CORDLESS HAIR CURLING TOOL, METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SAME

Abstract

A cordless hair styling tool, method and system of same including a heated base unit, a plurality of hair rollers heated within the base unit, and a wand detachably engageable to the heated rollers. The rollers have an exterior surface, a clamping means mounted to the exterior surface for permitting clamping of the hair to be styled, and an interior cavity having a locking recess. The wand has a handle portion and an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion for detachably engaging with the locking recess of the roller. The wand has a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion for coupling with the clamping means. The wand has a releasing means for detaching the wand from the roller. A spring locking mechanism having a spring element is interposed between the clamping lever and clamping means for opening and closing the clamping means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to hair styling tools, and more particularly, to a cordless hair curling tool, method and system of same, which combines the benefits of hot rollers with the convenience of a curling iron.

2. Description of the Related Art

Millions of people use curling irons to style their hair. However, ordinary curling irons have many disadvantages including cords that get tangled and in the way. In addition, ordinary irons require being held in the hair for a long period of time (5-10 seconds) in order to provide longer lasting curls, which is time consuming when curling a large head of hair. It also causes a user's arms to become easily tired from holding the iron upwardly in place.

Marcel clamps are one improvement on conventional curling irons, but are known to cause burns to users because they are heavy and cumbersome and difficult to manipulate. Similarly, traditional hot rollers are difficult to apply and wrap around the hair and usually create an unattractive kink or bend at the end of the hair strand. They are also known for not getting hot enough to provide a long lasting curl, being heavy in the hair, and lacking an efficient integrated clamping mechanism to hold the hair in position.

The present invention is a cordless hair curling system, which combines the benefits of hot rollers with the convenience of a curling iron. The present invention seeks to resolve the disadvantages with the prior art as disclosed herein and includes using the tool of the present system to apply unique rollers to the hair.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and system for applying improved heated curling rollers to the hair via a unique cordless hair styling tool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair styling tool that includes a cordless wand and handle portion for eliminating the presence of tangled power cords.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cordless wand that is detachably engageable with the curling rollers for quickly and efficiently applying heated rollers to the hair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique method for engaging and disengaging the rollers from the wand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide curling rollers with an improved integrated clamping means for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a base unit having a plurality of receptacles for conveniently heating a plurality of curling rollers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the base unit with integrated means for conveniently transporting and storing the cordless wand and curling rollers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of curling strands of hair using heated curling rollers that remain in the hair for longer periods of time in order to provide curls that last all day long.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an entire head of hair with beautiful curls in half the time as traditional curling irons and/or hot rollers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for styling strands of hair from a root end to a free end is provided. The system includes a heated base unit and a plurality of hair rollers heated within the base unit. The rollers have an exterior surface, means mounted to the exterior surface for permitting clamping of hair to be styled, and an interior cavity having a locking recess. A wand is detachably engageable to the roller. The wand has a handle portion, an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion for engaging with the locking recess of the roller, a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion for coupling with the clamping means, and means for releasing the wand from the roller by disengaging the locking means.

The hair styling system may further include means for detachably engaging the clamping means of the hair roller with the clamping lever of the wand.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a hair styling system is provided having a plurality of rollers having an exterior diameter around which the hair is styled. The rollers have an opened first end having an interior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to the exterior diameter of the roller for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled. A cylindrical wand is detachably engageable with the hair roller. The wand has a handle portion for providing a surface for gripping the wand, an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion. The engaging member of the wand extends within the opened first end of the interior cavity of the roller for detachably engaging the wand to the roller.

The engaging member of the wand may further include an outwardly extending locking means for detachably securing within the locking recess of the roller.

The hair styling system may further include means for releasing the wand from the roller. The releasing means is in communication with the outwardly extending locking means for retracting and detracting the locking means when depressed.

The clamping means may include a receiving groove. The clamping lever of the wand detachably engages the receiving groove of the clamping means for allowing movement of the clamping means toward and away from the exterior diameter of the wand for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be styled.

