Hair trimmer with trim length adjustment mechanism

[0001] The present invention relates to a rattle dampening structure for a comb attachment of a hair trimmer with a cutter block having comb shaped reciprocating blades, only one of which is movable. The hair trimmer cuts hair and beard by the operation of the reciprocating blades, over which the comb attachment is placed so that the trim length can be varied.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. H1-214388 (hereinafter refer to as “Patent 1”) discloses therein a trim length adjusting structure for a conventional hair cutter. In the conventional example described in Patent 1, a cutter block consisting of a stationary and movable blade, both of which are comb-shaped and slidably in contact with each other, is protrudingly disposed at one end portion of a main body. A cylindrical comb attachment in a comb shape for trim length adjustment is movably engaged at the portion of the main body where the cutter block is disposed and along the projected direction of the cutter block so that the comb attachment for the trim length adjustment can be freely moved along the projected direction of the cutter block by turning a cylindrical adjustment element disposed over the main body. Further, at a location different from the side the adjustment element is disposed (namely, at a location further from the cutter block), a switch for turning on/off the operation of the trimmer is disposed.

[0003] Further, hair or beard brought in from the comb portion of the comb attachment comes in contact with the stationary blade in a comb shape and then cut by the movable blade at desired cutting length. In this case, the cutting length can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment element.

[0004] However, in the conventional example above, since the adjustment element for changing the trim length is disposed separately from the switch to control the operation of the hair cutter, for a user wishing to vary the trim length frequently over the course of giving a hair cut, hands must be switched constantly, which is very inconvenient. Further, with the above conventional example, since the adjustment element and the switch are disposed at different locations along the lengthwise direction of the main body, it is inevitable that the main body becomes longer.

[0005] The present invention has been developed to solve the problems of the conventional hair cutter discussed above. Accordingly, a rotary dial and an operation switch are disposed on the same side of a main body so that the hand holding the trimmer does not need to be switched to reach the operation switch or to adjust the rotary dial, thereby offering a better manipulability. Further, the overall length of the hair trimmer's main body becomes shorter as a result.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hair trimmer with a trim length adjustment mechanism including: an elongated main body; a cutter block having a stationary blade and a movable blade, both of which are comb-shaped and slidably in contact with each other, the cutter block being protrudingly installed at one end portion of the main body; a comb-shaped cylindrical comb attachment for trim length adjustment covering the cutter block such that it is movable in a projected direction of the cutter block; a connecting member disposed in the main body and engaged with the comb attachment; a rotary dial, capable of transmitting its turning movement to the connecting member, installed at one side of the main body approximately in parallel with said one side, wherein turning of the rotary dial causes the comb attachment to move by the connecting member; and an operation switch, disposed over a portion of the main body where the rotary dial is installed, for turning on and off an operation of the main body.

[0007] With such configuration since the operation switch and the rotary dial are disposed on the same side of the main body while one overlapping the other, in the course of giving a hair or beard cut holding the main body of the hair trimmer, it becomes possible to reach and control the operation switch and the rotary dial without switching hands with one hand, thereby improving the manipulability of the hair trimmer. Further, since the operation switch and the rotary dial are disposed overlappingly, the overall length of the hair trimmer becomes shorter than a case where the operation switch and the rotary dial are disposed at different positions along the lengthwise direction of the main body.

[0008] Further, it is preferable that a part of the rotary dial is exposed from the operation switch.

[0009] With such configuration, even though the operation switch is disposed over the rotary dial, when adjusting the rotary dial, the rotary dial can be adjusted easily without switching hands while holding the main body with one hand by turning the rotary dial at an exposed part from the operation switch.

[0010] Further, it is preferable that the part of the rotary dial is exposed from a lateral side of the operation switch.

[0011] With such configuration, it becomes possible to adjust easily an exposed part of the rotary dial from the side of the operation switch with fingers without disturbing the operation switch.

[0012] Further, it is preferable that the main body has a neck portion having a narrow width between lateral sides of the main body, the rotary dial and the operation switch being disposed on a side perpendicular to the both of the lateral sides.

[0013] With such configuration, when holding the main body, it is held in the manner such that the thumb and the index fingers are placed on the neck portion. While the hair trimmer is held in this fashion, the thumb on the neck portion can reach and adjust the rotary dial and the operation switch so that without switching hands, the hair trimmer can be easily controlled.

