WO2008020977A2 - Power cord adaptor for hair appliance - Google Patents

Power cord adaptor for hair appliance Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008020977A2
WO2008020977A2 PCT/US2007/016870 US2007016870W WO2008020977A2 WO 2008020977 A2 WO2008020977 A2 WO 2008020977A2 US 2007016870 W US2007016870 W US 2007016870W WO 2008020977 A2 WO2008020977 A2 WO 2008020977A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stand
adaptor
hair
power cord
hair appliance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/016870
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008020977A3 (en
Inventor
Anthony Kit Lun Leung
Original Assignee
Conair Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/502,186 external-priority patent/US7551287B2/en
Application filed by Conair Corporation filed Critical Conair Corporation
Publication of WO2008020977A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008020977A2/en
Publication of WO2008020977A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008020977A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D1/00—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor
    • A45D1/02—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with means for internal heating, e.g. by liquid fuel
    • A45D1/04—Curling-tongs, i.e. tongs for use when hot; Curling-irons, i.e. irons for use when hot; Accessories therefor with means for internal heating, e.g. by liquid fuel by electricity
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D4/00—Separate devices designed for heating hair curlers or hair-wavers
    • A45D4/18—Supports or suspending means for devices heating hair-curling or hair-waving means while in use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices for hair appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power cord apparatus to enable hair appliances to be used with or without a power cord.
  • the device can be connected to an electrical outlet, which provides power to a heater within the hair device. The heater then distributes heat to the working parts of the hair device.
  • the present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing for a hair appliance and a power cord apparatus.
  • the power cord apparatus preferably comprises a stand and an adaptor.
  • the stand includes a stand opening into which the hair appliance can be placed.
  • the adaptor can be connected to the stand and preferably includes a cord and one or more lock buttons to enable a user to selectively connect and disconnect the adaptor from the stand. This is accomplished by pressing inward the lock buttons to cause the one or more locks to withdraw in so that the locks no longer cause an obstruction and the adaptor can be pulled away from the stand, hi order to reconnect the adaptor to the stand, the end cap of the adaptor is pushed into the stand opening. This inner surface of the stand pushes into and causes the locks to withdraw so that the adaptor can be connected to the stand.
  • a hair appliance When a hair appliance is connected to the stand via the stand opening, power can be supplied to the hair appliance to heat any working surfaces in the hair appliance, which can then be removed from the stand and used temporarily without the cord. Once the working surfaces have cooled, the hair appliance can be placed back on the stand so that power can be supplied to the appliance and the working surfaces are then again heated up to a sufficient temperature to be used for styling purposes.
  • the adaptor can be directly connected to the hair appliance, thereby bypassing the stand altogether.
  • Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a power cord adaptor and associated hair appliance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the stand and adaptor of Fig. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a top view of the bottom of a stand with a cross-sectional view of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the stand and adaptor in an unconnected configuration in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a hair device assembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the hair device assembly includes a hair appliance 12 and a power cord adaptor 14.
  • the power cord adaptor 14 preferably includes an on/off button 15.
  • This button 15 can take the form of a toggle switch, as shown, or any other method to enable a user to easily turn the device on or off. In one embodiment of the present invention, the button 15 can be lit when plugged in to enable a user to more easily see the button 15 when lighting is not optimal.
  • the hair appliance 12 is preferably a straightening iron as shown, or a curling iron, but can take the form of any hair appliance.
  • Figs. 2-5 show the power cord apparatus 14, which preferably comprises a stand 16 and an adaptor 18.
  • the stand 16 preferably includes a stand opening 20 into which the hair appliance can be placed.
  • the stand 16 can include one or more pads 22, preferably in the form of suction cups, as shown, to support the stand. However, any other method to support
  • the adaptor 18 can be connected to the stand 16 and preferably includes a cord 24 and one or more lock buttons 26 to enable a user to selectively connect and disconnect the adaptor 18 from the stand 16.
  • Fig. 4 shows the stand 16 separated from the adaptor 18. This is preferably accomplished by pressing inward the lock buttons 26 to cause the one or more locks to withdraw in so that the adaptor 18 can be pulled away from the stand 16.
  • the end cap 30 of the adaptor 18 is pushed into the stand opening 31. This inner surface of the stand 16 pushes into and causes the locks 28 to withdraw so that the adaptor 18 can be connected to the stand 16.
  • the lock button 26 can be pressed to withdraw the locks 30.
  • the lock buttons 26 can be released and the locks 28 will then protrude and cause the adaptor 18 and stand 16 to be connected until selectively disconnected by the user.
  • the connection can be accomplished through a ring/pin connection or any other feasible method.
  • the locks 28 fix the position of the adaptor 18 to the stand 16, and power can be supplied from an electrical outlet (not shown) through the cord 24 to the stand 16.
  • an electrical outlet not shown
  • the hair appliance 12 can then be removed from the stand 16 and used as long as the working surfaces) remain hot. Once the working surfaces have cooled, the hair appliance 12 can be easily placed back on the stand 16 so that power can be supplied to the appliance 12 and the working surfaces are then again heated up to a sufficient temperature to be used for styling purposes.
  • the adaptor 18 can be directly connected to the hair appliance 12, thereby bypassing the stand 16 altogether.
  • the adaptor 18 can be connected to the hair appliance 12 in the same manner that the hair appliance 12 can be connected to the stand 16, as explained above. This enables the user to operate the hair appliance 12 in the more traditional, corded way.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the components that enable the adaptor to function. These can include the cord 24, the lock 28, a spring 32 to bias the locks outward, a lead plate 34, a swivel plate 36, an upper cord cover 38 and a plug 40 to enable the adaptor 18 to be plugged into an electrical outlet (not shown).

