CHAN, Wing, Kin (Block A-B-C, 4/F. Wing Hin Factory Building,31-33 Ng Fong Street,San Po Kong,Kowloon, Hong Kong, Kong, CN)
CLAIMS
1. An adaptor for attachment of a hair styling nozzle to a hair dryer, said adapter comprising:
a generally tubular body having an inlet end, an outlet end and passage extending therebetween;
said inlet end being for receiving air from the air outlet of a hair dryer;
said outlet end being for delivery of air from the hair dryer to the head of a subject; and
a first engagement means located at or adjacent the inlet end of said tubular body, said first engagement means being adjustably engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer.
2. An adapter according to either claim 1 , wherein said first engagement means is engageable with the exterior of the air outlet portion of the hair dryer.
3. An adapter according to either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said engagement means is provided as an adjustable chuck mechanism which is adjustably engageable with air outlet portions of hair dryers of differing sizes.
4. An adapter according to claim 3, wherein said chuck mechanism is provided as a multi-jaw chuck mechanism.
5. An adapter according to claim 4, wherein said chuck mechanism comprises at least three gripping members moveable in a radial direction and a locking ring, wherein upon rotation of the locking ring in a first direction said gripping members are urged radially inwardly so as to engage the adapter with the exterior of the air outlet portion of the hair dryer and maintain engagement, and upon rotation of the locking ring in a second direction opposite the first direction the gripping members are urged radially outwardly so as to release the adapter from the hair dryer.
6. An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first engagement means is integrally formed with the tubular body.
7. An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second engagement means located at or adjacent the outlet end of said tubular body and being for providing engagement with a hair styling nozzle.
8. An adapter according to claim 7, wherein said second engagement means further comprises a coupler assembly for engaging a hair styling nozzle with said tubular body.
9. An adapter according to claim 8, wherein said coupler member is detachably engageable with said outlet end of the tubular body and detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle.
10. An adapter according to claim 9, wherein said coupler assembly is generally of annular form and upon rotation of said coupler assembly in a first direction the coupler assembly engages with the tubular body, and upon rotation in a second direction the coupler assembly is disengaged from the tubular body.
11. An adapter according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said coupler assembly further comprises a first annular member and a second annular member, the first annular member being detachably engageable with the tubular body and with the second annular member, the second annular member being detachably engageable with the first annular member and the hair styling nozzle.
12. An adapter according to claim 11 , wherein the first annular member is detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle via a first complementary rotationally engageable engagement means.
13. An adapter according to claim 12, wherein said complementary engagement means is provided as a bayonet-type mechanism.
14. An adapter according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the second annular member is detachably engageable with the tubular body via a second complementary rotationally engageable engagement means.
15. An adapter according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the first annular member and a second annular member are detachably engageable via a complimentary engagement means.
16. An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, formed of a polymeric material.
17. An adaptor for attachment of a hair styling nozzle to a hair dryer, said adapter comprising:
a generally tubular body having an inlet end, an outlet end and passage extending therebetween;
said inlet end being for receiving air from the air outlet of a hair dryer;
said outlet end being for delivery of air from the hair dryer to the head of a subject;
a first engagement means located at or adjacent the inlet end of said tubular body, said first engagement means being engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer; and a second engagement means located at or adjacent the outlet end of said tubular body for providing engagement with a hair styling nozzle.
18. An adapter according to claim 17, wherein said first engagement means is adjustably engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer
19. An adapter according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein said second engagement means further comprises a coupler assembly for engaging a hair styling nozzle with said tubular body,
20. An adapter according to claim 19, wherein said coupler member is detachably engageable with said outlet end of the tubular body and detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle.
21. An adapter according to claim 20, wherein said coupler assembly is generally of annular form and upon rotation of said coupler assembly in a first direction the coupler assembly engages with the tubular body, and upon rotation in a second direction the coupler assembly is disengaged from the tubular body.
22. An adapter according to claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein said coupler assembly further comprises a first annular member and a second annular member, the first annular member being detachably engageable with the tubular body and with the second annular member, the second annular member being detachably engageable with the first annular member and the hair styling nozzle.
23. An adapter according to claim 22, wherein the first annular member is detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle via a first complementary rotationally engageable engagement means.
24. A kit comprising:
an adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and
one or more hair styling nozzles engageable with said second engagement means of said adapter. |
HAIR STYLING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for styling the hair of a user engageable with a hair dryer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a universal hair styling device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, hair drying devices have often been formed in a shape which, when hot hair is ejected to the hair of a user, allows for the simultaneous drying and styling of the user's hair, for example, by using a hair brush. Such hair dryers often include an integrally formed nozzle, or alternatively, are provided with one or more hair styling nozzles which are detachably engageable with the outlet of the hair dryer.
Advanced hair styling hair dryers, as those used in hair styling and beauty salons, often have advanced and specific nozzles for particular purposes desired by the user for imparting a particular style or effect to a subject's hair. For example, such specialized nozzles include those for the straightening of hair, those for providing hair with mode body and bounce, and those typically for combing or imparting a wave to the hair of a subject. Such specialized hair drying and styling devices are often costly and require selection of desired styling heads or nozzles which a professional hair stylist considers suitable for use and for clients requirements in a particular hair styling practice.
