WO2012012934A1

WO2012012934A1 - Accessory for hair treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012012934A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/075488
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wah Hing Cheung; King Yuen Lai; Tsz Hang Yuen
Original assignee: Sun Luen Electrical Manufacturing Company Limited
Priority date: 2010-07-27
Filing date: 2010-07-27
Publication date: 2012-02-02

Abstract

An accessory (10, 200) for a hair treatment apparatus (32) is provided. The accessory (10, 200) comprises a housing (12, 202), an airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) with a longitudinal axis (L-L, L'-L'), a control knob (28, 218), a first end (18, 208) and a second end (207), wherein the two ends are in an air communication relationship with each other. The control knob (28, 218) is movable linearly relative to the housing (12, 202) to move the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) relatively to the housing (12, 202) between a concentrating configuration and a diffusing configuration, and when the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) is in the concentrating configuration, air entering the accessory (10, 200) via the first end (18, 208) is directed by the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) to leave the accessory (10, 200) via the second end (207) in a direction towards the longitudinal axis (L-L, L'-L') of the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204), and when the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) is in the diffusing configuration, air entering the accessory (10, 200) via the first end (18, 208) is directed by the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204) to leave the accessory (10, 200) via the second end (207) in a direction away from the longitudinal axis (L-L, L'-L') of the airflow guiding member (14, 114, 204).

Description

An Accessory for a Hair Treatment Apparatus

This invention relates to an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus, such as a hair dryer, and a hair treatment apparatus incorporating such an accessory.

There are in existence various hair treatment apparatus, such as hair dryers and curl diffusers, which are usually electrically operated. Such hair treatment apparatus have an air passage installed with a fan which generates airflow (which may be heated when passing through or around a heating element in the apparatus) to dry or heat up the hair of a user, e.g. for treatment and/or styling purposes. In such conventional hair treatment apparatus, air (whether heated or not) exits the apparatus in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the air passage only, which is, usually, along a direction generally parallel to the body of the apparatus. Various accessories have been devised for such hair treatment apparatus. Such accessories are releasably attachable to an outlet end of the hair treatment apparatus for changing the direction of airflow exiting the hair treatment apparatus, e.g. to concentrate or spread out/diffuse the airflow onto the hair being treated. However, the user has to change for another accessory (which may or may not be readily available) if he/she would like to change from a concentrating mode of airflow to a diffusing mode of airflow, or vice versa.

In addition, while accessories may be provided for changing the direction of airflow exiting the hair treatment apparatus, no mechanism is provided for changing the rate of flow of air into the hair treatment apparatus without changing the rate of rotation of the fan in the hair treatment apparatus.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus, a hair treatment set with such an accessory and a hair treatment apparatus in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade and public.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus, said accessory including a housing member; and an airflow guiding member including a longitudinal axis, a controlling member, and a first end and a second end which are in an air communicable relationship with each other; wherein said controlling member is movable substantially linearly relative to said housing member to move said airflow guiding member relative to said housing member between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said first configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a first direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said second configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a second direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; and wherein said first and second directions are different from each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair treatment apparatus set including a hair treatment apparatus and an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus which are releasably engageable with each other, said accessory including a housing member; and an airflow guiding member including a longitudinal axis, a controlling member, and a first end and a second end which are in an air communicable relationship with each other; wherein said controlling member is movable substantially linearly relative to said housing member to move said airflow guiding member relative to said housing member between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said first configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a first direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said second configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a second direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; and wherein said first and second directions are different from each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair treatment apparatus including an air inlet; an air outlet; an air passage between said air inlet and said air outlet; and an airflow guiding member including a longitudinal axis, a controlling member, and a first end and a second end which are in an air communicable relationship with each other; wherein said controlling member is movable substantially linearly relative to said air passage to move said airflow guiding member relative to said air passage between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said first configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a first direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said second configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a second direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; and wherein said first and second directions are different from each other. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a stable diffusing configuration;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in a stable concentrating configuration; Fig. 7 is a side view of the accessory of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the accessory of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a side view of an electric hair dryer with the accessory of Fig. 1 in a stable diffusing configuration;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the electric hair dryer of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the electric hair dryer of Fig. 11 with the accessory in a stable concentrating configuration;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the electric hair dryer of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an airflow guiding member in an off-tool condition, which airflow guiding member being part of an accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a front view of an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a top view of the accessory of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line M-M of Fig. 17 with the accessory in a stable concentrating configuration;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line M-M of Fig. 17 with the accessory in a non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line M-M of Fig. 17 with the accessory in a diffusing configuration;

