HAIR STYLING ACCESSORY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hair styling accessory for drying, straightening and/or otherwise styling a tress of hair.

BACKGROUND

Conventional hair straighteners generally comprise a pair of movable elongate arms or jaws that each include an elongate clamping plate. The arms are movable between an open position in which hair to be straightened or styled is received between the arms, and a closed position in which hair is clamped between planar faces of the clamping plates.

In the open position, the clamping plates and arms are generally not parallel, but extend away from one another along their lengths to define a cavity between them that has a generally V-shaped cross-section.

To close the arms and provide a clamping force to hair received in the cavity, a user grips and squeezes a handle of the hair straighteners to pivot the arms together, and bring the clamping plates together. In the closed position, the clamping plates are parallel and engaged across their planar faces.

This conventional arrangement requires the user themselves to apply the clamping force during straightening or styling, by manually by squeezing the handle. Repeated manual clamping by the user during styling, and the requirement to apply force not only to close the arms but to maintain the arms in a clamped position during styling, can lead to user fatigue. Furthermore, the pivoting arrangement of such conventional hair straighteners may result in uneven clamping force being applied along the length of the elongate clamping plates. For example, a greater clamping force may be applied to hair positioned closer to the hinging axis of the straighteners, and a smaller clamping force may be applied to hair positioned further from this hinging axis.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is set out in the independent claims. Preferred features are set out in the dependent claims.

There is described herein a hair styling accessory. The hair styling accessory comprises a body supporting a pair of jaws defining a clamping space between them for receiving a tress of hair. The accessory is configured so that at least one of the jaws is movable, or has a movable part, to releasably clamp the tress of hair between the jaws. The movable jaw is actuated by air pressure. At least one of the jaws is configured to deliver a jet, or flow, of air from the body to the clamping space, for example by way of an air passage in the jaw.

The hair styling accessory advantageously eliminates the need for the user themselves to provide the clamping force, i.e. the force required to move the movable jaw or jaws from unclamped to clamped positions and hold the accessory in a clamped position in which hair is clamped between the jaws. By virtue of the invention, the user may simply engage a user interface (i.e. a button or slider) to activate clamping by actuating the movable jaw or jaws using air pressure delivered, for example, from an air generating device housed in the body of the accessory. In this way, user fatigue associated with repeated manual clamping is eliminated, allowing the user to complete the styling process more effectively and without undue strain. In other examples, the clamping may be activated by a sensing system. For example, the sensing system may be configured to sense when hair is placed between the jaws and then to activate clamping. The clamping may be activated after a predetermined time period to allow the user to place the hair between the jaws and then move their hands clear. The sensing system may also be configured to deactivate the clamping. For example, the sensing system may be configured to sense when hair has been pulled completely through the jaws such that the clamping can be released.

The or each movable jaw may comprise a housing and a clamping member. The clamping member may be coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing between an unclamped position in which a tress of hair can be received in the clamping space, and a clamped position in which the jaws are arranged to clamp a tress of hair received in the clamping space. Thus, the movable jaw is movable by virtue of at least a portion of the jaw, i.e. the clamping member, being movable with respect to another portion of the jaw, i.e. the housing. In this way, the movable jaw is movable or configurable between an unclamped position in which the clamping member is in its unclamped position, and a clamped position in which the clamping member is in its clamped position.

The or each movable jaw may comprise a chamber defined between the housing and the clamping member, and an inlet for receiving a flow of air from the body into the chamber to actuate the movable jaw and move the clamping member from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

The clamping member may have an elongate shape defining a first long edge, and be coupled to the housing so as to be pivotable about the first long edge. Pivoting about a long edge of the clamping member, rather than the short edge as is conventional, provides an even clamping force along the length of the clamping member, with the same clamping force provided at one end of the clamping member as at the opposing end of the clamping member. Even clamping allows the user to achieve consistent styling across all of the hair received in the clamping space.

The clamping member may define a clamping edge for engaging and clamping hair in the clamped position.

The clamping member may comprise a passage that connects the chamber to the clamping space thereby to deliver the jet of air thereto. The passage may be arranged such that air entering the clamping space from the passage is directed generally towards the first long edge of the clamping member. The air entering the clamping space may be directed generally away from the clamping edge. For this, the passage may be generally arch-shaped in cross-section. Directing air entering the chamber in this way advantageously allows the air to provide a straightening and smoothing effect on the tress of hair in the clamping space, and reduces the likelihood of strands from the tress of hair being blown upwards and out of the clamping space by the jet of air.

The clamping member may comprise a limit stop that engages with the housing in the clamped position to limit movement of the clamping member.

The hair styling accessory may comprise a flexible member coupled to the housing and the clamping member, and configurable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the extended configuration, the flexible member extends between the housing and the clamping member, and the clamping member is in the clamped position. In the collapsed configuration, the flexible member is folded or otherwise collapsed between the housing and the clamping member, and the clamping member is in the unclamped position.

The hair styling accessory may comprise two movable jaws. The clamping member of one of the jaws may be pivotably coupled to its respective housing at its first long edge, and the clamping member of the other jaw may be pivotably coupled to its respective housing at a second, opposing, long edge.

The hair styling accessory may comprise a retainer for retaining the clamping member in the unclamped position. This allows for air to be delivered through the chamber and into the clamping space without the clamping member being forced to the clamped position. In this way, a user can provide heat and air to dry and/or otherwise style hair in the clamping space without providing a clamping force to this hair.

An air generating device may be configured to deliver pressurised air to the body of the hair styling accessory. At least a portion of the jet of air that actuates the movable jaw may be delivered to the clamping space. This enables the same jet of air to provide clamping of hair in the clamping space, and air flow to hair in the clamping space.

There is also described herein a hair styling accessory comprising a pair of clamping members defining a clamping space between them for receiving a tress of hair. At least one of the clamping members is located in a housing in an unclamped position, and is coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing between the unclamped position and a clamped position to releasably clamp the tress of hair between the clamping members. The at least one movable clamping member is actuated by air pressure. The hair styling accessory may be configured to deliver a jet of air to the clamping space.

There is also described herein a hair styling accessory, comprising: a body supporting a pair of jaws defining a clamping space between them for receiving a tress of hair; wherein at least one of the jaws comprises a stationary member and a clamping member, the clamping member being coupled to the stationary member so as to be movable with respect to the stationary member between an unclamped position in which a tress of hair can be received in the clamping space, and a clamped position in which the jaws are arranged to clamp a tress of hair received in the clamping space, wherein the movement of the clamping member is actuated by air pressure.

By using air pressure to activate clamping of a hair tress, it is possible to provide improved hair styling as the user does not have to provide a manual force for clamping hair, and this can also be compatible with hair styling devices the user already owns, such as hair dryers and air stylers.

