FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a hair styling apparatus. Specifically, the present invention is a comb that rotates 360 degrees to twist hair. The present invention provides users with a tool that is capable of twisting hair to form the hairstyle commonly known as dreadlocks. The present invention is a comb attached to a handle featuring a button that the user may press to rotate the comb 360 degrees. Hair is threaded between the teeth of the comb before use. The user may then press and hold the button to rotate the comb and duplicate the process of twisting hair to form dreadlocks. Comb heads are interchangeable to provide flexibility and to allow the user to attach combs of various sized teeth and spacing between teeth. The present invention is accommodating of the individual hairstyle needs of all users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dreadlocks are a form of hairstyle influenced by culture, religion, and contemporary pop culture. The hairstyle has been worn throughout the course of history and is still popular today. Salons are capable of providing treatments to hair that is normally not accommodating to the natural forming of dreadlocks such as Asian or Caucasian hair. Although dreadlocks are a popular and distinctive hairstyle, the process of forming individual dreadlocks by hand is an arduous and time-consuming task. The process of twisting strands of hair to form dreadlocks before applying product to set and hold the newly formed dreadlocks can often take upwards of six hours. In addition to being time-consuming, individually twisting each dreadlock by hand can be physically burdensome to one's fingers. The present invention seeks to expedite and facilitate the process of twisting hair into dreadlocks.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide users with a tool that is capable of replicating the twisting of hair by hand. The present invention is useful as it reduces the lengthy amount of time that is normally required to twist hair into dreadlocks by hand. Additionally, as the present invention is twisting the hair instead of the user's hands, the user is able to avoid fatigue in their fingers. The present invention features a motor-driven rotating shaft that is attached to a comb. The user's hair is threaded between the teeth of the comb and the user presses a button to rotate the comb. The comb is capable of rotating 360 degrees and replicates the twisting action that is a part of the process of forming dreadlocks. The present invention allows hair to be twisted into dreadlocks more quickly than if the process is done by hand. Additionally, because the user is only required to press and hold a button to operate the device, any physical burden on the hands and fingers is avoided. The comb heads of the present invention are interchangeable to accommodate the individual hairstyle needs of all users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the first configuration of the comb head.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the first configuration of the comb head.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention that illustrates the removable attachment in between the first configuration of the comb head and the handle, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a cross section view thereof taken along line B-B of FIG. 3, showing the components of the attachment mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the first configuration of the comb head.
FIG. 6 is a front exploded view of the present invention that illustrates the removable attachment in between the first configuration of the comb head and the handle, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is a cross section view thereof taken along line A-A of FIG. 6, showing the components of the attachment mechanism.
FIG. 8 is basic illustration showing the components of the rotating mechanism of the present invention, wherein the comb head and handle are removably attached to each other.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the present invention that illustrates the permanent connection in between the first configuration of the comb head and the handle, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 10 is a cross section view thereof taken along line A-A of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is basic illustration showing the components of the rotating mechanism of the present invention, wherein the comb head and handle are permanently connected to each other.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the second configuration of the comb head.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the first configuration of the comb head with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the second configuration of the comb head with the second alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a basic illustration showing the electrical connects of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a hairstyling apparatus that utilizes to create dreadlocks. In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a handle 1 and a comb head 15. The handle 1 and the comb head 15 are either removably assembled by an attachment mechanism or permanently connected to each other so that the present invention can be used by locticians to crate dreadlocks within the hairstyling industry.
