GB2560736A

GB2560736A - A hair dryer wand

Info

Publication number: GB2560736A
Application number: GB1704560.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chantel Laurent Lili
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2017-03-22
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Also published as: GB201804608D0; GB201704560D0; GB2561717A

Abstract

The hair drying wand 10 has an elongate housing 12, power cable 14 and connector 26 for releasable engagement with one or more hair drying accessories. An air inlet (19, figure 2) is at one end of the housing 12 and an air outlet 20 at an opposite end of the housing 12. A heating element (21, figure 3) is located within the housing 12. A fan 22 creates an air flow exiting the air outlet 20 in a direction parallel to the housing 12. The power cable 14 may be detachable from the housing 12. The heating element (21, figure 3) may have ceramic fins (24, figure 3) wrapped in nichrome wire. An accessory, such as an afro comb, detangling brush or diffuser, may be provided with a connector 28 mateable with the connector 26 of the wand 10, potentially via a torsion clip, spring clip or a screw thread.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A hair dryer wand

Abstract Title: A hair drying wand with interchangeable accessories (57) The hair drying wand 10 has an elongate housing 12, power cable 14 and connector 26 for releasable engagement with one or more hair drying accessories. An air inlet (19, figure 2) is at one end of the housing 12 and an air outlet 20 at an opposite end of the housing 12. A heating element (21, figure 3) is located within the housing 12. A fan 22 creates an air flow exiting the air outlet 20 in a direction parallel to the housing 12. The power cable 14 may be detachable from the housing 12. The heating element (21, figure 3) may have ceramic fins (24, figure 3) wrapped in nichrome wire. An accessory, such as an afro comb, detangling brush or diffuser, may be provided with a connector 28 mateable with the connector 26 of the wand 10, potentially via a torsion clip, spring clip or a screw thread.

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fig. 6

A HAIR DRYER WAND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair dryer and more particularly to a hair drying apparatus which is in the form of a wand.

Background

There are a number of conventional devices for drying hair. However, the conventional devices do not enable the user to efficiently dry and shape specific portions of the hair whilst simultaneously detangling the hair.

Due to the design restrictions of conventional devices, the degree over which the device can be rotated relative to the user’s head are limited. As a result, the styles which can be accomplished by the user are limited using the conventional devices.

There is therefore a need for a device which is capable of being used over an increased range of angles relative to the head of the user.

Prior Art

US-2010/263223 discloses a dryer comprising: a cylindrical body having an open forward end and a closed rearward end with at least one air intake opening. A motor and heater coils are located in the housing. A power source is also provided in the housing. The power source is connected to the motor and heater coils for supplying power thereto. A fan is connected to be driven by the motor. The fan comprises turbine-like blades. A screen extends across the open end of the housing to prevent undesired entry of materials or objects into the housing. The screen is recessed in the open end of the housing. Switches are provided on the exterior of the housing for controlling supply of power from the power source to the blower and heater. A retractable bristle brush attachment is attached to the open forward end of the housing for flow of air from the cylindrical body and through the brush.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hair drying wand comprising: an elongate housing comprising a power connection and at least a first engagement feature for releasable engagement with one or more hair drying accessories; an air inlet located at a first end of the housing; an air outlet located at a second opposed end of the housing; a heating element located within the housing; an airflow assembly for creating air flow extending from the air inlet to the air outlet such that the air flow extends through and exits the air outlet in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate housing.

In contrast to the prior art therefore and without limitation the present invention provides a wand device having an increased range of rotational and/or directional movements relative to the head of a user, and/or provides a hair treatment accessory which is arranged at one end and easily manipulable.

In this way the hair may be easier and more effectively styled with one hand, and/or all areas of the head may be effectively accessed to allow for a uniform drying process. This in particular enables comfortable hair drying and detangling, for example for children.

In some embodiments, the power connection is detachable from the elongate housing. For example, in such embodiments the wand comprises a rechargeable battery, and/or may be waterproofed, for use in a wet environment like a shower.

In others, in addition or the alternative, the power connection may be rotatable relative to the housing so as to enable fuller articulation and manipulation of the device in use.

The heating element preferably comprises a ceramic heating element. The ceramic heating element preferably comprises ceramic fins wrapped in nichrome wire.

In some embodiments, the first engagement feature is proximate the air outlet.

Preferably the first engagement feature comprises one or more of: a screw threaded portion; a first torsion clip; a first squeeze clip; and/or an opening or cavity shaped and dimensions to releasably engage a corresponding portion of a second torsion or second squeeze clip on the accessory(ies).

In some embodiments, the hair drying wand may further comprise the at least one hair drying or styling accessory, in which the at least one hair drying or styling accessory comprises at least one second engagement feature for releasable engagement with the at least one engagement feature of the housing.

The at least one engagement feature provided by each of the housing and the at least one hair drying accessory preferably comprises one or more of: a screw threaded portion; a torsion clip; a squeeze clip; an opening or cavity shaped and dimension to releasably engage a portion of the torsion or squeeze clip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair drying wand apparatus comprising: a hair drying wand as claimed in any preceding claim; and at least one of the hair drying accessories, wherein the at least one of the accessories comprises at least a second engagement feature for releasable engagement with the elongate housing of the wand.

