Abstract: An electric curling iron has a handle and unitary curling structure with first and second elongated generally aligned oppositely extending shell sections aligned oppositely extending shell section. Each section is provided with a separate PTC resistance heating element and the two shell sections have different diameters and/or different bristles and/or at least one hair clamping arm. The handle is adapted to be selectively slipped onto either of the two shell sections, whereby at the same time an electrical connection is established between the heating element in the other shell section and an electrical power supply on the handle.

Abstract: A dual temperature hair curler has a hollow heat transmitting metallic barrel enclosing a pair of PTC heaters connected in series to each other and electrically insulated from the barrel by an oxide-filled silicone rubber material. The PTC heaters have different anomaly temperatures and a switch arrangement is provided for (1) energizing the higher anomaly temperature heater a series with the lower anomaly temperature heater to produce a low temperature limited by the anomaly temperature of the lower temperature heater and (2) effectively energizing only the higher anomaly temperature heater to produce a high temperature limited by the anomaly temperature of the higher temperature of the higher temperature heater by bypassing the lower anomaly temperature heater.

Abstract: An electric curling iron includes a handle containing a reversible DC motor for rotating an elongated, generally cylindrical curling mandrel extending from the front end of the handle and coupled to the motor by a clutch so as to prevent injury to the user. The mandrel is electrically heated and controls are provided on the handle for selecting the speed and direction of mandrel rotation as well as the level of mandrel heating. A clamp for releasably retaining a strand of hair is carried by the mandrel for rotation therewith. A manually activated actuating mechanism on the handle is designed to allow opening and closing of the clamp while the mandrel is rotating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a curly hair correcting iron for correcting natural curly hair into straight hair. The iron comprises two rods containing therein heaters, respectively, one rod having its surface provided with two spaced rows of projections which are triangular or semicircular in section, the other rod having its surface likewise provided with a row of projections which also are triangular or semicircular in section so as to be positioned between the two rows of projections on the first rod, whereby when hair is sandwiched therebetween it is curved into a U-shape or a V-shape. The hair is held and pulled in the direction of the hair end thereby exerting strong drawing, heat and tension on the hair to extend it. To dampen pressure, it is preferable that a resilient layer be pasted onto the rod surface, and to dampen the action of heat to enhance the efficiency, it is desirable that the resilient layer be formed of a material having a far infrared radiation.

Abstract: An indirectly heatable curling iron (10) has a curling mandrel (12) inserted into the cradle (17) of an electric heating assembly (18) of a separate heating station (11) to establish an intimate thermal contact therebetween for heating the mandrel (12) to a temperature of between 100.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. First and second force components of relatively opposite direction act directly on the inserted curling mandrel such that the first force component, provided by a spring (21) or gravity, causes disengagement of the mandrel (12) from the heating assembly (18), while the second force component causes the mandrel (12) to intimately contact the assembly (18).

Abstract: A hair appliance has a hair winding portion extending axially from the end of a handle covered by a flexible sleeve member adapted to be depressed in order to activate a movable part of the hair appliance. The hair appliance is of relatively uniform cross-section along its length and in the case of a curling iron provided with a hair retaining clip biased adjacent the barrel of the curling iron, the clip is provided with a longitudinal extension aligned with the body of the clip, with the extension overlying a recess in the handle and under the flexible sleeve member. The clip is opened by squeezing or depressing the flexible sleeve member to move the extension into the recess. In the case of a curling brush having a rotatable barrel, a similar construction results in the barrel locking mechanism being situated under the flexible sleeve member so that depression of the latter operates the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A hair curling appliance comprising a handle, a heating element fixedly extending from the handle and comprising an inner member made of heat insulating material and including an outer surface, an outer member which telescopically receives the inner member and which is made of elastomeric material, and a low resistance heating wire which is secured between the inner member and the outer member and which is wound around and covers a portion of the inner member outer surface, and a rechargeable battery for energizing the low resistance heating wire. The outer member also includes an inner surface formed around the wire's peripheral surface so as to increase the amount of surface contact and resultant heating by conduction between the low resistance wire and the outer member.

