Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A HAIR STYLING APPARATUS
The present invention relates to a hair styling apparatus and in particular to
a multi-
functional portable hair styling apparatus.
In modern society people face pressure, both professionally and socially, to
maintain
a pristine image. However, given the many demands placed on people today, the
time to
stay on top of such aesthetic commitments can be diminished. This is
especially the case for
people with longer hair who enjoy keeping their hair styled to perfection
throughout the
course of the day. Currently, people with long hair are limited in how and
where they can
maintain their preferred style as many hair styling appliances on the market
are wired.
These require the use of a fixed power outlet that may not be convenient for
people who are
frequently on the go. Alternatively, other available appliances that are
portable with a
rechargeable battery facilitate the implementation of only one style such as
curling or
straightening or crimping due to limited power. This makes it necessary for
people with long
hair to bring more than one instrument if they wish to combine styles or
precludes them from
achieving a coiffure that involves a combination of the aforementioned styles.
Furthermore, concerning curled styles, current appliances offer either the
option of a
clamped curl of uniform diameter or curls of differing diameter. The former is
achieved by a
tradition curling iron/tong, the styling end of which consists of a heated
metal cylinder with a
levered clamping arm/tong attached to the exterior of the cylinder. The latter
is achieved by a
curling wand, the styling end of which consists of a conical shaped heated
element that
usually omits any sort of clamp. Instead, users are provided with heat proof
gloves to
implement their chosen curl diameter. The curling wand therefore presents an
inherent burn
risk to those who forget or lose their gloves and attempt to use the tool to
style their hair
without any heat safety protective equipment.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem
where
people with long hair are limited to wired or one-function portable hair
styling tools. The
present invention further mitigates the risk of burn for hair wand users who
have misplaced
their heat resistant gloves or other safety equipment required to use the
tool.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a hair styling apparatus having a
plurality
of modes for styling hair in a variety of fashions comprising:
at least two elongate components pivotally coupled about a joint;
the at least two elongate components pivotally movable about the joint between
an
extended and closed position;
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each elongate component comprising a styling part and a handle;
a clamp being couplable to any of the at least two elongate components;
the clamp being movable between a first open position and a second closed
position
when the clamp is coupled to either elongate component;
and a power means.
In one embodiment, the hair styling apparatus comprising a temperature control
means.
Preferably, the joint between the at least two elongate components is located
proximal to one lengthwise end of each elongate component.
Preferably, the elongate components are generally of similar size and
dimension.
Ideally, the elongate components are generally of equal size and dimension.
Preferably, the styling parts are locatable along a portion of the elongate
components.
Ideally, the styling parts are locatable along a portion of the elongate
components
.. proximal to one end of the elongate components.
Preferably, the handles are locatable along a portion of the elongate
components.
Ideally, the handles are locatable along a portion of the elongate components
proximal the opposite end of the elongate components to the styling parts.
Preferably, the joint between the at least two elongate components is located
at or
about the handles, most preferably, it is located proximal to an end of the
handle distal to the
styling parts.
Advantageously, when the elongate components are extended about the joint, the
handles and the styling part move apart. This provides a large space within
which hair can be
received to enable styling.
Preferably, the styling parts are locatable along approximately a half of the
elongate
components from the centre to one end of the elongate components.
Preferably, the styling parts are locatable along approximately a half of the
elongate
components from the centre to the opposite end of the elongate components to
the handles.
Ideally, the at least two elongate components comprises a first elongate arm.
Ideally, the at least two elongate components comprises a second elongate arm.
Preferably, the first elongate arm is in pivotal engagement with the second
elongate
arm.
Ideally, the first elongate arm comprising a first styling part.
Ideally, the first elongate arm comprising a second styling part.
Ideally, the first elongate arm comprising a handle.
Ideally, the second elongate arm comprising a first styling part.
Ideally, the second elongate arm comprising a second styling part.
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Ideally, the second elongate arm comprising a handle part.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first elongate arm is correspondingly
located to the
first styling part of the second elongate arm.
By correspondingly located we mean that the respective styling parts and
handles are
located along the respective elongate components in a manner so as to mirror
the location of
the respective styling parts and handles in the other elongate component
allowing each
respective styling part and handle to co-operate with its counterpart in use.
Ideally, the second styling part of the first elongate arm is correspondingly
located to
the second styling part of the second elongate arm.
Ideally, the handle of the first elongate arm is correspondingly located to
the handle of
the second elongate arm.
Preferably, the first styling part of the first elongate arm comprising an
exterior
surface.
By exterior surface we mean the outer facing surface of each respective
elongate arm
relative to the other elongate arm of the hair styling apparatus when the
first and second
elongate arms are pivotally coupled together into the closed position.
Ideally, the first styling part of the second elongate arm comprising an
exterior
surface.
Ideally, the first styling part of first elongate arm and the first styling
part of the second
elongate arm combine when pivotally engaged into the closed position to
comprise an outer
styling surface.
By outer styling surface we mean the combined outer surface of the exterior
surfaces
of the first and second elongate arms in combination, i.e. the styling parts
that do not come
into contact with the other elongate arm, when the first and second elongate
arms pivotally
.. engage with each other into the closed position.
By pivotal engagement we mean that each of the elongate arms move about their
connecting pivot towards each other to the extent that their mutually opposing
inside faces
engage on application of force by the user.
