Vacuum Haircutting Apparatus and Method

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus useful in cutting hair uniformly by vacuum action and to a method of vacuum haircutting.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Haircutting of course, is a well known art. It is also well known that it generally takes an artisan to give a good haircut. It would be desirable if a way could be found to give the average person a means to cutting hair without having artisan skills.

It is therefore among one of the principal objectives to provide an apparatus for cutting hair which can be used by anyone who may not necessarily have artisan skills.

In accord with the present invention there is now provided an apparatus for cutting hair by means including vacuum suction which comprises an elongated hollow tapered body open at either end, said tapered body being provided with additional opening means at graduated intervals along its length so that the application of a source of suction to one open end of the tapered body while its other open end is applied to a subject's hair results in the hair being drawn up through the hollow tapered body where it will be cuttable through the graduated opening means. A method of vacuum suction haircutting by means of this device.

The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the invention device illustrating its use in conjunction with a source of vacuum.

FIG. 2 is a view of a side elevational cross-section of the device in FIG. 1 along line 2--2 thereof in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a partial end elevational cross-sectional view of the device in FIG. 2 along line 3--3 thereof in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device.

Referring now to the figures of drawing, there is shown therein the haircutting apparatus 10 of the invention to be used in conjunction with a source of conventional vacuum suction 12 (shown only partially in phantom lines). The apparatus further comprises an elongated tapered hollow body 14 having an upper annular portion 16 which tapers down as at 18 to an essentially rectangular shaped shank portion 20, so that the shank portion roughly comprises about two-thirds of the apparatus, but this ratio is not critical to the invention since it may be varied somewhat therefrom. Thus shank portion 20 has a pair of parallel opposing lateral side walls 22, 24 and a pair of parallel opposing end walls 26, 28. Shank portion 20 terminates in a generally rectangular shaped opening 30 while upper annular portion 16 terminates in a generally circular opening 32.

The shank portion is further provided with a pair of rectangular shaped slots 34 and 36. Slots 34 and 36 are transversely oriented along the shank and parallel to each other, and being at end wall 26 and terminate short of end wall 28, forming openings 38 and 40 respectively, in end wall 26. Slots 36 and 34 are spaced apart, respectively, from the bottom end 50 of the device, at a ratio of about 1:2 from said bottom end.

The depth of the slots should be sufficient to accommodate comfortably the cutting ends of the average haircutting scissors, for a reason that will become more readily apparent subsequently. The function of these slots will be described hereinbelow but the ratio of 1:2 may be varied as desired. Additionally, the ends of side walls 22 and 24, and the end walls 26 and 28, are respectively notched as at nothces 42, 44, 46 and 48. These notches are generally rectangular shaped and their function will be described hereinbelow.

The tapered body forming the device is made up of a hard plastic material, preferably a clear one.

Describing now the operation of the invention in giving a haircut using same, what is done is to fit the upper annular portion 16 of the apparatus into a vacuum hose connected to a suitable source of suction, e.g., conventional vacuum cleaner. The vacuum motor is then switched on and the bottom end 50 of the device is brought to bear against the hair 60 to be cut on the subject's head 62 (shown only in phantom lines). Naturally, because of the suction force passing through the hollow tapered body making up the device, the hair is resultingly drawn up through the hollow chamber 70 in the direction of the force exerted. The operator then can proceed to cut the hair via the scissors 72 by applying the scissor cutting action through either of the slots 34 or 36. If a "short" haircut is required the haircutting is done through the lower slot 36. If a "long" haircut is desired the cutting is done through the upper slot 34. Notches 42, 44, 46 and 48 enhance the "grabbing" action of the vacuum force. The device is then moved systematically over the entire head of hair until a uniform cut is achieved. By virtue of the fact that the body of the device may be clear plastic, it makes it that much easier to see what the operator is cutting. By virtue of the fact that the slots are graduated it makes it that much easier to give a "short" or a "long" haircut and a uniform one at that. Moreover, you don't have to be a skilled barber in order to be able to cut hair. Anyone can do it with the invention device.