HAIR DRYER

Abstract

A hair dryer includes a housing defined by a first housing and a second housing, the first housing defines a first protruding surface inside the housing, and the second housing defines a second protruding surface inside the housing, and a connection assembly configured to connect the first and second housings. The connection assembly includes a first connector removably received by the first housing, and a second connector removably received by the second housing, the second connector includes an elongated body having a first portion and a second portion, a cross-sectional diameter of the first portion is smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the second portion, and a protruding edge is positioned between the first portion and the second portion. To connect the first and second housings, the first connector engages the second connector and contacts the first protruding surface, and the second connector engages the first connector, the protruding edge contacts the second protruding surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/242,112, filed on Oct. 15, 2015 and entitled “Hair Dryer,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hair dryer, and more specifically to a hair dryer incorporating one or more features that improves operational performance of a hair dryer.

BACKGROUND

A hair dryer is generally designed to emit a concentrated flow of air from a nozzle to quickly dry hair. In some hair dryers, a user can modify the flow and/or the temperature of the air emitted from the nozzle.

Unfortunately, known hair dryers have certain limitations. For example, known hair dryers are generally formed of a hard plastic shell or housing. The shell contains a motor, a fan, and related electrical components that together emit the concentrated flow of air. Typically, the shell is formed of two halves or sections. The first section can include a plurality of molded holes through the shell, while the opposing second section can include a plurality of corresponding threaded recesses in the shell. The holes and recesses are configured to align when the two halves are mated together. During assembly, once all of the internal components have been positioned in one section, the other section is placed in a mating position with the holes and recesses in alignment. Screws are then inserted into each hole to engage each respective threaded recess and hold the two halves of the plastic shell together. While the screws can be removed, repeated removal can lead to stripping of the threads of the recess. In addition, impacts caused by dropping the hair dryer can cause the threaded recesses to break. Once the threaded recesses are damaged and no longer retain the screw, the shell is irreparably damaged. This requires disposal of the hairdryer, even if all of the internal components are still in working order, as exposure to the electrical components can be dangerous to the user.

As another example, known hair dryers can generate a substantial amount of vibration as the motor is frictionally retained by the hair dryer shell. Accordingly, any vibration generated by the motor is translated directly to the shell, and in turn to the handle. Accordingly, the user is exposed to the vibration by grasping the handle of the hair dryer during operation. A short exposure to the vibration, such as when a user operates the hair dryer to dry their own hair, may be relatively unnoticed by the user. However, longer exposures to the vibration, such as by hair professionals that use the hair dryer more frequently, can cause discomfort for the user.

Accordingly, there is a need to increase the operational life of a hair dryer by providing replaceable components. There is also a need to improve operational performance by providing an improved user experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one construction, the invention provides a hair dryer that includes a housing defined by a first housing and a second housing, the first housing defines a first protruding surface inside the housing, and the second housing defines a second protruding surface inside the housing, and a connection assembly configured to connect the first and second housings. The connection assembly includes a first connector removably received by the first housing, and a second connector removably received by the second housing, the second connector includes an elongated body having a first portion and a second portion, a cross-sectional diameter of the first portion is smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the second portion, and a protruding edge is positioned between the first portion and the second portion. To connect the first and second housings, the first connector engages the second connector and contacts the first protruding surface, and the second connector engages the first connector, the protruding edge contacts the second protruding surface.

In another construction, the invention provides a hair drying that includes a connection assembly. The connection assembly includes a male portion and an elongated female portion that is configured to receive the male portion. A first housing defines a first aperture configured to receive the male portion, and a second housing defines a second aperture configured to receive the female portion. The male portion and the female portion connect to form a connection between the first and second housings, the male and female portions are configured to disconnect and be removed from the respective first and second housings, and the female portion includes an outside end that has a complimentary profile to a profile of the second housing when the female portion is completely inserted into the second housing.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hair dryer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hair dryer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top down view of the hair dryer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a removable connection assembly for use with the hair dryer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle of the hair dryer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a first end of the hair dryer of FIG. 1, showing the connection assembly partially exploded from the hair dryer.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second end of the hair dryer of FIG. 1, showing the connection assembly partially exploded from the hair dryer.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a second end of the hair dryer of FIG. 1, depicting a vent cover removed to illustrate a removable air filter screen.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a portion of the hair dryer of FIG. 1, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the air filter screen removed from the hair dryer of

FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the air filter screen of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer of FIG. 1, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any independent embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1-13 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a hair dryer 10. The hair dryer 10 is illustrated as a hand-held, electrically powered hair dryer 10 embodying aspects of the invention as disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 1, the hair dryer 10 includes a housing or body 14. The housing 14 defines a handle 18 and a nozzle or barrel 22. A diffuser or concentrator 26 may be removably attached to the barrel 22 and configured to further concentrate airflow emitted from the hair dryer 10. A power supply or power cord 30 is connected to the handle 18 to provide electricity to the hair dryer 10. The power cord 30 is configured to engage a suitable electrical outlet (e.g., a wall outlet, etc.). However, in other embodiments, any suitable source of electricity may be incorporated into the hair dryer 10, including, but not limited to a battery or rechargeable battery.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the housing 14 includes an air inlet 34 and an air outlet 38. The air outlet 38 is centered on an exhaust axis 42. Air is drawn into the hair dryer 10 through the air inlet 34, where it is concentrated, optionally heated, and emitted through the air outlet 38.

To facilitate user operation of the hair dryer 10, the handle 18 includes a user control assembly 46. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the user control assembly 46 includes a plurality of operating switches 50 to control operation of the hair dryer 10. The switches 50 can be in electrical communication with a motor 54 (shown in FIG. 4) to provide selective operation of a fan 58 (shown in FIG. 4). The switches 50 can also be in electrical communication with a heating element 62 (shown in FIG. 4). Switches or operating switches 50a, b, c can be configured to selectively control air flow or velocity emitted from the hair dryer 10 by selection of the rotational speed of the fan 58 (e.g., low, medium, high, etc.). The switches 50a, b, c can also be configured to selectively control the heat level of the air flow emitted from the hair dryer 10 by operation of the heating element 62. Switch or cooling switch 50d can be configured to selectively disengage or terminate operation of the heating element 62, causing the emitted air to be unheated or cooler than air emitted by the hair dryer 10 during normal operation (i.e., when the cooling switch 50d is not engaged).

The housing 14 is formed of a plurality of housing portions that mate to define the housing 14. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the housing 14 includes a first housing or first housing portion 66 and a second housing or second housing portion 70. The first and second housing portions 66, 70 releasably mate at a seam or joint 74 to define the housing 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the housing 14 contains or houses the switches 50a-d, the motor 54, the fan 58, and the heating element 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 62 is positioned closer to the air outlet 38 than the motor 54 and the fan 58. However, in other embodiments, the motor 54, the fan 58, and the heating element 62 may be arranged in any suitable or desired orientation within the housing 14. In operation, the motor 54 drives the fan 58 following selection of a switch 50a-c by a user. Operation of the fan 58 draws air into the housing 14 from the air inlet 34, and forces the air over the heating element 62 and through the air outlet 38 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the exhaust axis 42.

To facilitate a releasable mating connection between the first and second housing portions 66, 70, the hair dryer 10 includes a connection assembly 78 that is completely removable from the housing 14. The connection assembly 78 advantageously increases the operational life of the hair dryer 10, as should a portion of the connection assembly 78 become damaged, the damaged portion of the connection assembly 78 (or the entire connection assembly 78) can be removed and replaced.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connection assembly 78 includes a first connector or first portion or male portion or first fastener 82 and a second connector or second portion or female portion or second fastener or boss 86. The first and second connectors 82, 86 mate to form the connection assembly 78. More specifically, the second connector 86 is elongated and includes an aperture 90 that receives a threaded shaft or portion 94 of the first connector 82. Complimentary threads 98 (shown in FIG. 6) engage with the threads on the threaded shaft 94 when the first connector 82 is inserted into the aperture 90 of the second connector 86. This threaded engagement mates the first and second connectors 82, 86. The first connector 82 includes a head 100 that has a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than the cross-sectional diameter of the threaded shaft 94.

To facilitate removal and retention in the housing 14, the second connector 86 includes a housing or boss 102. The housing 102 includes a first portion 106 having a cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than a second portion 110. The second portion 110 includes a protruding edge or ridge or shelf 114 at a transition between the first and second portions 106, 110. The protruding edge 114 is configured to engage a complimentary protruding edge 118 in the housing 14 (shown in FIG. 6) when the second connector 86 is completely inserted into the housing 14. When the edges 114, 118 make contact, the second connector 86 can no longer be inserted or drawn further into the housing 14. In addition, or alternatively, the first portion 106 of the second connector 86 can be configured to engage a complimentary protruding surface 134 in the housing 14 (shown in FIG. 6) when the second connector 86 is completely inserted into the housing 14. When the first portion 106 and surface 134 make contact, the second connector 86 can no longer be inserted or drawn further into the housing 14.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, to facilitate the releasable mating connection between the first and second housing portions 66, 70, the first and second housing portions 66, 70 are positioned into alignment. When aligned, a first aperture 122 in the first housing portion 66 is generally aligned with a second aperture 126 in the second housing portion 70.

