Hair Styling Apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a hair styling apparatus for styling hair.

Various types of hair styling apparatuses for styling hair are known. One example is a hair dryer which typically includes a handle for holding by a user, and an outlet capable of discharging heated air onto a user's hair. The most basic use of a hair dryer involves directing the discharged air onto hair to dry the hair. Hair dryers (and other similar devices) can, however, be used to apply style to a hair through the application of heat. The heat in the discharged air breaks chemical bonds in the hair, which allows the hair to be reshaped (i.e. into a shape other than its natural shape).

To aid in the application of a style using a hair dryer (or similar device), such devices can be modified to alter the airflow discharged therefrom and/or to interact physically with a user's hair. This modification can be provided by way of attachments that can be mounted to the device (although in other embodiments, such modification may be of the device itself). For example, attachments are known that mount to an outlet of a hair dryer such that hot air discharged by the hair dryer passes through the attachment and onto a user's hair.

One example of an attachment is a comb attachment. A comb attachment typically includes a row of comb teeth that, in use, are passed along a tress of hair while air is discharged between the comb teeth and onto the hair. This can allow the user to style hair in ways that is not possible with a hair dryer alone.

While such attachments allow enhanced styling, they can have somewhat limited versatility. Hair types vary greatly across different users (for example, thickness and curliness can vary greatly). An attachment designed to work with one type of hair may not be particularly suited to another type of hair. As an example, a comb having a particular tooth spacing may provide an optimum tension for one type of hair, but when used with another hair type may provide too little or too much tension (i.e. resulting in poor styling performance). The present disclosure has been devised in light of the above considerations.

In a first aspect, there is provided a hair styling apparatus comprising:

The provision of a hair styling element that has a moveable second portion can increase the versatility of the apparatus. For example, taking the example of a comb provided above, each of the first and second portions may include a row of teeth that move relative to one another so as to clamp hair therebetween. In this way, the movement of the second portion can be used to control tension applied to hair by the comb as it is moved along a tress of hair. In another example, the moveable second portion may be such that its movement alters the spread/diffusion of air being discharged from the apparatus.

The provision of a trigger allows a user to control the movement of the second portion (for example, to control tension applied by the hair styling element). The combination of an actuator and a trigger that are (directly or indirectly) pivotably mounted allows the trigger to be spaced from the hair styling element while still being depressible by a user in an ergonomically desirable manner to move the second portion. These advantages are discussed in more detail below with the aid of.

schematically illustrates an example of an apparatusthat comprises a bodyand a hair styling elementat a forward endof the body(which is opposite a rearward endof the body). A handleextends downwardly from the bodyat a position between the forwardand rearwardends. The handleis positioned so as to be closer to the forward endof the bodythan the rearward end(and is thus proximate to the hair styling element).

A standard triggeris provided which is pivotably mounted at the front of endof the body, adjacent the hair styling element, such that it is able to engage (to move) a second portion (not shown) of the hair styling element. The triggerextends downwardly, so as to be parallel to the handleand can be depressed by a user pulling the triggerwith their finger (while gripping the handlewith the remaining fingers and thumb of the same hand). Specifically, a user can depress the triggerby horizontal movement of their finger towards the handle(as illustrated by the dashed arrow). This represents the most ergonomic movement of a user's finger when a user's hand is positioned in this way.

As should be apparent from, the direction of movement of the end of the trigger, shown by the solid arrow, is close to horizontal (i.e. close to the direction of movement of a user's finger in use). This means that most of the force applied by a user's finger is “useful” force that corresponds to the direction of movement of the end of the trigger. Further, the distance of the movement of the end of the triggeris relatively small and, likewise, the amount the end of the triggerdeviates from the horizontal direction is also relatively small (i.e. the vertical component of the movement of the end of the triggeris small).

However, while the movement of the trigger inis desirable, the position of the handlemay not be. The handleis close to the hair styling element, which means that the handle(and a user's hand gripping the handle) may interfere with styling of a user's hair. Further, when the apparatusis of the type that provides heat (e.g. in the form of discharged hot air), a user's hand will be proximate to the heated parts of the apparatus. For these reasons it is preferable to space the handlefurther away from the forward endof the body(i.e. to maximise the distance of a user's hand from the forward endof the body).

schematically illustrates such an arrangement. In this apparatus′, the handleis positioned closer to the rearward endof the bodythan the forward end. Again, this apparatus′ includes a standard trigger′ pivotably mounted to the body. However, in this case, the trigger′ must extend on an angle from its pivotable connection towards the handleto cover the distance between the hair styling elementand the handle. This ensures that one end of the trigger′ is sufficiently close to the handleto be depressible by a user holding the handlewhile the other end is able to engage the second portion of the hair styling element.

