Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Name: Hair Styling Device
Description
The invention at hand concerns a gas-operated hair styling device including a
handle and
a styling rod connected to the handle.
Prior art
Hair styling devices which include a styling rod for shaping, in particular
straightening,
curling or waving hair, at which the hair can be placed between tongs facing
each other
and the tongs can be transferred from an open to a closed condition and vice
versa are
known in prior art. For example, WO 2004/019723 shows a gas-operated hair
styling
device of the kind mentioned above, which has a replaceable gas cartridge in
the handle
of a hair styling device.
At this the housing for the gas cartridge is closed by a removable closing
cap, which is
removed from the handle if the gas cartridge is exchanged, i.e., if the
cartridge has to be
removed from the handle. To remove an empty gas cartridge, the user has to
manually
detach it from a needle valve to be able to remove it from the housing of the
handle. To
insert a new, gas-filled cartridge it is required that the cartridge is
manually attached to
the needle valve provided for the withdrawal of gas. Finally, before use, the
user has to
close the handle by means of the closing cap.
The exchange procedure described has its disadvantages with regard to user
friendliness
and manageability since, on the one hand, the user has to handle several
parts, namely at
least the handle and the closing cap and, on the other hand, he has to make
sure that the
closing cap is again placed at the handle in the correct and specified
direction.
Especially in an embodiment in which the closing cap is designed to be placed
at the end
of the handle and to be removed from the handle by means of a snap-on
mechanism,
there is an increased risk of being injured if the cartridge has to be
exchanged while the
hair styling device is in use. With such implementation, secure handling of
the handle is
possible only in a very restricted way after the closing cap has been removed.
Especially
the process of detaching the closing cap can cause the handle to slip away
and, as a result,
the user's hand may come in contact with hot styling rod. This, in turn, can
result in
painful burnings.
Furthermore, a removable closing requires, at least partially, a double-walled
design of
the handle to provide the necessary space for guide length and inlet guide. In
particular
with regard to portable hair styling devices for which it is especially
desired to reduce
size and weight of the component, this at least partially double-walled
embodiment of the
handle is especially disadvantageous. Moreover, a detachable connection
between the
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removable closing cap and handle of the hair styling device usually causes the
impression
in the user of dealing with a less stable device.
Problem
Based on this fact the invention at hand has the objective of providing an
improved hair
styling device of the kind mentioned above which eliminates the disadvantages
of prior
art and advances prior art in an advantageous way. Preferably, a handling of
the device
in exchanging the gas cartridges should be improved.
Invention and advantageous effects
According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a hair
styling device
with the characteristics of patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the
invention are
mentioned in the sub-claims.
The invention-based hair styling device has a styling rod and a handle
connected to the
styling rod. At this the handle is designed to accept a gas cartridge and
features a holding
device and a swiveling cap to close the housing for the gas cartridge. At this
the
swiveling cap is connected to the holding device and can be switched between
an opening
and a closing position.
The swiveling cap prevents the user of the hair styling device from having to
deal with
several components of the hair styling device if the gas cartridge has to be
exchanged.
Since the swiveling cap is designed as an integral part of the handle of the
hair styling
device, it is effectively avoided that, during the process of changing the gas
cartridge, a
removable closing part can, for example, be misplaced, damaged or incorrectly
connected
to the handle. Since the closing cap no longer has to be detached in order to
change the
cartridge, it is also prevented that the user gets burned because of coming in
contact with
the hot styling rod.
Typically, the swiveling cap rotates around a fixed swivel axis, preventing an
incorrect
closing of the housing.
In addition, the invention-based closing cap allows for a single-wall
embodiment of the
holding device which considerably reduces the size of the holding device
compared to
devices according to prior art.
