EP0571389B1 - Hair-care appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a curler for a hair-care appliance, the curler having a bearer element (80) fitted with means for mounting several strips (13). The strips (13) can be brought into various positions by means of adjusting means in order to vary the external diameter of the curler. Each strip (13) has a recess (39) extending along the whole of its length, and the sections of an adjacent strip physically interlock with the recess when the strips are in the appropriate position. An additional feature designed to increase the stability of the curler is the fact that the strips (13) are mounted on the bearer element (80) so that they can be moved longitudinally.

Description

The invention relates to the general field of hair care devices, which means devices or additional devices for shaping and drying the scalp hair of the user. The group of hair care devices includes, for example, hair dryers, round stylers, warm air drying hoods, warm air dry brushes, electricity-independent, gas-operated curling irons or curling brushes as well as electrically operated curling irons or curling brushes. Additional devices are, for example, attachments for hair dryers and hot air brushes, such as diffusers, additional brushes with air flow through them, each with a different diameter, or curlers, which can be designed to be heated, for example, by means of warm air or by means of a separate standing device.

The invention is based on a winding body for hair care with a carrier element on which means are provided for guiding a plurality of webs arranged about a longitudinal axis of the carrier element, the webs being able to be brought into different positions by means of adjusting means in order to form a body with a different outside diameter.

Such winding bodies are disclosed, for example, in DE 25 29 026 A1 and US 3 583 409 A. The electric steam styling rod of DE 25 29 026 A1 has a hollow cylindrical winding body with a plurality of semicircular tube segments which are rotatably arranged on the outer wall of the heating tube as spreading lamellae. The slats should not be designed as short circular arc sections, but should be semicircular in the optimal solution, ie bent by 180 °. However, as a more detailed analysis of FIGS. 1 and 2 of this laid-open document shows, there is a form-fitting contact of adjacent slats in every positioning, that means not possible with all adjustable diameters of the winding body. Due to an incorrect drawing, the lamellae of FIG. 2 are considerably shorter than those of FIG. 1, the impression is rather that the known winding body has a closed shape for each diameter. This winding body is not suitable for use as a brush with hot air. In addition, the known winding body does not achieve a particularly good approximation to a circular cross section - for any diameter. This known embodiment has only a low stability with respect to radially acting forces, such as those which occur in practice when rolling up and shaping hair. A deformation of the winding body during use represents a significant impairment of the value in use.

The hair curler of US 3,583,409 A consists of several circular segments which are connected via lever arms to an axially displaceable carrier element arranged inside. Due to the special arrangement, an axial movement of the carrier element causes a radial movement of the individual segments. Although this arrangement may be appropriate for hair curlers, it is unsuitable for other applications, for example as an air-flow attachment for warm air dry brushes and the like. On the one hand, the actuation of this spreading mechanism requires free access to the inside of the hair curler, on the other hand, the axially displaceable carrier element and the lever arms represent a considerable flow resistance in the case of air-flowed brushes, so that their effectiveness drops. Finally, due to the structural design of this hair curler, there are more or less large slots between the individual segments depending on the set diameter, which are in any case extremely disadvantageous for air-flowed brushes, since the amount of air emerging from the air-flowed brush is essentially independent should be of the set diameter of the winding body. Although the inner wall of the hair curler of the known US patent can be covered by an elastic layer so that the slits between the individual segments are closed, this elastic layer poses problems in terms of durability due to the high demands on the extensibility with different diameters . Furthermore, the known hair curler can only be set in two stable positions of different diameters. A continuous or quasi-continuous setting of intermediate positions is not possible.

From JP U 1-111 503 a hair dryer is known as a curling iron with a roller-shaped area, which is composed of an inner part and an outer part consisting of segments. Here, knob-shaped projections are provided on the surface of the inner part and through openings for the knob-shaped projections and blower openings in the inner and outer parts are provided in the outer part. The outer part can be moved in the radial direction by a drive part, so that the diameter of the roller-shaped region can be varied.

The invention has for its object to provide a winding body which is also suitable for use in warm air devices, for example as a curling brush. The winding body should be structurally simple to manufacture in large series, in particular made of injection molded parts, have sufficient stability, in particular in the radial direction, even with larger axial dimensions, and a shape that is closed for each diameter and approximated to a circular cylinder jacket. This object is achieved by a winding body with the features mentioned in the introduction, in which each web has a recess over its longitudinal extent, with which the sections of an adjacent web are positively connected in each positioning of the webs. This measure advantageously ensures a closed shape of the winding body for each diameter, and sufficient stability is also provided by the positive connection of adjacent webs. Finally, the form-fitting connection of the webs of the winding body provides the prerequisite for the winding body to have an at least approximately circular-cylindrical outer jacket for each diameter through appropriate profiling and shaping of the webs.

