an arcuate top surface upon which a plurality of arcuate segments is integrally formed which, in conjunction with said plurality of annuli completely circumscribe the barrel.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said tracks are substantially tenon shaped.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein said tracks are substantially "T" shaped in configuration.

13. A safety device for preventing burns when used with a hair styler; having a heatable barrel, which device includes, a plurality of annuli for circumscribing the barrel of the hair styler so as to be spaced along its longitudinal extent, which annuli are formed from non-heat conducting material with each said annulus being spaced from an adjacent annulus and being operable to-preclude contact of the barrel by the user whilst allowing hair contact with the barrel between adjacent annuli for imparting a curl thereto, and with said annuli each having a smooth outer periphery devoid of any bristles or comb-like tines which have an tendency to entrain hair, each said annulus being supported solely by contact with the barrel through legs extending from each said annulus.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of annuli are each interconnected by means of longitudinally extending tracks connecting with said legs and disposable about the outer periphery of the barrel and slideably constrainable therewithin.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of legs extend radially from each track to said annuli to space said annuli away from the heatable barrel.

16. A device according to claim 15,wherein said annuli have an interrupted circumferential portion, the interrupted portion of each of the annuli being in axial alignment to provide a longitudinal gap to receive a pivoted hair clamp associated with the barrel of the hair styler..

17. A device according to claim 16,wherein said clamp has an arcuate top surface upon which a plurality of arcuate segments are integrally formed which, in conjunction with said plurality of annuli completely circumscribe the barrel.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said tracks are substantially tenon shaped.

19. A device according to claim 17, wherein said tracks are substantially "T" shaped in configuration.

20. A hair styler including, a handle having an elongated heatable barrel extending from one end thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced trackways on the barrel and extending from the handle, longitudinally along the barrel, track means inserted in said trackways, said track means supporting burn protection means about said barrel to preclude burns by the hair styler user, wherein said trackways are each configured as a substantially mortise shaped recess and said track means supporting said burn protection means are formed as tenons to be received within said trackways,wherein said burn protection means are configured as a plurality of radially extending spaced ribs circumscribing said heatable barrel for precluding direct contact by a user with the heat able barrel yet allowing hair to be placed in between adjacent ribs for heat contact with the barrel, wherein said burn protection means has a rib interruption through which a non-conductive clamp pivotally attached to the curling iron may engage the barrel, and wherein said clamp includes a pivoting lever for manipulation of said clamp from an open to a closed poSitiOn, and has an arcuate- outer surface provided with spaced ribs which when considered collectively with ribs on said barrel define a complete series of annuli spaced along a longitudinal aspect of said barrel.

21. A hair styler including, a handle having an elongated heatable barrel extending from one end thereof.

a plurality of circumferentially spaced trackways on the barrel and extending from the handle, longitudinally along the barrel, and track means inserted in said trackways, -wherein said track means support burn protection means about said barrel to preclude burns by the styler user, wherein said track means are substantially "T" shaped in configuration and said trackways are configured as a "T" shaped recess for slideable reception therein of said "T" shaped track means, wherein said burn protection means includes a plurality of radially extending ribs carried by said track means, and wherein each said rib is spaced one from the other and aligned with non-heat conductive spaced ribs carried on said clamp so that a plurality of spaces are provided between adjacent non-heat conductive means continuous with said ribs to preclude burns by a user of the hair curler.

22. A l}ai-r strler acce rg to claim 21, wherein said ribs carried on trackways formed on said barrel are supported thereon by track means having tracks integrally formed with said ribs and separated from said ribs by a radially extending legs, with said tracks being slideably receivable into said barrel trackways. .

23. A hair styler according to claim 22, wherein said trackways are exposed for slideable insertion of said tracks therewithin by removal of a cap positioned on a distal extremity of said heatable barrel remote from the handle.

24. A hair styler including, a handle having an elongated heat able barrel extending from one end thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced trackways on the barrel and extending from the handle, longitudinally along the barrel, and track means inserted in said trackways, with said track means supporting burn protection means about said barrel to preclude burns by the styler user, wherein said burn protection means has an interrupted portion through which a non-conductive clamp pivotally attached to the styler may engage the barrel, which clamp includes a pivoting lever for manipulation of said clamp from an open to a closed position, and has an arcuate outer surface provided with spaced ribs which when considered collectively with ribs on said barrel define a complete series of annuli spaced along a longitudinal aspect of said barrel.

25. A hair styler according to claim 24, wherein said hairstyling device has said trackways are each configured as a substantially mortise shaped recess and wherein said track means supporting said burn protection means are formed as tenons to be received within said trackways.

26. A hair styler according to claim 25, wherein said burn protection means are configured as a plurality of radially extending spaced ribs circumscribing said heatable barrel yet allowing hair to be placed in between adjacent ribs for heat contact with the barrel.

27. A hair styler according to claim 24, wherein said track means are substantially "T" shaped in configuration and wherein said trackways are each configured as a "T" shaped recess for slideable reception therein of said "T" shaped track means.

28. A hair styler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7 or Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A safety device for use with a hair styler, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7 or Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.