Fig. 21 is a top view of a movement guidance plate of the accessory of Fig. 17;

Fig. 22 is a front view of a locking of in the accessory of Fig. 17;

Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 22;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig. 22. Figs. 1 to 5 show an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus (for example, an electric hair dryer), in which the accessory is generally designated as 10. The accessory 10 has a rigid housing 12 to and within which an airflow guiding member 14 made of an elastic material (e.g. silicone rubber) is engaged, and with a common central longitudinal axis L-L. The housing 12 is hollow and generally cylindrical in shape, with an annular lip 16 at one wider longitudinal end thereof to which the airflow guiding member 14 is engaged. An opposite narrower longitudinal end 18 of the housing 12 is externally threaded to allow the accessory 10 to be releasably engaged with the hair treatment apparatus, e.g. an electric hair dryer (to be discussed below).

The airflow guiding member 14 has six radially extending ribs 20. The ribs 20 are integrally formed with a central portion 22 and six peripheral arcs 24 of the airflow guiding member 14. Each rib 20 is engaged with and pivotable relative to the central portion 22 and a respective peripheral arc 24. The peripheral arcs 24 are received within a groove of an inner side of the annular lip 16 of the housing 12. The ribs 20 are therefore also engaged with and pivotable relative to the annular lip 16, and thus the housing 12.

The airflow guiding member 14 also has two concentric annular airflow guiding plates 26, which are fixedly engaged and integrally formed with the six ribs 20. It can be seen that, when the airflow guiding member 14 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 4, air enters the housing 12 of the accessory 10 in a direction (indicated by arrows E) parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L and is guided by the annular plates 26 to leave the accessory 10 in a direction (indicated by arrows F) away from the longitudinal axis L-L, because of the orientation of the annular plates 26. The airflow guiding member 14 is here in a first stable configuration, called the "diffusing configuration", in which it can remain, as the air entering the accessory 10 is guided by the annular plates 26 to spread out/diffuse after passing through the airflow guiding member 14. Each annular plate 26 has an end 26a which is upstream of the flow of air and an opposite end 26b which is downstream of the flow of air. When the airflow guiding member 14 is in the stable diffusing configuration, the distance between the upstream end 26a and the longitudinal axis L-L is less than the distance between the downstream end 26b and the longitudinal axis L-L.

The airflow guiding member 14 has an end which is upstream of the flow of air and an opposite end which is downstream of the flow of air through the airflow guiding member 14 and that these two ends are air communicable with each other in two directions. In particular, air may enter the accessory 10 via the first end, pass through the airflow guiding member 14, and leave the accessory 10 via the second end. Air may also pass through the airflow guiding member 14 in an opposite direction, i.e. entering the accessory 10 via the second end, passing through the airflow guiding member 14, and leaving the accessory 10 via the first end. A control knob 28 is fixedly engaged with the central portion 22 of the airflow guiding member 14. The knob 28 may be manually operated (e.g. be pushed by a user) to move linearly (in a straight line) in a direction indicated by an arrow G in Fig. 2 (which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L). Because the airflow guiding member 14 is made of an elastic material, the airflow guiding member 14 will be moved relative to the housing 12 to assume a second stable configuration, as shown in Figs. 6 to 10, in which the airflow guiding member 14 can remain. When the airflow guiding member 14 is in this stable configuration, and as can be seen from Fig. 9, air enters the housing 12 of the accessory 10 in a direction (indicated by arrows E) parallel to the central longitudinal axis L-L and is guided by the annular plates 26 to leave the accessory 10 in a direction (indicated by arrows H) towards the longitudinal axis L-L, because of the orientation of the annular plates 26. As the airflow is thus directed to concentrate onto the longitudinal axis L-L after passing through the airflow guiding member 14, the airflow guiding member 14 is said to be in a "concentrating configuration".

When the airflow guiding member 14 is in the stable, concentrating configuration, the distance between the upstream end 26a and the longitudinal axis L-L is larger than the distance between the downstream end 26b and the longitudinal axis L-L.

