Curling iron for babies and young children

Abstract

A curling iron for styling and curling the hair of infants and small children includes a heat-dispensing barrel mounted to a handle powered by rechargeable batteries or from a standard electrical outlet. The barrel surface includes heat-dispensing apertures and enclosed within the barrel is a motor, a heat bulb, a mini fan, and a gear mechanism for rotating a barrette holder rotator. A barrette hair clip is mountable to the barrette holder rotator adjacent the annular surface of the barrel and at one of three levels, and a control switch is set at the level corresponding to the position of the barrette hair clip for rotating the barrette hair clip and with the hair of the individual secured thereto about the barrel in a helical manner for heating and styling the individual's hair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to curling irons, and more particularly pertains to a curling iron for creating small curls in babies and young children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Curling irons are one of the primary accessory items used to maintain, improve and enhance one's appearance, especially for presentation in social and employment settings and environments. Curling irons are handy and easy to use devices that when properly heated are capable of curling or straightening one's hair as desired. Curling irons can be both battery-powered through rechargeable batteries, or they can plug directly into a standard wall outlet. For added convenience they are also lightweight (composed wholly of plastic or primarily of plastic components) and easily portable in purses, backpacks, gym bags, fanny packs, etc., and thus can be used anywhere standard electrical outlets are available.

However, it is not only adults that avail themselves of the use of curling irons, but increasingly such items are used in conjunction with maintaining, improving and enhancing the appearance of children and even babies after they attain a certain age that in some instances can be as young as six months. Parents take pride in their children's appearance, and one sure way to improve and enhance that appearance is by having stylishly coiffed hair. Nonetheless, care must be taken in styling the hair of babies and young children so that the injury doesn't occur to the hair or scalp. Also, it may be necessary to adapt the design and dimensions of the curling iron to the smaller-sized head. In view of the above, the prior art discloses a number of curling irons.

For example, the Manabe et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,092) discloses a hair curling iron that includes a sheet-shaped heater mounted to a handle with a storage battery enclosed within the handle and which is electrically interconnected to a battery charger when the handle is placed within the battery charger.

The Carfaro patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,702) discloses a battery powered electrical curling iron having a detachable wand and a self-contained battery charger contained within the handle. A metal foil heating substance encompasses the wand and is used to heat the wand.

The Montagnino et al. patent (U.S. des. Pat. 321,412) discloses an ornamental design for a curling iron.

The McGee patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,629) discloses a hair curling iron that includes a pair of heat conductive tubular barrels pivotally interconnected to handles with each barrel having a flat surface for contacting, heating and curling the hair. A heat plate attachment is also included for heating the curling iron.

The Tsuji et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,694) discloses a hair styling iron that includes a tongue pivotally interconnected to a barrel for clamping and curling hair therebetween, with the barrel also including a pair of movable pipes for substantially straightening the hair.

Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains a need for a handy, portable curling iron for small children and babies (above a predetermined age) that can quickly and easily create small curls for appearance enhancement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends a curling iron for styling and curling the hair of infants (generally not under six months age) and small children. The curling iron of the present invention is especially useful for creating small curls for the individual.

The curling iron includes a cylindrical barrel having a plurality of heat dispensing apertures arranged in rows along the barrel from a distal end to a handle end. The distal end of the barrel includes an air vent for the dissipation of excess heat produced within the barrel. An annular helical groove or slot extends along the barrel from the distal end to the handle end and delimits three separate levels of barrette hair clip rotation: specifically, a level one for barrette hair clip rotation; a level two for barrette hair clip rotation; and a level three for barrette hair clip rotation.

The barrel includes an interior cavity and contained within the interior cavity are a number of interconnected structural elements for heating, turning and styling the hair of the infant or small child. Located at the handle end of the barrel is a base, and mounted to the base is the circuitry that controls the operation of the curling iron, a heat bulb that provides the heat to style the hair, and a variable speed motor held in place within the cavity by metal bar holders that extend from the base to the distal end of the barrel. Projecting outwardly from the motor toward the distal end of the barrel is a fan axle, and mounted on the fan axle is a mini fan. Also mounted to the base is a gear assembly that is electrically interconnected to the circuitry and the motor. The gear assembly actuates for rotation a spinner coil or wire that is disposed within the cavity and which extends from the handle end to the distal end. The spinner coil or wire is circumjacent the metal bar holders along the extension of the metal bar holders within the cavity.

