Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
ROTATING BRISTLE DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention addresses an issue that currently exists in all round
brushes used for styling hair, and exists most consequentially in motorized
spinning
round brushes; the appliance is designed in a manner that allows hair to
become
tangled around the brush.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hair styling round brushes, both spinning and non-spinning are available in
many
shapes, sizes and materials. These are commonly used with a blow-dryer in one
hand
and the brush in the other hand, with the blow-dryer following through the
hair along
with the brush.
A more sophisticated version of the above-described brush type includes a blow-
dryer unit inside the handle portion of the brush. A hollow, perforated round
brush barrel
is fixed to said handle portion. Hot air from the blow-dryer enters the hollow
barrel and
exits through the perforations thereby drying the hair that is engaged with
the bristles of
the brush barrel.
Another version of said appliance is a 'rotating' round brush blow-dryer.
Rather
than being fixed to the blow-dryer handle portion, the hollow round brush
barrel is driven
by a motor and rotates on the handle as hot air is supplied to the barrel.
This type of
appliance is presently available but not without the inherent risk of tangling
that such an
appliance will certainly possess.
The invention provides a solution to the primary problem stated above by
describing embodiments of the invention in terms of mechanical arrangements
that may
be employed in a rotating round brush to facilitate the continuous engagement
and
release of the hair from the spinning brush. These 'continuous engagement and
release'
mechanical arrangements apply to novel bristle mechanisms as well as novel
barrel
mechanisms. Furthermore, the barrel mechanisms are described herein as
possessing
a novel type of hair styling feature embodied in and of themselves and without
the
1
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
inclusion of bristle features. This embodiment may be considered a unique type
of
curling iron.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention as a material treatment device is an improvement in prior art
brushes that are used for handling material, including animal and human hair.
In one embodiment, the material treatment device has a plurality of rods
arranged circumferentially as part of a rod barrel. A handle is attached to
the rod barrel
for rotatable support thereof. A mechanism for rotating the rod barrel is
provided in a
first direction and a mechanism for rotating or allowing rotation of each of
the rods
separately from the rod barrel in a second direction opposite the first
direction is also
provided. The material being contacted by the rods during use of the hair
treatment
device rolls away from the contacted rod in the second direction.
The rods can be arranged so as to form one of a square barrel shape, a
rectangular barrel shape, a triangular barrel shape, an oval barrel shape, a
crescent
barrel shape or a cylindrical barrel shape.
The device can also be configured to pass heated or cooled air into one or
more
of the plurality of rods. The surface of one or more of the rods can be
textured, for
example, a spiral texture or a stippled texture. The rods could also be
perforated to
allow hot, cold, or ambient air to contact the engaged material.
The embodiment with the roller barrel can also include a cage attached to a
distal
end of each of the plurality of rods, the cage preventing material from
getting between
the plurality of rods from the distal ends thereof. The cage can include a
plurality of
legs, one end of each leg rotatably attached to a distal end of each rod and
the other
ends of the plurality of legs joined together to prevent the material from
getting between
the plurality of rods from the distal ends thereof.
The invention also includes a method of engaging any material, for example
animal or human hair, using the material treatment device described above,
wherein the
rod barrel and rods are rotated so that the rods can engage the material.
Another device of the invention combines the rod and brush barrel features
described above with bristles. This rotating bristle device includes a bristle
assembly,
2
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
the bristle assembly comprising a plurality of aligned bristle sets, each
bristle set
mounted to a pair of bristle flanges, the bristle flanges configured to allow
the bristle
sets to move with respect to the bristle flanges. A plurality of rods are
provided,
opposite ends of the rods secured between the bristle flanges, each rod
positioned
between adjacent channels so as to create a space between adjacent rods for
bristle
movement, surfaces of the rods forming a part of the brush barrel.
One of two mechanisms with the rotating bristle device can be used. One
mechanism rotates the brush barrel and the bristle assembly such that in one
mode, the
brush barrel rotates in a first direction with all of the bristles extending
through the
spaces formed by adjacent rods and beyond surfaces of the rods, in a second
mode,
the brush barrel rotates with the bristles continually extending through and
beyond
surfaces of the rods over one portion of the rotating brush barrel while
bristles on other
portions of the rotating brush barrel continually retract, and in a third
mode, the bristles
are fully retracted such that the bristles do not extend from the rotating
brush barrel
during rotation thereof.
The other mechanism rotates the brush barrel and the bristle assembly such
that
the brush barrel rotates with some bristles extending through and beyond
surfaces of
the rods over one portion of the rotating brush barrel while other bristles on
other
portions of the rotating brush barrel are retracted.
The bristle set can include a plurality of bristles or a plurality of bristle
bundles.
The rods of either embodiment disclosed above can be coated with a non-stick
coating, for example, PTFE and either embodiment above use two or more rods,
e.g.,
two, four, six, or twelve rods are employed.
The bristle assembly can further be configured such that each bristle set is
mounted to the pair of bristle flanges, each bristle flange having channels
therein to
allow the bristle sets to move along the channels, the bristle flanges mounted
to a spine.
A third material treatment device is provided that includes the moving rods
and a
slide clamp for clamping purposes. This material treatment device includes a
plurality of
rods arranged circumferentially as part of a rod barrel and a handle attached
to the rod
barrel for rotatable support thereof. A mechanism is provided for rotating the
rod barrel
in a first direction and a mechanism is provided for rotating or allowing
rotation of each
3
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
of the rods separately from the rod barrel in a second direction opposite the
first
direction, that is, permitting each of the rods to freely spin during rod
barrel rotation. A
slide clip is provided that is moveably mounted on the handle and moves
between an
extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, at least
a portion
of the slide clip is positioned adjacent a surface of one of the plurality of
rods. A
mechanism is provided for pivoting the slide clip with respect to the surface
between an
open position and a closed position, the open position allowing entraining of
material
between the portion of the slide clip and the surface and the closed position
clamping
the entrained material on the surface. A mechanism is also provided to prevent
rotation
of each of the plurality of rods when the slide clip is moved into the
extended position
while the rod barrel and slide clip can be rotated for winding of the material
around the
plurality of rods and for permitting rotation of each of the plurality of rods
with the
material wound on the plurality of rods and with rotation of the rod barrel
when the slide
clip is moved into the retracted position.
The invention also includes a method of engaging a material using the device
that employs the slide clip. This method includes disengaging the plurality of
rods from
the rod barrel moving the slide clip to the extended position. The slide clip
is moved to
the open position to be able to position at least some material between the
slide clip and
the surface of the rod. The slide clip is moved to the closed position to
clamp the
material. Then the rod barrel and slide clip are rotated to wind material
around the
plurality of rods. Post rotation, the slide clip is moved to the retracted
position and the
plurality of rods and rod barrel are rotated with respect to the wound
material. The rods
can be optionally cooled or heated.
Yet another embodiment employs just bristles for material treatment. The
rotating bristle device includes a bristle assembly, the bristle assembly
comprising a
plurality of aligned bristle sets, each bristle set mounted to a pair of
bristle flanges, the
bristle flanges configured to allow the bristle sets to move with respect to
the bristle
flanges. A brush barrel having perforations therein is provided, each
perforation
designed to receive one of the bristles in the bristle sets.
Two mechanisms can be used for moving the brush barrel and bristle assembly.
One moves the brush barrel and the bristle assembly such that in one mode, the
brush
4
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
barrel rotates with all of the bristles extending from the perforations, in a
second mode,
the brush barrel rotates with the bristles continually extending over one side
of the
rotating brush barrel while bristles on the other side of the rotating brush
barrel
continually retract, and in a third mode, the bristles are fully retracted
such that the
bristles do not extend from the rotating brush barrel during rotation thereof.
The other
mechanism can rotate the brush barrel and the bristle assembly such that the
brush
barrel rotates with some bristles extending through and beyond surfaces of the
rods
over one portion of the rotating brush barrel while other bristles on other
portions of the
rotating brush barrel are retracted.
This rotating bristle device using the brush barrel and bristles can be used
in a
method of engaging material, for example, human or animal hair. The method
includes
rotating the spine so that the bristles can engage the material.
Another embodiment of the invention is a rotating bristle device that has an
eccentric rotation. This device includes a bristle assembly, the bristle
assembly
comprising a plurality of aligned bristle sets, each bristle set mounted to a
spine. A tube
having perforations therein is provided, each perforation designed to receive
one of the
bristles in the bristle sets. Guide surfaces are arranged on an inner
periphery of the
tube, each guide surface forming a channel to guide the bristles in and out of
the
perforations. A plurality of rolling surfaces are arranged on an inner
periphery of the
tube. The spine is mounted inside the perforated tube such that the rolling
surfaces rest
on a portion of the spine and an axis of the spine is offset from an axis of
the perforated
tube, and the bristles extend into channels formed by the guide surfaces,
wherein
rotation of the spine causes the rolling surfaces of the perforated tube to
roll on the
spine and eccentrically rotate the perforated tube with respect to the spine,
the eccentric
rotation of the perforated tube allowing the bristles to extend and retract
from the
perforations in the perforated tube during spine rotation.
The eccentric rotating bristle device can include a plurality of elongated
triangularly shaped bristle guides, each bristle guide arranged on an inner
periphery of
the perforated tube, adjacent bristle guides forming the channels, and a
plurality of
spaced apart spacer rings arranged longitudinally along the perforated tube
and inside
of the bristle guides, the spacer rings having the rolling surfaces. The
housing can be a
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
one-piece structure having the guides surfaces and rolling surfaces as a part
thereof
and the spine can include a handle for spine rotation. The eccentric rotating
bristle
device can include an electric motor assembly comprising a housing, which can
be
cylindrical or oblong in shape, and an electric motor inside the housing, the
electric
motor connected to the spine for rotation thereof.
The eccentric rotation bristle device can be used to engage material, for
example, human or animal hair. The method entails rotating the spine so that
the
bristles can engage the material.
For the embodiments using the bristle assembly wherein the bristle sets are
allowed to move with respect to the bristle flanges, one embodiment disclosed
herein
moves the bristles in a radial fashion using channels in the bristle flanges.
However,
other ways can be employed to move the bristle sets as well with respect to
the bristle
flanges so that the bristles can extend from the brush barrel for material
engagement.
One alternative would be to configure the device to move the bristles sets
with a
longitudinal movement and then an angular movement so that the bristles can
extend
from the device barrel in a controlled fashion for material engagement. Of
course, other
configurations can be employed as long as they move the bristles in and out of
the
brush barrel as the disclosed embodiments illustrate and describe.
