US2074018A - Hair drying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1937. c. G. GROSS HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Filed March :5, 193:5

3' Sheets-Sheet 1 E N w w A March 16, 1937. C. G. GROSS I 2,074,018

HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Filed March 3. 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 16, 1937. c. G. GROSS 2,074,018

' HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Filed March 3, 1955 3 Shoets-$heet 5 Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES HAIR DRYING APPARATUS Carl G. Gross, Mount Vernon, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Machine and Metals, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1983, Serial No. 659,445

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for drying hair upon the human head, and more particularly to a novel and improved hair drying apparatus which may be alternatively used as a blower.

' Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by prac-- tice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

Theaccompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

0f the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, with certain parts being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the hood thrown back so that the apparatus may be used with a blower;

Figure '3 is a detail verticalsectlon through the central portion of the fan and fan casing, with certain parts removed;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of the shutter device in several positions, and looking from the interior of the fan casing;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view of the fan casing and associated parts, with certain parts broken away or removed; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit and connections for the motor, heating coils and switches. The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved drying apparatus for the drying of hair on a head, said apparatus being adapted to. operate either as a drier or as a blower. A further object is the provision 45 of a recirculating drier which can be operated as a blower to direct a powerful stream of heated or unheated air against the customers scalp. Still another object is the provision of a drier which may operate to recirculate the air over the 50 customers he'ad'or may be operated without recirculation; thereby continuously delivering a fresh volume of air and passing it over the scalp and hair.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the 55 invention, the apparatus of the present invention (Cl. 34-26) l preferably comprises a motor-driven fan operat-- me within a casing, a pair of air conducting members, and a hood to" fit over the customers head, the conducting members being formed and arranged to supply air to and withdraw air from said hood and lead this air to and away from the fan. Means are also preferably provided for detachably connecting the hood with the air conducting members so that the apparatus may be used as a drier or as a direct blower, as desired. Shutter control means adjacent to the fan are also provided for controlling the supply of fresh air to the fan, and bafiie means are provided within said hood for circulating the air in a definite path over the head, the fresh air preferably being discharged around the neck and forehead of the customer while the air is withdrawn from a point closely adjacent to the top of the head. Suitable heating means, which are preferably regulable, are provided for heating the air to expedite and render more comfortable the drying process.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well, are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

As embodied in the device shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, a casing til is provided, which is mounted on an adjustable stand it of conventional construction, and comprises a cylindricalportion l2 opening into the involute portion E3 of the casing proper within which is a cylindrical chamber conforming closely in diametral size to the size of the fan. The fan is preferably a siroco fan M, mounted on motor shaft 05 which extends through one side of the casing and is journalled in the motor it mounted on the same side of the casing. The cylindrical portion 82 is divided into two ducts H and it, each semi-circular in cross section, and separated from each other by means of a web 09, which may be cast integrally with the casing l3 and cylindrical portion it. At its outer end, web 19 preferably lies in a horizontal plane and is formed as a screw so that it terminates adjacent to the fan in a vertical plane and is extended to form a wall 20 dividing the involute casing l3 into two side by side halves.

Wall 20 is preferably formed with an opening 2| concentric with the fan l4, and of a size to fit closely over the circumference of the fan, along its edge, while permitting free rotation of said fan, this opening serving to admit air to the central portion of said fan. The air sucked through said opening is expelled by said fan through duct l8, while the duct ll serves to supply air to said fan. If it is desired to have the upper duct carry the air under pressure, the web l9 may be formed as a right-handed screw, instead of as a left handed screw.

A' dust cover 22 may be provided over said motor l6, and suitable conductors 23 are protively large circular opening 26 over which is mounted a variable shutter device'so that more or less air may be drawn in through said opening 26. As embodied, this shutter device comprises a plurality of cruciform members 2?, 28 and 29. Each of said members 2?, 28 and 29 comprises four radially positioned segmental vanes 3d connected together at their centers by a circular piece 3E, and along their outer edges by an annular ring 32. The several members are preferably of the same size and general shape, each vane extending slightly more than 30 and these members 2'5, 28 and 29 are arranged concentrically with each other on a short shaft 33. Members 2% and 29 are loosely mounted on said shaft while member 27 is made fast to shaft 33 by means of the splined end of said shaft and nut 3%. Along the annular portion 32 of member 27? are formed a series of spaced arcuate slots at, each 'of a length slightly more than 60", while member 28 is similarly provided with similarly spaced arouate slots 3% of approximatey 30. Member 2% need not be provided with any slots but mounting screws 3'? pass through it and slots 35 and t5 and limit movement of members 27 and 28, also serving to secure the guard grille 3B in position to the casing wall. The ends of slots 35 are provided with small lips Ed at both ends of each slot which project into slots 35 and serve to move member 23 by rotation of member 2?. A knob dd is mounted onshaft 32 and is convenient for turning said shaft to'open or close the shutter device.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show several positions of the membersfil, 28 and Ed to regulate the air volume. In figure e, the shutters are closed, in Figure 5 they are partially open and in Figure 6,

' they are turned to theirmaximum opening. As member 2% is rotated from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 6, or from that of vFigure 5 to that of Figure 4, tongues 39 on member 28 are engaged by the ends of slots '85 in member 2land rotate member 25.