It should also be noted that:

a) the distance between the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L increases when the airflow guiding member 14 changes from the diffusing configuration to the concentrating configuration;

b) conversely, the distance between the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L decreases when the airflow guiding member 14 changes from the concentrating configuration to the diffusing configuration;

c) the distance between the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L decreases when the airflow guiding member changes from the diffusing configuration to the concentrating configuration; and

d) conversely, the distance between the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L increases when the airflow guiding member changes from the concentrating configuration to the diffusing configuration.

It can thus be seen that the distance between the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L and the distance between the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 and the longitudinal axis L-L change oppositely upon movement of the airflow guiding member 14 between the diffusing configuration and the concentrating configuration.

Put another way, when the airflow guiding member 14 moves from the stable diffusing configuration to the stable concentrating configuration, the diameter of the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 increases and the diameter of the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 decreases; and when the airflow guiding member 14 moves from the stable concentrating configuration to the stable diffusing configuration, the diameter of the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 decreases and the diameter of the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 increases. Thus, the diameter of the upstream end 26a of the annular plate 26 and the diameter of the downstream end 26b of the annular plate 26 change oppositely upon movement of the airflow guiding member 14 between the diffusing configuration and the concentrating configuration. During movement of the airflow guiding member 14 between the two stable configurations, the ribs 20 pivot relative to the central portion 22 and the peripheral arcs 24, and thus relative to the housing 12. By reason of this, the annular plates 26 also pivot relative to central portion 22 and the peripheral arcs 24, and thus relative to the housing 12, upon movement of the airflow guiding member 14 between the two stable configurations.

When the airflow guiding member 14 is in the concentrating configuration, a user may manually operate the control knob 28 by pulling the knob 28 to move linearly in a direction indicated by an arrow J in Fig. 10, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L and opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow G in Fig. 2, to move the airflow guiding member 14 to the diffusing configuration (as shown in Figs. 1 to 5). Put simply, the control knob 28 is movable to-and-fro linearly parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L to move the airflow guiding member 14 between the stable concentrating configuration and stable diffusing configuration.

Figs. 11 and 12 show the accessory 10 attached to an electric hair dryer 32, in which the air guiding member 14 is in the diffusing configuration. The hair dryer 32 has an air outlet 30 and an air inlet 34. In operation, air from the outside environment is drawn into the hair dryer 32 by a fan (not shown) in the hair dryer 32 via the air inlet 34. The air then passes through an air passage in a body 36 which is between the air inlet 34 and the air outlet 30. The accessory 10 is releasably attached (e.g. by re leasable threaded engagement) to the air outlet 30 of the hair dryer 32, such that all air exiting the air outlet 30 of the hair dryer 32 passes through the accessory 10.

Figs. 13 and 14 show the electric hair dryer 32 installed with the accessory 10 in which the air guiding member 14 is in the concentrating configuration.

Fig. 15 shows an alternative air guiding member, generally designated as 114, in an off-tool condition, which may be installed to the housing 12 to form an accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As in the case of the air guiding member 14 discussed above, the airflow guiding member 114 has six radially extending ribs 120. The ribs 120 are integrally formed at one longitudinal end with a common central portion 122 and at an opposite longitudinal end with six peripheral arcs 124. Each rib 120 is engaged with and pivotable relative to the central portion 122 and a respective peripheral arc 124. The peripheral arcs 124 are received within a groove of an inner side of the annular lip 16 of the housing 12. The ribs 120 are therefore also engaged with and pivotable relative to the annular lip 16, and thus the housing 12. The airflow guiding member 114 also has two concentric annular plates 126, which are engaged with and integrally formed with the six ribs 120. It can be seen that the shape of the annular plates 126 is different from that of the annular plates 126 discussed above.

The accessory 10 is discussed above in the context in which the airflow guiding member 14, 114 is movable between a stable concentrating configuration and a stable diffusing configuration. It is envisaged that the airflow guiding member 14, 114 may be constructed to be movable between a first stable configuration in which the air enters and leaves the accessory 10 in a same direction (e.g. parallel to or at an angle inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L-L of the accessory 10) and a second stable configuration in which the air enters the accessory 10 in a direction which is different from the direction in which air leaves the accessory 10. For example, in the second stable configuration:

a) the air may enter the accessory 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L and leaves the accessory 10 in a direction towards the longitudinal axis L-L; or

b) the air may enter the accessory 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L and leaves the accessory 10 in a direction away from the longitudinal axis L-L.