Consumer hair dryers typically do not include advanced or specialized styling heads or nozzles as those available in the more professional model or sophisticated hair styling and drying apparatus, and the user of such consumer items is limited to the nozzles or styling heads provided by the manufacturer which are suitable for use with such a device. As such, consumer type hair dryers often do not allow for advanced hair styling techniques and methods to be used as those practised by specialist hair stylists in salons having specialized hair styling devices.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair styling device which overcomes or substantially alleviates at least some of the deficiencies exhibited by those of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an adaptor for attachment of a hair styling nozzle to a hair dryer, said adapter comprising:
a generally tubular body having an inlet end, an outlet end and passage extending therebetween;
said inlet end being for receiving air from the air outlet of a hair dryer;
said outlet end being for delivery of air from the hair dryer to the head of a subject; and
a first engagement means located at or adjacent the inlet end of said tubular body, said first engagement means being adjustably engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer;
Preferably the first engagement means is engageable with the exterior of the air outlet portion of the hair dryer. More preferably the engagement means is provided as an adjustable chuck mechanism which is adjustably engageable with air outlet portions of hair dryers of differing sizes.
Advantageously, the chuck mechanism comprises at least three gripping members moveable in a radial direction and a locking ring, wherein upon rotation of the locking ring in a first direction said gripping members are urged radially inwardly so as to engage the adapter with the exterior of the air outlet portion of the hair dryer and maintain engagement, and upon rotation of the locking ring in a second direction opposite the first direction the gripping members are urged radially outwardly so as to release the adapter from the hair dryer. Preferably first engagement means is integrally formed with the tubular body.
The adapter preferably further comprises a second engagement means located at or adjacent the outlet end of said tubular body and being for providing engagement with a hair styling nozzle.
Preferably the second engagement means further comprises a coupler assembly for engaging a hair styling nozzle with said tubular body. Preferably said coupler member is detachably engageable with said outlet end of the adapter and detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle.
The coupler assembly is preferably generally of annular form and upon rotation of said coupler assembly in a first direction the coupler assembly engages with the tubular body, and upon rotation in a second direction the coupler assembly is disengaged from the tubular body.
Preferably the coupler assembly further comprises at first annular member and a second annular member, the first annular member being detachably engageable with the tubular body and with the second annular member, the second annular member being detachably engageable with the first annular member and the hair styling nozzle.
The first annular member is preferably detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle via a first complementary rotationally engageable engagement means. Preferably the complementary engagement means is provided as a bayonet-type mechanism. Preferably the second annular member is detachably engageable with the tubular body via a second complementary rotationally engageable engagement means. The first annular member and a second annular member are preferably detachably engageable via a complimentary engagement means
The adapter is preferably formed from a polymeric material, more preferably a heat resistant polymeric material.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides an adaptor for attachment of a hair styling nozzle to a hair dryer, said adapter comprising:
a generally tubular body having an inlet end, an outlet end and passage extending therebetween;
said inlet end being for receiving air from the air outlet of a hair dryer;
said outlet end being for delivery of air from the hair dryer to the head of a subject;
a first engagement means located at or adjacent the inlet end of said tubular body, said first engagement means being engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer; and
a second engagement means located at or adjacent the outlet end of said tubular body for providing engagement with a hair styling nozzle.
The first engagement means is preferably adjustably engageable with the air outlet portion of a hair dryer Preferably the second engagement means further comprises a coupler assembly for engaging a hair styling nozzle with said tubular body. Preferably said coupler member is detachably engageable with said outlet end of the tubular body and detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle.
Advantageously the coupler assembly is generally of annular form and upon rotation of said coupler assembly in a first direction the coupler assembly engages with the tubular body, and upon rotation in a second direction the coupler assembly is disengaged from the tubular body.
In an embodiment of the present aspect, the coupler assembly may further comprise a first annular member and a second annular member, the first annular member being detachably engageable with the tubular body and with the second annular member, the second annular member being detachably engageable with the first annular member and the hair styling nozzle.
The first annular member is detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle via a first complementary rotationally engageable engagement means.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising:
an adapter according to the first aspect; and
one or more hair styling nozzles engageable with said second engagement means of said adapter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention now will be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention engaged with a first hair styling nozzle;
Figure 1b shows a further perspective view of the adapter as depicted in Figure 1 b;
Figure 1c shows a perspective view of the adapter as depicted in Figure 1a and Figure 1b engaged with a second hair styling nozzle;
Figure 2a shows an exploded perspective view of the adapter as depicted in Figures 1a, 1 b and 1c;
Figure 2b shows a further exploded perspective view of the adapter as depicted in Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 2a; and
Figure 2c shows a further embodiment of a coupler member of the adapter according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description refers to preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings whereby the adapter is illustrated in preferred embodiments. Similar components between the embodiments are identified by the same reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1a and Figure 1 b, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an adaptor 100 for attachment of a hair styling nozzle 200 to a hair dryer. The adaptor 100 comprises a generally tubular body 120 having a passage 110 extending through the body, the passage for receiving the air from a hair dryer such that hair is delivered from the hair dryer through the passage 110 and from the hair styling nozzle 200 to the head and hair of a user.
