Patent Application
20230200511
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a hair cutting guide device, and to methods of making and using the device.
Cutting hair is a skill and an art, much more than a science. Although the standard implements used in cutting hair are well known, it is the skill of the barber or the stylist that determines the quality of a haircut. It can take many years to learn how to cut hair and in the early stages of a career, mistakes and bad haircuts are not uncommon. Even with the most skilled stylists and barbers, it is possible to make a mistake in the haircutting process. Hair stylists and barbers typically rely upon nonmechanical techniques when cutting hair. For example, the stylist lifts a section of hair away from the head with a comb at an angle, and then pinches it between two fingers. The outwardly extending segment of hair (that which extends beyond the fingers) is then cut with scissors or the like. Obviously, this technique involves a great deal of judgment on the part of the stylist (e.g., to cut the desired length of hair at the correct angle) and therefore greatly lends itself to the possibility of human error. Furthermore, proficiency in this technique requires a great deal of experience. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a guide that overcomes the problems associated with errors when learning how to cut hair. Additionally, it would be beneficial if the guide substantially reduced the risk of error associated with the hair cutting and styling process.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a haircutting guide device. The device includes a fastener configured to releasably attach to a support surface, the fastener defined by a support and a closure. The device also includes a plate defined by a top surface and a bottom surface; the bottom surface attached to the fastener support surface. The device comprises one or more arms defined by a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to or adjacent to the plate and the second extends outward from the plate at an angle of about 1-180 degrees relative to the plate. An indicator is positioned between the one or more arms, between an arm and the plate, or combinations thereof. The indicator provides a visual representation of the angle of the arm relative to the plate.
In some embodiments, the device comprises a single arm.
In some embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of arms (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10).
In some embodiments, the device comprises at least one arm configured at about 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or 120 degrees relative to the plate.
In some embodiments, the device includes a separate indicator positioned between each arm.
In some embodiments, each arm has a length of about 1-5 inches.
In some embodiments, the plate is permanently attached to the fastener.
In some embodiments, the plate is releasably attached to the fastener.
In some embodiments, the angle of the arm is adjustable relative to the plate.
In some embodiments, the angle of the arm is permanently positioned relative to the plate.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a kit. The kit includes a plurality of fasteners, each fastener defined by a support and a closure. The kit further includes a plurality of plates defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is configured to attach to the support surface of the fastener. The kit includes a plurality of arms, each arm defined by a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween, wherein the first end of each arm is configured to attach to or adjacent to the top surface of a plate and the second end of each arm extends from the plate at an angle of 1-180 degrees relative to the plate. The kit also includes instructions for use.
In some embodiments, the kit further includes a plurality of indicators that each provide a visual representation of arm angles relative to a corresponding plate.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of cutting hair, the method comprising positioning a guide device in a first section of a user's hair. The guide device comprises a fastener configured to releasably attach to the first section of the user's hair, the fastener defined by a support and a closure; a plate defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface attached to the fastener support surface; one or more arms defined by a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to or adjacent to the plate and the second end extends outward from the plate at an angle of about 1-180 degrees relative to the plate; wherein an indicator is positioned between the one or more arms, between an arm and the plate, or combinations thereof; wherein the indicator provides a visual representation of the angle of the arm relative to the plate. The method includes pulling all or a portion of hair in the first section in alignment with an arm of the device, wherein the arm provides the proper angle for cutting the section of hair. The method includes cutting the first section of hair, wherein the hair is cut at a desired angle. After the first section of hair has been cut, repositioning the guide device at a second section of the user's hair. The method includes repositioning the arms of the device to the proper angle for cutting the second section of hair. The method includes pulling all or a portion of hair in the first section in alignment with an arm of the device, wherein the arm provides the proper angle for cutting the second section of hair and repeating the process until the user's entire head of hair has been cut.