An accessory for a hair treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 16 and 17, and generally designated as 200. The basic structure, function and operation of the accessory 200 are similar to those of the accessory 10 discussed above. The accessory 200 has a rigid housing 202 to and within which an airflow guiding member 204 made of an elastic material (e.g. silicone rubber) is engaged, and with a common central longitudinal axis L'-L'.

The housing 202 is hollow and generally cylindrical in shape, with an annular lip 206 at one wider longitudinal end 207 thereof to which the airflow guiding member 204 is engaged. An opposite narrower longitudinal end 208 of the housing 202 is externally formed with a annular recess 209 to allow the accessory 200 to be releasably engaged with the electric hair dryer 32, e.g. by releasable snap-fitting.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the accessory 200 in a stable concentrating configuration; Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the accessory 200 in a non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration; and Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the accessory 200 in a stable diffusing configuration.

The airflow guiding member 204 has six radially extending ribs 210. The ribs 210 are integrally formed with a central portion 212 and six peripheral arcs 214 of the airflow guiding member 204. Each rib 210 is engaged with and pivotable relative to the central portion 212 and a respective peripheral arc 214. The peripheral arcs 214 are received within a groove of an inner side of the annular lip 206 of the housing 202. The ribs 210 are therefore also engaged with and pivotable relative to the annular lip 206, and thus the housing 202. The airflow guiding member 204 has two concentric annular airflow guiding plates 216, which are fixedly engaged and integrally formed with the six ribs 210. The annular plates 216 serve the purpose of guiding the direction of air passing through the airflow guiding member 204, as in the case of the annular airflow guiding plates 26, 126 of the airflow guiding members 14, 114 discussed above.

The housing 202 is integrally formed with an inner circular positioning plate 240 adjacent its narrower longitudinal end 208. As shown in Fig. 21, a central oblong hole 242 with a length / and a width w is formed through the circular plate 240. The hole 242 has a major axis S-S and a minor axis N-N which are perpendicular to each other. A positioning pin 244 is received within the hole 242 of the plate 240 for relative sliding and rotational movement. The central longitudinal axis L"-L" of the pin 244 coincides with the common longitudinal axis L'-L' of the housing 202 and airflow guiding member 204.

As can be seen in Figs. 18 to 20 and 22, one longitudinal end 246 of the pin 244 is fixedly received within a control knob 218 for simultaneous movement. A head 248 is formed at an opposite longitudinal end of the pin 244. The control knob 218 is manually operable to linearly and sliding move relative to the circular plate 240 (and thus the housing 202) along the longitudinal axis L'-L'. In addition, the control knob 218 is also self-rotatable relative to circular plate 240 and the housing 202 about the longitudinal axis L'-L', to cause the pin 244 to self-rotate in the same manner about its own longitudinal axis L"-L". The circular plate 240 and the positioning pin 244 (whose movement is controllable by operation of the control knob 218) co-operate to selectively move the airflow guiding member 204 relative to the housing 202 to and to remain at the configurations shown in Fig. 18, Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 respectively.

When the airflow guiding member 204 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 18, air enters the housing 202 via the end 208 of the accessory 200 in a direction (indicated by arrows P) parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L' and is guided by the annular plates 216 to leave the accessory 200 via the end 207 in a direction (indicated by arrows Q) towards the longitudinal axis L'-L', because of the orientation of the annular plates 216. The airflow guiding member 204 is here in a stable, concentrating configuration, in which it can remain, as the air entering the accessory 200 is guided by the annular plates 216 to concentrate after passing through the airflow guiding member 204.

It is possible to operate the control knob 218 to move linearly along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L' to move the pin 244 in like manner to move the airflow guiding member 204 from the concentrating configuration shown in Fig. 18 to and to remain at the configuration shown in Fig. 19. When the airflow guiding member 204 is at the configuration shown in Fig. 19, air enters the housing 202 via the end 208 of the accessory 200 in a direction (indicated by arrows P) parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L' and is guided by the annular plates 216 to leave the accessory 200 via the end 207 in the same direction, i.e. being parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L', because of the orientation of the annular plates 216. The airflow guiding member 204 is here in a non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration, in which it can remain. When the airflow guiding member 204 remains at this non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration, the direction of airflow is not changed by the airflow guiding member 204 of the airflow guiding member 204.

