WO2013053568A1

WO2013053568A1 - Precision beard trimmer

Info

Publication number: WO2013053568A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/068267
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre Julemont
Original assignee: Babyliss Faco S.A.
Priority date: 2011-10-13
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2013-04-18
Also published as: EP2581180A1; DK2766153T3; CN103042544A; EP2766153B1; CN203062821U; RU2014118190A; ES2663823T3; HUE038871T2; CN103042544B; RU2607054C2; EP2766153A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer (1) comprising: - a cutting system (7); - a comb (3) equipped with a working window (6) for the cutting system (7), said comb (3) being pivot-mounted on a support (5); - a knob (8) for adjusting the cutting height; and, - means of collaboration between the knob (8) and the comb (3), said means making it possible, in use, to convert a rotational movement of the knob (8) into a translational movement of the comb (3).

Description

PRECISION BARBER MOWER

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer provided with precision adjustment means of the cutting height. It also relates to a removable comb with the aforementioned adjustment means integrated.

State of the art

The beard mowers must allow for short cuts, typically between 0.5 and 6 mm. The cutting height adjustment must be very precise to achieve what is called a "three-day beard" effect.

[0003] Precision beard trimmers are generally provided with telescopic combs that move substantially along the fixed blade of the mower.

Such a mower is, for example, described in the document

WO 2008/028332 wherein the telescopic comb moves by actuating a wheel provided with a groove cooperating with a cam integral with the comb.

The disadvantage of mowers equipped with telescopic combs is that during shaving, the cutting height can be reduced if the user inadvertently tilts the mower.

There are other means for adjusting the cutting height on beard mowers. We can mention the adjustment by screw, as described in the document EP 0 325 326. The height of cut is adjusted, via a wheel, by moving a tenon within a helical groove formed in the inner face of the scroll wheel. The rotation of the wheel thus allows the user to move the comb longitudinally and thereby change the cutting height. Due to the structure of the comb and the dimensioning of the groove, the mower according to EP 0 325 326 does not allow to make cuts with heights of less than a few millimeters. It is therefore not suitable for short cuts with "three-day beard" effect.

Goals of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a mower provided with precision adjustment means of the cutting height.

More particularly, the present invention is to provide a mower for adjusting the cutting height to the nearest tenth of a millimeter and, for cutting heights ranging between a few tenths of a millimeter and several millimeters.

The present invention further aims to achieve a mower where the cutting height can not be accidentally reduced in use.

Main characteristic elements of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer comprising:

- a cutting system;

- A comb provided with a working window for the cutting system, said comb being pivotally mounted on a support;

- a cutting adjustment wheel;

and,

- Means of cooperation between the wheel and the comb, said means allowing, in use, to transform a rotary movement of the wheel in a translational movement of the comb.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, the mower comprises at least one or a suitable combination of the following characteristics:

- The cooperation means comprise a helical groove formed in the inner face of the wheel and a protrusion positioned either on the comb or on an intermediate piece connecting said comb to said wheel;

the support forms with the comb and the wheel a removable accessory; - The helical groove has an output to release the protuberance and allow the tilting of the comb;

- The pitch of the helical groove is configured to allow adjustment to the tenth of a millimeter;

- The cutting line of the cutting system is substantially in the same plane as the working window when the comb is set in its lowest position;

- The support comprises a lock for attaching the removable accessory to said mower;

the support comprises two lateral bearing surfaces making it possible to unlock the lock by applying a pressure;

- an indexing device for locking the wheel in a position.

The present invention also relates to an accessory for a beard trimmer comprising:

a comb provided with a window enabling a cutting system to be flush with the skin of the user during shaving, said comb being mounted swinging on a support;

and,

- A wheel disposed on said support, said wheel having on its inner face a helical groove cooperating, in use, with a protuberance positioned on the comb to adjust the position of the comb and, thereby, the cutting height.

Brief description of the figures

Figures la-ld illustrate, with the aid of schematic diagrams, the operation of the cutting height adjustment means within the mower according to the invention. In use, a lug cooperates with a helical groove to move the comb. The lug may be directly positioned on the comb as shown in Figures la and lb or positioned on an arm mounted on the comb as shown in Figures 1a and 1d. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the mower according to the invention with a comb reported. For clarity, the accessory is presented in the open position with the lug out of the groove of the wheel.