Preferably, the at least one of the jaws comprises one or more airflow pathways to allow airflow to exit the jaw in a direction generally away from the clamping space. This allows a leak flow path for the air that allows air leaks to exit the accessory in a direction away from the hair being styled, so air leaks do not interfere with the styling. It may also improve the actuation of movement as air pressure can build up more readily to move the clamping member towards the clamped position than away from the clamped position. In preferred embodiments these airflow pathways are provided on an outside of the jaws, for example in or adjacent an outside surface of the clamping member (where the clamping space is at or near the inside of jaws).

Preferably, the at least one of the jaws comprises an inlet for receiving a flow of air from the body to move the clamping member from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

Preferably, at least a portion of the stationary member is arranged inside the clamping member. This means the user can manually apply additional pressure to the clamping member to increase the clamping pressure on the hair.

In some embodiments, the at least one jaw comprises a chamber defined between the housing and the clamping member, and an inlet for receiving a flow of air from the body into the chamber to actuate the movable jaw and move the clamping member from the unclamped position to the clamped position. Preferably the at least one jaw comprises one or more airflow pathways to allow airflow to exit the chamber in a direction generally away from the clamping space. For example, these airflow pathways may be provided on an outside of the jaws, for example in or adjacent an outside surface of the clamping member (where the clamping space is at or near the inside of jaws).

In some embodiments, at least one of the pair of jaws is configured to deliver a flow of air from the body to the clamping space. This flow of air can advantageously provide a straightening and smoothing effect on the tress of hair in the clamping space. Preferably, the at least one jaw comprises a chamber defined between the housing and the clamping member; and the clamping member comprises a passage that connects the chamber to the clamping space thereby to deliver the jet of air thereto.

Optionally, the clamping member has an elongate shape defining a first long edge, and is coupled to the housing so as to be pivotable about the first long edge. Preferably the clamping edge of the clamping member is a second long edge of the clamping member opposing the first long edge.

In some embodiments, the passage that connects the chamber to the clamping space is arranged such that air entering the clamping space from the passage is directed generally towards the first long edge of the clamping member.

Generally, the clamping member defines a clamping edge for engaging and clamping hair in the clamped position. The clamping edge is preferably a long edge of the clamping member.

In some embodiments, the clamping member comprises a limit stop that engages with the stationary member in the clamped position to limit movement of the clamping member.

In some embodiments, the stationary member comprises a limit stop that engages with the clamping member in the unclamped position to limit movement of the clamping member.

Optionally both of the jaws comprise a stationary member and a clamping member comprising two movable jaws, wherein the clamping member of one of the jaws is pivotably coupled to its respective stationary member at a first long edge of the clamping member, and the clamping member of the other jaw is pivotably coupled to its respective stationary member at a second, opposing, long edge of the clamping member.

In some embodiments the accessory comprises a retainer for retaining the clamping member in the unclamped position.

In some embodiments the accessory further comprises an air generating device configured to deliver pressurised air to the body to actuate movement of the clamping member. In other embodiments, the accessory may be attachable to the air generating device.

The hair styling accessory may be configured such that at least a portion of the air delivered to actuate the movement of the clamping member is delivered to the clamping space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in an unclamped position;

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 1a in a clamped position;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a portion of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 1a, illustrating a flow of air between jaws of the accessory in the clamped position;

FIG. 2b is a side view of the portion of the hair styling accessory shown in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2c is a plan view of the portion of the hair styling accessory shown in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a is a front view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 1a, showing clamping members of the accessory in their clamped positions;

FIG. 3b is a cross-section taken through the front view of FIG. 3a, in which the direction of air flow in a clamping space defined between the clamping members is illustrated;

FIG. 4a shows a tress of hair received between jaws of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 1a in an unclamped position;

FIG. 4b shows a tress of hair clamped between jaws of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 1a in a clamped position;

FIG. 5 shows a hair styling device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, in which the hair styling accessory defines an attachment for a hair styling device;

FIG. 6a is a cross sectional front view of jaws of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, in unclamped positions;

FIG. 6b shows the jaws of FIG. 6a but in clamped positions;

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention in a clamped position;

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of a jaw of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 7a, in the clamped position;

FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view of a jaw of a hair styling accessory of FIG. 7a, in the unclamped position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, in a clamped position;

FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling accessory shown in FIG. 8, with a modification;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention, in a clamped position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention, in a clamped position;

FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling accessory shown in FIG. 10 showing a cross-section in which passages for delivery of air are visible;

FIG. 11a is a cross-sectional view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 11b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 11a in the unclamped position;

FIG. 11c is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 11a in a clamped position;

FIG. 11d is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 11a in the clamped position;

FIG. 12a is a cross-sectional view of a jaw of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention, showing a retainer in its retaining position and a clamping member in its unclamped position; and

FIG. 12b is a cross-sectional view of the jaw of FIG. 12a, showing the retainer in its open position and the clamping member in its clamped position;

FIG. 13a is a side view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the invention, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 13b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 13a in an unclamped position;

FIG. 13c is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 13a, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 13d is a side view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 13a in a clamped position;

FIG. 13e is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 13a in a clamped position;

FIG. 13f is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 13a, in a clamped position;

FIG. 14a is a side view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the invention, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 14b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 14a in an unclamped position;

FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 14a, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 14d is a side view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 14a in a clamped position;

FIG. 14e is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 14a in a clamped position;

FIG. 14f is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 14a, in a clamped position;

FIG. 15a is a side view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the invention, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 15b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a in an unclamped position;

FIG. 15c is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 15d is a cross-sectional view through plane B-B of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 15e is a side view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a in a clamped position;

FIG. 15f is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a in a clamped position;

FIG. 15g is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a, in a clamped position;

FIG. 15h is a cross-sectional view through plane B-B of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 15a, in a clamped position;

FIG. 16a is a side view of a hair styling accessory in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 16b is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 16a in an unclamped position;

FIG. 16c is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 16a, in an unclamped position;

FIG. 16d is a side view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 16a in a clamped position;

FIG. 16e is a perspective view of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 16a in a clamped position; and

FIG. 16f is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the hair styling accessory of FIG. 16a, in a clamped position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1a to 4b show a hair styling accessory 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

The hair styling accessory 10 comprises a body 12 and a pair of jaws 14 that are supported by the body 12. The jaws 14 define a clamping space 16 between them for receiving a tress of hair 18 (shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b), and are movable to releasably clamp the tress of hair 18 between the jaws 14 in use.

Specifically, each jaw 14 is configurable or movable between an unclamped position shown in FIG. 1a, and a clamped position shown in FIG. 1b. In the unclamped position, the jaws 14 are separated to allow a tress of hair 18 to be received in the clamping space 16. In the clamped position, the jaws 14 are arranged to clamp a tress of hair 18 received in the clamping space 16. As will be explained in more detail later, the jaws 14 are actuated for movement using air pressure generated within or external to the hair styling accessory 10.