It is possible to further operate the control knob 218 to move linearly along the path parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L' to move the pin 244 to move the airflow guiding member 204 from the non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration shown in Fig. 19 to and to remain at the configuration shown in Fig. 20. When the airflow guiding member 204 is at the configuration shown in Fig. 20, air enters the housing 202 via the end 208 of the accessory 200 in a direction (indicated by arrows P) parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L' and is guided by the annular plates 216 to leave the accessory 200 via the end 207 in a direction (indicated by arrows R) away from the longitudinal axis L'-L', because of the orientation of the annular plates 216. The airflow guiding member 204 is here in a stable, diffusing configuration, in which it can remain, as the air entering the accessory 200 is guided by the annular plates 216 to spread out/diffuse after passing through the airflow guiding member 204.

Referring to Figs. 22 to 27, it can be seen that the cross-sectional shape of the pin 244 changes along its length. Above the head 248 of the pin 244 is a portion 250 with a circular cross-section whose diameter is the same as or slightly less than the width w of the hole 242 of the circular plate 240. The height of the portion 250 is the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the circular plate 240. When the portion 250 is received within the hole 242, the pin 244 is self-rotatable and may be slidable relative to the hole 242. In addition, as shown in Fig. 20, when the portion 250 of the pin 244 is received within the hole 242, the head 248 of the pin 244 bears against a lower major surface 240a of the circular plate 240 to prevent the airflow guiding member 204 from moving further away from the circular plate 240. This arrangement assists in maintaining the airflow guiding member 204 in the diffusing configuration.

Above the portion 250 is a length of portion 252 shaped and configured to correspond to the hole 242, with a cross-sectional length l_a and a cross-sectional width w_a. The cross-sectional length l_a of the portion 252 is the same as or slightly shorter than the length / of the hole 242; the cross-sectional width w_a of the portion 252 is the same as or slightly shorter than the width w of the hole 242; and the length l_a of the portion 252 is longer than the width w of the hole 242. It can be seen that the cross-section of the portion 252 is also oblong, with a major axis T-T and a minor axis K-K which are perpendicular to each other. As the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of the portion 252 are the same as those of the portion 256 (to be discussed below), the axes of the cross-section of the portion 252 are shown in Fig. 24. By way of the above arrangement, if the portion 250 is received within the hole 242, the portion 252 can be received within the hole 242 for relative sliding movement only when the major axis T-T of the pin 244 is parallel to the major axis S-S of the hole 242 and the minor axis K-K of the pin 244 is parallel to the minor axis N-N of the hole 242. In other orientations of the pin 244 relative to the hole 242, the portion 252 cannot be received within the hole 242.

Above the portion 252 is a portion 254 with a circular cross-section and with a diameter and a thickness the same as those of the portion 250. Above the portion 254 is an elongate portion 256 shaped, configured and sized the same as the portion 252. Above the portion 256 is a portion 258 with a circular cross-section and with a diameter the same as that of the portion 250.

By virtue of the above arrangements, when the portion 254 of the pin 244 is received within the hole 242 of the circular plate 240, the pin 244 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis L"-L" between a position (called an "unlocked position") in which the major axis T-T of the pin 244 is parallel to the major axis S-S of the hole 242 and the minor axis K-K of the pin 244 is parallel to the minor axis N-N of the hole 242, so that lengthwise movement of the pin 244 relative to the circular plate 240 to have the portion 252 or 256 received within the hole 242 is allowed and a position (called a "locking position") in which the major axis T-T of the pin 244 is not parallel to the major axis S-S of the hole 242 and the minor axis K-K of the pin 244 is not parallel to the minor axis N-N of the hole 242, so that lengthwise movement of the pin 244 relative to the circular plate 240 to have the portion 252 or 256 received within the hole 242 is prevented. In the locking position, the major axis T-T of the portion 252, 256 of the pin 244 may be parallel to the minor axis N-N of the hole 242 of the circular plate 240.

