US20160022004A1

US20160022004A1 - Interchangeable Hair Dryer Styling Attachments

Info

Publication number: US20160022004A1
Application number: US14/341,928
Authority: US
Inventors: Yuri Jai Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-28
Filing date: 2014-07-28
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

Disclosed is an interchangeable hair dryer styling attachment. The device includes an elongated hose having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a hair dryer connector and the second end includes a hair styling tool connector. The hose is flexible and heat-insulated so that it can be manipulated easily while withstanding hot air from a hair dryer. The hair dryer connector is funnel-like in shape and is configured to snugly fit to a barrel of the hair dryer. The hair styling tool connector includes a grooved end that removably connects to various hair styling tools such as brushes and hoods or bonnets. The hose provides air communication between the hair dryer and the hair styling tools, and is of sufficient length that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the hair styling tools are used.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hair styling tool for use with a hair dryer. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved interchangeable hair styling tool that is attached to an elongated hose, wherein the hose can removably connect to a hair dryer to provide air communication between the hair dryer and the interchangeable hair styling tool.
Traditional methods of drying hair require an individual to hold a blow dryer in one hand and a hair styling tool, such as a comb in the other hand. This can be inconvenient and difficult to accomplish as many individuals do not possess a proper blow drying technique and may have difficulty concurrently utilizing multiple tools to achieve a desired hair style. Thus, individuals spend a considerable amount of time readjusting their grip on the hair dryer and the hair styling tool to direct hot or cool air to a desired location on their hair.
Some hair dryers are provided with a plurality of styling attachments such as combs for combing the hair while drying, diffusers for spreading blown air over a larger area, and concentrators for increasing the velocity of the air flow from the hair dryer. These attachments, however, still require the user to hold the hair dryer, which can be relatively heavy and bulky. Additionally, these attachments are generally connected directly to the barrel of a hair dryer so that it delivers high temperature air to the user's hair. This is disadvantageous because exposing hair to high temperature can cause the hair to become damaged and brittle over time.
The present invention provides interchangeable styling attachments for hair dryers. The present invention comprises various hair styling tools, which can connect to the barrel of a hair dryer by means of a flexible, heat-insulated hose. The hose comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a hair dryer connector and the second end comprises a hair styling tool connector on which a styling tool may be removably secured. The hose is constructed so that it directs air from the hair dryer to the hair styling tool. Additionally, the hose is dimensioned so that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the user is holding the hair styling tool in one hand. In this way, the present invention increases the ease of styling hair with a blow dryer.
Moreover, the hair styling tools of the present invention are interchangeable so that a single hose can removably secure to a wide variety of tools, such as brushes, combs, hoods, and bonnets. The ability to use different hair styling tools offers versatility and convenience to the user. Each tool comprises at least one aperture that is in air communication with the hair dryer so that hot or cool air is directed to a desired location on the user's head where the tool is used. In this way, the present invention functions similarly to a conventional hair dryer without requiring the user to hold a hair dryer in one hand and a hair styling tool in the other hand.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to hair dryer attachments. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose concentrator nozzles that help direct air flow from the barrel through a narrow outlet so as to increase the velocity of the air. Other devices disclose a diffuser that help disperse the air flow and spread it over a larger area.
The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices are limited in that they require the user to hold the hair dryer while using the styling attachment. Additionally, the prior art devices do not comprise interchangeable styling attachments that can be used with a flexible hose that direct air flow from the hair dryer to the styling attachment. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a hose with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the barrel of a hair dryer and the second end attaches to a hair styling tool. The hose is elongated so that the hair dryer can rest on a surface while the styling tool is held by the user. Additionally, the present invention increases versatility to the user by providing one that can be utilized with a number of different interchangeable styling tools.
It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to hair dryer attachments. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hair dryer attachments now present in the prior art, the present invention provides new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments wherein the same can be utilized for styling hair with a hair dryer.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments that have all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments that allow one or both of the user's hands to be free for styling the user's hair with a hair dryer.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments comprising various hair styling tools such as a round brush, a paddle brush, a comb, and a hood, among others.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments comprising a flexible, heat-insulated hose having a first end with a hair dryer connector and a second end with a hair styling tool connector.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments having an elongated hose and a hair styling tool, wherein the hose provides air communication between a hair dryer and a hair styling tool.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a disassembled view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the present invention as attached to a hair dryer.