[0014] Further, it is preferable that the operation switch is substantially V-shaped, the switch being disposed on the main body such that an apex portion of the switch being oriented away from the cutter block.

[0015] With such configuration, when turning the rotary dial while holding the main body with one hand, the rotary dial can be more easily adjusted without disturbing the operation switch.

[0033] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in accordance with a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0034] A hair trimmer A is configured such that a cutter block 4 having a stationary blade 2 in combination with a movable blade 3 both of which are comb-shaped and slidably in contact with each other, is protrudingly disposed at one end portion in the lengthwise direction of an approximately cylindrical main body 1 which extends from the one end to the other end portion. The main body 1 is formed as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, and among the four side-surfaces established when one end portion where the cutter block 4 is protrudingly disposed is oriented upward so that the opposite end portion points downward, a rotary dial 7 is provided at one of the four side-surfaces in parallel (or approximately parallel) with the corresponding side-surface, and an operation switch 8 for turning on/off an operation of the main body 1 is provided at the exterior of one side-surface of the main body 1 where the rotary dial 7 is provided. Further, a comb attachment placement head 14 movably covered by a comb attachment 5 to be described later is positioned between the main body 1's outermost portion where the cutter block 4 is projected and the portion where the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 are disposed.

[0035] In case the one side-surface of the main body 1 where the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 are provided is defined as the front, the comb-shaped movable blade 3 of the cutter block 4 is positioned at the front portion whereas the comb-shaped stationary blade 2 is positioned at the rear portion behind the movable blade 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C. Further, a neck portion 9 having a narrow width between both side faces is positioned slightly off the central portion of the main body toward the cutter block 4, and the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 are provided at the one side-surface (front) perpendicular to both side-surfaces of the neck portion 9 having a narrow width.

[0036] The main body 1 is provided with housings 1a, 1b and 1c, wherein the housing 1a serving as the front portion of the main body 1 is provided with a mortise 10 for disposing the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8. An annular recess 11 is additionally formed approximately at the central portion of the mortise 10, and a switching hole 10a is provided approximately at the opposite side from the cutter block 4 as the annular recess 11 of the mortise 10 as the point of symmetry. A switch mechanism (not illustrated) is accommodated in the rear portion of the switching hole 10a of the housing 1a, and an engagement hole (not shown) provided at an operation portion (not shown) for turning on/off the switch mechanism faces the switching hole 10a. Engagement holes 18 are provided in the area surrounded by the annular recess 11 of the central portion of the mortise 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, a click spring receiving portion 12 communicates with one of both sides of the annular recess 11, both sides being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 1, via an opening 12a, and a connecting member receiving portion 13 communicates with the other side via an opening 13a. The connecting member receiving portion 13 communicates with an elongated groove 15 provided at one side of the front portion of the comb attachment placement head 14 wherein the elongated groove 15 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 1.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4B, a click spring 16 is accommodated in the click spring receiving portion 12 while a connecting member 6 is slidably accommodated in the connecting member receiving portion 13. In this case, by accommodating the click spring 16 in the click spring receiving portion 12, a push protrusion portion 16a of the click spring 16 faces the opening 12a. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the connecting member 6 is provided with a rack gear portion 6a; a linking arm 6b extending from one end portion of the rack gear portion 6a in an opposite direction parallel to the rack gear portion 6a; and an engaging hook 6c projected perpendicular to the linking arm 6b from a leading end portion of the linking arm 6b, wherein the linking arm 6b slides in the elongated groove 15 and the engaging hook 6c is outwardly projected from the opening of the elongated groove 15. A rack cover 33 is installed to retain the rack gear portion 6a while accommodating the connecting member 6 therein as described above.

[0038] In the rotary dial 7 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a rear protrusion portion 7b having a smaller diameter than that of a disc-shaped dial unit 7a is protrudingly formed on the back side of the dial unit 7a. As shown in FIG. 16, the front side of the dial unit 7a has alternating protrusions and recesses along its outer circumferential portion to give better finger grip. An interlocking gear wheel 7c is provided on a part of the outer circumference of the rear protrusion portion 7b and a click gear 7d is provided on different part of the outer circumference thereof. Further, the rotary dial 7 is provided with a hole 7e which runs from the front surface of the dial through the rear surface of the rear protrusion portion 7b. The hole 7e has a larger diameter section 7f provided at the front side of the rotary dial and a smaller diameter section 7g provided at the rear portion of the rotary dial, wherein the smaller diameter section 7g has a smaller diameter than that of the larger diameter section 7f. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, control-step marks 35 displaying such as scales or numbers or the like are provided on the surface of the rotary dial 7 along its circumferential direction.

