Pistol-grip Type Patents (Class 392/385)
  • Patent number: 6304720
    Abstract: A heat gun nozzle and a method of using the nozzle includes a fan-shaped or wing-shaped flow of air having a temperature and/or airflow variation along the nozzle. This provides for a variation in the shrink rate when the fan-or wing-shaped airflow is applied to heat shrink plastic film. Both symmetric and asymmetric embodiments of the heat gun nozzle have an inlet portion mountable on a conventional heat gun outlet and an outlet portion providing the desired fan-shaped heat air flow with a duct portion connecting the two. In preferred embodiments, the nozzle outlet can be concave or convex depending upon the contour of the surface which is to be covered. The present invention also relates to the method of using such a heat gun nozzle permitting a substantial reduction in the number of heat gun passes required to successfully heat shrink film onto a compound curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cpfilms Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Richard
  • Patent number: 6285828
    Abstract: A hair dryer having both a fan-forced convection heater and radiant heater which emits energy having wavelengths in both the infrared and visible spectrum. The housing of the dryer is translucent to visible light but absorbent of infrared radiation and arranged to facilitate the transfer of heat generated by the absorption of the infrared radiation into the fan-forced airflow. The visible light emanating from the dryer provides an indicator of the dryer's operation and a warning of the presence of the otherwise invisible and otherwise dangerous infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Helen of Troy
    Inventor: Michael Cafaro
  • Patent number: 6281476
    Abstract: A device for applying heat to an adhesive of the type used to set an optical fibre in a termination therefor, the device including a portable housing, a heater disposed within the housing and a holder for holding the termination in operative relationship with the heater to promote curing of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Westland Helicopters Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Robert Voizey
  • Patent number: 6226450
    Abstract: An electric field shielding apparatus used with an electrical device comprises a housing body at least partially surrounding the electrical device; and a conductive shield medium arranged with the shape of the housing body to at least partially surround the electrical device to substantially reflect electric field generated from the electrical device. The conductive shield medium is a thin conductive layer coated on interior surface of the housing body. Alternatively, the conductive shield medium is a conductive mesh placed against interior surface of the housing body. In addition, the conductive shield medium may be integrally mixed with the housing body to make the housing body substantially electrically conductive. In other words, the conductive shield medium may be in a powder form which is mixed with plastic power, the mixture of which is then heated and poured into an injection mold to form a housing body of an electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Myoung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 6222988
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrically powered appliance for the treatment of hair, in particular a hair dryer, having a fan motor for generating a current of air and a heater unit for heating the air current, and a housing with an air inlet port and an air outlet port as well as a connector element, for connecting the hair dryer to an implement for hair treatment. This implement is equipped, particularly for the styling and/or drying of hair, with an electrical load, for example, an electric motor, and is attachable to the air outlet port of the hair dryer. The connector element includes at least one terminal device for electrical connection to a voltage-carrying component in the hair dryer. The terminal device electrically at selected locations is connected with the heater unit and is disposed essentially outside the heater unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Behrendt, Wilfried Rolf
  • Patent number: 6205674
    Abstract: A hair dryer used for drying and styling hair includes a heating element in a passage connecting an air inlet and an air outlet. The heating element has a ceramic coating layer, which is coated with mixed powder of extreme infrared material and poly-element minerals, both in powder form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Create Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kaizuka
  • Patent number: 6205677
    Abstract: A hair dryer is provided which dries hair by convection and infrared radiation heating. The dryer includes a hand grip extending downward, an intake opening and an exhaust opening, and a halogen heater comprising a U-shaped quartz tube with a tungsten filament. Infrared radiation is emitted by the quartz tube and a fan is rotated by a motor which causes air from the air intake opening to flow past the halogen heater to heats an air stream that is discharged from the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shinheung Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyong Young Yune
  • Patent number: 6188837