Abstract

A power cord apparatus (10) comprises and adaptor (14) and a stand (16) to enable a hair appliance (12) to be used with or without a cord (24). The stand (16) includes an opening (20) into which the hair appliance (12) can be placed.

Description

POWER CORD ADAPTOR FOR HAIR APPLIANCE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for hair appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power cord apparatus to enable hair appliances to be used with or without a power cord.
Description of Related Art
It is well known in the art to provide a hair device that requires power to heat the hair device. The device can be connected to an electrical outlet, which provides power to a heater within the hair device. The heater then distributes heat to the working parts of the hair device.
Inherent shortcomings associated with these known devices include the inconvenience of walking through various areas with a power cord attached to the hair device. The power cord can become tangled or can come into contact with other objects and possibly knock them over and/or break them. A user of the hair device can also possibly trip over a long cord. It can also be inconvenient to unplug the hair device when moving to a new area and then have to find a new plug to plug the hair device into. Thus, there is a need for a hair device that enables a user to move to various areas without having to pull a cord along. There is also a need for a device that provides a user with the option of whether to use the device without a power cord or with a power cord when desired. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention described herein.
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing for a hair appliance and a power cord apparatus. The power cord apparatus preferably comprises a stand and an adaptor. The stand includes a stand opening into which the hair appliance can be placed. The adaptor can be connected to the stand and preferably includes a cord and one or more lock buttons to enable a user to selectively connect and disconnect the adaptor from the stand. This is accomplished by pressing inward the lock buttons to cause the one or more locks to withdraw in so that the locks no longer cause an obstruction and the adaptor can be pulled away from the stand, hi order to reconnect the adaptor to the stand, the end cap of the adaptor is pushed into the stand opening. This inner surface of the stand pushes into and causes the locks to withdraw so that the adaptor can be connected to the stand.
When a hair appliance is connected to the stand via the stand opening, power can be supplied to the hair appliance to heat any working surfaces in the hair appliance, which can then be removed from the stand and used temporarily without the cord. Once the working surfaces have cooled, the hair appliance can be placed back on the stand so that power can be supplied to the appliance and the working surfaces are then again heated up to a sufficient temperature to be used for styling purposes. Alternatively, the adaptor can be directly connected to the hair appliance, thereby bypassing the stand altogether. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with the drawings identified below.
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a power cord adaptor and associated hair appliance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the stand and adaptor of Fig. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the bottom of a stand with a cross-sectional view of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the stand and adaptor in an unconnected configuration in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the adaptor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 shows a hair device assembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hair device assembly includes a hair appliance 12 and a power cord adaptor 14. The power cord adaptor 14 preferably includes an on/off button 15. This button 15 can take the form of a toggle switch, as shown, or any other method to enable a user to easily turn the device on or off. In one embodiment of the present invention, the button 15 can be lit when plugged in to enable a user to more easily see the button 15 when lighting is not optimal. The hair appliance 12 is preferably a straightening iron as shown, or a curling iron, but can take the form of any hair appliance. Figs. 2-5 show the power cord apparatus 14, which preferably comprises a stand 16 and an adaptor 18. The stand 16 preferably includes a stand opening 20 into which the hair appliance can be placed. The stand 16 can include one or more pads 22, preferably in the form of suction cups, as shown, to support the stand. However, any other method to support the stand 16 can be utilized.
The adaptor 18 can be connected to the stand 16 and preferably includes a cord 24 and one or more lock buttons 26 to enable a user to selectively connect and disconnect the adaptor 18 from the stand 16. Fig. 4 shows the stand 16 separated from the adaptor 18. This is preferably accomplished by pressing inward the lock buttons 26 to cause the one or more locks to withdraw in so that the adaptor 18 can be pulled away from the stand 16. In order to reconnect the adaptor 18 to the stand 16, the end cap 30 of the adaptor 18 is pushed into the stand opening 31. This inner surface of the stand 16 pushes into and causes the locks 28 to withdraw so that the adaptor 18 can be connected to the stand 16. Alternatively, the lock button 26 can be pressed to withdraw the locks 30. Once connected, the lock buttons 26 can be released and the locks 28 will then protrude and cause the adaptor 18 and stand 16 to be connected until selectively disconnected by the user. The connection can be accomplished through a ring/pin connection or any other feasible method.
When in the locked position, the locks 28 fix the position of the adaptor 18 to the stand 16, and power can be supplied from an electrical outlet (not shown) through the cord 24 to the stand 16. When a hair appliance 12 is connected to the stand 16 via the stand opening 20, power can be supplied to the hair appliance 12 to heat any working surfaces (not shown) in the hair appliance 12. The hair appliance 12 can then be removed from the stand 16 and used as long as the working surfaces) remain hot. Once the working surfaces have cooled, the hair appliance 12 can be easily placed back on the stand 16 so that power can be supplied to the appliance 12 and the working surfaces are then again heated up to a sufficient temperature to be used for styling purposes.
Alternatively, the adaptor 18 can be directly connected to the hair appliance 12, thereby bypassing the stand 16 altogether. The adaptor 18 can be connected to the hair appliance 12 in the same manner that the hair appliance 12 can be connected to the stand 16, as explained above. This enables the user to operate the hair appliance 12 in the more traditional, corded way.
Fig. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the components that enable the adaptor to function. These can include the cord 24, the lock 28, a spring 32 to bias the locks outward, a lead plate 34, a swivel plate 36, an upper cord cover 38 and a plug 40 to enable the adaptor 18 to be plugged into an electrical outlet (not shown).
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A power cord apparatus comprising: a stand to hold a hair appliance; and an adaptor selectively connected to either said stand or said hair appliance; wherein said adaptor is connected to an electrical outlet and transfers power to either said stand or said hair appliance.
2. A power cord apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stand is adapted to transfer power to said hair appliance when said hair appliance is connected to said stand.
3. A power cord apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adaptor further comprises at least one lock to selectively δx said adaptor to said stand.
4. A power cord apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one lock further comprises a spring to bias said lock outward.
5. A power cord apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said stand further comprises a button to selectively control the power from said adaptor.
PCT/US2007/016870 2006-08-10 2007-07-27 Power cord adaptor for hair appliance WO2008020977A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/502,186 US7551287B2 (en) 2006-06-06 2006-08-10 Actuator for micro-electromechanical system fabry-perot filter
US11/502,186 2006-08-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008020977A2 true WO2008020977A2 (en) 2008-02-21
WO2008020977A3 WO2008020977A3 (en) 2009-02-05

