CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 12/590,791 for "Hair Styling assembly" filed on November 13, 2009, the full disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, and priority of which is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to hair styling tools, and more particularly to hair rollers that can be heated during a hair styling process.

[0003] In the field of hair styling, it is conventional to roll hair about a plurality of cylindrically-shaped rollers while the hair is damp and then dry the hair while it is still in its rolled state. The object of the process is to obtain a hair style having a fuller appearance and enhanced body.

[0004] Currently, there are two principal methods for rolling and drying hair. The first involves the use of a hairbrush with a hair dryer to brush the hair strands, while lifting the hair and rolling it over the brush head. Another method involves rolling strands of hair on a plurality of cylindrical rollers and allowing the hair to dry either under a hair dryer or while using a blow dryer.

[0005] However, each of these methods has its drawbacks, one of the principal being difficulty in coordinating rolling and blow drying, particularly when not done by a hairdresser. Often times, the result of home styling is less than satisfactory particularly in the back of the head, when a person has to use an additional mirror. A person has to hold a brush in one hand, a blow dryer - in another and also manipulate the mirror for better view of the back of the head. [0006] As to the hair rollers, it is well known that most conventional hair rollers are formed from plastic with no hair bristles, which makes it difficult in achieving "natural" curls and waves. Conventional clips, when left on the hair roller for long periods of time during drying of the hair tend to leave a wave line where the clip compresses the hair. As a result, the task of properly styling hair becomes frustrating and time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a hair roller and hairbrush assembly with a detachable handle, a tool that can be used by a person while styling hair at home to achieve professional results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hair styling tool that can be used to roll and brush hair in one application.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a hair styling assembly that uses a detachable handle with bristled hair rollers.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair styling tool assembly that uses magnets for detachably securing the hair rollers to a handle, one at a time.

[0011] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a hair styling tool assembly that has a means for preventing rotation between the hair roller and the handle when the hair is being rolled on the roller, thereby eliminating twisting of the engaged roller and handle. .

[0012] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a styling tool that can be used by professional hair dressers and non-professional users for styling the hair.

[0013] These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a kit that has a plurality of bristled hair rollers and a detachable handle. Each hair roller comprises a substantially hollow member with an inner cavity, an open proximate end, and a closed distant end. The handle comprises a roller engaging portion and a gripping portion unitary connected to the roller engaging portion, said roller engaging portion having a contact end.

[0014] A roller magnet member is fitted in the distant end of the hair roller and a handle magnet member is fitted in the contact end of the roller engaging portion. The attracting magnets are configured to detachably matingly engage when the roller engaging portion is positioned in the cavity of the hair roller, such as during a hair rolling process.

[0015] The assembly also comprises a means for preventing rotation of the hair roller in relation to the roller engaging portion during a hair rolling process. The rotation prevention means may be in the form of a resilient deformable flexible ring secured on the contact end of the roller engaging portion, or mating keys configured to engage within slots formed in the inner cavity, or alternating ridges and grooves formed on contact surfaces of the roller engaging portion of the handle and on the wall of the inner cavity. [0016] In one embodiment, the rotation preventing means are formed as depressible arms extending from the handle into the cavity and hooking onto an inwardly extending flange in the hair roller. The mating surfaces of the roller engaging portion and the wall defining the inner cavity may be cylindrical, rectangular, conical, or any other desired configuration.

[0017] The assembly can be sold as a kit that has a plurality different size rollers and one or more handles, clips for securing hair rolled on the hair rollers and an instruction sheet. The process of styling hair has the steps of first engaging the handle with one hair roller, rolling a strand of hair on the roller, securing the hair by a clip, disengaging the handle, and then engaging the handle with the next roller. The process of securing the handle to a hair roller, rolling the hair and clipping continues until the user secures the desired number of hair rollers on the head.

[0018] The user then dries the hair using a hair dryer, leaves the hair on the rollers to cool and then removes the hair rollers. The hair is then styled in a desired fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

[0020] Figure 1 is perspective view of the hair roller and handle assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hair styling tool according to the first embodiment of this invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is perspective view of the hair roller and handle assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the hair styling tool according to the second embodiment of this invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is an end view of the hair styling tool according to the second embodiment of this invention.

[0026] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention

[0027] Figure 8 is perspective view of the hair roller and handle assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the hair styling tool according to the third embodiment of this invention.

