CN111248594B - Accessories for handheld devices - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory, comprising: a housing having an air inlet for receiving an air flow from a hair styling apparatus; a hair engagement member supported by the housing; an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engagement member and shaped to direct air over an outer surface of the hair engagement member; and an air flow guiding device extending over an outer surface of the hair engagement member, wherein the air flow guiding device comprises a further air flow outlet.

Description

Accessories for handheld devices

technical field

The present invention relates to an accessory for a handheld device, in particular a hair care device such as a hot air styling device.

Background technique

In conventional hot air styling devices, air is drawn into the inlet by a fan unit and directed towards the hair through the attachment or head. Depending on the desired styling, the air can be heated or unheated. Attachments often include a mane, over which the hair is wrapped and held for styling. Air is blown out of the attachment generally normal to the longitudinal surface of the attachment.

Contents of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an accessory for a hair styling appliance comprising: a housing having an air inlet for receiving an airflow from the hair styling appliance; a hair engaging member supported by the housing; an outlet positioned between the housing and the hair engaging member and shaped to direct air on the outer surface of the hair engaging member; and an airflow guide extending on the outer surface of the hair engaging member, wherein the airflow guide comprises another airflow exit. Preferably, the airflow outlet is defined by the sides of the hair engaging member and the side walls of the housing.

Preferably, the hair engaging member has a first side and a second side, the airflow outlet being arranged on the first side and the other airflow outlet being arranged on the second side. Airflow from the other airflow outlet draws air leaving the airflow outlet towards the outer surface of the hair engaging member and attachment. It increases the Coanda effect on the outer surface and this helps dry the hair and smooth and align the follicles.

The hair engaging member is preferably elongate in shape and the airflow outlet extends substantially the length of the hair engaging member.

Preferably, the air flow directing means comprises a series of ribs. Each rib in a series of ribs is preferably positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween. Each rib of the series of ribs preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the hair engaging member. Preferably, the ribs in the series of ribs have a uniform rib width. Each channel in a series of ribs preferably has a uniform channel width, and the channel width is preferably greater than the width of the rib. In a preferred embodiment, the width of each channel is in the range of 2mm to 4mm.

Advantageously, the channels between adjacent ribs serve to direct the airflow over the surface of the movable member, so that even parallel airflows blow along the user's hair.

Preferably, the further gas flow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated holes. Preferably, the further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated holes, and each of the plurality of holes is housed within the rib.

Preferably, each rib includes an end wall adjacent to the gas flow outlet. Preferably, the end walls are perpendicular to the length of the hair engaging member. Preferably, each of the plurality of holes is located within the end wall of the rib.

Preferably, the hair engaging member is movable relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engaging member comprises first and second airflow outlets and first and second further airflow outlets, whereby air can flow in either direction along the hair engaging member.

The hair engaging member is adapted to move relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein, when the hair engaging member is in the first position, a first airflow outlet is formed between the housing and the hair engaging member; a second airflow outlet spaced from the first airflow outlet is formed between the housing and the hair engaging member when the hair engaging member is in the second position; and wherein the first airflow outlet is open when the hair engaging member is in the first position Whereas the second airflow outlet is closed; and when the hair engaging member is in the second position, the first airflow outlet is closed and the second airflow outlet is open. Likewise, when the hair engaging member is in one position, the first further airflow outlet is open and the second further airflow outlet is closed; and when the hair engaging member is in the other position, the first further airflow outlet is closed and the second further airflow outlet is closed. of the air outlet is open.

Preferably, each rib has a first end wall adjacent the first airflow outlet and a second end wall adjacent the second airflow outlet. Preferably, the first end wall and the second end wall each comprise one of a first further airflow outlet and a second further airflow outlet. The first end wall includes a first additional airflow outlet and the second end wall includes a second additional airflow outlet.

When the first airflow outlet is open, the hair engaging member is in the first position and the first end wall is recessed into the housing and the first further airflow outlet is also recessed into the housing. In this position, the second further airflow outlet is exposed and air flows through the first airflow outlet and the second further airflow outlet. Conversely, when the second airflow outlet is open, the hair engaging member is in the second position and the second end wall is recessed into the housing and the second further airflow outlet is also recessed into the housing. In this position, the first further airflow outlet is exposed and air flows through the second airflow outlet and the first further airflow outlet.

In fact, when the bristles are under tension, for example by pulling the hair, one of each and the other airflow outlet opens and the other of each and the other airflow outlet closes.