Abstract: A portable electric battery operated hair curler having a handle detachable from a curling barrel provided with an electric heating element. The handle contains rechargeable batteries and a recharger, and has a first set of electrical connectors at its front end for mating with a set of electrical connectors at the back end of the curling barrel. The handle further includes a second pivotally mounted electrical connection means in the front end of the handle connected to the battery charger for connecting the charger to an external power source. The pivoted second connection is accessible for use only when the barrel is detached from the handle and is then movable from a stored position in the handle to a position projecting from one side of the handle for connection to the external power source.

Abstract: Since the hair well absorbs far infrared radiation in the range of 5 to 10 .mu.m, a material for radiating the far infrared rays having such a wavelength band, more specifically, ceramics, such as zirconia magnetite or alumina, is used on the outer surface of a rod of a curling iron. By applying a ceramic which can radiate far infrared rays to a rod of a curling iron, the temperature of the rod may be decreased to a level from 100.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. The ceramic layer is further coated on its outer surface with a metallic anti-corrosion layer of nickel-chrome or nickel-aluminum to withstand chemicals.

Abstract: An electric hair styling tong includes a pair of elongated arms pivotally articulated to each other at one end and each carrying at its other end an electrically heated pad arranged with its face confronting the face of the other pad and with the face of one pad being smooth for hair straightening and the face of the other being undulating for hair crimping. An intermediate arm movably mounted between the articulated arms carries an intermediate plate provided on on side with a smooth face selectively engageable smooth pad face and on the opposite side with an undulating face complementary to and selectively engageable with the undulating pad face. The intermediate arm may be selectively latched to one or the other of the articulated arms to maintain either the confronting undulating faces or the confronting two smooth faces in engagement, enabling the other of the confronting smooth or undulating faces to be used to treat the hair.

Abstract: An electric curling iron operative to provide uniform heating at both domestic (120 v) and foreign (240 v) voltages includes first and second rope-type electric heaters disposed side by side in the heatable barrel of the curling iron. The heaters are of the same configuration, coextensive in length with each other and the length of the barrel and are separated from each other by a sheet of electrical insulating material dividing the barrel longitudinally into two compartments each containing one of the heaters. A double throw switch on the curling iron enables energization of the first heater alone at the domestic voltage and both heaters in series at the foreign voltage, the relative resistances of the heaters being selected to produce the same output wattage whether the first heater alone or both heaters are energized.

Abstract: An electric heating element for a hair-curling wand having a barrel attached at one end to a handle is inserted into a portion of the barrel and consists of a loop cut out of thin flexible nickel foil having free ends forming terminals for connection to a voltage source, the loop being insulatingly embedded between two thin, flexible sheets of an insulating material. The loop is formed in the shape of two parallel straight stretches and reentrant portions at its both ends, whereby more thermal energy is produced by the end portions than by the central portion, resulting in a sustantially uniform temperature distribution. The heating element is pressed onto the inner wall of the barrel by a resilient, longitudinally slotted tube, which has an initially larger diameter than that of the barrel and is inserted along with the heating element into the barrel by a special compressing tool.

Abstract: A curling iron includes an elongated heating element attached at one end to a handle and having an outer circular peripheral surface provided with a plurality of generally arcuately spaced, radially open grooves extending longitudinally on the outer peripheral surface of the heating element between the first end adjacent the handle and second free end, with the grooves being axially open at the second end. Plurality of bars supporting hair grooming members are slidingly removably engaged in the grooves through the open ends thereof in heat exchange relation with the heating element. An auxiliary handle is attached to the second end of the heating element for preventing removal of the bars from the grooves, there being free, unlimited, bidirectional relative rotation between the auxiliary handle and the heating element.

Abstract: A pilot light arrangement for a hand-held appliance such as a curling and styling iron is disclosed, wherein the arrangement facilitates convenient visual inspection to see if the appliance is operating. The arrangement includes a pilot light mounted within a housing portion of the appliance, and a fiber optic bundle which extends through a swivel cord mount of the appliance. The fiber optic bundle is positioned in light-transmitting relation with the pilot light, with the end of the fiber optic bundle positioned at the exterior of the appliance being readily visible irrespective of the orientation of the swivel cord mount with respect to the appliance housing.

