KWONG, Patrick, Pak Chuen (Room 1106-8, Riley House88 Lei Muk Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong, Kong, CN)
| CLAIMS: 1. A hair iron, comprising: first and second elongate jaws, each jaw having proximal and distal jaw ends, and the jaws each having an intermediate portion longitudinally separating the proximal and distal jaw ends, a pivot joining the proximal jaw ends for moving the jaws between a closed position in which the surfaces of the heater plates are adjacent for grasping hair therebetween and an open position in which the surfaces of the heater plates are spaced apart, the proximal ends each having first and second sides on opposing sides of the end portions, the first sides facing each other, the second sides being formed as handle surfaces for engagement by a user; a pair of heater plates each disposed on the distal ends so as to face each other, the heater plates having surfaces configured to face each other and hold and engage hair, and either, (a) a protruding wall in the intermediate portion of the first jaw; a recess in the second jaw receiving the protruding wall when the jaws are in their closed position; an air passage within the protruding wall, the air passage extending from an inlet in the intermediate portion to outlets spaced along at least one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw, and a motor-driven axial fan mounted within the air passage; or, (b) an air passage extending from an inlet in a proximal end of the intermediate portion to outlets spaced along at least one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw, and a motor-driven axial fan mounted within the air passage, the fan having an axis and wherein the inlet is substantially aligned with the axis. 2. The hair iron of claim 1 wherein each jaw comprises an outer housing and an inner cover which cooperate to enclose a cavity in each jaw, and wherein the protruding wall is disposed in the inner cover of the first jaw, and the recess for receiving the protruding wall is disposed in the inner cover of the second jaw. 3. The hair iron of claim 2 wherein the covers include a planar portion at proximal ends of the jaws. 4. The hair iron of claim 3 wherein the planar portions enclose respective circuit boards in the cavities. 5. The hair iron of claim 3 wherein the protruding wall protrudes from the cavity in the first jaw and from the plane of the planar portion. 6. The hair iron of claim 1 wherein parallel bar sections integral with each of the inner covers extend across the inlet. 7. The hair iron of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the protruding wall has a spheriodal portion and the adjacent distal end of the recess has a complementary spheroidal shape The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first jaw includes a hollow immediately adjacent the inlet and the proximal end of the recess in the second jaw has a face axially spaced apart from the inlet such that substantially the full transverse area of the inlet remains open in the closed position for relatively unrestricted air flow through the inlet The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first jaw further includes a hollow mount enclosing the air passage and in which a rotary electric motor is located, the motor-driven fan being directly connected to an output of the motor, the hollow mount being disposed within the protruding wall The hair iron of claim 9 wherein the first jaw further includes a reducer duct downstream of the hollow mount The hair iron of claim 9 wherein the first jaw further includes a channel-shaped elongate outlet duct defining the air passage and received in the outer housing, the outlet duct having an open end and longitudinally opposing closed end, an elongate outlet panel that engages an elongate open side of the outlet duct, wherein the outlets are provided in the elongate outlet panel The hair iron of claim 11 wherein the outer housing of the first jaw includes a linear hollow portion in which the outlet duct is received The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 1 1 and 12 wherein an on/off switch is mounted to the first end of at least one of the jaws 14 The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 11 and 12 wherein the distal jaw ends are elongate and skewed relative to an elongate axis of the proximal ends 15 The hair iron of claim 11 wherein the proximal and distal jaw ends are skewed at an acute angle. 16 The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 1 1 , 12 and 15 wherein the iron further includes a pair of elements, each held against a respective heater plate. 17 The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 11 , 12 and 15 wherein the iron further includes a conductor for supply of power and a swivel joint connecting the conductor to the iron for allowing the iron to rotate freely with respect to the conductor. 18. The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 1 1 , 12 and 15 wherein the outlets are spaced along only one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw. 19. The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 11 , 12 and 15 further including a spring for urging the jaws to their open position and hinge components associated with the pivot may be actuated to hold the jaws in their closed position. 20. The hair iron of any one of claims 1 to 7, 10, 11 , 12 and 15 having, according to integer (b) of claim 1 , the air passage extending from the inlet in the proximal end of the intermediate portion to the outlets spaced along at least one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw, and the motor-driven axial fan mounted within the air passage, the fan having an axis and wherein the inlet is substantially aligned with the axis, and characterised in that the air passage is bounded by a protruding wall in the intermediate portion of the first jaw, and a recess is provided in the second jaw for receiving the protruding wall when the jaws are in their closed position |
Technical field
The present invention relates irons for thermal shaping and styling of hair.
