Hair clipper with blade angle adjuster

Abstract

A hair clipper with blade angle adjuster is provided, comprising a clipper housing (12) defining a longitudinal axis and a cutting end (22), a clipper blade set (24) operably connected to the cutting end and including a fixed blade (26) and a moving blade (30) configured to laterally reciprocate relative to the fixed blade. A cam follower (44) is connected to the blade set (24) and associated with the clipper housing (12) for rotation about a rotational axis relative to the clipper housing, and a blade set angle controller (56) is associated with the clipper housing. A power transfer member (70) is associated with the clipper housing (12), connected to the cam follower (44), and constructed and arranged such that manipulation of the blade set angle controller by a user causes linear movement of the power transfer member and related angular movement of the blade set by rotation of the cam follower.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 991,381, filed March 18, 2020, pursuant to 35 USC 119(e), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to electric hair cutting appliances, namely hair clippers and hair trimmers, and more specifically to electric hair cutting appliances having a blade assembly pivotable relative to the clipper housing. Background Technology

[0004] Electric hair-cutting appliances, more specifically hair clippers and trimmers (collectively referred to herein as "hair clippers"), are well known in the art for cutting and styling hair, and also for trimming the edges of a person's hairline to obtain a relatively well-defined edge. Such devices are used by professional hairstylists and barbers, and also by consumers to trim their own hair or the hair of others.

[0005] A common drawback of traditional hair clippers is that when cutting a person's hair to achieve fine trimming or thinning, it is difficult for the hairstylist, whether professional or not, to see specific areas of the scalp being worked on. One attempt to avoid this visibility problem is to configure the working end of the hair clippers such that the blade assembly is movable relative to the clipper housing, the blade assembly including a fixed or anchored blade and a movable blade that reciprocates laterally relative to the anchored blade. Many variations of hair clippers with pivoting blade assemblies are known in the art.

[0006] However, the blade assembly of known hair clippers obscures the work area to such an extent that it is difficult for hairstylists to observe the work area and thus make it difficult to perform fine, detailed trimming.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved hair clipper that allows stylists to easily see the work area. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The hair clippers of the present invention, featuring a pivoting blade assembly for enhanced user visibility, meet or exceed the requirements listed above. In the clippers of the present invention, a blade assembly comprising a fixed blade and a laterally reciprocating movable blade is mounted on a cam follower associated with the clipper housing. The cam unit is rotatable under user control to provide various angular positions of the blade assembly relative to the clipper housing. Furthermore, the cam follower is adapted to a cam connected to a drive motor and configured to laterally reciprocate relative to the housing to cause a desired reciprocating movement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade. Additionally, user control of the selected blade assembly position is determined by user-actuated blade assembly angle controller on the clipper housing. Movement of the blade assembly from the blade assembly angle controller is achieved using an elongated power transmission member. In a preferred embodiment, the power transmission member is an elongated, generally planar strip.

[0009] The power transmission member is mounted to the lower side of the pusher housing, preferably to the upper portion of the housing, and is movable between a first stroke limit and a second stroke limit of the cam follower. Preferably, these limits are defined by the end of at least one elongated slot in the power transmission member, each slot receiving a corresponding retaining fastener fixed to the upper portion of the housing. Furthermore, the power transmission member is fixed to a blade assembly angle controller, and the free end of the power transmission member is fixed to the blade assembly, whose movable blades are connected to the cam follower for co-movement. Therefore, axial movement of the power transmission member causes the cam follower to rotate about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pusher housing. In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the power transmission member is reciprocating relative to the pusher housing.

[0010] Preferably, the power transmission member is constructed and arranged to provide at least one, preferably multiple, indexing angular positions for the blade assembly. Preferably, indexing is achieved using multiple complementary lugs and openings that define the position of the power transmission member relative to the push-shear housing. In the idle or operating position, the lugs engage in the corresponding openings to lock the blade assembly in a selected angular orientation relative to the push-shear housing. When the user wishes to change the angular orientation of the blade assembly, the user presses the blade assembly angle controller, thereby pressing the power transmission member and disengaging the lugs. The user then manipulates the blade assembly angle controller to move the power transmission member in the desired axial direction to achieve the next desired blade assembly angular orientation. Once this position is reached, the user releases the previously applied downward pressure, causing the power transmission member to re-engage with the appropriate lugs on the housing member, thereby securing the blade assembly in the desired angular orientation.