A first special embodiment of the invention provides snap-on means to lock the
cap in
opening position. For instance, if the user transfers or swivels the cap from
closing
position to opening position, the snap-on means allow the cap to be stopped or
locked in
the opening position. In opening position, the housing for the gas cartridge
is especially
easy to access and the fact that the cap is locked in opening position
prevents the cap
from switching automatically to closing position during the process of
removing or
inserting the gas cartridge. This locking in opening position therefore
considerably
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increases manageability and user friendliness of the hair styling device
during the process
of changing the gas cartridge.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, during the process of
closing the cap
axially in longitudinal direction of the device toward the styling rod, the
gas cartridge,
which can be inserted in the housing of the holding device, can be moved into
operating
position. In operating position, the gas cartridge is pushed onto a pin or
needle valve, in
order to extract gas from the cartridge. Consequently, the housing for the gas
cartridge
allows an axial movement of the gas cartridge between operating position and
position of
removal. In the position of removal, the gas cartridge is typically detached
from the pin
or needle valve and can be directly removed from the housing. Compared to the
position
of removal, in operating position, the cartridge is moved toward the styling
rod. The
position of removal, on the other hand, is arranged further away from the
styling rod.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inside of
the cap
features in the area of its free end attachments which, upon closure of the
cap, exert a
displacement force on the gas cartridge in the direction of the styling rod.
At this the free
end of the cap is the end opposite of the swivel axis. The attachments can be
designed,
for example, as angular faces which can switch a radial or vertical force on
the cap to an
axial or horizontal displacement force and which attach to the gas cartridge
in order to
move it in the direction of the styling rod until it reaches its operating
position.
The invention-based attachments and the associated switching of the force
exerted on the
cap especially achieve that, directly at the closing of the cap, the gas
cartridge is
automatically pushed on the pin or needle valve to extract the gas. This makes
it
unnecessary to manually push the gas cartridge on the pin of needle valve, as
designed in
prior art.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cap has on its inside
a projection
in the area of its linkage to the holding device. This projection is designed,
upon opening
the cap, to exert a displacement force on the gas cartridge away from the
styling rod. The
projection is arranged to form a rigid piece with the cap, spaced from the
swivel axis. As
a result, upon opening the cap, the projection attaches to the gas cartridge
and the gas
cartridge, in turn, automatically is pulled away from the pin or needle valve.
In this respect, this embodiment represents a further improvement of the hair
styling
device because, compared to prior art, it is no longer necessary to manually
remove or
pull away the gas cartridge from the pin or needle valve. Consequently, after
the cap is
opened or, in particular, after the cap locks into its opening position, the
used gas
cartridge has been removed from the pin and lies unattached in the housing,
which makes
it especially advantageous for a user to remove the gas cartridge from the
housing in a
user friendly and easy manner.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the holding device
features an
opening mechanism to lift the cap from its closing position into a release
position. Since
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in closing position the cap and the holding device are typically attached to
each other in
flush fashion, it is only possible to a limited extent, for example, because
of a smooth
surface structure, to lift the cap from its closing position. However, in
release position,
the cap is opened at least a little, forming a gap between the cap and the
holding device,
which makes it considerably easier to take and lift the cap. In addition, the
opening
mechanism serves the purpose of automatically lifting the free end of the cap
from
closing position to release position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the inside of the cap
features at least
one spring-loaded element to lift the cap from its closing position. For
example, upon
closing the cap, this spring-loaded element can be tensioned, allowing the
spring energy
stored in the spring-loaded element to lift the cap into release position if
the cap is opened
or unlocked. Therefore, the spring-loaded element can be tensioned, for
example, against
the inserted gas cartridge if the cap is closed.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the opening mechanism can
be
operated by means of an unlocking device, which is preferably counter-sunk at
the end of
the holding device. For example, the unlocking device can be designed as a key
or push
button, a slider or button. Its counter-sunk arrangement in the surface of the
housing
prevents the opening mechanism from being activated unintentionally, allowing
the hair
styling device to be put down in any position without risking that the opening
mechanism
is activated unintentionally.
An actuation of the unlocking device primarily serves the purpose of releasing
a locking
device or connection between cap and holding device, pressing the pre-
tensioned spring-
loaded element against the cap and bringing it in release condition.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the holding device
features at its end
a wall section extending to the interior and restricting the housing for the
gas cartridge.