Background of the Invention Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-310339 describes an iron including a pair of elongate jaws mutually connected at one end by a pivot, each jaw having a respective heater plate at its opposing end, the heater plates facing one another. A first of the jaws is hollow and holds a motor-driven fan mounted in an internal air passage that extends from an inlet to outlet ports spaced along side the heater plates. The inlet in the first jaw faces the second jaw in a handle section of the jaws, proximate the pivot, which provides a handle by which the user holds the iron. The user closes the handle to grasp the hair between the heater plates, while the iron is drawn along the hair air forced from the outlets is used to treat the hair, providing a cooling air flow over hair immediately after it has passed between the heater plates. For any hand-operated appliance of this type consumers require a compact and lightweight unit, while for optimum performance, the size of the motor, fan and air passage must provide sufficient air flow. Placing the inlet in the handle portion generally avoids hair, or air heated by the heater plates, from being drawn into the air passage, however it significantly compromises the fan performance. Inlet losses result from flow restriction caused by the user grasping the handle portion, while the fan performance may also be adversely affected by vorticity and non-uniform flow. Moreover this layout requires an enlarged housing for the fan and motor. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages or more generally to provide an improved hair iron
Disclosure of the Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair iron, comprising first and second elongate jaws, each jaw having proximal and distal jaw ends, and the jaws each having an intermediate portion longitudinally separating the proximal and distal jaw ends, a pivot joining the proximal jaw ends for moving the jaws between a closed position in which the surfaces of the heater plates are adjacent for grasping hair therebetween and an open position in which the surfaces of the heater plates are spaced apart, the proximal ends each having first and second sides on opposing sides of the end portions, the first sides facing each other, the second sides being formed as handle surfaces for engagement by a user, a pair of heater plates each disposed on the distal ends so as to face each other, the heater plates having surfaces configured to face each other and hold and engage hair, and either, (a) a protruding wall in the intermediate portion of the first jaw; a recess in the second jaw receiving the protruding wall when the jaws are in their closed position, an air passage within the protruding wall, the air passage extending from an inlet in the intermediate portion to outlets spaced along at least one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw, and a motor-driven axial fan mounted within the air passage; or, (b) an air passage extending from an inlet in a proximal end of the intermediate portion to outlets spaced along at least one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw, and a motor-driven axial fan mounted within the air passage, the fan having an axis and wherein the inlet is substantially aligned with the axis.
Preferably each jaw comprises an outer housing and an inner cover which cooperate to enclose a cavity in each jaw, and wherein the protruding wall is disposed in the inner cover of the first jaw, and the recess for receiving the protruding wall is disposed in the inner cover of the second jaw. Preferably the covers include a planar portion at proximal ends of the jaws. Preferably the planar portions enclose respective circuit boards in the cavities. Preferably the protruding wall protrudes from the cavity in the first jaw and from the plane of the planar portion.
Preferably the fan has an axis of rotation and the inlet is substantially aligned with the axis. Preferably parallel bar sections integral with each of the inner covers extend across the inlet.
Preferably the distal end of the protruding wall has a spheriodal portion and the adjacent distal end of the recess has a complementary spheroidal shape.
Preferably the first jaw includes a hollow immediately adjacent the inlet and the proximal end of the recess in the second jaw has a face axially spaced apart from the inlet such that substantially the full transverse area of the inlet remains open in the closed position for relatively unrestricted air flow through the inlet.
Preferably the first jaw further includes a hollow mount enclosing the air passage and in which a rotary electric motor is located, the motor-driven fan being directly connected to an output of the motor, the hollow mount being disposed within the protruding wall. Preferably the first jaw further includes a reducer duct downstream of the hollow mount.
