Hair drying apparatus

[0002] This invention pertains hair drying apparatus of the hood type, supported for variable positioning on structure extending from a base usually supported by a table or floor.

[0003] Hooded hair dryers are normally found in beauty salons. They usually have heating arrangements to provide a stream of warmed air that is introduced to the hood for distribution over the head of an individual. The air is normally fan driven and leaves the hood in a downward direction which sweeps around the face of the individual. Chemicals used on the hair emit vapors that are entrained with the air stream that sweeps about the face. Warm air, particularly with chemical odors present, make breathing by the occupant uncomfortable.

[0004] The hood, supported by any suitable stand, has a fan driven source of hot air for ejection from the hood toward the hair of an occupant. In the apex of the hood a fan draws air from inside the hood and directs it upward, drawing air from around the head of the occupant. Upward air direction prevents hot air streaming about the occupants face. The hot air source is, preferably, enclosed in the supporting stand or base and is delivered to the hood by way of a duct. The hot air is preferably distributed within a plenum formed by the hood and a hood liner. Air is directed from the liner through a plurality of holes distributed about the liner. For adaptation to use with different hair styles, at least some of the holes have nozzles that can be rotated to cause a desired air flow pattern.

[0005] By preference, the nozzles near the lower edge of the hood can be rotated to direct air within or below the hood. Downwardly directed air is entrained by the upwardly moving general air flow, toward the fan, and causes little discomfort for the occupant.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the attached claims and appended drawings.

[0007] In the drawings wherein like features have similar captions, FIG. 1 is a side view, partly cut away of the most similar apparatus now in prior art.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view, similar to that of FIG. 1, with the novel features of this invention in place.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view, in cutaway, of part of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view, somewhat reduced in scale, of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view, similar to that of FIG. 4, but having the preferred novel features in place.

[0012] In the drawings, some details of construction that are well established in the art, and having no bearing upon points of novelty, are omitted in the interest of clarity of descriptive matter. Such details may include weld lines, threaded fasteners, pins, and gaskets.

[0013] In FIG. 1, prior art is shown in a configuration most resembling the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hood 1 is similar to the familiar hood of the typical salon fixture. Base 2 is commonly heavy and arranged for placement on a table. Hot air is normally prepared in the section 7 of the base and blown along the bore of extension 3, into diffuser 4, and distributed within the plenum 5 formed by the space between the hood 1 and the liner 8. From the plenum, air flows through holes, or nozzles, 6 in the liner, to impinge upon the occupants head. Hot moist air then courses downward around the occupant's face. That flow path causes occupant discomfort.

[0014] In FIG. 2, the apparatus of FIG. 1 is essentially duplicated and a crown fan is added. The crown fan 14 draws air upward and expels it above the hood. The fan capacity can handle all air arriving from the base unit plus some additional capacity to lift air from around the face of the occupant. A fine mesh screen below the fan keeps hair from entering the fan.

[0015] Plenum 15 is formed of the space between hood 10 and liner 19. Nozzles 17 are installed in the liner for pivotal rotation in holes therein. That allows the user to custom form the general flow pattern to suit the purpose. Nearer the apex of the liner, simple holes 16 may be provided for air flow from the liner.

[0016] The base 11 is usually arranged to stand on table tops but could stand from the floor with minor configuration changes at the design level. Support link 12 is hollow and conducts air from the base to and through diffuser 13. Heater and fan unit 18 is adjustable for temperature and air flow rate control.

[0017] The arrows indicating air flow are shown somewhat chaotic, an indication of a measure of turbulence. Under control, that condition may be desirable to speed drying rate.

[0018] In FIG. 3 the shaped nozzle 17 is free to swivel in the related bore in the liner 19. Flanges 17band 17cmay be flexible for ease of installation and to provide resistance to nozzle rotation to retain manually positioned settings of the nozzle. In places where the change in air flow direction is not large, a simple ball with a central bore may be resiliently retained in a socket in the liner. Flow direction is changed by inserting a rod in the bore and moving to pivot the ball to yield the preferred direction of air flow.

[0019] In FIGS. 4 and 5 the captions relate to the associated side views 1 and 2 respectively.

[0020] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well, adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

[0021] It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

[0022] As many possible embodiments may be made of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.