Abstract: A dual temperature curling iron has a plastic handle and a metal barrel connected thereto. An electric heater positioned within the metal barrel and is arranged to rapidly heat the barrel and is selectively controlled by either a low temperature thermostat or a high temperature thermostat located within the barrel to provide heat to the metal barrel. A hair clamp is pivotally mounted on the metal barrel, and when opened, causes a switch to generate an in-use signal which is fed to a safety timing circuit. The timing circuit is reset each time it receives the in-use signal. In the event that no further in-use signals are received, the timing circuit, after a preselected interval, provides a signal to a silicon controlled rectifier which is connected to the electric heater causing the silicon controlled rectifier to interrupt electric power to the electric heater. The curling iron is provided with a visual signal for indicating that has reached the selected temperature and is ready for use.

Abstract: An iron for straightening curly hairs includes a handle, a rod support mounted on the handle, a pair of first and second electrically heatable rods mounted at one end to the rod support and extending parallel to each other in spaced relationship, a rod moving plate pivotably mounted on the rod support, and a third electrically heatable rod rotatably mounted at one end on the rod moving plate and extending parallel to the first and second rods. The third rod is movable between a first position between the first and second rods and a second position away from the first and second rods in response to pivotal movement of the rod moving plate.

Abstract: An electric hair curler comprises a handle and a barrel connected thereto for winding thereabout the hair. The barrel is provided with an electric heater for curling the hair wound on the barrel. The heater includes a plurality of resistor elements in the form of strips extending along the length of the barrel in generally parallel relationship with one another and being electrically connected in series by a corresponding number of bridging segments. The heater thus constructed is mounted on the barrel with the resistor elements thereof being exposed on the outer surface of the barrel in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another around the barrel, so that each of the resistor elements is in direct heat transfer contact with the hair to be wound on the barrel, thus greatly reducing the heat loss to assure effective heat transfer from the heater to the hair.

Abstract: An electrically heated tool for heating a pipe connector sleeve in order to melt solder therein or applied thereto to secure the sleeve to a pipe has a pair of arms (1) hingedly connected to one another between their ends by a pin (2) in the manner of pliers. An electric heating unit (3) having an elongated shaft portion (9) enclosing an electric resistance heating element is detachably secured to and projects from one and the same end of each arm. The free end of each shaft portion (9) is detachably slidably inserted into the tubular shank of a metallic head part (4) having a semi-circular recess (4a) of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the pipe or sleeve to be heated. The arms are movable between an open position in which the recesses are spaced apart and a position in which the recesses are closed together around a pipe connector sleeve so as to apply heat thereto.

Abstract: An electric curling iron includes an electrically heated cylinder having an exterior surface around which hair is wrapped for applying heat to the hair being curled and a partial cylindrical clamp member pivotally movable toward and away from the cylinder for clamping the hair against the cylinder. Rotation of the curling iron during use is facilitated by a main handle and clamp handle coupled to the heated cylinder and clamp member, respectively. The main handle and clamp handle are elongated members grippable in one hand of the user of the iron and are freely rotatable relative to the cylinder and clamp member so as to enable the cylinder and clamp member to be rotated within the hand of the user while hair is clamped between the clamp member and cylinder. The main and clamp handle are each provided with a locking mechanism selectively movable between a first position locking the respective handles against rotation and a second position wherein the respective handles are free to rotate.

Abstract: A curling iron provided with an infrared radiation source within a hollow barrel for radiating infrared radiation within a predetermined band. The barrel is substantially transparent to radiation within the band emitted by the source. The curling iron is provided with a hair clip for retaining hair wound about the barrel, the clip also being substantially transparent to this infrared band. A fan is provided for blowing cooling air past the infrared source and through the barrel, the tip of the barrel being sufficiently perforated to pass this cooling air. The curling iron is further provided with a circuit for energizing the infrared source in a predetermined cyclical manner in order to maintain the temperature of the barrel within a predetermined range. A temperature sensor is further provided to sense the temperature of the barrel in order to activate the control circuit accordingly.

Abstract: A curling iron comprising a barrel rotatably supported on a grip portion and a clamping tongue which are assembled in a form similar to a pair of scissors so that the tongue makes pivotal movements relative to the barrel. The barrel, which is rotatable relative to the grip portion, encloses an electric heater in it and is designed to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the grip portion of the curling iron by means of suitable gears provided between the barrel and the grip portion. The clamping tongue mounted onto the iron body may be formed with rollers arranged in arc form or with a plate bent in an arc. With such a structure, the hair held between the barrel and the tongue is curled from the root to the end by turning the grip portion which turns the barrel in the opposite direction of the handle turning direction by means of gears.

