APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING HAIR

The invention discloses for one or more combs, where the spine thickness of a given comb is specifically matched to the thickness of a cutting blade for an electric clipper and used to more effectively and efficiently select the proper combination of cutting blade and comb for trimming and blending hair. In addition, a method of using the combs to make a smoother and more even transition from one hair length to another hair length in the hair-cutting process is also disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A specialized set of combs, comprising a plurality of combs with varying spine thicknesses that are specifically calibrated to the thickness of the plate for an electric clipper is disclosed. In addition, a method of using the combs in the hair-cutting process is disclosed. By selecting a comb with a spine thickness that matches the blade plate, the desired hair length can be achieved with a reduced probability of accidentally cutting the hair too short.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an electric clipper110, suitable for use in conjunction with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Electric clipper110has a body portion111for holding electric clipper110and is configured with the capability to selectively detachable clipper blade at clipper head112. The clipper blades ofFIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bmay be used interchangeably with electric clipper110.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a clipper blade210and a clipper blade220suitable for use in conjunction with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention are depicted. These clipper blades are representative of a series of clipper blades that may be attached to electric clipper110ofFIG. 1. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, each of clipper blade210and clipper blade220has a numeric indicia stamped or embossed into the body of the clipper blade. Different clipper blades are used to cut hair, with the appropriate clipper blade being selected to correspond to the thickness of the spine of a comb. The appropriate combination will be determined by the desired amount of hair to be cut and the desired length of the hair to remain after the haircut.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a side view of each of clipper blade210and clipper blade220ofFIG. 2is shown. As shown inFIG. 3, each of clipper blade210and clipper blade220has a clipper blade thickness310or a clipper blade thickness320, respectively.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, a pair of combs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Comb410comprises a solid handle portion412, a plurality of teeth411, a spine portion413, and a brace portion414. Comb420comprises a solid handle portion422, a plurality of teeth421, a spine portion423, and a “fish-tail” or brace portion424. Comb410and comb420are both substantially flat and one-dimensional. This is important because in at least some preferred embodiments of the present invention, comb410and comb420are packaged and sold as a kit, often with a plurality of additional items. The flat and one-dimensional nature of comb410and comb420will provide a slimmer profile, taking up less space during shipping and requiring less packaging and take up less space on a typical “peg” type display as is found in many retail outlets. Additionally, many hair stylists and hair cutting professionals travel from salon to salon and large, circular combs and brushes take up more space and, in at least some situations, are deemed less desirable.

As shown inFIG. 4A, comb410comprises a plurality of teeth411arranged in a single row and affixed to spine portion413. While each tooth of single row of teeth411may vary slightly in size, each tooth is substantially the same shape.

As shown inFIG. 4B, comb420comprises a plurality of teeth421arranged in a single row and affixed to spine portion423. While each tooth of single row of teeth421may vary slightly in size, each tooth is substantially the same shape.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B, a top view (e.g., looking down on the comb with the spine closest to the eye and the teeth being positioned beneath the spine) of each of comb410and comb420is shown. As shown inFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, each of comb410and comb420has a spine thickness510or a spine thickness520, respectively. As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, spine thickness520is greater than spine thickness510. It should be noted that the each of combs410and420has a substantially uniform spine thickness over the length of spine portion413and423respectively and that spine thickness510and spine thickness520do not vary from the distal to the proximate end of their respective handles.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 5A, each of the plurality of teeth are positioned in a single row that lies in substantially the same planar orientation relative to a longitudinal sectional line517taken along spine portion413, hiding each of the plurality of teeth from observation since the width of each of the teeth is the same as the width of the thickness of spine portion413.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 5B, each of the plurality of teeth are positioned in a single row that lies in substantially the same planar orientation relative to a longitudinal sectional line527taken along spine portion423, hiding each of the plurality of teeth from observation since the width of each of the teeth is the same as the width of the thickness of spine portion423.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4BandFIGS. 5A and 5B, the unique characteristics of the combs of the present invention can be more fully understood. While comb410and comb420are similar in some respects to other combs, the spine thickness510of spine portion413and spine thickness520of spine portion423have been specifically selected so as to correlate with blade thickness310and blade thickness320, respectively.

In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the spine thickness510of comb410will be substantially identical to the thickness310of cutting blade210. Similarly, the spine thickness520of comb420will be substantially identical to the thickness320of cutting blade220.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, comb410and comb420, as well as other combs with varying spine thicknesses to match the spine thickness of a variety of clipper blades, are combined together with a plurality of clipper blades and may be sold as a unit, in a or other similar packaging arrangement. By selecting the appropriate comb, with a spine thickness that matches the thickness of the cutting blade, the hair stylists and barbers that are using comb410and comb420will automatically be using a comb that is designed to keep electric clippers closer to or further away from the head of the customer receiving the hair cut. The combs and the clipper blades may be color-coded to make the process of selecting the matching comb and clipper blade combination more efficient because the comb where the thickness of the spine portion of the comb matches the blade thickness of the desired clipper blade will be the same color.

