GB2603788A

GB2603788A - A hair device

Info

Publication number: GB2603788A
Application number: GB2101988.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adeyemi Damilola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-12
Filing date: 2021-02-12
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Also published as: WO2022172188A9; GB2619206A; WO2022172188A8; GB202313563D0; GB202101988D0; WO2022172188A1

Abstract

A hair device comprising a body 1 and a hair engagement part 2, wherein at least some of the hair engagement part is arranged to rotate with respect to the body and wherein the hair engagement part includes a plurality of holes 3 for receipt of hair so as to form curls during rotation. The hair engagement part may be displaceable from the body, and the part of the hair engagement part that defines the holes may rotate with respect to the rest of the hair engagement part. Rotation may be driven by a motor (61, figure 11) and in some embodiments there may be a handle (21; figure 5). The device may be used to form tight twisted Afro hair.

Description

A HAIR DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair device, in particular a hair styling device more particularly but not exclusively a device for curling Afro hair.

Background

Increasing awareness of hair styling needs in regards to Afro hair is a factor common across many societies.

Currently as it stands, the art of creating a temporary Afro twisted/dreads which lasts for a day is done manually with a systematic perforated foam-brush-like foam.

And the end result (temporary twisted Afro Hair) is achieved by manually rotating the perforated foam clockwise or anticlockwise with your hand (whichever way, it has to be consistent in the same direction).

Prior Art

WO 2019 213 944 (TO) discloses a hand-held hair styling device includes a body having a front side, a back side, and a side edge extending between the front and back sides. A rotatable base is mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation. The rotatable base has a surface facing generally away from the body. The axis of rotation of the rotatable base extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. At least one hair styling element is mounted on the surface of the rotatable base for rotation with the rotatable base. The hair styling element includes a twisted elongate member.

US 2017 0 332 762 (CHEE) discloses a handheld motorized hair styling device is a battery-operated, motorized, hair styling tool that produces a styled pattern of curls, twists, and/or coils in hair. The handheld motorized hair styling device creates the styled pattern by moving a contoured styling pad against the hair in a roto-linear motion. The speed and direction of the roto-linear motion may be changed using controls on the handheld motorized hair styling device. The styling pad may be removed and replaced and the battery is rechargeable.

US 5 725 000 (RICE) discloses a hair curling device which curls hair in less time and 5 with less effort than utilizing ones hands. The hair curling device is specifically designed to comb and twist naturally curly (unprocessed) Afro-American hair, comprises a circular comb having a plurality of comb teeth which rotates within a head. The hair curling device can spin hair cowls (locks) in either direction. The hair curling device is powered by an electric motor which rotates the comb. On an inner 10 circumference of the comb ring are the plurality of comb teeth, with preferably two rows offset from each other.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hair device comprising a body and a hair engagement part, wherein at least some of the hair engagement part is 20 arranged to rotate with respect to the body and wherein the hair engagement part includes one or more holes for receipt of hair so as to form curls during rotation.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a motor, so as to provide a means of agitation or engagement with hair in use.

In some embodiments the hair engagement part may be arranged to move with respect to the body. In some embodiments the hair engagement part may be envisaged to be articulated or on an articulated mount on the body. For example the hair engagement part and the body may be envisaged to share a ball and socket mount or similar to allow movement across a plurality of axes.

For example in some embodiments the hair engagement part may be arranged to rotate with respect to the body.

In this way the device of the present invention may be used to easily turn a mini Afro hair (mini Afro -not long shoulder or waist length hair) into a temporary twisted hair-style, such as curled locks or dreads. This may be envisaged to be a temporary style, for example in place for a day or two.

In some embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise a resiliently deformable part.

In some embodiments for example the hair engagement part may comprise a foam part, or similar.

In some embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise a single part, whereas in other embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise a plurality of parts, which may differ in material and/or formation.

In some embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise raised and lowered 15 parts, or otherwise provide an engagement surface for the hair that is non-planar.

In some embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise one or more projecting fingers. In some such embodiments the fingers may be envisaged to be capable of movement with respect to the hair engagement part and/or body.

For example in some embodiments the fingers may be envisaged to rotate on the hair engagement part, which may include or comprise a bed for the fingers, which bed may be planar or non-planar. The finger or fingers may project from the bed or be substantially coplanar to the bed.

In some embodiments the bed of the hair engagement part may be subdivided and/or comprised of separate parts.

For example in some embodiments the hair engagement part may comprise a plurality 30 of bed segments. Such segments may be envisaged to be formed of different material and/or formation and/or may be arranged to provide a separated and/or discontinuous bed surface.

In some embodiments the segments may be arranged to move with respect to each 35 other, for example having separate mounts to the body, and/or separate and separable articulation with respect to the body. Advantageously therefore this may be in order that the hair engagement part may better accommodate uneven skull shapes.

In some embodiments apertures that define the one or more holes may be envisaged 5 to rotate with respect to the hair engagement part, for example wherein the hair engagement part comprises one or more beds, for example wherein one or more heads with apertures are located in the one or more beds.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only 10 and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in 25 Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 Figure 8 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 Figure 9 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in 5 Figure 3 Figure 10 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3; Figure 11 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5; and Figure 12 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the embodiments shown in the figures there is shown an embodiment of a device according to the present invention generally comprising hair device 20 comprising a body and a hair engagement part, wherein at least some of the hair engagement part is arranged to rotate with respect to the body.

