Blade assembly with capture spring

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a blade assembly including a first blade, a second blade, a yoke, a spring, and a retainer. The first blade has teeth extending along a first blade edge, the second blade has teeth extending along a second blade edge parallel to the first blade edge, the second blade is supported relative to the first blade. The yoke is coupled to the second blade and converts motion of a driver to reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade. The spring includes a pair of free ends, a pair of spring arms, a pair of fixed ends, a pair of fixed arms, and a spring base. Each spring arm extends from a respective one of the free ends, the spring arms bias the second blade toward the first blade. Each fixed end extends from a respective one of the spring arms. Each fixed arm extends from a respective one of the fixed ends. The spring base extends between the fixed arms. The retainer includes a tongue extending toward the yoke, the tongue abuts the spring to bias the spring against the second blade.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on March 26, 2020, with Chinese national application number 202080026914.9 (international application number PCT / US2020 / 024955) and the invention title "Blade Assembly with Capturing Spring".

[0002] Cross-references to related applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Application No. 16 / 381,340, filed April 11, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0004] This disclosure relates to blade assemblies for hair cutting devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, the blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade having teeth, a yoke, a spring, and a retainer. The first and second blades extend along first and second edges parallel to each other, respectively. The distance between the edges of the first and second blades defines an adjustable blade clearance. The yoke is coupled to the second blade and converts motion from a motor into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade. The spring includes a free end and a spring arm extending from the free end. The spring arm biases the second blade toward the first blade. The spring also includes an arcuate fixed end extending from the spring arm. The spring also includes a fixed arm extending from the fixed end. The retainer includes an arched portion that abuts against the spring to capture the spring toward the first blade.

[0006] In another embodiment, the blade assembly for a hair-cutting device includes a first blade and a second blade, a yoke, a spring, and a retainer. The first and second blades each have a first edge and a second edge parallel to each other. The distance between the edges defines a blade gap. The yoke is coupled to the second blade and causes the second blade to reciprocate relative to the first blade. The spring includes at least two free ends, a spring arm for each free end, a fixed end for each spring arm, a fixed arm for each fixed end, and a spring base extending between the fixed arms. The spring arms extend from the respective free ends and bias the second blade toward the first blade. The first end extends from the spring arm, and the fixed arm extends from the fixed end. The retainer defines a plurality of arches that abut against the spring to capture the spring toward the first blade.

[0007] In another embodiment, the blade assembly for a hair-cutting device includes a first blade and a second blade, a yoke, a spring, and a retainer. The first and second blades each have a first edge and a second edge parallel to each other. The distance between the edges defines a blade gap. The yoke is coupled to the second blade and causes the second blade to reciprocate relative to the first blade. The spring includes two free ends, two spring arms extending from the two free ends, each free end having one spring arm. The spring arms bias the second blade toward the first blade. The spring also includes two fixed ends extending from the spring arms, and two fixed arms extending from the fixed ends. A spring base extends between the two fixed arms. The retainer defines a plurality of arches that abut against the spring to capture the spring toward the first blade.

[0008] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a blade assembly for a hair cutting device, the blade assembly comprising: a first blade having teeth extending along an edge of the first blade; a second blade positioned close to the first blade, the second blade having teeth extending along an edge of the second blade, the edge of the second blade being parallel to and offset from the edge of the first blade by a blade gap; a yoke coupled to the second blade, the yoke being adapted to convert motion of a drive mechanism into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair between the teeth of the first blade and the teeth of the second blade; a spring having a spring base and at least one spring arm coupled to one of the yoke and the second blade, the spring arm and the second blade reciprocating relative to the first blade; and a spring retainer mounted to the first blade and fixing the spring base relative to the first blade to prevent relative movement between the spring base and the first blade during the reciprocating motion of the second blade and the spring arm relative to the first blade; wherein the spring arm applies a biasing force toward the first blade on the second blade to hold the first blade and the second blade in an operational state when disengaged from the hair cutting device.

[0009] In some configurations, the blade assembly further includes a guide fixed to the first blade and positioned between the first and second blades, the guide restricting movement of the second blade perpendicular to the edge of the first blade to maintain a desired blade clearance. In some configurations, the blade assembly also includes a slot in the guide; and a fastener fixed to the first blade and extending through the slot; wherein the blade clearance is adjustable by moving the guide within an adjustable range defined by the fastener abutting the opposite end of the slot; wherein, when the guide is in a position corresponding to the desired blade clearance, the desired blade clearance is achieved by tightening the fastener to secure the guide to the first blade. In some configurations, the spring and the second blade are movable with the guide, such that the first and second blades remain in an operational state during blade clearance adjustment. In some configurations, a spring retainer includes a portion of the guide, such that the guide's first purpose is to maintain the desired blade clearance and its second purpose is to secure a spring base relative to the first blade. In some configurations, the guide is T-shaped, having a guide base extending perpendicular to the edge of the first blade and an intersecting portion extending parallel to the edge of the first blade; wherein the guide base includes a spring retainer. In some configurations, the spring base is held against the first blade by the spring retainer; and wherein the spring arm includes a fixed end integral with the spring base and a free end connected to one of the yoke and the second blade; wherein the spring arm pivots about the fixed end during the reciprocating motion of the second blade; and wherein neither the spring base nor the spring arm includes a compliant coil for accommodating the reciprocating motion of the second blade.