[0039] When the rotary dial 7 is rotatably mounted on the mortise 10, the rear protrusion portion 7b is inserted into the annular recess 11, and the click gear 7d becomes interlocked with the push protrusion portion 16a of the click spring 16. Further, the interlocking gear wheel 7c is meshed with the rack gear portion 6a of the connecting member 6, as illustrated in FIG. 4C.

[0040] By installing the dial retaining plate 17 when mounting the rotary dial 7 on the main body 1, it is possible to prevent the rotary dial 7 from separating from the main body 1. The engaging portion 17a is protrudingly formed at the outermost end of the dial retaining plate 17 toward the rear portion. Further, slide engaging tracks 17b, which are a pair of elongated holes, and an extension piece 17d having a display hole 17c is protrudingly provided on the outer circumference of the dial retaining plate 17.

[0041] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, by fitting the dial retaining plate 17 into the larger diameter section 7f of the dial unit 7a and engaging the engaging portion 17a with the engagement holes 18 provided at the main body 1, the dial retaining plate 17 allows the rotary dial 7 to freely rotate but prevents it from being separated from the main body 1. When the dial retaining plate 17 is keeping in place the rotary dial 7, the extension piece 17d covers the surface of the dial unit 7a.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the operation switch 8, seen from the front, has a triangular shape, and a protrusion or recess for better finger grip is formed on its surface. A pair of engagement hooks 30 and a switching protrusion 31 are protrudingly installed on the rear portion of the operation switch. Further, an elongated hole-shaped window portion 32 is provided in the operation switch 8.

[0043] The operation switch 8 described above is disposed on the exterior of the rotary dial 7 in the mortise 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4E. As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of engagement hooks 30 are slidably engaged with the slide engaging tracks 17b, which are a pair of elongated holes. Further, the switching protrusion 31 is movably inserted into the switching hole 10a provided in the mortise 10 so that the switching protrusion is fitted with the engagee hole of the switch mechanism provided at the other side the switching hole 10a. As a result, the operation switch 8 is movably installed in the longitudinal direction of the main body 1, namely, closer or further from the cutter block 4. Further, regardless of the operation switch 8's position relative to the cutter block 4, the display hole 17c of the extension piece 17d is always exposed by the window portion 32. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the control-step marks 35 such as scales, numbers or the like are displayed through the long hole-shaped window portion 32 via the display hole 17c regardless of the operation switch 8's position, wherein the control-step marks 35 are provided along the circumferential direction on the surface of the rotary dial 7.

[0044] In this manner, the rotary dial 7 which transmits its movement to the connecting member 6 is disposed at one side surface of the main body 1 approximately in parallel with the corresponding one side surface, and the operation switch 8 is disposed at the exterior of the same side surface of the main body 1 over the rotary dial 7. Disposing the operation switch 8 over the rotary dial 7, thereby overlapping them in the same place of the main body 1, the length of the main body 1 becomes shorter in comparison with a design having the operation switch 8 and the rotary dial 7 disposed at different places of the main body 1 along the lengthwise direction. Further, the overall size of the main body can be made smaller as a result.

[0045] In this case, some part of the outer circumferential portion of the rotary dial 7 is exposed from the operation switch 8. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, some part of the rotary dial 7 is projected from the sides of the operation switch 8. Further, the operation switch 8, seen from the front, is formed in a V shape in which the width becomes narrower from one side to the other, wherein the portion where the width is the narrowest is placed furthest from the cutter block 4 on the main body 1. Some Part of the rotary dial 7 is projected and exposed from both sides of the operation switch 8 at a section where the width of the V-shaped operation switch 8 turns narrower.

[0046] If the operation switch 8 is moved in the lengthwise direction of the main body 1, the switch mechanism then turns on/off a driving mechanism 19 such as a motor or a linear actuator accommodated in the main body 1, thereby driving the movable blade 3 of the cutter block 4 to reciprocate or otherwise, stopping the operation thereof (the driving mechanism 19 is turned on when the operation switch 8 is moved closer to the cutter block 4 whereas it is turned off if moved further from the cutter block 4).

