GB2374801A

GB2374801A - Hairdryer with rotary attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2374801A
Application number: GB0110321A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter William Keig; John Bryan Lawrence
Original assignee: Morphy Richards Ltd; Morphy Richards NI Ltd
Current assignee: Morphy Richards Ltd; Morphy Richards NI Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-27
Filing date: 2001-04-27
Publication date: 2002-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-27
Also published as: GB0110321D0; GB2374801B

Abstract

A hairdryer includes means to effect rotary motion of an attachment 314 located at the air outlet, eg a diffuser/volumiser or concentrator. Oscillating rotary motion of the attachment through a pre-determined arc may be achieved by a separate motor unit 310, by the existing hairdryer motor (502, Fig 5) or by a manually operated lever (601, Fig 6). The drive may be linked to the attachment through a gear train and when using the existing motor, a clutch (506) can be included. A manual mechanism is biassed whereby releasing the lever reverses the rotation and returns the lever to its initial position.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO HAIRDRYERS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus for drying hair and particularly, although not exclusively, to hairdryers comprising means to effect movement of a hairdryer attachment in at least one rotational direction.

Background to the Invention Hairdryers are known pieces of prior art apparatus commonly used in the domestic environment for hair-drying. Referring to Fig. 1 herein an example of a prior art hairdryer is illustrated. Typically, prior art hairdryers include a body 101.

Housed within body 101 is a motor unit 102 configured to drive a fan 103.

Operation of fan 103 acts to draw in air from an external environment through an air intake port (illustrated by arrow 104). Operation of motor unit 102 is controlled by one or more control means 106. Fan 103 operates to draw in air which is passed over a heater element 105. Heated air is allowed to flow through an air outlet, the result being the flow of hot air from the hairdryer illustrated by arrow 107.

Whilst prior art hairdryers are operable without any hairdryer attachments, it is known in the prior art to configure hairdryers to be adapted to receive one of a number of attachments at the air outlet. Fig. 1 illustrates one type of prior art attachment being a diffuser/volumiser 108. Such diffusers/volumisers are known in the prior art. An alternative prior art attachment, called a concentrator, is illustrated in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.

A diffuser typically comprises a neck portion adapted to engage with the air outlet of a hairdryer. Heated air is passed through the diffuser and outlet through a combination of apertures in the base plate of the diffuser and through apertures in projections 111 projecting from the base plate of the diffuser. A diffuser is P701. spec

commonly used in hair styling to pass a flow of warm air from within the hair rather than simply blowing hot air to the external surfaces of the hair.

A concentrator is illustrated in side view in Fig. 2a and in external perspective view in Fig. 2b and comprises a neck portion 202 which is adapted to connect to the air outlet of a prior art hairdryer. The concentrator has a body portion 201 which tapers to a narrowed outlet 203. Air is passed through neck 202 and outlet at the air outlet 203. A concentrator provides for a concentrated blast of hot air which can be delivered either externally to the hair or towards the roots of the hair.

It is preferable when conducting hair-drying to gently rotate the hairdryer in a forwards and backwards rocking motion. This aids even distribution of hot air towards the hair being dried. It is particularly preferably when using attachments such as a diffuser/volumiser or concentrator to conduct this gentle rocking motion. This has been recognised in prior art hairdryers such as the prior art hairdryer illustrated in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 1 diffuser 108 comprises a beveled 109 neck portion which can be manually rocked back and forward 110 in a rotational arc about the air outlet. In use the user is required to hold the hairdryer in a position to allow air to be outlet through diffuser 108 towards the hair and to simultaneously grasp the beveled neck 109 to conduct a manual back and forth rotation.

This process of manual rotation of the hairdryer attachment, whether it be a diffuser, concentrator or other attachment is difficult to perform by a single user who is holding the hairdryer by a handle portion 112, operating the necessary control means 106 to operate the hairdryer in a desired mode and also to simultaneously manually rotate attachment 108. Not only is this difficult to perform but is tiring to the user in that two hands are required to be held above one's head to perform the operation. As a result, due to the users tiredness the operation is commonly performed ineffectively. Referring to Fig. 1, rotation of

attachment 108 is a feature of the attachment. The prior art hairdryer described does not include means to effect the rotational movement of the attachment 108.

