Hair clipper blade gapping tool

A blade gapping tool for setting the gap of a hair clipper bladeset, the blade gapping tool including a base, a locking member, an adjustable boss and an adjuster.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to hair grooming tools and, more specifically, to a blade gapping tool used to set the gap on a hair clipper bladeset.

Hair trimmers typically use a bladeset having two blades, a fixed blade and a moving blade which laterally reciprocates relative to the fixed blade. The moving blade is coupled to a guide member using fasteners, while the guide member is slidingly coupled to the fixed blade. The distance between the tips of the teeth of the upper blade and the tips of the teeth of the lower blade is referred to as the bladeset gap. The bladeset gap is adjustable by moving the upper blade relative to the lower blade in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocation of the moving blade.

Hair clipper bladeset manufacturers usually assemble bladesets when the bladeset is manufactured. Users of hair trimmers may disassemble the bladeset to sharpen and/or clean the blades. Currently, bladesets are assembled manually which can be demanding due to the difficulty in holding the moving blade still relative to the fixed blade while using fasteners to fix the moving blade to the guide member. In addition, it can be difficult to obtain a consistent bladeset gap.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a blade gapping tool having a base having first and second arms, an open space being disposed between the first and second arms, and an adjuster having a first adjusting arm, a second adjusting arm, and a sliding base portion sized and configured to slide in the open space between the first and second arms. The blade gapping tool also includes a locking member partially disposed in an interior of the base and configured to selectively bias the adjuster in a first direction.

In another embodiment the invention provides a blade gapping tool for setting the gap of a hair clipper bladeset, the tool including a base having a first blade tip stop configured to receive a cutting edge of a fixed blade of the hair clipper bladeset and a second blade tip stop configured to receive a cutting edge of a moving blade of the hair clipper bladeset. The tool further includes an adjustable boss partially disposed in an interior portion of the base and configured to bias the fixed blade towards the first blade tip stop, and an adjuster partially received in the base, the adjuster having a first arm able to push the moving blade towards the second blade tip stop.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method of setting the gap of a hair clipper bladeset, the method including the steps of providing a hair clipper bladeset having a fixed blade, a moving blade and a guide member, and also providing a blade gapping tool having a base, an adjuster and an adjustable boss, wherein the base includes a first blade tip stop and a second blade tip stop. The method further includes the steps of placing the bladeset on the base, biasing a cutting end of the fixed blade towards the first blade tip stop with the adjustable boss and a biasing member, and pushing a cutting end of the moving blade towards the second blade tip stop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A hair clipper bladeset16, shown in combination with a blade gapping tool18inFIG. 1, includes a fixed blade20, a guide member24, a moving blade28, and fasteners32. Such bladesets16are generally known in the art and are used with electric trimmers for the purpose of cutting hair.

The fixed blade20includes a cutting end36, first openings40for receiving screws, bolts, or the like, and second openings44that allow screws, bolts, or the like to pass through a portion of the fixed blade20. A toothed edge48is disposed on the cutting end36. The first openings40are used in conjunction the fasteners32to couple the guide member24to the fixed blade20. The second openings44may be used to couple the fixed blade20and/or the bladeset16to the electric trimmer. The attachment of the bladeset16to the electric trimmer is generally known in the art and is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,525, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The guide member24includes a fixing end52and a sliding end56, the sliding end56being disposed proximate to the cutting end36of the fixed blade20when the bladeset16is assembled. The guide member24also includes at least one opening (not shown) disposed on the fixing end52to allow the fasteners32to pass therethrough to couple the guide member24to the fixed blade20. The opening (not shown) is elongated to allow the guide member24to be moved closer or further to the cutting end36of the fixed blade20, while still being fixable in place. The sliding end56is sized and configured to allow the moving blade28to slide along the sliding end56relative to the guide member24while still being slidingly coupled to the guide member24.

The moving blade28includes a cutting end64, a toothed edge68disposed on the cutting end64, and a drive opening72. The driving opening72is sized and configured to receive a driving member of the electric trimmer when the bladeset16is coupled to the electric trimmer, such that the driving member of the electric trimmer drives the moving blade28causing the moving blade28to reciprocate. The moving blade28is also sized and configured so that it may be slidingly coupled to the guide member24, thus allowing the moving blade28to reciprocate relative to the fixed blade as is generally known in the art.

The blade gapping tool18is used to assist a user in adjusting or setting the gap of the hair clipper bladeset16. The gap of the hair clipper bladeset16is the distance between the toothed edge68of the moving blade28and the toothed edge48of the fixed blade20. Some users prefer that the hair clipper bladeset16have a small gap in order to facilitate more precise cutting as may be required for certain haircuts. Other users prefer that the gap be zero or very close to zero to facilitate very precise cutting. It is important that the gap remain zero or positive such that the toothed edge68of the moving blade28is closer to the fixing end52of the guide member24than the toothed edge48of the fixed blade20. If the gap becomes negative such that the toothed edge68of the moving blade28is further away from the fixing end52of the guide member24than the toothed edge48of the fixed blade20, then the bladeset16may pinch or bite the skin of the person receiving a haircut. Some embodiments of the blade gapping tool18are sized and configured to allow the user to set the gap of the hair clipper bladeset16to zero. Other embodiments of the blade gapping tool18are sized and configured to allow the user to set a small blade gap.