In some embodiments, the arms are removable and attachable to the plate;
The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments+/−20%, in some embodiments+/−10%, in some embodiments+/−5%, in some embodiments+/−1%, in some embodiments+/−0.5%, and in some embodiments+/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the drawing figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a device that is used to help a stylist cut hair. Specifically, device 5 includes fastener 10 that is used to removably attach the device in a segment of a client's hair, as shown in
As set forth above, device 5 includes fastener 10 that allows the device to be retained within a client's hair. The term “fastener” broadly refers to any element that enables the device to be secured in a head of hair, such as through the use of teeth, joining members, adjacent members, hinges, elastic, and the like. Thus, the fastener can be configured as a clip 25, barrette 26, tie 27, clasp 28, comb 29, pin 30, or combinations thereof, illustrated in
Fastener 10 includes support surface 35 that provides a foundation for attachment of arms 15, as shown in
The arms can be configured as separate independent units as shown in
The fastener can be configured in any desired size or shape. For example, fastener 10 can be configured with length 45, width 46, and thickness 47. The term “length” refers to the longest horizontal distance from first side edge 50 to a second side edge 51 of the fastener, as shown in
Fastener 10 can be constructed from any suitable rigid or flexible material. The term “rigid” refers to a material that does not easily bend under the application of pressure. The term “flexible” refers to a material that is easily maneuvered or bent upon the application of an external force. The fastener can therefore be constructed from any suitable material, such as (but not limited to) plastic, metal, wood, rubber, elastic, ceramics, or combinations thereof.
As discussed above, support surface 35 of the fastener can include one or more arms 15. The term “arm” includes any extension that can be permanently or releasably attached to the fastener. As shown in
Arms 15 provide an indication to the user of the arm angle 20 relative to the fastener or plate 55, which is useful when cutting hair. In some embodiments, the device can include 1-10 arms, each providing a different angle of reference for the user. Specifically, each arm includes first end 18 that is attached to plate 55 (or guide 16) and second end 17 that extends away from the plate. Each arm can be permanently attached to the plate, such that a new fastener is used each time the user desires an angle not provided by an arm. In other embodiments, arms 15 can be releasably attached to the plate or guide (e.g., through the use of springs, magnets, clips, etc.), allowing the user to customize the device for a particular use or application. In some embodiments, first end 18 of each arm is attached to the plate or guide, but second end 17 is adjustable to any desired angle. Thus, each arm can be positioned at an angle 20 of about 1-180 degrees relative to plate 55 and/or fastener 10 (e.g., at least/no more than about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, or 180 degrees).
For example,
The arm can stay in a desired location using magnets or other elements that allow for releasably positioning of the arm along the guide. Similarly, one or more arms can be added to or removed from the guide if needed or desired by the user. The guide can optionally include one or more attachments that give additional information to the user, such as what parting to use and finger position for a particular section of hair. The information can be provided on the guide through any suitable mechanism, such as symbols attached and removed via magnets, VELCRO®, and the like. In this way, the user can be advised for training purposes on the proper way to cut the hair.
Each arm 15 can have any desired length 65, such as about 1-5 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 inches), as shown in
Arms 15 can have any desired cross-sectional shape, such as (but not limited to) square, rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, diamond, octagonal, and the like.
The device arms can be constructed from any suitable material, such as rubber, metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or combinations thereof.
In use, device 5 can be clipped or removably inserted into a client's hair at a location where the hair is to be cut. It is known that the proper angle at which to cut hair depends on the location of the hair being cut. For example, the hair at the back of the head would be cut at a different angle than the hair on the sides, top, or front of the head. Advantageously, device 5 can be selected or customized for the particular section of hair to be cut. As shown in
The user can then remove the device and reposition it at a different location in the user's hair (e.g., the sides, top, or front). Arms 15 can be adjusted to accommodate the new position, and the angles reset for the new location. Alternatively, a new device can be used with permanently positioned arms.
In some embodiments, the device can be configured as a kit, allowing the user to customize a device for a particular application. For example, the kit can include a variety of different fasteners 10, allowing the user to choose which fits best for a specific client (e.g., hair length, hair texture, cut type, etc.), as shown in
Device 5 provides many benefits over prior art hair clips or cutting guides.
Specifically, the clips act as a guide, instructing users on the proper hair angle, parting angle, and/or finger position to use to cut the hair.
Advantageously, device 5 can be used as an instrument for students of cosmetology to practice or learn hair cutting skills.
The disclosed device is sanitary, easy to manufacture, readily transportable, and readily storable.
The disclosed device is simple and easy to use, allowing a wide variety of users to employ the device when cutting hair.
The device is customizable, allowing users to specifically position the arms at a desired location and angle along the fastener for training and teaching purposes. In this way, students can easily follow and copy the instructor during training exercises using the arms as a guide.
The device is simple to produce, which reduces the costs of manufacture.
Advantageously, the device can be configured in a variety of colors and designs, allowing users to coordinate the device as desired.
The disclosed guide allows even an unskilled user to achieve professional looking results.
The device can be reused for many different clients, offering a long life.
Exemplary embodiments of the methods and components of the presently disclosed subject matter have been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered by the presently disclosed subject matter. Such embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/293,577 filed Dec. 23, 2021, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63293577 | Dec 2021 | US |
