JP2006517833A - Hair holding device with a structure in which the spring is not visible from the outside - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair holding device and a spring concealing mechanism, including a body member connected to the body member by a pair of facing hinges, adapted to pivot on a hinge motion axis between open and closed positions. A torsional pressing spring presses the device in place. The spring is hidden in the plurality of covers and is not coupled to the body member of the hair holding device. This casing does not generate torque acting by the spring, and the entire first and second protruding arms of the spring are not wrapped. Therefore, they may be made compact with relatively thin walls to follow the size and shape of the coil position of the spring. A thin spring casing wall and small diameter minimizes the extent of the casing protruding from its hair holding device, thereby improving aesthetic appeal.

Description

  This application declares the benefits of US Provisional Application 60 / 445,773, filed February 7, 2003.

  The present invention relates to a hair holding and styling device in which a first main body and a second main body are connected on a pivot by a hinge device and mesh with each other while sandwiching a bundle of bundled hair.

  Hinged spring tilt devices that hold a person's hair in use are known in the art. This type of device has been in use for many years and an early example is described in US Pat. No. 2,201,719. The device typically comprises a member assembled from a pair of facing hinges including a hair grip and a handle. The grip portion is inclined to the closing portion or the hair grip portion by the tilting device, and the most frequently inclined portion is a torsion spring that applies a closing force on the handle portion of the member. In order to operate the device, the user overcomes the tilting spring force and thereby grasps the acupressure handle portion to release the hair holding portion. While maintaining the grip, the user places the desired amount of hair on the opposite hair grip so that it can be gripped by the device. Then, the user releases the handle part, and the torsion spring firmly contacts the hair bundled by the hair gripping part or the collected hair.

  Among the prior art hair holding devices, the torsion spring tilting device is a resilient stretchable metal wire spring exposed around the hinge pin of the device. The helically wound body is between the radially protruding arms at the facing ends. The first arm supports the inner surface of the first acupressure handle portion of the apparatus, and the second arm supports the inner surface of the second acupressure handle portion. The spring is subjected to compressive stress in the direction of rotation of the hinge, and the two protruding arms tilt the hair grip portion toward the closed position, while pressing the handle portion toward the spread position.

  Many users of the device find the exposed back parts ugly. That is, the parts on the back, the connection handle, the hinge pin and the entire torsional pressing spring are all visible when worn on the hair. The visibility of these components in particular makes the device not to be aesthetically pleasing and informs the device that it should be unobtrusive or decorative, thereby reducing utility and appeal. The exposed arm of the spring gets caught and damaged, and the user's finger is pierced when trying to separate the caught hair. In addition, damaging the hair holding device aesthetically and functionally, the spring's pointed arm can scratch or scrape the part of the device that it contacts.

  A series of attempts have been made to conceal the pressure springs of the hair holding device. Examples including these are U.S. Pat. . Some of these attempt to hide part of the spiral spring beyond the case attached to one of the body members, for example, US Pat. No. 6,354,307. However, this solution is problematic for several reasons. It provides a first projecting arm of the spring in the overall view and requires a clearance between the casing end and the body member hinge handle for operation of the exposed projecting spring arm during operation of the device. The exposed protruding spring arm reduces the visual continuity of the hinge component. In addition, this solution not only installs a second protruding arm of the spring under compressive stress in the casing, thereby having sufficient thickness to withstand the torque exerted by the second spring arm, A case that is large enough to accommodate the length of the protruding second arm in the radial direction is required. The required case thickness and size protrudes from the device and results in a poor-looking casing, reducing the visual continuity of the hinge components. Furthermore, exposure of the spring arm can hook the user's hair or pierce the user's finger.

  Some manufacturers of cased hair holding devices with exposed torsion springs have relied on painting exposed spring arms (ie, camouflage). However, painting the arm does not eliminate the tendency to catch hair or damage the user's hair, fingers, or the device itself. Furthermore, applying paint adds a step in the manufacturing process and increases manufacturing costs.

