GB2226954A - Hairdryer with adjustable handgrip and/or air outlet - Google Patents

Abstract

A hairdryer (10) has a body (12), a handgrip (14) and an air outlet (16), in which the angle between the handgrip (14) and the outlet (16) is adjustable such that the direction of air flow from the outlet (16) may be changed for a given handgrip position. The angle between the handgrip and the body is adjustable and/or the angle between the air outlet and the body. <IMAGE>

Description

HA I RDRYER This invention relates to a hairdryer.

Hairdryers generally comprise a body containing a motor and an impeller which draws air from the surroundings and directs the air through a heating element. The heated air is then expelled from the body through an outlet to be directed towards a subject's hair. Some devices may also include styling attachments such as brushes or combs, and in this specification the term hairdryer' is to be taken as including all such devices which employ a flow of air.

A handle is usually provided whereby the hairdryer may be held by an operator in use. The handle arrangement is often similar to that of a pistol, with a fixed handgrip depending from the body. The handgrip may be aligned along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body, or which may be inclined towards or away from the outlet end of the body.

Existing hairdryers can be inconvenient in use because the user may have to hold the handgrip at an uncomfortable angle in order to direct the flow of air as desired. This disadvantage is apparent where the user is drying his or her own hair, particularly when the hairdryer is held behind the head. The problem is magnified where the user is a hairdresser who uses a hairdryer for extended periods, because the user may become fatigued if he or she finds it uncomfortable to hold the hairdryer in use.

According to the invention there is provided a hairdryer having a body, a handgrip and an outlet, wherein means are provided to vary the direction of air flow from the outlet with respect to the handgrip such that in handheld use the hairdryer can adopt a variety of operational configurations.

The hairdryer of this invention enjoys major benefits over existing arrangements, because the angle between the handle axis and the direction of air flow may be readily varied so as to facilitate comfortable hand-held use. This benefit may be enjoyed both by persons using the hairdryer upon themselves, and by persons using the hairdryer upon others.

According to one aspect of this invention, a hairdryer comprises a body, through which air flows to be expelled through an outlet in use, and a handgrip connected to the body, wherein the body has a first axis, the outlet has a second axis and the handgrip has a third axis, and the angle between at least two of the axes being adjustable.

In one embodiment of this invention, the handgrip is movable relative to the body such that the angle of the third axis relative to the first axis may be adjusted. In a preferred embodiment the handgrip and body-are connected by interlocking means.

In another embodiment, the outlet comprises a nozzle movable relative to the body such that the angle of the second axis relative to the first axis may be adjusted.

Other embodiments have both the handgrip and an outlet nozzle movable relative to the body such that all three axes may be adjusted relative to one another.

It is preferred that the handgrip and/or an outlet nozzle are pivotally attached to the body for movement about a transverse horizontal axis, and the angle of these components relative to the body may be adjustable in discrete steps. Suitably, an outlet nozzle has an intermediate position in which the second axis and the first axis are substantially aligned with one another. Similarly, the handgrip suitably has an intermediate position in which the third axis and the first axis are substantially perpendicular to one another. It is preferred that the handgrip and/or an outlet nozzle are angularly adjustable to positions on either side of an intermediate position.

In another embodiment the outlet comprises a nozzle which is a snap fit in the air exit of the body and is rotatable through 3600 . The nozzle is asymmetric so that the direction of air flow can be changed by rotation of the nozzle with respect to the body.

In yet another embodiment the outlet comprises a nozzle in two parts, hinged together for articulation in a single plane, the innermost part being for attachment to the body of the hairdryer and the outermost part constituting an air exit member; sealing means are provided to allow relative movement between the nozzle parts without substantial leakage of the air blast.

The innermost part may be rotatable through 3600 with respect to the body of the hairdryer, and the air exit member may be asymmetric. Stops may be provided to limit the extent of articulation of the nozzle parts.

In an alternative embodiment the nozzle may be in the form of a ball and socket having one cf the ball and socket attached to the hairdryer and the other constituting an air exit member. The innermost part may be rotatable on the hairdryer body and the air exit member may be asymmetric; stops may be incorporated to limit articulation of the nozzle parts. In the preferred embodiment the innermost part is the male member of the joint.

