Personal modification appliance

Abstract

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a personal modification appliance (100) comprising an operating head (104) comprising a component (108) having an adjustable position; and a position setting assembly (110) configured to set a position of the component. The assembly comprises a spine (112) and a locking element (114); the locking element is configured to releasably engage with the spine, and the spine and the locking element include a plurality of triangular teeth (116, 120) that interlock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject of this disclosure relates to personal grooming tools, and in particular to personal grooming tools with length setting functions (e.g., trimming function length). Background Technology

[0002] Hair trimmers typically consist of two sets of sharp, toothed blades that oscillate from one side to the other to create a cutting motion. The trimmer can be moved (using the handle) to position the hair between the blades, and the scissor action is used to cut the hair as one set of blades slides laterally relative to the other set.

[0003] Traditionally, hair trimmers have a comb attachment that sets the hair-cutting length by ensuring a predetermined interval between the scalp and the sharp blades. However, recently, such comb attachments with variable lengths have become common. That is, instead of a single comb attachment for one hair length, the position of a single comb attachment can be changed to alter the haircut length.

[0004] Current trimmers include mechanical devices for changing the length of hair cut, and this is typically achieved by controlling the comb in steps of approximately 2 mm. As described, for example, in WO2014 / 090429, steps of less than 2 mm have previously been achieved using a complex arrangement of spaced-apart bias branches that alternately engage with comb attachments to set their length / position.

[0005] There is now a need for an alternative device to achieve position (step-by-step) adjustment within 2 mm for hair trimmers applicable to various devices. Utility Model Content

[0006] This disclosure is defined by the independent claims. Additional features may be understood from the dependent claims and the description herein. Any embodiments described that do not fall within the scope of the claims should be construed as merely examples to aid in a better understanding of this disclosure.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to overcome one or more defects in personal grooming devices, whether those defects have been explicitly mentioned above or will otherwise become apparent from the discussion herein.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a personal grooming appliance (such as a hair trimmer) is provided, comprising an operating head including at least one component having an adjustable position; and a position setting assembly configured to set the position of the adjustable component (e.g., detached from a cutting tool to set a hair trimming length, such as a trimmer comb). The position setting assembly includes a ridge and a locking element, wherein the locking element is configured to releasably engage with the ridge, and wherein the ridge and the locking element include a plurality of interlocking triangular teeth. The triangular teeth are particularly advantageous for achieving step sizes within 2 mm in the position-adjustable component while maintaining adequate strength to withstand forces experienced by the position setting assembly during device operation.

[0009] The triangular teeth have an unequal-sided triangular shape; that is, they include a short wall, a long wall, and a base, each portion having a different length, wherein the short and long walls are used for engagement. In another preferred example, the short engagement wall of each tooth on the ridge is oriented toward the head portion of the personal grooming device, thereby providing better stability for the positioning components (i.e., thus interlocking and less likely to accidentally separate).

[0010] In one example, the triangular teeth are configured to have an interpeak difference of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, preferably about 1 mm, and may have a rounded apex shape. In one example, the triangular teeth are configured to have a height of about 0.8 mm to about 0.95 mm. In one example, the triangular teeth are configured to have a base width of about 0.8 mm to 1 mm. Therefore, the dimensions of the triangular teeth can be advantageously set to fit with existing positioning components on many personal grooming devices.

[0011] In one example, the spine is centered relative to the width of the personal grooming accessory, with the width orthogonal to the direction of movement of the adjustable part.

[0012] In one example, the position setting component includes a button configured to release a locking element engaged with the spine when the button is actuated.

[0013] In one example, the locking element is configured to slide relative to the spine when the locking element disengages from the spine.

[0014] In one example, the positioning component includes an electric motor configured to move the locking element relative to the spine when the locking element disengages from the spine.

[0015] In one example, the aforementioned device includes a handle, wherein a spine is fixedly positioned relative to the handle and includes a plurality of first teeth, wherein a locking element is fixedly positioned relative to the component and includes a plurality of second teeth, wherein the number of the plurality of first teeth is greater than the number of the plurality of second teeth.

[0016] These and other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The embodiments of this disclosure can be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary personal grooming device is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A side view of a positioning component for an exemplary decorative appliance is shown; and

[0020] Figure 3 A top view of the position setting component is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 3 The position of the line AA in the diagram determines the bisection of the component.

