Beard trimmer with suspension system for the cutting unit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a beard trimmer with a handle and a motorized cutting unit having a cutting head and a motor. The motorized cutting unit is attached to a cylindrical movable unit that slides in a complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle or forming the handle. A resilient means is positioned behind the movable unit. This resilient means is adapted to dampen the pressure of the motorized cutting unit on the skin during use and to create a return force. This return force allows the movable unit to return to its equilibrium position after having released the pressure of the motorized cutting unit on the skin.

Claims

1. A beard trimmer (1), comprising: a handle (2); and a motorized cutting unit (3) comprising a cutting head (5) and a motor (4), wherein the motorized cutting unit is configured to apply a pressure on a skin of a user during use; wherein the motorized cutting unit (3) is attached to a cylindrical movable unit (6) that slides in a complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle (2) or forming the handle (2); and wherein a resilient means (8) is positioned behind the movable unit (6) and configured to damp the pressure of the motorized cutting unit (3) on the skin during use and to create a return force allowing the movable unit (6) to return to its equilibrium position after having released the pressure of the motorized cutting unit (3) on the skin.

2. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means (8) is a spring or a piston.

3. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the motorized cutting unit comprises a sliding axis (12) and the resilient means (8) comprises a movement axis (12); wherein the motorized cutting unit (3) and the resilient means (8) are aligned, the sliding axis (12) of the motorized cutting unit (3) and the movement axis (12) of the resilient means (8) being identical.

4. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stroke of the resilient means (8) and the distance of movement of the movable unit (6) is between 10 and 30 mm.

5. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein a damping force of the resilient means (8) is configured to vary between 120 and 500 g.

6. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stop element (9) configured to keep the movable unit (6) in the handle (2) when the stroke of the resilient means (8) is maximal.

7. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable unit (6) comprises a compression stop (14) configured to come into contact with the handle (2) when the stroke of the resilient means (8) is minimal.

8. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 7, wherein the compression stop (14) is a semi-annular surface coinciding with the complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle (2) or forming the handle (2).

9. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cutting head (5) is configured to be removable to allow cleaning.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows an example of a beard trimmer according to the disclosure in three dimensions and with the cutting unit in the idle position, namely when the stroke of the resilient means is maximal and the movable unit is in a forward position (that is, when it is maximally deployed from the handle). It is the action of the user pressing the trimmer on the skin which exerts pressure on the resilient means and which pushes the movable unit with the motor and the cutting unit toward the inside of the handle. Without pressure, the spring always brings the cutting unit back into its initial idle position.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the beard trimmer of FIG. 1, with a part of the handle removed so as to show the elements inside the trimmer. In this case, the stroke of the spring is maximal, and pushes the movable unit partially outside the handle.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the beard trimmer of FIG. 1, but this time with a minimal stroke of the spring. The latter is squeezed by the movable unit (when the user pushes the cutting unit on the skin).

(4) FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a beard trimmer according to the disclosure, the stroke of the spring being maximal because the movable unit is maximally deployed out of the handle.

(5) FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the cutting head and the movable unit of the trimmer according to the disclosure.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of an example beard trimmer according to the disclosure, the cutting unit being in the idle position, with part of the handle removed so as to illustrate the power cable of the motor, wound inside the spring, as well as the stop element of the movable unit.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of an example beard trimmer according to the disclosure, the cutting unit being in the idle position, with the stop visibly shown even though it is normally only partially visible.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES OF THE FIGURES

(8) 1. Beard trimmer or trimmer 2. Handle 3. Motorized cutting unit 4. Motor 5. Cutting head 6. Movable unit 7. Protective cover 8. Spring (resilient means) 9. Stop element of the motorized cutting unit 10. Electronic system of the trimmer and battery 11. Power cable of the motor, wound inside the spring 12. Alignment axis of the movable unit and the resilient means 14. Compression stop

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The present disclosure discloses a beard trimmer 1 with a handle 2 and a motorized cutting unit 3. The motorized cutting unit, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a cutting head 5 as well as a motor 4 (see FIG. 4). The cutting unit is attached to a substantially cylindrical movable unit 6, sliding in a complementary, substantially cylindrical shape located inside the handle, thereby allowing the movement of the motorized cutting unit. The movable unit consists of a shell surrounding the motor and part of the cutting unit, the shape of which is complementary to the inner shape of the handle to allow interlocking thereof. Owing to this movable unit, the sliding within the partially hollow handle is done easily, without requiring movable parts outside the handle, which could make the trimmer bulky and cause dirt accumulation, thus rendering cleaning complicated.

