The present invention relates generally to the field of haircutters or clippers. The present invention relates specifically to hair clippers with a modified balanced housing.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a haircutter having a blade assembly and a handle. The blade assembly defines a cutting end with a stationary blade and an oscillating blade that oscillates cutting teeth over the stationary blade to cut hair. The handle has a rectangular base at a gripping end opposite the blade assembly. The user grasps the gripping end to operate the haircutter. The handle defines a height taper and a width taper. The reduction from a maximum height of the handle to a base height defines the height taper. The reduction from a maximum width of the handle to a base width defines the width taper. The width taper is greater than the height taper, such that the handle width reduces more than the handle height.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a haircutter having a handle coupled to a blade assembly. The handle having a first end defining a first width and a first height. Similarly, a second end opposite the first end defines a second width and a second height. The handle has a taper, such that the first width and first height are greater than the second width and second height. The handle further includes a rectangular base with a first base width and a first base height. The blade assembly is coupled to the handle at the first end and includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade having oscillating teeth extending along a first blade edge. The second blade having teeth extending along a second blade edge that is orientated parallel to the first blade edge. A distance between the first and second blade edges defines a blade gap. A side lever is coupled to the first blade to move the first blade edge relative to the second blade edge adjusting the blade gap. Increasing or decreasing the blade gap adjusts the length of hair cut by the blade assembly.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a haircutter having a clamshell handle coupled to a blade assembly. The clamshell handle has an upper housing and a lower housing that extend axially between a cutting end and a rectangular base at a gripping end opposite the cutting end. The upper housing includes a hair shield defined by an upward sloped portion proximate the cutting end such that hair is deflected away from the blade assembly. The lower housing is coupled to the upper housing forming a recessed perimeter between the upper and lower housing. The recessed perimeter includes a switch. The upper and lower housing together define a tapered handle having a width at the cutting end that is greater than a width at the base. The reduction of the handle width defines a width taper. Similarly, a height at the cutting end is greater than a height at the base. The reduction of the handle height defines a height taper. The width taper of the handle is greater than the height taper. The blade assembly is coupled to the cutting end of the handle and includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade having oscillating teeth extending along a first blade edge. The second blade having teeth extending along a second blade edge that is orientated parallel to the first blade edge. A distance between the first and second blade edges defines a blade gap. A lever is coupled to the first blade to move the first blade edge relative to the second blade edge adjusting the blade gap. Increasing or decreasing the blade gap adjusts the length of hair cut by the blade assembly.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:
Referring to
Handle 12 extends along a longitudinal or axial axis 36 that extends from a blade end or cutting end 28 to a handle end or gripping end 32 to define a housing length L1. At an orthogonal or perpendicular angle to axial axis 36, a housing width W1 (e.g., between left and right sides of handle 12) and a housing height H1 (e.g., between the top and bottom sides of handle) are defined. Applicant has found that by including a height taper 40 and a width taper 42, or specifically a reduction in height H1 and width W1 dimensions along axial axis 36, a center of gravity 44 for the clipper 10 is more comfortably located within a user's grasp and the size of hair shield 46 is maximized to enhance protection of cavity 34 within handle 12.
Handle 12 has width W1 and height H1 dimensions extending orthogonally from axial axis 36. In various embodiments, handle 12 extends in an arched and/or linear direction along width W1 and/or height H1 dimensions, such that at different locations along axial axis 36, the width W1 and/or height H1, measured in a transverse direction to axial axis 36, is tapered between cutting end 28 and a rectangular base 48 at gripping end 32.
Handle 12 extends between a cutting end 28 and a base 48 at a gripping end 32 of handle 12. A height taper 40 and a width taper 42 measure the relative change between the maximum height H2 and maximum width W2 near the cutting end 28 to a base height H3 and base width W3 at the base 48 of gripping end 32. Specifically, the height taper 40 is a dimensionless number that represents a comparison of the height H1 of handle 12 near the gripping end 32 (e.g., base height H3) divided by the maximum height H2 of handle 12. Similarly, the width taper 42 is a dimensionless number that represents a comparison of the width W1 of handle 12 at the gripping end 32 (e.g., base width W3) divided by the maximum width W2 of handle 12. In various embodiments, rectangular base 48 has base width W3 between 1 inch and 1.2 inches, specifically between 1.05 inches and 1.15 inches, and a base height between 0.8 inches and 1 inch, specifically between 0.85 inches and 0.95 inches.
