HK1245599A1 - Hand-held hair styling device - Google Patents

Description

Hand-held hair styling device

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to hand held hair styling devices such as hair brushes and combs, and more particularly to hand held hair styling devices for curling human hair.

Background

Conventional hand held hair brushes have a body and a handle extending from the body. A plurality of hair styling elements, such as bristles or teeth, extend away from the body of the brush. To use such conventional brushes, a person holds the handle in his or her hand and moves the brush so that the hair styling elements pass through the person's hair.

A comb is similar to a brush. The hair styling elements on the comb are typically arranged in a narrower configuration (e.g., a single row of teeth or multiple rows of closely spaced parallel teeth) than the hair styling elements on the brush. However, there is no clear line of demarcation between the device considered a comb and the device considered a brush. Both the comb and the brush work by allowing a user to move a carrier carrying a plurality of hair styling elements extending from the body such that the hair styling elements move through a person's hair.

The styling elements of most common brushes and combs do not move relative to the body that carries them.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention is a hand held hair styling device having a body with a wider side between a pair of narrower sides on opposite sides of the wider side. The wider side of the body has a width that is wider than the narrower side of the body. A plurality of rotatable bases are mounted on the body between the narrower sides for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation. The rotatable bases each have an exposed face generally facing away from the body. A plurality of hair styling elements are mounted on the exposed face of each rotatable base for rotation with the respective rotatable base relative to the body. The plurality of hair styling elements extend generally away from (faces away from) the body. The handle extends from the body in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of at least one of the rotatable bases.

Another aspect of the present invention is a hand held hair styling device having a body with a wider side between a pair of narrower sides on opposite sides of the wider side. The wider side of the body has a width that is wider than the narrower side of the body. A plurality of rotatable bases are mounted on the body between the narrower sides for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation. The rotatable bases each have an exposed face generally facing away from the body. A plurality of hair styling elements are mounted on the exposed face of each rotatable base for rotation with the respective rotatable base relative to the body. A plurality of hair styling elements extend generally away from the body. Each of the hair styling elements mounted on the rotatable base is spaced apart from each of the other hair styling elements.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of styling hair. The method includes maintaining a handle connected to a body having a plurality of rotatable bases thereon. Each of these rotatable bases is mounted on the body for rotation relative thereto and has a plurality of hair styling elements mounted thereon. The method includes moving the handle to move the hair styling element through the person's hair. A selectively actuable drive system operatively connected with the rotatable base is actuated to drive rotation of the rotatable base relative to the body and thereby rotate the rotatable base and the hair styling elements thereon while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with a person's hair.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hair styling device of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are additional perspective views of the hair styling device of FIG. 1 taken from different vantage points;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the hair styling apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hair styling device of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hair styling device of FIGS. 1-7 with a portion of the device removed to show internal features;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hair styling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-8, which is similar to FIG. 8, but with more of the apparatus removed to show more of the internal features;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of two different sets of interchangeable dials having different styling element configurations thereon for use with the hair styling device of FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a method of curling hair using the device shown in FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling device of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hair styling device of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 with portions of the device removed to show internal features; and

fig. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of fig. 13-14, showing the manually actuatable drive rod in a depressed position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to fig. 1-9, one embodiment of a hair styling apparatus is generally indicated at 101. The device 101 can be used to brush hair in substantially the same manner as a conventional hairbrush. However, device 101 may also be used to curl a person's hair in a manner described in more detail below.

Device 101 has a body 103 and a handle 105 extending from the body. The body 103 has one or more hair styling elements 107 secured thereto. The handle 105 is sized and shaped to fit in a person's hand so that the person can move the body 103 and the hair styling elements 107 thereon relative to the person's or another person's hair. The body 103 and handle 105 are suitably made of a moldable polymeric material, although other materials may be used instead. Referring to fig. 7, the body 103 and handle 105 of the device 101 are both made of an upper housing 109 and a lower housing 111, which are named with reference to the orientation in fig. 7. It is understood that the lower housing 111 may be above the upper housing 109 and vice versa, depending on how the device 101 is positioned. The handle 105 and the upper housing 109 of the body 103 are suitably integrally molded together. Also, the handle 105 and the lower case 111 of the body 103 are suitably integrally molded together. It should be understood that the upper housing 109 and lower housing 111 may be made of more or less parts than in the illustrated embodiment, and that the separation lines between the parts of the housings may vary. Furthermore, the configuration of the housing may be different from that shown in fig. 1-9, if desired. The upper housing 109 and the lower housing 111 are configured such that they may be secured to each other (e.g., by screws 113 or other fasteners) to form the body 103 and the handle 105. The body 103 and the handle 105 suitably have a hollow interior space 115 for reasons that will become apparent.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the body 103 suitably has a wider side 121 extending between a pair of narrower sides 123 located on opposite sides of the body 103. The narrower side 123 is located on opposite sides of the wider side 121. The width W1 of the wider side 121 is greater than the width W2 of the narrower side 123. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the narrower sides 123 is approximately equal, but it should be understood that this is not necessary. The width W1 of the wider side 121 of the body 103 is suitably at least about 2 inches. The length L1 of the body 103 is suitably at least about 4 inches. For the purpose of measuring the length L1 of the body 103, the length L1 is defined as the distance between the end of the body opposite the handle 105 and the contouring element 107 furthest therefrom. As shown in fig. 1, the wider side 121 of the body 103 is suitably substantially flat.