The blade gapping tool18, shown in exploded view inFIG. 3, includes a base76, an adjuster80, a locking member84, at least one adjustable boss88, at least one biasing member92and at least one pocket cover96. In some embodiments the blade gapping tool18may include a glamour cap100.

The base76, illustrated inFIG. 4, includes a first arm104, a second arm108, an open space112, a bottom portion116, a u-shaped portion120, a first blade tip stop124and a second blade tip stop128. The first arm104and second arm108are symmetrical, so only the first arm104will be described. An opening132is disposed on a top surface136of the first arm104to allow a portion of the adjustable boss88to pass through. The opening132is oblong in shape, but may also be elliptical or rectangular in shape. An interior140of the first arm104includes an open space sized and configured to receive the adjustable boss88. An outer side surface144of the first arm104, best shown inFIG. 3, includes a slot148disposed thereon, the slot148being sized and configured to receive a portion of the locking member84and a portion of the pocket cover96. The slot148generally forms the shape of a rectangle, with a notch152disposed on one side of the slot148. The notch152is sized and configured to receive a portion of the pocket cover96. Disposed proximate to the open space112is a cutout156disposed proximate to the bottom portion116, the cutout156being sized and configured to allow a portion of the adjuster80to pass therethrough. The open space112is bounded on one side by the first arm104, is bounded on another side by the second arm108, is bounded on another side by the bottom portion116, while the remaining three sides are open. The size and configuration of the first arm104and the second arm108are such that a portion of the adjuster80may fit in the open space. The bottom portion116couples the first arm104and second arm108to the u-shaped portion120. The u-shaped portion120couples the bottom portion116to the first and second blade tip stops124,128. The bottom portion116and u-shaped portion120are sized and configured to allow the fixed blade20to fit between the first blade tip stop124and the openings132. The first blade tip stop124is approximately in the shape of a “V”, the first blade tip stop124being sized and configured to receive the toothed edge48of the fixed blade20. The second blade tip stop128extends from one side of the first blade tip stop124, the second blade tip stop128being angled such that the toothed edge68of the moving blade28is biased towards the toothed edge48of the fixed blade20when the blade gapping tool17is being used to set the gap on the bladeset16.

The adjuster80, illustrated inFIG. 5, includes a sliding base160, a back164, a first adjusting arm168and a second adjusting arm172. The sliding base160is coupled to the back164, the sliding base160including a u-shaped portion176. The u-shaped portion176includes a first arm180and a second arm184. The u-shaped portion176is configured such that the base of the “u” is closest to the back164, while the first and second arms180,184are further away from the back164. The u-shaped portion176includes first and second projections188,192, the first projection188disposed on the first arm180and the second projection192disposed on the second arm184. The u-shaped portion176is sized and configured so that it may pass through the open space112and notch156of the base76. In some embodiments the first and second arms180,184of the u-shaped portion176must be pressed towards each other so that the u-shaped portion176can pass through the open space112. The first and second projections188,192are sized and configured such that when the adjuster80has been installed on the base76, the first and second projections188,192in cooperation with the first arm104and second arm108inhibit the adjuster80from being uncoupled from the base76. The back164of the adjuster80couples the sliding base160to the first and second adjusting arms168,172. The back164is sized and configured to allow a user to press on the back164in order to slide the first and second adjuster arms168,172towards the second blade tip stop128. In one embodiment, a portion of the adjuster80that interfaces with the locking member84is beveled.

The adjuster80includes the first adjusting arm168and second adjusting arm172which are symmetrical, so only the first adjusting arm168will be described. The first adjusting arm168is coupled to the back164and includes a horizontal pressing portion196and a vertical pressing portion200. The horizontal pressing portion196may be used to push the moving blade28towards the second blade tip stop128. The vertical pressing portion200may be used to push the moving blade28towards the fixed blade20.

The locking member84, illustrated inFIG. 6, includes a button end208, a receiving end204, a first biasing surface212, a second biasing surface216, a receiving surface220, and a sliding surface224. The button end208is sized and configured to receive the glamour cap100. The receiving end204includes a collar portion228to prevent the receiving end204from entering into the interior portion of the base76. The first biasing surface212may be used to bias the adjustable boss88towards the top surface136of the base76. The second biasing surface216may be used to bias the adjustable boss88towards the top surface136of the base76. The sliding surface224is sized and configured to bias the adjuster80towards the top surface136of the base76.