A small number of rotating components known in prior art hairdryers are reviewed below.

EP 0487932B1 discloses a hairdryer attachment adapted for the production of a pulsating air-stream. An attachment is provided which can be engaged with the air outlet of a hair-dryer. The attachment has an air outlet designed such that air flowing though the attachment exerts a torque on the attachment. This disclosure relates to the design of hairdryer attachments to create torque and is not dependent on the hairdryer unit specifically.

EP 0487933 81 discloses a rotary disk within the hair dryer having apertures in the rotary disk. Apertures in the rotary disk temporarily register with a second aperture in a diaphragm and thereby provides a varied direction and pulsation of air-flow. This disclosure does not consider the driving of any separate hairdryer attachment in a rotational manner.

US 5720107 discloses an adjustable pulsator for the creation of a pulsing action in the air-stream emanating from a hairdryer. Moveable vanes within the hairdryer are located in the flow of the air-stream to vary the pulsation frequency.

Once again, this disclosure does not consider rotation of hairdryer attachments by means within the hairdryer but considers components within the hairdryer to deflect the air-stream.

US 5546674 discloses an air-moving appliance for drying or styling hair. A hair-styling portion of the appliance is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the housing. A diaphragm is disclosed to selectively direct air through the hairstyling portion of the appliance. The appliance is not configured for receiving separate hair-styling attachments. Movement of the hair-styling portion is due to

the user applying a force on the hair pickup elements during hair-drying or the hair-styling action. No specific means to effect a rotational movement of a hairdryer attachment are disclosed.

There is therefore a technical problem with prior art hair-dryers in that to achieve rotational movement back and forth of a hairdryer attachment through a predetermined required arc, desired to provide enhanced air distribution and circulation to the hair being dried, the closest prior art apparatus requires the user to manually rotate a hairdryer attachment. This is ineffective, tiring to the user and inefficient.

The inventors have provided a technical solution to the problem of prior art hairdryers outlined above by inventing a hairdryer comprising means to effect a rotational movement of an attachment in first and second opposing rotational directions such that the attachment is rocked in an oscillating manner through an arc. The present invention is not reliant on a specific design of attachment, pnor art attachments being suitable for use with the hairdryer of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention The inventors have realized that problems with movement in rotational directions of prior art hairdryer attachments can be overcome by providing a hairdryer comprising means to effect movement of a hairdryer attachment fitted to said hairdryer in at least one rotational direction. Such a hairdryer can be configured such that means to effect rotational movement are operable by a user to cause oscillating rotation of the attachment through a predetermined arc of approximately 100 to 300 to produce a rocking motion such that the attachment is effectively continuously rotating throughout the predetermined arc from a first position to a second position and back to the first position. The inventors have realized that whilst a separate motor to the prior art fan operating motor 102 can be used to drive the rotation, the prior art fan operating motor 102 can also be configured to drive attachment rotation. The inventors have also realized that a

manual operation of the rotation can be enabled by providing manual driving means which can be operated by the user with the same hand used to grasp the handle of the hairdryer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hairdryer comprising means configured for the rotational movement of a hairdryer attachment fitted to said hairdryer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hairdryer comprising a body, said body defining an air outlet, said hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment at said air outlet so as to permit the received attachment to move in at least one rotational direction, characterised in that: said hairdryer further comprises means to effect movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction.

Preferably, said movement comprises movement in a first rotational direction followed by movement in a second rotational direction.

Preferably, said first and second rotational directions are opposed.

Preferably, said means to effect movement of said attachment operates to effect oscillation of said attachment through an arc about said air outlet.

Preferably, said means to effect movement determines the extent of rotational movement of said attachment in at least one of said rotational directions.

Preferably, said body further comprises mounting means configured to releasably receive said hairdryer attachment.

Preferably, said means to effect movement comprises: a first motor unit configured to drive movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction.

Preferably, said first motor unit directly drives rotational movement of said attachment.

Preferably, said first motor unit drives said movement through one or more gears.

Preferably, said one or more gears includes an epicyclic gear train.

Preferably, said first motor unit is dedicated to driving attachment movement, said hairdryer further comprising a second motor unit configured to effect air movement through said hairdryer.

Preferably, said first motor unit is additionally configured to drive air movement through said hairdryer.

