An epilating device including a plurality of blades, a blade moving member, and an actuator. The plurality of blades are configured to pluck hairs and includes at least one movable blade which is configured to oscillate to grip and release the hairs. The blade moving member is configured to be reciprocally and linearly moved to oscillate the at least one movable blade. The actuator is configured to move the blade moving member reciprocally and linearly without contacting the blade moving member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to an epilating device to remove hairs for,
 for example, beauty or cosmetic purposes.
 2. Description of the Background
 Epilating devices are disclosed in Japanese Patent 2736797 (corresponding
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,422), entitled "Depilating Appliance"; and Japanese
 Examined Patent Application (kokoku) Hei7-79731(corresponding U.S. Pat.
 No. 4,575,902), entitled "Depilating Appliance." The contents of these
 references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
 The U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,422 discloses an epilating device having a plucking
 head for plucking hairs by swinging and then moving blades. The U.S. Pat.
 No. 4,575,902 discloses an epilating device wherein plucking blades are
 opened/closed by utilizing projections provided on the plucking blades.
 Further, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,902 discloses that the means for closing
 the plucking blades may be an electromagnet.
 Specifically, according to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,422, a bar is pushed by
 a wheel and epilating blades engaged with the bar are closed and pluck
 body hairs, thereby obtaining stable strength for holding the body hairs
 between the blades and ensuring plucking the hairs. According to the U.S.
 Pat. No. 4,575,902, body hairs are plucked by elastically deforming an
 epilating disk by the electromagnet, thereby making it possible to reduce
 driving noise generated when the disk is opened/closed.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 According to one aspect of the present invention, an epilating device
 includes a plurality of blades, a blade moving member, and an actuator.
 The plurality of blades are configured to pluck hairs and includes at
 least one movable blade which is configured to oscillate to grip and
 release the hairs. The blade moving member is configured to be
 reciprocally and linearly moved to oscillate the at least one movable
 blade. The actuator is configured to move the blade moving member
 reciprocally and linearly without contacting the blade moving member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the
 accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate
 corresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.
 Referring now FIGS. 1 to 15, there is shown an epilating device for removal
 of body hairs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
 invention.
 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the epilating device includes at least one
 plucking head (2a). For example, the epilating device includes two
 plucking heads. A main body block 1 includes a housing 10 which has front
 and back divided sections. The housing 10 contains a motor 11 which is
 fixed to bases (55L) and (55R) which are provided in the housing 10. A
 head frame 5 having an opening on its upper end is removably mounted on
 the upper end of the housing 10. A leg piece (5a) having a hole (5b)
 extends from a part of a lower portion of the head frame 5. The hole (5b)
 provided in the leg piece (5a) of the head frame 5 is engaged with ribs
 551 provided on the base (55R), thereby attaching the leg piece (5a) to
 the base (55R). The motor 11 is fixed to a motor fixing plate 100 via
 screws to be positioned between the bases (55L) and (55R). Projecting
 pieces (100a) which are provided on both sides of the motor fixing plate
 100 are fitted into fitting recesses (55i) which are provided on inner
 surfaces of the two bases (55L) and (55R), respectively. Battery cells 102
 serving as a drive source are provided in a lower end portion of the
 housing 10 and covered by a battery cover 103. A blade moving 15 is
 provided on an outer surface of the housing 10. The housing 10 serves as a
 grip section which is adapted to be held by hand.
 A pinion 12 is press-fitted and fixed to an output shaft of the motor 11
 which is provided in a space between the bases (55L) and (55R) through the
 motor fixing plate 100. In addition, a face gear 104 is rotatably attached
 to the bases (55L) and (55R) via a shaft (104j) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
 6. The face gear 104 is meshed with the pinion 12 to thereby transmit the
 rotation of the pinion 12 to the face gear 104. A small gear 105 is
 provided integrally with the face gear 104. This small gear 105 is meshed
 with a large gear 107 of an intermediate gear 106 rotatably attached to
 the bases (55L) and (55R) via a shaft (106j), thereby transmitting the
 rotation of the pinion 12 to the intermediate gear 106. The intermediate
 gear 106 is provided with a small gear 108 which is meshed with a drive
 gear 109 which is rotatably provided on the bases (55L) and (55R) via a
 shaft (109j).
 Furthermore, a gear 110 is rotatably attached to the bases (55L) and (55R)
 via a shaft (110j). The gear 110 is provided to be shifted toward the base
 (55L) along a longitudinal direction of the shaft (110j). Gears 111 and
 112 are also rotatably attached to the bases (55L) and (55R) via shafts
 (111j) and (112j). The gears 111 and 112 are provided to be shifted toward
 the base (55R) along a longitudinal direction of the shafts (111j) and
 (112j). Both the gears 110 and 111 are meshed with the drive gear 109, and
 the gear 111 is meshed with the gear 112. Therefore, the rotation of the
 motor 11 is transmitted to the gears 110 and 112 through a series of
 gears.