First and second further airflow outlets are provided to facilitate adhesion of air to the outer surface of the hair engaging member using the Coanda effect over the entire length of the hair engaging member. The first and second additional airflow outlets offer the further advantage that they reduce the pressure inside the accessory, thus reducing the noise generated by the exhausted air.

The hair engaging member is preferably adapted for rocking movement relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engaging member is pivotally supported within the housing through a central axis of the hair engaging member. Preferably, the hair engaging member is pivotally supported by a pivot pin mounting the hair engaging member within the housing. The hair engaging member preferably has an angle of movement in the range of 5° to 30°.

Preferably, the hair engaging member is moved to the first position when the accessory is pulled through the user's hair in a first direction, and when the accessory is pulled through the user's hair in a second direction opposite the first direction , the hair engaging member moves to the second position.

Preferably, each of the first and second airflow outlets is defined by a respective side of the hair engaging member and a respective portion of the housing. Each of the first airflow outlet and the second airflow outlet is preferably slot-shaped. Preferably, the hair engaging member has an elongated form and each of the first air flow outlet and the second air flow outlet preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engaging member.

Preferably, the housing includes an inner wall and the ledge of the inner wall forms part of the outer surface adjacent the hair engaging member. In the first configuration of the accessory, the hair engaging member is preferably in a first position, which defines a first airflow outlet with the ledge. In the second configuration of the accessory, the hair engaging member is preferably in a second position defining a further airflow outlet with the housing.

Furthermore, the accessory preferably moves between the first configuration and the second configuration under the action of an over-centre mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the over-center mechanism is a torsion spring connected between the first hair engaging member and the second hair engaging member. The biasing function of the torsion spring can be achieved in a number of alternative ways. For example, magnetic latches or weighted movable members or integrated ball bearings in a detent mechanism could be used.

Advantages are found in an eccentric mechanism for the movement of the movable member, which is used to bias the movement of the movable member in a direction opposite to the current orientation of the movable member, thereby ensuring that the movable member can be in the opposite direction Incline up without hindrance.

The term "airflow directing means" refers to vanes, baffles, ribs or any other arrangement that directs airflow along an airflow path.

In a preferred embodiment the internal air flow guiding means comprises a plurality of vanes. The internal air flow directing means preferably comprises a plurality of housing vanes connected to the housing. Additionally, the plurality of housing vanes includes: a first series of housing vanes located on the first side wall of the housing adjacent to the first airflow outlet; and a second series of housing vanes located on the second side of the housing. On the side wall and adjacent to the second air outlet. Preferably, each vane of the first series of housing vanes is oriented approximately perpendicular to an edge of the first side wall of the housing defining the first gas flow outlet, and each vane of the second series of housing vanes is oriented to be approximately perpendicular to the edge of the second side wall of the housing defining the second airflow outlet. Preferably, the vanes in the first series of housing vanes and the second series of housing vanes are approximately evenly spaced.

The hair engaging member preferably has an elongated form, and each of the first airflow outlet and the second airflow outlet preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engaging member.

Advantageously, turbulence is minimized within the attachment and thus reduces the audible volume of the hot air styling device with the attachment in use.

Preferably, the outer surface of the hair engaging member has a generally arcuate profile perpendicular to the length of the hair engaging member.

Preferably, the housing includes an array of bristles protruding from the outer surface of the housing. The array preferably comprises bristles arranged in parallel rows. Each bristle preferably has a bristle bulb at a distal end.

Features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to every other aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Description of drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the accessory;

Figure 2 is a side view of the accessory;

Figure 3a is a sectional view of the accessory;

Figure 3b is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 3a;

Figure 4 is another sectional view of the accessory;

5 is a side view of an example of a hot air styling appliance to which an accessory may be connected.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 is the appearance of the accessory 10 . Attachment 10 includes an air inlet 12 for receiving airflow from the air outlet port of a hot air styling device or similar device. Referring also to Figures 2, 3a, 3b and 4, an air inlet 12 is defined by a housing 44, the air inlet 12 being generally circular in shape to enable an airtight connection with the generally annular outlet end of the hot air styling device. The annular collar portion 14 forms a smooth edge from the outer surface of the hot air styling device to the housing 44 of the attachment 10 .