Preferably, said first motor unit is configured to drive movement of said attachment through one or more gears.

Preferably, said hairdryer further comprises clutch means configured to engage and disengage means to drive movement of said attachment.

Preferably, said means to effect movement comprises:

at least one gear means configured to drive movement of said attachment, said at least one gear means in mechanical communication with manual gear driving means.

Preferably, operating said manual gear driving means effects movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction through said at least one gear means.

Preferably, said manual gear driving means is resiliently biased, operation of said manual gear driving means effecting movement of said attachment in a first rotational direction, said manual gear driving means configured to resiliently return to a first position thereby effecting movement of said attachment in a second rotational direction.

Preferably, said gears comprise a drive gear comprising an eccentric projecting member, wherein said projecting member is configured to drive movement of a hairdryer air outlet ring portion.

Preferably, said projecting member is slottedly engaged with a drive member portion of said outlet ring portion, rotation of said drive gear effecting oscillating movement of said drive member portion.

Preferably, said gears further comprise one or more reducing gears configured to drive said drive gear.

Preferably, said received attachment is releasably engaged with said body at said air outlet ring portion by at least one fastening means.

Preferably, said fastening means comprises at least one lug configured to engage said attachment.

Preferably, said attachment is taken from the set of: * A diffuser/volumiser ; A concentrator.

Preferably, said rotational movement comprises rotation of said attachment through an arc of between 100 to 30 .

Preferably, a hairdryer is provided, said hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment for outlet of air from said hairdryer through said hairdryer attachment, said hairdryer comprising means to drive movement of said attachment in a predetermined arc of rotation about said hairdryer.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a part cutaway view of a hairdryer and diffuser attachment known in the prior art.

Fig. 2A illustrates a side view of a prior art hairdryer concentrator attachment.

Fig. 2B illustrates an external perspective view of the same prior art hairdryer concentrator attachment illustrated in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 illustrates a partial cutaway view of a hairdryer and attached diffuser according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a diagrammatic cutaway view of a hairdryer according to the first specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic cutaway view of a hairdryer according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic cutaway view of a hairdryer according to a third specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates one arrangement of gears for effecting bi-directional rotational movement of a hairdryer attachment.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed diagrammatic view of a hairdryer according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates a hairdryer comprising a body 301 which further comprises a handle portion 302 enabling the hairdryer to be firmly gripped by the user. Control means 304, being switches and typically buttons or dials, enable the user to activate the hairdryer and to vary the speed and heat at which air is output from the hairdryer through the air outlet and associated attachment (see arrow 315). According to the first specific embodiment of the present invention the hairdryer further comprises a motor 308

driving a fan/impeller 307 enabling air to be drawn in through an air intake port, air intake being indicated by arrow 309. Handle portion 302 further includes control means 305, again a switch being typically a button or dial enabling special functions, e. g. provision of a cool shot of air, of the hairdryer to be activated. Control means 306 is a rotation switch operable to activate the rotation of attachment 314. Fig. 3 illustrates a diffuser/volumiser attachment 314 securely received and engaged at the hairdryer air outlet by engaging means 313.

Hairdryers according to any embodiment of the present invention are not required to be operated in conjunction with an attachment to perform the function of hairdrying. A preferred attachment can be fitted to the hairdryer by the user to perform a required hair-drying function.

Fig. 3 further illustrates a subset of the specific features of the present invention required to effect movement of the attachment 314 in at least one rotational direction. These specific features comprise a motor unit 310, driving gears 311 and 312. Driving of gears 311,312 results in rotation of the attachment 314, the rotation being indicated by arrow 316. In the first specific embodiment motor units 310 and 308 receive a power supply through power cord 303.

Motor unit 308 is either an AC or DC motor, e. g. a 1600 watt variable speed AC motor.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the first specific embodiment of the present invention showing, in cutaway diagrammatic view, a subset of the specific features of the first embodiment required to drive attachment 314 rotational movement. Control means 306 operates as a rotation switch to activate motor 310 via circuitry and wiring 401. Motor unit 310 is typically a fixed speed DC motor operating at approximately 7,000 revolutions per minute. Motor unit 310 drives first gear 402 which in turn drives second gears 311 and third gear 312. The inventors have arranged gears 402,311 in a concentric

arrangement. Drive gear 312 comprises an eccentric gear having an off-center projecting peg 703. The arrangement of concentric and eccentric gears is well suited to the compact packaging requirements of domestic hair dryers.

