US3621569A - Home hair trimmer and shaver - Google Patents

Abstract

A NOVEL HOME HAIR TRIMMER AND SHAVER IS DISCLOSED COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY PORTION HAVING AT EACH END THEREOF A BLADE HOLDER PORTION OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CONFIGURATION SECURED THERETO AN PREFERABLY FORMING AN INTEGRAL PART THEREOF. THE BLADE HOLDER PORTION AT ONE END OF THE BODY PORTION TERMINATES IN A TRANSVERSE EDGE HAVING A PLURALITY OF NOTCHED RECESSES THEREIN DEFINING TEETH, WHILE THE BLADE BOLDER PORTION AT THE OTHER END TERMINATES IN A ROUNDED TRANSVERSE EDGE. THE INTEGRAL BODY PORTION AND HEAD PORTIONS ARE SEPARABLE INTO A PAIR OF OPPOSING TRIMMER HALF MEMBERS BETWEEN WHICH DOUBLEEDGE RAZOR BLADES MAY BE SECURED, WITH A CUTTING EDGE THEREOF EXPOSED ADJACENT AND PARALLEL TO EACH OF THE TRANSVERSE EDGES. POSITIONING MEANS AND CENTRALLY DISPOSED LOCKING MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR ALIGNING AND SELEC-

TIVELY LOCKING THE OPPOSING TRIMMER HALF MEMBERS IN MATING JUXTAPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRANSVERSE NOTCHED EDGE OF ONE HALF MEMBER VERTICALLY OFFSET WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER, AND WITH THE DOUBLE EDGED RAZOR BLADES BEING RETAINED THEREBETWEEN. REMOVAL OF THE RAZOR BLADE IS EFFECTED BY MERELY SLIDING ONE OF THE TRIMMER HALF MEMBERS LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER. THIS NOVEL HOME HAIR TRIMMER AND SHAVER PERFORMS THE MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS OF TRIMMING, SHAPING, THINNING AND SHAVING HAIR DEPENDING UPON THE PARTICULAR MODE OF USE OF THE TRIMMER ASSEMBLY.

Description

Nov. 23, 1971 N. K. MORRIS HOME HAIR TRIMMER AND SHAVER 2 Sheets-Shoot 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1970 m 6 k J m F aim w 4ww M a x mm Mm lNVI/VfOH NATHAN K. MORRIS B) Z. Z,*

M i W ATTORNEYS 1971 N. K. MORRIS 3,621,569

HOME HAIR TRIMMER AND SHAVER Filed Feb. 19, 1970 I2 Shoots-Shoot 1 /4/6 /0 lllllllll H -/8 -h 1 M 30 "FIG. 2 22 24 FIG. 3 //\/VE/VTOF? NATHAN K. MORRIS BY :2 1

p X? M A TTOR/VE YS United States Patent O 3,621,569 HOME HAIR TRIMMER AND SHAVER Nathan K. Morris, 41 Ridge Ave., Neptune, NJ. 07753 Filed Feb. 19, 1970, Ser. No. 12,545 Int. Cl. B26b 21/12 US. CI. 30-30 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A novel home hair trimmer and shaver is disclosed comprising an elongated body portion having at each end thereof a blade holder portion of generally rectangular configuration secured thereto and preferably forming an integral part thereof. The blade holder portion at one end of the body portion terminates in a transverse edge having a plurality of notched recesses therein defining teeth, while the blade holder portion at the other end terminates in a rounded transverse edge. The integral body portion and head portions are separable into a pair of opposing trimmer half members between which doubleedge razor blades may be secured, with a cutting edge thereof exposed adjacent and parallel to each of the transverse edges. Positioning means and centrally disposed locking means are provided for aligning and selectively locking the opposing trimmer half members in mating juxtaposed relationship with the transverse notched edge of one half member vertically offset with respect to the other, and with the double edged razor blades being retained therebetween. Removal of the razor blade is effected by merely sliding one of the trimmer half members laterally with respect to the other. This novel home hair trimmer and shaver performs the multiple functions of trimming, shaping, thinning and shaving hair depending upon the particular mode of use of the trimmer assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to cutting apparatus, and particularly concerns a home hair trimmer and shaver for selectively cutting hair.