The accessory includes hair engaging means for engaging hair during use of the hot air styling device. The hair engaging member includes a movable member and a set of bristles supported by the movable member. In this example, the movable member 16 is elongate in form. The first end of the movable member is positioned towards the air inlet end of the accessory 10 and the second end of the movable member is positioned towards the distal end of the accessory 10 . Movable member 16 is located in housing 44 and is supported by fixed plate 62 at the distal end of the attachment for movement relative to the housing. End 24 is located at the distal end of the attachment and houses the kinematic mechanism for moving the movable member relative to the housing.

The movable member has a curved outer surface. A plurality of parallel ribs 30 are located on the outer surface, and the ribs 30 extend perpendicular to the length of the movable member. Two adjacent ribs 30 form a channel 32 between them. The overall area of the rib 30 on each movable member has a rectangular shape surrounded by a smooth peripheral surface. Each rib 30 supports a corresponding row of bristles 20 .

In this embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is preferably equal to or less than the height of the rib 30 . In an alternative embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is wider than the width of the rib 30 .

The movable member 16 has a first side 34 adjacent to the first side wall 40 of the housing 44 and a second side 46 adjacent to the side wall 42 of the housing 44. The housing 44 is provided with a channel 90 and an inner wall 54 between which the channel 90 serves as an insulating cold wall cavity. An inner support 52 is provided and is also attached to the base 53 of the inner wall 54. A series of side vanes 56 are positioned internally on each side wall 40 , 42 of the housing 44 . The side vanes 56 help direct the flow from the inlet 12 (where the flow is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment) to a vertical direction for exit from any airflow outlets.

With further reference to FIG. 3 a , the components located at the distal end of the accessory 10 are primarily used to enable the pivot mechanism to move the movable member 16 relative to the housing 44 . Specifically, a pivot pin 58 extends from an end face of the movable member's second end 38 . The pivot pin 58 enters a fixed plate 62 that is attached to the end 24 via an arm 68 that extends from the housing 44 through a hole 66 in the fixed plate 62 . The movement angle of the movable member is in the range of 5° to 30°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of movement is 12°.

A torsion spring pin (not shown) is located within the end 24 and acts as an over-center mechanism between the stable first position and the stable second position, thereby ensuring that the movable member 16 can move between the stable first position and the stable second position. Tilt between them without hindrance. This feature will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and is further described in published UK patent application number GB2548822A.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the accessory 10 shown from the air inlet port 12 . The collar 14 has four regularly spaced protrusions 84 which form a snap fit feature by which the accessory 10 fits onto the hot air styling device.

The "seesaw motion" of the movable member will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 . Figure 4 shows a sectional view through the attachment when the movable member is in a first configuration relative to the housing. In use, the action of the user pulling the attachment through the hair creates tension in the bristles 20 in opposite directions. Thus, tension in the bristles is present in the movable member, which moves according to the direction of the tension such that during use of the accessory 10 the movable member adopts either the first configuration or the second configuration.

FIG. 4 shows the position of the movable member in the first configuration when the accessory 10 is moved through the hair of a user in a left-to-right direction as indicated by arrow 88 in use. The movable member 16 is in the first position relative to the housing 44 . The inner wall 54 includes a ledge 54a that extends beyond the housing 44 to form a portion of the outer surface of the accessory at each of the first side 34 and the second side 46 of the movable member. At the airflow outlet, on the first side 34 of the movable member, the inner side 34a of the first movable member 16 is located below and vertically overlaps the ledge 54a. Between the ledge 54a and the inner side surface 34a of the first movable member 16, a first air outlet 94 is formed.

At the second side 46 of the movable member, the ledge 54b is in flush, air-tight contact with the movable member. However, another airflow outlet 95 is provided, which is formed in the end wall 30a of the plurality of ribs 30 . This other airflow outlet 95 coincides with the ledge 54 b and enables air to be discharged from a plurality of holes formed in each rib 30 to form the other airflow outlet 95 . Air from the airflow outlet 94 and the other airflow outlet 95 flows in the same direction as indicated by the arrow 78 .

The function of the side vanes 56 is to direct the airflow towards the open outside air outlet 94 . When the movable member is in the first configuration, the airflow channel 96 is an internal channel, but when the movable member is in the second position, the internal channel becomes another airflow outlet. Although it is an internal channel 96 through which some air may flow, the curvature of the movable member 16 encourages the air to adhere to this external surface, so any negative impact in the form of recirculation, for example, is minimal.