Attachment 314 comprises a neck portion or collar which can be inserted at the peripheral circumference of the air outlet ring region of hairdryer body 301. The collar region of attachment 314 is configured to engage with engagement means 313 within the hairdryer to be firmly received therein. Engagement means 313 comprises a fastening means. Examples of two specific types of fastening means include the resilient engagement of the collar of attachment 314 with the hairdryer by means of resilient lugs on both attachment 314 and on the hairdryer at 313. A second type of fastening means includes a twist lock wherein attachment 314 is inserted into the hairdryer body 301 at the air outlet and twisted in order to be firmly received and engaged with the hairdryer body 301.

Attachment 314 is therefore mounted on hairdryer body 301.

Operation of the motor unit 310 drives gears 402,311, 312, to move attachment 314 in a rotational direction.

Motor unit 310 and gears 402,311, 312 comprise drive means for effecting rotational movement of attachment 314 and collectively form a drive unit. This drive unit is configured to rotate attachment 314 in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction. For example, the first rotational direction being clockwise, the second rotational direction being anti-clockwise. By configuring the extent of rotation occurring in a first rotational direction prior to changing the direction of rotation the attachment 314 is configured to conduct a movement describing an arc of rotation. This arc of rotation is defined between a first and second rotational position. The first rotational position being the limit of rotation in a first rotational direction and the second rotational position being the limit of rotation in a second rotational direction. Typically, this arc of rotation is between 150 to 200. The effect is that the attachment 314 conducts a rocking or oscillating

motion required to enhance the performance of several hairdryer attachments, e. g. diffusers/volumisers and concentrators to efficiently deliver hot air in an even distribution to the hair whilst being simple and convenient for the user.

Each arc of rotation occurs substantially in a plane parallel to the air outlet and attachment collar region.

In order to effect the change in rotational direction of the attachment 314 a specific rotation direction control system is provided. The rotation direction control embodiment comprises a specific gear arrangement configured to effect a change in attachment 314 rotational direction at predetermined intervals. One such arrangement of gears according to this embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 illustrates a partial cutaway view of the air outlet end of a hairdryer according to the present invention. The air outlet is defined by a ring portion 704 to which an attachment 314 is engageable. Body 301 is shaped at a lower portion of ring 704 into a projecting portion housing gears 402,311, 312 and motor unit 310. Fig. 7 illustrates gears 402,311, 312 in a slightly altered arrangement to that illustrated in Figs. 4,5 and 6. This is for clarity. Gear 402 is the drive gear being directly driven by motor 310. Gears 311 are reducing gears.

Each of gears 311 comprises an outer toothed gear and an inner toothed gear. Gear 402 drives the outer toothed gear 311. This effects rotation of the inner toothed gear 311 driving the outer toothed gear of the second reducing gear 311 which in turn effects rotation of the inner toothed gear of the second reducing gear 311 which drives rotation of a drive gear 312.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, motor unit 310 operates at approximately 7,000 revolutions per minute. Gears 402 and 311 are reducing gears having a four to one reduction ratio. For example, motor drive gear 402 is a 12 toothed gear driving an outer gear 311 of 48 teeth having an inner gear of 12 teeth which in turn drives second reduction gear 311 also having an outer

toothed gear of 48 teeth and an inner toothed gear of 12 teeth. Taking the example of a motor unit 310 operating at 7,000 revolutions per minute, the second reduction gear 311 drives drive gear 312 at approximately 110 revolutions per minute.

Further referring to Fig. 7 herein, drive gear 312 further comprises an eccentric projection, lug or peg 703. Eccentric peg 703 is situated away from the center of drive gear 312 forming an eccentric gear for the conversion of rotary motion of drive gear 312 to a reciprocating or oscillating motion. Hairdryer outlet ring 704 further comprises a projecting portion 701 which projects to a region adjacent drive gear 312. Projecting portion 701 further comprises a vertically orientated elongate elliptical slot 702. Peg 703 is located in slot 702. As drive gear 312 rotates, peg 703 runs in slot 702 and drives the outlet ring 704 causing it to oscillate. Typically, slot 702 is of a length of approximately 11 mm and width in the region of 2 to 3 mm. Peg 703 is configured to effect oscillation of the outlet ring 704 for approximately 8 mm of an arc of rotation in first and second rotational directions. Accordingly, an attachment mounted in the outlet ring 704 by a fastening means 313 is caused to rotate and oscillate throughout a predetermined arc length. This arc length can be varied by varying the offset of the peg 703 from the center of the drive gear 312 and/or by varying the slot dimensions.

