CN109984442B

CN109984442B - Separable hairdressing equipment

Info

Publication number: CN109984442B
Application number: CN201811634023.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尼古拉斯·洛谢; 沃兰迪·吉威勒
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-29
Publication date: 2023-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-29
Also published as: FR3076188B1; CN109984442A; WO2019129873A1; EP3731691B1; CN210018212U; FR3076188A1; EP3731691A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair clipping device (1), said hair clipping device (1) comprising a main body (2), said main body (2) carrying a motor (3) and a driving mechanism (4) driving a hair strand (C) to be combed, said driving mechanism (4) being driven by said motor (3), said hair clipping device (1) being characterized in that said hair clipping device (1) comprises complementary first and second connection parts (16, 17), said complementary first and second connection parts (16, 17) being connected with said motor (3) and said driving mechanism (4), respectively, said complementary first and second connection parts (16, 17) being movable with respect to each other between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration.

Description

Separable hairdressing equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the general technical field of hair-dressing or haircutting devices, preferably household, and more precisely to portable electric haircutting devices for ensuring the shaping of hair and, in particular, the straightening of hair.

The invention relates more particularly to a hair-cutting device designed to be held and operated with the hand and comprising at least a main body, a body-loading (embarquer) motor and a drive mechanism of the hair tresses to be combed, which is movably mounted with respect to the main body and is intended to be driven by the motor in order to drive the hair tresses in motion with respect to the main body.

Background

It is known to use electric hair cutting devices to shape hair, and in particular to curl or straighten hair.

Some of these devices are equipped with a rotating mandrel for curling the tresses in order to automatically shape the tresses. In particular, a hair curling device is known, whose rotating spindle is connected to a drive motor by means of a torque limiter, which consists of two discs carried by the output shaft of the motor and the spindle, respectively. The two discs are in close contact with each other in order to adhere to each other by friction and thus ensure a mechanical transmission between the motor and the spindle. In case the motor is subjected to an excessive load, exceeding a predetermined level, the discs will slide relative to each other instead of rotating together, and thus break the mechanical connection between the motor and the spindle. Such a safety device allows to prevent possible damage to the motor or possible injury to the user when the hair is caught in the spindle (for example due to knots in the hair) or when the control means of the motor are faulty.

These known hair clipping devices, while generally satisfactory, still have certain drawbacks.

One of the drawbacks is that the hair drive (spindle) may be activated by the motor in an improper configuration which does not necessarily indicate the presence of a moment with too high a force moment limiter that can trigger the moment limiter.

In particular, the motor is able to drive the spindle in rotation even when the mechanism (movable shoe) allowing the hair to be associated with the spindle is in a non-operative configuration (for example if the shoe is in an open position).

Thus, the design of the known hair clipping devices does not allow to ensure that the drive mechanism of the hair can not be driven when the device is in a predetermined specific configuration. This is obviously a source of risk, both for the device itself and for the user.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the various drawbacks listed above and to provide a new hair-cutting apparatus which has a particularly simple and reliable design, providing a high degree of safety in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new hair-cutting apparatus which is particularly compact and simple to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hair clipping device which is particularly intuitive to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hair cutting apparatus which is particularly durable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hair cutting apparatus whose design allows to improve the quality and repeatability of the hair shaping results.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new hair-cutting apparatus which is particularly simple and inexpensive to construct.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new hair-cutting apparatus which is particularly reliable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hair-cutting apparatus which allows to straighten the hair in a particularly simple, quick and efficient manner.

The object of the invention is achieved by a hair clipping device designed to be held and operated with a hand and comprising at least a main body carrying a motor and a driving mechanism for driving a hair strand to be combed, said driving mechanism being movably mounted with respect to said main body and intended to be driven by said motor for driving the hair strand in motion with respect to said main body, said hair clipping device being characterized in that it comprises complementary first and second connecting parts connected with said motor and with said driving mechanism, respectively, said complementary first and second connecting parts being movable with respect to each other between a connected configuration in which said complementary first and second connecting parts are in contact with each other for allowing the motor to drive said driving mechanism, and a disconnected configuration in which said complementary first and second connecting parts are distanced from each other for disabling said motor to drive said driving mechanism.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and more particularly apparent from reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows, according to a perspective view, a hair-cutting device according to the invention in a first configuration in which the drive mechanism of the device is in an operating state which allows a mechanically driven connection to be established between the drive mechanism and the hair strands to be combed, the hair-cutting device here constituting an automatic straightener;

figure 2 illustrates the device of figure 1 according to a schematic cross-sectional view;

figure 3 schematically illustrates the device of figures 1 and 2 according to an axial section.

Fig. 4 shows the device of fig. 1 to 3 in a perspective schematic view, this time in its second configuration, which corresponds to a released state of the drive mechanism in which no mechanical drive connection can be established between the drive mechanism and the hair strand to be combed.

Figure 5 illustrates the device of figure 4 according to a schematic cross-sectional view.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates the device of figure 5 according to an axial section.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the device of fig. 5 and 6 according to an axial section reversed with respect to fig. 6.

Figure 8 schematically shows the device according to the invention in use.