While the rods are shown as geared or free spinning, they could be fixed and
just
the rod barrel could rotate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a standard type of round brush presented
as
a visual point of reference for the overall description of the invention.
FIG. 2A is a front view while FIGS. 2B ¨ 2D are perspective views of the
inventive brush, together illustrating the mechanical aspects required to
convert the
'bristled Id spine 1 a centered within a perforated tube lb type round brush
barrel of
FIG. Ito the 'bristled 1d spine la off center within a perforated tube 1 b"
type round
brush barrel.
6
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
FIGS. 3A ¨ 3C are perspective side views collectively depicting a preferred
embodiment of a manual 'bristled 1d' spine la off ¨ center within a perforated
tube I b"
type round brush.
FIG. 4 is a perspective side view illustrating the 'bristled Id' spine la'
off¨ center
within a perforated tube lb' type round brush barrel incorporated into an
electric motor
driven, automatically rotating round brush appliance that includes a blow ¨
dryer
feature.
FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C are perspective side views and altogether depict the first in a
series of a step-by-step assembly procedure of the mechanical aspects required
to
construct an alternative mechanical approach to achieving the novel features
described
in the previous figures. Depicted here are the two (2) bristle slide flanges
5a - 5b as
each is fixed to a hollow spine 5c assembly and includes bristle span 2a'
placement.
FIGS. 6A - 6B are perspective side views and are concurrently the second
illustration in series continuing the assembly procedure described in FIGS. 5A
¨ 5C.
This Illustration depicts the placement of the retraction spring 6a and the
slide brackets
fic and describes how said parts interact with the bristle spans 2a'.
FIGS. 7A ¨ 7C are perspective side views that collectively represent the third
illustration in series continuing the assembly procedure described in FIGS. 5A
¨ 5C and
FIGS. 6A - 66. Depicted here are the bracket stabilizer rod 7a and the
actuator rod 7b.
These illustrations describe how said parts transfer motion through the hollow
spine 5c
from one side of the brush barrel assembly to the other side.
FIGS. 8A - 8B are perspective side views that together, represent the fourth
illustration in series continuing the assembly procedure described in FIGS. SA
¨ 5C,
FIGS. 6A - 6B and FIGS. 7A ¨ 7C. Depicted here are the two (2) bracket
stabilizer discs
8b - 8d as each is fixed to the two (2) bracket stabilizer disc sheaths 8a -
8c. This
illustration further depicts how said parts are incorporated into and interact
with the
previously described assembly of parts.
FIGS. 9A ¨ 9C are perspective side views that mutually depict the fifth
illustration
in series continuing the assembly procedure described in FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C, FIGS.
6A -
6B, FIGS. 7A ¨ 7C and FIGS. 8A - 8B. Depicted here are the two (2) worm discs
9b -
9c as each are fixed to the two (2) worm disc sheaths 9a ¨ 9d. This
illustration further
7
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
depicts how said parts are incorporated into and interact with the previously
described
assembly of parts.
FIG. 10A is a side view and FIG. 10B is a perspective top view depicting the
now
assembled round brush barrel 4a' incorporated into an electric motor driven,
automatically rotating round brush appliance that includes a blow-dryer
feature.
FIGS. 11A¨ 11F are front views that provide an understanding of the mechanical
process described in the proceeding FIGS. 12A ¨ 12C.
FIGS. 12A ¨ 12C are front views depicting, in series, a description of the
mechanical motions that occur as the operator gradually pushes the lever 10o
controlling the repositioning features of the bristles Id'. Said depictions
represent how
each of the several positions of these mechanical aspects correspond to each
of the
several lever 10o positions.
FIG. 13A is a perspective side view of the rod type brush barrel. FIG. 13B is
a
partial perspective side view of the rear of the rod type brush barrel 13h and
front of the
brush handle/chassis 13k. FIG. 13C is an end view of the rod type brush barrel
13h.
FIG. 14A is a perspective side view of the rod type brush barrel spinning
round
brush. FIG. 14B is a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment of the
rod type
brush barrel spinning round brush. FIG. 14C is an end view of yet another
embodiment
of the rod type brush barrel spinning round brush.
FIG. 15A is a perspective side view of the multi-rod spinning curling iron.
FIG.
15B is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the multi-rod spinning
curling iron.
FIGS. 15C and 15D are perspective side views of a single rod of the multi-rod
spinning
curling iron depicting alternative surface textures.
FIG. 16A is a perspective side view of the multi-rod spinning curling iron.
This
view is the opposite side of the perspective side view shown in FIG. 15A. FIG.
16B is a
perspective side view of the slide clip 16b and slide clip ring 16f components
of the
multi-rod spinning curling iron. FIG.16C is a perspective side view pertaining
to the front
of the multi-rod barrel 15d spinning curling iron.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
8
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
(See FIG. I for the following) Attention is drawn to a version of a
conventional
manual round brush consisting of a hollow perforated tube lb that surrounds a
bristled
Id spine lc. The bristles Id are fixed to the spine lc and the spine lc is
held
suspended in the center of the perforated tube lb by end caps le. The bristles
Id
extend out of the perforated tube lb through the pattern of perforations If
that are
located over the surface of the tube. The perforations If range in size and
shape but are
generally large enough to allow both a bristle Id (or bundle of bristles
depending on the
design of the brush) along with air to move through the perforations If.
FIG. 2A is a circumferential view of a preferred basic mechanical arrangement
of
one embodiment of the inventive round brush configuration as compared to the
standard round brush configuration described in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A depicts a
round brush
spine la positioned within a perforated tube 1 b' with bristles Id' extending
radially away
from said spine la. This view also depicts bristle guides 1 g positioned fixed
to the inside
surface of the perforated tube 1b'. Also, a spacer ring 1 h is centered within
the
perforated tube I b' as said spacer ring I h is fixed to the innermost edge of
each bristle
guide lg. All perforated tubes described throughout this disclosure can
include any of
the various frictionless and/or slippery finishes to the outside surface.
These coatings
may include but are not limited to Teflon or PTFE. This feature is intended to
eliminate
the possibility of hair sticking to or being dragged along by the rotation of
the barrels
described below.
As Illustrated in FIG. 2A, the spine la is positioned upward against the
spacer
ring I h causing the bristles Id' attached to the top of the spine la to
extend out through
the bristle perforations If at the top of the perforated tube 1b'. This spine
la position
also causes the bristles Id' attached to the bottom of the spine la to retract
into the
perforated tube lb'.
As this entire depicted assembly rotates, the spine la is maintained as the
rotationally stationary axial, while allowing gravity to affect the perforated
tube assembly
against the spine la. The perforated tube assembly Ii consists of: the
perforated tube
I b', bristle guides lg and spacer rings I h. As the bristles Id' also extend
through the
perforated tube assembly Ii, said assembly is urged by the bristles Id' to
turn in
tandem with the spine la while the top of the spine la continually rolls
against the
9
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
inside top of the spacer ring ih. As the entire assembly depicted in FIG. 2A
continues to
rotate, and as said assembly maintains said rolling configuration [as depicted
in FIG.
2A], it will also be noticed that each bristle id moves through a continual
extension and
retraction cycle relative to each successive rotational position of the
perforated tube
assembly Ii.
The combined motion described above creates a novel and useful feature
pertinent to the concept of a spinning round brush; as the brush turns,
bristles sweep
across the top of the brush barrel but do not sweep across the bottom of said
barrel.
This renders a spinning round brush, whether motor or manually turned, that
may be
used to smooth various lengths and textures of hair while perhaps eliminating,
or at
least, greatly reducing the potential for hair to become tangled around the
spinning
brush barrel. The reduction of this potential for tangling will be understood
as becoming
further enhanced as this disclosure continues to reveal additional features
both related
to, as well as indirectly related to, the issue of tangling. For now, however,
more
mechanical aspects of the invention that may be gleaned from FIG. 2A are
described
below.
While viewing FIG. 2A, notice the triangular bristle guides lg. Said guides
function to guide each bristle id' to extend out from, and retract into the
perforated tube
lb' as each bristle id' rotates through each cycle. Arranged side by side
around the
inside surface of the perforated tube 1b', the bristle guides 19 create an
equidistant
circular continuum of triangular spaces. Said spaces are widest at the
circumference of
the spacer ring 1 h and narrow outward toward the perforated tube 1b'. In this
manner,
each triangular space tapers to a row of bristle perforations if. The tapered
spaces
created by the bristle guides ig are necessary to cope with the pivoting
action of the
bristles id'. The following includes a description of this pivoting action and
the
mechanical compensation required for said action.
As seen in FIG.2B, each bristle id' is attached side by side to a straight rod
thereby forming a single bristle span 2a. Each bristle span end 2b is flat and
round. This
allows each end of a bristle span 2a to seat pivotally into a bristle span
seat FIGS. 2C
and 2D, 2c. Continuing to view FIGS. 2C and 2D, a ring of bristle span seats
2c is
formed into each bristle span hub 2d, while a bristle span hub 2d is formed
onto each
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
end of a spine I a. Further concerning the bristle span 2a pivoting action,
FIG. 2D
depicts a means that limits the degree of bristle span 2a pivot. First, said
means consist
of pivot restrictors 2e that extend away from the inside face of each bristle
span hub 2d
with each pivot restrictor 2e occupying each space between each bristle span
seat 2c.
The second of said pivot limiting means consists of a bristle span tab 2f
located on each
end of each bristle span 2a. Now, as the seated bristle span 2a pivots, the
bristle span
tab 2f will encounter each of the pivot restrictors 2e positioned on either
side of said
bristle span tab 2f. In this manner, the degree of bristle span 2a pivot
action is limited to
the degree necessary to compensate for the coincidence of: [lithe off-center
rotation
by the spine 1 a and perforated tube assembly Ii, and [21 the necessary and
variable
deviation from a 90-degree projection of the bristles id' from the spine 1 a
that would
not occur if the spine and perforated tube rotated centered to one another.
Viewing FIG.
2A, the angles of projection of the bristles Id' relative to the spine 1 a
vary
circumferentially.
While the perforated tube assembly Ills shown in terms of the triangular
guides
1g, the spacer rings 1 h, and the perforated tube 1 b' as a means to
facilitate the
movement of the bristles Id' inside and outside of the perforated tube 1 b'
during
rotation thereof, the perforated tube 1 b' could be sized and molded to have
depressions
along an inside of the perforated tube 1 b' to provide channels that may be an
alternative to the triangular guides 1 g and spacer rings 1 h. These channels
will likewise
guide the bristles Id' to move toward, and therefore, in and out of the
perforations If,
during use of the bristle device. Similarly, the perforated tube lb' could
also be
configured with an inner peripheral surface that would provide rolling
surfaces for the
perforated tube assembly Ii to roll on the spine I a.
