Hair styler comprising articulated arm having twisted hair contact surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair styling device generally comprising an upper arm, a lower arm and a hinge. The upper arm comprises an upper holding part and an upper clamping head. The upper collet includes an upper hair contacting surface. The upper hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the upper grip. The lower arm comprises a lower holding part and a lower clamping head. The lower collet includes a lower hair contacting surface. The lower hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the lower grip. The hinge connects the upper arm and the lower arm together such that the upper arm and the lower arm can be opened and closed relative to each other. The hair styler is configured to receive hair between the upper hair contact surface and the lower hair contact surface when the hair styler is in the closed position.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of December 26, 2019, application number 201980086360.9, and invention name “Hair styling tool including an articulated arm with a twisted hair contact surface”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims Chinese patent application No. 201811611231.0 filed on December 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a hair styling iron and, more particularly, to a hair styling iron including an articulated arm and a hair contacting surface having a twisted / bent / twisted shape.

[0005] Many conventional hair styling tools have a pair of arms / arm-like members that are hingedly connected together to allow the arms to be manually opened and closed relative to each other for straightening or curling hair between the arms. Each arm typically includes a clamp and a hair contact surface located on the clamp. During use, hair is placed between the hair contact surfaces and the hair is styled. The hair contact surfaces are typically flat and straight. Therefore, it may be difficult for a user to perform some styling operations with the hair styling tool. In addition, the hair styling tool may require the user to hold the hair styling tool in an inconvenient orientation / position when styling the hair, and may not accommodate the user's preferred way of grasping and operating the hair styling tool due to the orientation / position of the straight and flat hair contact surface relative to the grip portion.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a hair styling iron that is capable of a greater range of styling operations and that is more intuitive for the user to style their hair than at least some conventional hair straighteners. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one aspect, a hair styling tool generally includes an upper arm / arm-like member, a lower arm / arm-like member, and a hinge. The upper arm includes an upper grip and an upper clamp. The upper clamp includes an upper hair contact surface. The upper hair contact surface is twisted relative to the upper grip. The lower arm includes a lower grip and a lower clamp. The lower clamp includes a lower hair contact surface. The lower hair contact surface is twisted relative to the lower grip. The hinge connects the upper arm and the lower arm together so that the upper arm and the lower arm can be opened and closed relative to each other. The hair styling tool is configured to place / receive hair between the upper hair contact surface and the lower hair contact surface when the hair styling tool is in a closed position.

[0008] In another aspect, a hair styling tool generally includes a first arm having a first clamping plate and a second arm including a second clamping plate. The first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are twisted. The hair styling tool also includes a hinge connecting the first arm and the second arm together so that the first arm and the second arm can be opened and closed relative to each other. The hair styling tool is configured to place hair between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate when the hair styling tool is in a closed position. The hair styling tool also includes a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate.

[0009] In yet another aspect, a hair styling tool generally includes a first clamp having a first hair contacting surface and a second clamp having a second hair contacting surface. The first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface are twisted. The hair styling tool also includes a handle connected to at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp; and a hinge connecting the first clamp and the second clamp together so that the first clamp and the second clamp can be opened and closed relative to each other. The hair styling tool is configured to place hair between the first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface when the hair styling tool is in a closed position.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a hair styling tool includes an upper arm including an upper grip and an upper jaw, the upper jaw including an upper hair contacting surface, wherein the upper hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the upper grip; a lower arm including a lower grip and a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a lower hair contacting surface, wherein the lower hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the lower grip; and a hinge connecting the upper and lower arms together so that the upper and lower arms can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling tool is configured to place hair between the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces when the hair styling tool is in a closed position, wherein the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces extend between sides of the upper and lower jaws, the entirety of the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces are smooth and devoid of any teeth, and the sides of the upper and lower jaws include teeth along edges of the upper and lower jaws.

[0011] Optionally, the upper hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the lower hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, the first twist angle being equal to the second twist angle so that the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces fit together when the hair styler is in the closed position.

[0012] Optionally, the upper hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the lower hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, and the first twist angle and the second twist angle are each in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0013] Optionally, the upper clamp includes a top portion and an upper clamping plate, the upper clamping plate including the upper hair contacting surface and being angled relative to the upper grip portion.

