Adjustable comb assembly for hair cutting appliance

[0001] The field of the present disclosure relates generally to an adjustable comb assembly for a hair cutting appliance, such as those used for hair trimming, clipping and shaving.

[0002] Electric hair cutting appliances come in a number of different types depending on the intended use of the appliance, such as for trimming facial or body hair, clipping the hair on one's head or on a pet, or for shaving facial or body hair. Such hair cutting appliances typically have at least one stationary blade and at least one reciprocating blade. Each of the blades includes a plurality of shearing teeth defining a cutting edge margin. The shearing teeth of the reciprocating blade overlie, in face-to-face contact with, the shearing teeth of the stationary blade. The reciprocating blade is operatively connected to an eccentric drive assembly such that rotation of the drive assembly linearly reciprocates the reciprocating blade relative to the stationary blade so that the shearing teeth of the reciprocating blade reciprocate across the shearing teeth of the stationary blade, thereby producing shearing action between the reciprocating blade teeth and the stationary blade teeth.

[0003] Some hair cutting appliances include at least one comb, also known as a guard. The comb includes a plurality of teeth that are positioned generally adjacent to the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance. In use, the hair cutting appliance is positioned so that the comb is in contact with the subject's skin, and the hair cutting appliance is moved relative to the hair so that the comb remains in contact with the subject's skin. As the hair cutting appliance is moved, the comb directs the hair toward the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance. The comb is configured to maintain the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance at a selected distance from the subject's skin so that the comb, in effect, regulates the length of hair cut by the hair cutting appliance to facilitate cutting the hair to a desired length.

[0004] In one example of a hair cutting appliance, a plurality of interchangeable combs are provided to allow hair to be cut to different haircut lengths. In effect, each comb corresponds to one of a variety of different haircut lengths. Each comb is removably and repeatedly attachable to the hair cutting appliance. Thus, in this type of hair cutting appliance, the user must chose a haircut length from a plurality of discrete, preselected haircut lengths, and then the user must locate the appropriate comb that corresponds to the selected haircut length and attach the selected comb to the hair cutting appliance.

[0005] In another example, the comb is adjustable to different haircut length positions such that a single comb facilitates cutting hair to different haircut lengths. In such an example, the comb is selectively movable, relative to the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance, to a discrete, preselected number of haircut length positions to facilitate cutting hair to a discrete, preselected number of haircut lengths. The user can only cut hair to one of these discrete, preselected haircut lengths. Thus, the functionality of the hair cutting appliance is inherently limiting, much like the type of hair cutting appliance that includes a plurality of different combs.

[0006] In one aspect, an adjustable comb assembly, which is attachable to an electric hair cutting appliance of the type including opposing cutting blades defining a cutting edge margin for cutting hair, generally comprises a plurality of teeth for regulating a haircut length resulting from the hair being cut by the cutting edge margin of the electric hair cutting appliance. When the adjustable comb assembly is attached to the electric hair cutting appliance, the teeth are selectively movable relative to the cutting edge of the electric hair cutting appliance to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut length positions within a range from a maximum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a maximum haircut length, to a minimum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a minimum haircut length, to thereby allow selective adjustment of the haircut length to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut lengths within a range from the maximum haircut length to the minimum haircut length.

