Abstract:
A scissors, useful particularly to hairdressers, comprising a finger grip handle ( 42 ) and a thumb grip handle ( 12 ) with a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection. A thumb ring ( 14 ) is flexibly coupled to thumb grip handle ( 12 ) such that universal articulated movement of thumb ring ( 14 ) is enabled to facilitate an improved range of natural thumb movement and an improved variable positioning of the scissors in the user&#39;s hand. Thumb ring ( 14 ) may alternatively be coupled to thumb grip handle ( 12 ) with a secure and stable connection to facilitate optimum control and accurate guidance of the scissors. A user may easily detach and reattach thumb ring ( 14 ) in either a flexible coupled position ( 28 ) or a secure coupled position ( 38 ) while actively cutting hair and without resort to use of tools or special manipulations. A user may continuously and easily detach and reattach thumb ring ( 14 ), while the scissors are in normal operative use, thus performing the new and desirable object of more easily freeing the user&#39;s thumb to grip a comb or other appliance even while it remains inserted in thumb ring ( 14 ).

Description:
[0001]    This patent application is corresponding to Provisional Application U.S. 61/211,361 Filed Mar. 30, 2009 in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 119(e) 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to scissors, specifically to an improved universally rotatable thumb grip mechanism particularly useful to hair dressers and others who use scissors in concert with other hand held tools. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Scissors incorporating a pivotal or rotationally articulate thumb grip loop or thumb ring have long been known, especially in the field of hair dressing shears. Such scissors have significant advantages over a scissors made with the thumb ring integrally formed with the thumb grip handle or a conventional scissors. Conventional scissors have two significant disadvantages: 
         [0006]    (a) When opening and closing the conventional scissors, a user&#39;s thumb is stressed as a result of its movement within the thumb ring due to a sliding friction between it and the thumb ring of the scissors. 
         [0007]    (b) Conventional shears cannot be used in a varied variety of positions, relative to the user&#39;s body, with out placing significant and fatiguing stresses on the joints, and muscles of the user. 
         [0008]    The pivotal or rotational thumb ring or articulate thumb ring scissors mitigate these two above mentioned adverse effects of using conventional scissors. They allow a reduction of friction between the user&#39;s thumb and the scissors. The articulate thumb ring scissors also allow the user to cut with the scissors in a greater variety of positions with greater ease and with less bodily contortions. There are many inventions in the art of scissors aimed at overcoming the two above mentioned adverse effects. 
         [0009]    For example, patents have been issued on improvements to scissors which allow the thumb ring to pivot in its connection to the thumb grip handle from a single axis (Cite Group A): U.S. Pat. No. 242,000 granted May 24, 1881 to J. Klaucke, U.S. Pat. No. 430,677 granted Jun. 24, 1890 to R. S. Pearsall, U.S. Pat. No. 440,436 granted Nov. 11, 1890 to R. S. Pearsall, U.S. Pat. No. 1,108,572 granted Aug. 25, 1914 to W. M. Gordon, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,608 granted May 5, 1992 to Pracht. 
         [0010]    Patents have been also been issued on improvements to scissors which allow the thumb ring to rotate about a single axis in its connection to the thumb grip handle; for example (Cite Group B): U.S. Pat. No. 2,640,264 granted Jun. 2, 1950 to C. J. Sullivan et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,630 granted Sep. 23, 1975 to Megna, U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,999 granted Jul. 21, 1998 to Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,757 granted Nov. 23, 1999 to Schmidt et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,977 B1 granted Jun. 26, 2001 to Knoop, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,959 granted Aug. 26, 1997 to Parlowski. The above mentioned examples offer only limited articulation of the thumb ring relative to the thumb grip handle and only articulate around a single axis. 
         [0011]    In the prior art single axis articulate thumb ring scissors, the user is provided with only limited possibilities of variable positioning of the scissors. The limited articulate motion of the scissors does not fully accommodate the natural unrestricted motion of a user&#39;s thumb. So the need for more comfortable and more easily manipulated scissors is still a strongly felt need. For that reason, further improvements were offered that combined both the pivoting and rotational articulation of the thumb ring about multiple axes. Examples of multi axes rotatable articulate thumb ring or universally articulate thumb ring scissors are found in patents issued to (Cite Group C): U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,630 granted Sep. 23, 1975 to Megna, U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,895 granted Feb. 17, 1987 to Gauvry, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,617 granted May 10, 1988 to Gaurvy. 
         [0012]    The universally articulate thumb ring scissors have effected further improvements by creating more easily position able scissors which are also more comfortable to use. Even so, all the articulate thumb ring scissors developed particularly for hairdressers have significant disadvantages when compared to conventional scissors. Users find it difficult to control and accurately guide the articulate thumb ring scissors in all cutting situations. It is the thumb grip handle which guides the moving scissors blade. The inability of universally articulate thumb ring scissors to be accurately controlled is largely due to the lack of stability of the universally articulate thumb ring connection to the thumb grip handle; this is an inherent control problem. 
