GB2077098A

GB2077098A - Curler brush locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2077098A
Application number: GB8116680A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Bristol Myers Co
Current assignee: Bristol Myers Co
Priority date: 1980-06-02
Filing date: 1981-06-01
Publication date: 1981-12-16
Also published as: BR8102787A; DE3119403C2; FR2483199B1; JPS579408A; GB2077098B; CA1157734A; DE3119403A1; AR230158A1; FR2483199A1; IE811203L; DE3152901C2; IT1142520B; AU546504B2; IE51230B1; IT8148532A0; NL8102609A; AU6803281A; ZA811392B; MX152185A; BE889061A

Abstract

There are disclosed lockable rotatable heated curling brushes which are used for styling and curling hair; each curling brush has a rod housing 61 which serves as a handle, an inner tube 62 fixedly connected to said handle and protruding therefrom, a heater 66 inside the inner tube electrically connected to a swivel cord, and an outer tube 63 rotatably supported by said inner tube, said outer tube having a round brush on the outer surface thereof. The outer tube is held in the handle by flange 67 at the rear of the outer tube. The locking mechanism to prevent the outer tube from rotating is a spring loaded button 79 pivotably attached to either the inner tube, rod housing or both, having a brake pad 76 on its front surface which when pressed against the face of the flange, acts as a brake. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Curler brush locking mechanism This invention relates to lockable, rotatable heated curling brushes which are used for styling and curling hair. More particularly, this invention relates to brake pad and drum structures used as the locking mechanism in lockable, rotatable heated curling brushes.

Rotatable heated curling brushes comprise generally a rod housing which serves as a handle, an inner tube fixedly connected at its rear portion to the front part of said handle and protruding therefrom, a heater inside said inner tube electrically connected to a swivel cord, and an outer tube rotatably supported by said inner tube, said outer tube having a round brush on the outer surface thereof, either with integral brush projections or removable projections. The inner tube is fixed to the handle by a bolt or pin arrangement and the outer tube is held in the handle by a circular guide in the front end of the handle which mates with a flange at the rear of the outer tube. This flange, in conjunction with a tension loaded button device forms a braking mechanism which holds the round brush fast or releases it to freely rotate.In accordance with this invention, the flange acts as the brake drum and the button, with a brake pad therein, acts as the brake shoe.

The outer tube is supported by the inner tube and held captive by an inward facing groove on the front edge of the handle which mates with the flange. The front end of the outer tube can be supported by the front end of the inner tube. The inner tube is in heat conducting relationship with the heater and the outer tube. The inner tube can be made of a heat conducting material which conducts sufficient heat from the heater to the outer tube to enable hair curling temperatures to be reached. In this respect, certain plastics and aluminum or other heat conducting materials are suitable. The outer tube may be made of plastic when the projections are integral, and of aluminum when the projections are removable. The projections are preferably made of plastic. The heater is ordinarily a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor.

Known curlers with lockable rotatable heated brushes have clocking mechanisms in which the flange at the rear of the outer tube has spaced notches which, in conjunction with a spring latch device attached either to the handle, to the inner tube, or both, hold the round brush fast or release it to freely rotate. These locking mechanisms operate generally satisfactorily but locking can only be accomplished at the notches, not between them. There is a need, therefore, for a locking mechanism wherein locking will occur at all locations on the flange.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an Improved locking mechanism.

suitable for use in heated, lockable, rotatable curler brushes which will enable the user to hold the brush against rotation in all positions without the need to rotate ;he brush until a detent is reached.

The locking mechanism of this invention comprises a spring loaded button attached to either the handle, the inner tube, or both, of a rotatable heated curling brush which has a brake pad placed on the front face thereof in a position which will enable the brake pad to come into braking contact with the rear face of the outer tube. The rear face of the outer tube is preferably radially serrated on its surface to increase the friction between it and the brake pad, thus enhancing the braking or locking effect. A suitable configuration for use in this invention is an outer tube which is flanged on its rear end. The invention will be described with such a flanged outer tube.