[0010] In another configuration, this disclosure provides a blade assembly for a hair cutting device, the blade assembly comprising: a first blade having teeth extending along an edge of the first blade; a second blade positioned close to the first blade, the second blade having teeth extending along an edge of the second blade, the edge of the second blade being parallel to and offset from the edge of the first blade by a blade gap; a yoke coupled to the second blade, the yoke being adapted to convert motion of a drive mechanism into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair between the teeth of the first blade and the teeth of the second blade; and a spring biasing the second blade toward the first blade to hold... The device includes a first blade and a second blade in an operational state when separated from the hair cutting device; a fastener secured to the first blade; and a guide having a groove through which the fastener extends; wherein the blade gap can be adjusted by moving the guide within an adjustable range defined by a fastener abutting against the opposite end of the groove; wherein the desired blade gap is achieved by tightening the fastener to secure the guide to the first blade when the guide is in a position corresponding to the desired blade gap; and wherein the blade gap is adjusted by a spring to keep the first and second blades in an operational state when separated from the hair cutting device.

[0011] In some configurations, the spring includes a spring base and at least one spring arm connected to one of the yoke and the second blade, the spring arm reciprocating with respect to the second blade relative to the first blade; the blade assembly also includes a spring retainer mounted to the first blade and fixing the spring base relative to the first blade to prevent relative movement between the spring base and the first blade during the reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade. In some configurations, a portion of the guide member serves as the spring retainer.

[0012] In another configuration, this disclosure provides a blade assembly for a hair cutting device, the blade assembly comprising: a first blade having teeth extending along an edge of the first blade; a second blade positioned close to the first blade, the second blade having teeth extending along an edge of the second blade parallel to the edge of the first blade; a yoke coupled to the second blade, the yoke being adapted to convert motion of a drive mechanism into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair between the teeth of the first blade and the teeth of the second blade; and a spring having a spring base and at least one spring arm extending from the spring base to one of the yoke and the second blade, the spring base being fixed relative to the first blade, the spring arm including a fixed end integral with the spring base and a free end coupled to one of the yoke and the second blade, the spring arm pivoting about the fixed end to accommodate the reciprocating motion of the second blade; wherein neither the spring base nor the spring arm includes a compliant coil for accommodating the reciprocating motion of the second blade.

[0013] In some configurations, the blade assembly further includes a guide fixed to the first blade and positioned between the first and second blades, the guide restricting movement of the second blade perpendicular to the edge of the first blade to maintain a desired blade clearance. In some configurations, the blade assembly also includes a slot in the guide; and a fastener fixed to the first blade and extending through the slot; wherein the blade clearance is adjustable by moving the guide within an adjustable range defined by the fastener abutting the opposite end of the slot; wherein, when the guide is in a position corresponding to the desired blade clearance, the desired blade clearance is achieved by tightening the fastener to secure the guide to the first blade. In some configurations, a spring and a second blade are movable with the guide such that the first and second blades remain in an operational state during blade clearance adjustment. In some configurations, the blade assembly also includes a spring retainer incorporated into the guide, the spring retainer fixing a spring base relative to the first blade.

[0014] In another configuration, this disclosure provides a blade assembly for a hair cutting device, the blade assembly comprising: a first blade having teeth extending along an edge of the first blade; a second blade positioned close to the first blade, the second blade having teeth extending along an edge of the second blade, the edge of the second blade being parallel to and offset from the edge of the first blade by a blade gap; a yoke coupled to the second blade, the yoke being adapted to convert motion of a drive mechanism into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair between the teeth of the first blade and the teeth of the second blade; a spring having a spring base and at least one spring arm coupled to one of the yoke and the second blade, the spring arm and the second blade reciprocating relative to the first blade, the spring arm applying a biasing force toward the first blade on the second blade; and a guide fixed to the first blade and positioned between the first blade and the second blade, the guide restricting movement of the second blade perpendicular to the edge of the first blade to maintain a desired blade gap, the guide being mounted to the first blade and fixing the spring base relative to the first blade to prevent relative movement between the spring base and the first blade during the reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade.

[0015] In some configurations, the guide abuts against the base of the first blade capturing spring. In some configurations, the blade assembly also includes a slot in the guide; and a fastener fixed to the first blade and extending through the slot; wherein the blade clearance is adjustable by moving the guide within an adjustable range defined by the fastener abutting against the opposite end of the slot; wherein the desired blade clearance is achieved by tightening the fastener to secure the guide to the first blade when the guide is in a position corresponding to the desired blade clearance. In some configurations, the spring and the second blade are movable with the guide such that, when the blade assembly is disengaged from the hair cutting device, the first and second blades remain in an operational state during blade clearance adjustment.

[0016] In another configuration, this disclosure provides a method for adjusting the blade gap of a blade assembly for a hair cutting apparatus, the blade assembly including a first blade and a second blade having parallel blade edges separated by the blade gap, a spring holding the first blade and the second blade in an operational state, and a spring retainer securing a portion of the spring to the first blade, the method comprising: removing the blade assembly from the hair cutting apparatus; moving the spring retainer and the spring perpendicular to the blade edges while the first blade and the second blade are in an operational state; and, in response to moving the spring retainer and the spring, moving the second blade relative to the first blade to adjust the blade gap while holding the first blade and the second blade in an operational state.

