US2584760A - Apparatus for waving hair - Google Patents

Description

F 6h15 1952 ,1. A. swENsoN ET A1. 2,584,760

APPARATUS FOR WAVING HAIR Filed sept. '24, 1949 f5 [kv Feb- 5, 1952 J. A. -swENsoN ET AL 2,584,760

APPARATUS'FOR WAVING HAIR Filed sept. 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 6) W Y {.af C5 i j G W //M///////////////// J- /m/ f 5 wif' .6d

conventional types of hair eurlers. vention herein disclosed, as represented in Figs.

' out anyv slack occurring.

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR WAVDVG HAIR James A. Swenson, Waltham, William E. Burns, Norfolk, and Richard H. Stead, Revere, Mass.

Application September 24, 1949, Serial No. 117,597

Claims. (Cl. 132-33) This invention relates to improved apparatus for the waving of human hair and more particularly to apparatus which is intended to impart `what is known as a permanent wave to the hair.

In order that the principle of the invention may be Yreadily understood we have disclosed several embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings wherein-,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention wherein the main or body member -is bifurcated throughout the greater portion of its length to provide a so-called clothespin construction;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of one v end of the construction shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view partly in longitudinal section, of a second embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4; l

Figs. 6a to 6e represent in plan view and in section, modications of the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 5, wherein the two tines or partsV of the bifurcated pin-like member contrast with each other in width and desirably in length;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of still another embodiment ofthe invention, wherein the main or body member is solid excepting for the head portions, and wherein lthe removable pin member is similar to that shown in Fig. 1; and Y Fig; 7 is a side elevation of still another embodiment of the invention, the two parts of ,the curler being represented as separated from each other.

All of the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed have a number of advantages over the In the in- 1 to 5, no paper is needed for holding the ends of the hair in position when winding begins. Also,

the curler can be withdrawn from the hair Vwithout unfurling the curl thereof, in the forms represented by Figs. 1 to 5, whereas most other types f of. curlers with which we are familiar, including those represented by Figs. 6 and 7, require unwinding of the curl in order toremove the curling bar. Moreover, the parts of the curler of our vinvention are in their functioning position held firmly locked together, thus. allowing the curler to be positioned tightv to the head or scalp with- Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and.3, there is provided-a main or body .memberl and a removable ypin member 2, the

Y the said main or body member I.

form of va clothespin, but if desired with reentrant curves 5a, 6a providing a slight enlargement readily found by the user in operating the bifurcated .member, thus facilitating the act of opening up the member I for use. Such enlargement may be placed wherever desired (for example, more nearly midway the length of said member I). The removable pin member 2 has at one end a thin portion 'I to be grasped by the thumb and finger, which portion may be roughened and from which extends a short pin-like formation 8, shown mainly in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 2. The said pin member 2l is adapted to be inserted in the hollow head portion 3 which is provided with at least one much longer formation 9 extending generally parallel with said short pin-like formation 8 and that, when the removable pin member 2 is positioned in functioning relation, extends generally parallel with Said longer formation 9 has a thin inner edge ID shaped to be slid lengthwise into any desired one of the said circumferentially shaped channels or grooves 4 -upon the said hollow head portion 3, when the f short pin-like formation 8 is inserted into the said hollow head portion 3. The channels or grooves 4 provide a fluted surface that enables the device to be readily gripped and thus facilitating the .winding operation.

It win be noted, viewing Figs. 1V and 2,v that the bottom of each of the channels or grooves 4 is slightly further radially removed from the longitudinal axis of said main or body member I than is the remainder of the surface of the said main or body member I. Also the thin inner edge I0 terminates in a further inwardly extending spring locking formation I0b, and the said head portion `V`3 terminates at its inner end in a well defined shoulder Ic down which the said locking formation I0b slides to engage the smooth surface of the main or body member I, as shown in Figs. 1