Heating means are provided in the path of the air being circulam' for heating the air to the desired temperature so as to expedite drying of the hair. For this purpose, a plurality of supporting members 53 are provided which are preferably positioned closely adjacent to the intake side of the fan and are positioned parallel to each other and to the axis or" the fan. These supporting members 33 are mounted on small brackets dd which may be attached to the inner side of the casing wall adjacent to opening 26. .Ehe particular arrangement oi the heating coils may be varied widely, but as embodied, the coils are connected together as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. As there shown, there are provided two relatively small coils it and 4? 9i d fie ent resistance which are connected together in se- .ries, and are also in series with the parallel connected resistance heating coils 48 and 69, also of difierent resistance. By variously connecting the several coils together, as will be described, the temperature of the air circulated by the fan may be widely varied to suit the various operating conditions.

Means are also provided adapted to fit loosely over the customers head to receive the air circulated by said fan and to pass it over the head in a predetermined path, and. if desired, to return this air after circulation to the intake side I of the fan. As embodied; a hood 56 having a general bell shape and somewhat larger than a than the customer's head which is adapted to be fitted over the head and receive the major portion of the hair to be dried. Hood 53 is spaced from hood 5d and is mounted thereon by means of an annular ring 5% midway between the ends of hood 53, and by means of bolts 55 and spacers 56, extending between the lower edges of hoods 5E and 53, these parts cooperating to hold the inner and outer hoods in a fixed position relatively to each other. Annular spacing member 543 preferably completely fills the space between the two hoods dividing the space between them into two non-communicating portions.

Means are provided for optionally placing the hoods 58, 53 and their associated parts out of operative'relation when this is desired, and for this purpose hood 5E1 is pivotally mounted on the cylindrical member it by means of a hinged bracket 58 having one end 59 secured to member i2, while the other end 6% is secured to hood and may be formed integrally with the cylin= drical member 52. The ends 59 and 6d are piv= oted around pivot pin ti and permit the hood portion 56 to be laid back on top of cylindrical member 52 and casing it, resting'on bufier stop 52. The adjacent and interiitting ends of cylindrical members 92 and 52 are preferably stepped to secure a tight joint which will not leak an appreciable quantity oi air. Also, a catch may be provided for releasably locking the hood in the position shown in Figure l, and as embodied comprises a spring riveted at one.

of its ends to the inner wall of cylindrical member 52, and apertured at its other end to pass over and engage with a pin 55 on the inner wall of member i2. A push pin 66 is secured to the spring and passes outwardly through the wall of member 52 and provides a means for releasing the cawh.

Cylindrical member 5211s provided with a diametral web at, positioned horizontally and forming an extension of web it, to which is fastened'the annular ring 5% for supplying air under pressure from the fan to the lower half of the hood and for withdrawing air from the upper half of the hood by means of the fan acting through ducts ll, ll, i8 and H8.

The efiluent air passes around the lower portlon of hood 53 and is discharged in an annular stream, and. for directing this stream towards the head and particularly the neck, forehead I and front edges of the hair, the'lower portion --ure 8 of the drawings. 20.

of the hood is provided with an inwardly curved lip 68, which may be provided with 9. rolled edge 69. Lip 68 serves to force the eflluent air radially inward and directly against the head of the customer. Due to the suction being exerted on the air in the upper portion of the hood, the major portion of the air passed through the annular spaces between the lower ends of hoods 50 and 53 is sucked upwardly and over the head of the customer. At the upper and open end of hood 53 is provided a screen or other foraminous member 18 which serves to preventthe hair of the customer being sucked upwardly and into duct l1.