As a major factor in the maintenance of a well-groomed appearance, it is required that frequent care be given to the hair. This generally, of course, requires regular and frequent visits to a barber shop or a beauty parlor to have the hair shaped, cut and/or trimmed as desired. Such regular visits to have the hair maintained by professionals, is, however, both expensive and time-consuming, and this therefore tends to be a deterrent factor against seeking such professional care as often as is necessary.

Due to the expense and time required in such professional treatment in a barber shop or beauty shop, there has been a growing demand for devices which can be used in the home by the individual to trim, cut, and/or shape the hair, with results approximately equal in quality to those achieved by a professional. A common known form of such device comprises a hand-held trimmer which utilizes a conventional razor blade as the primary cutting tool. This general type of device has many obvious advantages since it is readily available at home and, alternatively, is readily portable to be used wherever desired. Such known prior art devices, however, have not been a perfect solution to the problem of barbering at home, since these devices are generally of poor construction, are not designed to achieve efficient hair trimming and cutting, and may frequently present a safety hazard when it is desired to remove or replace the razor blade.

SUMMARY on THE INVENTION.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a home hair trimmer and shaver which overcomes the above noted drawbacks of the prior art.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a home hair trimmer and shaver of the razor type which is of sturdy construction.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a trimmer and shaver which is lightweight, portable, and can easily be operated by hand.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a trimmer and shaver which is capable of trimming,

shaping, thinning, cutting, and shaving of hair as desired. These as well as other objects of the invention which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are

implemented by the present invention which is characterized by a novel home hair trimmer and shaver comprising an elongated body portion having at each end,

thereof a blade holder portion of generally rectangular configuration secured thereto and preferably forming an integral part thereof. The blade holder portion at one end of the body portion terminates in a transverse edge hav-' ing a plurality of notched recesses therein defining teeth,

while the blade holder portion at the other end terminates offset with respect to the other. Removal of the razor blades is effected by merely sliding one of the trimmer half members laterally with respect to the other. The novel home hair trimmer and shaver of this invention performs the multiple functions of trimming, shaping,

thining and shaving hair, depending upon the particular' mode of use of the trimmer assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention itself will be better understood and additional features and advantages thereof will become appar-' ent, from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shaver and trimmer constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal elevational view of one of the trimmer half members, showing the interior thereof;

FIG.3 is a longitudinal elevational view of the opposiing trimmer half member;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the assembled trimmer;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the assembled trimmer, taken along line 5-5 of BIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse section through the trimmer of FIG. 1, taken along line 66 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, the device of the instant invention is shown as comprising a pair of trimmer half members des ignated generally as 2 and 4, respectively. The trimmer half members 2 and 4 have disposed at one end thereof, and preferably formed as integral portions thereof, first and second trimmer head members 6 and 8, respectively, which are preferably of generally rectangular configuration and which terminate in first and second transverse.

edges 10 and 12, respectively. Transverse edges 10 and 12 are vertically offset with respect to each other so that the first edge 10 is disposed above second edge 12, i.e.; extends further from the central body portion of the trimmer. Each of these transverse edges 10 and 12 includes a pluralityof notched recesses 14 therein which define a plurality of teeth 16.

The opposite ends of trimmer half members 2 and 4 have first and second shaver head members 18 and 20, respectively, secured thereto and preferably formed integrally therewith. The shaver head members 18 and 20 terminate in first and second transverse edges 22 and. 24, respectively, which are rounded to define curvilinear sections, as can best be seen in FIG. 5. Transverse edges 22 and 24 are vertically offset with respect to each other so that second edge 24 is disposed below first edge 22, i.e., extends further from the central body portion of the trimmer.

Cooperating positioning means are provided on opposed surfaces of the trimmer head members 6 and 8 as well as the shaver head members 18 and 20. These cooperating positioning means serve the function of aligning the respective trimmer head members and shaver head members in mating juxtaposed relationship with each other, as best shown in FIG. 5. In the preferred inventive embodiment, such cooperating positioning means comprise a plurality of transverse ridges 26 extending outwardly from the inner opposed surfaces of trimmer head 6 and shaver head 18, as best seen in FIG. 2, and a plurality of cooperating transverse grooves 28, best seen in FIG. 3, which extend into the opposed inner surfaces of trimmer head 8 and shaver head 20.