Figure 1a and Figure 1 b show a first type of a hair styling nozzle 200 which may be used in conjunction with the adaptor 100, and Figure 1c shows a second type of hair styling nozzle which may be used with the adaptor 100. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous types of hair styling nozzles for providing different technical and/or aesthetic effects to the hair of a subject are equally as applicable to be used in conjunction with the adaptor 100 of the present invention.
The adaptor 100 provided by the present invention allows the insertion of the air outlet portions of hair dryers of different sizes and geometries, and allows securement of the adaptor 100 and hence the hair styling head 200 to a hair dryer via a first engagement means 130. The first engagement means 130 is adjustably engageable so as to allow secure engagement of the adaptor 100 with various types of hair dryers, including lower end home type hair dryers and upper end professional styling hair dryers.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the need for being able to interchange various types of hair styling nozzles with the air outlet of a hair dryer, those also appreciating that particular types and models of hair styling nozzles may not be necessarily compatible with all types of hair dryers. Typically, lower end hair dryers such as those used domestically are often sold with one or two types of simple hair styling nozzles typical for home use, whereas upper end hair dryers may be provided with more specialized hair styling nozzles either directly compatible with a hair dryer, or alternatively engageable with a hair dryer via specific adaptor mechanisms for mounting a particular hair styling nozzle to a particular type of hair dryer.
Due to the necessity of the provision of such particular adaptor rings or devices, those skilled in the art will have observed through experimentation the incompatibility of particular hair styling nozzles with particular types or models of hair dryers, thus reducing the flexibility and reducing the interchangeability of such nozzles with different hair dryers.
Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the first engagement means 130 in the exemplary embodiment is in the form of a three jaw chuck mechanism having
equally circumferentially spaced apart gripping members 132 which are urged radially inward upon rotation of a locking ring 134 due to a tooth type complementary arrangement 133 between the gripping members 132 and the locking ring 134. The gripping members are provided with engagement pads 136 typically formed from a rubber-type material so as to provide frictional engagement with the outer surface of the hair dryer whilst also protecting the hair dryer from being damaged from over-tightening.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the chuck type mechanism 130 as depicted in the present embodiment is only one type of first engagement means which may be used to secure the adaptor 100 to a hair dryer, and that numerous alternate mechanisms such as a collet arrangement or the like may be equally as applicable, without departing from the scope of the invention.
A second engagement means 140 is provided at the outlet end 124 of the tubular body 120 for engagement with a hair styling head 200a having a tubular body 120 in the present embodiment. As hair styling nozzles are provided in a variety of sizes and with different coupling means, it is necessary to provide a second engagement means 140 which is adapted to engage such hair styling nozzles 200a with the tubular body 120 irrespective of the size, geometry or engagement mechanisms.
In the present embodiment, the second engagement means is provided in the form of a coupler member 150 which is detachably engageable with the outlet end 124 of the tubular body 120 and also detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle 200a. The coupler member 150 is provided in an annular form to allow the flow of air from a hair dryer to pass therethrough, the coupler member
150 being provided with complimentary bayonet-type mechanisms at each end thereof which allow for releaseable engagement with mating bayonet-type formations of the tubular body 120 and a hair styling nozzle respectively, in the present embodiment. Those skilled in the art will of course appreciate that other alternate engagement means may be provided without departing form the scope of the invention.
Referring now to Figure 2c, a further embodiment of a coupler assembly
150a is provided as a first annular body 152a and a second annular body 154a, the first annular body 152a being detachably engageable with the tubular body 120 via a bayonet-type mechanism 156a, and also being detachably engageable with the second annular member 154a.
The second annular body 154a is detachably engageable with the hair styling nozzle 200a also via a bayonet-type type mechanism 158a. As such, by providing a coupler assembly 150a which is engageable with both the tubular body and the hair styling nozzle 200a, the hair styling nozzle 200a may be attached to the adaptor 100 irrespective of the coupling means particular to the nozzle 200a. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other or alternate coupler assemblies may also be applicable and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
The present invention provides the advantage of enabling the coupling of hair styling nozzles, in particular, specialized styling nozzles having particular technical applications, to be coupled to a hair dryer of a variety of types without the necessity of complex and specific coupling means and without the necessity of compatible hair dryers being used.
It will be appreciated that the adaptor according to the present invention allows the use of a variety of hair styling nozzles with a range of hair dryers, including lower end hair dryers. Further, the present invention allows specialized hair styling nozzles to be used with hair dryers other than those as provided with such nozzles ion some cases, providing the advantage of interchangeability with other hair dryers in the event of failure or discontinuation of a particular type or model of hair dryers. Thus, the present invention provides for universal engagement between a hair dryer and a styling nozzle irrespective of type, model and size of hair dryer and nozzles.
It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments may take alternate forms and include additional features which, when used with the present invention, remain within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and claimed.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
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