Hair trimming system

Abstract

According to one aspect, there is provided a hair trimming system having a handle and a head, the head including a cutting unit for cutting hair, the head being movable relative to the handle, the head having a base configured to be received in the handle, the base configured to cooperate with the handle to connect the handle and the head and having a connection portion configured to allow pivotal movement of the head relative to the handle about the connection portion, the base having a main recess and an intermediate recess, the handle having a retention mechanism including a movable stop configured to be separately received in each of the main recess and the intermediate recess, the pivotal movement of the head relative to the handle about the connection portion to secure the head to the handle, the stop being biased to a locked position relative to the handle, in the locked position the stop being received in one of the main recess and the intermediate recess to secure the head to the handle, when the stop is received in the main recess a base of the head is received within the handle in an operative configuration, and when the stop is received in the intermediate recess the head is pivoted away from the handle in an operative configuration in an open configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair trimming system for cutting hair.

Background Art

[0002] A hair trimming system typically has a handle and a head, and the head has a cutting unit for cutting hair.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In some hair trimming systems, the cutting unit becomes clogged with hair, and this hair is difficult to clean from the cutting unit. In some hair trimming systems that have been considered in the past, the head is removable from the handle, but the removal may not be controllable or may be difficult to achieve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a first specific aspect, a hair trimming system having a handle and a head is provided. The head has a cutting unit for cutting hair. The head is movable relative to the handle. The head has a base configured to be received by the handle. The base includes a connection portion configured to cooperate with the handle to connect the handle and the head and to enable pivotal movement of the head relative to the handle around the connection portion. The base has a main recess and an intermediate recess. The handle has a holding mechanism including a movable stop configured to be separately received in each of the main recess and the intermediate recess. The pivotal movement of the head relative to the handle around the connection portion is restricted so as to fix the head to the handle. The stop is biased to a locked position relative to the handle. In the locked position, the stop is received in one of the main recess and the intermediate recess to fix the head to the handle. When the stop is received in the main recess, the base of the head is received in the handle in an operating configuration. When the stop is received in the intermediate recess, the head is pivoted away from the handle relative to the operating configuration in an open configuration.

[0005] The connection portion may be disposed on an opposite side of the base with respect to the main recess and the intermediate recess.

[0006] The stop can be attached to the end of a leaf spring.

[0007] The head can be removable from the handle. The connection portion of the head has a locking hook, and the handle can have a corresponding locking overhang for removably holding the locking hook within the handle.

[0008] The hair trimming system may further include a release button disposed on the handle and movable relative to the handle from a neutral position to a release position. The release button may be configured to contact the head when moved towards the release position, push the head away from the handle, and pivot the head around the connection portion relative to the handle.

[0009] The release button can be arranged on a guide rail that depicts an arc-shaped path, and as a result, the release button is configured to move along the arc-shaped path between a neutral position and a release position.

[0010] The handle can have a release block configured to prevent movement of the release button beyond the release position, and when the release button abuts against the head at the release position, the stop is received in the intermediate depression.

[0011] The main depression and the intermediate depression can define a peak therebetween. The intermediate depression can have a continuous surface from the peak to the valley of the intermediate depression.

[0012] When the release button abuts against the head at the release position, the stop can be received on a continuous surface between the peak and the valley of the intermediate depression. As a result, a biasing force at the stop to the lock position causes the head to be pushed away from the handle until the stop is received in the valley of the intermediate depression.

[0013] When the release button is moved towards the release position, the release button may include a protrusion configured to interact with the stop to push or pull the stop away from the lock position.

[0014] The head can have two adjacent main depressions and two adjacent intermediate depressions, and the handle can have two corresponding stops. Each stop is configured to be received in one of the main depressions and one of the intermediate depressions.

[0015] The hair trimming system can have a plurality of replaceable heads.

[0016] These and other aspects will become apparent from and will be described in connection with the embodiments described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

[0018] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings, which are merely illustrative.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary hair trimming system 10 having a handle 12 and a head 14. The handle 12 is configured to be held by a user, and the head 14 has a cutting unit 16 for cutting hair such as a blade. The handle 12 can have an electronic device and a movement mechanism for inducing movement in the cutting unit 16 to cut hair.

[0020] In this embodiment, the head 14 is detachable from the handle 12, and as a result, the head 14 is movable relative to the handle 12 and can be replaced with another head when removed. Thus, the hair trimming system 10 can have a plurality of heads 14 each of which can be detachably connected to the handle 12. In other examples, the head may not be detachable and may simply be movable relative to the handle. For example, the head can be connected to the handle using a pin, and as a result, it can pivot relative to the handle around the pin without allowing the head to detach from the handle.