In this case, improved spacing of the handlefrom the styling elementis achieved, but the triggeris less desirable ergonomically. For example, movement of the trigger′ from its undepressed position is inclined to horizontal, such that only a minor portion of the force of a user's finger moving horizontally (i.e. in the manner described above) will be “useful force”. Further, the movement of the end of the trigger′ is a much larger movement than that of the example of, and the vertical component of the movement of the end of the triggeris also much larger. Each of these contributes to a triggerthat is less convenient for a user to use.

Fromit is apparent that there is a conflict between the provision of a trigger that moves in an ergonomically desirable manner and the provision of a trigger that is spaced from the hair styling element so as to avoid interference with styling.

The apparatus of the first aspect aims to address this conflict by provision of an actuator pivotably connected (directly or indirectly) to the trigger. Such pivotable connection allows the motion of the trigger to be modified so as to be more ergonomic in use (i.e. so as to require less movement to induce movement of the second portion and/or to move along a path that is more aligned with that of a user's finger in use).

A further advantage of the arrangement of the first aspect (in particular, the provision of one or more pivotable connections and linkages) is that the arrangement can be configured to tailor the force (and movement distance) required to move the actuator a given distance. For example, in the case of an arrangement that includes linkages, the lengths of the linkages and the location of their pivot points can affect how movement of the trigger translates to movement of the actuator.

Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

In some embodiments the actuator and trigger may each form linkages of a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism may further comprise a fixed linkage forming part of the body and an intermediate linkage. Each linkage (i.e. the trigger, actuator, fixed linkage and intermediate linkage) may have two pivotable connections to two other linkages of the four linkages. In this case, the pivotable mounting of the actuator to the body is a pivotable connection between the actuator and the fixed linkage (i.e. this pivotable connection representing one of the two pivotable connections of each of the actuator and fixed linkage).

For the avoidance of doubt, each linkage is not required to have any particular shape. However, in some embodiments one or more of the linkages may be elongate (in some embodiments all of the linkages may be elongate).

The pivotable connections between the linkages may be substantially parallel to one another (i.e. may provide pivoting about pivot axes that are substantially parallel to one another). Thus, the linkages may move in substantially the same plane (or at least parallel planes).

Both pivotable connections of the trigger may be disposed at a first end of the trigger. The trigger may project from the first (e.g. proximal) end to a second (e.g. distal free) end, which may define a grip portion configured to allow a user's finger to grip and depress the trigger in use. The trigger may be oriented such that the first end of the trigger is closest to the body of the apparatus (and it may extend away from the body to the second end).

In a first example, the trigger may be pivotably connected to the fixed linkage and the intermediate linkage. In such an arrangement the intermediate linkage may be pivotably connected to the trigger and the actuator. The actuator may be pivotably connected to the intermediate linkage and the fixed linkage. The fixed linkage may be pivotably connected to the actuator and the trigger. The pivotable connection of the trigger to the intermediate linkage may be interposed between the grip portion and the pivotable connection of the trigger to the fixed linkage.

For example, the trigger may pivot about a pivot axis (fixed relative to the body) that is offset from the pivot axis of the actuator. In this way the pivot axis of the trigger can be positioned closer to the location at which the apparatus (or a device to which the apparatus is mounted) is held. For the reasons already provided above, this may provide a more ergonomic/efficient arrangement.

In a second example, the trigger may be pivotably connected to the actuator and the intermediate linkage. In this embodiment, the intermediate linkage may be pivotably connected to the actuator and the fixed linkage. The fixed linkage may be pivotably connected to the intermediate linkage and the actuator. The actuator may be pivotably connected to the fixed linkage and the trigger. The pivotable connection of the trigger to the actuator may be interposed between the grip portion and the pivotable connection of the trigger to the intermediate linkage.

The fixed linkage may be in the form of an arm. For example, the fixed linkage may be a projection of the body (i.e. may project from a main bulk/portion of the body).

Any one of the linkages may form one of a pair of like-linkages spaced transversely from one another (the transverse axis being parallel to the axes about which the linkages pivot). In such arrangements, the pivotable connection of the linkages may be aligned (i.e. both linkages in the pair may pivot about the same axes). Likewise, each linkage in the pair of linkages may be pivotably connected to the same further two linkages. In other words, the pair of like-linkages may act as if they are a single linkage. In such embodiments, the pair of linkages may be spaced either side of (and pivotably connected to) a further linkage. Such an arrangement may provide for a particularly stable pivotable connection between the linkages.

The fixed linkage may be in the form of a pair of fixed linkages as above. The pair of fixed linkages may be spaced either side of and pivotably connected to the trigger. The first example described above may comprise a pair of fixed linkages spaced either side of and pivotably connected to the trigger and the actuator.

Alternatively, or additionally, the intermediate linkage may be in the form of a pair of linkages as described above. The second example described above may comprise a pair of intermediate linkages spaced either side of and pivotably connected to the trigger. The second example may also comprise a pair of fixed linkages spaced either side of and pivotably connected to the actuator. Each of the pair of fixed linkages may be pivotably connected to one of the pair of intermediate linkages.

