Patent Application
20220369786
The present invention relates to hair cutting devices and methods, specifically hair cutting devices for cutting hair at home.
In the related art, it has been known to use trimming guides to cut hair. Hair cutting and trimming guides allow for easy and accurate trimming of hair. Cutting guides allow for trimming of hair growing forward, generally known as the bangs, as well as for hair growing any direction and of any length.
Cutting hair is more like an art than a science. For this reason, countless techniques have been developed by hairdressers for cutting hair in an even and stylish pattern. Every hairdresser chooses their favorites from among these techniques and employs it in everyday practice.
One common technique is to grasp a group of hair between two fingers, and then cut parallel to the longitudinal surfaces of the fingers. This technique allows hair to be cut at a consistent length. Since conventional haircutting scissors are extremely sharp, this can be a dangerous practice.
At times, however, it is desirable to have such a group of hair cut at varying lengths. To do this, the scissors are angled inward toward the fingers to execute “point cutting” for textured blending. The danger of cutting toward the fingers is especially acute when point cutting. Accordingly, many hairdressers cut in such a manner without the benefit of the “reference line” created by the fingers. With practice, such cutting can be relatively consistent. Rarely, however, is the cut completely even. It is also difficult to perform on oneself or at home.
Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,517, issued to Burnette III, discloses a hair cutting guide, for use by a hairdresser in cutting the hair of a person using scissors, having a pair of guide halves that are hingeably attached and selectively enter an open position and a closed position. Each of the guide halves have a plurality of teeth arranged along its longitudinal edges. The teeth have an inner surface that face the inner surfaces of the teeth in the other guide halve when the guide is in the closed position. Combs extend perpendicularly to the inner surfaces such that hair is extended transversely between the longitudinal edges and is held in place by the combs when the guide is closed. Straight cutting and point cutting is carried out by cutting with the scissors adjacent to the teeth along one of the longitudinal edges when the guide is in the closed position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,998, issued to Furco, discloses a combination comb and sight gauge that can be manipulated using one hand so that the operator's other hand is free to cut or trim hair. The instrument is ideally suited for creating geometric hair styles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,230, issued to Tapia, discloses an instrument for cutting hair comprises first and second members extending longitudinally in a direction generally perpendicular to a hinge axis of a hinge that connects the two members at proximal ends thereof. Each member has an arm and a leg. The legs have sockets in which blades are received. The arms comprise grip portions for grasping and actuating by a user's hand. During use, the actuation of the arms moves the legs in an arcuate path about the hinge axis similar to jaws on a pair of tongs. The instrument has a closed pinching or clamping position in which the blades meet each other in abutting relation. The method of using the instrument includes selecting blades from a group of tools comprising razor blades, thinning blades and backguards, disposing the selected blades in the sockets of respective legs, separating the legs, placing a lock of hair between the legs, clamping the blades on the lock of hair, and pulling or pushing the blades in a direction along the length of the hair to progressively cut hairs of the lock of hair.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,119, issued to Silva, discloses a haircutting guide-comb instrument for use in cutting head hair of a human being and including a pair of elongated legs superimposed over one another to clasp hair of the human being in between said legs with a bias spring engaged about the terminal ends of the legs to urge them in engagement with one another and an anchor at the terminal ends securing the bias springs to both of the elongated legs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,123, issued to Grassi and Kovach, discloses a hair cutting guide comprising an upper clip and a lower clip is disclosed. A pivot pin interconnects the upper and lower clips allowing rotation of the upper and lower clip with respect to each other. A spring is mounted around the pivot pin and engages the upper and lower clips and urges them into engagement with each other. The upper clip includes a toothed ridge and the lower clip includes a groove which mates with the toothed ridge. The lower clip also includes a toothed ridge which mates with a groove in the upper clip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,122, issued to Hamilton, discloses a hair-cutting guide having two interconnected plate members which align to compress and sandwich hair therebetween to be cut along an edge of the aligned plate members.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include not being easy to use; not being easily accessible; not providing a desired outcome; being expensive; not being safe to use; and requiring additional parts and steps.
What is needed is a hair cutting device that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available hair cutting devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an hair cutting guide.
In one embodiment there is a hair cutting guide. The hair cutting guide may include: an elongated flexible positioner that may have a first and/or second end, the first end may include a first coupler and/or the second end may include a second coupler; wherein the first coupler may be removably coupled to the second coupler in a closed mode; a plurality of pegs that may be disposed along a first surface of the flexible positioner in an open mode; and/or a plurality of wedges that may be disposed along a first side of the flexible positioner and/or extending outwardly therefrom.
In another embodiment of the invention the flexible positioner may be folded in half in a closed mode, and/or wherein the flexible positioner may not include a hinge for folding. In yet another embodiment, the flexible positioner may include a hinge disposed thereon. The plurality of pegs may be disposed in an array.
In yet another embodiment of the invention the array may include alternating columns with a first column that may include three pegs and/or a second column that may include two pegs. The elongated flexible positioner may not include a plurality of wedges disposed along a second side of the positioner opposite the first side. The wedges may be trapezoidal. The hair cutting guide may further comprise a level that may be disposed on a level stand, wherein the level stand may be rotatably coupled to a second surface of the flexible positioner, and/or wherein the level stand extends outwardly therefrom opposite the plurality of pegs.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.
Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
The first surface 114 includes a peg 112 to help hold the hair without pinching. There may be a plurality of pegs 112 disposed in a specific orientation, such that in embodiments where pegs intersect, the pegs 112 facing one another do not contact one another. The peg 112 may be any number of shapes or sizes.