The clamping means has raised sides engageable with the exterior diameter of the hair roller for gripping and holding hair against the exterior of the roller.

The hair styling system may further include a heating base unit having a plurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing the plurality of hair rollers in an upright position therein.

The hair styling system may further include means for receiving electrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to the heating base unit from the external source.

In accordance with an additional embodiment a hair styling system is provided having a plurality of cylindrical curling rollers having an exterior diameter around which the hair is curled. The curling rollers have an opened first end having an interior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to the exterior diameter of the roller having a receiving groove for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled. A cylindrical wand is detachably engageable with the curling roller. The wand has a handle portion for providing a surface for gripping the wand, an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion and having an elongated engaging portion. The locking recess of the roller is slightly larger than the interior diameter of the roller such that the engaging member of the wand extends within the opened first end of the interior cavity of the roller and detachably engages to the locking recess. The elongated engaging portion of the clamping lever is detachably engageable to the receiving groove of the clamping means for allowing movement of the clamping means toward and away from the exterior diameter of the wand for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled.

The engaging member of the wand may further include a retractable locking means having outwardly extending opposed members for detachably securing to the locking recess of the curling roller.

The hair styling system may further include means for releasing the wand from the curling roller, wherein the releasing means is in communication with the retractable locking means for retracting and detracting the opposed members when depressed.

The clamping means may have raised sides engageable with the exterior diameter of the curling roller for gripping and holding the hair about the exterior of the curling roller.

The clamping means of the curling roller may alternate between an opened and a closed position. The clamping lever further includes a spring locking means having a spring element for biasing the clamping means in the closed position when the wand and the roller are coupled together.

The clamping lever is depressed toward the handle portion to engage the spring element of the spring locking means and move the clamping means away from the exterior diameter of the curling roller toward the opened position when the wand and the curling roller are coupled together.

The hair styling system may further include a heated base unit having a plurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing the plurality of curling rollers in an upright position therein.

The hair styling system may further include means for receiving electrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to the heating base from the external source.

In accordance with an additional embodiment a method of curling strands of hair from a root end to a free end using a hair styling system is provided. The system includes a heated base unit, a plurality of hair rollers having an exterior diameter, an opened end, a clamping means mounted to the exterior diameter, and a wand having a handle portion, an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion, a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion, and a release button. The steps comprise heating the plurality of hair rollers stored in individual receptacles within the heated base unit.

Gripping the handle portion of the wand and inserting the engaging member within the opened end of one heated hair roller. Detachably engaging the engaging member within the hair roller and the clamping lever to the clamping means. Opening the clamping means by depressing the clamping lever on the handle portion toward the wand. Inserting a strand of hair near the root end between the clamping means and the exterior diameter of the hair roller. Closing the clamping means by releasing the clamping lever and allowing the clamping means to grip the strand of hair. Winding the strand of hair around the hair roller from the root end to the free end. Releasing the wand from the hair roller by depressing the release button. The method of curling strands of hair may further include repeating the above steps on each strand of hair to be styled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a cordless hair styling tool, method and system of same as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cordless hair styling tool showing a wand and curling roller co-axially attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cordless hair styling tool of FIG. 1 showing the wand removed from the curling roller;

FIG. 3A is top perspective view of the curling roller of the present invention showing the clamping means;

FIG. 3B is bottom perspective view of the curling roller of the present invention showing the interior cavity;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the curling roller of the present invention taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is bottom plan view of the curling roller showing the interior cavity and receiving groove;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing a clamping lever having an elongated engaging portion;

FIG. 4B is a side plan view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing the clamping lever;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing the retractable locking means having outwardly extending opposed members;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing a spring locking mechanism for opening and closing the clamping means by depressing and releasing the clamping lever;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a base unit of the system of the present invention, showing a plurality of hair curling receptacles for matingly storing and receiving curling rollers;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base unit of the system of the present invention showing a receiving compartment for storing the wand therein;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the hair styling tool of FIG. 1 showing the preferred method for styling a strand of hair by accepting the strand between the curling roller and clamping means; and

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the hair styling tool of FIG. 1 showing the curling roller in position for curling a strand of hair after the wand has been removed from the curling roller.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only.

Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 is directed to a cordless hair styling tool 10, method and system of the same. The cordless hair styling tool 10 is designed to combine the benefit of hot rollers with the convenience of a cordless curling or styling iron to provide waving or curling effects to the hair. In its broadest context, the hair styling tool 10 includes a cordless cylindrical wand 12 removably attached co-axially to a curling roller 40.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the cordless cylindrical wand 12 having a handle portion 14, preferably covered with neoprene, for providing a cool surface 16 for gripping the wand 12. The wand 12 includes an engaging member 18 extending co-axially from the handle portion 14. The engaging member 18 includes an exterior diameter 20 and a retractable locking means 22. In the preferred embodiment, the retractable locking means 22 includes a pair of opposed members 24 that extend outwardly from the engaging member 18. The wand 12 includes a clamping lever 30 pivotally connected by a spring locking mechanism 34 to the handle portion 14 and an elongated engaging portion 32.

The cordless hair styling tool 10 includes a plurality of cylindrical curling rollers 40, preferably one and one-half inches in diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the rollers 40 include a tubular body 42 having an exterior surface diameter 44 around which the hair is curled and a hollow interior cavity 43 having an interior diameter 45 and a locking recess 47 for engaging with the retractable locking mechanism 22. Alternative roller embodiments, aside from the preferred tubular embodiment present herein, are contemplated for producing unique designs, spirals, kinks, weaves, curls and other effects to the hair.

Referring to FIG. 2, the engaging member 18 of the wand 12 is inserted into the roller 40 and locked in position when the opposed members 24 of the retractable locking means 22 engage with the locking recess 47 of the roller 40. A release button means 50, preferably a push button, is coupled to the exterior of the wand 12 and in communication with the retractable locking means 22 for retracting and detracting the opposed member 24 when depressed. Preferably, the pair of opposed members 24 are held within the engaging member 18 when the push button 50 is not depressed so that the engaging member 18 of the wand can be easily inserted into the roller 40. After insertion, the push button 50 is depressed causing the opposed members 24 to extend outwardly from the engaging member 18 to matingly secure within the locking recess 47 of the tubular body 42 of the interior cavity 43 of the roller 40. To remove the wand 12 from the roller 40 the push button 50 is selectively depressed causing the opposed members 24 to retract into the engaging member 18. This allows the engaging member 18 of the wand 12 to be removed from the interior cavity 43 of the roller 40.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the tubular body 42 includes an open first end 42A and a closed second end 42B. The tubular body 42 includes an elongated clamping means 46, preferably a hair clamp, mounted to the exterior of the tubular body 42. The hair clamp 46 includes means 52 for detachably engaging the roller to the elongated engaging portion 32 of the clamping lever 30 of the wand 12. Preferably, the means includes a receiving groove 52 extending within the tubular body 42 for accepting the elongated engaging portion 32 therein. The hair clamp 46 alternates between a biased or closed position 46A resting adjacent the exterior surface diameter 44, shown in FIG. 7B, and an opened position 46B inclined away from the exterior surface diameter 44, shown in FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, the spring locking mechanism 34 is interposed between the hair clamp 46 and clamping lever 30. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism 34 may include a spring element 35 positionable underneath the clamping lever 30. When the elongated portion 32 of the clamping lever 30 is engageable with the receiving groove 52 of the roller 40, the spring locking mechanism 34 biases the hair clamp 46 in a resting or closed position 46A, shown in FIG. 1. When the clamping lever 30 is depressed toward the handle portion 14 of the wand 12, the spring element 35 of the spring locking mechanism 34 is engaged to move the hair clamp 46 away from the exterior diameter 42 of the roller 40 toward the opened position 46B. When the clamping lever 30 of the wand 12 is released, the spring element 35 of the spring locking mechanism 34 is disengaged to release the hair clamp 46 to the closed position 46A for holding the hair within the roller 40.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the system of the present invention includes a base unit 60 having a plurality of equally spaced receptacles 62 for conveniently heating curling rollers therein. Preferably, twelve equally spaced receptacles are present. The receptacles are for matingly receiving and storing the plurality of curling rollers 40 therein. Each is stored in an upright position within the receptacle. The base unit 60 includes a means 64 for receiving electrical power from an external source, which preferably includes an electrical receptacle 66 for receiving a plug means 68 therein for delivering power to the heating base unit from the external source. The base unit 60 includes a clear cover 70, a power button 72 for actuating the electrical power and a storage compartment 74. The storage compartment 74 is a compartment for matingly receiving and storing the wand 12 therein while not in use.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the preferred method of curling strands of hair 80 from a root end 80A to a free end 80B using the hair styling tool 10. First, a stylist heats the plurality of curling rollers 40 stored in individual receptacles within the heated base unit 60 by depressing the power button 72 and turning the power on. Once the rollers 40 are heated, the stylist removes the wand 12 from the storage compartment 74 and grips the handle portion 14 of the wand 12 and inserts the engaging member 18 within the opened end 45 of one heated hair roller 40. The stylist locks the engaging member 18 within the hair roller 40 by depressing the push button 50. Next, the stylist opens the clamping means 46 by depressing the clamping lever 30 on the wand 12 toward the handle portion 14. Then, the stylist inserts a strand of hair 80 near the root end 80A between the clamping means 46 and exterior diameter 44 of the hair roller 40 and closes the clamping means 46 by releasing the clamping lever 30 and allowing the clamping means 46 to grip the strand of hair. The stylist then winds the strand of hair around the hair roller 40 from the root end to the free end. The stylist may further secure the hair to the roller 40 by adding a comb clip or other similar securing means to the exterior of the roller 40. Next, the stylist releases the wand 12 from the hair roller 40 by depressing the release button 50. The steps are repeated in order to selectively position the plurality of hair rollers 40 to each strand of hair to be styled.

