Patent Application
20220072723
The present invention relates generally to attachments for grooming appliances and, more particularly, to comb attachments for electric hair trimmers.
Conventional electric hair trimmers include a blade assembly for cutting human or animal hair. The electric hair trimmers may include removable comb attachments that allow the user to cut the hair to different lengths. Typically, to switch cut lengths the user of the electric hair trimmer must remove a comb attachment from the blade assembly and replace it with a different comb attachment or adjust a setting of the comb attachment.
When cutting hair, the user of the electric hair trimmer may change the cut length, e.g. by changing comb attachments, so that hair is cut to different lengths in different areas. In one conventional haircutting technique, known as “fading” or “a fade cut,” the user cuts a person's hair to varying lengths along the sides and the back of the head. For example, a 3 mm comb attachment or setting may be used to cut hair in an area above the neck for a specified distance to create a 3 mm trim zone, and a 6 mm comb attachment or setting may be used to cut the hair in an area above the 3 mm trim zone, creating a 6 mm trim zone.
Accordingly, fading allows the user of the electric hair trimmer to create a transitioned appearance between the neck, which typically has shorter hair, and the top of the head, which typically has longer hair. However, the hair at the transition between each zone can appear uneven when the hair is faded using discrete settings (e.g. a 3 mm comb and a separate 6 mm comb). Additionally, a user would have to change the cut length between each trim zone by switching between multiple comb attachments or switching between multiple settings on the same attachment.
Thus, there is a need for a comb attachment or a set of comb attachments for an electric hair trimmer that that facilitates a smooth, even transition between the shorter and longer hair lengths when fading.
In one embodiment, a comb for an electric trimmer is provided. The comb has a skin-facing side including a skin-facing surface and a blade-facing side including a planar blade-abutting surface. The comb also includes teeth that project from the skin-facing surface and the planar blade-abutting surface. The teeth include a first outer tooth, a second outer tooth, and intermediate teeth. The intermediate teeth are spaced apart from each other and positioned between the first outer tooth and the second outer tooth. The intermediate teeth include a first intermediate tooth and a second intermediate tooth. Each of the teeth comprises a proximal end adjacent the skin-facing surface, a distal end, a skin-contacting edge between the proximal end and the distal end, an overhang region, a base region located on the blade-facing side, and a slot formed between the overhang region and the base region. The slot configured to receive at least one blade of a blade assembly. Each intermediate tooth defines a tooth height. The tooth height for each of the intermediate teeth represents the shortest distance between the base region and an outer-most point on the skin-contacting edge of each of the intermediate teeth. A first tooth height defined by the first intermediate tooth is greater than a second tooth height defined by the second intermediate tooth. The first ratio between the first tooth height and the second tooth height is about 1:70 to about 3:16.
In another embodiment, a comb for an electric trimmer is provided. The comb has a back, a front, a first side edge extending from the back to the front, and a second side edge extending from the back to the front and opposite the first side edge. At least one of the back and the front includes a blade engagement section for removeably coupling the comb to the blade assembly. The comb also includes teeth extending to the front. Each of the teeth has a tip. The teeth include a first outer tooth located at or adjacent the first side edge, a second outer tooth located at or adjacent the second side edge, and intermediate teeth spaced apart from each other and positioned between the first outer tooth and the second outer tooth. The intermediate teeth include a first intermediate tooth and a second intermediate tooth. Each intermediate tooth defines a tooth height. A first tooth height defined by the first intermediate tooth is greater than a second tooth height defined by the second intermediate tooth. A first ratio between the first tooth height and the second tooth height is about 1:70 to about 3:16.
