Blade hinge assembly

Abstract

An adjustable blade attachment is provided that captures an inner blade relative to an outer blade. A mounting bracket captures the inner blade and provides a passageway for attachment of the blade assembly. A hinge or metal stamping extends through the mounting bracket and is adjustable to change the force exerted on the mounting bracket. Adjustment of the hinge on the mounting bracket changes the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade of the blade assembly. In this manner, the hinge provides an adjustable component that can increase or decrease the tension exerted between the inner blade and the outer blade, thereby separating the inner blade and the outer blade in an adjustable manner and reducing friction during operation of the blade assembly.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 044,118, filed on June 25, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to the field of hair clippers or hair cutting equipment. Specifically, it relates to an adjustable tensioning assembly configured to adjust the blade gap between the reciprocating blade and the stationary blade of a blade assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a blade hinge assembly, such as a blade hinge assembly on a hair trimmer or cutter. The blade assembly includes an inner blade, an outer blade, a mounting bracket, and a metal stamping. The inner and outer blades include blade teeth. The outer blade teeth are oriented parallel to the inner blade teeth. The teeth are configured to facilitate cutting when the inner blade oscillates over the outer blade. The mounting bracket has a plastic tab and is coupled to an inner surface of the inner blade. The mounting bracket presses the inner blade against the outer blade to capture the inner blade against the outer blade. The metal stamping is coupled to the inner surface of the inner blade and extends through the mounting bracket and is adjacent to the plastic tab. The metal stamping has a snap-fit ​​tab adjacent to and coupled to the plastic tab of the mounting bracket to generate adjustable tension that pulls the mounting bracket away from the inner blade.

[0005] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a blade attachment assembly having an inner blade, an outer blade, a mounting bracket, and a hinge. The inner and outer blades have multiple blade teeth. The mounting bracket has a plastic tab and is connected to the inner surface of the inner blade to press the inner blade against the outer blade and capture the inner blade during blade oscillation. The hinge connects the inner surface of the inner blade to the inner surface of the mounting bracket (e.g., through the mounting bracket). The hinge has a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in (e.g., a spring stiffness between 0.25 in / lbf and 10 in / lbf) to change the tension of the mounting bracket and adjust the inner blade relative to the outer blade.

[0006] Another embodiment of the invention relates to an adjustable blade attachment assembly having an inner blade, an outer blade, a mounting bracket, and a stamped metal hinge. The inner and outer blades have parallel-oriented blade teeth to facilitate cutting when the inner blade oscillates over the outer blade. The mounting bracket has a plastic snap-fit ​​tab and engages with the inner surface of the inner blade to press and capture the inner blade toward the outer blade. The hinge connects the inner surface of the inner blade to the inner surface of the mounting bracket and has a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in. The hinge generates an adjustable tension that pulls the mounting bracket inward to create tension between the inner and outer blades. The force applied to the snap-fit ​​tab of the hinge changes the tension of the mounting bracket and adjusts the position of the inner blade relative to the outer blade.

[0007] Alternative exemplary embodiments involve other features and combinations thereof, as may be generally described in the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] This application will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a hair cutting apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a top perspective view of a blade assembly having a mounting bracket connected to a metal hinge, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 According to an exemplary implementation Figure 2 An exploded view of the blade assembly, illustrating how the metal hinge is connected to the mounting bracket.

[0012] Figure 4 According to an exemplary implementation Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the blade assembly.

[0013] Figure 5 According to an exemplary implementation Figure 2 A side perspective view of the blade assembly.

[0014] Figure 6 According to an exemplary implementation Figure 2 Side view of the blade assembly.

[0015] Figure 7 According to an exemplary implementation Figure 2 Top-view perspective of the blade assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Referring generally to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of a hair cutter or trimmer are shown. The cutter includes a blade assembly with an upper or inner blade that oscillates over a lower or outer blade to cut or trim hair. The alignment of the inner blade relative to the outer blade creates a competing target. When the inner blade teeth oscillate over the outer blade teeth, the inner and outer blades need to be close enough to each other to cut the hair. However, pressing the inner blade against the outer blade when the inner and outer blades oscillate relative to each other creates friction between the blades. The inner and outer blades should be pulled together so that the oscillation of the inner and outer teeth does not interfere with the cutting ends of the blades. The blades should be pulled apart to reduce friction. Proper tension between the blades reduces system friction, blade wear, and increases motor life. Balancing the tension separating the inner and outer blades with the attraction force relative to the outer blade to capture the inner blade enhances blade operation while ensuring tooth engagement for cutting hair.