Figures 3a-3d show three-dimensional views from different angles of the accessory comb to be mounted on the mower according to the invention. The accessory comb is also presented in the open position.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the accessory comb to be attached to the mower according to the invention. The comb is presented in open position.

Figure 5 shows a front view of the mower according to the invention with integrated comb.

Figures 6a and 6b show two three-dimensional views of the mower according to the invention with integrated comb. In Figure 6a, the cover is removed. In Figure 6b, a portion of the handle and the knob is also erased to visualize the positioning of the pin within the groove of the wheel. The bold lines delimit the part that moves longitudinally in use.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the male / female cooperation means within the mower according to the invention. Only the cooperation means are shown and a portion of the wheel is erased to view the helical groove.

Legend

(1) Lawn mower

(2) Accessory or comb integrated in the mower

(3) Comb

(a) Upstream, also called first part

(b) Downstream part, also called second part

(4) Point of connection or axis connecting the two points of connection

(5) Support

(6) Window of the comb

(7) Blade (8) Wheel

(9) Handle

(10) Helical groove

(11) Protuberance (pin, rib, tenon)

(12) Cylindrical portion

(13) Base of the wheel

(14) Cavity in the comb

(15) Bras

(16) Release of the helical groove

(17) Lock

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer provided with precision adjustment means of the cutting height.

According to the present invention, the mower 1 comprises a comb 2 reported, also called accessory, or integrated, as shown respectively in Figures 2 and 5.

In Figures 3a-3d, the accessory comb is presented from different angles in the open position for the sake of clarity. To describe the integrated comb, reference is made to FIG. 5 or FIGS. 6a-b.

The accessory or integrated comb 2 comprises a comb 3 mounted to pivot on a support 5. The tilting axis passes through the connecting points 4 arranged on either side of the support. As already mentioned, it is intended to be mounted on the mower or is integrated in the mower.

The comb 3 is in two parts 3a and 3b separated by a window 6 allowing the passage of the blade 7 of the mower (see Figures la-d, 3c and 6a). A first part 3a serves as a bearing surface on the face to shave and allows, depending on its spacing relative to the support, to vary the cutting height. A second part 3b arranged in front of the end of the blade serves as a barrier between the skin and the blade, in case of inadvertent tilting of the mower by the user. The presence of this protection thus makes it possible to avoid an accidental reduction of the cutting height during use.

The adjustment of the cutting height is effected by means of cooperation means for transforming a rotational movement into a translational movement. Means of cooperation means means of the male-female type in the most general sense. Without pretending to be exhaustive, mention may be made in this category of a protrusion and a helical groove as illustrated in FIGS. 1a-d, 2-4, 6a-b and 7, or any other structural assembly where at least two elements cooperate to transform a rotational movement in a translation movement in the broad sense.

According to the present invention, the user adjusts the cutting height by means of an annular wheel 8 (cylinder) disposed on the support 5 or the handle 9 of the mower, as shown respectively in Figures 3a-d and 5.

A groove of helical shape 10 is formed in the inner face of the wheel, this groove is shown schematically in Figures la-ld. In use, a lug 11, also called protuberance, moves in the groove 10 during the rotation of the wheel. The lug 11 can be placed directly on the comb 3 as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. It can also be arranged at a distance from the comb 3 and connected thereto via an arm 15 as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1d.

In the case of an accessory comb, the lug 11 is positioned on the first portion 3a of the comb next to the wheel 8 disposed within the support 5 (see Figure 3b). The wheel 8 rests on one side on a base 13. On the other side, it is housed in a cavity 14 of complementary shape which is formed in the first part 3a of the comb. In use, the movement of the lug within the groove moves the comb away from or toward the support. Figures la and lb respectively show the comb with cutting heights set to minimum and maximum. In the first case, the blade 7 is located in the window 6 and is flush with the skin of the user. In the second case, the comb is substantially spaced from the blade. There is also a position where the comb is tilted more than 90 ° to allow cleaning of the comb. As shown in FIG. 3d, the helical groove 10 opens on the edge of the wall of the wheel, at the outlet 16, which makes it possible to release the lug and for to switch the comb over 90 °. This cleaning position is, among other things, visible in FIG.

