Hair iron

Abstract

A hair iron having an array of substantially parallel heating prongs, wherein the distance between at least two of the prongs can be decreased while maintaining the prongs in a position substantially parallel to one another. An insulating guard surrounds the perimeter of each heating prong. The hair iron may further comprise two non-heating end units on either side of and substantially parallel to the heating prongs. The distance between the heating prongs can be decreased by actuating a drive mechanism. The insulating guards protect a user from high temperatures of the heating prongs. Further claimed is a method of styling hair using a heating device having substantially parallel heating prongs and manipulating the device to reduce the distance between at least two prongs while maintain the prongs in a position substantially parallel to one another.

1 . A hair iron comprising:
 (i) a plurality of substantially parallel heating prongs wherein a portion of each prong is at least partially surrounded by an insulating guard, and   (ii) a drive mechanism,
 said drive mechanism in a first mode of operation moving at least one of said heating prongs so as to reduce the distance between at least two of said heating prongs, and in a second mode of operation moving at least one of said heating prongs so as to increase the distance between said at least two heating prongs, and 
 wherein during said first and second modes of operation all of the heating prongs of said plurality remain substantially parallel. 
   
   
   
       2 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein at least one prong comprises a heating plate, wherein said heating plate is connected to a heating element. 
   
   
       3 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-heating end unit. 
   
   
       4 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein during said first mode of operation said drive mechanism moves at least two prongs toward one another. 
   
   
       5 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein during said first mode of operation all prongs moved by said drive mechanism are moved in substantially a single first direction. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said guards are fabricated from phenolic plastic. 
   
   
       7 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein said prongs comprise a generally elliptical cross-sectional area and further comprise rounded tips. 
   
   
       8 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises a bias to increase the distance between prongs and a trigger operable against the bias when manipulated by a user to move at least one of said heating prongs so as to reduce the distance between at least two of said heating prongs. 
   
   
       9 . The hair iron of  claim 1 , wherein each prong comprises a support that is connected to a handle of the hair iron. 
   
   
       10 . The hair iron of  claim 9 , wherein at least one support further comprises at least one guide hole, through which a guide passes, wherein said guide is connected to a body of said handle and wherein said at least one support is thereby slideably mounted within said body of the handle. 
   
   
       11 . The hair iron of  claim 9 , further comprising a boot, wherein the bases pass through the boot into a body of the handle, and wherein the boot substantially seals the body of the handle from the exterior. 
   
   
       12 . The hair iron of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one prong further comprises an air space between said heating plate and said guard. 
   
   
       13 . The hair iron of  claim 12 , wherein the air space between the heating plate and the guard measures less than 5 mm. 
   
   
       14 . The hair iron of  claim 12 , wherein the air space between the heating plate and the guard ranges from approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm. 
   
   
       15 . The invention of  claim 2 , wherein said heating plate is metallic or ceramic. 
   
   
       16 . The hair iron of  claim 2 , wherein the heating plate is surfaced with a non-stick coating. 
   
   
       17 . The hair iron of  claim 2 , comprising a system of electrical wiring and circuitry that can provide an energy source to the heating element. 
   
   
       18 . The hair iron of  claim 17 , further comprises a temperature dial that can be utilized to vary the intensity of heating. 
   
   
       19 . The hair iron of  claim 17 , further comprising a battery source. 
   
   
       20 . A method of styling hair comprising:
 (i) placing hair in a device comprising
 (a) a plurality of substantially parallel heating prongs wherein a portion of each prong is surrounded by an insulating guard, and 
   (ii) manipulating the device to move at least one of said prongs so as to reduce the distance between at least two of said heating prongs while all of the heating prongs of said plurality remain substantially parallel while applying heat and pressure to the hair.