[0017] In another configuration, the blade assembly for the hair-cutting device includes a first blade and a second blade, the first blade having teeth extending along its edge, and the second blade having teeth extending along its edge, the edge of the second blade being parallel to the edge of the first blade. The distance between the edges of the first and second blades defines a blade gap. A yoke is coupled to the second blade and configured to convert motion of an actuator into reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair. A spring includes a spring base and at least one spring arm configured to reciprocate with the second blade. A guide assembly includes a guide member positioned between the first and second blades, the spring retainer fixing the spring base relative to the first blade, wherein the blade gap changes in response to movement of the guide member relative to the first blade.

[0018] In another configuration, the blade assembly for the hair cutting device includes a first blade and a second blade, the first blade having teeth extending along its edge, the second blade having teeth extending along its edge, the distance between the edges of the first and second blades defining a blade gap. A biasing member is configured to apply a biasing force toward the first blade on the second blade, and a guide includes a guide base and a crossing portion positioned between the first and second blades, the guide being configured to move the second blade relative to the first blade to change the blade gap, and the second blade being configured to reciprocate relative to the crossing portion of the guide.

[0019] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description, and some of these features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or some of these features and advantages will be recognized by practice of the embodiments described in the written description, its claims, and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary. Attached Figure Description

[0020] This application will be more fully understood through the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same elements:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a hair cutting device including a blade assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partial exploded view after the blade assembly has been removed from the rest of the hair cutting device.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the blade assembly at its minimum blade gap setting.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the blade assembly at its maximum blade gap setting.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the blade assembly.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a hair cutting device including a blade assembly according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a partial exploded view of the blade assembly according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the blade assembly according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9This is a top perspective view of the blade assembly according to the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a portion of the blade assembly according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 11 This is an exploded view of the blade assembly according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a spring retainer according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of a spring retainer according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Before explaining any implementation of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the application of this disclosure is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. This disclosure can be implemented in other ways and can be practiced or carried out in various manner.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustration shows a hair cutting device 10, such as a trimmer or clipper, having a housing 14, an electric motor 18, a drive mechanism 22, and a blade assembly 50. The housing 14 may be a clamshell configuration as shown, with a top portion 14a and a bottom portion 14b surrounding the motor 18 and drive mechanism 22, or it may be any other suitable configuration. The electric motor 18 may be operated using power from a battery or from a power outlet, and the electric motor 18 includes a rotary motor output shaft 32 that rotates about a rotation axis 36. The drive mechanism 22 includes an eccentric driver 40 offset from the rotation axis 36 of the motor output shaft 32. The blade assembly 50 is secured to the hair cutting device housing 14 by a pair of housing fasteners 44.

[0036] Figures 3 to 5 The illustration shows a blade assembly 50, which includes a lower blade 54, a spring 58, a guide 62, a washer 66, an upper blade 74, a yoke 78, and a pair of guide fasteners 82. It will be understood that during operation, the hair cutting device 10 can move, rotate, position, and orient itself at many different angles and directions. For the purposes of consistency and clarity, regarding... Figure 1 The operating position of the hair cutting device 10 shown in this detailed description uses positional terms such as up, above, upward, upper part, down, below, under, downward, lower part, front, forward, back, and rear.

[0037] The lower blade 54, also referred to as the first blade, includes a body 110 and a plurality of lower blade teeth 114. The lower blade teeth 114 extend along a nominal lower blade edge 118, which may be defined, for example, by a line at the root of the connecting teeth 114. The lower blade 54 also includes a pair of through holes 122 for mounting the blade assembly 50 to the housing 14 via housing fasteners 44, and a pair of threaded holes 126 for receiving guide fasteners 82.

[0038] Spring 58 includes a U-shaped spring base 132 and a pair of spring arms 136 extending from the spring base 132 generally parallel to each other. Each spring arm 136 has a fixed end 140 integral with the spring base 132 and a free end 144 connected to the yoke 78 or the upper blade 74. The spring base 132 sits against the body 110 of the lower blade 54 and is held in place by a guide 62. In this respect, the guide 62 may also be referred to as a spring retainer. The guide 62 fixes the spring base 132 relative to the lower blade 54 to prevent relative movement between the spring base 132 and the lower blade 54 during the reciprocating motion of the spring arms 136, the upper blade 74, and the yoke 78 relative to the lower blade 54.

[0039] The guide 62 is a T-shaped member mounted to the lower blade 54, and includes a guide base 152 and a cross portion 156. The guide base 152 includes a pair of arched portions 160 and an arched tunnel 164, all opening towards the lower blade 54 to receive and abut against the lower blade 54 to capture the spring base 132. The guide base 152 thus includes a spring retainer. The guide base 152 includes a washer recess 168 and a pair of grooves 172 extending parallel to the long axis of the guide base 152 and perpendicular to the long axis of the cross portion 156. When the guide 62 is mounted on the lower blade 54, the cross portion 156 includes a guide edge 176 parallel to the lower blade edge 118. The guide 62 performs two functions: guiding the reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 by means of the guide edge 176 and retaining the spring 58 by means of the guide base 152 abutting against the body 110 of the lower blade 54.

[0040] Washer 66 is seated in washer recess 168 in guide base 152. Washer 66 includes a pair of slots 182 aligned with slot 172 in guide base 152. Washer 66 also includes an arched portion 186 to receive an arched tunnel 164 in guide base 152. Guide fastener 82 extends through slots 182 in washer 66 and slots 172 in guide base 152, respectively, and screws into threaded holes 126 in body 110 of lower blade 54. As guide fastener 82 is tightened against washer 66 and guide base 152, spring base 132 is captured against lower blade 54 and fixed relative to lower blade 54.

