Clipper Holder

Abstract

A clipper holder rack, for electrical hair clippers, includes an upper enclosure with a first major arc element having a diameter to accommodate the clipper. Left and right portions of the first major arc element transition and continue as vertical extensions. The vertical slot formed by parallel vertical extensions is wide enough to allow passage of the clipper's cord. A lower enclosure has a second major arc element that is coplanar and coaxial with the upper enclosure. The second major arc element can accommodate the clipper's cord. The left and right portions of the second major arc element transition into curvilinear portions that extend outward and are contiguous with the vertical extensions. The vertical extensions prevent forward movement of an enclosed clipper. The second major arc element supports a clipper. An angled rear rod supports the enclosures and is attached to a mounting plate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a clipper holder for electric hair clippers, wherein the clipper holder can be mounted on a shelf edge or a wall, individually or in groups on a rack.

2. Background

Barber/stylist have a plurality of sizes of clippers, where each size is specialized for a certain type of cut; and where often each size has a backup hair clipper. The background of clipper racks and clipper holders can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,579 to Jeffrey K. DuPont. Dupont teaches that each holder has two side retaining arms respectively extending from opposite ends of the back support bar generally orthogonal to the back support bar and in proximity to the sides of the hair clipper, thereby preventing the hair clipper from sliding out the structure while in resting engagement with the back support bar; two base retaining arms respectively extending from opposite ends of the base support bar generally orthogonally to the base support bar and in proximity to the lower front of the hair clipper, thereby preventing the hair clipper from sliding frontwardly out of the structure while in resting engagement with the base support bar; and a connecting bar extending between and connecting together the base support bar and the back support bar.

DuPont teaches a structure that is designed to receive and retain a particular size electric hair clipper, and that the two side retaining arms are generally orthogonal to the back support bar. Each of the structures is angled so that when fitted with a hair clipper the hair clipper rests at an angle no greater than about 60 degrees, where upright is 90 degrees. In an upright position the hair clipper would fall forward out of the structure as the clipper blade projects forward and is above the clipper body.

The structure taught by DuPont has structural limitations. The projecting two side retaining arms terminate in what are essentially prods, which is problematic for repetitive hand movements, cleaning, and inexperienced users. Furthermore, the cradle-like structure is not amenable to a more space saving upright mountable holder, and the mounted rack requires an edge which necessitates the use of both a horizontal and a vertical surface. There is no teaching of capability to mount DuPont's rack to either a horizontal surface (counter or table top) or a vertical surface (wall), only an edge.

In the specification geometric terminology is used, and some of the terms are not commonly used. A circle is associated with a complete rotation of an arc through 360°. A semi-circle is associated with a half arc having a rotation through 180°. Minor arcs are associated with less than half of a rotation, so minor arcs are associated with angles less than 180°. Major arcs are associated with more than half of a rotation, but less than 360°. In geometry, a chord is the length between the ends of an arc, including minor arcs, major arcs, and semicircular arcs. Arcs are terms of the art for ellipses as well as circles, wherein an ellipse can have a uniform radius in all directions and, therefore, a circle is a special type of ellipse, where the eccentricity is zero. Most ellipses are not circles. Typically, the radius on a horizontal coordinate is different than on a vertical coordinate. For example a semi-elliptical arc has a rotation which is 180°, but it can have a radius that is longer along one coordinate than along an orthogonal coordinate, or they could be the same. The term semi-elliptical includes both possibilities. Also, in discussing 3-D structures, arch is typically employed instead of arc, but within the metes and bounds of this specification the term arc will be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is that the clipper holder provides for securing clippers in an upright or an angled position.

A second object of the invention is that the clipper holder has no protruding unprotected ends. If the clipper holder has an end, the end is not protruding and/or is protected by a structural element. For example, opposing ends of a major arc are not protruding and/or are protected, as one is at least partially blocked by the other opposing end.

A third object of the invention is to provide a clipper holder that can be mounted to a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, or an edge surface.

A fourth object of the invention is that the clipper holder can be combined with other clipper holders, and when mounted together, form a rack.

