U.S. patent number 3,877,472 [Application Number 05/458,499] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-15 for hair styling device.
Invention is credited to Frank D'Angelo.
United States Patent |
3,877,472 |
D'Angelo |
April 15, 1975 |
HAIR STYLING DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel hair gauging or styling
device for cutting hair to a uniform length in an efficacious
manner such that even an amateur may perform a good job of hair
cutting. The present hair styling device basically comprises
elongated inner and outer handle means which are pivotally
connected to each other and adapted to fit in the hand of the user
whereby they may be accurately manipulated relative to each other
in a horizontal plane. The inner handle means is provided at its
outer portion with a guide means portion which is adapted to be
placed against the head of the person whose hair is to be styled by
cutting it a predetermined length. Comb means is provided in
combination with the outer portion of the outer handle means and is
operably attached thereto whereby it moves in a parallel spaced
apart relationship relative to the guide portion of the inner
handle means. Specific embodiments are directed to parallel motion
linkages for achieving this mode of operation.
Inventors: |
D'Angelo; Frank (Marrero,
LA) |
Family
ID: |
23821034 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/458,499 |
Filed: |
April 8, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D
24/36 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45D
24/36 (20060101); A45D 24/00 (20060101); A45d
024/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/145,45R,45A,9,7
;128/348 ;33/174 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McNeill; G. E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pugh & Laiche
Claims
I claim:
1. Hair styling means comprising in combination:
a. elongated inner handle means having an extended guide
portion;
b. elongated outer handle means pivotally connected to said inner
handle means; and
c. comb means having a plurality of teeth pivotally connected to
said outer handle means such that both of said means are disposed
in an essentially horizontal plane when the teeth of said comb
means are vertically oriented, said comb means being further
defined as comprising comb positioning means whereby said comb
means is maintained in an essentially parallel relationship with
the guide portion of said inner handle means.
2. The hair styling means of claim 1 further characterized in
that:
d. said elongated outer handle means is pivotally connected to said
inner handle means by spring means rigidly affixed to both of said
handle means whereby said handle means are constantly urged apart
from each other; and
said comb means having a plurality of teeth is pivotally connected
to said outer handle by connector means comprising spring means
whereby said comb means is constantly urged toward said extended
guide portion of said elongated inner handle means, said elongated
outer handle means and said comb means being further defined in
that the arcuate path of travel of said comb means is restricted
through a relatively narrow angle whereby when said elongated outer
handle means is pivoted away from said elongated inner handle
means, said comb means will be maintained in an essentially
parallel relationship to the guide portion of said elongated inner
handle means when said handle means are moved apart relative to
each other over an arcuate distance of up to about 60.degree. as
defined and manipulated by the hand of the user.
3. The hair styling means of claim 1 further characterized in
that:
said elongated inner handle means and said elongated outer handle
means are pivotally connected to each other by pin means, said
handle means being journaled to receive said pin means so as to
form in combination a hinge means assembly whereby said members are
allowed to arcuately move relative to each other in a horizontal
plane and such that said comb means is maintained in an essentially
vertical position;
said elongated outer handle means also being further defined in
that its end connected to said inner handle means is provided with
an extended journaled portion extending in a direction essentially
perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of said elongated
outer handle means along essentially the same center line of said
pin means;
said comb means also being further defined in that it is pivotally
connected to said outer handle means by pin means, said outer
handle means and said comb means being bored to receive said pin
means so as to form a hinge assembly whereby said outer handle
means and said comb means can arcuately rotate relative to each
other in a horizontal plane when the teeth of said comb means are
oriented in an essentially vertical direction, said comb means also
being further defined in that it is provided with an extended
portion at its end pivotally connected to said outer handle means
and which extends in an essentially perpendicular direction to the
longitudinal axis of said comb means along esssentially the same
common center line of said pin means connected to said comb means
and said outer handle means, the extended portion of said comb
means being located on the same side of the extended portion of
said outer handle means whereby the center line distance between
the bored extended portion of said comb means and the bored
extended portion of said outer handle means is essentially equal to
the center line distance between the pin bore hole provided in said
outer handle means for connecting said handle means together and
the pin bore hole provided in the outer handle means where it is
pivotally connected to said handle means together and the pin bore
hole provided in the outer handle means where it is pivotally
connected to said comb means; and
elongated connecting link means adapted to be pivotally connected
to the extended portion of said outer handle means and the extended
portion of said comb means so as to form in combination with said
outer handle means and said comb means a parallel motion linkage
such that said comb means when moved in a horizontal plante to and
fro from the extended guide portion of said inner handle means will
accordingly be maintained in an essentially parallel spaced apart
relationship as said outer handle means and said handle means are
arcuately manipulated relative to each other in the course of
cutting hair extending through said comb means which is to be cut a
pre-determined length as regulated by the operator in the manner
set forth above.