Each jaw 14 is generally elongate, having a first end 20 coupled to the body 12 and a second end 22 remote from the body. Each jaw 14 comprises a clamping member 24 and a housing 26. Each clamping member 24 is moveably coupled to its associated housing 26. A chamber 28 is defined between each clamping member 24 and its associated housing 26. In use, air is delivered to the chambers 28 through inlets (not shown) of the jaws 14 to actuate movement of the respective clamping member 24. At least a portion of this air may subsequently be delivered to the clamping space 16 for use in the hair styling process.

In this embodiment of the invention, the body 12 defines an elongate handle of the hair styling accessory 10. However, in other embodiments such as the second embodiment of FIG. 5, the body 12 comprises an attachment portion 30 for attachment to a separate handle portion 32 to define an attachable accessory for a hair styling device 34.

Each clamping member 24 is generally elongate in shape, and comprises an outer wall 36 defining first and second long edges, 38 and 40 respectively, an upper wall 42, a first end wall (not shown) and a second end wall 44.

The clamping members 24 are pivotably coupled to their respective housings 26 at their first long edges 38. The second long edges 40 define clamping edges 41 for engaging and clamping a tress of hair 18 in the clamped position.

The upper wall 42 of each clamping member 24 extends generally perpendicularly from the second long edge 40 of the outer wall 36, and includes a protrusion 46 that engages with a corresponding protrusion 48 of the housing 26 in the clamped position to together define a limit stop 50. The limit stop 50 limits movement of the clamping members 24 in a clamping direction (i.e. the direction of movement of the clamping member 24 from its unclamped position towards its clamped position). Once engaged, the limit stop 50 prevents further movement of the clamping member 24 in the clamping direction, and guards against disengagement of the clamping member 24 from its housing 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 1a and 3b in particular, the outer wall 36 of each clamping member 24 comprises a plurality of passages 52 that connect the chamber 28 to the clamping space 16. In use, air is delivered from the chamber 28 to the clamping space 16 via the passages 52.

Each passage 52 terminates in an outlet 54 provided in an outer face 56 of the outer wall 36, and is located towards the clamping edge 41 of the clamping member 24. The passages 52 are arranged such that air entering the clamping space 16 from the passages 52 is directed generally away from the clamping edges 41 of the clamping members 24, and towards the first long edges 38 of the clamping members 24. For this, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, each passage 52 has a generally arch-shaped cross-section. Also illustrated in FIG. 3b is the direction of the flow of air, A, through and out of the arch-shaped passages 52.

The passages 52 are arranged side-by-side to extend generally across the entire length of the outer wall 36 in this embodiment, so as to enable air to be delivered to a tress of hair 18 clamped at any position in the clamping space 16. The arrangement and number of passages 52 could of course differ in other embodiments, however, and the invention is not intended to be limited in this regard. For example, each clamping member 24 may include a single elongate passage 52 terminating in a single elongate outlet 54 extending generally across the entire length of the outer wall 36. It would also be possible for the number of passages 52 to differ from the number of outlets 54 such that, for example, multiple passages 52 terminate in a single outlet 54, or a single passage 52 terminates in multiple outlets 54. The arrangement of passages 52 and outlets 54 may differ for each clamping member 24.

The hair styling accessory 10 further includes an air generating device (not shown) comprising a motor configured to produce a high pressure air flow. A suitable pressure of flow may be between 3.5 and 7 Kpa at 13.5 L/s, purely by way of example

The air generating device is housed in the body 12 in this embodiment and forms part of the hair styling accessory 10, but could be external to the hair styling accessory 10 in other embodiments. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the air generating device may be housed in the handle portion 32.

In some embodiments, air generated by the air generating device is heated by a heating element before being delivered to the clamping space.

To use the hair styling accessory 10, a user first places a tress of hair 18 in the clamping space 16 defined between the unclamped clamping members 24, as shown in FIG. 4a. Although not shown, the clamping members 24 are biased towards the unclamped position by biasing means in the form of biasing springs. When the air generating device is turned off, the biasing means hold the clamping members 24 in their unclamped positions within the housing 26.

To clamp the tress of hair 18 between the clamping members 24, the user actuates the jaws 14 by pressing a push button (not shown) provided on the body 12 of the hair styling accessory 10. Of course, in other embodiments the jaws 14 may be actuated via another suitable type of user interface such as a sliding switch. The jaw 14 may also be actuated automatically, without specific command from the user. For example, the clamping may be activated by a sensing system. The sensing system may be configured to sense when hair is placed between the jaws and then to activate clamping. The clamping may be activated after a predetermined time period to allow the user to place the hair between the jaws and then move their hands clear. The sensing system may also be configured to deactivate the clamping. For example, the sensing system may be configured to sense when hair has been pulled completely through the jaws such that the clamping can be released. The automatic clamping may be combined with manual clamping commanded by the user.

When the push button is pressed into an ‘on’ position, an electronic activation signal is sent to the air generating device. Once activated, the air generating device generates a jet or flow of high pressure air which is delivered to the chamber 28 of each jaw 14 via conduits (not shown) that connect an outlet (not shown) of the air generating device to inlets (not shown) of the chambers 28. This jet of air forces the clamping members 24 to pivot from their unclamped positions to their clamped positions, overcoming the force of the biasing means and causing the chambers 28 to expand. It should be noted that in some embodiments the air generating device may be activated separately to actuation of the jaws 14. That is, the air generating device may be activated initially without actuating the jaws 14, and the jaws 14 may be subsequently actuated by diverting air flow generated by the air generating device to the jaws 14, or by e.g. releasing retaining means (not shown in FIG. 4a or 4b) configured to releasably hold the clamping members 24 in the unclamped position.

In the clamped position shown in FIG. 4b, the tress of hair 18 is clamped between the clamping edges 41 of the clamping members 24. The air pressure generated by the air generating device is such that, in this clamped position, the tress of hair 18 is firmly clamped between the clamping edges 41.

A portion of the jet of air provided by the air generating device is delivered from the chambers 28 to the clamping space 16 for direct use in styling of the clamped tress of hair 18. In other embodiments, one or more separate jets of air to those delivered to the chambers 28 are delivered to the clamping space 16. In that case, the hair styling accessory 10 may include separate conduits for delivering air directly to the passages 52 from the air generating device, in addition to the conduits that deliver air to the chambers 28 from the air generating device.

Although not shown, in some embodiments the hair styling accessory 10 includes a heater, and air generated by the air generating device is heated by a heater before being delivered to the clamping space 16.