The heating means previously described may be connected in circuit with the motor in accordance with the circuit diagram shown in Fig- In this circuit, the heating coils 48 and .49 are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the series connected resistance heating coils 46 and 41. A switch 1! is also provided in circuit for controlling the supply of energy to the heating coils and to motor it. As embodied, switch it comprises two rotatable switching members 12 and 13 interconnected by means of a shaft 14 and insulated from each other. Switching member 12 comprises a pair of movable contact members 15 electrically interconnected and spaced 90 apart, and adapted to contact with stationary contacts 16, 11 and 18, also spaced 90 apart. Switching member 18 comprises three movable contact members 18, electrically interconnected and spaced 90 apart, and three stationary contacts 80, 8i and 82 also spaced 90 apart. Contacts 11 and 88 are connected together, while contacts 18 and 8! are similarly interconnected but otherwise the contacts are insulated from each other.

Contacts 1? and 88 are connected to one terminal of motor 98, the other terminal of which is connected to main 84, while contact 82 is con nected to main 85. Contacts 18 and iii are connected to one end of heating coil 59 which has its other end connected to main 88 through heating coils 48 and '11, while coil 88 is connected at one end to maind i through coils 48 and 41 and at its other end to contact 18.

In the position shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, no current is supplied to either the motor H6 or the heating coils as the circuit is broken at contact 82. By rotating the rotatable switching members 12 and 13 clockwise through 90, power is supplied through contact 82 to contacts Si, 88, 1t, 11 and 18 energizing the motor l6 and heating coils flit, :31, 88 and 88.- A further rotation of 90, interrupts the supply of energy toheating coil 88. Another rotation of 90 interrupts the supply of current through contacts 8i, 18, and 18 and in this position no power is supplied to any of the heating coils. It is thus possible to operate the motorwhile power issupplied to none, or all of the heating coils, or to only coils d8, 81 and 88.

Means are also provided for permitting the customer to control the heat within limited ranges to suit individual tastes and for this purpose is provided a switch 86 having a movable contact 81 and two stationary contacts 88 and 89, with either or neither of which contact 81 may engage. Contact 81 is connected to the end of heating coil 41 and between it and coils 48 and 49, contact 88 is connected between the ends of coils l6 and 41, while contact 89 is connected to the other end of coil 46. By contacting contacts 81 and 88 coil 41 is short-circuited, and by contacting contacts 81 and 89, coil 45 is similarly short-circuited. Coil 41 is preferably of a higher resistance than coil 46, so that when contact 81 engages neither contact 88 nor 88 the heat supplied by the coils is least, and greatest when contact 81 engages contact 89. In practice and as shown in Figure 1, switch 1| is preferably mounted on the fancasing, while switch 86 is connected by means of a flexible conductor of suitable length.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention may be briefly summarized as follows:

With the hood 58 in the position as shown in Figure 1, adapting the apparatus for use as a recirculating drier, the air is circulated by fan M and is forced by it into duct 18, and from thence into duct i8. Duct i8 opens into the lower annular spaces between hoods 58 and 53 and as the air emerges from the annular opening at the bottom edge of hood 53 the air is directed inwardly towards the customers head by rim 68. The air then flows upwardly into hood 53 over the customers head and is sucked through screen 18 into the upper annular space between hoods 5i! and 53 and thence into duct [11' and 91 which lead the air to the opening 2! communicating with the central portion of siroco fan M. A small amount of fresh air is continually added to the air being recirculated and thus maintains the drying properties of the air.

By opening or closing the shutter device over opening 28, the amount of recirculation may be controlled to any extent desired, and with: the shutter device completely open, practically no recirculation takes place.

By swinging 'the hood back and into theposition shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the apparatus is converted into a blower adapted to direct a powerful, concentrated blast of air against a relatively small portion of the head. In this manner of operation, the air is forced out through duct i8, and if the shutters 21, 28 and 28 are closed a considerable amount of this air is sucked back into the fan and is recirculated. However, if the shutter device is opened, very little air is recirculated by the fan due to the greater facility with which air may be drawn through the shutter device directly into the fan than through duct i1.

With any of the manners of operation described, the heat may be varied as desired by manipulation of switches 1i and 88, thereby providing an unusual range of usefulness for the apparatus.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:-

1. A drier for use in drying hair including in combination a hood to fit over a human head, a shell within said hood and spaced slightly therefrom, means for dividing the space between said shell and hood into two annular spaces end to end and means for expelling air through said lower space and withdrawing it through said upper space.

2. A hair drying apparatus including in com bination a fan for delivering air under pressure, a hood to receive a portion of a person's head, air conduits between said hood and fan, one of said conduits being positioned and adapted to supply air to said hood from the outer portion of said fan and the other conduit being adapted to'withdraw air from said hood and return it to the center of said fan, an inner hood mounted within said first hood and spaced therefrom and a web between said hoods to form upper and lower chambers through which and saidinner hood the air is circulated by said tan, said chain:

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