         [0013]    The above described control problem is more severe with the universally articulate thumb ring shears because the articulating joint is generally less stable than that of the single axis articulating thumb ring scissors. Many attempts were made to resolve the control problem as evidenced by devices to both limit and even snub all articulate movement of the thumb ring. Examples of such devices and the specific discussions pertaining to the need for such devices, (referenced by page and beginning line number in the applicable prior art patents) are found in (Cite Group D): U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,630 granted Sep. 23, 1975 to Megna on page 2 line 19; U.S. U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,977 B1 granted Jun. 26, 2001 to Knoop on page 2 line 34; U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,895 granted Feb. 17, 1987 to Gauvry on page 2 line 21, U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,617 granted May 10, 1988 to Gaurvy on page 2 line 21 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,608 granted May 5, 1992 to Pracht on page 2 line 54. 
         [0014]    The prior art attempts to mitigate the control problem all necessitated devices for decreasing, limiting or even eliminating articulation of the thumb ring. The use of these devices consequently lessened or eliminated the functionality of the very structures that accomplished the desirable objects of their inventions. The limiting devices specifically have the undesirable effect of lessening the extent to which the scissors can be manipulated into different positions in the user&#39;s hand. The limiting devices also lessen the extent to which the scissors can be variably positioned in relationship to the user&#39;s body. The limiting devices are not easy or practical to use while actively cutting hair. Tools or two handed manipulations are needed in order to apply or to disengage or to otherwise adjust the limiting devices taught in the prior art. The prior art universally articulate thumb ring scissors provide improved comfort and positioning but at the cost of control. If a user wants accurate control commensurate with that of the conventional scissors, the prior art teaches that he must sacrifice, at least to some extent, the comfort and positioning advantages afforded by the articulate thumb ring scissors. 
         [0015]    In addition to the control problem, users also had a second significant problem in using the prior art articulate thumb ring scissors. They could not use a comb or other tool in concert with the improved scissors as easily as they could with the conventional scissors; this is an inherent use in concert problem. 
         [0016]    It is common practice with hair dressers and with crafts people, such as those who hand tie fly lures used for fishing, to continuously switch between the use of a scissors and another hand held tool such as a comb. They use them together in concert. For hairdressers, it is necessary that a scissors and a comb are manipulated and largely controlled by the same hand. It is common for a user to remove the thumb from the thumb ring of a scissors, re-grip the scissors in the palm of that same hand, transfer the comb from the other hand into the hand which is also holding the scissors, comb a section of hair to prepare it for cutting, transfer the comb back to the original hand that held it, replace his thumb into the thumb ring in order to regain control of the scissors and then cut that prepared section of hair. This technique is commonly known in the art of haircutting as “palming the scissors”. It is a common practice done repetitively during the act of cutting hair. 
         [0017]    The use in concert problem, referred to above, is principally caused by the difficulty the user has in quickly removing his thumb from, and then subsequently reinserting his thumb into, the articulate thumb ring. In order to reinsert the thumb, the user must often purposefully manipulate the articulate thumb ring in order to reposition it. This is an unwanted distraction which interrupts the act of cutting hair. 
         [0018]    It is especially difficult to quickly and easily remove the thumb from the universally articulate thumb ring scissors if the thumb ring fits even a little too tightly. The universally articulate thumb ring tends to move with the thumb. So, instead of allowing the easy release of the user&#39;s thumb, the thumb tends to wedge against the sides of the ring more tightly. This is because the ring tends to tilt toward and against the top of the thumb more than it does against the pad of the thumb which is closer to the location of the thumb ring&#39;s point of articulated attachment to the thumb grip handle. So, the thumb of the user tends to become locked in place in the thumb ring and a greater force is necessary to remove it than the force necessary to remove it from a similarly sized ring on a conventional scissors. Yet, if the thumb ring fits too loosely, the thumb of the user tends to inadvertently slip out of the thumb ring when the shear is in use. This is because the universally articulate thumb ring is free to move in any direction unless the user is actively pressing his thumb on some surface of the thumb ring. The above mentioned problems with the gripping of a universally articulate thumb ring scissors renders them particularly unsuitable for use in concert with other tools. 