[0041] An upper blade 74, also referred to as a second blade, sits atop the lower blade 54 and the guide 62. The guide 62 is positioned between the upper blade 74 and the lower blade 54. The upper blade 74 includes a body 202 and a plurality of upper blade teeth 206. The upper blade teeth 206 extend along a nominal upper blade edge 210, which may be defined, for example, by a line connecting the roots of the teeth 206. The upper blade 74 is positioned close to the lower blade 54, wherein the upper blade edge 210 is parallel to and offset from the lower blade edge 118. Behind the upper blade edge 210, on the underside of the upper blade 74, is a suspended guide surface 214 parallel to the upper blade edge 210 and engaging with the guide edge 176. The guide edge 176 restricts the movement of the upper blade 74 perpendicular to the lower blade edge 118.

[0042] The engagement between the guide surface 214 and the guide edge 176 guides the movement of the upper blade 74 parallel to the blade edge 118 of the lower blade 54. As the upper blade 74 reciprocates relative to the lower blade 54, this engagement maintains a consistent blade gap 220 between the parallel upper blade edge 210 and the lower blade edge 118. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The blade gap 220 refers to the forward and backward offset of the blade edges 118, 210, rather than a vertical separation; the upper blade tooth 206 is close to or near the lower blade tooth 114 to perform the shearing function. The guide 62 is therefore used not only to fix the spring base 132 relative to the lower blade 54, but also to maintain a constant blade gap 220.

[0043] A pair of feet 218 hang from the rear end of the upper blade body 202. The feet 218 span the guide base 152 and sit on the body 110 of the lower blade 54. The feet 218 create a vertical gap between the rear edges of the upper blade 74 and the lower blade 54, allowing the guide base 152 to extend rearward through the vertical gap. The distance between the feet 218 provides sufficient space for the upper blade 74 to reciprocate relative to the lower blade 54 and the guide 62 without the feet 218 striking the guide base 152. The upper blade body 202 includes a pair of holes 222 for engaging the upper blade 74 with the yoke 78.

[0044] A yoke 78 sits on top of an upper blade 74. A pair of pins hanging from the bottom of the yoke 78 are inserted into holes 222 in the body 202 of the upper blade 74, thereby engaging the yoke 78 with the upper blade 74. The yoke 78 includes a receiver 232 for receiving an eccentric actuator 40 of the drive mechanism 22. The yoke 78 also includes a channel or groove 236 on the opposite side of the receiver 232.

[0045] Channel 236 receives the free end 144 of spring arm 136 such that, when yoke 78 and upper blade 74 reciprocate relative to lower blade 54, free end 144 can apply a downward biasing force to yoke 78 and slide forward and backward within channel 236. Yoke 78 is adapted to convert the motion of drive mechanism 22 into reciprocating motion of upper blade 74 relative to lower blade 54 to cut hair between teeth 114 of lower blade 54 and teeth 206 of upper blade 74. In an alternative configuration, spring arm 136 may be coupled to upper blade 74 at its free end 144 instead of yoke 78.

[0046] The blade assembly 50 is assembled by stacking a spring 58, a guide 62, a washer 66, an upper blade 74, and a yoke 78 on a lower blade 54, then extending a guide fastener 82 through a slot 182 in the washer 66 and a slot 172 in the guide 62 and screwing the guide fastener 82 into a threaded hole 126 in the lower blade 54. The free end 144 of the spring arm 136 is positioned in a channel 236 of the yoke 78. The spring 58 applies a downward biasing force on the yoke 78 and an upward biasing force on the lower blade 54 to pull the yoke 78 and the lower blade 54 toward each other. These biasing forces of the spring 58 position the upper blade 74 between the yoke 78 and the lower blade 54. Spring 58 can be characterized as a tension spring because when the blade assembly 50 is assembled, the spring arm 136 and the spring base 132 are separated from each other by a distance greater than when the spring arm 136 and the spring base 132 are in a static position or relationship, and spring 58 attempts to pull or draw the spring arm 136 and the spring base 132 back to the static position.

[0047] Guide fasteners 82 and slots 182, 172 define the adjustable range of guide member 62 relative to the lower blade 54, and thus define the adjustable range of blade clearance 220. Guide member 62 can be moved perpendicularly toward the lower blade edge 118 until one of the guide fasteners 82 abuts against the end of slot 182 or slot 172 where one of the guide fasteners 82 is positioned, at which point any further movement of guide member 62 relative to the lower blade 54 in that direction is prevented by the guide fasteners 82. The same applies to the opposite direction—guide member 62 can be moved perpendicularly away from the lower blade edge 118 until one of the guide fasteners 82 abuts against the end of slot 182 or slot 172 where one of the guide fasteners 82 is positioned, at which point any further movement of guide member 62 relative to the lower blade 54 in this opposite direction is prevented. The adjustability range is thus defined by a guide fastener 82 abutting against one end or the opposite end of the slot 182 or slot 172 where the guide fastener 82 resides. One fastener 82 may define the limit of forward adjustability and another fastener 82 may define the limit of backward adjustability. The position of the guide 62 relative to the lower blade 54 (and therefore relative to the blade clearance 220) can be adjusted by loosening the guide fastener 82, moving the guide 62 within the adjustability range, and tightening the guide fastener 82 when the guide 62 is in the desired position and the desired blade clearance 220 is achieved.