Ideally, the outer styling surface comprising the first styling part of the
first elongate
arm and the first styling part of the second elongate arm.
Ideally, the outer styling surface comprising the first styling part of the
first elongate
arm and the first styling part of the second elongate arm when the respective
elongate arms
are pivotally engaged into the closed position.
Ideally, the cross sectional area of the styling part tapers along its length.
Ideally, the cross sectional area of the styling part tapers along its length
to a location
at one end of the hair styling apparatus.
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Ideally, the cross sectional area of the styling part tapers along its length
to a location
at one end of the hair styling apparatus when the first elongate arm and the
second elongate
arm are pivotally engaged into the closed position.
Ideally, the cross sectional area of the outer styling surface tapers along
its length.
Ideally, the cross sectional area of the outer styling surface tapers along
the length of
the hair styling apparatus to a location at one end of the hair styling
apparatus.
Ideally, the cross sectional area of the outer styling surface tapers along
the length of
the hair styling apparatus to a location at one end of the hair styling
apparatus when the first
elongate arm and the second elongate arm are pivotally engaged into the closed
position.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first elongate arm is hemi-conical.
Ideally, the first styling part of the second elongate arm is hemi-conical.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first and second elongate arms are hemi-
conical.
Ideally, outer styling surface is generally conical in shape.
Advantageously, by having the first styling part of the first and second arms
being
hemi-conical means that they combine to form a conical shape when the first
and second
arms are in engagement with each other. The outer styling surface provides the
ability for a
user to produce diametrically decreasing or increasing curls as required.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first elongate arm is hemi -
frustoconical.
Ideally, the first styling part of the second elongate arm is hemi -
frustoconical.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first and second elongate arms are hemi
-
frustoconical forming a generally conically shaped outer styling surface of
the hair styling
apparatus when brought into engagement with one another.
Advantageously, by having the first styling part of the first and second arms
being
hemi-frustoconical means that they combine to form a frustoconical shape when
the first and
second arms are in engagement with each other and the outer styling surface
provides the
ability for a user to produce diametrically decreasing or increasing curls as
required.
Ideally, the first styling part is a styling plate.
Ideally, the first styling part is a hemi-conical styling plate.
Ideally, the first styling part is a hemi-frustoconical styling plate.
Ideally, the first styling part is a hemi-frustoconical styling plate mounted
on the outer
surface of the first and/or second elongate arm.
Ideally, the first elongate arm of the hair styling apparatus comprises a
second styling
part.
Ideally, the second elongate arm of the hair styling apparatus comprises a
second
styling part.
Ideally, both the first elongate arm and second elongate arm of the hair
styling
apparatus comprises a second styling part.
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Preferably, the hair styling apparatus comprising an interior styling surface.
Ideally, the interior styling surface being defined by opposing surfaces of
the at least
two elongate components.
Ideally, the second styling part of one or both elongate arms of the hair
styling
5 apparatus comprises an interior styling surface.
Ideally, the interior styling surface of one or both elongate arms comprises
the
respective interior surface of the styling part of one or both of the elongate
arms.
By interior surface we mean the mutually opposing faces of the elongate arms
that
are brought into engagement when the elongate arms of the hair styling
apparatus are
pivoted towards each other into the closed position.
Ideally, the interior surface of the first elongate arm corresponds in shape
with the
interior surface of the second elongate arm.
Advantageously, by corresponding in shape the interior surfaces of the first
and
second elongate arms can clamp and hold a user's hair when positioning the
hair between
the two elongate arms as they are pivoted towards each other until the portion
of hair is held
between the respective arms of the hair styling apparatus. Further
advantageously, this can
lead to the user obtaining any one of multiple styles depending on the
shape/profile of the
second styling parts of the elongate arms. These include but are not limited
to straight hair,
wavy hair.
Ideally, the interior styling surface comprising a plate.
Ideally, the interior styling surface comprising a substantially flat plate.
Alternatively, the interior styling surface comprising an undulating plate.
Ideally, the interior styling surface comprising a shaped plate so as to style
a user's
hair in a style commensurate with the shape of the plate.
Ideally, the interior styling surface comprising plates the width of which
tapers
proportionately to the width of the first styling part along the length of the
first and second
elongate arms respectively.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprising a clamp.
Preferably, the clamp being operable as a third styling part.
Preferably, the claim comprising an actuating means operable by a user to move
the
clamp.
Ideally, the actuating means being an actuating lever or button.
Ideally, the clamp comprising an elongate plate.
Ideally, the clamp comprising an actuating means and a curved plate.
Preferably, the actuating means is operably engaged with the curved plate.
Ideally, the actuating means extends from the curved plate.
Ideally, the actuating means extends at an angle from the hair styling
apparatus.
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Ideally, the actuating means extends at an angle from the curved plate.
Preferably, the actuating means extends at an obtuse angle from the curved
plate.
Ideally, the clamp couples to the elongate component of the hair styling
apparatus.
Ideally, the clamp couples to the elongate component of the hair styling
apparatus at
the junction between the actuating means and the curved plate.
Ideally, the clamp couples to the elongate component of the hair styling
apparatus
proximal to the outer styling surface of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the clamp couples to at least one of the at least two elongate
components of
the hair styling apparatus proximal to the respective first styling parts.
Ideally, the clamp couples to the first elongate arm of the hair styling
apparatus
proximal to the first styling part.
Ideally, the clamp couples to the second elongate arm of the hair styling
apparatus
proximal to first styling part.