[0021] The hair trimming system 10 further has a release button 18 disposed on the handle 12 and movable relative to the handle 12 to push the head 14 away from the handle 12. Thus, the release button 18 is configured to abut against the head 14 when moved towards the head 14.

[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the head 14 separated. The head 14 has a base 20 and a guard 22. The base 20 is configured to be received by the handle 12 of the hair trimming system 10 (as shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C), and the guard 22 is configured to receive the cutting unit 16 for cutting hair.

[0023] The base 20 has a connection portion 24 which cooperates with the handle 12 to connect the handle 12 to the head 14 and is configured to allow pivotal movement of the head 14 relative to the handle 12 (as shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C).

[0024] In this example, the connection portion 24 has a locking hook 25 that cooperates with a locking overhang 36 (shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C) of the handle 12. The locking overhang 36 removably holds the locking hook 25 within the handle 12. The cooperation between the locking hook 25 and the locking overhang 36 allows for the removal of the head 14 from the handle 12 while enabling pivotal movement of the head 14 relative to the handle 12 about the locking hook 25.

[0025] In other examples, the connection portion may be pivotally connected to the handle using a pin or any other mechanism that allows or does not allow detachment of the head from the handle.

[0026] The base 20 of the head 14 has a pair of protrusions 26 that project from the guard 22.

[0027] Each protrusion 26 has a main recess 30 and an intermediate recess 40. Since the main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40 of each protrusion are the same, only a single main recess 30 and intermediate recess will be described below. The main recess 30 is closer to the guard 22 on the protrusion 26 than the intermediate recess 40.

[0028] In other examples, the base may have a single protrusion or no protrusions. In the example without protrusions, the base simply has a thick layer, and the main recess and the intermediate recess are recessed in the thick layer.

[0029] The connection portion 24 is disposed on the opposite side of the base 20 with respect to the main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40.

[0030] FIGS. 3A - 3C each show a cross - sectional view of a first exemplary hair trimming system 10 in an operating configuration, an intermediate configuration, and an open configuration. The head 14 is received by the handle 12, and the handle 12 has a retaining mechanism for restricting pivotal movement of the head 13 relative to the handle 12 about the connection portion 24 so as to fix the head 14 to the handle 12.

[0031] The retaining mechanism has a pair of movable stops 32, each stop 32 being in the form of a hook attached to the end of an individual leaf spring 34 that is biased towards the locking position relative to the handle 12. Each stop 32 is identical and each stop 32 is configured to interact with the main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40 on the individual protrusions 26 of the head 14 in the same manner. Accordingly, only a single stop 32 will be described below. It should be understood that in an example with only a single protrusion, or only a single main recess and intermediate recess, there will be only a single corresponding stop.

[0032] The stop 32 is configured to be separately received in each of the main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40 of a single protrusion 26. In the locked position, the stop 32 is received in one of the main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40 so as to fix the head 14 to the handle 12 by preventing pivotal movement of the head 14 relative to the handle 12 about the connection 24. In other examples, the movable stop may simply be biased to the locked position relative to the handle by any suitable means.

[0033] The opposing forces acting on the head 14 from the stop 32 and the locking overhang 36 of the handle 12 prevent the head 14 from separating from the handle 12 in the absence of another external force. Even if an external force is applied, the locking overhang 36 does not move. As a result, the connection 24 of the head 14 is effectively held in place, the stop 32 is biased to the locked position, and as a result, when an external force is applied, the head 14 moves away from the handle 12 at the protrusion 26, thereby pivoting the head 14 away from the handle 12 about the connection 24.

[0034] In FIG. 3A, the hair trimming system 10 is shown in its operating configuration. In the operating configuration, the base 20 of the head 14 is received by the handle 12 and the stop 32 is received by the main recess 30. In the operating configuration, the hair trimming system 10 can be used to cut hair.

[0035] The main recess 30 and the intermediate recess 40 define a peak therebetween and define a continuous surface from the peak to the bottom of the respective recesses 30, 40. Accordingly, the stop 32 can slide across the peak along the surface from the main recess 30 and along the surface to the intermediate recess 40.

[0036] The release button 18 disposed on the handle 12 is movable from a neutral position (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C) to a release position (shown in FIG. 3B). When the hair trimming system 10 is in an operating configuration and the release button 18 is moved toward the release position, the release button 18 is configured to abut against the head 14 to pivot the head 14 about the connection portion 24 away from the handle 12. Thus, pivoting the head 14 away from the handle 12 causes the stop 32 to slide along the main recess 30 toward the peak, and when the stop 32 reaches the peak (as shown in FIG. 3B), the biased stop 32 automatically pushes the head 14 further away from the handle 12. This is because until the stop 32 is received in the intermediate recess 40, it slides along the continuous surface between the peak and the bottom of the intermediate recess 40. When the stop 32 is received in the intermediate recess 40, the head 14 is pivoted away from the handle 12 relative to the operating configuration in the open configuration shown in FIG. 3C.