An alternative embodiment of the locking member84a, illustrated inFIG. 6aincludes a shelf214. Many aspects of the locking member84illustrated inFIG. 6aare similar to the locking member84illustrated inFIG. 6; only the differences will be described herein. The shelf214is sized and configured to interface with the adjuster80, and serves to bias the adjuster80towards the top surface136of the base76. The sliding surface224aassists the user in assembling the locking member84aand the adjuster80such that the adjuster80is able to move along the sliding surface224auntil the adjuster80partially or completely rests on the shelf214. This combination of the shelf214and sliding surface224aallows the adjuster80to snap into place with regard to the locking member84a, making the adjuster80more secure with respect to the locking member84a.

The adjustable boss88, illustrated inFIG. 7, includes a projecting member232, a front wall236, and an interior cavity240(shown inFIG. 10). The projecting member232is sized and configured to fit through the opening132of the base76. In addition, the projecting member232is sized and configured to fit through the second opening44in the lower blade20. The front wall236provides a partial boundary for the interior cavity240; the front wall236also includes a curved portion244. The interior cavity240is sized and configured to receive the biasing member92. The biasing member92may be a coil spring or the like. The biasing member92provides a biasing force between the front wall236and the base76in order to bias the projecting member232towards the 1stblade tip stop124. In the illustrated embodiment two adjustable bosses88are used, but some embodiments may include only a single adjustable boss88.

The pocket cover96, illustrated inFIG. 8, includes a floor248, a first wall252, a second wall256, a first arm260, and a second arm264. The floor248is substantially flat. The first wall252extends from the floor248. The second wall256extends from the floor248. The floor248, first wall252, and second wall256are sized and configured such that a portion of the adjustable boss88can be in contact with the floor248between the first wall252and the second wall256. The first arm260extends from the first wall252and the second arm264extends from the second wall256. The first arm260and second arm264are sized and configured to be received in corresponding openings152of the base76. In the illustrated embodiment the adjustable boss88and pocket cover96are separate pieces for ease of manufacturing. In other embodiments the adjustable boss88and pocket cover96may be one piece.

The glamour cap100, shown inFIG. 6, is sized and configured to fit on the button end208of the locking member84. In the illustrated embodiment the glamour cap100is press fit on the button end208. In other embodiments the glamour cap100may be coupled to the button end208using a mechanical fastener, an epoxy, or by chemically bonding the two pieces. The glamour cap100assists in retaining the locking member84in the base76.

The blade gapping tool18may be assembled as follows. The biasing members92(if two biasing members and two adjustable bosses88are used) are inserted into the interior cavities240of the adjustable bosses88. Next, the biasing members92and adjustable bosses88are inserted into the first and second arms104,108of the base76. After that the pocket covers96are placed next to the adjustable bosses88such that a portion of the adjustable bosses88rests on the floor248of the pocket cover96, and the first and second arms260,264of the pocket cover96fit into the corresponding openings152on the base76. Next, the locking member84is inserted into the base76, the locking member84thus holding the biasing members92, adjustable bosses88, and pocket covers96in place. Following that the adjuster80is insert into the base76. In some embodiments the first and second arms180,184of the u-shaped portion176may need to be squeezed together to fit through the open space112of the base76. In addition, the locking member84may need to be moved slightly to allow the adjuster80to pass by the locking member84. Finally, the glamour cap100is pressed on to the locking member84.

The bladeset spacing of a hair clipper bladeset16may be set as follows. The guide member24is coupled to the lower blade20such that the guide member24may move relative to the lower blade24. Next, the upper blade28is slid onto the guide member24such that the upper blade28is coupled to the guide member24while still being able to reciprocate relative to the guide member24and lower blade20. At this point the bladeset16should be placed in the blade gapping tool18. The adjuster80may need to be pulled away from the first blade tip stop124to allow the bladeset16to fit onto the blade gapping tool18. The bladeset16should be placed such that the projecting members232of the adjustable bosses88fit into the second openings44disposed on the lower blade20. Once the projecting members232of the adjustable bosses88are inserted into the second openings44disposed on the lower blade20, the biasing members92serve to bias the cutting end36of the lower blade20towards the first blade tip stop124. Next, the adjuster84is moved by the user towards the second blade tip stop128. The vertical pressing portions200of adjuster80serve to bias the upper blade28towards the lower blade20. The horizontal pressing portions196of the adjuster80serve to bias the cutting end64of the upper blade28towards the second blade tip stop128. Thus the lower blade20is biased toward the first blade tip stop124and the upper blade28is biased towards the second blade tip stop128. Finally, the screws32holding the guide member24to the lower blade20are tightened such that the guide member24is inhibited from moving relative to the lower blade20. The size and configuration of the first blade tip stop124relative to the second blade tip stop128serves to set the bladeset spacing between the upper blade28and the lower blade20. At this point the bladeset spacing is set, and the bladeset16may be removed from the blade gapping tool18by pulling the bladeset16away from the base76of the blade gapping tool18.

In an alternative embodiment the second blade tip stop128is adjustable relative to the first blade tip stop124, by using a hinge or the like, such that the bladeset spacing set by the blade gapping tool18is adjustable.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a blade gapping tool. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.