         [0019]    The gripping problems described above were specifically addressed, by improvements described in four patents all issued to Brenton et al. (Cite Group E): U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,159 granted Jun. 30, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,430 granted Apr. 12, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,624 granted Nov. 28, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,778 B2 granted Sep. 16, 2008. Brenton&#39;s preferred embodiments largely combined the universally articulate thumb ring scissors features, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,617 granted May 10, 1988 to Gauvry, with various detachable thumb ring components. These improvements enabled a user to change the thumb ring size and shape with the use of tools and special adjustments. These improvements offered some palliation for “the use in concert problem” referred to above. However, Brenton does not offer any solution to “the control problem”, mentioned earlier, and still inherent in all prior art articulate thumb ring scissors. 
         [0020]    The use of a scissors and a comb in concert, in the art of hair cutting, requires the development of special skill and dexterity to perform well. Thus, devices and methods which facilitate the ease of using scissors together with combs are advantageous and very desirable. The need for tools which enable greater ease in performing the technique of using a comb in concert with a scissors or “palming the shears” have long been felt. Many patents have been issued on a variety of inventions whose objects are, at least in part, described as improvements over the techniques normally employed by using conventional scissors in concert with other hand held tools. 
         [0021]    Hair cutting implements have been combined with combs in a single tool such as those found in patents issued to (Cite Group F): U.S. Pat. No. 2,008,631 granted Jul. 16, 1935 to M. Udkovich, U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,179 granted May 4, 1954 to W. J. Servillia, U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,337 granted Aug. 3, 1976 to Pomaro, U.S. Pat. No. 2,640,264 granted Jun. 2, 1950 to C J. Sullivan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,830 granted May 7, 1991 to Vaccaro et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,114 granted Nov. 9, 1993 to Shorter, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,663 B1 granted Mar. 4, 2003 to Simmons et al. These improvements are useful in eliminating the need to manipulate two separate tools simultaneously. However, they are severely disadvantageous as they are cumbersome compared to conventional scissors and are impractical to use in all aspects of cutting hair, especially in areas where clearances for cutting with a scissors are small. 
         [0022]    Other improvements in functionality of scissors for performing a use in concert with other tools are focused on unique and non annular shapes for the thumb ring. Substantially U or C shaped thumb grips or a thumb open loop are extensively described as improvements in the specific function of thumb removal out of, and reinsertion into, the thumb grip or loop of a scissors. Improvements and discussions that are especially pertinent to use in concert techniques are found in patents issued to (Cite Group G): U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,381 granted Oct. 29, 1991 to Taberlet on page 3 line 8, U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,999 granted Jul. 21, 1998 to Chang on page 1, line 17, U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,977 B1 granted Jun. 26, 2001 to Knoop on page 2 line 66, U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,241 B1 granted Oct. 1, 2002 to Droin on page 1 line 15 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,238 B1 granted Apr. 26, 2005 to Tran on page 1 line 40. 
         [0023]    These improvements do aid the functionality of scissors as they are used in concert with other tools. However, they have severe disadvantages over conventional scissors. The open thumb loops lack the ability to maintain a firm and secure contact between the thumb of the user and the open thumb loop. So, the thumb of the user can easily and unintentionally be disengaged with the thumb controlled handle of the scissors. Also the open thumb loop scissors cannot be accurately guided nor controlled in many common cutting situations and positions. These disadvantages are acknowledged in the prior art; for example: U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,977 B1 granted Jun. 26, 2001 to Knoop on page 2 line 66. Knoop offers a palliation to the drawbacks of his “rotating grip . . . c-shaped design” by providing for the detachment of the thumb open loop and replacement thereof with a more conventional closed annular ring. Quote: “ . . . if great importance is attached to particularly effective guidance of the rotating grip.” Knoop further provides for the fixing of the annular ring in a secure and unmovable connection to the thumb grip handle thereby converting his scissor into an effectively conventional scissors. However the conversion of Koop&#39;s scissors involves the necessary use of tools and two handed manipulations that cannot be preformed while the user is in the normal act of cutting hair. 
         [0024]    It is widely taught, in the prior art, that thumb rings may be made adjustable in their position along a longitudinal axis of the thumb ring to facilitate a improved accommodation for differences in hand sizes and a improved suitability to a wide range of user&#39;s personnel preferences. It is also widely taught to make thumb rings detachable from the thumb grip handle to facilitate interchange of thumb rings of different sizes and shapes. However, the prior art teaches that to make adjustments in the thumb ring position or change interchangeable thumb rings the user must use tools or perform special manipulations of the scissors. These manipulations are clearly impractical to perform repetitively or consistently while actively cutting hair. The prior art does not teach nor suggest that a thumb ring can be detached from, and reattached to a thumb grip handle to facilitate any improved method for actively cutting hair. Specifically, there is no teaching in the prior art that even suggests that a detachable connection for a thumb ring to a thumb grip handle could facilitate improved usefulness for scissors when used in concert with other hand held tools. 