Abstract: An improved hair curling iron is disclosed having a heat conductive cylinder with a flocked outer surface and a hollow center, a handle joined to the cylinder, a heating element disposed within the hollow center of the cylinder, an electrical mechanism activating the heating element when connected to a source of electrical power, and a clamp having a partial cylindrical section with a flocked inner surface which is biased against the flocked outer surface of the cylinder by a spring.

Abstract: A hair grooming device is provided having a biased pivotal clip which is flocked on its underside, upper and peripheral surfaces. The opposing tubular winding portion is also preferably flocked.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling iron has first and second handles pivotally connected at one end for movement toward and away from each other. Supported on the free ends of the handles are an electrically heated rod and a press plate which respectively project outwardly from the free ends. A electric power supply cord is connected to the electrically heated rod by a rotatable connector formed as a protrusion on one of the pivotally connected ends of the handles on the opposite side of the handles from the free ends thereof. The axis of rotation of the connector is coaxial with the centerline between the two handles and is in the same plane as the pivotal connection between the handles. Thus the iron can be easily rotated without twisting the power cord. The iron has an adjustment to regulate the opening angle of the handles and a releasable lock for securing the handles together in closed condition.

Abstract: A curling iron in which two electrically heated winding mandrels with separate independently operable pivoted hair clamps project in spaced side-by-side relation from a handle. The mandrels are angularly adjustable relative to the handle to enable one clamp to be placed in any desired angular position relative to the other clamp and thereby enable waves and curls of various forms and shapes to be formed by the clamps and mandrels. To permit the mandrels to be adjusted angularly relative to the handle, conductive plugs on the ends of the mandrels are adapted to be telescoped in various angular positions into conductive sockets formed in the end of the handle.

Abstract: A hot air hair curler includes a cylindrical hollow handle having an air inlet at one end and a cylindrical hollow barrel having air outlet openings in its sidewall extending from the other end. An electric heating element and a motor driven fan are enclosed within the handle, together with a switch to which is connected an electrical supply cord. The switch, being relatively large, is positioned in the handle near the air inlet and is connected to a slide button positioned forwardly on the handle by a rigid actuating arm positioned within a longitudinal channel within the handle. The actuating arm defines a wireway providing convenient routing for wires from the switch to the motor and heating element.

Abstract: The permanent wave curling device of this invention comprises a vapor and heat generating hair curling iron including a handle, a mandrel and a wave solution reservoir threadably attached to the mandrel at an end opposite the handle. The handle encloses electrical circuitry necessary to control the electrical current applied to an electric heating element positioned within the mandrel. The heating element is positioned within the mandrel and receives wave solution from a rotatable rod and wick assembly that transports wave solution from the reservoir. The hair to be curled is wound about the mandrel and anchored thereto by a retaining clamp. Heat from the heating element is conducted through the mandrel to the hair in a conventional manner. The rod and wick assembly is normally spaced from the heating element and transports the wave solution from the reservoir by capillary action into the interior of the mandrel.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling iron includes a handle with a tubular electric heating element having a first end adjacent the handle, a second and spaced outwardly from the handle, and an outer peripheral surface provided with a plurality of accurately spaced grooves extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end. A removable hair grooming attachment is mounted on the heating element and includes an annular frame having a plurality of accurately spaced longitudinal support bars slidably engaged in the grooves through a first frame end having an inner diameter larger than that of the heating element. The opposite end of the frame has an inner diameter less than that of the heating element and abuts the second end of the element to limit the sliding movement of the attachment toward the handle and a detachable fastener extends through the abutting ends of the frame and heating element to secure the frame in place.

Abstract: An electrically heated curler/styler includes an elongated handle having a rotatable elongated longitudinally split heating barrel projecting from the forward end thereof and defining a longitudinal space, open at its forward end, between the split portions of the barrel. A non-rotatable elongated flat blade-like clamp fixed to the forward end of the handle projects into the space between the split portions of the barrel, each of which is provided with a separate internal electric heater. The handle is provided with a button for manually rotating the split barrel from a first position wherein the longitudinal edge of the split barrel portions are spaced from the longitudinal edges of the clamp so that strands of hair can be inserted therebetween and a second position wherein the inserted hair strands are clamped between the longitudinal edges of the clamp and the split barrel portions for curling and/or styling.