Preferably the first jaw further includes a channel-shaped elongate outlet duct defining the air passage and received in the outer housing, the outlet duct having an open end and longitudinally opposing closed end, an elongate outlet panel that engages an elongate open side of the outlet duct, wherein the outlets are provided in the elongate outlet panel. Preferably the outer housing of the first jaw includes a linear hollow portion in which the outlet duct is received.
Preferably an on/off switch is mounted to the first end of at least one of the jaws.
Preferably the distal jaw ends are elongate and skewed relative to an elongate axis of the proximal ends. Preferably the proximal and distal jaw ends are skewed at an acute angle.
Preferably the iron further includes a pair of elements, each held against a respective heater plate.
Preferably the iron further includes a conductor for supply of power and a swivel joint connecting the conductor to the iron for allowing the iron to rotate freely with respect to the conductor. Preferably the outlets are spaced along only one edge of the heater plate disposed in the first jaw.
Preferably the iron further includes a spring for urging the jaws to their open position and hinge components associated with the pivot may be actuated to hold the jaws in their closed position. This invention provides a hair iron which is effective and efficient in operational use, and which has an overall simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs. The recessing of the inlet allows the fan to be mounted within a compact housing, while the inlet is carefully designed to avoid fan inlet losses.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a top view of an iron according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a section along line AA of Fig. 1 ; Figure 3 is a section along line BB of Fig. 1 ; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the first jaw of the iron of Fig 1 , Figure 5 is an exploded view of the second jaw of the iron of Fig 1 , and
Figure 6 is a transverse section in a position corresponding to line CC in Fig 3 but showing the jaws in an open position
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to the drawings, a hair iron according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes elongate first and second jaws 10 and 1 1 joined by a pivot 12 at their proximal ends 13, 14 At their opposing distal ends 15, 16 the jaws 10, 1 1 include respective heater plates 17, 18 The heater plates 17, 18 have planar, rectangular surfaces 19, 20 configured to face each other and hold and engage hair
In Figures 1-3 the jaws 10, 1 1 are shown in a closed position in which the surfaces
19, 20 are adjacent for grasping hair therebetween The jaws 10, 1 1 are shown in an open position in Fig 6 (and as indicated by the phantom outline 11' in Fig 2) in which the surfaces 19, 20 are spaced apart, as when inserting hair between the jaws 10, 1 1
The jaws 10, 11 comprise outer housings 21 and 22 respectively, moulded from polymer On opposing sides of each housing 21 , 22 are a respective convex outer surface 23, 25 and an inwardly opening concavity 24, 26 The concavities 24, 26 face each other, and the outer side surfaces 23, 25 of the proximal end portions 13, 14 form handle surfaces for engagement by a user Integral with the distal end of housing 21 is a linear hollow portion 35 which projects transversely from the linear edge 36 of the distal end of the housing 21 An axially extending, half-cylindrical channel portion 37 in the proximal end 14 receives a power supply conductor 38 which engages a bushing 39 pivotably received in the channel 37 and held in place by ring 40, providing a swivel joint allowing the iron to rotate freely with respect to the conductor 38. A pair of transversely aligned parallel flanges 41 are formed on the proximal end 14 of the housing 22 adjacent the channel portion 37.
The jaws 10, 1 1 each have a respective intermediate portion 27, 28 longitudinally separating the proximal and distal ends 15/16, 13/14 of each jaw. As best seen in Fig. 1 , the distal jaw ends 15, 16 are elongate and, for ergonomic advantage, skewed at an acute angle 29 relative to an elongate axis of the proximal ends 13, 14. The heating plates 17, 18 are mounted in like assemblies in the cavities 24, 26, aligned with and opposing one another. In each of the distal ends 15, 16 a heat- resistant frame 30 is mounted and receives a heating element 31 held in place with a spring plate 32. A thermistor 33 is mounted by a clip 34 in contact with each heating plate 17, 18. In the second jaw 11 a slider button assembly 42 is received in a slot 43 in a side of the housing 22 and engages a switch 44 that is mounted to a circuit board 45 secured in the cavity 26 and which is electrically connected to the conductor 38, for switching on and off power to the heating elements 31. Enclosing the circuit board 45 in the cavity 26 is an inner cover 46 which extends from the proximal end longitudinally to the heating plate 18, The inner cover 46 includes a planar portion 47 at the proximal end which extends over the circuit board 45 and an adjacent recess 48 formed in the intermediate portion 28 and recessed into the cavity 26 from the plane of the planar portion 47.