The distance between the pivotable connections of the (or each) intermediate link may be between 20 mm and 60 mm, or between 30 and 50 mm, or about 40 mm. Such dimensions may be particularly suited for an intermediate linkage pivotably connected to the actuator and the trigger.

The distance between the pivotable connections of the (or each) intermediate linkage may alternatively be between 10 mm and 40 mm, or between 20 mm and 30 mm, or about 25 mm.

Such dimensions may be particularly suited for an intermediate linkage pivotably connected to the trigger and the fixed linkage.

The distance between the pivotable connections of the actuator may be between 5 mm and 25 mm, or between 10 mm and 20 mm, or about 13 mm. Such dimensions may be particularly suited for an actuator pivotably connected to the fixed linkage and the intermediate linkage.

The distance between the pivotable connections of the actuator may be between 30 mm and 70 mm, or between 40 mm and 60 mm, or between 45 mm and 55 mm, or about 48 mm. Such dimensions may be particularly suited for an actuator pivotably connected to the fixed linkage and the trigger.

The distance between the pivotable connections of the fixed linkage may be between 30 mm and 60 mm, or between 40 mm and 50 mm, or about 45 mm.

The body of the apparatus may comprise a forward end and an opposing rearward end. The hair styling element may be provided at the forward end of the body.

The trigger may be between 20 mm and 60 mm, rearward of the pivotable connection between the actuator and the fixed linkage, or may be between 30 mm and 50 mm rearward, or about 40 mm rearward.

The hair styling apparatus may be in the form of an attachment for a hair styling device. In this case the body of the apparatus may comprise a mounting portion configured for releasable mounting of the body of the apparatus to a hair styling device. The mounting portion may, for example, be releasably engageable by way of a bayonet mechanism, arrangement of magnets, snap fit mechanism, etc.

The apparatus may, for example, be configured to be releasably mounted to a hair styling device of the type that discharges a flow of air (e.g. a flow of hot air) from an outlet (the apparatus may be e.g. a hair dryer). The mounting portion may be configured for mounting the apparatus to the outlet (or at the outlet).

In such cases, the apparatus may comprise an inlet for receipt of an airflow through a hair styling device to which it may be mounted, an outlet for discharging an airflow and a passage connecting the inlet and the outlet.

Where the apparatus is in the form of an attachment, the trigger may be rearward of the mounting portion. The trigger may between 20 and 50 mm rearward of the mounting portion, or between 30 mm and 40 mm rearward, or about 35 mm rearward (e.g. about 34 mm rearward).

In other embodiments, the apparatus may be in the form of a hair styling device. The body of the device may comprise opposed forward and rearward ends. The hair styling element may be provided at the forward end. The apparatus may further comprise a handle projecting outwardly from the body of the apparatus at a location between the forward and rearward ends. For example, the handle may project radially with respect to an axis that extends between the forward and rearward ends.

In such embodiments the handle may be closer to the rearward end of the body than the forward end of the body.

The apparatus may, for example, be configured to discharge air (e.g. hot air) from an outlet thereof. The styling element may be provided at the outlet (e.g. such that air flows across the styling element). The apparatus may comprise an air mover, such as a fan, and may comprise an air heater for heating an airflow subsequently discharged from the outlet.

The trigger may (e.g. in the undepressed position) be between 10 mm and 40 mm from the handle, or between 20 mm and 30 mm from the handle.

As set forth above, the trigger may be directly connected to the actuator by a pivotable connection. In other words, the actuator and trigger may be connected to one another without any intermediate component therebetween (except, for example, a pin or other element providing the pivotable connection).

The actuator may be elongate and may extend outwardly from the body. For example, the actuator may have a length of at least 20 mm, or at least 30 mm, or at least 35 mm. The actuator may have a length of about 40 mm (e.g. 38 mm) The actuator may extend in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an axis extending between forward and rearward ends of the body (e.g. may be radial with respect to such an axis).

Where the apparatus is in the form of a device, the actuator may extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the handle of the device. Where the apparatus is an attachment, the mounting portion may be configured to mount to a device having a handle such that the actuator extends in a direction substantially parallel to the handle of such a device.

The trigger and actuator may be moveable between an undepressed position (i.e. the relaxed/retracted state of the trigger and actuator) and a depressed position. In the undepressed position, the trigger may extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to the actuator. In the depressed position the trigger may extend obliquely with respect to the actuator. For example, in the depressed position the trigger may extend at an angle to the actuator that is greater than 90 degrees, e.g. greater than 100 degrees, or e.g. about 130 degrees.

The trigger and actuator may be configured such that when the trigger is depressed by a user the actuator pivots in a first direction about the connection between the actuator and the body, and the trigger pivots in a second direction about the connection between the actuator and the trigger. The second direction may be opposite to the first direction.