Ideally, the clamp couples to either the first or the second elongate arm of
the hair
is .. styling apparatus proximal to the respective first styling parts of
either elongate arm.
Ideally, the clamp couples to either the first or the second elongate arm of
the hair
styling apparatus proximal to the end of the respective first styling parts of
either elongate
arm closest to the handle of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to the hair styling apparatus at the
junction
between the actuating means and the curved plate.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to the hair styling apparatus
proximal to the
outer styling surface of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to at least one of the at least two
elongate
arms of the hair styling apparatus proximal to the respective first styling
parts.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to the first elongate arm of the hair
styling
apparatus proximal to the first styling part.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to the second elongate arm of the
hair styling
apparatus proximal to first styling part.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to either the first or the second
elongate arm of
the hair styling apparatus proximal to the respective first styling parts of
either elongate arm.
Ideally, the clamp is pivotally attached to either the first or the second
elongate arm of
the hair styling apparatus proximal to the end of the respective first styling
parts of either
elongate arm closest to the handle of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in shape to the outer styling surface
of the
hair styling apparatus.
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Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in shape to the first styling part of
one or both
elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in shape to the first styling part of
the first and
second elongate arms.
Ideally, the internal face of the elongate plate corresponds in shape to the
first styling
part of the first and second elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in length to the outer styling
surface.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in length to the first styling part of
one or both
elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds in length to the first styling part of
the first and
second elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds or is slightly shorter in length to
the length of
the outer styling surface.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds or is slightly shorter in length to
the first styling
part of one or both elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate plate corresponds or is slightly shorter in length to
the first styling
part of the first and second elongate arms.
Preferably, the elongate plate is a hemi-frustoconcial plate.
Ideally, the clamp is normally biased towards at least one elongate component
of the
hair styling apparatus via a biasing means.
Ideally, the clamp is normally biased towards the elongate arm of the hair
styling
apparatus via a biasing means.
Alternatively, the clamp is normally biased away from the elongate arm of the
hair
styling apparatus via a biasing means.
Advantageously, the clamp, being of similar shape and length to the first
styling part
of the first or second styling arms respectively, co-operates with a portion
of the outer styling
surface to apply pressure to a user's hair that has been inserted between the
internal facing
surface of the elongate plate of the clamp and the outer styling surface of
the hair styling
apparatus. Inserting the hair between these two elements of the hair styling
apparatus
involves applying pressure to the actuating means to pivot the elongate plate
away from the
outer styling surface, placing or wrapping the hair around the outer hair
styling surface at a
desired location along the outer styling surface, and releasing the actuating
means to allow
the elongate plate of the clamp to be biased back towards the outer styling
surface clamping
the hair between the outer styling surface and the elongate plate of the
clamp.
Ideally, the outer styling surface is heatable.
By heatable we mean that these respective parts are capable of conducting heat
up
to the maximum of a pre-determined temperature range.
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Ideally, the first styling part of one or both elongate arms are heatable.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first and/or second elongate arms are
heatable.
Ideally, the outer styling surface is made from a heat conductive material.
Ideally, the first styling part of one or both elongate arms is made from a
heat
conductive material.
Ideally, the first styling part of the first and second elongate arms are made
from a
heat conductive material.
Ideally, the interior styling surfaces are heatable.
Ideally, the second styling part of one or both elongate arms are heatable.
Ideally, the second styling part of the first and second elongate arms are
heatable.
Ideally, the interior styling surface is made from a heat conductive material.
Ideally, the second styling part of one or both elongate arms are made from a
heat
conductive material.
Ideally, the second styling part of the first and second elongate arms are
made from a
heat conductive material.
Ideally, at least part of the clamp is heatable.
Ideally, the elongate plate of the clamp is heatable.
Ideally, at least part of the clamp is made from a heat conductive material.
Ideally, the elongate plate of the clamp is made from a heat conductive
material.
Ideally, the heat conductive material is a composite material.
Ideally the heat conductive material is a metal, or metal alloy.
Ideally, the heat conductive material is aluminum, copper, or titanium, or any
other
suitable material.
Preferably, the hair styling apparatus comprising a heating means.
Ideally, the power means is operably engaged with the heating means.
Ideally, the outer and/or interior styling surfaces and/or the clamp are
heated by
heating means.
Ideally, the heating means comprises an electrical heating element.
Ideally, the heating means comprises an internal electrical heating element
such as a
coil or the like.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprising a heat control means.
Ideally, the heat control means controls the temperature to which the heating
means
heats the one or more styling surfaces and/or the clamp.
Ideally, the heat control means enables the heating means to independently or
simultaneously heat the respective outer and interior styling surfaces and the
elongate plate
of the clamp to an operating temperature between 160 C - 250 C.
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Ideally, the heat control means enables the heating means to independently or
simultaneously heat the respective outer and interior styling surfaces and the
elongate plate
of the clamp to an operating temperature between 170 C - 240 C.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprising mode selection means.
Ideally, the mode selection means comprising means for determining which of
the
three heatable styling surfaces are to be heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables the outer styling
surface to
be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the first
styling part of
the first elongate arm to be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the first
styling part of
the second elongate arm to be heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables the first styling
parts of the
first and second elongate arms to be heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables the outer styling
surface
and the elongate plate of the clamp to be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the first
styling part of
the first elongate arm and the elongate plate of the clamp to be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the first
styling part of
the second elongate arm and the elongate plate of the clamp to be heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables the first styling
parts of the
first and second elongate arms and the elongate plate of the clamp to be
heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables one or both of the
interior
styling surfaces to be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the second
styling part
of the first elongate arm to be heated.
