Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRONIC PALM-HELD HAIR TRIMMER
Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to an electronic hair trimmer, and more
particularly to an
ergonomically shaped, palm-held electronic hair trimmer.
Background
[0002) Certain electronic hair trimmers or clippers for trimming or clipping
hair are known in the
art, particularly for use in cutting hair from the head and neck areas. Some
trimmers have moveable
heads that pivot or swivel during use. Current hair trinuners typically have
an elongated handle with a
head attached at one end housing trimming blades. The elongated handle of the
current art has a power
switch, which can have variable speeds for causing the trimming blades to move
at various speeds. The
trimming blades are made up of one or more rows of stationary blades and one
or more rows of blades
parallel to the stationary blades that move in a side to side motion when a
connected power switch is
activated. A user holds the elongated handle while operating the hair trimmer
of the current art, which
can make certain use angles awkward, especially if a user is cutting his own
hair. Current trimmers are
also difficult to use with precision due to the current art elongated handle
and difficulty applying
pressure at certain angles. With current trimmers, a user typically does not
hold the trimmer at the end
having the trimming blades, but rather generally holds an elongated handle.
Many current trimmers have
attachments covering blades for regulating how close the blades come in
contact with hair, as well as
amount of hair that is cut. For example, a thinner attachment allows the
blades to get closer to the user's
head and cut hair closer to the user's scalp, but if the apertures are narrow,
less hair is exposed to the
blades at one time. An attachment with larger apertures will allow more hair
to be exposed to blades and
a thicker attachment or an attachment with apertures that are further from the
blades will cut hair further
from the user's scalp.
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Summary of the Invention
[0003] As disclosed herein, an electronic palm-held hair trimmer has an
ergonomically curved head
with a trimmer housing that fits within a user's palm and fingers during use.
The ergonomically curved
head allows the user's hand to hold the hair trimmer in a manner that is
generally perpendicular to the
plane of the hair trimming mechanism during use. A detachable strap can be
attached to clips on either
side of the head for attaching to a user's hand to better support the hair
trin-imer. An On1OFF power
button on the head is reachable by an index finger or middle finger of a
user's hand while holding the
hair trimmer in the palm of a user's hand. A turbo button is located with the
power button, and allows
for variable speeds of the trimming blades when activated. Attachments are
provided for varying the
amount of hair and length to be cut. The trimmer may be operated with a power
cord or may include a
rechargeable battery that is used as a power supply.
[0004] As described below, other features and variations can be implemented,
if desired, and a
related method can be utilized, as well.
Description of the Drawings
[0005] It is noted that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary
embodiments of the
invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, for
the invention may admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
[0006] FIG. lA is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a top view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer;
[0008] FIG. 1 C is a bottom view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer;
[0009] FIG. 1D is a front view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer;
[0010] FIG. IE is a rear view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer with an
attachment;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a top view of an attachment for a palm-held electronic hair
trimmer;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer held in a
hand;
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[0014] FIG. 4A is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer having a
strap;
[0015] FIG. 4B is another side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer
having a strap;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trinnner held in
a hand supported by a
strap;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer held in a
hand and secured via a
strap;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a bottom view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer showing
a ninety degree
angle rotation setting; and
[0019] FIG. 6B is a bottom view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer showing
a one hundred
eighty degree angle rotation setting.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0020] An electronic palm-held hair trimmer having an ergonomically curved
head configured to be
held in a user's palm during use. In an exemplary embodiment, a detachable
strap can be attached to
clips on either side of the head for assisting a user in holding the hair
trinnner. Figs. lA-lE show various
views of one embodiment of an electronic palm-held hair trimmer. Fig. 1A shows
a side view of one
embodiment of an electronic palm-held hair trimmer 100 having an ergonomically
curved head 101
shaped to fit comfortably and securely in a user's palm. Fig. 1B illustrates a
top view of the palm-held
hair trimmer 100 and Fig. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the palm-held hair
trimmer 100. Figs. 1D and
lE illustrate front and rear views respectively of the palm-held hair trimmer
100.
[0021] Holding a trimmer 100 in a palm allows a user more freedom of movement
for trimming hair
at various angles, as well as allowing a user to apply direct pressure with a
hand instead of pressure
leveraged with a handle. The head 101 can be available in various sizes, such
as small, medium, large,
extra large, or the like, to fit various hand sizes of users. For example, a
small or medium sized head may
fit women more comfortable than a large or extra large sized head, which may
be more appropriate for
most men. A face 102 is located opposite the back of the head 101. The head
101 may include a holding
strip and clips or some other mechanism for assisting a user in holding the
trimmer (discussed in more
detail with reference to Figs. 4A and 4B). Also on the head 101 is an ON/OFF
power button 105 for
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activating an internal electronic system. A turbo button 106 is located with
the power button 105, and
regulates various speeds of the trimming blades 104, via the electronic
system.