[0014] Optionally, the lower clamp comprises a bottom portion and a lower clamping plate, the lower clamping plate comprising the lower hair contacting surface and being angled relative to the lower grip portion.

[0015] Optionally, the hair styling iron further comprises a first thermal insulation layer located between the upper hair contacting surface and the top of the upper clamp, and a second thermal insulation layer located between the lower hair contacting surface and the bottom of the lower clamp.

[0016] Optionally, the hair styler further comprises a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface.

[0017] Optionally, the teeth comprise first teeth along an edge of the upper hair contacting surface and second teeth along an edge of the lower hair contacting surface, the first teeth and the second teeth being arranged to engage with each other when the hair styler is in the closed position.

[0018] Optionally, the hair styling tool further comprises an upper end grip located at an end of at least one of the upper arm and the lower arm opposite the upper grip and the lower grip.

[0019] In yet another aspect, a hair styling iron includes: a first arm including a first plate, the first plate including a first hair contacting surface, wherein the first plate is twisted; a second arm including a second plate, the second plate including a second hair contacting surface, wherein the second plate is twisted; a hinge connecting the first and second arms together so that the first and second arms can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling iron is configured to place hair between the first and second plates when the hair styling iron is in a closed position; and a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the first and second plates, wherein the first and second hair contacting surfaces extend between sides of the first and second plates, the entirety of the first and second hair contacting surfaces are smooth and lack any teeth, and the sides of the first and second plates include teeth along edges of the first and second plates.

[0020] Optionally, the heating system comprises a first heating element extending along the first clamping plate and a second heating element extending along the second clamping plate.

[0021] Optionally, the first clamping plate has a first torsion angle, the second clamping plate has a second torsion angle, and each of the first torsion angle and the second torsion angle is within a range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0022] Optionally, the first arm further comprises a first gripping portion connected to the first clamping plate, the first clamping plate forming an angle relative to the first gripping portion.

[0023] Optionally, the second arm includes a second grip connected to a second clamping plate, the second clamping plate being angled relative to the second gripping portion.

[0024] Optionally, the hair styling iron further comprises a first thermal insulation layer positioned along the first hair contacting surface and a second thermal insulation layer positioned along the second hair contacting surface.

[0025] In yet another aspect, a hair styling tool comprises: a first clamp including a first hair contacting surface, wherein the first hair contacting surface is twisted; a second clamp including a second hair contacting surface, wherein the second hair contacting surface is twisted; a handle connected to at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp; and a hinge connecting the first clamp and the second clamp together so that the first clamp and the second clamp can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling tool is configured to place hair between the first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface when the hair styling tool is in a closed position, wherein the first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface extend between sides of the first clamp and the second clamp, the entirety of the first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface are smooth and without any teeth, and the sides of the first clamp and the second clamp include teeth along the edges of the first clamp and the second clamp.

[0026] Optionally, the handle includes a first grip connected to the first clamp and a second grip connected to the second clamp.

[0027] In yet another aspect, a hair styling tool includes an upper arm including an upper grip and an upper jaw, the upper jaw including an upper hair contacting surface, wherein the upper hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the upper grip; a lower arm including a lower grip and a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a lower hair contacting surface, wherein the lower hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the lower grip; and a hinge connecting the upper arm and the lower arm together so that the upper arm and the lower arm can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling tool is configured to position hair between the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface when the hair styling tool is in a closed position, wherein the upper hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the lower hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, and each of the first twist angle and the second twist angle is within a range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0028] Optionally, the first twist angle is equal to the second twist angle so that the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface fit together when the hair styler is in the closed position.

[0029] Optionally, the upper clamp includes a top portion and an upper clamping plate, the upper clamping plate including the upper hair contacting surface and being angled relative to the upper grip portion.

[0030] Optionally, the lower clamp comprises a bottom portion and a lower clamping plate, the lower clamping plate comprising the lower hair contacting surface and being angled relative to the lower grip portion.

[0031] Optionally, the top of the upper clamp and the bottom of the lower clamp are curved and formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0032] Optionally, the hair styling iron further comprises a first thermal insulation layer located between the upper hair contacting surface and the top of the upper clamp, and a second thermal insulation layer located between the lower hair contacting surface and the bottom of the lower clamp.

[0033] Optionally, the hair styler further comprises a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface.