[0017] For ease of discussion and understanding, the following detailed description will refer to and illustrate a blade assembly incorporating magnetic tension and / or blade group adjustment in association with a hair cutting device or “cutter.” It should be understood that the term “cutter” is provided for illustrative purposes, and the blade assembly disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with any hair cutting, hair trimming, or hair combing device. Therefore, the term “cutter” is inclusive and refers to any hair combing device, including but not limited to hair trimmers, barbers, or any other hair cutting or combing device. The cutting device can be applied to humans, animals, or any other living or inanimate object with hair.

[0018] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a hair cutting device, trimmer, shearer, or cutter 100 is illustrated. The cutter 100 includes a body 102, a blade assembly or blade group 104, and a drive assembly 106. (As shown...) Figure 1 As illustrated, the body 102 is a handheld, clamshell configuration comprising two parts: a first housing or upper housing 108 and a second housing or lower housing 110 (e.g., located on the top and bottom of the cutter 100). The body 102 of the cutter 100 may include other configurations. For example, the upper housing 108 and / or the lower housing 110 form a single integral body 102 or component. The body 102 may be connected to the housings 108 and / or 110 in other clamshell configurations (e.g., from one or more sides) and may include additional portions on the top, bottom, sides, or ends of the body 102. The blade assembly 104 includes a translating upper or inner blade 112 and a fixed lower or outer blade 114. The body 102 and the housings 108 and / or 110 define a cutting end 116 including the blade assembly 104. The body 102 further defines a cavity 118 to support the motor 120. Figure 1 As illustrated, cavity 118 is formed by a clamshell configuration of upper housing 108 and lower housing 110, such that body 102 surrounds drive assembly 106 and motor 120 connected to blade assembly 104.

[0019] A drive assembly 106 is positioned within a cavity 118 and connects the blade assembly 104 to a motor 120. As illustrated, the motor 120 is a rotary DC electric motor. In other embodiments, the motor 120 is a pivoting motor or a magnetic motor that generates oscillating or reciprocating motion for the blade assembly 104 (e.g., the drive assembly 106 is connected to the inner blade 112 to cause the inner blade 112 to oscillate over a stationary outer blade 114). In other embodiments, the motor 120 is an AC electric motor or any other suitable motor for generating oscillating or reciprocating motion for the blade assembly 104, such as the inner blade 112 and / or the outer blade 114. As illustrated, the motor 120 is configured to operate using a battery (e.g., without wires), but may also be configured to operate using power from any suitable source, such as a wired cutter 100 plugged into a socket.

[0020] Motor 120 is coupled to a rotary motor output shaft 122 that rotates about an axis of rotation. An eccentric driver 124 is coupled to the motor output shaft 122 and rotates eccentrically about the axis of rotation. The eccentric driver 124 includes an eccentric shaft 126 offset from the motor output shaft 122. In other words, the eccentric shaft 126 is offset from the axis of rotation of motor 120, causing the eccentric shaft 126 to rotate non-concentrically about the axis of rotation to produce an oscillating rotational motion. The eccentric shaft 126 is configured to engage the yoke 128 of the blade assembly 104. Figure 2 And cause the inner blade 112 to translate or oscillate linearly. The blade assembly 104 is attached to the cutting end 116 of the body 102. For example, the blade assembly 104 can be attached to the body 102 by adhesive, rivet, welding, bolt, screw or one or more fasteners.

