PRIORITY This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 13/424,951 filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 20, 2012, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to irons for straightening or curling hair, and more particularly to a hair iron having a sterilizing light. 2. Description of the Related Art

Hair irons are generally limited to features directly related to applying heat to hair for straightening, curling, etc. In particular, due to intense heat generated by hair irons, components for additional features may be damaged by heat generated by the hair iron. Further, some hair irons include a resilient material only near edges of a hair iron in order to prevent the ends of the hair being straightened or curled with the hair iron from breaking, and to more softly grip hair being heated, in order to protect the hair. However, such hair irons do not provide effective heat transmission over areas including the resilient material, and in particular, do not provide effective heat transmission over areas in which the resilient material grips the hair. Therefore, use of resilient materials over a heating surface is typically limited to small areas for providing a soft grip, while other larger areas of heating surfaces are directly exposed to the hair, which allows hair to be damaged at areas where the heating surface is not covered by the resilient materials. Further, direct contact between the soft gripping areas of the resilient material reduces the effectiveness of straightening and/or curling of the hair passed through the iron.

Therefore, there is a need for a hair iron that can provide additional features beyond features directly related to applying heat to hair effectively, without damaging components provided for such additional features. There is further a need for a hair iron having a resilient material so that the iron can be easily moved through the hair being heated effectively, while providing effective hair straightening and/or curling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to address the above- mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hair iron including a friction-resistant layer, sterilizing lights, and a fan for cooling the parts of the hair iron including the sterilizing lights.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hair iron is provided. The hair iron includes a first arm; a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm; a heating element disposed on the second arm; a first cushioned resilient member disposed over substantially all of an entire upper surface of the heating element, wherein the resilient member facilitates a transfer of heat from the heating element; and a heater cover disposed on an opposite side of the heating element as a side on which the first cushioned resilient member is disposed, wherein the heater cover insulates against the transfer of heat from the heating element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain

embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hair iron including a first arm and a second arm according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 A is an enlargement of the perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B is a front section view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 , in which the second arm is shown from the view along line A-A of FIG. 3 A;

FIG. 4 A is a side view of a light tube and a light source of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG.1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a front section view of a light tube of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 , in which the light tube is shown from the view along the line A-A of FIG. 3 A;

FIG. 4C is an enlargement of a side view of a vertical cross-section of the light tube shown in FIG. 4A according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an interior subassembly and a cooling fan within the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be construed to refer to the same elements, features and structures. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. FIG. 1 is a front view of a hair iron including a first arm and a second arm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hair iron 100 can heat and straighten hair and has a first arm 100a and a second arm 100b pivotably coupled to the first arm 100a. The second arm 100b includes the heating mechanism of the hair iron 100 and includes a cushioned outer pad 2 for transferring heat generated within the second arm 100b to a user's hair, while first arm 100a includes a hard outer plate 1 opposite the second arm 100b. The hard outer plate 1 has a hard, flat outer surface and may be composed of hard materials able to withstand heat from the second arm 100b, such as ceramic and/or titanium. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to such materials, and other materials may be used for the hard outer plate 1 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Components of the second arm of the hair iron 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention are described as follows with reference to FIGs. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 A is an enlargement of the perspective view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a front section view of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1, in which the second arm is shown from the view along line A-A of FIG. 3 A.

Referring to FIGs. 2A and 2B, the second arm 100b of the hair iron 100 includes an outer pad 2, a support plate 4, light tubes 6a and 6b, a heater pad 8, a heater cover 10, secondary cushions 12a and 12b, a lower housing 14, a grip housing 16, light sources 18a and 18b, a cooling fan 20, an inner housing 22, and a hinge cap 24.

Outer pad 2 is located at an upper surface of the second arm 100b so as to come into direct contact with hair passing through the hair iron 100. The outer pad 2 is formed from a material, such as silicone, in order to transfer heat from the heater pad 8 to a user's hair. Further, the outer pad 2 has a smooth outer surface and is compressible to serve as an outer cushion, so that hair passing between the first arm 100a pressed against the second arm 100b may smoothly pass through the hair iron 100 while reducing pulling and/or breaking a user's hair compared to conventional hair irons.