When the direction of the user's brushing action is reversed and likewise the direction of the tension in the bristles 20 is reversed, then the movable member moves to its opposite position. In this case, the airflow outlet 94 is blocked by the movement of the movable member 16, and the second airflow outlet opens the adjacent ledge 54b. Another airflow outlet 95 becomes an internal channel similar to the internal channel 96, which also becomes a second another airflow outlet. The movable member 16 is a mirror image of that shown in the figure in this alternative configuration.

In use, the attachment 10 is connected to the airflow outlet port of the hot air styling device. Air flow from the hot air styling device enters the attachment 10 through the air inlet 12 .

Ambient airflow is drawn into this surface airflow due to the size of the airflow outlets and the profile of each movable member. Thus, the airflow through the channel 32 and along the length of the user's hair is enhanced by the ambient airflow. Furthermore, the form and size of the channels 32 enhance flow attachment as the airflow moves over the surface of the movable member.

Referring to Figure 4, when the accessory 10 is in use moving in the left to right direction indicated by arrow 88 at the top of the figure, then the airflow over the surface of each movable member is in the opposite direction, as indicated by the smaller airflow arrows. Show. When the direction of use of the accessory 10 is reversed, the direction of the airflow over the entire surface of each movable member is also reversed.

The bristles 20 for attachment are formed in rows. The base ends of the bristles 20 (located near the movable member 16) are wider than near the top ends 102 of the bristles (the bristle bulbs 99 serve as their tops). The cross-section through the bristles 20 is circular. In a preferred embodiment, the bristles 20 are bendable and may be about 15 mm in length. The bristles 20 may be formed with or without bristle bulbs 99 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , the upper surface of each movable member has an arc shape, and thus, the ribs 30 are described as the same arc shape. Thus, the vertical alignment of bristles 20 held within a single rib 30 is not parallel.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a hot air styling device 104 to which the accessory 10 may be connected. The hot air styling device includes a generally tubular handle 106 having an air inlet 108 and an air outlet 110 at opposite ends. At the air inlet end of the handle, an array of holes extending around and partially along the handle 106 provides an air inlet 108 . The fan unit within the handle 106 includes a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and air is drawn through the air inlet along an air flow path extending through the length of the handle 106 . The air is optionally heated by a heater before exiting the hot air styling device at air outlet 110 .

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the biasing function of the torsion spring can be achieved in a number of alternative ways. For example, magnetic latches or weighted movable members or integrated ball bearings in a detent mechanism could be used.

The attachment may be made of any suitable heat resistant material, and in a preferred embodiment the housing and movable member are made of glass filled nylon. The maximum preferred operating temperature for such an accessory connected to a hot air styling unit is approximately 130°C.

In the present example of the accessory 10, five rows of bristles 20 are shown on the movable member as shown in the figures. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of rows of bristles on each movable member may be greater or less than five. In particular, advantages have been found in attachments without bristles, so that the user can benefit from the hair smoothing action of the airflow path without the harsher action of bristles passing through the hair. Alternatively, the bristles 20 may be positioned on the outer housing portion 44 instead of or in addition to the bristles 20 on each movable member. Furthermore, embodiments having more than one movable member may not have bristles on each movable member.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

1. An accessory for a hair styling device, comprising: a housing having an air inlet for receiving airflow from the hair styling appliance; a hair engaging member supported by the housing; an airflow outlet located between the housing and the hair engaging member and shaped to direct air over the outer surface of the hair engaging member; and airflow directing means extending over the outer surface of the hair engaging member, wherein, The airflow guiding device includes another airflow outlet, Wherein, the airflow guiding means comprises a series of ribs, Wherein, the other airflow outlet includes a plurality of isolated holes, and each of the plurality of holes is accommodated in the rib. 2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the hair engaging member is elongate in shape and the airflow outlet extends the length of the hair engaging member. 3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each rib of the series of ribs is positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween. 4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein each rib of the series of ribs extends perpendicular to the length of the hair engaging member. 5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an end wall adjacent the airflow outlet. 6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the end wall is perpendicular to the length of the hair engaging member. 7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of holes is located in an end wall of the rib. 8. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hair engaging member is movable relative to the housing. 9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the hair engaging member is movable between a first position and a second position, the housing includes an outer housing part and an inner housing part, and the inner housing part A ledge is located between the hair engaging members. 10. An accessory according to claim 8, comprising a further airflow outlet between the housing and a further hair engaging member, and wherein the further airflow outlet is shaped to guide air on the outer surface.

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