In various embodiments, handle 12 is a single, continuous, and/or integral part, such that upper housing 22 and lower housing 24 are permanently joined and/or fabricated as an integral continuous component or unitary part. In other embodiments, upper housing 22 is fabricated separately from lower housing 24 and joined or coupled to form handle 12, e.g., using fasteners 49 (
In one embodiment, a side lever 54 is coupled to cutter 16, and lever 54 rotates to translate cutter blade edge 56 relative to lower/stationary blade edge 58 to increase or decrease a blade gap 60. Rotation of lever 54 changes blade gap 60 between blade edges 56 and 58 in a transverse orthogonal direction by moving cutter 16 a transverse distance. Blade gap 60 changes a thickness T1 of lower blade 18 that cuts hair. For example, when blade gap 60 is small, teeth 20 of cutter 16 generally align with teeth 20 on lower blade 18, and clipper 10 cuts a shorter length of hair than when blade gap 60 is large or increased. Specifically, when the blade gap 60 is large, the complete thickness T1 of lower blade 18 is utilized to create a minimum hair length. In this way, lever 54 controls the length of the hair cut by hair clipper 10.
As shown in
Side switch 62 is captured between upper housing 22 and lower housing 24 and operates to power cutter 16 on and off. In various embodiments, switch 62, upper housing 22, and/or lower housing 24 are each fabricated from a different material.
A hook 74 is located on handle 12 near base 48. Hook 74 is located on lower housing 24 and facilitates hanging, storing, and/or gripping handle 12. In various embodiments, hook 74 extends between 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches, specifically between 0.3 inches and 0.4 inches, away from base 48 in the direction of axial axis 36. Hair clipper 10 includes enclosed hook 74 extending from either side (e.g., left side 68 and right side 70) of base 48 on handle 12. In various embodiments, enclosed hook 74 has a width W1 dimension equal to or greater than 90%, specifically 95%, and more specifically 99%, or more of handle 12 base width W3. In one embodiment, base width W3 of handle 12 is equal to width W1 of hook 74.
In various embodiments, upper housing 22 includes a recess or depression 76 on a top surface or top side 72 of handle 12. Depression 76 forms a gripping pad 78 for a user to place a thumb or fingers while holding handle 12. Depression 76 extends along top side 72 of handle 12 to a projection 80 that defines a maximum height H2 of handle 12. In various embodiments, depression 76 is measured from projection 80 to gripping surface or pad 78 and is between 0.025 inches and 0.1 inches, specifically between 0.06 inches and 0.09 inches, and more specifically, between 0.07 inches and 0.08 inches, in a height H1 direction on handle 12.
Lower housing 24 includes a neck 82 forming a neck gripping recess 84 on a bottom surface or bottom side 86 of handle 12 configured for a user's finger. Finger gripping recess 84 receives the user's finger about neck 82 of blade assembly 14. A gripping depression pad 78 can be located in depression 76 and/or recess 84 of upper housing 22 and/or lower housing 24. For example, neck 82 and/or gripping depression 76 and/or recess 84 are fabricated from a dip molded polymer material.
Blade 18 is coupled to handle 12 (e.g., upper/lower housing 22 and/or 24) and stationary or static. In contrast, cutter 16 oscillates in a direction parallel to blade edges 56 and 58 (e.g., in a direction parallel to the width W1 of handle 12). As described in greater detail below, a lever 54 is coupled to cutter 16 to translate cutter 16 along in a direction parallel to axial axis 36 to change a gap 60 between cutter 16 and blade 18. For example, changing the gap 60 between upper and lower blade edges 56 and 58 changes the length of hair that is cut by cutter 16. Specifically, a shorter gap 60 between the blade edges 56 and 58 enables the combined thicknesses of the cutter 16 and blade 18 to create a longer cut length. Similarly, a longer gap 60 between the blade edges 56 and 58 reduces the combined thickness between the blades and creates a shorter cut length.