The first connector 82 is then inserted into the first aperture 122, where the threaded shaft 94 is received by a secondary aperture 130 in the first aperture 122. The secondary aperture 130 is sized to receive the threaded shaft 94 of the first connector 82, but not the head 100. An edge or rim or protruding surface 134 that defines the secondary aperture 130 acts as a stop to limit further insertion of the first connector 82 into the housing 14, as the head 100 and the edge 134 are configured to engage when the first connector 82 is completely inserted into the housing 14.

The second connector 86 is also inserted into the second aperture 126. Once inserted into the housing 14, the first and second connectors 82, 86 are positioned into mating engagement. The second connector 86 mates with the first connector 82 until the connectors 82, 86 are restricted from further engagement by the housing 14. Stated another way, the second connector 86 engages with the first connector 82 until a portion of the first connector 82 contacts a first portion 134 of the housing 14, and a portion of the second connector 86 contacts a second portion 118 of the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connector 86 receives the first connector 82 until the head 100 of the first connector 82 contacts the edge 134 defined by the first housing portion 66, and the protruding edge 114 of the second connector 86 contacts the protruding edge 118 defined by the second housing portion 70. In this position, the first and second connectors 82, 86 are connected together, and retain the first and second housing portions 66, 70 in a mated position by contacting the respective edges 134, 114 defined by respective housing portions 66, 70. While the figures illustrate the connection assembly 78 as engaging with the housing 14 in the handle 18, in other embodiments the connection assembly 78 can engage with the housing 14 in any suitable location of the hair dryer 10 to facilitate a releasable mating connection between the first and second housing portions 66, 70.

It should be appreciated that the connection assembly 78 can also have an outside end or edge or face 138 that has a matching profile to a portion of the housing 14. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the connection assembly 78 is positioned in the housing 14, the outside face 138 of the second connector 86 has a matching profile to the profile of an outside surface of the handle 18. Accordingly, the second connector 86 will not project outward or be recessed from the profile of the handle 18. By maintaining or matching the profile of the portion of the housing, such as the handle 18, the connection assembly 78 will not interfere with user operation or cause user discomfort during user operation of the hair dryer 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, a removable air filter screen 142 is positioned in the hair dryer 10. The air filter screen 142 filters air entering the hair dryer through the air inlet 34 before reaching the fan 58. Since dust, debris, and other airborne contaminants can collect on and block airflow through the air filter screen 142, the air filter screen 142 is configured to be removable from the hair dryer 10 to facilitate cleaning or replacement.

As shown in FIG. 9, a removable vent cover 146 is removed from the hair dryer 10. The vent cover 146 includes vents that allow air to enter the hair dryer through the air inlet 34 (see FIGS. 1-4). The vent cover 146 connects to the hair dryer 10 by a projection (not shown) engaging with a slot 150 on the hair dryer 10. The projection (not shown) on the vent cover 146 is positioned to align with the slot 150, and then the vent cover 146 is rotated to engage the projection (not shown) with the slot 150. Once engaged, the slot 150 retains vent cover 146 through the projection (not shown).

FIG. 10 illustrates the hair dryer 10 with the vent cover 146 removed. The air filter screen 142 engages with a portion of the housing 14, and more specifically a portion of the second housing portion 70. The air filter screen 142 includes a plurality of tabs 154 that are biased to engage tab retaining slots 158 positioned on the housing 14.

FIGS. 11-12 further illustrate the air filter screen 142. The air filter screen 142 includes a screen retainer 162, a screen material 166, and a screen frame 170. The screen retainer 162 carries the biased tabs 154 and receives the screen material 166. The screen material 166 is retained in the screen retainer 162 through the screen frame 170, as the screen frame 170 is received and retained by the screen retainer 162. Thus, the screen material 166 is positioned between the screen retainer 162 and the screen frame 170.