[0007] In another aspect, an adjustable comb assembly, which is attachable to an electric hair cutting appliance of the type including opposing cutting blades defining a cutting edge margin for cutting hair, generally comprises a plurality of teeth for regulating a haircut length resulting from the hair being cut by the cutting edge margin of the electric hair cutting appliance. When the adjustable comb assembly is attached to the electric hair cutting appliance, the teeth are selectively movable relative to the cutting edge of the electric hair cutting appliance to any one of a plurality of haircut length positions within a range from a maximum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a maximum haircut length, to a minimum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a minimum haircut length, to thereby allow selective adjustment of the haircut length to any one of a plurality of different haircut lengths within a range from the maximum haircut length to the minimum haircut length. A drive assembly for selectively moving the teeth to the any one of the plurality of different haircut length positions within the range from the maximum haircut length position to the minimum haircut length position includes a rack-and-pinion transmission operatively coupled to the teeth. The pinion of the rack-and-opinion transmission includes a worm screw.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a hair cutting appliance for cutting hair to a selected haircut length generally comprises a housing having a hair cutting end margin, and an electric motor disposed within the housing. At least two opposing cutting blades at the hair cutting end of the housing together define a cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance. At least one of the cutting blades is operatively coupled to the electric motor and is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to the other cutting blade for cutting hair at the cutting edge margin. An adjustable comb assembly of the hair cutting appliance includes a plurality of teeth for regulating a haircut length resulting from the hair being cut by the cutting edge margin of the electric hair cutting appliance. When the adjustable comb assembly is attached to the electric hair cutting appliance, the teeth are selectively movable relative to the cutting edge of the electric hair cutting appliance to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut length positions within a range from a maximum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a maximum haircut length, to a minimum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a minimum haircut length, to thereby allow selective adjustment of the haircut length to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut lengths within a range from the maximum haircut length to the minimum haircut length. A drive assembly of the hair cutting appliance, for selectively moving the teeth to said any one of the substantially infinite number of different haircut length positions within the range from the maximum haircut length position to the minimum haircut length position, includes a rack-and-pinion transmission operatively coupled to the teeth, wherein the pinion of the rack-and-opinion transmission includes a worm screw.

[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Terms used herein to describe relative positions of surfaces, structures, and components of the adjustable comb assembly are in accordance with the orientation of the adjustable comb assembly as illustrated in FIG. 4; these terms are non-limiting and used herein for descriptive purposes.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of an adjustable comb assembly is generally indicated at 8. The adjustable comb assembly 8 is suitable for use with a hair cutting appliance, generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, the illustrated adjustable comb assembly 8 is suitable for use with the hair cutting appliance 10 that is configured as a hair trimmer to trim facial or body hair, although the adjustable comb assembly may be suitable for use with an appliance that is particularly configured for use as a hair clipper for clipping the hair on one's head or on a pet, or a shaver for shaving facial or body hair. The adjustable comb assembly 8 is configured for regulating a haircut length of hair that is cut by the hair cutting appliance 10. The illustrated adjustable comb assembly 8 is releasably attachable to the hair cutting appliance 10, although it is understood that the adjustable comb assembly 8 may be fixedly secured to (i.e., not removable from) and/or formed integrally with the hair cutting appliance without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0019] A more detailed description of the illustrated hair cutting appliance 10 is set forth below with the understanding that the adjustable comb assembly 8 may be used with other types of hair cutting appliances, having different configurations, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The hair cutting appliance 10 comprises a housing, indicated generally at 12, a blade head assembly, indicated generally at 14, configured for cutting hair, and a drive assembly, indicated generally at 16 (FIG. 2), at least in part within the housing for operating the blade head assembly. The blade head assembly 14 is secured to the housing 12 by fasteners 18, or in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0020] The illustrated housing 12, or a portion thereof, is suitably sized and shaped as a handle so that it is easily held in a user's hand. The housing 12 is elongate and is of two-piece construction including a base 20 and a cover 22 (see FIG. 1, the housing cover being removed in FIG. 2) affixed to the base to define an interior space of the housing. The illustrated housing base 20 and housing cover 22 may be constructed of a light-weight, rigid plastic, but it is contemplated that the base and/or cover could alternatively be made from other suitable materials. The housing 12 may be of another suitable construction and may be suitably shaped other than as illustrated.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the illustrated drive assembly 16 generally comprises an electric drive motor 24 and an eccentric drive, generally indicated at 26, rotatably driven by the motor. The drive motor 24 may be powered by one or more batteries B within the housing and/or by another suitable internal or external electrical power source. In the illustrated embodiment, the eccentric drive 26 comprises a drive cylinder 28 operatively connected to an output shaft 30 of the motor 24, and an eccentric pin 32 that extends longitudinally outward from the drive cylinder at a location offset from the rotational axis of the output shaft. The eccentric pin 32 is received in a slot 34 of a coupling 36 associated with the blade head assembly 14 for driving the blade head assembly. It is understood that the hair cutting appliance 10 may include an alternative suitable drive assembly for driving the blade head assembly 14 without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, the blade head assembly 14 generally comprises a blade 40 (broadly, a first blade) and a reciprocating blade 42 (broadly, a second blade). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade 40 is a stationary blade in that it remains stationary relative to the housing 12 during cutting operation of the appliance 10. It is understood, however, that the blade 40, along with the reciprocating blade 42, may reciprocate relative to the housing 12 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The stationary blade 40 and the reciprocating blade 42 each includes a plurality of shearing teeth 44, 46, respectively, adjacent a side of the corresponding blade. Together, the teeth 44, 36 define a cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance 10. The coupling 36 of the drive assembly 16 is secured to the reciprocating blade 42 for imparting reciprocating movement to the reciprocating blade.