The handle 1 of the present invention comprises a base member 2, a lateral wall 3, a top member 7, an alignment rim 8, an attachment hole 9, a rotating mechanism 10, and a power button 14. The base member 2 is perimetrically attached with the lateral wall 3 and concentrically positioned with the lateral wall 3. The base member 2 allows the present invention to be vertically rested on a flat resting surface as the exterior surface of the base member 2 comprises a flat surface. Even though the base member 2 and the later wall are preferably shaped into a circular-shape within the present invention, the base member 2 and the later wall can also be shaped into any other geometric shapes, such as a rectangular-shape, a triangular-shape, or a hexagon-shape. The top member 7 is perimetrically connected with the lateral wall 3, where the top member 7 is concentrically and oppositely positioned with the base member 2 along the lateral wall 3. The alignment rim 8 is adjacently positioned atop the top member 7 and concentrically positioned with the top member 7. The attachment hole 9 is concentrically positioned within the alignment rim 8 in such way that the attachment hole 9 traverses into the interior of the handle 1 through the top member 7.
Hairstyling products typically used in the creation of dreadlocks are slippery and create some level of difficulty for the user to properly handle 1 the present invention. As a solution, the lateral wall 3 which allows the users to grip the present invention is separated into two different sections in such way that the lateral wall 3 comprises a top section 4 and a bottom section 5. The top section 4 is adjacently positioned with the top member 7, and the bottom section 5 is adjacently positioned with the base member 2. The bottom section 5 of the present invention is covered with different exterior features so that the different exterior features of the handle 1 allow the user to utilize the present invention without worrying about dropping or otherwise mishandling the device.
In its preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom section 5 comprises a grip sleeve 6 as the exterior surface, and the grip sleeve 6 is preferably made from rubberized materials to enhance the friction of the handle 1. In reference to FIG. 2, the grip sleeve 6 is perimetrically connected to the bottom section 5 in such way that the grip sleeve 6 is radially positioned around the bottom section 5 from the top section 4 to the base member 2. The grip sleeve 6 of the preferred embodiment can also be either a textured grip or a non-textured grip. In reference to FIG. 13, a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom section 5 comprises a plurality of grooves 20. More specifically, the plurality of grooves 20 is radially positioned around the bottom section 5 in such way that the plurality of grooves 20 is linearly extended in between the base member 2 and the top section 4. The plurality of grooves 20 provides similar benefits to those provided by the rubberized grip sleeve 6 as the users can utilize a more secure grip on the present invention. In reference to FIG. 14, a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom section 5 comprises a plurality of ribs 21. More specifically, the plurality of ribs 21 is radially positioned around the bottom section 5 in such way that the plurality of ribs 21 is linearly extended in between the base member 2 and the top section 4. These different exterior features of the present invention provide different types handles 1 for the users of the present invention so that the users can select the desired handle 1 which suits their preference.
In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the base member 2, the lateral wall 3, the top member 7, the alignment rim 8, and the attachment hole 9 of the present invention create the casing of the handle 1 as the casing houses the rotating mechanism 10. The power button 14 is externally positioned on the lateral wall 3 in such way that the power button 14 is adjacently positioned with the top member 7. More specifically, the power button 14 is positioned on the top section 4 of the lateral wall 3. The power button 14 allows the users of the present invention to control the rotating mechanism 10 so that the users can easily rotate the comb head 15 360 degrees.
In reference to FIG. 5, the comb head 15 comprises a comb shaft 16, a proximal end 17, a distal end 18, and at least one comb tooth 19. The comb head 15 is available in a variety of shapes and sizes with regard to the at least one comb tooth 19 and spacing in between each of the at least one comb tooth 19. The proximal end 17 and the distal end 18 are oppositely positioned each other along the comb shaft 16, where the proximal end 17 and the distal end 18 are the extremities of the comb shaft 16. The at least one comb tooth 19 is linearly and perpendicularly extended from the comb shaft 16 and adjacently positioned with the distal end 18. As for the first configuration of the comb head 15, the at least one comb tooth 19 of the present invention comprises multiple comb teeth. As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple comb teeth are formed in a linear formation in such way that the multiple comb teeth are extended from the distal end 18 and toward the proximal end 17. The length for each of the multiple comb teeth is different from each other as the length incrementally increases within the multiple comb teeth, and the comb head 15 may vary with regard to teeth size and spacing in between the multiple comb teeth. As for the second configuration of the comb head 15, the at least one comb tooth 19 of the present invention comprises only a single comb tooth. In reference to FIG. 12, the single comb tooth is adjacently positioned with the distal end 18 of the comb head 15. The diameter of the proximal end 17 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the alignment rim 8 and the attachment hole 9 so that the proximal end 17 can traverse through the attachment rim and into the attachment hole 9 either to removably attach the handle 1 and the comb head 15 or to permanently connect the handle 1 and the comb head 15. Whether the present invention utilizes a permanent connection or a removable attachment in between the comb head 15 and the handle 1, the proximal end 17 is concentrically positioned within the alignment rim 8 and the attachment hole 9.
