Hair Curler

The present invention relates to the field of hairdressing products, and specifically relates to a hair curler.

A hair curler is a handheld electronic device used to curl hair. Primary components of a hair curler comprise a handle and a heating barrel. The heating barrel is made of tourmaline ceramic, which evenly distributes heat, provides cyclical heating, and improves the protein structure of hair to create curls.

After curling by the hair curler, the temperature on the hair remains relatively high. The hair is easily straightened automatically, without the support of the hair curler. In addition, exposure to the high temperature for a relative long period can also easily cause damage to hair.

The present invention provides a hair curler that generates an airflow while curling hair for styling and protecting the hair.

The present invention provides the following solutions to solve the above-mentioned problem.

A hair curler comprises a lower clamp body and an upper clamp body, movably connected to the lower clamp body at one end. The lower clamp body comprises a heating seat for curling hair and a pair of grooves disposed at opposite sides of the heating seat respectively. The upper clamp body comprises an opening corresponding to the heating seat and protrusions disposed at opposite sides of the opening, the protrusions being aligned with the grooves respectively when the upper clamp body is closed to the lower clamp body; wherein the lower clamp body further comprises a impeller for generating an airflow, and each groove comprises a bottom which defines vent holes to allow the airflow to enter the groove.

In some embodiments, the lower clamp body further comprises a negative ion generator for generating negative ions to be taken away by the airflow to the grooves.

In some embodiments, the lower clamp body further comprises an air guide member disposed under each of the grooves, and the air guide member defines an air guide channel configured to communicate an outlet of the fan with a corresponding one of the grooves.

In some embodiments, each groove is elongated and extends along a length direction of the hair curler; the air guide channels are parallel with the grooves; and the vent holes are distributed in the length direction at an even interval.

In some embodiments, the bottom of each of the grooves acts as a top of one of the air guide channels and has a concaved arcuate shape.

In some embodiments, the lower clamp body comprises a lower housing and a lower cover, the lower cover is fixed to one side of the lower housing facing the upper clamp body; and the heating seat is movably mounted in the lower housing and protrudes upwardly beyond the lower cover.

In some embodiments, the lower housing comprises a first section, a connecting section and a second section arranged in the length direction of the air curler in sequence; the second section has a cross sectional area greater than that of the first section; the connecting section is connected between the first section and the second section and defines a plurality of intake holes for introducing external air into inside of fan.

In some embodiments, a guide groove facing the opening is defined in the lower cover, the heating seat is located in the guide groove and protrudes from the lower cover toward the opening; and a height of the heating seat protruding beyond the lower cover can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism.

In some embodiments, the heating seat comprises position limiters arranged at two opposite sides thereof, for guiding the heating seat to move and limiting a highest position of the heating seat.

In some embodiments, the adjusting mechanism comprises a gear, a gear rack meshing with the gear is provided on the heating seat, and the gear rack is arranged along a height direction of the heating seat.

In some embodiments, the adjusting mechanism comprises a knob and a rod, the rod is mounted in the lower housing, the gear is fixed on the rod, and the knob is connected to one end of the rod and beyond the lower housing for users to manipulate.

In some embodiments, the adjusting mechanism comprises a limiting seat fixed on the rod, and the limiting seat is configured to limit a position of the adjusting mechanism along a length direction of the rod and an angle of the of the adjusting mechanism around the length direction of the rod.

In some embodiments, a sleeve seat is provided in the lower housing, a second spring is set inside the sleeve seat, a bracket is fixed to the sleeve seat, the limiting seat is rotatably mounted on the bracket, one end of a locking lever is connected to the second spring, and the other end of the locking lever keeps in contact with the limiting seat.

In some embodiments, a plurality of limiting slots are distributed around outer circumference of the limiting seat, and an upper end of the locking lever passes through the bracket and extends into one of the limiting slots.

In some embodiments, the heating seat is provided with at least one first heating wire therein, and the protrusions are provided with at least one second heating wire therein.

In some embodiments, the heating seat is inverted U-shaped, the opening is an elongated groove extending along a length direction of the upper clamp body, and the opening extends through the upper clamp body in a depth direction thereof.

In some embodiments, the protrusions are arc-shaped, and the protrusions matches with the arc-shaped grooves in shape.

In some embodiments, the upper clamp body is rotatably connected to the lower clamp body at the ends, and a first spring is engaged between the lower clamp body and the upper clamp body adjacent to the ends.