As noted already, the passages 52 that deliver air to the clamping space 16 are arranged to direct air away from the clamping edges 41 and towards the first long edges 38 of the clamping member 24. This advantageously provides a straightening and smoothing effect on the tress of hair 18 in the clamping space 16, by directing a flow of air both towards and along the length of this tress of hair, rather than directly at and perpendicularly with respect the length of the tress of hair 18. Furthermore, the arrangement of FIG. 4b reduces the likelihood of hairs being blown out of the clamping space 16 in use.

With the tress of hair 18 clamped between the clamping edges 41, the user pulls the hair styling accessory 10 along the length of the tress of hair 18 in a direction indicated by arrow D in FIG. 4b, to straighten or style the tress of hair 18 as required.

When the user wishes to release the tress of hair 18, they simply press the push button again, into an ‘off’ position, which causes an electronic signal to be sent to the air generating device to deactivate the air generating device. The air generating device stops delivering high pressure air to the jaws 14, and the clamping members 24 are no longer forced into the clamping position by this high-pressure air. The biasing means pull the clamping members 24 from the clamped position back to the unclamped position, and the hair styling accessory 10 is ready for use on another tress of hair 18. As mentioned above, in other examples, deactivation of the clamping may be achieved by way of a suitably configured sensing system that senses when no hair is between the jaws and, in response, deactivates clamping, by stopping air generation, for example.

Turning now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, jaws 114 of a hair styling accessory 110 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention are shown. Each jaw 114 of the third embodiment comprises a first clamping member 124a and a second clamping member 124b, arranged to resemble a slider-crank mechanism.

As in the first embodiment, the jaws 114 of the third embodiment are movable between an unclamped position (shown in FIG. 6a) and a clamped position (shown in FIG. 6b), and are actuated by air pressure delivered to chambers 128 defined between clamping members 124a, 124b and a housing 126 of each jaw.

The first clamping member 124a defines a first long edge 138a that is both pivotably and slidably coupled to a lower end 160 of the housing 126. The second clamping member 124b defines a first long edge 138b that is pivotably coupled to an upper end 162 of the housing 126. The first and second clamping members 124a, 124b are pivotably coupled to one another by means of a pivotable coupling 158.

For pivotable and slidable coupling of the first clamping member 124a, the housing 126 comprises an elongate slot 164. The slot 164 has a first end 166 and a second end 168, and is arranged so as to extend generally parallel to the housing 126. The slot 164 receives a complementary pin 172. The first clamping member 124a is pivotably coupled to the pin 172 at its first long edge 138a, such that the pin 172 defines a pivot axis about which the first clamping member 124a is pivotable.

In the unclamped position shown in FIG. 6a, the first and second clamping members 124a, 124b extend generally parallel to the housing 126, and second long edges 140a, 140b of the first and second clamping members 124a, 124b are in abutment with one another. The pin 172 is positioned at the first end 166 of the slot 164.

When high pressure air from the air generating device fills the chambers 128, this forces the first and second clamping members 124a, 124b into their clamped positions shown in FIG. 6b.

The first clamping member 124a pivots about the pin 172 such that its second long edge 140a swings outwardly away from the housing 126. At the same time, the pin 172 slides in the slot 164 towards its second end 168, and the first clamping member 124a moves with the pin 172, away from the lower end 160 of the housing 126. When the pin 172 reaches the second end 168 of the slot 164, the first clamping member 124a abuts a protrusion 174 of the housing 126 that extends into the chamber 128.

The second clamping member 124b pivots about its first long edge 138b such that its second long edge 140b swings outwardly away from the housing 126.

In the clamped position, clamping edges 141 defined by the second long edges 140b of the second clamping members 124b of the jaws 114 clamp a tress of hair (not shown in FIG. 6b) received in the clamping space 116. As in the first embodiment of the invention, air is delivered to the clamping space 116 from the chamber 128 via passages 152. However, in this embodiment the passages 152 are defined between the first and second clamping members 124a, 124b of each jaw 114. As indicated by arrows A in FIG. 6b, air that flows through these passages 152 is directed generally downwardly into the clamping space 116, away from the clamping edges 141 at which the hair is clamped, and generally towards the first long edges 138a of the first clamping members 124a.

The third embodiment of the invention is advantageous as it provides a compact arrangement. Specifically, the arrangement of the first and second clamping members 124a, 124b allows the width, W, of each jaw 114 to be reduced when compared to the arrangement of the first embodiment, in which the overall width is dictated by the upper wall 42 of the clamping member 24.

FIG. 7a shows a hair styling accessory 210 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7b and 7c show a jaw 214 of the hair styling accessory 210 of the fourth embodiment. The jaw 214 is similar to those of the first embodiment in many respects, but differs in that the clamping member 224 does not include rigid upper, first and second walls. Instead, a flexible member 260 replaces these walls, as best seen in FIG. 7a.

Furthermore, this illustrated example shows a pair of flared extension plates 261 which extend from the jaws 214, axially. The extension plates 261 provide a means to guide hair into the space between the jaws 214. The extension plates 261 may allow the user to provide additional manual clamping force if desired.

The flexible member 260 is attached to the clamping member 224 and its associated housing 226. Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, in the clamped position the flexible member 260 is arranged in an extended configuration in which it extends between the clamping member 224 and the housing 226. Referring to FIG. 7c, in the unclamped position the flexible member 260 is arranged in a collapsed or folded configuration in which it is folded between the clamping member 224 and the housing 226. Biasing means 262 in the form of springs are attached to an inner face 264 of the housing 226 and an inner surface 266 of the flexible member 260.

In the unclamped position shown in FIG. 7c, the biasing means 262 bias the flexible member 260 into its folded configuration. When high pressure air from the air generating device fills the chamber 228, which in this case is defined between the housing 226, the clamping member 224 and the flexible member 260, the biasing force is overcome, and the clamping member 224 is forced into its clamped position, shown in FIG. 7b.

In this example the flexible member 260 is arranged in a concertina fold in the collapsed or folded configuration, but other arrangements are possible.

The foldable, flexible member 260 of the fourth embodiment enables a more compact jaw 214 arrangement compared to that of the first embodiment in particular, as the housing 226 is not required to accommodate the rigid upper wall 42 of the clamping member 24 in the unclamped position. This allows the width ‘W’ of the jaw 214 in the unclamped position to be reduced.

FIG. 8 illustrates jaws 314 of a hair styling accessory 310 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the clamping member 324 of each jaw 314 is pivotable between the unclamped position and the clamped position, as in the first embodiment. However, the clamping members 324 are pivotably coupled to their housings 326 about opposing long edges. That is, a first clamping member 324a of a first jaw 314a of the pair is pivotably coupled to its housing 326 at its first long edge 338a. A second clamping member 324b of a second jaw 314b of the pair is pivotably coupled to its housing 326 at its second long edge 340.