A fifth object of the invention is that the clipper holder can accommodate a variety of different sized hair clippers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing invention will become readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a clipper holder, illustrating the holder mounted to a planar plate and positioned in a substantially vertical position;

FIG. 2 is a plan overhead view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the clipper holder mounted to a planar plate that is mounted to a horizontal surface;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the clipper holder mounted to a planar plate that is mounted to a vertical surface;

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of an unmounted clipper holder having a larger upper enclosure to accommodate a larger hair clipper;

FIG. 6 is a plan overhead view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a clipper holder with left and right frontal portions and no blunt ends or blunt tips, wherein the clipper holder is mounted on a substantially horizontal surface;

FIG. 8 is a perspective frontal view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 7, illustrating the clipper holder mounted to a substantially vertical surface, wherein a conventional electric hair clipper is shown in ghost using dashed lines;

FIG. 9 is a perspective frontal view of the clipper holder shown in FIG. 7, illustrating an unmounted clipper holder in a substantially upright position, wherein a professional electric hair clipper having a cylindrical body is shown in ghost using dashed lines;

FIG. 10 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having an L-angled plate mounted to an edge, wherein the holders on ends of the plate are larger than the two medial clipper holders;

FIG. 11 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having an L-angled plate, which has been attached to an L-angled bracket, shown separately in FIG. 11a, and the rack utilizing the L-angled bracket is mounted to a vertical surface indicated by the dashed line;

FIG. 11a is a perspective frontal view of the L-angled bracket;

FIG. 12 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder (without a mounting plate) that has a smaller upper enclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having an L-angled plate, wherein the rack has three clipper holders;

FIG. 14 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having an L-angled plate that has five holders;

FIG. 15 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having a planar plate that is mounted vertically, wherein the rack has six clipper holders; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective frontal view of a clipper holder rack having a planar plate that is mounted vertically, wherein the rack has six clipper holders with a left and a right frontal portion, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a clipper holder for an electrical hair clipper. Electric hair clippers are driven by an electric motor which makes the blades oscillate from side to side. There are at least three different motor types that are used in clipper production: magnetic, rotary and pivot. Rotary style may be driven by direct current or alternating current electricity source. Both magnetic and pivot style clippers use magnetic forces derived from winding copper wire around steel. Alternating current creates a cycle attracting and relaxing to a spring to create the speed and torque to drive the clipper cutter across the combing blade. Some electric clippers utilize a power source, like rechargeable batteries, and require intermittent connection to a charging cord, typically when they are in a clipper holder.

Substantially all electric hair clippers have a static comb covering the oscillating blades. The static comb is affixed to a housing for the electrical components. Traditionally, the housing is referred to as the body. In many cases, but certainly not all, an upper body of the clipper has a width that tapers toward a lower body, ending in an attenuated width. The body terminates with an electrical cord having a cord width which is selected from a strain relief width or a recharging cord connector width for clippers having rechargeable batteries. In newer style clippers instead of being tapered, the body is closer to being cylindrical. The disclosed clipper holder can accommodate existing and anticipated forms of the body.

The clipper holder 10 as shown in FIG. 1 includes: an upper enclosure 12 of a sturdy material, such as a relatively stiff metal wire, formed into a major arc element 14 having a diameter 17 that is sufficiently large to accommodate the upper body of the electrical hair clipper, wherein a left portion 14L of the major arc element terminates in a blunt left end 16L, and a right portion 14R of the major arc element 14 terminates in a blunt right end 16R. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the blunt left and right ends are opposing 16L,16R versus projecting, and an open space between the blunt left end and the blunt right end defines an upper frontal opening 19 that is sufficiently wide to allow the passage of an electrical cord. The length of the upper frontal opening is the chord length of the major arc element 14. As is readily seen the major arc element is approximately 290 degrees±about 60 degrees. The illustrated sturdy material is a steel wire having a gauge of about 6±about 2.