[0022] Figure 5 An example of an interlocking tooth for a position setting component is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See Figures 1 to 5 The figure shows an example personal grooming device 100. The grooming device 100 includes a handle or body 102 for gripping and manipulating the device 100; an operating head 104 configured to provide grooming operations; and a function button 106 (e.g., a switch button) for controlling the operating head 104 (and optionally, for controlling any other function of the device 100).

[0024] The operating head 104 includes at least one adjustable component 108 having an adjustable position, i.e. a component that can be at least partially displaced relative to any fixed member of the body 102 and / or the operating head 104 in the X, Y, or Z direction or a combination thereof.

[0025] For example, the operating head 104 may provide a hair trimming function, suitably including a cutter (not shown) configured to cut hair via a horizontal (X) movement of the cutter. In this case, the operating head may also include a length setting attachment 108 configured to be adjustable in the Z direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the X-alignment movement of the cutter) to move away from or towards the appliance 100. Suitably, the length of the hair being cut can be changed by altering the position of the length setting attachment 108.

[0026] It should be understood that the operating head 104 may also include different adjustable components, including different length setting attachments, which are configured to change position relative to different orientations; for example, Y orientation or X orientation.

[0027] Appliance 100 includes a position setting component 110 configured to set the position (e.g., Z position) of adjustable component 108. Component 110 includes a ridge 112 and a locking element 114.

[0028] The ridge 112 includes a plurality of first triangular teeth 116. In this example, where the attachment 108 is movable in the Z direction, the ridge 112 can be arranged along the back line 118 of the handle 102 so as to be substantially aligned with the direction of movement of the attachment 108. In other words, the width of the ridge 112 relative to the handle 102 in the X direction is centered. Appropriately, in this example, the ridge 112 can be considered to be substantially along... Figure 3 Line AA extends from it.

[0029] The locking element 114 includes a plurality of second triangular teeth 120 whose shapes correspond to the plurality of first teeth 116. Suitably, the ridge 112 and the triangular teeth 116, 120 of the locking assembly 114 are configured to interlock. As shown, preferably, the number of the plurality of first teeth 116 is greater than the number of the plurality of second teeth 120.

[0030] Therefore, there are relatively long lines of teeth 116 forming the ridge, and these teeth are stationary relative to the handle of the finishing tool. There are relatively short lines of teeth 120 of the locking assembly 114. The locking assembly is a component that moves together with the length setting attachment 108. In this way, the required size of the movable component is reduced.

[0031] Locking element 114 includes an actuator or button 122 configured to separate a plurality of first teeth and a plurality of second teeth by a translational movement when actuated. That is, by pushing button 122 downward (along the Y direction), the plurality of second teeth 120 disengage from their interlocked position with the plurality of first teeth 116. In other words, locking element 114 is configured to releasably engage with ridge 112.

[0032] When in the disengaged state, the locking element 114 is free to slide relative to the ridge 112. Suitably, the body / handle 102 may include a channel 124, which is also centered relative to the width of the handle 102 in the X direction, within which the locking element 114 can move. Moving the locking element 114 appropriately causes a corresponding movement of the adjustable member 108, thereby setting the position of the member 108.

[0033] Suitablely, the locking element 114 may also include a biasing element 126 that, when the button 122 is released, pushes the button 122 upward, causing the locking element 114 to return to a configuration where the plurality of second teeth 120 are (re)engaged with the plurality of first teeth 116. Suitablely, the position of the adjustable member 108 is set and cannot be moved until the button 122 is actuated again.

[0034] In an alternative example not shown, the position setting component 110 may include an electric motor (not shown) configured to move the locking element 114 relative to the spine 112 when the locking element 114 is disengaged from the spine by actuating an appropriate button.

[0035] Preferably, the triangular teeth 116, 120 are configured to have an inter-peak difference (i.e., interval) 128 of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and more preferably, an inter-peak difference of about 1 mm. In this way, the appliance 100 is suitably configured for step sizes within 2 mm, which has been far beyond mechanical capability until now. More preferably, the triangular teeth include rounded apex portions 130 to reduce stress at the apex during interlocking.

