Abstract:
A hair trimmer includes a cutting head and a body configured for easy reach of the hard to reach places, such as behind ears. This is achieved by shaping a front portion of the body to have cutouts behind the cutting head, which allow the trimmer to navigate around parts such as an ear. The cutouts also improve air flow around the front of the trimmer&#39;s body, thereby improving performance and durability of internal trimmer components through better cooling. The walls of the cutouts may have air ducts to further improve the cooling of the internal components. The cutouts also reduce the vibration of the cutting head and the body, leading to better trimming experience for the user and to improved durability of the trimmer. The method of using a trimmer with a cutting head and a body configured for easy reach of hard to reach places, such as behind ears, is also described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0004]    The following description relates to a hair trimmer including a body and a cutting head. Also, a method of using a hair trimmer is described. For example, a hair trimmer used for removing unwanted hair from difficult to reach regions is described. 
       2. Related Art 
       [0005]    Hair trimmers are typically used by consumers for a number of different applications such as trimming moustaches, nose hair, hair on the temples, hair behind the ears, and other hair. One example of a hair trimmer is a facial hair trimmer. In using a hair trimmer, the user typically purchases the trimmer that includes a removable cutting head, and then uses the trimmer on a daily, weekly, or other regular interval. Cutting heads may be sold separately and may need to be replaced once the original cutting head becomes dull. 
         [0006]    After each use of the hair trimmer, some maintenance steps may be performed, which include cleaning the cutting head with a brush or under a stream of running water. A trimmer brush is sometimes provided for cleaning the cutting head of the trimmer. The motor in the body of the trimmer may need to cool off between consecutive applications of the trimmer. The trimmer may be corded or cordless. A cordless trimmer typically has batteries, which may need to be replaced or recharged when they drain out. A corded trimmer may need to be plugged into an electric outlet to be charged. 
         [0007]    Typically, the body of a hair trimmer is separate from the trimmer head and used to control the trimmer head for trimming a users hair. The body of a trimmer is typically a long extension in a longitudinal direction that is grasped by the user. Because a trimmer body is relatively large and long as compared to a trimmer head, the trimmer body may prevent the trimmer head from trimming unwanted hair in difficult to reach regions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In an aspect, a device for trimming hair includes a body including a front portion, a first cutout, and a second cutout, the first cutout and the second cutout positioned at the front portion of the body, and a cutting head attached to the front portion of the body. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a device for trimming hair includes a body with a front portion and a back portion on two opposite ends of a length of the body, a top portion and a bottom portion on two opposite ends of a height of a body, and a left portion and a right portion on two opposite ends of a width of the body, and a cutting head attached to the front portion including a stationary blade and a moving blade, each of the blades including teeth extending substantially perpendicular to the top portion, where the body has a first depression extending inward from a position defined by the front portion, the top portion, and the left portion, and a second depression extending inward from a position defined by the front portion, the top portion, and the right portion. 
         [0010]    In an additional aspect, a hair trimmer includes a body including a front end, and a cutting head attached to the front end of the body and including teeth along one edge of the cutting head, where the front end is configured to allow the cutting head of the trimmer to reach regions behind a user&#39;s ear. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect, a method for trimming hair includes providing a hair trimmer including a body having a front portion and a back portion on two opposite ends of a length of the body, a top portion and a bottom portion on two opposite ends of a height of the body, and a left portion and a right portion on two opposite ends of a width of the body, and a cutting head attached to the front portion comprising a stationary blade and a moving blade, each of the blades comprising teeth extending substantially perpendicular to the top portion, where the body has a first depression extending inward from a position defined by the front portion, the top portion, and the left portion, and a second depression extending inward from a position defined by the front portion, the top portion, and the right portion, positioning the trimmer proximate to an area to be trimmed such that a portion of a user&#39;s body extends within the first depression or the second depression, and trimming the hair. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of systems and apparatuses consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a top view of a prior art hair trimmer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a top view of a prior art hair trimmer. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example of a hair trimmer for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a first perspective view of an example of the hair trimmer for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an opposite perspective view of an example of the hair trimmer for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the first perspective view of the example of the hair trimmer including a right cutout and air ducts. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams illustrating a top view of two examples of a hair trimmer with different examples of switches. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating another example of a hair trimmer for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Before explaining at least one example of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment are shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in the art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation—specific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. While these efforts may be complex and time-consuming, these efforts nevertheless would be a routine undertaking for those of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0022]    In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of a singular term, such as, “a” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also the use of relational terms, such as but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” are used in the description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that any one of the features of the invention may be used separately or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the Figures and the detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example of a prior art hair trimmer. This trimmer shape, sometimes referred to as a “square blade trimmer,” represents an elongated body of the trimmer connected at one of its ends to a cutting head. In this prior art hair trimmer, the width of the cutting head is slightly larger than the width of the body at the front end, or the end that is connected to the cutting head. Also, the connection between the body and the cutting head is smooth, such that the front end of the body smoothly transitions to the side of the cutting head that is attached to the body. In this trimmer, substantially the whole width of the body at the front end is in contact with the cutting head, and substantially the whole width of the cutting head is in contact with the front end of the body. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a top view of another example of a prior art hair trimmer. This trimmer shape, sometimes referred to as a “T-trimmer,” represents an elongated body of the trimmer connected at its front end to a cutting head. In this example, the width of the cutting head is slightly larger than the width of the side of the body that is connected to the cutting head. In this example, the connection between the body and the cutting head is abrupt, such that the body abuts the side of the cutting head that is attached to the body, but the transition between the body and the cutting head is not smooth because the cutting head is wider than the mating part of the body. In this example, substantially the whole width of the body at the front end is in contact with the cutting head, but not the whole width of the cutting head is in contact with the body because the outside portions of the cutting head protrude beyond the width of the body. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example of a hair trimmer  100  for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. In this example, trimmer  100  includes a body  101  and a cutting head  102 . The trimmer  100  also includes a cord  103 . The body  101  includes a front portion  107  and a back portion  108 . The front portion  107  and the back portion  108  are located at opposite ends of the length of the body  101 . The body  101  includes a left portion  109  and a right portion  110 . The left portion  109  and the right portion  110  are located at opposite ends of the width of the body  101 . The body  101  further includes a switch  104  for turning on the trimmer  100 . In a preferred example, the cutting head  102  is attached to the body  101  at its front portion  107 , and the cord  103  is attached to the body  101  at its back portion  108 . In some examples, the front portion  107  of the body  101  comprises cutouts. The body  101  may include one or more cutouts at different regions of the body  101 , and in the preferred example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , there are two cutouts  105  and  106 . The left cutout  106  is on the left portion  109  of the body  101 , and the right cutout  105  is on the right portion  110  of the body  101 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example of the hair trimmer  100  with the right cutout  105  and the left cutout  106 . The body  101  includes a top portion  111  and a bottom portion  112 . The top portion  111  and the bottom portion  112  are located at the opposite ends of the height of the body  101 . In an example, the switch  104  is located on the top portion  111  of the body  101 . In this example, the cutting head  102  includes a moving blade  113  and a stationary blade  114 . The moving blade  113  is located on the side of the cutting head  102  that faces the body  101 . The stationary blade  114  is located on the side of the cutting head  102  that faces away from the body  101 . The moving blade  113  may be capable of moving back and forth in its plane, along the line generally parallel to the width of the body  101 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are diagrams illustrating perspective views of an example of the hair trimmer with elements of the cutouts  105  and  106 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , some elements of the left cutout  106  are illustrated. In an example, the left cutout  106  comprises a bottom surface  115  of the left cutout. In this example, the left cutout  106  comprises a side surface  116  of the left cutout. In this example, the left cutout  106  comprises a back surface  117  of the left cutout. The bottom surface  115  is generally parallel to the top portion  111  and the bottom portion  112  of the body  101 . The side surface  116  is generally parallel to the left portion  109  and the right portion  110  of the body  101 . The side surface  116  is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  115 . The back surface  117  is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  115 . The back surface  117  extends from the side surface  116  of the left cutout  106  to the left portion  109  of the body  101 . An angle between the side surface  116  and the back surface  117  is obtuse such that the farther it is from the side surface  116 , the larger is a distance between the back surface  117  and the cutting head  102 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , some elements of the right cutout  105  are illustrated. In an example, the right cutout  105  includes a bottom surface  118  of the right cutout. In this example, the right cutout  105  includes a side surface  119  of the right cutout. The right cutout  105  includes a back surface  120  of the right cutout. The bottom surface  118  is generally parallel to the top portion  111  and the bottom portion  112  of the body  101 . The side surface  119  is generally parallel to the left portion  109  and the right portion  110  of the body  101 . The side surface  119  is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  118 . The back surface  120  is generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  118 . The back surface  120  extends from the side surface  119  of the right cutout  105  to the right portion  110  of the body  101 . An angle between the side surface  119  and the back surface  120  is obtuse such that the farther it is from the side surface  119 , the larger is a distance between the back surface  120  and the cutting head  102 . 