    Abstract: A improved portable electric hair dryer comprises a retractable power cord storage reel (25) which is placed intermediately between the inlet (22) and outlet (21) of the hair dryer with the median plane of the power cord reel (25) substantially normal to the axis of the barrel (20). The hair dryer is provided with a controller which protects the hair dryer from overheating due to blockage of the air-passageway between the inlet and outlet as a result of the loaded power cord reel. The controller causes the power supply to the hair dryer to be cut off when its sensing unit detects a amount of power cord (40) being carried on the cord reel (25) exceeds a safe limit. This hair dryer is also provided with a hand sensor (31) so that power supply will be cut of when an operating hair dryer is left un-attended. An ionizer is also provided on the hair dryer so that the blown dried hair has less affinity for dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: China Pacific Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Koon-Chi Kwan
  • Patent number: 6130991
    Abstract: An electric hair dryer is connected to a portable housing having a plurality of angularly adjustable housing segments. The air passes through the segments and out spaced air outlet openings formed in the housing segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Lilian E. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6067724
    Abstract: A hair drying assembly has a hair dryer that is particularly suited for using one of a plurality of interchangeable brush heads. The hair dryer has an ellipsoid shaped housing with a cylindrical outlet section at one end and a pivotal grip section at the other end. The handle is pivotally and removably attached to the housing. In one embodiment the handle is attached with air inlet passages formed by legs connecting to the housing and additional slots at the inlet end of the housing. Control buttons for regulating the motor are on the pivotal handle grip section. Outlet passages are provided in the outlet section. One form of brush head is hollow with peripheral openings and bristles extending therethrough and another brush head is solid with the bristles fixedly attached. In another embodiment there is a bifurcated handle with spaced arms that pivotally connect to the housing inwardly of the air inlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Jacques Depoyian
  • Patent number: 6038782
    Abstract: In one embodiment a blow dryer includes a barrel having an opening. A deflector, having an aperture, positioned within or substantially within the barrel. The hand-held blow dryer can be utilized in at least a first or open mode in which air flow is directed through the barrel opening of the barrel, and a final or fully deflecting mode. Thus, in the fully deflecting mode most of the air is deflected by the deflector so as to diffuse the airflow. Additionally, the shape of the deflector allows the airflow to be maintained while the deflector is in any position, thus, allowing the airflow to flow past the heating coils in the barrel so that potential overheating of the blow dryer is reduced. In another embodiment, a gap is provided between two flaps which comprise the deflector so as to achieve the same result. In still another embodiment, rings are provided around the circumference of a barrel having holes in the barrel. The rings diffuse the air emanating out of the holes and also guide the hair for styling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Vital Hair Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Natale Schepisi
  • Patent number: 6011903
    Abstract: An axial flow hair dryer comprises a generally circular main housing with a transitional portion that smoothly reduces the housing diameter to an outlet. A first fan stage in the main housing generates an axial air flow through the housing. An outer duct has two axial extensions secured to the housing near the beginning of the transitional portion, and the housing air outlet introduces air exiting the housing into the outer duct. The housing and the outer duct form two additional ambient air intakes extending between the axial extensions in a smooth arc toward the main housing outlet. A second fan stage includes a second axial flow impeller in the outer duct for generating air flow through the ambient air intake. The second axial flow impeller includes inner and outer blades separated by an annular shroud that forms an extension of the main housing flow passage. A guide duct in the outer duct forms a further extension of the extended air flow passage, and the guide duct includes stator vanes at its outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: SounDesign, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Nosenchuck
  • Patent number: 5974690
    Abstract: A disposable, adhesive air filter for use with hand held hair dryers. The filter is used in connection with the air vent openings of the hair dryer and may be applied retroactively onto such dryers. The filter may come in a roll or sheet and may be cut by the user to fit the size of his/her hair dryer. The filter should have adhesive on both sides and will be provided with a removable layer, e.g. a peel off layer, in order for the consumer to attach the filter to air vent holes on the hair dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Billie Jack Canada
  • Patent number: 5943470
    Abstract: A hot-air appliance comprises a fan motor connected in series with a heating element to receive a.c. mains voltage. The alternating voltage across the motor is rectified and serves to power additional electronic circuits in the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Klaas J. Lulofs
  • Patent number: 5884008