The fact that the webs are accommodated in rotary bearings at both ends of the carrier element ensures a simple, constructive structure of the winding body. The space between the bearing points is free and thus does not represent an increase in the flow resistance of the winding body. The fact that a rotary bearing is designed as a bearing with open bearing pans, at least one pin of the webs being mounted on a segment of the carrier element in the form of a segment of a circle and on an annular wall of the adjusting means is, the possibility is created in an extremely advantageous manner to hold the winding body together only by means of snap connections. The measure of arranging an axis of rotation of the individual webs in the region of an end section of a respective web has the advantage that the webs can additionally be supported on the carrier element. The configuration is extremely advantageous in that the axis of rotation is arranged radially offset outside the profile of the web. This creates the prerequisite that in the event of bristles in the webs, the bristles for each diameter of the winding body protrude radially from the winding body as far as possible. The fact that each web in the region of a central section has a pin on the edge, which engages in each case a guide curve of the actuating means, which in turn is fixed rotatably on the carrier element, ensures extremely simple adjustability of the webs for setting different diameters of the winding body. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the known winding body, which is already suitable in itself for solving the stability problems of known winding bodies, consists in that each web is axially displaceable by a dimension A with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier element. This makes it possible to support each web by means of additional measures with regard to forces acting radially from the outside on the winding former. To set a different diameter of the winding body, the individual webs are moved axially from a radial direction acting positive connection solved to be pivoted into a position of a different diameter. After the swiveling process has ended, the webs are returned to the axial starting position and again held in a form-fitting manner by means for radial support. A particularly advantageous embodiment of these means for the radial support of the webs consists in axially fixing the webs to the actuating means via latching means. According to an advantageous development, the webs are rotated by means of axial displacement and subsequent rotation of the actuating means. Characterized in that the adjusting means are provided on one end on the support element and support means for radially fixing the webs on the other end on the support element, the webs are positively fixed at both ends in the radial direction for each diameter of the winding body, whereby the stability of the winding body is increased in an extremely advantageous manner. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the support means consists in providing a toothing arranged in the radial direction on each web, which toothing engages in an edge of a tube region. In an extremely advantageous manner, each web consists of three longitudinal strips arranged essentially in an arc shape with respect to one another, which are connected to one another by transverse webs. On the one hand, this creates the possibility of a specific profiling of the webs, which allows the winding body to have an essentially circular-cylindrical outer jacket for each diameter. On the other hand, there is the possibility of air outlet between the crosspieces, so that the winding body can also be used as a hot air brush as an attachment for a hot air generator. This application is advantageously supported in that the carrier element has a tubular section with peripheral openings which cooperate with openings formed between the crosspieces for the purpose of air outlet. The fact that the transverse webs are provided with bristle-shaped extensions makes it possible for the winding body can also be used as a brush. Characterized in that an outer side of a longitudinal bar of a web has an arcuate recess in such a way that in each radial positioning of the webs an edge, in particular a front edge of the longitudinal bar of an immediately adjacent web has positive locking to the recess, there are two advantages. On the one hand, each web is supported on an adjacent web over the entire longitudinal extent, which leads to an unexpectedly high stability of the entire winding body. On the other hand, this measure prevents hot air, which may flow through the winding body, from flowing out to a greater extent through gaps which otherwise occur in the case of larger diameters of the winding body between the webs. The warm air flowing through the winding body can only exit for any diameter of the winding body through the openings, which are optionally provided between the transverse webs. This measure already largely ensures that the flow resistance of a winding body designed as a hot air brush remains approximately constant for each diameter. The underside of one longitudinal bar advantageously has an adaptation to the profile of the upper side of the further longitudinal bar. This ensures that adjacent webs can lie flush against one another in the case of setting small or the smallest diameter of the winding body. It is advantageous in terms of stability that a longitudinal edge of the further longitudinal bar is supported on the outer jacket of the tubular section in every position of the webs. The fact that at least six webs are supported on the support element, which lie on top of one another in the manner of petals, and in the position of the smallest diameter the longitudinal strips of adjacent webs as well as the openings in the tubular section and in the region of the cross webs of adjacent webs overlap one another, becomes a particularly advantageous embodiment of the winding body with regard to use as a hot air brush. Is the Set the smallest possible diameter of the winding body, the air flowing into the tubular section can emerge unhindered through the openings provided there and through the superimposed webs, the openings of which come to coincide with the openings in the tubular section. The flow resistance is minimal for the smallest diameter of the winding body. With increasing diameter of the winding body, the longitudinal strips slide more and more in front of the openings in the tubular section, so that the flow resistance for the warm air emerging from the winding body increases to a certain extent. This measure ensures in an extremely advantageous manner that the air throughput through the winding body is essentially unaffected by the respectively set diameter of the winding body. The drying capacity of a warm air device equipped with such a winding body for hair care is therefore largely independent of the diameter of the winding body set in each case and, if available, can be precisely used with the switching means provided on the device to vary the speed of a fan motor and to vary the output of an electric or gas-operated heating system can be set. With regard to the simple adjustability of the diameter of the winding body, it is advantageous that the adjusting means has two-dimensional guide curves which run spirally in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.

