Hair trimming device

Abstract

A manually operated hair trimming device having a barrel which is rolled over hair to be trimmed. The barrel has at least one aperture through which hair is able to protrude. The device has a first cutting blade provided inside the barrel and a second cutting blade is associated with the barrel. In use, as the barrel is rolled over hair to be trimmed, hair protrudes through the at least one aperture and is cut by a shearing force between relatively moving first and second cutting blades.

Claims

1. A manually operable hair trimming device comprises: a barrel which is rolled over hair to be trimmed, the barrel has at least one aperture; a first cutting blade provided inside the barrel; a second cutting blade associated with the barrel; and a guide comprising raised parts arranged to space an outer contact surface of the barrel from a user's skin; whereby in use, as the barrel is rolled over the hair to be trimmed, hair protrudes through the at least one aperture and is cut at a cutting point by a shearing force between relative movement of the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade; wherein at least part of the barrel has a comb that overhangs the second cutting blade so as to direct hair and space the cutting point from the user's skin.

2. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein an edge of the at least one aperture on the barrel defines the second cutting blade.

3. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein the second cutting blade is arranged on an inner face of the barrel.

4. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein the comb is provided on an edge of the at least one aperture, the comb being circumferentially offset from the second cutting blade so that the comb directs hair to the cutting point.

5. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the barrel is spaced radially from the cutting point by at least 1 mm.

6. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein the raised parts are nodes that are resiliently deformable.

7. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are shaped and tapered in opposite directions so as to define scissoring edges.

8. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 wherein the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are formed from stainless steel.

9. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one end cap.

10. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 9 wherein the at least one end cap is removable so as to enable removal of cut hair.

11. A manually operable hair trimming device comprises: a barrel with at least one aperture through which hair to be trimmed protrudes; a first cutting blade provided inside the barrel; a second cutting blade associated with the barrel; and a guide comprising raised parts arranged to space an outer contact surface of the barrel from a user's skin; whereby in use, as the device is rolled over the hair to be trimmed, hair protrudes through the at least one aperture and is cut at a cutting point by a shearing force between relative movement of the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade; wherein at least part of the barrel has a comb that overhangs the second cutting blade so as to direct hair and space the cutting point from the user's skin.

12. A manually operable hair trimming device comprising: a barrel which is rolled over hair to be trimmed, the barrel has at least one aperture; a first cutting blade provided inside the barrel; a second cutting blade associated with the barrel; and a sleeve fitted over the barrel, whereby in use, as the barrel and the sleeve are rolled in unison over the hair to be trimmed, hair protrudes through the at least one aperture and is cut at a cutting point by a shearing force between relative movement of the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade; wherein at least part of the barrel has a comb that overhangs the second cutting blade so as to direct hair and space the cutting point from a user's skin.

13. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 12 further comprising a cover which has at least one opening formed therein through which a protruding part of the sleeve protrudes.

14. The manually operable hair trimming device according to claim 13 wherein edges of at least one aperture in the cover are tooth or scallop shaped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3A shows an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4A shows a side view of the embodiment of the outer barrel shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B shows a view of the embodiment of the inner barrel shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the apertures of the embodiment of the outer barrel shown in FIG. 4A;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a partial isometric view of inner and outer barrels for a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of third embodiment of an inner barrel for use in a device according to the present invention, FIGS. 7B and 7C show a sectional view and a side view of the embodiment of the inner barrel as shown in FIG. 7A;

(8) FIG. 8A shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of an outer barrel for use in a device according to the present invention, FIGS. 8B and 8C show a sectional view and a side view of the embodiment of the outer barrel as shown in FIG. 8A;

(9) FIG. 9A shows an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of an outer barrel for use in a device according to the present invention;

(10) FIGS. 9B and 9C show a sectional view and a side view of the embodiment of the outer barrel as shown in FIG. 9A,

(11) FIG. 9D shows an isometric view of an embodiment of an inner barrel for use in a device according to the present invention;

(12) FIGS. 9e and 9f show a sectional view and a side view of the embodiment of the inner barrel as shown in FIG. 9D;

(13) FIG. 10 shows a sketch of an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

(14) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a detail of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use;

(15) FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the device;

(16) FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the sixth embodiment; and

(17) FIG. 14 shows an overview of the sixth embodiment with an end cap removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

(18) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown an embodiment of a manually operable hair trimming device 100 comprising a first inner cutting blade 2 and a barrel 1 associated with and comprising a plurality of second cutting blades 5.