4. The hair styling means of claim 1 further characterized in that
the extended guide portion of said elongated inner handle means is
slightly curved so as to somewhat conform to the head of the person
whose hair is to be styled; and
said comb means having a plurality of teeth is also slightly curved
so as to mate with the extended guide portion of said elongated
inner handle means when said members are operably positioned
adjacent each other in a closed relationship.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Long hair is very much in style today and one particular coiffure
that is especially popular is that known as the "shag" cut. That
particular coiffure, as well as variations thereof, requires that
the hair of the person be cut of equal lengths, both from side to
side, as well as from top to bottom of the head of the person. An
experienced hair stylist can fairly accurately estimate or gauge
the length of the party's hair using a conventional comb and
scissors in the customary manner of combing the hair up and holding
the comb out away from the party's head the selected distance. This
procedure is repeated over the head of the person such that
essentially all of the hair is cut the same length to produce what
is referred to as a shag cut.
Needless to say, it is difficult even for an experienced hair
stylist to guess or accurately cut a party's hair a constant
length, especially when the press of business requires the hair
dresser to perform such tasks quickly. Moreover, it is common
practice among young people today to style their own hair, and
accordingly, it is even more difficult for such amateurs to
accurately cut hair a constant length utilizing conventional barber
tools.
Numerous devices have been made to accomplish the purpose of the
present invention. Such devices generally comprise a pair of
opposing combs which are operably connected so that they move apart
in a parallel relationship. However, the prior art devices are
generally characterized as being expensive to manufacture thus
imposing an economic disadvantage, and/or are bulky and difficult
to handle, generally requiring that they be held in a vertical
position. The latter feature is especially undesirable when
attempting to cut hair on the lower part of the party's head in the
neck region whereby it becomes difficult to properly manipulate
such prior art devices.
An object of the present invention is to not only provide a hair
styling device for cutting hair a constant length, which device is
characterized by a simplicity of design, hence offering an economic
advantage, but additionally, that which can be employed in a much
more efficacious manner whereby a hair stylist can perform his
tasks much faster and more accurately.
Among the distinct advantages and features of the present invention
is not only the accomplishment of the above objectives, but
additionally the provision of a hair styling device which is
particularly adapted for home or domestic use by a party unskilled
or inexperienced in the barbering arts whereby said party can cut
hair of a proper or constant length, especially without nicked or
gouged places occurring due to cutting hair to too short of a lenth
as normally experienced by ameteurs when utilizing conventional
barber tools in attempting a shag cut.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 in the drawings depicts a front elevational view of a
rudimentary embodiment of the present invention taken with respect
to the plane in which the present device is normally held in the
hand of the user.
FIG. 2 in the drawings depicts a side elevational view of the
present device as illustrated in FIG. 1, which view would be
considered the bottom of the present device as viewed from the
position normally held in the hand of the user.
FIG. 3 represents a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the
present hair styling device showing it reposed in a plane of normal
use.