 As stated above, the motor 11 and the series of gears are provided between
 the bases (55L) and (55R). Bosses (55j) which are provided on the base
 (55L) are fitted into recesses (55k) which are provided on the base (55R),
 respectively. The base (55L) is fixed to the base (55R) by screws 114.
 Further, in order to fix the bases (55L) and (55R), screws 300 pass
 through holes (10a) of the back divided section (10b) of the housing 10
 and ribs 59 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R), and are screwed to the
 front divided section (10c) of the housing 10.
 As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9, each of two plucking heads (2a) includes at
 least one blade block body 69, a blade attachment base 56 and a cover 115.
 In these Figures, the plucking head (2a) includes, for example, two blade
 block bodies 69. The blade block bodies 69 are arranged in the blade
 attachment base 56 in substantially parallel with a rotary shaft (56j) of
 the plucking head (2a) and symmetrically with respect to the center axis
 of the rotary shaft (56j). A blade attachment base gear 60 is formed on
 one longitudinal end of the blade attachment base 56. The blade attachment
 base gear 60 meshes with either the gear 110 or 120 to rotate the plucking
 head (2a) The cover 115 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the
 blade attachment base 56. The cover 115 prevents the blade block bodies 69
 from detaching from the blade attachment base 56.
 The two plucking heads (2a) are attached on the upper portion of the main
 body block 1 so as to be parallel to the rotary shaft (56j) each other.
 Each of the blade attachment gears 60 of the two plucking heads (2a) is
 provided on the opposite side on the upper portion of the main body block
 1. Thus one of the blade attachment gears 60 is meshed with the gear 110
 and the other blade attachment gear 60 is meshed with the gear 112.
 The plucking heads (2a) are driven as follows. When the face gear 104
 attached to the shaft (104j) rotates following the rotation of the motor
 11, the rotation of the intermediate gear 106 attached to the shaft (106j)
 is transmitted the rotation by the small gear 105. Further, the blade
 attachment base gear 60 of the plucking heads (2a) is rotated through the
 drive gear 109 attached to the shaft (109j) and the gear 110 attached to
 the shaft (110j), thereby rotating one of the plucking heads (2a). The
 blade attachment base gear 60 of the other plucking head (2a) is provided
 on the side facing the base (55L), while the blade attachment base gear 60
 of the one plucking head (2a) is provided on the side facing the base
 (55R). The blade attachment base gear 60 of the other plucking head (2a)
 is rotated through the gear 109 attached to the shaft (109j), the gear 111
 attached to the shaft (111j) and the gear 112 attached to the shaft
 (112j), thereby rotating the other plucking head (2a). The number of gears
 for rotating one head (2a) is set to be odd (the drive gear 110) and the
 number of gears for rotating the other plucking head (2a) is set to be
 even (because of one additional gear 111 or 112). Accordingly, the two
 plucking heads (2a) may be rotated in opposite directions.
 As shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 13, the blade block body 69 includes of a fixed
 blade block 117 on which at least one fixed blade 116 is disposed, a blade
 fulcrum member 118 on which fulcrum sections (118a) are provided, at least
 one movable blade 3, and a pair of blade moving levers 67 and 68 for
 oscillating the movable blade 3 along an axial direction of the rotary
 shaft of the blade block body 69. In this embodiment, a plurality of fixed
 blades 116 and movable blades 3 are provided. A plucking blade includes
 the movable blades 3 and the fixed blades 116. The movable blades 3 are
 configured to oscillate to grip hairs between the movable blades 3 and the
 fixed blades 116 and to release the hairs. The movable blades 3 may grip
 hairs between the movable blades 3 without providing fixed blades. In this
 embodiment, the movable blades 3 are arranged to be swingable to grip and
 release hairs. Namely, the movable blades 3 may repeatedly swing or pivot.
 The fixed blade block 117 is constituted by integrally arranging the fixed
 blades 116 between a pair of beams (117a) at constant intervals. Both
 sides of the lower portions of the fixed blades 116 serve as fulcrum
 sections (117b).
 As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the blade fulcrum member 118 is of U-shape with
 side pieces extending from both sides of an upper surface piece. A
 plurality of rectangular openings (118b) are formed at constant intervals
 in the longitudinal direction of the blade fulcrum member 118. The
 longitudinal central portions of both the beams (118c) between the
 openings (118b) and the beams (118c) on the both longitudinal end portions
 of the blade fulcrum member 118 protrude upward in FIGS. 9 and 10 (i.e.,
 in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the side pieces
 of the blade fulcrum member 118). Both sides of the protruding portions at
 the longitudinal central portions of the beams (118c) (or inside in case
 of the beams (118c) on both of the end portions of the blade fulcrum
 member 118) serve as fulcrum sections (118a) The beams (118c) and the
 openings (118b) are not arranged symmetrically in the longitudinal
 direction of the blade fulcrum member 118 but arranged to be deviated to
 either side. Thus, in this embodiment, the width of the beam (118c) on one
 of the longitudinal end portions of the blade fulcrum member 118 is formed
 to be larger than that of the beam (118c) on the other longitudinal end
 portion thereof.