[0011] More specifically, a hair clipper with a blade angle adjuster is provided, comprising a clipper housing defining a longitudinal axis and a cutting end, a clipper blade assembly operably connected to the cutting end and including a fixed blade and a movable blade configured to reciprocate laterally relative to the fixed blade. A cam follower is connected to the blade assembly and associated with the clipper housing for rotation about a rotational axis relative to the clipper housing, and a blade assembly angle controller is associated with the clipper housing. A power transmission member is associated with the clipper housing, connected to the cam follower, and configured and arranged such that user manipulation of the blade assembly angle controller causes linear movement of the power transmission member and a corresponding angular movement of the blade assembly through rotation of the cam follower.

[0012] In one embodiment, the axis of rotation is transverse to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the pusher also includes a drive system comprising a biasing cam operably connected to the cam follower for reciprocating movement of the moving blade relative to the fixed blade. In one embodiment, the cam follower is movable relative to the pusher housing along the axis of rotation in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the moving blade. Preferably, a blade assembly angle controller is associated with the upper portion of the pusher housing and is movable along and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] In one embodiment, the power transmission member is connected to the blade assembly at its free end and is slidably mounted to the pusher housing for movement along a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the power transmission member has an elongated slot defining a travel distance of the blade assembly from a first position to a second position. Furthermore, the power transmission member has multiple indexing positions arranged along the longitudinal axis, defined by an engagement between the power transmission member and the pusher housing, preferably utilizing multiple linearly spaced lugs and openings. In one embodiment, the lugs overhang from the underside of the upper portion of the pusher housing, and the openings are located on the power transmission member.

[0014] In one embodiment, the blade assembly angle controller is associated with the upper portion of the pusher housing, movable along and transversely to a longitudinal axis, and connected to a power transmission member for coordinated movement, such that linear movement of the blade assembly angle controller causes movement of the power transmission member. Furthermore, transverse movement of the blade assembly angle controller to the pusher housing causes the opening to disengage from the lug, thereby unlocking the selected angular position of the blade assembly.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the power transmission member relative to the push-shear housing is reciprocating, and the power transmission member is an elongated, generally planar strip.

[0016] In another embodiment, a hair clipper with a blade angle adjuster is provided, comprising: a clipper housing defining a longitudinal axis, a cutting end, and an upper housing portion; and a clipper blade assembly operably connected to the cutting end and including a fixed blade and a movable blade configured to laterally reciprocate relative to the fixed blade. A cam follower is connected to the blade assembly and associated with the clipper housing for rotation about a rotation axis relative to the clipper housing. A blade assembly angle controller is associated with the upper portion of the clipper housing. A power transmission member is associated with the clipper housing, connected to the cam follower, and configured and arranged such that user manipulation of the blade assembly angle control causes linear movement of the power transmission member and a corresponding angular movement of the blade assembly through rotation of the cam follower.

[0017] The power transmission member can be releasably locked relative to the upper portion of the pusher housing using multiple complementary lugs and openings, such that engagement of the lugs in the openings prevents longitudinal movement of the power transmission member. A blade assembly angle controller is movable along and transversely to the longitudinal axis and is connected to the power transmission member for coordinated movement, such that linear movement of the blade assembly angle controller causes movement of the power transmission member, and transverse movement of the blade assembly angle controller relative to the pusher housing causes disengagement of the openings from the lugs, thereby unlocking the selected angular position of the blade assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side perspective view of the hair clipper of the present invention located at the position of the first blade group;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side perspective view of the hair clipper of the present invention located at the position of the second blade group;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a bottom perspective view of the hair clippers of the present invention, in which some parts have been removed to increase visibility;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified side perspective view of the push-shear.