Support plate 4 is positioned below the outer pad 2. As shown in FIG. 3B, the support plate 4 may include first grooves 4a in an upper surface of the support plate 4 shaped to receive protrusions 2a extending downward from a bottom surface of the outer pad 2 in order to securely attach the outer pad 2 to the support plate 4. Although FIG. 3B, for example, illustrates substantially cylindrical protrusions 2a and corresponding first grooves 4a, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration, and protrusions and corresponding grooves of other shapes may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In addition to, or as an alternative to protrusions and

corresponding grooves, the outer pad 2 may be secured to the support plate 4 with an adhesive (not shown). Light tubes 6a and 6b are positioned in the support plate 4 along the sides of the outer pad 2 within second grooves 4b such that an upper surface of the light tubes 6a and 6b are exposed. In a manner similar to the protrusions 2a, the light tubes 6a and 6b may be secured to the support plate 4 by the shape of

corresponding second grooves 4b and/or may be secured by an adhesive.

Light tubes 6a and 6b are connected to corresponding light sources 18a and 18b. Light sources 18a and 18b output a sterilizing light that passes through light tubes 6a and 6b and then output through the upper surfaces of light tubes 6a and 6b in order to direct the sterilizing light upwards towards a user's hair passing through the hair iron 100, thereby sterilizing a user's hair. Light sources 18a and 18b may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) outputting infrared light, for example, in order to provide a sterilizing effect upon a user's hair.

Configurations for directing light passing through the light tubes 6a and 6b upwards towards an upper surface of the light tubes 6a and 6b to sterilize a user's hair are described as follows with reference to FIGs. 4A, 4B, and 4C.

FIG. 4 A is a side view of a light tube and a light source of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG.1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a front section view of a light tube of the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 , in which the light tube is shown from the view along the line A-A of FIG. 3 A. FIG. 4C is an enlargement of a side view of a vertical cross-section of the light tube shown in FIG. 4A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4B, in order to direct light passing through the light tubes 6a and 6b upwards towards the upper surface of the light tubes 6a and 6b, an upper surface of the support plate 4 along second corresponding grooves 4b and/or a lower surface of the light tubes 6a and 6b may have a mirrored reflective surface in order to reflect light towards an upper surface of the light tubes 6a and 6b.

Referring to FIG. 4C, in addition to, or as an alternative to the mirrored reflective surface, a lower region of the light tubes 6a and 6b spanning across the length of the light tubes may have a series of V-shaped cuts to redirect light passing though the light tubes 6a and 6c towards an upper surface of the light tubes. The distance between to peaks may be about 100 microns, while the vertical distance between the peaks and valleys may be about 50 microns.

However, these distances are merely provided as examples, and other distances may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Referring back to FIGs. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the heater pad 8 is positioned below the support plate 4. The heater pad is heated through power provided by a power supply (not shown), and the hair iron 100 directs heat output from the power supply through the support plate 4 and the outer pad 2 in order to heat hair passing through the hair iron 100. The heater pad 8 may be a hard plate made of ceramic or metal material, for example either a piece of aluminum having a ceramic outer coating or a piece of titanium. The heater pad 8 may be any good conductor of heat through which heat is easily transmitted so that heat passes through the support plate 4, through outer pad 2, and to the hair.

Heater cover 10 is positioned below and to the sides of the heater pad 8 in order to provide heat insulation between the heater pad 8 and other elements of the second arm 100b below and to the sides of the heater cover 10. Secondary cushions 12a and 12b are positioned between the heater cover 10 and a lower housing 14 of the second arm 100b. The cushions 12a and 12b are resilient members that allow the heater cover 10 to move towards the lower casing 14 when pressure is applied to the outer pad 2. In an uncompressed state, such as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the secondary cushions 12a and 12b occupy a gap between the heater cover 10 and the lower housing 14. When pressure is applied to the outer pad 2, an interior subassembly 80, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, which includes the outer pad 2, the support plate 4, light tubes 6a and 6b, light sources 18a and 18b, the heater pad 8, and the heater cover 10) moves towards the lower housing 14 to reduce the gap while compressing the secondary cushions 12a and 12b. Due to this configuration, the secondary cushions 12a and 12b provide another level of cushioning beyond that provided by the outer pad 2, in order to further regulate pressure applied to a user's hair when using the hair iron 100. Referring again to FIG. 2B, the lower housing 14 serves as a lower outer casing of the second arm 100b, and a grip housing 14 may be providing on a portion of the exterior of the lower housing 14 in order to enable a user to more securely grip the hair iron 100. The grip housing may be made of a rubber or rubber-like material, or any other material suited to enable a user to better grip the hair iron 100.