Detailed Description

The hair-cutting apparatus 1 according to the invention is designed to be held and operated with a hand. The hair-cutting apparatus 1 is thus a portable and manual apparatus, preferably for home use by a user, who has no technical skill in the field of hair-dressing or haircutting, that is to say shaping the hair, and in particular straightening the hair. Preferably, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the hair-cutting apparatus 1 forms a straightener which allows the user to straighten the hair, preferably with the aid of heat and pressure. Preferably and as illustrated, the device 1 forms an automatic straightener, that is to say the device 1 is designed to limit the active intervention of the user, who does not perform the action of a specific technique, such as actions and operations that the hairdresser can perform in order to obtain similar results. The automatic feature of the device 1 allows, among other things, the device 1 itself to ensure the relative movement of the locks to be combed and the device 1. Preferably, the device 1 is designed to be substantially fixed (with respect to the head of the user) and simultaneously move the hair tresses.

However, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment, and it is equally contemplated that the hair cutting device 1 may be formed as a hair curler, a embosser, or any other type of automatic or non-automatic hair shaping device, for example. However, for the sake of brevity, the following description focuses only on the hair-cutting apparatus 1 ensuring the straightening function.

The device 1 according to the invention comprises at least one body 2 as shown, said body 2 itself advantageously comprising a housing, for example realized by an injected plastic material. The body 2 may be in the form of a single piece (as shown) or alternatively in the form of assembled parts, which are optionally movable relative to each other (variants not shown). The device 1 advantageously comprises a handle 2A, said handle 2A being intended to be manually gripped in order to operate the device 1. The handle 2A is advantageously formed by a rear portion 200 of the housing and itself extends, towards the rear, a power supply cable (not shown), and, towards the front, an active portion (active) 201, the active portion 201 being intended to receive the hair tressesCIn order to shape it (in this case to straighten it).

The body 2 carries a motor 3, the motor 3 being for example an electric motor and preferably a gear motor as shown. The motor 3 comprises a rotating motor shaft 3A, which motor rotating shaft 3A may either be formed directly by the output shaft of the motor 3 (variant not shown) or may be driven by the output shaft 3B of the motor (variant shown), preferably by means of a reduction system. The reduction system comprises, for example, two gears 30a,30B, which gears 30a,30B are each carried by the motor shaft 3A and the output shaft 3B. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the motor 3 equipped with the rotary motor shaft 3A. The motor 3 may alternatively be formed, for example, by a linear actuator without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown, the body 2 also carries the locks to be combedCIs provided with a drive mechanism 4. The driving mechanism 4 is movably mounted with respect to the body 2 and is intended to be driven by the motor 3 in order to drive the hair strandCWith respect to the movement of the body 2, for example at a speed comprised between 1 and 5cm/s, preferably approximately equal to 2cm/s. The drive mechanism 4 is thus designed for the locks of hair to be combedCTravel (filer) with respect to the body 2 and are designed for this purpose, for example, by friction or attachmentThen building and hair tressesCAnd on the other hand is designed to be connected to an electric motor 3, for example to a rotating motor shaft 3A, in order to be driven by said electric motor 3. The drive mechanism 4 is advantageously intended to automate a haircut operation, for example in order to comb the hair strands to be combedCWound around said mandrel in order to obtain a curling effect on the hair, or (according to the embodiment shown) to comb the locks of hair to be combedCBetween the profiled surfaces, which are advantageously complementary, for example a straightening plate, an embossing plate (complementary undulating plate), or even a plate comprising an uneven surface or projections (for example teeth and/or spikes).

The drive mechanism 4 advantageously switches between an operating condition (as shown in figures 1 to 3 and 8) in which the drive mechanism 4 and the lock of hair are accessible, and a release condition (as shown in figures 4 to 7)CA mechanical drive connection is established between them (e.g. by friction or by clamping) which cannot be established in the released state.

Said drive mechanism 4 is advantageously intended to receive the hair tresses in its release positionCAnd when the driving mechanism 4 reaches its operating state, the driving mechanism 4 is then able to drive the tresses of hairC. For this purpose, the drive mechanism 4 comprises, for example, a motorized pulley 40 and a pressing mechanism 41, the motorized pulley 40 and the pressing mechanism 41 being arranged in the active area 201, as shown. The pressing mechanism 41 is advantageously formed by a non-motorized pressing roller (free rotation), which is movably mounted with respect to the motorized pulley 40 between a proximal position and a distal position:

in the approaching position (as shown in figures 1 to 3 and 8), the pressing mechanism 41 is close enough to the motorized pulley 40 to lock the hair strandsCPressing against the motorized pulley 40 to pass the lock of hair CFor example according to the principle of two opposite cylinders of the rolling mill;

in the distanced position (as shown in figures 4 to 7), the pressing mechanism 41 is distanced from the motorized pulley 40 enough so as not to lock the hair strandsCExtrusionAgainst the motorized pulley 40.