The measure proves to be extremely advantageous in a winding body with the known features to accommodate the webs at both ends of the carrier element in thrust guides, the webs being positively guided with respect to the longitudinal center axis both in the radial and in the axial direction as a result of the actuation of an actuating means. As a result, a structurally particularly simple, extremely stable winding body is specified. In particular, the design of the carrier element and the injection molding tools required for its production are simplified. The thrust guides are advantageously designed as chambers in which sections of the Bridges are positively guided. Very particularly advantageously suitable for solving the problem of stabilizing the webs over their entire length is the fact that the guide of the webs is at an acute angle, in particular at an angle between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably at an angle of about 45 ° the longitudinal central axis takes place. Thus, the webs are not only moved in the radial direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier element, but also in the axial direction when a changed diameter of the winding body is set. The webs are guided at least in sections on an inclined plane, which serves as an abutment with regard to radially acting external loads when using the winding former. For this purpose, inclined surfaces or bottoms are formed on both ends of the carrier element, on which guide surfaces of the webs are supported with corresponding bevels. The individual webs can also be extremely advantageously supported in that further inclined surfaces are formed on the tubular section of the carrier element, which correspond to correspondingly shaped guide surfaces of the webs. Depending on requirements and intended use, one or more such inclined surfaces can be formed on the tubular section, which serve to additionally support the webs in any positioning of the webs of the winding body. This measure creates a particularly stable winding body, yet the interior of the winding body is free of further components, so that, for example, air or warm air can flow freely into the winding body. The fact that the actuating means has three-dimensional guide curves which spiral in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and increase helically with respect to the longitudinal central axis in the axial direction, gives a particularly advantageous embodiment of the guide curves of the actuating means. Since the pitch of the screw line and the pitch of the spiral are matched to the inclined guidance of the bars, the individual bars can be extremely safely move it into the desired position with practically no major effort. The fact that the actuating means has a frustoconical recess on the guide curve side, which is rotatably supported flatly on webs of corresponding incline on the carrier element, indicates a particularly advantageous mounting of the actuating means on the carrier element. The formation of pegs at one end of the webs has proven to be extremely advantageous and already suitable for the known winding bodies, the pegs each engaging in a guide curve of the actuating means, so that the webs as a result of the actuation of the actuating means in both radial and axial directions Direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis are positively guided. Due to the mobility of the webs in the axial direction, they can be supported or secured on inclined planes or similar means for any diameter of the winding body with regard to radial, external stress. Furthermore, it is advantageous that at the other end of the webs an angular nose is formed in the region of the guide surface, which is overlapped by a section, so that the webs are guided in a form-fitting manner in a channel. On the one hand, this ensures easy assembly of the webs on the carrier element, and on the other hand, the webs are thus also positively guided on the side facing away from the actuating means. The fact that each web consists of two longitudinal strips, which are connected to one another by transverse webs, advantageously ensures that the webs form a closed jacket of approximately circular cylindrical shape for each diameter of the winding body. Through these openings provided between the crosspieces, warm air entering the winding body can also exit from the latter. For this purpose, the carrier element or a tubular section of the same is advantageously provided with circumferential openings which cooperate with openings formed between the transverse webs. The fact that the crosspieces have bristle-shaped extensions means that the winding body can be used as a brush or warm air brush with variable diameter guaranteed. The measure of providing a longitudinal bar of the web with a groove-shaped recess, in which at least portions of a further longitudinal bar of an adjacent web engage in a form-fitting manner in each radial positioning of the webs, has proven to be particularly advantageous. On the one hand, this increases the stability of the entire winding body, since each web is supported on or in or on an adjacent web, on the other hand, this prevents air or warm air introduced into the winding body from escaping through any gaps between the individual webs. Thus, the hot air can only flow out through the openings provided between the transverse webs of the individual webs, so that the air throughput through the winding body to which hot air is applied remains essentially constant irrespective of the respectively set diameter. Because an edge region of the longitudinal strips has comb-like openings which correspond to the openings between the transverse webs of adjacent longitudinal strips, the flow resistance is not even at the smallest set diameter of the winding body, in which the longitudinal strips of a web project into the area of the transverse webs of an adjacent web increased and thus the air flow rate does not change. A particularly advantageous embodiment, which is characterized by its simple construction, consists in that the longitudinal bar has at least one axial section in a groove-shaped recess, the bottom of which forms an inclined plane, and is form-fitting on a corresponding inclined plane or inclined surface Bridge is supported on the support element. Thus, the individual webs can also be advantageously guided and supported on the carrier element outside the end sections. The fact that the actuating means is secured by means of a cap and spring arms formed therein on the support body by clipping results in a particularly simple assembly of the winding body. It is also an advantage to have a central recess to arrange the cap a button which causes the expansion of a spring element which engages in an annular groove of a mushroom-shaped area of the support body. This measure provides a simple, releasable coupling between the winding body and the support body. The winding body can thus be easily removed from the carrier body, for example for the purpose of cleaning or for exchange with another winding body, by simply pressing the button. This winding body with a variably adjustable diameter is advantageously used as a hair curler, attachment brush of a warm air hair care device or hair treatment section of an electrically or gas-operated curling iron.

Fig. 1

ein herkömmliches, bekanntes Warmlufthaarpflegegerät, Typ AS 13, Hersteller Braun AG,

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch den Kopf des Wickelkörpers eines ersten Ausführungsbeispieles,

Fig. 3

eine Fortsetzung des Schnittes nach Fig. 2 durch den Fuß des Wickelkörpers,

Fig. 4

einen Längsschnitt entsprechend Fig. 2, jedoch um ca. 90° verdreht,

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt durch den Kopf des Wickelkörpers gemäß V-V der Fig. 4, wobei das Stellmittel zum Teil weggebrochen dargestellt ist,

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt durch den Fuß des Wickelkörpers, gegenüber dem Schnitt der Fig. 3 um 30° gedreht,

Fig. 7

einen Querschnitt durch den Wickelkörper des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit dem kleinsten einstellbaren Durchmesser,

Fig. 8

einen Querschnitt durch den Wickelkörper gemäß Fig. 7 mit dem größtem einstellbaren Durchmesser,

Fig. 9

einen Längsschnitt durch den Kopf des Wickelkörpers nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 10

eine Fortsetzung des Schnitts gemäß Fig. 9 durch den Fuß des Wickelkörpers,

Fig. 11

einen Querschnitt gemäß XI-XI der Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

einen Querschnitt durch den Wickelkörper des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß XII-XII der Fig. 10, wobei je zwei Stege in der Stellung des kleinsten und größten Durchmessers dargestellt sind,

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf das Kopfende des Trägerelements bei entferntem Stellmittel,

Fig. 14

einen Querschnitt durch einen einzelnen Steg gemäß dem Schnit XIV-XIV der Fig. 10

Fig. 15

eine Draufsicht auf das Stellmittel mit dreidimensionalen Leitkurven.

