Mechanized hair wrapping apparatus

#This invention relates to hair wrapping apparatus, and more particularly to mechanized hair wrapping apparatus that wraps strands of human hair with decorative string or artificial hair.

#Hair wrapping and hair braiding is an ancient art. Even today it is usually practiced by hand. Some modem hair styles rely on weaving small braids over the entire scalp and thus require considerable time and labor. The art of wrapping hair strands with string also requires much time and labor.

#Hair wrapping is accomplished by combing out strands of hair having diameters typically between a few millimeters to a centimeter. The operator then wraps a length of string along the strand. Usually the string will be brightly colored. The wrap may be a tight coil, or a looser more open wrap. The operator may go down the strand with the string and back up, creating a criss-cross effect. Many variations are possible. It is also possible to wrap strands of artificial hair, which are then braided into the natural hair.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment in use to wrap a hair strand. A cut-away shows the power source for the motor, in this view, a battery.

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the preferred embodiment.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the path of the string from the spool through the axle. The centralizer is removed.

#In general, the preferred embodiment is a hand-held device. FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment in use to wrap a strand of hair from a human head. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view. A shell (140) defines an axle (150) that has a central opening (145). A handle (230) attached to the shell (140) holds a motor (175) and either a connection (190) for an external power source or a battery (195). A drive wheel (160) fits rotatably over the axle (150). The drive wheel (160) has a ring gear (165) which is driven by a pinion gear (200) attached to the motor (175). The motor (175) preferably is a brushless DC motor having a transmission (180) to reduce the speed of the pinion gear (200) to a practical rate. AC motors could also be used, depending on the external power source.

#The drive wheel (160) is held in position in the shell (140) by a retaining ring (155). The retaining ring (155) is preferably removably mounted over the drive wheel (160). As shown in FIG. 2, the retaining ring (155) has a circumferential hole (157) for receiving a friction wheel (210). The friction wheel (210) presses against the rotating drive wheel (160), urged by a spring (215), to steady its rate of rotation and prevent backlash if the drive wheel (160) is stopped.

#A spool (105) of string (115) for wrapping fits rotatably over the portion of the drive wheel (160) protruding through the retaining ring (155). A guide wheel (120) then fits through the spool (105) and inside the drive wheel (160). In the preferred embodiment, the guide wheel (120) has axial lugs (125) which engage slots (170) on the drive wheel (160). When the drive wheel (160) is caused to rotate by the engagement of the ring gear (165) and pinion gear (200), the slots (170) and the lugs (125) engage and turn the guide wheel (120).