Patent Application
20120266483
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention is generally directed to hand-held hair dryers, and more particularly to a blow dryer with improved controls and control placement.
2. Description of Related Art
Most hand-held hair dryers or blow dryers generally have a body and a handle that extends from the body. The user holds the blow dryer by the handle and aims an outlet nozzle such that warm or hot air toward is directed toward the user's head to dry their hair. The various controls to operate the blow dryer are typically found on the forward or front facing surface of the handle. The blow dryer controls are typically configured in the form of one or more toggle switches or slide-type switches. A conventional slide or toggle-type switch has two or three discrete settings or positions selectable by the user. The user can turn the blower or fan motor on or off and can typically choose between at least a low speed and high speed fan or motor setting.
A number of blow dryers also have a control so that the user can choose between optional air temperature settings, such as between low and high heat settings, or between low, medium, and high, heat settings. In addition, some blow dryers have a “cool shot” button located on the handle as well. The cool shot button is also typically located on the handle, but sometimes at a position different from the main blow dryer control switches. A cool shot button can be pressed to turn off the heating element but not the fan motor, thus allowing a user to direct unheated or ambient air from the blow dryer.
It can be difficult for a user to hold or grasp the blow dryer by the handle and at the same time operate or adjust the various controls, i.e., the switches and/or buttons. This is because these various devices are located on the handle itself, often covered by the user's hand grasping or gripping the handle. Thus, a user must typically hold the body of the blow dryer with one hand while selecting the appropriate operation modes for the various controls and then re-grasp the handle for use. It is also possible, while using the blow dryer, to accidentally or inadvertently alter one or more of the settings of the blow dryer. This is because the user's hand may inadvertently contact one or more of the switches and/or buttons and change its setting unintentionally.
Manufacturers of hand-held hair dryers or blow dryers have attempted to improve ergonomics of the controls on such devices. In one example, a hair dryer has been produced that eliminates the handle altogether and requires the user to hold the body of the blow dryer like a football. Such a blow dryer has been found by many users to be difficult to hold and operate. This is partly because the blow dryer body with no handle is quite unconventional. The body may also be more expensive to manufacture because the body must be adequately insulated or heat-shielded so that the body does not become too hot to hold during use. In other examples, manufacturers offer blow dryers with handles having the controls placed at different locations on the handle, such as on the sides or the back surface of the handle. These solutions, however, have not provided ready and easy access to, and adjustment of, such controls.
Some manufacturers utilizing slide-type switches for one or both the fan motor control and the temperature control while other manufacturers utilize a toggle-type switch for one or both of these controls. However, regardless of the type of control, the switches are typically under or directly adjacent the hand of the user grasping the handle during use of the blow dryer. Thus, it is difficult for a user to adjust any of the settings of the blow dryer on the fly, i.e., while using the blow dryer or even while simply holding the blow dryer by the handle.
In addition, the typical controls with discrete setting positions provided on the blow dryer handle limit the number of setting options from which a user can choose. The typical blow dryer fan motor control may utilize a switch that allows for off, low, or high fan speed settings. The typical blow dryer with heat control may have a heat or temperature control switch that has, at most, a low, medium, and high heat setting. Thus, not including the off position, the typical blow dryer may allow for only six different heat and fan speed combinations selectable by the user.
In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a hand-held hair dryer has a body with an air intake and an outlet nozzle. A heating element is located within the body between the air intake and the outlet nozzle. A handle extends from the body and defines a hand grip. A temperature controller is positioned on a surface of the body and is configured to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature controller can lie essentially flush with or below a level of the surface of the body around the temperature controller. The temperature controller can be provided on either side surface of the body, or could alternatively be provided on a top or bottom of the body. Such positioning allows a user to access and adjust the temperature controller while grasping the handle of the hair dryer. The flush or recessed configuration of the temperature controller permits the body to be laid on a surface without altering the selected temperature controller position or damaging the temperature controller.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial that can be positioned on a side of the body and can have an outward facing surface.
In one example, the hair dryer can include a bezel that snaps into an opening in the body and surrounds the temperature controller.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial surrounded by a bezel and having an outward facing surface.
In one example, the temperature controller can include an opening through the surface of the body, a support element within and spanning a width of the opening, and a rotatable dial received in the opening and having a pivot stem extending through a hole in the support element.
On one example, the hair dryer can include a circuit board mounted to a support element and coupled to the heating element. The circuit board can be configured for controlling the temperature of the heating element according to a position of the temperature controller. In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial on a surface of the body.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial on a surface of the body and can have a pivot stem keyed to an opening in a variable resistance device coupled to a circuit board whereby rotation of the dial effects adjustment of the variable resistance device.