 Holes (118d) are provided in a symmetric manner in both of the side pieces
 of the blade fulcrum member 118. The central portions of the holes (118d)
 become ribs (118e) protruding upwardly from the lower ends of the holes
 (118d), respectively. The fixed blade block 117 on which a plurality of
 the fixed blades 116 are arranged is assembled such that the fixed blades
 116 and the beams (118c) are alternately fitted into the rectangular
 openings (118b) of the blade fulcrum member 118 as shown in FIG. 10. To
 prevent the detachment of the fixed blade block 117, the ribs (118e)
 provided in a symmetrical manner on both of side surfaces of the blade
 fulcrum member 118 abut against lower surfaces of the beams (117a) of the
 fixed blade block 117 and side walls of the holes (118d) abut against
 longitudinal end portions of the beams (117a). Here, as shown in FIG. 13,
 the length (A2) of the longitudinal direction of the holes (118d) is set
 slightly larger than the length (A1) of the beam (117a) of the fixed blade
 block 117. Small gaps are, therefore, formed between the longitudinal end
 portion of the beam (117a) and the side wall of the holes (118d),
 respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the blade fulcrum member
 118. Therefore, the fixed blade block 117 can be slightly shaky with
 respect to the blade fulcrum member 118.
 Each of the movable blades 3 has a protruding piece (3a) shifted to one
 side in the lower end thereof and protruding pieces (3b) are also provided
 on both sides of the lower portion of the blade 3, respectively.
 Slit grooves (67a) are formed at certain intervals on one longitudinal side
 portion of the blade moving lever 67, hooks (67b) are formed at certain
 intervals on the other longitudinal side portion of the lever 67, and a
 permanent magnet 200 is provided integrally with the lever 67 on the one
 longitudinal end portion of the lever 67. Likewise, slit grooves (68a) are
 formed at certain intervals on one longitudinal side portion of the blade
 moving lever 68, hooks (68b) are formed at certain intervals on the other
 longitudinal side portion of the lever 68, and a permanent magnet 200 is
 provided integrally with the lever 68 on the one longitudinal end portion
 of the lever 68. The blade moving levers 67 and 68 are arranged each other
 so that the side surface portion on which the slit grooves (67a) are
 provided faces the side surface portion on which the slit grooves (68a)
 are provided. In this state, the hooks (67b) and (68b) of the levers 67
 and 68 are slidably fitted into the holes (118d), respectively and the
 blade moving levers 67 and 68 are thereby incorporated into the blade
 fulcrum member 118. Therefore, the hooks (67b) and (68b) may slides in the
 holes (118d) between the side wall and the rib (118e) on the lower end of
 the hole (118d). The blade moving levers 67 and 68 are configured to be
 reciprocally and substantially linearly moved to oscillate the movable
 blades 3.
 The protruding portions (3a) of the movable blades 3 are swingably fitted
 into the slit grooves (67a) of the blade moving lever 67 and the slit
 grooves (68b) of the blade moving lever 68, respectively. As shown in FIG.
 9, the movable blades 3 are arranged such that the protruding portions
 (3a) positioned to be deviated toward the front side of FIG. 9 and those
 positioned to be deviated toward the back side of FIG. 9 are alternately
 provided. Then, protruding portions (3a), which are deviated toward the
 front side, are swingably fitted into the blade moving lever 68, and
 protruding portions (3a), which portions are deviated toward the back
 side, are swingably fitted into the blade moving lever 67.
 Here, the blade moving levers 67 and 68 are incorporated so that the magnet
 200 provided on one end of the blade moving lever 67 protrudes outward
 from one end of the blade fulcrum member 118, the magnet 200 provided on
 one end of the blade moving lever 68 protrudes outward from the other end
 of the blade fulcrum member 118. Furthermore, a length from the magnet 200
 of the blade moving lever 67 to one end of the blade fulcrum member 118 is
 equal to a length from the magnet 200 of the blade moving lever 68 to the
 other end of the blade fulcrum member 118. Namely, if the plucking head
 (2a) constituted by incorporating the blade block body 69 into the blade
 attachment base 56 is attached to the upper portion of the main body block
 1 by the rotary shaft (56j) as will be described later, the blade moving
 levers 67 and 68 are incorporated into the main body block 1 so that
 lengths from magnets 201 having the same polarity as that of the magnets
 200 provided on the blade moving levers 67 and 68 arranged at the left and
 right sides of the upper opening of the main body block 1 for driving the
 blade moving levers 67 and 68, to the both longitudinal ends of the blade
 fulcrum member 118 are equal, as will be described later.