FIG. 4 depicts a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 represents an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of
the present device as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation cut-away view of another
embodiment of the present device showing how it is gripped in the
hand of the user, the device being cut-away across the grips
provided on the handles as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
FIG. 7 in the drawings depicts an isolated fragmentary view of the
handle means of another embodiment of the present hair styling
device showing how they are pivotally connected together with a
parallel motion linkage mechanism (see also FIGS. 8, 9 and 10)
whereby the combs means of the outer handle means and the guide
portion of the inner handle means are maintained in a parallel
spaced apart relationship, the parts illustrated being in section
taken along a horizontal plane bisecting the handle means of the
present hair styling device.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isolated plan view showing a section of the
outer handle means and comb means as to how they are pivotally
connected, a section being taken essentially along the vertical
center-line of the inner handle means.
FIG. 9 depicts a similar view as embodied in FIG. 8 of the drawings
with the addition of illustrating the guide portion of the inner
handle means showing its position relative to the comb means that
are connected to the outer handle means.
FIG. 10 represents an isolated fragmentary view of the handle
locking mechanism with the handle width scale portion of the outer
handle means cut-away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 in the drawing depicts a rudimentary embodiment of the
present hair gauging means 10 which basically comprises the
elongated inner handle means or grip which is provided with the
extended guide portion 12. The elongated outer handle means or grip
13 is pivotally connected to the inner handle means 11 by suitable
means such as the spring means 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and
2, the spring means is operable attached to the handle means 11 and
13 by being rigidly imbedded within, for example, by forming the
members 11 and 13 of some suitable plastic or metal which in turn
is cast with the extended end portions of the spring means 14 being
embedded therein. Other suitable modes of pivotally connecting the
members can be employed, such as by connecting the members together
via a shaft or pin as employed in a conventional pair of
scissors.
The outer handle means 13 is operably connected to the comb means
15 by virtue of the spring loaded hinge means 16. The hinge
assembly 16 comprises the helical spring 17 which is operably
positioned and held in place between the raised portions 18 affixed
or made integral with the comb portion 15. In turn, the raised
portions or trunnions 19 are provided on the outer handle portion
13 and are spaced apart so as to receive and confine therebetween
the raised portions or trunnions of the comb means 15. The raised
portions 18 and 19 are formed to receive the pin means 20 so as to
form a hinged assembly whereby the comb means 15 rotates or pivots
with respect to the outer handle means 13 around the longitudinal
axis of the pin means 20 which serves as a fulcrum. The ends 21 and
22 of the helical spring 17 are affixed to, preferrably by
imbedding therein, the respective outer handle means 13 and the
comb means 15, the tension in the spring 17 being defined such that
the comb means 15 is constantly urged vertically downwards
(relative to the plan view shown in FIG. 1). This arcuate downward
reflecton of the comb means 15 is controlled through a relatively
small angle, that is, the comb means 15 is designed such that it
will only swing through an arcuate path of no more than 30.degree..
Conversely, the outer handle means 11 and the inner handle means 13
during the normal use of the present gauging device would only open
relative to each other over an arcuate path of generally not more
than 45.degree. deflection. Of course, the maximum angle of
deflection defining those members would entirely be governed by the
average physical dimensions of the human hand taking into
consideration the convenience of use to the user in not having to
hold the present gauging device in a very expanded position, which
otherwise would make it awkward and clumbsy to use. The extent of
downward deflection of the comb means 15 is predetermined and fixed
depending upon the other relative dimensions of the present device.
Normally, the comb means 15 is operated over a distance from about
3 to 6 inches away from the guide portion 12 of the inner handle
means 11. Accordingly, the outward deflection of the comb means 15
is predetermined such that over the arcuate path defined by those
spaced apart dimensions, it would thereby be set such that the comb
means 15 and the guide portion 12 remain essentially parallel. It
is to be further noted that the desired operating distance between
these members for a given angle of deflection between the handle
portions 11 and 13 can be regulated by making the handle portions
between the springs 14 and 17 either shorter or longer. Thus, for a
very wide spacing desired between the comb means 15 and the guide
portion 12, without vastly increasing the angle of deflection
between the handles 11 and 13 so as to make it difficult for the
user to grasp the present gauging device, the handle portions 11
and 13 would be made relatively long. For easy use, it is
envisioned that a barber or hair stylist would probably have on
hand two or three of the present devices, each having different
handle lengths whereby a wide range of hair lengths can be gauged
without destroying the convenience and effectiveness of the present
device.
