Dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus and vanity case therefore

• US 4,267,430 A
• Filed: 10/06/1978
• Issued: 05/12/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John H. Downey
• Original Assignee: John H. Downey
• Inventors: Downey, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartis, A.
• Application Number:
  US05/949,058
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 219/222-242, 219/249, 219/250, 219/255, 219/256, 219/257, 219/439, 219/483-488, 219/504, 219/505, 219/537, 219/539, 219/200, 219/201, 339/154 R, 132/37 R, 132/37 A, 132/31 R, 132/31 A, 132/32 R, 132/32 A, 132/33 R, 132/9, 132/11, 312/224, 362/136
• US Class Current: 219/222
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 1/04 by electricity

Abstract

A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires. When not in use the hair curler, power cord and cord set are stored in a compartment in the vanity.

Claims

1. An electrically heated hair curling apparatus for use in an automobile vehicle said hair curling apparatus comprising an electrically heated hair curler having an elongated barrel portion attached to a handle portion, electric cord means attached to said handle portion for connecting the curler to an electrical supply, a positive temperature coefficient electrical heating means operable at automotive voltage located in said barrel portion for heating the barrel portion, and connection means connecting said heating means to said electric cord means;

a portable case having exterior clip means at its rear for attachment thereof to an interior visor of a vehicle, a mirror located on the front surface of said case remote from said clip means, and at least one luminaire light on said case front surface adjacent said mirror for illumination of a user thereof and operable at automotive voltage;

said electric cord means terminating in a plug, an electrical receptacle on said case for receiving said plug of said electric cord means in plugged-in relation therein, an automotive cord set connected to said luminaire light and said electrical receptacle for supplying electric power thereto at automotive voltage, said cord set having an electric plug for insertion into a cigar lighter of said vehicle, and at least one storage compartment in said case accessible through an opening in a wall of said case for receiving and holding said hair curler, cord means and said automotive cord set in stored relation therein when not in use.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, said hair curler including a second positive temperature coefficient electric heating means in said barrel operable on domestic voltage supply, said curler electric cord means having a domestic voltage style two prong plug permitting use of said curler independently of said vehicle, said receptacle receiving said two prong plug, said hair curler connection means including switch means operable in a first position to connect said curler electric cord means to said automotive voltage heating means, and operable in a second position to connect said electric cord means to said domestic voltage heating means and means connected in series relation with said automotive voltage heating means to protect it against overvoltage in the event of the application of domestic supply thereagainst.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, said portable case including displaceable cover means over said casing opening providing access to said at least one storage compartment.