This wall section, which is designed at the end of the hair styling device's
handle at the
holding device prevents the gas cartridge from unintentionally slipping out if
the cap is
opened. For example, if the cap is in opening position and the hair styling
device is held
in a way that the end of the handle points downward, the wall section forms a
stop
position for the gas cartridge, which is free to move in the housing axially
in longitudinal
direction of the device. In order to take the gas cartridge out f the housing,
it is required
to slightly lift the gas cartridge above the restricting wall section, which
typically requires
an additional movement on the part of the user. In this way an uncontrolled
slipping of
the gas cartridge is largely avoided.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the wall section and the
cap are
designed to form a form-fit snap-on connection. Consequently, in closing
position of the
cap, parts of the cap and the wall section are arranged to partially overlap
to form a snap-
on connection. For this, the wall section and/or cap feature matching snap-on
elements.
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According to a further embodiment of the invention, the unlocking device can
be actuated
against spring tension to release the snap-on connection. At this the
unlocking device can
be arranged at the wall section of the holding device or at the cap. Depending
on the
design of the snap-on connection, by actuating the unlocking device, latches
or
corresponding undercuts are moved against spring tension, releasing the snap-
on
connection. At this the latches or corresponding undercuts can be arranged at
the wall
section or at the cap.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spring tension to
release the
snap-on connection can be derived from a one-piece spring-loaded element,
which is
provided also to actuate the opening mechanism. For example, the one-piece
spring-
loaded element can be arranged to form a rectangular spring element at the
interior side
of the cap in such a way that its one end attaches to the unlocking element
positioned at
the end and with its other end to the shell or cylindrical surface of the
inserted gas
cartridge.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cap features at its
end a snap-on
element with at least one latch to form a snap-on connection with the wall
section of the
holding device. At this the snap-on element is designed for reception at the
wall section
and, if the snap-on element rests against the wall section, its latches can
engage in
corresponding undercuts to form a form-fit snap-on connection.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the holding device and the
cap
feature matching outer surfaces, which supplement each other to form a
cylindrical shape
in closing position. At this the outer surface of the holding device is
tapering toward the
end. Consequently, in the area of the handle's end, the cap surrounds more
than half of
the radial circumference of the inserted gas cartridge in closing position. If
the cap is
opened, such design makes it possible that a user can grip the inserted gas
cartridge
below its medium center line between thumb and index finger and lift it out.
Thus, if the
cap is opened, the side areas of the cartridge are easily accessible, having
an
advantageous effect on handling the device during the process of changing the
cartridge.
It has also been designed that, in direction of the end pointing to the
styling rod, the outer
surface of the holding device encloses the inserted gas cartridge much more
than the cap.
An associated maximizing of the surface of the holding device is especially
advantageous
for handling the entire hair styling device during the process of changing the
cartridge.
For instance, the user can securely hold the hair styling device in one hand
even if the cap
is opened.
Embodiments
The following description of an embodiment by means of drawings show further
objectives, advantages, characteristics and forms of application of the
invention at hand.
At this all characteristics described and/or depicted represent in itself or
in any expedient
combination the subject matter of the invention at hand, even independently
from an
abstract in the claims or any reference to them.
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It is shown:
Figure 1 a perspective view of the hair styling device with inserted gas
cartridge,
Figure 2 a perspective view of the hair styling device with extracted gas
cartridge,
Figure 3 a perspective view of the housing for the gas cartridge with opened
cap,
Figure 4 a perspective view of the cap interior,
Figure 5 a perspective view of the end area of the holding device,
Figure 6 a radial cross section through the hair styling device,
Figure 7 a cross section along the cut E-E according to figure 6,
Figure 8 a cross section along the cut F-F according to figure 6,
Figure 9 a longitudinal cross section along the cut A-A according to figure 6
with
opened cap,
Figure 10 a longitudinal cross section along the cut A-A according to figure 6
with
closed cap,
Figure 11 a longitudinal cross section through the hair styling device along
the cut
B-B according to figure 6 and
Figure 12 a perspective view of the swivel bearing of the cap with snap-on
means.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the hair styling device 1 which has a
styling rod 2
and an associated handle 3. At this the housing of the handle 3 is divided
into a holding
device 5 and a cap 4 swiveling at the holding device. In opening position, the
swiveling
cap 4 uncovers a housing which is designed to receive a gas cartridge 6. The
user can
insert the gas cartridge 6 into a housing which is restricted by holding
device 5. By
closing the cap 4, it is pushed into operating position. At the end, i.e., the
side opposite
of the styling rod 2, the holding device 5 has a wall section 8 extending to
the interior,
which restricts the housing area for the gas cartridge 6 toward the handle's
end and
consequently prevents that, while the cap is opened, the gas cartridge 6 is
slipping out of
the housing axially in longitudinal direction.