    Abstract: A portable hair dryer (12) comprising a tubular housing (14) having an air inlet end (16) and an air outlet nozzle end (18). A foldable hollow pistol-type handle (20) is pivotally connected at pivot pin (22) to the tubular housing (14) adjacent the air inlet end (16). The handle (20) can pivot from an inoperative position parallel to the tubular housing (14) to an operative position perpendicular to the tubular housing (14). An electrically actuated air pump assembly (24) is in the tubular housing (14) to draw air in through the air inlet end (16) and out through the air outlet nozzle end (18). An electrical resistance heating element (26) is disposed within the tubular housing (14) between the air pump assembly (24) and the air outlet nozzle end (18), to heat the air passing through the tubular housing (14). A circuit (28) electrically connects the air pump assembly (24) and the heating element (26) with a source of electrical power through the handle (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Sherry P Goldberg
  • Patent number: 5875562
    Abstract: Described is a quiet hand-held hair dryer with configuration and component combinations for making the hair dryer exceptionally quiet and efficient. The hair dryer includes a housing having a lower handle portion and an upper body portion separated by an air-directing wall. A large impeller moves air downward from a large top air inlet and passes it outward through a side air outlet in a hair drying stream. An electric motor is mounted in the handle housing adjacent its bottom and is connected in driving relation with the impeller by a long vertical shaft. The motor is mounted in a rubber casing permitting cooling air flow and minimizing vibration to the housing; and the upper end of the shaft is stabilized by a bearing mounted in a rubber housing for the same purpose. The configuration of the described hair dryer permits high air flow with relatively low motor speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Shaun P. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 5841943
    Abstract: An axial flow hair dryer comprises a main housing and an outer duct secured to the main housing with the axis of the outer duct coincident with the axis of the main housing and with the axial air outlet of the main housing disposed within the outer duct to form an annular air intake between the main housing and the outer duct. A first fan stage and first stator stage are disposed within the main housing and a second fan stage and second stator stage are disposed within the outer duct. A handle depending from the main housing holds a motor that is mounted using vibration-absorbing material to inhibit the propagation of noise generated by the motor. A flexible shaft connects the motor to a drive shaft that carries both fan stages. Resistance heating wires are wrapped around the vanes of the first stator stage to heat the air flowing through the hair dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: SounDesign, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel M. Nosenchuck
  • Patent number: 5805406
    Abstract: A device for treating hair comprises an electrically driven blower for generating an air flow at at least one opening on the device with view to drying the hair, as well as a unit for emitting ions from one or more emitters positioned in or close to the opening of the device. The unit for emitting ions has at least two emitters which are adapted to emit ions of positive charge and of negative charge, respectively, at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kirsten Herl.o slashed.v Mailand
  • Patent number: 5778144
    Abstract: An electric hair drier comprises a shallow housing 10 having an apertured boss 11 formed on its base. An electric motor 12 drives a thin cup shaped impeller 15 which in use draws air in through apertures 14 in the boss 11 and blows air radially towards a heating coil 17 surrounding inside peripheral surface 25 of the impeller 15. The impeller has external blades 26 which in use draw air from the inside peripheral surface 25 towards a central axis of the drier at the mouth of the drier. The drier has an array of comb members 20 at its mouth. The thinness of the impeller 15 and the inherent even distribution of air passing over the coil 17 provides a hair drier which can be much thinner overall, and hence more comfortable to use, and in which the air is effectively and evenly heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Greg McDougall
  • Patent number: 5671321
    Abstract: A heat gun quickly and efficiently dries joint compound. The heat gun includes an outer shroud defining an airflow chamber and a fan which drives airflow therethrough. A motor provides drive to the fan while a plurality of heating coils disposed within the airflow chamber heat the airflow between 1200 and 1700 .degree. Fahrenheit. A fan-shaped attachment is attached about an endcap of the heat gun. The fan-shaped attachment extends into a pair of sidewall surfaces terminating in an elongated port. The elongated port is preferably between 1/2 and 3 inches in diameter and between 8 and 12 inches in length. The endcap of the heat gun is between 1 and 3 inches in diameter. A plurality of ribs connect the pair of sidewall surfaces and extend longitudinally from the endcap of the heat gun to the elongated port of the fan-shaped attachment to define a plurality of longitudinal air passages which evenly distribute airflow along the fan-shaped attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Donald J. Bagnuolo
  • Patent number: 5641421