[0022] Figure 5 This is another bottom perspective view of the hair clippers of the present invention, wherein... Figure 3 In contrast, the additional portion was removed to enhance the visibility of the power transmission component and blade assembly orientation structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 Line 6-6 and the vertical section taken in the generally indicated direction; and

[0024] Figure 7 It is along Figure 2 Line 7-7 and the vertical section taken in the generally indicated direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Now refer to Figure 1-3 The hair clippers of the present invention are generally designated as 10 and include a clipper housing 12, which is preferably configured as two clamshell-shaped housing portions, an upper portion 14, and a lower portion 16. Although the upper portion 14 is the focus of this application, it should be understood that this discussion also applies to the lower portion 16. Among other things, the clipper housing 12 also surrounds a drive motor 18. Figure 3 ), electronic circuitry 20, and optional rechargeable battery 21, are all well-known to those skilled in the art. The housing 12 defines a longitudinal axis "L" ( Figure 5 It also has a shear end 22.

[0026] The hair clipper 10 includes a clipper blade assembly 24, which is operably connected to the cutting end 22 and consists of a fixed blade 26 having multiple fixed blade teeth 28 and opposing movable blades 30 having multiple movable blade teeth 32. When the movable blades 30 reciprocate laterally relative to the fixed blades 26, a cutting line 34 is formed by the engagement of the teeth 28 and 32. Figure 4 ).

[0027] Now refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The hair clipper 10 also includes a drive system 36, which comprises a drive motor 18 having a motor drive shaft 38 connected to an eccentric cam pin 40, such that rotational movement of the drive shaft is converted into linear movement, as is known in the art. A drive slot 42 in a cam follower 44 receives the cam pin 40. The connection between the cam follower 44 and the movable blade 30 causes the movable blade to reciprocate laterally relative to the fixed blade 26 to produce a cutting action, as is well known in the art. An on / off switch 46 is located on the clipper housing 12 and connected to a circuit 20 for controlling the drive motor 18. In a preferred embodiment, a fan 48 (also preferably part of the cam pin 40) is fastened to the motor drive shaft 38 to enhance ventilation within the housing 12 during hair clipper operation.

[0028] The cam follower 44 includes a pair of projecting short shafts 50, which define a rotational axis "R" transverse to the longitudinal axis "L" of the pusher housing 12. The short shafts 50 are loosely engaged in a bracket 52, which is preferably integral with the pusher housing 12, such that the cam follower 44 is pivotally engaged within the housing. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cam follower 44 engages with the blade guide 55 via threaded fasteners 54, etc. Figure 4The cam pin 40 is attached to the movable blade 30, causing both components to move together. When the motor drive shaft 38 rotates, the cam pin 40 engages the drive slot 42, causing the cam follower 44 and the movable blade 30 to move laterally in a reciprocating motion. A characteristic of the hair clipper 10 of the present invention is that the cam follower 44 also rotates relative to the clipper housing 12 about the rotation axis "R". Since the movable blade 30 is fixed to the cam follower 44, both the movable blade and the fixed blade 26 also rotate about the rotation axis "R".

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the hair clipper 10 of the present invention also includes a blade assembly angle controller 56, which is located in a control hole 58 in the clipper housing 12, and the controller is preferably associated with the upper portion 14. The size of the hole allows the blade assembly angle controller to move along the longitudinal axis "L" between a first end 60 closer to the blade assembly 24 and the opposite second end 62. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first end 60 is associated with the first blade assembly position 64, and the second end 62 is associated with the second blade assembly position 66. Although other angles may be conceived depending on the application, the first blade assembly position 64 defines an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis "L", and the second blade assembly position 66 defines an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis "L".

[0030] Now refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The power transmission member, generally designated 70 and associated with the pusher housing 12, is connected to a cam follower 44. The power transmission member is configured and arranged such that user manipulation of the blade assembly angle controller 56 causes linear movement of the power transmission member and associated angular movement of the blade assembly 24 via rotation of the cam follower about the axis of rotation “R.” Therefore, the movement of the power transmission member 70 relative to the pusher housing 12 is reciprocating. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the power transmission member 70 is an elongated, generally planar strip made of a flexible, self-supporting material, such as rigid plastic, metal, or the like.

