Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HA I R GROO~I I NG ATT~.CH~IENT
FOR A CURLING IRON
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a div~sion of Canadian Application
5Serial No. 354,835, filed June 26, 1980.
F I E Ll:) OF THE I MVE ~T I ON
The invention generally reLates to hair
grooming devices~ More particularly, the invention
relates to curling irons and hair grooming devices
usable in combination with curling irons.
;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
. _ _ .
Curling ;rons are widely used to curl or
: otherwise style hair. To facilitate the use of
curling irons in creating particular hair styles,
curling irons typically include integral hair grooming
assemblies such as hair clamping members which are
used in forming smalL or "tight" curls or brushes
`` which are used in forming large or "loose" curls and
waves.
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SUMMA:t~Y OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a hair grooming
attachment for a curling iron having a handle and a
heating element extending froTn the handle, which
at~achment comprises a body including a main portion
having an inner diameter permitting sliding
attachment of the main portion upon the heating
element, which body also includes a first end having
an inner diameter at least equal to the inner
diameter of the main portion to accomodate the
sliding attachment of the main portion upon the
heating element through the first end, a second end
oppositely spaced from the first end and having an
inner diameter less than the inner diameter OL the
main portion to prevent sliding attachment of the
main portion on the heating element beyond the second
end~ and an annular plurality of arcuately spaced
support bars extending between the first end and the
second end.
The inven~ion also provides a hair
grooming attachment for a curling iron having a
handle and a substantially cylindrical heating
element extending from the handle, which heating
element includes an end, and an end portion extending
from the end towards the handle and having an outer
configuration, which hair grooming attachment
comprises a substantially hollow body having a
central portion and oppositely spaced first and
second endst which central portion has an interior
with an inner configuration having a cross-section to
permit sliding engagement of the central portion on
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the outer configuration of the heating e:Lement, which
first end has an opening with a configuration at
least equal in size to the inner configuration of the
central portion to accommodate sliding engagement of
the central portion upon the heating element through
the first end, and which second end has an openlng
with a configuration of lesser size than the inner
configuration of the central portion to limit slidiny
enyagement o~ the central portion on the heating
elelnent toward the handle, which central portion also
includes an annular plurality oE arcuately spaced
support bars exten~irlg between the first end and the
second end.
q'he invention also includes a hair
grooming attachment for a curling iron having a
handle ancl a substantially cylindrical heating
element extending from the hand:le, which attachment
comprises a substantially tubular elongated body
including a central portion wittl an inner diameter
permitting sliding attachment of the central portion
upon the heating element of a curling iron, which
body also includes a first end having an inner
dia~neter at least equal to the inner diameter of the
central portion to accommodate the sliding attachment
ok the central portion upon the heating element
through the first end, a second end oppositely spaced
from the first end and having an inner diameter less
than the inner diameter of the central portion to
limi~ sliding attachment of tne central portion on
the heating element toward the first encl, an annular
plurality of arcuately spaced support bars extendirlg
between the first end and the second end, and hair
grovming mearls on said support bars, and fastening
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means engageable with the heating element and the
second end of the body for securing the second end of
the body between the fastening means and the heating
element.
The invention also provides a hair
groominy attachment for a curliny iron having a
handle and a heating element ex-tending from the
handle, which attachment comprises a body including a
main portion having an inner diameter permitting
s.Liding attachment of the main portion upon the
heating element, a first end having an inner diameter
at least equal to tne inner diameter of the main
portion to accommodate the sliding attachment of the
main portion upon the heatiny element through the
first end, a second end oppositely spaced from the
lS first end and having an inner diameter less than the
inner dia~neter of the main portion to prevent sliding
attachmen~ of the main portion on the heating element
beyond the second end, and an annular plurality of
arcuat~ly spaced support bars extending between the
first end and the second end/ and a hair clamping
member pivotally attached on the body adjacent to the
first end for movement between a first position in
which the hair clamping member extends at an angle
from the body and a second position in which the hair
clamping member is closely adjacent to the body~
The invention also provides a hair
groomillg attachment for a curling iron having a
handle and a substantially cylindrical heating
element extending from the handle, which heating
element includes an end, and an end portion extending
from the end towards the handle and having an outer
configuration, which hair grooming attachment
~ `
comprises a substantially hollow body having a
central portion and oppositely spaced first and
second ends, whic~l central portion also has an
interior with an inner configuration having a
cross-section to permit sliding engagement of the
central portion on the outer configurakion of t.he
heating element, which first end has an opening with
a conf.iguration at least equal in size to the inner
configuration o~ the central portion to accommodate
slidlng engagemellt of the central portion upon the
heating element through the first end, and which
second end has an opening with a configuration of
lesser size than the inner configuration of the
central portion to limit sliding engagement of the
centra.L portion on the heating element toward the
handle, which central portion also includes an
annular plurality of arcuately spaced support bars
extending between the first end and the second end,
and a hair clamping member pivotally attached on the
body adjacent to the first end for movement between a
first pos.ition in which the hair clamping member
ex~ends at an angle from the body and a second
positlon in which the hair clamping member is closely
adjacent to the body.
