US3488673A - Haircutter and shaver - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 6, 1970 5. J. POPEIL 3,4&673

HAIRCUTTER AND SHAVER Filed Aug. 8, 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SAMUEL .1. POPE/L ATTYS.

m. 6, 1970 s; J, POPE 3,488,613

HAIRCUTTER AND SHAVER Filed Aug. 8, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FEG- 9 FIG. I0

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INVENT OR. SAMUEL J. POPE/L ATTYS.

Jan. 6, 1970 5. J. POF'EIL 3,488,673

HAIRCUTTER AND SHAVER Filed Aug. 8, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. I5

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FIG. I8

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INVENTOR.

SAMUEL J. POPE/L ATTYS.

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United States Patent 3,488,673 HAIRCUTTER AND SHAVER Samuel J. Popeil, 2920 N. Commonwealth Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60657 Filed Aug. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 751,300 Int. Cl. B26!) 21/18, 21/42 US. C]. 30-31 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a haircutter and shaver which can be used for the cutting, thinning and blending, as well as shaping, of ladies and mens hair. Additionally, by simple manipulation, the device can be employed for personal shaving including leg, arm, and facial hair.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for hair cutting and shaving as exemplified by United States Patents 3,183,589 and 3,238,616. Invariably the structures disclosed are single purpose, and have numerous limitations from a standpoint of extensive and varied usage. Both of the devices shown in the aforementioned patents have opposed combs or cutting edges which prevent either being used as a razor for shaving without exposing a dangerous cutting edge. Furthermore, either elongate handles are required which reduce the controllability in hair cutting operations, or the user must expose his hand to the opposed cutting edge. The compound disadvantages are reduced effectiveness, and limited usage.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a hair cutter and shaver which admits of accurate control in cutting, blending, shaping, trimming, and shaving the hair. A related object, of course, is to provide a hair cutting device which can also be used as a shaver thereby eliminating the necessity of carrying two items when traveling.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hair cutter and shaver which are equally useful to the male and female members of a family, thus further reducing the inventory of hair dressing and shaving devices required in the household.

A more detailed but significant object of the present invention is to provide a hair cutter and shaver which uses standard blades, high quality stainless steel blades being most effective and, of course, readily available through most outlets in any neighborhood.

A further and also significant object of the present invention is contained in a haircutter and shaver which is rendered safe by retracting the razor edge portion within the handle while the haircutting portion with comb guards around the teeth is exposed. This object further assists the user in haircutting operations since care is not required to protect the hand holding the handle of the product.

As will be observed from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, the invention includes a case having a hollow interior, a blade head carrier member which retracts and extends into the case, and a blade head with a blade to provide a comb and cutting edge along one side, and a razor edge on the other side. Reference herein to shaving or cutting portions, edges, or the like, implies reference to a razor blade which performs these functions. The blade head is comprised of two plates which prestressingly engage a standard razor blade for use. According to one aspect of the invention, one edge of the head serves for shaving and one for hair cutting. The carrier means safely lock the blade plates together in operative position, while separately providing for retraction of the shaving edge into the case rendering the cutter safe in use. Another aspect of the invention relates to the positioning of the blade, teeth, proportioning and angling of the teeth, and support in the carrier to achieve easy control of both the trim and thin, and shape and blend tooth-blade-hair relationships.

Further objects and advantages as well as a fuller understanding of the invention as summarized above will become apparent as the following description of an illustrative embodiment proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a mans head with the hair being cut above the collar level illustrating diagrammatically the hand of the operator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating how the reversed portion of the blade head may be employed for shaving the legs.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the principal elements of the cutter and shaver.

FIG. 4 is a composite view taken from the end of the blade head showing the same in its exploded and assembled relationship reading respectively from left to right.

FIG. 5 is a plan view in partially broken perspective illustrating how the blade head is removed from the carrier.

FIG. 6 is a sequential view following FIG. 5 from the same elevation illustrating how the shaving portion is moved toward a recessed safely secured relationship within the case.

FIG. 7 is a further sequential view of the series shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the shaving portion of the blade head completely ensheathed within the case.

