US3177868A - Shampooing and massaging device - Google Patents

Description

G. M. WALLACE ETAL 3,177,868

A ril 13, 1965 SHAMPOOING AND MESSAGING DEVICE .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1962 IN VENTORS GRACE Mwuucs, renown". lock: 2? ARTHUR Ala/ 5 A TORNEY April 13, 1965' G. M. WALLACE ETAL 3,177,868

SHAMPOOING AND MESSAGING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1962 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OSCILLIITE INVENTORJ. 6mm: N. Wanna; flommr ATTORNEY United States Patent 0,

3,177,863 SHAMPOOING AND MASSAGING DEVTQE Grace M. Wallace, 860 Sylvan Wood, Troy, Mich, and Dorothy H. Locke and Arthur A. Locke, Algonac, Mich; said Dorothy H. Locke and said Arthur A.

Locke assignors to said Wallace Filed May 17, 1962, Ser. No. 195,547 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-65) This invention relates generally to hair and scalp treating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for performing shampoo, massage and like operations on the hair and scalp, as the application of waving lotion, neutralizing solution, color rinse, dye and the like in a continuous operation without moving the individual from place to place.

Heretofore shampooing, massage and like treatments of the hair and scalp have been carried out manually by beauticians or other professional hairdressers. Further, such applications and treatments of the hair and scalp as conventionally carried out are tiring to the hair dresser and unpleasant to the individual receiving the treatment by reason of the necessary moves from one station to another.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which functions automatically to perform the required operations in sequence and in timed relation, utilizing one operating station with much greater convenience to the operator and with less fatigue to the individual.

Another object of the invention is to provide a helmet adapted to fit over the head and which carries a flexible diaphragm having a plurality of finger elements which are oscillated in a maner similar to human fingers in massaging by a hair dresser and to support the finger elements from the flexible diaphragm within the helmet.

Another object of the invention is to motivate the action of the moving parts and controls by fluid pressure which maybe supplied from a water pressure tap utilized in supplying Water to the hair thus avoiding the use of electricity in motor drive which would be dangerous to the individual.

A further object of the invention is to provide apertures through a portion of the finger elements for admitting certain soaps, dye, bleach or neutralizing solution to the hair and to thereafter apply a rinsing fluid through the same apertures, the former applications having been automatically shut ofi.

' available.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the i several compartments formed by baifies connecting an inner wall with an intermediate wall.

Referring to the drawings the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a specific form of apparatus to providean automatic device operable in sequential timing, although modifications may be made in the device without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The apparatus disclosed comprises a movable pedestal 10 or cabinet for supporting the driving mechanism locat-ed within a casing 12 which also supports soap, dye, neutralizing agents or bleach containers 14; with connections 16 leading to the interior of the casing 12. A vertically adjustable supporting rod 18 i is slidably mounted on the pedestal 10 and is held in a predetermined location by wing nut 20. The rod 13 supports a elmet 22 to be fitted over the head of the individual to receive a treatment in a reclined position on a chair 24 having a neck rest 26 in front of and adjacent the helmet 22. The motive power selected for the controls is herein described as water, it being more economical and readily The inlet conduit 28 leading from a water tap extends through the pedestal 19 to the mechanism within the casing 12, and an outlet 30 extends through the pedestal 19 to outlet conduits 32 and 34 at the lower end of the helmet 22. A control 36 is mounted within the reach of the individual on the chair 24 and is connected through a flexible connection 38 to a valve for controlling the water inlet pressure through conduit 28. This is for the individual to have control of the mechanism to start or stop the mechanism when so desired.