  Similarly, US Pat. No. 6,408,859, called a block, proposes hiding a portion of a spiral spring in a casing extending from one device body member. In this design, both protruding arms of the spring are in the overview, and the gap is between the opposite ends of the facing block and the nearest connecting handle that is exposed during the operation of the device and corresponds to the movement of the arm. It is in. The exposed overhanging arm and the two gaps may reduce the visual continuity of the hinge components and may not appeal to the user. In addition, to maximize manufacturing performance, the block is molded as one integral part of the device body member. This limits not only the degree to which the block wall thickness varies from the body member thickness, but also the degree to which the opacity and color of the block wall changes that of the body member. As a result, the block is not of ideal thickness (hair is caught / damaged between block, hinge, body member, remaining gap) and is somewhat transparent (so the hidden spring is visible through the plastic). As a result, when molded with a turtle shell, Tokyo and other bright color finishes, the device is not aesthetically and functionally best.

  The hair holding devices disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,873,377 and 6,357,452 obscure all parts of a conventional torsion spring from appearance. However, the apparatus described in US Pat. No. 6,357,452 provides a large and bulky spring casing with similar defects as the casing of US Pat. No. 6,354,307. In comparison, the device proposed in US Pat. No. 5,873,377 uses a paddle-shaped cover that hides the facing spring arm, but some users may not find it aesthetically pleasing.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,873,377 and 6,019,108 propose to provide a recess in the body member that protrudes and accommodates the spring arm. This feature reduces the possibility of catching hair, but does not remove the scratching and scuffing on the body member caused by the moving pointed spring arm.
US Patent No. 2,201,719 U.S. Patent No. 5,642,740 U.S. Patent No. 5,787,905 US Patent No. 5,803,096 U.S. Patent No. 5,842,482 U.S. Patent No. 5,862,815 US Patent No. 5,873,377 US Patent No. 6,019,108 US Patent No. 6,186,151 US Patent No. 6,354,307 US Patent No. 6,357,452 US Patent No. 6,408,859 U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0006068 U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0196675

  In summary, prior art hair retention devices have failed to provide a suitable comprehensive solution that hides all parts of the helical torsion spring from the appearance and at the same time reduces hair catch and damage due to exposed sharp spring ends. . One or both arms of the spring are exposed or the casing is provided to hide springs that tend to be large, conspicuous and / or transparent, thereby detracting from the appearance of the butterfly program stand.

  Thus, the advantages are the small size, cost and effective mechanism of implementation that hides not only the coil of the torsion spring of the hinged hair holding device but also the two protruding arms from the appearance.

  A further advantage is that the hinged hair holding device, including a torsion spring, resists damaging the user's hair, fingers and the device itself at the same time that the user's hair is hooked.

  In all embodiments of the invention, each includes a hair gripper and a hinged combination means for providing facing body members that pivot relative to each other about a hinge shaft between a closed position and an open position. A hair holding device comprising a pair of facing body members is provided. A torsional pressing spring presses the device in a predetermined open or closed position. The problem addressed by the present invention is to economically and aesthetically hide all torsion spring components from the exterior.

  According to the present invention, the spring is hidden in the plurality of casings without being attached to any body member of the hair holding device. The first casing hides a part of the coil of the spring and a part of the first arm of the two radially projecting arms of the spring. The casing protrudes from the first spring and rotates simultaneously with the arm. The second casing hides the other spring coil portion and the second protruding arm portion of the spring, and rotates simultaneously with the arm. The casing does not generate any torque due to the spring, and the first and second projecting arms of the spring do not wrap, and the wall is relatively thin and small so as to closely follow the size and shape of the spring coil portion. The thin wall and small diameter of the spring case minimizes the extent that the casing protrudes from the hair holding device, thereby increasing the aesthetic appeal.

  The spring case is preferably created independently of the body member of the hair-holding device, such as injection molding, so that the casing is smaller in diameter than other things are possible and the walls are shaped thinly. Then, by forming the spring casing independently from the main body member, the casing is formed with a wall that is more suitable for the main body member and has a more opaque color than other objects are possible.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a torsion spring is provided having a protruding arm that is configured to resist hair catching and damaging the user's hair, fingers, and the device itself. The distal end of the spring arm meshes with a recess and / or perforated protrusion provided in or on either or one of the body members, and the recess and / or protrusion is not visible when the device is mounted in the hair.