Ideally, in another position, the mode selecting means enables the second
styling part
of the second elongate arm to be heated.
Ideally, in one position, the mode selecting means enables the second styling
parts of
the first and second elongate arms to be heated.
Preferably, the handle extending from the styling part to an end of the hair
styling
apparatus.
Ideally, the handle extending from the styling part to the end of the hair
styling
apparatus distal to the styling part of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the handle is made from a thermally insulative material.
Ideally, the actuating means is made from a thermally insulative material.
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Ideally, the thermally insulative material is a plastic or composite thermally
insulative
material.
Preferably, the hair styling apparatus, most preferably the power means
comprising at
least one battery.
5 Ideally, the at least one battery powers the heating means and the heat
control
means of the hair styling apparatus.
Ideally, the at least one battery is rechargeable.
Preferably, the hair styling apparatus, most preferably the power means,
comprising
charging means.
10 Preferably, the charging means comprising at least one charging port.
Preferably, the charging means comprising at least one charging adapter.
By charging adapter we mean any apparatus that is capable of transferring
charge
from an external power source to the battery of the hair styling apparatus via
the charging
port.
Ideally, the charging port is capable of receiving the charging means to
charge the
battery from a power source.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprises an elongate component biasing
means
for biasing the elongate components apart.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprises an elongate component biasing
means
for biasing the first elongate arm and the second elongate arm apart.
Ideally, the elongate component biasing means is located at or near, or forms
a part
of, the joint between first elongate arm and second elongate arm.
Advantageously, in use, the user can press the two elongate arms together
against
the biasing force of the biasing means. When the user releases the arms, the
elongate
component biasing means forces the arms apart, releasing any hair from between
the two
elongate arms.
Ideally, the elongate component biasing means comprises a spring, most
preferably a
torsion spring.
Ideally, the hair styling apparatus comprises a lock operable to lock the
elongate
components together.
Preferably, the lock is operable to lock the elongate components together
against the
force of the elongate component biasing means.
Preferably, the lock is operable to lock the first and second elongate arms
together.
Advantageously, when the lock is activated it retains the two elongate arms
together
and the hair styling apparatus can easily be used as a curling wand.
In one embodiment, the lock is located proximal the joint.
Ideally, the lock is located at or about handles.
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Preferably, the lock is located at or about and portion of the handles distal
the styling
parts.
Alternatively, the lock is located along one longitudinal side of handles.
Ideally, the lock is located approximately half way along the elongate
components.
Advantageously, when operated, the location of the lock being along the
longitudinal
side of the hair styling apparatus provides a more secure lock than a lock
located at either
end portion the apparatus.
Preferably, the elongate components comprise a recess for accommodating the
lock.
Ideally, the lock protrudes from the elongate components such that it is
engageable
by a user.
Preferably, the lock and an elongate component being arranged such that the
lock
can be recessed into an elongate component when the elongate components are
moved
apart.
Ideally, the lock comprising a catch moveable between an unlocking to a locked
position.
Ideally, the lock comprising a button, most preferably, a slide button
operably
engaged with the catch to move the catch between the unlocking and locking
positions.
Preferably, in the unlocked position the catch is located in a recess and in
the locked
position the catch is extending from the recess.
Ideally, the lock is operably engaged with the mode selecting means such that
operating the lock also operates the mode selecting means.
Preferably, the lock button and the mode selecting means are formed as a
unitary
component.
Preferably, when the lock is in the unlocked position, the mode selecting
means
enables the first styling part of the first elongate arm and/or the second
elongate arm to be
heated.
Ideally, when the lock is in the locked position, the mode selecting means
enables the
outer styling surface the be heated,
Preferably, when the lock is in the locked position, the mode selecting means
enables
at least part of the clamp to be heated.
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing
which shows by way of example only three embodiments of an apparatus in
accordance with
the invention.
Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hair styling
apparatus
from one side;
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Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus from the other
side;
Fig 3 shows a side plan view of the hair styling apparatus with the clamp in
the
extended position;
Fig 4 shows a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus from one side
with the
first and second elongate arms in the extended position and the clamp in the
closed position;
Fig 5 shows a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus from the other
side with
the first and second elongate arms in the extended position and the clamp in
the closed
position;
Fig 6 shows a side plan view of the hair styling apparatus with the first and
second
elongate arms in the extended position and the clamp in the closed position;
Fig 7 shows a side plan view of the hair styling apparatus with the first and
second
elongate arms in the extended position and the clamp in the extended position;
Fig 8 shows a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus with the first
and second
elongate arms in the extended position and the clamp in the extended position;
Fig 9 shows a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a hair styling
apparatus
according to the invention;
Fig 10 shows top elevation view of the second embodiment of the hair styling
apparatus;
Fig 11 shows a rear elevation view of the second embodiment of the hair
styling
apparatus;
Fig 12 shows a side perspective view of the second embodiment of the hair
styling
apparatus;
Fig 13 shows an alternative side perspective view of the second embodiment of
the
hair styling apparatus;
Fig 14 shows a side perspective view of the second embodiment of the hair
styling
apparatus wherein the clamp is in the extended position;
Fig 15 shows an alternative side perspective view of the second embodiment of
the
hair styling apparatus wherein the clamp is in the extended position;
Fig 16 shows a side perspective view of the second embodiment of the hair
styling
apparatus wherein the first and second elongate arms are in the extended
position and the
clamp is in the closed position;
Fig 17 shows an alternative side perspective view of the second embodiment of
the
hair styling apparatus wherein the first and second elongate arms are in the
extended
position and the clamp is in the closed position;
Fig 18 shows a side perspective view of the second embodiment of the hair
styling
apparatus wherein the first and second elongate arms are in the extended
position and the
clamp is in the extended position;
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Fig 19 shows an alternative side perspective view of the second embodiment of
the
hair styling apparatus wherein the first and second elongate arms are in the
extended
position and the clamp is in the extended position;
Fig 20 shows a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of a hair styling
apparatus according to the invention; the apparatus has a lock which is in the
unlocked
position;
Fig 21 shows an expanded side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus
illustrated
in Fig 20;
Fig 22 shows an alternative rear perspective view of the hair styling
apparatus of
Figure 20 showing the lock in the locked position;
Fig 23 shows an expanded side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus
shown in
Fig 22.
