HOLDING CLAMP FOR A HAIR CURLER

The invention relates to a holding clamp for a hair curler according to the features of the preamble of Claim 1.

This type of holding clamp is known from EP0511892B1, Fig. Ic, indicated by "p." The disadvantage here is that this holding clamp, constrained by its design, has a relatively rigid effect on a portion of a jacket area of the curler and thus places significant pressure on a strand of hair on the curler, which then causes disadvantageous pressure points in the strand of hair and therefore can result in a poor treatment result.

Thus, the object of the invention is to obtain a generically equivalent holding clamp, which does not have the aforementioned disadvantage, enables simple handling, and can be produced economically.

The object is achieved according to the features of the distinguishing component of Claim 1. Additional advantageous developments of the invention result from the sub-claims.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments.

The following is shown:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a holding clamp with a pressure spring device;

Fig. 2 shows a view from below of the holding clamp according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the holding clamp according to Fig. 1, but connected to a curler; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the holding clamp according to Fig. 3, but connected to a rolled up strand of hair;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the holding clamp according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a holding clamp similar to Fig. 3, but with a first and a second clamping element; Fig. 7 shows a top view of the holding clamp according to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the curler according to Fig. 7; and

Figs. 1 through 5 show, in a first exemplary embodiment, a holding clamp 1 for a curler 2 to hold a strand of hair 3 rolled up on the curler 2, wherein the clamp 1 has an elastic spring hook 6, 7 at each of the two ends 4, 5, and both of the hooks, each having an edge 8, 9, can be snapped in at both ends 10, 11 of the curler 2. The holding clamp 1 has a pressure spring device 12 between both hooks 6, 7; the pressure spring device induces a spring force F to at least a portion of a jacket area 13 of the curler 2. At least one injection molded leaf spring 14 is provided as a pressure spring device 12.

A center handle 21 is arranged on the curler 2 for placement of the holding clamp 1. In this case, the holding clamp 1 is placed onto one side of the curler 2 and then connected to the curler 2 with a light application of pressure on the handle 21 to snap it into place using the elastic spring hooks 6, 7. Simultaneously, the injection molded leaf spring 14 is deformed so that it can be placed at the contours of the jacket area 13 with a gentle amount of pressure thus preventing the loosening of the rolled up strand of hair 3. This enables a secure hold not only with curlers 2 with extremely curvy contours but also with a strongly cylindrical jacket area, whereby the holding clamp 1 can be used universally. In addition, despite the holding clamp 1, creamy hair treatment products can be applied to the hair strands 3 very easily with an application tool.

There is a catch 22, 23, facing the outside, in the immediate vicinity of both hooks 6, 7, wherein one of the catches 22, 23 is released towards the top via a light amount of manual pressure and can then be removed to facilitate removal of the holding clamp 1 from the curler 2.

The holding clamp 1 is manufactured, together with the pressure spring device 12 and/or the leaf spring 14, as a single piece, particularly from plastic.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the holding clamp 1 and the curler 2 with a rolled up strand of hair 3, wherein, in this case (and in Fig. 3), the effective spring force F is shown on the rolled up strand of hair 3.

In a second exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 6 through 8, the holding clamp 1 has a first and a second clamping element 15, 16, which enclose, in a spring-loaded fashion, at

least a portion of the circumference 17 of the curler 2 and are arranged in the vicinity of both hooks 6, 7, whereby the hold function is further optimized.

The curlers 2, as a set, have different diameters D. Thus, for example, seven different sets of curlers 2 with different, staggered diameters D (for example 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8 in (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mm)) with the same length L (for example 2.8 in (70 mm)) of the curler 2 can be provided.

The curler 2 is substantially designed as a hollow cylinder 18.

Reference list:

1 Holding clamp

2 Curler

3 Strand of hair

4 First clamp end

5 Second clamp end

6 First hook

7 Second hook

8 First edge

9 Second edge

10 First end/curler 2

11 Second end/curler 2

12 Pressure spring device

13 Jacket area

14 Leaf spring

15 First clamping element

16 Second clamping element

17 Circumference/curler 2

18 Hollow cylinder

21 Handle

22 Catch

23 Catch

D Diameter F Spring force L Length

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".