[0031] Preferably, the free end 72 of the power transmission member 70 is connected to the blade assembly 24, for example, fastened to the fixed blade 26. Figure 4 As is well known in the field of hair clippers, the movable blade 30 is movably fixed to the fixed blade 26 so that the blades maintain a close sliding relationship with each other. Therefore, under the control of the user using the blade assembly angle controller 56, when the user operates the controller in the hole 58 and moves the power transmission member 70 longitudinally relative to the clipper housing 12, the blade assembly 24 rotates about the rotation axis "R".

[0032] More specifically, now refer to Figure 5 The power transmission member 70 has at least one, and preferably a pair, elongated slots 74 that define the travel distance of the blade assembly 24 from the first blade assembly position 64 to the second blade assembly position 66. While other dimensions may be considered, the travel distance of the slots 74 preferably corresponds to the travel distance of the blade assembly angle controller 56 in the control hole 58. The slidable connection between the power transmission member 70 and the lower side 76 of the upper portion 14 is preferably achieved using threaded fasteners 78 or the like. Once installed, the power transmission member 70 is tightly and slidably engaged with the lower side 76.

[0033] Another feature of the pusher shear 10 of the present invention is that the power transmission member 70 has multiple indexing positions arranged along the longitudinal axis "L", which results in multiple releasably lockable angular orientations of the blade assembly 24 relative to the pusher shear housing 12. In a preferred embodiment, the indexing positions are defined by engaging the power transmission member 70 to the pusher shear housing 12, particularly the lower side 76, using a plurality of complementary and linearly spaced lugs 80 and openings 82.

[0034] While opposite orientations are conceivable, in the preferred embodiment, lug 80 hangs from the lower side 76 of the upper portion 14 of the push-shear housing 12, and opening 82 is located on the power transmission member 70. For preferred operation, opening 82 is linearly spaced along the longitudinal axis "L" on the power transmission member 70 and positioned immediately adjacent to the blade assembly angle controller 56. The number of lugs 80 and opening 82 can vary to suit the application and is directly related to the number of potentially releasably lockable angle adjustment positions of the blade assembly 24.

[0035] Now refer to Figure 5-7 The power transmission component 70 is fastened to the blade assembly angle controller 56 using at least one, preferably a pair, fasteners 84, which are preferably screws or the like. Therefore, the blade assembly angle controller 56 and the power transmission component 70 move in unison. In addition to the aforementioned linear axial movement, the blade assembly angle controller 56 can also move laterally to the longitudinal axis "L" in the direction "D" (…). Figure 6 The bias blade assembly angle controller 56 moves towards and away from the drive motor 18. The inherent bias force generated by the power transmission component 70 biases the blade assembly angle controller 56 away from the drive motor 18.

[0036] Therefore, the blade assembly angle controller 56 temporarily overcomes the bias force by pressing the user-guided movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the push shear housing, causing the opening 82 to disengage from the lug 80, thereby unlocking the power transmission member 70 and allowing slidable longitudinal movement between the first blade assembly position 64 and the second blade assembly angle position 66.

[0037] After the power transmission member disengages, the user moves the blade assembly angle controller 56 until the opening 82 engages the next or desired lug 80, thereby moving the blade assembly 24 to a new angular position relative to the push-shear housing 12. Once the user releases the blade assembly angle controller 56, the inherent biasing force generated by the power transmission member 70 ensures engagement of the selected lug 80 and opening 82 to maintain the selected operating position of the blade assembly 24. Once the lugs and openings 80, 82 are properly engaged, linear sliding of the power transmission member 70 relative to the push-shear housing 12 is prevented.

[0038] Now refer to Figure 3 and 5 Another feature of the blade assembly 24 of the present invention is that a spring 86 is typically used to apply a biasing force pressing the movable blade 30 against the fixed blade 26 during the lateral reciprocating movement of the movable blade. The spring 86 is configured to accommodate rotation of the blade assembly about the rotation axis "R". Therefore, the spring 86 is provided with at least one, preferably a pair, ring arms 88 extending around the support 52 and the short axis 50, and the free end 90 of the arm is received in the cam follower 44 that presses against the movable blade 30.