[0023] The shearing teeth 46 of the reciprocating blade 42 are in face-to-face, sliding engagement with the shearing teeth 44 of the stationary blade 40 such that the shearing teeth of the reciprocating blade move across the shearing teeth of the stationary blade in a substantially linear cutting path (i.e., a straight cutting path). A blade clamping device, generally indicated at 50, holds the shearing teeth 46 of the reciprocating blade 42 in face-to-face, sliding engagement with the shearing teeth 44 of the stationary blade 40. The blade clamping device 50 generally comprises a clamping head 52 pivotally attached to a base 54 by a pair of arms 56, and a spring, generally indicated at 66, holding the clamping head in engagement with the reciprocating blade 42. The blades 40, 42 may be held in sliding engagement with one another in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that in other embodiments, the shearing teeth 46 of the reciprocating blade 42 may move across the shearing teeth of the stationary blade 40 in a suitable cutting path that is not linear without departing from the scope of the present invention. Both the stationary blade 40 and the reciprocating blade 42 may be constructed from metal, such as stainless steel, although it is understood that one or each of the blades 40, 42 may be constructed from other types of material, such as ceramic.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the illustrated adjustable comb assembly 8 comprises a body, generally indicated at 58, a plurality of movable teeth 60, and a drive assembly, generally indicated at 64, for selectively moving the teeth relative to the body to a desired haircut length position, as explained in more detail below. The body 58 includes an upper casing, generally indicated at 58a, and a lower plate, generally indicated at 58b, secured to the upper casing to enclose the drive assembly 64 in the body. The body 58 has a generally low profile with opposite front and rear ends 66a, 66b, respectively, opposite left and right sides, 68a, 68b, respectively, and opposite upper and lower faces 70a, 70b, respectively. A pair of fixed side guards 71 extend generally forward from the opposite left and right sides 68a, 68b of the body 58. The side guards 71 cover the sides of the blades 40, 42 at the cutting edge margin when the comb assembly 8 is attached to the hair cutting appliance 10.