and 2, thereby serving to lock the said removable pin member 2 in its functioning position shown in Fig. 1. The removable pin member is most A aptly Adefined as a pin lock-stop member. It is a retainingvmember but it has no clamping action or functionwhatever, Its function is n ot to pinch 3 or clamp the hair to the body member I, but to stand in the way of the hair as a stop in a direction to prevent the hair from unwinding or unfurling from the body member I. Actual clamping of the hair is accomplished by or with the parts or tines 5, 6 of the body member I. The space or opening between the said parts or tines 5, 6, as will be observed in Figs. l, 2, and 4, extends back very close to the inner end of the hollow head portion 3. The parts or tines 5, B thus receive a very substantial strand or group of hairs throughout the entire length of the space or opening between the parts or tines 5, 6, which hairs are effectively clamped by the parts or tines 5, 6 that are pinched together by the thumb and fingers of the user. This pinching or clamping eifect extends to and is effective well back Atoward or actually to the inner end of the space or opening between the parts or tines 5, 6. In normal use, the parts or tines 5, 6 are first pinched together by the operators or users fingers and thumb, then the hair is wound around the body member I by turning the latter a sufficient number of times about its longitudinal axis. Once the hair is wound around the body member, the hair itself completes the clamping action, and it is no longer necessary for the operator or user to pinch the parts or tines 5, 6.

In order to use the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the divided portion of the hair to be curled is. placed between the rst and second lingers of one hand and just above the fingers and close to the scalp or near the root ends of the hair, and the main or body member I is slipped transversely of the said portion of the hair so that such portion of hair is received between the bifurcations or parts 5, 5 of the main or body member I. The said main or -body member I is slid sideways down the hair away from the scalp and close to the free ends of the hair, and then the divided parts of bifurcations 5, 6 of the main or body member are pinched together so as to grip the hair ends. Then the main or body member I is turned or rolled until the portion of the hair within the said bifurcations or parts 5, 6 is wound into a curl. The pin lock-stop member 2, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with the longer formation 9 which is `inwardly curved so as at least to approach the main or body member I near its outer end, it being shown as actually contacting there- 1 with at IUc and slightly upturned to present the hai'rguiding end. In Fig. 4, where the pin lockstop member' is shown as provided withtwo opposite elongated members I5, I6, the outer end portions of said members do not actually contact with the body member, but they are each slightly outwardly turned at I1, I8 to provide .guides for the hair.

The device shown in said Figs. l to is made of some suitable material such as a plastic that is sulilciently flexible to effect or facilitate the results just described.

After the main or body member I .has been rotated upon its axis sufficiently to wind the portion of the hair completely thereon, the removable pin member 2 is positioned with the short pin-like formation 8 thereof in the said longitudinal or small recess in the head 3 and with the locking edge I0 engaging one of the longitudinally extending circumferential channels or grooves 4 of said head 3, and with the locking formation IIlb in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The two parts of the curler are allowed to remain in such cooperating functioning position Vuntilfa curl 7 formed in the hair and is sufficiently set.

The structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 (as well as the forms shown in Figs. 4 and 5 yet to be described) in use grips the hair evenly without the provision of any teeth or other roughening formation upon the main or body member I and without the necessity of using paper coverings to collect loose hair ends or in order to bite into or grip the hair before the winding operation begins, as is customary with most other curlers with which we are familiar.

In order better to grip that portion of the hair to be curled, which is distributed toward the inner or head end of the bifurcation, the bifurcation members 5, 6 are so formed as to approach very close tooreven to touch each other toward the inner end of the bifurcation even before or as soon as the outer or free ends of said bifurcation members 5, 6 are gripped. This provides a better gripping of the hair in the vicinity of the inner end of the bifurcation when the said members 5, 6 are pinched in the vicinity of the outer end of the bifurcation.

The construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 does not differ'materially with respect to the main or body vmember (shown at II, and consisting of the two portions IIa, IIb) from that shown at I in Figs. 1 and 2, though the shape of the slot existing between the said portions I Ia, IIb may, if desired, be wholly straight, as shown in Fig. 4, instead of being shaped as in Figs. 1 and 2.

The said body member II is provided with a hollow headed end I2 that `is similar to the headed end 3, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 so as to receive the pin portion I3 of the `,removable pin member represented generally at I4 inFig. 4, which Aremovable pin member is provided with two opposite .elongated members I5, I6, individually generally `similar to the member 9 of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but which may or may not'at their free 4ends I1, I8 contact with the surface of the main or body member 'I. De-

sirably, however, each 'of the said elongated members I5, I6 is shaped as not only to provide inner edges I9, -20 to engage the proper channels or grooves 4 ofthe head, but also with the inwardly extending formations 2I,V22 that engage the shoulder '22a formed Vat the inner ends of lthe channels or grooves -4 when the parts are positioned yas shown in Fig. 4, Vthereby providing a spring lock similar 'to that provided at Ib, Incin Fig. 1, and for the same purpose.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and l5 is used in a manner similar to that shown in Figs.1,2 and r3.