  As other details, in the following description, the objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear in the preferred embodiments and preferred methods of implementing the benefits of the present invention.

  The invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which:

  FIG. 1 shows a typical spring-tipped hair holding device 10 consisting of a pair of rigid body members 12 and 14, which are connected for axial movement by hinge pins 16 that pass through co-connecting handles 18, 20 carried by the rigid members. . Each of the members 12, 14 comprises a handle portion 30, 32 and a plurality of intertwined hair-engaging fingers or hair grip portions 22 and 24 for stopping teeth. A torsion spring 34 is disposed around the hinge pin 16. The torsion spring 34 is made of a stretchable and elastic metal wire, and comprises a central coil 36 and a pressing arm 38 protruding in the first and second circumferential directions at opposite ends of the coil. As is known in the art, the torsion spring exerts a compressive stress on the device assembly 10 and the protruding arm 38 applies a force to the handle portions 30, 32 (or other portions of the members 12, 14) to force the member Closed position as shown.

  When the user desires to attach the device 10, the user pushes or twists the handle portions 30, 32 inwardly, thereby causing the hair grip positions 22, 24 and teeth 26, Release 28 with a hinge to receive a lock of hair. When the user releases the handle portions 30 and 32, the torsion spring 34 rotates the body members 12 and 14 inward to the hair holding position, and the user's hair is held at the hair gripping positions 22 and 24 and their teeth 26 and 26. 28 is fixed inside.

  Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a hair holding device and torsion spring concealing mechanism assembled in accordance with the present invention. This device is designated by reference numeral 110 and consists of rigid body members 112 and 114 which are axially connected by hinge pins 116 which pass through joint connection handles 118 and 120 carried by the rigid members. Members 112 and 114 comprise handle portions 130 and 132 and a plurality of intercombined hair combination fingers or hair grip portions 122 and 124 that stop teeth 126 and 128. The torsion spring is hidden in FIG. 2 but is described in detail according to FIGS. 4 to 6 and is arranged around the hinge pin 116. Although the torsion springs are under compressive stress on the device assembly 110, they exert a force on the members 112, 114 and place them in the closed position shown at the opposite ends.

  The torsion spring concealment mechanism of the present invention is generally represented by reference numeral 140 in FIGS. 3 is best seen, preferably the mechanism 140 comprises a plurality of annular cases. Each casing 142 includes a central passage 144 for receiving a coiled portion of a torsion spring, as shown in FIG. Each casing 142 further includes a peripheral passage 146 that receives one of the radially projecting distal arms of the torsion spring, as shown in FIG. The peripheral passage 146 extends to part or all of the casing 142. In order to minimize its outer dimensions, the casing 142 is a precisely circular cylindrical member whose inner diameter must allow the case to accept the coil of the torsion spring with precise tolerances and freely rotate. In addition, the peripheral walls of the connecting handles 118, 120 and the casing 142 are similarly shaped and contoured to represent a continuous cylindrical butterfly program stand in all relevant corners of the body members 112, 114. Preferably, as indicated by the dashed line, one or both of the casings 142 includes a radially projecting member 148 to conceal at least a portion of the overall length of the radially projecting spring pressing arm and a portion of the periphery. May be. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, mechanism 140 comprises two casings 142 assembled and arranged as described above. However, the casing 142 has an overall length that is shorter than the length of the coil portion of the torsion spring that is hidden. In that case, the casing 142 may be assisted by one or more intermediate annular casings over the entire length of the unhidden portion of the torsion spring coil.