[0021] like Figure 2As illustrated, the inner blade 112 has inner blade teeth 130, and the outer blade 114 has outer blade teeth 132 oriented parallel to the inner blade teeth 130. When the inner blade 112 oscillates on the outer blade 114, the inner blade teeth 130 are configured to oscillate on the outer blade teeth 132 for cutting. The blade assembly 104 also includes a blade attachment or mounting bracket 134 and a hinge, metal stamping, or bias spring 136 extending from the inner surface 138 of the inner blade 112 through the mounting bracket 134 and to an alignment tab 140 (e.g., a plastic tab 140). The bias spring 136 also includes a snap-fit ​​tab 142 that cooperates with the tab 140 on the mounting bracket 134 to adjust the inner blade 112 relative to the outer blade 114. Mounting bracket 134 is attached to the inner surface 138 of inner blade 112 and configured to press inner blade 112 against outer blade 114 to capture inner blade 112 therebetween.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lever 144 is connected to the blade assembly 104 by screws or fasteners 146. The lever 144 facilitates the movement of the inner blade 112 on the outer blade 114 in a direction perpendicular to the blade teeth 130 and / or blade teeth 132. This adjustment of the inner blade teeth 130 relative to the outer blade teeth 132 adjusts the length of hair cut by the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114.

[0023] Figure 3 The diagram shows Figure 2 The exploded side view of the blade assembly 104 is shown. The bias spring 136 includes snap-fit ​​tabs 142 (e.g., a pair of snap-fit ​​tabs 142) coupled to alignment tabs 140 located on the mounting bracket 134. In other words, the bias spring 136 is attached to the inner surface 138 of the inner blade 112 and the inner surface 148 of the mounting bracket 134 to adjust the pressure applied to the inner blade 112 by the mounting bracket 134. The bias spring 136 extends from the outer surface 150 of the mounting bracket 134 (adjacent to the inner surface 138 of the inner blade 112) through the mounting bracket 134 to the inner surface 148 of the mounting bracket 134. This configuration allows the bias spring 136 to adjust the attraction or tension between the inner blade 112 and the mounting bracket 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap-fit ​​tabs 142 on the bias spring 136 are oriented coplanar with the alignment tabs 140 on the mounting bracket 134. The retainer 152 is coupled to the mounting bracket 134 and is relative to the blade assembly 104. Figure 1 Orient the mounting bracket 134.

[0024] This adjustment proportionally alters the attraction or tension between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114. Thus, changing the bias spring 136 (e.g., pushing the snap-fit ​​tab 142) pulls the mounting bracket 134 closer to the inner blade 112, thereby creating an attraction (e.g., reducing tension) between the blades 112 and 114. Pulling the snap-fit ​​tab 142 pulls the mounting bracket 134 away from the inner blade 112, thereby creating tension between the blades 112 and 114 (e.g., separating the inner blade 112 from the outer blade 114). In this way, the bias spring 136 provides adjustment of the force between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114. In some embodiments, the fastener 146 is coupled to the inner blade teeth 130 that capture the mounting bracket 134 relative to the blade assembly 104.

[0025] For example, the snap-fit ​​tab 142 of the bias spring 136 extends through the mounting bracket 134. The base 154 (e.g., the outer surface) of the bias spring 136 is coupled to the inner blade 112. Adjusting or changing the offset 156 measured from the base 154 to the snap-fit ​​tab 142 of the bias spring 136 Figure 6 The bias spring 136 proportionally alters the attraction or tension between the inner and outer blades 114. The bias spring 136 is a relatively malleable material relative to the mounting bracket 134, which is designed to capture the lightweight, strong, or rigid material of the inner blade 112. In some embodiments, the bias spring 136 is a metallic material or alloy (e.g., a base alloy including aluminum, titanium, or steel), and the mounting bracket 134 is a polymer, plastic, fiber composite, or thermosetting material. The bias spring 136 has malleability that allows for permanent flexure, resulting in a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in. In various embodiments, the bias spring 136 has a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in, specifically between 0.2 lbf / in and 2 lbf / in, and more specifically between 0.5 lbf / in and 2 lbf / in. In other words, spring 136 has a spring stiffness between 0.25 in / lbf and 10 in / lbf, specifically between 0.5 in / lbf and 5 in / lbf, and more specifically between 0.5 in / lbf and 2 in / lbf. Because bias spring 136 may comprise a malleable material, the permanent deflection of bias spring 136 allows for a variable force between inner blade 112 and mounting bracket 134, which in turn results in a variable force between inner blade 114 and outer blade 114. In some embodiments, the permanent deflection of bias spring 136 results in a variable or adjustable spring constant.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the blade assembly 104. (See image below.) Figure 4 As shown, the bias spring 136 passes through the mounting bracket 134 to align the snap-fit ​​tab 142 of the bias spring 136 adjacent to the plastic tab 140 of the mounting bracket 134. In some embodiments, the bias spring 136 is press-fitted into the plastic mounting bracket 134 (e.g., a blade attachment). In some embodiments, the bias spring 136 is molded into the plastic mounting bracket 134. Figure 4 As shown, the inner blade teeth 130 can serve as a mechanism for connecting the inner blade 112 to the bias spring 136 and / or the mounting bracket 134. In some embodiments, the metal snap-fit ​​tab 142 of the bias spring 136 can be adjusted (e.g., pulled) to increase the tension between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114 by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or more. Similarly, the metal snap-fit ​​tab 142 of the bias spring 136 can be adjusted (e.g., pushed) to decrease the tension between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114 by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or more.