FIG. 3 shows a view of an embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a view of another embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the interchangeable hair dryer styling attachments. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to style hair with a hair dryer. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the interchangeable hair dryer styling attachment 21 of the present invention. The present invention comprises a flexible, heat-insulated hose 22 having a first end 43 and a second end 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose 22 is an accordion style hose that can be flexed and bent in any direction. The first end 43 of the hose 22 comprises a hair dryer connector 23 having a funnel-shape with a proximal end 45 and a distal end 46, wherein both of the proximal end 45 and the distal end 46 are open. The proximal end 45 is connected to the first end 43 of the hose 22 via a joint 47, which may be a component of the hair dryer connector 23 or the hose 22, depending upon embodiment. The distal end 46 comprises an opening 31, which provides access to the hollow interior 27 of the hose 22. The hair dryer connector 23 is tapered so that the distal end 46 comprises a larger diameter than the proximal end 45. It is contemplated that the tapering increases the velocity of the air flow to ensure that the air flow speed is not lowered due to the distance that the air must travel through the hose 22.
The hair dryer connector 23 is composed of flexible and resilient material, such as rubber, silicone, or the like. In this way, the hair dryer connector 23 can conform to the shape of the barrel of a hair dryer. In use, the hair dryer connector 23 can be press-fitted to the barrel of a hair dryer and remain removably secured thereto. The opening 31 comprises a lip 48 therearound, which helps to increase the grip the barrel of a hair dryer. Additionally, the user can grab the lip 48 with his or her fingertips to detach the hair dryer connector 23 from the hair dryer.
The second end of the hose 22 comprises a hair styling tool connector 24 having a proximal end 49 that is connected to the second end 44 of the hose 22, and a grooved distal end 30. Similar to the hair dryer connector 23, both of the ends 30, 49 of the hair styling tool connector 24 are opened. The distal end 30 is adapted to removably secure to a hair styling tool 25 at the opened connecting end 26 thereof. The opened connecting end 26 comprises a greater diameter than the diameter of the distal end 30 so that the distal end 30 and the connecting end 26 can removably attach via a press fit or a friction fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool 25 comprises a round brush. The round brush comprises a cylindrical body 50 with a plurality of bristles 51 around the exterior thereof and a hollow interior 29. The cylindrical body 50 of the brush comprises a plurality of vents 28 thereon. The vents 28 provide access to the hollow interior 29 of the brush. In this way, air can flow from the hair dryer, travel through the hose 22, and flow out of the air vents 28 of the hair styling tool 25.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the present invention as connected to a barrel 52 of a hair dryer 32. The hair dryer connector 23 is connected to the barrel 52 of the hair dryer 32 so that the opening 31 on the distal end of the hair dryer connector 23 is aligned with the barrel of the hair dryer 32 and the hair dryer connector 23 is pressed towards the back of the barrel until it is resisted. The hair dryer connector 23 may comprise a diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of the barrel 52 to form a mating friction fit with the barrel 52 of the hair dryer 32.
The hair dryer connector 23 is adapted to snugly fit the barrel of the hair dryer 32 via a friction fit so that air can flow directly from the hair dryer 32 into the first end 43 of the hose 22. The hair dryer connector 23 further comprises a biased lip 48 which resiliently retains the dryer barrel 52. In other embodiments, however, the hair dryer connector 23 may further comprise a clip or a similar fastening means that can attach onto the end of the barrel 52 of a hair dryer 32.
The second end 44 of the hose 22 is connected to a hair styling tool 33 via a hair styling tool connector 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool 33 comprises a comb having a handle 53, a base 54, and a plurality of teeth 55 thereon. The handle 53 is insulated so that it is not excessively hot to the touch during usage thereof. The base 54 of the comb comprises a plurality of apertures through which air can escape. The teeth 55 may be spaced far apart or close together, depending upon embodiment. Additionally, the teeth 55 may be slideably attached to the base 54 so that different types of comb or brush may be utilized. Preferably, the apertures are positioned between the teeth 55 of the comb so that the air flow is distributed evenly along the comb.
The hose 22 is elongated and is dimensioned so that the hair dryer 32 can rest on a surface while the hair styling tool 33 is held by the user during use. In this way, the user is not required to hold the hair dryer 32 in one hand and a hair styling tool 33 in the other, allowing the user to utilize his or her free hand to style his or her hair. Furthermore, the hair styling tool 33 may be rotatably attached to the hair styling tool connector 24 so that it can rotate 360 degrees. This eliminates the need for the user to adjust his or her grip when turning the hair styling tool 33 or when using the hair styling tool 33 on different parts of the user's head.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of an embodiment of an interchangeable styling attachment of the present invention. The illustrated hair styling tool 34 comprises a paddle brush having a handle 56, a base 57, and a plurality of bristles 58 extending therefrom. The bristles 58 may be composed of natural or synthetic material, and in some embodiments, may comprise a brush-comb hybrid. The base 57 of the brush comprises a plurality of apertures 59 thereon. The apertures 59 provide access to a hollow interior of the brush, which is in air communication with the hose 22 and a hair dryer on which it is attached. The apertures 59 are spaced evenly throughout the base so that the air flow is evenly distributed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 56 of the brush is connected to the hose 22 by means of a second embodiment of the hair styling tool connector 35. The hair styling tool connector 35 is affixed to the second end of the hose 22, and may comprise a curved end that connect to the handle 56 of the brush. Preferably, the exterior surface 62 of the hair styling tool connector 35 is substantially contiguous with the exterior surface 63 of the handle 56 so that it comprises a unitary appearance and is comfortable to hold. In the illustrated embodiment, the hair styling tool connector 35 further comprises a plurality of ridges 61 thereon. The ridges 61 allow the user to grip the connector 35 easily when installing and removing the hair styling tool 34.
FIG. 4 shows a view of another embodiment of an interchangeable styling attachment of the present invention. The illustrated styling tool comprises a hood 38 that is attached to a cylindrical handle 36 by means of a hood connector 37. Each of the handle 36 and the hood connector 37 comprises an open upper end and an open lower end. The upper end 65 of the connector 37 is affixed to an opening 64 on the underside of the hood 38. The opening 64 is sealed around the perimeter thereof so that air does not escape therefrom. The lower end 66 of the connector 37 is attached to the upper end 67 of the handle 36. The lower end 68 of the handle 36 is attached to the hair styling tool connector 35 at the second end of the hose 22.
The hood 38 is composed of nylon, or other lightweight, durable material. The hood 38 is adapted to cover the user's hair and can secure to the user's head by means of drawstrings 40 disposed around the opening 39 thereof. The drawstring 40 can be tightened or loosened as desired by the user. Additionally, the hood 38 may comprise elastic 41 along the top portion 69 of the opening 39 so that the top portion 69 of the hood 38 can be fitted to the contours of a user's face. The elastic 41 may be sewn along the top portion 69 of the hood 38 so that it corresponds with the user's forehead when worn. The hood 38 is constructed so that it can over the user's head while the user is wearing hair rollers thereunder.
The hood 38 comprises a plurality of apertures 42 that provide ventilation so that air can escape out of the hood 38. The apertures 42 are sparsely disposed on the hood 38 so that it does not allow excessive amount of air to escape therethrough, allowing the hood 38 to retain sufficient amount of heat therein. Thus, the hood 38 is ideal for use when the user is receiving heat-activated hair treatments, or applying conditioners, hot oils, and the like.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A hair dryer styling attachment, comprising:

