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 of such an apparatus is a hair dryer which is typically handheld by a user and is able to discharge heated air from an outlet 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 similar devices) can, however, be used to apply style to 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, attachments are known that can be mounted to a hair dryer. For example, some attachments mount to the outlet of the hair dryer (or similar device) and hot air discharged by the hair dryer passes through the attachment and onto a user's hair. In some cases, at least part of the attachment (e.g. a styling element) is intended to come into direct contact with a user's hair so as to physically interact with the hair.

One example of this type of 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 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).

Further, although the combination of a hair styling apparatus (such as a hair dryer) and an attachment that interacts with a user's hair can provide enhanced styling, this combination often leads to an arrangement that is more cumbersome than each component in isolation. For example, the combination of a hair dryer with a comb attachment is far more cumbersome than a comb in isolation. The cumbersome nature of such combinations makes it more difficult for a user to apply a style to their hair or to someone else's hair.

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 is rotatable relative to a body of the apparatus increases the usability of the apparatus. As an example, the styling element may be in the form of a comb that is passed along a tress of hair in use (such an embodiment is discussed further below). Without such rotation, a user (especially when that user is styling their own hair) may need to adjust the apparatus in their hand or move their wrist into uncomfortable positions to move the comb along a tress of hair in a single continuous motion. Providing a rotatable styling element may reduce or entirely alleviate the need for a user to do this. For example, physical interaction between the hair styling element and the hair (e.g. interaction between comb teeth and hair) may cause rotation of the hair styling element (i.e. the hair may guide rotation of the styling element) so that a user only needs to move the apparatus through the hair (e.g. along a tress of hair) without also having torotate the apparatus at the same time to maintain a suitable orientation.

The provision of first and second portions that are moveable relative to each other can increase the versatility of the apparatus and allow enhanced styling using the apparatus. In one example, the first and second portions may include rows of comb teeth that are moveable relative to one another (this is discussed further below). Hair may be trapped between the moving comb teeth and thus the movement may allow a user to adjust the tension applied to a tress of hair as the hair styling element is moved along the tress. In this way, providing a moveable second portion increases the adjustability of the apparatus and allows a user to adjust the apparatus, for example, depending on the type of hair being styled.

The second portion rotates as part of the hair styling element and is further moveable (i.e. in addition to the rotation) relative to the first portion. Providing a trigger on the body that is not rotatable with the hair styling element ensures that a user wishing to move the second portion can do so without adjusting their hand with rotation of the hair styling element (having to do so would at least partly negate the advantage provided by the rotation of the hair styling element). The provision of the actuation mechanism allows this to occur. It provides movement of the second portion by depressing the trigger but does so in a manner that permits independent rotation of the hair styling element (and thus the second portion). In this way, the actuation mechanism ensures that the advantages of both the rotation of the hair styling element and the further movement of the second portion are provided by the apparatus.

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

The actuation mechanism may comprise a cam surface. The trigger may comprise an engagement portion configured to abut against and move the cam surface when the trigger is actuated. In operation, the engagement portion may slide along the cam surface as it abuts and moves the cam surface. The cam surface may be planar. The cam surface may have a curvature.

The cam surface and the engagement portion may not be attached to one another (i.e. may be unattached/unconnected). That is, the cam surface and engagement portion may be in contact but not fixed to one another (i.e. so that one is able to move independently of the other). In other embodiments the cam surface and engagement portion may be attached, but may be rotatable relative to one another about the rotational axis of the hair styling element.

The combination of an engagement portion and cam surface (e.g. unattached) that abut against one another provides significant freedom of movement between the trigger and the actuation mechanism while allowing the trigger to move the actuation mechanism. For example, the cam surface may be rotatable relative to (i.e. independently of) the engagement portion (e.g. about the same rotational axis as the hair styling element).

The point or region of contact between the cam surface and engagement portion may move as the cam surface is moved. Thus, for example, the engagement portion may slide across the cam surface as it abuts and moves the cam surface. Alternatively, or additionally, the cam surface may slide across the engagement portion as the cam surface and engagement portion move together.

In some embodiments, the cam surface may be pivotably connected to the hair styling element. In this way, the cam surface may move along an arcuate path as it is moved by the engagement portion. For example, the cam surface may form part of a rocker linkage. The rocker linkage may be pivotably mounted to the hair styling element. The rocker linkage may pivot about a rocker pivot axis. The rocker pivot axis may be substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hair styling element.