[0048] The position of guide 62 corresponds to or defines the width of the blade gap 220, because guide 62 is fixed relative to the lower blade 54 and the upper blade 74 reciprocates along the guide edge 176. When guide 62 is adjusted to its previous limit within the adjustable range ( Figure 3 When the blade gap 220 is at its minimum, and when the guide 62 is adjusted to its rear limit within the adjustable range ( Figure 4 When the blade gap 220 is at its maximum, the blade gap 220 determines the length of hair that the hair cutting device 10 will cut; the smaller the blade gap 220, the shorter the length of hair that will be cut.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, with the blade assembly 50 fully assembled, the blade gap 220 can be adjusted. This is because the spring 58 is carried by the lower blade 54 and held in place by the guide 62, and because the fastener 82 is accessible after the blade assembly 50 is assembled. The spring arm 136 applies a biasing force on the upper blade 74 and the yoke 78 toward the lower blade 54 to keep the blade assembly 50 in an operational state when attached to the housing 14 and when detached from or separated from the housing 14. When detached from the housing 14, the upper blade 74 can be manually reciprocated by holding the lower blade 54 and moving the upper blade 74 or the yoke 78 back and forth parallel to the blade edges 118, 210. When attached to the housing 14, the lower blade 54 is fixed relative to the housing 14 and the yoke 78 receives an eccentric actuator 40, which drives the reciprocating motion of the yoke 78 and the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54.

[0050] Once assembled and adjusted to the desired blade gap 220, the blade assembly 50 is attached to the housing 14 using the housing fastener 44. When the blade assembly 50 is aligned with the mounting holes on the housing 14 so that the housing fastener 44 can be screwed into the housing, the eccentric actuator 40 is aligned with and received within the receiver 232. When the motor 18 is energized, the eccentric actuator 40 revolves about the rotational axis 36 of the motor output shaft. The orbital motion of the eccentric actuator 40 is converted into translational (specifically, reciprocating) motion of the yoke 78 and the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54 (the lower blade 54 remains stationary relative to the housing 14 via the housing fastener 44).

[0051] As the yoke 78 and upper blade 74 reciprocate relative to the lower blade 54, the spring base 132 is fixed relative to the lower blade 54, and the spring arm 136 oscillates back and forth parallel to each other. More specifically, the fixed end 140 of the spring arm 136 remains substantially fixed relative to the lower blade 54, the spring arm 136 pivots about the fixed end 140 during the reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 and the yoke 78, and the free end 144 arcs. Since the free end 144 moves freely forward and backward relative to the yoke 78 within the channel 236 but is restricted to lateral movement within the channel 236, the arcuate motion of the free end 144 is converted into translational motion of the yoke 78 and the upper blade 74. In other words, the channel 236 engages the free end 144 and the yoke 78 for lateral movement, but disengages the free end 144 from the yoke 78 for relative forward and backward movement.

[0052] The spring arm 136 has a sufficient length (measured from the fixed end 140 to the free end 144) to accommodate the full range of reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 and yoke 78 relative to the lower blade 54. In known configurations, the spring arm is typically relatively short due to the positioning of the spring base in the blade assembly, and the spring often needs to compliant the coil in the base or arm to accommodate some of the reciprocating motion. This disclosure does not require the coil to compliant in the spring base 132 or in the spring arm 136 to accommodate the reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54.

[0053] The blade clearance 220 is adjusted by removing the housing fastener 44, adjusting the blade clearance 220, and reattaching the blade assembly 50 to the housing 14 using the housing fastener 44. In response to the movement of the spring 58 and guide 62 relative to the lower blade 54, the upper blade 74 and yoke 78 move relative to the lower blade 54. Because the spring 58, upper blade 74, and yoke 78 can move with the guide 62 while the blade assembly 50 remains in the operating state, the operator can see the actual blade clearance 220 during adjustment. This differs from known configurations, where the upper blade does not remain on the lower blade after the lower blade is removed from the housing, and therefore the operator must guess the actual blade clearance 220 setting when adjusting the guide on the lower blade. With this known configuration, the operator cannot determine what the actual blade clearance 220 will look like until the blade assembly is actually reassembled (typically by reattaching the lower blade to the remaining portion of the blade assembly still connected to the housing).

[0054] Therefore, among other things, this disclosure also provides a blade assembly having a capture spring and an adjustable guide member, the capture spring holding an upper blade and a lower blade in an operational state, and the adjustable guide member for adjusting the blade gap while the upper and lower blades are held in the operational state. Various features and advantages of this disclosure are set forth in the appended claims.

[0055] Now refer to Figures 6 to 13 The illustration shows another embodiment of the hair cutting device 10. Figure 6 and Figure 7The illustration shows a hair-cutting device 10, such as a trimmer or trimmer, which includes a housing 14, an electric motor 18, a drive mechanism 22, and a blade assembly 50. In one embodiment, the housing 14 has a clamshell configuration with a top housing 16 and a bottom housing 20 surrounding the motor 18 and drive mechanism 22, although other configurations of the housing 14 may be implemented and still utilize the features described in this disclosure. In one embodiment, the electric motor 18 is operated using power from a battery or from a receptacle, and the electric motor 18 includes a rotary motor output shaft 32 that rotates about a rotation axis 36. The drive mechanism 22 includes an eccentric driver 40 offset from the rotation axis 36 of the motor output shaft 32. The blade assembly 50 is fastened to the housing 14 by housing fasteners.

