Abstract:
The present invention provides a barber instrumentality useful for accurate and reproducible hair styling. In particular, methods are provided herein for the use of the instrumentality wherein precise measurements can be taken to reproduce certain styles within a haircut, including cutting with reference to the outline of the hair on the head (the hairline), especially around the temple.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of styling hair in general, and more particularly, relates to facilitation of accurate and reproducible measurements during cutting with reference to the length of hair along the hairline. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hair styling involves techniques that require creativity and technical precision. Training and experience are paramount to being successful at hair styling. However, even the most highly trained and experienced stylist must deal with difficult hair styles on a daily basis and with customers that request and expect precision cuts and styles. One specific challenge to many stylists or barbers is the need to accurately and reproducibly trim the length of hair along a customer&#39;s hairline on both sides of the head; resulting in mirror image cuts on either side of the head that are both straight and reflect the customer&#39;s request. The length of hair along the hairline across the forehead and temples presents unique difficulty, given the lack of useful measuring tools to ensure reproducibility on both sides. Of particular concern for a stylist or barber are those customers that have very short hair, where slight imperfections in length, shape, or angles of hair along the hairline are highly noticeable and undesirable. 
         [0003]    Currently known combs are different from the current invention in specific and critical ways. Prior combs, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application Nos. 20100101596, 20080078418 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,869, are focused on the angle and length of the hair and disregard the hairline. These combs do not provide a terminal, fixed reference point that extends from the spine of the comb which is useful for very short hair to prevent imperfections in the resulting hair cut or style. These combs also do not provide a slideable, second reference point. While other prior combs provide means to measure angles of hair styles, such as U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100101596, they do not allow the user to reproducibly maintain a certain measurement of the length of hair along a hairline via a terminal, fixed reference point and second, slideable reference point. Other prior combs have slideable points, but these slideable points interfere with both establishing two discrete points from which the barber or stylist may work with clippers to accurately reproduce a hair cut or style and with the general use of the comb itself. The prior combs are simply too bulky for use with clippers, for example. 
         [0004]    The present invention is directed to overcoming the issues and limitations of prior art combs set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a novel barber or styling comb that provides a user with a precise measurement of a haircut or style, particularly an outline or “shape-up,” on one side of one&#39;s head to allow for its accurate reproduction on the other side of the same head, or in the alternative, provides the user the ability to cut hair at a constant or predetermined set of measurements, such as at an angle, where certain proportions are to be maintained even if they are not minor images on either side of the head. This is achieved by providing a fixed reference point on the terminal end of the comb and a slideable reference point that can be placed at any location along the length of the comb. In a preferred embodiment, the reference points extend from the backbone of the comb in a planar fashion in a direction opposite the teeth of the comb. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment, the user of the novel comb places the fixed reference point at a particular point after styling the initial side or area of the haircut. The slideable reference point can be placed at any desired location along the length of the comb to measure the length of hair along the hairline to be reproduced on the next side or area of the haircut. Once this measurement occurs, the comb can be moved to any side or area of the haircut and the first style can be accurately reproduced at that side or area. 
         [0007]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention become further apparent by reference to the following drawings and description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the barber comb. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2-7  show the barber comb in  FIG. 1  in use to accurately reproduce a hair cut or style from one side or area of the head to an opposite side or area of the head. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 8A-8C  provide three views of one embodiment of the slideable reference point. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the novel comb is illustrated by  FIG. 1 , where a barber comb ( 10 ) with a plurality of teeth ( 12 ) extending from a spine ( 11 ) in a planar fashion is improved by the addition of a terminal, fixed reference point ( 15 ). The fixed reference point ( 15 ) extends from the spine ( 11 ) in a planar fashion in the opposite direction from the teeth ( 12 ) of the comb. Grooves ( 13 ) similarly situated on both sides of the spine ( 11 ) of the comb ( 10 ), run parallel along the length of the spine ( 11 ). The comb ( 10 ) is further improved by the addition of a slideable reference point ( 20 ) slideably attached to the comb ( 10 ) and slideable along the grooves ( 13 ). The slideable reference point ( 20 ) is attached to the comb ( 10 ) via the grooves ( 13 ) by clamps ( 21 ) on the slideable reference point ( 20 ). The comb ( 10 ) is also further improved by the addition of indicators ( 14 ) spaced at pre-measured increments along the grooves ( 13 ). Indicators ( 14 ) can include notches, marks, numerals, or letters. 
         [0013]    In a further preferred embodiment via the method depicted in  FIG. 2 , a barber or stylist, using the comb ( 10 ) embodied in  FIG. 1 , performs an initial cut or style of a customer&#39;s hair using the slideable reference point ( 20 ) to measure the length of hair along a first area of the customer&#39;s hairline ( 30 ). After the initial cut or style, the fixed reference point ( 15 ) is placed at a first desired location ( 31 ) and the slideable reference point ( 20 ) is placed at a second desired location ( 32 ). After both points ( 15 ) and ( 20 ), respectively, have established a measurement ( 25 ) along the first area along the hairline ( 30 ), the comb can be moved to a second area along the hairline ( 40 ) in order to precisely replicate the first cut or style at that area using the measurement ( 25 ), as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0014]    In a further preferred embodiment via the method depicted in  FIG. 4 , and inclusive of the method depicted in  FIG. 2 , a barber or stylist, after cutting the length along the first area of the customer&#39;s hairline ( 30 ) with clippers, and using the comb embodied in  FIG. 1 , places the fixed reference point ( 15 ) at the junction ( 51 ) of the front helix of the ear and the head on one side of the head ( 50 ). After placement of the slideable reference point ( 20 ) at a desired location ( 52 ) and the measurement ( 25 ) is obtained, the comb ( 10 ) is moved to the junction ( 61 ) of the front helix of the ear and the head on the opposite side of the head ( 60 ), as shown in  FIG. 5 . The fixed reference point ( 15 ) is placed at this junction ( 61 ), and the barber or stylist is able to accurately replicate the first cut or style at the second area along the hairline ( 40 ) using the measurement ( 25 ). In the alternative, the slideable reference point ( 20 ) may be placed at the junctions ( 51 ,  61 ) to obtain the measurement ( 25 ). 
         [0015]    Additional embodiments allow for use of the invention for styling of other facial hair, including but not limited to mustaches, side burns, and eyebrows.  FIG. 6  embodies a preferred embodiment using comb ( 10 ) with the fixed reference point ( 15 ) placed at a first desired location ( 71 ) along the first side sideburn and the slideable reference point ( 20 ) placed at a second desired location ( 72 ) along the first side sideburn. Once the two reference points have established the measurement ( 25 ), the fixed reference point is placed at a second desired location ( 81 ) along the second side sideburn with the slideable reference point ( 20 ) then being automatically placed at location ( 82 ) along the second side sideburn based on the measurement ( 25 ) for the stylist or barber&#39;s use to replicate the first cut on the second side sideburn, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 8  provides three views of a preferred embodiment of the slideable reference point ( 20 ).  FIG. 8A  depicts a side view ( 100 ) showing the elevated portion ( 91 ) of the slideable reference point ( 20 ).  FIG. 8B  depicts a top view ( 105 ) showing clamping moieties ( 101  and  102 ) as well as the elevated portion ( 91 ) of the slideable reference point ( 20 ).  FIG. 8C  depicts a front view ( 110 ) showing the clamping moieties ( 101  and  102 ) as well as the elevated portion ( 91 ) of the slideable reference point ( 20 ). 
         [0017]    Although various embodiments have been shown and described, the invention is not so limited and will be understood to include all such modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.