After the rollers 40 have been left in the hair for the desired amount of time they are removed, and perfectly styled strands remain. The rollers 40 may be removed manually by removing the comb clip and gently pulling the roller 40 away from the head, or automatically by connecting the wand 12 to the roller 40 and depressing the clamping lever 30.

Once the hair has been styled, the rollers 40 may be placed back in the receptacles 62 and the wand 12 stored within the cylindrical storage compartment 74 of the base 60.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a cordless hair styling tool, method and system of the same designed to combine the benefit of hot rollers with the convenience of a cordless curling iron to provide waving or curling effects to the hair. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description.

It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.

While only one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for styling strands of hair from a root end to a free end, comprising: a heated base unit;a plurality of hair rollers heated within said base unit, said rollers having an exterior surface, means mounted to said exterior surface for permitting clamping of hair to be styled, and interior cavity having a locking recess; anda wand detachably engageable to said roller, said wand having a handle portion, an engaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion for engaging with said locking recess of said roller, a clamping lever pivotally connected to said handle portion for coupling with said clamping means, and means for releasing said wand from said roller by disengaging said locking means.

2. The hair styling system of claim 1 further comprising means for detachably engaging said clamping means of said hair roller with said clamping lever of said wand.

3. A hair styling system, comprising: a plurality of rollers having an exterior diameter around which the hair is styled, an opened first end having an interior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to said exterior diameter of said roller for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled; anda cylindrical wand detachably engageable with said hair roller, said wand having a handle portion for providing a surface for gripping said wand, an engaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotally connected to said handle portion,wherein said engaging member of said wand extends within said opened first end of said interior cavity of said roller for detachably engaging said wand to said roller.

4. The hair styling system of claim 3 wherein said engaging member of said wand further includes outwardly extending locking means for detachably securing within said locking recess of said roller.