The bristles of the present embodiment are always engaged with the
perforations
and/or bristle guides of the barrel and this engagement is sufficient to turn
the barrel as
the bristled spine is driven. The bristles act as the gear that turns the
barrel.
Alternatively, and as seen in FIG.2A, the outside spacer rings I h' / rolling
surfaces 1 h'
may include internal gear teeth and the bristle span hubs 2d' may also include
gear
teeth. These gears engage while in use and may be employed in the manual
version of
the present embodiment as well as the electric, auto-rotating version
described below.
11
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
Versions of the above-described embodiment may be configured in such a
manner that the bristles of the eccentrically rotating bristled spine may be
fixed to a
spine in various manners rather than positioned pivotally on a span 2a within
a seat 2c
on a hub 2d.
The mounting of the spine inside the perforated tube such that the rolling
surfaces associated with the perforated tube rest on a portion of the spine,
an axis of
the spine is offset from an axis of the perforated tube, and the bristles
extend into
channels formed by the guide surfaces is one example or means to accomplish
the
functionality of the rotating bristle device, i.e., wherein rotation of the
spine causes the
rolling surfaces of the perforated tube to roll on the spine and eccentrically
rotate the
perforated tube with respect to the spine, the eccentric rotation of the
perforated tube
allowing the bristles to extend and retract from the perforations in the
perforated tube
during rotation. The extension as described above can be in a sequential
manner,
wherein the bristles sequentially extend and then retract from the
perforations. As also
described below, the rotating bristle device can be configured such that the
bristles are
either extended or retracted during rotation.
In operation, the rotating bristle device described in FIGS. 2A - 3C or
elsewhere
in this description can be rotated manually or electrically so that the
bristles could
engage any desired material for any use or purpose. One example of material to
be
engaged would be hair for the purpose of manipulating the hair for styling or
the like, but
the use of the bristle assembly is not limited to this example.
As the preceding portion of this section describes the basic mechanical
arrangement necessary to achieve the prerequisite performance of the rotating
bristle
device invention, the following portion describes various iterations of said
rotating bristle
device that expand upon the invention to describe additional features and
assemblies.
FIG. 3A depicts the spine la, bristle span hubs 2d and bristle spans 2a as
they
appear while assembled. FIG. 3C depicts a complete version of the present
manual
embodiment. FIG. 3B demonstrates the assembly depicted in FIG. 3A as it
appears
appropriately incorporated into a complete preferred manual embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 3B also includes a handle 3a, spine extension 3b, alignment
disc 3c, as
well as the bristle guides 1 g and spacer rings Ih as described before. Said
bristle
12
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
guides lg and spacer rings 1h are depicted here again to provide a perspective
view.
Said view will also aid the reader in accurately visualizing the following
preferred
embodiment of the perforated tube assembly Ii.
As described previously, the spacer rings 1 h and bristle guides 1 g act
together to
guide the motion of each bristle Id'. Said spacers 1 h and guides 1 g
facilitate a reliable
return of each bristle Id' toward and through each applicable perforation If,
from all
positions that each bristle 1d' passes through. As previously described, said
spacers 1h
and guides lg may just as effectively be substituted by shaping the inside
surface of the
perforated tube lb' with a pattern of conical depressions that match the
bristle guidance
of the present spacers lh and guides 1g.
Returning to a description of the parts depicted in FIGS. 3A ¨ 3C, a spine
extension 3b extends away from the outside face of, and is fixed to, one
bristle span
hub 2d. Fixed to the spine extension 3b is a handle 3a and a stabilizer disc.
3c. Said
disc 3c is fixed to the spine extension 3b in a concentric manner and is
sandwiched
contiguously between the distal ends of the bristle guides lg and the recessed
tube cap
3d. The stabilizer disc 3c prevents the perforated tube assembly Ii from
moving side to
side [toward and away from the handle 3a} relative to the spine la, and is
larger than
the spine extension opening 3e thereby preventing the stabilizer disc 3c from
slipping
outside of the recessed tube cap 3d.
Notice that the spine extension opening 3e at the center of the recessed tube
cap
3d is wider in diameter than the circumference of the spine extension 3b. This
feature
allows the perforated tube assembly Ii to remain against the spine I a as said
tube
assembly spins while the operator turns the handle 3a. As the present
iteration (FIGS.
3A ¨ 3C) maintains the mechanically offset relationship between the spine la
and the
perforated tube assembly li, it is maintained as such by reliance on gravity.
This offset
relationship is further maintained as the operator uses the brush in her hair.
Laying the
hair on top of said tube assembly and turning the brush from underneath in the
direction
that draws the hair away from the scalp causes the weight of the hair to
further hold the
perforated tube assembly 1i against the spine 1a as the operator manually
turns the
brush. Coincidentally, and as described previously, maintaining said offset
relationship
through said hair styling operation maintains the cycling of the bristles Id'
over the top
13
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
of the perforated tube assembly Ii, thereby continuing the brushing action
through the
hair. Concurrently, the bristles cycling through the bottom of the perforated
tube
assembly Ii continue to retract back into said assembly, thereby, facilitating
the
continuing release of the just previously bristle entrained hair. This cycle
of catch and
release significantly reduces the probability of hair being bristle caught
around the entire
circumference of the perforated tube assembly Ii. This, of course, is a major
cause of
round brush tangling in general.
The following describes a preferred motorized iteration of the preceding FIGS.
3A - 3C embodiment. The brush barrel 4a of FIG. 4 is identical in function;
the
differences lie in the mechanical means that actuate these functions. The
following is a
description of said means.
FIG.4 depicts the brush barrel 4a positioned rotationally contiguous to the
front of
a motorized brush chassis 4b. The brush barrel 4a is held in said position as
a barrel
cap 4d is fixed to one end of a stabilizer shaft 4e while the opposite end of
said shaft
spans through the hollow spine I a' of the brush barrel 4a and is fixed to the
handle/chassis 4b. Said shaft is held fixed to the handle/chassis 4b at the
shaft seat 4f
location within the internal seating geometry that is molded into the
handle/chassis 4b.
The barrel cap 4d is held fixed to the stabilizer shaft 4e as the barrel cap
4d end of the
stabilizer shaft 4e is inserted into the cap shaft seat 4o where upon the cap
shaft seat
screw 4p is tightened into the mated threaded opening in the stabilizer shaft
4e.
One inside circumferential edge of the perforated tube lb' fits contiguously
over the
circumferentially lipped and recessed front edge of the handle/chassis 4b.
Said
handle/chassis front edge will be referred to as the chassis lip 4c.
The barrel cap end of the perforated tube 1 b' overlaps the inside edge of the
barrel cap 4d; this arrangement reduces the potential of hair becoming
entangled along
what would otherwise be the level, butt ended, rotational joint shared by the
perforated
tube I b' and the barrel cap 4d. The handle/chassis 4b end of the perforated
tube I b'
increases in diameter creating a concaved end of said tube. This angled
outward end of
the perforated tube 1 b' also overlaps the handle/chassis 4b. The cylindrical
overlap
space of both perforated tube lb' ends is wide enough that hair is not likely
to become
tangled in it if hair manages to slip sideways into said space. Also, hair
will continually
14
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
be drawn toward the center of the perforated tube 'I b from the angled outward
handle/chassis 4b end of said tube, further reducing the opportunity for hair
to become
tangled in the spinning joint. The barrel cap 4d end of the perforated tube 'I
b' may taper
outward like the chassis 4b end of said tube, or; alternatively, the barrel
cap 4d end of
said tube lb' may taper inward for a distance over said cap while still
maintaining the
previously described space between the overlapping surfaces.
The internal handle/chassis 4b geometry incudes a motor seat 4g that is shaped
around and occupied by an electric motor 4h. Said motor is positioned over the
stabilizer shaft 4e in a configuration that finds the distal end of the
rotating motor rod 41
positioned over and above the proximal end of the spine la'. As both the
distal end of
the motor rod 41 and the proximal end of the spine la' are each occupied by a
pinion
gear 4j, and as said gears are engaged, electricity may be applied to the
motor 4h and
the brush barrel 4a will rotate. If the current of electricity is reversed,
the brush barrel 4a
will rotate in the opposite direction. An electrical switch 4k may be
installed into the
chassis 4b that will actuate said reversal. Furthermore, said switch may be of
a type
that also adjusts the speed of the rotation. Finally, said switch may also
include the
capacity to control the functioning of a blow-drying unit 41. The front nozzle
4m of said
unit will preferably be tapered to one side of the internal handle/chassis 4b
as depicted.
This tapering directs the hot air-flow through the air flow cavity 4n that is
formed into the
handle/chassis 4b.
Throughout this disclosure, and to avoid excessive explanation, reference will
be
made to several alternative features and embodiments of the present invention
that the
inventor hopes will fall within a range of simplicity and obviousness so that
said
alternative features and embodiments do not require drawings. The following is
one
such feature/embodiment.
The motorized embodiment described above may include a toggle that allows the
bristles to assume two (2) positions relative to the barrel: one position that
allows for the
'catch and release' bristle position and a second position that allows for an
'all bristles
within the barrel' bristle position. Said toggle will include a switch that
extends to the
outside of the handle/chassis. Said switch will actuate a simple mechanism
that moves
the barrel relative to the handle/chassis to a position that centers the
barrel over the
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
bristled spine. As the barrel is in this centered position, all the bristles
will be in the 'all
bristles within the barrel' position.
Later in this disclosure, an embodiment will be described as having a barrel
that
is comprised of a circular arrangement of rods or tubes (see FIG. 13A, 13a and
13c).
The above-described bristled spine may also rotate eccentrically within said
FIG. 13
barrel whether the FIG. 13A barrel rods 13a individually rotate on, or are
fixed to the
flanges as the overall barrel 13c spins. In the instance where the rods are
fixed, they
may be in the longitudinal shape of the bristle guide lg of FIG. 2A or other
shapes.
The following is a preferred embodiment of the present invention displaying an
additional bristle position to the two described above. The bristles of this
embodiment
possess the ability to: entirely retract into the barrel, entirely protract
out of the barrel,
vary the degree of protraction of the bristles, as well as assume the position
that allows
the bristles to cycle between sweeping across the top of the barrel and
retracting back
into the barrel as previously described.
As seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the bristle spans 2a' may slide back and forth
within the slide channels 5d of the bristle flanges 5a and 5b. Concurrent with
this, the
bristle span channels 51 on either end of each bristle span 2a' are engaged
with a set of
circular retraction springs FIG. 6A, 6a, as the edge of each retraction spring
FIG. 6A, 6a
that is facing each bristle flange Sa and 5b is between the two (2) prongs of
each bristle
span channel 51. Now consider that the entire assembly depicted in FIG. 6A and
11 D is
spinning except for the retraction spring 6a, which remains stationary. Said
considered
arrangement will find each bristle span channel 5i, as well as the bristle
span 2a', riding
along on each stationary retraction spring 11D, 6a, while each bristle span
channel 5i
remains within each outer end of each slide channel 5d
Now, while viewing FIG. 11E, consider that each stationary retraction spring
6a
retracts and becomes smaller in diameter while remaining centered relative to
the
outside circumference of each bristle flange 5a and 5b. Coincidentally, each
bristle span
2a' will slide toward the inner end of each slide channel 5d as each bristle
span channel
Si of the spinning assembly simultaneously rides the shrinking retraction
spring 6a
inward.
16
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
Consider now (as seen in FIG. 11F) that the non-spinning retraction spring 6a
is
positioned off center (relative to the circumference of each bristle flange 5a
and 5b) with
the bristle span channels 5i still engaged with the retraction spring fia. One
side of the
spring 6a will be over the outside ends of the slide channels 5d and the
opposite side of
the spring 6a will be over to the inside ends of the slide channels 5d. Now,
as the bristle
flange 5a and 5b and bristle span 2a' assembly spins, all bristle spans 2a'
will
continually slide to the outer end of each slide channel 5d on one side of the
assembly
while all bristle spans 2a' continually slide to the inner end of each slide
channel 5d on
the opposite side of the assembly, as the bristle span channels 5i ride the
eccentrically
positioned retraction spring fia.
With this understanding, and with the bristle flange 5a and 5b and bristle
span
2a assembly positioned appropriately inside a perforated tube (see FIG. 10B,
10a), an
alternative means to extend and retract bristles from a perforated barrel in
the three
modes just described will be evident. What remains to be explained is the
means
employed to retract, expand and position eccentrically, the retraction springs
6a.
As seen in FIG. 7C, 3 brackets 6c are positioned along the outside edge of
each
retraction spring 6a. Attached to each bracket 6c is a bracket pin 8j. As seen
in FIGS.
8A and 8B, each pin 8j occupies each bracket slide channel 81 of each
stabilizer disc 8b
and 8d.
Each of the two stabilizer discs 8b and 8d is positioned on the outside of
each
bristle span flange 5a and 5b and remains stationary as per the handle. The
purpose of
the stabilizer discs 8b and 8d and their bracket slide channels 81 is to guide
the motion
of the retraction springs 6a as the movement of the brackets 6c, and
therefore, each
retraction spring 6a, is confined to the sliding allowance of each bracket pin
8j as each
bracket pin 8j is positioned within each bracket slide channel 81 of each
stabilizer disc
8b and 8d.
As seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the inward and outward movement of each bracket
pin 8j is actuated by the partial side to side pivot of the worm gears 9b and
9c and
relative to the stationary stabilizer discs 8b and 8d. Each of the two worm
discs 9b and
9c is positioned flatly adjacent to the outside of each of the two stabilizer
discs 8b and
8d. The bracket pins 8j extend through the bracket slide channels 8i, and into
the worm
17
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
channels 9e as seen in FIG. 9B. The stabilizer discs 8b and 8d remain
stationary and
the worm disks 9b and 9c are actuated to pivot clockwise and counter
clockwise; each
direction of turn is approximately one third (1/3) of a full rotation. The
brackets 6c move
inward and outward as the two sets of slide channels 81 and 9e push against
each
bracket pin 8j as per a 'scissors action'.
Below is a detailed description of the entire mechanical assembly that is
necessary to actuate the mechanical operations described above.
FIG. 5A depicts a front bristle flange 5a and a rear bristle flange 5b fixed
[at a
distance to one another] concentrically to a hollow spine 5c. Formed into said
flanges
are equidistantly spaced, slide channels 5d. Said channels begin at, then
extend
radially away from the hollow spine 5c and end at the outer circumference of
each
bristle flange 5a and 5b. Notice the airflow spaces Se between each slide
channel 5d on
the rear bristle flange 5b as well as the lack of said spaces on the front
flange 5a. This
arrangement is present for a directional airflow feature described later in
this disclosure.
The airflow spaces 5e of the rear flange 5b will not be depicted throughout
the
remainder of this disclosure. It is the author's hope that this will minimize
the visual
complexity of the Illustrations as parts continue to layer.
Another feature present in FIGS. 5A and 5C is the set of recessed gear teeth
5f
that surrounds the back of the rear spine extension 5g. This gear teeth 5f
feature will
also be elaborated upon later.
FIG. 5B depicts a single bristle span 2a'. As depicted in FIG. 5C, each slide
channel 5d is occupied by one end of a single bristle span 2a' as each of said
spans
bridges the space between the two bristle flanges 5a and 5b with all of the
bristles 'Id'
radiating outward. While viewing FIGS. 5B and 5C, notice the bristle span
channel Si
formed into both ends of each bristle span 2a'.
While viewing FIG. 6A, notice each bristle span channel 5i functions as a
receiver of one edge of a circular retraction spring 6a. Said spring is
preferably the thin
ribbon type retraction spring commonly found in a retractable tape measure.
More
preferably, it is a section of said spring type that is of a length to
complete a full circuit
that finds the edge of said spring 6a occupying all bristle span channels 51
while
including an overlap 6b of said spring ends. This spring end overlap 6b will
preferably
18
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
be of a length that will occupy a minimum of two bristle span channels 5L As
seen in
FIG. 6B, each retraction spring 6a is held simultaneously within each bristle
span
channel 51 by three slide brackets 6c. An inward force is then applied equally
to the
three equidistantly spaced slide brackets 6c positioned around the perimeter
of each
spring fia. The inward force of each slide bracket 6c slides each bristle span
2a' toward
the spine 5c. Also, as seen in FIG. 6B, the side edges of each bristle span
channel 5i
and each slide bracket 6c are rounded to cope smoothly with the rotation of
the bristle
span channels 51 over the spring 6a, as the rounded edges of the bristle span
channels
5i and slide brackets 6c encounter the rounded edges of each spring 6a created
by the
overlap 6b.
As described previously in FIGS. 5A - C, the bristles are capable of several
functional settings. It is necessary for a portion of the mechanical action
related to said
functional settings to be transferred through the inside of the hollow spine
5c. The
following is a description of the telescopic mechanical communication assembly
that
occupies the inside of the spine 5c.
FIG. TA depicts the bracket stabilizer rod 7a and the bracket actuator rod 7b.
As
seen in FIG. 7B, said stabilizer rod 7a slides telescopically inside said
actuator rod 'Th.
Notice the short spiral of open worm gear thread 7c formed into the actuator
rod Th. A
tread pin 7d is installed flush through said thread and into the thread pin
seat if located
on the bracket stabilizer rod 7a. As depicted in FIG. 7C, the now
telescopically joined
bracket stabilizer rod 7a and bracket actuator rod 713 are positioned
telescopically within
the hollow spine 5c. The stabilizer rod 7a has a bracket stabilizer rod recess
7e, which
is described below.
The following is a description of the two telescopic disc assemblies
responsible
for stabilizing and guiding the movement of the slide brackets 6c, and
coincidentally, the
bristle spans 2a'. Notice in FIG. 8A, the front bracket stabilizer disc sheath
8a of the
front bracket stabilizer disc 8b fits telescopically over the front spine
extension 5h while
a rear bracket stabilizer disc sheath 8c of the rear bracket stabilizer disc
8d fits in like
manner over the rear spine extension 5g. Notice in FIG. 8B, the front
stabilizer disc rod
tooth 8g slides into the front stabilizer rod tooth channel 8h. Likewise, the
rear stabilizer
disc rod tooth 8g slides into the rear stabilizer rod tooth channel 8h. While
continuing to
19
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
view FIGS. 8A and 8B, notice another assembly engagement; the six (6) bracket
slide
channels 8i formed into the two (2) bracket stabilizer discs 8b and 8d [three
(3) bracket
slide channels 8i per stabilizer disc 8b and 8d1 engage with the six (6)
bracket pins 8j.
The final assembly engagement to view in FIG. 8B is the six (6) pin locks 8k
fixed over
the six (6) bracket pins 8j. Notice the flat back of each bracket fic in FIG.
8A. Combined
with the flat front of each bracket pin lock 8k in FIG. 8B, each of these six
(6) sets of two
flat surfaces sandwich each bracket stabilizer channel 8i in a tight fashion
while allowing
for a smooth slide of each bracket 6c up and down each stabilizer channel 8i.
Also,
notice the gear access opening 81 located on the rear bracket stabilizer disc
sheath 8c
and the air flow spaces 8m located on the rear bracket stabilizer disc 8d.
These
features will be touched on later.
FIGS. 9A ¨ 9C describes the final mechanical aspects incorporated into the
brush barrel that are responsible for moving the slide brackets FIG. 6B, 6c
and
therefore the bristle spans 2a'. Notice in FIG. 9A, the front worm disc sheath
9a slides
telescopically over the front bracket stabilizer disc sheath 8a. As depicted
in FIG. 9B,
this positions the front worm disc 9b flatly adjacent to the front bracket
stabilizer disc 8b.
Continuing with FIG. 9B, a small space 9k can be seen between said discs
around most
of the circumferential edge of said discs. This space 9k occurs as the back of
the front
worm disc 9b rest contiguously against the front of the bracket pin locks 9A,
8k. The
rear bracket stabilizer disc 8d and rear worm disc 9c as well as the rear
bracket
stabilizer disc sheath 8c and rear worm disc sheath 9d share the same
assembled
spatial and positional relationships as the frontal counterparts just
described, yet
mirrored. While said discs and sheaths are positioned as seen in FIG. 9B, each
end of
the six (6) bracket pins 8j engage with each of the six (6) respective worm
channels 9e
[three (3) worm channels 9e per worm disc 9b and 9c. Concurrently, each of the
four (4)
worm disc sheath teeth 9f [two (2) teeth per worm disc sheath 9a and 9d end]
engage
with each of the four (4) actuator tooth notches 9g; two (2) actuator tooth
notches 9g
are located on either end of the actuator rod 7b. FIG. 9C provides a larger
view of said
teeth 9f and notches 9g. Also, notice the air flow spaces 9h, gear access
opening 9i
located on the rear worm disc sheath 9d and each worm channel lever 9j
positioned on
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
the front and rear worm discs 9b and 9c. These mechanical aspects will be
described
later in this disclosure.
