Patent Application
20070277843
In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,” or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.
Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like, at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate.
Looking to the figures, there is shown a hair curling system according to one embodiment of the invention. In particular, there is shown a frustoconical rolling member (also described herein as curling device or rod) 100 and a motivated or motorized rotating device 300 which may removably couple one to the other. In use a user may wrap hair about the curling rod 100 and then use the motorized rotating device 300 to cause the curling rod 100 to spool the hair thereon as is commonly done when curling or waving hair. Advantageously, the illustrated system enables a technician to more quickly and easily spool hair on the rod. Accordingly, where the illustrated system is used in industry, hair may be curled and/or waved with greater speed, efficiency, and provide better working conditions for technicians. The particular details of the illustrated embodiment shall now be more fully described.
There is shown a frustoconical rolling member 100 having a first end 110 and a second end 120. Wherein the rolling member 100 is frustoconical, the first end 110 and the second end 120 have differing cross-sectional diameters. It is understood that the terms first end and second end are used herein to represent opposite ends of the rolling member 100 and that while the illustrated first end 110 has a larger cross-sectional diameter than the illustrated second end 120, it is envisioned that in one embodiment of the invention, this may be reversed.
Advantageously, wherein the rolling member or rod 100 is frustoconical, a user of an embodiment of the invention is enabled to wrap hair along a graduating roller diameter. Accordingly, hair may be wrapped more tightly where hanging tension is greater, such as nearer the roots, and more lightly where hanging tension is lesser, such as near the tips. Therefore a more consistent curl appearance may be provided to a length of hair. Rods 100 may be heated or non-heated.
There is a latching member 130 coupled near the first end 110 and removably coupleable to near the second end 120. The illustrated latching member 130 includes a cap 132 having a top member 134 and a protrusion 136 shaped to fit within an aperture 122 in the second end 120 thereby enabling a user to removably couple the latching member 130 to the second end 120. The latching member 130 also includes a cord 138 that may be elastic, thereby enabling a user to secure a portion of hair to the rod 100 as is commonly done in the art.
The illustrated frustoconical rolling member 100 includes a first end assembly 500 wherein an annular member 112 encircles the first end 110, rotatably couples thereto, and couples to the latching member 130. The annular member 112 enables the body 502 of the rod 100 to rotate without spinning or spooling the latching member 130, as the annular member 112 may be held while the body 502 of the rod 100 rotates.
The illustrated annular member 112 couples to the body 502 of the rod 100 at a narrow neck 504 having a flange 506 thereon. The annular member 112 may be coupled thereto as shown by arrows 508. The annular member 112 includes a recessed portion 510 configured to mate to the flange 506, thereby forming a smooth surface. The annular member 112 may then rotate about the narrow neck 504 while being held in by the flange 506.
The illustrated frustoconical rolling member 100 includes a frustoconical textile member 102 coupled about an exterior of the frustoconical rolling member 100 and configured to provide a layer of absorbent material thereon. The frustoconical textile member 102 also advantageously enhances frictional coupling of wrapped hair to the rod 100. In one embodiment, there may be knobs or protrusions on the exterior surface of the rod 100, especially wherein there is no textile member 102. Accordingly, frictional coupling with hair may be enhanced in the absence of the textile member 102.
Also shown are small apertures 104 through the frustoconical textile member 102 and through the rod 100 to a hollow interior (See
There is also shown a motivated rotating device 300 removably coupleable to the frustoconical rolling member 100. The motivated rotating device 300 may be similar to a motorized or electric screwdriver or drill. Non-limiting examples of such include: Skil® Cordless Palm Size Screwdriver Model 2336-02; Milwaukee® 2.4 V 2-speed Cordless Screwdriver Kit Model 6547-22; Black & Decker® Pivot Plus Cordless Drill/Screwdriver Model PD700G; and Barbara K!® 4.8 Volt Power Screwdriver Model BK12208. While cordless examples are given, it is understood that an embodiment of the invention includes a motivated rotating device having a cord.
Looking to the details of the illustrated motorized rotating device or unit 420, there is shown a motor 424 configured to impart rotational motion 314 to a coupling member 310 mechanically coupled to the motivating device and removably mechanically coupleable to the frustoconical rolling member 100. Accordingly, a user is enabled to rotate the rolling member 100 about its long axis by activating the rotating unit 420, such as with a switch 422 in communication with a control unit 428.
The illustrated motivated rotating device 420 further includes the following: a tension sensor 430 in communication with the coupling member and with a control unit 428; and a clutch 426 that disengages the removable mechanical coupling between the coupling member 310 and the motivating device or motor 424 when the tension sensor 430 measures a tension outside a predetermined range. The predetermined range may include a minimum tension and/or a maximum tension. The motivated rotating device may include a range adjustment device 340 in communication with the tension sensor 430 and configured to enable a user to adjust the predetermined range. The motor 424 may be a variable speed motor.
The illustrated control unit 428 includes logical circuitry for controlling the motor and/or a clutch 426 coupling the motor to the coupling unit 310 according to signals from one or more sources. Such sources may include the on/off switch 422, which may be simply a circuit breaking switch. Another source may include a speed setting dial 423 which may be illustrated by the dial 340 on
A further source includes a tension sensor or transducer 430 that provides a signal regarding a tension, such as a torque on the coupling member 310 (a force in a direction as shown by arrows 314) and/or a transverse force (such as a force in a direction as shown by arrows 312). In one example, there may be a spring biased switch coupled to the housing 330 of the motorized unit 420 and configured to give a first signal when the switch is in a first position corresponding to within a tension range and a second signal when the switch is in a second position corresponding to without a tension range. Such a range may be controlled by deforming the spring and such deformation may be determined by a dial 340.
Accordingly, the control unit may include logic circuitry that will not enable rotation of the coupling member 310 unless appropriate tension is placed on the coupling member 310 and therethrough to the hair. Therefore, a motorized unit 420, 300 may facilitate consistent hair tension when rolling the hair, thereby enhancing consistency in curling and/or waving results.
Non-limiting examples of patents/patent applications describing similar systems in drills, screwdrivers, and other systems, which patents and applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein, are: US 2006/0081386 by Zhang et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,020 to Meyer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,212 to Rees et al.; US 2004/0011632 by Hellmann et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,970 to Eckman; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,968 to Navarro,
The coupling member 310 may be removably and/or mechanically coupled to the motor 424. The coupling member 310 may have a cross-sectional profile of a regular polygon, such as but not limited to a hexagon.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the figures show only a single rolling member, it is understood that in practice such generally come in sets. Accordingly, there may be a plurality of rolling members.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate particular angular and dimensional proportions, it is understood that there may be great variety between embodiments of the rolling member(s).
It is also envisioned that a user may direct fluid to be inserted within the interior of the rolling member.
It is also envisioned that various embodiments of the invention may be used in combination with hot, cold, wet, and/or dry methods and/or systems for bending hair. Further, it is envisioned that various embodiments of the invention may be adapted for use with short, medium, and/or long hair.
Also, wherein the illustrated coupling member is a male fitting and the illustrated rod includes a female fitting, it is understood that the shapes and systems for coupling the coupling member to the rod are plethoric and include, among many other ways, wherein the coupling member is a female fitting and the rod includes a male protrusion shaped to fit therein.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the small apertures through the rolling member may be of any suitable shape or size and may be arranged in a great variety of arrays or irregular arrangements.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to: plastics, rubbers, woven materials, ceramics, metals, and composites.
Thus while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the inventions it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
