HAND-MOUNTED HAIR DRYER SYSTEM AND RELATED DEVICES AND METHODS

Abstract

The various implementations herein related to a hand-mounted airflow system enable precise, targeted drying while allowing full use of both hands. They include a palm-secured manifold, finger-mounted nozzles, and an integrated or external fan supplying adjustable airflow. Fastening mechanisms ensure a secure fit, enhancing efficiency and control for applications like hair drying and styling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES & RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/765,217, filed Feb. 28, 2025, and entitled “HAND-MOUNTED HAIR DRYER SYSTEM AND RELATED DEVICES AND METHODS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to personal styling devices generally, and hair dryers, specifically.

BACKGROUND

Traditional blow dryers rely on a single, bulk airflow to dry or style hair, often requiring users to hold and maneuver the device with one hand while using the other hand for styling. This can be cumbersome, limiting precision and control, particularly for professional hairstylists and individuals seeking efficient, hands-free operation. Additionally, conventional dryers may not provide targeted airflow, leading to inefficiencies in drying time and styling effectiveness.

To address these limitations, there is a need for a system that allows for precise and directed airflow while enabling the user to maintain full use of both hands. Such a system would enhance convenience, improve drying efficiency, and offer greater control over the styling process. The disclosed invention provides a novel solution by integrating a hand-mounted airflow system that delivers adjustable, targeted air streams directly from the user's fingers, offering improved functionality compared to existing blow-drying techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This patent application discloses a hand-mounted air-drying system designed for precise, targeted airflow while allowing full use of both hands. Unlike traditional blow dryers that generate a single bulk airflow, this device directs controlled air streams through multiple adjustable nozzles. The system includes a manifold secured to the user's hand via a palm attachment, with air tubes extending to individual finger-mounted nozzles. The nozzles can be adjusted to control airflow velocity, providing customized drying or styling capabilities. A built-in or external fan supplies pressurized air, which can also be heated. The securements for both the palm and fingers are adaptable to various hand sizes, utilizing fasteners such as Velcro, buckles, or magnetic closures. This innovative system enhances efficiency and control for applications like hair drying and styling.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the disclosure is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand-mounted dryer device used within the system, according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is a top-down image of the hand-mounted dryer device mounted to the hand of a user, according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 is an image of the hand-mounted dryer device mounted to the supinated hand of a user, according to one implementation.

FIG. 4 is a front-facing image of the hand-mounted dryer device mounted to the hand of a user, according to one implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure contains various implementations relating to a system for flowing air in a precise, targeted manner while maintaining the use of both hands. In certain implementations, the system may be used to dry or style hair, as a traditional blow-dryer would. However, where a blow-dryer provides a single, bulk air flow, the presently disclosed implementations allow for direct, precise air flows to be applied.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows the system 10 according to various implementations. In such implementations, the system 10 can use a hand-mounted dryer device 12, or just device 12, that can be attached to the hand of a user.

In certain implementations, the device 12 may have a manifold 14 in fluidic communication with one or more air tubes 16. The one or more air tubes 16 may each be terminated by a nozzle 18. In various implementations, the diameter of each nozzle 18 may be sized to have a desired air flow velocity. In other implementations, the diameter of each nozzle 18 may be adjustable, such that a user may change the diameter of each nozzle 18, and thereby the resulting air flow velocity, of each nozzle 18.

In various implementations, the manifold 14 may be secured to the hand of the user by a palm securement 20, which can be seen in FIGS. 2-4. Turning back to FIG. 1, in some implementations, the palm securement 20 may be constructed from a semi-rigid material and may have two halves. The hand of the user may then be inserted between the palm securement 20 and the manifold 14, where the semi-rigid and halved construction would allow the palm securement 20 to accommodate hands of different sizes. In an alternative set of implementations, such as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the palm securement 20 may have a mechanism to secure the two halves of the palm securement 20 together, such as but not limited to Velcro, a buckle, double ring/D fasteners, snaps, magnetic fasteners, a ladder lock, and similar fastening techniques.

Returning to FIG. 1, the nozzles 18 may each have a finger securement 22, which may be configured to secure each nozzle 18 to a finger of the user. In certain implementations, the finger securements 22 may be constructed from a semi-rigid material and may have two halves. Each finger of the user may then be inserted between each finger securement 22 and the nozzle 18, where the semi-rigid and halved construction would allow the finger securement 22 to accommodate fingers of different sizes. In other implementations, the finger securements 22 may be a complete ring without a mechanism for size adjustment. In still further implementations, the finger securements may have a mechanism to secure the two halves of the finger securement 22 together, such as but not limited to Velcro, a buckle, double ring/D fasteners, snaps, magnetic fasteners, a ladder lock, and similar fastening techniques.

In various implementations, the manifold 14 may be in fluidic communication with a fan 24, which may supply pressurized air to the manifold 14. The fan 24 may be constructed to force and optionally heat air from the surrounding environment into the manifold 14, where it can then flow through the air tubes 16 and out the nozzles 18.

In some implementations, the fan 24 may be integrated into the manifold 14, such as is shown in FIG. 1. In other implementations, the fan 24 may be separated from the manifold 14 while remaining in fluidic communication with the manifold 14, such as is shown in FIGS. 2-4.

Although the disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed apparatus, systems and methods.

Claims

1. A dryer device comprising:

(a) a manifold configured to facilitate airflow;

(b) one or more air tubes in fluidic communication with the manifold; and

(c) one or more finger securements configured to secure each of the one or more air tubes to a finger of a user.

2. The dryer device of claim 1, further comprising a palm securement.

3. The dryer device of claim 2, wherein the palm securement is constructed from two halves.

4. The dryer device of claim 3, wherein the two halves of the palm securement are made of a semi-rigid material.

5. The dryer device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more finger securements is constructed from two halves.

6. The dryer device of claim 5, wherein the two halves of the finger securement are made of a semi-rigid material.

7. The dryer device of claim 1, wherein the one or more air tubes are terminated by one or more nozzles.

8. The dryer device of claim 7, wherein the one or more nozzles are replaceable with one or more replacement nozzles.

9. The dryer device of claim 7, wherein the one or more nozzles have a variable diameter.

10. A dryer device comprising:

(a) a manifold configured to facilitate airflow;

(b) one or more air tubes in fluidic communication with the manifold;

(c) one or more finger securements configured to secure each of the one or more air tubes to a finger of a use; and

(d) a fan configured to force air into the manifold.

11. The dryer device of claim 10, wherein the air in the manifold is heated.

12. The dryer device of claim 10, wherein the fan is integrated into the manifold.

13. The dryer device of claim 10, wherein the fan is separated from the manifold, but in fluidic communication with the manifold.

14. A dryer device comprising:

(a) a manifold configured to facilitate airflow;

(b) one or more air tubes in fluidic communication with the manifold;

(c) one or more finger securements configured to secure each of the one or more air tubes to a finger of a user;

(d) a fan configured to force air into the manifold; and

(e) a palm securement.

15. The dryer device of claim 14, wherein the palm securement is constructed from two halves.

16. The dryer device of claim 15, wherein the two halves of the palm securement are made of a semi-rigid material.

17. The dryer device of claim 14, wherein the air in the manifold is heated.

18. The dryer device of claim 14, wherein the fan is integrated into the manifold.

19. The dryer device of claim 14, wherein the fan is separated from the manifold, but in fluidic communication with the manifold.

20. The dryer device of claim 14, wherein the one or more air tubes are terminated by one or more nozzles.