The nozzle and body may be attached by interlocking means. The relatively movable parts of the hairdryer may be sealed against air flow leakage by one or more gaiters.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of several preferred embodiments shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a schematic side view of a one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing a detail of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken vertically through the Figure 1 embodiment; Figure 4 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of Figure 4.

Fig 6 is an end view of the nozzle of a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig 7 is an axial section through the nozzle of Fig 6.

Fig 8 is a scrap section on an enlarged scale showing an alternative arrangement of connecting the nozzle of Fig 6.

Fig 9 is a part-sectional side elevation of a fourth nozzle assembly comprising two parts hinged together.

Fig 10 is the nozzle of Fig 9 shown in an alternative position.

Fig 11 is part-sectional plan view of the nozzle of Figs 9 and 10.

Fig 12 is a part-sectional side elevation of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Fig 13 is a part-sectional plan view of the nozzle arrangement of Fig 12.

Fig 14 is an end elevation of the nozzle of Fig 12; Fig 15 illustrates articulation of the fifth embodiment; Fig 16 is an end elevation of a diffuser nozzle; and Fig 17 is a side elevation of the nozzle of Fig 16 and also represented in alternative positions.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a hairdryer 10 comprises a body 12 of generally cylindrical shape which has a handgrip 14 depending therefrom. The body contains a motor, an impeller and a heating element which can be of standard design. Accordingly, for the purpose of brevity, these components are not illustrated or described herein.

In the usual way, air is expelled in use as a continuous flow through an outlet 16 situated at one end of the body 12. Air may be drawn into the body through one or more inlet openings (not shown) which are suitably situated in one end of the body opposite the outlet. Alternatively, the inlet openings may be situated in the sides of the body.

The body 12, the handgrip 14 and the outlet 16 are suitably made of injection-moulded plastics material.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the outlet 16 is integral with and set in fixed relation to the body 12. The outlet opening is positioned such that air flow exiting the body 12 in use is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body. In this embodiment, the handgrip 14 is movable about a transverse pivot axis 18 into any of the three positions shown in Figure 2. Two of these positions, shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, are angled fifteen degrees either side of an intermediate position, shown in solid lines. The intermediate position is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of body 12. It will be clear that these angles need not be exactly as shown but can be varied if deemed appropriate.

Figure 3 shows the joint between the body 12 and the handgrip 14, in detail. The body has an integral transverse protrusion 20 which is substantially cylindrical in crosssection and which is aligned with, and centred upon, the pivot axis 18. The protrusion 20 has three grooves 22 on each side which are angularly spaced from one another and run along substantially the whole length of the protrusion.

Protrusion 20 is received and retained by a pair of flaps 24 which have part-cylindrical inner walls 26 shaped to correspond with the external surface of the protrusion.

When received by the flaps 24, the protrusion 20 is angularly movable about the pivot axis 18.

The flaps 24 each have a rib 28 projecting from the walls 26, which are diametrically opposed about the pivot axis 18. The grooves 22 are shaped to receive the ribs 28 as shown, one rib being received in a groove on one side of the protrusion 20, the other rib being received in a groove on the other side of the protrusion 20. To this end, the grooves 28 are arranged in diametrically-opposed pairs about the pivot axis 18.

The flaps 24 are formed integrally with the handle 14 and are flexible such that their free ends 30 can be deflected away from one another. This facilitates movement of the protrusion 20 relative to the flaps 24 by allowing the ribs 28 to move between the grooves 22. Moreover, the flaps 24 are resilient so that their free ends 30 move towards one another when the ribs 28 are seated in grooves 22.

As will be clear, the arrangement described allows the handle 14 to be moved between three angularly-spaced positions, although in other embodiments there may be more or less than three positions. Once in one of these positions with the ribs 28 engaged in appropriate grooves 22, the handle is positively retained in that position by the resilience of the flaps 24 which provides resistance to further movement. Nevertheless, the resistance can readily be overcome whereby the handle can be moved into another position when desired.

Figure 3 also shows a bellows-type gaiter 32 of flexible ribbed material, which covers the joint between the handle 14 and the body 12 while allowing relative movement therebetween.