         [0029]    Still referring to the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the back surface  120  of the right cutout  105  includes air ducts  121 . In this example, the air ducts  121  include slots  122  that are generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  118 . Similarly, back surface  117  of the left cutout  106  includes air ducts  123 . The air ducts  123  include slots  124  that are generally perpendicular to the bottom surface  115 . 
         [0030]    In an example, the body  101  is substantially cylindrical, such that the front portion  107  and the back portion  108  are the ends of the cylindrical shape of the body, and the left portion  109 , the right portion  110 , the top portion  111 , and the bottom portion  112  are various portions of the curved surface of a cylindrical shape of the body. In this example, the right cutout  105  extends inward from a position at the intersection of the front, right, and top portions of the body, and the left cutout  106  extends inward from a position at the intersection of the front, left, and top portions of the body. 
         [0031]    In some examples, cross-sections of the body  101  perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body are substantially rectangular, or substantially circular, or substantially oval, such that the cross-sectional shape and size may vary along the length of the body. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a top view of two examples of a hair trimmer with examples of switches. In an example, the switch  104  is a sliding switch  125  as illustrated in  FIG. 7( a ) . In another example, the switch  104  is a turning switch  126  as illustrated in  FIG. 7( b ) . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating another example of a hair trimmer  1000  for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a hair trimmer  1000  for trimming hair in difficult to reach regions may have a cylindrical or other shape. For example, the trimmer  1000  includes a body  1010  having the shape of an elongated cylinder and a cutting head  1020 . The trimmer  1000  also includes a cord  1030 . The body  1010  includes a front portion  1070  and a back portion  1080 . The front portion  1070  and the back portion  1080  are located at opposite ends of the length of the body  1010 . The body  1010  includes a left portion  1090  and a right portion  1100 . The left portion  1090  and the right portion  1100  are located at opposite ends of the width of the body  1010 . The body  1010  may further includes a switch for turning on the trimmer  1000 . In a preferred example, the cutting head  1020  is attached to the body  1010  at its front portion  1070 , and the cord  1030  is attached to the body  1010  at its back portion  1080 . In some examples, the front portion  1070  of the body  1010  includes cutouts  1050 ,  1060 . The body  1010  may include one or more cutouts at different regions of the body  1010 , and in the preferred example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , there are two cutouts  1050  and  1060 . The left cutout  1060  is on the left side  1090  of the body  1010 , and the right cutout  1050  is on the right side  1100  of the body  1010 . The cutting head  1020  may be secured to the body  1010  using a fastening element that is secured by one or more screws. The fastening element extends across the top surface of the trimmer  1000  from the right cutout  1050  to a middle protruding portion to the left cutout  1060 , and the screws may be positioned within the right cutout  1050  and the left cutout  1060 . 
         [0034]    While the examples of the trimmer  100 ,  1000  described include a cuboidal shape and a cylindrical shape, the invention is not limited to such shapes. Other well known shapes for a hair trimmer  100 ,  1000  are also included and described to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and may be modified to include such cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  at a front portion of the body  101  as described herein. In the above examples, the cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  allow for cutting hair in hard to reach places, such as behind ears. The cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  create a gap between the cutting head of the trimmer and the trimmer&#39;s body, such that an ear or another part may be partially positioned in these gaps while the cutting head reaches the hair that is being trimmed. Without the cutouts, trimming hair in such places would be difficult, or would only be accomplished with an inconvenience or pain of the user. 