In another embodiment, a comb for an electric trimmer is provided. The comb has a back, a front, a first side edge extending from the back to the front, and a second side edge extending from the back to the front and opposite the first side edge. At least one of the back and the front includes a blade engagement section for removeably coupling the comb to the blade assembly. The comb also includes teeth extending to the front. Each of the teeth has a tip. The teeth include a first outer tooth located at or adjacent the first side edge, a second outer tooth located at or adjacent the second side edge, and intermediate teeth spaced apart from each other and positioned between the first outer tooth and the second outer tooth. The intermediate teeth include a first intermediate tooth directly adjacent the first outer tooth, a second intermediate tooth directly adjacent the second outer tooth, and a pair of adjacent intermediate teeth. A first distance is defined between the first outer tooth and the first intermediate tooth. A second distance is defined between the second outer tooth and the second intermediate tooth. An intermediate tooth distance is defined between the pair of adjacent intermediate teeth. Both the first distance and the second distance are greater than the intermediate tooth distance.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
We have invented a new design for a fade comb for an electric hair trimmer.
The ornamental design which is claimed is shown in solid lines in the drawings. Broken lines are for illustrative purposes only and form no part of the claimed design. Parallel thin lines and radial thin lines represent contours and do not illustrate an ornamentation or decoration.
We claim the ornamental design for a FADE COMB for use with an electric hair trimmer, as shown and described.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
The head 104 of the trimmer 100 includes a blade assembly 106 having a plurality of blades 108. The plurality of blades 108 defines a blade edge 120. The head 104, including the blade assembly 106, is removably coupled to the handle 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 102 includes a release mechanism, such as a release leaver 110. Actuation of the release leaver 110 facilitates removal of the blade assembly 106 from the handle 102. During operation of the trimmer 100, an electric motor (not shown) located within the internal chamber of the handle 102 causes at least one blade of the plurality of blades 108 to oscillate side to side via a drive mechanism.
With reference to
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In the illustrated embodiment, the first comb 500 includes a first instructional image 512 and the second comb includes a second instructional image 514. Each of the instructional images 512, 514 indicates the side (i.e., right or left) of the head and the direction the respective comb 500, 510 is intended to be moved along the head. As shown by the first instructional image 512, the first comb 500 is intended to be used on the right side of a person's head, and as shown by second instructional image 514, the second comb 510 is intended to be used on the left side of a person's head.
Because the first comb 500 and the second comb 510 are mirror images of each other, the description of the first comb 500 applies to the second comb 510, unless otherwise specified.
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The back blade engagement section 116 includes a rear guard 720 extending adjacent the back 703 of the blade-facing side 702. The rear guard includes a latch 722 and a tab 724. The rear guard 720 prevents rearward movement by the comb 112 when the blade assembly 106 is inserted into the slot 704. The latch 722 extends from the rear guard 720 towards the front 701. The latch 722 is configured to engage a portion of the blade assembly 106 to lock the comb 112 to the blade assembly 106. In other suitable embodiments, the latch 722 may engage the handle 102 or another portion of the head 104 of the trimmer 100. The tab 724 extends rearwardly away from the latch 722 and is configured to assist the user in disengaging the latch 722 from its locked position, allowing removal of the comb from the trimmer 100.
The planar blade-abutting portion 715 of the blade-facing side 702 includes mid side guards 712 and spacers 714. The mid side guards 712 are situated at or adjacent the first side edge 502 and the second side edge 506 to prevent side movement of the comb 112 when the blade assembly 106 is inserted into the slot 704. In the exemplary embodiment, a single mid side guard 712 is located on each of the opposing side edges 502, 506. In other suitable embodiments, the comb 112 may have more, fewer, or no mid side guards 712. The spacers 714 abut the blade assembly 106 when the blade assembly 106 is inserted into the slots 704. The spacers 714 prevent contact of the entire planar blade-abutting portion 715 with the blade assembly 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the comb 112 has two spacers 714, but in alternative embodiments, the comb 112 has more, fewer, or no spacers 714.
Each intermediate tooth 520a-h of the comb 112 has a tooth height TH1-8 at the plane 1000. The tooth height TH1-8 of each of the intermediate teeth 520 is the height of the intermediate tooth 520a-h as measured from the base region 708 to an outermost point 1004 of the skin-contacting edge 538 within cutting plane 1000. As shown in
Each of the intermediate teeth 520 provide a cutting height CH1-8 when the trimmer 100 (shown in
The comb 112 described herein may have varying dimensions to produce a desired fade cut 1200 having a desired second height H2 and third height H3. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the comb 112 is a 3-6 mm fade comb. In alternative embodiments, the comb 112 may have a different configuration to allow for a fade cut 1200 having a cutting gradient 1202 and varying second and third heights H2 and H3. For example, the comb 112 may be a 1.5-3 mm fade comb, a 6-9 mm fade comb, a 9-12 mm fade comb, or a 12-16 mm fade comb. In still further embodiments, the comb 112 may have any tooth heights TH1-8 and cutting heights CH1-8 that allows the comb 112 and trimmer 100 to function as described herein.