To facilitate removal of the air filter screen 142 from the hair dryer 10, the bias of each tab 154 is overcome such that each tab 154 disengages from the respective retaining slots 158 on the housing 14. The air filter screen 142 is then free to be removed from the hair dryer 10. The screen material 166 can be cleaned or replaced. To replace the screen material 166, the screen frame 170 is disconnected from the screen retainer 162. The screen material 166 is now free to be removed. A clean or new screen material 166 is installed by positioning the screen material 166 between the screen retainer 162 and the frame 170, and then connecting the frame 170 to the screen retainer 162.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a vibration dampening assembly 174 is positioned in the hair dryer 10 to absorb or dampen vibration generated by the motor 54. By absorbing or dampening the motor vibration, the vibration dampening assembly 174 reduces the vibration translated to a user during operation of the hair dryer 10, reducing discomfort and improving the user experience.

The vibration dampening assembly 174 includes a plurality of compliant members 178. Each compliant member 178 can be, for example, a rubber member or rubber pad. Each compliant member 178 is coupled to the motor 54 (shown in FIG. 4) by a motor shroud 182. In the illustrated embodiment, a T-shaped portion 186 of each compliant member 178 is received in a channel 190 defined by the shroud 182. In other embodiments, the compliant members 178 can be coupled to the motor shroud 182 with any connection suitable to facilitate dampening of vibration generated by the motor 54. Each compliant member 178 is also coupled to the housing 14. Thus, the compliant member 178 is an intermediary between the housing 14 and the motor shroud 182, avoiding direct contact between the motor 54/motor shroud 182 and the housing 14.

In operation, vibration generated by the motor 54 translates to the motor shroud 182. The vibration is then transferred to the compliant member 178, which absorbs or dampens vibration. As a result, less vibration is transferred to the housing 14, and in turn to the user.

One or more independent advantages or independent features of the invention may be set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A hair dryer comprising:

a housing defined by a first housing and a second housing, the first housing defines a first protruding surface inside the housing, and the second housing defines a second protruding surface inside the housing; and

a connection assembly configured to connect the first and second housings including: a first connector removably received by the first housing; and a second connector removably received by the second housing, the second connector includes an elongated body having a first portion and a second portion, a cross-sectional diameter of the first portion is smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the second portion, and a protruding edge is positioned between the first portion and the second portion, wherein to connect the first and second housings, the first connector engages the second connector and contacts the first protruding surface, and the second connector engages the first connector, the protruding edge contacts the second protruding surface.

2. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a male connector and the second connector is a female connector.

3. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors engage by a threaded connection.

4. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the first protruding surface defines an aperture sized to receive a portion of the first connector.

5. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the protruding edge is a first protruding edge, and the second protruding surface defines a second protruding edge that is configured to engage the first protruding edge on the second connector.

6. The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising a fan operably connected to a motor, the fan and the motor being positioned inside the housing.

7. The hair dryer of claim 6, further comprising a heating element positioned inside the housing.

8. The hair dryer of claim 6, further comprising a vibration dampening member connected to the motor and to the housing.

9. The hair dryer of claim 8, wherein the vibration dampening member is an intermediary connection between the motor and the housing.

10. The hair dryer of claim 6, further comprising a vibration dampening member connected to a motor shroud of the motor and to the housing.

11. A hair dryer comprising:

a connection assembly including a male portion and an elongated female portion that is configured to receive the male portion;

a first housing defining a first aperture configured to receive the male portion; and

a second housing defining a second aperture configured to receive the female portion,

wherein the male portion and the female portion connect to form a connection between the first and second housings, the male and female portions are configured to disconnect and be removed from the respective first and second housings, and the female portion includes an outside end that has a complimentary profile to a profile of the second housing when the female portion is completely inserted into the second housing.

12. The hair dryer of claim 11, wherein the male and female portions connect by a threaded connection.

13. The hair dryer of claim 11, wherein the first housing defines a first protruding surface inside the housing that is configured to engage a portion of the male portion when the male portion is completely inserted into the first housing.

14. The hair dryer of claim 13, wherein the first protruding surface defines a third aperture sized to receive a portion of the male portion.

15. The hair dryer of claim 14, wherein the first protruding surface includes a surface that contacts a portion of the male portion not received by the third aperture.

16. The hair dryer of claim 14, wherein the third aperture is positioned within the first aperture.

17. The hair dryer of claim 11, wherein the second housing defines a second protruding surface within the second aperture that is configured to engage a complimentary protruding edge on the female portion.

18. The hair dryer of claim 17, wherein the female portion engages the second protruding surface when the female portion is completely inserted into the second housing.