A lower enclosure 22 having a similar sturdy material is formed into a semicircular arc element 24 that is about coplanar and coaxial with the upper enclosure 12. The semicircular arc element 23 has a smaller diameter, but it is sufficiently large to accommodate the cord width of the electrical hair clipper. An exemplary electrical cord width is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. See the strain relief 4 and the electrical cord 5 in FIGS. 8 and 9. A left portion 24L of the semicircular arc element 24 is contiguous with a left curvilinear portion 25L that extends forward, and then curves upward toward the blunt left end 16L of the upper enclosure 12 terminating in a left vertical straight extension 27L with a blunt left tip 26L, a right portion 24R of the semicircular arc element 24 contiguous with a right curvilinear portion 25R that extends forward, and then curves upward toward the blunt right end 16R of the upper enclosure 12 terminating in a right vertical straight extension 27R with a blunt right tip 26R. The right vertical straight extension 27R is parallel to the left vertical extension 27L, and a slot between the left vertical straight extension and the right vertical straight extension defines a lower frontal opening 29 that is sufficiently wide to allow the passage of the electrical cord. The left and right vertical straight extensions 27L,27R restrain an inserted hair clipper 1 from moving forward and the semicircular arc element 24 prevents the hair clipper from moving left, right or rearward as the electrical cord is projecting through the semicircular arc element of the lower enclosure 22 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 to see the position of the strain relief 4 and electrical cord 5).

As best viewed in FIG. 3, a rod 30, which is an angled connecting rear metal wire, providing support for the upper enclosure 12 and the lower enclosure 22, wherein an upper end of the rod is affixed to a rear mid-way perimeter portion of the major arc 14 and extends about outwardly downward from the upper enclosure 12 and angles inward to compensate for the smaller diameter of the lower enclosure 22, wherein a lower end of the rod is affixed to a rear mid-way perimeter portion of the semicircular arc element 24.

As shown in FIG. 4 the rod 30 of the clipper holder enables it to be mounted on both horizontal and vertical surface. In the illustrated embodiment the angled rod 30 is bent about 60 degrees from straight. The lower angle is more obtuse, about 35 degrees±about 4 degrees, than the upper angle, about 21 degrees±about 4 degrees.

The clipper holder includes a mounting plate 40 for mounting one or more clipper holders to a surface, wherein the surface can be vertical, horizontal, or angled. The angled connecting wire rod 30 is affixed directly to the mounting plate 40 or alternatively to components on the mounting plate. The mounting plate is subsequently fastened to the surface. The illustrated mounting plate 40 in FIGS. 1-4 is substantially planar.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment wherein the upper enclosure 12 has a larger diameter than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, however the cord length 19 is still about the same. In general, the cord size doesn't change as much as the body of the clippers.

A second embodiment of the clipper holder 10′ is illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 and 16, wherein the clipper holder has no tips or blunt ends. As before the clipper holder is for an electrical hair clipper having an upper body portion defining an upper body width and a lower body portion defining a lower body width, wherein the electrical hair clipper can terminate in an electrical cord or a charging cord width having a strain relief width.

The clipper holder includes: a mounting plate for mounting the clipper holder to a support surface, wherein the support surface can be vertical, horizontal, or angled; wherein the mounting plate has a front surface, a rear surface, a top, and a bottom, wherein the entire mounting plate is planar and the rear surface of the mounting plate is configured to abut the support surface.

There is at least one clipper holder per rack, wherein each clipper holder 10′ as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, includes an upper enclosure 12 of a metal wire formed into a major arc element 14 that is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees with a first diameter 17 that is greater than the upper body width of the electrical hair clipper, wherein a left half portion 14L of the major arc element arcs rightward and then transitions continuing downwardly as a left vertical straight extension 50L, wherein a left lower part is contiguous with a left curvilinear portion 29L described below. A right half portion 14R of the major arc element arcs leftward of the major arc element 14, and then transitions continuing downwardly as a right vertical straight extension 50R with a right lower part that is contiguous with a right curvilinear portion 29R described below. As shown in FIG. 9 a vertical slot 19, that is an elongate opening is formed with an access width 19U (upper), 19B (lower) between the left vertical straight extension 50L and the right vertical straight extension 50R. The vertical slot 19 provides frontal access that is wide enough to accommodate a clipper's electrical cord 5,5′ if so equipped, to the upper enclosure 12 and the lower enclosure 22.

