The techniques disclosed herein relate to heated hair styling appliances, and more specifically, to hair styling appliances having a multi-function actuator for adjusting a setting of one or more hair appliance variables.
The following descriptions and examples are provided as background only and are intended to reveal information that is believed to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is necessarily intended, or should be construed, that any of the following information constitutes prior art impacting the patentable character of the subject matter claimed herein.
A wide variety of hair appliances may be utilized to style hair, including but not limited to, hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons. Many of such devices enable the user to select and set one or more hair appliance variables, such as a desired temperature, time, fan speed, moisture level, ion injection, etc. However, these devices typically require one or more separate buttons, dials or other actuators for setting each hair appliance variable. For example, a hair dryer may include three separate actuators (e.g., buttons, switches, dials, etc.) for individually selecting a desired temperature setting, a desired fan speed and a desired moisture level for styling a user's hair. In another example, a curling iron or flat iron may include multiple buttons for turning a heat source on/off and setting a desired temperature. Devices that require manipulation of multiple actuators to select various settings are difficult to use, especially during the act of styling one's hair.
The following description of various embodiments of hair styling appliances and methods is not to be construed in any way as limiting the subject matter of the appended claims.
The hair styling appliance disclosed herein advantageously provides a unique multi-function actuator for adjusting a setting of one or more hair appliance variables. The hair appliance variables available for adjustment with the multi-function actuator are generally dependent on the hair styling appliance in which the actuator is used. Examples of hair appliance variables that may be adjusted with the multi-function actuator described herein include, but are certainly not limited to, temperature, time, multi-zone temperature settings, fan speed, moisture level/steam, barrel rotation, ion injection, etc. Advantages of the multi-function actuator described herein include, but are not limited to, fewer buttons/actuators and greater ease of use. Other advantages will be apparent to a skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure.
According to one embodiment, a hair styling appliance is provided with a multi-function actuator configured for adjusting a setting of one or more hair appliance variables. In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator may include at least two actuators (e.g., a first actuator and a second actuator), which are arranged adjacent to one another on the hair styling appliance and configured to be actuated independently of one another. In one embodiment, the first and second actuators may include a button and a dial, which is shaped and dimensioned to surround at least a portion of an outer circumference of the button. As used herein, “at least a portion” may include some percentage of the outer circumference ranging between about 10% to about 100% of the outer circumference.
The hair styling appliance may also include a control circuit, which is coupled to the multi-function actuator and configured for controlling operation of the hair styling appliance in response to actuation of at least one of the first and the second actuators. The control circuit may control the operation of the hair styling appliance differently for different embodiments of the multi-function actuator.
In a first embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be used to select and/or adjust substantially any number of hair appliance variables (e.g., any number of the following: temperature, time, multi-zone temperature settings, fan speed, moisture level/steam, barrel rotation, ion injection, etc.). Upon actuation of the first actuator, the control circuit may be configured to toggle through and/or select a hair appliance variable from a plurality of hair appliance variables, which are available for user selection and adjustment. Upon actuation of the second actuator, the control circuit may be configured to adjust a setting of the selected hair appliance variable, and to subsequently control the operation of the hair styling appliance in accordance with the adjusted setting.
In one exemplary implementation of the first embodiment, the first actuator may also be used to activate a timer. In such an implementation, the control circuit may be configured to toggle through and/or select a hair appliance variable from the plurality of hair appliance variables upon actuation of the first actuator for a first length of time, and may be configured to activate a timer upon actuation of the first actuator for a second length of time. The first length of time may be longer than the second length of time (or vice versa) to assist the control circuit in differentiating between the timer functionality from the hair appliance variable selection functionality. Upon reaching an end point of the timer, the control circuit may be further configured to activate a user notification of time-out to indicate that a selected time duration has been reached.
