HAIR DRYER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to hair dryers. More specifically, the invention relates to a hands free hair dryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wet hair, such as after a shower, presents a challenge for time-pressed people. Especially for lengthy hair, the time required to dry the hair can present an undesirable period of time in which other tasks cannot be done. This is especially true since operation of a hair dryer typically requires at least one hand to hold the hair dryer. While air drying is an option for some, certain hair styles and types of hair are less amenable to air dry.

[0003] Often salons provide dryer hoods for clientele after cuts, but these dryer hoods are typically quite expensive, and are fixed in place. Thus, sitting under the dryer hood prevents other tasks from being done simultaneous with the hair drying process.

[0004] Other devices attempt to combine the conveniences of dryer hoods in a portable unit, but these devices either require a connection to a wall outlet for power during use, or a rather unwieldy suitcase-type unit. Either 'solution' results in additional items on the ground, presenting a risk of tripping while the user is engaged in other activities.

[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a hair dryer that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One aspect of the invention provides a portable hair drying system that includes a hair manifold including a body portion and a plurality of air passageways formed in the body portion. The system further includes an air distributor operably connected to the hair manifold and including at least one battery and at least one body retaining member operably connected to one of the hair manifold or air distributor; wherein the retaining members retain the air distributor on a mammalian body.

[0007] Another aspect of the invention comprises a method for drying hair. The method includes retaining on a mammalian body a portable hair drying system including a distributor in communication with a hair manifold, flowing air from the air distributor of the hair manifold, and flowing the air through the manifold.

[0008] The aforementioned, and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings, which are not to scale, are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of a hair dryer, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[00010] FIG. 2A is a view of one embodiment of a hair dryer, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[00011] FIG. 2B is a view of one embodiment of a hair dryer, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[00012] FIG. 3 is a view of one embodiment of a hair dryer, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

[00013] FIG. 4 is a view of one embodiment of a hair dryer, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and

[00014] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for drying hair, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00015] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a hair dryer 100 in accordance with one aspect of the invention. Hair dryer 100 includes hair manifold 150 including a body portion 151 and a plurality of air passageways 160 formed in body portion 151. In addition, hair dryer 100 includes an air distributor 120 operably connected to the hair manifold 150. Air distributor 120 includes at least one battery 130 and at least one body retaining member 180 operably connected to one of the hair manifold or air distributor. The retaining members 180 retain the air distributor 120 on a mammalian body. In one embodiment, the retaining members 180 comprise adjustable straps.

[00016] In one embodiment, air distributor 120 includes a heating element 110 in electrical communication with the battery 130. The heating element 110 is configured to transfer heat into a volume of air. In addition, air distributor 120 includes a fan to distribute the volume of air through hair manifold 150. In another embodiment, air distributor 140 includes a heating element 110 configured to transfer heat into a volume of air, and a battery 130 in communication with the heating element, as well as a dryer vent. In one embodiment, the air distributor 120 comprises a substantially polygonal shape, such as a cubic square, or rectangle. In another embodiment, at least one side includes at least one radius. In one embodiment, the radius is matched to a shape of a user's back. In another embodiment, at least one side includes a form fitting shape, malleable to adjust to each user's back. In yet another embodiment, at least one side of the air distributor 120 includes padding.

[00017] In one embodiment, each air passageway 160 is in communication with the ambient environment as well as a space defined by the hair manifold. In another embodiment, each air passageway 160 communicates with the fan via a single passageway tube extending through the dryer tube, such that the dryer tube surrounds a plurality of passageway tubes, and each passageway tube terminates at a manifold end at an air passageway 160. In one embodiment, the body portion 151 includes an at least partially rigid material, such as a plastic or other polymeric substrate. In another embodiment, body portion 151 includes a metallic, or other relatively rigid material, frame supporting a lightweight, relatively flexible, covering, such as a fabric,

or a fabric with a plasticized cover on an interior surface to reduce loss of heated air. Although shown in a substantially dome-like cross section, the hair manifold 150 can assume a number of shapes, including domes or polygonal shapes. In one embodiment, the hair manifold 150 assumes the shape of a salon dryer hood.

[00018] In one embodiment, dryer tube 140 connects air distributor 140 and hair manifold 150. In one embodiment, the dryer tube 140 is a retractable flexible tube. The dryer tube can be configured to be detached from either the hair manifold 150 or the air distributor 140, or both. In another embodiment, the hair manifold is detachable from the air distributor. The detachment can be by appropriate means, such as threaded connectors, hook-and-loop connectors, latches, clips, snap- fittings, or the like.

[00019] In one embodiment, battery 130 is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel cadmium battery. In one such embodiment, battery 130 connects to a cord configured to plug into a wall to recharge battery 130. In another embodiment, battery 130 is a standard alkaline battery or batteries. In another embodiment, battery 130 is an automotive battery.

[00020] In one embodiment, the air distributor includes a dryer vent. In another embodiment, the hair dryer system includes a user interface, including controls for power, temperature controls, and fan speed. The controls can be buttons, knobs, sliders, or other appropriate control devices.

[00021 ] FIGS . 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of a side view of the system illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. As seen at 200, the system includes hair manifold 150 connected to air distributor 120 by a dryer tube 140. In addition, air distributor 120 includes hair manifold storage portion 185, configured to receive the hair manifold 150 when not in use, in one embodiment. Furthermore, user interface 155 includes controls 159. As shown, controls 159 include buttons, although the user interface can include controls for power, temperature controls, and fan speed - the controls can be the illustrated buttons, as well as other devices, such as knobs, sliders, or other appropriate control devices. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the user interface 155 and controls 159 is disposed on the air

distributor 120. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the user interface 155 and controls 159 is disposed on the hair manifold 150.

[00022] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of another side of the air distributor 120, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. As shown, cord 318 is disposed on a side of the air distributor 120. Cord 318 is an element of certain embodiments of the invention, and can either provide a means to recharge a rechargeable battery, or provide power to the device.

[00023] FIG. 4 illustrates another view of system 100 including two retaining members 180, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. The retaining members 180 can be implemented as an appropriate strap, such as a backpack strap, or a sling. In one embodiment, one, or at least one, retaining member 180 includes a padded portion. In one embodiment, at least one retaining member 180 includes a reinforcing portion, such as a wire or length of plastic, to provide additional form or structural strength to the retaining member 180.

[00024] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method 500 for drying hair, in accordance with one aspect of the invention. Method 500 begins at 510 by retaining on a mammalian body a portable hair drying system including a distributor in communication with a hair manifold. In one embodiment, the portable hair drying system is implemented as system 100 in FIGS. 1-4. Method 500 continues by flowing air from the air distributor of the hair manifold at step 520 and, at step 530, flowing the air through the manifold.

[00025] While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.