Hairstyling device having coupling and interchangeable heads

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6502585
  • Patent Number
    6,502,585
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, October 26, 2000
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 7, 2003
    22 years ago
Abstract
A hairstyling device for providing a user with a selection of interchangeable heads. The hairstyling device comprises a handle member. The handle member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle member includes a cavity. The handle member includes a pair of elongated slots. There is a nub that includes a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled to and extending away from the top wall. A free edge of the peripheral wall is integrally coupled to the first end of the handle member. There are a plurality of heads that include a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. Each of the second ends of the heads includes a bore extending therein. Each of the bores includes a base wall and an inner side wall. The inner side wall includes a pair of wells therein. Each of the bores includes a size and shape designed for removably receiving the nub. There is a coupling means for removably connecting one of the heads to the handle member. The coupling means includes a size and shape designed for removably positioning in the pair of wells of one of the heads.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to brushes and more particularly pertains to a new hairstyling device for providing a user with a selection of interchangeable heads.




2. Description of the Prior Art




The use of brushes is known in the prior art. More specifically, brushes heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.




Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,992,423; 5,479,951; 4,605,023; 5,865,188; 5,273,058; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 324,454.




While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new hairstyling device. The inventive device includes a hairstyling device comprising a handle member. The handle member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle member includes a cavity. The handle member includes a pair of elongated slots. There is a nub that includes a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled to and extending away from the top wall. A free edge of the peripheral wall is integrally coupled to the first end of the handle member. There are a plurality of heads that include a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. Each of the second ends of the heads includes a bore extending therein. Each of the heads includes a base wall and an inner side wall. The inner side wall includes a pair of wells therein. Each of the bores includes a size and shape designed for removably receiving the nub. There is a coupling means for removably connecting one of the heads to the handle member. The coupling means includes a size and shape designed for removably positioning in the pair of wells of one of the heads.




In these respects, the hairstyling device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a user with a selection of interchangeable heads.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of brushes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hairstyling device construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a user with a selection of interchangeable heads.




The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new hairstyling device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the brushes mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hairstyling device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art brushes, either alone or in any combination thereof.




To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a hairstyling device comprising a handle member. The handle member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle member includes a cavity. The handle member includes a pair of elongated slots. There is a nub that includes a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled to and extending away from the top wall. A free edge of the peripheral wall is integrally coupled to the first end of the handle member. There are a plurality of heads that include a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. Each of the second ends of the heads includes a bore extending therein. Each of the heads includes a base wall and an inner side wall. The inner side wall includes a pair of wells therein. Each of the bores includes a size and shape designed for removably receiving the nub. There is a coupling means for removably connecting one of the heads to the handle member. The coupling means includes a size and shape designed for removably positioning in the pair of wells of one of the heads.




There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.




In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.




As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.




Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.




It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new hairstyling device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the brushes mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hairstyling device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art brushes, either alone or in any combination thereof.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a new hairstyling device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hairstyling device which is of a durable and reliable construction.




An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such hairstyling device economically available to the buying public.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device for providing a user with a selection of interchangeable heads.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device which includes handle member. The handle member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle member includes a cavity. The handle member includes a pair of elongated slots. There is a nub that includes a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled to and extending away from the top wall. A free edge of the peripheral wall is integrally coupled to the first end of the handle member. There are a plurality of heads that include a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. Each of the second ends of the heads includes a bore extending therein. Each of the heads includes a base wall and an inner side wall. The inner side wall includes a pair of wells therein. Each of the bores includes a size and shape designed for removably receiving the nub. There is a coupling means for removably connecting one of the heads to the handle member. The coupling means includes a size and shape designed for removably positioning in the pair of wells of one of the heads.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device that allows its heads to be releasable from its handle so that the head may stay curled in a person's hair. This would allow a person to keep the brush in the hair while blowing drying thereby achieving a better curl.




Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new hairstyling device that may be used with a variety of hair types to create full or straight styles.




These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a schematic perspective view of a new hairstyling device according to the present invention showing the housing.





FIG. 2

is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing the handle member and one of the heads.





FIG. 3

is a schematic side view of the present invention showing the variety of sizes of the heads.





FIG. 4

is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention showing the coupling means positioned in the handle member.





FIG. 5

is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line


5





5


showing the bore and a pair of wells of a head.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to

FIGS. 1 through 5

thereof, a new hairstyling device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral


10


will be described.




As best illustrated in

FIGS. 1 through 5

, the hairstyling device


10


generally comprises a hairstyling device comprising: a handle member


11


. The handle member


11


is elongated and includes a first end


12


and a second end


13


. The handle member


11


tapers from a middle portion


14


of the handle member


11


to the second end


13


. The handle member


11


may be made out of any generally rigid material such as plastic or metal




The handle member


11


includes a gripping portion


15


integrally coupled to the middle portion


14


of the handle member


11


. The gripping portion


15


is positioned generally between the first


12


and second ends


13


. The gripping portion


15


provides a user with better handling of the invention during use. The gripping portion


15


may be made out of a resiliently flexible material such as rubber or may be composed of a generally rigid material such as plastic or metal.