In Figures 1 to 8 there is shown a first embodiment of a hair styling
apparatus
IS indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 having a plurality of
styling modes for styling
hair in a variety of fashions. The apparatus 1 has two elongate components 2
pivotally
coupled about a joint 3. The joint 3 connects the two elongate components 2
about their ends
and the joint is a hinge joint 3. The two elongate components 2 are pivotally
movable about
the joint 3 between an extended and closed position. Each elongate component 2
has a
styling part 4, 5 and a handle 6. A clamp 7 is coupled to one of the two
elongate components
2. The clamp 7 is movable between a first open position see Figures 1-3 and 7
and 8 and a
second closed position see figures 4-6. The apparatus has a mode control
arrangement 9, a
temperature control arrangement 10 and a power supply not shown. The power
supply is
housed within one or both elongate arms 2.
The elongate components 2 are generally of similar size and dimension. The
styling
parts 4, 5 are located along a portion of the elongate components 2 proximal
to one end of
the elongate components 2 distal to the joint 3. The handles 6 are located
along a portion of
the elongate components 2 proximal to the joint 3. The handles 6 are located
along a portion
of the elongate components 2 proximal the opposite end of the elongate
components 2 to the
styling parts 4, 5. The styling parts 4, 5 are located along approximately
half of the length of
the elongate components 2 from the centre to one end of the elongate
components distal to
the joint 3. The styling parts 4, 5 are located along approximately a half of
the length of the
elongate components 2 from the centre to the opposite end of the elongate
components 2 to
the handles 6. The two elongate components 2 comprises a first elongate arm 21
and a
second elongate arm 22. The first elongate arm 21 has a first styling part 4
and a second
styling part 5. The first elongate arm 21 has a handle 6. The second elongate
arm 22 has a
first styling part 4 and a second styling part 5 and a handle 6. The first
styling part 4 of the
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14
first elongate arm 21 is correspondingly located to the first styling part 4
of the second
elongate arm 22 and the second styling part 5 of the first elongate arm 21 is
correspondingly
located to the second styling part 5 of the second elongate arm 22. The handle
6 of the first
elongate arm 21 is correspondingly located to the handle 6 of the second
elongate arm 21.
By correspondingly located we mean that the respective styling parts 4 and 5
and
handles 6 are located along the respective elongate components 2 in a manner
so as to
mirror the location of the respective styling parts 4 and 5 and handles 6 in
the other elongate
component 2 allowing each respective styling part and 5 and handle 6 to co-
operate with its
counterpart in use.
The first styling part 4 of the first elongate arm 21 is an exterior surface.
By exterior
surface we mean the outer facing surface 4 of each respective elongate arm 21,
22 relative
to the other elongate arm 21, 22 of the hair styling apparatus 1 when the
first and second
elongate arms 21, 22 are pivotally coupled together about hinge/joint 3 in the
closed position
see Figures 1 to 3. The first styling part 4 of the second elongate arm 22
also is an exterior
surface. The first styling part 4 of the first elongate arm 21 and the first
styling part 4 of the
second elongate arm 22 combine when pivotally engaged into the closed position
about
hinge/joint 3 to comprise an outer styling surface. By outer styling surface
we mean the
combined outer surface of the exterior surfaces of the first and second
elongate arms 21, 22
in combination, i.e. the styling parts 4 that do not come into contact with
the other elongate
arm 21, 22, when the first and second elongate arms 21, 22 pivotally engage
with each other
into the closed position about hinge/joint 3. By pivotal engagement we mean
that each of the
elongate arms 2 move about their connecting pivot 3 towards each other to the
extent that
their mutually opposing inside faces 5 engage on application of force by the
user.
The outer styling surface comprising the first styling part 4 of the first
elongate arm 21
and the first styling part 4 of the second elongate arm 22. The outer styling
surface
comprising the first styling part 4 of the first elongate arm 21 and the first
styling part 4 of the
second elongate arm 22 when the respective elongate arms are pivotally engaged
into the
closed position about hinge/joint 3.