[0056] Figures 8 to 11 The illustration shows a blade assembly 50, which includes a lower blade 54, a spring 58, a washer 67, an upper blade 74, a yoke 78, a guide fastener 82, and a guide member 250. The lower blade 54, also referred to as the first blade, includes a body 110 and a plurality of lower blade teeth 114. The lower blade teeth 114 extend along a nominal lower blade edge 118, which may be defined, for example, by a line 118 at the root of the connecting teeth 114. The lower blade 54 also includes a pair of through holes 122 and a pair of threaded holes 126 through which the guide fastener 82 is inserted to engage the guide member 250 to the lower blade 54, and the pair of threaded holes 126 for receiving the guide fastener 82 to mount the blade assembly 50 to the housing 14.

[0057] In one embodiment, the spring 58 includes a U-shaped spring base 132, a pair of fixed arms 148 extending generally parallel to each other from the spring base 132, and a pair of arcuate fixed ends 140 along each arm 136 opposite to a pair of free ends 144. The free ends 144 of the spring 58 abut against a channel 236 in the yoke 78 to bias the yoke 78 against the upper blade 74.

[0058] The guide 250 is a T-shaped member mounted to the lower blade 54. The guide 250 includes a guide base 153 and a cross portion 157. The guide base 153 includes a groove 172 extending parallel to the long axis of the guide base 153 and perpendicular to the long axis of the cross portion 157. When the guide 250 is positioned above the lower blade 54, the cross portion 157 includes a guide edge 176 parallel to the lower blade edge 118 (e.g., ...). Figure 11 (As shown in the diagram). The guide 250 performs at least two functions: guiding the reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 by means of the guide edge 176 and retaining the spring 58 by means of the tongue 294 of the guide base 153 abutting against the body 110 of the lower blade 54.

[0059] Washer 67 abuts against guide base 153. Washer 67 includes a groove 182 that aligns with a groove 172 in guide base 153. Guide fastener 82 extends through groove 182 in washer 67 and groove 172 in guide base 153, respectively, and screws into threaded hole 126 in body 110 of lower blade 54.

[0060] The upper blade 74, also known as the second blade, sits on top of the lower blade 54 and the guide 62 (from...). Figure 11 (Viewed from the angle). Guide 62 is arranged between the upper blade 74 and the lower blade 54. The upper blade 74 includes a body 202 and a plurality of upper blade teeth 206. The upper blade teeth 206 extend along a nominal upper blade edge 210, which in one embodiment is defined by a line 210 connecting the roots of the teeth 206. The upper blade 74 is positioned close to the lower blade 54, wherein the upper blade edge 210 is parallel to and offset from the lower blade edge 118. A hanging guide surface 214 is on the bottom of the upper blade 74 (from the angle). Figure 11 (Viewed from the angle) and parallel to the upper blade edge 210. The overhanging guide surface 214 engages with the guide edge 176. The guide edge 176 restricts the movement of the upper blade 74 perpendicular to the lower blade edge 118.

[0061] The engagement between the guide surface 214 and the guide edge 176 guides the movement of the upper blade 74 parallel to the blade edge 118 of the lower blade 54. As the upper blade 74 reciprocates relative to the lower blade 54, this engagement maintains a consistent blade gap 220 between the parallel upper blade edge 210 and the lower blade edge 118. The blade gap 220 refers to the forward and backward offset of the blade edges 118, 210, rather than a vertical division. The upper blade teeth 206 are close to or adjacent to the lower blade teeth 114 to perform a shearing function. The guide 250 serves at least to maintain a constant blade gap 220, and the tongue portion 294 secures the spring base 132 relative to the lower blade 54.

[0062] Foot 218 protrudes from the upper blade body 202. When the blade assembly 50 is fully assembled, foot 218 spans the guide base 153 and is positioned on the body 110 of the lower blade 54. Foot 218 creates a vertical gap between the upper blade 74 and the lower blade 54. The distance between feet 218 provides sufficient space for the upper blade 74 to reciprocate relative to the lower blade 54 and the guide 250 without the feet striking the guide base 152. The upper blade body 202 includes a pair of holes 222 for engaging the upper blade 74 with the yoke 78.

[0063] Yoke 78 is positioned above upper blade 74 (from...) Figure 11(Viewed from an angle). A pin 96 protrudes from the lower surface 98 of the yoke 78 and is inserted into a hole 222 in the body 202 of the upper blade 74 to connect the yoke 78 to the upper blade 74. The yoke 78 includes a receiver 232 connected to an eccentric driver 40 of the drive mechanism 22. The yoke 78 also includes a channel or groove 236 on the opposite side of the receiver 232.

[0064] Channel 236 includes a hole 86 through which the free end 144 of the spring arm 136 extends. The free end 144 applies a downward (from) force to the upper blade 74. Figure 11 (From the perspective of) bias force.

[0065] The yoke 78 converts the motion of the drive mechanism 22 into a reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54. This reciprocating motion cuts the hair between the teeth 114 of the lower blade 54 and the teeth 206 of the upper blade 74. In one or more alternative embodiments, the free end 144 is coupled to the upper blade 74 instead of the yoke 78.

