Portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source

[0001] A. Field of the Invention

[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable hair dryer, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source.

[0003] B. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Numerous innovations for portable hair dryers have been provided in the prior art that will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source.

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,782 to Fujishima et al.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,782 issued to Fujishima et al. on Dec. 3, 1985 in class 219 and subclass 370 teaches a foldable hair dryer of the hand-held type, which includes a housing incorporating an electrically operated apparatus for producing a flow of heated air, a hand grip pivotally attached to the housing, and a power cord extending from the housing. The hand grip is rotatable to an operational position where it extends outwardly from the housing, and to a folded position where it is folded on a part of periphery of the housing. Formed along the periphery of the housing is a first groove cooperating, when the hand grip is in the folded position, with the second groove formed in the hand grip to define a peripheral channel extending across the housing and the folded hand grip. The power cord can be received in the peripheral channel thus formed and be wound up along the entire periphery of the hair dryer when the hand grip is brought in the folded position. The hand grip is shaped to have a cap portion, which closes an air discharge outlet when it is in the folded position so as to prohibit the entry of foreign matter therethrough. Apparatus incorporated in the hair dryer for producing a flow of heated air is energized by the operation of a knob that is accessible from the exterior of the housing, and is locked in position not to energize the apparatus for producing a flow of heated air until the hand grip is brought in the operational position, thus preventing an accidental flow of heated air blown from the outlet when the hand grip is in the folded position, since such accidental flow would otherwise damage the hand grip and the power cord wound thereon.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,925 to Choi.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,925 issued to Choi on Oct. 20, 1992 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a hair dryer available outdoors or where a general power source is not available, an LPG powered hair dryer is provided. The hair dryer includes a main body that can receive a bottle of LPG (liquified petroleum gas), and a burner in the main body for burning the LPG. The burner flame heats a double radiant plate arrangement in front of the burner, and hot air is blown from the plate arrangement by a battery powered fan motor at the rear of the housing. A gas-interrupting valve, a gas-adjusting valve, an operation switch, and a thermal sensor are also provided in the housing.

(3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,253 to Poumey et al.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,253 issued to Poumey et al. on Mar. 23, 1993 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a cordless electric hair dryer and stand in which the portable hair dryer unit has a rechargeable battery and a thermal heat reservoir. The fan blows ambient air over the thermal reservoir in heat exchange relationship to expel hot air from the dryer when in use. The stand has an electrical circuit inductively coupled through a coil in the base of the stand to a coil in the rear of the housing of the dryer, which provides power to charge the rechargeable battery in the handle of the dryer and to heat the thermal storage medium in the dryer. The heating is accomplished by resistors mounted in heat exchange relationship with the thermal reservoir material. The rechargeable battery is used only to run the fan during drying operation of the portable unit.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,434 to LeCompte, Sr.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,434 issued to LeCompte, Sr. on Apr. 30, 1996 in class D28 and subclass 13 teaches the ornamental design for a rechargeable cordless hair dryer.

(5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,975 to Hsu.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,975 issued to Hsu on Mar. 11, 1997 in class 34 and subclass 97 teaches a collapsible and portable hair dryer with a gas combustion heat supply system. Gas combustion is adapted to supply heat for air inside the hair dryer. A motor ran by a self-contained power source system rotates a fan in order to blow air through several blade-like portions, which are heated by the gas flame. Thus, the air passed through the heated blade-like portions becomes hot and is blown out for use. The hair dryer can be used outdoors because an electrical socket is not needed.

(6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,236 to Taylor.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,236 issued to Taylor on Nov. 6, 2001 in class 392 and subclass 385 teaches a hair dryer having a heater, a fan positioned to form an air flow that is heated by the heater, a battery, and a switch connected in circuit with the fan and the battery. An interlock prevents the switch from closing during the time the hair dryer is inserted in a base for charging the battery and heating the heater via an electrical power source. An arc prevention assembly prevents arcing among contacts on the hair dryer and the base during insertion and removal of the dryer to and from the base.

[0011] It is apparent that numerous innovations for portable hair dryers have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source.

[0012] Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0013] Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. In a first embodiment, the heating source is gas utilizing a gas cartridge. In a second embodiment, the heating source is electricity utilizing a battery. In a third embodiment; the heating source is either gas, electricity, or both utilizing both a gas cartridge and a battery.