         [0035]    In an example, the cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  create air pockets between the cutting head of the trimmer and the trimmer&#39;s body, such that the internal components of the trimmer are better cooled. Typically, the internal components of the trimmer such as a motor, an electromagnetic coil, or other internal components, become hot during normal operating duty cycle of the trimmer, and may overheat in case of a long continuous operation. This leads to degradation of trimmer&#39;s performance or premature failure. In an example, the air pockets created by the cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  lead to lower operating temperatures of the internal components of the trimmer, or improvements in their performance, or extension of their useful life. 
         [0036]    In an example, the cutouts  105 ,  1050 ,  106 ,  1060  allow for a reduced vibration of the cutting head of the trimmer and of the trimmer&#39;s body. Reduced vibration of the cutting head allows for more precise and more comfortable trimming action. Reduced vibration of the trimmer&#39;s body allows for more comfortable handling of the trimmer. 
         [0037]    In an example, the trimmer is operated without a cord. In another example, the trimmer operates with a cord. In this example, the trimmer may operate with a swivel cord that is configured to swivel around its own axis while maintaining electrical contact with the trimmer&#39;s body. Such swivel action of the cord allows for the user to use the trimmer at various portions of their face without creating kinks in the cord. This leads to increased operating life of a trimmer equipped with a cord. 
         [0038]    In an example, a method of using a hair trimmer is provided. In this example, a method of using a hair trimmer includes providing a trimmer, turning on the trimmer, positioning the trimmer in such a way that the cutting head is located in close proximity to the unwanted hair, and trimming the unwanted hair. In another example, a method of using a hair trimmer includes positioning the trimmer in such a way that the cutting head is located in close proximity to the unwanted hair, turning on the trimmer, and trimming the unwanted hair. In an example, a method of using a hair trimmer includes providing a trimmer that has a cutting head attached to a body where the body is configured with cutouts on the side of the body located next to the cutting head. 
         [0039]    In an example, a method of trimming hair is provided. In this example, a method of trimming hair includes turning on the trimmer, positioning the trimmer in such a way that the cutting head is located in close proximity to the unwanted hair, and trimming the unwanted hair. In another example, a method of trimming hair includes positioning the trimmer in such a way that the cutting head is located in close proximity to the unwanted hair, turning on the trimmer, and trimming the unwanted hair. In an example, a method of trimming hair includes providing a trimmer that has a cutting head attached to a body where the body is configured with cutouts on the side of the body located next to the cutting head. 
         [0040]    A hair trimmer provided herein has significant advantages over the prior art hair trimmers. It may provide better access to some unwanted hair, it may provide access to previously inaccessible unwanted hair, it may reduce a discomfort of trimming hair, it may eliminate a discomfort of trimming hair, it may lower operating temperatures of the trimmer, it may lower operating temperatures of internal components of the trimmer, it may lower surface temperatures of the trimmer&#39;s body, it may lower operating temperatures of the cutting head, it may allow for lower weight of the trimmer, it may allow for use of stronger, or less expensive, or lighter weight, materials in the construction of the trimmer, it may reduce the vibration of the trimmer, it may allow for use of more durable, or less expensive, or lighter weight, internal and external components of the trimmer, it may reduce the vibration of the trimmer body, it may reduce vibration of the cutting head, it may reduce the vibration of internal components of the trimmer, it may reduce operating noise of the trimmer, it may increase durability of the trimmer, it may increase durability of the cutting head, it may increase durability of internal components of the trimmer, it may increase time between changes of the cutting head, it may increase time between changes of trimmer battery, it may extend time the trimmer can operate on a single charge, it may decrease need for maintenance of the trimmer. While several advantages are described, it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the advantages of the hair trimmer are not limited to those described herein. 
         [0041]    A trimmer body may be made of various materials including metal, plastic, resin, wood, or a combination thereof. A cutting head may be made of various materials including metal, plastic, resin, wood, or a combination thereof. A cord may be made of various materials including plastic, resin, or a combination thereof. The materials are not limited to those described herein. 
         [0042]    A trimmer may be battery operated or electric outlet power operated, or both. A battery operated trimmer may have one or more batteries that need to be exchanged to new batteries when the previous set of batteries runs out of energy. A battery operated trimmer may have rechargeable batteries that may be recharged and reused. A battery operated trimmer may have continuously rechargeable batteries that recharge by induction charging or another continuously charging method. A trimmer that operates on electric outlet power may have a cord for connecting the trimmer to an electric power outlet. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.