Further advantages of the invention result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a conventional, well-known warm air hair care device, type AS 13, manufacturer Braun AG,

Fig. 2

2 shows a longitudinal section through the head of the winding body of a first exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 3

a continuation of the section according to FIG. 2 through the foot of the winding body,

Fig. 4

2, but rotated by about 90 °,

Fig. 5

3 shows a cross section through the head of the winding body according to VV of FIG. 4, the actuating means being shown partly broken away,

Fig. 6

3 shows a longitudinal section through the foot of the winding body, rotated by 30 ° with respect to the section in FIG. 3,

Fig. 7

3 shows a cross section through the winding body of the first exemplary embodiment with the smallest adjustable diameter,

Fig. 8

7 shows a cross section through the winding body according to FIG. 7 with the largest adjustable diameter,

Fig. 9

2 shows a longitudinal section through the head of the winding body according to a second exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 10

a continuation of the section according to FIG. 9 through the foot of the winding body,

Fig. 11

10 shows a cross section according to XI-XI of FIG. 10,

Fig. 12

10 shows a cross section through the winding body of the second exemplary embodiment according to XII-XII of FIG. 10, two webs each being shown in the position of the smallest and largest diameter,

Fig. 13

2 shows a plan view of the head end of the carrier element with the adjusting means removed,

Fig. 14

a cross section through a single web according to the section XIV-XIV of FIG. 10th

Fig. 15

a plan view of the actuating means with three-dimensional guide curves.

In Fig. 1, a known warm air powered hair care device is shown, for which the winding body described below is advantageously used as an attachment. However, the application is not limited to warm air powered hair care devices, but extends to any winding body for hair care. The warm air device has two housing parts 62, which house a motor 66 and a heater 64 for generating warm air. The electrically operated units can be connected to the power supply via a mains cable 68. The connection of the power cable 68 to the housing is made rotatable via contacts 74. A voltage selector 78 allows the device to be used on power supply networks with different voltages. A switch 82 provided in the housing can be actuated by means of a switch slide 84, so that the device can be handled in different operating states. The housing parts 62 comprise a cylindrical extension of a mandrel 10 which projects out of the housing on the head side. A coupling ring 72, which is under the tension of a compression spring 76, is arranged at the foot of the mandrel. The mandrel 10 is used for rotatably mounting a brush 85 which is axially secured to the mandrel 10 by means of a button 50. In the switched-on state, the motor 66 drives a fan wheel (not shown), so that an air flow arises which can be heated by the heater 64. At the base of the mandrel 10, this air flow exits through openings provided there and flows through the brush 85. This air flow exits through openings provided on the circumference of the brush 85 and comes into contact with the hair rolled up or wound on the brush 85 in order to do so shape and dry. The brush 85 can be unlocked by means of the coupling ring 72 and can be freely rotated on the mandrel 10 for easier handling. For the purpose of removing the brush 85, the knob 50 can be removed by rotation. Thus, the brush 85 can optionally be cleaned or exchanged for a further brush 85 of a different diameter to form smaller or larger curls.

FIGS. 2 to 8 show a first embodiment of a winding body with a variable diameter in different views. The winding body is placed on the mandrel 10 of the warm air care device and fixed to a mushroom-shaped area 52 of the mandrel 10 by means of an expansion spring 53. This spreading spring 53 can be opened by means of bevels 40 formed on the button 50, so that the winding body can be removed from the mandrel 10. The button 50 is axially displaceably mounted in a cap 30. The bevels 40 of the button 50 end in two guide webs 60, which are guided in grooves 70 (FIG. 5) of a carrier element 80. This construction of the locking means that the brush 85 is axially secured and can rotate freely on the mandrel 10 if it is not fixed radially by a coupling ring 72 (FIG. 1). The winding body consists of the carrier element 80, on the head side of which a flange 17 is formed. The flange 17 serves for the rotatable mounting of the webs 13, which are optionally provided with molded bristles 16. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the mounting of the webs 13 is formed by integrally formed pins 18, 19 which interact with regions 21 on the flange 17 in the form of segments of a circle. This storage is completed by lugs 26 molded onto the pin 18, which cooperate with a groove 27 running around a cup-shaped inner wall of the adjusting means 23 designed as an adjusting ring. A multi-spline profile 22 (FIGS. 2, 3) is attached above the flange 17 and cooperates with a corresponding profile on the adjusting means 23. The actuating means 23 has on its side facing the webs 13 corresponding to their number of guide curves 24, in which the webs 13 are guided via pins 25 (FIG. 4) or steering arms formed on the end. The pins 18, 19 of the webs 13 are increased by the dimension A compared to the circular segment-shaped regions 21 of the flange 17. By the interaction of the nose 26 and the groove 27, the webs 13 are positively connected in the axial direction to the actuating means 23 and can together with this the dimension A can be shifted in the axial direction. If the actuating means 23 is displaced against the action of a spring 28, the profile 22 decouples. The actuating means 23 can now be rotated as far as the guide curves 24 with respect to the pins allow.