A double edged razor blade 30, shown in phantom in FIG. 2, is adapted to be disposed between the first and second shaver head members 18 and 20 in a manner such that the razor blade is exposed along one of its cutting edges 32 between the rounded transverse edges 22 and 24 of the shaver head members, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and a second double edged razor blade 30 is adapted to be similarly disposed between trimmer head members 6 and 8. With its cutting edge 32 exposed between the notched recesses 14 of the trimmer head members 6 and 8, as shown at the upper end of FIG. 5. When the razor blades 30 are inserted between the respective head members 6, 8, and 18, 20, the ridges 26 on the opposed inner surfaces of head members 6 and 18 are adapted to fit through the respective central slots customarily found in such razor.

blades so as to position.

Locking means are provided on each head member and are generally disposed centrally thereof so as to selectively lock the respective head members 6, 8 and 18, 20 in a juxtaposed mating relationship and so as to release the head members from such relationship when it is desired to replace the razor blades 30. In the preferred inventive embodiment illustrated, the locking means is described in connection with only the trimmer heads 6 and 8, although it will be understood that an identical locking means is also provided for the shaver head members 18 and 20. As illustrated, the locking means cornprises a peg 34 extending outwardly from the inner opposed surface of the first trimmer head member 6. Peg 34 is undercut so as to define a notch 36, as is best illustrated in FIG. 6. An elongated peg receiving hole 38 is disposed through the second trimmer head member 8, the peg receiving hole'38 having a Width parallel to the length of the trimmer which is substantially equal to the diameter of peg 34 but having unequal lengths in the transverse direction, when viewed from the outer surface as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4 with respect to the inner opposed surface, as depicted in FIG. 3. In this manner, an internal step 40 is defined, as best seen in FIGS. 6, such internal step either having a wedge-like shape or a planar shape, as illustrated, so as to correspond with the shape of the notch 36 defined by the undercut portion of peg 34. When peg 34 is inserted through the peg resecurely hold the blades in their proper ceiving hole 38, by bringing the first and second trimmer head members 6 and 8 into juxtaposed mating relationship, one of the head members is displaced in a lateral direction with respect to the other of the head members such that a frictional locking action is effected between the internal step 40 and the undercut groove 36. Men the head members are displaced in the opposite lateral direction with respect to one another, the entire trimmer assembly can be disassembled. In a similar manner, the undercut peg 34 and elongated peg receiving hole 38 in the shaver head members 18 and lock and unlock the shaver head members 18 and 20 with respect to each other. It will be appreciated that, inasmuchas trimmer head member 6 and shaver head member 18 are integrally formed with trimmer half member 2, and trimmer head meber 8 and shaver head member 20 are integrally formed with second trimmer half member 4, a single transverse movement of one of the half members with respect to the other will respectively lock or unlock the entire trimmer device. To facilitate the transverse motion required to unlock and open the trimmer, a pair of fingerengaging lugs 42 may be provided at the side of each of the trimmer half members 2 and 4. Preferably these lugs 42 are disposed at the side of each half member opposite the direction of motion required to open the trimmer, whereby by pressing the lugs 42 towards each othe, as between the thumbs, the half members 2 and 4 will thereby be shifted laterally with respect to each other to unlock same.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, the angles with respect to the vertical plane defined by the razor blades 30 that are made by the various teeth 16 and the rounded edges 22 and 24 are illustrated. As shown, trimmer head member 6 is vertically offset upwardly with respect to trimmer head member 8 such that the teeth 16 defined by the notched grooves 14 of head member 6 extend upwardly a distance above the teeth 16 defined by the notched grooves 14 in trimmer head member 8. The depth of the notched grooves in head member 6, however is greater than the depth of the notched grooves in head member 8 such that the bottom of these grooves lie generally at the same height relative to each other. In this fashion, blade 30 is effectively exposed at a different distance from the outer surface of head member 6 than from the outer surface of head member 8, such that blade 30 will effectively cut a deeper path along head member 8 than would be the case along head member 6. It is for this reason that the side of the trimmer head comprising head member 8 is designated as for shaping and thinning use whereas the' side of the trimmer head defined by head member 6 is designated for slimming and trimming use, such slimming and trimming of the hair requiring a far shallower v cut than shaping and thinning.