(19) The barrel 1 is a hollow cylindrical body with a plurality of apertures 4 formed through its curved outer surface. The barrel 1 comprises longitudinal cylindrical cavity extending between the opposite planar faces of the barrel, within which the first cutting blade 2 is located. The apertures 4 formed through the barrel 1 connect the exterior of the barrel 1 to the cylindrical cavity within which the first cutting blade is located. The side walls of the apertures 4 are bevelled from larger openings on the exterior of the barrel 1 to narrower openings on the interior of the barrel. Edges of the apertures 4 comprised by the barrel 1 form the second cutting blades 5. The cutting edges of the second cutting blades 5 being defined by the boundaries between longitudinal side walls of the apertures 4 and the cylindrical wall of the interior or the barrel 1.

(20) The first cutting blade 2 is a hollow, substantially cylindrical body. A plurality of apertures 44 formed through the curved surface of the body, the edges of which define cutting edges of the first cutting blade 2. The first cutting blade 2 defines a second barrel that is arranged within the first barrel 1. The first cutting blade 2 is located within the cylindrical aperture formed through the barrel 1.

(21) The first cutting blade 2 has a greater length than the barrel 1 such that it extends from the ends of the barrel 1. In use, the ends of the first cutting blade 2 which extend from the barrel 1 may be held, for example by a user, such that as the barrel 1 is rolled over a surface, the barrel 1 is rotated around the first cutting blade 2. The first cutting blade 2 is therefore in the form of second barrel 2 has a plurality of apertures 44 whose edges define the blade 10.

(22) The first barrel 1 and the first cutting blade 2 are rotatable about a shared longitudinal axis A (see FIG. 3B), about which they are coaxial and concentric.

(23) The outer surface of the substantially cylindrical first cutting blade 2 being at a radius from the shared axis A approximately equal to, or slightly less than the radius of the inner surface of the barrel 1.

(24) The apertures 4, 44 of the barrel 1 and the first cutting blade 2 rotate with respect to each other around the shared axis A in use. The edges of the apertures 4, 44 intermittently align and pass each other during rotation to mutually provide a cutting point 3 at which the cutting edges of the second cutting blades 5 and first cutting blade 2 pass each other and perform a cut by shearing force.

(25) The barrel 1 has a curved cylindrical outer surface 99, the side walls of the apertures 4 being sloped such that the portions of the outer surface 99 between the apertures 4 are narrower than the portions of the interior cylindrical surface of the barrel 1 between the apertures 4. This ensures that the walls of the apertures 4 are bevelled and slope into the cutting edge of the second cutting blades 5 such that and the angle between the curved inner surface of the barrel 1 and the side wall of the apertures 4 at the cutting edge of the second cutting blades 5 are acute that may assist hair entry.

(26) In the illustrated embodiment, the barrel 1 and the barrel shaped first cutting blade 2 are formed from stainless steel. It is appreciated that other materials may be uses such as alternative metals, metal alloys or ceramics.

(27) The barrel 1 and barrel shaped first cutting blade 2 are concentric and closely fitted. Further embodiments may comprise first cutting blade 2 which is not barrel or cylindrical shaped, for example they may comprise a sprung and/or discontinuous and/or C-shaped first cutting blade 2.

(28) The first outer barrel 1 has a plurality of differently shaped apertures 4, these include a rectangular aperture 4A, hexagonal apertures 4B and trapezoid shaped apertures 4C. The apertures 4 are arranged in a tessellated pattern that covers the majority of the curved surface of the cylindrical barrel 1. Individual apertures are separated by portions of the barrel 1 which define the second cutting blades 2.

(29) The apertures 4, 4A, 4B, 4C of the first outer barrel 1 have bevelled edges that define the second cutting blades 5.

(30) Apertures 4B and 4C are arranged in a staggered honeycomb pattern around the majority of the outer surface 99 of the first barrel 1. The rectangular aperture 4A breaks this pattern and forms a slot, extending between opposite ends of the barrel, that may be used for lifting hair and cutting lifted hair.

(31) The hexagonal and trapeze shaped apertures 4B, 4C comprises bevelled sides and associated cutting edges which are parallel to the shared axis A, as well as bevelled sides and edges which are at acute/obtuse angles to the shared axis A. As these edges and cutting sides are not at right angles to the shared axis A, they advantageously provides effective side cutting points 3. The bevelled sides and edges at acute/obtuse angles to the shared axis A define zig-zag cutting edges around the ends of the barrel 1 and around the centre of the length of the barrel 1.

(32) The apertures 4 on the first outer barrel 1 are separated by 3 mm thick bevelled portions 8, 9 of the curved wall of the barrel, which define second cutting blades 5 (see FIG. 3B and FIG. 5).

(33) The hexagonal apertures 4B are approximately 9 mm in width, and have side walls bevelled at 45 degrees. The vertices of the hexagonal apertures 4B are at obtuse angles of 120 degrees.