The button is nested on an opening in the front portion of the handle, and a spring between the button and the inner tube (or a projection on the inside of the handle) preloads it so the brake pad presses on the outer tube which is thereby held in a locked position. By pushing the button against the spring, thereby moving the front portion containing the brake pad away from the flange, one causes the release of the outer tube so it can freely rotate. The distance the button must be depressed to release the outer tube is significantly less than needed for locking mechanisms with notches and a spring latch since the distance need only be sufficient to relieve the pressure of the brake pad, e.g. 1 mm or less.

The brake pad is made of a material which is stable under the temperatures at which the brush is heated and is wear resistant. In addition, the material should be of a surface hardness and coefficient of friction which permits it to adequately frictionally engage the flange surface and prevent rotation. A polyurethane elastomer having a Shore A Durometer hardness of 85 i 5 is suitable. A typical material is MP 1 880 Urethane sold by Stevens Elastomeric and Plastic Products Inc., East Hampton, Mass. If the elastomer has too low a hardness, it tends to wear out, particularly when abused. If the elastomer has too high a hardness, it does not have sufficient frictional properties to lock the roller brush.

The pad is bonded to the button with a suitable contact bonding agent such as Plio- bond 2030, sold by Goodyear Chemical Division of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Ashland, Ohio.

The button can be of a variety of shapes and configurations, depending on the particular curling brush and the desired design configuration. The button can be circular or it can be elongated. A preferred design is an elongated button which generally conforms to the surface of the handle, including the portion which holds the flange of the outer tube. The button can be attached pivotally to the inside of the handle by means of projection's or it can be pivotally attached to projections on the top of the inner tube, or both. In any case, a compression coil spring under the rear of the button, between the button and the inner tube, keeps the brake pad on the button frictionally engaged to the flange face of the outrittube.

TEe button also can be attached to a piece of spring metal leaf which is on the inner. face of the handle. The spring metal leaf will preload the button so the brake pad is held against the flange face of the outer tube.

Another suitable structure is a spring loaded sliding button. The spring loaded sliding button can be in a guide track on the handle with the spring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and between the rear of the button and a boss on the inner surface of the handle.

In this arrangement, the spring preloads the front of the button to which the brake pad is bonded, against the face of the flange, keeping it locked. Release, allowing the outer tube to rotate, is obtained when the button is pushed and held toward the rear of the handle.

The locking mechanism of this invention can be incorporated into a variety of heated rotatable curling brushes, preferably those having a flanged rotatable member. In one suitable example, the inner tube and outer tube are made from the same plastic and the projections of the brush on the outer tube are integral therewith. Another curling brush which is suitable is one wherein an inner tube of aluminum replaces the plastic inner tube and is structured so that the heat generated is substantially evenly distributed throughout the brush. Rotating curling brushes with removable projections as well as those with steam generating capabilities are also suitable for use with the locking mechanism of this invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a locking mechanism of this invention; Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an end sectional view of the spring loaded button showing its attachment to the inner tube; Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the braking mechanism of this invention wherein the button is slidable; Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a heated rotatable curling brush having plastic inner and outer tubes with the locking mechanism of this invention; Figure 7 is a side sectional view of a heated rotatable curling brush having an aluminum inner tube with the lacking mechanism of this invention therein;; 6 Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a heated rotatable curling brush having removable pro- jections, with the locking mechanism of this invention therein; Figure 9 is a side sectional view of a heated rotatable curling brush having a steam generator and removable projections with the braking mechanism of this invention; Figure 10 is a perspective exploded end view of the curling brush outer tube of Fig. 8 with removable projections.

Figure Ii is a perspective view of spike projections with rounded ends; Figure 12 is a perspective view of trianguiar shaped projections.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to the drawings, the locking mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is the preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism of this invention, i.e., wherein the button 1 is pivotable on the projections 9 which fit into sockets 10 in the inner portion of the handle 1 3. Sockets 10 are formed by the upper and lower portions of the handle 1 3 when they are mated by the tongue and groove 1 7 and held together with screws 1 8.