 As stated above, the movable blades 3 are incorporated into the slit
 grooves (67a) and (68a) of the blade moving levers 67 and 68, respectively
 so that the protruding portions (3a) are freely swingable. In that case,
 each of the movable blades 3 fitted into the slit grooves (67a) and (68a)
 are arranged so that the fixed blade 116 is positioned between the movable
 blade 3 fitted into the slit groove (67a) and the movable blade 3 fitted
 into the slit groove (68a). Additionally, each of the fulcrum sections of
 the blade fulcrum member 118 is positioned between the movable blades 3
 fitted into the slit grooves (67a) and (68a) between the fixed blades 116.
 Each movable blade 3 swings with respect to the fulcrum sections (117b)
 and (118a) provided at the fixed blade block 117 and the blade fulcrum
 member 118,respectively. The fulcrum sections (117b) and (118a) function
 as fulcrums. The two movable blades 3 are arranged between the fixed
 blades 116 and incorporated into the slit grooves (67a) and (68a),
 respectively, thereby constituting a series of plucking blades.
 The blade block body 69 is assembled as stated above and constituted such
 that blade moving means of the movable blades 3 and the hair grip section
 serve as one block member. In addition, two movable blades 3 are arranged
 between the fixed blades 116 and fulcrums applied with forces particularly
 while the movable blades 3 are closed at the swinging fulcrums thereof,
 are formed on the blade fulcrum member 118 separate from the fixed blade
 block 117. Accordingly, it is possible to thin the swinging fulcrums by
 making the blade fulcrum member 118 preferably from hard material such as
 a sheet metal. As a result, the pitch between the fixed blade block 117
 and the movable blade 3 can be reduced and the longitudinal width of the
 blade fulcrum member 118 can be reduced. It is, therefore, possible to
 provide a small-sized plucking head capable of closely attaching to even a
 small area such as an armpit. Also, it is possible to improve hair
 plucking efficiency for plucking even short hairs since the longitudinal
 width of the blade block body 69 can be reduced. In this case, the length
 between the fixed blade 116 of the fixed blade block 117 and the movable
 blade 3 is set smaller than the length between the beam (118c) provided
 between the movable blades 3 and the movable blade 3. Accordingly,
 referring to FIG. 20, a closing angle (.theta.c) formed between the
 movable blade 3 and a plane (P) which is in parallel with the at least one
 fixed blade 116 and which passes the swinging center (O) when the movable
 blade 3 is in the closing position as shown by a solid line is smaller
 than an opening angle (.theta.o) formed between the movable blade 3 and
 the plane (P) when the at least one movable blade is in the opening
 position as shown by a phantom line. Therefore, good hair plucking with
 less chances of breaking hairs while holding the hairs can be ensured.
 Furthermore, as stated above, the central portion of the beam (118c)
 protrudes upward and serves as a fulcrum section (118a). This makes it
 possible that the length (L2) between a point of action and a fulcrum and
 the length (L1) between a point of force and the fulcrum satisfies the
 relationship of (L1)&gt;(L2) and also possible to reduce a gripping load,
 so that a plucking block with improved plucking efficiency and less noise
 can be provided, as shown in FIG. 14.
 As shown in FIG. 13, since the length (A2) of the hole (118d) of the blade
 fulcrum member 118 in longitudinal direction is slightly larger than the
 length (A1) of the beam (117a) of the fixed blade block 117, the beam
 (117a) of the fixed blade block 117 is slightly shaky with respect to the
 blade fulcrum ember 118. Even if there is a displacement between the beam
 (118c) of the blade fulcrum member 118 and the fixed blade 116 of the
 fixed blade block 117 when the movable blade 3 is closed between the fixed
 blades 116 of the fixed blade block 117 and the blade fulcrum member 118,
 the fixed blade block 117 can move in longitudinal direction to the extent
 corresponding to the displacement and the balance between the beam (118c)
 of the blade fulcrum member 118 and the fixed blade 116 of the fixed blade
 block 117 can be made. Thus, the irregularity of load can be removed when
 the hairs are gripped between the movable blades 3 and the fixed blade 116
 of the fixed blade block 117 and hair plucking with good plucking
 efficiency without chances of breaking hairs can be ensured.