[0034] Optionally, the upper arm and the lower arm extend along a longitudinal axis, and the first twist angle and the second twist angle vary along the longitudinal axis when the hair styling iron is in the closed position.

[0035] Optionally, the entirety of the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces is smooth and devoid of any teeth.

[0036] Optionally, the hair styling tool further comprises an upper end grip located at an end of at least one of the upper arm and the lower arm opposite the upper grip and the lower grip.

[0037] In yet another aspect, a hair styling iron includes: a first arm including a first plate, wherein the first plate is twisted; a second arm including a second plate, wherein the second plate is twisted; a hinge connecting the first arm and the second arm together so that the first arm and the second arm can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling iron is configured to position hair between the first plate and the second plate when the hair styling iron is in a closed position; and a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate has a first twist angle and the second plate has a second twist angle, and the first twist angle and the second twist angle are each within a range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0038] Optionally, the first twist angle is equal to the second twist angle so that the first plate and the second plate fit together when the hair styling iron is in the closed position.

[0039] Optionally, the first arm includes an upper clamp having a top, and the second arm includes a lower clamp having a bottom, and the top of the upper clamp and the bottom of the lower clamp are curved and form a cylindrical shape.

[0040] Optionally, the first arm further comprises a first gripping portion connected to the first clamping plate, the first clamping plate forming an angle relative to the first gripping portion.

[0041] Optionally, the second arm includes a second grip connected to a second clamping plate, the second clamping plate being angled relative to the second gripping portion.

[0042] Optionally, the first and second plates are devoid of any teeth.

[0043] In yet another aspect, a hair styling tool includes: a first clamp including a first hair contacting surface, wherein the first hair contacting surface is twisted; a second clamp including a second hair contacting surface, wherein the second hair contacting surface is twisted; a handle connected to at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp; and a hinge connecting the first clamp and the second clamp together so that the first clamp and the second clamp can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein the hair styling tool is configured to place hair between the first hair contacting surface and the second hair contacting surface when the hair styling tool is in a closed position, wherein the first hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the second hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, and each of the first twist angle and the second twist angle is in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0044] Optionally, the handle includes a first grip connected to the first clamp and a second grip connected to the second clamp.

[0045] Optionally, the first grip portion and the second grip portion each include an inner plate, the inner plate is flat, and the first hair contact surface and the second hair contact surface are twisted relative to the inner plate.

[0046] Optionally, the first and second clamps extend along a longitudinal axis when the hair styling iron is in the closed position, and the first and second twist angles vary along the longitudinal axis.

[0047] In yet another aspect, a device for straightening or curling hair includes: a heating plate including a hair contacting surface, wherein the heating plate is twisted; a heating system configured to transfer heat to hair located on the heating plate; and a handle connected to the heating plate, wherein the hair contacting surface has a twist angle, wherein the twist angle is in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0048] In yet another aspect, there is provided a hair styling tool according to any embodiment described in the specification or shown in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hair styling iron including upper and lower articulated arms having distorted (ie, non-flat) hair contacting surfaces, the articulated arms being in an open position.

[0050] Figure 2 yes Figure 1End view of a hair styler with its articulated arms in a closed position.

[0051] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 End view of a hair styler with its articulated arms in an open position.

[0052] Figure 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a hair styling iron in an open position, the hair styling iron including hinged upper and lower arms having a twisted hair contacting surface and teeth along an edge of the surface.

[0053] Figure 5 is in closed position Figure 4 side view of a hair styler.

[0054] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of a portion of a hair styler of FIG. 1 with the upper arm removed to show the twisted hair contacting surface of the lower arm of the styler.

[0055] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of a portion of a hair styler of FIG. 1 with the lower arm removed to show the twisted hair contacting surface of the upper arm of the styler.

[0056] Figure 8 Yes Figure 5 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of a hair styling iron is shown illustrating the teeth along the twisted hair contacting surface of an articulated arm of the hair styling iron.

[0057] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool taken along section line 9-9 is shown in FIG.

[0058] Fig.10 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the hair styling tool is shown taken along section line 10-10.

[0059] Fig.11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a hair styling iron in a closed position, the hair styling iron including hinged upper and lower arms having a twisted hair contacting surface and upper and lower grips at opposite ends of the arms.

[0060] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of a hair styling tool.