In one example, the temperature controller can include an opening through the surface of the body, a support element within and extending across the opening, a bezel snapped onto the surface of the body and surrounding the opening, and a rotatable dial surrounded by the bezel and having a central pivot stem extending through a hole in the support element, the dial rotatable about the pivot stem.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial that snaps into a bezel on the body.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial that has a pair of snap fingers that is received through and snaps onto a bezel on the body.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial with one or more projections, such as a pair of snap fingers that limit rotational travel of the dial between a minimum heat position defining a minimum temperature setting and a maximum heat position defining a maximum temperature setting.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial with one or more projections, such as snap fingers, wherein one or both of the projections abut against a stop at the minimum heat position and at the maximum heat position.
In one example, the hair dryer can include a temperature control circuit board mounted adjacent to a support element on the body and coupled to a pivot stem of a rotatable dial of the temperature controller.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial with a pivot stem that is keyed to an opening in a variable resistance device on a circuit board whereby rotation of the dial effects adjustment of the variable resistance device.
In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a hand-held hair dryer or blow dryer has a body with an air intake, an outlet nozzle, and a flow path therebetween. A fan motor and fan are located within the body and configured to draw air into the air intake, direct the air along the flow path, and force the air from the body through outlet nozzle. A heating element is located within the body between the air intake and the outlet nozzle. A handle extends from the body and defines a grip portion. A motor control switch can be positioned on the handle and configured to operate the fan motor. A temperature controller is located on a side surface of the body and is configured to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature controller can be provided on either side surface of the body. Such positioning allows a user to access and adjust the temperature controller while grasping the handle of the hair dryer.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial rotatable between a minimum heat position defining a minimum temperature setting and a maximum heat position defining a maximum temperature setting. The dial can be adjustable to any selected heat position and desired temperature setting therebetween.
In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial having an outward facing surface that lies flush with or below a level of the surface of the body around the dial.
In one example, a cool shot button can be positioned on the handle and spaced from the motor control switch.
In one example, a cool shot button can be positioned so as to be operable by one hand of a user grasping the grip portion of the handle, wherein the motor control switch can be positioned so as to be operable by the one hand grasping the grip portion, and wherein the temperature controller can be operable by the other hand of the user with the one hand grasping the grip portion.
In one example, the temperature controller can lie flush with or below a level of the surface of the body around the temperature controller.
Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
The disclosed hand-held hair dryer or blow dryer employs controls that solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known blow dryers. In one example, the disclosed blow dryer has a temperature controller in the form of a rotary dial on the side of the body for adjusting the temperature setting of the blow dryer. In one example, the temperature controller has an outward facing surface that is flush with or below a level of a surface of the body around the temperature controller. In one example, the disclosed blow dryer has a temperature controller that can be operated by one hand of a user while grasping the handle of and operating the blow dryer with their other hand. In one example, the disclosed blow dryer has a fan motor control positioned on the handle of the blow dryer and a temperature controller positioned on the body of the blow dryer. In one example, the temperature controller can be operated or adjusted by the user with one hand while their other hand grasps the handle of the blow dryer. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading this disclosure.
Turning now to the drawings,
The configuration and construction of the body 22 and handle 36 can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Many aspects of the shape and configuration of the body 22 in this example may be ornamental in nature and not necessarily tied to the function of the blow dryer, and particularly not tied to the function of the invention as disclosed herein. In addition, the materials utilized to fabricate the body 22 can also vary. In many cases, blow dryers of this type are formed of molded plastic or other such materials. Higher-end blow dryers may sometimes be formed of stainless steel, aluminum, or other more expensive materials. The blow dryer 20 disclosed and described herein is not intended to be limited to a specific body shape or configuration, or to specific materials to form the body.
In general, the blow dryer 20 has a fan speed control or fan motor control 40 provided on a front surface 42 of the handle 36. The motor control 40 in this example includes a slide switch 44 seated in a slot or pocket 46 in the handle 36. The motor control 40 can be provided having an off position, a low fan speed position, and a high fan speed position. Alternatively, the fan motor control 40 can be provided having more than two motor speed positions. The fan motor control 40 can be positioned along the handle 36 so that user's index finger or another finger can manipulate the switch 44 while the user's hand grasps the handle. Alternatively, the user can select the appropriate or desired fan speed using either hand, prior to grasping handle 36.