The clamping members 324a, 324b are shaped to each define a clamping region 360 that extends across a portion of a planar face 362 of each clamping member 324a, 324b, rather than defining clamping edges as in previous embodiments. Furthermore, the clamping members 324a, 324b are arranged such that a tress of hair 18 that hangs generally vertically when received in the clamping space 316 before clamping, is clamped between the clamping members 324a, 324b at an angle from the vertical in the clamped position.

In the unclamped position, the clamping members 324a, 324b are housed in housing chambers 364 having a generally semi-circular cross-section. For clamping, the first clamping member 324a pivots about its first long edge 338a and the second clamping member 324b pivots about its second long edge 340b, such that the clamping regions 360 swing towards one another. Limit stops 350 are provided to limit movement of each clamping member 324a, 324b in the clamping direction, i.e. the direction of movement of the clamping member 324a, 324b from its unclamped position towards its clamped position.

FIG. 8a shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Each clamping member 324a, 324b comprises a plurality of passages 352 that connect the chamber 364 to the clamping space 316. In use, air is delivered from the chamber 364 to the clamping space 316 via the passages 352.

The passages 352 are arranged such that air entering the clamping space 316 from the passages 352 is directed in a generally downward direction. For example, each passage 352 may have a generally arch-shaped cross-section. Also illustrated in FIG. 8a is the direction of the flow of air, A, B, through and out of the passages 352.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate jaws 414, 514 of hair styling accessories 410, 510 in accordance with sixth and seventh embodiments of the invention, respectively.

In the sixth embodiment of FIG. 9, similarly to the first embodiment, each clamping member 424 is pivotably coupled to its housing 426 at a first long edge 438, and a second long edge of each clamping member 424 defines a clamping edge 441 for engaging and clamping hair in the clamped position (illustrated in FIG. 9). However, in contrast to the clamping members 24 of the first embodiment, additional pivotable elements 460 are provided as part of each clamping member 424 in this embodiment. These elements 460 are coupled towards the clamping edge 441 of their associated clamping member 424. When moving from the unclamped position to the clamped position, each clamping member 424 pivots or rotates in a first direction, and its associated element 460 pivots or rotates in a second, opposing, direction. Movement of the clamping members 424 in the clamping direction (i.e. from the unclamped position, towards the clamped position) is limited by limit stops 450 defined between the clamping members 424 and their housings 426. Movement of the elements 460 towards their final positions shown in FIG. 9 is limited by limit stops 462 defined by the elements 460 and their associated clamping members 424.

In the clamped position shown in FIG. 9, walls 464 of the elements 460 define a chamber 466 within the clamping space 416 having a generally rectangular cross-section, and act to better confine a tress of hair received in the clamping space 416 during styling.

In the seventh embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, movement of the clamping members 524 is enabled by pivotable couplings 558 and flexible members 560. A first long edge 538 of each clamping member 524 is pivotably coupled to a pivotable element 562, which in turn is pivotably coupled to the housing 526. When moving from the unclamped position to the clamped position, the pivotable element 562 of a jaw 514 pivots or rotates in a first direction, and the associated clamping member 524 simultaneously pivots or rotates 568 in a second, opposing, direction. Because the jaws 514 are mirror images of each other, the first direction of one jaw 514 is the same as the second direction of the other jaw 514, and vice versa.

By virtue of the pivotable couplings 558 of this embodiment, the clamping members 524 pivot from unclamped positions in which their outer walls 536 are substantially parallel to one another, to clamped positions in which their outer walls 536 are also substantially parallel.

The flexible members 560 of this embodiment are similar to those of the fourth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, extending between each clamping member 524 and its associated housing 526, and enabling movement of the clamping members 524 between their unclamped and clamped positions whilst maintaining an enclosed chamber 528. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the clamping members 524 of this embodiment may also include passages for delivery of air to the clamping space 516.

FIG. 10a shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 10, in which air passages 552 for the delivery of air to the clamping space 516 are visible.

Each passage 552 is located towards the clamping edge of the clamping member 524. The passages 552 are arranged such that air entering the clamping space 516 from the passages 552 is directed generally away from the clamping edges of the clamping members 524. As illustrated in FIG. 10a, each passage 552 has a generally arch-shaped cross-section. Also illustrated in FIG. 10a is the direction of the flow of air, A, through and out of the arch-shaped passages 552.

FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d illustrate a hair styling accessory 610 in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, each clamping member 624 is pivotably coupled to the housing 626 at a first short edge 660 of the clamping member 624.

In the unclamped position shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, the clamping space 616 has a generally triangular cross-section in plan view (see FIG. 11a). To move from the unclamped position to the clamped position, the clamping members 624 pivot about the pivotable coupling at their first short edges 660, and the clamping members 624 swing towards one another. Limit stops 650 defined at a second ends 662 of the clamping members 624 limit movement in the clamping direction towards the clamping positions. In the clamped position shown in FIGS. 11c and 11d, hair received in the clamping space 616 is clamped by planar faces 664 of the outer walls 636 of the clamping members 624.

FIG. 12 shows a jaw 714 in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention, and illustrates a modification to the jaws of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a movable retainer 760 is provided through an aperture 762 of the housing 726. The retainer 760 is movable between a retaining position shown in FIG. 12a and an open position shown in FIG. 12b.

In the retaining position of FIG. 12a, the clamping member 724 is mechanically held in the unclamped position by the retainer 760 that engages a protrusion 746 of the upper wall 742 of the clamping member 724. The retainer 760 prevents the clamping member 724 from moving to the clamped position when the air generating device is activated and air is provided to the chamber 728. In this way, a tress of hair received in the clamping space 716 can be dried and styled using air flow delivered to the clamping space 716 from the passages 752, without applying a clamping force to the tress of hair. For example, if a user wishes to use the hair styling accessory to dry, but not straighten, their hair, then they may use the device with the retainer 760 in the retaining position.

In the open position shown in FIG. 12b, the retainer 760 is positioned such that it does not engage the protrusion 746 of the upper wall 742, so that the clamping member 724 is free to move from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

The retainer 760 may be moved between the retaining and open positions using any suitable user interface, e.g. a sliding switch or push button, provided at any suitable position of the hair styling accessory.

FIGS. 13a to 13f show a hair styling accessory 810 in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the invention.

The hair styling accessory 810 comprises a body 812 and a pair of jaws 814 that are supported by the body 812. The jaws 814 define a clamping space 816 between them for receiving a tress of hair, and are movable to releasably clamp the tress of hair between the jaws 814 in use.

Specifically, each jaw 814 is configurable or movable between an unclamped position shown in FIG. 13a, and a clamped position shown in FIG. 13d. In the unclamped position, the jaws 814 are separated to allow a tress of hair to be received in the clamping space 816. In the clamped position, the jaws 814 are arranged to clamp a tress of hair received in the clamping space 816. The movement of the jaws 814 is actuated using air pressure generated within or external to the hair styling accessory 810.