[0029] Figure 10 is an end view of the hair styling tool of the third embodiment of the invention. [0030] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 12 is a plan perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 13 is a detail plan view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention showing the hair roller engaged with a handle.

[0033] Figure 14 is an exploded view of the hair styling tool of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 15 is a plan view of the hair styling tool of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 16 illustrates various mating members between a conical handle engagement member and conical engagement members of a hair roller.

[0036] Figure 17 illustrates variations in mating profiles of various engagement members.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the hair styling tool or assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention. The assembly 10 comprises a plurality of generally cylindrical hair rollers 12 (only one such hair roller is shown in the drawings) and a handle 14 detachably securable to one hair roller 12 at a time. It will be understood that other hair rollers, with different diameters can be interchangeably secured in place of the hair roller 12 to the handle 14. Such hair rollers have similar construction and therefore reference will be made to a single hair roller 12 illustrated in Figures 1 - 3. A kit containing a plurality of hair rollers, hair clips (not shown) and a handle 14 can be provided according to one aspect of the invention.

[0038] The exterior of the roller 12 carries a plurality of bristles 17. The bristles 17 are designed to provide fuller and higher appearance to the styled hairdo.

[0039] In one aspect, the body of the roller 12 is formed from a heat-conductive material, for instance ceramic having a pre-determined thermal conductivity. As will be described below, the heat capacity of the ceramic material, the ability to absorb heat from a blow dryer plays a role in the operation of the instant hair styling tool. The roller body is provided with a plurality of openings 34 to facilitate air circulation through the roller 12.

[0040] The roller 12 has a first distant end 16 and a second proximate end 18. The distant end 16 is closed by a plate 19 and a hair roller magnet member 20 is fitted in a center thereof. The roller 12 is configured as a generally hollow body defining a substantially cylindrical cavity 21 formed therein. The proximate end 18 is open allowing the handle to be engaged with the hair roller 12 when extending into the cavity 21.

[0041] The handle 14 has a gripping portion 22 and a roller engaging portion 24 fixedly attached to a proximate end 23 of the handle 12. The roller engaging portion 24 is configured to tightly fit within the cavity 21 defined by the hair roller 12. The length of the roller engaging portion 24 is slightly smaller than the length of the roller cavity 21.

[0042] A free end of the roller engaging portion 24 is provided with a circular plate 25 that forms a closed end of the hair roller engaging portion 24. A handle magnet member 30 is fitted in the center of the end plate 25. The hair roller magnet member 20 and of the handle magnet member 30 have opposite polarity configured to magnetically attract the magnet members 20 and 30 while retaining the handle 14 and the hair roller 12 temporarily engaged to each other.

[0043] A resilient flexible ring-shaped insert 32 is positioned on the end plate 25 to facilitate a tight engagement of the handle 14 with the hair roller 12. The insert 32 resembles an O-ring in construction and may be made from a similar flexible deformable resilient material. The ring-shaped insert 32 prevents relative rotation between the hair roller and the roller engaging portion 24 during a hair rolling process.

[0044] In operation, a user selects a hair roller 12 from a plurality of hair rollers having different length and diameter depending on the desired finished style. The user then engages the selected hair roller 12 with the handle 14 by inserting the roller engaging member 24 into the cavity 21 of the hair roller 12. The magnet members 20 and 30 attract causing the handle 14 to be locked with the hair roller 12 while the user rolls her hair on the roller 12. The user then separates a strand of damp hair and lifts the strand of hair using the roller/brush assembly 10, while the handle 14 is engaged with the roller 12. The user then rolls the strand of hair on the hair roller 12, separating the strand of hair into small segments by the bristles 17. The user may then clip the strand of hair rolled on the roller 12 using one of the provided clips (not shown). Once the user is finished with that particular hair roller, the user pulls on the handle 14, overcoming the strength of the magnetic field created between the magnet members 20 and 30. The user then withdraws the roller engaging member 24 from its engagement with the hair roller 12. The user then engages the handle 14 with another roller 12 from the plurality of hair rollers provided in the kit. The user continues the steps of rolling and clipping the hair in the desired section of the head, or over the entire head.

[0045] Once all desired strands of hair have been rolled on the rollers 12 and secured with the clips, the user may use a hair dryer, which can be a hand-held hair dryer for drying the hair. The heat-conductive rollers 12 absorb the heat and transmit the heat to the hair, drying the hair while it is still rolled on the rollers 12.