The arrangement of gears illustrated in Fig. 7 is suitable for driving oscillating motion of a hairdryer attachment 314 according to any of the specific embodiments described herein. Figs. 4,5 and 6 illustrate aspects of the first, second and third specific embodiments of the present invention respectively.

Whilst these figures are representative of the rotation drive mechanisms, projecting portion 701, slot 702 and peg 703 have been omitted from these figures to aid clarity.

Whilst the inventors specifically contemplate rotation direction control systems utilizing one or more gears as illustrated in Fig. 7, alternative drive mechanisms are available. One such alternative mechanism comprises astable circuitry within the hairdryer configured to reverse the polarity of motor 310 at predetermined intervals such that the motor drive output is reversed at said predetermined intervals. The effect is rotation in a first direction of the drive means for a first time period followed by rotation in a second direction for a second time period. By configuring associated gears to directly drive movement of the outlet ring 704, oscillation of an attachment 314 through an arc of rotation in first and second rotational directions can be achieved.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second specific embodiment of the present invention. A hairdryer comprising a body 301, handle portion 302 and control means 304 IS illustrated as described above. Further control means 305 and 306, attachment 314 and engagement means 313 are also as herein described above. The second specific embodiment of the present invention achieves rotational oscillation of attachment 314 by a varied arrangement of motor units and drives to that described above for the first specific embodiment.

In the second specific embodiment only a single motor unit 502 is required to be housed within body 301. No secondary motor unit is required to drive attachment rotation. In the second specific embodiment motor unit 502 drives fan/impeller 503 rotation to draw air into the hairdryer for heating. Further, motor unit 502 drives gears 504 effecting transfer of motion to a driveshaft 505 Driveshaft 505 communicates mechanically with clutch means 506. Clutch means 506 further communicates with a second drive shaft 507 which mechanically communicates with further gears 508 effecting rotary movement of attachment 314.

In an initial state, the clutch means 506 is disengaged and gears 504 and driveshaft 505 are rotating in an idle manner. Adjustment of the position of clutch

means 506 in the gear train can reduce or increase the number of gears and driveshafts which are maintained idling when the clutch means is disengaged.

When a user requires attachment rotational movement they input their command through control means 306 typically being a switch which activates clutch means 506 by activation means 501. Activation means 501 may typically comprise either electronic or hydraulic activation of clutch means 506. Activation of clutch means 506 results in the mechanical communication of rotation from driveshaft 505 to driveshaft 507 thereby effecting rotation of attachment 314 via gears 508 to effect attachment 314 rotational movement in first and second directions.

Clutch means 506 is not required to be complex and activation of clutch means 506 may typically comprise movement of a first clutch gear from a first position into a second position wherein in the first position the gear is idling and in the second position the gear is engaged to drive driveshaft 507.

In the second specific embodiment of the present invention it is necessary to maintain motor unit driving direction in a single rotational direction. Therefore, in order to effect a change in rotational direction of attachment this change must be effected through suitable gearing. One suitable gear arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 7 and described above in respect of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates reduction and drive gears 508 driven from drive shaft 507. One of gears 508 drives peg 703 movement in slot 702 which drives a drive member, being projecting portion 701, which is physically connected to outlet ring portion 704. The resultant oscillation of the drive member 701 thereby effecting oscillation of the outlet ring 704 and any attachment 314 connected. An attachment 314 can thereby be oscillated throughout a predetermined arc length in a first rotational direction followed by a second rotational direction.

Further alternative gear arrangements for effecting changes in rotational direction of a drive output at predetermined intervals are well-known to the man

skilled in the art. One such example is the introduction to the drive unit of an automatic gear box having single forwards and reverse gears changing at predetermined time periods.

One advantage of the second embodiment of the present invention is reduced cost of manufacture and simplicity of the system through only requiring a single motor unit 502, associated power supply and control means.