    Abstract: An electrical heating system uses heating elements made of ribbons of amorphous metallic alloys. The heating elements have a large area using long and wide ribbons, to achieve good heat transfer to the surroundings, that is low thermal resistance. The area of the heating elements and thus the thermal resistance is determined according to the desired thermal power, under the constraint of a low operating temperature, that is a temperature well below the embrittlement temperature of the amorphous alloy used in the heating elements. The operating temperature is preferably kept low enough so as not to generate benzopyrene or other unhealthy or ecologically unfavorable fumes or gases. The thin ribbons with low thermal resistance also have a fast heating constant, that is the heater reaches its steady state temperature in a short time. The electrical heating system uses low cost insulation and support materials, that is materials intended for use at low temperatures only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventors: Vladimir Manov, Eliezer Adar, Mark Geller, Evgeni Sorkine, Iosef Margolin
  • Patent number: 5612849
    Abstract: A hair dryer is provided which reduces static electricity in hair being dried. A point source for electron release, such as a needle, is positioned in a reflector in the air stream of the dryer. The point source is electrically connected to an electron source, such as a piezoelectric crystal, located in the handle of the hair dryer. The piezoelectric crystal is wired to produce an electric charge, the charge being initially a negative electric charge. The crystal is connected to the point source and thus provides electrons to the point source. These enter the air, ionizing air molecules, and the resulting ions are carried to the hair, neutralizing the static charge in the hair. The piezoelectric crystal, a supporting frame, a lever arm, and an arm lever cover are mounted in the dryer handle. The lever arm cover can be pivoted, resulting in the lever arm being moved when the handle is squeezed or released. Release of the lever arm results in it returning to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Barry V. Prehodka, Ludwig Salce, H. Roy Taylor
  • Patent number: 5606640
    Abstract: An apparatus for warming a towel or other article includes a cabinet having an open top and closed by hinged lid and a hollow rack is mounted within the cabinet. A towel to be warmed is draped over the rack. A portion of heated air is introduced through a conduit into one end of the rack and is discharged outwardly from the rack through a plurality of outlets into contact with the inner surface of the draped towel, while a second portion of heated air is directed upwardly by a baffle to the upper end of the cabinet and then downwardly along the outer surface of the towel. In the preferred form of the invention, air is supplied to the rack by a standard hair dryer, the outlet of which is connected to an end of the rack by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Willard J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5555637
    Abstract: A drying apparatus such as a hand-held hair dryer comprising a housing including a nozzle and containing an air outlet and a fan assembly contained within the housing for generating a flow of air from the outlet. The apparatus further includes a flow guide including a plurality of holes therein contained within the nozzle, the flow guide forming a closed shape in cross-section and having open ends. The flow guide is separated from the nozzle so as to form a space between the nozzle and the flow guide for flow of air therethrough. The flow guide tends to attenuate noise generated by operation of the apparatus by lowering the frequency of the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Production Engineered Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Montagnino
  • Patent number: 5511322
    Abstract: In a process for treating an object by a hot-air flow directed on the object by a hand-held air blower which is provided with a heating device and a fan, the heating device is controlled proportionally as a function of distance. The hand-held air blower has a distance detecting device for carrying out the process. The distance detecting device has an output for determined measured distance values. Proportional control signals for controlling the output control device are formed by a comparison device from the measured distance values and from a given temperature value of a temperature selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Wella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Fertig
  • Patent number: 5490336
    Abstract: Add-on filters for heated-air blowers and other electric motor-powered appliances. The filters are fabricated from a washable, flexible, reticulated foam which traps even minute solid and liquid particles and is adhesively attached to the blower housing. A template, which also serves as a protective cover for the adhesive, has index lines along which a blank of the filter material can be trimmed to size and configured for a particular blower intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventors: Gary L. Smick, Michael L. Kjer, Michael B. Koler
  • Patent number: 5488783
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a diffuser for a hair dryer comprising a diffuser body which is adapted to be secured to the nozzle of the hair dryer and includes a plurality of hair pickup elements (9, 10, 11) extending away from the diffuser body. At least one of the hair pickup elements (9, 10) is movably arranged on the diffuser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: James W. Parkinson, Dieter Liebenthal
  • Patent number: 5467540