The blow dryer 20 in this example also has a cool shot button 50 positioned on a back surface 52 of the handle 36. The cool shot button 50 protrudes through the handle 36 and is positioned near the top of the handle near where the handle meets the bottom 26 of the body 22. The cool shot button 50 is best positioned on the handle 36 so that a user can depress the button, as explained below, during use of the blow dryer and while grasping the handle. The placement of the cool shot button 50 in this example is such that the user can depress the button with the thumb of the hand grasping the handle 36. The button 50 can be placed in alternate locations on the blow dryer 20, if desired. Alternatively, the cool shot button 50 may be optional and not provided as a part of the blow dryer 20.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the disclosed blow dryer 20 also has a temperature controller 60 positioned on the left side 38a of the body 22. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the temperature controller 60 can also be positioned on the right side 38b of the body, if desired. It is also possible that the temperature controller is positioned on the top 24 or the bottom 26 of the body 22 within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the disclosed example, the temperature controller 60 has a rotatable or rotary dial 62 with an outward facing or front surface 64. As described in greater detail below, the temperature controller 60 can be manipulated to adjust the air temperature produced by the blow dryer 20. The user can manipulate the temperature controller 60 with their free hand while their other hand grasps the handle of the blow dryer 20 during use. Thus, the user can adjust the temperature of air exiting the blow dryer on the fly as needed without having to release the handle or put down the blow dryer, as prior art blow dryers require.
A fan motor 74 is also disposed within the body 22 and in this example is positioned near the air intake 34 within the air flow path 70. A fan 76 is coupled to and driven by the fan motor 74 to draw air into the body through the air intake and force the air through and along the airflow path 70 toward the nozzle outlet 32. As used herein, the various terms describing the fan motor 74, fan 76, motor speed, and fan speed can refer generally to the fan and motor as a unit and how fast the fan rotates and how much air the fan moves. The fan 76 rotates faster and moves more air at higher speeds and rotates slower and moves less air at slower speeds, as is known in the art. The fan motor 74 and fan 76 are also not described in greater detail herein. Again, the configuration and construction of the fan motor 74 and fan 76 can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as long as the fan and motor are capable of moving air through the body 22 along the air flow path 70.
An exploded view of the temperature controller 60 is illustrated in
The temperature controller 60 in this example also has a bezel 104 that attaches to a surface of the body 22. In this example, the bezel 104 attaches to the left side 38 of the body 22 and surrounds an opening 105 in the body. The bezel 104 in this example is generally circular and has a cylindrical skirt or ring portion 106 and an annular flange portion 108. The annular flange portion 108 projects radially outward from one end of the skirt portion 106. The bezel 104 has an open center 110 with a diameter sized to receive the dial 64 therein. In a disclosed example, three catch legs 112 project rearward from the skirt portion 106 away from the flange portion 108. The three catch legs 112 are spaced apart equidistant from one another around the circumference of the bezel 104. As with the aforementioned snap fingers 100, each of the catch legs 112 also has an outward projecting catch tab 114 at a free end of the respective catch leg. A nub 116 protrudes rearward from a surface of the annular flange portion 108. A corresponding notch 118 is provided within the opening 105 in the body 22. When the bezel is installed on the body, the nub 116 aligns with and seats in the notch 118 to indicate proper orientation of the bezel 104 when attached to the body.
A cylindrical wall 120 extends rearward from the body 22 into and around the opening 105. In this example, three guide tracks or races 122 are recessed into the cylindrical wall 120 and coincide with the position of the respective catch legs 112 on the bezel 104. The guide tracks 122 assist in installing and properly aligning the bezel 104 in the opening 105 when installed.
In a disclosed example, a printed circuit board 124 is mounted to the blow dryer 20 on the interior of the body 22 and across the opening 105. In this example, the printed circuit board 124 is an elongate object with opposed ends. Each of the opposed ends has a fastener opening 126 formed therethrough for receiving a screw or fastener 128 to secure the printed circuit board to the body 22. A support bar 129 spans the width of the opening 105 and is connected to or formed as an integral part of the cylindrical wall 120 within the opening. In this example, the support bar 129 has a stepped out central region 130 formed with a stem hole 132 therethrough. The stem hole 132 defines the center of the opening 105 and is configured to receive the stem 92 of the dial 62 when the temperature controller 60 is assembled. The printed circuit board 124 in this example has a puck-shaped potentiometer or variable resistance device 134 mounted to the board. The variable resistance device 134 has a central receptacle or way 136 therein. The keyed portion 94 of the stem 92 is shaped to correspond with the shape of the receptacle or way 136. The key/way arrangement of the stem portion 94 and receptacle 136 remits the dial 62 to move internal components and vary resistance within the variable resistance device 134.