In this preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism 4 is in its operating state when the pressing mechanism 41 occupies its close position, and the drive mechanism 4 is in its released state when the pressing mechanism 41 occupies its far position. Thus, in the remote position, the user can comb the hair strands to be combedCInterposed between the motorized pulley 40 and the pressing mechanism 41, after which the pressing mechanism 41 is brought into its approaching position and thus presses the tresses of hairCAgainst the motorized roller 40, thus allowing the roller 40 to frictionally drive the tresses of hairCThe squeeze roller advantageously constituting the squeezing mechanism 41 is itself lock-ed by hairCThe driving is rotated in the S2 direction, which is opposite to the rotation direction S1 of the motorized pulley 40. The motorized pulley 40, as advantageously forming the pulley of the pressing mechanism 41, is preferably realized by a material that facilitates the localized adhesion of the hair, for example a material of the rubber type, elastomer type, or foam type, optionally impregnated with a hair care product or a hair styling product. The drive mechanism 4 advantageously comprises a rotation receiving shaft 4A, said rotation receiving shaft 4A advantageously being intended to transfer kinetic energy generated by the motor 3 to the motorized pulley 40. For this purpose, and as will be described in more detail below, the rotation motor shaft 3A is intended to drive the rotation receiving shaft 4A in rotation.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the body 2 carries a gripping device 5, the gripping device 5 being on the tress of hairCIs introduced into the hair strandCIs switched between the clamping configuration of (c). The introduction configuration (as shown in figures 4 to 7) allows the user to introduce at least one bundle of hair strandsCIs introduced into the clamping device 5. Thus, this is an open configuration that allows for the insertion of one or more hair strandsCPositioned in said clamping means 5. In the clamped configuration, the clamping means 5 are engaged with the one or more hair strands involvedCClamping is effected, that is to say the clamping device 5, when in the clamped configuration, performs a partial compression of one or more hair strands collected in the clamping device 3, so as to be thereby compressedThe tightly wrapped hair strand or strands C are shaped. For this purpose, the clamping device 5 itself comprises at least one first jaw 6, which at least one first jaw 6 is movably mounted with respect to the body 2 between at least one open position (as shown in fig. 4 to 7) and a closed position (as shown in fig. 1 to 3 and 8), which correspond to the introduction configuration and the clamping configuration, respectively. The first jaw 6 is advantageously arranged substantially opposite a complementary abutment element (for example formed by the second jaw 7), with which the first jaw 6 is intended to cooperate in order to release or tighten the hair strand according to whether it is in the open or closed position C. The complementary abutment element may be fixedly mounted with respect to the body 2 or movably mounted with respect to the body 2 (as shown) and in this case for example has the form of a second jaw 7, said second jaw 7 being described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the body 2 thus advantageously forms a fixed housing in which the clamping device 5 and the movable part of the drive mechanism 4 are movable.

Advantageously, the driving mechanism 4 is designed for the locks to be combedCTravel in the gripping means 5 of the gripping configuration in order to cause the locks of hair to be takenCBetween the first jaw 6 and the complementary abutment element, advantageously formed by the second jaw 7, and simultaneously against the first jaw 6 and the complementary abutment element. For this purpose, with respect to the hair tressesCThe drive mechanism 4 is advantageously arranged downstream of the gripping device 5. This means that a portion of the tresses received by the gripping means 5 will not come into contact with the driving mechanism 4 before gripping and will only encounter the driving mechanism 4 after being shaped by the gripping means 5. Preferably, the first jaw 6 carries at least a portion of the drive mechanism 4 (as shown), even alternatively the entire drive mechanism 4. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first jaw 6 thus carries a motorized drum 40, while the pressing mechanism 41, advantageously formed by a free-rotating drum (not motorized), is then preferably carried on the complementary abutment element, advantageously Formed by the second jaw 7. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the motorized pulley 40 thus moves together with the first jaw 6, while the pressing mechanism 41 moves together with the second jaw 7 in this case.

Advantageously, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, said first jaw 6 is designed to move between its open and closed position, while remaining parallel to itself. In other words, when the first jaw 6 moves from its open position to its closed position, the first jaw 6 remains permanently parallel to itself, that is to say its orientation relative to the body 2 remains fixed and unchanged, only the position of the first jaw 6 relative to the body 2 (that is to say the distance of the first jaw 6 from the body 2) being varied. Thus, when the first jaw 6 is moved from its open position into its closed position, the stability (assette) of the first jaw 6 advantageously remains unchanged, that is to say the stability/inclination of the first jaw 6 remains constant, irrespective of the position of the first jaw 6 (open, closed, intermediate position, etc.).

The first jaw 6 defines, for example, a pressing surface 6A, the pressing surface 6A being intended to be associated with the hair strand to be shaped CLocally in contact, said pressing surface 6A being substantially parallel to the mean median plane P _M . The pressing surface 6A defined by the first jaw 6 is, for example, in the context of a hair-cutting device for straightening hair, a substantially flat surface, as is the opposite pressing surface 7A, the opposite pressing surface 7A being defined by the complementary abutment element (for example, the second jaw 7), the pressing surface 6A being intended to cooperate with the opposite pressing surface 7A in order to tighten the hair tressesC. Thus, when the first jaw 6 moves from its open position to its closed position and vice versa, the pressing surface 6A defined by the first jaw 6 is advantageously permanently parallel to the mean median plane P _M . This feature allows to shape the hair tresses to be shapedCApplying a particularly uniform and unified stress on the locks of hairCWhat is the position in the clamping device 5. However, the invention is by no means limited to embodiments of the planar pressing surfaces 6a,7a, for example at least one of said pressing surfaces 6a,7a is fully conceivableThe pressing surface may for example have an irregular, wavy (e.g. to achieve curls, waves or big waves) or other surface in order to obtain a shaping effect which is different from the straightening effect. At least one of the pressing surfaces 6a,7a may also comprise one or more protrusions, such as teeth or spikes. The pressing surfaces 6a,7a are preferably complementary, conjugate shapes (e.g. one of which is convex and the other concave, or the surfaces 6a,7a comprise corresponding teeth arranged in a quincuncial shape, or as shown, the two surfaces 6a,7a are substantially flat, planar).