As for the first specific embodiment of the present invention the output during clutch engagement is the movement of drive member 701 and any connected attachment 314 in a first and second rotational direction where movement in a first rotational direction occurs for a predetermined time interval/length of arc before movement in a second rotational direction commences for a second predetermined time interval or arc. In all of the specific embodiments of the present invention the length of arc/predetermined time interval can be adjusted.

In all of the specific embodiments of the present invention rotation of attachment 314 can be achieved through driving movement of a drive member 701 in first and second rotational directions and thereby transferring rotational movement of outlet ring 704 to attachment means 314.

Fig. 6 illustrates a third specific embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 illustrates a manually operated system for achieving rotational movement of attachment 314. A manual gear driving means 601 projects outwardly from the underside of body 301 and forms a trigger which can be operated by a user grasping handle portion 302. Trigger 601 is moveable towards and away from handle portion 302 in directions indicated by arrow 602. The effect of pulling trigger 601 towards handle portion 602 is to move drive means 603 according to arrows 604. This effects movement of a worm gear or ratchet 606 across the first of gears 607. The effect therefore on pulling trigger 601 towards handle 302 is to

cause rotation of gears 607 up to a predetermined limit. Rotational movement in a first direction of drive member 701 and therefore attachment 314 is achieved Trigger 601 is further resiliently spring loaded by means of spring 605 such that on releasing trigger 601 shaft 603 moves in a reverse direction reversing the direction of rotation of gear 607 and thereby reversing the rotational direction of movement of drive member 701 and attachment 314. Rotational movement of the attachment in a second rotational direction up to a predetermined limit is thereby achieved.

Trigger 601 and shaft 603 thereby comprise manual gear driving means to drive gears 606,607, the system operating resiliently to effect rotation in a second rotational direction automatically upon the user instigating rotational movement of the attachment in a first rotational direction. By varying the tension of spring loading and the degree to which trigger and shaft can be displaced the degree of rotational movement which can be achieved can be varied.

By incorporating manual gear driving means, e. g. trigger 601 adjacent to the handle, continuous oscillating rotation of an attachment 314 can be achieved through single handed operation of the hairdryer.

Whilst each of the three specific embodiments described above consider the use of circular toothed gears to drive attachment rotation, one or more suitable worm gears may be configured to replace or work in concert with said circular toothed gears to drive attachment rotation.

It will be apparent to the man skilled in the art that the arrangement of gears described in any of the specific embodiments can be varied to achieve a required degree of rotational movement in a first rotational direction and second rotational direction.

Claims

Claims :

1. A hairdryer comprising a body, said body defining an air outlet, said hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment at said air outlet so as to permit the received attachment to move in at least one rotational direction, characterised in that: said hairdryer further comprises means to effect movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction.

2. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movement comprises movement in a first rotational direction followed by movement in a second rotational direction.

3. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second rotational directions are opposed.

4. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said means to effect movement of said attachment operates to effect oscillation of said attachment through an arc about said air outlet.

5. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said means to effect movement determines the extent of rotational movement of said attachment in at least one of said rotational directions.

6. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said body further comprises mounting means configured to releasably receive said hairdryer attachment.

7. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said means to effect movement comprises:

a first motor unit configured to drive movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction.

8. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first motor unit directly drives rotational movement of said attachment.

9. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first motor unit drives said movement through one or more gears.

10. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said one or more gears includes an epicyclic gear train.

11. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said first motor unit is dedicated to driving attachment movement, said hairdryer further comprising a second motor unit configured to effect air movement through said hairdryer.

12. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said first motor unit is additionally configured to drive air movement through said hairdryer

13. A hairdryer as claimed In claim 12, wherein said first motor unit IS configured to drive movement of said attachment through one or more gears.

14. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 12 or 13 further comprising clutch means configured to engage and disengage means to drive movement of said attachment.

15. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said means to effect movement comprises :

at least one gear configured to drive movement of said attachment, said at least one gear in mechanical communication with manual gear driving means.

16. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 15, wherein operating said manual gear driving means effects movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction through said at least one gear.

17. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein said manual gear driving means is resiliently biased, operation of said manual gear driving means effecting movement of said attachment in a first rotational direction, said manual gear driving means configured to resiliently return to a first position thereby effecting movement of said attachment in a second rotational direction.

