Air hair styler with fan motor and heater in barrel

Abstract

A multiple heat and hair flow setting styling device comprises a handle portion, a barrel portion for curling and styling hair that is vented to permit the outflow of air that may be optionally heated, and a motor, fan and heater element mounted within the handle portion and/or barrel portion in order to allow a relatively small diameter handle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/542,911 filed on Feb. 9, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair styling devices and, more particularly, to round brush styling devices having a fan for emitting air and a heater for emitting heated air.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known in the art to provide various types of roller-style hair brushes that include a barrel of, typically, round cross-section that is vented for emitting a flow of air that is generated from within the device. Such devices may also include heaters to heat the flow of air. The flow of air aides in styling and drying hair. These devices have an electric motor and fan, and sometimes a heater element, mounted inside the handle portion of the device. This is because known motors, fans and heaters require relatively large amounts of space, and to mount them elsewhere, such as in the barrel, would result in a non-functional barrel since its diameter would be too large. As a result, handles on known devices have relatively large diameters and are, thus, cumbersome and difficult to hold and use.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above. These and other objectives are achieved by the present invention described herein.

The present invention is directed to a styling device that comprises a handle portion, a barrel portion for curling and styling hair that is vented to permit the outflow of air that may be optionally heated, and a motor, fan and heater element mounted within the handle portion or barrel portion. The motor, fan and heater element can also be mounted within the styling device adjacent to where the handle and barrel converge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with the drawings identified below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram corresponding to the control circuit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A styling device (10) is shown in FIGS. 1-2, having a handle portion (12) comprised of upper and lower housing parts (14, 16). A swivel cord (18) extends to an electrical source (not shown). A rear cover (20) closes the end of the handle portion (12) to enclose various components. Those components include a fan (22), a motor mount (24), motor (26), and heater assembly (28). A lock ring (30) separates the handle (12) from the barrel (32), which is comprised of an aluminum tube. An inner barrel (34) is contained within the barrel (32) by a screw or rivet (36). An outlet grille (38) is positioned between the inner barrel (34) and the lock ring (30). A tip (40) is at the distal end of the aluminum barrel (32). A switch (42) is mounted within the handle (12) such that a portion protrudes therefrom in order to be accessed by a user for manipulation. A clamp (44), grip knob (46) and wire stand (48) of the conventionally known type are provided.

Two separate switches may be provided to independently control the air on/off and speed, and to independently control one or more heat settings including no heat. An electrical circuit diagram (50) is shown in FIG. 3, and illustrates a control circuit according to the present invention for the following speed settings: high/low/off; and the following heat settings: hot/warm/cool. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device to illustrate where along the handle/barrel the various components can be located. The device can also include a plate (39) to redirect the heated air back along the length of the barrel.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hair styling device comprising:

a handle;

a barrel extending from an end of said handle;

a motor within said barrel;

a fan within said barrel for emitting air;

a first switch to selectively control said fan; and

a heater within said barrel adapted to selectively heat said barrel and/or said emitted air.

2. A hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein

said motor and fan are located within said barrel adjacent to where said handle and said barrel are connected.

3. A hair styling device according to claim 1, further comprising

a second switch to selectively control said heater.

4. A hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein

said barrel is vented to emit said flow of air from said device.

5. A hair styling device according to claim 1, further comprising

a rear cover at the end of said handle opposite said barrel to enclose said motor and said fan.

6. A hair styling device according to claim 1, further comprising

a plate within said barrel to redirect the heated air back along the length of the barrel.

7. A hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein

said barrel is comprised of an aluminum tube.