Advantageously, said first jaw 6 is mounted in a circumferentially translating manner with respect to the body 2 between its open and closed position (and vice versa). If a circular translational movement is preferred, since it allows in particular to limit the untimely locking risks and costs associated with conventional linear translational movements, however, it is also conceivable that the hair-cutting device 1 alternatively implements a first jaw 6 mounted in translation with respect to the body 2, for example by means of a sliding rail connection, without thereby exceeding the scope of the invention.

Preferably, as shown, the first jaw 6 is mounted in a circumferentially translational manner with respect to the body 2 according to a deformable parallelogram mounting. For this purpose, the body 2 is preferably loaded with a first small link 8 and a second small link 9, the first small link 8 and the second small link 9 extending between respective first ends 8a,9a and respective second ends 8b,9b, respectively, the first ends 8a,9a being connected (by articulation, preferably by pivoting) with the body 2, the second ends 8b,9b being connected (by articulation, preferably by pivoting) with the first jaw 6. Each of the first and second small links 8,9 is thus advantageously mounted, at least with respect to the body 2 on the one hand, and with respect to the first jaw 6 on the other hand, in rotation along respective axes of rotation parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane inscribed by the circular translational movement of the first jaw 6. The deformable parallelogram mounting, performed by means of said first and second small links 8,9, thus allows the first jaw 6 to move with respect to said body 2 between an extended condition (corresponding to the closed position) and a retracted condition (corresponding to the open position).

As indicated previously and according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the gripping device 5 advantageously comprises a second jaw 7, said second jaw 7 being arranged opposite to the first jaw 6, so that, when in the gripping configuration, the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 are close enough to each other to grip between them the tresses to be combedCWhile in the introduction configuration, the first 6 and second 7 jaws are far enough away from each other to release the hair tressesC. The second jaw 7 is fixably mounted with respect to the body 2, but is preferably movably mounted with respect to the body 2 between an open position and a closed position, which correspond to the gripping and introduction configurations of the gripping device 5, respectively.

Advantageously, said second jaw 7 is also mounted in a circumferentially translating manner with respect to said body 2 between its open or closed position. This circumferential translational mounting is advantageously obtained by a deformable parallelogram type mounting, preferably similar to the mounting described above with respect to the first jaw 6. In the case of this preferred figure, the body 2 carries third and fourth small links 10, 11, each of said third and fourth small links 10, 11 extending between a first end 10a,11a connected to the body 2 and a second end 10b,11b connected to the second jaw 7. The third small link 10 and the first small link 8 are substantially identical, or at least symmetrical, while the second small link 9 and the fourth small link 11 are substantially identical, or at least symmetrical. The hair-cutting apparatus 1 thus advantageously has, at least in its active area 201, a first jaw 6 and a second jaw 7 with respect to a median plane of symmetry P _M In other words, has a symmetrical configuration, the intermediate plane of symmetry P _M In the embodiment shown in the figures, the intermediate plane P corresponds to the contact plane of the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 in their respective closed positions _M Advantageously parallel to the axes of rotation of said first, second, third and fourth small links 8,9, 10, 11.

Preferably, the first and second jaws 6,7 are designed for circumferential flattening simultaneously in respective opposite directionsThe movement is a motion. This means that when the clamping device 5 is transferred from its clamping configuration to the introduction configuration, the first and second jaws 6,7 move away from each other simultaneously and according to respective symmetrical movements until reaching their respective open positions corresponding to the maximum distance between the first and second jaws 6, 7. The first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 are thus advantageously moved in phase (en phase) so that the clamping device 5 occupies its clamping configuration when the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 are each in their closed position. Advantageously, the clamping device 5 is equipped with heating means in order to simultaneously clamp and heat the hair tressesC. For example, at least one of the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 has a heating characteristic, such that the pressing surfaces 6a,7a defined by each thereof have a heating characteristic. In this advantageous case, the clamping means 5 are able to simultaneously locally clamp (squeeze) and heat (preferably by conduction) the hair tresses CThis allows optimizing the shaping effect and in particular allows obtaining a relatively efficient and durable straightening effect.

The body 2 is also advantageously loaded with a control mechanism 12, which control mechanism 12 can be activated manually in order to bring the hair-cutting apparatus 1 from the first operating configuration, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, to the second operating configuration, as shown in fig. 4 to 7. In other words, the control mechanism 12 is intended to be actively activated manually by the user in order to alter the state of the hair-cutting apparatus 1 as a direct response to the manual activation of the control mechanism 12. The control mechanism 12 is preferably different from the drive mechanism 4, that is to say the drive mechanism 4 cannot be used to switch the hair-cutting apparatus 1 from its first configuration to its second configuration by manual actuation. Preferably, the first configuration corresponds to an operating state of the drive mechanism 4, and the second configuration corresponds to a released state of the drive mechanism 4. This means that in the advantageous embodiment shown in the figures, the driving mechanism 4 is able to drive the hair tresses when the hair-cutting device 1 is in its first configurationCThat is, the pressing mechanism 41 is in its close position, whereas when the hair-cutting apparatus 1 is in its second configuration, the pressing mechanism 41 is this time in its far position, The remote position allows release of the hair tressesC. Preferably, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control means 12 are connected to the gripping device 5 in order to switch the gripping device 5 from one of its introduction configuration and gripping configuration to the other.