18. A hairdryer as claimed in any preceding claim, said gears comprising : a drive gear comprising an eccentric projecting member, wherein said projecting member is configured to drive movement of a hairdryer air outlet ring portion.

19. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 18, wherein said projecting member is slottedly engaged with a drive member portion of said air outlet ring portion, rotation of said drive gear effecting oscillating movement of said drive member portion.

20. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 18 or 19, further comprising one or more reducing gears configured to drive said drive gear.

21. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said received attachment is releasably engaged with said body at said air outlet ring portion by at least one fastening means.

22. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 21, wherein said fastening means comprises at least one lug configured to engage said attachment.

23. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim, wherein said attachment is taken from the set of: w A diffuser/volumiser ; . A concentrator.

24. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said rotational movement comprises rotation of said attachment through an arc of between 100 to 300.

25. A hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment for outlet of air from said hairdryer through said hairdryer attachment, said hairdryer comprising means to drive oscillation of said attachment, said oscillation comprising rotational movement through a predetermined arc of rotation about said hairdryer between a first and second position.

25. A hairdryer as described herein with reference to one or more of Figs. 3-7 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment for outlet of air from said hairdryer through said hairdryer attachment, said hairdryer comprising means to drive movement of said attachment in a predetermined arc of rotation about said hairdryer.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims :

1. A hairdryer comprising a body, said body defining an air outlet, said hairdryer configured to receive a hairdryer attachment at said air outlet so as to permit the received attachment to move in at least one rotational direction, said hairdryer further comprising means to effect movement of said attachment in said at least one rotational direction, characterised in that: said means to effect movement of said attachment operates to effect oscillation of said attachment through a predetermined arc of rotation about said air outlet.

2. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oscillation comprises movement in a first rotational direction followed by movement in a second rotational direction.

4. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said means to effect movement determines the extent of rotational movement of said attachment in at least one of said rotational directions.

5. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said body further comprises mounting means configured to releasably receive said hairdryer attachment.

6. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said means to effect movement comprises: a first motor unit configured to drive movement of said attachment in at least one rotational direction.

7. A hairdryer as claimed in daim 6, wherein said first motor unit directly drives rotational movement of said attachment.

8. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first motor unit drives said movement through one or more gears.

9. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more gears includes an epicyclic gear train.

10. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said first motor unit is dedicated to driving attachment movement, said hairdryer further comprising a second motor unit configured to effect air movement through said hairdryer.

11. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said first motor unit is additionally configured to drive air movement through said hairdryer.

12. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first motor unit is configured to drive movement of said attachment through one or more gears.

13. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 11 or 12 further comprising clutch means configured to engage and disengage means to drive movement of said attachment.

14. A hairdryer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said means to effect movement comprises: at least one gear configured to drive movement of said attachment, said at least one gear in mechanical communication with manual gear driving means.

15. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 14, wherein operating said manual gear driving means effects movement of said attachment in said at least one rotational direction through said at least one gear.

16. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein said manual gear driving means is resiliently biased, operation of said manual gear driving means effecting movement of said attachment in a first rotational direction, said manual gear driving means configured to resiliently return to a first position thereby effecting movement of said attachment in a second rotational direction.

17. A hairdryer as claimed in any preceding claim, said gears comprising: a drive gear comprising an eccentric projecting member, wherein said projecting member is configured to drive movement of a hairdryer air outlet ring portion.

18. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 17, wherein said projecting member is slottedly engaged with a drive member portion of said air outlet ring portion, rotation of said drive gear effecting oscillating movement of said drive member portion.

19. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 17 or 18, further comprising one or more reducing gears configured to drive said drive gear.

20. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said received attachment is releasably engaged with said body at said air outlet ring portion by at least one fastening means.

21. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 20, wherein said fastening means comprises at least one lug configured to engage said attachment.

22. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim, wherein said attachment is taken from the set of : * A diffuser/volumiser ; w A concentrator.

23. A hairdryer as claimed in any previous claim wherein said oscillation comprises rotation of said attachment through an arc of between 100 to 300 from a first position to a second position and back to said first position.

24. A hairdryer as described herein with reference to one or more of Figs. 3-7 of the accompanying drawings.