In a second embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be used to adjust only two hair appliance variables (e.g., temperature and time, fan speed and temperature, etc.). In such an embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to adjust a setting of a first hair appliance variable in response to user-actuation of the first actuator, adjust a setting of a second hair appliance variable in response to user-actuation of the second actuator, and control the operation of the hair styling appliance in accordance with the adjusted settings.
In one exemplary implementation of the second embodiment, the first hair appliance variable may be a time variable and the second hair appliance variable may be a different hair appliance variable, such as but not limited to, temperature, fan speed, moisture level, ion injection, or barrel rotation speed. In such an example, the control circuit may be configured to adjust the time variable to a user-selected time duration in response to user-actuation of the first actuator for a first length of time, and may activate a timer in response to user-actuation of the first actuator for a second length of time. The first length of time may be shorter than the second length of time (or vice versa) to assist the control circuit in differentiating between the timer functionality and the time selection functionality. If the timer is activated, the control circuit may be further configured to activate a user notification of time-out to indicate when the user-selected time duration has been reached.
In a third embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be used to adjust only one hair appliance variable (e.g., time). In such an embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to adjust a setting of a time variable to a user-selected time duration in response to user-actuation of the first actuator, and activate a timer in response to user-actuation of the second actuator. If the timer is activated, the control circuit may be further configured to activate a user notification of time-out to indicate when the user-selected time duration has been reached.
According to another embodiment, a hair styling appliance is provided herein with a multi-function actuator and a handle. The multi-function actuator may generally include a first actuator and a second actuator, which are arranged adjacent to one another on the hair styling appliance and configured to be actuated independently of one another. The handle preferably enables a user to grip a lower portion of the handle with the user's palm and fingers without actuating the multi-function actuator with the user's palm or fingers.
In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be ergonomically positioned on the hair styling appliance for easily accessible manipulation and actuation with the user's thumb. For example, the multi-function actuator may be positioned near an upper portion of the handle at a location, which enables the user to manipulate the multi-function actuator with the user's thumb. In one embodiment, the ergonomic position of the multi-function actuator on the hair styling appliance may enable the user to activate and reactivate the first actuator with the user's thumb without the user having to look at the first actuator.
In one embodiment, the hair styling appliance is a curling iron comprising an elongated barrel extending out from the upper portion of the handle. In such an embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be positioned near a juncture between the elongated barrel and the upper portion of the handle. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the curling iron handle may be bent at an angle of approximately 90° to the lower portion of the handle, and the elongated barrel may extend out from the upper portion along a longitudinal axis of the upper portion. In such an embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be positioned at or near an outside corner formed between the upper portion and lower portion of the handle, for example.
In one embodiment, the hair styling apparatus may comprise no other buttons, dials or actuators for adjusting hair appliance variables (other than the multi-function actuator). In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator may be the only actuator included on the hair styling appliance. In another embodiment, the hair styling appliance may comprise a power button for turning the hair styling appliance on/off.
According to another embodiment, user-implemented methods for utilizing a multi-function actuator to adjust one or more hair appliance settings are provided. According to yet another embodiment, a method of controlling a hair styling appliance in accordance with one or more adjustable hair appliance settings is provided.
Other objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
While the embodiments of hair styling appliances and methods disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
In general, the present disclosure is directed to embodiments of hair styling appliances having a multi-function actuator, which may be easily manipulated by a user for adjusting a setting of at least one hair appliance variable. In preferred embodiments, the multi-function actuator described herein may be manipulated by a user for selecting a hair appliance variable from a plurality of hair appliance variables, which are available for user selection and adjustment, and for adjusting a setting of a selected one of the hair appliance variables. As used herein, a “hair appliance variable” may be described as an operational parameter of a hair styling appliance, and a “setting” may be described as a value or set point associated with a particular hair appliance variable.