Referring now particularly to PEG. 2, wherein they helmet 22 is more fully illustrated, the helmet 22 is which may be formed integral with the curtain or attached thereto by any preferred means such as cementing. Thus when the helmet is applied, the area surrounding the hairline is completely sealed against'the' exterior A still further object is to provide means for adjusting the timing of the valve mechanism whereby the programing cycle may be predetermined;

Another object is toprovide a vacuum chamber between the helmet and the flexible diaphragm for raising the latter and its flexible fingers from the scalp.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description taken. in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the mechanism illustrating the helmet fitted to the head of an individual and connected for use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the helmet showing its operable parts;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view'diagrammatically illusmodified form of pulsating drive means for the finger 1 movement;

FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the timing of the program selections; and

so as to prevent the leakage of fluid down over the face and shoulders of the individual. I

The helmet 22 is generally semi-globular and larger in diameter than the head of the individual. It includes an inner wall .4 and an intermediate wall 46. These walls are spaced from each other and from the inner surface of the helmet'forming three compartments 48,

59 and 52. The walls "44 and 46 have-their peripheral edges connected to the peripheral edge of the helmet 22 by flexible portions 51.

. as the massaging finger chamber. The wall 44'and wall.

- the inner wall 44.

46 are formed of water proof fiexiblematerial such as sheet rubber and are connected together by spaced radially extending -bafiie' strips 54 and circumferentially extending strips 56 of less resiliency than the walls 44 Y and 46. Apertures 58 are formed through each baffie for admitting water to each of the several compartments formed by the bafiles 54 and 56. An intermittentrpulsatin'g flow or Water pressure causes. the baffles 54 connected tothe inner wall 44 to alternately impart an oscillation to A" plurality of radially extending fingers till integral 7 with the inner surfaceof the inner Wall 44 form-the inas- The compartment 48 will be later referred to as a vacuum chamber, the compartment 5% as a pulsating water chamber, and the compartment 52 I: a? saging fingers which are oscillated in response to the oscillations of each of the inner walls controlled by the oscillating baffles 54 and 5s. There may be one or more fingers integral with each section. When water pressure is applied alternately to either side of the baflles 54 and "56, or when water pressure is applied intermittently to one side only the resiliency of the material in. the balfles and inner wall produces the oscillations.

A portion of the fingers 62, preferably those at the upper front portion of the scalp, are provided with apertures 64 through the inner wall 44 and terminal end of the fingers. Encompassing these'fingers 62 is a wall 66 spaced from and sealed to the inner wall 44, forming a chamber 68 for soap, dye, bleach, or other solutions, and as will later be explained in the'cycle of operation,

. forms a chamber for a rinse liquid supplied to the hair.

The soap and rinse Water are drained through the conduit 34. The intermittent pulsating water is drained through the conduit 32 leading from the compartment 50.

. The helmet 22 is provided with fittings 7t), 72 and 74 'for receiving the liquid pressure supply leading to the chambers 59 and 52, and a fitting 76 for'receiving a connection through whicha vacuum is produced in chamber 48 for liftingthe walls 44 and 46 away from the scalp when the operations are completed. The fittings70 and 72 are for the pulsating fluid pressure supply and are provided'with tubular flexible conduits 78 and 80 leading to diflerent compartments formed by the baflles 54 and 56 betweenthe walls-44 and 45 as shown'in FIG. 6..

secured to the helmet 22 and sealed therewith by a flexible closure member 98. The water inlet passages 82 and 84 communicate with cylinder bores 92 and 94 having their axes substantially at right angles to the axes of the passages 32 and 84. Floating pistons 96 and 98 are receivedin'the cylinder bores 92 and 94-. The pistons project through the open ends of the bores 92 and 94 and have their outer ends in contact with radial projections .100 and 102 secured to the outer space of the wall 44 which carries the fingers 60. When the pistons are alternately reciprocatedby the intermittent fluid pressure through passages 82 and 84, the flexible inner well 44 and the fingers are reciprocated to produce the massaging action.

Each piston is provided with a longitudinal slot in its outer periphery, shown at .104 for draining the water from the cylinder bore when no water pressure is applied and the piston is moved inwardly of the bore while the opposite piston is outwardly moving;

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown diagrammatically a programming of thecontrol mechanism for the apparatus, including thepressure controls.

conduits 114,116 and 118 form a source of water supply to the fluid turbine motor from a water tap. The rotatable motor 112 drives a shaft 129 which is connected to a reducing drive device located in a housing .122.

Rotatable with the shafit are two cams 124 and 126 for.

opening and closing valves 128,and 139 which alternately open and close conduits 132 and 134 leading from the supply conduit 114, through the valves 128 and i to conduits 136 and 138 to'the interior of the helmet 22.