 The blade attachment base 56 having the blade attachment gear 60 on its one
 end is provided with two grooves (56a) parallel to the rotary shaft (56j)
 circumferentially. The grooves (56a) are opened to circumferential surface
 parallel to the rotary shaft (56j) and to longitudinal different surface
 from the blade attachment gear 60 of the blade attachment base 56 (the
 grooves (56a) are opened continuously to the side opening on the end
 portion opposite to the blade attachment gear 60 out of the
 circumferential surface parallel to the rotary shaft (56j), and opened by
 forming a hole penetrating the blade attachment gear 60 at the gear 60
 side), and a support section (56c) is provided on the opening edge portion
 on the circumferential surface of the groove (56a) in the radial direction
 of the blade attachment base 56. The blade block bodies 69 formed into
 blocks as stated above are incorporated into the two grooves (56a),
 respectively, by being fitted and slid from the side openings opposite to
 the blade attachment gear 60 into the grooves (56a). Specifically, one of
 the blade blocks 69 is incorporated into one of the grooves (56a) from the
 side opening at the opposite side to the blade attachment gear 60 so that
 longitudinal direction of the blade block 69 become same direction with
 that of the base 56. At this moment, the magnet 200 of the blade moving
 lever 67 of the blade block body 69 protrudes outward from the hole
 provided in the blade attachment gear 60 and the magnet 200 of the blade
 moving lever 68 of the blade block body 69 protrudes outward from the side
 opening of the groove (56a) at the opposite side to the blade attachment
 base gear 60. In addition, the other blade block body 69 is incorporated
 into the other groove (56a) from the side opening at the opposite side to
 the blade attachment gear 60 at the magnet 200 side of the blade moving
 lever 68. At this moment, the magnet 200 of the blade moving lever 68 of
 the other blade block body 69 protrudes outward from the hole provided in
 the blade attachment base gear 60 and the magnet 200 of the blade moving
 lever 67 thereof protrudes outward from the opening of the groove (56a) at
 the opposite side to the blade attachment base gear 60. By so
 incorporating, the wider beam (118c) out of those on the longitudinal end
 portions of the blade fulcrum member 118 of one blade block body 69 is
 positioned at the blade base attachment gear 60 side, whereas the narrower
 beam (118c) out of those on the longitudinal end portions of the blade
 fulcrum member 118 of the other blade block body 69 is positioned at the
 blade base attachment gear 60 side. As a result, in the plucking head (2a)
 thus assembled, the positions of the fixed blades 116 of one blade block
 body 69 and those of the fixed blades 116 of the other blade block body 69
 are displaced with respect to each other in the axial direction of the
 rotary shaft (56j) of the plucking head (2a) (see FIGS. 2 to 4).
 As described above, since the positions of the fixed blades 116 of
 respective blade block bodies 69 are displaced with respect to each other,
 body hairs at different positions can be gripped when the plucking head
 (2a) rotates once. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, to prevent the detachment of
 the blade block body 69, the blade fulcrum member 118 is fitted into a
 wider portion of the groove (56a) and the blade block body 69 is supported
 in a radial direction of the blade attachment base 56 to thereby prevent
 the detachment of the blade block body on a narrower portion of the groove
 (56a) in the direction orthogonal to the rotary shaft (56j). At this time,
 the protruding portion (3b) of the movable blade 3 is fitted into the
 wider portion of the groove (56a) to thereby prevent the detachment of the
 protruding portion (3b) of the movable blade 3 on the narrower portion of
 the groove (56a) in the direction orthogonal to the rotary shaft (56j).
 Additionally, tip end portions of the fixed blades 116 and those of the
 movable blades 3 constituting the hair grip member of the blade block body
 69 protrude outward from the opening of the groove (56a) on the
 circumferential surface of the blade attachment base 56. This facilitates
 gripping hairs between the fixed blade 116 of the fixed blade block 117
 and the movable blade 3.
 In this case, a projecting portion (56d) is provided between the blade
 block bodies 69 on the circumferential surface of the blade attachment
 base 56 to stretch the skin in the rotary direction. The projecting
 portion (56d) is set to have the same diameter as those of the
 longitudinal end portions of the blade attachment base 56 or to slightly
 protrude therefrom. When two plucking heads (2a) are provided on front and
 back portions in parallel to rotary shaft (56j) with respect to the
 housing 10, respectively, so as to rotate in different directions,
 respectively, front and back plucking heads (2a) are displaced with
 respect to each other by 90.degree. to have different hair plucking
 timing. That is, when the front plucking head (2a) is at a position at
 which the head (2a) grips the hair, the projecting portion (56d) of the
 back plucking head (2a) is positioned on a skin surface. Accordingly, when
 one of the plucking heads (2a) grips the body hairs, the other plucking
 head (2a) stretches the skin surface in rotary direction. The operations
 of the front and back plucking heads (2a) are carried out alternately.