  The casing 142 may be made of a material that is substantially rigid with respect to the rigid body, and may or may not be similar to the material used for the body material 112, 114. That is, it is recommended that the various components of the hair holding device of the present invention be manufactured not only from plastic, but also from materials or combinations of materials that possess an advantageous process as a hair holding device. It is recommended that the casing of the present invention be sized and manufactured most effectively to achieve and achieve a concealment function. The configuration includes special notches, edges, cut surfaces, grooves, and / or linear materials as needed to suppress or induce the axial position and / or rotational characteristics of the case.

  The casing 142 is a conventional torsion spring having a central coil and a pressing arm projecting radially at opposite ends such as the spring 34 of FIG. It may be used in connection with the torsion spring 134 of the present invention, the assembly details of which are represented in FIGS. Returning to these drawings, it can be seen that the torsion spring comprises a central coil and first and second pressing arms 138 at both ends of the coil. The push arm 138 is bent and comprises a first portion 138a projecting radially and a second lateral portion 138b extending substantially parallel to the hinge axis AA of FIG. The torsion spring may be disposed on the hair holding device as depicted in FIG. 1 (ie, with an outwardly extending pressing arm that contacts the handle portion of the body member at an angle) or alternatively, as shown in FIGS. (That is, with a pressing arm extending inwardly in contact with the hair gripping portion of the main body member).

  The advantages of a hair holding device assembled with a torsion spring made in accordance with the spring 134 are significant. In particular, the presence of a lateral pressing arm greatly reduces the likelihood that the user will pierce his finger when using the device. Further, the lateral arm portion 138b prevents the radial protrusion 138a of the arm from being scratched, scratched or worn away during the effective use period, which is good for the function and appearance of the device. effective. It distributes the spring force over a wider surface than the transverse arm 138b, so that the plastic of that part of the assembled device 110 can be assembled thinner than needed.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the torsion springs of FIGS. 4-6 and the torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 of FIG. Casings 142 are adjacent to each other and are in sliding contact and completely enclose the coil of spring 134. In operation, the casings reversely rotate relative to each other such that the first casing is rotated by the first pressing arm of the torsion spring and the second casing is rotated by the second pressing arm of the torsion spring. Desirably, the connecting shaft length of the casing 142 is the same as that of the torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 mounted between the connection handles 118 of the main body member 114 with the minimum tolerance as shown in FIG. The torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 completely surrounds the torsion spring, exposing only the spring pressing arm necessary for the spring to function, without the need for a longitudinal gap to attach the pressing arm, or the device 110 or equivalent During the use of the hair holding device, the possibility of hair getting caught and damaged is greatly reduced.

  8 to 11 show several embodiments of the first embodiment of the first body member 112 of the hair holding device according to the present invention. The assembly corresponding to the second body member is substantially equivalent to that of the first body member 112. In addition, many of the components numbered body member 112 of FIGS. 8-11 and body member 112 'of FIGS. 12-14 have been described in detail above. That discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, therefore, only the assembly not discussed above is specifically described in FIGS.

  The body member 112 preferably comprises a member 150 along the inner wall surface of the body member for receiving the lateral arm portion 138b of one pressing arm 138 of the spring 134. In accordance with the present invention, the member 150 has a recessed shape for receiving the lateral arm portion 138b as shown in FIG. A significant advantage of the recess 150 is that it substantially envelops the lateral arm portion 138b which reduces the possibility of the user's hair getting caught and / or damaged.

  Figures 12 to 14 show some appearances of further embodiments of the body member 112 'of the hair holding device according to the present invention. Also preferably, the assembly of the corresponding second body member is substantially equivalent to that of the first body member. The body member 112 ′ preferably comprises a member 150 ′ along the inner surface of the body member for receiving the lateral arm portion 138 b of one pressing arm 138 of the spring 134. According to this embodiment, the member 150 'has a protruding shape having a hole 152' into which the lateral spring arm portion 138b is inserted. Like the recess 150 of FIGS. 8-11, the perforated protrusion 150 ′ substantially encloses the distal lateral spring pressing arm 138b which reduces the likelihood that the user's hair will be caught and / or damaged. . It distributes the spring force over a larger surface area.

