Hair curling iron

Abstract

A hair curling iron including a lower case composed of a lower grill part and a lower heating part, a lower closing part which closes the top side of the lower case's lower grill part, a lower heater installed inside the lower heating part of the lower case in which the lower closing part has been assembled, an upper grill part and an upper heating part composing the upper case, an upper closing part which closes the bottom side of the upper grill part of the upper case. The hair curling iron is composed of the upper heater installed inside the upper heating part of the upper case in which the upper closing part has been assembled. A rounded concave part composing the surface for hair to be easily curled by being installed in the lower heating part of the lower case, a concave heat plate on both sides equipped with a lower exposed part which is exposed on both sides of the lower case and composed of the block part in the surface in order to more smoothly curl hair by contacting the surface of the concave part of the concave heating plate. A block heating plate construction include an upper exposed part that is exposed to both sides of the upper case on both sides. According to this hair curling iron, a block part is formed in the block heating plate installed in the upper case and a concave part is formed in the concave heating plate installed in the lower case and therefore able to not only curl hair more effectively. Also, as the block heating plate's exposed part is larger than the concave heating plate's exposed part, the block heating plate and the concave heating plate generally maintain the same temperatures, thereby more effectively curling the hair.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean patent application 2003-0031328, filed Oct. 6, 2003, and which issued on Feb. 3, 2004 as No. 0341776, and whose entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hair curling iron that uses heat in treating or styling hair and is particularly effective in curling hair.

Various hair curling irons used in hair care shops such as beauty parlors and barber shops that treat hair with heating, have been widely available. An example of a traditional hair curling iron is disclosed in Japanese patent publication No. 2002-292527 on Oct. 8. 2002. (Examples of other hair curling irons known in the prior art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,567 (Gugliotti), 5,046,516 (Barradas), 5,223,694 (Tsuji, et al.), 5,941,253 (Kaizuka), and 5,934,293 (Kaizuka). The entire contents of these and all other U.S. and Japanese publications mentioned anywhere in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference.).

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and disclosed in Japanese patent publication No. 2002-2915717 is a prior art device characterized by the fact that it combines a pair of holding parts 1a, 1b at the base axis 2, allowing flexible opening and closing, by the pushing force of a spring 3 placed at the hand-holding parts 4, so that the points of the both parts are always pushed or biased in an open direction. This hair iron is installed with face-to-face heat plates 5 which are heated by power-connected heater located at the opening part provided at the edges of both holding parts formed at an open hole. The heat plates 5 create proper clearance C between open parts by installing the exterior edges located at the side part behind ball edge of the opening parts. A leaf spring 8 installed between the opening part and the bottom pushes or brakes the heat plate to the forward direction.

Traditional hair irons as disclosed in Japanese patent publication No. 2002-2915717 are effective in making desired hair styles since the heat plates work in the range of clearance and the leaf spring pushes the heat plate at the opening part, from inside to create clearance between the open parts. However, with this traditional device there is the problem that the device does not allow effective hair curl styling since the heat plates 5 that provide heat to the hair form on planar surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to remedying the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to providing a superior hair curling iron.

In order to accomplish such purposes, the hair curling iron includes a lower case composed of a lower grill part and a lower heating part, a lower closing part which closes the top side of the lower case's lower grill part, a lower heater which is installed inside the lower heating part of the lower case in which the lower closing part has been assembled, an upper grill part and an upper heating part including the upper case, upper closing part which closes the bottom side of the upper grill part of the upper case. The hair curling iron is composed of the upper heater installed inside the upper heating part of the upper case in which the upper closing part has been assembled. A rounded concave part composing the surface for the user's hair to be easily curled is installed in the lower heating part of the lower case; a concave heat plate on both sides includes a lower exposed part which is exposed on both sides of the lower case and composed of the convex part in the surface in order to smoothly curl hair by contacting the surface of the concave part of the concave heating plate. A convex heating plate construction includes an upper exposed part that is exposed to both sides of the upper case on both sides.

According to the hair curling iron of the present invention, a convex part is formed in the convex heating plate installed in the upper case and a concave part is formed in the concave heating plate installed in the lower case and thereby is able to curl hair more effectively. Additionally, as the convex heating plate's exposed part is larger than the concave heating plate's exposed part, the heat temperatures occurring in the convex heating plate and the concave heating plate are maintained generally at the same temperature, thereby curling hair more effectively.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates the major parts of a disassembled hair iron of Japanese patent publication No. 2002-291517.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates sections of the major parts of the hair iron of Japanese patent publication No. 2002-291517.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view generally illustrating the construction of a hair curling iron of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the major parts of a disassembled hair curling iron of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the hair curling iron.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a separated (open) position of the convex heat plate of the curling iron.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a joined (closed) position of the convex heat plate and the concave heat plate of the hair curling iron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates a hair curling iron of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the disassembly of the main parts for the hair curling iron. FIG. 5 is a sectional drawing illustrating the interior structure of the hair curling iron. FIG. 6 is a sectional drawing illustrating the condition of movement interval for the convex heating plate and the concave heating plate for the hair curling iron. FIG. 7 is a sectional drawing illustrating the condition of a hair curling by the contact of the hair curling iron's convex heating plate and concave heating plate.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, reference numeral 10 is a lower case composed of the lower heating part 12 in which the concave heating plate is installed, which is described in greater detail hereafter in the lower grill part 11 that can be pressed by hand, that has an open top side and a closed bottom side. Also, in both sides of the lower grill part 11 of the lower case 10, there is a lower hinge-housed groove 111 that houses the hinge part, described later.