As is common in the art, switches 34 may be provided in the handle for convenient operation by a user's fingers.

This necessitates electrical connections between the handle and the body and, to this end, a gap 36 is provided in the cylindrical protrusion 20 through which conductors can be passed.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the outlet comprises a nozzle 17 pivoted to the body 12 for movement about a transverse pivot axis 38.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the nozzle 17 is movable into any of three positions, which are spaced apart by an angle of fifteen degrees from one another about pivot axis 34. Of course, the angular spacing could be different and there could be more or less than three positions. By moving nozzle 17, the flow of air through the nozzle may be directed as desired.

As shown in Figure 5, the joint between the body 12 and the nozzle 17 is similar in principle to the arrangement described above i relation to the handle 14. In Figure 5, the body 12 has an annular collar 40 which carries two sets of three grooves 42. The two sets of grooves 42 are mutually opposed about the pivot axis 38. The collar 40 also has two pivot pins 44, one situated on either side of the collar on the pivot axis 38.

The collar 40 has a part-spherical surface which is received within a correspondingly-shaped outer collar 46 provided on the nozzle 17. The outer collar 46 is divided into four flaps 48 by four equi-spaced slots 50. Two of the flaps (48a) each have a hole 52 for receiving a pivot pin 44. The other two flaps (48b) each have an internal rib 54.

The ribs 54 correspond in function to the ribs 28 described above in that they are received within a groove 42 to retain the nozzle in a desired position.

As before, the flap 48 are flexible and resilient so as to allow movement of the ribs 54 between grooves 42.

Moreover, the pivot pins 44 can snap-fit' within their holes 52.

A sleeve 56 of heat insulating material passes through the collar 40 so as to direct air flow between the body 12 and the nozzle 17.

As before, a bellows-type flexible gaiter 58 is provided to cover the joint between the body 12 and the nozzle 17.

The attachment between the nozzle 17 and the body 12 is arranged such that airflow from the body to the nozzle is not unduly restricted.

With reference to Figs 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative nozzle 111 comprising a one piece plastic moulding having a circular inner end 112 and an elongate outlet 113. The centre line of the outlet 113 is offset by approximately 300 from the centre line of the inner end 112.

The inner end has a reduced diameter portion 114 with a raised circumferential rim 115 as shown; the rim is rounded and adapted to snap behind the inwardly directed rim 116a of a hairdryer body 116. The rim 115 may be discontinuous, for example only three or four short rim portions may suffice provided that the rim 116a is continuous.

The snap fitting allows rotation of the nozzle through 3600 thus permitting the direction of the air flow to be adjusted. Snap fitting is not the only method of attaching the nozzle but is preferred as an economical and effective arrangement. The snap ring of either nozzle or body need not be continuous provided that a good air seal is maintained. The nozzle could be a push fit in the body.

The rim 116 of the dryer body as shown has à reverse chamfer to prevent removal of the nozzle. As an alternative the rim could be shaped to permit removal of the nozzle so that other attachments, or nozzles of an alternative shape, could be attached to the body. A suitable arrangement is shown in Fig 8 where the nozzle part 115a and dryer rim 116a are rounded to permit relatively easy removal. An alternative nozzle could incorporate the diffuser of Figs 16 and 17.

Figs 9, 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment in which the nozzle comprises an attachment member 121 for attachment to the hairdryer body by any convenient means, and an air exit member 122 hinged thereto for angular movement in a single plane. The member 121 is shown with a snap fitting for attachment to the body and rotation through 3600; alternatively the member 121 could be a push fit, fixed or attached for rotation or partial rotation by any other suitable means.

The parts have a snap fitting hinge best shown in Fig 11; the attachment part (male) has a pair of opposed apertures 123 into which fit corresponding projections 124 of the exit member (female). As clearly shown in Fig 11 the projections 124 are bevelled to allow easy snap fitting of the parts and to prevent inadvertent disassembly.

The male part is stepped to provide stops 125 which limit articulation of the female part, and has integral extensions 126 which serve to seal the nozzle assembly against leakage.

By suitable design the nozzle parts may be arranged to resiliently press against each other in the region of the extensions 126.