Projecting from the handle end of the barrel is a handle, and the handle includes an on/off power switch, a power light to apprise users of the power status of the curling iron, and a three position barrette rotator level control switch all of which are electrically interconnected to the circuitry. The handle also includes an interior chamber for holding therein at least three rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries, and electrical wiring extends from the batteries to the circuitry.

The curling iron includes a battery adaptor for recharging the batteries when necessary. The battery adapter includes an interior battery holder having at least three compartments with each compartment receiving therein one battery, and one charging point or electrical contact is located at the bottom of each compartment. The battery adaptor also includes a pivotally mounted electrical plug that is plugged into a standard wall outlet or electrical receptacle to thereby charge the batteries.

A barrette holder rotator is mountable to the annular surface of the barrel and attachable to the spinner coil, and a barrette hair clip is securable to the barrette holder rotator so that both the barrette holder rotator and the barrette hair clip rotate together about the annular surface of the barrel. The end of the individual's hair is then secured to the barrette hair clip so that the hair can be curled and styled commensurate with the level set by the barrette level rotator control switch.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a curling iron for babies and small children to provide a safe, insulated curling iron for infants and young children's hair.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a curling iron for babies and young children wherein the heating element is heated by rechargeable batteries.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a curling iron for babies and young children in which the heating element is heated via a standard electrical outlet.

It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide a curling iron for babies and young children that is capable of creating various styles of curls.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a curling iron for babies and young children that includes an insulative material to ensure that any metal elements of the curling iron do not come in contact with the head of the baby or young child.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a curling iron for babies and young children that is capable of adding tiny curls to babies without the danger of burning the babies' scalp.

Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a curling iron for babies and young children in which precisely defined curls can be created through the rotational level setting of the curling iron.

These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the use of an electrical cord and plug to provide power to the curling iron;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the barrette and the barrette rotator levels;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the slidable on/off power switch and the three-position barrette rotator level control switch;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating internal structural elements and mechanical parts of the curling iron;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries enclosed within the handle of the curling iron;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the barrette clip holder that is mounted within the various levels of the helical barrette holder groove;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the heat bulb that is enclosed within the barrel of the curling iron that provides the heat for hair styling and curling;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the battery adaptor and the interior battery holder compartments and the pivotable battery plug;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the mini fan used for heat dissipation throughout the barrel of the curling iron;