[0061] Fig.13 yes Fig.11A perspective view of a portion of a hair styler of FIG. 1 with the upper arm removed to show the twisted hair contacting surface of the lower arm of the styler.

[0062] Fig.14 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of a portion of a hair styler with the lower arm removed to show the twisted hair contacting surface of the upper arm of the styler.

[0063] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] As used herein, the term "twist / bend / twist" or "distortion" refers to a non-planar surface. For example, these non-planar surfaces may be bent or twisted relative to an axis.

[0065] Referring now to the drawings and in particular Figure 1-3 A hair styling tool of one suitable embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The illustrated hair styling tool 10 includes a pair of arms (i.e., an upper arm or first arm, indicated at 12, and a lower arm or second arm, indicated at 14), a hinge 16 connecting the arms 12, 14 together, and a power cord 18 (connected to the power cord 18 at the Figure 1-3 The hinge 16 is configured to facilitate opening and closing of the arms 12, 14 relative to each other. The hair styling iron 10 has a longitudinal axis 60 extending through the hinge 16. The arms 12, 14 extend along the longitudinal axis 60 when the arms are in the closed position.

[0066] In order to operate the hair styler 10 as described herein, the hair styler 10 may be provided with a power button (or "ON / OFF" switch), a temperature increase button (or "UP" switch), a temperature decrease button (or "DOWN" switch), and a graphical user interface (e.g., an LCD / liquid crystal display). Suitably, in other embodiments, the hair styler 10 may be configured in any manner that facilitates a user to operate the hair styler 10 as described herein (e.g., the hair styler 10 may have any suitable number of buttons and displays arranged in any suitable manner).

[0067] The upper arm 12 includes an upper grip portion 20 and an upper clamp 22. The upper grip portion 20 includes an outer wall 24 and an inner plate 26 ( Figure 3). The upper clamp 22 includes a top 30, two side portions 32, and a clamping plate 34 opposite the top. The clamping plate 34 has a twisted or non-planar upper hair contact surface 36. For example, the upper hair contact surface 36 extends between the side portions 32 of the upper clamp 22 at a first twist angle 38 relative to the inner plate 26 of the upper grip 20. The twist angle refers to the angular magnitude of the twist of a curve or curved surface. In some suitable embodiments, the first twist angle 38 of the upper hair contact surface 36 can be in the range of about 60° to about 120°.

[0068] The lower arm 14 includes a lower grip portion 40 and a lower clamp 42. The lower grip portion 20 includes an outer wall 44 and an inner plate 46 ( Figure 3 ). The lower clamp 42 includes a bottom 48, two side portions 50, and a clamping plate 52 opposite the bottom. The clamping plate 52 has a lower hair contact surface 54, which extends between the side portions 50 of the lower clamp 42 at a second twist angle 56 relative to the inner plate 46 of the lower grip 40. In some suitable embodiments, the second twist angle 56 of the upper hair contact surface 36 can be in the range of about 60° to about 120°.

[0069] In some suitable embodiments, second twist angle 56 of upper hair contacting surface 36 can be in the range of about 60° to about 120°. First twist angle 38 of upper hair contacting surface 36 and second twist angle 56 of lower jaw 42 provide a twisted configuration of hair styling iron 10 that enables the hair styling iron to be used for a range of styling operations, including straightening or curling hair.

[0070] The hair styling iron 10 can be moved in a closed position (eg, Figure 2 ) and the open position (as Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the closed position, upper arm 12 and lower arm 14 are configured to place and clamp hair between upper hair contact surface 36 and lower hair contact surface 54. Suitably, first twist angle 38 is equal to second twist angle 56, and upper hair contact surface 36 and lower hair contact surface 54 are configured to fit together and clamp hair therebetween when styler 10 is in the closed position.

[0071] In addition, the size and shape of the upper grip 20 and the lower grip 40 enable the user to grasp the hair styler 10 and position the arms 12, 14 in the open and closed positions. Thus, the upper grip 20 and the lower grip 40 at least partially form a handle for the user to grasp and operate the styler 10. Sometimes, the user can grasp the styler 10 using the upper grip 20 or the lower grip 40. In other embodiments, a separate handle can be connected to the arms 12, 14.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, outer wall 24 of upper grip 20, outer wall 44 of lower grip 40, top 30 of upper jaw 22, and bottom 48 of lower jaw 42 are shaped such that hair styling tool 10 is generally cylindrical when the styling tool is in the closed position. Additionally, upper hair contact surface 36 and lower hair contact surface 54 are twisted relative to grips 20, 40. As a result, a user can comfortably grasp and manipulate hair styling tool 10 and use the twisted portions of arms 12, 14 to style hair.