[0046] In one aspect, the instructions provided in the kit would suggest that the user leave the rollers in the hair until the rollers are cool, which can take 5 - 10 minutes. The user then removes the rollers and brushes the hair into a desired style.

[0047] Turning now to Figures 4 - 7, the second embodiment of the hair styling tool assembly is shown designated by numeral 40. As can be seen in the drawing, the assembly 40 comprises a hair roller 42 and a handle 46. Although not shown, it will be understood that the kit contains a plurality of rollers 42, while reference will be made to a single roller 42. The roller 42 is also provided with a plurality of bristles 41 on its exterior surface and may be provided with a plurality of openings 59 for air circulation. In this embodiment, the roller 42 is provided with a central opening 43 which extends through a larger part of the roller 42. A pair of diametrically opposed transverse grooves 45 and 47 is formed in the central opening 43. The grooves 45 and 47 extend through a larger part of the central opening 43, as shown in Figure 7.

[0048] The handle 46 has a gripping portion 48 and a roller engaging portion 50, which is affixed to the gripping portion 47. A pair of keys 51, 52 is secured on the exterior surface of the roller engaging portion 50. The keys 51, 52 may have rectangular or square cross section. The profile of the keys 51, 52 generally matches the profile of the transverse grooves 45 and 47, respectively.

[0049] The roller 42 is provided with a transverse plate 54 secured transversely to the central opening 43. A roller magnet member 56 is fitted in the center of the transverse plate 54. A proximate end of the roller engaging portion 50 is similarly provided with an end plate 57. A handle magnet member 58 is fitted in a center of the end plate 57. The handle magnet member 58, similarly to the handle magnet member 30 has a different polarity than that of the roller magnet member 56.

[0050] When the user begins the hair rolling process, the user aligns the handle 46 with the hair roller 42 and moves the handle and the hair roller into engagement making sure that the keys 51, 52 are aligned with the transversely grooves 45, 47. The user then inserts the roller engaging portion 50 into the central opening 43 until the attraction of the magnets 56, 58 caused the handle 46 and the hair roller engage. The user then rolls the hair on the hair roller 42 in a manner described above in reference to the tool 10. The keys 51, 52 engaged in the grooves 45, 47 prevent rotation of the hair roller about the roller engaging portion 50.

[0051] Turning now to the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 8 - 11, the hair styling tool assembly is designated generally by numeral 60. The hair styling tool assembly 60 comprises a plurality of hair rollers 62 and a handle 64. The roller engaging portion 66 of this embodiment has a generally square or rectangular cross-section. A similar shape central opening 68 is formed in the hair roller 62. Magnets 67 and 69 are fitted into a contact end 70 of the roller engaging portion 66 and a transverse plate 71 of the roller 62.

[0052] The operation of the hair styling tool 60 is similar in many respects to the operation of the hair styling assemblies 10 and 40. In this embodiment, the rectangular configuration of the roller engagement portion 66 and the central opening 68 prevents rotation of the hair roller 62 about the roller engaging portion 66, while the magnets 67, 69 retain the hair roller 62 in engagement with the handle 64.

[0053] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate still another embodiment of a means for preventing rotation of the hair roller in relation to the handle. In this embodiment, the hair styling tool assembly is designated by numeral 80. The tool 80 comprises a plurality of hair rollers 82 and a detachable handle 84. The roller 82 is formed as a hollow body defining a central cavity 83. The roller has a distant end 84 and a proximate end 86. The distant end 84 is closed by a transverse plate 90. A roller magnet member 91 is fitted into the center of the transverse plate 90.

[0054] The proximate end 86 of the roller 82 is partially closed by a ring-shaped inwardly-extending flange 93, which extends into the interior cavity 83 transversely to a longitudinal axis of the roller 82. The handle 84 comprises a gripping portion 92 and a roller engaging portion 94. A pair of opposing slots 95, 96 is formed in the gripping portion 92. Each slot 95, 96 is configured to receive a spring-loaded depressible locking member 97, 98, respectively.