Family

ID=39082520

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/016870 WO2008020977A2 (en) 2006-08-10 2007-07-27 Power cord adaptor for hair appliance

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008020977A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020127601A1 (en) * 2018-12-20 2020-06-25 Seb S.A. Base for steam appliance including stabilisers

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710224A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-01-09 Sperry Rand Corp Display stand for rechargeable battery operated appliance
US6307348B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-10-23 Denso Corporation Mounting stands for use with AC adapters
US6703587B2 (en) * 2002-05-30 2004-03-09 System One Innovations Inc. Powering hairstyling implements
US20050088141A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-28 Kyung-Sang Lee Portable charger for mobile phone
US20050117376A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2005-06-02 John Wilson Power converter with retractable cable system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710224A (en) * 1970-12-31 1973-01-09 Sperry Rand Corp Display stand for rechargeable battery operated appliance
US6307348B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-10-23 Denso Corporation Mounting stands for use with AC adapters
US20050117376A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2005-06-02 John Wilson Power converter with retractable cable system
US6703587B2 (en) * 2002-05-30 2004-03-09 System One Innovations Inc. Powering hairstyling implements
US20050088141A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-28 Kyung-Sang Lee Portable charger for mobile phone

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020127601A1 (en) * 2018-12-20 2020-06-25 Seb S.A. Base for steam appliance including stabilisers
FR3090285A1 (en) * 2018-12-20 2020-06-26 Seb S.A. Base for steam appliance including stabilizers

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