[0037] In the open configuration, the head 14 and the handle 12 are partially separated. As a result, the guard 22 of the head 14 including the cutting unit can be more easily swept away from the hair being cut. Further, in the open configuration, the head 14 can be more easily grasped by the user to remove the head 14 from the handle 12 in a controlled manner. Without the intermediate recess for capturing the stop 32, when the release button 18 is moved to the release position, the head 14 simply pops out of the handle 12 in an uncontrolled manner. Accordingly, the intermediate recess 40 serves multiple functions simultaneously to improve access for cleaning and prevent uncontrolled ejection of the head 14 from the handle 12.

[0038] From the open configuration, by pushing the head 14 towards the handle 12, the head 14 can be moved to return to the operating configuration, which pushes the stop 32 from the intermediate depression 40 into the main depression 30.

[0039] Figures 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of the hair trimming system 10 in parallel cross-sections, which are different from the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. Figures 4A and 4B show the operating configuration and the open configuration, respectively. From FIGS. 4A and 4B, it can be seen that the handle 12 has a release block 140 configured to prevent the movement of the release button 18 beyond the release position (as shown in FIG. 4B). The release block 140 is arranged such that when the release button 18 is in the release position (FIG. 4B), the buttress 142 on the release button 18 abuts against the release block 140. As a result, when the head is in the open configuration (i.e., when the head 14 is arranged such that the stop 32 is received in the intermediate depression 40), the release button 18 cannot extend far enough to abut against the head 14. In other words, the release block 140 cooperates with the release button 18 to prevent the overshoot of the release button 18.

[0040] The release block 140 is arranged such that the release position of the release button 18 is restricted to push the head 14 away from the handle 12 until the stop 32 is received in the intermediate depression 40. In this example, when the head 14 is pushed by the release button 18 to the release position of the release button 18 (i.e., when the release button still abuts against the head 14 at the release position), the stop is received on the continuous surface between the peak and the valley of the intermediate depression 40. Next, until the stop 32 is received in the valley of the intermediate depression 40, the biasing force of the stop 32 propels the head 14 in a direction away from the handle 12. Restricting the movement of the release button 18 in this manner constructs an acceptable range. As a result, the release button 18 cannot accidentally push the head 14 away from the handle 12 to the extent that the stop 32 is pushed beyond the intermediate depression 40 and the head 14 is accidentally ejected completely from the handle 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the release button 18 in this example is biased to a neutral position (shown in FIG. 4A) with respect to the handle 12. This helps prevent the release button 18 from inadvertently interfering with the cutting unit 16 during use. The release button 18 is biased to the neutral position by a spring (not shown) that is held by the release button 18 and hooked to a part of the handle 12. In some examples, the release button can be biased to the neutral position with respect to the handle by any suitable means.

[0042] In some examples, the release button 18 can be disposed on a guide rail (not shown) that traces an arcuate path, such that the release button 18 moves along the arcuate path between the neutral position and the release position. This helps ensure that the release button 18 contacts the same part of the head 14 during pivotal movement of the head 14 around the connection portion 24.

[0043] FIGS. 5A - 5C show a second exemplary hair trimming system 200 that has the same head 14 and stop 32 as the first exemplary hair trimming system 10, but differs in that it has a second exemplary handle 212 and release button 218. FIG. 5A shows only the second exemplary handle 212 and release button 218, and FIGS. 5B and 5C show cross-sectional views of the second exemplary hair trimming system 200 in the operative configuration and the open configuration, respectively.

[0044] In this example, the release button 218 is configured to move relative to the handle 12 between a neutral position and a release position in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the head 14 away from the handle 12. The release button 218 is configured to cooperate with an actuating element 244. The actuating element has, for each stop 32, a button arm 246 configured to cooperate with the release button 218, and a pair of actuating arms 248, 250 branching from the button arm 246. The first actuating arm 248 is configured to push the stop 32 away from the locked position when the release button 218 is actuated. The second actuating arm 250 has an arcuate portion which converts the movement of the release button 218 into the movement of the end of the second actuating arm 250 offset 90 degrees from the movement of the release button 218, and is configured to push the head 14 away from the handle 12. This is achieved by a guide rail 252 which describes an arcuate surface. Along this surface, the arcuate portion of the second actuating arm 250 can move to guide the second actuating arm 250 to guide the movement of the head 14 away from the handle 212. It should be understood that the offset of the movement of the second actuating arm 250 from the movement of the release button 218 need not be 90 degrees and can be any suitable offset from the movement of the release button 18.