(10) In the context of the present disclosure, the trimmer comprises a suspension means for the cutting unit. Indeed, a resilient means 8 is positioned in the handle, behind the movable unit so as to damp the pressure of the motorized cutting unit on the skin. This resilient means is preferably a spring, as shown in the figures, but may also be any other resilient means such as a piston, for example. When the user places the cutting head of the trimmer in contact with the skin, pressure is exerted on the cutting head. This pressure is transmitted to the movable unit, which comprises, as explained previously, the cutting unit and the motor, and which will slide inside the handle while pressing on the resilient means. Depending on the pressure applied by the user on the skin, the movable unit will more or less press on the resilient means, performing to-and-fro movements during trimming of the beard owing to the telescoping interlocking of the movable unit in the handle. This resilient means then allows compensation for the user's movements, which may be too abrupt, jerky or violent. The suspension system therefore makes it possible firstly to soften the user's movements to make the sensation more pleasant, and also to obtain a more uniform cutting length. Indeed, when the user exerts excessive pressure on the skin, the blades of the cutting head are closer to the skin, resulting in a shorter cutting length. It should be noted that a beard trimmer is difficult to handle due to the different angles of the face and that maintaining the same pressure all throughout shaving is not easy for the user.

(11) FIG. 2 illustrates the trimmer with the movable unit in the idle position. In this case, the stroke of the spring is maximal since the cutting head is not experiencing any pressure. The movable unit is in a forward position (that is, it is maximally deployed from the handle). The trimmer comprises at least one stop element 9 to block the movable unit when the stroke of the resilient means is maximal (see FIG. 6). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the latter is in the form of a pin provided on the movable unit and coinciding with a complementary slot provided in the handle. In this way, the movable unit is blocked by the pin located at the bottom of the slot when the stroke of the spring is maximal, thereby preventing the movable unit from completely leaving the handle. This stop element may assume any other form, as long as it makes it possible to retain the movable unit inside the handle when the stroke of the spring is maximal (for example, in the form of an annular or semi-annular stop).

(12) FIG. 3 illustrates the trimmer with the spring shown according to a minimal stroke, the latter being squeezed by the movable unit due to the pressure exerted on the cutting head. FIG. 7 shows an example compression stop 14 located on the movable unit, the latter being visibly shown. In this case the compression stop is a semi-annular surface, located on the perimeter of the movable unit and is in fact only partially visible when the cutting unit is in the idle position. This compression stop may assume any other form. It allows blocking of the handle by compression, when the spring is compressed by the movable unit when pressure is exerted on the cutting head. The handle therefore comes into contact with this compression stop, which, in the case shown, coincides with the cylindrical shape located inside the handle or forming the handle.

(13) The stroke of the resilient means, and therefore the distance of movement of the movable unit toward the inside of the handle, is preferably between 10 and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 and 25 mm, and is still more preferably 20 mm.

(14) The aim of the beard trimmer according to the disclosure is also to provide the user with a device having a compact and lightweight cutting unit that makes it possible to trim the most difficult-to-access locations of the face and which at the same time allows great freedom of movement. To achieve this aim, the inventor has considerably simplified the suspension system. The motorized cutting unit and the resilient means are aligned, as shown in FIG. 4. The sliding axis of the movable unit and the movement axis of the resilient means are parallel and preferably even identical (axis 12). Simplifying the suspension means of the cutting head makes it possible to limit the bulk around the cutting head and to have an ergonomic handle.

(15) The cutting head is made easier to clean owing to the fact that the cutting unit is located further from the handle when it is idle, since it is pushed by the resilient means. It can therefore be placed under water more easily without getting the rest of the trimmer wet. However, it is preferable for the cutting head to be removable, so as to be detached from the rest of the trimmer to allow more effective cleaning. The trimmer also comprises a protective cover 7 to protect the motor unit and limit the deposit of hairs on the movable unit, and therefore the motor unit.

(16) According to the disclosure, the trimmer may also comprise means for adjusting the damping force of the resilient means 8 (not shown). It may for example be a knob on the handle of the trimmer that can be actuated by the user so as to modify the stroke of the resilient means to modify the damping force. This allows the user to choose the damping force that is best suited for the type of beard trimming being performed. Setting a small damping stroke will increase the force necessary to damp the contact with the skin, and setting a large damping stroke will make the trimmer much more pressure-sensitive.

(17) According to another aspect of the disclosure, the trimmer is equipped with a mechanism for blocking the cutting unit in at least one fixed position. The user can thus block the cutting head at a certain distance from the handle if they temporarily wish to no longer use the suspension function of the trimmer.

(18) The trimmer according to the present disclosure can comprise a rechargeable battery 10, as shown in the figures. The trimmer can be used wirelessly in this way. The trimmer can also be designed to operate only plugged in with a power cable, or can be provided with a combination of both power modes (plugged in or battery-operated). The power supply of the motor is done by an electrical wire 11 connecting it to the electronic system and to the battery 10 of the trimmer. The wire 11 is wound (for example inside the spring 8 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), so as to absorb the movements of the movable unit 6.