The cross sectional area of the styling part 4 tapers along its length. The
cross
sectional area of the styling part 4 tapers along its length to a location at
one end of the hair
styling apparatus 1 distal to the hinge/joint 3. The cross sectional area of
the styling part 4
tapers along its length to a location at one end of the hair styling apparatus
distal to the
hinge/joint 3 when the first elongate arm 21 and the second elongate arm 22
are pivotally
engaged into the closed position about hinge/joint 3. The cross sectional area
of the outer
styling surface tapers along its length. The cross sectional area of the outer
styling surface
tapers along the length of the hair styling apparatus 1 to a location at one
end of the hair
styling apparatus 1 distal to hinge/joint 3. The cross sectional area of the
outer styling
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surface tapers along the length of the hair styling apparatus 1 to a location
at one end of the
hair styling apparatus 1 distal to hinge/joint 3 when the first elongate arm
21 and the second
elongate arm 22 are pivotally engaged into the closed position about
hinge/joint 3.
The first styling part 4 of the first elongate arm 21 is hemi-conical. The
first styling part
5 4 of the second elongate arm 22 is also hemi-conical. The outer styling
surface is generally
conical in shape. Advantageously, by having the first styling part 4 of the
first and second
arms 21, 22 being hemi-conical means that they combine to form a conical shape
when the
first and second arms 21, 22 are in engagement with each other. The conical
outer styling
surface provides the ability for a user to produce diametrically decreasing or
increasing curls
10 for their hair as required. The first styling part 4 of the first
elongate arm 21 is hemi ¨
frustoconical and the first styling part 4 of the second elongate arm 22 is
hemi-frustoconical.
The first styling part 4 of the first and second elongate arms 21, 22 are hemi-
frustoconical
forming a generally conically shaped outer styling surface of the hair styling
apparatus 1
when brought into engagement with one another about hinge/joint 3.
15 Advantageously, by having the first styling part 4 of the first and
second arms 21, 22
being hemi-frustoconical means that they combine to form a frustoconical shape
when the
first and second arms 21, 22 are in engagement with each other and the outer
styling surface
provides the ability for a user to produce diametrically decreasing or
increasing curls for their
hair as required.
The first styling part 4 is a styling plate 4. The first styling part 4 is a
hemi-conical
styling plate 4. The first styling part 4 is a hemi-frustoconical styling
plate 4 mounted on the
outer surface of the second elongate arm 22.
The first elongate arm 21 of the hair styling apparatus 1 has a second styling
part 5
and the second elongate arm 22 of the hair styling apparatus 1 also has a
second styling part
5. Both the first elongate arm 21 and second elongate arm 22 of the hair
styling apparatus
have the same second styling part 5. The second styling part 5 of both
elongate arms 21, 22
of the hair styling apparatus 1 have an interior styling surface 25. The
interior styling surface
25 of both elongate arms 21, 22 are provided by the respective interior
surface of the styling
part 5 of both of the elongate arms 21, 22. By interior surface we mean the
mutually
opposing faces of the elongate arms 21, 22 that are brought into engagement
when the
elongate arms 21, 22 of the hair styling apparatus 1 are pivoted towards each
other into the
closed position about hinge/joint 3. The interior styling surface 25 of the
first elongate arm 21
corresponds in shape with the interior styling surface 25 of the second
elongate arm 22.
Advantageously, by corresponding in shape the interior surfaces of the first
and
second elongate arms 21, 22 can clamp and hold a user's hair when positioning
the hair
between the two elongate arms 21, 22 as they are pivoted towards each other
until the
portion of hair is held between the respective arms 21, 22 of the hair styling
apparatus 1.
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Further advantageously, this can lead to the user obtaining any one of
multiple styles
depending on the shape/profile of the second styling parts 5 of the elongate
arms 21, 22.
These include but are not limited to straight hair, wavy hair.
In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the interior styling surface 25 are
.. provided by substantially flat plates 25. In alternative embodiments not
shown in the
drawings, the interior styling surface 25 can have an undulating plate or a
shaped plate so as
to style a user's hair in a style commensurate with the shape of the plate.
The width of the interior styling surface plates 25 tapers proportionately to
the width of
the first and second elongate arms respectively.
The hair styling apparatus 1 also has a clamp 7. The clamp 7 has an actuating
lever
31 and an elongate curved plate 32. The actuating lever 31 extends at an acute
angle from
the hair styling apparatus 1 and the actuating lever 31 extends at an obtuse
angle from the
curved plate 32. The clamp 7 couples to the hair styling apparatus 1 at the
junction between
the actuating lever 31 and the curved plate 32. The clamp 7 couples to the
hair styling
apparatus 1 proximal to the outer styling surface of the hair styling
apparatus 1. In the
embodiment shown, the clamp 7 couples to the second elongate arm 22 of the
hair styling
apparatus 1 proximal to the end of the first styling part 4 along the length
of the second
elongate arm 22. The clamp 7 is pivotally attached to the hair styling
apparatus 1 at the
junction between the actuating lever 31 and the curved plate 32. The clamp 7
is pivotally
attached to the hair styling apparatus 1 proximal to the outer styling surface
of the hair styling
apparatus 1. The clamp 7 is pivotally attached to the second elongate arm 22
of the hair
styling apparatus 1 proximal to the end of the first styling part 4 along the
length of the
second elongate arm 22. The clamp 7 is pivotally attached to the second
elongate arm 22 of
the hair styling apparatus 1 proximal to the end of the respective first
styling part 4 of the
.. elongate arm 22 closest to the handle 6 of the hair styling apparatus 1.