    Abstract: A diffuser to diffuse the air blast of a hair dryer may be embodied as a removable accessory for existing hair dryers or an integral feature in a hair dryer. A tubular member includes a first end to receive the output of the hair dryer, and a diffuser plate is pivotally secured in the opposed, second end of the tubular member. The diffuser plate is rotatable from a fully open position in which the entire output of the dryer blower is delivered from the second end, to a fully closed position in which the second end is blocked by the diffuser plate. The diffuser plate includes a plurality of holes in a spaced array, permitting a fraction of the dryer output to be delivered from the second end of the tubular member at a reduced velocity. The tubular member includes a plurality of vent holes disposed upstream of the diffuser plate to exhaust a substantial portion of the air flow when the diffuser plate is closed to the attenuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Ernest J. Bastien
  • Patent number: 5434946
    Abstract: A hair dryer has an electric heating element adapted to produce any desired intensity of heat output within a continuous range of heat intensities and an electric blower adapted to produce any desired speed of air flow within a continuous range of air flow speeds which is then heated by intensity of the heat output of the heating element to produce any desired heated air flow output. The hair dryer also has a control circuit electrically connected to the heating element and blower and being operable upon actuation by a pair of momentary switches to simultaneously regulate operation of the heater element and blower to produce a continuously variable heated air flow output. The continuously variable simultaneous regulation of the heat output intensity and air flow output speed is driven or powered in opposite directions by a user manually manipulating the pair of momentary switches respectively labelled "Up" and "Down".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Helen Of Troy Corporation
    Inventors: Yinon Barzilai, William Levy, Mikhail Mitelman
  • Patent number: 5376772
    Abstract: An electrothermal color-varying instrument for inducing color change in a color-varying layer includes a heat generating element composed of a sintered barium titanate thermistor in face-to face contact with a heat transmitting member having a heating end portion for transmitting heat to the thermal color-varying layer. The thermistor has:(i) a positive temperature coefficient on the electrical resistance within a temperature range from 25.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.;(ii) a volume resistivity at 25.degree. C. (.rho..sub.25) within a range of 9.8.times.10.sup.-3 to 2.97.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA..multidot.cm; and(iii) a ratio (.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25) of the volume resistivity at 70.degree. C. to that at 25.degree. C. within a range of 5.ltoreq.(.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25).ltoreq.400.The electrothermal heat generating element generates heat under the application of a voltage in the range of 0.8 to 40 volts and maintains a saturated heating temperature within a range of 30 to 100 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tanehiro Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Ono, Tsutomu Tomatsu, Takeo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5349161
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a gun-like device (often referred to as a "heat gun") emitting heated air at a variable temperature which can be selected by the user. The potentiometer used to set the desired air temperature is connected to an integrated circuit (rather than to an amplifier used as a variable gain element) and is used in such a way that the percentage of total potentiometer resistance in a portion of the circuit, rather than the actual potentiometer resistance value, regulates temperature. Low-cost, smaller potentiometers having a relatively "loose" tolerance can thereby be used. The new regulator also includes a novel circuit for shutting down the heat gun in the event of an open thermocouple and a novel circuit for essentially eliminating the undesirable subtractive effect of cold junction circuit board voltages on the hot junction voltage produced by the thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Master Appliance Corporation
    Inventor: Karl H. Bockholt
  • Patent number: 5339540
    Abstract: An accessory device which is releasably mountable on a hair dryer and which contains at least one reservoir for a sprayable material, such as water, hair conditioner, lacquer and the like, and which is actuable by the same hand which holds the hair dryer to apply the sprayable material as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Syd Edwards
  • Patent number: 5331748
    Abstract: An air filter secured to the air inlet grid of a hand held hair blow dryer to prohibit the entry of airborne debris. The filter composed of a disc approximately one eighth this is removably fastened to the air inlet grid by means of transverse strips of double coated polyester film applied to the fastening surface of the filter disc. The exposed surface of the transverse strips are coated with a permanent rubber based adhesive which in turn is covered by a release liner to protect the adhesive surface during shipping and handling. The filter is fastened to the air inlet grid of the hand held blow dryer by removing the release liner and pressing the filter to the grid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5243683