Abstract: An improved hair curling iron is disclosed having a heat conductive cylinder with a flocked outer surface and a hollow center, a handle joined to the cylinder, a heating element disposed within the hollow center of the cylinder, an electrical mechanism activating the heating element when connected to a source of electrical power, and a clamp having a partial cylindrical section with a flocked outer surface and a flocked inner surface which is biased against the flocked outer surface of the cylinder by a spring.

Abstract: An electric hair curling appliance includes a metallic heater tube extending fixedly from one end of a handle and containing an electric heating element. A tubular member including a hair grooming attachment removably received on an inner metal tube is telescopically mounted on the heater tube and is capable of axial and rotary motion relative thereto. A manually operable lever on the one end of the handle cooperates with first and second surfaces on the adjacent end of the tubular member to selectively (1) lock the tubular member against rotary or axial movement (2) lock the tubular member against axial movement while permitting rotary movement thereof and (3) permit axial and rotary movement of the tubular member to facilitate telescopic removal or mounting of the tubular member on the heater tube. The hair grooming attachment may be rotatably or nonrotatably mounted on the inner metal tube and may include a plurality of rows of hair grooming teeth or a pivotally mounted hair clamping member.

Abstract: An electric curling iron for producing a spiral curl giving the impression of a stream-like natural and soft wave is constructed in the form of a scissors having one blade comprising an electrically heated rod and the other blade comprising a clamp cooperating with the rod to press hair to be curled therebetween. The surface of the rod has a plurality of side by side spiral polygonal edges. The clamp is an arcuately shaped cover longitudinally coextensive with the rod and in contact with the polygonal edges thereby, leaving a free space between the clamp and heater rod for the escape of vapor. The arcuately shaped clamp may have a radius smaller than that of the rod and may be provided with a rubber cover. Since the edges are obliquely pressed against the hair during use possible hair damage by heat and pressure is reduced.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a handle, a cylindrical electric heating element having an outer peripheral surface and a first end attached to the handle and a second end projecting outwardly from the handle. A plurality of generally arcuately spaced longitudinally extending grooves are defined on the outer peripheral surface of the heating element between the first and the second ends. A removable hair grooming attachment including an annular frame having a plurality of arcuately spaced support bars slidable engaged in the grooves is carried by the heating element.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling appliance includes a handle assembly having an electric heating element extending fixedly from one end thereof and a removable tubular hair grooming member mounted on the heating element for rotary and axial movement relative thereto. The hair grooming member may include, on its outer surface, a plurality rows of teeth defining a brush or a pivoted hair clamping member.

Abstract: An electric hair curling iron for producing curls of exotic shape includes elongated member of square transverse cross section incorporating an electric heating element and defining a hair engaging mandrel. The mandrel is provided at one end with a manipulating handle. A elongated spring-biased hair clamping member is pivotally mounted on the handle end of the mandrel and arranged for movement toward and away from the mandrel. The hair clamping member defines an elongated channel of U-shaped cross section having a first planar surface with second and third planar surfaces orthogonal thereto and disposed in such mutually spaced relationship as to provide a snug interfitting engagement with the mandrel when brought into clamping relationship therewith. The first, second and third planar surfaces of the clamping member are coextensive in length and the second and third surfaces have a width approximately one half of the width of a side of the mandrel.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a hairdressing device for the styling, nding and drying of hair. The device includes a handle and a round brush. The round brush includes bristle rows, the bristles of which penetrate an outer tube and, through relative rotary movement between the outer tube and an inner tube, are either extended through the outer tube or lowered onto the surface of the inner tube within the outer tube. The handle is provided with a depressable operating key. Depressing the key turns the tubes through a predetermined angle of rotation relative to each other to achieve retraction of the bristles. A restoring spring interconnects the tubes. When the operating key is released the spring returns the tubes to their starting position and extends the bristles. A locking cam on the key prevents inadvertent retraction.