The vertical offset of shaver head member 18 with respect to shaver head member 20 is such that a plane tangential to the rounded edges 22 and 24 of the respective head members intersects the vertical plane defined by the razor blade 30 at an angle of approximately 45 the razor blade 30, as mentioned above, being exposed between such rounded edges 22 and 24. In this manner, an effective shaving apparatus is formed by the shaving head members.

, When trimming and shaping hair, the depth of razor cut as discussed above is not the only consideration. Additionally, the angle of cut of blade 30 is also of considerable importance. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the teeth 16 of the trimmer head members 6 and 8 have been selectively inclined through predetermined angles from the vertical plane defined by razor blade 30. The angles of inclination deemed preferable are illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein it will be seen that the teeth 16 of trimmer head member 6 are inclined at an angle of approximately 5 from the vertical, whereas the teeth 16 of trimmer head member 8 are inclined at an angle of approximately 20 from the vertical. In this manner, smooth and efiective hair cutting with a minimum of adverse drag and tearing can be achieved.

If desired, the side edges 44 of the trimmer may be contoured to provide a suitable hand grip.

The manner in which the trimmer is utilized is believed apparent from the above description of its construction, however, this will be reviewed briefly hereunder. Firstly, it will be assumed that the halves 2 and 4 are initially separated. A pair of double edged razor blades are positioned upon pegs 34 and ridges 26 of each of the trimming and shaving heads 6 and 18, respectively. The opposing half member 4 is then positioned upon half member 2 so that pegs 34 are inserted into peg receiving holes 38, and the opposing half members 2 and 4 are then moved laterally with respect to each other to lock thejlhalves with respect to each other, thus securing the razor blades therebetWeen. The assembled trimmer may thenbe used to either trim, thin, or shave the hair, dependingupon which of the head members 6, 8, or 18 and 20 are presented for cutting.

By constructing a home hair trimmer and shaver in accordance with the above description, all of the objects initially set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully fulfilled. Accordingly, I claim:

1. A home hair trimmer and shaver comprising: first and second elongated opposed separable trimmer half members; first and second trimmer head members respectively disposed at one end of said trimmer half members and integrally secured thereto; first and second shaver head members respectively disposed at the opposite ends of said trimmer half members and rigidly secured thereto; said trimmer head members and said shaver head members terminating in transverse edges, the transverse edges of said trimmer head members having a plurality of notched recesses defining teeth thereupon, and the transverse edges of said shaver head members being rounded; cooperating positioning means disposed on opposed surfaces of each of said head members for aligning said trimmer head members with each other and said head shaver members with each other; a razor blade disposed between said first and second trimmer head members in a vertical plane so as to be exposed along one of its cutting edges by said notched recesses of said head portions, and a second razor blade disposed between said shaver head members so as to be exposed along one of its cutting edges between said rounded transverse edges; locking means disposed centrally of said first and second trimmer head members and said first and second shaver head members for locking said respective head members in mating relationship, said locking means releasing said head members so as to facilitate removal of said razor blades when one of said trimmer half members is displaced laterally with respect to the other said half member, said teeth along the transverse edge of said first trimmer head member are inclined at an angle of approximately 5 from the vertical plane defined by said. razor blade, and said teeth along the transverse edge of said second trimmer head member are inclined at an angle of approximately 20 from said vertical plane, and wherein a plane tangential to said rounded edges of said shaver head members intersects said vertical plane at an angle of approximately 45, said trimmer and shaver selectively effecting a hair shaping, trimming, and shaving function depending upon the head member used; and said locking means comprising at least two pegs; respectively, extending outwardly from one of said trimmer head members and one of said shaver head members, each of said pegs being undercut to define a notch, and a pair of elongated peg receiving holes respectively disposed through the other of said trimmer head member and said shaver head member, said peg receiving holes having a longitudinal width substantially equal to the diameters of said pegs and having unequal lengths to either side of said other head members to define internal steps, said notches of said pegs frictionally engaging said respective internal steps to effect a locking action; each of said pegs being disposed to engage at least one aperture of each one of said blades such that upon removal of said other of said trimmer and shaver head member said blades shall be substantially retained in place and upon joiningof said other member to form said trimmer, said pegs acting as further support for said blades.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1965 Szab 30-30 1/1970 Popeil 30-31

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