Comb with level detector

Abstract

A comb formed of a unitary body comprising a longitudinally extending straight section having opposite sides, a multiplicity of teeth projecting transversely from the straight section and a level detector assembly disposed in said straight section at one end of the comb for providing the user of the comb with a true indication of the vertical and horizontal position of the comb. The level detector assembly comprises two transparent members spaced apart and aligned on opposite sides of the straight section between an opening in said straight section extending between the opposite sides and a ball disposed in the opening. At least one of said transparent members includes an intersecting vertical and horizontal line on a surface thereof such that the vertical and horizontal position of the comb can be determined based upon the position of the ball relative to the position of the intersecting lines.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hair comb having a level detector for accurately providing level information to the user of the comb for more accurately styling and parting hair. The level detector in the comb is also useful to determine if the side burns are properly aligned and to adjust the hair line along the edges and behind the neck using a scissor or shaver in combination with the comb.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When hair is combed by a professional barber or hair stylist many hair styles require the hair to be parted accurately. It is also customary for the professional hair stylist to adjust the hair line along the scalp and to align a man's side burns relative to the horizontal as well as to accurately align the edge of the hair line behind the neck relative to the horizontal. The side burns should also be in alignment relative to each other. This is done at present simply by eye balling the relationship and position of the desired hair line and side burns relative to the horizontal. To facilitate accuracy, the professional hair stylist will use the comb not only to comb hair but also for judging hair line position during hair styling and for shaving with the edge of the comb used as a straight edge. However, despite how straight the edge of a comb may be it does not indicate a true level measurement and if the edge of the comb is used as a level the result can be inaccurate and misleading.

The comb of the present invention includes a level detector mechanism to assist the hair stylist to accurately determine hair line and edge position relative to a true horizontal. This information is needed for accurately parting the hair or for edge design along the scalp and/or for aligning side burns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The comb and level detector of the present invention is formed of a unitary body comprising a straight section extending longitudinally from two opposite ends of the comb, a multiplicity of spaced apart teeth projecting transversely from the straight section and a level detector assembly disposed in said straight section adjacent one end of said comb with said level detector assembly comprising two transparent members extending between an opening in the straight section between the opposite sides of the comb and a ball disposed in the opening between the two transparent members with movement of the ball confined by the two transparent members and with at least one of two transparent members having an intersecting vertical and horizontal line on a surface thereof for providing the user of the comb with a true indication of the vertical and horizontal position of the comb based upon the position of the ball relative to the position of the intersecting lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the comb and level detector of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the level detector in the comb taken along the lines 2-2 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the comb is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inclusive with the comb identified by the reference number 10. The comb 10 is of a unitary construction having a substantially straight body section 12 extending longitudinally between two opposite ends 13 and 14 and a multiplicity of teeth 15 extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal straight section 12. The multiplicity of teeth 15 are spaced a fixed distance apart. The comb 10 is formed with the straight section 12 and teeth 15 composed of a conventional material composition preferably of plastic. A level detector 17 is integrally formed in the body of the comb 10 preferably located in the straight body section 12 adjacent one of the ends 13 or 14 respectively.

The level detector 17 is shown in FIG. 1 located at the end 14 of the straight section 12. The level detector 17 comprises two transparent members 20 and 22 connected on opposite sides of the comb 10 separated by an opening 24 with a ball 25 located in the opening 24. Preferably, the straight section 12 is molded with the opening 24 formed therein at the end 14 of the comb 10 so that the opening 24 extends between the two opposite sides 26 and 27 of the comb 10 to define a fixed open space for placement of the ball 25. A recessed area 28 and 29 is formed on each opposite side 26 and 27 of the comb 10 upon which the two transparent members 20 and 22 are fixedly seated so that they lie flush with the opposite sides 26 and 27 of the comb 10. The opposite sides 26 and 27 of the comb 10 are spaced a predetermined distance apart to permit the ball 25 to move freely within the opening 24 with ball movement confined between the opposite sides by the two transparent members 20 and 22 respectively as is clearly evident in FIG. 2. The ball 25 is preferably substantially spherical in geometry. The transparent members 20 and 22 may be adhesively attached to the recessed areas 28 and 29 on opposite sides 26 and 27 of the comb 10.

The transparent members 20 and 22 are preferably composed of a transparent plastic or glass composition with at least one of the transparent members 20 or 22 having an intersecting vertical and horizontal line 33 and 34 formed on its surface to provide the user of the comb 10 with the ability to judge a hair line position relative to a true vertical and horizontal direction. The ball 25 will move relative to the position of the intersecting lines 33 and 34 when the position of the comb 10 is manipulated such that when the ball is positioned on the vertical line 34 the comb 10 will be level with the horizontal and when the comb is positioned with the ball 25 on the horizontal line 33 the comb 10 will be level with the vertical.

Claims

1. A comb formed of a unitary body comprising a longitudinally extending straight section having opposite sides, a multiplicity of teeth projecting transversely from the straight section and a level detector assembly disposed in said straight section with said level detector assembly comprising two transparent members spaced apart and aligned on opposite sides of the straight section, an opening in said straight section extending between said transparent members and a ball disposed in said opening between said two transparent members wherein at least one of said transparent members includes an intersecting vertical and horizontal line on a surface thereof for providing the user of the comb with a true indication of the vertical and horizontal position of the comb based upon the position of the ball relative to the position of the intersecting lines.

2. A comb as defined in claim 1 wherein said level detector assembly is incorporated in said straight section adjacent one end of the comb.

3. A comb as defined in claim 2 wherein said transparent members are composed of a plastic or glass composition.

4. A comb as defined in claim 3 wherein each side of said comb has a recessed area within which each of said transparent members are seated to lie flush with the opposite sides of the comb.

5. A comb as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said transparent members are adhesively connected to the recessed areas on opposite sides of the comb.

6. A comb as defined in claim 5 wherein said opening is a free space in which said ball is confined on both sides of the comb by said transparent members.