The at least one hair drying accessory is preferably selected from: an afro comb; and/or diffuser; and/or detangling hairbrush.

Preferably the first and second engagement features attach the at least one of the accessories to the housing where the airflow is directed by the outlet to flow along and/or through the at least one of the accessories when engaged to the wand.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a front view of a hair dryer wand assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising a detangling hairbrush, a diffuser, and an afro comb;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a rear view of the hair dryer wand assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic exploded view of the hair dryer wand assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a hair dryer wand assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention comprising an afro comb;

Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of a hair dryer wand assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention comprising a detangling hairbrush; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of a hair dryer wand assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention comprising a diffuser.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the hair drying wand 10 comprises an elongate housing 12. The elongate housing 12 is substantially tubular in shape having a circular cross-section. It is however to be understood that the elongate housing may have any suitable cross-section and may be contoured and/or textured depending on the particular requirements for the wand.

The housing 12 may be composed of any suitable material. The housing 12 may be composed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The housing may be contoured to provide for tactile grip. The housing may also provide thermal insulation. The housing may comprise a plurality of ergonomic grooves for grip.

The wand 10 comprises a power connection 14. The power connection 14 is provided at a first end 16 of the wand 10. It is however to be understood that the power connection 14 may be provided at any suitable location on the wand. The power connection 14 is releasably engaged to the first end 16 of the wand 10. The power connection 14 is rotatable relative to the housing 12.

In the pictured embodiment, the power connection 14 allows 360 degree rotation of the power connection 14 relative to the housing 12. The power connection 14 may be permanently connected to the wand 10. The power connection 14 may be given flex protection if permanently connected to the wand 10.

The wand 10 further comprises an air inlet 19 located at the first end 16 of the housing 12. The wand 10 further comprises an air outlet 20 located at a second opposed end 18 of the housing 12.

A heating element 21 is located within the housing 12. The heating element 21 comprises a ceramic heating element. The ceramic heating element comprises a plurality of ceramic fins 24 wrapped in nichrome wire.

The wand 10 further comprises an airflow assembly 22 for creating air flow extending from the air inlet 18 to the air outlet 20 such that the air flow extends through and exits the air outlet 20 in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate housing 12.

The hair drying wand 10 further comprises a plurality of hair drying accessories as shown in the Figures. The hair accessories include for example an afro comb, a diffuser, and/or a detangling hairbrush.

In other embodiments, further accessories may be envisaged such as a standard hairbrush or comb. Each of the hair drying accessories comprises at least one second engagement feature for releasable engagement with at least one first engagement feature 26 provided at the second end 18 of the housing 12.

As shown in the Figures, the at least one first engagement feature 26 at the second end 18 of the housing 12 of the wand 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart first recesses or openings shaped and dimensioned to receive the second engagement features 28 in the form of a pair of spaced apart second squeeze clips provided by the hair accessories.

The housing 12 further provides an LCD screen 30 and a control panel 32. The control panel 32 enables the user to control the power of the fan and the temperature of the heated air flow.

It is however to be understood that the at least one first and second engagement features provided by each of the wand and the hair accessory respectively may be any one of: a first or second screw threaded portion on the wand and accessory respectively; a first or second torsion clip on the wand and accessory respectively; a first or second squeeze clip on the wand and accessory respectively.

A first opening or cavity 26 in the wand is shaped and dimensioned to releasably engage a corresponding portion of the second torsion or squeeze clip 28 in the accessory. Alternatively, a second opening or cavity in the accessory is shaped and dimensioned to releasably engage a corresponding portion of the first torsion or squeeze clip in the wand.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly, it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

1. A hair drying wand comprising: an elongate housing comprising a power connection and at least a first engagement feature for releasable engagement with one or more hair drying accessories; an air inlet located at a first end of the housing; an air outlet located at a second opposed end of the housing; a heating element located within the housing; an airflow assembly for creating air flow extending from the air inlet to the air outlet such that the air flow extends through and exits the air outlet in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate housing.

2. A hair drying wand as claimed in claim 1, in which the power connection is detachable from the elongate housing.

3. A hair drying wand as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, in which the heating element comprises a ceramic heating element.

4. A hair drying wand as claimed in claim 3, in which the ceramic heating element comprises ceramic fins wrapped in nichrome wire.

5. A hair drying wand as claimed in any preceding claim where the first engagement feature is proximate the air outlet.

6. A hair drying wand as claimed in claim 5, in which the first engagement feature comprises one or more of: a screw threaded portion; a first torsion clip; a first squeeze clip; and/or an opening or cavity shaped and dimensioned to releasably engage a corresponding portion of a second torsion or second squeeze clip on the accessory(ies).

7. A hair drying wand apparatus comprising: a hair drying wand as claimed in any preceding claim; and at least one of the hair drying accessories comprising at least a second engagement feature for releasable engagement with the elongate housing of the wand.

8. A hair drying wand apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the at least one hair drying accessory is selected from: an afro comb; and/or diffuser; and/or detangling hairbrush.

5

9. A hair drying wand apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the first and second engagement features attach the at least one of the accessories to the housing where the airflow is directed by the outlet to flow along and/or through the at least one of the accessories when engaged to the wand.

10. A hair drying wand as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1704560.0 Examiner: Dr Niall Deakin