Multi-barrel hair styling appliance and methods for styling hair using a multi-barrel hair styling appliance

Abstract

A hair styling appliance includes a handle, a first barrel extending from the handle, a second barrel extending from the handle, the first barrel and the second barrel being disposed in a first plane and being non-moveable with respect to one another, and a third barrel extending from the handle, the third barrel being disposed in a second plane spaced above the first plane. The third barrel is hingedly connected to the handle and moveable between a closed position and an open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair styling appliance, comprising:
 a handle;   a first barrel extending from the handle;   a second barrel extending from the handle, the first barrel and the second barrel being disposed in a first plane, the first barrel and the second barrel being non-moveable with respect to one another; and   a third barrel extending from the handle, the third barrel being disposed in a second plane spaced above the first plane;   wherein the third barrel is hingedly connected to the handle and moveable between a closed position and an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator operatively connected to the third barrel and being operable to selectively move the third barrel between the closed position and the open position;   wherein in the closed position, the third barrel is parallel with the first barrel and the second barrel; and   wherein in the open position, the third barrel is angled with respect to the first barrel and the second barrel.   
     
     
         3 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the third barrel is spring biased to the closed position.   
     
     
         4 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the third barrel is at least partially nested in a groove defined by the first barrel and the second barrel.   
     
     
         5 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a horizontal midline of the third barrel is located vertically spaced from an imaginary horizontal line connecting upper tangent points of the first barrel and the second barrels.   
     
     
         6 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in the closed position, the third barrel contacts the first barrel and the second barrel.   
     
     
         7 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in the closed position, the third barrel does not contact the first barrel and the second barrel.   
     
     
         8 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first barrel, the second barrel, and the third barrel are arranged in a triangular configuration.   
     
     
         9 . A method of styling hair, comprising the steps of:
 moving a third barrel of a hair styling appliance away from a first barrel and a second barrel to define receiving space therebetween;   inserting a strand of hair into the receiving space; and   moving the third barrel towards the first barrel and the second barrel to clamp the strand of hair within the receiving space.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 rotating the hair styling appliance to wrap the strand of hair around the first barrel, the second barrel and the third barrel.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 withdrawing the hair styling appliance in an axial direction to release the strand of hair to impart a rolling wave to the strand of hair.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 rotating the hair styling appliance in a first direction;   moving the hair styling appliance along the strand of hair; and   rotating the hair styling appliance in a second direction to impart a wave to the strand of hair.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 sliding the hair styling appliance along the strand of hair to straighten the strand of hair.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 adjacent to a free end of the strand of hair, rotating the hair styling appliance to impart a curl to the free end of the strand of hair.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 prior to moving the third barrel towards the first barrel and the second barrel to clamp the strand of hair within the receiving space, wrapping the strand of hair around the third barrel in a helical or spiral manner.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 prior to moving the third barrel towards the first barrel and the second barrel to clamp the strand of hair within the receiving space, wrapping the strand of hair around the first barrel and the second barrel.   
     
     
         17 . A hair styling appliance, comprising:
 a handle; and   a plurality of mandrels connected to the handle, including at least a first mandrel and a second mandrel;   wherein the first mandrel is moveable with respect to the second mandrel while the second mandrel remains static with respect to the handle.   
     
     
         18 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plurality of mandrels include a third mandrel;   wherein the third mandrel is moveable with respect to the second mandrel.   
     
     
         19 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first mandrel and the third mandrel are collectively moveable with respect to the second mandrel.   
     
     
         20 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first mandrel and the third mandrel are moveable independently of one another.   
     
     
         21 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plurality of mandrels include a third mandrel and a fourth mandrel.   
     
     
         22 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the second mandrel, the third mandrel and the fourth mandrel are fixedly connected to the handle such that the first mandrel is moveable with respect to the second mandrel, the third mandrel and the fourth mandrel.   
     
     
         23 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the second mandrel and the fourth mandrel are fixedly connected to the handle; and   wherein the first mandrel and the third mandrel are moveable with respect to the second mandrel and the fourth mandrel.   
     
     
         24 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the first mandrel and the third mandrel are collectively moveable with respect to the second mandrel and the fourth mandrel.   
     
     
         25 . The hair styling appliance of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the first mandrel and the third mandrel are moveable independently of one another.