In some embodiments, a first tailstock is provided at the end of the lower clamp body, a second tailstock is provided at the end of the upper clamp body, and the first tailstock and the second tailstock are fixed to each other and received in a sleeve.

In some embodiments, a control circuit board is fixed in the upper clamp body, and at least one control button electrically connected to the control circuit board is provided on the upper clamp body for controlling the hair curler.

The present invention has at least the following advantages over the prior art:

While curling hair by the hair curler, air is accelerated by the impeller to generate accelerated airflow, and the accelerated airflow flows to the grooves via vent holes, timely cooling and protecting the hair, thereby enabling the hair to be quickly styled.

For ease of understanding this disclosure, a more comprehensive description of this disclosure will be provided with reference to the relevant drawings. The accompanying drawings present preferred embodiments of this disclosure. However, this disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this disclosure. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to enhance the understanding of the disclosed content in a more comprehensive manner.

It should be noted that when a component “is fixed to another component”, it can be directly on the other component or there can also be an intermediate component. When a component is described to be “connected” to another component, it may be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intermediate component. The terminology used herein, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “left”, “right”, and the like, is used for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, the terminologies used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. The terminology “and/or” used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed and associated items.

Referring toto, a hair curler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a lower clamp bodyand an upper clamp body. The upper clamp bodyis rotatably connected to the lower clamp bodyat one end, so that the hair curler can be opened to put hair to be curled therein or remove the curled hair, and can be closed to heat and curl the hair. Also referring toand, a first springis engaged between the lower clamp bodyand the upper clamp bodyadjacent to connecting ends between the lower clamp bodyand the upper clamp body, and a sleeveis set around the connecting ends. The first springis configured to exert an elastic force to the upper clamp body, to open the upper clamp bodywith respect to the lower clamp body.

The lower clamp bodyincludes a lower housingand a lower coverwhich is fixed to one side of the lower housingfacing the upper clamp body. A first chamber is defined between the lower housingand the lower cover. The upper clamp bodyincludes an upper housingand an upper coverwhich is fixed to one side of the upper housingfacing the lower clamp body, and a second chamber is defined between the upper housingand the upper cover. The lower coverand the upper coverface each other to clamp hair to be curled therebetween.

The lower clamp bodyprovides an inverted U-shaped heating seatwith at least one first heating wirearranged therein. The first heating wiresare used to heat the inverted U-shaped heating seatfor hair styling. The upper clamp bodydefines an openingcorresponding to the inverted U-shaped heating seat. Specifically, the openingis an elongated groove extending along a length direction of the upper clamp body. The openingextends through the upper clamp bodyin a depth direction of the upper clamp body. The inverted U-shaped heating seatis aligned with the opening. When the hair curler is closed, the inverted U-shaped heating seatis accommodated in the opening, and hair disposed on the inverted U-shape heating seatis clipped between the inverted U-shape heating seatand the side wall around the opening. An adjusting mechanismconfigured to adjust the depth of the inverted U-shaped heating seatthat enters into the openingfor styling. In the embodiment, the inverted U-shape heating seatis movably mounted in the lower housingand protrudes upwardly beyond the lower cover. A height of the U-shaped heating seatprotruding beyond the lower covercan be adjusted by the adjusting mechanism. Through adjusting the height of the inverted U-shaped heating seatprotruding beyond the lower cover, curvature of curled hair by the hair curler can be adjusted.

The lower housingcomprises a first tailstockat the connecting end, and the upper housingcomprises a second tailstockat the connecting end. The first tailstockand the second tailstockare fixed together, and both are received in the sleeve.

is an exploded view of a lower clamp body of the hair curler. Referring to, the lower housingdefines a firs chamber. The lower coverdefines a pair of arc-shaped groovessymmetrically disposed on both sides of the inverted U-shaped heating seat. Each of the arc-shaped groovedefines a plurality of vent holesfor allowing air in the first chamber enter the arc-shaped grooves. Correspondingly, the upper covercomprises a pair of arc-shaped protrusionsdisposed on opposite sides of the openingrespectively, as shown in. When the hair curler is closed, the arc-shaped protrusionsare accommodated in the arc-shaped groovesrespectively, and hair disposed in the arc-shaped groovesis clipped between surfaces of the arc-shaped groovesand the arc-shaped protrusions. Preferably, the vent holesare round holes each of which has a diameter of 0.5-5 mm, preferably 1-3 mm, for example 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm. The distance between adjacent vent holesin the length direction is in a range of 0.5-20 mm, preferably 5-15 mm, more preferably 8-12 mm, for example 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm or 11 mm. The distance between adjacent vent holesin the width direction is in a range of 1-15 mm, preferably 3-8 mm, for example 3 mm, 4 mm,5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm or 8 mm.