(34) The first cutting blade 2 has diagonally arranged rectangular apertures 44, which extend helically about the second inner barrel 2 which defined the first cutting blade 2. The longer edges of the rectangular apertures 44 are at angles of 7 to 8 degrees to longitudinal axes of the substantially cylindrical first cutting blade 2, and the shorter edges of the rectangular apertures 44 are at angles of 82 to 83 degrees from longitudinal axes of the first cutting blade, such that the diagonal angle of the rectangular apertures 44 is between 7 and 8 degrees. A preferred range is between 8 and 20 degrees.

(35) FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic flat view of the barrel. FIG. 5 also represents an example of a planar sheet of stainless steel that is rolled to form the first outer barrel 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

(36) FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the hair trimming device 200. The second embodiment of the device 200 also has two barrels 20, 30 that have apertures 4, 44 that have edges that define the cutting blades.

(37) The outer barrel 20 is arranged concentrically around the inner barrel 30. In FIG. 6 the outer barrel 20 has rectangular slots 4 running in the same direction as the Axis A. The inner barrel 30 has rectangular apertures 44 that are arranged perpendicular to the apertures 4 on the outer barrel.

(38) Longitudinal bevelled edges of the elongate rectangular apertures 4 formed though the outer barrel define cutting edges of second cutting blades, and longitudinal bevelled edges of the rectangular apertures 44 formed through the inner barrel 30 define cutting edges of the first cutting blade.

(39) FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a hair trimming device in which the barrels described in FIG. 6 are reversed. Therefore, the smaller rectangular apertures 44 are provided on the outer barrel 20 and the elongate rectangular slots 4 are provided on the inner barrel 30.

(40) Therefore, the smaller rectangular apertures 44 define the second cutting blades and the elongate rectangular slots 4 define the first cutting blade.

(41) The inner barrel 30 has elongate rectangular apertures 4 defined and separated by runners 31 as shown in FIG. 7.

(42) Blades 32 are defined on both sides of the runners 31, as the runners 31 taper to a thinner inner surface, to a wider outer surface, thereby forming a sharpened edge between the tapered side wall of the slot 4 and the outer face of the inner barrel 30.

(43) In FIG. 8 the outer barrel 20 has a plurality of rectangular apertures 44 that run perpendicular to the axis A of the barrels 20, 30. Runners 21 and 23 separate and define the apertures 44. The runners 23 taper from a wider edge at the inner surface of the outer barrel 20, to a narrower face at the outer surface of the outer barrel, such that the associated side faces of the apertures 44 are bevelled to define cutting edges of the second cutting blades 22.

(44) The points at which the edges of the second cutting blades 22 and the first cutting blade 32 pass define the cutting points.

(45) In both the second and third embodiments the outer diameter of the inner barrel 30 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outer barrel 20, such that the barrels provide a close tolerance between them. The barrels 20, 30 engage at their ends so as to be in contact with one another at the ends in such a way as to permit rotation.

(46) FIGS. 9a to 9f disclose a fourth embodiment of the hair trimming device. Similarly to the second and third embodiment, the device has two concentric barrels 20, 30, however both barrels 20, 30 have elongate, rectangular slot apertures 4.

(47) The outer barrel 20 shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C comprises apertures 4 through the barrel walls between runners 23. The runners 23 taper from relatively wide inner faces to relatively narrow outer faces, thereby providing the blades 22 which comprise cutting edges between the sloped side walls of the apertures 4 and inner cylindrical wall of the outer barrel 20.

(48) In FIGS. 9D to 9F disclose the inner barrel 30 that also includes apertures through the barrel 30 walls defined between runners 31. The runners 31 taper from relatively wide outer faces to relatively narrow inner faces so as to define blades 32 with cutting edges between the sloped walls of the aperture and the outer faces of the runners 31 comprised by the outer cylindrical wall of the inner barrel 30.

(49) With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 there is shown a fifth embodiment of the invention. The outer surface 99 of the device 500 has a guide 70 that guides hair to the cutting points.

(50) The fifth embodiment has two barrels 1, 2, an inner barrel 2 that comprising the first cutting blade and an outer barrel 1.

(51) The inner barrel 2 is longer than the outer barrel 1, such that the barrels are enabled to slide axially in use. In this way, blocked hairs may advantageously be dislodged from between the barrels. This length differential may be reversed in other embodiments, such that the inner barrel 2 is shorter than the outer barrel 1.

(52) The barrels extend between distal end caps 72, provide a drive means to allow the user to hold the inner barrel 2 and to limit rotation as well as permitting a user to rotate the inner barrel 2 by adjusting their hand position, as the outer surface 99 rotates against the user's face and drives the outer barrel 1 to rotate.