In a tubular section 14 of the carrier element 80, a plurality of openings 15 are provided on the circumferential side, from which hot air can possibly escape. Overall, the winding body is arranged concentrically with a central longitudinal axis 112 of the mandrel 10. According to FIG. 3, the winding body is surrounded by a tubular region 49 at the end facing the housing part 62. At the end of the tubular region 49 facing away from the winding body, the latter has an end toothing 42 which interacts with a corresponding toothing on the housing and serves to secure the winding body against rotation (corresponding to the coupling ring 72). The tubular area 49 is used, where appropriate, for the air flow of the warm air flow into the winding body and for the support of the webs 13 at the end facing away from the open bearing pans (pins 18, 19, area 21). For this purpose, integrally molded, torpedo-shaped bearings 12 for the webs 13 are connected to the tubular region 49 via webs 11. The journal bearings 12 merge in one piece with the central longitudinal axis 112 into the tubular section 14, which extends into the head region of the winding body. The torpedo-shaped bearings 12 receive pins 46 of the webs 13, the pins 46 being integrally formed on small steering arms of the webs 13. To vary the diameter of the winding body, the adjusting means 23 is displaced against the action of the spring 28, so that the profile 22 decouples. The adjusting ring 23 can be rotated insofar as the guide curves 24 with respect to the pins 25 permit this. The division of the profile 22 is chosen so that several re-entry options for the profile 22 are available within the mentioned range of rotation are. In this way, the desired different bobbin diameters can be determined. The axially displaceability of the webs 13 and the actuating means 23 allows the webs 13 to be supported on the side facing away from the actuating means 23 also against radial stress. This is accomplished with the help of a toothing 29 (FIGS. 3, 6) which is integrally formed on the side of the first device-side bristle 16 or on the web 13. This toothing 29 is matched to the division of the profile 22 and, in the case of the respectively adjustable winding body diameters, engages in an upper edge 48 of the tube region 49. As a result of this measure, the webs 13 are supported against radial, external loads in each setting of the diameter of the winding body at both ends of the winding body and achieve good stability. 4, which shows a section plane rotated by approximately 90 ° in relation to FIG. 2, the same parts are identified with the same reference numbers. In particular, it can be seen from this figure that the spring 28 is supported in the inner bottom of the cap 30, the cap 30 snapping into corresponding openings in the carrier element 80 with the aid of molded-on spring arms 31.

The mounting of the webs 13 in the head-side region of the winding body is further illustrated by the illustration in FIG. 5, in the right part of which the adjusting means 23 is not shown. The open pan bearing, which is particularly suitable for plug-in assembly of the webs 13, is formed by the pins 18 and 19 formed on the strips and the region 21 in the form of a segment of a circle on the flange 17. The pins 18 and 19 receive additional guidance in that they rest on the annular inner wall of a pot-shaped recess in the adjusting means 23 or in a groove 27 provided there. The pins 25 are guided in the guide curves 24 (left side of FIG. 5), so that rotation of the adjusting means 23 also causes the webs 13 to rotate 7 and 8 apparent axis of rotation 20 leads. 6, the interaction of the toothing 29 with the edge 48 of the tube region 49 is explained in a longitudinal section through the base of the brush. When setting a changed diameter of the winding body, the webs 13 are displaced by a dimension A, which corresponds approximately to the tooth depth of the toothing 29, in the direction of the head end of the winding body. The toothing 29 then no longer engages in the edge 48, so that the webs 13 can be freely rotated about the axis of rotation 20 due to the rotary movement of the adjusting means 23. After the rotary movement has ended, the webs 13 are pushed back axially due to the action of the spring 28, another toothing 29 engaging in the edge 48. The tooth pitch of the toothing 29 is matched to the profile 22 on the carrier element 80 or on the adjusting means 23. Thus, each web 13 is positively fixed at the foot end of the winding body and is secured against connections due to radial stresses.

FIGS. 7, 8 show the cross-sectional profile of the individual webs 13 and the arrangement of these webs 13 with respect to the carrier element 80. The webs 13 consist of a first longitudinal bar 32 which is connected to a second longitudinal bar 34 via numerous transverse webs 33. Air outlet openings are provided between the transverse webs 33, which correspond to the openings 15 provided on the tubular section 14 of the carrier element 80. The underside 35 of the second longitudinal bar 34 has a shape such that, with the smallest adjustable diameter of the winding body, this underside 35 bears positively on the top of the first longitudinal bar 32. The outer side 36 is curved, so that there is an in particular convex recess 39 over the entire extent of the second longitudinal bar. This second longitudinal bar 34 is followed by further transverse webs 51, which can be provided with bristles 16 in whole or in part. These crossbars 51 establish the connection with the second longitudinal bar 34 with a third longitudinal bar 37, openings between the cross bars 51 preferably again being provided which correspond to the openings between the cross bars 33 and the openings 15. The longitudinal strips 32, 34 and 37 are arranged at an obtuse angle to one another, so that each individual web 13, consisting of the longitudinal strips 32, 34 and 37 and the transverse webs 33 and 51 provided between them, takes on an approximately circular shape. The shape of the recess 39 is particularly advantageously designed in such a way that a front edge 38 of the longitudinal bar 37 for each diameter of the winding body rests positively on the outside 36 of the recess 39. The fact that the axis of rotation 20 of the webs 13 is offset somewhat radially outward outside the longitudinal bar 32 means, on the one hand, that the webs 13 are constantly supported on the tubular section 14 with the longitudinal edge 41 of the longitudinal bar 32 in every rotational position. On the other hand, this measure of positioning the axis of rotation 20 outside the profile of the webs 13 ensures that the bristles 16 are aligned at least approximately radially with respect to the central longitudinal axis 112 in each rotational position of the webs. In summary, the profiling of the webs 13 can be characterized in that each web 13 is shaped such that, regardless of the respective rotational position of the webs 13, on the one hand positive engagement between the longitudinal bar 32 and the tubular section 14 and on the other hand positive engagement between a front edge 38 of the longitudinal ledge 37 and the outside 36 of the recess 39 of an adjacent web 13. This provides a very stable winding body which is extremely resistant to radial loads. Another criterion for the design of the recesses 39 is that, in the case of the smallest set diameter of the winding body, the longitudinal bar 37 of an adjacent web 13 takes up virtually completely, in such a way that the outer jacket of the Winding body, apart from the bristles 16, takes on a practically circular shape. The openings between the crosspieces 33 and 51 come with the openings 15 in the tubular section 14 of the carrier element 80 in the case of the smallest set diameter of the winding body practically to cover, so that in this setting the lowest flow resistance for from the inside of the tubular section 14 through Warm air flowing out of openings exists. If the diameter of the winding body is increased by rotation of the adjusting means 23, the longitudinal bar 32 is partially pushed between the openings 15 of the tubular section 14 and the opening between the transverse webs 51. As practical tests have shown, this measure surprisingly ensures this that the air throughput through the openings of the winding body is almost independent of the respectively set diameter of the winding body. A presumed explanation is that an increase in the diameter of the winding body in itself leads to a lower flow resistance, but this is increased by the partial immersion of the longitudinal bar 32 in the outlet area of the warm air back to the original value with the smallest diameter. The longitudinal bar 37 also acts in a similar manner and, when the diameter is increased, is partially pushed in front of the opening between the transverse webs 33. The outer casing of the winding body also takes on an approximately circular shape for the largest adjustable diameter, provided that the indentations in the region of the cutouts 39 are disregarded. With regard to the definition of the axis of rotation 20, it should also be noted that it is fixed for an average diameter of the winding body in such a way that the connecting line between the axis of rotation 20 and the central longitudinal axis 112 forms an approximately right angle to the bristle axis 122. In this case, the bristles 16 protrude largely radially from the brush 85, regardless of the respective diameter of the winding body.