[0047] Further, since the interlocking gear wheel 7c is engaged with the rack gear portion 6a of the connecting member 6 as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, if the rotary dial 7 is turned as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the connecting member 6 moves in the lengthwise direction of the main body 1. Further, since the linking arm 6b of the connecting member 6 slides in the elongated groove 15, the engaging hook 6c at the end of the linking arm 6b slides along the elongated groove 15.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2C, the guide groove 22 is provided at the comb attachment placement head 14 of the housing 1b, which is the rear portion of the main body 1. At the bottom portion of the guide groove 22, a window portion 20, which runs through externally and internally is provided. Installed in the housing 1b is the elastic member 21 made of an elastic material as shown in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B. An elastic pressing protrusion 21a of the corresponding elastic member 21 is projected out through the window portion 20.

[0049] The housing 1c is installed on housing 1b such that it covers a part of the housing 1b and a part of the guide groove 22 of the housing 1b (a portion away from the cutter block 4). The receiving groove portion 22a is provided with a part of the guide groove 22 and the housing 1c.

[0050] Further, guiding rail portions 23 are provided on both left/right sides of the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1 along the lengthwise direction of the main body 1.

[0051] The cylindrical comb attachment 5 has one open end portion and slidably covers the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1 having the cutter block 4 at one end portion thereof.

[0052] As described above, while the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1 is covered by the cylindrical comb attachment 5 with one open end portion for trim length attachment, among the sides of the cylindrical comb attachment 5, if the side where the operation switch is disposed is defined as the front side portion 5a, the side portion facing the front side portion 5a becomes a rear side portion 5b. Further, the side portions connecting both edge portions of the front side portion 5a and the rear side portion 5b become left/right side portions 5c, and the side portion facing the opening becomes an end surface portion 5d Further, multiple rows of slits 25 are formed from the front side portion 5a to the rear side portion 5b via the end surface portion 5d to thereby form a comb-shaped section 26.

[0053] An engager portion 27 is disposed on the inner surface of the front side portion 5a of the cylindrical comb attachment 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the engager portion 27 is engaged with the engaging hook 6c of the connecting member 6 while the cylindrical comb attachment 5 is covering the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1. Further, guided rail portions 28 are disposed on inner surfaces of the left/right side portions 5c and slidably inserted into the guiding rail portions 23 provided on the comb attachment placement head 14 while the cylindrical comb attachment 5 is covering the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1.

[0054] Further, a flat plate-shaped pressure receiving element 29 is provided at the rear side portion 5b of the cylindrical comb attachment 5 and projected from the inner surface of the rear side portion 5b toward the opposite direction of the end surface portion 5d via the open end. Further, a elastic pressing protrusion 21a of the elastic member 21 projecting through the window portion 20 of the main body 1 is elastically in contact with the pressure receiving element 29 while covering the comb attachment placement head 14 of the main body 1 with the cylindrical comb attachment 5. The pressing direction on the pressure receiving element 29 by the elastic pressing protrusion 21a of the elastic member 21 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the comb attachment 5 (in this case, the perpendicular direction in the present invention includes an approximately perpendicular direction). Further, as illustrated by arrows of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the comb attachment 5 is elastically in contact with the comb attachment placement head 14 regardless of the comb attachment 5's location relative to the comb attachment placement head 14. Accordingly, even if the comb attachment 5 is sized slightly loosely relative to the main body 1 so that it moves easily on the main body 1, the comb attachment 5 is always elastically pressed by the elastic member 21 approximately perpendicular to the sliding direction of the comb attachment 5 so that the cylindrical comb attachment 5 does riot rattle on the comb attachment placement head 14, thereby eliminating a rattling noise.

[0055] Especially, since the portion where an elastic force of the elastic member 21 is applied to the comb attachment 5 approximately perpendicular to the moving direction of the comb attachment 5 is located on the opposite side with respect to the connecting portion where the cylindrical comb attachment 5 and the main body 1 are engaged (i.e., the connecting portion where the engager portion 27 of the comb attachment 5 is engaged with the engaging hook 6c of the connecting member 6 disposed in the main body 1), the elastic pressing on the comb attachment also serves to eliminate the rattling in the connecting portion between the cylindrical comb attachment 5 and the main body 1. Further, even if the corresponding connecting portion is loosely sized, it is possible to prevent its rattling as well, therefore its rattling noise.

[0056] A step-by-step use of the hair trimmer A having the aforementioned comb attachment 5 movably disposed will be described in detail hereinafter.