The lower enclosure 22 is a continuation of the metal wire formed into a smaller major arc element 15 that is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees and a smaller second diameter 27 that is smaller than the first diameter of the upper enclosure 12, and smaller than a lower body width of the electrical hair clipper; but large enough in diameter to accommodate the electrical cord 5, 5′ of the traditional electrical hair clipper 1 shown in FIG. 8, and a cylindrical electrical hair clipper 1′ as shown in FIG. 9.

The lower enclosure 22 is about coplanar and coaxial with the upper enclosure 12. As shown in FIG. 7, a left half portion 15L of the smaller major arc element arcs rightward and then transitions continuing as a left curvilinear portion 29L that extends forward continuous with the left vertical straight extension 50L. A right half portion 15R of the smaller major arc element arcs leftward and then transitions continuing as a right curvilinear portion 29R that extends forward continuous with the right vertical straight extension 50R. The right vertical straight extension 50R and the left downward vertical straight extension 50L are about parallel forming the vertical slot 19 with a lower opening width 19B and the upper opening width 19U. The vertical slot 19 is sufficiently wide to allow the passage of the electrical cord. The vertical straight extensions 50L, 50R retain the hair clipper(s) 1,1′ from moving forward and an appropriately sized hair clipper is held about axially in the clipper holder 10′.

The smaller major arc 15 of the lower enclosure 22 centers the clipper's stain relief 4,4′ of the electrical cord 5,5′, which in turn can restrain the lower body 3,3′ of the clipper as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The clipper 1′ in FIG. 9 is illustrative of a profession grade hair clipper, and has a substantially cylindrical body. Many hair clippers are now battery powered.

As shown in the Figures, and particularly in FIG. 9 an angled rear rod 30 has an inclined upper section terminating in a upper end, an inclined lower section terminating in a lower end, and a midsection; wherein the inclined upper section extends diagonally upward from the midsection and the inclined lower section extends diagonally downward from the midsection; wherein the midsection defines an apex.

The angled rear rod is bent at the apex to form the inclined upper section and the inclined lower section. A top portion of the inclined upper section is attached to the upper enclosure, and a bottom portion of the inclined lower section is attached to the lower enclosure. The apex of the angled rear rod is mounted directly to the mounting plate or components of the mounting plate.

The angled rod 30 provides support for the upper enclosure 12 and the lower enclosure 22, such that the lower enclosure is substantially coaxial and coplanar with the upper enclosure

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 the holder has a mounting plate 40 for mounting one or more clipper holders to a surface, wherein the surface can be vertical, horizontal, or angled, wherein the rod is united directly to the mounting plate or alternatively to components of the mounting plate, which is subsequently fastened to the surface.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rack of four clipper holders. The rack of four clipper holders has an L-angled plate 54 version of the mounting plate 40, so that it can be mounted to an edge intersection of a horizontal surface and a vertical surface. In the illustrated rack the clipper holders on opposing ends of the plate are larger than the two medial clipper holders. The angled plate has holes for fastening elements, and the rod is welded to an external fold 42 of the angled plate.

FIG. 11 illustrates the rack with four clipper holders shown in FIG. 10, which is now attached to an L-angled bracket 64 shown separately in FIG. 11a. The rack is mounted to a vertical surface indicated by the dashed line.

FIG. 11a illustrates the L-angled bracket 64.

A clipper holder without a mounting plate has a smaller upper enclosure 12, and is illustrated in FIG. 12.

As a guideline, the diameter of the major arc element of the upper enclosure is from about 1.25 inches to about 2.75 inches, and the diameter of the semicircular arc element of the lower enclosure is from about 0.875 inches to about 1.25 inches. The gauge of the metal wire is about 6±about 2, wherein the metal wire is steel. The steel can be powder coated or dipped to apply paint and/or a rubbery protective coating. The selected coating preferably does not hold a static electricity charge, as this will tend to effect an accumulation of clippings.

In general, the clipper holders on a rack are separated equidistance from each other, where equidistance is measured from adjoining perimeters of an outside diameter of the major arc element of the upper enclosure.