A fluid pressure, turbine motor 112 rotated by a fluid pressure through of soap, dye or bleach through conduit 16%. The two conduits 15S and may be united at their outlet ends into a conduit 162 leading to the fitting 74in the helmet 22. The valve 154- controls a fluid pressure through conduit 164 leading to a venturi device 156 which produces a suction through conduit 168- for the vacuum through fitting '76 in the helmet 22. The valve 155 controls the fluid pressure supply andserves as a means for starting or stopping the entire mechanism. The control 36 can be used by the operator to further the fluid pressure flow to the entire merchanism. The drain fluid is through conduits 32, 34, 170 and 172 to an outlet 174.

The cams 124,125, 142, 144, 146 and 148 have high and low peripheral portions arranged in predetermined sequence so that the timing of the control valves 12%, 139, 159, 152, 154 and 156 for obtaining the timing and sequence of operation, as shown'in FIG. 5. The shaft 120 is driven at a speed much greater than the speed of the shaft, 144) to produce many alternate pulsations of the fluid through conduits 136 and 138, as compared to a single revolution of the shaft 140 during a complete cycle of operation. The numerals in FIG. 6 designate minutes for the sequence of operation of a selected program timing.

In FIG. 4 there is illustrated a mechanism for obtaining three different programming treatments. Here the shaft Mills provided with three groups of three cams each in side by side relation, A, B, C; A, B, C and A", B", C"; each cam having a different predetermined peripheral surface to actuate the valves for controlling the flow of fluid pressure. The valve 150, 152 and 154' are supported by a plate 176 which is secured to a slidable tube 178 mounted on a rod 180 so that the valves can be moved longitudinally with respect to the axis of the shaft 14 thus moving the valves directly beneath the cams A, A, A; B, B, B"; or the cams C, C, C" in radial alignment with the valve operating mechanism. A control arm 182 is secured to the tube 178 and is movable in a horizontal slot 18 and vertical slots 1% in a vertical plate 188 mounted on a support 190 which also supports therod 18:1. Thus, by moving the arm 182 from one of the vertical slots 18:; to another, a select-ion may be made as to which of the cams operate the valves, either by the cams A, A, A"; 'B, B B or C, C, C.

In operation the beautician properly adjusts the helmet 22 over the individuals head with the seal in close fitting relation with the neck and face of the individual. to receive the treatment in liquid proof relation whereby there is through fittings 7t and 72. The drive shaft 120, through 1 reduction gearing, drives a shaft litl ata reduced speed.

Cams 142, 144,146 and 148 are fixed tothe shaft"14il to rotate therewith andforoperating fluid pressure valves 150, 152, 154' and 156. The valve 159 regulates the flow .of fluid pressure through conduit 158 leading from the conduit 116 for the rinse fluid. There is provided a temj perature regulating valve'T in the conduit 158 to control no leak between the helmet and th'e'neck or face. A selection of camsis made for the desired programming by adjusting the rod 182 to one of the slots 186. The control as is moved to a'position to permit a fluid flow through the conduits 11%, 116 and 114, and the valve 156 opened to permit a fluid flow to the motor 112. The cams 124:.and 126 alternately open and close the valves 128 and 130 providing a pulsating fluid tiow through conduits 136 and 138. As before explained, this alternate pulsating flow causes the fingers 6t and 62 to move in a shampooing or massaging motion to the hair. At the same time the cam 142, operating at a reduced speed, opens'the valve 15%) to supply the hair with liquid. The valve 150 is then closed and the valve 152 opens admitting soap or other solution to the hair. a rinse fluid to the hair which also removes the'residual soap in the conduit 162. After'the duration of the time solution the valve' 154- is opened admitting a suction through the fitting 76 lifting the massaging fingers away from the scalp and hair. The valve 156 closes and the shampooing cycle is completed, it being understood that the cycle can be stoppedat any time by closing the manually' operable valve 36.