The elongate plate 32 corresponds in shape to the outer styling surface of the
hair
styling apparatus 1. The elongate plate 32 of the clamp 7 corresponds in shape
to the first
styling part 4 of both elongate arms 21, 22. The internal face of the elongate
plate 32 of the
clamp 7 corresponds in shape to the first styling part 4 of the first and
second elongate arms
21, 22. The elongate plate 32 corresponds in length to the length of the outer
styling surface
and to the length of the first styling part 4 of both elongate arms 21, 22.
The elongate plate
32 corresponds or is slightly shorter in length to the length of the outer
styling surface and is
slightly shorter in length to the first styling part 4 of both elongate arms.
The elongate plate
32 is a hemi-frustoconcial plate. The clamp 7 is normally biased towards the
elongate arm
22 of the hair styling apparatus 1 via a biasing arrangement such as a spring,
not shown.
Alternatively, the clamp 7 is normally biased away from the elongate arm 22 of
the hair
styling apparatus 1 via a biasing arrangement.
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Advantageously, the clamp 7, being of similar shape and length to the first
styling part
of the first or second styling arms respectively, co-operates with a portion
of the outer styling
surface to apply pressure to a user's hair that has been inserted between the
internal facing
surface of the elongate plate 32 of the clamp 7 and the outer styling surface
of the hair
.. styling apparatus 1. Inserting the hair between these two elements of the
hair styling
apparatus 1 involves applying pressure to the actuating lever 31 to pivot the
elongate plate
32 away from the outer styling surface, placing or wrapping the hair around
the outer hair
styling surface at a desired location along the outer styling surface, and
releasing the
actuating lever 31 to allow the elongate plate 32 of the clamp 7 to be biased
back towards
.. the outer styling surface clamping the hair between the outer styling
surface and the elongate
plate 32 of the clamp 7.
The outer styling surface is heatable. By heatable we mean that these
respective
parts are capable of conducting heat up to the maximum of a pre-determined
temperature
range. The first styling part 4 of one or both elongate arms 21, 22 are
heatable. The outer
styling surface is made from a heat conductive material. The first styling
part 4 of one or both
elongate arms 21,22 is made from a heat conductive material. The first styling
part 4 of the
first and second elongate arms are made from a heat conductive material. The
interior styling
surfaces 25 are heatable. The second styling part 5 of one or both elongate
arms 21, 22 are
heatable. The second styling part of one or both elongate arms are made from a
heat
conductive material. At least part of the clamp 7 is heatable. The elongate
plate 32 of the
clamp 7 is heatable. At least part of the clamp 7 is made from a heat
conductive material.
The elongate plate 32 of the clamp 7 is made from a heat conductive material.
The heat
conductive material is a composite material or the heat conductive material is
a metal, or
metal alloy. The heat conductive material is copper, or titanium, or any other
suitable
.. material. The outer and/or interior styling surfaces and/or the elongate
clamp 7 are heated by
a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement comprises an electrical heating
element
not shown.
The heating arrangement has an internal electrical heating element such as a
coil or
the like. The hair styling apparatus 1 has a heat control arrangement 41. The
heat control
arrangement controls the temperature to which the heating arrangement heats
the one or
more styling surfaces and/or the clamp 7. The heat control arrangement 41
enables the
heating arrangement to independently heat the respective outer and interior
styling surfaces
and the elongate plate 32 of the clamp 7 to an operating temperature between
160 C -
250 C and more preferably to an operating temperature between 170 C - 240 C.
The hair styling apparatus comprising a mode selection arrangement 42. The
mode
selection arrangement 42 has means for determining which of the three heatable
styling
surfaces are to be heated. In one position, the mode selecting arrangement 42
enables the
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outer styling surface to be heated. In another position, the mode selecting
arrangement 42
enables one or both of the interior styling surfaces 5, 25 to be heated. The
clamp 7 heats via
conduction from the heating of the outer styling surface.
The handle 6 extends from the styling part to the other end of the hair
styling
apparatus 1 proximal to the hinge/joint 3. The handle 6 extending from the
styling part to the
end of the hair styling apparatus 1 distal to the styling part of the hair
styling apparatus. The
handle 6 is made from a thermally insulative material. The actuating lever 31
is made from a
thermally insulative material. The thermally insulative material is a plastic
or composite
thermally insulative material.
The hair styling apparatus 1 has at least one battery. The at least one
battery powers
the heating arrangement and the heat control arrangement of the hair styling
apparatus 1.
The at least one battery is rechargeable. The hair styling apparatus 1 has a
charging means.
The charging means comprising at least one charging port and at least one
charging
adapter. By charging adapter we mean any apparatus that is capable of
transferring charge
from an external power source to the battery of the hair styling apparatus via
the charging
port. The charging port is capable of receiving the charging means to charge
the battery from
a power source.
In Figures 9 to 19 there is shown a second embodiment of a hair styling
apparatus
according to the invention indicated generally by reference numeral 101. The
hair styling
apparatus 101 has a first elongate arm 121 and a second elongate arm 122. The
first and
second elongate arms 121, 122 are pivotally connected via a hinge joint 3.