At its end, the cap 4 has a snap-on element 7 which is designed to form a form-
fit
connection with the wall section 8 of the holding device 5. The snap-on
element 7
features at least one, preferably two latches 11, 12, which are designed to
engage in
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corresponding undercuts of the wall section 8. By activating the actuating
element or
button 9, the snap-on element 7 and its two latches 11, 12 are moved in axial
direction
toward the styling rod 2, releasing the snap-on connection between snap-on
element 7
and wall section 8 and opening the cap4.
In the depicted embodiment, the cap 4 and the holding device 5 have outer
surfaces
supplementing each other to form a cylindrical shape, at which the outer
surface of the
holding device 5 is tapered toward the end of the handle. As a result, at the
end of the
handle 3, the cap 4 has a larger radial circumference than the holding device
5 and thus,
below the medium center lines, the gas cartridge 6 can be lifted above the
wall section 8
and the user is able to grip the gas cartridge between thumb and index finger,
easily
lifting it out of the housing.
The radial circumference of the outer surface of the holding device 5 remains
the same in
the direction of the styling rod 2. However, preferably it is designed larger
than the cap
4. This serves to maximize the radial circumference or shell of the holding
device 5 in
order to guarantee that the user can hold the handle 3 and thus the entire
hair styling
device 1 securely in one hand without slipping while exchanging the cartridge.
In addition, the hair styling device 1 features at its handle two switches 17,
18, which can
be designed, for example, as key switches, rocker switches or slider switches
and have
the purpose of regulating the temperature or operate the movable elements of
the styling
rod 2.
The gas cartridge 6 is axially movable in longitudinal direction of the hair
styling device
lbetween an operating position and position of removal. Especially during the
process of
opening the cap 4, the gas cartridge is pushed into the position of removal,
and during the
process of closing the cap 4, it is pushed in operating position. In operating
position, the
left end of the cartridge 6 is pushed on a needle valve or pin 10, as shown in
the
perspective view of figure 2. Therefore, during the process of closing the cap
4, the gas
cartridge 6 is pushed onto the pin 10, resulting in the extraction of gas from
the gas
cartridge 6 required for operating the hair styling device without further
interaction or
actuation by the user.
The gas cartridge 6 can be pushed onto the pin 10 through depression on the
cap 4, for
example, by means of attachments arranged inside the cap 4, such as angular
faces. If,
upon closing the handle 3, the cap 4 is attached to the inserted gas cartridge
6, an angular
face arranged inside the cap 4 diverts a force exerted on the cap 4 vertically
from the
outside to a displacement force exerted basically horizontally, in axial
longitudinal
direction toward the styling rod 2. As a result, as shown in figure 2, it is
not necessary to
manually insert or push the gas cartridge 6 on the pin 10, as was required by
prior art.
This has an advantageous effect on manageability and user friendliness of the
hair styling
device 1.
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In the area of its linkage, i.e., in the area of the swivel axis 19, the cap 4
features a latch
or clamp 20, which serves the purpose that, upon opening the cap 4, the gas
cartridge 6 is
pushed toward the handle's end into position of removal. Consequently, upon
opening
the cap 4, the gas cartridge 6 is pulled away from the pin 10. As a result, if
the cap 4 is
opened, the gas cartridge basically lies loosely in the housing of the holding
device 5 and
can be removed by easily lifting it above the wall section 8 of the handle 3.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the hair styling device 1 corresponding
to figure 1
with removed gas cartridge 6. In the view shown in figure 2, the needle valve
or pin 10,
which is designed to extract gas from the gas cartridge 6, can be clearly
seen.