The multi-function actuator described herein is not limited to any particular type of hair styling appliance, any particular number or combination of hair appliance variables, or any particular number of settings. However, the type of hair styling appliance may dictate, to some extent, the hair appliance variables and settings, which are available for user selection and adjustment via the multi-function actuator. When included on a hair dryer, for example, the multi-function actuator may enable a user to adjust temperature and/or fan speed settings. In some embodiments, the multi-function actuator may also enable a user to adjust a moisture level setting and/or an ion injection setting of the hair dryer. On the other hand, a multi-function actuator may enable a user to adjust temperature and/or time settings when included on a curling iron or a flat iron. If a curling iron is configured with a rotating barrel, embodiments of the multi-function actuator described herein may additionally enable a user to adjust the barrel rotation speed.
An exemplary hair styling appliance having a multi-function actuator for adjusting settings of one or more hair appliance variables is shown in
As shown in
Internal heating element(s) may be located within the styling element 20 as is well known in the art. For example, the internal heating element included within the hair styling appliance 10 of
In other embodiments of hair styling appliances (not shown), other types of styling elements for applying heat to a user's hair (i.e., other than the elongated barrel 20 shown in
One embodiment of a multi-function actuator 18 is shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, hair styling appliance 10 is a curling iron having a substantially right angle handle. In this type of curling iron, an upper portion 28 of handle 12 is bent at an angle of approximately 90° (e.g., about 85° to about 95°) to a lower portion 32 of the handle 12, and the elongated barrel 20 extends out from the upper portion 28 along a longitudinal axis of the upper portion. In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator 18 may be positioned at or near an outside corner 30 formed between the upper portion 28 and lower portion 32 of the handle 12. Alternatively, the multi-function actuator 18 may be positioned on a top surface or a side surface of the upper portion 28 in other embodiments.
Several advantages are realized by positioning the multi-function actuator 18, as shown in
The multi-function actuator described herein, or some variant thereof, may provide the same or similar advantages when incorporated on other types of hair styling appliances. For example, a multi-function actuator may be positioned on a handle of a hair dryer, wherein such positioning enables a user to grip the handle without accidentally actuating the multi-function actuator with the palm or fingers, while enabling the user to easily manipulate the multi-function actuator with the user's thumb. Regardless of the particular type of hair styling appliance, the multi-function actuator may be ergonomically positioned for right-hand operation, left-hand operation, or both right- and left-hand operation of the hair styling appliance.
In general, the multi-function actuator 18 may be configured for adjusting a setting of one or more hair appliance variables. As noted above, the hair appliance variables available for adjustment via the multi-function actuator may generally depend on the particular type of hair styling appliance comprising the multi-function actuator. In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator 18 depicted in
In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator 18 may be the only actuator included on the hair styling appliance 10. In such an embodiment, the multi-function actuator 18 may further be used to turn on/off the power supplied to the hair styling appliance. Alternatively, hair styling appliance 10 may include a power button (e.g., power button 16) for turning the power on/off. In one embodiment, the multi-function actuator 18 and the power button 16 may be the only actuators included on hair styling appliance 10. In another embodiment, one or more additional actuators may be included on the hair styling appliance for controlling the operation or changing the configuration of the hair styling appliance.
In some embodiments, the multi-function actuator described herein may include at least two actuators (e.g., a first actuator and a second actuator), which are arranged adjacent to one another on the hair styling appliance and configured to be actuated independently of one another. The first and second actuators are preferably assembled together on the hair styling appliance, such that one of the actuators at surrounds at least a portion of an outer circumference of the other actuator. In some embodiments, one of the actuators may completely surround the other actuator (i.e., one actuator may surround 100% of the outer circumference of the other actuator). In other embodiments, one actuator may not completely surround the other actuator (e.g., one actuator may surround only 25%, 50% or 75% of the outer circumference of the other actuator). As used herein, surrounding “at least a portion” means that one actuator is dimensioned and shaped to surround some percentage of the outer circumference of the other actuator, where such percentage ranges between about 10% and about 100%.