In an embodiment, one or more teeth 114 is adjustable such that one or more of the tooth heights TH1-8 and one or more of the cutting heights CH1-8 can be changed. For example, a comb may be set to produce a 3-6 mm fade cut, then one or more of the teeth 114 may be adjusted to produce a 3-8 mm fade cut. In such embodiments, the teeth 114 maybe be locked into each position between each adjustment. In still further embodiment, the distance between the teeth 114 and the blade assembly 106 is adjustable. For example the trimmer 100 and/or the comb 112 may include an adjustment mechanism that allows the position of the comb relative to the trimmer to be adjusted to change cut height of the comb. Accordingly, a single fade comb 112 may be used for multiple different fade cut lengths.
In an embodiment, the fade comb 112 having teeth heights TH1-8 attaches to a uniform comb having teeth of uniform heights. The uniform comb is attached to the blade assembly 106 and receives the blades 108. The combination of the uniform heights and the teeth heights TH1-8 creates desired fade cut 1200. In some such embodiments, the fade comb 112 is configured to attach only to the uniform comb. In alternative embodiments, the fade comb 112 is configured to attach to either the uniform comb or the blade assembly 106, or both.
In an embodiment, a comb kit includes a plurality of combs 112. The plurality of combs 112 includes at least two different sized combs 112 configured to generate two different fade cuts 1200 having different second and third heights H2 and H3. Specifically, in an embodiment, the comb kit includes at least two of (i) a 1.5-3 mm fade comb, (ii) a 3-6 mm fade comb, (iii) a 6-9 mm fade comb, (iv) a 9-12 mm fade comb, and (v) a 12-16 mm fade comb. Each size of comb 112 includes a first fade comb 500 and a second fade comb 510 (i.e. a right and left comb).
In an embodiment, a trimmer kit includes a trimmer 100 and at least one comb 112. Specifically, in an embodiment, the trimmer kit includes the trimmer 100 and at least one pair of complementary first and second fade combs 500, 510 (i.e. a right and left comb). The trimmer kit allows the user to cut the person's hair 206 on the right side and left side of the person's head. In alternative embodiments, the trimmer kit includes the trimmer and the comb kit.
In the embodiment where the comb 112 is a 3-6 mm fade comb, the angle 606 is about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. In further embodiments, the angle 606 is about 2 degrees to about 15 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angle 606 is approximately 10 degrees. Additionally, in an embodiment of the 3-6 mm fade comb, the first distance D1 is about 35 mm to about 75 mm. In further embodiments, the first distance D1 is about 46 mm to about 50 mm. In some examples of the 3-6 mm fade comb, the second distance D2 and the tenth distance D10 are about 5 mm to about 13 mm, and, more specifically, about 7 mm to about 9 mm. Additionally, the third distance D3 through the ninth distance D9 of the 3-6 mm fade comb are about 3 mm to about 10 mm and, more specifically, about 4 mm to about 6 mm.
In an embodiment of the 3-6 mm fade comb, the first length L1 is from about 36 mm to about 39 mm, the second length L2 is from about 27 mm to about 30 mm, the third length L3 is from about 26 mm to about 28 mm, the fourth length L4 is from about 25 mm to about 27 mm, the fifth length L5 is from about 24 mm to about 26 mm, the sixth length L6 is from about 23 mm to about 25 mm, the seventh length L7 is from about 22 mm to about 24 mm, the eighth length L8 is from about 22 mm to about 24 mm, the ninth length L9 is from about 21 mm to about 23 mm, and the tenth length L10 is from about 20 mm to about 22 mm.