FIGS. 8 through 11 are partially diagrammatic views taken at a transverse position to the blade head showing how the same may be reversed between the hair cutting edge and the shaving edge of the blade head.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the upper portion of the cutter and shaver illustrating the position of the blade head when retracted taken from the right end of the blade head as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged transverse view of the comb combination with the blade taken along section line 1313 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged transverse broken view of the opposite end of the blade head shown in FIG. 13 taken along section line 14- 14 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the blade carrier.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the carrier shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a partially exploded, partially sectioned view of the carrier and bottom.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged top view of the carrier corner taken from the position shown in FIG. 17 with the arrow 18.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the bottom member, the latter being shown in front elevation in FIG. 17-.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the bottom member in the same scale as FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of an alternative form carrier.

The shaver and cutter 10 illustrative of the present invention is shown in its two most common usages in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1 it will be noted that the hand '11 of the operator is holding the cutter 10 in position to shape and blend the lower portion of the neck hair of the male head 12. While it is anticipated that some persons will gain sutficient dexterity to operate the hair trimming devices on themselves, the complexity of mirror systems and the like required are such that it is anticipated the principal use of the cutter will be by a person other than the party whose hair is being styled. It is for this reason that the teeth are so shaped and coordinated with the comb portion of the blade head to retard rather than accelerate the shaping and blending function. In using many of the haircutters of the prior art, a slight slip of the operators hand results in removing a large piece of haid creating an unsightly spot which will not recover by natural growth for one to two weeks. With the coordinated relationship of the blade head, teeth, and blade as well as the case, the cutter 10 conservatively cuts the hair oftentimes dictating to the user that a few more strokes will be required to carefully blend the back of the neck in barber shop style.

When the cutter 10 has had the blade head reversed, it presents a shaving edge which, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be used by an individual to shave the legs 14, or other portions of the body where hair is to be removed. In addition, of course, the hair beneath the collar line of a male may also be shaved by reversing the head.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cutter 10 comprises three principal elements, the case enclosed at one end by the case bottom 16 and open at its other end; a blade head assembly 20 including a blade holder plate 21 and a blade keeper plate 22. The case 15 is coupled to the blade head assembly 20 by means of the carrier 118 which is an H-shaped assembly that snap-fittingly retracts within the case 15.

As seen at the right hand portion of FIG. 3, the blade head assembly 20 flankingly engages a standard double edged razor blade 19 which is secured to the blade holder plate 21 in proper alignment by the blade bar 26. A holder lock 24 is provided in axial alignment with the blade bar 26 and mates with the keeper lock slot 29 when the two blade plates are assembled. The holder lock slot 28 is engaged by the keeper lock 25. The opposed inner faces of the blade holder plate 21 and the blade keeper plate 22 are proportioned for a snug fit against the blade 19. As will be seen particularly in FIG. 3, the upper face of the blade holder plate 21 is curved in part at the shaving edge, presenting a concave upwardly face, and correspondingly the blade keeper 22 is curved at the opposed portion presenting a convex downwardly face. The interaction of these two curved faces prestresses the blade to assure its alignment in yieldable relationship not only with the blade bar 26, but with the entire face of the blade holder plate 21. As observed in FIG. 3, and will be explained in substantial detail hereinafter, the trim and thin teeth 41 are at one edge of the blade holder plate 21. The shape and blend teeth 42 being shorter are at one edge of the blade keeper plate 22 and abut the blade edge shoulder 44 of the trim and thin teeth 41.

Before proceeding in specific detail to describe the trim and thin and shape and blend teeth in their coordinated relationship with the blade, the other aspect of the invention relating to the reversible head will help in understanding the coordinated effect of all structural elements. Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the H-shaped carrier 18 has a jaw assembly 30 at one end. A holder jaw 31 and keeper jaw 32 comprise the two jaws. The holder jaw 31 has a holder jaw pin 34 which fits within a recess provided in the holder lock 24. Correspondingly the keeper jaw 32 has a keeper pin 35 extending therefrom which is received by a hole 27 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and thereby the blade head assembly 20 is swivelably mounted between the jaw assembly 30. As illustrated the holder pin 34 is larged than the keper pin 35 which prevents reversing the blade head assembly 20 from saide to side in the jaw assembly 30 and consequently positively dictates the orientation of the shaving edge and the comb and blade edge of the blade head assembly 30 in the carrier 15.