[0057] Namely, while holding the main body 1 with one hand, the trim length is adjusted by turning the rotary dial 7 so that the comb attachment 5 would move in the projected direction of the cutter block 4. By turning on the operation switch, the movable blade 3 would start to reciprocate, and hair or bear brought in through the slits between the comb-shaped section 26 of the comb attachment 5 is cut by the stationary blade 2 and the movable blade 3 at desired trim length. In this case, as discussed above regarding the present invention, since the operation switch 8 is disposed over the rotary dial 7 at the same place on the main body 1, when cutting hair or beard while grabbing the main body 1 with the hand, the operation switch 8 and the rotary dial 7 can be controlled with the same hand holding the trimmer's main body without switching hands. Therefore, the manipulability of the hair trimmer is enhanced.

[0058] In this case, as in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, along the lengthwise direction of the main body 1, a neck portion 9 having a narrow width between both sides is formed, and the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 are disposed on a side perpendicular to the both sides of the corresponding neck portion. Therefore, when the main body 1 which is to be hand held is grabbed by the hand, the main body 1 would be grabbed in a manner such that the thumb and the index finger would be placed on the neck portion 9, and the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 can be reached by the tip of the thumb while holding the main body 1. Accordingly, a user can easily operate the rotary dial 7 and the operation switch 8 without switching hands.

[0059] In order to operate the operation switch 8 while holding the main body 1 with one hand, the hair trimmer can be turned on and off only by sliding the thumb in the lengthwise direction of the main body 1 without switching hands while pressing on the surface of the operation switch 8. Further, in order to operate the rotary dial 7 while holding the main body 1 with one hand, by turning the exposed part of the rotary dial 7 from the operation switch 8, a desired trim length adjustment can be obtained simply by shifting the rotary dial 7 with the thumb without switching hands, thereby moving the comb attachment 5.

[0060] Since a part of the rotary dial 7 is exposed from the side of the operation switch 8 as shown in the embodiment in the accompanying drawings, when the exposed part of the rotary dial 7 projecting from the side of the operation switch 8, is changed with the fingers, the rotary dial 7 is easily turned without disturbing the operation switch 8 thereby further enhancing the manipulability of the hair trimmer. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the operation switch 8 has a V-shape in which the width becomes narrower from one side to its opposite side while the apex portion having the narrowest width is oriented away from the cutter block 4, so that the rotary dial 7 is exposed from the operation switch 8 at the portion where the width gets narrower. Therefore, when the rotary dial 7 is turned while the main body 1 is held the hand, a user can easily shift the rotary dial 7 without disturbing the operation switch 8.

[0061] Further, in accordance with the above embodiment, on the surface of the operation switch 8 or along the outer circumference of the rotary dial 7, one or more recesses or protrusions are formed for better finger grip so that the tip of a finger comfortably fits within such features to control the subject control elements. Another approach is possible such as covering the surface of the subject control elements where fingers would contact with a material such as rubber having a high frictional coefficient. In this case, the surface of the rotary dial or the operation switch can also be covered with a material such as rubber in addition to forming one or more recesses or protrusions for better finger grip.

[0062] However, when a user turns the rotary dial 7, it causes a change in the relatively meshed section between the interlocking gear wheel 7c and the rack gear portion 6a of the connecting member 6, thereby moving the connecting member 6 and shifting the comb attachment 5 in stages. In this case, when the comb attachment 5 is moved in stages, since the click gear 7d and the push protrusion portion 16a of the click spring 16 stay interlocked at different shifting stages, each shifting position can be maintained. Further, when shifting the trim length by turning the rotary dial 7 to adjust the position of the comb attachment 5, a user would notice a clicking sensation accompanied by a clicking sound, thereby the trim length can be adjusted with confidence. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the control-step marks 35 such as scales or numbers to indicate different trim length levels corresponding to various cutting lengths is displayed thorough the window portion 32, so that the trim length levels can be checked by looking at the displayed mark.

[0063] With the present invention, since the operation switch and the rotary dial are disposed on the same location one overlapping the other, when trimming hair or beard while holding the hair trimmer, the reaching distance necessary for the fingers of the holding hand is therefore shortened so that the rotary dial and the operation switch can be controlled without switching hands, thereby improving the manipulability of the hair trimmer. Further, given that the subject control elements, namely, the rotary dial and the operation switches are disposed on the same place, the overall length of the hair trimmer can be shortened compared to a hair trimmer having the rotary dial and the operation switch at different locations along the length of the hair trimmer's main body, ultimately making the overall size of the hair trimmer smaller.

[0064] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.