US2237676A - Device for cutting and trimming hair - Google Patents

Description

S W E L H DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND TRIMMING HAIR Filed Feb. 9, 1940 IN V EN TOR.

LEW/s HARP/SON A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 194-1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND TRIMMING HAIR Harrison Lewis, San Francisco, Calif.

Application February 9, 1940, Serial No. 318,081

1 Claim.

The invention, in general, relates to means for enabling an individual effectively to cut or to trim his own hair or the hair of another. More particularly, the invention relates to an interlocking comb-like structure encompassing a blade, together with a suitable manipulating means therefor.

The present invention constitutes an improvement upon my hair trimming devices which are disclosed in Letters Patent, Nos. 2,165,391 and 2,171,880, granted to me on July 11, 1939, and September 5, 1939, respectively.

A primary object of the present improvement is to provide a device of the indicated nature which is especially characterized by the provision of means affording a. smooth, tapering and even hair cut or trim with safety.

Anotherimportant object of this invention is to provide an improved device enabling a user thereof to obtain what is commonly termed a feathered edge finish on the neck, the device being so constructed as to prevent the cutting of the hair too close to the skin.

A still further object of my present improvement is to provide a compact, interlocking comblike structure for cutting and trimming the hair which is particularly characterized by its minimum of parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which can be employed by even the most inexperienced person without danger of injury.

A still further object of the present improvement is'to provide a hair cutting and trimming device that will not become clogged and that l conveys hair that has been cut away from the cutting blade as the device is used.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of'the indicated character which while fully protecting the user from the blade nevertheless holds the blade in such man-.

her that the cutting edge thereof is disposed in the most effective and advantageous position for efiicient use.

' Another object of the present improvement is to provide a relatively inexpensive device having the foregoing features and readily and easily usable'by the'unskilled or the skilled alike.

A'stillfurther'object of this invention is to provide an improved hair cutting and trimming device that permits with safety the cutting of the hair to desired lengths without cutting too close to the skin. I

The foregoing and other objects are attained in a preferred embodiment'o'f my improvement which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the following description of the preferred embodiment, the aforementioned objects as well as other advantageous features of the device will become apparent. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise exemplification of the invention shown in the drawing, as the invention, as defined in the appended claim can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the elements of the preferred embodiment of the present improvement.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a completely assembled preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the obverse of a combining plate forming a part of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the reverse side of the element shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, slightly enlarged, of a preferred embodiment of the present improvement, the manipulating handle being only shown in fragmentary view.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the reverse side of the element illustrated in Figure 1.

It is to be understood that the device, as improved, is not in any way to be confused with devices used for the purpose of shaving inasmuch as the improved device of my invention is constructed along new lines embodying features that enable a user to handle the device readily and effectively in obtaining the desired smooth, tapered hair out, together with the feathered edge finish on the neck without danger of cutting the hair too close to the skin.

In its preferred form, the hair cutting and trimming device of my present improvement preferably comprises a base having a blade receiving surface, a blade removably mounted on said surface, a plate removably overlying said blade and interlocking with said base to encompass said blade; said base and said plate each having cooperating comb-like elements thereon which when the base and plate are interlocked form a complete comb-like structure consisting of a plurality of elongated, spaced teeth having relatively high side walls for lifting and holding the hair in the most advantageous position for cutting and trimming, together with means on said plate for conveying hair that has been cut away from the cutting edge of said blade to prevent clogging, and means for manipulating the device.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 21 and 5 of the drawing illustrating the assembled device, my present improvement consists of a minimum number of elements including a base II, a blade 52, a combining plate 13 and a manipulating handle M. With the exception of the blade [2, which may consist of a conventional safety razor blade, the device can be made entirely of any suitable metal, such as aluminum, or an alloy of any metal, or can be molded from a suitable plastic material such as a phenolic condensate.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a base H which is preferably formed with an upper slanting surface I 5 that terminates in a shoulder l'l adjacent a partial comb-like element l8 extending forwardly of the base. As shown, the base carries a relatively short, threaded stud l9 for removably receiving a manipulating handle M, and the upper surface l6 of the base is formed with a ridge 2| thereon, which extends from opposite sides of the stud I9 and assists in confining the blade I2 in its operative position. The blade 12, of course, is formed with a central opening together with an elongated slot extending from opposite sides of the opening, all not shown, for passing the stud l9 and ridge 2! of the base. Preferably, the bottom of the base II is formed with a plurality of spaced ridges 22 thereon with intervening grooves 23 in order that the cutting edge of the blade may be brought in closer contact with the head as the bottom of the base is drawn across the head in the cutting and trimming operation.