[0014] The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

[0022]

	10	portable hair dryer of present invention
	12	main body
	14	handle part
	16	bottom of main body 12
	18	air outlet of main body 12
	20	front end of main body 12
	22	air inlet
	24	net of air inlet 22
	26	rear end of main body 12
	28	motor
	30	transmission shaft of motor 28
	32	fan
	34	blade-like heat exchanger for absorbing heat 35
		from gas combustion
	35	heat from gas combustion
	36	combustion chamber for gas to be combusted therein
	38	temperature sensor
	40	valve for controlling outflow quantity of gas 44
	42	computer microchip
	43	temperature selector for controlling temperature of
		portable hair dryer 10
	44	outflow quantity of gas
	46	front end of gas pipe 48
	48	gas pipe for receiving gas cartridge 49
	49	gas cartridge
	50	flame nozzle
	52	ON/OFF
	54	electrical power source interface for receiving battery 56
		for electrically powering portable hair dryer 10

[0023]

100	portable hair dryer of present invention
120	main body
140	handle part
160	bottom of main body 120
180	air outlet of main body 120
200	front end of main body 120
220	air inlet of main body 120
240	net of air inlet 220 of main body 120
260	rear end of main body 120
280	motor
300	transmission shaft of motor 280
320	fan
340	heating coil heat exchanger for generating heat 350
350	heat
380	temperature sensor
430	temperature selector for controlling temperature of portable
	hair dryer 100
440	outflow quantity of electricity
520	ON/OFF
540	electrical power source interface for receiving battery 560 for
	electrically powering portable hair dryer 100
560	battery for electrically powering portable hair dryer 100
562	battery charger for charging battery 560 by interfacing with either
	vehicle outlet jack 564 or house current outlet 566
564	vehicle outlet jack 564
566	house current outlet

[0024]

	600	portable hair dryer of present invention
	602	main body
	604	handle part
	606	bottom of main body 602
	608	air outlet of main body 602
	610	front end of main body 602
	612	air inlet of main body 602
	614	net of air inlet 612 of main body 602
	616	rear end of main body 602
	618	motor
	620	transmission shaft of motor 618
	622	fan
	624	heating coil heat exchanger for generating heat 626
	626	heat
	628	combustion chamber for gas to be combusted therein
	630	temperature sensor
	632	valve for controlling outflow quantity of gas 638
	634	computer microchip
	636	temperature selector for controlling temperature of portable
		hair dryer 600
	638	outflow quantity of gas
	640	gas pipe for receiving gas cartridge 642
	642	gas cartridge
	644	flame nozzle
	646	ON/OFF switch
	648	electrical power source interface for receiving battery 650 for
		electrically powering portable hair dryer 600
	650	battery
	652	battery charger for charging battery 5650
	654	vehicle outlet jack
	656	house current outlet
	658	mode switch for choosing for use either electrical, gas, or both

[0025] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a first embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at 10.

[0026] The portable hair dryer 10 comprises a main body 12 and a handle part 14. The handle part 12 is connected to a bottom 16 of the main body 12.

[0027] The main body 12 includes an air outlet 18. The air outlet 18 of the main body 12 is disposed at a front end 20 of the main body 12.

[0028] The main body 12 further includes an air inlet 22. The air inlet 22 of the main body 12 has a net 24 thereat and is disposed at a rear end 26 of the main body 12.

[0029] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises a motor 28. The motor 28 is disposed inside the main body 12 and has a transmission shaft 30.

[0030] The main body 12 further includes a fan 32. The fan 32 is disposed on the transmission shaft 30 of the motor 28, and turns therewith.

[0031] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises a blade-like heat exchanger 34. The blade-like heat exchanger 34 are disposed in front of the fan 32 and inside the main body 12, and are for absorbing heat 35 from gas combustion.

[0032] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises a combustion chamber 36. The combustion chamber 36 is disposed under the blade-like heat exchanger 34, and is for gas to be combusted therein.

[0033] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises a temperature sensor 38. The temperature sensor 38 is disposed below the blade-like heat exchanger 34, and is operationally associated with a valve 40 via a computer microchip 42.

[0034] The main body 12 further includes a temperature selector 43. The temperature selector 43 is operatively connected to the computer microchip 42 and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer 10.

[0035] The valve 40 is for controlling outflow quantity of gas 44, and is connected with a front end 46 of a gas pipe 48 fitted on the bottom 16 of the main body 12, which in turn is for receiving a gas cartridge 49.

[0036] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises a flame nozzle 50. The flame nozzle 50 is disposed in front of the valve 40.

[0037] The temperature selector 43 is operated by a user to set a desired temperature and the temperature sensor 38 senses a temperature to make the valve 40 move in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of gas 44 for combustion is adapted for the user's need.

[0038] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises an ON/OFF switch 52. The ON/OFF 52 is disposed on the handle part 14, and is operatively connected to the computer microchip 42.

[0039] The portable hair dryer 10 further comprises an electrical power source interface 54. The electrical power source interface 54 is disposed in the handle part 14, and is for receiving a battery 56 for electrically powering the portable hair dryer 10.

[0040] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a second embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing an electrical gas heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the second embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at 100.

[0041] The portable hair dryer 100 comprises a main body 120 and a handle part 140. The handle part 140 is connected to a bottom 160 of the main body 120.