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the various steps undertaken from setting the barrette level rotator control switch to recharging the curling iron;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch is set at level one;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch is set at level two; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the curling iron for infants and small children of the present invention illustrating the securement of the hair to the barrette hair clip and the curling of the hair when the barrette level rotator control switch is set at level three.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 is a curling iron 10 for creating curls, and especially small tight and tiny curls, in infants and young children ranging in age from approximately 18 months to five to six years of age. The curling iron 10 of the present invention is lightweight and easily portable, and can include a decorative carrying case (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 12-14, the curling iron 10 includes a cylindrical barrel 12. The barrel 12 includes a distal end 14 and an opposite handle end 16. The handle end 16 is closed off by a floor or base 18, and the distal end 14 includes an air vent 20 to allow for heat dissipation during and after the use of the curling iron 10. The barrel 12 defines an interior cavity 22, and the interior cavity 22 is commensurate in length with the barrel 12. The barrel 12 includes an annular surface 24, and arranged in a rows extending from the handle end 16 to the distal end 14 are a plurality of heat dispensing apertures 26. The heat dispensing apertures 26 allow passage therethrough of heat for heating and curling the hair of the infant or small child. Also disposed and formed on the annular surface 24 of the barrel 12 is a helical groove or slot 28 that defines several levels of rotation for the hair that is to be curled and styled. Specifically, there are three levels of hair rotation, a level one 30, a level two 32, and a level three 34, and each level corresponds to a given amount of rotation for the length of hair to be curled. As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 12-14, the helical groove 28 extends from the handle end 16 to the distal end 14 of the barrel 12 with level one 30 comprising that extent of the groove 28 adjacent the distal end 14, level two 32 being intermediate the handle end 16 and the distal end 14, and level three 34 being adjacent the handle end 16 of the barrel 12. The levels 30, 32 and 34, may also be referred to as the barrette rotator levels and they are coextensive with the annular surface of the barrel.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 12-14 is a handle 36 that is coaxially mounted to the handle end 16 of the barrel 12. The handle 36 is generally cylindrically shaped and includes an external annular surface 38 and an opposite interior chamber 40. Mounted to the annular surface 38 of the handle 36 is an on and off power switch 42 that is disposed within a slot 44 that is capable of slidable movement to either an on position or an off position and is pushed in for activating the curling iron. A power light 46 is mounted on the annular surface 38 to visually apprise the user of the operational status of the curling iron 10. A removable cap or lid 48 is securable to the bottom of the handle 36 for closing off the interior chamber 40 of the handle 36. As specifically shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the interior chamber 40 is configured to hold at least three batteries 50, preferably three rechargeable nickel/cadmium batteries, that are electrically interconnected to other mechanical and electrical elements hereinafter further described. The batteries 50 supply the power to the mechanical and electrical elements. A battery connection wire 52 extends from the batteries 50 to the electrical elements hereinafter to be described and plugs into a battery connection 54 on the base 18 of the barrel 12. In addition, the handle 36 also includes a slidable three position barrette rotator level control switch 56 that is slidably positionable to three different hair rotation settings; specifically, a first level 58 (or level one hair rotation), a second level 60 (or level two hair rotation), and a third level 62 (or level three hair rotation). The respective levels 58, 60 and 62, at which the level control switch 56 can be set correspond to the level one 30, the level two 32, and the level three 34 positions on the barrel 12 for hair rotation. The length of hair is heated and turns about the annular surface 24 until the respective level 30, 32 or 34 is reached whereupon the action of the curling iron 10 halts as well as the turning, heating and curling of the length of hair thereupon. FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment for supplying power to the various mechanical and electrical elements of the curling iron 10. The curling iron 10 of FIG. 2 includes an electrical plug 64 and a flexible electrical wire 66 of sufficient length with the plug 64 capable of being plugged into a standard electrical outlet or wall receptacle.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, 9 and 12-14 is a battery adaptor 68 that is slidably receivable onto the handle 36 for recharging the batteries 50. The battery adaptor 68 is generally cylindrical shaped and has a diameter that is greater than that of the handle 36. As shown in FIG. 9, the battery adaptor 68 includes an interior battery compartment 70 configured with individual slots 72 each of which receives one of the three batteries 50. Each slot 72 also includes an electrical contact or charging point 74 that each respective battery 50 contacts thereby enabling battery recharging. The exterior of the battery adaptor 68 also includes an in-use charging light 76 to apprise the user that the batteries 50 are undergoing recharging, and recharging of the batteries 50 is completed when the in-use light 76 goes out. A pivotally mounted battery adaptor plug 78 is used to convey electrical current from an electrical outlet or wall receptacle to the batteries 50 for recharging the batteries 50. The battery adaptor plug 78 is pivotally mounted within a recess 80 formed on the sidewall of the battery adaptor 68 by a pair of oppositely extending pivot pins 82 mounted to the recess 80. When battery recharge is completed, the battery adaptor plug 78 can be unplugged from the outlet or receptacle and pivoted back into the recess 80 so that the battery adaptor plug 78 is positioned out of the way during the use of the curling iron 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, enclosed within the interior chamber 22 of the barrel 12, and electrically interconnected to the batteries 50, are a number of electrical and mechanical elements that provide for the rotation and curling of a given length of hair. Mounted on the base 18 of the barrel 12 are circuitry elements 84 (that can be micro circuitry commonly used in the field) for controlling the various features of the curling iron 10. The circuitry elements 84 are interconnected to the batteries 50 through the battery connection 54 and battery connection wire 52. Extending from the base 18 to the distal end 14 of the barrel 12 are four spaced-apart elongated metal bar holders or supports 86. The metal bar holders 86 are used for the mounting of a motor 88 within the cavity 22. A fan axle 90 extends in axial alignment from the motor 88 and projects toward the distal end 14 of the barrel 12 and is selectively rotatably from the motor 88. Mounted to the fan axle 90 is mini fan 92 that is driven by the motor 88. The mini fan 92 provides for heat dissipation partially through the air vent 20 so that the curling iron 10 doesn't overheat during use.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, mounted to the metal bar supports 86 opposite of the fan axle 90 and fan 92 is a heat sheet 94. The heat sheet 94 separates the motor 88 from a heat bulb 96, preferably having a wattage of at least 80 watts, and which is mounted to the base 18 and is coaxial with the motor 88 and the fan 92. Power for the heat bulb 96 is supplied from the batteries 50 to which the heat bulb 96 is electrically interconnected. The heat bulb 96 generates heat that is dispersed through the heat dispensing apertures 26 for styling and curling the hair of the infant or young child. Mounted to the base 18 of the barrel 12 is a gear assembly 98. The gear assembly 98 is actuated by the on and off power switch 42 being placed in the on disposition, and the gear assembly 98 is controlled from the circuitry 84. The gear assembly 98 specifically includes three gears: a driving gear, an idler gear and a driven gear. A 360-degree retractable wire 100—or spinner—is disposed within the interior cavity 22 of the barrel 12 and is circumjacent the metal bar supports 86. The retractable wire 100 has an attachment end for interengagement to the gear assembly 98 and a distal wire end. The coils of the wire 100 are coincident with and adjacent to the helical groove 28 of the barrel 12 so that actuation of the gear assembly 98 causes the wire 100 to rotate coincident to and adjacent the helical groove 28 thereby resulting in the rotating and heating of the hair on the barrel 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a 360-degree barrette holder rotator 102 is removably securable to the coils of the wire 100. The barrette holder rotator 102 includes a tapered insertion and attachment end 104 that is slipped through the helical groove 28 at any desirable point therealong for securement to the wire 100. Generally the barrette holder rotator 102 will be secured to the coils of the wire 100 adjacent level one 30. With the barrette holder rotator 102 mounted to the wire 100, the rotation of the wire 100 causes the barrette holder rotator 102 to move coincident with the helical groove 28 and to the level set by the barrette rotator level control switch 56. A mesh barrette hair clip 106 is attachable to the barrette holder rotator 102 for rotation therewith. The end or tip of a length of hair is secured to the barrette hair clip 106 for rotation with the barrette hair clip 106 to the level set by the barrette rotator level control switch 56 that is generally set after the end of the length of hair is secured to the barrette hair clip 106.