[0036] Furthermore, the triangular teeth can be configured with a height 132 of approximately 0.8 mm to approximately 0.95 mm and a base width 134 of approximately 0.8 mm to 1 mm. It should be understood that the base width 134 can differ from the inter-peak difference 128 due to the different tip shapes of each tooth (e.g., due to any rounding or flattening of the tooth tip / peak); that is, the base can be measured between points on the triangular walls before any shaping of the valleys corresponding to the peaks of an opposing set of teeth. In this way, the teeth can be designed to easily adapt to existing personal grooming appliances, enabling the assembly line manufacturing of new devices and potentially allowing for the upgrade / refurbishment of older devices.

[0037] In one example, the triangular tooth has an irregularly shaped triangle. That is, each of the plurality of first teeth and plurality of second teeth may include a short engagement wall 136, a long engagement wall 138, and a base 134 of different lengths. The irregularly shaped triangular tooth is particularly advantageous because it allows for better force distribution across all teeth and thus allows for better interlocking.

[0038] The short wall 136 is the part of the tooth that bears the force generated when the length setting accessory is pressed against the head. The short wall 136 extends at an angle of 9.5 to 10.8 degrees relative to the normal direction (the length direction perpendicular to the tooth line). The angle of the long wall 138 is more gradual. For example, the angle at the vertex of the triangle is in the range of 38.0 to 39.5 degrees. Therefore, the long wall 138 extends at an angle of 27.2 to 30.0 degrees relative to the normal direction (on the side opposite to the normal of the short wall). The small angle between the short wall 136 and the normal prevents the length setting accessory from slipping into different positions.

[0039] It should be understood that each of the walls 136 and 138 is arranged to engage with the corresponding wall of the plurality of opposing teeth, and therefore may also be referred to as engaging walls. That is, short walls against short walls, long walls against long walls. It should be understood that the bases 134 of the individual teeth do not engage. In a preferred example, the short walls 136 of the plurality of first teeth 116 (i.e., the teeth of the ridge 112) are oriented toward the head portion of the instrument 100 (i.e., toward the operating head 104); that is, oriented toward the positive Z direction. Arranging the unequal-sided triangular teeth in the above orientation provides stronger interlocking, thereby better withstanding the force pushing against the interlocking teeth when using the instrument 100; that is, preventing the teeth 116 and 120 from accidentally disengaging.

[0040] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such descriptions and illustrations should be regarded as illustrative or exemplary, and not restrictive; the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0041] In the course of practicing the claimed disclosure, other variations of the disclosed embodiments will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art through study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. A single processor or other unit can satisfy multiple functions described in the claims. The fact that certain measures are described in dissimilar dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to obtain an advantage. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims

1. A personal grooming tool, comprising: An operating head (104) includes a component (108) having an adjustable position; A position setting component (110) is configured to set the position of the component, the component including a ridge (112) and a locking element (114); The locking element is configured to releasably engage with the ridge, and The ridge and the locking element include multiple interlocking triangular teeth (116, 120). The characteristic feature is that the triangular tooth has an isosceles triangular shape.

2. The appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triangular teeth are configured to have an interpeak difference of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm (128).

3. The appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The triangular teeth are configured to have an interpeak difference of approximately 1 mm.

4. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The triangular teeth are configured to have a height of about 0.8 mm to about 0.95 mm (132).

5. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The triangular teeth are configured to have a base width of approximately 0.8 mm to 1 mm (134).

6. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of triangular teeth includes a rounded apex (130).

7. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of unequal-sided triangular teeth includes a short engagement wall (136) and a long engagement wall (138), wherein the short engagement wall of each tooth on the ridge is oriented toward the head portion of the personal grooming device.

8. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The spine is centered relative to the width of the personal grooming accessory.

9. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The position setting component includes a button (122) configured to release the locking element engaged with the spine when the button is actuated.

10. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The locking element is configured to be slidably movable relative to the spine when the locking element is disengaged from the spine (124).

11. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The position setting component includes an electric motor configured to move the locking element relative to the spine when the locking element disengages from the spine.

12. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Includes a handle, wherein the spine is fixedly positioned relative to the handle and includes a plurality of first teeth (116), wherein the locking element is fixedly positioned relative to the component (108) and includes a plurality of second teeth (120), and wherein the number of the plurality of first teeth is greater than the number of the plurality of second teeth.

13. The appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The operating head includes a hair trimmer.

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