Each jaw 814 is generally elongate, having a first end coupled to the body 812 and a second end remote from the body. Each jaw 814 comprises a clamping member 824 and a stationary member 826. Each clamping member 824 is moveably coupled to its associated stationary member 826. A chamber 828 is defined between each clamping member 824 and its associated stationary member 826. In use, air is delivered to the chambers 828 of the jaws 814 through inlets (not shown) in the jaws to actuate movement of the respective clamping member 824. At least a portion of this air may subsequently be delivered to the clamping space 816 for use in the hair styling process.

In this embodiment of the invention, the body 812 comprises an attachment portion 830 for attachment to a separate handle portion (such as handle portion 32 shown in FIG. 5) to define an attachable accessory.

Each clamping member 824 is generally elongate in shape, and comprises a front wall 842, a upper wall 840, an end wall 844 and a back overhanging wall 845. The top portions of the front walls 842 define clamping edges 841 for engaging and clamping a tress of hair in the clamped position. The clamping edge 841 is adjacent the upper wall 840. As can be seen from FIG. 13c, the clamping edge 841 is at a slight angle to the rest of the front wall 842.

The end walls 844 of the clamping members 824 are angled with respect to the normal to the front wall 842 and the back overhanging wall 845 so as to provide a tapered opening to the clamping space 816 for receiving a tress of hair.

The clamping members 824 are pivotably coupled to their respective stationary members 826 at the base of the front wall 842.

In this embodiment, a spring, or biasing member (not shown), is provided to bias the clamping members 824 in the unclamped position. However, in alternative embodiments such a biasing member may be omitted.

The upper wall 840 of each clamping member 824 extends generally perpendicularly from the clamping portion 841. At the outer edge of each upper wall 840, a back overhanging wall 845 extends generally perpendicularly from the upper wall 840. Thus the clamping member 824 extends over the top of stationary member 826 to surround the top edge of stationary member 826.

As shown in FIG. 13f, in the clamping position the back overhanging wall 845 engages with the outer side of the stationary member 826 to define a limit stop. Thus the length of the upper wall 840 defines the extension of the clamping member 824 in the clamping position. The back overhanging wall 845 thus limits movement of the clamping members 824 in a clamping direction (i.e. the direction of movement of the clamping member 824 from its unclamped position towards its clamped position). Once engaged, the back overhanging wall 845 prevents further movement of the clamping member 824 in the clamping direction, and guards against disengagement of the clamping member 824 from its housing 826.

In this embodiment the outer side of the stationary member 826 has an indent 827 shaped to correspond to the profile of the back overhanging wall 845 of the clamping member 824. In the clamping position the back overhanging wall 845 fits inside the indent 827 of the stationary member 826. However, in alternative embodiments the outer side of the stationary member 826 may not have an indent, for example it may have a smooth profile.

As can be seen from FIG. 13b, the back overhanging wall 845 of the clamping member 824 is not as deep as the stationary member 826 along most of its length, so it only extends partway (e.g. around ¼ of the way) down the stationary member 826. However at the end of the clamping member 824, where the back overhanging wall 845 meets the end wall 844, it extends the full height of the stationary member 826 to surround the front end of the stationary member 826. In alternative embodiments the back overhanging wall 845 may be relatively deeper or less deep, for example to extend between around 1/10 and 9/10 down the stationary member 826.

As the clamping member 824 extends over the top of stationary member 826 to surround the top edge of stationary member 826 (in the form of the upper wall 840 and the back overhanging wall 845), any air leaks as the clamping member 824 is moved to its clamping position, or while the clamping member 824 is in its clamping position, will exit the arms 814 on the outside, via the overhanging wall 845. The inventors have found that this means any air leaks will exit the jaws 814 via a leak flow path outside the jaws 814, and thus will not interfere with styling of the hair provided by the clamping.

One additional advantage of having the upper wall 840 and the back overhanging wall 845 surrounding the stationary member, is that it allows a user to apply additional clamping pressure to the clamping members 824 by pushing the overhanging wall 845. Thus a user wishing to apply additional clamping pressure can do so by squeezing the outside of the jaws 814.

Referring now to FIGS. 13b, 13c and 13f in particular, the front wall 842 of each clamping member 824 comprises a plurality of passages 852 that connect the chamber 828 to the clamping space 816. In use, air is delivered from the chamber 828 to the clamping space 816 via the passages 852.

The passages 852 are arranged side-by-side to extend generally across the entire length of the front wall 842 in this embodiment. The arrangement and number of passages 852 could of course differ in other embodiments, however, and the invention is not intended to be limited in this regard. For example, each clamping member 824 may include a single elongate passage 852 terminating in a single elongate outlet extending generally across the entire length of the front wall 840. It would also be possible for the number of passages 852 to differ from the number of outlets such that, for example, multiple passages 852 terminate in a single outlet, or a single passage 852 terminates in multiple outlets. The arrangement of passages 852 and outlets may differ for each clamping member 824.

The hair styling accessory 810 is attachable to an air generating device (not shown) comprising a motor configured to produce a high pressure air flow. A suitable pressure of flow may be between 3.5 and 7 Kpa at 13.5 L/s, purely by way of example.

To use the hair styling accessory 810, a user first places a tress of hair in the clamping space 816 defined between the unclamped clamping members 824, as shown in FIG. 13a. Although not shown, the clamping members 824 are biased towards the unclamped position by biasing means in the form of biasing springs. When the air generating device is turned off, the biasing means hold the clamping members 824 in their unclamped positions within the housing 826.

To clamp the tress of hair between the clamping members 824, the user actuates the jaws 814 by pressing a push button (not shown) provided on the body 812 of the hair styling accessory 810 or on a handle portion connected thereto. Of course, in other embodiments the jaws 814 may be actuated via another suitable type of user interface such as a sliding switch. The jaw 814 may also be actuated automatically, without specific command from the user. For example, the clamping may be activated by a sensing system as described above in relation to the first embodiment.

In the clamped position shown in FIG. 13d, a tress of hair can be clamped between the clamping edges 841 of the clamping members 824. The air pressure generated by the air generating device is such that, in this clamped position, the tress of hair is firmly clamped between the clamping edges 841.

A portion of the jet of air provided by the air generating device is delivered from the chambers 828 to the clamping space 816, via air passages 852, for direct use in styling of the clamped tress of hair. In other embodiments, one or more separate jets of air to those delivered to the chambers 828 are delivered to the clamping space 816. In that case, the hair styling accessory 810 may include separate conduits for delivering air directly to the passages 852 from the air generating device, in addition to the conduits that deliver air to the chambers 828 from the air generating device.