Abstract: A telescoping electric hair curling iron includes a molded hollow handle of plastic material having front and rear openings and a longitudinally extending thumb-operated cantilever spring element integrally molded as part of the handle wall. The forward end of the cantilever spring element is downwardly bent to form a depressible thumb button immediately adjacent the front handle opening for operating a spring-biased elongated hair gripping clip pivotally mounted on an electrically heated hair curling rod arranged for slidable telescopic movement through the front opening between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended operative position outside the handle when the curling rod is in the operative position. The curling rod as heated by a PTC heating element therein. A swivel cord connector is mounted on the inner end of the curling rod and is slidable therewith within the handle and in the retracted position of the curling rod extends out the rear handle opening.

Abstract: A dual temperature electric hair curling iron has a barrel rotatable relative to a rigid handle by means of a friction clutch therebetween. The barrel includes a plurality of apertures allowing steam or mist generated within the barrel to flow into contact with the hair being curled. An electric heater in the barrel is controlled by a low limit (220.degree. F.) thermostat and a high limit (270.degree. F.) thermostat located within the barrel. A normally open momentary contact switch manually operated by a ring-like arm encompassing the a front portion of the handle is arranged in circuit with the thermostats and heater in such a manner that the low limit thermostat controls the temperature of the barrel when the switch is in its normal open position. Closing of the switch by movement of the arm relative to the handle disables the low limit thermostat and allows the barrel temperature to increase to the limit set by the high limit thermostat thereby allowing tighter curls to be produced.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling iron includes a sheet-shaped heater with electrodes affixed to an electrically resistive layer, wrapped around an elongated cylindrical support, and capable of being rapidly heated and maintained hot by electric current available from a rechargeable storage battery. The resistive layer has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance so that its temperature is self limiting. The storage battery is contained in a handle attached to the cylindrical support, and a battery charger is disclosed which comes into electrical contact with the battery when the handle is inserted in a cavity located in the battery charger. An elongated longitudinal clip is used to retain the hair in contact with the heater; a removable cap protects the heater and clip when the iron is not in use, and also engages a switch which ensures that the iron does not remain on.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling instrument, such as a curling iron, includes heating element having an outer tube enclosing a thermistor located between a pair of longitudinally spaced electric heating coils and arranged in contact with the tube interior surface. The heating element is detachably connected to the end of a handle assembly by mating electrical connectors. An electric cord connects the heating coils and thermistor through the mating connectors and a rotatable mandrel and slip rings in the handle assembly to a temperature control box mounted in a stand having means for supporting the curling instrument when not in use. A manually-adjustable temperature control circuit located in the control box and responsive to the temperature of the heating element as measured by the thermistor controls energization of the curling instrument, depending on the type of hair being curled. The stand and control box can be arranged to accomodate and control two curling instruments of different size.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hair curling iron having a heatable cylinder about which the hair is wound, and the heatable cylinder having holes through it, through which steam may be emitted. A heating element is positioned inside the heat cylinder for heating the cylinder. A water wetted wick is shiftable into engagement with the heating means for generating steam to be emitted through the holes in the heat cylinder. Longitudinally extending rows of radially outwardly extending protrusions are annularly arrayed around and are detachably connected directly to the heat cylinder for protecting a user against inadvertent contact with the heated cylinder surface. An electric terminal arrangement in the curling iron permits rotation of the curling iron to wind the hair on the heat cylinder without twisting the electric power cord.

Abstract: A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires.

Abstract: An electric hair curling apparatus includes an elongated electrically heated barrel extending from a handle and forming a mandrel about which hair may be wrapped to form a curl. The barrel is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle and a selectively energized electric motor is provided in the handle for unidirectionally rotating the barrel. An elongated spring-biased wrapping member conforming in shape to the barrel is mounted on the barrel for rotation therewith and is arranged for movement toward the barrel to urge the hair against the barrel and away from the barrel to relax its engagement with the hair. Cooperating camming means on the handle and wrapping member automatically and periodically move the wrapping member toward and away from the barrel, during each revolution of the barrel, in response to the unidirectional rotation of the barrel by the motor.