Overall, this construction of the winding body creates an extremely stable, resilient structure, the diameter of which can be varied. The length of the bristles 16 and their radial position with respect to the central longitudinal axis 112 of the winding body are largely independent of the setting of the respective diameter of the winding body. If the bobbin is used as a brush with hot air flowing through it, the air throughput and thus the temperature are essentially independent of the respectively set diameter. The individual webs 13, which overlap each other in every rotational position, are mounted parallel to the central longitudinal axis 112 and, for the different diameters, essentially form circular surfaces so that the deviation from the ideal circular shape is minimized. The entire winding body is designed in such a way that it can only be assembled via snap connections and the individual parts can be produced in large series by injection molding.

A further exemplary embodiment of the winding former according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 to 15, parts comparable to the first exemplary embodiment being provided with identical reference numerals. Only the differences from the first exemplary embodiment are explained in more detail below. In a departure from the two-dimensional guide curves 24 of the actuating means 23 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the actuating means 23 (FIGS. 9, 15) in the present case has three-dimensional guide curves 24. The guide curves 24 run on the one hand spirally in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 112. In particular, the guide curves 24 take the form of Archimedean spirals. In addition, the guide curves 24 or their bottom surfaces 56 have a helical course in the axial direction (central longitudinal axis 112), the slope of the guide curves 24 in the radial and axial directions being chosen to be the same in the present exemplary embodiment has been. However, it is equally possible to provide different gradients in the radial and axial directions, the guides of the webs 13 having to be adapted accordingly. A peg 25 formed on the webs 13 is guided in the guide curve 24 on a path which runs on a conical jacket which is concentric with the central longitudinal axis 112 and whose surface line forms an angle of in particular 45 ° with the central longitudinal axis 112. Guide surfaces 95, 96 and 97 formed on the webs 13 also have the same angle to the central longitudinal axis 112. These guide surfaces 95, 96 and 97 on each web 13 act together with corresponding inclined surfaces 98, 99 and a bottom 94, which in turn are molded onto the carrier element 80. These inclined surfaces 98, 99 or the bottom 94 likewise form an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the central longitudinal axis 112. To adjust the diameter of the winding body, the adjusting means 23 is rotated, which can be locked in different positions by means of a locking ball 54. Due to the engagement of the pins 25 of the webs 13 in the guide curves 24, the webs 13 are driven, specifically on a path which in the present special case encloses an angle of 45 ° with the central longitudinal axis 112. According to the present exemplary embodiment, each web 13 is supported in three regions, namely the two end regions and in the central region, against forces acting radially from the outside on the winding former. Depending on the design of the winding body and the intended use, the middle support section can be omitted or supplemented by further support sections.

The adjusting means 23 has a frustoconical, central recess 114, in the inner surface of which the guide curves 24 are introduced. The outer surface of the recess 114 interacts with webs 110 which are molded onto the carrier element 80. These webs 110 have one of the slopes of the conical surface of the Recess 114 corresponding slope and serve on the one hand for supporting and rotatable mounting of the actuating means 23, on the other hand, the webs 110 form pairs 92 in which the webs 13 or parts of the molded pin 25 in the radial direction, as can be seen for example from Fig. 13 , are led. If the diameter of the winding body is made larger, the individual webs 13 are driven in the radial and axial directions and move on a path which forms an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the central longitudinal axis 112. The angle of 45 ° can of course also be varied in a range between 10 and 80 ° according to individual requirements. If a smaller diameter of the winding body is set, the force acting from the guide curves 24 on the pins 25 radially inwards to the central longitudinal axis 112 causes the webs 13 with the corresponding guide surfaces 95, 96 and 97 to slide inwards at an angle and thus also to the bottom surface Follow 56 of the guide curves 24. The support of the webs 13 in the central section of the carrier element 80 or its tubular section 14 can be seen in particular from FIG. 12. Beneath the guide surfaces 96 attached to each web 13 in this section and extending at an angle to the central longitudinal axis 112 is an inclined surface 99 formed on the tubular section 14, on which the web 13 slides or is pushed up on an inclined plane when the diameter of the winding body changes . This inclined plane provides support for the webs 13 in the central region for each diameter of the winding body with regard to forces acting on the webs 13 from the outside for each set diameter of the winding body. At the base of the winding body, the carrier element 80, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, has six slit-like chambers 90, the bottom 94 of which likewise runs at the preferred angle of approximately 45 ° to the central longitudinal axis 112. Each chamber 90 is formed by two side walls 44 formed on the carrier element 80. The Crosspieces 13 have end sections which are provided with guide surfaces 97 which are guided in the chambers 90. In order to positively guide the webs 13 in the radial direction, the ends of the webs 13 have lugs 86 (see FIG. 11) which protrude at an angle in the region of the guide surface 97 and are gripped by a section 88 on the tubular region 49. As a result of this measure, a channel 116 is formed between the bottom 94 of the carrier element 80 and the section 88 of the tube region 49, in which the nose 86 of the webs 13 is guided in a form-fitting manner on an approximately 45 ° inclined path. As can be seen from FIG. 12, small angled pins 58 of the tube area 49 secure the latter to the carrier element 80 in that the pins 58 cooperate with grooves 59. This measure ensures extremely simple assembly of the webs 13 on the carrier element 80.