Brace portion424consists of an enlarged section of handle portion412and is specifically configured to provide the hair stylist or barber with additional leverage for holding and positioning comb410or comb420. It should be noted that since brace portion424is meant to provide leverage when the hair stylist or barber presses against brace portion424, brace portion424is not a wire handle or a handle with an aperture formed in brace portion424that would limit the effectiveness of brace portion424to provide the desired leverage.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that by varying the thickness of the spine portion of a comb, the hair stylist or barber will be better equipped to keep electric clipper110ofFIG. 1in the proper position, relative to the head of the customer receiving the haircut. This is true for beginners as well as experienced hair stylists and barbers alike. The various embodiments of the present invention will assist hair stylists and barbers with the process of cutting hair to the appropriate length and will help to reduce or eliminate the possibility of cutting the hair too short.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a method600for using one or more combs of the present invention in providing a haircut is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 6, the hair stylist or barber will first ascertain the desired hair length (step610). Next, the hair stylist or barber will select the appropriate cutting blade to use in cutting the hair to the desired length (step620). With the appropriate cutting blade selected, the hair stylist or barber will select the matching comb (e.g., the comb that has a spine thickness that is substantially similar to the thickness of the selected cutting blade) (step630). Finally, the hair stylist or barber will cut the hair using the selected combination of comb and cutting blade (step640). It should be noted that the each of the possible matching combs has a substantially uniform spine thickness that does not vary from the distal to the proximate end of the spine portion of the handle.

It should also be noted that the hair stylist or barber may repeat the cycle with multiple matching combinations of cutting blades and combs for certain haircuts and other situations where the haircut involves cutting the hair in multiple different lengths. The process of selecting cutting blades and combs with matching thicknesses can be repeated as necessary until the haircut has been completed.

First the hair is cut on the sides & back of the head to the specified length using, for example, a #1.5 or #2 clipper blade, and on top of the head according to the guide length. In order to perform the above-described transition, a coordinating comb is chosen based on the requested length of the hair. Then, the comb is leaned with a slight pressure against the scalp and acts as a buffer between the hair and the blade. The hair is lifted with the comb in one hand and cut with the other hand, which is holding the electric clipper.

These combs offer a two-fold solution to the problem described above. First, because they have a spine thickness that corresponds to the size of the blade, the probability that the hair professional will cut more hair than desired is greatly reduced or eliminated. The thickness of the spine prevents the blade from going too far and cutting too much hair. Second, holding the comb while cutting the hair and leaning the comb gently against the customer's head provides significant hand support and greatly improves hand-eye coordination for both new and experienced barbers and hair stylists. The result is a new method of cutting hair and creating a smooth and mistake-free transition between two lengths of hair. The quality of the haircut, as well as barber's confidence and customer satisfaction, are greatly improved. Finally, the most preferred embodiments of the combs feature an ergonomically designed handle in the form of a “fish-tail” that ensures a firm grip on the handle and supports the palm of the hand. It fits well with any size hand, large or small.

While the examples set forth herein depict only a pair of combs, those skilled in the art will understand that is within the contemplated scope of this invention to include a plurality of combs (e.g., more than two), with the spine thickness of each of the combs corresponding to the thickness of a cutting blade. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, no matter what cutting blade is selected, there will be a matching comb to be used with the selected cutting blade.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an indicia representing the size of the cutting blade that corresponds to each of the combs is affixed to or printed on or embedded onto or into the handle of the appropriate comb. In this fashion, the hair stylist or barber can quickly and easily identify and select the appropriate comb, based on the selected cutting blade. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each matching set of comb and cutting blade may be provided with a color-based indicia or other similar marking. This will provide for the selection of a cutting blade and a corresponding comb by simply picking the matching colors.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a set of two combs will be provided as a kit. The first comb will have a spine that is approximately 4.5 mm thick and the other comb will have a spine that is approximately 6 mm thick. These spine thicknesses corresponds to Oster® #1.5 clipper blade (˜4.5 mm or 5/32″) and Oster® #2 clipper blade (˜6 mm or ¼″) which are the most commonly used blades for shorter haircuts. The combs are used in performing the transition cut between two lengths of hair. The combs help the barber avoid cutting the hair too short at the transition point and provide additional hand support while cutting hair. These combs are especially useful for barbering or beauty students but also useful for experienced professionals.

From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that an enhanced apparatus and methods for cutting hair is provided by the various preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the various preferred embodiments offer significant benefits that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, those skilled in the art will understand that additional preferred embodiments of the combs and methods described herein could be readily adapted for use in pet grooming as well as other applications.

Furthermore, while multiple preferred embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the preferred embodiments exist. Lastly, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are preferred exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.