In the illustrated embodiment, multi-function actuator 18 comprises dial 24 and push button 26. In order to be perceived as one component, dial 24 may be shaped and dimensioned so as to closely surround push button 26. According to one embodiment, push button 26 may have a circular outer circumference, and dial 24 may have a ring-shape configured to receive and closely surround the circular outer circumference of push button 26, as shown in
Although depicted as such, the multi-function actuator described herein is not limited to a dial and push button combination, and may include other types and combinations of actuators (e.g., including, but not limited to, dials, push buttons, linear switches, rocker switches, etc.) in other embodiments. Although a dial and push button combination represents one preferred embodiment of multi-function actuator 18, it is noted that the dial and push button are not strictly limited to the particular shapes, dimensions, configurations or placements shown in the figures. While it is generally preferred that dial 24 have a substantially circular inner circumference, so as to enable free rotation of dial 24 around push button 26, the outer circumference of dial 24 may not be strictly circular in all embodiments. In one example, the outer circumference of dial 24 may comprise small ridges, as shown in
The visual indicator ring 25 may be used to provide a visual indication of one or more hair appliance properties to the user using, for example, light. In one example, the visual indicator ring 25 may blink on/off to provide visual indication that the hair styling appliance 10 is warming up, and may stop blinking once a default or desired temperature setting is reached. When blinking stops (e.g., once the desired temperature setting is reached), the visual indicator ring 25 may turn off or may remain lit. The visual indicator ring 25 may be illuminated with a single color of light, or may be illuminated with different colors of light, to provide visual indication of various hair appliance properties.
In one embodiment, the visual indicator ring 25 may be illuminated with only one color of light. In such an embodiment, the visual indicator ring 25 may blink on/off when a hair appliance setting is being adjusted by a user, or when the hair styling appliance is in the process of adjusting to the new hair appliance setting, and may turn off or remain continuously lit when the hair styling appliance achieves the new hair appliance setting. In another embodiment, the visual indicator ring 25 may be illuminated with a first color of light (e.g., red) when dial 24 is rotated to increase a hair appliance setting (e.g., to a higher temperature), may be illuminated with a second color of light (e.g., blue) when dial 24 is rotated to decrease a hair appliance setting (e.g., to a lower temperature), and may be illuminated with a third color of light (e.g., green) when the hair styling appliance reaches a desired hair appliance setting (e.g., a desired temperature setting). Other ways for providing a visual indication of one or more hair appliance properties to the user, via the visual indicator ring 25, are also contemplated and encompassed herein.
In one embodiment, push button 26 may be actuated for toggling between and/or selecting a hair appliance variable from a plurality of hair appliance variables (e.g., temperature and time), which are available for user selection and adjustment. In another embodiment, push button 26 may be actuated for adjusting a setting of a selected hair appliance variable (e.g., adjusting a temperature setting, or adjusting a fan speed setting). In yet another embodiment, push button 26 may be actuated for activating a timer for performing a styling operation (e.g., curling a section of one's hair). In one example, a default or user-selectable time duration may be associated or set for the timer, and the push button 26 may be actuated for starting a timer count down/up corresponding to the default or user-selected time duration. After receiving user-notification that the time duration has expired, push button 26 may be re-actuated by the user to reactivate the timer for performing a subsequent styling operation. The push button described herein may be implemented with one, a combination or two or more, or all of the functional embodiments mentioned above.
In some embodiments, push button 26 may be formed from an optically opaque material, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
It should be understood that the hair styling appliance 10 will inherently include a control circuit for controlling the operation of the appliance. In
In general, control circuit 34 may be configured to control the operation of a hair styling appliance in accordance with one or more hair appliance settings, which may be set and/or adjusted by a user via embodiments of the multi-function actuator described herein. As noted above, the multi-function actuator preferably includes a first actuator and a second actuator, which are arranged adjacent to one another on a hair styling appliance and configured to be actuated independently of one another. Control circuit 34 is coupled to the multi-function actuator and is generally configured for controlling operation of the hair styling appliance in response to actuation of at least one of the first and the second actuators. Example embodiments describing how control circuit 34 may be configured to control the operation of the hair styling appliance in response to such actuation are provided below.