Referring toand, the lower housingdefines a plurality of intake holesfor introducing external air into the first chamber. The lower covercomprises a spring seatarranged at the connecting end for receiving the first spring, so that the first springresists on the connecting end of the upper cover. In order to adjustably mounting the U-shaped heating seat, a guide groovefacing the openingis defined in the lower cover. The inverted U-shaped heating seatis located in the guide groove, and protrudes from the lower covertoward the opening. The inverted U-shaped heating seatcomprises position limitersarranged at two opposite sides thereof, for guiding the inverted U-shaped heating seatto move along an adjusting direction (height direction) and limiting a highest position of the U-shaped heating seat.

Referring toto, the adjusting mechanismincludes a limiting seat, a knob, a rod, and a gear. The knob, the limiting seat, and the gearare successively fixed along the rod. The rodis mounted in the first chamber of the lower housingand the knobis connected to one end of the rod. The knobis beyond the lower housingand the lower cover, for users to manipulate the knob. The limiting seatresists on a side wall of the lower housing, and the gearis located under the guide grooveto mesh with inner teeth formed at inner sidewalls of the inverted U-shaped heating seat. The limiting seatis configured to limit a position of the adjusting mechanismalong a length direction of the rodand a rotation angle of the adjusting mechanismaround the axis of the rod.

The adjusting mechanismis mounted onto the lower housingvia a bracket, a second spring, and a locking lever. The lower housingprovides a sleeve seatnext to the side wall of the lower housingfor receiving the second spring. The second springis set inside the sleeve seat. The bracketis fixed to the sleeve seatby screws. The limiting seatis rotatably mounted on the bracket. One end of the locking leveris connected to the second spring. The elastic force of the second springpushes the locking lever, so that the other end of the locking leverkeeps in contact with the limiting seat.

A plurality of limiting slotsare distributed around the outer circumference of the limiting seat, as shown in. The upper end of the locking leverpasses through the bracketand extends into one of the limiting slots. The limiting seatcan be limited by cooperating with the locking leverthrough one of the limiting slots, which effectively prevents the limiting seatfrom rotating arbitrarily. The limiting seathas a limiting sleeve at one end, which is internally connected to the knob.

In some embodiments, the inverted U-shaped heating seatcomprises a pair of sidewalls opposite to and spaced from each other. A chamber is formed between the sidewalls. The rodwith the gearis received in the chamber of the inverted U-shaped heating seat. A gear rackalong the height direction is set inside the inverted U-shaped heating seatfor in mesh with the gear. Specifically, the gear rackis formed on one of the sidewalls. Therefore, the inverted U-shaped heating seatcan move along the up-down direction with respect to the lower coverby manipulating the knob. When rotating the rodvia the knob, the gearis rotated together with the rod, thereby driving the gear rackto move along the up-down direction. The inverted U-shaped heating seatis thus driven to move along the up-down direction. As the inverted U-shaped heating seatmove along the height direction, the height of the inverted U-shaped heating seatbeyond the lower coveris adjusted.

Specifically, according to desired curvature of the hair to be curled, the knobcan be manually rotated together with the limiting seat, thereby rotating the rodtogether with the gear. The gearmeshing with the gear rackdrives the gear rackto move, and then the U-shaped heating seatextends or retracts. Thereby, the height of the U-shaped heating seatextending outside the lower coveris adjusted, so as to achieve the adjustment of curvature of the hair curler.

After curling by the hair curler, the temperature on the hair remains relatively high. The hair is easily straightened automatically, without the support of the hair curler. Therefore, the hair curler of the present invention also provides cool airflow for shaping while curling the hair.