an elongated, flexible hose having an open first end and an open second end;

a hair dryer connector attached to said first end of said hose;

said hair dryer connector adapted to removably attach to a barrel of a hair dryer;

wherein said hair dryer connector comprises a hollow interior for air flow;

a hair styling tool connector attached to said second end of said hose;

wherein said hair dryer connector is in air communication with said hose and with said hair styling tool connector such that air blown through said hair dryer connector from a hairdryer attached thereto flows through said hose and through said hair styling tool connector;

an interchangeable hair styling tool removably connected to said hair styling tool connector.

2. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair styling tool comprises a round brush.

3. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 2, wherein said round brush comprises a cylindrical body having a hollow interior, wherein a plurality of bristles extend radially outward from an exterior surface thereof;

a plurality of vents disposed on said cylindrical body adapted to allow air to escape said hollow interior of said cylindrical body.

4. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair styling tool comprises a comb.

5. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 4, wherein said comb comprises a handle and a base having a plurality of teeth thereon;

wherein said handle and said base comprise a hollow interior volume adapted to allow air to flow therethrough;

a plurality of apertures disposed on said base so as to allow air to escape said hollow interior of said base.

6. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair styling tool comprises a paddle brush.

7. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 6, wherein said paddle brush comprises a handle and a base having a plurality of bristles thereon;

8. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair styling tool comprises a hood.

9. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 8, wherein said hood comprises an opening with a drawstring and an elastic, and a plurality of apertures disposed on said hood.

10. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair dryer connector comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said hair dryer connector tapers from said proximal end toward said distal end;

wherein said proximal end is connected to said first end of said hose and said distal end is adapted to be removably connected to said hair dryer.

11. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair styling tool connector comprises a proximal end and a grooved distal end;

wherein said proximal end is connected to said second end of said hose and said grooved distal end is removably connected to said hair styling tool.

12. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hair dryer connector comprises a lip disposed about said distal end thereof adapted to facilitate connection of said hair dryer connector to a hair dryer.

13. The hair dryer styling attachment of claim 1, wherein said hose comprises insulating material.