A plurality of hair styling elements 107 are mounted on the wider side 121 of the body. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-9, the styling elements 107 are all located on the wider side 121 of the body 103. Some of the hair styling elements 107 are appropriately fixed styling elements 125 that are affixed to the body 103. For example, some or all of the fixed styling elements 125 are suitably affixed to the wider side 121 of the body 103. There are various ways of attaching the fixed hair styling element 125 to the body 103. Referring to FIG. 7, for example, a plurality or all of the fixed hair styling elements 125 are suitably mounted on a base 127 that supports a plurality of the fixed hair styling elements. In the illustrated embodiment, there are a plurality of bases 127, each of which carries at least two fixed hair styling elements. The base 127 is located within the interior of the body 103 in a manner such that the fixed hair styling elements 125 extend through the openings 129 in the lower shell 111. Thus, the distal ends of the fixed hair styling elements 125 extend away from the base 103 of the hair styling device 101. The base 127 is restrained (captured) within the interior space 115 of the hair styling device 101 by the upper shell 109 and the lower shell 111 and thereby retains the fixed hair styling element on the base 103. Those skilled in the design and/or manufacture of hair styling devices will be familiar with a variety of other options for attaching a fixed hair styling element to the body of a hair styling device, and any option may be used instead of the arrangement shown in the illustrated embodiment.

At least some of the hair styling elements 107 are movable hair styling elements 135 mounted on the body 103 for movement relative thereto. For example, the movable hair styling element 135 is suitably rotatable relative to the body 103. Referring to fig. 1, 3, 5 and 7, a plurality of turntables 137 (broadly, rotatable bases) are mounted on the body 103 to rotate the turntables relative to the body about an axis of rotation 139. Although the rotatable base 137 in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a turntable, it should be understood that the rotatable base may have other shapes and configurations (e.g., dome or hemispherical) if desired. The dial 137 is suitably mounted on the wider side 121 of the body 103 between the narrower side 123 of the body 103. Referring to fig. 5, the dial 137 is suitably arranged in a linear configuration extending generally along the longitudinal axis 143 of the body 103. For example, the disks 137 are suitably mounted in succession on the central longitudinal axis 143. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the central longitudinal axis 143 of the body 103 is aligned with a central longitudinal axis (also denoted as 143) of the handle 105 such that the dial 137 is also arranged in a linear configuration extending along the longitudinal axis 143 of the handle. The discs 137 are suitably mounted on the body 103 so that the discs have axes of rotation 139 that are substantially parallel to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation 139 of at least one of the dials 137 (e.g., all of the dials) is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the handle 105 extends from the body 103. The axis of rotation 139 is suitably substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 143 of the body 103 and the handle 105.

The movable hair styling element 135 is mounted on the turntable 137 so that the movable hair styling element moves with the turntable. The dial 137 is suitably received within an opening 145 in the lower housing 111 such that certain portions of the dial are located inside the body 103. The dial 137 also includes an exposure surface 149 located at least on the exterior of the body 103 or at least accessible from the exterior of the body. The exposed face 149 of the turntable 137 generally faces away from the body 103. The movable hair styling element 135 is suitably secured to the exposed surface 149 of the dial 137. A movable styling member 135 extends from the turntable 137 away from the body 103.