The configuration of the cooling fan 20 with respect to the interior subassembly 80 are described as follows with reference to FIGs. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an interior subassembly and a cooling fan within the second arm of the hair iron of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling fan 20 provides air flow through the gap between the heater cover 10 and the lower housing 14 in order to further cool the lower housing 14 without reducing the effect of heat transfer from the heater pad 8 to a user's hair through the outer pad 2. Air is output from the cooling fan 20 towards a rear of the interior subassembly 80. Air channels are located along an underside of the heater cover 10 to direct airflow from the cooling fan 20 along the underside of the heater cover. In addition to the channels along the underside and/or of the heater cover 10, additional air channels are included along the sides of the heater cover 10 to provide air flow from the underside of the heater cover along the sides of the interior subassembly, and in particular to provide a cooling airflow directed near the light tubes 6a and 6b.

In addition to, or as an alternative to the air channels along the heater cover 10, air corresponding air channels may also be located along an interior surface of the lower housing 12 in order to direct air flow from the cooling fan 20 in the same manner as described with respect to the air channels along the heater cover 10. The air flow along the underside and sides of the interior assembly 80, further cool the lower housing 14 beyond the insulation provided by the heater cover 10. Further, the air flow directed towards the light sources 18a and 18b directly from the cooling fan 20, as well as the air flow directed towards the light tubes 6a and 6b from the air channels along the sides of the heater cover 10 serve to cool the light sources 18a and 18b as well as the light tubes 6a and 6b. Since the heater cover 10 may not be positioned between heater pad 8 and the light tubes 6a and 6b and/or the light sources 18a and 18b, this cooling effect prevents the heater pad 8 from heating the light tubes 6a and 6b and the light sources 18a and 18b to a temperature that may reduce the effectiveness of these elements and/or render them completely inoperable. Referring back to FIG. 2B, the hinge cap 22 of the second arm 100b of the hair iron 100 covers an upper region of the second arm 100b that is not covered by the outer pad 2. The hinge cap 22 includes air holes 22a for allowing air into the cooling fan 20, and a hinge section 22b for connecting the second arm 100b to the first arm 100a. Hinge caps 24 cover openings in the hinge section 22a where a fastener such as a bolt (not shown) may be used to secure the hinge section 22a to the second arm 100b.

As is apparent from the above description, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a hair iron several cushions for allowing hair to gently pass through a hair iron, including cushioning provided by an outer pad including a compressible material able to withstand high operating temperatures, such as silicone, as well as internal cushions for allowing an interior assembly of the hair iron to move with respect to an arm housing the interior assembly.

Further, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide sterilizing lights as well as a cooling fan for cooling the lights and an exterior of an arm of the hair iron, by channeling air through the interior of the hair iron. This air may be channeled through a gap that separates the interior assembly of an arm of the hair iron from an outer housing that allows for movement of the interior assembly when the secondary cushions are compressed. By using the gap for both providing air channels as well as room for the interior assembly to move, space is conserved, allowing for a more compact construction of the hair iron.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to particular elements included within a single arm of a hair iron, such embodiments are provided as examples, and other configurations may be used in accordance with the present invention. In detail, any or all of the components shown and/or described with respect to either of the above-described first or second arm may be added to or replace corresponding components of the opposite arm. For example, the hard plate described with respect to the first arm may be replaced with the outer pad described with respect to the second arm. As another example, the light sources and light tubes may be included in both arms of a heating iron or a different arm of the hair iron than an arm including the heating element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, the cooling fan and air channels for directing air flow may be included in both arms of a heating iron or in a different arm than an arm including the heating element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Further, the heating element, the outer cap, the heater cover, and/or the secondary cushions may be included in one or both arms of the heating iron in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Although a number of embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.