As will be seen further in FIG. 5, the holder jaw 31 and keeper jaw 32 are each supported on holder jaw leg '45 and keeper jaw leg 46 of the H-shaped carrier 18. The cross-bar 48 has an opposed cross-bar rib 49. The purpose of the cross-bar 48 is to yieldably support and spacingly separate the holder jaw leg 45 and keeper jaw leg 46 in their coordinated relationship with the jaw assembly 30. The purpose of the cross-bar rib 49 is to provide smooth sliding support within the carrier 115.

As will also be observed by reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cross-bar 48 terminates in cross-bar lock stops 50 which abut the cross-bar lock stop carrier shoulder 51 (the latter also shown in FIGS. 17 and 18). A holder runner leg 52 extends downwardly from the cross-bar 48 and terminates in a holder runner 55, and correspondingly a keeper runner leg 54 extends downwardly from the cross-bar 48 and terminates in a keeper runner 56. As observed in FIG. 5, the blade head assembly 20 may be moved upwardly out of its ensheathed or secured relationship with the case 15, and then the flexibility of the carrier 18 permits the holder jaw 31 (or alternatively the keeper jaw 32) to be spread outwardly and away from the blade head 20. When the swivel pins 34, 35 have been removed from their respective holes, the blade head 20 may be removed for cleaning, or changing blades. To 1'64 insert the blade head 20 within the carrier 15, the swivel pins 34, 35 are reinserted in their respective holes, and being of different sizes, the proper orientation is achieved. There after the carrier 18 and the jaw assembly 30 is moved downwardly as shown in FIG. 6, and finally pushed home into position within the case 15 as shown in FIG. 7. In this position the cutter and shaver 10 is in the hair cutting position, the cutting portion shown on FIGS. 5 through 7 inclusive being the trim and thin portion.

In the event the cutter and shaver 10 is to be used for shaving as illustrated in FIG. '2, the sequential FIGS. 8 through 11 inclusive show how the blade head assembly 20 when extended to the position shown in FIG. 6 permits reversal of the edges of the blade 19 and, as shown in FIG. 11, the unit is readied for shaving, whereas FIG. 7 shows the same ready for cutting the hair.

As will be observed by comparing FIGS. 11 and 12, in the shaving configuration the orientation of the blade head assembly 20 is at an angle approximating 15 with the plane of the carrier 15. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, when the blade assembly 20 is in the configuration for hair trimming such as shown in front elevation in FIG. 7, the axis of the blade is coincidental with the plane of the carrier, the angle of the face of the shape and blend teeth approximating 30 with the plane of the carrier.

By reference to FIG. 13, the further coordinated relationship between the angles involved will be observed. There it will be seen that the angle bet-ween the blade 19 and the shape and blend tooth recess 58 is 45 Thus for shaping and blending a 15 pocket is provided for the grouping of the hairs to be presented to the edge of the blade 19. Furthermore, to reduce the possibility of overcut the distance between the blade edge and face of the shape and blend teeth 42 is held to approximately .020". If this blade edge-tooth face spacing is less than .015", the effect of the pocket in grouping strands of hair for shaping and blending is minimized. On the other hand, if the blade edge-tooth face spacing is extended beyond .025, the cutting becomes more severe and the possibility of overcutting and gouging is increased.