FIGS. 10A (side view) and 10B (top perspective view) are detailed depictions
of
the present embodiment as it has been described and depicted thus far and as
said
assembly is further incorporated into a perforated tube 10a and device
body/chassis
10b.
The following is a description of lips and depressions that hold the barrel
together
as well as to the handle/chassis. These lips and depressions are only depicted
in FIG.
10A in their entirety and do not appear in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
FIG. 10A depicts the brush barrel 4a' positioned contiguous to the front of a
chassis 10b. As seen in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the brush barrel 4a' is held in
said position
as the rear worm disc sheath 9d is positioned inside the chassis worm disc
sheath
receiver 10c. Said sheath is held contiguous to, yet unable to slide out of,
said receiver
as the worm disc sheath receiver depression 10d [that surrounds the inside of
said
receiver] functions as a rotationally contiguous seat for the [likewise
surrounding] worm
disc sheath lip 10e. The bracket stabilizer disc sheath fic is likewise
rotationally seated
to the worm disc sheath 9d from the outside by the worm disc sheath depression
10f
and the bracket stabilizer sheath lip 10g, and from the inside by the bracket
stabilizer
depression 10h and the hollow spine lip 10i. May it suffice to state that the
barrel cap
10j is contiguously attached to the front of the barrel by the same digression
of lips and
depressions described above. Several methods may be employed to seat said lips
and
depressions over one another in the assembly process. The disc and sheath unit
may
be molded with a split lengthwise on one side so that the sheath and disk may
expand
at the split for a moment as said units may be malleted together with some
force,
thereby, permanently mating the units together at the lip/ depression
location. Another
way to assemble these telescopic sheaths would be to simply mold them in
halves and
then fuse the halves together over one another.
May it also suffice to state that the rear circumferential edge of the
perforated
tube 10a is contiguously positioned against the front circumferential edge of
the
handle/chassis 10b in like manner to the same parts of the previously
described
motorized embodiment of FIG. 4.
21
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
As seen in FIG. 10B, an electric motor 10k is attached to the handle/chassis
10b
at the motor seat 101. The motor seat 101 is molded into the inside geometry
of the
handle/chassis 10b. The motor pinion gear 10m is attached to the spinning rod
lOn of
the motor 10k. The motor pinion 10m passes through the gear teeth access 81 of
the
rear bracket stabilizer disc sheath 8c as well as the gear access 91 of the
rear worm
disc sheath 9d to align with the gear teeth 5f that are molded recessed into
the rear
hollow spine extension 5g. As can be seen, the gear access 91 of the rear worm
disc
sheath 9d circumferentially traverses said sheath for a longer distance than
the gear
teeth access 81 of the bracket stabilizer disc sheath 8c. This arrangement
allows the
rear worm disc sheath 9d to pivot while the motor pinion 10m teeth and gear
teeth of
the rear hollow spine extension 5g remain engaged.
As seen in FIG. 10A, the control arm 10o is hinged to the control arm
stabilizer
10p. The control arm stabilizer 10p is attached to the inside bottom of the
handle/chassis 10b. As seen in Figure 10B, the control arm 10o is split into
two (2)
sections; one section is hinged to the bottom of one side of the control arm
stabilizer
10p and a second section of the control arm 10o is hinged to the other side of
said
stabilizer. Said stabilizer 10p is therefore sandwiched between the two sides
of the
control arm 10o. The bracket stabilizer rod recess 7e is also sandwiched
between the
two sections of the control arm 10o. Also, see FIG. 7B for a more complete
view of the
stabilizer rod recess 7e. The two sections of the control arm 10o join at the
top of said
arm 10o. This joined section of the control arm 10o emerges through the
control arm
slot 10r located at the top of the handle/chassis 10b. A control arm button
10s is
attached to the top of the control arm 10o. The control arm 10o pivots front
to back on
the control arm pin 10t.
For the following, see FIG. 10A for the central position of the control arm
10o and
bracket stabilizer rod recess 7e, as well as the two additional positions of
the control
arm 10o and bracket stabilizer rod recess 7e represented by dashed lines in
FIG. 10A.
As mentioned, the two sections of the control arm 10o sandwich the bracket
stabilizer
rod recess 7e. (See the two additional dashed line positions of the bracket
stabilizer rod
recess 7e depicted in FIG. 10A). The three (3) pivotal positions of the
control arm 10o,
and consequently, the three (3) slide positions of the bracket stabilizer rod
7a, control
22
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
the three (3) bristle positions that the present embodiment may assume. While
the
control arm is in the central position, the bristles are in the fully extended
position as
depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The following is a description of the
mechanical action
that causes the bristles to assume two (2) additional positions. FIGS. 11A-
11C depict
the layered mechanical assemblies that interact with the movement of the
control arm
10a to cause the bristles to assume the two (2) additional positions.
FIG. 11A is a circumferential view of both bracket stabilizer discs 8b and 8d,
as
well as both stabilizer disc sheaths 8a and 8c. Also, depicted in FIG. 11A are
the
stabilizer channels 81, bracket stabilizer teeth By, slide brackets 6c, slide
bracket pins 8j
(filled black circles), and the retraction springs 6a (dashed line). The two
(2) bracket
stabilizer assemblies in FIG. 11A are as they would appear in isolation
looking straight
down the present embodiment of brush barrel.
FIG. 11B is a circumferential view of both worm discs 9b and 9c as well as
both
worm disc sheaths 9a and 9d. Also, depicted in FIG. 11B are the worm channels
9e,
worm sheath teeth 9f, and worm channel lever 9j. As with FIG. 11A, the two (2)
assemblies in FIG. 11B are as they would appear in isolation looking straight
down the
brush barrel of the present embodiment.
FIG. 11C is a circumferential view of the components of 11A and 11B overlapped
while, again, looking straight down the brush barrel. Also, depicted here are
the bracket
stabilizer rod 7a along with the tooth channels 8h of said rod, the bracket
slide channels
8i, the bracket actuator rod 7b, along with the tooth notches 9g of said rod
and both
hollow spine extensions 5h and 5g. Notice the bold black outlines around the
tooth tips
as depicted in FIG. 11C. Said lines delineate the point where the teeth 8g and
9f and
the respective rod notches 9g and rod channels 8h are engaged.
FIGS. 12A (1) and 12B (1) are the mechanical assemblies depicted and
described in FIG. 11C. FIGS. 11A¨ 11C are also the same relative rotational
configuration as they will appear while the control arm 10o is in the central
position (See
FIG. 10 for control arm 10o position). Said position is also responsible for
establishing
the bristles spans 2a' in the rotational setting of fully extended. FIG. 12A
(4) is the same
mechanical assembly depicted in FIG. 11C but in a different configuration.
This
configuration establishes the bristle spans 2a' in the rotational setting of
alternating
23
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
between extension and retraction i.e., as the brush barrel rotates, the
bristles Id'
continually sweep extended over one side of the rotating barrel while the
bristles on the
other side of the rotating barrel continually retract. This setting is
achieved by pushing
the control arm 10o to the farthest forward position (See FIG. 10A for said
control arm
10o position). FIG. 12B (4) is also the mechanical assembly depicted and
described in
FIG. 11C and is a third configuration. This configuration establishes the
bristles 1d' in
the rotational setting of fully retracted into the brush barrel. This setting
is achieved by
pushing the control arm 10o to the farthest backward position (See FIG. 10A
for said
control arm 10o position). Other settings between the three described thus far
are also
possible, for instance; pushing the control arm 10o to a position half way
between
center and fully forward will allow the user to employ spinning bristles of
half the length
of the fully extended position. Furthermore, a control arm 10o position of
halfway
between center and fully backward will provide spinning bristles that are
longer one side
of the spinning barrel and shorter on the other side, and so on.
FIG. 12C is a perspective depiction of the central telescopic rod assembly.
This
assembly corresponds to the assemblies depicted and described in FIGS. 12A (1
¨4)
and FIGS. 12B (1 ¨4) and is a reference intended to aid in the description of
the
progression of mechanical configuration depicted in FIGS. 12A (1 ¨4) and FIGS.
12B
(1 ¨ 4).
As stated above, FIG. 12A (1) depicts the position of parts as they are
configured
with the control arm 10o in the central position with the bristle spans 2a'
fully extended.
(See FIG. 10A for control arm 10o position). As the control arm 10o is pushed
forward,
the parts configuration of FIG. 12A (1-4) occurs,
The following is a description of the prerequisite mechanical interactions
responsible for the change in the parts configuration between FIG. 12A (1) and
FIG.
12A (2). As described earlier (Refer also to FIGS. 7A - 7C and FIGS. 10A and
10B),
the thread pin 7d is fixed into the thread pin seat 7f of the bracket
stabilizer rod 7a. The
tread pin 7d then extends outward from the bracket stabilizer rod 7a and into
the thread
7c located on the bracket actuator rod 7b. Now, as the bracket stabilizer rod
7a moves
forward within the bracket actuator rod 7b, the thread pin 7d pushes forward
against the
front wall of the worm gear thread 7c. While this occurs, the bracket
stabilizer rod 7a is
24
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
prevented from rotating inside the bracket actuator rod lb as the bracket
stabilizer rod
recess 7e is sandwiched between the two (2) sections of the control arm 10o
(See FIG.
10A for control arm 10o position). Now, as the thread pin 7d pushes against
the inside
front edge of the worm gear thread 7c, and as the bracket stabilizer rod 7a is
prevented
from rotating, the bracket actuator rod 7b begins to rotate. As the bracket
actuator rod
713 rotates while the bracket stabilizer rod 7a moves non ¨ rotationally
forward within the
bracket actuator rod 7b, the front and rear stabilizer disc sheath teeth 8g
are engaged
with the front and rear stabilizer rod tooth channels 8h of the bracket
stabilizer rod 7a
(see also FIG. 11C). This prevents the front and rear bracket stabilizer
sheaths 8a and
8c as well as the front and rear bracket stabilizer discs 8b and 8d from
rotating (see
also FIG. 11A). Concurrently, the front and rear worm disc sheath teeth 9f are
engaged
with the front and rear actuator rod notches 9g (see also FIGS. (9C and 11C).