The rocker linkage may be moveably mounted to the second portion. The mounting may be such that pivoting of the rocker linkage causes linear movement of the second portion. For example, the second portion may be slideably mounted to the hair styling element (i.e. to the remainder of the hair styling element). That is, the mounting may be configured to convert a pivoting (i.e. arcuate) movement to a linear movement. The linear movement may be along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rocker pivot axis.

To facilitate such conversion of movement, one of the rocker linkage and the second portion may comprise a pin and the other of the rocker linkage and the second portion may comprise a slot for receipt of the pin.

In some embodiments, the cam surface may be configured to move along a linear axis when moved by the engagement portion. The linear axis may be parallel (e.g. collinear) with the rotational axis of the hair styling element.

The cam surface may form part of a collar. The collar may be mounted to a shaft slideably mounted to the hair styling element. For example, the body may comprise an annular guide through which the shaft extends (and through which the shaft may slide). The body may comprise two annular guides spaced along the shaft (the shaft extending through central apertures of both guides). The collar may be disposed between the annular guides. One or both guides may act as a stop feature (i.e. limiting movement of the collar).

The engagement portion of the trigger may be bifurcated so as to extend both sides of the shaft. In other words, the engagement portion may comprise first and second fingers defining a space therebetween in which the shaft is received.

The actuation mechanism may comprise a terminal linkage. The terminal linkage may be configured to convert the movement of the shaft from an axial movement (i.e. parallel to the rotational axis of the hair styling element) to a transverse movement. A first end of the terminal linkage may be pivotably connected to the shaft, and an opposite second end of the terminal linkage may be pivotably connected to the second portion. Each pivotable connection may be configured to provide pivoting about an axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hair styling element.

The trigger may be pivotably mounted to the body. The mounting of the trigger may be such that the trigger pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hair styling element. The trigger may be pivotably mounted so as to pivot about an axis that is in a circumferential/tangential direction with respect to rotation of the hair styling element.

The second portion may be moveable along a linear movement axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the hair styling element. The linear movement axis may intersect the rotational axis.

As described above, the apparatus is configured such that depressing the trigger from an undepressed position to a depressed position causes movement of the second portion. Thus, when the trigger is in the undepressed position the second portion is in a first position, and when the trigger is in the depressed position the second portion is in a second position. The apparatus may comprise biasing means (e.g. a spring) arranged to urge the second portion into the first position (and/or the trigger into the undepressed position).

The apparatus may be in the form of an attachment for mounting to 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 from a hair styling device to which it may be mounted, an outlet for discharging the airflow, and a passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. The actuation mechanism may be disposed within the passage.

Alternatively, 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.

The apparatus (in the form of a device) 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 hair styling element may be a comb. Each of the first and second portions may comprise a transversely extending row of comb teeth. Each row of comb teeth may be arranged to receive an airflow from an outlet of the apparatus (e.g. may extend across the outlet). The rows of comb teeth may be adjacent one another, and the row of comb teeth of the second portion may be moveable along the transverse axis relative to the first portion.

For example, each tooth of the first portion may define an opening for receipt of a corresponding tooth of the second portion. In other words, the row of teeth of the first portion may define a passage along which the teeth of the second portion move. In this way, a user can clamp hair between the teeth of the two rows of teeth by movement of the second portion.

Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

illustrate a first embodiment of a hair styling apparatus, which is provided in the form of an attachment for mounting to a hair styling device.show the apparatusmounted to such a hair styling device, which is in the form of a hair dryer.

The deviceincludes a cylindrical device bodyhaving forwardand rearwardends. The forward endof the device bodytapers inwardly (so as to have a frustoconical shape) to an opening defining an outlet (not shown) of the device. The devicealso includes a cylindrical handlethat extends radially outward from the device body(in, the handleextends downwardly) at a location between the forwardand rearwardends.

The hair styling apparatusis releasably mounted at the forward endof the deviceand includes an annular body, a hair styling element, a triggerand an internal actuation mechanism(shown in). To provide the releasable mounting to the device, the bodyincludes a mounting portionin the form of an annular flange of the bodywhich comprises a plurality of magnets for releasable mounting to the device(which includes a ferromagnetic portion for interaction with the magnets). Alternatively, a single annular magnet may be provided. As should be appreciated, releasable mounting may otherwise be provided by e.g. a bayonet mechanism, snap fit mechanism, etc.

Although not shown, the outlet of the device may be annular and may surround a central recess (or bore) formed in the device. A spigot may be provided that projects from the bodyinto the recess of the device. The spigot may fit closely within inner walls of the recess of the deviceso as to restrict movement between the bodyand the device(i.e. providing a more robust connection between the apparatusand the device).