And, in both sides of the lower heating part 12 of the lower case 10, there is a composition of the lower main groove part 13 consisting of length l and height t in order for the concave heating plate (explained later) to be installed in the height direction of the lower case 10 without any protrusions; that is, at the same level without jutting out higher.

On the other hand, reference numeral 20 is a lower closing part which connects the lower case 10 and the upper case. It simultaneously closes the top side of the lower grill part 11 of the lower case 10, and is equipped with a hinge part 22 including hinge ball 21. Also, in the end part of the lower closing part 20, in order to affix the rear fringed concave heating part, there is a concave heating part fixation support.

Concave heating plate 30 is composed of a section of the rounded concave part that is installed in the lower heating part 12 of the case in order to easily curl hair. The length is generally the same as the length l of the main groove part 13 of the lower heating part 12. It enables easier hair curling in both sides, and at the same time, in order to generally maintain the same temperature as that of the convex heating plate through the external air. It is equipped with the lower exposed part 32 exposed to both sides of the lower case 10. In order to enable an easier hair curl, the concave heating plate 30 includes a rounded concave part 31 in the surface, and in case of hair curl in both sides' parts, in order to generally maintain the same temperature as the convex heating plate's temperature by the temperature of the concave heating plate 30 and therefore in case it comes into a surface contact with a convex heating plate, it is equipped with a lower exposed part 32 exposed externally generally by the width of M.

Also, a lower heater 40 generates heat in order for the concave heating plate 30 to be able to heat the hair, it is affixed and installed in the lower side of the concave heating plate 30.

Upper case 50 is composed of the upper heating part 52 in which a convex heating plate is the upper grill part 51 that can be attached by hand, the top side is closed off and the bottom side is opened, in order for both sides of the convex heating plate to not protrude in the height direction of the upper case 50 and thereby consisting of the height's width t and composing the upper main groove part 53 consisting of the generally same length l of the lower main groove part 13.

Upper closing part 60 connects the upper case 50 to the lower case at the same time as the closing of the bottom side of the upper grill part 51 of the upper case 50, for its assembly to the lower case 10, the hinge part 62, consisting of the hinge support 22 of the lower closed part material 20 and hinge ball 61 which joins the hinge, is equipped as such, first of all, and the other segment is composed of the convex heat plate fixation support 63 in order to affix the convex heat plate.

Hinge shaft 64 is assembled in order for the upper case 50 and lower case 10 to be hinged by having the hinge ball 61 of the upper closing part 60 and the hinge ball 21 of the lower closing part 20 to be inserted together. Elastic part 65 provides elasticity to enable the upper case 50 and lower case 10 to be returned to their original position with the hinge shaft 64 as a support point.

Convex heating plate 70 is affixed and installed in the heating part 52 of the upper case 50. Its surface contacts the side of the concave part 31 of the concave heating plate 31 to form the convex part 71 that enables hair to be more smoothly curled, and in both sides, in order to generally maintain the same temperature with the concave heating plate 31 through the external air, it is equipped with the upper exposed part 72 that is exposed to both sides of the upper case 50.

The convex heating plate 70, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is equipped with the convex part 71 on the surface to enable a more smooth hair curling by the mutual contact with the concave part 31 of the concave heating plate 30, and in case of a contact between the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30, to enable a more effective hair curling by generally having same temperatures in the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30, the upper exposed part 72 of the convex heating plate 70 is exposed to the external side of the upper case 50.

To explain this in more detail, the convex part 71 makes up the surface of the convex heating plate 70 and the concave part 31 makes up the surface of the concave heating plate 30; and when the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 contact each other, pressure can be applied to effectively and in a natural manner curl hair as illustrated in FIG. 7.

And, to enable hair to be curled more effectively by generally maintaining the same temperatures in the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30, when the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate come into contact, the exposed area (K×1) of the upper exposed part 72 exposing the convex heating plate 70 is larger than the exposed area (M×1) of the lower exposed part 32.

As the power is applied the upper heater 80 and the lower heater 40 and in case of a heat generation in the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30, since the temperature in the convex heating plate 70 becomes higher than the concave heating plate 30, in order for the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 to generally maintain same temperatures through the external air, the exposed area (K×1) of the upper exposed part 72 is constructed larger than the exposed area (M×1) of the lower exposed part 32.

An upper heater 80 generates heat in order for the convex heating plate 70 to apply heat to the hair. It is affixed and installed in the bottom side of the convex heating plate 70.