The extent of downward deflection of the comb means 15 is fixed by
virtue of the beveled abutment portion or boss 23 provided on the
underside of the extended portions 19. Thus, the comb means 15 will
be urged downwards by virtue of the helical spring means 17 until
such time that the edge 24 comes into contact and rests upon the
surface of the beveled portion or abutment 23 of the support
portions 19. Consequently, the comb means 15 will be allowed to
move between the surface of the beveled portion 23 and the bottom
surface 25 of the extended portions 19 as shown in FIG. 2.
FIGS. 3 and 4 in the drawings depicts an especially preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the guaging device 30
comprising the outer elongated handle means 31 which is provided
with the grip portion 32 adapted to receive the first two or three
fingers of the hand of the user. The elongated handle means 33 in
turn is provided with the grip portion 34 which is generally
adapted to receive the thumb of the hand of the user. The inner
handle means 33 is provided with the guide portion 35 which is
slightly curved so as to conform to the normal curvature of the
head of the person whose hair is being cut. Additionally, the guide
portion 35 is oriented in a skew position relative to the handle
portion 33. Generally, the guide portion 35 is positioned inwards
toward the opposing portion 31 so as to define an angle of up to
about 30.degree. taken with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
inner handle means 33. This is accomplished by bending the handle
portion 35 about the point 36 of the inner handle portion 33, such
relationship being salient for the reasons set forth below.
The comb means 37 is attached to the elongated outer handle 31 by
virtue of the parallel motion linkage assembly 40 as described in
detail below.
Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the parallel
linkage assembly 40 comprises the elongated reciprocating linkage
41 which extends on the inner side of the elongated outer handle
member 31 being pivoted at its inner end to the opposing inner
handle means 33 and at its outer end to the comb means 37, as
particularly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The comb means
37 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, is provided with the lateral
connecting portion or saddle 42 which is positioned essentially
perpendicular to the center line of the longitudinal center line of
the comb means 37. The saddle portion 42 is provided with the two
spaced apart pin members 43 and 44, the common center line
connecting said pin members being essentially perpendicular to the
axis of said comb means 37. The outer handle means 31 is pivotally
connected to the outer pin member 43 which serves as a fulcrum and
conversely, the elongated reciprocating parallel link or rod 41 is
pivotally connected to the inner pin member or pintle 44 by virtue
of the parallel link 41 being provided with the arcuate portion or
gudgeon 45 at its outer end which also allows the central portion
of the member 41 to nestle within the outer handle member 31.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can thus be visualized that as the
parallel link 41 is moved outward from its position shown in FIG. 8
towards the comb means 37, the latter is caused to move in a
counterclockwise direction relative to the outer handle member 31.
However, since the inner end of the parellel link 41 is in reality
restrained by virtue of its connection to the inner handle means
33, in effect, the outer handle means 31 actually reciprocates
relative to the connecting link 41. That is, as the handle 31 is
rotated downwards, the enlarged end portion 41 of the handle means
31 is caused to nestle within the concave side of the curved
portion 35 of the parallel link 41. In such fashion, as the members
31 and 41 are deflected through an arcuate path and allowed to
reciprocate relative to each other, the net result is the constant
maintainance of the comb means 37 in a plane which would be
parallel to any of its previous planes of repose, specifically to
that of the guide portion 35 of the inner handle member 33 as
explained in further detail hereinafter.
