Curling iron with adjustable heating rod

Abstract

An adjustable curling iron is disclosed comprising a handle assembly comprising a proximal end configured to receive a power supply; a distal end; and one or more switches mounted on the surface of the handle; a heating rod comprising a first end and a second end; a cylindrical housing extending from the first end toward the second end; a tip positioned at the second end; and a heating element connected to the power supply and extending within the cylindrical housing along its length; and a coupling assembly configured to engage the distal end of the handle assembly and the first end of the heating rod, and further configured to adjust the position of the heating rod from a first position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the heating rod is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, to a second position, wherein an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the heating rod and the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is between 90 degrees and 150 degrees.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable curling iron comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a proximal end; and 
 a distal end; 
 wherein the handle assembly is configured to receive a power supply; 
   a heating rod comprising:
 a first end and a second end; 
 a housing extending from the first end toward the second end; and 
 a heating element connected to the power supply and extending within the housing; 
   a coupling assembly configured to engage the distal end of the handle assembly and the first end of the heating rod, and further configured to allow for adjustment of the position of the heating rod relative to the handle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly is configured to allow for adjustment of the heating rod from a first position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the heating rod is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, to a second position, wherein an angle is formed between the longitudinal axis of the heating rod and the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 2 , wherein the angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the heating rod and the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is between 90 degrees and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly is configured to allow for adjustment of the heating rod between predetermined positions. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum actuation force is required to adjust the position of the heating rod relative to the handle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein the heating rod further comprises a non-conductive tip positioned at the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein the housing of the heating rod has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly further comprises one or more buttons configured to adjust operation of the adjustable curling iron. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more buttons comprise a power button, an operating mode button, an increase temperature button, a decrease temperature button, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more buttons can be locked to prevent inadvertent adjustments. 
     
     
         11 . An adjustable curling iron comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a proximal end; and 
 a distal end; 
 wherein the handle assembly is configured to receive a power supply 
   a heating rod comprising:
 a first end and a second end; 
 a housing extending from the first end toward the second end; and 
 a heating element connected to the power supply and extending within the housing; 
   a coupling assembly comprising top and bottom housing portions, wherein the coupling assembly encloses:
 a positional alignment member configured to engage with the top or bottom housing portions to prevent adjustment of the position of the heating rod relative to the handle assembly; and 
 a release button configured to place the positional alignment member into a disengaged position and allow for adjustment of the position of the heating rod relative to the handle assembly. 
   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling assembly further encloses:
 a spring element configured to bias the positional alignment member into an engaged position.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein a minimum actuation force is required to depress the release button and place the positional alignment member into the disengaged position. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling assembly is configured to allow for adjustment of the position of the heating rod from a first position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the heating rod is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, to a second position, wherein an angle is formed between the longitudinal axis of the heating rod and the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling assembly is configured to allow for adjustment of the heating rod between predetermined positions. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the heating rod further comprises a non-conductive tip positioned at the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the housing of the heating rod has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 11 , wherein the handle assembly further comprises one or more buttons configured to adjust operation of the adjustable curling iron. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable curling iron of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more buttons comprise a power button, an operating mode button, an increase temperature button, a decrease temperature button, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A method of styling hair comprising:
 providing an adjustable curling iron comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising:
 a proximal end configured to receive a power supply; 
 a distal end; and 
 one or more switches mounted on the surface of the handle; 
 
 a heating rod comprising:
 a first end and a second end; 
 a cylindrical housing extending from the first end toward the second end; 
 a tip positioned at the second end; and 
 a heating element connected to the power supply and extending within the cylindrical housing along its length; and 
 
 a coupling assembly configured to engage the distal end of the handle assembly and the first end of the heating rod, and further configured to adjust the position of the heating rod from a first position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the heating rod is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, to a second position, wherein an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the heating rod and the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is between 90 degrees and 150 degrees; 
   contacting the hair with the cylindrical housing when the heating rod is in the first position;   adjusting the heating rod from the first position to the second position; and   contacting the hair with the cylindrical housing when the heating rod is in the second position.