When assembled, the screws are fasteners 128 are inserted through the fastener openings 126 in the printed circuit board 124 and are secured in fastener receptacles 140 provided in the back edge 138 of the cylindrical wall 120. When assembled, the cylindrical proximal end 96 of the stem 92 lies within the stem hole 132 in the support bar 129. As noted above, the keyed free end 94 of the stem 92 is received in the way 136 in the variable resistance device 134. Rotation of the dial 62 will alter the resistance characteristics of the variable resistance device 134 to change the temperature setting of the heating element 72.
The dial 62 of the temperature controller 60 is rotated to adjust the temperature setting for the heating element 72 from a minimum, or even a no heat, setting to a maximum heat setting permitted by the heating element. Though not shown herein, markings can be provided both on the dial and on the body, either on the side 38a or the bezel 104, to indicate the relative positioning and thus the selected heat setting of the dial between these minimum and maximum settings. The variable resistance device 134 can be continuously variable so that any temperature setting can be selected by a user between the minimum and maximum settings, thus permitting essentially infinite temperature adjustment between the two settings. Alternatively, a finite selective resistance device can be provided allowing selection from among multiple discrete heat settings, depending on the position of the dial 62. However, use of the rotary dial 62 allows for a large number of selectable settings, such as 10 or more discrete, optional, heat settings. Combining this type of temperature controller 60 with the motor controller 40, and its two or three speed settings, allows the user a very large number of adjustment settings. The combined fan motor speed and heat settings can be configured to permit 40, 60, or even an infinite number of different selectable options, depending on the type of resistance device utilized.
In another aspect of the present invention, the dial 62 is positioned and installed in a manner such that the outward facing surface 64 is either flush with or below a level of the surface of the body 22 and bezel that surround the opening 105. The combination of the dial elevation and the shape of the bezel 104 results in the outward facing surface 64 of the dial being flush with or recessed relative to the surrounding portions of the blow dryer 20. In the disclosed example, the generally cylindrical shape of the body 22 results in the side 38a being curved, not flat. As a result, the bezel 104 also is not flat and instead is contoured to follow the shape of the side 38a. To achieve this, the annular flange portion 108 has an undulating or wave contour. Two opposed sides 150 of the flange are elevated so as to be angled or flared forward (see
One benefit achieved by this configuration of the temperature controller is that the dial is recessed relative to the body 22. Thus, the blow dryer 20 can be set or rested on a surface, and particularly can be set on the side 38a, without causing any damage to the temperature controller 60 and also without inadvertently readjusting the setting of the dial 62. Another benefit achieved from this configuration of the temperature controller 60 is that the user can easily locate the dial 62 and adjust the temperature setting without having to look at the temperature controller 60 during use of the blow dryer and without having to release their grip on the handle 36.
Though not shown or described in detail herein, any number of stops can be provided to positively limit the travel of the dial 62 of the temperature controller 60. The stops can be created to limit travel to the minimum temperature setting, and not beyond the minimum temperature setting in one direction of rotation of the dial. Likewise, the stops can be created to limit travel to a higher maximum temperature setting, and not beyond the maximum temperature setting in the opposite direction of rotation of the dial. The stops can be provided on the cylindrical wall 120, on the back edge of the bezel 104, and particularly the skirt portion 106 in this example, or the like. The stops can also be provided on the support bar 129. Such stops can be simple projections that interact with and contact the snap fingers 100 or other projection on the dial 62 when the dial is rotated (relative to the bezel 104 in this example or relative to the body 22). In another example, stops can be provided internal to the variable resistance device 134 so as to limit travel or rotation of the dial 62 in each rotation direction.
The temperature controller 60 can also be electrically connected to the heating element 72 via wire leads 154, shown schematically in
Details in the configuration and construction of the temperature controller 60 as described herein can vary within the spirit and scope of the present invention. How the dial 62 connects with the body 22 can vary. The bezel 104 can be eliminated or can be reconfigured to attach to the body in different ways. Likewise, the dial 62 can be reconfigured to attach either to the body 22 or to the bezel 104 in different ways other than the snap fingers 100 and catch legs 112 described herein. Likewise, details of the opening 105, including the cylindrical wall 120 and support bar 129, can also vary from the example shown and described herein.
Although certain blow dryer controls, components, arrangements, and methods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