Figure 3 shows a further perspective view of the handle 3 with opened cap 4
and removed
gas cartridge 6. It clearly shows the actuating element 9, which is arranged
counter-sink
at the end of the cap 4 and which is provided for the snap-on mechanism to
open the cap
4. Figure 3 also shows the snap-on element with its two latches 11 and 12
protruding
from the end of the cap 4.
If the cap 4 is in closed position, the projection 16, which is arranged at
the wall section 8
extending to the internal area of the housing for the gas cartridge 6, forms
an undercut for
the two latches 11, 12 of the snap-on element 7. By pressing down the
actuating element
9 designed in the shape of a button, the snap-on element 7 is moved in the
direction of
styling rod 2, releasing the snap-on connection between the cap 4 and the wall
section 8
of the holding device 5.
Preferably, the button 9 is pressed down against spring tension which makes
sure that it is
principally not possible that the cap 4 is opened unintentionally. The counter-
sunk
arrangement of the button 9 also has the advantage that, for example, the cap
4 is not
opened if the hair styling device I is put down on the end of the handle 3.
Consequently,
it is effectively being prevented that the cap opens unintentionally.
Figure 4 shows a perspective interior view of the cap 4, which features on its
inside at its
loose end, i.e., at the end opposite of the styling rod 2, a snap-on element,
two angular
faces 13, 14, as well as a rectangular spring element 15. During the process
of closing
the cap 4, both angular faces 13, 14 become attached with the inserted gas
cartridge 6.
By further pressing down the cap 4 in its closing position, an axial
displacement force in
longitudinal direction to the styling rod is exerted on the gas cartridge,
making sure that
the gas cartridge 6 is pushed on the pin or needle valve 10.
In the embodiment depicted here, the spring element 15 designed in one piece
has a two-
fold function. On the one hand, the part of the spring element 15 arranged on
the upper
side of the cap's interior causes the cap 4 to spring open if the snap-on
element is
released from the wall section 8. In closing position of the cap 4, the spring
element 15 is
attached to gas cartridge 6 and is tensioned during the process of closing the
cap 4. If the
snap-on mechanism is opened, the spring element 15 can release tension,
resulting in the
fact that the cap 4 is transferred from closing position to release position,
forming a gap
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between the cap 4 and the holding device 5. In release position, the cap 4
typically has an
opening angle toward the center line of the hair styling device 1. The gap
that is formed
between the cap 4 and the holding device 5 makes sure that the cap 4 can be
securely and
easily gripped to completely open it.
On the other hand, with the part attached to the snap-on element 7, the spring
element 15
exerts spring tension to prevent the actuating element 9 from being pressed
down,
guaranteeing that the two latches 11, 12 of the snap-on element 7 will always
lock in
place.
Other embodiments are possible in which the opening mechanism for the cap 4
and the
snap-on element is each activated by a spring element. For instance, in such
embodiments two separate spring elements can be arranged at the interior side
of the cap
4, for example at the snap-on element 7 and at any place inside the cap 4.
Figure 5 shows a perspective inside view of the holding device 5 with opened
cap 4 and
extracted gas cartridge 6. The wall section 8 extending to the interior can be
clearly seen.
On the one hand, this wall section prevents the gas cartridge 6 from slipping
out of the
shell formed by the holding device 5. On the other hand, the wall section
forms an
undercut for the snap-on element 7 of the cap 4 to lock in place.
In addition, it has to be pointed out that, for instance, the actuating
element 9 can also be
arranged appropriately at the holding device 5. Furthermore, the snap-on
element 7 can
also be arranged at the holding device 5, and the wall section 8 engaging in
the snap-on
element 7 can be arranged at the cap 4. In alternative embodiments, the snap-
on
mechanism can also be realized by means of a displacement element or a
rotating
element.
Figure 6 shows a radial cross section through the hair styling device 1 with
closed cap 4
and inserted gas cartridge 6. Both actuating elements 17, 18 to operate the
hair styling
device 1 can clearly be seen because they protrude from the cylindrical shell
of the hair
styling device 1. Further cross section surfaces A-A, B-B, E-E and F-F are
drawn in, the
cross sections of which are shown in figures 7 through 11.