In Figs. 6a to 6e, we have represented slight modifications of the constructions shown in each `of Figs. llto 5.

-but Ythe two tines or parts of the pin member 5,

6 or 24, 25 are shown in'said figures as identical in shape and in extent. In Figs. 6a to 6e, `we have shown yseveral variations from such construction.

In each of Figs. 6a to 6e, the'upper tine or part 5 is shown ofgreater width than the lower tine or part A6. This permits the user (who may be the one whosehair is being self-curled) to separate further the two tines or parts byi feel alone, while the curler is being applied to the hair, so as more readily to apply the curler to thehair.

In Figs. 6a to 6e, the bifurcation extends nearly to the head end of the removable pin, asin Figs.

1, 2, and4,v but in Fig.'6c the bifurcation is shorter, as indicated in dottedlines. In Figs. 6a, 6b,

and 6c, both the tines or parts 5, 6 are shown as parallel sided, but in Fig.I 6b they are krepresented as slightly tapering, thusfacilitating the removal of the curler from the hair without disturbing the curl of the hair.

It will further be noted that in Fig. 6b the` form or `structure of the two parts or'tines 5, 6 is such that the space between them slightly increases from the inner end outward. The purpose of such construction is to facilitate thev gripping of the hair strands.

- In Figs. 6a, 6b, and 6c, the parallel construction may extend throughout all or the outer poration only of the pin member, and in Figfe.. the

vtapering formation may extendthroughout' all the length of the tines or for only a portion thereof from the free ends inward. y

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the main or body member is indicated at 31 and desirably-has longitudinally extending ridges 38, or is otherwise suitably roughened. In Fig. 6 said body member 31 is of reduced diameter between the ends thereof, but may be of substantially cylindrical form. In Fig. 6, themain or body member 31 is provided with identical opposite head portions 39 having circumferentiallyspaced longitudinally-extending channels or grooves 40 similar to those shown at 4 in the embodiments of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Also, the cooperating member 4I is generally similar to that shown at 9 in Fig. 1, being vprovided with a thin grasping end 42 which may be roughened and from which inwardly extends a short pin portion 43 that is received in the holflow end of either head portion 33. The said cooperating member 4I is provided with an inwardly extending edge 44 to engage any one of the channels or grooves 40 of either head end, andA said edge 44 terminates desirably in a formation 45 to engage the -sloping surface of the main or bodymember 38, as shown. Also, the free end 46 of the cooperating member 4l is so curved or shaped that when the parts are positioned, it engages the outer head end of the main or body member 31.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the main or body member 48 is of the general form shown in Fig. 6, and the same numerals are employed with respect to the head portions 39 with their longitudinally extending channels or grooves 40. However, each head portion 39 has only a shallow recess therein. The cooperating member, indicated generally at 5I and shown as separated from the main or body member 48, is of elongated bow-shape or attened arc-shape with opposite inwardly-extending knobs or enlargements 52, 53 which, when the cooperating members are positioned, engage the shallow recesses respectively in the head portions 39.

Moreover, the cooperating member 5l is provided at both end portions thereof with thin straight edges 54, 55 to engage the longitudinally extending channels or grooves 40 of the head portions 39 Ain a manner similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6. Thus the construction permits the cooperating member 5l to be turned end for end if desired.

In using the embodiments of the invention shown in Fig. 7, the hair is wound upon the main or body member 48 and after being completely wound, the cooperating member 5| is positioned with its opposite ends received in the recesses at the ends of the main or body member 48. being held in position, in the case of the embodiment Shown in Fig. 7, by the longitudinally extending channels or grooves 40 of the head portions 39, and by the serrations or notches 56, 51 at both ends of the main or body member. The formations 4 (Figs. 1 to 5) and 40 (Fig. 6) are correctly 5 dened as channels or grooves. While the invention is in no wise limited to the shape ofthe channels or grooves here shown, they are in each instance shown as bounded by three orthogonally related walls joined along generally parallel lines; that is, each is shown as comprising a bottom wall and two generally parallel side walls. In the act of engaging the pin lock-stop member 2 with the main body member I, an edge lub of said pin lock-stop member 2 (indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and at 2| in Fig. 4) `matches more or less the transverse cross section of the channel or groove 4 (or 40). Such edge engages the outer end of suchchannel or groove 4 or 40 and is pushed by the user so as to pass along lthe channel or groove 4 or 4Q until engagement of the pin lock-stop member with the body member, is completed. It is not necessary in this invention for such edge to engage the selected channel or groove at more than one cross section thereof.