 Besides, since the respective plucking heads (2a) can grip hairs at
 different positions during the half-rotation of the heads (2a), it is
 possible to realize efficient hair plucking (FIG. 15), to reduce a
 gripping load by 1/(the number of plucking heads).times.(the number of
 blade block bodies) and to reduce stimulus to the skin as well as noise.
 Here, if the diameter of the plucking head (2a) (or the diameter of the
 blade attachment base 56) is set at 7 to 13 mm, a plurality of heads (2a)
 can be arranged adjacent one another and can be made smaller in size,
 thereby improving convenience.
 Furthermore, all of the blade block bodies 69 are not fitted into several
 grooves of the blade attachment base 56 in the same direction but
 alternately. Namely, in the blade fulcrum member 118 into which the fixed
 blade block 117 is incorporated, the beams (118c) and the openings (118b)
 are arranged in an asymmetric manner in the longitudinal direction of the
 member 118 and deviated toward either side in the longitudinal direction.
 For that reason, by fitting the blade block bodies 69 into the grooves
 alternately, the plucking head (2a) can grip hairs between the movable
 blades 3 and the fixed blade 116 of the fixed blade block 117 at each of
 different positions when the head (2a) rotates once.
 Moreover, to prevent the detachment of the blade block body 69 in
 longitudinal direction (parallel to the rotary shaft (56j), end portion of
 the blade fulcrum member 118 of the blade block body 69 abuts against an
 abutment portion (56e) provided on one end of the blade attachment base
 56. In this state, on the other end portion of the base 56, a protruding
 portion 115a of the cover 115 is fitted into the groove (56a) of the blade
 attachment base 56 and covers a part of the side opening of the blade
 fulcrum member 118. It is noted that to prevent the detachment of the
 cover 115, bosses (56b) provided on the blade attachment base 56 are
 inserted into holes (115b) provided in the cover 115, respectively, and
 the bosses (56b) protruding from the side surface of the cover 115 are
 sealed.
 Side stoppers 506 are provided on the side surfaces of the both axial ends
 of the plucking head (2a), respectively between the blade moving levers 67
 and 68 provided axially movably, in the rotation direction of the plucking
 head (2a). In this embodiment, the side stoppers 506 are provided between
 the blade moving levers 67 and 68 on the side surface of the blade
 attachment gear 60 and the side surface of the cover 115, respectively,
 which side surfaces constitute those on the both ends of the plucking head
 (2a), in the rotary direction of the head (2a).
 Bosses (56f) are provided on both axial ends of the blade attachment base
 56, respectively. The bosses (56f) are arranged to adjacently face bosses
 505 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R), respectively, with small gaps
 therebetween when the plucking head (2a) is incorporated into the bases
 (55L) and (55R) and pivotally supported by the shaft (56j). This prevents
 the plucking head (2a) from moving in axial direction and being greatly
 displaced. To this end, the bosses (56f) are provided on both axial ends
 of the plucking head (2a) to thereby constitute stoppers for preventing
 the plucking head (2a) from being deviated in axial direction.
 The movable blades 3 swing by means of magnets 201 and 202 symmetrically
 disposed at upper and lower positions, respectively with respect to the
 shaft (56j) of the bases (55L) and (55R), as well as by the magnets 200
 provided on the end portions of the blade moving levers 67 and 68. The
 magnets 201 provided upward of the shaft (56j) of the bases (55L) and
 (55R) (i.e., at the opening side of the head frame 5) have the same
 polarity as that of the magnets 200 provided on the end portions of the
 blade moving levers 67 and 68. The magnets 202 provided downward of the
 shaft (56j) of the bases (55L) and (55R) (i.e., at the opposite side to
 the opening of the head frame 5) have a different polarity from that of
 the magnets 200 provided on the end portions of the blade moving levers 67
 and 68.