Figure 7 shows the cross section proceeding through the cut E-E through the
end of the
handle 3 with closed cap 4. At the left lower edge it can be seen how the
latch 12
engages in a respective undercut formed by the wall section 8. It is also
shown that the
button 9 directly interacts with the snap-on element 7 which forms a unit with
the latch
12. Consequently, pressing the button 9 down causes the snap-on mechanism to
be
released and allows the cap 4 to spring open due to the spring tension the
spring element
15 applies on the shell of the gas cartridge 6. In the same way, the
vertically arranged
spring element 15 keeps the latch 12 in closing position.
Figure 8 shows a cross section along the cut F-F corresponding to figure 7. In
this cross
section, the angular face 14 of the cap 4 can be clearly seen. If the cap 4 is
pressed down,
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it becomes attached to the left end of the of the gas cartridge 6 and causes
the gas
cartridge 6 to be displaced to the right, i.e., in the direction of the
styling rod. Thus, by
means of the angular face 14, a vertical force exerted on the cap 4 is
diverted into a force
exerted horizontally to the right on the gas cartridge.
Figure 9 shows a cross section along the cross section line A-A with opened
cap 4, as
indicated in figure 6. The swivel axis 19 of the cap 4 and a clamp element 20
connected
with the cap 4 allow the gas cartridge 6 to be displaced into the position of
removal, i.e.,
to be displaced toward the wall section 8 of the holding device 5.
Upon opening of the cap 4, the clamp element 20, which forms a projection,
becomes
attached to the front surface on the left side of the gas cartridge 6. Because
of its
geometry and arrangement with regard to the swivel axis 19, during the process
of
opening the cap 4, the clamp element 20 allows the gas cartridge 6 to be
pulled away
from the needle valve 10.
Figure 10 shows a cross section through the handle 3 with closed cap 4,
corresponding to
figure 9. Compared to the cross section in figure 9, here the gas cartridge 6
is displaced
toward the left side, resulting in the fact that the needle valve 10 is
inserted in the valve
24 of the gas cartridge 6. Since the cap 4 is closed, the clamp element 20 is
not
necessarily attached to the left end of the gas cartridge 6. The fact that the
clamp element
is not attached to the gas cartridge 6 is actually advantageous because, if
the opening
mechanism is activated, the cap 4 activated through the tensioned spring
element 15
transfers automatically from closing position to release position.
Consequently, after activating the button 9, the cap 4 can automatically
spring open a
little. In order to open the cap 4 completely, which involves a movement of
the gas
cartridge 6 to the right, the user has to perform a respective action.
Figure 11 shows a longitudinal cross section through the handle 3 along the
cross section
line B-B with opened cap 4, as indicated in figure 6. At this, the gas
cartridge 6 is in
position of removal because it is attached to the right side of the wall
section 8 of the
holding device 5. Compared to figure 10, it can be seen that the needle valve
10 in figure
11 is not inserted in the valve 24 of the gas cartridge 6.
Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the snap-on means which are designed to
snap the
cap 4 into opening position. The perspective view of figure 12 shows the
swiveling
bearing of the cap 4, which features at its end the clamp 20 that is swivel-
mounted at the
swivel axis 19. Around the swivel axis 19, a cylindrical spacer 21 has been
arranged.
The front side of the cylindrical spacer has at least one projection 22 which
has two
typically recesses of different size. In the area of the attachment to the
cylindrical spacer
21, the clamp element 20 features a projection 23 corresponding to the
projection 22.
Through a rotation of the cap 4 and an associated turning of the clamp element
20, both
projections 22, 23 are displaced against each other. Because of the
flexibility intrinsic in
the plastic material of the clamp element 20 and the spacer 21 or the cap 4,
they give way
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if they face each other. If the opening position of the cap 4 is reached, the
projection 23
is in the recess 25. The geometry of both projections 22 and 23 prevents the
cap 4 to be
snapped close merely by its weight. Consequently, the snap-on means depicted
here
prevent the cap 4 from automatically and possibly unintentionally being
snapped close
during the process of exchanging the gas cartridge 6.
