Hand Held Blow Dryer Having Airflow Control Means

The present invention is related to Disclosure Document No. 380340 filed under the Disclosure Document Program of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides for an enhancement to a professional hair dressing blow dryer, more specifically to the blow dryer's barrel which permits variable airflow and saves energy.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Conventional hair dressing "pistol-type" blow dryers utilize a one-directional airflow through a front opening of a cylindrical conduit or barrel of the blow dryer. Commercial attachments which are available to fit over the barrel opening to vary airflow require a two-handed operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,722 describes a mechanism for varying airflow by controlling an area of the barrel opening by a deflector which is activated by the trigger. However, this patent does not disclose airflow from the barrel surface itself.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,454 controls airflow from the barrel opening by the use of trap doors activated by a knob and a screw. This has a drawback in that it also requires a two-handed operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,757 describes variations of airflow, including secondary outlets on a barrel. However, this device like the remaining devices requires a two-handed operation, since full activation depends upon manual rotation of a collar, manual settings, as well as a trigger-operated baffle to vary the barrel opening.

During hair styling utilizing a blow dryer, hair dressers use the blow dryer in one hand and point the barrel opening at the hair to be styled. A brush or other styling tool is utilized in the other hand. Additionally, when blow styling medium to long length hair, hair dressers use the barrel horizontally with the barrel opening pointed away from the head, to lift hair for the subsequent insertion of the tool in the other hand. During this function, air flow from the barrel opening is wasted, and the barrel itself affords no benefit of any drying/styling capability.

Thus, conventional blow dryer devices do not provide for a barrel arrangement in which air can be directed through the barrel surface of the blow dryer. Additionally, conventional blow dryer devices do not provide for an efficient mechanism which permits a user to deflect air flow from the opening of the barrel, and simultaneously direct air flow through the barrel surface of the blow dryer by using a simple one-handed operation.

The present invention therefore provides for a blow dryer arrangement which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional arrangements discussed above.

The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention adds functionality to the blow dryer by varying airflow from the barrel surface, while conserving energy use. This permits the blow dryer of the present invention to be utilized for horizontal lifting/drying/styling, as well as a hot roller and diffuser.

The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention incorporates holes on the barrel surface and flaps at the barrel opening. By pulling on a trigger, the holes on the barrel are exposed, and at the same time, flaps at the barrel opening close down most of the airflow. This effects airflow from holes on the barrel, as well as some diffused air from the front opening.

The present invention therefore provides for a hand held blow dryer which comprises a body comprising a barrel having a barrel opening, the barrel comprising inner and outer cylinders having a plurality of holes, the outer cylinder being slidably mounted on the inner cylinder; pivotable deflecting means positioned at the barrel opening which is pivotable between an open position in which the barrel opening is opened and a deflecting position in which the barrel opening is substantially closed by the deflecting means; and actuation means operationally connected to the outer cylinder and operationally associated with the pivotable deflecting means for moving the deflecting means and the outer cylinder between a first position in which the holes on the inner and outer cylinders are not aligned and the pivotable deflecting means is in the open position, and a second position in which the holes on the inner and outer cylinders are aligned and the pivotable deflecting means is in the deflecting position.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the blow dryer and barrel assembly of the present invention in a first position in which the holes of the inner and outer cylinders of the barrel are not aligned;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the barrel opening of the blow dryer of FIG. 1 in the first position showing the flaps or deflecting means in an opened position;

FIG. 3 is a view of the inner and outer cylinders of the barrel of the blow dryer in a second position in which the holes of the inner and outer cylinders are aligned;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the barrel opening when the inner and outer cylinders are aligned as shown in FIG. 3, in which the flaps or deflecting means substantially close the barrel opening;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner and outer cylinders of the barrel and the flaps or deflecting means in the first position of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flaps in an opened position as illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the flaps and the inner and outer cylinders in the second position of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 8 shows the flaps in isolation;

FIGS. 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) respectively show the inner cylinder, flaps, and a cover for the barrel;

FIG. 10 shows the outer cylinder of the present invention;

FIG. 11(a), 11(b) and 11(c) show different views of the flaps;

FIG. 12 shows a different blow dryer body embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a circuit arrangement for controlling temperature settings for the blow dryer of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the barrel assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 shows a further modification of the barrel assembly of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 5 thereof, FIG. 1 is a first view of the blow dryer assembly of the present invention while FIG. 5 is a perspective view. In FIGS. 1 and 5, the blow dryer includes a body 1 having a barrel 3. The barrel 3 includes an inner cylinder 4 and an outer cylinder 5 concentric with the inner cylinder 4. The outer cylinder 5 is slidably mounted on the inner cylinder 4. Each of the inner and outer cylinders (4, 5) includes a plurality of holes (6, 7) thereon (holes 6 on inner cylinder 4 and holes 7 on outer cylinder 5).