This
causes the front and rear worm disc sheaths 9a - 9d and the front and rear
worm discs
9b - 9c to rotate (see also FIG. 11B).
(Continuing with FIG. 12A (2)) It has, therefore, been established that the
front
and rear bracket stabilizer discs FIG. 11A, 8b - 8d do not rotate, while the
front and rear
worm discs FIG. 11B, 9b - 9c rotate counter clockwise when the control arm 10o
is
pushed forward (see FIG. 10A - 10B). Thus established, notice in FIG. 12A (2)
the slide
bracket pins 8j (bold black dots) as well as the slide brackets 6c attached to
said pins 8j
begin to slide inward along the bracket slide channels 81 as said pins 8j and
brackets 6c
are simultaneously pushed along by the worm disc thread channels 9e. As this
occurs,
the retraction springs (dashed line) 6a are also coiling inward as said spring
is
positioned within said brackets fic. Furthermore, (see FIGS. 6A and 6B for the
following) as the bristle span channels 51 are engaged with the retraction
spring 6a, the
bristle spans 2a also begin to move inward.
FIG. 12A (3) is a continuation of the mechanical motions described above in
FIG.
12A (2). Notice how the brackets 6c and retraction springs (dashed line
circle) 6a have
assumed the off¨center position relative to the perforated tube 10a. Also,
notice the
interaction of the worm channels 9e and bracket slide channels 81 as said
channels
interact simultaneously to move the brackets 6c to the depicted position.
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
FIG. 12A (4) depicts another mechanical interaction of note. Notice the thread
channel lever 9j. This feature acts as a channel switch that guides the slide
bracket pins
8j along the appropriate worm thread channel 9e. FIG. 12A (4) depicts said
lever in the
counter-clockwise position. This position ensures that the slide bracket pin
8j adjacent
to said lever 9j follows the same worm channel 9e through the reverse of the
heretofore
described mechanical interactions. Said reversal is actuated by the control
arm being
returned to the central position. Said return will re-establish the mechanisms
to the
positions depicted in FIG. 12A (1). Notice in the series of depictions FIG.
12B (1 ¨ 4),
the same type of mechanical interactions occur in the present series as occurs
in the
series of depictions of FIG. 12A (1 ¨ 4). The difference lies in the movement
of the
control arm FIG. 10A1 10o to the backward position, therefore; 12B (1 ¨ 4)
follows the
mechanisms as the worm discs 9b - 9c rotate clockwise. As stated previously,
FIG. 12B
(1 ¨ 4) depicts the series of mechanical motions that allow all bristle spans
2a' to retract
into the perforated tube 10a. Notice in FIG. 12B (4), the thread channel lever
9j has
pivoted clockwise ensuring that the applicable bracket pin 8j is guided back
through the
same worm disc thread channel 9e on the return trip to the setting of FIG. 12B
(1).
It will also be necessary to describe a difference in the bristle guidance
means
between the embodiments of FIGS. 3A - 3C as well as FIG. 4 and the embodiment
described in FIGS. 10A ¨ 10B. As the bristle spans 2a of FIGS. 3A ¨ 3C and
FIG. 4 are
attached to the spine la and la (respectively), and as said spine and
perforated tube
assembly Ii rotate in tandem yet eccentrically to one another, the necessity
of pivoting
bristles Id' / bristle spans 2a and consequently, bristle guides 1 g and
spacer rings 1 h is
an effect of this arrangement.
Pivoting bristles Id' / bristle spans 2a', as well as bristle guides lg and
spacer
rings lh [or any other bristle guidance means described previously] are not
necessary
in the embodiment of FIGS. 10A and 10B. (See also FIG. 5A for the following)
Affectively, each bristle span 2a' is seated to accurately slide up and down
along each
pair of applicable slide channels 5d, one of said pair on each bristle flange
5a and 5b,
with each length and distal end of each bristle Id' always following a
straight path in
and out of each perforation lf of the perforated tube 10a, and as said tube is
fixed to the
bristle flanges 5a and 5b and furthermore, as said flanges are fixed to the
spine 5C.
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
This straight path traveled by each bristle span 2a up and down each pair of
slide
channels 5d [as the brush barrel rotates] is actuated by the relative position
of each
retraction spring 6a as each of said springs is engaged slideable along each
inside
perimeter edge to each bristle span channel 51, and as a bristle span channel
5i is
located on each end of each bristle span 2a'.
The mechanism described in connection with Figures 5A to 1213(4) that extends
and/or retracts the bristles in the bristle flanges is considered a means for
moving the
brush barrel and the bristle assembly such that in one mode, the brush barrel
rotates
with all of the bristles extending from the perforations, in a second mode,
the brush
barrel rotates with the bristles continually extending over one side of the
rotating brush
barrel while bristles on the other side of the rotating brush barrel
continually retract, and
in a third mode, the bristles are fully retracted such that the bristles do
not extend from
the rotating brush barrel during rotation thereof.
Another iteration may be assembled employing a perforated tube that is
flexible
and is arranged with the previously described or later described mechanical
assemblies
producing a spinning 'oblong' or crescent shaped brush barrel with two wider
flat sides
and two narrow rounded sides. Said barrel rotates in a manner that resembles
the belt
on a belt sander or tracks on a military tank. We may refer to such an
arrangement as a
'spinning paddle brush'. May it suffice to describe this preferred embodiment
in text
only.
A preferred design will find the bristles in the extending cycle on one flat
side and
in the retracting cycle on the opposite flat side as well as both rounded
narrow sides as
the brush barrel rotates. This embodiment provides an additional styling
choice of
forming the hair into a straighter appearance than the previous round brush
iterations.
Another important benefit that is derived from the present embodiment lies in
the
decreased probability of hair wrapping around the entire perimeter of the
brush barrel.
Consider the present 'belt' type barrel combined with the mechanical
arrangement of FIG. 4 or FIG. 14A yielding the present iteration: a rotating
belt type
oblong brush barrel with bristles that are in the extending cycle on one flat
side only.
Also, incorporated into said arrangement, is a perforated belt tube preferably
composed
of a tough flexible fabric or silicone rubber with a perhaps Teflon fabric or
other low
27
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
friction or slippery outer layer or coating that prevents hair from sticking
to the belt type
barrel.
As an operator is holding the rotating paddle brush by the handle, the
operator
drapes a section of hair over the barrel. With the hair draped over barrel,
the flat side of
the barrel with the bristles in the extending cycle are facing upward with the
hair
enmeshed with the bristles. The barrel is rotating so that the top bristled
side is
conveying away from scalp. This allows the bristles to release the hair at the
point
where the hair begins to drape over the outside rounded side of the barrel.
So, the
prevention of tangling of hair all the way around the perimeter of the present
brush type
begins at the top of the first rounded side of the barrel. To become wrapped
around the
barrel beyond this point, the already released hair will need to bend upward
90 degrees
from the draped position and become stuck to the slippery, flat, wide [albeit
rotating] and
bristleless bottom side of the brush barrel. This is unlikely. Continuing this
unlikely
process of tangling, the hair that is stuck to the bottom will need to perform
an even
more unlikely maneuver by somehow continuing to be stuck to the equally
slippery and
bristleless inside rounded side of the brush barrel.
The following are descriptions of the various iterations of the inventive
round
brush in use. An operator may use the brushes, whether on her own hair or
another
person's hair, by clipping most of the hair to the top of the head thereby
leaving a
workable section at the nape of the neck. The operator may brush that section
and then
drop successive sections as the operator brushes from the nape up to the top
of the
head. The operator may also simply grab sections of hair while it is all in
natural fall and
allow the hair unintended for brushing at that moment to simply separate
around the
intended section and begin brushing. Once a section has been chosen, the
operator will
lay the section on top of the brush and switch on the brush to spin or
manually spin the
brush in the direction of spin that finds the top of the brush [with the
bristles extending]
spinning away from the head. As the brush is spinning the bristles through the
hair at
the top of the brush, the operator may hold the brush in the present 'bristles
up' position
and polish the section of hair smooth by moving the brush back and forth away
from
and toward the head thereby polishing the hair root to end until the operator
is satisfied
with the result. With all but one of the iterations described, the operator
will simply
28
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
continue through successive sections in the above-described manner until
completion.
The brush of FIG. 10A and 10B may be used as just described, but while the
operator is
still in polishing mode, the operator may draw the brush away from the head
until the
operator arrives at the ends of the hair and, while the brush is still
spinning in place, the
operator may switch the mode of the brush to 'all bristles out' and wind the
section of
hair to the scalp and switch the rotation off as the barrel of the brush nears
the scalp.
The operator may allow the brush to remain wound at the scalp for a period of
time to
allow the heat to work on the hair thereby causing the section to become wavy.
Once
the operator is satisfied with the amount of time that the section is wound,
the operator
will switch the mode of the brush once again, this time to 'all bristles in'.
This completely
releases the now wavy section of hair and the operator may repeat the entire
process.
Other techniques for using the several embodiments of the inventive round
brush may
also be employed.
The following describes another iteration of the present invention that
possesses
yet another detangling feature that is employed along with the retractable
bristle feature,
rendering another novel hair styling appliance. Said feature addresses an
issue that
arises when any one of the previously described embodiments of the retractable
bristle
spinning round brush, that do not include the counter-rotating rod feature
described
below, encounters when this type of spinning brush is used on wet or damp
hair.
Although the retractable bristles of said embodiment catch and release the wet
or damp
hair, the hair that is wet due to water, or other fluids commonly used in
hair, sticks to the
outside surface of the barrel that the bristles retract into. This issue may
be remedied by
employing one or more of the many non-stick or hydrophobic coatings. The
following
describes a mechanical solution to wet hair stickiness including the
stickiness caused
by the electro static attractiveness inherent in water and other fluids. The
embodiment
of the present invention that mechanically addresses said issue is referred to
as the
counter-rotating rod type rotating barrel. The barrel of the present
embodiment may also
be coated with the above stated types of coatings. Any known types of non-
stick
coating can be used, e.g., PTFE or the like.