FIG. 11 is a representative schematic 108 of the operation of the curling iron 10. The on and off power switch 42 is turned on and the power light 46 flashes on to indicate that there is power for the curling iron 10. The on and off power switch 42 would also be pushed in to activate the power to the heat bulb 96 for producing the requisite heat for styling and curling the hair. Should the power light 46 fail to light, this would indicate that the batteries 50 of the curling iron 10 require recharging, and the handle 36 would then be placed in the battery compartment 70 of the battery adaptor 68. With the curling iron 10 turned on the user would then secure the length of hair to the barrette hair clip 106. The end of the length of hair can be passed through a rod or support 110 secured to the barrel 12 that extends from the handle end 16 to the distal end 14 and which is slightly spaced from the annular surface 24 of the barrel 12 to allow the hair to pass therebetween. The rod 110 can be removed from the barrel 12 after the hair has been curled. The user would then set the level control switch 56 to the desired level—level one 58, level two 60 or level three 62—and thereby initiate the engagement of the circuitry 84 and the gear assembly 98 to turn or rotate the wire 100 so that the length of hair turns on the barrel 12 to the level set by the level control switch 56. The gear assembly 98 will automatically stop after the desired level of hair turning or rotation has been attained. When the user is satisfied that the hair has been appropriately curled, the on and off power switch 42 can be slid to the off position thereby stopping the curling iron and allowing the heat to dissipate through the air vent 20 for cooling off the curling iron 10.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the manner of hair curling for each specific level setting. Thus, FIG. 12 illustrates the curling of a length of hair 112 when the curling iron 10 is set at level one 58 by the barrette rotator level control switch 56. FIG. 13 illustrates the curling of the length of hair 112 when the curling iron 10 is set at level two 60 by the barrette rotator level control switch 56. FIG. 14 illustrates the curling of the length of hair 112 when the curling iron 10 is set at level three 62 by the barrette rotator level control switch 56. For each setting the end 114 of the length of hair 112 is secured to the barrette hair clip 106, and the barrette hair clip 106 is, in turn, secured to the barrette holder rotator 102. When the curling iron 10 is set at level one 58, the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least once upon the barrel 12; when the curling iron 10 is set at level two 60 the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least twice upon the barrel 12; and when the curling iron 10 is set at level three 62, the length of hair 112 is turned or rotated at least three times upon the barrel 12. In all cases small tight curls are formed thereby styling the hair of the infant or young child.