[0039] While specific embodiments of the present invention’s hair clippers with blade angle adjusters have been described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader aspects of the invention and as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair clipper with a blade angle adjuster, comprising: The push-shear housing (12) defines the longitudinal axis and the shear end (22). A push-shear blade assembly (24) is operably connected to the shearing end and includes a fixed blade (26) and a movable blade (30) configured to laterally reciprocate relative to the fixed blade; A cam follower (44) is connected to the pusher blade assembly and associated with the pusher housing for rotating about a rotation axis relative to the pusher housing; A drive motor, disposed within the shear housing (12) and connected to the cam follower (44), is used to move the movable blade (30) relative to the fixed blade (26). Blade assembly angle controller (56) associated with the push-shear housing; A power transmission component (70), associated with the pusher housing, is connected to the cam follower (44) and is configured and arranged such that user manipulation of the blade assembly angle control causes linear movement of the power transmission component and related angular movement of the pusher blade assembly through rotation of the cam follower; The power transmission member (70) defines a plurality of predefined indexing positions, which correspondingly define a plurality of releasably locked orientations of the push-scissor blade assembly (24).

2. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the rotation axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis.

3. The hair clipper according to claim 1 further includes a drive system (36), the drive system (36) including an offset cam operably connected to the cam follower (44) for causing reciprocating movement of the moving blade (30) relative to the fixed blade (26).

4. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the cam follower (44) is movable relative to the clipper housing along the axis of rotation in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the moving blade (30).

5. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the blade assembly angle controller (56) is associated with the upper portion (14) of the clipper housing (12) and is movable along the longitudinal axis and transversely to the axis.

6. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission member (70) is connected to the clipper blade assembly (24) at its free end (72) and is slidably mounted to the clipper housing (12) for movement along the longitudinal axis.

7. The hair clippers according to claim 6, wherein the power transmission member (70) has an elongated slot (74) that defines the travel distance of the clipper blade assembly (24) from a first position to a second position.

8. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the indexing position is defined by the engagement of the power transmission member with the clipper housing via a plurality of linearly spaced lugs (80) and openings (82).

9. The hair clipper according to claim 8, wherein the lug (80) hangs from the lower side (76) of the upper portion (14) of the clipper housing (12), and the opening (82) is located on the power transmission member (70).

10. The hair clipper according to claim 9, wherein the blade assembly angle controller (56) is associated with the upper portion (14) of the clipper housing (12), is movable along the longitudinal axis and transversely to the axis, and is connected to the power transmission member (70) for co-movement, such that linear movement of the blade assembly angle controller causes movement of the power transmission member, and transverse movement of the blade assembly angle controller to the clipper housing causes the opening (82) to disengage from the lug (80), thereby unlocking the selected angular position of the clipper blade assembly (24).

11. The hair clippers according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the power transmission member (70) is reciprocating relative to the clipper housing (12).

12. The hair clipper according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission member (70) is an elongated, generally planar strip.

13. A hair clipper with a blade angle adjuster, comprising: The push-shear housing (12) defines the longitudinal axis, the shear end (22), and the upper part (14). A push-shear blade assembly (24) is operably connected to the shearing end and includes a fixed blade (26) and a movable blade (30) configured to laterally reciprocate relative to the fixed blade; A cam follower (44) is connected to the pusher blade assembly and associated with the pusher housing (12) for rotating about a rotation axis relative to the pusher housing; The blade assembly angle controller (56) is associated with the upper portion (14) of the push-shear housing (12); A power transmission component (70), associated with the pusher housing (12), is connected to the cam follower (44) and is configured and arranged such that user manipulation of the blade assembly angle controller (56) causes linear movement of the power transmission component and related angular movement of the pusher blade assembly through rotation of the cam follower (44); The power transmission member (70) is releasably lockable relative to the upper portion of the push-shear housing using a plurality of complementary lugs (80) and openings (82), such that engagement of the lugs in the openings prevents longitudinal movement of the power transmission member; and The blade assembly angle controller (56) is movable along and transverse to the longitudinal axis and is connected to the power transmission member (70) so that the power transmission member (70) and the blade assembly angle controller (56) move together, such that the linear movement of the blade assembly angle controller causes the linear movement of the power transmission member (70), and the transverse movement of the blade assembly angle controller (56) to the push-shear housing causes the opening (82) to disengage from the lug (80), thereby unlocking the selected angle position of the push-shear blade assembly.

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