One of the principal features of the
invention is an attacnmerlt for the heating element of
a curling iron, which attachment allows
interchangeable use of different hair grooming
assemblies in connection with a single curling ironO
Other features and advantages of the
embodiments of the invention will become known by
reference to the fo:Llowing general description,
claims, and the drawings~
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DESCRIPTIOM OE~ THE DRAWINGS
Fig. l is a hair grooming attachment having
bristLes forming a brush and which is slidably
engaged upon the heating element of a curling
iron;
¦ Fig. 2 is a hair grooming attachment having
a pivotally attached hair clamping member and which is
s slidably engaged upon the heating element of a
curling iron and interchangeable on the heating
element with the brush attachment shown in Fig.
~'
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a curling
; iron and a hair grooming attachment which is slidably
engagable thereon;
,~ 15 Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the grooming
i a~tachment taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig.
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; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view
o~ the grooming attachment and the related Eastening
means taken generally along `Line 5-5 in Fig. l;
Fig. 6 is a sectional v;ew, partly broken
away, oE the grooming attachment taken generally
along llne 6-6 in Fig. 5; and
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the groor~ling
attachment taken generally along line 7-7 in Fig.
2.
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BeEore explaining the embodiments of the
invention in deta;l, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited in its application to
the details of construction and the arrangement of
components set forth in the following description
and as illustrated in the drawings. The invention
is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also,
it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein for the purpose of descrip-
tion should not be regarded as limiting.
- GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Shown in the drawings is a hair grooming
attachment 10 and its use in connection with a curling
iron 12. The curling iron 12 generally includes a
handle 14 and a heating element 1~ extending from the
handle 14 (as is best shown in Fig. 3). The element
16 is electrically operated to radiate heat, and the
grooming attachment 10 generally serves to facilitate
the use of the radiated heat to curl or otherwise
style the operator's hair.
Referring first principally to Figs. 1, 2, and
3, the attachment generally includes a main body
portion 18 which has an inner diameter suEficient
to permit sliding attachment of the main body portion
18 upon the heating element 16. The main body
portion 18 includes a Eirst end 20 which has an inner
diameter at least equal to the inner diameter of
the main body portion 18 and an oppositely spaced
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second end 22 which has an inner diameter less than
the inner diametec oE the main body portion 18. By
virtue of this construction, the first end 20 accommo-
dates the sliding attachment of the ma;n body portion
18 upon the heating element 16, while the second
end 22 does not. Thus, sliding attachment of the
main body portion 18 upon the heating element 16 is
permitted only through the first end 20 (as shown in
Fig. 3), and the sliding attachment thereafter
progresses until the second end 22 of the main body
portion 18 reaches the outer end 24 of the heating
element 16 (as shown in Figs. I and 2). The difference
in diameters between the second end 22 and the outer
end 24 (see Figs. 1 and 5) blocks further sliding
attachment of the main body portion 18 beyond the
second end 22.
As is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 59 fastening
means 26 is engagable with the heating element 16
and the second end 22 of the main body portion 18 to
secure the second end 22 between the fastening means
26 and the heating element 16 and thereby hold the
grooming attachment 10 in place upon the heating
element 16.
It should be appreciated that the hair grooming
attachment 10 as just generally described is broadly
applicable for use in combination with curling irons
of various constructions, and the particular construc-
tion of the attachment 10 may be varied according to
the design of the associated curling iron as well as
the particular hair curling or styling function
sought to be accomplished.
