The present application relates generally to hairbrushes, and more specifically, to hairbrushes having illuminating elements.
The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the system and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the apparatus and method are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Referring to
The brush panel 106 is supported by the lower shell 122. The lower shell 122 includes a rim portion 124 that defines a brush-panel aperture 126. The brush panel 106 is larger than the brush-panel aperture 126 so that the rim portion 124 can retain the brush panel 106 and the brush panel 106 can extend across the brush-panel aperture 126. The first and second lenses 112a, 112b are supported by the upper shell 120. More specifically, the first and second lenses 112a, 112b are disposed in respective lens apertures in the upper shell 120.
The hairbrush 100 also includes rigid frame members 128a and 128b. The frame members 128a, 128b are secured between the brush panel 106 and the upper shell 120. The frame members 128a, 128b can be secured to the upper shell 120 and to the lower shell 122 using any of a variety of securing means, such as snaps, screws, and/or adhesives. The frame members 128a, 128b urge the brush panel 106 against the lower shell 122 to prevent the brush panel 106 from slipping into the hollow interior of the hairbrush 100. The frame members 128a, 128b each include a plurality of tab members 129, which correspondingly mesh with notches 131 in the brush panel 106 (shown in
The handle portion 104 houses the push-button switch 110 and a circuit board 130. The top of the push-button switch 130 is axially aligned with a push-button aperture 132 in the upper shell 120 so that the top of the push-button switch 110 extends through the upper shell 120 at the push-button aperture 132. The base of the push-button switch 110 is attached to the circuit board 130. The circuit board 130 also includes circuitry described below in connection with
The illustrated embodiment of the hairbrush 100 also includes a light-emitting diode (LED) 140 as an implementation of a light source. Any of a variety of types of LEDs can be used depending on implementation goals, such as desired color, color effects, power availability, and desired battery life. For example, some embodiments can include a single LED that is configured to emit a predetermined color of light. Some embodiments can include a plurality of LEDs, each configured to emit a predetermined color of light. Some embodiments can include color-changing LEDs, also sometimes referred to as color-mixing LEDs. For example, some embodiments can include one or more LEDs combined in a common-anode or common-cathode configuration that can be driven together to emit any of a variety of different colors of light.
Light from the LED 140 is directed towards a fiber-optic bundle 142. Only a base portion of the fiber-optic bundle 142 is shown in
Also, in addition to serving as light conduits, the fiber-optic fibers 148 can also provide a passive damping or cushioning effect on the brush panel 106 in embodiments that include a brush panel 106 that is formed of a flexible material, such as rubber. The damping or cushioning effect results from the collective mechanical resistance provided by the plurality of fiber-optic fibers 148 against flexing of the brush panel 106 towards the interior region of the hairbrush 100 due to the bends in respective fibers 148 between the base of the fiber-optic bundle 142 and the brush panel 106.
The remaining circuitry will depend largely on the LED driver integrated circuit that is used in order to provide proper voltage levels and signals as required by the LED driver for proper operation. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the push-button switch 110 is represented by switch element S1. When the switch is closed, it grounds a pin on the LED driver U1. This causes the LED driver to latch, which begins a cycle where charge is drained from the capacitor C1 and provided to the LED D1, thereby causing the LED D1 to emit light. The resistor R1 is provided to control the level of electrical current that is provided to the LED D1. Once the capacitor C1 has discharged, the LED driver will open the pin to the capacitor C1, allowing the batteries 136 to recharge the capacitor C1. During this part of the cycle the LED D1 is not emitting light. Once the capacitor C1 has recharged, the LED driver U1 provides the voltage from the capacitor C1 to the LED D1, causing the LED D1 to again illuminate. This cycle repeats until the button S1 is pressed again.
The above example provides for a circuit that can drive a flashing LED. Alternative LED drivers can be used to keep the LED illuminated but drive the LED to cycle through various colors, for example using a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driver. Such a circuit can drive a color-changing LED to cycle through colors by providing electrical pulses of varying widths to the LED. Still other alternatives can include circuitry for providing a steadily-lit LED that does not flash or change colors. A simple example of such a circuit can include the battery, the switch, the resistor, and the LED connected in series.
Operation of the hairbrush 100 can vary depending on the circuit that is used. A user can press the push-button switch 110, which causes the LED 140 to begin emitting light. In some embodiments, the user can release the push-button switch 110 and the LED 140 will continue emitting light until the push-button switch 110 is pressed and released again. In alternative embodiments, the LED 140 will continue to emit light only while the push-button switch 110 remains pressed, and will stop emitting light whenever the push-button switch 110 is released or otherwise not pressed.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Thus, the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.