[0073] like Figure 1-3 As shown, first twist angle 38 and second twist angle 56 vary along longitudinal axis 60 of hair styling iron 10 to provide a twisted shape of upper hair contact surface 36 and lower hair contact surface 54. In other words, upper hair contact surface 36 and lower hair contact surface 54 are non-planar / non-flat and are curved along and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 60 of styling iron 10. In contrast, in Figure 1 , inner plate 26 of upper grip 20 and inner plate 46 of lower grip 20 are generally planar and extend parallel to longitudinal axis 60 of styler 10 when the hair styler is in the closed position. Thus, the portion of styler 10 along arms 12, 14 that contact the hair is twisted, while the portion along arms 12, 14 that are grasped by the user is not twisted.

[0074] In some suitable embodiments, hair styling iron 10 is configured to transfer heat to the hair located between arms 12, 14 for styling operation. For example, upper hair contact surface 36 and / or lower hair contact surface 54 may be heated surfaces of heating plates connected to an electronic control device. Thus, hair styling iron 10 is configured to transfer heat to the hair through twisted hair contact surfaces 36, 54.

[0075] During operation, the user opens the hair styler 10 and positions the hair between the arms 12, 14. The hair extends through and contacts the hair contacting surfaces 36, 54. Heat may be transferred to the hair through at least one of the hair contacting surfaces 36, 54. The user may then move the styler 10 along the hair to perform a styling operation, such as curling or straightening the hair. The twisted shape of the styler 10 allows the user to perform a range of styling operations and comfortably grip the styler. When the styling operation of the hair has been completed, the user opens the styler 10 and removes the hair. The user may then position another section of hair between the arms 12, 14 and clamp the styler 10 onto the hair.

[0076] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5Another suitable embodiment of a hair styling tool of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 100. The illustrated hair styling tool 100 includes a pair of arms (i.e., an upper arm or first arm indicated at 102 and a lower arm or second arm indicated at 104), a hinge 106 connecting the arms 102, 104 together, and a power cord 108 (connected to the power cord 108 at the Figure 4 and Figure 5 104 with respect to each other. The arm 104 is provided with a user interface 110, such as a touch screen including a power button (or "ON / OFF" switch), a temperature increase button (or "UP" switch), a temperature decrease button (or "DOWN" switch), and a graphical user interface (e.g., an LCD / liquid crystal display). In addition, the arm 102 may include a lock 112 to lock the styler 100 in an open or closed position. Suitably, in other embodiments, the hair styler 100 may be configured in any manner that facilitates a user to operate the hair styler 100, as described herein (e.g., the hair styler 100 may have any suitable number of buttons and displays arranged in any suitable manner).

[0077] The upper arm 102 includes an upper grip portion 120 and an upper clamp 122. The upper grip portion 120 includes an outer wall 124 and an inner plate 126 ( Figure 7 The upper clamp 122 includes a top 130, two side portions 132 and an upper clamping plate 134. The upper clamping plate 134 has an upper hair contacting surface 136 extending between the side portions 132 of the upper clamp 122 at a first twist angle 138 relative to the inner plate 126 of the upper grip 120.

[0078] The lower arm 104 includes a lower grip portion 140 and a lower clamp 142. The lower grip portion 140 includes an outer wall 144 and an inner plate 146 ( Figure 6 The lower clamp 142 includes a bottom 148, two sides 150 and a lower clamping plate 152. The lower clamping plate 152 has a lower hair contact surface 154 extending between the sides 150 of the lower clamp 142 at a second twist angle 156 relative to the inner plate 146 of the lower grip 140.

[0079] In addition, if Figure 6-10 As shown, the first twist angle 138 and the second twist angle 156 vary along the longitudinal axis 174 of the hair styling tool 100. For example, the first twist angle 138 and the second twist angle 156 vary between the longitudinal axis 174 and the longitudinal axis 174 of the hair styling tool 100. Fig. 9 The longitudinal position shown is the same as that in Fig.10 Thus, upper hair contacting surface 136 and lower hair contacting surface 154 are twisted about longitudinal axis 174 and are bent in multiple directions.