[0066] Go to Figures 12 to 13 The fixed end 140 is arranged within the corresponding channel 274 of the guide 250. The channel 274 includes: an arcuate portion 278 around which the fixed end 140 is arranged, an upper channel 286, a spring arm 136 arranged to abut against the upper channel 286, a lower channel 282, a fixed arm 148 of the spring 58 arranged to abut against the lower channel 282, and a channel sidewall 290 that laterally fixes the spring 58 within the channel 274. The spring base 132 is biased against the tongue-shaped portion 294, both fixing the spring 58 against the guide 250 and biasing the free end 144 of the spring 58 against the upper surface 90 of the upper blade 74.

[0067] The guide member 250 includes a central body member 266 between a pair of side members 270. The guide member 250 is connected to the lower blade 54 via a fastener extending through a hole 254. The guide member 250 is also connected to the lower housing 20 by a screw (not shown) passing through the lower housing 20 and the hole 258, the screw having threads that engage with the inner surface of the hole 258. When the blade assembly 50 is fully assembled, a tongue 294 protrudes from the guide member 250 toward the yoke 78.

[0068] In one embodiment, the blade assembly 50 is assembled by stacking a spring 58, a guide 62, a washer 66, an upper blade 74, a guide 250, and a yoke 78 on a lower blade 54, then extending a guide fastener 82 through a slot 182 in the washer 66 and a slot 172 in the guide 62 and screwing the guide fastener 82 into a threaded hole 126 in the lower blade 54. The spring 58 applies a downward biasing force (from...) on the upper blade 74. Figure 11(From the perspective of...). This biasing force of spring 58 positions guide 62 between upper blade 74 and lower blade 54. Spring 58 functions as a tension spring because the free end 144 applies tension of arm 136 to upper blade 74.

[0069] The placement of guide fasteners 82 in slots 182, 172 defines the positional range of guide member 62 relative to the lower blade 54, and thus defines the width range of the blade clearance 220. Guide member 62 can move toward the lower blade edge 118 until one of the guide fasteners 82 is arranged to abut against the end of slot 182 or slot 172 where one of the guide fasteners 82 is positioned, at which point further movement of guide member 62 is prevented by guide fastener 82. One fastener 82 may define the limit of forward adjustability and another fastener 82 may define the limit of rearward adjustability. The position of guide member 62 relative to the lower blade 54 (and therefore relative to the blade clearance 220) can be adjusted by: loosening guide fastener 82, moving guide member 62 within the positional range, and tightening guide fastener 82 when guide member 62 is in the desired position and the desired blade clearance is achieved.

[0070] The position of the guide 62 corresponds to or defines the width of the blade gap 220, because the guide 62 is fixed relative to the lower blade 54 and the upper blade 74 reciprocates along the guide edge 176. The blade gap 220 is minimum when the guide 62 is adjusted to its forward limit within the position range, and maximum when the guide 62 is adjusted to its rear limit within the position range. The blade gap 220 determines the length of hair that the hair cutting device 10 will cut; the smaller the blade gap 220, the shorter the length of hair that will be cut.

[0071] When assembled and adjusted to the desired blade gap 220, the blade assembly 50 is attached to the housing 14 via housing fasteners. When the blade assembly 50 is aligned with the mounting holes on the housing 14 so that the housing fasteners can be screwed into the housing 14, the eccentric actuator 40 protrudes within the receiver 232. When the motor 18 is engaged, the eccentric actuator 40 rotates about the rotation axis 36. The orbital motion of the eccentric actuator 40 is converted into reciprocating motion of the yoke 78 and the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54, which is held stationary relative to the housing 14 by fasteners screwed through the hole 126 connecting the lower blade to the housing 14.

[0072] As the yoke 78 and the upper blade 74 reciprocate relative to the lower blade 54, the spring base 132 is fixed relative to the lower blade 54. The fixed end 140 of the spring arm 136 is substantially fixed relative to the lower blade 54 by being connected to the guide 250.

[0073] The spring arm 136 has sufficient length to accommodate the range of reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 and the yoke 78 relative to the lower blade 54. In various other embodiments, the spring 58 needs to compliant the coil in the base or arm to accommodate some of the reciprocating motion. On the other hand, according to various embodiments consistent with this disclosure, it is not necessary for the coil to compliant in the spring base 132 or in the spring arm 136 to accommodate the reciprocating motion of the upper blade 74 relative to the lower blade 54.

[0074] Therefore, among other things, this disclosure also provides a blade assembly having a capture spring and an adjustable guide member, the capture spring holding an upper blade and a lower blade in an operational state, and the adjustable guide member for adjusting the blade gap while the upper and lower blades are held in the operational state. Various features and advantages of this disclosure are set forth in the appended claims.

[0075] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood 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 for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0076] In view of this specification, further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this specification should be construed as illustrative only. The configurations and arrangements shown in the various exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only some embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportions of various elements, values ​​of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) are possible without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed 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 varied. Other substitutions, modifications, alterations, and omissions may be made to the design, operating conditions, and arrangements of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0077] Although this application describes specific combinations of features in the appended claims, various embodiments of this disclosure 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 a future application. Any feature, element, or component in any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any feature, element, or component in any of the other embodiments discussed above.

[0078] In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths, and radii, as shown in the accompanying drawings are scaled. Actual measurements in the drawings will disclose the relative dimensions, angles, and scales of the various exemplary embodiments. The various exemplary embodiments extend to a wide range around absolute and relative dimensions, angles, and scales that can be determined from the accompanying drawings. The various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that can be determined from the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, actual dimensions not explicitly stated in this specification can be determined by combining the scale of the dimensions measured in the accompanying drawings with the explicit dimensions stated in this specification.