The button 1 is generally rectangular with rounded corners 1 2 on the back end and a raised portion 2, the outside of which conforms to the shape of the raised portion 1 9 on the front of the handle 1 3. The raised portion 2 contains a notch 3 on its underside along its width which fits over the flange 4 of the outer tube 5 and holds it in rotating relationship. The notch 3 matches the track 1 4 around the inside of the front of the raised portion 1 9 of the handle 1 3 for holding the flange 4 of the outer tube 5 of a cylindrical curling brush in rotary relationship.

The thumb button 1 can be made of any moldable material that is stable under the conditions of use; plastic is preferred.

The face 6 of the flange 4 can be smooth.

The preferred structure is serrated with radial grooves 7 as shown in Fig. 1 because greater friction is created between them and the brake pad 8. In a preferred embodiment, the serrations 7 are around the complete circumference of the face of the flange 4. Any suitable number of serrations 7 can be made, however, they must not be further apart than the width of the brake pad 8 or locking will not occur without the need to rotate the brush until serrations 7 are in contact with the brake pad 8. The use of 144 radial serrations 7 is suitable, although more or less may be put on the face of the flange 4. The flange 4 can be any of a variety of materials including plastics such as polycarbonate, a relatively poor heat conductor. The flange 4 and the outer tube 5 can be integral when the outer tube 5 is plastic. However, this is not the preferred embodiment.It is preferred to use an aluminum outer tube 5 attached to the flange 4 by a sleeve fitting. These can be fabricated in a conventional manner such as by injection molding.

The brake pad 8 bonded to the rear face of the notch 3 in the front portion of the button 1 is made of an elastomer, preferably polyurethane. It is preferably in the middle third of the width of the button 1. The brake pad 8 is placed so it will contact the face of the flange 4 and clamp it by friction, preventing rotation.

At the rear of the thumb button 1 on the underside is a recess 1 5 for accommodating the top of a compression spring 1 6. The spring 1 6 can be made of any conventional material, however, 0.024" diameter music wire is preferred. The spring 1 6 should have sufficient strength to hold the rear of the thumb button 1 so that the brake pad 8 is pre-loaded against the flange face 6 and if serrations 7 are present, against them so the outer tube 5 is held against rotation.

The bottom of the thumb button 1, contains a structure having a pair of knobs 9, one on each side. These knobs 9 act as axles when the button 1 is pivotally attached to sockets 10 in the inner portion of the handle 1 3. It is also possible to have sockets instead of knobs and pivotally attached the button 1 to knobs on the inner tube 11. Pressing the button 1 down at the back raises the brake pad 8 away from the flange 4, allowing it to rotate freely.

The sliding thumb button 114 depicted in Figs. 4 and 5 has guides 11 5 which fit into a guide track in the forward end of the handle 11 3. The bottom of the thumb button 11 4 has a boss 121 which receives the front end of a spring 11 6 that is longitudinally placed on the outer surface of the inner tube 111.

The inner tube 111 has a boss 112 which receives the rear end of the spring 11 6. The front face of the thumb button 11 4 has a brake pad 118 bonded to it. The spring 11 6 has sufficient tension to preload the thumb button 11 3 forward against the face 11 7 of the flange 11 9 and thereby hold the outer tube 1 20 against rotation. The face 11 7 of the flange 11 9 can be smooth or have serrations 1 22 as shown in Fig. 4.Rotation is made possible by sliding the thumb button 114 to the rear against the tension of the spring 11 6. When the button 114 is released, the spring 11 6 forces it forward to cause the brake pad 11 8 to hold the outer tube 1 20 against rotation.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 where like numbers indicate like parts, the hated hair curler as shown comprises a rod housing 61 which serves as a handle, and an inner tube. In Fig.