In reference to FIG. 3-FIG. 8, when the handle 1 and the comb head 15 are removably attached to each other by the attachment mechanism, the rotating mechanism 10, which is positioned within the base member 2, the lateral wall 3, and the top member 7, comprises a locking sleeve 11, a motor 12, and a power source 13. More specifically, the locking sleeve 11 is adjacently positioned with the top member 7, and the power source 13 is adjacently positioned with the base member 2. The motor 12 is positioned in between the locking sleeve 11 and the power source 13. The locking sleeve 11 is axially connected with the motor 12 in such way that the motor 12 provides rotational motion to the locking sleeve 11 when the motor 12 is powered through the power source 13 and the power button 14. In order to complete the removable attachment in between the comb head 15 and the handle 1, the proximal end 17 is removably attached with the locking sleeve 11 through the attachment mechanism so that the rotation motion of the locking sleeve 11 can be transferred into the comb head 15. The attachment mechanism of the present invention can include, but is not limited to, a pressure fit attachment system, a snap fit attachment system, a twist and lock attachment system, and a magnetic attachment system. The proximal end 17 is designed in a manner such that the comb shaft 16 can engage and lock with the locking sleeve 11 of the rotating mechanism 10 through the attachment mechanism. The users may apply force to ensure that the handle 1 and the comb head 15 are securely locked together. The attachment mechanism allows the comb head 15 to simultaneously rotate with the locking sleeve 11 as the motor 12 rotates the rotating shaft. The attachment mechanism also facilitates the use of interchangeable comb heads 15 that may be quickly removed and attached to the handle 1. For example, the attachment mechanism allows the users to interchangeably use the first configuration and the second configuration of the comb head 15 with the handle 1.
In the preferred embodiment, the snap fit attachment system is used as the attachment mechanism. The snap fit attachment mechanism comprises an extruded locking rim, a plurality of extruded rails, a recessed locking rim, and a plurality of recessed rails. The extruded locking rim is also radially positioned around the comb shaft 16 and adjacently positioned away from the proximal end 17. The plurality of extruded rails is radially positioned around the comb shaft 16 and extends from the proximal end 17 to the locking rail. The recessed locking rim is also radially positioned within the locking sleeve 11 and positioned away from the bottom of the locking sleeve 11. The plurality of recessed rails is radially positioned within the locking sleeve 11 and extends from the bottom of the locking sleeve 11 to the recessed locking rim. When the comb head 15 is removably attached to the handle 1 by the snap fit attachment system, the plurality of extruded rails engages within the plurality of recessed rails, and the extruded locking rim snaps into the recessed locking rim. More specifically, the plurality of extruded rails and the plurality of recessed rails radially lock the comb head 15 and the handle 1 while the extruded locking rim and the recessed locking rim linearly lock the comb head 15 and the handle 1. As for the proper functionality of the snap fit attachment system, the linear distance in between the extruded locking rim and the proximal end 17 is kept equal to the linear distance in between the recessed locking rim and the bottom of the locking sleeve 11 so that the extruded locking rim and the recessed locking rim concentrically lock in place without any obstruction. The users may remove the comb head 15 from the handle 1 by simply applying force in opposite direction to separate the two components.