[0042] The main body 120 includes an air outlet 180. The air outlet 180 of the main body 120 is disposed at a front end 200 of the main body 120.

[0043] The main body 120 further includes an air inlet 220. The air inlet 220 of the main body 120 has a net 240 thereat and is disposed at a rear end 260 of the main body 120.

[0044] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises a motor 280. The motor 280 is disposed inside the main body 120 and has a transmission shaft 300.

[0045] The main body 120 further includes a fan 320. The fan 320 is disposed on the transmission shaft 300 of the motor 280, and turns therewith.

[0046] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises a heating coil heat exchanger 340. The heating coil heat exchanger 340 is disposed in front of the fan 320 and inside the main body 120, and is for generating heat 350.

[0047] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises a temperature sensor 380. The temperature sensor 380 is disposed below the heating coil heat exchanger 340, and is operationally associated with a computer microchip 420.

[0048] The main body 120 further includes a temperature selector 430. The temperature selector 430 is operatively connected to the computer microchip 420 and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer 100.

[0049] The temperature selector 430 is operated by a user to set a desired temperature, and the temperature sensor 380 senses a temperature to make the heating coil heat exchanger 340 be in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of electricity 440 to the heating coil heat exchanger 340 is adapted for the user's need.

[0050] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises an ON/OFF switch 520. The ON/OFF 520 is disposed on the handle part 140, and is operatively connected to the computer microchip 420.

[0051] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises an electrical power source interface 540. The electrical power source interface 540 is disposed in the handle part 140, and is for receiving a battery 560 for electrically powering the portable hair dryer 100.

[0052] The portable hair dryer 100 further comprises a battery charger 562. The battery charger 562 is operatively connected to the electrical power source interface 540, and is for charging the battery 560 by interfacing with either a vehicle outlet jack 564 or a house current outlet 566.

[0053] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view with parts broken away of a third embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention utilizing a gas heating source and an electrical heating source, and a block diagram of the portable hair dryer of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the third embodiment of the portable hair dryer of the present invention is shown generally at 600.

[0054] The portable hair dryer 600 comprises both the portable hair dryer 10 and the portable hair dryer 100 so as to allow the portable hair dryer 600 to utilize either a gas heating source, an electrical heating source, or both.

[0055] The portable hair dryer 600 comprises a main body 602 and a handle part 604. The handle part 604 is connected to a bottom 606 of the main body 602.

[0056] The main body 602 includes an air outlet 608. The air outlet 608 of the main body 602 is disposed at a front end 610 of the main body 602.

[0057] The main body 602 further includes an air inlet 612. The air inlet 612 of the main body 602 has a net 614 thereat and is disposed at a rear end 616 of the main body 602.

[0058] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a motor 618. The motor 618 is disposed inside the main body 602 and has a transmission shaft 620.

[0059] The main body 602 further includes a fan 622. The fan 622 is disposed on the transmission shaft 620 of the motor 618, and turns therewith.

[0060] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a heating coil heat exchanger 624. The heating coil heat exchanger 624 is disposed in front of the fan 622 and inside the main body 602, and is for generating heat 626.

[0061] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a combustion chamber 628. The combustion chamber 628 is disposed under the heating coil heat exchanger 624, and is for gas to be combusted therein.

[0062] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a temperature sensor 630. The temperature sensor 630 is disposed below the heating coil heat exchanger 624, and is operationally associated with a valve 632 via a computer microchip 634.

[0063] The main body 602 further includes a temperature selector 636. The temperature selector 636 is operatively connected to the computer microchip 634 and is for controlling temperature of the portable hair dryer 600.

[0064] The valve 632 is for controlling outflow quantity of gas 638, and is connected with a gas pipe 640 fitted in the handle part 604, which in turn is for receiving a gas cartridge 642.

[0065] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a flame nozzle 644. The flame nozzle 644 is disposed in front of the valve 632.

[0066] The temperature selector 636 is operated by a user to set a desired temperature and the temperature sensor 630 senses a temperature to make the valve 632 move in accordance with the set desired temperature value such that the outflow quantity of gas 638 for combustion is adapted for the user's need.

[0067] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises an ON/OFF switch 646. The ON/OFF switch 646 is disposed on the handle part 604, and is operatively connected to the computer microchip 634.

[0068] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises an electrical power source interface 648. The electrical power source interface 648 is disposed in the handle part 604, and is for receiving a battery 650 for electrically powering the portable hair dryer 600.

[0069] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a battery charger 652. The battery charger 652 is operatively connected to the electrical power source interface 648, and is for charging the battery 5650 by interfacing with either a vehicle outlet jack 654 or a house current outlet 656.

[0070] The portable hair dryer 600 further comprises a mode switch 658. The mode switch 658 is operatively connected to the computer microchip 634, is disposed on the handle part 604, and is for choosing for use either electrical, gas, or both.

[0071] It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

[0072] While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0073] Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.