[0025] An attachment component, in the form of left and right tabs 72 depending from respective sides 68a, 68b of the comb assembly body 58, is used to removably and repeatedly attach the comb assembly 8 to the hair cutting appliance 10, and more particularly, to the blade head assembly 14. The tabs 72 are resiliently deflectable in a direction laterally outward from the body 58 and have openings 74 that receive rigid hook members 76 on the housing 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) when the comb assembly 8 is positioned on the blade head assembly 14. The comb assembly 8 is removable from the blade head assembly 14 by resiliently deflecting the tabs 72 such that the hook members are withdrawn from the openings 74. Other ways of making the adjustable comb assembly 8 removably and repeatedly attachable to the hair cutting appliance 10 do not depart from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as set forth above, the adjustable comb assembly 8 may be fixedly secured to (i.e., not removable from) and/or formed integrally with the hair cutting appliance without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026] When the comb assembly 8 is attached to the hair cutting appliance 10, at least portions of the teeth 60 are positioned above the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 60 are generally in the form of spaced apart teeth having lengths extending outward from the front end 66a of the body 58 in a direction generally parallel to the upper and lower faces 70a, 70b. The teeth 60 are generally uniform in size and shape and taper along their respective lengths toward free ends 60a of the teeth. As explained in more detail below, the teeth 60 are movable, as a unit, generally within a displacement plane extending forward from the front end 66a of the body 58 and generally parallel to the shearing teeth 44, 46 of the blades 40, 42. It is understood, however, that the adjustable comb assembly 8 may be configured such that the teeth 60 are movable, as a unit, within a plane extending generally upward from the upper face 70a and generally orthogonal to the shearing teeth 44, 46, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive assembly 64 allows a user to selectively position the teeth 60 relative to the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance 10 in any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut length positions within a range from a maximum haircut length position, which facilitates cutting hair to a maximum haircut length, to the minimum haircut length position, which facilitates cutting hair to a minimum haircut length. Through this configuration, the haircut length may be selectively adjustable to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut lengths within a range from the maximum haircut length to the minimum haircut length. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the teeth 60 may be positioned in any one of a plurality of discrete haircut length positions from the maximum haircut length position to the minimum haircut length position, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 60 are positioned in the maximum haircut length position when the free ends 60a of the teeth are spaced a maximum laterally outward distance from the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance 10. Likewise, the teeth 60 are positioned in the minimum haircut length position when the free ends 60a of the teeth are spaced a minimum laterally outward distance from the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance 10. Other configurations do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] As set forth above, the drive assembly 64 is adapted to allow selective movement of the teeth 60 relative to the body 58 to a desired haircut length position. Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the illustrated drive assembly 64 is manually operated and includes a manually operable actuator 80, in the form of a knob, on the upper face 70a of the body 58 of the comb assembly 8. The knob 80 (broadly, a drive actuator) is rotatably secured to the body 58 and is sized and shaped for rotation by a hand of a user. As explained in more detail below, rotation of the knob 80 imparts linear movement of the teeth 60 within the displacement plane to position the teeth in the selected haircut length position. More specifically, the drive assembly 64 facilitates both forward and rearward movement of the teeth 60 relative to the body 58 and the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance. The drive assembly 64 may include a different drive actuator, other than the illustrated rotatable knob 80, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the drive assembly 64 may be operated automatically, such as by a motor or other device, rather than manually.