In the first jaw 10 a second circuit board 50 is provided for modulating the current supply to the elements 31 and supplying power to the motor 49 Three push-button switches 51 are received in respective apertures in the side of the housing 21 and engage respective switches 52 mounted to the circuit board 50 Longitudinally spaced apertures 55 formed in an indentation 56 in the outer side of the housing 21 are provided at the same pitch as LEDs 57 mounted to the circuit board 50. Lens assembly 54 covers the LEDs 57 and is held in place by plate fixture 59. A panel 58 has openings corresponding to those in the housing 21 and is received in the indentation 56. The LEDs provide a display indicative of the temperature maintained by the control circuit. Enclosing the circuit board 50 in the cavity 24 is an inner cover 60 which extends from the proximal end longitudinally to the heating plate 18. The inner cover 60 includes a planar portion 61 at its proximal end which extends over the circuit board 50 and an adjacent protruding wall 62 formed in the intermediate portion 27 and protruding from the cavity and the plane of the planar portion 61. The LEDs 57, switches 51 and button assembly 42 are thus conveniently placed on the proximal portions of the jaws 10, 11 which form the handle.
The rotary electric motor 49 has a drive axis 63 about which its output shaft 64 rotates. The axial fan 65 is directly fixed to the shaft 64, while the motor 49 is held in a hollow mount 66. The fan 65 is located in the generally cylindrical mouth part 67 of the hollow mount 66. The mouth part 67 is adjacent an axially aligned inlet 68 formed at the proximal end of the protruding wall 62. The inlet 68 allows relatively unrestricted axial flow which reduces inlet losses. Parallel bar sections 69 extend across the inlet 68 to assist in flow-straightening and for protection.
An elongate outlet duct 70 is channel shaped in cross section, having an open end
71 and longitudinally opposing closed end 72. An elongate outlet panel 73 engages the elongate open side of the duct 70. Four longitudinally spaced air outlets 74 are provided in the panel 73 A reducer duct 75 has a large cylindrical end complementary to the outlet end of the hollow mount 66 and an opposing small cylindrical end which is connected by a resilient tube 76 to the open end 71 In this manner air drawn in through the inlet 68 is directed through an air passage 90 defined by the hollow mount 66, reducer duct 75, resilient tube 76 and outlet duct 70 to pass from the outlets 74 The outlet duct 70 and attached panel 73 are received in the linear hollow portion 35 such that the outlets 74 are spaced along an edge of the heater plate 17 providing an outlet air flow transverse to the jaw
The housing 22 and inner cover 46, and the housing 21 and inner cover 60, are connected together by screw fasteners 75 to form the jaws 10, 1 1 The inner cover
46 includes parallel integral flanges 76 which cooperate with the flanges 41 , the pivot
12, and other hinge components 77, to pivotally connect the jaws 10, 1 1 A compression spring 78 is mounted between the jaws 10, 1 1 , urging to their open position and the hinge components 77 may be actuated to hold the jaws 10, 11 in their closed position illustrated
On the jaw 11 the distal end 80 of the protruding wall 62 is a spheπodal portion and the adjacent distal end 81 of the recess 48 has a complementary spheroidal shape The proximal end of the recess 48 has a face 82 extending inwardly to the planar face 47, and the face 82 is axially spaced apart from the inlet 68 Similarly, on the jaw 10 a hollow 84 is provided immediately adjacent the inlet 68 The hollow 84 has a face 83 axially spaced apart from the inlet 68 In this way, in the closed position the recess 48 receives the protruding wall 62, and even when the heater plates are closed together the planar faces 47 and 61 remain separated, substantially the full transverse area of the inlet thereby remains open and relatively unrestricted air flow remains possible through the hollow 84 and space between the face 82 and the inlet 68.
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.
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