Hairstyling brush

Abstract

A brush that delivers a flow of air to an individual's head while she brushes her hair with the brush includes a handle and a head, or barrel, with a styling surface from which bristles protrude. Air is delivered to the hair through apertures in the styling surface. Air flow is generated by a fan and its motor, which reside within the head of the brush. With the fan and the motor in the head of the brush, a maximum dimension across the handle (e.g., its diameter, etc.) may be small enough for an individual with smaller hands to hold and manipulate the brush.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A brush for styling hair, comprising:
 a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough;   a vent;   a handle extending from the second end of the head;   bristles protruding from the outer surface of the head;   a heating element within the head; and   a fan within an interior of the head and positioned to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head.   
     
     
         2 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are located around the head. 
     
     
         3 . The brush of  claim 2 , wherein a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head. 
     
     
         4 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The brush of  claim 4 , wherein the handle has a shape that transitions from a round shape adjacent to the second end of the head to a rectangular end opposite from the head. 
     
     
         6 . The brush of  claim 3 , wherein the handle has a maximum cross-sectional dimension of about 3.5 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The brush of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head.   
     
     
         8 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is positioned between the vent and the apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The brush of  claim 8 , wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the second end of the head. 
     
     
         10 . The brush of  claim 8 , wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the first end of the head. 
     
     
         11 . A brush for styling hair, comprising:
 a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough;   a vent;   a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head;   a handle extending from the second end of the head, a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head;   bristles located around and protruding from the outer surface of the head;   a heating element within the head; and   a fan within an interior of the head and positioned to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head.   
     
     
         12 . The brush of  claim 11 , wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The brush of  claim 11 , wherein the fan is positioned between the vent and the apertures. 
     
     
         14 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the second end of the head. 
     
     
         15 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the vent is located at or adjacent to the first end of the head. 
     
     
         16 . A brush for styling hair, comprising:
 a head including a first end, a second end, and an outer surface with apertures therethrough;   a vent;   a handle extending from the second end of the head;   bristles protruding from the outer surface of the head;   a heating element within the head;   a fan within an interior of the head and positioned between the vent and the apertures to draw air into the head through the vent of the head, draw the air past the heating element, and force the air through the apertures through the head; and   a protective inner core thermally insulating the heating element from a surface that defines the interior of the head.   
     
     
         17 . The brush of  claim 16 , wherein the bristles are located around the head. 
     
     
         18 . The brush of  claim 16 , wherein the head is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         19 . The brush of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a styling knob protruding from the first end of the head.   
     
     
         20 . The brush of  claim 16 , wherein a maximum distance across the handle, transverse to a length of the handle, is less than a maximum distance across the head, transverse to a length of the head.