According to a first embodiment, the multi-function actuator described herein may be used to select and/or adjust substantially any number of hair appliance variables, examples of which include, but are not limited to, temperature, time, fan speed, moisture level, ion injection, and barrel rotation speed, as noted above. In such an embodiment, a first actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to select a hair appliance variable, and a second actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to adjust a setting of the selected hair appliance variable. Upon actuation of the first actuator, control circuit 34 may be configured to toggle through and/or select a hair appliance variable from the plurality of hair appliance variables, which are available for user selection and adjustment. Upon actuation of the second actuator, control circuit 34 may be configured to adjust a setting of the selected hair appliance variable, and to subsequently control the operation of the hair styling appliance in accordance with the adjusted setting. In one exemplary implementation of the first embodiment, the first actuator may be push button 26 and the second actuator may be dial 24; however, the opposite may be true in other embodiments.
According to a second embodiment, the multi-function actuator described herein may be used to adjust only two hair appliance variables (e.g., temperature and time, or temperature and fan speed). For example, a first actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to adjust a setting of a first hair appliance variable, and a second actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to adjust a setting of a second (i.e., different) hair appliance variable. In this embodiment, control circuit 34 may be configured to control the operation of the hair styling appliance in accordance with the adjusted settings chosen via user-actuation of the first and/or second actuators, possibly in combination with one or more default settings that are not user-selectable. In one exemplary implementation of the second embodiment, the first actuator may be push button 26 and the second actuator may be dial 24; however, the opposite may be true in other embodiments.
According to a third embodiment, the multi-function actuator described herein may be used to adjust only one hair appliance variable (e.g., time). For example, a first actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to select a time duration, and a second actuator of the multi-function actuator may be actuated by a user to activate a timer configured with the user-selected time duration (or, alternatively, a default time duration). In such an embodiment, control circuit 34 may be configured to adjust a time variable setting to the user-selected time duration in response to user-actuation of the first actuator, and may be configured to activate the timer in response to user-actuation of the second actuator. If the timer is activated, control circuit 34 may be further configured to activate a user notification of time-out (e.g., an audible sound, vibration, light, auto-unroll of hair, etc.) to indicate when the time duration has expired. In one exemplary implementation of the third embodiment, the first actuator may be dial 24 and the second actuator may be push button 26.
According to a fourth embodiment, the timer functionality provided to the push button 26 in the third embodiment may also be provided to the push button 26 in the first and/or second embodiment(s). When incorporated within the first embodiment, for example, push button 26 may be actuated by a user for toggling through and/or selecting a hair appliance variable from a plurality of hair appliance variables, and may be further actuated by a user for activating a timer with a user-selected or default time duration. When incorporated within the second embodiment, push button 26 may be actuated by a user to adjust a time duration, and may be further actuated by a user to activate a timer with the user-selected or default time duration. Push button 26 may be actuated differently to enable the control circuit 34 to distinguish between the dual functionality provided to the push button. In one example, push button 26 may be actuated for a first length of time to select a hair appliance variable (in the first embodiment) or to adjust a time duration (in the second embodiment), and may be actuated for a second length of time to activate the timer (in the first and second embodiments). The second length of time may generally be different (e.g., shorter or longer) than the first length of time.
In addition to various embodiments of hair styling appliances comprising a multi-function actuator, as described above, the present disclosure contemplates and encompasses various user-implemented methods for utilizing a multi-function actuator for adjusting settings of one or more hair appliance variables, and various methods for controlling a hair styling appliance in accordance with one or more adjusted hair appliance settings.