The trim and thin teeth 41, however, have a trim and thin tooth recess 59 which is substantially double the depth of the shape and blend recess 58, and the angularity with the blade 19 approximates 45. The depth of the trim and thin teeth 41 approximates .125", this total dimension being available for the trim and thin tooth recess 59. Thus when the hair is being styled with the trim and thin teeth 41 against the scalp, considerably more hair can be accommodated in the pockets defined between the trim and thin teeth 41, and the density of the hair strand presented to the edge of the blade 19 is such that more rapid and complete cutting of the hair may be achieved than when the shape and blend teeth 42 are presented to the scalp and their related blade edge to the hair. Critical to best operation is the distance of the blade edge to the tooth face of the shape and blend teeth 42, and the positioning of the blade edge shoulder 44 approximately midway between the end of the trim and thin teeth 41 and the tooth pocket base 60 defined by the terminus of the trim and thin tooth recess 59 and the shape and blend tooth recess 58.

It will also be observed that the distance between the edge of the blade 19 (see FIG. 13) and the end of the trim and thin teeth 41 is approximately the same as the distance from the edge of the blade to the tooth pocket base 60. This distance optimizes at approximately .125. Furthermore, the thickness of the opposed plates which in turn defines the depth of the shape and blend tooth recess 58 and the trim and thin tooth recess 59 also optimizes at .125. This relatively squared relationship coupled with the angularity of the recesses and tooth edges as above defined, and the critical limits of the blade edge to shape and blend tooth face between .015" and .025 produce a comb combination 40 for hair cutting which accomplishes the four functions of trimming and thinning of the longer hair, and shaping and blending of the shorter hair to a professional-like appearance.

Referring now to FIG. 14, it will be seen that the razor edge for shaving is defined at one edge of the blade holder plate 21 and blade keeper plate 22. The blade is curved as above defined to present a better cutting edge for shaving, and also to prestressingly lock the blade between the two opposed plates 21, 22.

The specific details of the H-shaped carrier 18 are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and particularly in FIG. 16 it will be seen that the keeper jaw 32 has a keeper jaw radiused face 61 and a keeper jaw flat face 64. The corresponding configuration exists on the holder jaw 31. As discussed above, and particularly shown in FIG. 12, the flat face of the keeper jaw 32 aligns itself with the plane of the trim and thin teeth 41, and the radiused face 61, 62 aligns itself approximately with the shape and blend teeth 42.

The details of the interior of the case 15 are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. There it will be seen that the case 15 is hollow. Each of the opposed edges 66, 68 has longitudinal parallel runners 70. The parallel runners flankingly engage the cross-bar lock stop 50 and holder runner 55 and keeper runner 56 to provide for smooth sliding operation of the carrier upwardly and downwardly within the case 15. Shown to the right of FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional view of the case looking at the end 66 showing the relationship of the parallel runners 70, and base rail 73.

It will be further observed that the case bottom 16 is proportioned with a snap-acting upper peripheral radius 71. A peripheral bead terminates at a shouldered recess 72 therebeneath to snap-fittingly engage the base lock knobs 74 at the lower portion of the edges 66, 68 of the carrier 15.

Referring now to FIG. 21, an alternative configuration of a carrier 75 is disclosed. With the exception of the reversely bent legs 76, 77 the balance of the structural elements are substantially the same as those shown in the preferred embodiment carrier 18. For convenience in referencing the same, comparable reference numerals have been designated to identify the upper legs 45, 46 and the runners 55, 56 as well as the stops 50. The alternative embodiment carrier 75 has one advantage in that it can be removed from the case 15 more easily by squeezing the entire leg assembly together and the cross-bar 48 being shorter than the cross-bar of the carrier 18, permits the same to be removed by pulling the stops 50 beyond the carrier stop 51. Alternatively, however, the carrier 18 is desirable as it prevents easy removal from the case, thereby eliminating a loose part which can be lost. Also the preferred carrier 18 is of a more rugged construction inasmuch as it eliminates the reversely bent leg portions 76, 77 and substitutes a less critical construction to provide the yielda bility necessary for reversing the blade assembly 20.

In review it will be seen that the shaver cutter 10 has a blade head '20 which is swivelable, selectively positionable, and removable. The carrier serves as a guide for the hand to hold the unit, and also to recessingly engage the carrier 18. The angularity and specific positioning and proportioning of the teeth with reference to the blade on the trim and thin faces and the shape and blend faces is such as to provide a safe conservative approach to shape and blend at the hair line, and yet to trim and thin the longer hairs rapidly. The entire device is susceptible of molding from plastic and accordingly the cost is low. Furthermore, the hand assembly operations are minimal and simple jigs and fixtures for press-fitting engagement will suflice to produce the product.