As seen in FIG. 13A, the present embodiment utilizes a plurality of preferably
(but not limited to) round or cylinder-shaped rods 13a. A gear 13b is molded
into one
29
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
end of each rod 13a. Each rod in said plurality of geared rods is positioned
closely
parallel to one another and arranged into a cylinder 13c. This cylinder of
geared rods is
sandwiched at either end between two (2) rod and bristle flanges 13d. Circular
openings
13e are arranged equidistant to one another around the circumference of each
rod and
bristle flange 13d; each opening 13e serves as a pivotal seat for each rod
end. A bristle
span slide channel 13f is positioned between each rod seat 13e and each rod
and
bristle flange 13d is fixed to each end of a spine 13g. This arrangement of
rods 13a,
flanges 13d, and spine 13g forms the rod type brush barrel 13h. As seen in
FIGS. 13B
and 14A, the barrel 13h is appropriately joined to the handle/chassis 13k, and
each rod
gear 13b of the cylinder of geared rods 13c engages with a single internal
gear 13i
positioned fixed or molded into the barrel receiving end of the handle/chassis
13k. The
channel rail 13j (described later in this disclosure) is omitted from FIG. 13B
as this
provides a clearer view of the placement of the internal gear 131.
(See FIGS. 13B and 13C for the following). As the rod barrel 13h is joined to
the
handle/chassis 13k and is set to spin, the present mechanical rod barrel 13h
mechanical arrangement causes the rod barrel 13h to rotate in one direction
while each
rod 13a, in the cylinder of geared rods 13c, rotates in the opposite direction
at the same
rate as the rotation rate of the rod barrel 13h, no matter what rate the
barrel 13h is
spinning. This action causes the hair that would otherwise stick to the
individual rods
13a to be rolled away from each rod 13a in the opposite direction that the
barrel 13h is
spinning.
Alternatively, the individual barrel rods 13a may be arranged to release the
hair
or other material by creating a free spinning rod embodiment. This is achieved
by
eliminating the rod gear 13b and internal gear 13i aspects of the mechanical
arrangement described above. The hair will attempt to stick to the barrel 13h
and the
free spinning rods 13a will simply roll in the opposite direction. In this
embodiment, in
place of rotating the rods that are geared to spin in the opposite direction
as the rotation
direction of the rod barrel, means are provided to allow the rods to spin
freely during rod
barrel rotation.
The retractable bristle span mechanical arrangement described previously is
likewise arranged into the present rod barrel arrangement. The previous FIG.
8A
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
iteration employs a pair of retractable springs 6a as rails for each of the
bristle span
channels 51 to engage with and rotate upon. These round retractable springs 6a
are part
of the mechanical means that allows an operator to move the bristles through
three (3)
primary bristle positions; however, each of the bristle span channels 51, of
the present
iteration, rotates upon a pair of fixed oval channel rails 13j (see FIGS. 13C
and 14A, for
the placement of the bristle span channels 51 relative to the fixed oval
channel rail 13j).
As compared to the two (2) round retractable spring type channel rails 6a
shown in FIG.
8A, these oval shaped channel rails 13j reduce the number of bristle spans 2a'
that
cycle through the 'bristles extended' position as the bristle spans 2a' cycle
in and out of
the barrel 13h. This reduces the risk of hair 14b becoming wrapped all the way
around
the barrel 13h as there are fewer bristle spans 2a' in the extended position
at the top of
the barrel 13h and engaging with the hair 14b as the barrel spins (see FIG.
14A). Note:
the position of the hair 14b as it is appropriately draped over the barrel 13h
(as seen in
FIG. 14A) is the same position hair 14b will be draped over any barrel of any
embodiment of the retractable bristle rotating barrel brush described in this
disclosure
(although said position will be mirrored when the barrel is set to spin in the
opposite
direction).
As seen in FIG. 13C, the bristle span channels 51, along with the bristle
spans
2a' that said channels 51 are fixed upon at either end of each of said spans,
move within
the guidance of two (2) types of structures simultaneously. These two types of
(2)
structures are the slide channels 13f (of the rod and bristle flanges F1G.13A,
13d) and
the channel rails 13j. These channel rails 13j are alternatively the
retractable springs 6a
in the FIG. 6B embodiment. The slide channels 13f rotate (as the barrel 13h
rotates)
while the two (2) channel rails 13j remain stationary. This arrangement causes
the
bristle spans 2a' and therefore, the bristle span channels 51 to travel up and
down the
slide channels 13f as the bristle span channels 5i are simultaneously engaged
with and
travel around the channel rails 13j.
May it suffice to say, and without further need for illustration, that the
brush
iteration FIG. 14A and brush iteration of FIGS. 10A and 10B may simply
exchange each
barrel for each body, spine and bristle actuating mechanical arrangement of
one
another thereby rendering two more iterations of the retractable bristle
rotating barrel
31
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
brush. One of these embodiments is a counter-rotating rod type spinning barrel
13h of
FIG. 14A incorporated into the three (3) bristle position spine mechanical
arrangement
of the FIGS. 10A and 10B handle/chassis 10b. The other embodiment is the
perforated type barrel 4a5 of FIGS. 10A and 10B incorporated into the fixed
oval
channel rail mechanical arrangement of the FIG. 14A handle/ chassis 13k.
The present embodiment of FIG. 14A utilizes twelve (12) counter-rotating rods
13a and twelve (12) bristle spans 2a'. Other iterations of the present
embodiment may
be arranged by changing the number of counter-rotating rods 13a and bristle
spans
2a'utilized per iteration. These alternative embodiments may feature three (3)
or more
counter rotating rods 13a and bristle spans 2a'. FIG. 14B depicts an
embodiment that
utilizes four counter-rotating rods 13a' and four bristle spans 2a'. FIG. 14C
depicts a
gear end view of a rod barrel that utilizes six (6) rods 13a' and six (6)
bristle spans 2a'.
FIG. 14B utilizes a FIG. 14A type bristle span 2a that has been changed to a
bristle bundle span 14a rather than the spaced individual bristles of the 2a'
bristle span.
Any embodiment of the spinning brush described herein may substitute the
individual
bristles for the bristle bundles or any of the wide variety of, or combination
of the variety
of bristles that are presently used in the various brushes that are available
for purchase.
Other simple modifications may also be included to each embodiment. For
instance, the
previously described FIG. 2A- 10B embodiments, may substitute the 12 rows of
individual perforations for 12 open longitudinal channels, being approximately
the same
lateral dimension but would be one (1) continuous longitudinal opening that
will be
closed only at the distal and proximal ends of the tube barrel. The internal
bristle rings
FIG. 3B, lh or the like may also be removed from the FIGS. 2A - 4. The barrel
tube 10a
of the FIGS. 5A - 10B embodiment will need to include the lg bristle guide
feature of
the FIGS. 2A -4 embodiments. Said open channel type perforations will appear
and
function very much like the openings between the rods of the rod type barrel
described
in the FIG. 13A - 14A embodiment, although with fixed rather than spinning
rods.
The number of bristle spans as well as the coincident number of perforation
rows
in the FIG. 2A - 10B embodiments may vary through simple alteration of the
related
mechanisms to render more embodiment options that actuate 3 or more bristle
spans
and barrel perforations.
32
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
Any embodiment of the counter rotating rod type brush barrel may substitute
solid rods or solid heated rods for tubes and said tubes may include
perforations that
allow hot air to move through.
Another iteration of the present invention involves a novel type of curling
iron.
The rendering of such an iteration, as in the preferred embodiment of FIG.
15A,
involves the removal of the bristle spans 14a of FIG. 14B and related
mechanical
aspects along with the elimination of the slide channels 13? from the rod and
bristle
flanges 13d' and the relocation of what is now the outside rod flange 15a to a
position
closer to the opposite rod flange 15a and handle 15b. FIG. 15A depicts a multi-
rod
barrel 15d that consists for four (4) counter rotating rods 15c. Other curling
iron
embodiments may utilize two (2) or more counter-rotating rods 15c. FIG. 15B is
a gear
end view of a two (2) rod 15c' multi-rod barrel 15d' arrangement.
The novelties of the present curling iron embodiment manifest as the
opportunity
to regulate the heat administered to the hair 14b (or other material where
said
regulation is ideal) that is wrapped around the FIG. 15A multi-rod barrel 15d.
This
regulation of heat presents as a more even distribution of heat throughout the
wrapped
ribbon of hair 14b. Said opportunity arises in two (2) manners. Manner one (1)
presents
the opportunity to simultaneously prevent mechanical winding of the hair 14b
or material
wrapped around the outside of this collective rod arrangement while keeping
said hair
14b moving on the multi-rod. Manner two (2) presents the opportunity to pulse
heat into
the hair 14b or material wrapped around the multi-rod.
Manner one (1) is facilitated as the non-circular shape of the spinning multi-
rod
continually changes position beneath the wrapped hair 14b or material, e.g.,
FIG. 15A
depicts a preferred, but not limited to, four (4) rod arrangement forming
(from a barrel
end view) a spinning rounded square, or (from the perspective view of FIG.
15A) a
rectangular cuboid shape beneath the wrapped hair 14b or material. Such
continuous
movement may be expanded beyond the vertical motion of the overall wrapped
ribbon
of hair to include a continuous and subtle side to side lateral movement as
well as a
continuous separation of individual bundles and strands that comprise the
ribbon. This
lateral movement may be achieved by including various surface textures into
the shape
of each rod. FIG. 15C depicts a spiral, sharp peeked, bolt type thread surface
texture
33
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
covering the rod surface. When considering an even number of rods in the multi-
rod
configuration, such as the four (4) rod configuration of FIG. 15A, such a
threaded
texture may be preferably reversed on two (2) of the rods rendering a
configuration
where each rod will have a rod on either side of it with the thread spiraling
in the
opposite direction. As each individual rod of the multi-rod rotates in the
opposite
direction of the over-all spin of the multi-rod, some of the hair that is
wrapped around
the multi-rod will inevitably slide into the valleys of the thread texture. As
said slide
occurs, each thread pattern of each rod is rotating and moving the valley
occupying hair
toward one side. As each rod on either side of the presently observed rods are
threaded
in the opposite direction, the valley occupied hair of each of these rods will
be moving
sideways in the opposite direction as the centered rod. This balanced side to
side
movement of the hair will continually and finely separate and re-separate the
wrapped
hair as the hair cycles in and out of the threads.
FIG. 15D is another example of a surface texture depicted as a staggered
raised
stipple surface texture that will likewise achieve this lateral movement and
separation of
hair bundles and strands.
As the shape formed by the various number of barrels that may be included in
the multi- barrel rotates beneath the hair or other material that is wrapped
around the
barrel, the shape of the curl that the spinning barrel produces will be round
regardless of
the shape that is rotating, provided the barrel continues to rotate when the
hair is
released. Another curl shape option is to stop spinning the barrel and leave
the hair on
the non-rotating barrel for an increment of time or not rotate the barrel at
all.