6 the inner tube 62 is made of the same plastic as the outer tube 63. In Fig. 7 the inner tube 72 is made of aluminum protruding from the rod housing 61. The aluminum inner tube 72 is manufactured either by deep drawing, extrusion or other means. The inner tubes 62 and 72 are attached fixedly to the rod housings 61 by means of a post 82 attached by a screw 83 to the inner surface of the housing 61 through a hole in the inner tubes 62 (Fig. 6) and 72 (Fig. 7).

The inner tubes 62 and 72 serve to rotatably support the plastic outer tube 63 and to conduct heat from the heater 66 to the outer tube 63. The coupling 65, between the handle 61 and the outer tube 63, holds the round brush 64 supported by the outer tube 63 by a circular guide 67 in the front of the handle 61 which mates with the serrated flange 68 at the rear of the outer tube 63.

The electric heating device 66 is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor located inside the inner tubes 62 and 72 and is connected to a power source, not shown, by electric wires 70 which are introduced into the handle (rod housing) 61 and connected at commutating device 69 from the PTC thermistor 66 into the handle 61 to a swivel coupling 78.

The inner tubes 62 and 72 have a blind front end 77 which provides an axial forward stop for the heater 66. This blind front end 77 on the inner tubes 62 and 72 abuts the blind front end 74 of the outer tube 63. The outer diameters of the inner tubes 62 and 72 are close fitting within the inner diameter of the outer tube 63 to maintain maximum heat transfer. The outer tube 63 has an unheated grip 75 on its front end. The rearward end of the outer tube 63 has a flange 68. The flange face can be smooth, however, in the preferred depicted embodiments in Figs. 6 and 7, the flange face is serrated as shown in Fig. 1 onto which a brake pad 76 on the front of a thumb button 79 can press keeping the outer tube 63 from rotating. The thumb button 79 is pivotally supported on either of the inner tubes 62, 72 at a pivot axis 80.The button 79 is supported on either of the inner tubes 62, 72 with a compression spring 85 which fits into a notch 86 on the button. In this way the brake pad 76 is automatically preloaded against the serrated face of the flange 68 to hold the outer tube 63 against rotation until the operator actuates the button 79 by pressing to disengage the brake pad 76 allowing the outer tube 63 and brush 64 to freely rotate.

The above discussion is directed to the embodiment of this invention in which the heated curling brush has a plastic outer tube and a plastic or aluminum inner tube. It is also possible to utilize the locking mechanism of this invention in a heated curling brush having removable projections as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 1 0.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, where like numbers indicate like parts, the heated hair curlers shown comprise a rod housing 61 which serves as a handle. and an aluminum inner tube 72 protruding from the rod housing 61. The inner tube 72 is fixedly attached to the rod housing 61 by means of a post 82 attached by a screw 83 to the inner surface of the housing 61 through a hole in the inner tube 72.

The inner tube 72 serves to rotatably support the outer tube 163 and to conduct heat from the heater 66 to the outer tube 1 63.

The coupling 65, between the handle 61 and the outer tube 1 63 holds the serrated flange 68 of the outer tube 1 63 in a circular guide 67 in the front of the handle 61 which mates with the serrated flange 68 at the rear of the outer tube 1 63. The flange 68 is made of a plastic which is a poor heat conductor. It is fitted onto the outer tube 1 63 by a sleeve fitting. The electric heating device 66 is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor located inside the inner tube 72 and is connected to a power source, not shown, by electric wires 70 which are introduced into the handle (rod housing) 61 and connected to a swivel coupling 78 at a commutating device 69 by the wires 70 extending from t'he PTC thermistor 66 into the handle 61.

The outer tube 1 63 is made of aluminum from the front end to the flange 68. The outer tube has grooves (as shown in Fig. 10) 93 running longitudinally from the front end to the flange 68. The grooves 93 shown in Fig.