At least some of the movable styling elements 135 are offset from the axis of rotation 143 of the carousel 137 on which they are carried. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1-9, each movable styling element 135 is offset from the axis of rotation 143 of the respective carousel 137. As shown in fig. 5, some or all of the movable styling elements 135 extend radially outward all the way to the outer periphery of the respective carousel 137. The offset movable styling elements 135 are positioned to move in a relatively wide circle as the turntable 137 rotates due to their offset position. The turntable 137 suitably has a relatively large diameter D1, such as at least about 0.75 inches.

Referring to fig. 4, the movable styling element 135 suitably extends approximately the same distance from the body 103 as the fixed styling element 125. The distal ends of all of the hair styling elements suitably lie in the same plane P as shown in figure 4. Alternatively, the distal ends of all of the hair styling elements may lie on a cylindrical or other smoothly curved surface. When the hair styling device 101 is used to brush hair in the same manner as a conventional brush, both the fixed hair styling elements 125 and the movable hair styling elements 135 are positioned to contact the hair and/or scalp, and in the case of the device 101 in contact with the scalp, there is no tendency for pressure to be concentrated in only a few hair styling elements 125, 135, which can occur if one set of hair styling elements is significantly longer than the other set of hair styling elements such that the ends do not all lie on the same plane or on a smoothly curved surface.

The configuration of the movable hair styling element 135 may vary within the broad scope of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-9, at least some (e.g., all) of the movable hair styling elements have a paddle-like configuration. Each paddle shaping element 135 has a wide side 151 oriented to generally face in the direction of rotation and a narrow side 153 oriented to generally face radially with respect to the direction of rotation. The movable hair styling elements 135 in this embodiment are suitably substantially parallel to each other. However, it will be appreciated that the movable styling elements may be oriented to tilt towards or away from each other as they extend away from the base, if desired. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each movable styling element 135 is spaced apart from each other movable hair styling element. This is in contrast to "tuft" style hair styling elements in which one or more bundles of styling elements are mounted in abutting relationship with each other. It is understood, however, that the movable styling element may include one or more tufts, if desired.

The apparatus 101 comprises a drive system 161 for driving the movement of the movable styling member 135, for example by driving the rotation of a turntable 137. For example, the drive system 161 may be selectively activated by a user to rotate the turntable 137 and the movable styling member 135 thereon, as desired. The drive system 161 is suitably also configured to keep the turntable 137 and the movable styling element 135 thereon stationary (fixed in position) relative to the body 103, if desired.

Referring to fig. 7-9, the drive system 161 suitably includes a motor 163 (e.g., an electric motor) that is coupled to the turntable 137 so that the motor can rotate the turntable relative to the body 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 163 is coupled to the turntable 137 via a set of gears 171. The gear comprises a drive sprocket 173 mounted on an output shaft 175 of the motor 163 so that the output shaft and drive sprocket rotate together (in unison). The drive sprocket 173 meshes with a speed change gear 177, and the speed change gear 177 meshes with a first set of carousel gears 179. The dial 137 is mounted on the dial gear 179 so that the dial rotates with (e.g., is common to) the dial gear. In the illustrated embodiment, the speed change gear 177 is configured to rotate the first turntable gear 179 at a higher angular velocity than the angular velocity of the drive sprocket 173 and the output shaft 175 of the motor 163. That is, the speed change gear 177 is configured to increase in speed as power is transmitted from the motor to the turntable 137. However, if desired, the speed change gear may be configured to reduce the speed of the carousel gear relative to the motor.

Idler gears 181 are located between each carousel gear 179 so that they mesh with adjacent carousel gears. The gear 171 is thus configured to rotate each turntable in the same direction. The gear 171 and drive system 161 are suitably configured to rotate each turntable 137 at substantially the same angular velocity. For example, the carousel gears 179 in the illustrated embodiment are all approximately equal in size, and the idler gears 181 are also all approximately equal in size, such that the carousel gears all rotate at approximately the same speed.

The dial 137 can be coupled to the dial gear 179 in various ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the turntable 137 is releasably secured to the turntable gear 177. Referring to fig. 7-9, for example, each carousel gear 177 has a spindle 185 (fig. 8 and 9) extending along an axis of rotation 139. Spindle 185 is sized and shaped to be received in a socket 187 (fig. 7) formed in the base of turntable 137. Spindle 185 and socket 187 each have a corresponding non-circular cross-sectional shape such that when the spindle is in the socket, turntable 137 is rotationally locked with spindle 185 and turntable gear 179. Spindle 185 and socket 187 are suitably sized to cause a friction fit between the spindle and socket that is strong enough to hold the turntable on device 101 when used for curling hair but weak enough so that a user can pull turntable 137 off of spindle 185 when desired. This facilitates swapping one or more of the carousels 137 with a different carousel.