The rack in FIG. 13 has an L-angled plate 53 version of the generic mounting plate 40, wherein the rack has three clipper holders.

The rack in FIG. 14 has an L-angled plate 55 version of the generic mounting plate 40, wherein the rack has five clipper holders.

A nominal upper number of holders is about nine. That said, the clipper holder in FIG. 15 has a rack with a planar plate 56 that is mounted vertically, wherein the rack has six clipper holders.

A rack of clipper holders having parallel right and left frontal portions 50L,50R and a lower enclosure 22 with a smaller major arc 15 is illustrated in FIG. 16. The rack of clipper holders 10′ has six clipper holders 10′ mounted vertically on an elongated plate 56′ version of the mounting plate 40. The illustrated holders were previously shown in FIGS. 7-9 on as singles on mounting plate 40.

The rack of clipper holders can include any combination or variation of clipper holders 10,10′.

Finally, any numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations (for example, by using the term “about”) that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding.

Claims

1. A clipper holder rack for an electrical hair clipper having a upper body portion defining an upper body width and a lower body portion defining a lower body width and an electrical cord having a cord width, wherein said clipper holder rack comprises: a mounting plate for mounting the clipper holder to a support surface, wherein the support surface can be vertical, horizontal, or angled; wherein the mounting plate has a front surface, a rear surface, a top, and a bottom, wherein the entire mounting plate is planar and the rear surface of the mounting plate is configured to abut the support surface; andat least one clipper holder, wherein each clipper holder comprises: an upper enclosure comprised of a metal wire formed into a first major arc element that is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees with a first diameter that is greater than the upper body width of the electrical hair clipper, wherein a left half portion of the first major arc element arcs rightward and then transitions continuing downwardly as a left vertical straight extension with a left lower part, a right half portion of the first major arc element arcs leftward and then transitions continuing downwardly as a right vertical straight extension with a right lower part; wherein a vertical slot is defined by an elongate space between the left vertical straight extension and the right vertical straight extension, wherein the vertical slot has an opening that provides frontal access passage of a clipper's electrical cord to the clipper holder, if so equipped; wherein the first major arc element is configured to retain the upper body portion of the electrical hair clipper;a lower enclosure that is also comprised of the metal wire and formed into a second major arc element that is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the upper enclosure, wherein the metal wire of the lower enclosure is contiguous with the upper enclosure, wherein said second major arc element is spaced apart from, generally parallel to, and generally coaxial with the first major arc element of the upper enclosure, wherein the second diameter of the second major arc element is configured to support the lower body portion of the electrical hair clipper; wherein a left side portion of the second major arc element arcs rightward, and then transitions continuing outwardly as a left side curvilinear portion having a left distal part that is contiguous with the lower end part of the left vertical straight extension; wherein a right side portion of the second major arc element arcs leftward, and then transitions continuing outwardly as a right side curvilinear portion having a right distal part that is contiguous with the lower end part of the right vertical straight extension; andan angled rear rod comprising an inclined upper section terminating in a upper end, an inclined lower section terminating in a lower end, and a midsection; wherein the inclined upper section extends diagonally upward from the midsection and the inclined lower section extends diagonally downward from the midsection; wherein the midsection defines an apex; wherein the angled rear rod is bent at the apex to form the inclined upper section and the inclined lower section; wherein a top portion of the inclined upper section is attached to the upper enclosure, and a bottom portion of the inclined lower section is attached to the lower enclosure; wherein the apex of the angled rear rod is mounted directly to the mounting plate or components of the mounting plate.

2. The clipper holder rack according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first major arc element of the upper enclosure is from about 1.25 inches to about 2.75 inches.

3. The clipper holder rack according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the second major arc element of the lower enclosure is from about 0.875 inches to about 1.25 inches.

4. The clipper holder rack according to claim 1, wherein the gauge of the metal wire is about 6±about 2.

5. The clipper holder rack according to claim 1, wherein the metal wire is steel.

6. The clipper holder rack according to claim 1, wherein there is one to nine clipper holders on one mounting plate.