US3860174A

US3860174A - Hair dryer nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3860174A
Application number: US423213A
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Cercone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-12-10
Filing date: 1973-12-10
Publication date: 1975-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-14

Abstract

A blower nozzle for a hair dryer incorporating a deflector hinged to the nozzle and spaced from a restricted, forward opening in the nozzle whereby at least a portion of the air passing through the nozzle may be selectively deflected to the right or left.

Description

United States Patent [191 Cercone 51 .ian.14,1975

[ HAIR DRYER NOZZLE [76] Inventor: Daniel Cercone, 4720 Liberty Ave.,

Pittsburgh, Pa. 15224 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 423,213

[52] US. Cl 239/135, 239/289, 239/455, 239/508, 239/566, 34/97 [51] Int. Cl..... A45d 20/12, B05b 15/04, B05b H14 [58] Field of Search 239/128, 135, 289, 265.19, 239/437-439, 455, 508, 566', 34/96-98 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 816,897 4/1906 Bray 239/508 X 2,713,627 7/1955 Kamataris 34/97 UX 3,465,968 9/1969 Halpern 239/508 X 3,550,285 12/1970 Omohundro 34/97 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 179,573 12/1906 Germany 34/96 Primary ExaminerRobert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmBr0wn, Murray, Flick & Peckham [57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 M875 HAIR DRYER NOZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of styling hair, a blower is employed for producing a heated stream of air which is directed through a nozzle adapted to control the direction and velocity of the stream of air. In operation, it is usually desirable that the mouth of the nozzle be held close to the head, approximately 1 /2 inches away from the hair. Initially, when the hair is quite wet, it is desirable to have a relatively intensely heated stream of air applied to the hair to dry it as quickly as possible. Later, when the hair has become partially dry, it is then desirable to cut down the heat supply to a given area since otherwise burning of the scalp and discomfort may occur. Attempts have been made in the past to produce a variably heated air stream by employing a rheostat or the like which reduces the power supplied to the blower heating element and reduces the temperature of the air coming from the blower. This has the disadvantage that, by cutting down the amount of heat supplied, the time required for drying the hair is lengthened and this causes inconvenience to both the patron and the hair stylist. Other attempts have been made to reduce the effective temperature by holding the blower further away as, for example, by holding it a foot from the head so as to reduce the burning ability of the air stream. This procedure, however, is quite impractical and cumbersome and tends to produce a poor hair styling result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved blower nozzle is provided incorporating a deflector for deflecting heated air such that the volume of air directed onto a specific area of the scalp can be reduced without moving the nozzle away from the head of a patron.

Specifically, there is provided in accordance with the invention, a blower nozzle comprising a cylindrical portion connected to the outlet of a hand dryer, a nozzle portion connected to the cylindrical portion and having converging opposite side walls terminating in an elongated restricted opening, and a deflector carried on the nozzle portion and adapted to deflect air passing through the restrictedopening to the right or left of the opening. The deflector preferably comprises a baffle having a first portion extending along the opening and spaced therefrom, and portions at the ends of the first portion at substantially right angles thereto and hinged to the nozzle portion whereby the deflector may be rotated about its hinged connection. Preferably, a plurality of spaced openings are provided in the deflector such that when the deflector is directly in front of the nozzle opening, only a portion of the air will pass directly ahead and the remainder will be deflected to the right and left.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a showing in elevation of a blower having the nozzle assembly of the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an artistic showing of a hair stylist working with a blower and nozzle;

ing a heating element, now shown, an opening 10 for air to enter, and a handle 12 with which to hold the blower. A switch 14 is provided for controlling electric power to the blower motor and heating element; while an electric cord 16 is provided for supplying electrical power to the blower.

Fitted over the end of the channel 8 is the nozzle 18 of the present invention. As is perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it comprises a cylindrical portion 19 adapted to fit over the channel 8 and a nozzle portion 20 having converging opposite side walls which terminate in an elongated restricted opening 22. Carried on the nozzle portion 20 in accordance with the present invention is a deflector 21 comprising a first portion 24 extending along the length of the restricted opening 22 and spaced therefrom, typically in an amount of about one-fourthinch. At the ends of the elongated portion 24 are portions 26 at right angles thereto. The portions 26, in turn, are pivotally connected to the nozzle portion 20 at the opposite ends of the opening 22. This may be accomplished by means of a shaft 28, for example, having an enlarged rounded portion 29 at one end of the deflector and a knurled knob 30 at the other end, whereby the deflector may be rotated to the right or left by rotating the knob 30. The shaft 28 is force-fitted through openings in the portions 26 so that as the shaft turns, so also will the deflector. Furthermore, detents or the like may be provided such that by turning the knob 30, the deflector can be positioned in desired, selected places.

As shown in FIG. 4, the elongated portion 24 of the deflector is provided with a plurality of apertures 32 through which a stream of air emerging from the nozzle opening may pass.

In the operation of the invention, and with specific reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the knob 30 can be rotated such that the deflector is out of the path of an air stream passing through the nozzle opening 22. This would be the case, for example, when the hair is wet and maximum concentration of heat in a restricted area is desired. Thereafter, when the hair begins to dry, the deflector can be rotated into the stream of air emerging from the nozzle opening. Under these circumstances, part of the air will pass through the openings 32 and part will be deflected to the right or left as shown in FIG. 5. In effect, two air streams are now provided and the hair stylist can use either air stream, depending upon requirements. In order to minimize the volume of air being delivered to the hair, the deflector will be rotated directly in front of the opening 22 such that only a small, restricted amount of air passing through the openings 32 can be directed onto the scalp, the remainder being deflected to the right and/or left.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made deflector comprising a baffle having a first portion extending along said opening and spaced therefrom, and portions at the ends of said first portion at substantially right angles thereto and hinged to said nozzle portion whereby the deflector may be rotated about its hinged connection to the nozzle portion.

2. The blower nozzle of claim 1 including openings in said first portion.

3. The blower nozzle of claim 1 wherein said first portion is flat.

Claims

1. A blower nozzle adapted to fit on a hand dryer for hair comprising a cylindrical portion connected to the outlet of said hand dryer, a nozzle portion connected to said cylindrical portion and having converging opposite side walls terminating in an elongated restricted opening, and a deflector carried on said nozzle portion and adapted to deflect air passing through said reStricted opening to the right or left of said opening, said deflector comprising a baffle having a first portion extending along said opening and spaced therefrom, and portions at the ends of said first portion at substantially right angles thereto and hinged to said nozzle portion whereby the deflector may be rotated about its hinged connection to the nozzle portion.

2. The blower nozzle of claim 1 including openings in said first portion.

3. The blower nozzle of claim 1 wherein said first portion is flat.