Similarly, a handle height H1 is defined in an orthogonal direction to axial axis 36 between a top surface or side 72 and a bottom surface or side 86 of handle 12. A height taper 40 measures the relative change between the maximum height H2 (near the cutting end 28) and the base height H3 (e.g., measured at the gripping end 32). In one embodiment, height taper 40 is a linear height taper 40 between maximum height H2 and base height H3. In various embodiments, maximum height H2 is between 1.0 inches and 1.5 inches, specifically, between 1.2 inches and 1.4 inches, and more specifically, between 1.25 inches and 1.35 inches. In various embodiments, base height H3 is between 0.5 inches and 1 inch, specifically, between 0.6 inches and 0.9 inches, and more specifically between 0.7 inches and 0.8 inches.
Height taper 40 is a relative comparison of maximum height H2 and base height H3. Height taper 40 is defined as the reduction ratio or percentage of maximum height H2 to achieve base height H3. As a specific example, when maximum height H2 is 1.3 inches, and base height H3 is 0.8 inches, height taper 40 is 0.8/1.3 inches (e.g., 0.8:1.3 inches) or approximately 61.5%. In various embodiments, the maximum height H2 is between 1.2 inches and 1.4 inches, and base height H3 is between 0.7 inches and 0.9 inches, such that height taper 40 is between 58% and 62%. In various embodiments, base height H3 is between 65% and 75% of base width W3, specifically, between 67% and 73%, and more specifically between 69% and 71%.
Similarly, a handle width W1 is defined in an orthogonal direction to axial axis 36 between a left surface or side 68 and a right surface or side 70 of handle 12. A width taper 42 measures the relative change between the maximum width W2 (near the cutting end 28) and the base width W3 (e.g., measured at the gripping end 32). In one embodiment, width taper 42 is a linear width taper 42 between maximum width W2 and base width W3. In various embodiments, maximum width W2 is between 1.3 inches and 1.8 inches, specifically, between 1.4 inches and 1.7 inches, and more specifically, between 1.5 inches and 1.6 inches. In various embodiments, base width W3 is between 0.9 inches and 1.3 inches, specifically between 1.0 inch and 1.2 inches, and more specifically between 1.05 inches and 1.15 inches.
Width taper 42 is a relative comparison of maximum width W2 and base width W3. Width taper 42 is defined as the reduction ratio or percentage of maximum width W2 to achieve base width W3. As a specific example, when maximum width W2 is 1.6 inches and base width W3 is 1.1 inches, width taper 42 is 1.1/1.6 in/in (e.g., 1.1:1.6 in/in) or approximately 68.75%. Compared to the previous height example with a height taper 40 of 61.5%, the width taper 42 of 68.75% is greater than the 61.5% height reduction. In other words, the reduction of width taper 42 is greater than the reduction of height taper 40. In various embodiments, maximum width W2 is between 1.5 inches and 1.7 inches, and base width W3 is between 1.0 and 1.2 inches, such that width taper is between 70% and 76%.
When width taper 42 is linear, an angle measure of width taper 42 is made by comparing the angle formed between left side 68 and right side 70 of handle 12. In various embodiments, width taper 42 is between 7° and 11°, specifically, between 8° and 10°. In a specific embodiment, the width taper 42 defines a 9.4° angle (+/−0.1°).
It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the present invention's scope.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths, and radii, are to scale as shown in the Figures. The figures' actual measurements will disclose relative dimensions, angles, and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles, and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description. In addition, in various embodiments, the present disclosure extends to a variety of ranges (e.g., plus or minus 30%, 20%, or 10%) around any of the absolute or relative dimensions disclosed herein or determinable from the Figures.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Design application No. 29/761,651, filed Dec. 10, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29761651 | Dec 2020 | US |
Child | 17318676 | US |