Fig. 10 shows two different sets of dials 137, 137' that may be used interchangeably with the device 101. The first set of turntables 137 are the same turntables as shown in fig. 1-9. The second set of discs 137 'are substantially identical to the first set of discs 137 except that they have a different configuration of removable hair styling elements 135'. Instead of the paddle-shaped styling elements 135, the movable styling elements 135 'on the second set of discs 137' are substantially cylindrical. Each generally cylindrical styling element 135' is spaced apart from each of the other styling elements. One of the styling elements 135 'on each carousel 137' is located on the axis of rotation 139. The other styling elements 135' are offset from the axis of rotation 139. The styling elements 137' are all generally parallel to each other and arranged in a grid configuration (e.g., a3 x 3 grid). Whenever the user wishes to supply different types of movable styling elements to the device, he or she can pull the carousel from the device and replace them with a set of different carousels. Although only two types of dials 137, 137' are shown in fig. 10, it should be understood that there are many possible variations in the configuration of the movable hair styling element and that there may be different sets of dials for any possible configuration that may be desired.

A switch 165 accessible on an external portion of the device 101 controls the operation of the motor 163 and allows a user to selectively activate and deactivate the drive system 161. The switch 165 may be any suitable switch capable of selectively connecting and disconnecting the motor 163 from a power source (e.g., an internal battery 167 in the illustrated embodiment).

For example, the switch 165 is suitably configured to energize the motor 163 and activate the drive system 161 when the user depresses the switch, and to de-energize the motor and deactivate the drive system upon the user releasing the switch. Thus, the user may activate and deactivate the drive system 161 with only one touch, where the duration of the touch defines the length of time that the drive system is operating. For some methods of use of device 101, it may be desirable to require a user active input (e.g., requiring the user to continuously depress switch 165) to continue operation of drive system 161. For example, if the user is distracted while using the device and fails to maintain pressure on the switch 165, the device 101 automatically stops the dial 137 from rotating and thereby minimizes the risk of hair tangling due to continued operation of the drive system while the user is distracted. Similarly, there is less risk of problems with tangled hair, such as if a user attempts to turn off the motor 163 but delays completion due to a physical error (e.g., clumsiness) in attempting to strike the switch 165.

Device 101 may be used in either of two modes: a fixed styling element mode and a moving (e.g., rotating) styling element mode. When used in the fixed styling element mode, the device 101 operates in much the same way as a conventional hairbrush. The user moves the handle 105 of the device 101 relative to the person's hair such that the fixed and movable styling elements 125, 135 engage and move relative to the person's hair (e.g., to untangle the hair, dispense hair care products through the hair, straighten the hair, curl the hair, etc.).

To use the device 101 in the mobile hair styling element mode, the user activates the drive system 161 (e.g., by depressing the switch 165) to drive the movement of the mobile styling element 135. For example, referring to fig. 11, the user suitably actuates the drive system 161 to drive rotation of the dial 137 relative to the body 103 and thereby rotate the dial and movable hair styling elements 135 thereon while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with the person's hair. Various styling effects can be achieved using this method. For example, the rotary dial 137 and movable hair styling elements suitably form a twisted strand of hair 193 from a group of hair 191 on a person's head. In fig. 11, the paddle-like movable hair styling element 135 is placed in contact with the strand of hair 193 at a location spaced from the person's head (e.g., near the ends of the hair in the strand). Broad face 151 on paddle styling element 135 moves the hair in a generally circular shape and thereby twists the strand of hair into a generally helical coil extending between the section of hair in contact with the device and the person's head. The helical bend applied to the strand 191 suitably has a central axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 139 of the turntable 137 in which the helical coil has been formed. The twisted first strand may be formed using the first rotating disc at the same time as the twisted other strand is formed using the other rotating disc. Since the device 101 has three rotating discs 137, it is also possible to twist the individual three strands 193 of hair 191 into a helical coil at the same time. However, it is not necessary to form multiple helical coils simultaneously.

The method optionally includes holding the hair 191 in the twisted strand for a length of time selected to impart a lasting helical bend to the strand. For example, the strand 193 can be sprayed with water or contacted with hair spray, mousse, gel, or other hair styling product while it is held in a coil shape, and held in a coil shape while the water dries or the hair styling product dries and/or sets to help the hair maintain a helical shape after the device 101 is removed from the hair.

This process can be repeated as necessary to impart helical crimp to more strands 193 of hair 191.