Each elongate
arm 121, 122 has a first styling part 104, a second styling part 105 and a
handle 106. The
first styling parts 104 of each elongate arm 121, 122 are mutually opposing
and arranged to
close together as shown in Figs 9 to 15. The second styling parts 105 of each
elongate arm
.. 121, 122 form an outer styling surface. The hinge joint 103 is located
between the handles
106 of each elongate arm 121, 122, proximal the end of the handle distal to
the styling parts
104, 105. When the elongate arms 121, 122 are pivoted about the hinge joint
103, the
handles 106 and styling parts 104 of each elongate arm 121, 122 are moved
apart. The hair
styling apparatus 101 further has a clamp 107 pivotally arranged on the second
styling part
105 of the second elongate arm 122. For each elongate arm 121, 122, the
handles 106 have
a raised protrusion 150 that extends around the perimeter of the handle 106.
The actuator 131 of the clamp 107 of the second embodiment is formed as a
button
151 protruding from the surface of the second elongate arm 122. The button 151
is centrally
located along, and extends through, the raised protrusion 150. The button 151
has a first
engagement portion 152 that is coplanar with a part of the elongate plate 132
of the clamp
107, and a second engagement portion 153 that extends at an obtuse angle form
the first
engagement portion 152. Second engagement portion 153 is located between the
first
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engagement portion 152 and the elongate plate 132 of the clamp 107. This
creates a dip
between the first and second engagement portions 152, 153 sized to receive a
thumb of a
user. The button 151 is arranged with the elongate plate 132 such that
pressing the coplanar
first engagement portion 152 downwards, i.e., towards the handle 106, causes
the elongate
plate 132 to move away from the styling part 105, pivoting at a location
between the handle
106 and the styling part 105.
The hair styling apparatus 101 further has a charging port 155 that can
receive a
charger lead for charging the rechargeable battery (not shown). The hair
styling apparatus
101 further has an on/off switch 156 and a series of four electronic lights
157 that are
operable to indicate the charge level of the rechargeable battery. The on/off
switch 156 and
the four electronic lights 157 are arranged on the second elongate arm 122
proximal the
button 151 for operating the clamp 107.
The hinge joint 103 has a torsion spring (not shown) for biasing the first
elongate arm
121 and the second elongate arm 122 apart. The hair styling apparatus 101
further has a
lock switch 160 located proximal to the torsion spring and behind the hinge
joint 103. The
lock switch 160 can be operated to lock the first elongate arm 121 to the
second elongate
arm 122 against the force of the torsion spring. This enables the user to
operable the hair
styling apparatus 101 as a curling wand without the two elongate arms 121, 122
moving
apart undesirably.
In use, to press the user's hair between the first elongate arm 121 and the
second
elongate arm 122, the user places their hair in contact with the first styling
part 104 between
the two arms 121, 122 and, using the handles 106, moves the arms 121, 122
towards each
other against the biasing force of the torsion spring. The user holds the arms
121, 122
together for a desired length of time. On release, the torsion spring moves
the elongate arms
121, 122 apart and releases the hair. The user can then repeat this action for
different
portions of their hair to produce a desired style.
To use the hair styling apparatus 101 as a curling device, the user moves the
two
elongate arms 121, 122 together and operates the lock switch 160 to lock the
arms together.
Next, the user can operate the button 151 to raise the clamp 107 away from the
second
styling surface 105 of the second elongate arm 122. The user can then wrap
their hair
around the hemi-frustoconical second styling surface 105 and can operate the
button 151 to
move the clamp down against the user's hair and the second styling surface 105
and hold for
a desired time. The user can then operate the button 151 again to release
their hair and can
repeat the action for different sections of their hair until the desired style
is achieved.
.. Alternatively, if it is desired to have a larger curl than that offered by
the outer styling surface
alone. The user can simply wrap their hair around all of the styling part of
the device,
including the clamp 107, when the clamp 107 is abutting the outer styling
surface.
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In the drawings in Figs 20 to 23 there is shown a third embodiment of a hair
styling
apparatus according to the invention illustrated generally by reference
numeral 201. The lock
260 of the apparatus 201 is located along the length of the handle 206 of the
hair styling
apparatus 201 and is operable from a slide button 270 located on the first
elongate arm 221.
5 .. The first elongate arm 221 has a recess 271 which houses a catch 272. The
catch 272 is
operably engaged with the slide button 270 and pivots out of the recess 271
when the button
270 is moved towards the styling part 204. There is a corresponding recess
(not shown)
located on the second elongate arm 222 for receiving the catch 272 thereby
locking the arms
221, 222 together. The catch 272 is hook-shaped and the corresponding recess
is shaped to
10 .. receive the hook. It will be apparent that any suitable releasable
locking mechanism may be
used and is within the scope of the invention. The lock 260 is a rack and
pinion mechanism
(not shown). The slide button 270 is engaged with the pinion and
correspondingly moves the
pinion when it is slid along the handle 206. The catch 272 is engaged with the
pinion is
rotated out of the recess 271 by the rack when moved. To unlock the arms 221,
222, the
15 user can slide the button 270 away from the styling part 204. The catch
272 retreats into the
recess 271 and releases the arms 221, 222.
In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the
invention, it
will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can
be used in
20 combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment
where the
transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately
apparent to a
person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a
similar way on the other
embodiment.
In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary,
the
disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted
range of a
parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more
highly preferred
than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each
intermediate value of
said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of
said alternatives,
is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying
between said less
preferred value and said intermediate value.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings,
expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a
disclosed function,
or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,
may separately, or
in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in
diverse forms
.. thereof.