More preferably, the control means 12 is connected to the clamping means 5 so as to cause the clamping means 5 to be transferred from its clamped configuration to its introduced configuration when the control means 12 is manually activated, the clamping means 5 preferably being permanently restored into its clamped configuration by suitable restoring means. Advantageously, the first configuration of the hair-cutting apparatus 1 thus corresponds to the clamping configuration of the clamping device 5, while the second configuration of the hair-cutting apparatus 1 corresponds to the introduction configuration of the clamping device 5. The control mechanism 12 is for example movably mounted with respect to the body 2 between a first position (deployed position as shown in fig. 1 to 3) corresponding to a first configuration (and advantageously to a clamped configuration) and a second position (introduced configuration). The control mechanism 12 may be pivotally mounted (as shown) and/or translationally mounted, for example, relative to the body 2 between its first and second positions, which correspond, for example, to a deployed state of the control mechanism 12 in which the control mechanism 12 protrudes from the body 2 towards the outside of the body 2, and a retracted state of the control mechanism 12 in which the control mechanism 12 is hidden inside the body 2 under, for example, manual pressure applied by a user. The control mechanism 12 thus advantageously comprises at least one first push-button switch 12A (or pin) pivotally mounted with respect to the body 2 along a first pivot axis parallel to the pivot axes of the first and second small links 8, 9. In order to convert the movement of the control mechanism 12 into the movement of the first jaw 6, the first small link 8 and the control mechanism 12 are each provided with interengaging surfaces 80, 120, which surfaces 80, 120 cooperate to conduct a manual control force applied to the control mechanism 12 to the first small link 8 to rotate the first jaw 6 from its closed position to its open position. The interengaging surface 120 provided with the control mechanism 12 thus advantageously forms a cam, preferably a pivoting cam, which stresses the complementary interengaging surface 80 provided with the first small link 8 so as to translate the rotational movement of the control mechanism 12 (in this case the first push-button switch 12A) into a rotational movement of the small link 8, which advantageously drives the circumferential translational movement of the first jaw 6 from its closed position to its open position.

The return means preferably exert a return force on at least the first small link 8 and comprise, for example, at least one magnet 13, said at least one magnet 13 being connected to said first small link 8 so that said first small link 8 carries said magnet 13. In the case of this figure, the return means also comprise a plate 14 made of ferromagnetic material, said plate 14 being fixed (for example by gluing) to the body 2 so as to permanently establish a magnetic attraction between the magnet 13 and the plate 14. This magnetic attraction creates a return force exerted by the return means on the first jaw 6 in order to permanently return the clamping means into their clamping configuration and, advantageously, thus, permanently return the hair-cutting apparatus 1 into its first configuration, which advantageously corresponds to the clamping configuration of the clamping means 5. In other words, the device 1 adopts a natural closing/clamping configuration corresponding to the clamping configuration without external stresses. This allows optimal hair styling results to be obtained, regardless of the user's skill and dexterity. For example, the return means are designed such that the clamping force exerted by the clamping means 5 in the clamped configuration is comprised between 10N and 50N, and preferably substantially equal to 30N.

In the clamped configuration, the magnet 13 rests against the plate 14 under the effect of magnetic attraction and is permanently held in this position. When a user applies pressure on the first push-button switch 12A towards the inside of the housing forming the body 2, the interengaging surface 120 carried by said first push-button switch 12A will push the small link 8 against the return force by the action of the cam, thus pivoting said small link 8 so as to bring said first jaw 6 from its closed position to its open position.

However, it is entirely conceivable to use any other mechanism capable of exerting a restoring force without using a magnet, such as a spring mounted between the main body 2 and one of the small links 8,9, even directly between said main body 2 and the first jaw 6.

Preferably, the control mechanism 12 further comprises a second push button 12B, said second push button 12B being advantageously identical to the first push button 12A and preferably being identical to the first push button 12A with respect to the mean median plane P as shown _M Is symmetrically arranged. In order to preferably carry out a simultaneous and synchronous movement of the first and second jaws 6,7, the control mechanism 12 is advantageously connected simultaneously with the first and second jaws 6,7 for simultaneously driving the first and second jaws 6,7 from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the two push-button switches 12a,12b are connected to each other by means of a transmission small link 15, so that the actuating force exerted on one push-button switch 12a,12b is automatically reflected to the other push-button switch 12b,12a and vice versa.

As shown, the hair-cutting apparatus 1 comprises complementary first and second connecting parts 16, 17, which connecting parts 16, 17 are each connected to the motor 3 and the drive mechanism 4. The complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are movable relative to each other between a connected configuration (fig. 1 to 3) in which the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in contact with each other so as to allow the motor 3 to drive the drive mechanism 4, and a disconnected configuration (fig. 4 to 7) in which the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are distanced from each other so that the motor 3 cannot drive the drive mechanism 4. In other words, in the connected configuration, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in contact with each other so as to create a mechanical connection (for example of the flat abutment type) therebetween, which allows to conduct the movement of the motor 3 to the driving mechanism 4, so that the driving mechanism 4 causes the hair tresses to be formedCMoves relative to the main body 2. Conversely, in the disengaged configuration, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 remain distanced from each other, for example by a few millimeters or even a few centimeters, so as to be out of contact, which interrupts the power chain between the motor 3 and the drive mechanism 4 and thus prevents possible forces from the motor 3 from being conducted to the drive mechanism 4. Thanks to this feature, which allows to establish a clearance space between said complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 at all points thereof in the disengaged configuration, the risk of untimely operation of the drive mechanism 4, while the hair-cutting apparatus 1 is in one configuration in which said complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are disengaged, is minimized.