This is just one example of how the device may be used to curl a person's hair. It should be understood that the removable hair styling element can be used in different ways if desired.

Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment of a hair styling device 201 of the present invention. The appliance 201 is substantially identical to the appliance 101 described above and shown in fig. 1-9, except that the appliance 201 does not have any hair styling elements attached. Alternatively, the hair styling elements 207 are all removable hair styling elements 235 mounted on a swivel plate 237. Apparatus 201 may be used to implement the same method as apparatus 101 described above.

Another embodiment of a hair styling apparatus, generally designated 301, is illustrated in fig. 13-15. The apparatus 301 is substantially similar to the apparatus 101 described above and shown in fig. 1-9, except that the drive system 161 described above has been replaced by a manually actuatable drive system 361. No motor is present in the device 301. The drive system 361 has gears 371 that include a turntable gear 379 and an idler gear 381 that correspond to the turntable gear 179 and idler gear 181 described above. However, instead of a motor, the device 301 has a manual actuator 375, which in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a lever mounted for pivotal movement such that one end of the lever projects beyond the handle 305. A set of teeth 373 corresponding to a segment of the drive socket are formed on the opposite end of the lever 375. The teeth 373 are meshed with a speed-change gear 377, the speed-change gear 377 is meshed with an auxiliary idle gear 393, and the auxiliary idle gear 393 is meshed with one of the dial gears 379.

Lever 375 is movable by a user between a first position (fig. 14) in which the lever protrudes more from handle 305 and a second position (fig. 15) in which the lever protrudes less from the handle. A biasing member 395 (e.g., a spring) is located and disposed in the handle 305 to bias the lever 375 toward the first position. The lever 375 is positioned and arranged relative to the gear 371 such that movement of the lever between the first and second positions drives movement of the dial 337 and the movable styling element 335 thereon via the gear. As with the drive system 161 described above, the gears 371 are configured to drive each of the discs 337 in the same direction and at substantially the same speed.

The device 301 can be used in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with the device 101 shown in fig. 1-9. However, to move the movable styling element, the user manually activates the drive system 361 by manually manipulating the actuator 375 (e.g., a lever) to move the actuator from the first position to the second position. The user then removes the device from the hair before releasing the actuator 375. Once the user releases the actuator 375, the biasing member 395 automatically moves the actuator back to the first position. This process may be repeated as many times as desired.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the following has been developed:

A1. a hand-held hair styling device, the hair styling device comprising:

a body having a wider side between a pair of narrower sides, the narrower sides on opposite sides of the wider side, the wide side of the body having a width that is wider than the narrower side of the body;

a plurality of rotatable bases mounted on the body between the narrower sides for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation, the rotatable bases each having an exposed face generally facing away from the body;

a plurality of hair styling elements mounted on the exposed face of each of the rotatable bases for rotation with the respective rotatable base relative to the body, the plurality of hair styling elements extending generally away from the body; and

a handle extending from the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of at least one of the rotatable bases.

A2. The hand held hair styling device of a1, further comprising a selectively actuable drive system for driving the rotatable base to rotate relative to the body.

A3. The hand held hair styling device of a2, wherein the selectively activatable drive system is configured to maintain the rotatable base in a fixed position relative to the body when the selectively activatable drive system is not activated.

A4. The hand held hair styling device of a2, wherein the selectively activatable drive system comprises a set of gears and a manual actuator connected to the gears such that a user can drive rotation of the rotatable base by manually manipulating the manual actuator.

A5. The hand held hair styling device of a2, wherein the selectively activatable drive system comprises an electric motor coupled to the rotatable base such that the motor can rotate the rotatable base relative to the body, and a switch configured to selectively turn the electric motor on and off.

A6. The hand held hair styling device of a1, further comprising a plurality of hair styling elements affixed to the wider side of the body.

A7. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein at least some of the hair styling elements mounted on the rotatable base have a paddle-like configuration.

A8. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein each of said hair styling elements mounted on said rotatable base is spaced apart from each of the other hair styling elements.

A9. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein all of said hair styling elements are mounted on said rotatable base.

A10. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the body has a longitudinal axis, the rotatable base being mounted on the body in a linear configuration extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the body.

A11. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the rotatable bases have axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to each other.

A12. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the hair styling elements are substantially parallel to each other.

A13. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the wider side of the body is substantially flat.

A14. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the wider side of the body has a width of at least about 2 inches.

A15. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein the body has a length of at least about 3 inches.