Claims

1. A blade assembly, comprising: A first blade, the first blade having teeth extending along the edge of the first blade; The second blade has teeth extending along a second blade edge parallel to the edge of the first blade, and the second blade is supported relative to the first blade; A yoke, which is connected to the second blade, converts the motion of the driver into a reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair; A spring, the spring comprising: A pair of free ends; A pair of spring arms, each of the pair of spring arms extending from a corresponding free end of the free ends, each spring arm biasing the second blade toward the first blade; A pair of fixed ends, each of the fixed ends extending from a corresponding spring arm of the spring arms; A pair of fixed arms, each of the fixed arms extending from a corresponding fixed end of the fixed ends; and A spring base extending between the pair of fixed arms; and A retainer, the retainer comprising: A tongue-shaped portion extending toward the yoke, the tongue-shaped portion abutting the spring to bias the spring against the second blade; and The channel includes an arc-shaped portion, and the fixed end is disposed around the arc-shaped portion.

2. The blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel further comprises: The upper channel, wherein the spring arm is disposed against the upper channel; as well as The lower channel is provided with the fixed arm abutting against it.

3. The blade assembly according to claim 2, wherein, When the yoke is connected to the second blade, the upper channel faces upward in a direction away from the second blade, and the lower channel faces downward toward the first blade.

4. The blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel further includes a channel sidewall that laterally secures the spring within the channel.

5. The blade assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guide, the guide including a guide base and a cross portion, wherein, The guide base and the intersection portion form a T-shape.

6. The blade assembly of claim 5, wherein, The second blade is movable relative to the cross portion of the guide.

7. The blade assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The guide base is selectively fastened to the first blade.

8. A blade assembly, comprising: A first blade, the first blade having teeth extending along the edge of the first blade; A second blade having teeth extending along a second blade edge parallel to the edge of the first blade, the second blade being supported relative to the first blade; A yoke, connected to the second blade, the yoke being configured to convert the motion of the actuator into a reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair; A spring, the spring comprising: Multiple free ends; A plurality of spring arms, a corresponding spring arm for each of the plurality of free ends, each spring arm extending from a corresponding free end, at least one of the spring arms biasing the second blade toward the first blade; Multiple fixed ends, a corresponding fixed end of which extends from each of the spring arms; Multiple fixed arms, wherein a corresponding fixed arm extends from each of the fixed ends; and Spring base, the spring base extending between the fixed arms; and A retainer, the retainer comprising: A tongue-shaped portion abutting the spring base, the tongue-shaped portion protruding from the retainer toward the yoke, such that the spring base is biased against the tongue-shaped portion, thereby securing the spring against the retainer and biasing the plurality of free ends; and A central body member positioned between a pair of side members, wherein the tongue-shaped portion protrudes away from the central body member.

9. The blade assembly of claim 8, wherein, The tongue-shaped portion includes a curved surface that abuts against the spring base, and wherein the curved surface extends from the central body member.

10. The blade assembly of claim 9, wherein, The spring base is positioned between the tongue-shaped portion and the second blade.

11. The blade assembly of claim 8, wherein the retainer further comprises a pair of channels, and wherein, Each of the pair of channels is positioned between the central body member and one of the side members of the pair of side members.

12. The blade assembly of claim 8, further comprising a guide, the guide including a guide base and a cross portion, wherein, The guide base is selectively fastened to the first blade, and wherein the guide base and the cross portion form a T-shape.

13. The blade assembly of claim 12, wherein the second blade includes a pair of legs, and the guide base extends between the pair of legs, wherein, In response to the reciprocating motion of the second blade relative to the cross portion of the guide, the pair of feet slide along a portion of the first blade.

14. The blade assembly of claim 8, wherein, The distance between the edge of the first blade and the edge of the second blade defines the blade gap.

15. A blade assembly, comprising: A first blade, the first blade having teeth extending along the edge of the first blade; The second blade has teeth extending along a second blade edge parallel to the edge of the first blade; The yoke is connected to the second blade; A spring, the spring comprising: At least two free ends; At least two spring arms, each of which extends from a corresponding free end of the free ends, the spring arms biasing the second blade toward the first blade; At least two fixed ends, each of the fixed ends extending from a corresponding spring arm; At least two fixing arms, each of which extends from a corresponding fixing end of the fixing ends; and Spring base, the spring base extending between the fixed arms; and A retainer, the retainer comprising: A tongue-shaped portion, the tongue-shaped portion including a curved surface that protrudes from the retainer toward the yoke and abuts against the spring base; and A channel that receives the spring and holds the spring against the retainer.

16. The blade assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the channels further comprises: The channel arc-shaped portion, wherein a corresponding fixed end of the fixed end is disposed around the channel arc-shaped portion; The upper channel, wherein a corresponding spring arm of the spring arms is disposed against the upper channel; The lower channel, wherein one of the fixed arms is disposed against the lower channel; as well as The channel sidewall laterally fixes the spring within the channel.

17. The blade assembly of claim 16, wherein the retainer further comprises a central body member positioned between a pair of side members, wherein, The tongue-shaped portion protrudes away from the central body member, and the channel is positioned between the central body member and a corresponding side member of the pair of side members.

18. The blade assembly of claim 15, further comprising a guide member, the guide member including a guide base and a cross portion, wherein, The guide base is selectively fastened to the first blade, and wherein the guide base and the cross portion form a T-shape.

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