[0055] Each locking member 97 and 98 comprises a depressible knob 100 secured to a slidable arm 102 unitary, which is configured to slide within the slot 95 or 96. The locking members 97, 98 each further comprises a transverse part 104 secured to a free end of the sslidable 102; the transverse part 104 extends at about a right angle to the slidable arm and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the handle 84. A hook-shaped locking part 106 is attached to the transverse part 104. The hook-shaped locking part 106 is oriented away from the center of the cavity 83, toward the flange 93.

[0056] A compression spring 114 is mounted on each slidable arm of the locking member to normally urge the locking parts 106 away from each other and into engagement with the flange 93. When the handle 84 is engaged with the roller 82, the locking members 97 and 98 are in their extended position and the locking parts 106 engage the inner surface of the flange 93. When the user depresses the knobs 100, against the resistance of the springs 114, the locking parts 106 are moved away from the flange 93, allowing the user to rotate the roller 82 in relation to the handle 84 and withdraw the roller engaging portion 94 from the cavity 83. The retracted position of the locking parts 106 is shown in phantom lines in Figure 8. [0057] As can be seen in Figures 12 and 13, the roller engaging portion 94 is provided with a handle magnet member 106 fitted in the end plate 108 of the roller engaging portion 94. The handle magnet 106 is adapted to engage with the magnet 91 of the hair roller 82 and temporarily retain the hair roller 82 with the handle 84. An insert 110 is provided on the end plate 108 to facilitate tight engagement between the hair roller 82 and the handle 84 during rolling of hair. The hair rolling process when using the tool 80 is similar to the process of hair rolling described above in relation to the hair styling tools 10, 40, and 60.

[0058] Figures 14 and 15 illustrate the fifth embodiment of the hair styling tool of the instant invention designated by numeral 120. The tool assembly 120 comprises a hair roller 122 and a handle 124. A generally frustoconical opening 126 is formed in the body of the roller 122, with a widest part of the conical opening being made in a proximate end 128 of the hair roller 122. A roller magnet 130 is fitted in a transverse plate positioned in the roller 122.

[0059] The interior wall of the hair roller defining the generally conical opening 126 is provided with alternating grooves and ridges. Oppositely matching alternating ridges and grooves are formed on an exterior surface of the roller engaging member 132 of the handle 124. The grooves and ridges of the roller engaging portion 132 are configured to matingly engage with opposing ridges and grooves formed in the interior wall of the roller 122 preventing rotation of the roller 122 in relation to the handle 124.

[0060] A matching handle magnet member 134 is positioned on a proximate end of the roller engaging portion 132. The opposite polarity of the magnets 130, 134 allows the roller 122 to be selectively detachably engaged with the handle 124 during a hair rolling process.

[0061] Figure 16 illustrates various configurations of the frustoconical roller engaging portions that can be used in the tool assembly of the instant invention. In this illustration, different diameters, lengths and cross-sections are used. Each of the roller engaging portions 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e is provided with a magnet 140 fitted in the top of the frustoconical roller- engaging portion. Illustration 16f shows the handle 142 carrying one of the roller engaging portions and engaged with a hair roller 143.

[0062] Figure 17 illustrates various end views of the roller engaging portions designated as 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, and 17f. It will be understood that the openings in the hair rollers will have matching profiles with opposing grooves and ridges to accommodate ridges and grooves of the roller engaging portions. The examples of the locking means geometry shown in Figure 12 are non-exhausting, and those skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations may be employed depending on the manufacturing and style preferences.

[0063] The process of rolling the hair and applying heat is similar to the process described above since the rollers are formed from a heat conducting material having defined thermal capacity. Once the rollers are cooled and the hair is dry the user removes the rollers and styles the hair as desired.

[0064] It is envisioned that the kit containing the rollers, handles (with one of the locking mechanisms discussed above) and magnets, clips and instruction sheet can be made available to both professional hairdressers and individual users. The ease of operation makes the assembly of the instant invention applicable to many conditions. It is also envisioned that the types of bristles, their number and size can be determined by the manufacturer.

[0065] The strength of the magnets can be selected depending on the mass of the hair rollers and the handle. The heavier the rollers and the handle the stronger the attracting magnet members should be in order to securely retain the bristled hair rollers with the handle. It is envisioned that the frustoconical mating members may be substituted by cylindrical members having alternating grooves and ridges, as long as the ridges are wide enough to prevent rotation of the hair roller in relation to the handle during the hair rolling step. As a result twisting of the roller and the handle is prevented, thus increasing reliability and longevity of the hair styling tool.

[0066] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.