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the blow dryer assembly also includes a cap 8 which covers a pivotable flap mechanism 16. The cap 8 and pivotable flap mechanism 16 are positioned at the barrel opening 8a. The cap 8 in FIG. 6 shows a cut-out opening, however, it is recognized that the cap 8 can completely cover all the moving mechanisms including the pivotable flap mechanism 16 at the front of the barrel.

FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 illustrate a first position of the outer cylinder 5 with respect to inner cylinder 4 in which the holes 7 on the outer cylinder 5 are not aligned with the holes 6 of the inner cylinder 4. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the pivotable flap mechanism 16 is positioned as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 8. Therefore, any air flow through the barrel 3 will flow out of the barrel opening 8a. The non-aligned holes 6 and 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 will block any air flow through the surface of the barrel 3.

In the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 are aligned so as to align the respective holes 6, 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the flap mechanism 16 is positioned as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7. That is, the flap mechanism 16 is positioned so as to substantially cover the barrel opening 8a as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7. It is noted that the movement of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 with respect to each other is coordinated with the movement of the flap mechanism 16 so as to achieve the positioning of the flap mechanism 16 as noted above. In this position, the flap mechanism 16 will deflect most of the air flow so as to direct air flow to the aligned holes 6 and 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5. Thus, air will be discharged through the surface of the barrel 3.

A mechanism for achieving the above-noted movement of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 and the flap mechanism 16 will now be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, as well as FIGS. 9(b) and 11(a)-11(c), the pivotable flap mechanism 16 includes first and second flaps 16', 16" having mounting axles 16b and mounting pins 16c extending therefrom. The mounting pins 16c are mounted in an offset manner on an oval activator 16a as illustrated in FIG. 8. The present invention can also utilize washers 16d (FIG. (9) and 11(a)-11(c)) at the mounting pins 16c to permit a smooth operation. The pivotable flap mechanism 16 with the mounting pins 16c are mounted at the barrel opening 8(a) as follows: the mounting axles 16b and pins 16c are mounted so as to be inserted into elongated slots 17 on the inner cylinder 4 and elongated slots 11 on the outer cylinder 5 (see FIG. 5, FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 10). The slot 11 on the outer cylinder 5 is positioned on a protruding portion 5a of the outer cylinder 5. Thus, a movement of the outer cylinder 5 in the direction of the arrow A (FIGS. 1 and 7) will cause a movement of the pivotable flap mechanism 16 from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the barrel opening 8a is opened, to a position illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the barrel opening 8a is substantially closed. This is due to the fact that the movement of the outer cylinder 5 in the direction A will cause the pins 16c of the pivotable flap mechanism 16 to rotate with the oval actuator 16a, which will thereby cause the pivotable flap mechanism 16 to rotate to the substantially closed position.

The outer cylinder 5 includes a trigger mechanism 12 which is utilized to cause the sliding movement of the outer cylinder 5 with respect to the inner cylinder 4. The trigger mechanism 12 includes a spring 13 positioned in a slot 15 in the outer cylinder 5 which is guided by a pin 14 (FIGS. 1, 3, 10). The spring 13 urges the outer cylinder 5 in a direction opposite to direction A. Pulling the trigger in the direction A will cause the outer cylinder 5 to move in direction A which thereby causes the movement of the pivotable flap mechanism 16 from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the substantially closed position illustrated in FIG. 7. FIGS. 1, 3 and 10 show a single spring 13 positioned on a lower portion of the barrel assembly 3. It is noted, however, that the barrel assembly can also include two springs 13 positioned on diametrically opposed portions of the barrel assembly 3 to add stability to movement of the cylinders (4, 5).

At the same time, movement of the outer cylinder 5 in the direction A will also cause the holes 6, 7 of the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 to be aligned with each other as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Therefore, in a first position (first mode) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the pivotable flap mechanism 16 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to permit airflow through the barrel opening 8a and the holes on the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 are not aligned (FIGS. 1 and 5) so as to block airflow through the surface of the barrel 3. This permits the user to use the blow dryer in a normal manner.