The handle member


11


includes a cavity


16


positioned generally adjacent to the first end


12


of the handle member


11


. The handle member


11


includes a pair of elongated slots


17


extending into the cavity


16


. Each of the elongated slots


17


is positioned generally adjacent to the first end


12


and positioned generally opposite of each other.




The handle member


11


includes a nub


20


. The nub


20


includes a top wall


21


. There is a peripheral wall


22


integrally coupled to the top wall


21


and extending downwardly away from the top wall


21


. A free edge of the peripheral wall


22


is integrally coupled to the first end


12


of the handle member


11


. The peripheral wall


22


includes a pair of holes


23


positioned generally coaxial.




There are a plurality of heads


30


that may be attached to the handle member


11


. Each of the heads


30


is elongated and includes a first end


31


and a second end


32


with a peripheral wall


33


extending between the first


31


and second ends


32


. Each of the second ends


32


of the heads


30


include a bore


34


extending into the head


30


. Each of the bores


34


includes a base wall


35


and an inner side wall


36


.




The inner side wall


36


includes plurality of wells


37


positioned generally adjacent to the base wall


34


and orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bore


30


. Each of the wells


37


is positioned generally opposite of each other. The bore


34


includes a size and shape designed for removably receiving the nub


20


.




Each of the peripheral walls


33


of the heads


30


include a plurality of bristles


39


integrally attached thereto and extending outwardly from the surface of the peripheral wall


33


. Each of the bristles


39


are orientated generally perpendicular to the peripheral wall


33


. Each of the bristles


39


comprises a resiliently flexible material such as a flexible plastic.




There is a coupling means


40


for removably connecting one of the heads


30


to the handle member


11


. The coupling means


40


includes a rod


41


positioned between and movably positioned in the pair of elongated slots


17


of the handle member


11


. The rod


41


may be made of a generally rigid material such as plastic or metal.




An upstanding member


42


is integrally coupled to and extends upwardly from a middle portion of the rod


41


. The upstanding member


42


movably extends through the first end


12


of the handle member


11


and into the nub


20


. There are a pair of elongated members


43


, that include a first end


44


integrally coupled to a free end


45


of the upstanding member


42


. Each of the elongated members


43


include a second end


46


that is movably extendable through one of the holes


23


in the nub


20


.




There is a biasing means


50


for maintaining the coupling member


40


in an extended position. The biasing means


50


is positioned in the cavity


16


between the rod


41


and the second end


13


of the handle member


11


. The biasing means


50


exerts an upward force upon the rod


41


which forces the upstanding member


42


upward pushing the elongated members


43


into the wells


37


of one of the heads


30


, thus, releasably coupling one of the heads


30


to the handle member


11


. The biasing means


50


generally comprises a spring.




There is also a housing


60


that provides storage for the plurality of heads


30


. The housing


60


includes a bottom wall


61


, a front wall


62


, a back wall


63


, a first side wall


64


, a second side wall


65


and a top wall


66


. The top wall


66


includes a plurality of wells


67


extending into the housing. Each of the wells


67


includes a different length and circumference.




The housing


60


includes a carrying member


68


to carry the housing


60


. The carrying member


68


is elongated and includes a first end


69


and a second end


70


. Each of the ends


69


and


70


is integrally coupled to and extending away from the front wall


62


of the housing


60


. The first end


69


is positioned generally adjacent to the first side wall


64


. The second end


70


is positioned generally adjacent to the second side wall


65


. The carrying member


68


is positioned generally between the top wall


66


and the bottom wall


61


.




There is a cover portion


71


to prevent the heads


30


from getting dirty or fall out of the housing


60


. The cover portion


71


comprises a panel that includes a first side


72


, a second side


73


, a first edge


74


, a second edge


75


, a third edge


76


and a fourth edge


77


.




There is a hinging means


78


for hingedly coupling the first edge


74


of the panel to a top edge


79


of the back wall


63


. The panel is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position.




In an embodiment each of the heads


30


includes a size and shape designed to be positioned in one of the wells


67


of the housing


60


.




In use, the rod


42


if the coupling means


40


is pulled downwardly against the biasing means


50


. The elongated members


43


are then pulled into the nub


20


. This allows one of the pluralities of heads to be positioned onto the nub


20


. When the user releases the rod


42


, the elongated members are seated in the wells


37


of one of the heads


30


, thus, removably coupling one of said heads


30


to said handle member


11


. To change heads


30


, a user merely pulls downwardly on the rod


42


.




As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.




With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.




Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A hairstyling device comprising:a handle member, said handle member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said handle member having a cavity therein, said handle member having a pair of elongated slots therein; a nub, said nub having a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled thereto and extending away from said top wall, a free edge of said peripheral wall being integrally coupled to said first end of said handle member; a plurality of heads, each of said heads being elongated having a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween, each of said second ends of said heads having a bore extending therein, each of said heads having a base wall and an inner side wall, said inner side wall having a pair of wells therein, each of said bores having a size and shape adapted for removably receiving said nub; a coupling means for removably connecting one of said heads to said handle member, said coupling means having a size and shape adapted for removably positioning in said pair of wells of one of said heads; and said coupling means including a rod, said rod being positioned between and movably positioned in said pair of elongated slots of said handle member, an upstanding member being integrally coupled to a middle portion of said rod and extending upwardly therefrom, said upstanding member movably extending through said first end of said housing and extending into said nub, a pair of elongated member, each of said elongated members having a first end integrally coupled to a free end of said upstanding member, each of said elongated members having a second end being movably extended through a pair of holes in said nub.
  • 2. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein said handle member further comprises:said handle member tapering from a middle portion of said handle member to said second end.
  • 3. The hairstyling device of claim 2, further comprising:a gripping portion, said gripping portion being integrally coupled to said middle portion of said handle member, said handle member being positioned generally between said first and second ends.
  • 4. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein said handle member further comprises:said second end of said handle member having a point.
  • 5. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of heads further comprises:each of said peripheral walls of said heads having a plurality of bristles integrally attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said bristles being orientated generally perpendicular to said peripheral wall.
  • 6. The hairstyling device of claim 1, further comprising:a biasing means for maintaining said coupling member in an extended position, said biasing means being positioned in said cavity between said coupling means and second end of said handle member.
  • 7. The hairstyling device of claim 1, further comprising:a housing, said housing having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall, said top wall having a plurality of wells extending therein, each of said wells having a different size.
  • 8. The hairstyling device of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises:said housing having a carrying member being elongated having a first end and a second end, each of said ends being integrally coupled to and extending away from said front wall of said housing, said first end being positioned generally adjacent to said first side wall, said second end being positioned generally adjacent to said second side wall, said carrying member being positioned generally between said top wall and said bottom wall.
  • 9. The hairstyling device of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises:said housing having a cover portion, said cover portion comprising a panel having a first side and a second side, a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, a hinging means for hingedly coupling said first edge of said panel to a top edge of said back wall, said panel being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position.
  • 10. A hairstyling device comprising:a handle member, said handle member being elongated having a first end and a second end, said handle member tapering from a middle portion of said handle to said second end, said handle member having a gripping portion integrally coupled to said middle portion of said handle member, said gripping portion being positioned generally between said first and second ends, said handle member having a cavity therein, said cavity being positioned generally adjacent to said first end, said handle member having a pair of elongated slots extending into said cavity, each of said elongated slots being positioned generally adjacent to said first end and positioned generally opposite of each other; a nub, said nub having a top wall, a peripheral wall integrally coupled thereto and extending away from said top wall, a free edge of said peripheral wall being integrally coupled to said first end of said handle member, said peripheral wall having a pair of holes therein, said holes being generally coaxial; a plurality of heads, each of said heads being elongated having a first end and a second end with a peripheral wall extending therebetween, each of said second ends of said heads having a bore extending therein, each of said bores having a base wall and an inner side wall, said inner side wall having plurality of wells extending therein, each of said wells being positioned generally adjacent to said base wall and orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bore, each of said wells being positioned generally opposite of each other, said bore having a size and shape adapted for removably receiving said nub, each of said peripheral wall of said heads having a plurality of bristles integrally attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said bristles being orientated generally perpendicular to said peripheral wall, each of said bristles comprising a resiliently flexible material; a coupling means for removably connecting one of said heads to said handle, said coupling means including a rod, said rod being positioned between and movably positioned in said pair of elongated slots of said handle member, an upstanding member being integrally coupled to a middle portion of said rod and extending upwardly therefrom, said upstanding member movably extending through said first end of said housing and extending into said nub, a pair of elongated member, each of said elongated members having a first end integrally coupled to a free end of said upstanding member, each of said elongated members having a second end being movably extended through one of said holes in said nub, each of said; a biasing means for maintaining said coupling member in an extended position, said biasing means being positioned in said cavity between said rod and said second end of said handle member; a housing, said housing having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall, said top wall having a plurality of wells extending therein, each of said wells having a different size, a carrying member being elongated having a first end and a second end, each of said ends being integrally coupled to and extending away from said front wall of said housing, said first end being positioned generally adjacent to said first side wall, said second end being positioned generally adjacent to said second side wall, said carrying member being positioned generally between said top wall and said bottom wall; a cover portion, said cover portion comprising a panel having a first side and a second side, a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge; a hinging means for hingedly coupling said first edge of said panel to a top edge of said back wall, said panel being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; and wherein each of said heads having a size and shape adapted to being positioned in one of said wells of said housing.
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Number Name Date Kind
3967630 Zuhlsdorff et al. Jul 1976 A
5887600 Wilk Mar 1999 A
5954064 Motherhead Sep 1999 A
5975091 Balanchi Nov 1999 A
5992423 Tevolini Nov 1999 A
6029307 Baudoin Feb 2000 A
6230716 Minoletti May 2001 B1