The hinge arrangement is provided with adequate bearing areas to ensure long life with minimum air flow leakage. - In certain embodiments, for example for professional usage, additional sealing members such as an external bellows may be desirable.

In the embodiment shown in Figs 9-11 the stops limit the range of nozzle articulation to approximately 660.

The embodiment of Figs 12-15 is a two part nozzle assembly in which the parts are connected by a ball and socket joint.

The male part 131 may be attached to the hairdryer body by any of the methods previously described; as shown a snap fitting allows 3600 rotation with respect to the hairdryer body 132. The female part 133 has an elongate outlet 134.

The nozzle parts are designed as a light interference fit and are snapped together.

Primary stops 135 limit articulation of the parts to about 450 in the embodiment shown with 3600 rotation of the female part with respect to the male part. In this embodiment rotation of the male part with respect to the hairdryer body is not necessary to obtain the full range of air flow angles. Secondary stops 136 correspond to the stops 135. Again improved sealing may be obtained by the use of external or internal bellows or any other suitable means.

The alternative nozzle of Figs 16 and 17 has free articulation between the male and female nozzle parts in the manner of the embodiment of Figs 12-15; the female part however has a integral diffuser 137 to provide a supply of hot air over a larger area and at a reduced velocity as compared with the nozzle of Fig 12.

The diffuser is shown in two alternative positions, indicated by the dotted lines, and may be conveniently moulded in two parts as a tubular body 138 and a plate like cover 139. The male member 132 may be identical with that of the Fig 12 embodiment where an interchangeable nozzle and diffuser are provided.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, many variations are possible without departing from the scope of this invention. For instance, the embodiment shown in Figs 1-5 may have both the handgrip 14 and the nozzle 16 movable relative to the body 12. This increases the variety of configurations available.

Claims (25)

CLAIMS:

1. A hairdryer having a body, a handgrip and an outlet, means being provided to vary the direction of air flow from the outlet with respect to the handgrip such that in handheld use the hairdryer can assume a variety of operational configurations.

2. A hairdryer according to claim 1 wherein the handgrip is pivotally attached to the body.

3. A hairdryer according to claim 2 wherein the handgrip is pivoted to the body about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handgrip.

4. A hairdryer according to claim 3 wherein the handle is movable in steps between discrete angular positions.

5. A hairdryer according to claim 4 wherein the handgrip has an intermediate position in which the longitudinal axis of the handgrip is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

6. A hairdryer according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the handgrip and body are connected by interlocking means.

7. A hairdryer according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet comprises a nozzle pivotally attached to the body.

8. A hairdryer according to claim 7 wherein the nozzle comprises two-parts hinged together for articulation in a single plane, one part constituting an attachment member for attachment to said body and the other part constituting an air exit member.

9. A hairdryer according to claim 7 wherein the nozzle comprises a ball and socket joint, one of the ball and socket constituting an attachment member for attachment to said body and the other of the ball and socket constituting an air exit member.

10. A hairdryer according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the attachment member and air exit member are respective male and female members.

11. A hairdryer according to any of claims 8-10 wherein said attachment member is adapted for resilient engagement with said air exit member.

12. A hairdryer according to any of claims 8-11 wherein the attachment member is rotatable with respect to the body.

13. A hairdryer according to any of claims 8-12 wherein the nozzle includes stops to limit the extent of articulation of the attachment member and air exit member.

14. A hairdryer according to any of claims 8-13 wherein the air exit member is asymmetric.

15. A hairdryer according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the outlet comprises a nozzle rotatable with respect to the body and being asymmetric.

16. A hairdryer according to any of claims 7-15 wherein the nozzle and body are connected by interlocking means.

17. A hairdryer according to claim 6 or claim 16, wherein the interlocking means comprises a resilient female element and a co-operating male element.

18. A hairdryer according to claim 17, wherein the male and female elements have part-cylindrical or part-spherical mating surfaces.

19. A hairdryer according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the male element carries a projection that engages within one or more recesses on the female element to restrict movement relative thereto.

20. A hairdryer substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A hairdryer having a nozzle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A hairdryer having a nozzle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 6-8 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A hairdryer having a nozzle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 9-11 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A hairdryer having a nozzle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 12-15 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A hairdryer having a nozzle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.