    Abstract: A hair dryer includes a plurality of elongated positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) semiconductor heating units disposed in transverse side-by-side spaced relation in a linear array in a central air flow passage of an elongated tubular duct connected to a discharge port of a casing having an air fan rotatably mounted in the casing for blowing air through the air flow passage of the duct, each PTC heating unit defining a longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air flow passage of the duct and a plurality of elongated spaced fins longitudinally juxtapositionally mounted on the PTC semiconductor heating unit transversely of the longitudinal axis of the PTC heating unit, whereby upon a powering of the PTC heating unit and the fan to heat air as blown by the fan, the heated air will be guided in the tubular duct by the plurality of elongaed spaced fins to produce laminar air streamflow helpful for smoothly setting and drying hair or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Chiung-hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 5234157
    Abstract: An component or connector lead (12) is soldered to a bare copper metallized area (14) on a circuit board (16) using core solder (26) by manually applying heat from a heated tip (24) to a separate one of the lead and metallized area. As the heat is being applied, a vacuum is drawn in the region where the solder is applied to the lead and/or metallized area to draw off any flux vapors created upon heating of the solder. At the same time, hot air is also directed into the region where the solder is being applied to maintain the flux vapors, created upon heating of the solder, in their vaporous state to facilitate such vapors being drawn off, thereby reducing the amount of flux residues resulting from the soldering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Linda M. Fletcher, Leslie A. Guth, Douglas W. Monroe
  • Patent number: 5216822
    Abstract: A filtering system for inhibiting the intake of clogging material into the air inlet of a portable blow dryer includes a filter and a fastener, such as straps, connected to the filter for positioning the filter over the air inlet of the blow dryer in a removable fashion. The straps can be elastic to stretch during mounting and retract to snugly secure the filter to the air inlet openings. A pair of opposing filters can be interconnected by the straps for filtering air to dual lateral air inlets, or the filtering straps can be connected to a ring for mounting to a rear axial air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventor: Silvia Madiedo
  • Patent number: 5206476
    Abstract: A supplementary passenger compartment heating assembly for use in conjunction with an automobile HVAC system having a forced air duct opening to the compartment includes a generally rectangular cross section air distribution duct molded integrally with the forced air duct from a heat conductive PTC polymer material. The air distribution duct has a pair of sides separated by a plurality of ribs extending therebetween so as to provide increased heat transfer area to the air forced therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Fresch, Thomas P. Warszawski
  • Patent number: 5195253
    Abstract: A cordless electric hair dryer and stand are provided in which the portable hair dryer unit has a rechargeable battery and a thermal heat reservoir. The fan blows ambient air over the thermal reservoir in heat exchange relationship to expel hot air from the dryer when in use. The stand has an electrical circuit inductivley coupled through a coil in the base of the stand to a coil in the rear of the housing of the dryer which provides power to charge the rechargeable battery in the handle of the dryer and to heat the thermal storage medium in the dryer. The heating is accomplished by resistors mounted in heat exchange relationship with the thermal reservoir material. The rechargeable battery is used only to run the fan during drying operation of the portable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Cableco and Beaba
    Inventors: Michel Poumey, Christian Latore
  • Patent number: 5195164
    Abstract: An electric hot air blower has a casing having a discharge portion containing a heating element and variable speed motor driven air blower and provided with a pistol grip handle for manipulation of hot air blower. A pair of pivotally mounted triggers frontally positioned in vertically spaced relationship in the center of the pistol grip handle selectively operate respective ones of a pair of spring-biased open incremental switches disposed in the handle for variably controlling the air blower motor speed in concert with the intensity of the heating element. The triggers are lockable in a selected position between an off and the maximum position of the incremental switch actuated thereby by a releasable locking button engageable with locking teeth on the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: William S. Lambert
  • Patent number: 5157757
    Abstract: A handheld electrically powered hair dryer includes a main outlet nozzle and secondary air outlets for producing a diffuse distribution of air. A baffle arrangement is moveable between first and second positions to selectively deflect some or all of the air from the nozzle to the secondary air outlets. The baffle arrangement consists of a flexible crown-shaped metal foil disposed on the inside of the nozzle, and a mechanism for bending the foil radially inwardly to partially or completely block the nozzle when the baffle is moved toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: China Pacific Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: John G. McDougall
  • Patent number: 5149209