[0022] The face 102 has a trimmer housing 103 that holds trimming blades 104.
The trimming
blades 104 may be comprised of one or more rows of stationary blades, and one
or more rows of blades
that move in a side to side motion parallel to the stationary blades. The
trimming blades 104 may be
configured to be easily removable for cleaning or replacing. Attachments
(described in more detail with
reference to Figs. 2A and 2B) are available for covering the trinuning blades
104 to provide safety to a
user, as well as regulate a desired amount and length of hair cut. The
concepts described herein may be
utilized independent of the shape, type and motion of the trimming blades.
Generally it is merely
desirable that the trimming mechanism be located under the face 102 of the
head 101. Thus for example,
though described with respect to side to side type moving blades, a wide range
of other blade
arrangements as known in the art may be utilized.
[0023] A charging connection 107 is located on the head 101 and is configured
for plugging in an
electrical cord. The trimmer 100 can be operated while the electrical cord is
plugged into the charging
connection 107 or after an internal rechargeable battery has been sufficiently
charged via the charging
connection 107. An LED light 109 indicates whether the trimmer 100 requires
charging with a red light,
or whether the trinuner 100 is sufficiently charged when a green light is
displayed. The location of the
charging connection 107 allows for use of the hair trimmer 100 even when
connected to an electrical
cord in a manner so as not to impede hair trimming.
[0024] In one embodiment, trimmer housing 103 and trimming blades 104 may be
in a stationary
position with respect to the head 101. In an alternative embodiment (discussed
in more detail with
reference to Figs. 6A and 6B), the trimmer housing 103 and trimming blades 104
may rotate with respect
to the head 101_
[0025] Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate the use of an attachment for covering the
trimming blades 104. As
shown in Fig. 2A, an attachment 200 may engage the bottom of the hair trimmer
100 as indicated by the
dashed lines. Fig 2B illustrates the exposed face 202 of the attachment 200.
Projections 204 are
provided on the attachment 200. The projections 204 are configured to snap
into place in slots 112 of the
bottom face 102 of the hair trimmer (slots 112 being shown in Fig. 1C). In
this manner, a user may
removably attach and detach the attachment 200 from the hair trimmer 100. A
hair trimmer 100 having
an attachment 200 engaged to the hair trimmer 100 is shown in Fig. 3.
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[0026] The attachment 200 improves safety by covering the trimming blades. The
attachment 200
may also regulate the amount and length of hair trimmed. More particularly,
different sized attachments
may change the amount and length of hair trimmed. Thus though one attachment
is shown, different
attachments may be selectively snapped into place on the hair trimmer. Each
attachment 200 may vary in
thickness t resulting in varied distances of attachment face 202 from trimming
blades and thus regulate
the proximity of the trimming blades to a user's scalp. The attachment 200 can
also vary in size of
apertures 205 on attachment face 202. Larger apertures allow more hair to be
exposed to trimming
blades, while smaller apertures allow less hair to be exposed to trimming
blades. A user would take into
consideration the thickness and texture of hair being trimmed when deciding
upon the type and size of
attachment 200 to use in order to achieve the desired cutting effect. The
attachments may be formed in a
wide range of configurations and it will be recognized that the attachment
shown is merely exemplary.
For example, the attachment may be constructed to have a comb like shape on
the attachment face.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of a palm-held electronic hair trimmer 100 as
ergonomically held within a user's
hand 300. As shown, the ergonomically curved head 101 fits within the palm and
fingers of the user's
hand 300 in a manner such that the face 102 of the trimmer 100 is opposite the
fingers and palm. As
shown in Fig. 3, the trimming blades are covered by an attachment 200 having a
face 202 and apertures
205 as described above. An index finger or middle finger of a user's hand 300
may operate the power
button and variable speed turbo button during use. A user's thumb can add
stability to a user's operation
of the trimmer by gripping the side of the hair trimmer head as shown. As can
seen from Fig. 3, the
ergonomically shaped curved head 101 of the hair trimmer 100 fits within the
natural curvature of the
hand 300. In this manner, the fingers and palm of the user's hand may easily
grip the hair trimmer within
the hand. Thus, the front to back of the hair trimmer substantially fits
within the open palm and fingers
of the user as opposed to a clenched fist type grip that surrounds a hair
trimmer handle in prior art
trimmers. Furthermore, the hand may engage the hair trimmer 100 on the side
opposite of the trimming
blades 104 (in Fig. 3 the hand engaging the top side of the hair trinuner and
the trimming blades being
located at the bottom side of the hair trimmer). Thus, direct downward
pressure that is relatively
perpendicular to the cutting face is applied through the palm and fmgers of
the user which move the hair
trimtner into engagement with the hair. When engaged with the hair the motion
of the hand is translated
to being motion of the same general direction by the trimming mechanism. Thus,
the trimming
mechanism moves in the same general direction as a user's palm. Thus for
example, a circular hand
motion with create the relatively same circular motion by the trimming
mechanism and the like. By
holding the hair trimmer in the open palm and fingers directly opposite the
trimming blades, improved
range of motion and control is provided as opposed to traditional hair
trimmers that are gripped by a
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handle and engaged with the hair through a motion that in which the cutting
mechanism does not merely
track the motion of a user's palm (for example because of the lever like
effect of gripping an extended
handle).