Preferably, the switching of the connected and disconnected configurations to each other may be actively, directly or indirectly controlled by the user. This means that the changeover from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration (or vice versa) is not the result of a purely automated process which may for example start spontaneously in abnormal operating conditions (for example in the case of hair clamping resulting in an overload or in the case of overload of the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4 a). The transition from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration is thus advantageously in this case dependent in a direct or indirect way on the active deliberate action exerted by the user on the hair-conditioning device 1.

For example, as shown, the control mechanism 12 is coupled with at least one of the complementary first and second coupling parts 16, 17 to control the transfer of the complementary first and second coupling parts 16, 17 from one of the coupled and uncoupled configurations to the other, and preferably from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration. For this purpose, the rotating motor shaft 3A advantageously carries a first connecting part 16, while the rotating receiving shaft 4A of the drive mechanism 4 carries a second connecting part 17. Thus, the user can control the relative movement of the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 by activating the control mechanism 12, which allows it to move the motorized pulley 40 and thus the receiving shaft 4A carried by the motorized pulley 40, with respect to the rotating motor shaft 3A, the rotating motor shaft 3A not moving inside the body 2 (except for the self-rotation it performs).

Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control mechanism 12 is advantageously designed for simultaneous control:

said complementary first and second connecting parts 16, 17 are transferred from one configuration to the other of the connected and disconnected configurations,

and switching from one of the first configuration and the second configuration to the other configuration.

Advantageously, the hair-cutting apparatus 1 comprises return means for returning the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 into their connection configuration. The return means are constituted, for example, by return means as described previously (element 13 and ferromagnetic plate 14) and allow to return said clamping means 5 to their clamped configuration.

In this case, the return means ensure a dual function of returning the clamping device 5 into the clamped configuration and of returning the complementary first and second connecting parts 16, 17 into their connected configuration. As previously mentioned, the return members 13, 14 also advantageously allow the control mechanism 12 to be returned into its first position, which is thus the return position. In the embodiment shown, the first position of the control mechanism 12 corresponds to the connected configuration of the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17, while the second position of the control mechanism 12 corresponds to the disconnected configuration, so that the first position is a stable return position and the second position is an unstable position.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the control mechanism 12 and the return members 13, 14 therefore advantageously ensure a plurality of functions, in particular the following functions:

the control mechanism 12 simultaneously controls the transfer of the clamping device 5 from its clamping configuration to its introduction configuration, and also simultaneously controls the transfer of the control mechanism 4 from its operating state to its release state, and also simultaneously controls the transfer of the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 from their connection configuration to their disconnection configuration;

the return means 13, 14 return the control mechanism 12 into its first position, which corresponds not only to the connected configuration of the parts 16, 17, but also to the first configuration of the device 1 and the operating state of the drive mechanism 4, and the return means 13, 14 also return the clamping device 5 into its clamped configuration and the drive mechanism 4 into its operating state at the same time.

Advantageously, when the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in the connected configuration, the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a are substantially aligned (see fig. 2 and 3), and when the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in the disconnected configuration, the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a are substantially staggered (see fig. 5 to 7). This means that in this particularly advantageous embodiment, the complementary first and second connecting parts 16, 17 are not only not in contact with each other in their disengaged configuration, but are also off-axis, since the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a are offset as described previously, and they are no longer coaxial in the disengaged configuration. The staggering of the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a, and thus of the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 carried thereby, further enhances the safety of use by ensuring a complete power interruption, since the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are a few millimeters apart. Furthermore, the implementation of the power interruption is quick, since the rotary drive is immediately interrupted by the staggering of the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a and is not dependent on any mechanical parts (e.g. springs). This quick release is particularly useful and desirable in the case of knots in the hair, in order to avoid the user feeling that his hair is stretched or pulled up. Furthermore, the offset of the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a is a simple solution for disengaging the complementary first and second connecting parts 16, 17, since the offset can be significantly coupled with the movement of the other parts of the device. The safety and reliability of the device is thus significantly improved.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second connection part 17, advantageously loaded on the first jaw 6, is moved by a circumferential translation with respect to the body 2 and with respect to the first connection part 16, between a disengaged position (figures 4 to 7) corresponding to the disengaged configuration and a connected position (figures 1 to 3) corresponding to the connected configuration. The use of a circular translational movement is preferred, but not necessary, for example, it is also possible alternatively to use two successive linear translational movements, the respective directions of which are perpendicular to each other.

Advantageously, the hair-cutting apparatus 1 further comprises a moment limiter designed to automatically disengage the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a when the following two conditions are met:

said complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are, in the connected configuration,

and the moment conducted to the receiving shaft 4A reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example between 40mn.m and 120mn.m, preferably equal to 80mn.m.

The torque limiter is thus advantageously designed to only play its role when the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are connected. In this case, when said threshold value is reached or exceeded, it allows to interrupt the conduction between the motor 3 and the driving mechanism 4 in an automatic manner (without user intervention), which may be interposed, for example, when the user's hair has knots or when the device 1 is unsuitable for use. The moment limiter is intended to drive the hair strand when the drive mechanism 4 is driving the hair strand CThe complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 cooperate to prevent any risk to the user or the motor 3 when transmitting the rotational movement of the motor shaft 3A to the receiving shaft 4A. The torque limiter may have any form known and is constituted, for example, by a friction-type torque limiter or a blocking-type (e.g., tooth-type, roller-type, or ball-type) friction-free torque limiter.