Again, and when the portion 258 of the pin 244 is received within the hole 242 of the circular plate 240, the pin 244 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis L"-L" between an unlocked position in which the major axis T-T of the pin 244 is parallel with the major axis S-S of the hole 242 and the minor axis K-K of the pin 244 is parallel with the minor axis N-N of the hole 242, so that lengthwise movement of the pin 244 relative to the circular plate 240 to have the portion 256 received within the hole 242 is allowed and a locking position in which the major axis T-T of the pin 244 is not parallel with the major axis S-S of the hole 242 and the minor axis K-K of the pin 244 is not parallel with the minor axis N-N of the hole 242, so that lengthwise movement of the pin 244 relative to the circular plate 240 to have the portion 256 received within the hole 242 is prevented. In the locking position, the major axis T-T of the portions 252, 256 of the pin 244 may be parallel to the minor axis N-N of the hole 242 of the circular plate 240. When the airflow guiding member 204 is in the stable concentrating configuration shown in Fig. 18, the portion 258 is received within the hole 242 of the circular plate 240, and the central portion 212 of the airflow guiding member 204 sits on an upper major surface 240b of the circular plat 240. It is possible to self-rotate the control knob 218 (and thus the pin 244) relative to the housing 202 to the locking position, so that the pin 244 can only be rotatable but not moved lengthwise relative to the circular plate 240. This assists in preventing relative movement between the airflow guiding member 204 and the housing 202, thus keeping the airflow guiding member 204 in the stable concentrating configuration. If desired, a user may self-rotate the control knob 218 and thus the pin 244 about the axis

L'-L' relative to the housing 202 to the unlocked position, so that the portion 256 may be received within and slid through the hole 242 (by moving the control knob 218 linearly along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L') until the portion 254 is received with the hole 242. The user may then self-rotate the control knob 218 and the pin 244 relative to the housing 202 to the locking position, so that the pin 244 cannot be moved lengthwise relative to the circular plate 240. In this position, the pin 244 can only self-rotate (but not otherwise movable) relative to the circular plate 240. This prevents relative movement between the airflow guiding member 204 and the housing 202, and thus keeps the airflow guiding member 204 in the non-concentrating, non-diffusing configuration, as shown in Fig. 19.

If desired, the user may self-rotate the control knob 218 and the pin 244 relative to the housing 202 to an unlocked position, so that the portion 252 may be received within and slid through the hole 242 (by moving the control knob 218 linearly along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis L'-L') until the portion 250 is received with the hole 242. The user may then self-rotate the control knob 218 and the pin 244 relative to the housing 202 to a locking position, so that the pin 244 cannot be moved lengthwise relative to the circular plate 240. In this position, the pin 244 can only self-rotate (but not otherwise movable) relative to the circular plate 240. This prevents relative movement between the airflow guiding member 204 and the housing 202, and thus keeps the airflow guiding member 204 in the diffusing configuration, as shown in Fig. 20.

The accessories 10, 200 are discussed above in the context in which the accessories 10, 200 are releasably engageable with the air outlet 30 of the electric hair dryer 32. It is envisaged that the accessories 10, 200 may be instead or also engaged (releasably or otherwise) with the air inlet 34 of the electric hair dryer 32. The air inlet 34 of the electric hair dryer 32 may be internally threaded to allow releasable engagement with the accessory 10, or is provided with a ridge for releasable engagement with the annular recess 209 of the accessory 200, so that a user can manually operate the accessories 10, 200 to adjust the rate of entry of air into the body 36 of the electric hair dryer 32, without changing the speed of rotation of the fan (not shown) in the hair dryer 32.

Furthermore, the accessories 10, 200 are discussed above in the context in which the accessories 10, 200 are releasably engageable with the electric hair dryer 32. It is envisaged that the accessories 10, 200 may form an integral part of the electric hair dryer 32, in which case the housing 12, 202 may be merged with the body 36 of the electric hair dryer 32, and the accessories 10, 200 may be positioned at or adjacent to the air outlet 30 and/or the air inlet 34 of the electric hair dryer 32. It should be understood that the above only illustrates examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should also be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations.

Claims

An accessory for a hair treatment apparatus, said accessory including:

a housing member; and

an airflow guiding member including:

a longitudinal axis,

a controlling member, and

a first end and a second end which are in an air communicable relationship with each other;

wherein said controlling member is movable substantially linearly relative to said housing member to move said airflow guiding member relative to said housing member between at least a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said first configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a first direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member;

wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said second configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a second direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; and

wherein said first and second directions are different from each other.

An accessory according to Claim 1 wherein each of said first and second directions is selected from a group consisting of (a) towards said longitudinal axis, (b) away from said longitudinal axis, and (c) substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

An accessory according to Claim 2 wherein said first direction is towards said longitudinal axis and said second direction is away from said longitudinal axis.