    Abstract: A hair dryer that includes a case having a handle and a barrel, and a fan positioned in the barrel and coupled to an electric motor for blowing hair through the barrel. An electrical resistance heating element is disposed in the barrel for generating heat to dry hair, and an electrical cord extends from the handle and terminates in a plug adapted to be removably received in a utility outlet for supplying power to the hair dryer. An operator switch is carried by the handle and connected in series with at least the electric motor across the power lines of the cord. An audible alarm is connected across the switch and in series with the motor across the power conductors of the plug and cord, such that placement of the switch in an open condition, with the plug inserted in a utility outlet, results in current flow through the alarm device and generation of an audible alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Jerry O. Lorant
    Inventors: Richard M. Condrey, Jerry O. Lorant
  • Patent number: 5112374
    Abstract: An air filter for a hand held hair dryer employing a stretchable filter material which covers the air inlets of the hair dryer. A circular seal is fixed to one end of the filter material and stretches around the air outlet nozzle of the hair dryer. A second circular seal is fixed to the other end of the filter material at 90 degrees to the other seal and stretches around the handle of the hair dryer. The filter material conforms to the shape of the portion of the hair dryer it covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Timothy T. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 5091630
    Abstract: A hair curling apparatus includes an adapter sleeve mounted to the end of the hot air delivery conduit of a hand-held hair dryer. A hot air delivery tube extends through the adapter sleeve and terminates in an apertured portion projecting forwardly of the sleeve. Rotatably mounted on the projecting portion is a circumferentially apertured and bristled hollow hair curling sleeve for effecting hair curling procedures. The hair curling sleeve includes a plurality of vanes in the interior thereof which react with the directed hot air flow through the apertured portion of the delivery tube to impart rotation to the hair curling sleeve. The adapter sleeve includes a manually operable valve for controlling the air flow through the delivery tube to the curling sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Zoran Djuric
  • Patent number: 5026188
    Abstract: The invention is a device for dispensing melted resin on a surface. In detail, the invention includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet passages and a guide passage therebetween. The inlet passage is adapted to receive a solid resin rod and the outlet passage includes a nozzle for dispensing the melted resin to the surface. Also included is a mechanism to sequentially move the rod from the inlet toward the outlet passage. Additionally, a heating coil is positioned about the outlet passage. An air transfer tube is provided having an inlet coupled to and a source of pressurized air and an outlet in proximity to the nozzle. The tube includes a first coil section mounted about the heating coil so that the pressurized air is heated prior to reaching the nozzle such that the surface is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald F. Capodieci
  • Patent number: 5026031
    Abstract: A fluid-damped resilient bush, e.g. for use in a vehicle suspension comprises an outer sleeve and an intermediate sleeve between which a rubber bush is moulded as a one-piece moulding. Cavities are formed between the intermediate sleeve and an inner member, which is mounted within the one-piece moulding and sealed to the one-piece moulding by axially separate annular areas of the moulding which engage but are not bonded to the inner member. The cavities communicate with one another and are filled with damping fluid, the arrangement being such that displacement of the outer sleeve relative to the inner member causes displacement of fluid between the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: BTR plc a British Company
    Inventor: Peter T. Court
  • Patent number: 5023925
    Abstract: In a hot air hand welding device having a plastic housing (1,3,6) which forms a rod-like grip portion (1) provided with air inlet openings and in which a commutator motor (18) is secured for the drive of a blower wheel (23) that is surrounded by a section (3) of the housing (1,3,6) that adjoins the grip (1) and has a larger diameter, the blower wheel (23) is arranged adjacent to the commutator (20) of the commutator motor (18). In addition the commutator (20) as well as the carbon brushes that contact it, together with the associated brush holders (21), are arranged in the section (3) of the housing surrounding the blower wheel (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Zinser Schweisstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gunther Goll, Peter Vater, Siegfried Keusch, Gunter Kratz
  • Patent number: 4972065
    Abstract: A portable electric hair dryer wherein the hot-air outlet of the housing is connectable with a nozzle having a smaller outlet for directing a concentrated stream of hot air against the hair for drying and/or styling. The maximum achievable output of the heating element in the housing is automatically reduced in response to attachment of the nozzle to the housing to a value such that the temperature of concentrated stream of hot air issuing from the nozzle cannot reach a value which would cause singing or burning of hair. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, attachment of the nozzle to the housing results in shifting of a rod-shaped mechanical adjusting member which thereby deactivates one or more stages of a multi-stage switch so that the latter can permit selection of one or more heating element outputs which do not result in overheating of air issuing from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Robert Krups Stiftung & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Heinz-Jurgen Ohlsen