US20080066775A1

US20080066775A1 - Fa-sho curler

Info

Publication number: US20080066775A1
Application number: US11/524,579
Authority: US
Inventors: Cedric L. Mason
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-20
Filing date: 2006-09-20
Publication date: 2008-03-20

Abstract

Fa-Sho Curlier is a curling iron with an electronically activated rod that rotates to curl hair. To use Fa-Sho Curler, the consumer would plug in the iron and allow the device to heat up as with any traditional curling iron. The individual would then utilize the lever to activate the clamp and insert the desired section of hair into the clamp as with any traditional curling iron. The rotating motion of the curling rod would then be activated by means of the power button and/or directional buttons on the iron. When the desired curl was completed, the power button would be used to stop the curling action and the lever could then be used to remove the curled section of hair.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Patent applications or any foreign patent applications.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the hair care industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of electric hair curlers.

BACKGROUND

The cosmetic and personal hygiene industries create billions of dollars in revenue in the United States. Millions of people across the United States spend enormous amounts of time and energy working on their exterior appearance. Many people consume over an hour every morning showering, dressing, and grooming for the day. Women may use more time to in preparing themselves due to complex hairstyles and cosmetic application.
A woman's hairstyle is especially important, as it is often one of the first things a stranger or acquaintance notices. For this reason, women use a variety of hair styling tools to help create the perfect style. Some of these tools include brushes, hair dryers, hair sprays, gels and dyes as well as other hair accessories.
Curling irons are one of the most popular hair styling tools. Adding curls to a person's hair not only changes the style, but can also add body to the hair. Curling irons are available in a variety of different rod diameters in order to allow different curl sizes to be created. To use a traditional curling iron, an individual places a group of hair strands under the securing bar and then begins winding the rod in order to cause the remaining portion of hair to wrap around it. The manner in which the rod is wound as well as the size and shape of the rod determines the shape of the curl.
The winding action associated with traditional curling irons can be somewhat strenuous on a person's muscles. This is especially true for professional hair stylists who may have to use the curling iron for several clients during the course of the day. The repetitive action can cause muscles and tendons in the hand and forearm to ache, thus preventing the individual from working as quickly and efficiently as he or she otherwise might.
Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient, inexpensive and effective device for automatically winding the hair on a curling iron to avoid muscle fatigue associated with repeated manual curling of the hair.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Fa-Sho Curlier is a curling iron with an electronically activated rod that rotates to curl hair.
The principal object of this invention is to provide a device that can be used to automatically curl hair without the need for the user to constantly turn the device.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can be easily used by hair stylists and non-professionals.
Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for automatically curling hair.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can prevent the fatigue and muscle strain associated with manually curling one's hair.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device that can create consistently sized and shaped curls in hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Fa-Sho Curler is comprised of at least some of the following: a rotating curling rod, gripping arm (clamp) with a lever and a handle containing electronic components.
FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the top of the handle partially cut away to reveal the contents of the interior. A curling rod 1 that is capable of rotating has a gripping arm (clamp) 2 operated by a lever 3. The lever 3 is attached to the curling rod via pivots 4 that permit the gripping arm 2 to either press against the curling rod 1 or lift away from the curling rod 1. In this preferred embodiment, the curling rod 1 attaches to a handle 5. Within the handle 5, a motor 6 is connected to a shaft 7 that rotates. The shaft 7 turns a bushing 8 connected to the curling rod 1 that permits the curling rod 1 to rotate. A power button 9 and two directional buttons 10 are located on the handle 5 to start and stop and control the rotating action of the curling rod 1. The directional buttons 10 permit a user to either rotate the curling rod 1 in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. At the bottom of the handle 5, a cord 11 with a plug 12 permits the unit to be plugged into a standard wall socket for power. Obviously, the preferred embodiment of the present invention necessarily includes the heating element (not pictured) and other electronic components of a standard curling iron as well.
The curling rod 1 would be available in a multitude of sizes to suit different size curls, however, the preferred embodiment would be approximately one inch in diameter. The curling rod 1 would be approximately six inches in length and the handle 5 would also be approximately six inches in length. The handle 5 would be made of plastic or rubber though a variety of materials could also be utilized. The curling rod 1 would preferably be made of a durable ceramic though other materials are also possible. The cord 11 ideally would be approximately nine feet long and insulated though other sizes are also appropriate.
To use Fa-Sho Curler, the consumer would plug in the device and allow it to heat up as with any traditional curling iron. The individual would then utilize the lever to activate the clamp and insert the desired section of hair into the clamp as with any traditional curling iron. The rotating motion of the curling rod would then be activated by means of the power button and directional buttons on the iron. When the desired curl was completed, the power button would then be used to stop the curling action and the lever could then be used to remove the curled section of hair.
The materials utilized for Fa-Sho Curler may vary widely but will likely include metals, plastic and electrical components. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.
The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.
The plastic components of Fa-Sho Curler can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.
All electronic components of the invention will also be ideally selected from those currently having the highest industry ratings. These components will also meet and/or exceed all safety and usage regulations. Wiring and associated connecting hardware should be insulated and otherwise protected from intrusion by any harmful or degrading elements, including water, medium level temperatures, and low to medium impact force.
It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color. It should further be obvious that alternative power sources such as batteries could be used to operate the motor of the present invention.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A hair-styling device comprising:

(a) a rotating curling rod connected to a handle and having a gripping arm;

(b) a motor operatively connected to the rotating curling rod;

(c) a cord with a plug to provide power to the motor.

(d) a power button oierable to start and stop the rotation of the curling rod: and

(e) at least two directional buttons: wherein one of the directional buttons is operable to cause the curling rod to rotate in a clockwise direction and the other directional button is operable to cause the curling rod to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a lever attached to the curling rod operates the gripping arm

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the lever is attached to the curling rod via a set of pivots.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the motor is located within the handle and connects to a shaft within the handle that connects to a bushing attached to the curling rod.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle is made of plastic.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle is made of rubber.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the rotating curling rod is made of ceramic.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the rotating curling rod is made of metal.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the cord is insulated.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the power button and at least one directional button are located on the handle and permit control of the motor and rotation of the rotating curling rod.

11. A hair-styling device comprising:

(a) a rotating curling rod made of ceramic connected to a handle made of plastic and having a gripping arm operated by a lever connected to the rotating curling rod via a set of pivots;

(b) a motor located in the handle and operatively connected to the rotating curling rod such that a shaft within the handle connects to the motor on one end and a bushing attached to the curling rod on the other end;

(c) an insulated cord with an insulated plug connected to the handle and providing power to the motor; and

(d) a power button located on the handle and operable to provide and disable power to the motor,

(e) a first directional button operable to cause the curling rod to rotate in a clockwise direction and a second directional button operable to cause the curling rod to rotate in a counterclockwise direction; said directional buttons; said directional buttons located on the handle.

12. A hair-styling device comprising:

(a) a rotating curling rod connected to a handle and having a gripping arm;

(b) a motor operatively connected to the rotating curling rod;

(c) a power source connected to the motor;

(d) a power button operable to start and stop the rotation of the curling rod: and