.
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In the illustrated embodiment (as best shown
in Fig. 3), the curling icon 12 includes a plurality
of arcuately spaced grooves 28 extending longitudinally
along the outer peripheral surface 32 oE the heating
S element lS between the handle end 30 of the eLement
16 and the outer end 24 thereof. As can best be seen
in Fig. 7, the outer peripheral surface 32 of the
heatin~ element 16 has a first diameter dl~ and the
arcuately spaced grooves 28 have inner peripheral
surfaces 34 concentric with the outer peripheral
surface 32 oE the element 16 and having a second
diametec d2 which is less than the first diameter
dl. It should ~e appreciated that the specific shape
of the grooves 28 may be varied from that shown in
lS the dra~ings. For example, the grooves 28 may take
the form of a dovetail as well as any square, rectangular,
or arcuate indentation formed in the outer peripheral
surface 32 of the heating element 16.
ln this embodiment, the main body portion 18
of the grooming attachment 10 forms an annular frame
or cage (see Fig. 3) which includes a plurality
oE arcuately spaced support bars 36. While the frame 18
may be constructed oE various materials, it
is preferably made of heat resistant plastic.
.
The number of support bars 36 is equal to the
number oE grooves 28. The bars 36 have an outer
diameter (see Fig. 7) generally equal to the first
mentioned diameter dl of the outer peripheral surEace
32 of the heating element 16 and an inner diameter
generally equal to the second mentioned diameter d2
of the inner peripheral surfaces 34 of the grooves
28.
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By virtue of these generally rnatched inner
and oucer diameters of the heating element 16 and
sllpport bars 36, and as can he seen in Figs. 6 and 7,
the support bars 36 sliclingly engage the grooves 28.
Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 40 of the
support bars 36 is generally flush with the outer
peripheral surface 32 oE the heating element 16,
thereby enhancing the transfer of heat between the
element 16 and the operator's hair. The outer
peripheral surface 40 of the support bars 36 may be
smooth, as is shown in the drawings, or it may be
roughened or serrated to facilitate the holding of
hair against the annular frame L8. --
,
In this embodiment, the first end 20 of the
annular frame 18 takes the form of a first annuLar
member 42, also preferabLy made of heat resistant
plastic, attached to the annular frame 18. Preferably
the first annular member 42 is molded directly to the
annuklr Erame 18, but the first annular member 42 may
also be attached by glue (as is ~enerally shown in
~ig. 2) or by a pLurality of pins 44 tas shown in
Figs. 1 and 3) which extend through the first annular
member 42 into the support bars 36. As is best shown
in F.ig. 4, the first annular member 42 has an inner
diameter at Least e(lual to the first mentioned cliameter
dl of the outer peripheraL surface 32 of the heating
element 16 and forms a co].Lar which commonly encircles
the flush outer peripheral surfaces 32 and 40 of the
heating element 16 an(l support bars 36.
The second encl 22 oE the annular frame 1~
takes the form of a second annular member 46, also
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perferal~ly ma~le of heat resistan~ plastic, attach~d
to the annular frame 18. Like the first annular
ember 42, the second annular member 46 is preferably
mol.decl directly to the annular frame 13, but it may
also be attached by glue or a plurality oE screws
48 extending into the support bars 36 (see Figs. 5
and 6). As is best shown in Fig. 5, the second
annular member 46 has an inner diameter which is
less than the first mentioned diameter dl of the
outer peripheral surface 32 of the heating element
16 and an outer diameter generally equal to the
Eirst mentioned diameter dl so that the second
annular member 46 takes ttle form of a ring fastened
in registry upon the frame 18.
Thus, as hecetofore generally described,
the first annular rnember 42 accommodates the sliding
engagement of the support bars 36 within the grooves
28, whereas the seconcl annular member 46 does not.
The slid ing enga~ement between the support bars 36 and
2() the grooves 28 proceeds through the first annular
member 42 until abutting engagement between the second
annular member 46 and the outer end 24 oE the heating
elenlent 16 occurs (as shown in Figs.l and 5).