A16. The hand held hair styling device of a1, wherein at least one of the rotatable bases has a diameter of at least about 2 inches in length.

A17. A hand-held hair styling device, the hair styling device comprising:

a body having a wider side between a pair of narrower sides, the narrower sides on opposite sides of the wider side, the wide side of the body having a width that is wider than the narrower side of the body;

a plurality of rotatable bases mounted on the body between the narrower sides for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation, the rotatable bases each having an exposed face generally facing away from the body; and

a plurality of hair styling elements mounted on the exposed face of each of the rotatable bases for rotation with the respective rotatable base relative to the body, the plurality of hair styling elements extending generally away from the body;

wherein each of said hair styling elements mounted on said rotatable base is spaced apart from each of the other hair styling elements.

A18. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein at least some of the hair styling elements mounted on the rotatable base have a paddle-like configuration.

A19. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein the body has a longitudinal axis, the rotatable base being mounted on the body in a linear configuration extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the body.

A20. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein the rotatable bases have axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to each other.

A21. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein the wider side of the body has a width of at least about 2 inches.

A22. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein the body has a length of at least about 3 inches.

A23. The hand held hair styling device of a17, wherein at least one of the rotatable bases has a diameter of at least about 2 inches in length.

A24. A method of styling hair, the method comprising:

a handle retained in connection with a body having a plurality of rotatable bases thereon, wherein each rotatable base is mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body and has a plurality of hair styling elements mounted thereon;

moving the handle to move the hair styling element through a person's hair; and

selectively activating a drive system operatively connected with the rotatable base to drive rotation of the rotatable base relative to the body and thereby rotate the rotatable base and the hair styling elements thereon while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with the person's hair.

A25. The method of a24, wherein rotating the rotatable base and the hair styling elements thereon while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with the person's hair comprises forming a twisted strand of hair from a group of hair on the person's head.

A26. The method of a25, further comprising holding hair in the set of twisted strands for a length of time selected to impart a helical bend to at least some of the hair in the set.

A27. The method of a24, wherein rotating the rotatable base and the hair styling elements thereon while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with the person's hair comprises imparting a helical bend to at least some of the hair on the person's head.

A28. The method of a27, wherein the helical bend applied to the hair has a central axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of at least one of the rotatable bases.

A29. The method of a24, wherein rotating the rotatable base and the hair styling elements while at least some of the hair styling elements are in contact with the person's hair comprises forming a first twisted strand of hair from a first group of hair on the person's head using the first rotatable base while forming a second twisted strand of hair from a second group of hair on the person's head using the second rotatable base.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above devices, systems, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (15)

1. A hand-held hair styling device, the hair styling device comprising:

a body having a wider side between a pair of narrower sides, the narrower sides being on opposite sides of the wider side, the wide side of the body having a width that is wider than the narrower side of the body;

a plurality of rotatable bases mounted on the body between the narrower sides for rotation relative to the body about an axis of rotation, the rotatable bases each having an exposed face generally facing away from the body;

a plurality of hair styling elements mounted on the exposed face of each rotatable base for rotation with the respective rotatable base relative to the body, the plurality of hair styling elements extending generally away from the body; and

a handle extending from the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of at least one of the rotatable bases.

2. The hand-held hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising a selectively actuatable drive system for driving rotation of the rotatable base relative to the body.

3. The hand-held hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the selectively activatable drive system is configured to maintain the rotatable base in a fixed position relative to the body when the selectively activatable drive system is not activated.

4. A hand held hair styling device according to claim 2, wherein the selectively activatable drive system comprises a set of gears and a manual actuator connected to the gears such that a user can drive rotation of the rotatable base by manually manipulating the manual actuator.

5. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hair styling elements affixed to a wider side of the body.

6. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the hair styling elements mounted on the rotatable base have a paddle-like configuration.

7. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein each of said hair styling elements mounted on said rotatable base is spaced apart from each of the other hair styling elements.

8. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein all of the hair styling elements are mounted on the rotatable base.

9. A hand held hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a longitudinal axis, the rotatable base being mounted on the body in a linear configuration extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the body.

10. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable bases have axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to each other.

11. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the hair styling elements are substantially parallel to each other.

12. A hand held hair styling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wider side of the body is substantially flat.

13. A hand held hair styling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wider side of the body has a width of at least about 2 inches.

14. A hand held hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a length of at least about 4 inches.

15. The hand held hair styling device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotatable bases has a diameter of at least about 0.75 inches in length.