The hair styling elementis rotatably mounted to the bodyof the apparatusso as to be rotatable about a rotational axis (which is parallel to a central axis of the device). This is most apparent fromin which the hair styling elementis shown in two different orientations, perpendicular to one another.also show two different orientations (albeit with the trigger, rather than the body, appearing rotated). While only two orientations are shown, it should be appreciated that the hair styling elementis fully rotatable about the rotational axis (i.e. can rotate a fulldegrees about the rotational axis). Accordingly, the orientation of the hair styling elementis not fixed in relation to the handleof the device. This improves usability of the device, because it avoids the need for a user to move the handleinto potentially awkward positions to maintain a desired orientation of the hair styling element(instead, the hair styling elementcan rotate as required).

The hair styling elementcomprises firstand secondportions. Both of these portions,are rotatable with the hair styling element. However, as will be described further below, the second portionis further moveable (along a linear axis) relative to the first portion.

In this embodiment, the apparatusis in the form of a comb attachment such that the hair styling elementis in the form of a comb. Each of the firstand secondportions of the hair styling elementcomprises a respective transversely extending row of comb teeth. Each toothof the first portiondefines an inner triangular openingin which a triangular toothof the second portionis received. Thus, the row of teethof the first portiontogether define a transverse passage along which the row of teethof the second portionmove. In use, hair received between the teethcan be clamped by movement of the second portionrelative to the first portion. The clamping force applied to the hair is dependent on the amount of displacement of the second portion. In this way, a user can adjust the tension applied to e.g. a tress of hair by altering the amount of displacement of the second portion.

Each row of comb teethextends across an outletof the apparatus. An internal passageof the apparatusfluidly connects the outletto a circular inletof the apparatus. The inletis defined within the mounting portionof the body, such that when the bodyis mounted to the device, the inletreceives a heated airflow from an outlet of the device. This heated airflow passes through the passageand is discharged from the outletof the apparatus, between the teethof the firstand secondportions. In this way, in operation, heated air can be discharged onto hair that is clamped between the teethof the firstand secondportions.

A user is able to control movement of the second portionby depressing the trigger, which is pivotably mounted to the bodyof the apparatus. By mounting the triggerto the body(rather than the hair styling element), the triggerremains fixed relative to the device(and thus relative to the handleof the device). The triggerincludes an annular grip portionpivotably connected to an elongate lever(which is in turn pivotably mounted to the body).

The triggeris operatively connected to the second portionby the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanismis configured to permit movement of the second portionby the triggerregardless of the rotational orientation of the hair styling element.

The actuation mechanismincludes a rocker linkage, which is pivotably mounted to the hair styling element, so as to pivot about a pivot axis that extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the hair styling element. As is apparent from, this pivotable mounting is provided by a boreextending through the rocker linkageand a pinthat extends through the boreacross the internal passageof the apparatus.

The rocker linkagehas a generally triangular shape. The boreis formed proximate to one apex of the rocker linkage. A planar cam surfaceis formed proximate to another of the apices of the rocker linkageand is arranged such that it faces towards the inletof the apparatus(i.e. in an upstream direction). The cam surfaceis positioned generally centrally within the internal passagesuch that it is in contact with, but not attached to, an engagement portionof the trigger. The engagement portionforms part of a rodthat extends from an end of the leverof the trigger. The engagement portionof the rod extends on an angle with respect to the remainder of the rod.

The contact between the engagement portionand the rocker linkagemeans that when the triggeris pivoted (by a user depressing the trigger) the engagement portionengages the cam surfaceand causes the rocker linkageto pivot. Because the cam surfaceand the engagement portionare detached from one another, the engagement portionis able to rotate relative to the cam surface(i.e. with rotation of the hair styling element). Likewise, the arrangement of the cam surfaceand the engagement portionis such that the rocker linkagepivots in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the hair styling element(providing a consistent movement regardless of the position of the hair styling element).

The remaining apex of the rocker linkage(i.e. that not proximate with the cam surfaceor the bore) comprises a slot, best seen in. The second portionincludes a pinthat is received in the slot. As the rocker linkageis pivoted (by depression of the trigger), the pinis moved by way of its receipt in the slot. This causes the second portionto move transversely relative to the first portion. The movement of the second portionis facilitated, in particular, by the slideable mounting of the second portionto two support barsthat extend transversely across the outletof the apparatus.

Accordingly, depressing the triggercauses linear transverse movement of the second portionregardless of the rotational position of the hair styling element.

depict a hair styling apparatus′ according to a second embodiment. This hair styling apparatus′ has many of the same features as the previously described embodiment and the same reference numerals are therefore used. For brevity, only differences are discussed below.