[0080] Reference Figure 6-8 , the hair styling iron 100 further includes teeth 162 extending along edges 160 of the upper hair contacting surface 136 and the lower hair contacting surface 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 162 extend downwardly from the side 132 of the upper jaw 122 and upwardly from the side 150 of the lower jaw 142, and the teeth 162 are configured to engage with each other when the hair styling iron 100 is in the closed position. In addition, the teeth 162 can engage / bite the hair located between the arms 102, 104 during a hair styling operation and can comb the hair as the hair styling iron 100 is moved along the hair. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper jaw 122 and the lower jaw 142 each include a single row of teeth 162. In other embodiments, the upper jaw 122 and / or the lower jaw 142 can include two or more rows of teeth 162.

[0081] The hair styler 100 includes an upper grip 170 connected to the upper clamp 122 and a lower grip 172 connected to the lower clamp 142. The upper grip 170 and the lower grip 172 are located at the ends of the upper arm 102 and the lower arm 104, respectively, opposite the upper grip 120 and the lower grip 140. Thus, during a hair styling operation, a user can grasp the ends of the clamps 122, 142. Grasping the upper grip 170 and the lower grip 172 allows the user to clamp the styler 100 more tightly to the hair and guide the styler along the hair during a hair styling operation.

[0082] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the hair styling iron 100 includes at least one heating assembly 164 enclosed within the upper clamp 122 and the lower clamp 142. The heating assembly 164 is configured to transfer heat to the hair through the upper hair contacting surface 136 and the lower hair contacting surface 154. For example, the heating assembly 164 includes a heating element 166 connected to the clamping plates 134 and 152 and connected to an electronic control device for adjusting the temperature of the heating assembly. The upper hair contacting surface 136 and the lower hair contacting surface 154 can be the heating surfaces of the clamping plates 134 and 152 and are configured to transfer heat to the hair. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 166 extends along a longitudinal axis and is mounted to the clamping plates 134 and 152 at an angle relative to the upper hair contacting surface 136 and the lower hair contacting surface 154. Therefore, the heating element 166 is not twisted like the upper hair contacting surface 136 and the lower hair contacting surface 154, but can have a standardized shape. In other embodiments, the hair styling iron 100 can include any suitable heating assembly.

[0083] In some embodiments, hair styling iron 100 may include a first insulation layer between upper hair contacting surface 136 and top portion 130, and a second insulation layer between lower hair contacting surface 154 and bottom portion 148. When the hair contacting surfaces are heated, the insulation layers may allow upper and lower clamps 122, 142 to maintain a lower temperature than hair contacting surfaces 136, 154. The insulation layers may include cooling gel, insulating foam, and / or any other suitable insulating material.

[0084] Reference Figure 11-14 A hair styling tool of another suitable embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 200. The illustrated hair styling tool 200 includes a pair of arms (i.e., an upper arm or first arm indicated at 202 and a lower arm or second arm indicated at 204), a hinge 206 connecting the arms 202, 204 together, and a power cord 208 (connected to the power cord 208 at the Fig.11 and Fig.14 204 relative to each other. The arm 204 is provided with a user interface 210, such as a touch screen including a power button (or "ON / OFF" switch), a temperature increase button (or "UP" switch), a temperature decrease button (or "DOWN" switch), and a graphical user interface (e.g., an LCD / liquid crystal display). In addition, the arm 202 may include a lock 212 to lock the styler 200 in an open position or a closed position. Suitably, in other embodiments, the hair styler 200 may be configured in any manner that facilitates a user to operate the hair styler 200, as described herein (e.g., the hair styler 200 may have any suitable number of buttons and displays arranged in any suitable manner).

[0085] The upper arm 202 includes an upper grip portion 220 and an upper clamp 222. The upper grip portion 220 includes an outer wall 224 and an inner wall 226 ( Fig.14 The upper clamp 222 includes a top 228, two side portions 230 and an upper clamping plate 232. The upper clamping plate 232 has an upper hair contacting surface 234 extending between the side portions 230 of the upper clamp 222 at a first twist angle 236 relative to the inner wall 226 of the upper grip portion 220.