Although a preferred embodiment for this invention has been described and disclosed, it will be apparent that various modifications, alterations, and changes can be made by those skilled in the art, and such modifications, alterations, and changes are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A curling iron for creating small, tight curls on a length of hair of an infant or a young child, comprising:

a barrel having a distal end and an opposite handle end;

the barrel having an annular surface extending from the handle end to the distal end and enclosing therein an interior cavity;

a plurality of heat dispensing apertures located on the annular surface and arranged in a plurality of rows extending from the handle end to the distal end for dispensing heat on the length of hair for styling and curling the length of hair;

a helical slot formed on the annular surface and extending from the handle end to the distal end;

the helical slot defining a level one for hair rotation and curling, a level two for hair rotation and curling and a level three for hair rotation and curling;

a helical wire disposed within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot;

means for selectively rotating the wire within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot;

a barrette holder rotator mountable to the helical slot on the annular surface of the barrel for rotating a length of hair upon the barrel commensurate with level one, level two or level three;

a handle secured to the handle end of the barrel and coaxially projecting therefrom;

a power light located on the handle for indicating the power status of the curling iron;

a three position barrette rotator level control switch disposed on the handle and slidably positionable to a first level that corresponds to the level one on the barrel, a second level that corresponds to the level two on the barrel, and a third level that corresponds to the level three on the barrel;

the handle including an interior chamber for housing therein at least one rechargeable battery that provides the power for heating the curling iron and turning the length of hair upon the barrel;

a battery adaptor slidably receivable on the handle and capable of being plugged into an electrical receptacle or wall outlet for recharging the battery; and

whereupon securing the length of hair against the barrel and then setting the barrette rotator level control switch to the desired level causes the length of hair to be turned and heated to the corresponding level on the barrel thereby heating and curling the length of hair.

2. The curling iron of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the barrel includes an air vent for dissipating heat generated by the curling iron during the curling and styling of the length of hair of the infant or the young child.

3. The curling iron of claim 2 further comprising a base located at the handle end of the barrel and from which the handle coaxially extends.

4. The curling iron of claim 3 further comprising a heat bulb mounted to the base and extending within the interior cavity of the barrel for providing the heat that is dispersed through the heat dispensing apertures for heating and curling the length of hair of the infant or young child.

5. The curling iron of claim 4 wherein the heat bulb has a wattage of at least 80 watts.

6. The curling iron of claim 5 wherein the means for selectively rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected to the wire with the gear assembly disposed at the base of the barrel.

7. The curling iron of claim 6 further comprising a barrette hair clip securable to the barrette holder rotator and to which the length of hair of the infant or young child is attached.

8. A curling iron for heating and curling a length of hair of an infant or a young child, comprising:

a barrel having a distal end and an opposite handle end;

the barrel including an annular surface extending from the handle end to the distal end and enclosing therein an interior cavity;

a plurality of heat dispensing apertures located on the annular surface and arranged in a plurality of rows extending from the handle end to the distal end for dispensing heat on the length of hair for styling and curling the length of hair;

a helical slot formed on the annular surface and extending from the handle end to the distal end;

the annular surface of the barrel defining a level one for hair rotation upon the annular surface, a level two for hair rotation upon the annular surface, and a level three for hair rotation upon the annular surface;

a helical wire disposed within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot;

means for selectively rotating the wire within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot;

a barrette holder rotator mountable to the helical slot for rotating the length of hair upon the annular surface of the barrel commensurate to level one, level two or level three;

a handle secured to the handle end of the barrel and coaxially projecting therefrom;

a three position barrette rotator level control switch disposed on the handle and selectively slidably positionable to a first level that corresponds to level one on the annular surface, a second level that corresponds to the level two on the annular surface, and a third level that corresponds to the level three on the annular surface;

the handle including an interior chamber for housing therein at least one rechargeable battery that provides the power for heating the curling iron;

a battery adaptor slidably receivable on the handle and capable of being plugged into a wall outlet or electrical receptacle for charging the battery; and

whereupon securing the length of hair against the annular surface of the barrel and then setting the barrette rotator level control switch to the first level, the second level, or the third level cause the length of hair to be turned and heated to the corresponding level one, level two or level three on the annular surface so that the length of hair can be heated and curled.