Abstract: A heated hair straightener has a handle connecting to an electric source and a pair of scissor-like clamp housings pivoted on the handle and having facing coverplate surfaces for clamping and straightening the hair. This combination has an improvement in the heater sub-assembly fitting in one of the housings and formed as a sandwich arrangement including an aluminum coverplate, a copper elongated heater plate forming a first electrode connected to one side of the line and electrically insulated from the coverplate by a thin dielectric film. Plural PTC heater pellets are aligned on the heater plate and held by an insulating locator panel having cut-outs fixing the pellets on the heater plate. A second electrode, formed as a corrugated stainless steel spring plate covers and abuts the PTC pellets and is connected to the other side of the line. Next is a phenolic or ceramic insulator member with a recess for the corrugated spring plate to fit and abut therein.

Abstract: A collapsible cordless electric hair curling appliance includes a hollow handle adapted for grasping by a user. A heating wand is extensibly slidably retained in the hollow portion of the handle. An improved positive temperature coefficient heating element assembly is positioned inside the wand. An electric plug assembly is also slidably mounted in the hollow portion of the handle. The plug is mounted so as to extend from the handle for connection with a conventional electric socket only when the wand is substantially fully inserted into the hollow handle. The novel plug assembly eliminates the need for a conventional electric cord and is also rotatably mounted in the handle to provide added convenience for plugging the appliance into a conventional electric socket. For storage, both the wand and plug assembly may be enclosed within the handle.

Abstract: There is provided a telescoping hand-held hair curler in which a heatable barrel slides longitudinally with respect to a hollow handle. The electrical wires carrying power to heat the barrel enter the rearward end of the handle and connect to a swivel coupling which reciprocates within the handle. The barrel extends forwardly from the swivel coupling and out through the other end of the handle. The construction avoids having loose wires running between a stationary swivel coupling and a moving barrel.

Abstract: A hair curling device includes a handle having a front end provided with a socket in which an enlarged cylindrical rear end of an electrically heated hair curling barrel is rotatably mounted. An annular cap-like coupling member secured to the handle couples the barrel rear end in the socket. The barrel is rotated by an electric motor in the handle coupled to the enlarged barrel end by a drive shaft which also carries electrical connection means permitting electric power to be supplied to the heating element in the barrel while the barrel rotates. A pivoted hair clip extends along and parallel to a major portion of the heated barrel and the other end of the barrel is provided with a heat insulating tip member including a radially extending annular portion. Electric power is supplied to the motor and heating element through a power cord connected to the other end of the handle by a swivel connector. Separate switches for controlling the motor and heating element are provided.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a tubular barrel extending forwardly from a hollow handle. The barrel contains an electric heating element and is provided with a spring-biased pivotable hair holding clamp conforming to the surface of the barrel. The barrel and clamp are pivotal as a unit about 180 degrees from the extended operative position into a folded storage position within the handle through a side opening in the handle. The opening is closed by a pair of inwardly pivotable doors which are spring-biased to an outward closed position conforming to the outer surface of the handle. Pivotal movement of the barrel from its extended position causes contacts on the barrel to separate from spring contact elements fixed in the handle to disconnect the heating element from its electric power source. As the barrel and clamp are folded into the handle through the opening, the doors are pushed inwardly out of the way so that the handle may receive the barrel and clamp for storage.

Abstract: A portable electric curling iron has a hollow handle having an open end. An electrically heated hair curling member is arranged for telescopic movement between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended use position wherein the member projects from the handle through the open end thereof. Movable electrical connector plug means are provided on the iron for connecting the electric heating means associated with the hair curling member to a power source. Means are provided for automatically moving the connector plug means between a retracted plug position wherein the plug means is substantially entirely within the handle and an extended plug position wherein the plug projects from the handle in response to the telescopic movement of the hair curling member into and out of the handle.

Abstract: A steam curling iron is provided with an expansible mandrel carried on the main curling arm of the iron, the mandrel being constituted by a foraminous screen which can be wound and unwound by manually rotatable means to vary the diameter of the mandrel for different size curls. Steam generated within the curling arm is projected through perforations therein to the interior of the mandrel. Treatment liquid or water is metered in discrete quantities to the curling arm from a reservoir within a handle portion in accordance with the operation of a control button..Iadd.The invention also provides a valve system operated by a button for pumping metered quantities of liquid along the curling arm, and also provides a removable liquid reservoir located in a concealed portion of the handle beneath a closure. .Iaddend.