(53) The outer barrel 1 comprises a drive ring 73, which enables the user to drive rotation of the outer barrel 1, by running the drive ring 73 against the user. This can enhance rotation by ensuring the outer barrel 1 rotates over uneven surfaces such as the face.

(54) The outer surface 99 is provided by a plurality of guide sections 70, which are comprised by mesh sections which are bonded to the outer surface of the outer barrel 1, between apertures 4.

(55) The pictured embodiment comprises a diagonal mesh guide 70, with fingers 69 which extend over the aperture 4. In this way hair is caught by the guide and guided to the cutting point 3. The guide 70 reduces the contact area between the outer barrel 1 and the face. Hair is held against the guide 70 as it is cut by at the cutting point 3, thereby reducing any pulling force of the hair from the face.

(56) The end caps 72 comprise lead screw threads 76, where a drive means, such as a series of gears, (not shown) arranged to drive a screw in the threads and rotate the inner barrel 2. The end caps further include holes 75, which may accept axially extending drive rods to aid in driving rotation of the inner barrel 2.

(57) One of the end caps 72 comprises a keyed perimeter 74 to further aid manual driving. The opposing end cap is smooth, to aid in manual driving of the outer barrel 1 using the proximate drive ring 73.

(58) In FIG. 10 the device 500 has resiliently deformable rubber O rings 71 at the ends of the barrels 1, 2 and between the end caps 72 and barrels 1, 2, which accept and limit axial movement.

(59) With reference to FIG. 11 the cutting point 3 is defined by the first cutting blade of the inner barrel 2 and the second cutting blade associated with the outer barrel 1. The second cutting blade 1A is arranged on an inner face of the outer barrel 1. Part of the outer barrel 1 overhangs the second cutting blade 1A to provide a comb 70 that overhangs the cutting blade 1A. The comb 70 forces the hair 80 to be bent across the blades 2, 1A to aid with cutting as well as providing a brace to the pulling forces involved in the cut.

(60) The outer face 99 of the outer barrel 1 has resiliently deformable nodes 90 located thereon that aid driving of the rotation of the outer barrel 1 through friction, as well as improve comfort in use.

(61) In some embodiments, the nodes 90 may be part of a sleeve arranged inside the outer barrel 1 that has nodes 90 that project through apertures in the outer barrel 1 (As shown in FIG. 13).

(62) FIGS. 12 to 14 show a sixth embodiment of the hair trimming device. Like references from other embodiments have been used where appropriate.

(63) The device 600 comprises a first cutting blade 2 arranged in the form of an innermost barrel, a second cutting blade 1A associated with an outer barrel 1, two end caps 72, a flexible sleeve 91 with nodes 90 and a cover 93. The first cutting blade 2, the outer barrel 1, the sleeve 91 and the cover 93 being substantially cylindrical, concentric and coaxial.

(64) The first cutting blade 2 is a barrel with elongate stadium-shaped apertures 44 arranged about a barrel wherein the aperture edges are bevelled to form cutting blades 2A.

(65) The second cutting blades 1A are defined by tapered runners between apertures 4 formed through the outer barrel 1. O-rings 71 are provided between the barrels 1, 2 and the end caps 72.

(66) A resiliently deformable sleeve 91 is arranged over the outer barrel 1. The sleeve 91 has apertures 444 that correspond with the apertures 4 of the outer barrel 1.

(67) The cover 93 has apertures 444A that correspond to apertures 4 and 444. The sleeve 91 and cover 93 are fixed to the outer barrel 1 and do not move independently of the barrel. Therefore, all three outermost cylinders 1, 91, 93 rotate about the first cutting blade 2 in unison as one part.

(68) The sleeve 91 has nodes 90 that project through openings 90A in the cover 93. Edges of the cover apertures 444A have a toothed or scalloped edge 94 that serves as a catch to help grab and direct hair to the cutting point.

(69) The apertures may be cut using a multi-axis laser tube cutting process at an acute angle off the radius on the inner barrel, and an obtuse angle off the radius on the outer barrel, so as to provide opposing bevel inclines and consequently blades for a scissor-action cutting point.

(70) The outer barrel 1 and the first cutting blade 2 may comprise stainless steel, another metal or metal alloy or ceramic material arranged such that the blades may be sharpened or sharp, and water impervious. Advantageously this enables the device to be used in a damp environment as well as a dry environment.

(71) The blades in the pictured embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9 run parallel the barrel axis blades.

(72) In some other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 the blades may be helically slanted, toothed or crossed. In this way, more effective shearing may be accomplished, and/or a continuous cut across the length of the device may be achieved during rotation.

(73) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.