 The opening/closing operations of the blade moving levers 67 and 68 are
 carried out as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, when the magnets 200 provided
 integrally with the blade moving levers 67 and 68 of one of the blade
 block bodies 69 are closer to the magnets 201 having the same polarity as
 that of the magnets 200, the magnets 200 and 201 repel each other and
 slide inside, thereby swinging the movable blades 3. At this moment, as
 shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the end portions (200a) or (201a) of at least
 either the magnets 200 provided on the blade moving levers 67 and 68 or
 the magnets 201 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R) in the rotary
 direction are given an angle (.theta.) as shown in FIG. 11(a), whereby the
 direction of magnetic fluxes of the magnets are set different from the
 axial direction, that is, set in a repulsive direction when the blade
 moving levers 67 and 68 are closer to the magnets 201. By doing so, even
 at high-speed rotation, the magnets 200 of the blade moving levers 67 and
 68 ride on the magnets 201 of the bases (55L) and (55R) and the noise of
 the plucking head (2a) can be, therefore, reduced. Arrows in FIG. 11(b)
 indicate the directions of the magnetic fluxes. In FIGS. 11(a) and 12, an
 arrow (X) indicates the rotary direction of the blade moving lever and an
 arrow (Y) indicates the direction in which the blade moving lever moves
 inside after the magnets 200 and 201 repel each other. Here, even if loads
 are applied to the blade moving levers 67 and 68 in the rotation direction
 thereof due to repulsion or attraction, it is possible to restrict bending
 loads generated on the blade moving levers 67 and 68. Also, even if many
 blade moving levers 67 and 68 are arranged adjacent one another in the
 rotary direction thereof and receive repulsion or attraction forces by the
 magnets 200 provided on adjacent blade moving levers 67 and 68, it is
 possible to restrict bending loads generated on the blade moving levers 67
 and 68. It is, therefore, possible to move smoothly the blade moving
 levers 67 and 68 in axial direction and to thereby reduce the noise of the
 plucking head (2a). In this way, since the blade moving levers are in
 non-contact with each other due to the presence of the magnets, noise
 generated when directly sliding the levers by means of conventional cams
 is removed, thereby making it possible to provide an epilating device with
 less noise.
 Next, when the plucking head (2a) rotates and the blade moving levers 67
 and 68 are closer to the magnets 202 by turning to the opposite side to
 the opening of the head frame 5 with respect to the shaft (56j), the
 magnets 200 provided on the blade moving levers 67 and 68 and the magnets
 202 pull each other and the blade moving levers 67 and 68 slide outside to
 thereby open the movable blades 3. At this moment, the outside sliding of
 the blade moving levers 67 and 68 is restricted not to exceed a certain
 degree by abutting the hooks (67b) and (68b) against the ribs (118e)
 provided on the blade fulcrum member 118. By doing so, the opening/closing
 operations of the blade moving levers 67 and 68 can be carried out with a
 simple configuration and good assembly efficiency can be ensured. At this
 time, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 to 12, the magnets 200 of the blade
 moving levers 67 and 68 and the magnets 201 and 202 of the bases (55L) and
 (55R) are formed integrally with their respective members and magnet
 portions are covered with a forming material made of synthetic resin for
 forming the members, whereby foreign matters adhering to the magnets
 during assembly process can be easily removed from the magnets and
 assembly efficiency can be improved. Even if the magnets 200, 201 and 202
 provided on the blade moving levers 67, 68 and the bases (55L) and (55R)
 have different magnetic forces and the plucking head (2a) is deviated to
 either side, the bosses (56f) provided on the both axial ends of the blade
 attachment base 56 act as stoppers in axial direction and the deviation is
 restricted between the bosses 505 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R).
 Thus, the magnets do not abut against one another and a driving sound can
 be thereby softened.
 Furthermore, since the movable blades 3 swing as already stated above,
 forces applied to the blade moving levers 67 and 68 can be reduced. It is,
 therefore, possible to reduce the magnetic forces of the magnets 200 of
 the blade moving levers 67 and 68 and the magnets 201 and 202 provided on
 the bases (55L) and (55R), and to make a drive section constituting the
 blade moving means smaller in size. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, it is
 assumed that a length from the rotation center of the plucking head (2a)
 to the inner end of each of the magnets 200 of the blade moving levers 67
 and 68 (i.e., the inside diameter in radial direction with respect to the
 rotation of the head) is (ra) , a length from the rotation center to the
 outer end of each magnet 200 (i.e., the outside diameter in radial
 direction with respect to the rotation) is (rb), a length from the
 rotation center to the inner end of each of the magnets 201 provided on
 the bases (55L) and (55R) (i.e., the inside diameter in radial direction
 with respect to the rotation) is (rc) and a length from the rotation
 center to the outer end of the magnet 201 (i.e., the outside diameter in
 radial direction with respect to the rotation) is (rd) and these lengths
 are set to satisfy relationships of (ra)=(rc) and (rb)=(rd). By
 constituting the magnets 200 provided on the end portions of the blade
 moving levers 67 and 68 and the magnets 201 arranged at positions
 corresponding to the magnets 200 such that the magnets 201 and 200 have
 the same outside diameter and the same inside diameter in radial direction
 with respect to the rotation, the end portions having stable magnetic
 fluxes are put at the same positions. As a result, not only the
 thicknesses of the magnets can be reduced but also stable magnetic forces
 can be obtained. Accordingly, the plucking blade can obtain a stable
 gripping force and good hair plucking efficiency can be provided without
 chances of breaking hairs or leaving several hairs unplucked. The above
 embodiment has been described while taking the relationship between the
 magnets 200 and 201 as an example. It is also preferable that the magnets
 200 and 202 have the same relationship as that of the magnets 200 and 201.