In reference to FIG. 9-FIG. 11, when the handle 1 and the comb head 15 are permanently connected to each other, the rotating mechanism 10 that positions within the base member 2, the lateral wall 3, and the top member 7 comprises a motor 12 and a power source 13. More specifically, the motor 12 is adjacently positioned with the top member 7, and the power source 13 is adjacently positioned with the base member 2. The motor 12 is axially connected with the proximal end 17 in such way that the rotational motion of the motor 12 can be transferred to the comb head 15 when the motor 12 is powered through the power source 13 and the power button 14.
In reference to FIG. 15, the motor 12, preferably a direct current (DC) motor 12, is electrically connected with the power button 14, and the power button 14 is electrically connected with the power source 13. The electrical connection in between the motor 12, the power button 14, and the power source 13 compete the internal electrical circuitry of the present invention so that the rotating mechanism 10 can be powered from the power source 13 wherein the power button 14 functions as an on/off switch and a variable speed control switch within the present invention. When the power button 14 is pressed by the users of the present invention, the power button 14 closes the internal electrical circuitry in such way that a power supply is traveled from power source 13 to the motor 12. Then the motor 12 is able to rotate the comb head 15 360 degrees, replicating the rotational motion required to twist hair to form dreadlocks. The motor 12 continues to rotate the comb head 15 in 360 degrees while the power button 14 is held down. The release of the power button 14 halts the rotational motion of the comb head 15 as the power button 14 opens the internal electrical circuitry. The rotational speed of the motor 12 is also controlled from the power button 14 as the power button 14 functions as an accelerometer within the present invention, where the increasing levels of force applied to the power button 14 increase the rotational speed of the comb head 15. For examples, if a user applies small amount of pressure on the power button 14, the motor 12 will rotate with a slow rotational speed. If the user applies large amount of pressure on the power button 14, the motor 12 will rotate with a fast rotational speed. The power of the present invention can be either a plurality of batteries or an alternating current (AC) power supply with a rectifier.
In its preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes the plurality of batteries as the power source 13. The plurality of batteries that provides a direct current (DC) power supply to the motor 12 can be either disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. The plurality of batteries can be stored within a battery compartment of the preferred embodiment, where the battery compartment is positioned within the lateral wall 3. As for the disposable batteries, the users can access the battery compartment through the base member 2 so that the disposable batteries can be changed when necessary. As for the rechargeable batteries, the users can recharge the rechargeable batteries through a charger port when the power is drained from the present invention. The charger port, which accepts an external electric charger in order to recharge the rechargeable batteries, is preferably positioned on the top section 4 and electrically connected with the battery compartment. Even though the rechargeable batteries are recharged through the charger port, the users can also access the battery compartment through the base member 2 so that the rechargeable batteries can be changed when necessary. When the present invention uses the AC power supply as the power source 13, the AC power supply from an external wall outlet is converted into the DC power supply through the rectifier and supplied to the motor 12 through an extension cord. To use the present invention, a user positions the device at a small distance from his or her hair. Strands of hair to be twisted are threaded between the at least one comb tooth 19 of the comb head 15 in such way that the comb head 15 maintains a firm grip on the hair. The user then pushes and holds down the power button 14 on the handle 1 of the present invention to rotate the comb head 15, where only the comb head 15 rotates to twist the user's hair to form dreadlocks. The comb head 15 rotates for as long as the user is holding down the power button 14. The rotation of the comb head 15 replicates the hair twisting motion that is a normal step of forming dreadlocks. The user is required to move and position the present invention as the hair is being twisted in order to ensure that proper dreadlock form is being achieved during use. After a lock of hair has been sufficiently twisted, the user may remove the device from his or her hair and continue with the process of holding and setting the newly formed dreadlock. The user may move on to form additional dreadlocks with the present invention utilizing the same method described above. The user may then proceed to apply ointments or other product to the hair after using the present invention to twist the strands of hair.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20140102466