The inner end of the connecting parallel link 41 is also provided
with the offset portion 48 which is bored at its end to receive the
connecting pin 49. The pin 49 is rigidly fixed to the enlarged
portion or boss 50 of the inner handle means 33. As further shown
in FIG. 7, the inner handle means 33 is pivotedly connected to the
outer handle means 31 by virtue of the anchor pin member 51 which
is rigidly fixed to the inner handle means 33. The outer handle
means 31 in turn is provided with the journalled portion 52 bored
to receive said pin member 51 whereby the handle members 31 and 33
can be made to pivot relative to each other about the longitudinal
axis of the pin 51. It can now be appreciated that from the
structural arrangements depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 of the
drawings, that as the handle members 31 and 33 are pivoted relative
to each other about the common restraining pin member 51 which
serves as a fulcrum, that the parallel linkage 41 and the outer
handle member 31 are caused to reciprocate relative to each other
by virtue of the fact that as, for example, the handles are opened
or spread apart, the pin 49 fixed to the handle 33 is caused to
rotate relative to the pin member 51 in a clockwise direction
thereby moving the connecting link 41 downward (see FIG. 7). As the
link 41 moves or reciprocates inwards away from the comb member 37,
the latter is maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship
relative to the guide portion 35 pursuant to the mode of operation
as described supra relative to FIGS. 8 and 9.
The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 further comprises the
guage width indicator 60. The indicator 60 further comprises the
dial face 61 which in turn is provided with the series of indices
62 which are positioned over the arcuate edge 63 of the dial face
61 to indicate the width between the guide 35 and the comb means
37, that is, their relative spacing apart in terms of inches. The
dial face 61 is rigidly attached to or made integral with the inner
handle member 3.
The guage width indicating means 60 further comprises the latch
plate or member 64 which is pivotally connected to the rear dial
face 61 by virtue of the connecting pin means 65, the latch member
64 being provided with the extended portion 66 bored to receive the
pin member 65. The inner elongated handle member 33 is also
provided with the cut out portion 67 which is of sufficient length
to allow the latch member 64 to reciprocate forward or backward
about the longitudinal axis of the connecting pin member 65. The
latch member is also provided with the series of grooves or notches
68. The outer elongated handle member 31 in turn is provided with
the anchor pin member 69 which is rigidly attached to the handle 31
and which serves as a means of fixing the elongated handle members
31 and 33 in a predetermined desired spaced apart relationship as
indicated by the reading on the dial face upon matching the
indicator portion 70 therewith, the indicator portion 70 being made
integral with the latch member 64. The space indices or readings 62
provided on the face dial 61 are positioned relative to the
positions of the notches 68 provided in the latch 64, the position
of which in turn is dependent upon the specific opening between the
guide 35 and the comb means 37 at a specific setting. For a given
size of hair guage, the relative dimensions of those components are
fixed when once determined.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pin means 51 shown in detail in
FIGS. 7 and 10 is operably attached or anchored to the guage width
indicating means 60, specifically the dial face 61 thereof.
FIG. 5 in the drawing depicts an isolated view of the preferred
embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and it can be appreciated
therefrom that as the handle members 31 and 33, for example, are
moved toward each other then the guide member 35 and comb 37 will
remain essentially parallel to each other by virtue of the parallel
linkage mechanism described above and after being spaced in a
predetermined desired spaced apart relationship, then locked into
position by virtue of the guage width latching assembly 60.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes
and modifications can be made in the above device as well as in its
mode of operation without departing from the true scope and spirit
of the present invention. For example, the tubular construction as
shown in FIG. 6 can be employed instead of the conformed shaped
members as described above relative to the preferred embodiments of
FIG. 3 and 4. Moreover, the latching mechanism 60 can be varied
considerably in detail without changing its basic function. The
shape of the comb member and the guide means 35 can also be varied
to achieve various different advantages in the specific present
device. The relative length and proportions of the various members
can be varied considerably, as well as its materials of
construction. The various spring means and other means by which the
various components of the present invention are operated relative
to each other can be varied as well as the specific construction of
the present hair gauging device as illustrated without changing the
essence of the present invention. In light of the above, it is thus
apparent to one skilled in the art that many modifications can be
made in the instant invention and that what I intend to incompass
within the ambit of my invention is that as set forth and
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
* * * * *