10 are dovetail shape, however, any convenient shape is satisfactory. The grooves 93 receive, in sliding relationship, rows of projections 95 shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 1 2 on guides 96 which mate with the grooves 93 to form the curler brush. There are eight grooves 93 and eight rows of projections 95 on the outer tube 1 63. It is possible to use fewer rows of projections 95, however, eight has been found to be most suitable. The projections 95 and guides 96 are preferably made of a rubbery plastic which conducts the heat from the aluminum outer tube 1 63 but not so efficiently that the user is burned. A thermoplastic polyester elastomer such as Dupont Hytrel 5555-HS sold by, E.I. Dupont, Wilmington, Delaware is a suitable material.The flexible projections 95 can be of any suitable shape which when utilized will not tangle the hair. It has been found that while relatively rigid projections are operable, flexible projections are preferred since they have less tendency to tangle the hair. Preferred are cylindrical or slightly tapered Frojections with rounded tips perpendicular to the guide 96, as shown in Fig. 11. Another configuration can be triangular with a flat front and a flat back both of which are perpendicular to the guide 96 as shown in Fig. 12.

As shown in Fig. 8, the inner front end of the outer tube 1 63 has threads 98 for receiving an end 99 which screws into the threads 98. This end 99 prevents the rows of projections from sliding out. It is made of a low heat conductive plastic such as polycarbonate and does not become heated. If the projections 95 are to be changed, the end piece 99 is unscrewed and the projections 95 are removed. The inner tube 72 has a blind front end 100 which is in direct contact with the forward end of the heating device 66. The end 100 of the inner tube .72 is not in contact with the removable end piece 99. This makes sure the end piece 99 is cool to the touch so it can be removed without danger to the user.

The end 100 of the inner tube 72 provides an axial forward stop for the heating device 66.

The outer diameter of the inner tube 72 is close fitting within the inner diameter of the outer tube 1 63 to maintain maximum heat transfer. These diameters may be very close fitting and still permit free rotation of the outer tube 1 63 in view of the compatibie coefficients of thermal expansion of the aluminum outer tube 1 63 and aluminum inner tube 72.

The rearward end of the outer tube 1 63 is made of plastic and is a flange 68 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 with serrations on its face, as illustrated in Fig. 1, against which a brake pad on the front end of the push button 106 can be engaged. The push button 106 is pivotably supported on the inside of the handle 61 at pivot axis 107. The button 106 is supported against the inner tube 72 with a compression spring placed between a notch on the underside of the rear of the button 106 and a projection from the post 82 which holds the inner tube 72 in the handle 61. In this way, the brake pad is automatically swung into position to hold the outer tube 1 63 until the operator actuates the button 106 for disengagement, then the outer tube 1 63 and round brush rotate freely.

In the case of a steam curling brush as depicted in Fig. 9 the outer tube 163 has a series of perforations 94 in the base of the grooves 93 for the projections 95, in order to allow steam generated therein to escape. It is preferred to have perforations in alternate grooves otherwise essentially all the steam will escape at the front perforations and very little, if any, at the rear perforations with the result that uneven curling is obtained. In addition, the end 101 which screws on and off the outer tube 1 63 is a guide for the water reservoir 99 and the sliding collar 103. Also when the end 101 is removed by unscrewing threads 98, the projections 95 can be removed. The water reservoir 99 screws into the sliding collar 103.This collar 103 contains a wick 102 which is in contact with the end of the inner tube 100 when the end 99 is depressed axially. The water reservoir 99 can be removed for filling by unscrewing, however, it is possible to have an end which snaps in rather than screws in. The full reservoir 99 is then reinstated into the collar 1 03.

The collar 103 is displaced axially inward by pushing on the end 99 causing the wet wick to be moved into contact with the end 100 of the inner tube 72. The water in the wick becomes heated to steam from the heat of the inner tube 72. The steam escapes through the perforations 94 in the outer tube 1 63 and in the projection guides 96. The perforations in the guides 96 are not positioned directly over the perforations 94 in the outer tube 1 63 in order for the steam to be more uniformly distributed along the length of the outer tube 163. The water reservoir 99 and collar 103 are held in an extended position by a compression spring 104 which is longitudinally placed between a boss 105 on the outer shoulder of the water reservoir 99 and a notch 109 in the end 101.The outer tube 163 is centered on the inner tube 72 by sets of dimples 108 on the inside of the outer tube 1 63 at each of the alternate grooves 93 which do not contain perforations 94. This assures uniform distribution of steam around the circumference of the outer barrel 163.