used to produce the timedprogramming applications of It will be understood that various shaped cams may be fiuid or vacuum tothe flexible Walls within the helmet 22,

and while it has been illustrated and described in connec:

tion with a specific mechanism, the invention is not neces sarily limited to such a design, as'1nauy changes including The valve 159 is opened to admit the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made, and it is not our intention to limit its scope other than by a reasonable interpretation of the meaning of the terms in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for use in applying treatment to the human head, comprising a helmet adapted to be fitted onto the head and to substantially cover the scalp area when so fitted, an inner flexible Wall secured to the open edge of said helmet, a plurality of fingers projecting from the inner surface of said wall, an intermediate flexible wall secured to the open edge of said helmet providing a first fluid chamber between said inner wall and said intermediate wall and a second chamber between said intermediate wall and the inner surface of said helmet, flexible operated baflles connecting said intermediate wall with said inner Wall, two fluid inlet connections to said rst named chamber, means for supplying an intermittent alternate fluid pressure through said fluid inlets to said first named chamber for moving said inner flexible wal and said fingers, a portion of said inner flexible wall having apertures therethrough and through said fingers opposite the apertures, a wall surrounding the apertures to isolate them from said first named chamber, a fluid passage extending through said helmet for admitting fluid to the apertures through said fingers, and a suction passage extending through said helmet connecting with the chamber between said helmet and said intermediate wall.

2. An apparatus for use in applying treatment to the human head, comprising a helmet adapted to be fitted onto the head and to substantially cover the scalp area when so fitted, an inner flexible wall secured to the open edge of said helmet, said inner wall being spaced from the inner surface of said helmet, a plurality of fingers projecting from the inner surface of said inner wall, two fluid pressure inlet fittings connected to said helmet for supplying a fluid pressure between said helmet and said inner flexible wall, flexible baffle plates connected to said inner wall between said two fluid pressure inlet fittings, and valve means for alternately shutting off the fluid flow through said two fluid pressure flow inlet fittings.

3. An apparatus for use in applying treatment to the human head, comprising a helmet adapted to be fitted onto the head and to substantially cover the scalp area when so fitted, an inner flexible wall secured to the open edge of said helmet, said inner wall being spaced from the inner surface or" said helmet, a plurality of fingers projecting from the inner face or" said inner wall, a portion of said fingers having apertures therethrough and through said Wall, a wall forming a chamber isolating said apertured fingers from the space between said inner wall and said helmet, a fluid flow fitting leading to the isolated chamber, two fluid pressure inlet fittings connected to said helmet for supplying a fluid pressure between said helmet and said inner flexible wail, baffle plates connected to said inner wall and between said two fluid pressure inlet fittings, and valve means for alternately opening and closing said two fluid pressure inlet fittings leading to the space between said helmet and said inner flexible wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,634,873 7/27 Homan 128-64 2,897,952 11/37 Lohr 1-28-65 X 2,566,600 9/51 Colon 128-65 X 2,856,918 10/58 Ifingery et al. 132-9 X 3,044,473 7/62 Cover 132-9 FOREIGN PATENTS 262,520 12/26 Great Britain.

RiCI-IARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 2. AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN APPLYING TREATMENT TO THE HUMAN HEAD, COMPRISING A HELMET ADAPTED TO BE FITTED ONTO THE HEAD AND TO SUBSTANTIALLY COVER THE SCALP AREA WHEN SO FITTED, AN INNER FLEXIBLE WALL SECURED TO THE OPEN EDGE OF SAID HELMET, SAID INNER WALL BEING SPACED FROM THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID HELMET, A PLURALITY OF FINGERS PROJECTING FROM THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID INER WALL, TWO FLUID PRESSURE INLET FITTINGS CONNECTED TO SAID HELMET FOR SUPPLYING A FLUID PRESSURE BETWEEN SAID HELMET AND SAID INNER FLEXIBLE WALL, FLEXIBLE BAFFLE PLATES CONNECTED TO SAID INNNER WALL BETWEEN SAID TWO FLUID PRESSURE INLET FITTINGS, AND VALVE MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY SHUTTING OFF THE FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID TWO FLUID PRESSURE FLOW INLET FITTINGS.

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