 As shown in FIG. 8, the first fixed magnet 201 is arranged to shift along
 a rotational direction (Dr) of the plucking head (2a) from a line (L)
 connecting the center axis (XC) of the plucking head (2a) and a center (G)
 of the second fixed magnet 202.
 FIGS. 16 and 17 show another embodiment according to the present invention.
 This embodiment illustrates that the opening/closing operations of the
 blade moving levers 67 and 68 are carried out by electromagnets 203 and
 the magnets 202. In particular, by providing the electromagnets 203 at the
 side at which movable blades 3 are closed (opening side of the head frame
 5), a force for sliding the blade moving levers 67 and 68 inside can be
 increased. Besides, even if the number of movable blades 3 is large, a
 holding strength for holding hairs can be increased and efficient hair
 plucking can be ensured with less driving sound and without chances of
 breaking hairs and leaving several hairs unplucked.
 FIGS. 18 and 19 show yet another embodiment according to the present
 invention. In this embodiment, slide handles 210 are provided on both ends
 of the head frame 5 in the direction of the shaft (56j). The slide handles
 210 are attached such that hooks 211 integral with the handles 210 are
 slidably fitted into holes 5c provided in the head frame 5 and elongated
 in a direction orthogonal to the shaft (56j) and that tip end portions of
 the hooks 211 are stopped at inner edges of the holes (5c), respectably,
 to prevent the detachment of the slide handles 210. Magnets 204 are
 provided at the plucking head (2a) side of the slide handles 210,
 respectively. Also, holes are formed in the bases (55L) and (55R), into
 which holes magnets 201 are installed movably in the direction of the
 shaft (56j). The magnets 204 provided on the slide handles 210 are set to
 have a different polarity from that of the magnets 201 provided on the
 bases (55L) and (55R) movably in the direction of the shaft (56j).
 Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the surfaces of the magnets 204 provided
 integrally with the slide handles 210 which surfaces face the magnets 201,
 respectively, are formed as steps having inclined surfaces (204a) inclined
 in sliding directions, respectively. When the slide handles 210 slide, the
 magnets 201 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R) slide by the steps
 provided on the magnets 204 of the slide handles 210 in the direction of
 the shaft (56j), respectively. By changing the lengths between the magnets
 201 provided on the bases (55L) and (55R) and the magnets 200 provided on
 the blade moving levers 67 and 68, magnetic forces applied to the magnets
 200 provided on the blade moving levers 67 and 68 can be changed
 accordingly. The holding strength of the movable blades 3 for holding
 hairs is made variable such that magnetic forces are increased for leg
 hairs requiring a relatively large plucking force and that magnetic forces
 are reduced for arm hairs and the like which do not require a plucking
 force larger than that for the leg hairs. It is thereby possible to
 provide an epilating device having good plucking efficiency and with quiet
 sound.
 In the above-stated embodiments, a series of plucking blades are provided
 on both sides across the rotation center. Three or more series of plucking
 blades may be arranged around the rotation center.
 It is noted that a reference number 101 denotes a skin pressing member
 arranged between the front and back plucking blocks (2a) in the upper
 opening of the head frame 5.
 The movable blades 3 are configured to oscillate to grip and release hairs.
 Although the movable blades 3 are configured to swing in the embodiments,
 the movable blades may be configured to be reciprocally and linearly
 moved. In this case, if the fixed and movable blades are in parallel with
 each other, hairs are gripped between the surfaces of the fixed and
 movable blades. On the other hand, if the fixed and movable blades are not
 in parallel with each other, hairs are gripped at the contacting lines of
 the fixed and movable blades which contact each other. When the movable
 blades 3 are configured to swing as explained in the embodiments, hairs
 are gripped at the contacting lines of the fixed and movable blades which
 contact each other.
 Although the plucking heads (2a) pluck the hairs by their rotational
 movement in the embodiments, the plucking heads (2a) may pluck the hairs
 by other movements.
 The first and second plucking heads (2a) may be configured to rotate in the
 same direction.
 Although the first and second plucking heads (2a) pluck hairs at different
 timings in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of the plucking
 heads (2a) may pluck hairs at the same time.
 Although the movable blades 3 close to grip hairs when the movable magnets
 200 face the first fixed magnet 201 which has the same polarity as the
 polarity of the movable magnets 200, the movable blades 3 may close when
 the movable magnets 200 face the fixed magnet which has polarity different
 from the polarity of the movable magnets 200.
 Further, although each plucking head (2a) includes two blade block bodies
 69 in the above embodiments, the plucking heads (2a) may include different
 number of blade block bodies 69. For example, one plucking head (2a)
 includes one blade block body 69, while another plucking head (2a) does
 not include a blade block body 69. One plucking head (2a) may includes two
 blade block bodies 69, while another plucking head (2a) includes three
 blade block bodies 69.
 Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention
 are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
 understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention
 may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.