The heated lockable rotatable curling brush, in use, operates as follows. The electric plug, not shown, is plugged into an electric power source which heats the PTC heating device causing the inner tube to become heated and by conduction to heat the outer tube. The brush projections thereon do not become heated but may become slightly warm, however, their function is to provide a grip for winding the hair. When the curler brush is heated, the operator winds the hair around the curler brush with the brake engaged.

When the hair is curled as desired, the button is pushed and held, releasing the outer tube and the brush to rotate freely. The curler brush is then pulled outward from the head, releasing the hair.

If steam is desired, the steam curling brush depicted in Fig. 9 can be used. After the hair is rolled up, the end cap of the outer tube containing the water reservoir is pushed, generating steam which escapes through the perforations in the outer tube and projection guide. The device is removed from the hair as described above.

Other known rotatable curling brushes can also be adapted to utilize the locking mechanism described herein and this invention is not intended to be limited to a specific curler brush.

Claims

1. A heated lockable rotatable curling brush for styling and curling hair comprising: a rod housing serving as a handle; an inner tube fixedly attached to said housing, protruding therefrom, rotatably supporting an outer tube and in heat conductive relationship with said outer tube; a resistance heater in said inner tube in heat conduction relationship therewith; an electric wire in the inner tube connected to the heater and an outside power source; an outer tube supporting a round brush, rotatably supported on said Inner tube In heat conductive relationship therewith.

a locking means for preventing the rotatable outer tube and brush from rotating comprising a pivotable spring loaded thumb button in the front of the rod housing, said thumb button having a brake pad thereon which is placed so it can be preloaded into contact with the surface of the rear end of the outer tube by said spring, holding the outer tube against rotation.

2. The curling brush of claim 1 wherein said outer tube has a flange on its rearward end which is rotatably supported by a circular guide in the front end of the rod housing.

3. The curling brush of claim 2 wherein said brake pad is preloaded into contact with the face of said flange.

4. The curling brush of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said thumb button is in pivotable (relationship with said inner tube.

5. The curling brush of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said thumb button is in pivotable relationship with said rod housing.

6. The curling brush of any preceding claim wherein said spring is situated between said inner tube and the rear of said thumb button.

7. The curling brush of any preceding claim wherein said spring is a spring metal leaf.

-

8. The curling brush of any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the thumb button is of a generally rectangular shape and has a raised portion in the front which conforms to the shape of the rod housing and has a groove which matches the circular guide on the front edge of the rod housing and mates with said flange, said groove on the thumb button having a brake pad bonded on its forward face.

9. The curling brush of any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the face of the flange is radially serrated.

1 0. The curling brush of any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the inner tube is aluminum and the heater is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor.

11. The curling brush of claim 10 wherein the outer tube is aluminum and the flange thereof is plastic.

1 2. The curling brush of claim 11 wherein the outer tube has longitudinal grooves for receiving rows of projections attached perpendicularly to guides that slide into the grooves.

1 3. The curling brush of claim 1 2 wherein the bases of alternate longitudinal grooves in the outer tube have perforations spaced longitudinally.

1 4. The curling brush of claim 1 3 wherein the guides holding the brush projections have perforations spaced longitudinally between projections.

1 5. The curling brush of claim 1 2, 1 3 or 14 wherein the projections and guides are a flexible material.

16. The curling brush of claim 12, 13, 14 or 1 5 having a removable plug attached to the front end of the outer tube, said plug blocking the ends of the guides.

17. The curling brush of claim 14 having a removable plug with a water reservoir and a wick attached to the front end of the outer tube, said plug blocking the ends of the guides.

1 8. The curling brush of claim 1 5 wherein one end of the wick can be moved into contact with the front end of the inner tube and the other end of the wick is in an area for receiving water from the water reservoir.

1 9. A curling brush as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described with reference to any Figure(s) of the accompanying drawings.