In the case of a comb integrated in the mower, the protuberance 11 is disposed on a cylindrical portion 12 inside the handle 9 (see Figures 5, 6a-6b and 7). The cylindrical portion 12 is connected to two arms 15, themselves connected to the comb 3. In use, the rotation of the wheel 8 causes a longitudinal displacement of the arms 15 and, thereby, the spacing or the approximation of the comb 3 in relation to the support 5. Figures 1a and 1d schematically illustrate respectively the comb with cutting heights set to minimum and maximum.

According to the invention, the pitch of the helical groove can be adapted according to the displacement of the required comb. The groove can extend over the entire perimeter of the wheel or only a part of the perimeter. Preferably, the groove is sized to make cuts between 0.2 and 12 mm, and more preferably between 0.2 and 5 mm, and, with an accuracy of the order of one tenth of a millimeter.

Still according to the present invention, the support of the comb may be movable in the case of an integrated comb. The support of the removable comb may in turn have a latch 17 which allows its attachment to the mower (see Figure 3a). In addition, the support of the removable comb may comprise two lateral bearing surfaces for unlocking the lock when the user applies a pressure.

The support can also be provided with an indexing device that allows to lock the wheel in the chosen position.

In the configuration with the wheel on the handle of the mower, the present invention also covers the variant where the comb is detachable.

Advantages

The comb provided with a window according to the invention allows the passage of the blade and thus the realization of short cuts of the order of a few tenths of a millimeter contrary to the state of the art document EP 0 325 326. The adjustment system according to the invention is particularly suitable for adjusting the cutting height of the combs provided with a window, unlike the system of EP 0 325 326 configured to perform a longitudinal movement of the comb.

Adjusting the cutting height through the cooperation means according to the invention allows a precise adjustment. Thus, a turn of the wheel, a displacement of about 78 mm for a knob of 25 mm diameter, allows a gap of about 5 mm of the comb.

The adjustment system according to the invention coupled to a comb with window also allows to maintain the fixed cutting height during shaving. Indeed, on the one hand, in the event of accidental tilting by the user of the mower, it is the downstream part of the comb which makes screen and thus prevents a reduction of the cutting height. On the other hand, in the absence of rotation of the wheel, the protrusion can not move in the groove even in the presence of a pressure exerted on the comb during shaving. The movement of the comb is therefore irreversible.

The helical groove is provided with an outlet that allows the comb body to be released and thus easy cleaning.

Claims

1. Beard trimmer (1) comprising:

- a cutting system (7);

- A comb (3) provided with a working window (6) for the cutting system (7), said comb (3) being pivotally mounted on a support (5);

- a wheel (8) for adjusting the cutting height;

and,

- Means of cooperation between the wheel (8) and the comb (3), said means allowing, in use, to transform a rotary movement of the wheel (8) into a translational movement of the comb (3).

2. Beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooperation means comprise a helical groove (10) formed in the inner face of the wheel (8) and a protuberance (11) positioned either on the comb (3), or on an intermediate piece (12) connecting said comb (3) to said knob (8).

3. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) forms with the comb (3) and the wheel (8) a removable accessory (2).

4. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the helical groove (10) has an outlet (16) to release the protuberance (11) and allow the tilting of the comb (3).

5. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pitch of the helical groove (10) is configured to allow adjustment to the tenth of a millimeter.

6. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting line of the cutting system (7) is substantially in the same plane as the working window (6) when the comb (3) is set to its lowest position.

7. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) comprises a latch (17) for fixing the removable accessory (2) to said mower (1).

8. Lawn mower (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the support (5) has two lateral bearing surfaces for unlocking the latch (17) by applying a pressure.

9. Lawn mower (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) comprises an indexing device for locking the wheel (8) in a position.

10. Accessory (2) for a beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- a comb (3) provided with a window (6) allowing a cutting system (7) to be flush with the skin of the user during shaving, said comb (3) being pivotally mounted on a support (5) ;

and,

- a wheel (8) disposed on said support (5), said wheel (8) having on its inner face a helical groove (10) cooperating, in use, with a protuberance (11) positioned on the comb (3) to adjust the position of the comb and, therefore, the cutting height.