The present disclosure provides a comb particularly well adapted for use when cutting hair. In a preferred embodiment, the comb includes a removable, powered (e.g., battery powered, rechargeable or not), attachment that provides additional functionality to the comb. For example, the attachment may be a removable bar that provides functions such as:
(1) a level;
(2) a measurement tool;
(2) a display;
(3) a laser; and
(4) one or more function keys.
Portions of the functionality of the bar come from the interaction of the bar with a base station, as described further herein. The bar and base station may communicate with each other through transceivers or similar communication mechanisms. Further, the bar may be adapted to coordinate with a charging station. The charging station may be separate from or integrated within the base station.
The level may be a visual indicator that enables a user to determine with the comb is being held in a level position. The level may be displayed on the digital display or it may be an independent display. An advanced version may include a display of the relative angle of the comb compared to a reference position such that a user can accurately position the comb as desired. A preferred embodiment of the level is provided in the attached engineering documents.
The measurement tool may measure, calculate, or otherwise identify the length of hair through which the comb is run. An example of the measurement tool is described in the attached engineering documents. The example provided utilizes the interaction between the bar and the base station to track the distance the comb moves. For example, a user may initiate the measurement process through the function key(s). The base station then uses information captured from a pair of infra-red cameras to track the movement of the bar to determine the length of hair through which the comb is run. Alternate versions of the measurement tool are contemplated, including the direct measurement of the length of hair passing through the teeth of the comb.
The display may provide various information to the user, including the readings of the level and measurement tool, as well as additional settings and measurements. For example, functions of the bar may be dependent on whether the user is using the comb with the left or right hand and the display may show the current settings.
A laser element may be provided to project a laser generated line, for example, generate a straight line to use as a reference line when determining whether the length of the sideburns are even, whether the length of the cut is even, whether the bangs are cut straight (or cut too straight), etc.
The function key may be used to select amongst various functions and enter data to the device. For example, the function key may be used to trigger a measurement process, lock a desired angle, trigger the laser, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the comb is approximately 7″×1.25″ and can use any of a varied number of tooth patterns. The bar may be removable from the comb so as to enable the comb to be separately disinfected and the bar to be separately cleaned, as needed.
The following engineering documents, code, drawings, etc., of the device further illustrate various embodiments of the invention. It is understood that various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be derived based on the disclosure provided herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160360853 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62007654 | Jun 2014 | US |