5. The hair styling system of claim 4 further comprising means for releasing said wand from said roller, wherein said releasing means being in communication with said outwardly extending locking means for retracting and detracting said locking means when depressed.

6. The hair styling system of claim 3 wherein said clamping means includes a receiving groove and said clamping lever of said wand detachably engages said receiving groove of said clamping means for allowing movement of said clamping means toward and away from said exterior diameter of said wand for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be styled.

7. The hair styling system of claim 3 wherein said clamping means has raised sides engageable with said exterior diameter of said hair roller for gripping and holding hair against said exterior of said roller.

8. The hair styling system of claim 3 further comprising a heating base unit having a plurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing said plurality of hair rollers in an upright position therein.

9. The hair styling system of claim 8 further comprising means for receiving electrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to said heating base unit from said external source.

10. A hair styling system, comprising: a plurality of cylindrical curling rollers having an exterior diameter around which the hair is curled, an opened first end having an interior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to said exterior diameter of said roller having a receiving groove for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled; anda cylindrical wand detachably engageable with said curling roller, said wand having a handle portion for providing a surface for gripping said wand, an engaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotally connected to said handle portion and having an elongated engaging portion;wherein said locking recess of said roller is slightly larger than said interior diameter of said roller such that said engaging member of said wand extends within said opened first end of said interior cavity of said roller and detachably engages to said locking recess,wherein said elongated engaging portion of said clamping lever is detachably engageable to said receiving groove of said clamping means for allowing movement of said clamping means toward and away from said exterior diameter of said wand for permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled.

11. The hair styling system of claim 10 wherein said engaging member of said wand further includes retractable locking means having outwardly extending opposed members for detachably securing to said locking recess of said curling roller.

12. The hair styling system of claim 11 further comprising means for releasing said wand from said curling roller, wherein said releasing means being in communication with said retractable locking means for retracting and detracting said opposed members when depressed.

13. The hair styling system of claim 10 wherein said clamping means has raised sides engageable with said exterior diameter of said curling roller for gripping and holding the hair about said exterior of said curling roller.

14. The hair styling system of claim 10 wherein the clamping means of said curling roller alternates between an opened and a closed position.

15. The hair styling system of claim 14 wherein said clamping lever further comprises a spring locking means having a spring element for biasing said clamping means in said closed position when said wand and said roller are coupled together.

16. The hair styling system of claim 15 wherein said clamping lever is depressed toward said handle portion to engage said spring element of said spring locking means and move said clamping means away from said exterior diameter of said curling roller toward the opened position when said wand and said curling roller are coupled together.

17. The hair styling system of claim 10 further comprising a heated base unit having a plurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing said plurality of curling rollers in an upright position therein.

18. The hair styling system of claim 17 further comprising means for receiving electrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to said heating base from said external source.

19. A method of curling strands of hair from a root end to a free end using a hair styling system, wherein said system include a heated base unit, a plurality of hair rollers having an exterior diameter, an opened end, a clamping means mounted to said exterior diameter, and a wand having a handle portion, an engaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion, a clamping lever pivotally connected to said handle portion, and a release button, the steps comprising: a. heating the plurality of hair rollers stored in individual receptacles within the heated base unit;b. gripping the handle portion of the wand and inserting the engaging member within the opened end of one heated hair roller;c. detachably engaging the engaging member within the hair roller and the clamping lever to the clamping means;d. opening the clamping means by depressing the clamping lever on the handle portion toward the wand;e. inserting a strand of hair near the root end between the clamping means and the exterior diameter of the hair roller;f. closing the clamping means by releasing the clamping lever and allowing the clamping means to grip the strand of hair;g. winding the strand of hair around the hair roller from the root end to the free end; andh. releasing the wand from the hair roller by depressing the release button.

20. The method of curling strands of hair of claim 19, the steps further comprising repeating steps b) through h) on each said strand of hair to be styled.