  Using at least two casings away from the swiveling body member of the hair holding device, the torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 of the present invention has been successful where other prior art spring concealment schemes were not possible. The hair holding device according to the present invention provided with the torsion spring concealing mechanism described above conceals not only the coil but also both pressing arms protruding in the radial direction of the spring. Furthermore, since the casings 142 do not generate torque, their diameter and wall thickness are smaller than those of the prior art, and it is not necessary to encapsulate the protruding arms of the spring.

  The casing 142 is made independent of the body of the device by injection molding or other suitable casting process. In accordance with the present invention, the casing is preferably made from a plastic material and is preferably opaque so as to conceal the spring, and includes and matches the color of the assembled body member and the connecting handle. In this way, the connection handle and the casing are more aesthetically appealing and more appealing than the helical springs that are exposed. However, some users may feel that contrasting, transparent or other colors or finishes are appealing. As such, if any decorative effect is desired, the casing and body member may or may not match.

  The torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 has a thin peripheral wall, a small diameter casing with an inconspicuous continuous hinge profile, and sufficiently hides both the protrusions as well as the coil of the torsion spring, while the hair of the present invention. The holding device is aesthetically superior to the prior art. The torsion spring concealment mechanism 140 is effective in connection with hiding the torsion springs that press the first and second body members of the hinged hair holding device into the closed position. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the present torsion spring concealment mechanism is used to conceal the torsion spring that presses the hinge hair holding device in a predetermined position of opening or closing the hinge type hair holding device.

  The present invention goes beyond the scope of the described embodiments, but is not limited to the following: a method applied to the area of hair retaining devices in all shapes of jaw clips, claw clips, butterfly clips, hair clips and banana clips; Give means.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, the details are solely for that purpose and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. It is understood.

The schematic diagram of the hair holding device which a conventional hinge and a spring press. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hair holding device of the present invention in a fully closed position. The expansion perspective view of the torsion spring concealment mechanism of the present invention. The perspective view of the torsion spring of this invention. The top view of the torsion spring of this invention. The end view of the torsion spring of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the torsion spring of FIGS. 4 to 6 and the torsion spring concealing mechanism of FIG. 3 in an assembled state. The perspective view of the 1st Example of the hair holding | maintenance apparatus main body member in this invention. The inside front view of the hair holding device main body member of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the hair holding device main body member of the present invention along the line XX in FIG. 8. The inside front view of the hair holding apparatus with a torsion spring of FIGS. 4-6. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a hair holding device according to the invention with a torsion spring according to FIGS. The inside front view of the hair holding apparatus of FIG. 12 with the torsion spring of FIGS. FIG. 13 is a cutaway view of the hair holding device of the present invention along the XIV-XIV line of FIG. 12.

Claims (26)