[0027] In some embodiments, the bias spring 136 is coupled to the inner blade 112 and / or the inner blade teeth 130. For example, the bias spring 136 may be brazed, spot-welded, and / or (e.g., fastened with screws or fasteners 146) to the inner blade 112 and / or the inner blade teeth 130. This allows the bias spring 136 to be directly coupled to the retaining bracket in a non-oscillating position, or to oscillate with the inner blade 112 and generate a spring force or biasing force on the mounting bracket 134.

[0028] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The snap-fit ​​tab 142 protrudes outward to form the proximal end of the bias spring 136. The snap-fit ​​tab 142 extends through and beyond the mounting bracket 134 to provide an adjustment surface that can be pushed or pulled to change the force between the bias spring 136 and the mounting bracket 134, thereby adjusting the attraction and / or tension between the inner blade 114 and the outer blade 114.

[0029] Figures 5 to 7 Different perspective views of the blade assembly 104 are illustrated. As shown, the yoke 128 is coupled to the eccentric shaft 126 of the eccentric driver 124 to cause the inner blade 112 to oscillate. The yoke 128 has an opening 158 between the tabs 140 of the mounting bracket 134. Figure 4 The drive assembly 106 is connected to the blade assembly 104 via a yoke 128, which is connected to the inner blade 112 through an opening 158. (The text abruptly ends here.) Figure 6As shown, rotating lever 144 clockwise 160 causes the inner blade 112 to move along a linear direction 162 on the outer blade 114. Similarly, rotating lever 144 counterclockwise, opposite to direction 160, causes the inner blade 112 to move along a linear direction opposite to direction 162 on the outer blade 112. The gap 164 between the outer surface of the outer blade 114 and the inner blade teeth 130 changes as the inner blade 112 moves along the shown linear direction 162. In this way, lever 144 is adjusted to control the length of the hair. Similarly, the snap-fit ​​tab 142 can be pulled past the alignment tab 140 to increase the tension 166 (or attraction 168) between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114, or the snap-fit ​​tab 142 can be pushed past the alignment tab 140 to decrease the tension 166 (or attraction 168) between the inner blade 112 and the outer blade 114.

[0030] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments in detail, and that this application is not limited to the details or methods set forth in the specification or illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the terminology is used for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0031] Given this description, further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this specification is to be interpreted as illustrative only. The constructions and arrangements shown in the various exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages described herein. Some elements shown as integral may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the positions of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be changed or altered. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or reordered according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, alterations, and omissions may be made to aspects of the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "connection" refers to two components being directly or indirectly linked to each other. Such a connection can be essentially static or essentially movable. Such a connection can be achieved by two components and any additional intermediate components, the additional intermediate components forming a single whole together with or with the two components, or by attaching the two components and any additional components to each other. Such a connection can be essentially permanent, or alternatively, essentially removable or releasable.

[0033] Although the present application enumerates specific combinations of features in the appended claims, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any features described herein, whether or not such combinations are currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any feature, element, or component of any exemplary embodiment of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any feature, element, or component of any other embodiment of the other embodiments discussed above.

Claims

1. A blade hinge assembly, comprising: Inner blade, the inner blade including inner blade teeth; An outer blade, the outer blade including outer blade teeth oriented parallel to the inner blade teeth, and configured to facilitate cutting when the inner blade oscillates on the outer blade; Mounting bracket, the mounting bracket including a tab, the mounting bracket being coupled to the inner surface of the inner blade and configured to press the inner blade against the outer blade; as well as A metal stamping component is coupled to the inner surface of the inner blade and extends through the mounting bracket and adjacent to the tab. The metal stamping component includes a snap-fit ​​tab configured to be coupled to the tab of the mounting bracket, wherein the snap-fit ​​tab is coupled to the tab to generate an adjustable tension that pulls the mounting bracket away from the inner blade.

2. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The metal stamping is press-fitted into the mounting bracket.

3. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The metal stamping is molded into the mounting bracket.

4. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab increases the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade by 5% or more.

5. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab reduces the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade by 5% or more.

6. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab on the end of the metal stamping extends beyond the mounting bracket. The snap-fit ​​tab is configured to provide a surface to adjust the force between the metal stamping and the mounting bracket, and thus adjust the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade.

7. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The metal stamping is brazed to the inner surface of the inner blade.

8. The blade hinge assembly of claim 1 further includes a fastener that secures the inner blade to the metal stamping.

9. The blade hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab of the metal stamping extends through the mounting bracket, and the base of the metal stamping is coupled to the inner blade, wherein changing the offset measured from the base to the snap-fit ​​tab of the metal stamping proportionally changes the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade.

10. A blade attachment assembly, comprising: An inner blade, the inner blade comprising a plurality of blade teeth; The outer blade includes a plurality of blade teeth; The mounting bracket includes a plastic tab, which is coupled to the inner surface of the inner blade and presses the inner blade toward the outer blade to capture the inner blade; as well as A hinge that connects the inner surface of the inner blade to the inner surface of the mounting bracket via a snap-fit ​​tab, the hinge including a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in, wherein adjustment of the snap-fit ​​tab relative to the plastic tab on the mounting bracket changes the tension applied to the mounting bracket to adjust the position of the inner blade relative to the outer blade.

11. The blade attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein, The hinge can be adjusted to change the tension between the mounting bracket and the inner blade.

12. The blade attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein, The hinge is a metal stamping that is press-fitted into the mounting bracket.

13. The blade attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein, The hinge is a metal comprising an alloy of at least one of aluminum, titanium, or steel.

14. The blade attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein, The hinge changes the tension generated by the mounting bracket by 5% or more.

15. The blade attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab is located on the end of the hinge and extends beyond the mounting bracket and provides a movable surface configured to adjust the force between the hinge and the mounting bracket, the force adjusting the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade.

16. The blade attachment assembly of claim 15, further comprising the base of the hinge member, the base being coupled to the inner blade, wherein, Changing the offset measured from the base to the latching tab of the hinge proportionally changes the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade.

17. An adjustable blade attachment assembly, comprising: Inner blade, the inner blade including inner blade teeth; An outer blade, the outer blade including outer blade teeth oriented parallel to the inner blade teeth, and configured to facilitate cutting when the inner blade oscillates on the outer blade; The mounting bracket includes a plastic tab, which is coupled to the inner surface of the inner blade and presses the inner blade toward the outer blade to capture the inner blade; as well as A metal stamped hinge, wherein the metal stamped hinge connects the inner surface of an inner blade to the inner surface of a mounting bracket via a snap-fit ​​tab, the snap-fit ​​tab being connected to a plastic tab of the mounting bracket, the metal stamped hinge including a spring constant between 0.1 lbf / in and 4 lbf / in to generate a force pulling the mounting bracket inward and generating tension between the inner blade and the outer blade, wherein adjustment of the snap-fit ​​tab on the metal stamped hinge changes the tension applied to the mounting bracket to adjust the inner blade relative to the outer blade.

18. The adjustable blade attachment assembly of claim 17, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tab at the end of the metal stamping hinge extends beyond the mounting bracket and is configured to provide a movable surface for adjusting the force between the metal stamping hinge and the mounting bracket, the force adjusting the tension between the inner blade and the outer blade.

19. The adjustable blade attachment assembly of claim 18, further comprising the base of the metal stamping hinge, the base being coupled to the inner blade, wherein, Changing the offset measured from the base to the snap-fit ​​tab of the metal stamping hinge proportionally alters the tension between the inner and outer blades.

20. The adjustable blade attachment assembly of claim 19, wherein, The snap-fit ​​tabs on the metal stamping hinge are oriented to be coplanar with the plastic tabs of the mounting bracket.

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