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments and applications, it is not applicants intention to restrict himself thereto, but to include within the invention all of the subject matter defined by the spirit as well as the latter of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. A haircutter and shaver comprising, in combination, a case having a hollow interior, a blade head having two opposite edges, a comb portion on at. least one edge, a blade head carrier member having extension means proportioned to snap-fittingly retractably recess within the case, yieldable jaw means swivelably engaging the blade head extending from the blade head carrier, the blade head and carrier oriented and proportioned so that upon extension of the carrier member from the case, the blade head may be reversed, thereby upon retraction nesting the previously exposed edge in the hollow case and exposing the opposite edge which previously nested in the hollow case.

2. In the haircutter and shaver of claim 1, said blade head comprising opposed plates for engaging a single razor blade, upstanding interlocking means at one end of each plate, opposed slot means on each plate for engaging the interlocking means of the opposite plate, and swivel coupling means between each upstanding lock menas and the yieldable jaw means on the blade head carrier, said swivel coupling means thereby providing for swiveling the blade head and said slot and interlocking means securing the blade locking relationship of the opposed plates.

3. A haircutter and shaver comprising, in combination, a case having a hollow interior, a blade head having a comb portion on at least one of two opposite edges, a blade head carrier member having legs proportioned to snap-fittingly retractably recess within the carrier, yieldable means swivelably engaging the blade head extending from the blade head carrier member, the blade head and carrier oriented and proportioned so that upon extension of the yieldable carrier member from the hollow case the blade head may be reversed, thereby upon retraction replacing the comb portion with the blade head opposite edge, the comb portion nesting in safely secured retraction within the hollow case.

4. In the haircutter and shaver of claim 3, said blade head comprising opposed plates for engaging the single razor blade, upstanding interlocking means at one end of each plate, opposed slot means on each plate for engaging the interlocking means of the opposite plate, and swivel coupling means between each upstanding lock means and the yieldable jaw means on the blade head carrier, said swivel coupling means thereby providing for swiveling the blade head and said slot and interlocking means securing the blade locking relationship of the opposed plates.

5. In the haircutter and shaver of claim 4, wherein said blade head has two blade plates and a double edge razor blade positioned therebetween, and each plate having a curved surface thereby prestressing the blade therebetween.

6. A haircutter and shaver comprising, in combination, a case having a hollow interior closed at one end and open at the other end, a blade head having two opposite edges, a comb portion on at least one edge, said blade head including a blade holder plate and a blade keeper plate for holding a razor blade therebetween, said comb portion including teeth extending from one end of the blade keeper and teeth extending from one end of the blade holder plate, means at least partly within the open end of said hollow interior case to engage and position said blade head so that one edge of the blade head nests within the hollow interior of said case in secured relationship and the opposite edge extends out of the case in working position, and said blade head being removable from said hellow interior of said case so that said head may be reversed and repositioned in the open end by said engaging and positioning means, whereby each of the opposite edges are retractable within the case while the opposite edge becomes exposed and fixed into working position.

7. In the haircutter and shaver of claim 6, wherein said blade holder teeth are longer than said blade keeper teeth, said long teeth having a blade edge shoulder spaced from the ends of said teeth, and the ends of said short teeth being in substantial abutting engagement with said blade edge shoulder.

8. In the haircutter and shaver of claim 6, releasable locking means to hold said blade keeper and holder in a locking position, including a lock slot on one of said keeper and holder plates, and a keeper lock on the other of said keeper and holder plates, said lock slot and keeper lock being engageable and disengageable upon relative sliding action of said keeper and holder plates.

9. In the haircutter and shaver as in claim 6, wherein said opposite edge portion is straight and is formed by a curved end of said keeper plate and an angular end of said holder plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1954 Kearney 30-31 5/1965 Szabo 3030

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