9. The curling iron of claim 8 further comprising a power light located on the handle for indicating the power status of the curling iron.

10. The curling iron of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the barrel includes an air vent for dissipating heat generated by the curling iron during the curling and styling of the length of hair of the infant or young child.

11. The curling iron of claim 10 further comprising a base located at the handle end of the barrel and from which the handle coaxially extends.

12. The curling iron of claim 11 further comprising a heat bulb mounted to the base and extending within the interior cavity of the barrel for providing heat that is dispersed through the heat dispensing apertures for heating and curling the length of hair of the infant or young child.

13. The curling iron of claim 12 wherein the heat bulb has a wattage of at least 80 watts.

14. The curling iron of claim 13 wherein the means for selectively rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected to the wire with the gear assembly located at the base of the barrel.

15. The curling iron of claim 14 further comprising a barrette hair clip securable to the barrette holder rotator and to which the length of hair of the infant or young child is attached so that the length of hair can be turned and heated upon the annular surface of the barrel.

16. A curling iron for heating and curling a length of hair of an infant or young child in order to create small, tight curls, comprising:

a barrel having a distal end, an oppositely disposed handle end, an annular surface extending from the handle end to the distal end, an interior cavity enclosed by the annular surface and coextensive therewith, and a plurality of heat dispensing apertures arranged in annular rows on the annular surface from the distal end to the handle end for allowing the passage therethrough of heat for heating and curling the length of hair of the infant or young child;

a helical slot formed on the annular surface of the barrel and extending from the distal end to the handle end, the helical slot defining a level one for rotation of the length of hair about the annular surface of the barrel, a level two for rotation of the length of hair about the annular surface of the barrel, and a level three for rotation of the length of hair about the annular surface of the barrel;

a helical wire disposed within the interior cavity with the coils of the helical wire being coincident with the helical slot;

means for selectively rotating the wire within the interior cavity and coincident with the helical slot;

a barrette hair clip mountable to the annular surface adjacent the helical slot so that the length of hair can be secured to the barrette hair clip for heating, turning and curling about the annular surface of the barrel;

a handle mounted to the handle end of the barrel and coaxially projecting therefrom;

a three position barrette rotator level switch disposed on the handle and selectively slidably positionable to a first level that corresponds to level one on the annular surface of the barrel, a second level that corresponds to the level two on the annular surface of the barrel, and a third level that corresponds to the level three on the annular surface of the barrel;

the handle including an interior chamber for housing therein a plurality of rechargeable batteries for providing the power that heats and curls the length of hair turned about the annular surface of the barrel; and

whereupon securing the length of hair to the barrette hair clip and against the annular surface and then setting the barrette rotator level control switch to the selected first level, second level, or third level causes the length of hair to be heated and turned about the barrel thereby styling and curling the length of hair.

17. The curling iron of claim 16 further comprising a battery adaptor slidably receivable onto the handle and capable of being plugged into a wall outlet or electrical receptacle for engaging the batteries and charging the batteries.

18. The curling iron of claim 17 wherein the distal end of the barrel includes at least one air vent for dissipating heat generated by the curling iron during the curling and styling of the length of hair.

19. The curling iron of claim 18 wherein the means for selectively rotating the wire includes a gear assembly drivingly interconnected to the wire with the gear assembly located at the base of the barrel.

20. The curling iron of claim 19 further comprising a barrette holder rotator attachable to the wire so that the length of hair can be secured to the barrette hair clip and the barrette hair clip can be mounted to the barrette holder rotator whereupon rotation of the wire results in the movement of the barrette holder rotator and the barrette hair clip about the annular surface and the turning and heating of the length of hair to the level set by the barrette rotator level control switch.