The second surface 124 includes a gravity field orientation sensor 120 to sense angular orientation. The gravity field orientation sensor 120 is disposed on the second surface 124 of the first elongated positioner 102. As shown, the gravity field orientation sensor 120 is mounted on a sensor attachment 122. The sensor attachment 122 allows the gravity field orientation sensor 122 to rotate such that specific angled cuts may be made with ease. One example of a gravity field orientation sensor 120 may be such as, but not limited to, a bubble level as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,750,677, issued to Wirth, which is incorporated by reference herein for its supported teachings.
The positioner 102 includes a first end 104 and a second end 106. The first end 104 includes a first end coupler 108 configured to selectably couple to the second end 124, by a second end coupler 110. One example of a selectably couplable attachment mechanism 128 may be such as, but not limited to, a snap fastener member as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,783, issued to Parks et al., which is incorporated by reference herein for its supported teachings.
The positioner 102 includes a wedge 116 alongside one edge of the positioner 102 to allow for a more textured cut to be made on hair without necessitating the user manually texture it. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of wedges 116. As shown, the wedge 116 is trapezoidal in shape and includes three sides, however in other embodiments the wedge may be any number or shapes and sized. In some embodiments, the wedges may have pointed or rounded ends.
The illustrated embodiment has the coupling via a snap, however in other embodiments there may be any number of coupling mechanisms, such as clips, clasps, snaps, hook and loop, mechanical fasteners, and the like and combinations thereof. The center section is shown to have no pegs 112, to allow the hair cutting device 100 to fold in on itself without interference. The pegs 112 are arranged in a particular orientation 304 (shown here as staggered rows 302) such that they do not interfere with each other when the hair cutting device 100 is folded. Further shown, the pegs are divided into a plurality of groups 300 such that a single piece unit when folded is not hindered by attempting to fold over or through a peg 112.
The couplers on the first ends of the first and second positioners, 102 and 400, are designed to be selectively couplable such that the ends may be attached and detached at will. The couplers on the second ends of the first and second positioners, 118 and 504, are designed to be hingedly coupled and not able to be detached. In some embodiments, the couplers on the second ends may be selectively couplable or may be coupled other than hingedly.
Further shown is a wedge gap 500, which divides each wedge 506 from adjacent wedges 506. This allows the hair placed within the hair cutting device 100 to be accessed by a cutting device in a tapered format such that the hair is not required to be cut straight across. Also, each wedge gap 500, like each wedge 506, is shown to line up with the opposite wedge gap 500 and/or wedge 506 such that wedge gaps 500 and wedges 506 do not overlap. In other embodiments, it may be beneficial to have other configurations wherein there are intersection between wedge gaps 500 and/or wedges 506, or the wedge gaps have other geometric or irregular shapes and/or different sizes.
One example of a selectably coupleable attachment mechanism 28 may be such as, but not limited to, a snap fastener member as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,783, issued to Parks et al., which is incorporated by reference herein for its supported teachings. One example of a coupling mechanism 30 may be such as, but not limited to, a pin as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,226,540, issued to Lauletta, which is incorporated by reference herein for its supported teachings.
In operation of one embodiment of the hair cutting device, the user combs the desired hair to be cut. The user then assays the hair's thickness, the hair's thickness correlates to a corresponding plate member. The plate members may vary according to the variety of hair thicknesses. Next, the user couples the selectably coupleable pegs to the elongated positioners. The user then clamps the hair together between the first and second elongated positioners. Then, the user assays the elongated guide members to a desired hair length/style. The user then pulls the elongated positioner to the desired hair length/style. The user may assay the gravity field orientation sensor to a desired hair length/style, adjusting the gravity field orientation sensor to a desired angle/degree corresponding to a desired hair length/style. The user then cuts the desired hair to be cut along the elongated positioners. The following steps may be repeated until the desired hair/style is finished.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the figures illustrate an elongated positioner, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the guide member may vary in size, shape, color, configuration, design, length, width, thickness, orientation and still perform their intended function.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate multiple varying coupling mechanisms, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the attachment and coupling mechanisms may vary in size, shape, color, configuration, design, length, width, thickness, orientation and still perform their intended function. Moreover, examples of an attachment and/or coupling mechanism may be such as, but not limited to: pins, snaps, hooks, hook and loops, adhesives, magnets, etc. and still perform their intended functions.
In addition, one skilled in the art would appreciate that there may be a degree increment adjustment that may be able to make degree increment adjustments such as, but not limited to: 5, 10, 15, 30 degree increment adjustments such that the device may still perform its intended function.
Furthermore, although the figures illustrate a pair of scissors as a cutting device, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the cutting device may vary and still perform its intended function. For example, the cutting device may be such as, but not limited to: scissors, clippers, razor blades, etc.
It is also envisioned that one skilled in the art would appreciate that the pegs of the hair cutting device may vary in size, shape, color, configuration, design, length, width, thickness, orientation and still perform their intended function. In addition, examples of pegs may be such as, but not limited to: bristles, spikes, pegs, teeth, Velcro, etc. and still perform its intended function.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. For example, the gravity field orientation sensor of the hair cutting device may vary in size, shape, color, configuration, design, length, width, thickness, orientation and still perform its intended function. In addition, the gravity field orientation sensor may be such as, but not limited to: a bubble level, a mason's level, a carpenter's level, a torpedo level, a post level, a line level, an engineer's precision level, an electronic level, a slip indicator, and/or a clinometer; and still perform its intended function. Furthermore, the oil contained within the gravity field orientation sensor is denser than water and/or spirits normally used in carpentry levelers. The denser oil enables the gravity field orientation sensor to slowly adjust to the movement of the device.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, metal alloys, plastic composites, metal composites, glass, carbon fiber, and/or wood, and still perform its intended function.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/192,255 to Mai Lieu filed on May 24, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63192255 | May 2021 | US |