The combining plate I 3 of the improved device is particularly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing and preferably is provided with means for efiecting an interlocking engagement with the base H. To this end, the bottom of plate i3 is so formed at opposite lateral sides and adjacent to the teeth end thereof to provide extensions thereon which project at substantially right angles from the lower surface of the plate and which are adapted to abut the shoulder I! of the base H as well as the back of the comblike element l8 thereon when the plate I3 is com bined with the base thereby to effect an interlock between the plate and base. As shown,

plate i3 is formed with an opening 26 therein, as a well as with a recess 21 in the bottom thereof extending on opposite sides of the opening 26, for passing the stud l9 and ridge 2| 'of the base. Moreover, plate I3 is provided with a partial comb-like element 28 which extends forwardly thereof and which cooperates with the comblilre element l3 of the base II when the plate and base are combined to form a complete comblike structure 29 substantially encompassing the blade E2, all as depicted in Figures 2' and 5 of the drawing. This interlocking feature and blade encompassing arrangement enables a user of the device to cut and trim the hair to desired lengths yet prevents the possibility of cutting the hair too closely to the skin, and also protects the user from injury. Moreover, the construction of the base and the plate is such that when the two parts are combined they are so closely interlocked that no intervening space is left into which hair that has been out can enter to accumulate.

The unitary comb-like structure 29 formed by the cooperating association of the elements l8 and 28 of the base H and plate l3, respectively,

consists of a plurality of spaced teeth 3| which 75 are elongated and tapered top and bottom to form pointed tips 32 and which have side walls 33 that are relatively low adjacent to the tips 32 but relatively high at the back of the structure. The elevated side walls 33 of the comb-like structure function to lift and to hold the hair in the most advantageous position for trimming and cutting. It is to be particularly observed that the plate I3 is cut away between the teeth 3| of the structure to provide inclined guides 34 extending from the cutting edge of the blade l2 upward and backward to the rear of the comb-like structure, such inclined guides 34 serving to convey hair that has been cut away from the cutting edge of the blade and thus prevent clogging of the device during use. As illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the cutting edge I! of the blade, when in operative position on the upper surface of the base ll, abuts the back of the comb-like element E8 of the base, and it is to be further observed that only those portions of the cutting edge between the teeth 3| are exposed.

It will be appreciated from a study of the accompanying drawing that my improved device is readily and easily assembled since it requires only a moment to mount the blade l2 on the upper surface [6 of the base, then to dispose the plate 13 in position overlying the blade with the leading end of its comb-like element 28 in abutment with the back of the comb-like element l8 of the base and its members 24 interlocking with the shoulder ll of the base, and then to fasten the handle 14 upon the stud l9 and to screw the same tightly down upon the plate l3. Moreover, it requires just more than a moment to replace a blade that has become dull for the device is just as readily and easily taken apart as it is to put together.

It is to be understood that the appended claim is to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

A hair cutting and trimming device comprising a base having an upper surface which is curved upwardly adjacent to the front thereof, a partial comb structure extending from the front of said base, each tooth of the structure having an enlarged front portion defining substantially vertical sides thereon, a ridge on said upper surface, a threaded stud on said base piercing said ridge and extending substantially at a right angle from the center of said base, a blade having a central hole as well as an elongated slot therein for passing said stud and said ridge; said blade being adapted to be removably seated on said upper surface with its cutting edge abutting the backs of the teeth of said comb structure on said base, a plate removably overlying said blade; said plate having a central hole as well as a recess in its lower surface for passing said stud and receiving said ridge, a partial comb structure extending from said plate, each tooth thereof having substantially vertical sides; said partial comb structure of said plate combining with said partial comb structure of said base to form a complete comb the teeth of which have relatively high, substantially vertical sides for lifting the hair into position for cutting, inclined guides between the teeth of the partial comb structure on said plate; each of said guides being transversely flat and extending from a point in proximity to the cutting edge of said blade upwardly and rearwardly to the rear of said teeth, said guides serving to convey hair that has been cut away from the cutting edge of said blade, and a handle removably attached to said stud so as to extend substantially at a right angle from said plate and bearing thereon when tightened on said stud to firmly hold said plate and said blade in operative position on said base; said handle serving to draw the device over the head with a substantial portion of the bottom of said base bearing on the scalp and with the cutting edge of the blade presented at any desired angle to the scalp whereby an even, tapering, short, long or medium trim of the hair can be made.

HARRISON LEWIS.

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