[0029] The rotatable knob 80 is operably coupled to an input member 84, which in the illustrated embodiment, is in the form of a crown gear (also known as a contrate gear). In the illustrated embodiment, the crown gear 84 is fixedly secured to the rotatable knob 80, and may be formed integrally therewith, such that the crown gear 84 rotates with the knob. The crown gear 84 operatively engages a spur gear 86 such that rotation of the crown gear 84 imparts rotation to the spur gear 86. The spur gear 86 is fixedly secured to, and may be formed integrally with, a worm screw 90, such that rotation of the spur gear imparts axial rotation to the worm screw. In turn, the worm screw 90 operatively engages a rack gear, generally indicated at 91. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack gear 91 comprising opposing sets of linear rack teeth 92. The worm screw 90 is disposed between the sets of linear rack teeth 92, and in engagement therewith, such that rotation of the worm screw about its axis imparts linear movement of the rack gear 91. The rack gear 91 is telescopingly secured inside the body 58 such that the rack gear translates within the displacement plane. In particular, the body 58 includes ribs 94 on the lower plate 58b which define a track on which the rack gear 92 slides. The ribs 94 are received in grooves 96 on the underside of the rack gear 91. The rack gear 91 slides along the ribs 94, and the ribs inhibit the rack gear from laterally deviating from the displacement plane. Stops 98 on the underside of the rack gear 91 limit the displacement of the rack gear relative to the body 58 of the comb assembly 8 so that the rack gear does not disengage the worm screw 90 and become detached from the body. The teeth 60 are fixedly secured to an end of the rack 91 that extends outside the body 58, generally adjacent to the front end 66a of the body, such that the teeth translate with the rack gear. The driving assembly 64 may be of other configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] Together, the worm screw 90 and the rack gear 91 form a rack-and-pinion transmission (broadly, a linear actuator) for converting rotational movement of the input crown gear 84 into linear movement of the teeth 60. In one embodiment, the worm screw 90 and the rack gear 91 are configured such that the rack-and-pinion transmission is self-locking. In other words, the rack-and-pinion transmission is irreversible, where the worm screw 90 can drive the rack gear 91, but the rack gear cannot drive the worm screw. In one example, the rack-and-pinion transmission is self-locking where the worm screw 90 and the rack gear 91 are configured so that the lead angle of the worm screw is less than the friction angle, and as a consequence, the efficiency for reversed driving is zero. Because the rack-and-pinion transmission is self-locking, the position of the teeth 60 are substantially maintained in the selected haircut length position until the knob 80 is rotated to move the teeth either forward or rearward relative to the body 58 and the cutting edge margin of the hair cutting appliance 10. Thus, the teeth 60 will remain substantially in the selected haircut position even if forces are applied to the teeth during use of the hair cutting appliance 10. The driving assembly 64 may have a different suitable type of, or a different suitable configuration for, the linear actuator. It is also understood that the driving assembly 64 may not include a linear actuator and remain within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, in addition to or in replace of the self-locking linear actuator, the comb assembly 8 may include a locking mechanism for selectively locking the haircut length position of the teeth 60, and requiring the locking mechanism to be unlocked before the haircut length position of the teeth can be adjusted.

[0031] As disclosed above, the illustrated comb assembly 8 allows a user to selectively adjust the haircut length to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut lengths within a range from the maximum haircut length to the minimum haircut length. Thus, the user can select substantially any haircut length within the range defined by the maximum and minimum haircut length. In one example, the comb assembly 8 may be configured to facilitate a maximum haircut length from about 4.0 mm to about 7.0 mm, more specifically, from about 4.5 mm to about 6.5 mm, or from about 5.0 mm to about 6.0 mm, or to about 5.5 mm. In this same example, the comb assembly 8 may be configured to facilitate a minimum haircut length from about 0.0 mm to about 1.0 mm, and more specifically, from about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm, or from about 0.3 mm to about 0.6 mm, or to about 0.4 mm. Any combinations of the maximum haircut length ranges and the minimum haircut length ranges are possible. In a suitable example, the maximum haircut length may be about 5.5 mm and the minimum haircut length may be about 0.4 mm. This exemplary haircut length range (i.e., 5.5 mm to 0.4 mm) may be particularly suitable for a facial hair trimmer, such as the illustrated hair cutting appliance 10. Other haircut length ranges do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the illustrated comb assembly 8 also includes haircut length indicia, generally indicated at 100, for indicating some of the infinite number of haircut length positions of the teeth 60. The haircut length indicia 100 can be used to select a desired haircut length and/or to approximate the desired haircut length. In the illustrated embodiment, the haircut length indicia 100 are on the rack gear 91 or some component that moves with the rack gear. In particular, the haircut length indicia are on an upper surface of a portion of the rack gear 91 that is extendable outside the body 58 of the comb assembly 8. The haircut length indicia 100 are in the form of a sliding scale having numerical intervals of the selectable haircut lengths. As the rack gear 91 is moved out of the body 58, the numerals and associated lines corresponding to the haircut length positions of the teeth are exposed and viewable by the user. Other ways of indicating the haircut length position of the teeth 60 do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] When introducing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0034] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.