[0045] Accordingly, actuation of the release button 218 simultaneously pushes the stop 32 away from the locked position (as shown in FIG. 5A) to remove it from either the main recess 30 or the intermediate recess 40 of the head 14 (as shown in FIG. 5B), and pushes the head 14 away from the handle 12. Thereafter, releasing the release button 218 allows it to return to its original position due to the bias of the stop 32. This also allows the stop 32 to return to the locked position. Since the head 14 is moved away from the handle 212, the stop returns to the intermediate recess 40, and as a result, the hair trimming system 200 is in an open configuration.

[0046] In some examples, such as in the first exemplary hair trimming system 10, the actuating element 244 can be reversed to actuate with a release button that moves in the direction of movement of the head 14 away from the handle 12. In such an example, the arm can cooperate with the stop 32 to pull the stop from the main recess or the intermediate recess.

[0047] This example allows the main recess 30 to be relatively sharp, such that simply manually pulling the head 14 away from the handle 12 does not disengage the stop 32 from the main recess 30, and only actuation of the release button 18 allows the stop 32 to be disengaged from the main recess 30. To allow manually pushing the head 14 toward the handle 12 to push the stop 32 out of the intermediate recess 40 and back into the main recess 30, the continuous surface from the valley to the peak of the intermediate recess 40 can have a relatively gentle change in curvature in this embodiment and / or in the first exemplary hair trimming system 10.

[0048] The example shows the release button being moved along a linear path that moves the head 14 away from the handles 12, 212, but in other examples, the release button can be moved by pivoting or by rotation about a point that induces movement of an actuating arm that moves the head away from the handle.

[0049] Modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in light of the drawings, disclosure, and appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageously used. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A hair trimming system having a handle and a head, the head including a cutting unit for cutting hair, the head being movable relative to the handle, the head including a base received by the handle, the base including a connection portion cooperating with the handle for connecting the handle and the head, the head being pivotable relative to the handle about the connection portion, the base including a main recess and an intermediate recess, the handle having a retaining mechanism including movable stops respectively received in each of the main recess and the intermediate recess to limit pivotal movement of the head relative to the handle about the connection portion so as to fix the head to the handle, the movable stops being biased to a locked position relative to the handle, in the locked position, the movable stops being received in one of the main recess and the intermediate recess to fix the head to the handle, when the movable stop is received in the main recess, the base of the head is received by the handle in an operating configuration, when the movable stop is received in the intermediate recess, the head is pivoted away from the handle relative to the operating configuration in an open configuration, the hair trimming system. Claim 2 The hair trimming system according to claim 1, wherein the movable stop is attached to an end of a leaf spring. Claim 3 The hair trimming system according to claim 1, wherein the head is removable from the handle. Claim 4 The hair trimming system according to claim 3, wherein the connection portion of the head has a locking hook, and the handle has a corresponding locking overhang for removably holding the locking hook within the handle. Claim 5 The hair trimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further having a release button disposed on the handle and movable relative to the handle from a neutral position to a release position, the release button abutting the head when moved towards the release position and pushing the head away from the handle to pivot the head about the connection portion relative to the handle. Claim 6 The depressor button is disposed on a guide rail that depicts an arcuate path, and the depressor button moves between the neutral position and the release position along the arcuate path, the hair trimming system according to claim 5.

7. The handle has a release block that prevents movement of the depressor button beyond the release position, When the depressor button abuts against the head at the release position, the movable stop is received in the intermediate recess, the hair trimming system according to claim 5.

8. The main recess and the intermediate recess define a peak therebetween, and the intermediate recess has a continuous surface from the peak to the valley of the intermediate recess, the hair trimming system according to claim 7.

9. When the depressor button abuts against the head at the release position, the movable stop is received on a continuous surface between a peak defined between the main recess and the intermediate recess and a valley of the intermediate recess, and the head is propelled away from the handle by the movable stop until the movable stop is received in the valley of the intermediate recess, which is brought about by a biasing force of the movable stop to the locked position, the hair trimming system according to claim 7.

10. When the depressor button is moved toward the release position, the depressor button has a protrusion that interacts with the movable stop so as to push or pull the movable stop from the locked position, the hair trimming system according to any one of claims 5.

11. The head has two adjacent main recesses and two adjacent intermediate recesses, The handle has two corresponding movable stops, and each movable stop is received in one of the main recesses and one of the intermediate recesses, the hair trimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. Having a plurality of replaceable heads, the hair trimming system according to claim 3 or 4.

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