The passages 852 that deliver air to the clamping space 816 are arranged to direct air away from the clamping edges 841. This advantageously provides a straightening and smoothing effect on the tress of hair in the clamping space 16, by directing a flow of air both towards and along the length of this tress of hair, rather than directly at and perpendicularly with respect the length of the tress of hair. Furthermore, this reduces the likelihood of hairs being blown out of the clamping space 816 in use.

With the tress of hair clamped between the clamping edges 841, the user pulls the hair styling accessory 810 along the length of the tress of hair in a direction indicated by arrow to straighten or style the tress of hair as required.

When the user wishes to release the tress of hair, they simply press the push button again, into an ‘off’ position, which causes an electronic signal to be sent to the air generating device to deactivate the air generating device. The air generating device stops delivering high pressure air to the jaws 814, and the clamping members 824 are no longer forced into the clamping position by this high-pressure air. Where biasing means are provided, these pull the clamping members 824 from the clamped position back to the unclamped position.

FIGS. 14a to 14f show a hair styling accessory 810′ in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the invention. The hair styling accessory 810′ is the same as the hair styling accessory 810 shown in FIGS. 13a to 13f, except that the air passages 852′ provided in the front walls 842 of the clamping members 824 take a different form. Like reference numerals are used to describe like features, and only the differences are described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 14b and 14e, there are multiple air passages 852′ in the front wall 842 of the clamping member 824, spaced apart between the base of the front wall 842 and the top of the front wall 842, where it meets the upper wall 840. In this embodiment, each of the air passages 852′ extends substantially the across the full length of the front wall 842 of the clamping member 824.

FIGS. 15a to 15h show a hair styling accessory 810″ in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the invention, which functions in a very similar way to the tenth embodiment, described above in relation to FIGS. 13a to 13f. The hair styling accessory 810″ is the same as the hair styling accessory 810 shown in FIGS. 13a to 13f, except that the shape of the clamping members 824″ is slightly different. Like reference numerals are used to describe like features, and only the differences are described in detail.

As can be seen from FIGS. 15b and 15f, the back wall 845″ of the clamping members 824″ extends the full height of the clamping member 824 at the end of the jaw most distal from the body 812. Thus the back wall 845″ is connected to the front wall 842″ of the clamping member at one end of the elongate jaw 814. This is shown most clearly in FIGS. 15c and 15g, which show a cross-section of the jaws 814 in plane A (marked on FIGS. 15a and 15e). This means that the distal end of the stationary member 826″ is within, or enclosed by, the clamping member 824″.

Towards the proximal end of the jaws 814, the back overhanging wall 845″ is cutaway and thus does not meet the lower edge of the front wall 842″ of the clamping member, as can be seen in FIGS. 15b and 15f, as well as the cross-sections in plane B that are shown in FIGS. 15d and 15g. As a result of this, the indent 827″ in the back face of the stationary member 826″ is slanted and extends lower than the indent 827 in the tenth and eleventh embodiments.

Another difference is that the front walls 842″ of the clamping members 824″ are not planar. An upper section 842a of the front wall 842″ is at a slight angle to the lower section 842b of the front wall 842″. This can be seen in FIGS. 15d and 15h. This can improve ease of use of the device as it allows more space for allowing hair to enter the clamping area 816.

FIGS. 16a to 16f show a hair styling accessory 910 in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the invention. The hair styling accessory 910 functions in a similar way to the hair styling accessories 810, 810′ and 810″ shown in FIGS. 13a to 13f, 14a to 14f and 15a to 15h described above, except that the overhanging wall has been extended to join the base of the front wall so that the clamping member completely surrounds the stationary member.

The hair styling accessory 910 comprises a body 912 and a pair of jaws 914 that are supported by the body 912. The jaws 914 define a clamping space 916 between them for receiving a tress of hair, and are movable to releasably clamp the tress of hair between the jaws 914 in use.

Specifically, each jaw 914 is configurable or movable between an unclamped position shown in FIG. 16a, and a clamped position shown in FIG. 16d. In the unclamped position, the jaws 914 are separated to allow a tress of hair to be received in the clamping space 916. In the clamped position, the jaws 914 are arranged to clamp a tress of hair received in the clamping space 916. The movement of the jaws 914 is actuated using air pressure generated within or external to the hair styling accessory 910.

Each jaw 914 is generally elongate, having a first end coupled to the body 912 and a second end remote from the body. Each jaw 914 comprises a clamping member 924 and a stationary member 926. In this embodiment, the clamping member 924 completely surrounds the stationary member 926, so the stationary member 926 cannot be seen from outside the device.

Each clamping member 924 is moveably coupled to its associated stationary member 926. A chamber 928 is defined between each clamping member 924 and its associated stationary member 926. In use, air is delivered to the chambers 928 of the jaws 914 through inlets (not shown) in the jaws to actuate movement of the respective clamping member 924. At least a portion of this air may subsequently be delivered to the clamping space 916 for use in the hair styling process.

In this embodiment of the invention, the body 912 comprises an attachment portion 930 for attachment to a separate air generating device (such as handle portion 32 shown in FIG. 5) to define an attachable accessory.

Each clamping member 924 is generally elongate in shape, and comprises a front wall 942, an end wall 944 and a back wall 945. The top portion of the front wall 942 meets (e.g. being rigidly attached to) the top portion of the back wall 945 and the lower portion of the front wall 942 meets (e.g. being rigidly attached to) the lower portion of the back wall 945. The stationary member 926 is inside the clamping member 924, such that the clamping member 924 surrounds the stationary member 926.

The top portions of the front walls 942 define clamping edges 941 for engaging and clamping a tress of hair in the clamped position. As can be seen from FIG. 16c, the front wall 942 has a generally planar shape and the clamping edge 941 is at a slight angle to the plane of the front wall 942. This allows the clamping edges 941 of opposing clamping members 824 to be aligned when the clamping member 924 is in the clamped position.

The end walls 944 of the clamping members 924 are angled with respect to the normal to the front wall 942 so as to provide a tapered opening to the clamping space 916 for receiving a tress of hair.

The clamping members 924 are pivotably coupled to their respective stationary members 926 at the base of the front wall 942. In this embodiment, a spring, or biasing member (not shown), is provided to bias the clamping members 924 in the unclamped position. However, in alternative embodiments such a biasing member may be omitted.

The back wall 945 in this embodiment has a curved, in particular convex shape (although other shapes are envisaged). The stationary members 926 are also curved. As can be seen in FIG. 16f, the curvature of the stationary member 926 matches the curvature of the back wall 945 so that when the clamping member 924 is in the clamped position the curved surface of the stationary member 926 abuts the curved inner surface of the back wall 945, which acts as a limit stop to prevent the clamping members 924 moving any closer together.