[00271 As described above, the head of the hair trimmer has an ergonomically
curved head. As
shown in Figs. lA and 3, the curvature of the head may be formed so as to be
naturally "cupped" by the
normal curvature of a relaxed palm and fingers. Thus, as can be seen by Fig. 1
A, the head 101 includes a
first region 130 that has a first radius of curvature for engaging a user's
fingers and a second region 150
having a second different radius of curvature design to engage a user's palm.
In one embodiment, the
radius of curvature of region 130 may be concave while the radius of curvature
of region 150 may be
convex, however, such concave and convex configuration may not be necessary to
still ergonomically fit
within most user's hands. It will also be noticed with reference to Figs. 1A,
1D and lE that the curvature
of the head includes curvature in a direction roughly parallel to a user's
fingers (as seen in Fig. 1 A) and
curvature in a direction roughly perpendicular to a user's fingers (as seen in
Figs. 1D and lE).
[0028] Figs. 4A and 4B show a first and second side view of a palm-held
electronic hair trinuner
400 that further includes a strap 405 for assisting a user in holding the hair
trinuner. The strap 405 helps
stabilizes the hair trimmer in a user's hand and can attach to clips or some
other attachment mechanism
to the sides of the hair trimmer head. The hair trimmer 400 may generally be
configured similar to the
hair trimmer of Fig. lA except for the addition of the strap 405. The strap
405 may be utilized with a
clip 410. In use the strap may be connected on one side of the hair trimmer
405 as shown in Fig. 4B and
then threaded through the clip 410 on the other side of the hair trimmer 405.
The strap may be tightened
around a user's hand by the use of hook and loop type fasteners (such as for
example Velcro) contained
on the underside of the strap 405. It will be recognized that other structures
may also be utilized to assist
the holding of the hair trimmer by a user. For example the strap could be
comprised of two connecting
pieces that are attached on opposing sides of the hair trimmer head. Further,
the attachment and
tightening mechanism of such structures may be accomplished in a wide range of
manners. Fig. 5
illustrates the use of the strap 405 of the hair trinv.ner 400 to assist the
holding of the hair trimmer 400
within a user's hand 300.
[0029] As shown in Fig. 1C, the trimming blades 104 of the hair trimmer may be
aligned with the
front of the hair trimmer. Alternatively, the hair trimmer may be configured
to allow the trimmer blades
104 to be rotated to different positions. Rotation of the trimmer blades 104
is illustrated in a bottom view
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of a hair trimmer 600 as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. In Figs. 6A and 6B the hair
trinuner 600 may be
configured similar to the hair trinuner 100 of Fig. 1 C except that the
trimming blades 104 may be rotated.
Fig. 6A illustrates a rotation of 90 degrees and Fig. 6B illustrates a
rotation of 180 degrees. In one
embodiment, the trimming blades may be rotated through rotate 360 degrees.
Rotation may be
accomplished by rotating the face 602 of the bottom of the hair trimmer 600
and the trimmer housing
attached to the face. In another alternative, just the trimmer housing could
be constructed to rotate. In
one embodiment, the face 602 can have certain angles preset angles within the
360 degrees via preset
settings for locking the face 602 into a certain angle for use. Rotation of
the face 602 may cause the
trimmer housing 103 and trimming blades 104 to rotate for cutting or trimming
at different angles. By
allowing rotation, the direction of cutting that a user may utilize with
relation to the hair to be cut may be
more easily extended as opposed to the range of directions that a user may
achieve merely through
movement of the hand or arm. This allows a user to cut their own hair at any
angle without awkwardness
or straining. In addition, the cutting angle may be changed while still
retaining the same gripping
location of the hand with respect to the head of the hair trimmer. In
addition, rotation of the trimming
blades allows a user to trim their own hair at various angles while
maintaining the user's connection
between the user's index finger and the power button and turbo button. Any of
a wide range of
techniques could be utilized to rotate the trimming blades and the palm held
hair trimmer disclosed
herein in not meant to be limited to any particular (if any) rotation
mechanism.
[0030] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention
will be apparent to those
skilled in the art in view of this description. It will be recognized,
therefore, that the present invention is
not limited by these example arrangements. Accordingly, this description is to
be construed as
illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art
the manner of carrying out the
invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown
and described are to be
taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changes may be made in
the implementations and
architectures. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those
illustrated and described
herein, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of
the use of other features, all
as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of
this description of the invention.
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