In an embodiment of the 3-6 mm fade comb, the first tooth height TH1 is from about 4.2 mm to about 4.6 mm, the second tooth height TH2 is from about 3.8 mm to about 4.2 mm, the third tooth height TH3 is from about 3.4 mm to about 3.8 mm, the fourth tooth height TH4 is from about 3.1 mm to about 3.5 mm, the fifth tooth height TH5 is from about 2.8 mm to about 3.2 mm, the sixth tooth height TH6 is from about 2.4 mm to about 2.8 mm, the seventh tooth height TH7 is about 2.1 mm to about 2.5 mm, and the eighth tooth height TH8 is from about 1.7 mm to about 2.1 mm.
In an embodiment, a ratio between the first tooth height TH1 and the second tooth height TH2 is about 1:70 to about 3:16. In further embodiments, the first ratio between the first tooth height TH1 and the second tooth height TH2 is approximately 3:46. In some embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent tooth height TH2-TH8 is the same as the ratio the first tooth height TH1 and the second tooth height TH2. In other embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent tooth height TH1-TH8 varies such that one or more of the ratios are not the same. In still further embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent tooth height TH1-TH8 decreases from one side to another. For example, the first ratio between the first tooth height TH1 and the second tooth height TH2 is greater than the second ratio between the second tooth height TH2 and the third tooth height TH3, which is greater than the third ratio between the third tooth height TH3 and the fourth tooth height TH4.
In an embodiment of the 3-6 mm fade comb, the first cutting height CH1 is about 5.2 mm to about 5.6 mm, the second cutting height CH2 is about 4.8 mm to about 5.2 mm, the third cutting height CH3 is about 4.4 mm to about 4.8 mm, the fourth cutting height CH4 is about 4.1 mm to about 4.5 mm, the fifth cutting height CH5 is about 3.8 mm to about 4.2 mm, the sixth cutting height CH6 is about 3.4 mm to about 3.8 mm, the seventh cutting height CH7 is about 3.1 mm to about 3.5 mm, and the eighth cutting height CH8 is about 2.7 mm to about 3.1 mm.
In an embodiment, a ratio between the first cutting height CH1 and the second cutting height CH2 is about 1:70 to about 3:16. In further embodiments, the first ratio between the first cutting height CH1 and the second cutting height CH2 is approximately 3:46. In some embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent cutting height CH2-CH8 is the same as the ratio the first tooth height CH1 and the second tooth height CH2. In other embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent cutting height CH1-CH8 varies such that one or more of the ratios are not the same. In still further embodiments, the ratio between each adjacent tooth height CH1-CH8 decreases from one side to another. For example, the first ratio between the first cutting height CH1 and the second cutting height CH2 is greater than the second ratio between the second cutting height CH2 and the third cutting height CH3, which is greater than the third ratio between the third cutting height CH3 and the fourth cutting height CH4.
The method 1300 also includes positioning 1304 each of the first teeth of the first comb against the person's skin at a first side at or near the first side's front hairline and with the first side edge closer to the top of the person's head and the second side edge closer to the person's neck. The method 1300 additionally includes turning on 1306 the trimmer to activate the blade assembly and moving 1308 the trimmer along the first side of the head to approximately the center of the back of the head with the first comb pressed against the person's skin for the entire length.
The method 1300 further includes turning off 1310 the trimmer, removing 1312 the first comb, and attaching 1314 the second comb, such as the second comb 510. The second comb is the mirror image of the first comb and also has a decreasing height from a first side edge to a second side edge. The method 1300 also include positioning 1316 each of the second teeth of the second comb against the person's skin at a second side at or near the second side's front hairline and with the first side edge closer to the top of the person's head and the second side edge closer to the person's neck. The method 1300 additionally includes turning on 1318 the trimmer to activate the blade assembly and moving 1320 the trimmer along the second side of the head to approximately the center of the back of the head with the second comb pressed against the person's skin for the entire length. In further embodiments, the method 1300 may include attaching multiple combs having different cutting lengths to create multiple fades. For example, the method 1300 may include creating a first fade using a 3-6 mm fade comb near the person's neck and creating a second fade above the first fade (i.e. closer to the top of the person's hair) using a 6-9 mm fade comb.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