As shown in Fi~s. 1 and 2, the length of the
annular Erame 18 is less than the length of the
heating eLement 16 so that, wllen abutalent between the
second annular member 46 and the outer end 24 of the
heating element 16 occurs, the first annular membec
42 is located in a spaced relationship from the
handLe end 30 oE the heatinp, element 16. By virtue
oE this construction, heat expansion of the frame 18
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is permitted during operation of the curling iron
12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the heating
element 16 has an internally threaded hol,e 50 centrally
5 formed in its outer end 2~. The fastening means 26
takes the Eorm of a plug-shaped member 52 having an
outer diameter generaLly equal to the outer dialneter
dl oE the heating element 16 anct preferably made of a
heat resis.ant material such as plast,ic or rubber.
The plug member 52 includes an underbody portion 54
and an externally threaded pin 56 projecting down~Jardly
from the center of the underbody portion 54. Rotation
oE the plug member 52 causes the pin 56 to threadably
engage the hole 50, and the second annu1ar member 46
is thereby sandwiched between the underbody surface
54 of the p1ug member 52 and the outer end 24 of the
heating elernent 16. Movement of the annular frame 18
axially along the heatin~ element 16 is thereby
pceventedO Also, by virtue of the engagement between
the ~rooves 28 and the support bars 36, rotation of
the groomin~ attachment upon the heating element 16
is likewise prevented.
It should be appreciated that the plug member
5~ may be altecn;ltively molded directly to the second
~5 annular men~ber 46 to provide a heat resistant gripping
surEace to Eacilitate attachment ancl removal oE the
annular Erame l8 upon the hea~ing element 16. In this
embodimen~, the unîtary annular frame L8 and plug
member 52 may be held in place upon the heating
eLement 16 by means of friction or ~y another suitable
fastening mechanism, such as a spring-detent assembly
(not sho~n).
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As before mentioned, the particular structure
of the hair grooming attachment 10 as just described
may be varied to accommodate the particular curling
or styling function desired. Just as there are
numerous h~ic styles, there are numerous structural
variations of the grooming attachment 10 which are
possible. Two such variations are shown.
Referring to the first variation which is
best shown in Figs. 2 and 4~ the attachment 10
includes a hair clamping meMber 58 which is pivotally
attached on the annular frame 18 for rlovement between
a first position (shown in solid lines in Fig. 1)
in which the hair clamping member 58 extends at an
angle from the annular frame 18 and a second position
(shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1) in which the hair
clamping member 58 is located closely adjacent to the
annular frame 18. While the pivot point may be
variously located, in the illustrated embodiment, the
first annu]ar ring 42 includes a pair of outwardly
projecting shoulders 68 (as best snown in Fig. 4) upon
which the hair clamping member 58 is pivotally attached.
The hair clamping member 5~, which may be of either
plastic or metal unitary construction, includes an
outwardly pro~jecting arm 60 extending over the handle
14 of the curling iron 12 so that the operator may
easily control the pivotal movement of the clamping
member 58 simultaneously with operation of the curling
iron 12. Preferably, and as is shown in Fig. ~, the
outer tip of the clamping member 58 extends beyond the
outer end 24 of the heating element 16 and over the
heat resistant plug member 52, so that the operator is
able to hold the outer tip of the clamping member 58
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13
against the plug member 52 to maintain the clamping
member 52 in its second position. The clamping
member 58 also includes a generally concave clamping
surface 62 which Eits in cegistry with the flush
outer peripheral surfaces 32 and 40 of the heating
element 16 and support bars 36 when the clamping
member 58 is in its second position. The operator is
thus able to hold his or her hair in place between
the concave clamping surface 62 and the outer peripheral
surEaces 32 and 40 during the application of heat.
Such use of the hair clamping member 58 facilitates
the forming of small or "tight" curls.
Referring next to the second variation which
is best shown in Figs~ l, 5 and 6, the annular frame
18 includes a plurality of generally spaced outwardly
projecting bristles 64. The bristles 64 are generally
longitudinally spaced along each of the support bars
36 and collectively form a brush 66. Use of the
brush 66 in combination with the curling iron 12
facilitates the making of large "loose" curls or
waves.
It should now be apparent that through the
interchangeable use of the two illustrated variations
of the hair grooming attachment just described, a
single curling iron is operable Eor creating a
variety of hair curls and styles.
Various of the features of the invention
are set forth in the following claims.