Referring toand, each arc-shaped grooveis provided with an air guide member. The air guide memberis connected to the lower coveropposite to the corresponding arc-shaped groove. Specifically, the air guide membercomprises a pair of sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom wall which cooperatively form an air guide channelthereamong. The air guide memberis located under the arc-shaped groovesand the air guide channelis in communication with the arc-shaped groovesvia the vent holes. A enclosureis fixedly connected to the lower coverby screws, a impelleris installed in the enclosure, and a negative ion generatoris provided at one end of the enclosureopposite to the air guide member. The negative ion generatorcomprises an ion exit opening in communication with the outletof the enclosure. Preferably, the ion exit opening of the negative ion generatoris orientated the air guide channel. When the airflow delivered by the impellerflows, the airflow takes away the negative ions generated by the generatorto form negative ionic wind to enter into the air guide channels and then blow to hair clipped between the groovesand the protrusionsvia the vent holes. Preferably, the end of the outletis inserted into the air guide channelin the length direction of the hair curler.

Specifically, the enclosurecomprises two air outletsfacing and being connected to the air guide members, and the intake holesin the lower housingare facing the air entrance of the impeller. When the impelleris in operation, external air can flow into the impellervia the intake holes. Air is accelerated by the impellerto generate accelerated airflow, and the accelerated airflow is mixed with the negative ions at the outletsand then flows to the arc-shaped groovesvia the air guide membersand the vent holes, timely cooling and care of the hair by the air with negative ions, thereby enabling the hair to be quickly styled. Preferably, the impelleris a centrifugal impeller and the enclosureenclosing the impelleracts as a volute of the centrifugal impeller. The impellerand the enclosurecooperatively form a fan. The outletsact as the outlets of the fan. The axial direction of the impelleris perpendicular to the length direction of the hair curler. Two negative ion generatorsare provided corresponding to the two air outletsrespectively. Alternatively, one negative ion generator, which comprises two ion exit openings in communication with the two outletsof the enclosurerespectively, can be used.

Referring to, the lower housingcomprises a first section, a connecting section and a second section arranged in the length direction of the hair curler. The cross-section area of the second section is greater than that of the first section. The cross-section area of the connecting section reduces gradually in a direction from the second section toward the first section. The first section is configured for holding by a user. The second section is for receiving the air guide member, the rod, the gearand a part of the heating seat. The impelleris received in the connecting section. The intake holesare defined at the connecting section. The orientation of the intake holesare perpendicular to or angled with respect to the length direction of the hair curler.

As shown into, the upper coveris provided with arc-shaped protrusionsfacing the arc-shaped grooves. The arc-shaped protrusionsare provided with at least on second heating wireinside. The second heating wirefacilitates heating the arc-shaped protrusionto heat and style the hair. The arc-shaped protrusionsare matched with the arc-shaped groovesin shape.

A pinis provided at the connecting end between the upper clamp bodyand the second tailstock. The upper clamp bodyis movably connected to the second tailstockthrough the pin.

A control circuit boardis fixed to an inner side of the upper cover. Control buttonselectrically connected to the control circuit boardare provided on the upper clamp bodyfor controlling the hair curler. The first heating wires, the impeller, and the negative ion generatorand the second heating wiresare electrically connected to and controlled by the control circuit board. During use, the second heating wire, the first heating wire, the impeller, and the negative ion generatorare operated manually by controlling the control buttons.

After hair is placed between the upper clamp bodyand the lower clamp body, as the hair passes between the arc-shaped protrusionsand the arc-shaped grooves, the airflow generated by the impellerenters the air guide membersfrom the air outletson the enclosure. The airflow entering each of the air guide memberis then blown out through the vent holes, thereby cooling the hair and providing negative ion care.

Preferably, the arc-shaped groovesextend along the length direction of the lower clamp bodyand the vent holesare evenly distributed in the length direction of the lower clamp bodyat an interval. Each arc-shaped groovehas a concaved arc-shaped cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the lower clamp body. The bottom of the grooveprotrudes downwardly toward the air guide membersuch that the air guide channelhas an arc-shaped top. The vent holesin each grooveare symmetrically distributed about a middle line of the grooveparallel to the length direction of the lower clamp body. In this embodiment, the vent holesin each grooveare arranged in multiple lows and multiple columns, for example: two lows and eight columns. The orientation of the vent holesis perpendicular to the length direction of the hair curler. Multiple vent holesare defined in each of the groovesto communicate with the air guide channelsuch that the accelerated airflow mixed with negative ions generated by the negative ion generatorcan flow to inside of a bundle of hair clipped in the groovein a direction perpendicular to the bundle of hair to thereby improve the effect of cooling the hair and delivery enough negative ions to the hair.