[0086] The lower arm 204 includes a lower grip portion 238 and a lower clamp 240. The lower grip portion 238 includes an outer wall 242 and an inner wall 244 ( Fig.13 The lower clamp 240 includes a bottom 246, two side portions 248 and a lower clamping plate 250. The lower clamping plate 250 has a lower hair contact surface 252, which extends between the two side portions 248 of the lower clamp 240 at a second twist angle 254 relative to the inner wall 244 of the lower grip portion 238.

[0087] Reference Fig.13 and Fig.14 , the edges 256 of the upper hair contact surface 234 and the lower hair contact surface 252 and the sides 230, 248 of the upper clamp 222 and the lower clamp 240 are free of teeth or other surface structures / structured features and are substantially smooth. In addition, the entire upper hair contact surface 234 and the lower hair contact surface 252 between the sides 230, 248 are substantially smooth and free of surface structures. As a result, the configuration of the upper hair contact surface 234 and the lower hair contact surface 252 can reduce potential damage to delicate or fine hair during styling operations.

[0088] The hair styling tool 200 includes an upper grip 258 connected to the upper clamp 222 and a lower grip 260 connected to the lower clamp 240. The upper grip 258 and the lower grip 260 are located at the ends of the upper arm 202 and the lower arm 204 opposite the upper grip 220 and the lower grip 238. Thus, a user can grasp the opposite ends of the upper arm 202 and the lower arm 204 of the hair styling tool 200 for clamping the upper clamp 222 and the lower clamp 240 on the hair and guiding the tool during a hair styling operation.

[0089] Embodiments of the hair stylers described herein allow a user to curl or straighten hair using a single hair styler. In addition, the twisted configuration of the styler allows the user to comfortably grip and manipulate the styler during a range of styling operations. In addition, the twisted hair contact surface can be configured to provide a more efficient styling operation than other stylers. For example, the hair contact surface can be configured to transfer heat to the hair at a desired location when the hair is contacted and styled using the twisted hair contact surface.

[0090] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to indicate that there are one or more elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive / open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements besides the listed elements.

[0091] As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A hair styling tool comprising: an upper arm comprising an upper grip and an upper chuck, the upper chuck comprising an upper hair contacting surface, wherein the upper hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the upper grip; a lower arm comprising a lower grip and a lower jaw, the lower jaw comprising a lower hair contacting surface, wherein the lower hair contacting surface is twisted relative to the lower grip; and A hinge connects the upper arm and the lower arm together so that the upper arm and the lower arm can be opened and closed relative to each other, wherein The hair styling iron is configured to position hair between the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface when the hair styling iron is in the closed position, Wherein, the upper and lower hair contact surfaces extend between the sides of the upper and lower clamps, the entirety of the upper and lower hair contact surfaces are smooth and without any teeth, and the sides of the upper and lower clamps include teeth along the edges of the upper and lower clamps.

2. The hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein: The upper hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the lower hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, the first twist angle being equal to the second twist angle so that the upper and lower hair contacting surfaces fit together when the hair styler is in the closed position.

3. The hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein: The upper hair contacting surface has a first twist angle and the lower hair contacting surface has a second twist angle, and the first twist angle and the second twist angle are each within a range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

4. The hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein: The upper clamp includes a top portion and an upper clamping plate including the upper hair contacting surface and angled relative to the upper grip.

5. The hair styling tool according to claim 4, wherein: The lower clamp includes a base and a lower clamping plate including the lower hair contacting surface and angled relative to the lower grip.

6. The hair styling iron of claim 5, further comprising a first thermal insulation layer located between the upper hair contacting surface and the top of the upper clamp, and a second thermal insulation layer located between the lower hair contacting surface and the bottom of the lower clamp.

7. The hair styling iron of claim 1, further comprising a heating system configured to transfer heat to the hair between the upper hair contacting surface and the lower hair contacting surface.

8. The hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein: The teeth include first teeth along an edge of the upper hair contacting surface and second teeth along an edge of the lower hair contacting surface, the first teeth and the second teeth being arranged to engage with each other when the hair styling iron is in the closed position.

9. The hair styling iron of claim 1, further comprising an upper end grip located at an end of at least one of the upper arm and the lower arm opposite the upper grip and the lower grip.

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