An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said airflow guiding member includes at least one airflow guiding plate with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein upon movement of said airflow guiding member between said first and second configurations, the distance between said first end of said at least one airflow guiding plate and said longitudinal axis and the distance between said second end of said at least one airflow guiding plate and said longitudinal axis change oppositely.

5. An accessory according to Claim 4 wherein said at least one airflow guiding plate is generally annular in shape.

6. An accessory according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein said airflow guiding member includes a plurality of said airflow guiding plates.

7. An accessory according to Claim 6 wherein said plurality of airflow guiding plates are substantially concentric with each other.

8. An accessory according to any one of Claims 4 to 7 wherein said at least one airflow guiding plate is pivotable relative to said housing member.

9. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said airflow guiding member includes at least one rib member with a first end engaged with said housing member and a second end engaged with a central portion of said airflow guiding member.

10. An accessory according to Claim 9 wherein said at least one rib member is pivotable relative to said housing member and said central portion of said airflow guiding member.

11. An accessory according to Claim 9 or 10 wherein said at least one rib member is engaged with said at least one airflow guiding plate.

12. An accessory according to Claim 11 wherein said airflow guiding member includes a plurality of said rib members each engaged with said at least one airflow guiding plate.

13. An accessory according to Claim 11 wherein said at least one rib member is engaged with a plurality of said airflow guiding plates.

14. An accessory according to Claim 11 wherein said airflow guiding member includes a plurality of said rib members each engaged with a plurality of said airflow guiding plates.

15. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said controlling member is manually operable to move said airflow guiding member between said first and second configurations.

16. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said controlling member is movable relative to said housing member along a path substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member to move said airflow guiding member between said first and second configurations.

17. An accessory according to any one of Claims 2 to 16 wherein said airflow guiding member is movable relative to said housing member to remain at a third configuration, wherein when said airflow guiding member is in said third configuration, air entering said accessory via said first end is directed by said airflow guiding member to leave said accessory via said second end in a third direction relative to said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member; wherein said third direction is different from said first and second directions, and wherein said third direction is selected from said group of directions.

18. An accessory according to Claim 17 wherein said airflow guiding member is engaged with a locking member which is movable relative to said housing member.

19. An accessory according to Claim 18 wherein when said airflow guiding member is in one of said first, second and third configurations, said locking member is movable between a locking position in which relative movement between said airflow guiding member and said housing member is prevented and an unlocked position in which relative movement between said airflow guiding member and said housing member is allowed.

20. An accessory according to Claim 19 wherein said locking member is rotatable about said longitudinal axis of said airflow guiding member to move between said locking position and unlocked position.

21. An accessory according to any one of Claims 18 to 20 wherein said locking member is movable between said locking position and unlocked position manually.

22. An accessory according to any one of Claims 18 to 21 wherein said housing member includes a movement guidance plate.

23. An accessory according to Claim 22 wherein said movement guidance plate includes a through hole, and wherein said locking member is received within said through hole of said movement guidance plate for relative movement.

24. An accessory according to Claim 23 wherein said locking member is slidable and rotatable relative to said movement guidance plate.

25. A hair treatment apparatus set including a hair treatment apparatus and an accessory for a hair treatment apparatus which are releasably engageable with each other, said accessory including:

a housing member; and

an airflow guiding member including:

a longitudinal axis,

a controlling member, and

wherein said first and second directions are different from each other.

26. A set according to Claim 25 wherein said hair treatment apparatus includes an air inlet and an air outlet with an air passage therebetween, and wherein said accessory is releasably engageable with said air inlet of said hair treatment apparatus.

27. A set according to Claim 25 wherein said hair treatment apparatus includes an air inlet and an air outlet with an air passage therebetween, and wherein said accessory is releasably engageable with said air outlet of said hair treatment apparatus.

28. A hair treatment apparatus including:

an air inlet;

an air outlet;

an air passage between said air inlet and said air outlet; and

an airflow guiding member including:

a longitudinal axis,

a controlling member, and

wherein said controlling member is movable substantially linearly relative to said air passage to move said airflow guiding member relative to said air passage between at least a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein said first and second directions are different from each other.

29. A hair treatment apparatus according to Claim 28 wherein said airflow guiding member is at or adjacent said air inlet.

30. A hair treatment apparatus according to Claim 28 wherein said airflow guiding member is at or adjacent said air outlet.