When the hair dresser desires to utilize the blow dryer for horizontal lifting/drying, styling, as a hot roller, as a diffuser, etc., the hair dresser pulls the trigger 12 in the direction A to position the outer cylinder 5 with respect to inner cylinder 4 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 (second mode). This will cause the holes 6, 7 on the inner and outer cylinders 4, 5 to be aligned, and will cause the flaps 16', 16" of the flap mechanism 16 to pivot to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 so to substantially close the barrel opening 8a In this position, the flaps 16', 16" will deflect air towards the aligned holes 6, 7 exposed on the barrel, and some diffused air will flow through the barrel opening 8a.

The amount of movement of the outer cylinder 5 with respect to the inner cylinder 4 can be determined by providing for an elongated slot 10 on the outer cylinder 5 and a pin 9 on the inner cylinder 4 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 9(a) and 10. When the barrel opening 8a is substantially closed by the flaps 16', 16" as illustrated in FIG. 7, the barrel opening 8a is not sealed tightly by the flaps 16', 16" so as to permit some air to be diffused from the barrel opening.

The present invention can also provide for the cap 8 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9(c) which can be utilized to cover the flap mechanism 16. The cap 8 shows a cut-away portion to illustrate the side of the flap mechanism 16. It is recognized that the cap 8 can completely surround the circumferential front of the barrel. The cap 8 also can include stops 80 (FIG. 9(c)) such that the cap 8 fits over the outer cylinder 5 and includes cooperating holes which permit the insertion of the axles 16b and pins 16c of the flap mechanism 16.

The blow dryer arrangement of the present invention can also be utilized on a blow dryer 1a having a belly type curve 60 in the motor housing as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this case the trigger 12a would have a curve which matches the curve of the housing. This embodiment would operate in the same manner as the embodiment discussed above.

Additionally, the trigger mechanism 12 of the present invention can be operationally associated with a control mechanism 50 (FIG. 13) which coordinates the actuation of the trigger 12 with temperature settings of a blow dryer. For example, a conventional blow dryer includes low, medium and high settings. The trigger mechanism 12 of the present invention can be operationally associated with a control mechanism 50 such as illustrated in FIG. 13 to lower a high temperature setting of a blow dryer to a temperature setting which is lower than the high temperature setting when the trigger 12 is actuated.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the positioning of the trigger 12 in the first position (FIGS. 1 and 5) in which the holes 6, 7 are not aligned and the air flow is through the front opening 8a of the barrel can permit the hair dryer setting to be set at the high temperature setting (R.sub.1) of a blow dryer. Movement of the trigger 12 to the second position (FIGS. 3 and 7) in which the holes 6, 7 are aligned and the front opening 8a is substantially closed, can cause the dryer setting to be positioned in a temperature setting (R.sub.2) which is lower than the high temperature setting of a blow dryer. The explanation given above has been given for the situation when the blow dryer is in the high temperature setting when the trigger is actuated. It is recognized that the control mechanism 50 can be designed so as to not lower the temperature if upon the actuation of the trigger 12, the blow dryer is set at the medium or low temperature settings. However, the lowering of the temperature setting of the blow dryer when the trigger 12 is actuated, is based on design considerations and the desired temperature which would be preferable when the trigger 12 is actuated. It is further recognized that the blow dryer could include an additional trigger mechanism which is not associated with the actuation of the trigger 12 so as to permit the user to selectively lower the temperature from a high temperature to a temperature lower than the high temperature.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the barrel 3 in which the barrel 3 includes rings 200 that are spaced along the length of the barrel 3, are affixed to the periphery of nhe outer cylinder 5 and extend around the circumference of the outer cylinder 5. The rings 200 serve the guide hair when the barrel assembly is positioned against hair. The rings 200 are aligned so as to not obstruct air flow from the holes (6, 7).

FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the barrel 3 in which the barrel 3 can include bristles or teeth 300 spaced between the holes 7 of the barrel as illustrated in the figure so as to extend in a row between the holes 7. The bristles or teeth 300 can extend around the periphery of the barrel 3 and can be utilized for further styling enhancement.

Thus, the blow dryer of the present invention maximizes the blow dryer's capability by incorporating multiple functions in one tool. It thereby provides a hair dresser or stylist with a wide range of airflow use by utilizing a single tool that is operated by one hand. That is, by simply pulling on the trigger 12, the hair dresser can vary the air flow through the barrel. Any desired attachments can be fitted over the barrel of the present invention just as with current blow dryers, and used whether or not the trigger is operated. The blow dryer of the present invention can also be used as a large hot roller, and it has some diffusing capabilities from the barrel opening when the trigger is operated.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.