The torque limiter may be connected, for example, to two parts of the motor shaft 3A or to two parts of the receiving shaft 4A. However, according to the embodiment shown in the figures and particularly preferred, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 form themselves the moment limiter in the connected configuration. Preferably, the connection parts 16, 17 are each formed by a first and a second disc intended to be ground-contacting as shown, so as to form both an engagement by friction (in this case of the disc/disc type) and a moment limiter (for example by friction).

In this particularly advantageous embodiment, therefore, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 switch between the following configurations:

-a disengaged configuration in which the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are distanced from each other and do not contact each other, so that the transmission of torque between the motor and receiving shafts 3a,4a cannot be ensured;

-a connection configuration in which the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in contact with each other so as to be able to conduct the rotation of the motor shaft 3A to the receiving shaft 4A as long as the torque conducted to the receiving shaft 4A is below a predetermined threshold value, while exceeding the predetermined threshold value, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are moved relative to each other while still remaining in contact, which interrupts the conduction of torque between the motor shaft and receiving shafts 3A, 4A.

Preferably, in the connected configuration, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are mutually engaged by adhesion (so as to form a friction-type moment limiter) or obstruction (so as to form a friction-free moment limiter, such as a tooth, ball or roller type moment limiter), thus forming the moment limiter. The use of interengagement of the coupling parts 16, 17 of the tooth system is advantageous in that it allows a sound (a jingle) to be produced when the torque limiter is activated, thereby alerting the user.

In this particularly advantageous embodiment, the invention allows to ensure a particularly high safety of use by combining the non-contact of the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17, preferably under direct control of the user (for example by operating the control mechanism 12), with the function of an automatic torque limiter, not directly controlled by the user, depending on the use of the drive mechanism 4 and the motor 3.

Advantageously, the body 2 also carries the hair tressesCIs intended to be driven by said driving mechanism 4, with respect to said locks of hair, said combing mechanism 21 being intended to be driven by said driving mechanism 4CThe carding mechanism 21 is advantageously arranged upstream of the gripping device 5. The carding mechanism 21 comprises, for example, a plurality of teeth or bristles arranged in rows or clusters so as to form a comb or brush. Said combing means 21 advantageously allow the locks to be shapedCSplit into a plurality of small elementary hair strands and distribute them well over the treatment surface formed by said pressing surfaces 6a,7 a. The combing mechanism 21 thus allows the locks of hairCWell spread between the jaws 6,7 to facilitate their shaping by the heated jaws 6, 7. Preferably, said comb mechanism 21 also ensures said locks of hair CIn particular by counteracting locks of hair moving towards the drive mechanism 4CIs achieved by the local frictional resistance of (a). The combing performed by the combing means 21 increases the risk of malfunctioning of the device 1, since knots in the hair may get stuck between the teeth of the combing means, creating a resistance that can damage the motor. However, implementing a moment limiter as described above allows to limit this risk very significantly. The invention thus relates to a hair-cutting device 1, which hair-cutting device 1 is preferably dedicated to straightening hair, and the closed position of the jaws 6,7 of the hair-cutting device 1 corresponds to the natural configuration (idle configuration) of the device 1. In this natural rest position, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in a connected configuration, capable of conducting the driving moment generated by the motor 3, the pressing mechanism 41 occupying its approaching position, and the clamping device 5 being in a clamped configuration.

In this natural rest configuration of the device 1, the control mechanism 12 is in a first position, which is advantageously an elastically return position. Applying pressure on the control mechanism 12 (as opposed to an elastic return force permanently applied to the control mechanism 12) allows the device 1 to be moved from a stable rest configuration to an unstable open configuration in which the device 1 is held by manual action of the user on the control mechanism 12 so as to force the control mechanism 12 to occupy its second position. In this open configuration, the complementary first and second connection parts 16, 17 are in a disengaged configuration, the pressing mechanism 41 is in a remote position, and the clamping device 5 is in an introduced configuration. Once the user releases his manual force on the control mechanism 12, the device spontaneously returns to its natural rest configuration (closed configuration as previously described).

The operation and use of the device 1 is for example described below. The user first holds a lock of hair with one handCAnd holding the device 1 with the other hand while preparing to position the device 1 against, or at least close to, its scalp, so that the drive mechanism 4 is arranged in the vicinity of the scalp, and said comb mechanism 21 is arranged opposite said drive mechanism 4 furthest from the scalp. The user then activates the control mechanism 12 to force the device 1 out of its normally closed configuration to reach its unstable open configuration. The user can then move the device 1 so as to easily lock the hairCIs placed inside the apparatus 1, between the drive mechanism 4 and the pressing mechanism 41 on the one hand and the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 7 on the other hand, and between the teeth of the carding device 21. Once hair tressesCIn place inside the device 1, the user releases the control mechanism 12 to return the device 1 to its normally closed configuration in which the motor 3 is able to drive the drive mechanism 4. The driving mechanism 4 enables the hair lockCTraveling at a suitable speed in the comb device 21 and then into said gripping device 5, said gripping device 5 gripping the hair in a suitable way so as to straighten the hair strands in a particularly durable, rapid and automatic way C。