The individual webs 13 have the profiling shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14. A first longitudinal bar 102 is connected to a second longitudinal bar 106 via transverse webs 118, which can optionally be provided with bristles 16. Openings are provided in the web 13 between the transverse webs 118, which correspond to corresponding openings 15 in the tubular section 14, so that, for example, warm air can escape from the winding body. The longitudinal bar 106 has an approximately arrow-shaped shape, the arrowhead being connected to the transverse webs 118. On the edge side, the longitudinal bar 106 is provided with slots 108, so that the edge region takes on an approximately comb-like shape. The longitudinal bar 106 is positively guided in a recess 104 in the form of a longitudinal groove in the longitudinal bar 102 of an immediately adjacent web 13. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 12, the longitudinal bar 106 plunges deeply into the longitudinal groove 104 of the longitudinal bar 102 when the smallest diameter of the winding body is set and partially projects into the openings between the transverse webs 118. The slots 108 are now arranged on the longitudinal bar 106 such that they essentially correspond to the openings between the cross bars 118 and thus there is no noticeable increase in the flow resistance for small diameters of the winding body. If the diameter of the winding body is increased by rotating the adjusting means 23, the longitudinal bar 106 slides out of the recess 104 of the longitudinal bar 102 of an adjacent web 13 for the most part. Regardless of the set diameter, there is therefore a form fit between adjacent webs in each positioning of the webs 13, so that this exemplary embodiment of the winding former according to the invention also has a high stability against radial stresses. In addition, the webs 13 are guided at least on both ends on inclined planes, which is made possible by the axially displaceability of the webs in connection with the three-dimensional guide curve 24 of the adjusting means 23. To improve the stability, one or more inclined planes can be provided on the tubular section 14 in the central region of the webs, as required. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 12, this winding body also has a circumferential surface which is essentially circular for all winding diameters. Only for larger diameters of the winding body are formed between adjacent webs 13 longitudinal groove-like depressions with a depth which corresponds to approximately one third of the thickness of the web 102. In addition to the extremely good stability, this winding body is characterized by its simple manufacture and is also well suited for use as a hot air brush. The bristle axes 122 of the optionally provided bristles 16 have a slight deviation from the exact radial alignment according to FIG. 12, but this deviation of a few degrees is negligible for the practical use of such a winding body.

Both embodiments of the winding body according to the invention have their own advantages, but in the event that the stability aspect of the winding body is in the foreground, the second embodiment is preferred, since it is readily possible to provide as many support surfaces as required in the central region of the webs 13 .

Claims (41)