Yet another implication of the inclusion of a surface texture onto each rod is
the
fact that any given cross section of any bundle or strand of hair that cycles
through
contact with the heated surface will do so partially surrounded by the heated
surface.
This affect is pronounced but not limited to the thread texture depicted in
FIG. 15C.
This instance causes the bundles of hair to continually re-separate and slide
into the
valleys formed by the threads. Said valleys constitute a multi-sided heating
surface.
Manner two (2) pulses heat into the wrapped hair or material while the multi-
rod
spins, as any given cross section of wrapped hair or material will not, during
any
considerable increment of time, be in continuous contact with any heated
surface of any
34
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
rod as the multi-rod spins beneath the wrapped hair or material. The rate of
intermittent
contact of the hair or material with a heated rod may be adjusted by changing
the
number of rods comprising the multi-rod and/or by adjusting the spinning speed
of the
multi-rod. Also, less that the total number of rods could be supplied with
heat. The
manner of heating could be any known type with forced air being a preferred
embodiment. Furthermore, less than the total number of rods may be supplied
with
cooling using one or more of the various types of refrigeration technology
presently
available, whether it be cold blown air or direct cooling of the various
materials that the
rods are formed from. Alternatively, some rods may be cooled, and some not,
with
perhaps some that are neither heated or cooled.
FIGS. 13A - 13C illustrate a means for rotating the rod barrel in one
direction and
rotating the individual rods in the opposite direction to avoid the tangling
problem
disclosed above. These Figures also show the means to move the bristles in and
out of
the spaces between the rods, similar to the other embodiments disclosed above
that
move the bristles in and out of the perforations on the barrel. FIGS. 15A D
illustrate
means for rotating the rods collectively in one direction while rotating each
rod
separately in a direction opposite the one direction and without the bristles
and means
to move them with respect to the barrel.
As with the embodiments described in connection with Figures 1 - 12C, while
hair
is a preferred material for engagement with a bristle-containing device for
the
embodiments of Figures 13A - 15C, any material that would need manipulation
and/or
treatment using the rod and bristles embodiment or the rotating rod device
without
bristles is a candidate for use with the inventive devices.
While human hair is an ideal candidate to use with the various embodiments of
the invention, the inventive devices could also be used on animal hair, e.g.,
grooming a
horse's tail, grooming long haired dogs and cats, and the like.
Figure 16A describes a unique type of hair clip that is incorporated into the
front
of the handle/chassis section of the multi-barrel spinning curling iron and is
manipulated
by the operators thumb for the purpose of clamping hair against one or more of
the
individual rods of the multi-barrel of the curling iron. More than one unique
clip may be
incorporated into a multi-barrel curling iron arrangement.
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
Commonly, a spring-loaded hinge type clip is incorporated into curling irons.
The
clip mechanism is usually hinged at the front of the handle with the hair
clipping section
extending forward and away from the handle, and over the majority of the
barrel with the
clip lifting (button) section of the clip mechanism extending back a short
distance over
the handle. This type of clip remains over the barrel whether it is engaged
with the
barrel with hair in between or not. Also, a preferred clip mechanism will
rotate with the
barrel when said clip is engaged with the hair on the multi-iron or when the
clip is not
engaged. A standard clip lacks the functionality to fulfill either of these
preferred
requirements.
FIGS. 16A - C describes a preferred hair clip arrangement that is ideal for
the
multi-rod iron embodiment. The present clip embodiment may be incorporated
into any
type of curling iron that is presently available.
Rather than a hinge type clip, the present multi-rod iron iteration (as seen
in
FIG.16A) employs a clip body 16b that slides into and out of the distal front
edge of the
barrel mechanism section 16c handle/chassis 15b. Said clip body latitudinally
conforms
closely to the shape of the surface of a single multi-barrel rod. It will be
necessary for
the clip body 16b to retract entirely into said handle chassis section 16c.
As seen in FIG. 16A and 16B, and while the multi-barrel is not spinning, the
operator engages the clip body 16b by urging forward on the slide button 16d
with the
thumb. (See FIG. 16B for the following) As the clip body tabs 16e are seated
within the
clip ring 16f along the clip ring tab channel 16g, the clip body slides
forward against a
single multi-barrel rod 15c while the bottom surface of the length of the clip
body 16b
remains in contact with the outside surface of the rod 15c. As the operator
continues to
urge forward against the slide button 16d, the operator will feel a click as
the raised
catch 16h that is located on the top surface of the slide button ring arm 16i
slides
beyond the catch mate located on the inside surface of the barrel mechanism
section
16c of the outer casing 16j. (It is necessary to imagine the location of the
'catch mate'
as the section of outer casing 16j that features said catch mate is not shown
in FIG.
16A, as showing this section of the casing would obstruct the view of the
internal
mechanisms.) Continuing to urge forward on the slide button 16d beyond the
click of the
catch 16h causes the front of the clip body 16b to lift away at an angle from
the multi-
36
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
barrel rod 15c. (See FIG. 16C for the lifting of the clip body 16b.) This
occurs as the clip
body tabs 16e are attached to the clip body 16b at a forward angle. As the
operator
continues to urge forward on the slide button 16d, this forward angle
placement of the
tabs 16e causes the top front edge of each tab 16e to contact the front inside
surface
clip ring tab channel 16g first. Further urging will bring the bottom front of
each tab 16e
into contact with the front inside surface of the clip ring tab channel 16g as
well, causing
the clip body 16b to lift away from the multi barrel rod 15c at a forward
angle. The clip
ring tab channel 16g is wide enough to accommodate said slight pivoting action
of the
clip body tabs 16e. This clip body 16b lifting action (see FIG. 16C) allows
the operator
to place the ends or other section of hair between the clip body 16b and the
multi barrel
rod 15c. Once there is a section of hair 16a in place between the clip body
16b and rod
15c, the operator will release pressure on the slide button 16d and the clip
body 16b will
partially retract back into the barrel mechanism section 16c of the handle, by
the tension
of the clip spring 161, until the opposing surfaces of the two catches 16h
meet. This
sliding back of the clip body 16b to the catch 16h point causes the raised
portion 16k of
the top surface of the clip body 16b to contact the front edge FIG. 16C, 16m
of the
barrel mechanism section 16c of the casing 16j. This causes the clip body 16b
to clamp
down onto the section of hair 16a.
As the clip body 16b is clamping down on the section of hair 16a, the operator
will press the button that causes the multi-barrel to spin. While the multi-
barrel is
spinning, the clip body 16b also spins as the clip body 16b remains clamped
down on
the hair 16a. (See FIG. 16C for the following.) This occurs as the clip body
16b is held
in place over the rod 15c as said clip body 16b occupies the clip allowance
channel 16n
that is recessed into the outside edge of the front rod flange 15a. The other
factor that
allows the clip body 16b to spin along with the multi-barrel is the fact that
the clip body
tabs 16e simply rotate around the inside circumference of the clip ring tab
channel 16g
as the raised portion 16k of the clip body 16b remains in contact with the
front edge
16m of the barrel mechanism section 16c of the casing 16j.
Concurrent to the above-described mechanical action, when the operator urges
forward on the slide button 16d, the internal gear 131' disengages from the
rod gears
37
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
13b' and rear rod flange 15a as the internal gear 131' is a fixed feature of
the clip ring
16f.
Now, as the rod gears 13b' are disengaged and the multi-rod barrel is spinning
with hair 16a clamped between a rod 15c and the clip body 16b, this
arrangement
presents as a novel multi-barrel hair auto-winding feature. Once the hair 16a
is
sufficiently wound around the multi-barrel, the operator simply presses down
on the
slide button 16d thereby disengaging the mated catches 16h. Following this
action, the
slide ring 16f slides back into the resting position (due to the tension of
the clip spring
161) with the clip body 16b retracted and the rod gears re-engaged 13b with
the internal
gear 131'. The operator may press the multi barrel rotation button again and
the barrel
will spin under the wound hair without further winding the hair and the
controlled and
more evenly distributed heat will be administered to the wound hair. Once this
operation
is complete, the operator simply slides the hair forward on the barrel thereby
completely
releasing the hair from the spinning multi-barrel curling iron.
In Summary, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A - C is an example of the
addition of the slide clip to the multi-rod embodiment, wherein the clip body
of the slide
clip holds hair or other material to one of the rods for material winding
around the rods.
The mechanism describes a means that prevents rotation of the plurality of
rods when
the slide clip is extended, i.e., longitudinal movement of the internal gear
131' to
disengage the rods gears 13b' from the internal gear 131' while still
permitting the barrel
16c to rotate the plurality of rods together so as to wind hair or other
material around the
stationary rods, and then means to allow rotation of the plurality of rods
while the barrel
rotates by reengagement of the rods gears 13b' with the internal gear 13i' by
moving
the slide clip to its retracted position. The embodiment of FIGS. 16A - C also
shows a
means to pivotally move the slide clip between open and closed positions for
hair or
other material clamping. That is, with the specially configured clip body 16b
and its tabs
16e, slide button 16d, clip ring tab channel 16g, clip spring 161, catches
16h, and raised
portion 16k, the slide clip can be pivotally moved between the open position
where hair
or other material can be placed and the closed position, wherein the hair or
other
material is held in place for winding or other treatment.
38
CA 03193749 2023-03-02
WO 2022/051707 PCT/US2021/049218
The final feature to be presented is the multi-barrel joint cage FIG. 16C,
16o.
This feature prevents hair from sliding between the individual rods of the
multi-barrel.
Each leg 16p of the cage 16o is pivotally seated (not fixed) to each tip of
each multi-
barrel rod 15c. This pivotally seated arrangement allows the cage 16o to spin
with the
multi-barrel while allowing each rod 15c to rotate in the opposite direction
of the rotation
of the multi-barrel.
It should be understood that the modes shown for the embodiment using the
retaining spring, wherein the bristles can be all in, all out, or some in and
some out, can
be interchanged with the mode associated with the channel rail, wherein some
of the
bristles extend beyond the rods and some of the bristles are retracted or do
not extend
beyond the rods.
Any embodiment described herein may interchange or combine, rendering a
variety of different embodiments. Examples of such interchange have been
described
previously. Another example of such interchange is to combine any of the
retractable
bristle and embodiments of FIGS. 4A - 14B that are capable of both full or
partial bristle
extension and full retraction with the multi-barrel curling iron embodiments
of FIGS. 15A
- 16C. This example renders a hybrid rotating brush / multi-barrel rotating
curling iron
hair styling appliance.
39