Claims

1. A hair-cutting apparatus (1), the hair-cutting apparatus (1) being designed for holding and operating with a hand, and the hair-cutting apparatus (1) comprising at least a main body (2), the main body (2) carrying a motor (3) and a driving mechanism (4) driving a lock of hair to be combed, the driving mechanism (4) being movably mounted with respect to the main body (2) and intended to be driven by the motor (3) so as to drive the lock of hair in relation to the main body (2), the hair-cutting apparatus (1) being characterized in that the hair-cutting apparatus (1) comprises complementary first and second connecting parts (16, 17) which are connected with the motor (3) and the driving mechanism (4), respectively, the complementary first and second connecting parts (16, 17) being movable with respect to each other between a connected configuration in which the complementary first and second connecting parts (16, 17) are in order to allow the motor (3) to be connected with each other and the driving mechanism (4) to be disconnected from each other so that the driving mechanism (3) is not capable of being connected with each other,

The motor (3) comprises a rotating motor shaft (3A) and the driving mechanism (4) comprises a rotating receiving shaft (4A), the rotating motor shaft (3A) and the rotating receiving shaft (4A) respectively bear the first connecting part (16) and the second connecting part (17) which are complementary,

the rotating motor shaft (3A) and the rotating receiving shaft (4A) are substantially aligned when the complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts are in the connected configuration, and the rotating motor shaft (3A) and the rotating receiving shaft (4A) are substantially staggered when the complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts are in the disconnected configuration.

2. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (2) is further loaded with a control mechanism (12), the control mechanism (12) being manually actuatable to switch the hair cutting device (1) from a first working configuration to a second working configuration, the control mechanism (12) being connected with at least one of the complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts to control the switching of the complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts from one of the connected and disconnected configurations to the other configuration.

3. The hair-cutting apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control mechanism (12) is designed for simultaneous control:

-said complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts being transferred from one configuration to the other of said connecting configuration and said disconnecting configuration,

-transferring from one configuration to the other of said first and second operating configurations.

4. A hair-cutting device (1) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control mechanism (12) is different from the drive mechanism (4).

5. A hair-cutting device (1) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control mechanism (12) is movably mounted with respect to the main body (2) between a first position corresponding to the connected configuration and a second position corresponding to the disconnected configuration, the first position being a return position.

6. A hair-cutting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive mechanism (4) is switched between an operating state in which a mechanical drive connection between the drive mechanism and the hair tress can be established and a release state in which the mechanical drive connection cannot be established.

7. The hair-cutting apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the driving mechanism (4) comprises a motorized pulley (40) and a pressing mechanism (41), the pressing mechanism (41) being movably mounted with respect to the motorized pulley (40) between a proximal position and a distal position:

in the approaching position, the pressing mechanism (41) is sufficiently close to the motorized pulley (40) to press the tresses of hair against the motorized pulley (40) to establish a mechanical driving connection by friction of the tresses of hair,

in the distanced position, the pressing mechanism (41) is distanced from the motorized pulley (40) enough so as not to press the tresses of hair against the motorized pulley (40),

the drive mechanism (4) is in its active state when the pressing mechanism (41) occupies its close position and the drive mechanism (4) is in its released state when the pressing mechanism (41) occupies its far position.

8. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism (4) is switched between an operating state in which a mechanical drive connection between the drive mechanism and the hair strand can be established, and a release state in which the mechanical drive connection cannot be established, the first operating configuration corresponding to the operating state of the drive mechanism (4) and the second operating configuration corresponding to the release state of the drive mechanism (4).

9. A hair-cutting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hair-cutting device (1) comprises a return member for returning the complementary first (16) and second (17) connection parts into their connected configuration.

10. A hair-cutting device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said body (2) carries a gripping means (5), said gripping means (5) being switched between an introduction configuration of said hair tress and a gripping configuration of said hair tress, said gripping means (5) themselves comprising at least one first jaw (6), said at least one first jaw (6) being movably mounted with respect to said body (2) between at least one open position and a closed position, said at least one open position and closed position corresponding to said introduction configuration and said gripping configuration, respectively.

11. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the control mechanism (12) is connected with the clamping means (5) for turning the clamping means (5) from one of the introduction configuration and the clamping configuration to the other configuration.

12. The hair-cutting apparatus (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first operating configuration corresponds to a clamping configuration of the clamping device (5), and the second operating configuration corresponds to an introduction configuration of the clamping device (5).

13. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive mechanism (4) is designed for advancing the hair strand in the clamping means (5) of a clamping arrangement, the drive mechanism (4) being arranged downstream of the clamping means (5) with respect to the direction of advance of the hair strand.

14. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first jaw (6) at least partially carries the drive mechanism (4).

15. The hair cutting device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first jaw (6) is mounted in a circumferential translation with respect to the main body (2) between its open and closed position.

16. Hair cutting device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the clamping means (5) are equipped with heating means in order to simultaneously clamp and heat the hair strands.

17. A hair-cutting device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the hair-cutting device (1) comprises a moment limiter designed to automatically disengage the rotation motor shaft (3A) and the rotation receiving shaft (4A) when the following two conditions are fulfilled:

Said complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts being in a connected configuration,

-and the torque conducted to the rotation receiving shaft (4A) reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

18. Hair-cutting device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the complementary first (16) and second (17) connecting parts form the moment limiter in their connecting configuration.

19. Hair-cutting device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that in the connected configuration the complementary first and second connection parts are frictionally or friction-free engaged with each other to thereby form the moment limiter.

20. A hair-cutting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hair-cutting device (1) forms a straightener.