For example,
As shown in
As shown in
Once the push button 26 is released in the illustrated embodiment, the digital display 27 may be illuminated (e.g., with a green color) to display a time setting (e.g., :07) in step 52. The initially displayed time may be a default setting (e.g., the lowest available time duration) or a previously selected setting (e.g., the last time duration selected by a user). In some embodiments, the visual indicator 25 and/or the digital display 27 may blink on/off to remind the user to select a potentially different time setting. If a user desires a different time setting, the dial 24 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to select a new time setting in step 54. In some embodiments, the visual indicator 25 and/or the time displayed on the digital display 27 may continue to blink on/off as the time setting is adjusted with the dial 24. Once a desired time setting is reached, the user may depress the push button 26 to select the desired time setting, or may wait for a time-out period (e.g., 2 seconds), after which the current time setting is automatically selected. In some embodiments, the time displayed on the digital display 27 may stop blinking in step 56 to indicate that a desired time setting has been selected.
When using the hair styling appliance to style a section of the user's hair, the user may depress the push button 26 again in step 58 to start a timer count down/up corresponding to the selected time setting. In one embodiment, the time displayed on the digital display 27 may appear solid and start counting down/up in step 59. When the displayed time reaches an end point (e.g., :00 or the selected time duration), a user notification of time-out (e.g., an audible sound, vibration, light, auto-unroll of hair, etc.) may be activated by the control circuit 34 of the hair styling apparatus to indicate that the selected time duration has been reached. The user notification, thus, indicates that the desired time has elapsed to achieve the desired curl effect (for example tightness of curl). At this point, the user may cease curling the selected portion of hair. If desired, steps 58 and 59 may be repeated, as necessary, to style additional sections of the user's hair.
In the user-implemented methods shown in
As shown in
In some cases, a user may actuate a first actuator of the multi-function actuator (e.g., the user may rotate dial 24) to select a new temperature setting. If this occurs, the method may increase or decrease the displayed temperature setting until a desired temperature setting is reached in step 72. Once the desired temperature setting is reached and selected (e.g., by a user depressing push button 26 or waiting for a time-out period), the method may again adjust (e.g., increase/decrease) the temperature of the styling element in step 66 until the new target temperature is reached in step 68.
In some cases, a user may actuate a second actuator of the multi-function actuator (e.g., the user may depress and hold push button 26) for a short duration of time (e.g., a minimum of 2 seconds) to select a new time setting. If this occurs, the method may display a current time setting on the digital display 27 in step 74. If the first actuator (e.g., dial 24) is actuated by the user to select a new time setting, the method may allow the time setting to be adjusted within a range of about 1 second to about 30 seconds in step 76. Once the user re-actuates the second actuator (e.g., momentarily depresses the push button 26 again) to select the new time setting, or waits for a time-out period (e.g., a minimum of 2 seconds), the method may return to step 66.
In some cases, a user may re-actuate the second actuator (e.g., momentarily depress push button 26) again to start a timer count down/up corresponding to the selected time setting in step 78. In one embodiment, the time displayed on the digital display 27 may start counting down/up. When the displayed time reaches an end point (e.g., :00 or the selected time duration), a user notification of time-out (e.g., an audible sound, vibration, light and/or auto-unroll of hair) may be activated by the control circuit to indicate that the selected time duration has been reached. In some cases, a user may want to style another section of hair. If this occurs, the user may re-actuate the second actuator (e.g., momentarily depress push button 26) again to repeat the countdown/up process in step 78. The ergonomic positioning of the multi-function actuator on the hair styling appliance enables the user to easily re-activate the second actuator without requiring the user to look at the second actuator.
In the control method illustrated in
The disclosure set forth herein is believed to provide a hair styling appliance having a novel multi-function actuator for adjusting a setting of one or more hair appliance variables. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the hair styling appliance described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. It will be recognized, therefore, that the depicted and described hair styling appliance is not limited by these example arrangements. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changes may be made in the implementations and architectures. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention.
This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/356,586 filed Jun. 30, 2016; the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62356586 | Jun 2016 | US |