1. A winding structure for hair care, with a supporting structure (80) on which means are provided for guiding a plurality of webs (13) disposed about a longitudinal central axis (112) of the supporting structure (80), said webs (13) being movable into a variety of different positions by means of an adjusting means (23) in order to provide a structure with varying outside diameters, characterized in that each web (13) includes a recess (39, 104) along its longitudinal extent with which the sections of an adjacent web (13) are in positive engagement in any position of the webs.
2. The winding structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the webs (13) are received in pivot bearings (18, 19, 21; 12, 46) at either end of the supporting structure (80).
3. The winding structure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that one pivot bearing is configured as a bearing with open sockets, wherein at least one pin (18, 19) of the webs (13) is supported upon a circular-segment-shaped portion of the supporting structure (80) as well as upon an annular wall of the adjusting means (23).
4. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an axis of rotation (20) of the web (13) is disposed in the area of an end section of the web (13).
5. The winding structure as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the axis of rotation (20) is disposed in a radially offset position outside the profile of the web (13).
6. The winding structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each web (13) has in the area of a medial portion (34) a peripheral pin (25) engaging an associated lead cam (24) of the adjusting means (23) that is in turn rotatably secured to the supporting structure (80).
7. The winding structure according to the prior-art portion of claim 1 or according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each web (13) is axially slidable by a measure (A) relative to the longitudinal axis of the supporting structure (80).
8. The winding structure as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the web (13) is fixedly secured to the adjusting means (23) in an axial direction by detent means (26, 27).
9. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rotation of the webs (13) can be effected by means of axial displacement and subsequent rotation of the adjusting means (23).
10. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the adjusting means is provided on the supporting structure (80) at one end, and supporting means (29, 48) for radially locating the webs (13) in place are provided on the supporting structure (80) at the other end.
11. The winding structure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the supporting means (29, 48) are formed by teeth (29) extending on the web (13) in a radial direction and engaging in an edge (48) of a tubular portion (49).
12. The winding structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each web (13) is comprised of three longitudinal members (32, 34, 37) arranged in a substantially arcuate relationship with each other and interconnected by means of transverse members (33, 51).
13. The winding structure as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the supporting structure (80) includes a tubular section (14) with circumferential apertures (15) coacting with apertures provided between the transverse members (33, 51) for the purpose of allowing air to escape.
14. The winding structure as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the transverse members (51) are provided with bristle-shaped extensions (16).
15. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outside (36) of a longitudinal member (34) of a web (13) includes an arcuate recess (39) configured such that in any radial position of the webs (13) an edge, in particular a leading edge (38) of the longitudinal member (37) of a directly adjacent web (13), is in positive engagement with the recess (39).
16. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the underside (35) of the one longitudinal member (34) has its profile adapted to the upper side of the further longitudinal member (32).
17. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 16, characterized in that a longitudinal edge (41) of the longitudinal member (32) takes support upon the outer shell of the tubular section (14) in any position of the webs (13).
18. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least six webs (13) superposing each other in a calyx-type configuration are mounted on the supporting structure (80), wherein in the smallest-diameter position the longitudinal members (32, 34, 37) of adjacent webs (13) as well as the apertures (15) in the tubular section (14) and in the area of the transverse members (33, 51) of adjacent webs (13) register with each other in a superposing fashion.
19. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with the diameter of the winding structure becoming progressively larger, the longitudinal members (32, 34, 37) move more and more in front of the apertures (15) in the tubular section (14) of the supporting structure (80).
20. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (23) includes two-dimensional lead cams (24) extending in spiral shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112).
21. The winding structure according to the prior-art portion of claim 1, in which the webs (13) are received in sliding guides at either end of the supporting structure (80), characterized in that the webs (13), as a result of the actuation of an adjusting means (23), are guided in a positive-engagement relationship in both the radial and the axial direction in respect of the longitudinal central axis (112).
22. The winding structure as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the sliding guides are constructed as chambers (90, 92) in which sections of the webs (13) are guided in a positive-engagement relationship.
23. The winding structure as claimed in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the webs (13) are guided at an acute angle, in particular at an angle of between 10° and 80°, preferably at an angle of 45°, approximately, relative to the longitudinal central axis (112).
24. The winding structure as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that either end of the supporting structure (80) has integrally formed thereat sloping surfaces (98) or bottom surfaces (94) against which corresponding slopes of guide surfaces (95, 97) of the webs (13) bear.
25. The winding structure as claimed in claim 23 or 24, characterized in that further sloping surfaces (99) corresponding with suitably formed guide surfaces (96) of the webs (13) are integrally formed on the tubular section (14) of the supporting structure (80).
26. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 1, 21 to 25, characterized in that the adjusting means (23) includes three-dimensional lead cams (24) extending in spiral shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112) and with a helical pitch in respect of the longitudinal central axis, with the ratio of the pitch of the spiral to the pitch of the helix assuming in particular such values as result from the tangent of the angle of the web guide.
27. The winding structure as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the adjusting means (23) includes a frustoconical recess (115) on the side close to the lead cam, its surface area bearing rotatably against webs (110) of corresponding pitch on the supporting structure (80).
28. The winding structure according to the prior-art portion of claim 1, characterized in that at one end of the webs (13) integrally formed pins (25) engage each a lead cam (24) of the adjusting means (23), with the webs (13), as a result of the actuation of the adjusting means (23), being guided in a positive-engagement relationship in both the radial and the axial direction in respect of the longitudinal central axis (112).
29. The winding structure as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that at the other end of the webs (13) an angled nose (86) is integrally formed in the area of the guide surface (97), with a section (88) engaging said nose such that the webs (13) are guided in a positive-engagement relationship inside a channel (116).
30. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 1, 21 to 29, characterized in that each web is comprised of two longitudinal members (102, 106) interconnected by means of transverse members (118).
31. The winding structure as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that the supporting structure (80) includes a tubular section (14) with circumferential apertures (15) coacting with apertures provided between the transverse members (118) for the purpose of allowing air to escape.
32. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 30, 31, characterized in that the transverse members (118) are provided with bristle-shaped extensions (16).
33. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 1, 21 to 32, characterized in that a longitudinal member (102) of the web (13) includes a groove-shaped recess (104) within which at least portions of the longitudinal member (106) of a directly adjacent web are in positive engagement in any radial position of the webs (13).
34. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 30 to 33, characterized in that an edge area of the longitudinal members (106) includes slots (108) arranged in the manner of a comb and registering with the apertures between the transverse members (118).
35. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 30 to 34, characterized in that the longitudinal member (106) includes at least in an axial portion thereof a groove-shaped recess (96) forming an inclined plane at the bottom and bearing in a positive-engagement relationship against a web on the supporting structure (80) providing a corresponding inclined plane or sloping surface (99).
36. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (23) is secured to the supporting structure (80) by means of a cap (30) and integrally formed spring arms (31) providing a snap-fit connection.
37. The winding structure as claimed in claim 36, characterized in that a central recess in the cap receives a knob (50) causing the spreading apart of a spring means (53) that engages within an annular groove of a mushroom-shaped portion (52) of the supporting structure (80).
38. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized by its use as a hair curler with variably adjustable diameter.
39. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 37, characterized by its use as a brush attachment of a warm-air hair care appliance with variably adjustable diameter, with warm air being caused to flow through the supporting structure (80).
40. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 37, characterized by its use as a hair working portion of an electrically or gas powered curling iron with variably adjustable diameter.
41. The winding structure as claimed in any one of the claims 21 to 27, characterized in that at one end of the webs (13) integrally formed pins (25) engage each a lead cam (24) of the adjusting means (23), with the webs (13), as a result of the actuation of the adjusting means (23), being guided in a positive-engagement relationship in both the radial and the axial direction in respect of the longitudinal central axis (112).

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