The first and second body members are hair gripping portions, the first body member and the second body member,
Hinge means for pivotally connecting the first and second body members;
It comprises a torsion spring that presses the first and second body members in a predetermined position, and the torsion spring includes a coil and a pair of pressing arms at both ends of the coil, and the pressing arm is arranged in the radial direction. Consists of a protruding first part and a transverse second part,
The casing comprises a plurality of casings rotatable around the spring and not in contact with the first and second body members, wherein one of the casings receives a central passage for partially receiving the coil and one of the pressing arms. Including a peripheral passage, wherein the other casing comprises a central passage for receiving a portion of the coil and a peripheral passage for receiving the other one of the pressing arms.
Hair holding device.   The hair holding device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one casing includes a radially projecting arm that hides at least a part of the length and a part of the periphery of the one pressing arm.   2. A hair holding device according to claim 1, comprising means supported by said body member to receive said second lateral portion of said pressing arm.   The hair holding device according to claim 3, wherein the receiving means is formed of a recess provided in the body member.   The hair holding device according to claim 3, wherein the receiving means includes a protrusion provided on the main body member, and the second lateral portion is received in a hole of the protrusion.   Furthermore, the said 1st and 2nd part is a hair holding device of Claim 1 which consists of a handle part for a user to operate said 1st and 2nd main body member. Including a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second body members are hair gripping portions, hinge means for pivotally connecting the first and second body members, and the first and second body members are predetermined. A torsion spring that presses to the position of the coil, and the torsion spring comprises a coil and pressing arms at both ends of the coil, and the pressing arm comprises a first part projecting in the radial direction and a second part in the lateral direction. In the spring concealment mechanism for use in
A plurality of casings are not coupled to the first and second body members, one of the casings including a central passage for receiving a portion of the coil and a peripheral passage for receiving one of the pressing arms, and the other The casing includes a central passage for receiving a part of the coil portion, and a peripheral passage for receiving another one of the pressing arms.
Spring concealment mechanism consisting of   8. The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the at least one casing includes radial projecting means for concealing at least a part of the length and a part of the periphery of the one pressing arm.     8. The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 7, comprising means supported by the body member for receiving the second lateral portion of the pressing arm.   The torsion spring concealing mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the receiving means comprises a recess provided in the main body member.   The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the receiving means comprises a protrusion provided on the main body member, and the second lateral portion is received in a hole provided in the protrusion.   8. The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the first and second body members comprise handle portions for enabling a user to operate the first and second body members. A first body member and a second body member comprising a hair gripping portion;
Hinge means for pivotally connecting the first and second body members;
A torsion spring comprising a coil and both end pressing arms of the coil for pressing the first and second body members into a predetermined position;
A plurality of casings not coupled to the first and second body members, one of the casings comprising a central passage for receiving a portion of the coil and a peripheral passage for receiving one of the pressing arms; The casing comprises a central passage for receiving a portion of the coil portion and a peripheral passage for receiving another one of the pressing arms;
A hair holding device, wherein the means comprises means supported by the grip to receive the pressing arm.   14. The hair holding device of claim 13, wherein the at least one casing includes a radially projecting arm that hides at least a portion of the length of the one pressing arm and at least a portion of the periphery.   14. The hair holding device according to claim 13, wherein the pressing arm protrudes in the radial direction and includes a first portion and a second portion in the lateral direction.   The hair holding device according to claim 15, wherein the pressing arm receiving means receives the second lateral portion of the pressing arm.   The hair holding device according to claim 15, wherein the pressing arm receiving means comprises a recess provided in the hair gripping portion, and the second lateral portion is received in the recess.   The hair holding device according to claim 15, wherein the pressing arm receiving means includes a protruding portion provided in the hair gripping portion, and the second lateral portion is received by a hole provided in the protruding portion.   14. The hair holding device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second parts comprise handle parts for a user to operate the first and second body members. A torsion spring concealment mechanism for use with a hair holding device, wherein the hair holding device includes a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second body members are hair gripping portions, and the first and second body members And a torsion spring that presses the first and second body members into a predetermined position, and the torsion spring comprises a coil and radially projecting pressing arms at both ends of the coil. In the torsion spring concealment mechanism for use in the device,
A plurality of casings are not coupled to the first and second body members, one of the casings including a central passage for receiving a portion of the coil and a peripheral passage for receiving one of the pressing arms, and the other The casing includes a central passage that receives a portion of the coil portion, and a peripheral passage that receives the other one of the pressing arms,
The pressing arm supported by the hair holding part comprises a receiving means.
Torsion spring concealment mechanism.   21. The torsion spring concealment mechanism of claim 20, wherein the at least one casing includes radial projection means for concealing at least part of the length and at least part of the periphery of the one pressing arm.   21. The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the pressing arm comprises a radial protrusion and a lateral second part.   23. The torsion spring concealing mechanism according to claim 22, wherein the pressing arm receiving means receives the pressing arm lateral second portion.   24. The torsion spring concealing mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the pressing arm receiving means comprises a recess provided in the hair gripping portion, and the second lateral portion of the arm is received in the recess.   24. The torsion spring concealment mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the pressing arm receiving means comprises a protruding portion provided on the hair gripping portion, and a second lateral portion of the arm is received by a hole provided in the protruding portion. 21. The torsion spring concealing mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the first and second main body portions comprise handle portions for enabling a user to operate the first and second main body members.

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