Each stationary member 926 also has a projection 926a that projects from the inner surface of the curved portion of stationary member 926. As shown in FIG. 16c, this projection 926a is arranged to engage with the inner surface of the front wall 940 of the clamping member 924 when in the unclamped position. This acts as a limit stop to prevent the clamping member 924 moving further away from the clamping direction, thus acting against the biasing force of the biasing member. However in alternative embodiments, the projection could be positioned on the inner surface of the front wall 942 of the clamping member 924.

As shown in FIG. 16c, the chamber 928 is bounded by the curved inner surface of the stationary member 926, the top of the projection 926a of the stationary member 926 and the inner surface of the front wall 942 of the clamping member 924.

In the back wall 945 of the clamping member 924 are a plurality of apertures 929. In the embodiment shown there is a grid of many apertures 929, but in alternative embodiments there may be only a few, or even only one aperture 929 in the back wall 945 of the clamping member 924. The apertures 929 provide an air flow leak path to the outside of the jaws 914 for air entering the chamber 928. This means when air is jetted into the chamber 928, there will not be a build-up of pressure against the back wall 945 of the clamping member 924, which could have the effect of maintaining the clamping member in an unclamped position. Instead, air entering the chamber 928 will result in a force against the inner surface of the front wall 942 of the clamping member 924. The leak path being in the back wall 945 also means that any escaping air (caused e.g. by air leaks as the clamping member 924 is moved to its clamping position, or while the clamping member 924 is in its clamping position) will leave the jaws outside the clamping area 916 and will not interfere with hair styling.

One additional advantage of having the back wall 945 surrounding the stationary member, is that it allows a user to apply additional clamping pressure to the clamping members 924 by pushing the overhanging wall 945. Thus a user wishing to apply additional clamping pressure can do so by squeezing the outside of the jaws 914.

As with previous embodiments described above, the front wall 942 of each clamping member 924 comprises a passage 952 that connects the chamber 928 to the clamping space 916. In use, air is delivered from the chamber 928 to the clamping space 916 via the passages 952. However, in some embodiments (such as where hair is to be styled by clamping force alone), these passages 952 may be omitted.

In this embodiment each passage 952 extends along substantially the entire length of the front wall 942. he arrangement and number of passages 952 could of course differ in other embodiments, however, and the invention is not intended to be limited in this regard. For example, each clamping member 924 may include multiple passages 952 terminating in multiple outlets extending generally across the entire length of the front wall 940. It would also be possible for the number of passages 952 to differ from the number of outlets such that, for example, multiple passages 952 terminate in a single outlet, or a single passage 952 terminates in multiple outlets. The arrangement of passages 952 and outlets may differ for each clamping member 924.

Although the stationary members have been described as being stationary, they may not always be rigidly fixed in place in relation to the entire device. For example, stationary members 824, 924 may be movable relative to the body 812, 912 to allow adjustment of the size of the clamping space 816, 916.

It should be understood that many modifications to the described embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.

Although the above-described embodiments have air passages to allow a jet or flow of air into the clamping space, in alternative embodiments, such air passages may be omitted and no jet or flow of air into the clamping space is provided.

Although the described embodiments each utilise a pair of movable jaws, each jaw being movable by virtue of comprising a clamping member that is movable with respect to a relatively fixed housing, it would be possible for only one of the jaws of the pair to be movable.

Furthermore, it would be possible for the manner in which the clamping member moves from the unclamped position to the clamped position to differ for each jaw of a pair, with any of the described jaw configurations being combinable with any other of the described jaw configurations in a pair of jaws of the invention.

The following numbered clauses are also useful to explain some of the embodiments described herein:

- 1. A hair styling accessory, comprising:
  - a body supporting a pair of jaws defining a clamping space between them for receiving a tress of hair;
  - wherein at least one of the jaws comprises a stationary member and a clamping member, the clamping member being coupled to the stationary member so as to be movable with respect to the stationary member between an unclamped position in which a tress of hair can be received in the clamping space, and a clamped position in which the jaws are arranged to clamp a tress of hair received in the clamping space,
  - wherein the movement of the clamping member is actuated by air pressure.
- 2. A hair styling accessory according to clause 1, wherein the at least one of the jaws comprises one or more airflow pathways to allow airflow to exit the jaw in a direction generally away from the clamping space.
- 3. A hair styling accessory according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the at least one of the jaws comprises an inlet for receiving a flow of air from the body to move the clamping member from the unclamped position to the clamped position.
- 4. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein at least a portion of the stationary member is arranged inside the clamping member.
- 5. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein the at least one jaw comprises a chamber defined between the housing and the clamping member, and an inlet for receiving a flow of air from the body into the chamber to actuate the movable jaw and move the clamping member from the unclamped position to the clamped position.
- 6. A hair styling accessory according to clause 5, wherein the at least one jaw comprises one or more airflow pathways to allow airflow to exit the chamber in a direction generally away from the clamping space
- 7. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein at least one of the pair of jaws is configured to deliver a flow of air from the body to the clamping space.
- 8. A hair styling accessory according to clause 7, wherein the at least one jaw comprises a chamber defined between the housing and the clamping member; and wherein the clamping member comprises a passage that connects the chamber to the clamping space thereby to deliver the flow of air thereto.
- 9. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein the clamping member has an elongate shape defining a first long edge, and is coupled to the housing so as to be pivotable about the first long edge.
- 10. A hair styling accessory according to clause 9, when dependent on clause 8, wherein the passage is arranged such that air entering the clamping space from the passage is directed generally towards the first long edge of the clamping member
- 11. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein the clamping member defines a clamping edge for engaging and clamping hair in the clamped position.
- 12. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein the clamping member comprises a limit stop that engages with the stationary member in the clamped position to limit movement of the clamping member.
- 13. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein the stationary member comprises a limit stop that engages with the clamping member in the unclamped position to limit movement of the clamping member.
- 14. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, wherein both of the jaws comprises a stationary member and a clamping member comprising two movable jaws, wherein the clamping member of one of the jaws is pivotably coupled to its respective stationary member at a first long edge of the clamping member, and the clamping member of the other jaw is pivotably coupled to its respective stationary member at a second, opposing, long edge of the clamping member.
- 15. A hair styling accessory according to any preceding clause, comprising a retainer for retaining the clamping member in the unclamped position.
- 16. A hair styling accessory as claimed in any preceding clause, further comprising an air generating device configured to deliver pressurised air to the body to actuate movement of the clamping member.
- 17. A hair styling accessory according to clause 16, configured such that at least a portion of the air delivered to actuate the movement of the clamping member is delivered to the clamping space.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2200105.1	Jan 2022	GB	national
2300196.9	Jan 2023	GB	national

HAIR STYLING ACCESSORY

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