The device thereby provides a hand-held product which creates automatic and longer-lasting afro curls An internal motor within the body rotates and thereby collects hair into the holes creating tight afro curls. The three embodiments are each suited to different hair types and use scenarios.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the embodiment 99 comprises a substantially triangular format, with a body 1 for holding and three separate beds providing the hair engagement part 2.

The three beds 2 are substantially triangular with radiused corners and comprise three 35 embedded fingers 4. The fingers 4 are cylindrical are spaced apart and arranged towards the corners of the beds 2, and are arranged to rotate within the beds.

Each of the beds comprises a sponge material with a raised and lowered surface 7, and each of the fingers has sponge material with a raised and lowered surface. The fingers each have a hole 3 centrally.

The beds are held in a fixed relationship of segments 6, with spacing between them, by use of a three armed bracket, 5. The segments may be envisaged to be tilted towards a central point to better accommodate a user's head. In some embodiments the segments may comprise an articulated connection to the body to allow variation in tilt.

The embodiment is held together using screws to allow for maintenance whilst reducing ingress of oils and dust. A low RPM geared motor or three motors as in the pictured embodiment, creates the desired orbital gyration and a set of thrust bearings 45 ensure that there is no internal rubbing between parts helping the embodiment to rotate freely.

The motors directly drive three plastic carriers 41 which in tum hold silicone heads 44 which allow the silicone to be removed for cleaning or to be replaced.

The silicone heads rotate and collect hair in their central columnar holes 3, each creating an individual afro curl.

The motors' drive is distributed between the three plastic carriers 41 via drive belts 42 25 to ensure even rotation.

A set of needle roller bearings 43 ensure that there is no internal rubbing between parts further helping the rotating carriers to move freely.

A textured plastic body 1 helps to protect the mechanisms from dust and oil ingress A soft-touch plastic panel has an integrated power switch to control the device.

A thin layer of sponge surrounds the rotating silicone heads to aid hair curling and each 35 rotating silicone head 44 simultaneously creates an afro curl for quick and professional curls. The heads can be removed for cleaning and the entire system is sealed to prevent grease and water damaging the mechanism.

It may be envisaged that the embodiment may include a battery or wired connection 5 for power to the motor or motors In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the embodiment 199 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 11 with a domed end at one end and the hair engagement part 12 at the other end.

Focusing on a single curl, this embodiment is the most compact and light. The hair engagement part is provided by a sponge which attaches by pushing into place onto a carrier 14 and is gyrated to form each curl The sponge is reversible to two curl-size options.

A soft-touch plastic panel 51 has an integrated power switch to control the device and the embodiment has two settings on and off controlled by a sliding switch to easily show users which setting they are on.

A housing 52 includes the switch, rechargeable Li Po battery used to power the motor and charged using a USB C cable, and a low RPM geared motor to create orbital gyration of the sponge The motor shaft drives the sponge via a cam 53 mounted into a needle bearing 54 25 which turns rotating motion into orbital gyrations of the sponge and its carrier.

A textured plastic cylindrical body 55 opposite the domed end helps to protect the mechanisms from dust and oil ingress, The sponge of the embodiment orbits with a tight gyrating motion to form the ideal afro curl.

The curling sponge 12 has a silicone liner to help gather hair; wherein a silicone liner creates tapered walls inside of the sponge's holes which helps to form the Afro curl, 35 and a raised and lowered surface 17.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the embodiment 299 comprises an oval hair engagement part 22, held in a holder 24, which holder extends into a handle 21, which in turn extends orthogonally away from the hair engagement part.

The third embodiment uses a traditional Afro sponge 22 which connects directly to a motor and the motor moves the sponge in circular patterns rather than fully rotating it. The sponge simply pushes into place on the holder 24 making it easy to take off for cleaning.

A low RPM geared motor 61 creates the desired orbital gyration of the sponge.

A rechargeable Li Po battery 62 is used to power the motor and is charged using a USB C cable.

Two steel guiding pins mate into circular guides in the motor mount which prevents the sponge from rotating a full 360 degrees as a motor shaft drives the sponge via a cam 63 mounted into a needle bearing 64 which tums rotating motion into orbital gyrations.

The sponge holder has a plastic connector which is directly driven by the motor, the sponge pushes onto the holder and moves with it such that the motor drives the sponge via an offset cam and guide pins which replicate the gyrating motion traditionally used to create afro curls. The sponge head can be removed for cleaning and replaced when worn out.

The outer plastic body forming the handle is textured for improved grip and is used to protect the internal electronics from water and dust.

The curling sponge has a silicone liner to help gather hair; the silicone liner creates 30 tapered walls inside of the sponge's holes 23 which helps to form the Afro curls, 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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 35 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 2. 3. 4. 5.A hair device comprising a body and a hair engagement part, wherein at least some of the hair engagement part is arranged to rotate with respect to the body and wherein the hair engagement part includes one or more holes for receipt of hair so as to form curls during relative rotation of the hair engagement part and the body.A device according to claim 1 wherein the hair engagement part is displaceable from the body.A device according to any preceding claim wherein apertures that define the one or more holes is arranged to rotate with respect to the hair engagement part A device according to any preceding claim wherein rotation at least some of the hair engagement part is driven by a motor.A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body has a handle.