Concave heating plate fixation part 91 affixes the concave heating plate 30 in order for the concave heating plate 30 to be firmly installed in the lower heating part 12 of the lower case 10. Convex heating plate fixation part 92 affixes the convex heating plate 70 in order for the convex heating plate 70 to be firmly installed in the heating part 52 of the upper case 50.

The hair curling iron's operation effectiveness according to the the device composed as above is explained below.

First of all, the convex part 71 is formed in the surface of the convex heating plate 70 that is installed in the upper heating part 52 of the upper case 50, and the concave part 31 is formed in the surface of the concave heating plate 30 to be installed in the lower heating part 12 of the lower case 10 and when the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate come into contact with each other, hair can be effectively curled as pressure is applied for hair to be naturally curled, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Also, when the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 come into contact with each other, as the exposed area (K×1) of the upper exposed part 72 is larger than the exposed area (M×1) of the lower exposed area 32, the convex heating plate 70 is cooled more effectively than the concave heating plate 30 through the external air, the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 generally maintain the same temperature. For example, the convex part can have an area of approximately 24.8 square centimeters and the concave part can have an area of approximately 23.2 square centimeters; further, the exposed surface of the convex part can be approximately 1.6 square centimeters larger than that of the concave part. Since the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 generally maintain the same temperatures, hair to which pressure is applied by the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 is more effectively curled.

As explained previously, according to the hair curling iron of the present invention, a convex part is formed in a convex heating plate installed in the upper case, and a concave part is formed in a concave heating plate to be installed in the lower case, and therefore, not only can hair be curled more effectively, the convex heating plate's exposed part is greater than the concave heating plate's exposed part. Generally the same temperatures (approximately 160-170 degrees Centigrade) occurring in the convex heating plate and the concave heating plate are maintained and thereby curl hair more effectively.

In the lower case 10 consisting of the lower grill part 11 and the lower heating part 2, lower closing part 20 which closes off the top side of the lower grill part 11 of the lower case 10, the lower heater 40 installed inside the lower heating part 10 of the lower case 10 in which the lower closing part 20 is assembled, the upper case 50 consisting of the upper grill part 51 and the upper heating part 52, the upper closing part 60 which closes off the bottom side of the upper grill part 51 of the upper case 50, the hair curling iron composed of the upper heater 80 installed inside the upper heating part 52 of the upper case 50 in which the upper closing part 60 is assembled:

(1) Composing the rounded concave part 31 in the surface in order to easily curl hair by being installed in the lower heating part 12 of the lower case 10, and the concave heating plate 30 equipped with the lower exposed part 32 exposed to both sides of the lower case 10 in both sides; and

(2) Composing the convex part 71 in the surface in order to enable a more smooth hair curling by the contact with the side of the concave part 31 of the concave heating plate 30, and the hair curling iron with the distinct quality of being composed of the convex heating plate 70 equipped with the upper exposed part 72 exposed to both sides of the upper case 50 in both sides.

In the No. 1 Section,

Composed of the lower main groove part 13 consisting of length l and height t to enable an installation without any protrusion toward the height direction of the lower case 10 by the concave heating plate 30 in both sides of the lower heating part 12 of the lower case 10 and,

The hair curling iron with the distinct quality of being composed of the upper main groove part 53 consisting of the generally same length l with the lower main groove part in having the height's width t without any protrusion toward the height's direction of the upper case 50 by the convex heating plate 70 in both sides of the upper heating part 52 of the upper case 50.

In the No. 1 Section,

When the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30 come into contact with one another in order to curl hair more effectively generally the same temperatures are maintained in the convex heating plate 70 and the concave heating plate 30.

The hair curling iron with the distinct quality of composing bigger exposed area (K×1) of the upper exposed part 72 exposing the convex heating plate 70 than the exposed area (M×1) of the lower exposed area 32 exposing the concave heating plate 30.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention includes any combination of the elements from the different species or embodiments disclosed herein, as well as subassemblies, assemblies, and methods thereof. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thererof.

Claims

1. A hair curling iron, comprising:

an upper case;

a lower case connected to the upper case;

a convex heating plate installed in the upper case and having an exposed convex part;

a concave heating plate installed in the lower case and having an exposed concave part associated with the convex part; and

the convex part being larger than the concave part such that the convex heating plate and the concave heating plate maintain generally the same temperature.

2. The hair curling iron of claim 1 wherein the convex heating plate and the concave heating plate maintain the same temperature of approximately 160-170 degrees Centigrade during a hair curling treatment.

3. The hair curling iron of claim 1 wherein the exposed surface area of the convex part is approximately 1.6 square centimeters larger than that of the concave part.

4. The hair curling iron of claim 1 wherein the convex part has an area of approximately 24.8 square centimeters and the concave part has an area of approximately 23.2 square centimeters.

5. A hair curling iron, comprising:

an upper case;

a block heating plate installed in the upper case;

a block part formed in the block heating plate;

a lower case associated with the upper case;

a concave heating plate installed in the lower case; and

a concave part formed in the concave heating plate.

6. A hair curling iron, comprising:

an upper case;

a lower case connected to the upper case; and

a convex heating plate having an upper part that is exposed to both sides of the upper case.