While the parts of the several embodiments of the invention may be formed of any suitable material, they are desirably formed of some suitable flexible material such as a plastic. Also desirably, in each and every embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the two parts of the device are made in contrasting colors, such as red, and white, or any other contrasting colors.

It will be noted that in several of the embodiments of the invention, the cooperating member is of bow-shape or elongated-arc shape, to engage the main or bodymember only at or adjacent to the end portions thereof. In all forms of the invention, the two members are locked or held together with the hair curled between them. Y i

Having thus described several embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A hair-waving curler consisting of a main or body member and a remova-ble pin lock-stop member, said main or body member having at one end an enlarged head portion of cylindrical form and having an axially extending end recess, the outer surface of which headis provided with a parallel series of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending channels each parallel with the axis of said recess, and each consisting of slightly spaced radially extending walls connected by a bottom wall, said channels extending substantially entirely about said cylindrical head portion; the said main or body member being longitudinally bifurcated to provide two parallel, closely adjacent tines extending from the said head portion; the said removable pin lock-stop member having at one end a thin portion to be grasped by a thumb and finger and from which thin portion extends a short arm of a length and diameter adapting it to be inserted into and to fit the axial recess of said head portion, said removable pin lock-stop member hav- 7 ing at least one much longer formation generally parallel with the said arm, and which, when the said removable pin lock-stop member is positioned, extends generally parallel with the said main or body member, the said longer formation having an inner edge shaped to be slid length- :claim -1, whereinone ofzsaid elongated tineso .the body member is slightly wider .at its outer iend iat leastzthan .the other, to permit it to be grasped. and Areadily further separated from the narrower tine, the Asaid wider tine being shorter than the other, thereby permitting the outer fend of the longer tine to be readily lgrasped yin the -preparatory manipulation of the rcurler.

3. A. hair .waving curler iii-accordance with claim 1,'Wherein .the said head portion terminates inwardly inawell deiined .body member-encircling shoulder, `and wherein the said inner edge 'of-'saidpin lock-stop member terminates inwardly vin a! locking formation, which, when said pin 1ock-stop member is pushed into its innermost position, snaps down past said shoulderinto engagement with `the surface of the ysaid main .or body member, in advance of said shoulder.

4. A hair-waving curler consisting of a main or body member and a removable pin lock-stop member, said main or body member having `at one end an enlarged head portionof `cylindrical form and having anaxially extending endrrecess, 'the outer vsurface of which khead is provided with :a parallel series ofcircumferentially spaced, Ilongltudinally extending channels each parallel with the axis of said recess. and each consisting of slightly spaced radially extending walls connected by a bottom WalLsaid channels extending f substantially 'entirely aboutsaid cylindrical head portion; the said removable pin lockstop inember having at one end'a thin portion to be grasped by a thumb and nger and from which thin vportion extends a short arm of a length and diameter adapting it to be inserted into and `to t the axial recess of said head portion, saidtremovable 8 piniockv-.stop member having atleast oneinner longer-formation --generally parallel with the said arm, and which, `when the said removable Din lock-.stop member is positioned, extendslsenerally parallel with the said main or body member, .the .said longer formation vhaving van inner `edge shaped to be slid lengthwise into and to Aitany desired one 4of the said circumferentially spaced channels upon thezsaid cylindrical headportion lo uwhen the-said short arm is insertedinto the axial recess of said head portion.

"5. VA hair .wavingI curler .in accordanceV with claim 4, wherein 'thesaid vlonger formation .of said pin lock-.stop vmember is inwardly .curved l5 near its free vend-so as to contact with the sur- .face Vof ysaid main or body member and at lits extreme free end is slightly outwardly curved to ,present a hair guiding portion.

JAMES A. SWENSON.

20 WILLIAM E. BURNS.

RICHARD H. STEAD.

REFERENCES CITED VThe following references are vof record in the 25 file of this patent:

`lUNITED STATES PATENTS (Addition to NO. 686,668)

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