         [0025]    Indeed, neither in the prior art for scissors making nor in the prior art for hair cutting is there any teaching that even suggests that detachment and reattachment of the thumb ring of a scissors can be made while a user is in the act of cutting hair. Nor is it anywhere suggested that any benefit could derive from such a practice was it somehow made possible to do so. 
       SUMMARY ON BACKGROUND OF PRIOR ART 
       [0026]    The prior art pertinent to the subject of the present invention has taught the making of improved scissors with articulating thumb ring attaching structures that provide a greater ease and comfort in use by facilitating a more natural movement of a user&#39;s hand and a more variable range of scissors positioning. 
         [0027]    However, the means employed to achieve these objects have also produced resultant undesirable and disadvantageous effects on the user&#39;s ability to accurately control the improved scissors. The prior art articulating thumb ring scissors have also failed to function as well as conventional scissors when used in concert with other hand held tools. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0028]    Accordingly several objects and advantages of my invention are: 
         [0029]    (a) To provide a scissors with a thumb grip ring with a substantially unrestricted range of rotation extending to all axes of rotation possible within a universal 180 degree range from multiple points of attachment to a thumb grip handle. This facilitates an improved range of positioning within a user&#39;s hand and an improved range of variable positioning of the scissors relative to a user&#39;s body. 
         [0030]    (b) To provide a scissors with an easily detachable and re-attachable thumb ring such that a user can consistently detach and reattach the thumb ring while the scissors are in normal use. This facilitates a new and improved method for the use of scissors in concert with other hand held tools. 
         [0031]    (c) To provide a scissors whose thumb ring easily disengages from the thumb grip handle. This allows the user maintains his thumb inserted into the thumb ring to facilitate an improved method of grasping and using other hand held tools in concert with scissors. 
         [0032]    (d) To provide a scissors that is easy for a user to regain control of and operate, after they have used another tool in that same hand which controls the scissors. This is accomplished by enabling the user&#39;s thumb to remain in the thumb ring and making the thumb ring easily re-attachable to the thumb grip handle. 
         [0033]    (e) To provide a scissors whose detachable thumb ring is reengaged to the thumb grip handle quickly and easily with out the use of tools and without recourse to performing any two handed manipulations of the scissors that would interrupt a user from actively cutting hair or otherwise operating the scissors normally. 
         [0034]    (f) To provide a scissors with an easily detachable and re-attachable thumb ring whereby the user can consistently detach and reattach the thumb ring without the use of tools or recourse or any special manipulations of the scissors which would require the use of two hands. 
         [0035]    (g) To provide a scissors with an articulate thumb ring which is easily convertible from an articulated connection to a substantially integral and securely fixed connection to the thumb grip handle. This facilitates improved scissors control and guidance accuracy that is commensurate with that of a conventional scissors. 
         [0036]    (h) To provide a scissors whose securely fixed thumb ring is easily convertible from a effectively integral connection to the thumb grip handle to a universally articulate connection. This facilitates an improved range of possible scissors positioning within a user&#39;s hand and an improved range of variable positioning of the scissors relative to the user&#39;s body. 
         [0037]    (i) To provide a scissors with an articulating thumb ring attachment which is rotatable from variable points of attachment on a thumb grip handle to facilitate a improved range of adaptability to the natural motion of a user&#39;s thumb and hand in varying cutting situations and positions. 
         [0038]    (j) To introduce a new method of cutting hair whereby hairstylists may use the improved scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection in concert with other hand held tools with greater ease and convenience than what is possible with conventional scissors. 
         [0039]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0040]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0041]      FIG. 1  shows the first embodiment with the secure fixing mount located forward. 
           [0042]      FIG. 1A  shows a view with the thumb ring in the flexible coupled position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 1B  shows a partial perspective view with the thumb ring in the flexible coupled position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 1C  shows a partial view with the thumb ring in the secure coupled position. 
           [0045]      FIG. 1D  shows a partial perspective view with the thumb ring in the secure coupled position. 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the second embodiment with the secure fixing mount disposed rearward. 
           [0047]      FIG. 2A  shows a view with the thumb ring in the flexible coupled position. 
           [0048]      FIG. 2B  shows a partial view with the thumb ring in the secure coupled position. 
           [0049]      FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment with a mechanical connection employed to effect the secure coupled position of the thumb ring. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  shows a forth embodiment which best incorporates the features of the Freeform Magnetic Mechanism described in Provisional Application U.S. 61/211,361. 
           [0051]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  shows an alternative embodiment with non-magnetically attractive material included in the thumb ring structure. 
           [0052]      FIG. 6  shows the scissors held in the palm with the thumb ring detached. 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  shows the scissors being held (or “palmed”) while being used in concert with a comb. 
           [0054]      FIG. 8  shows some of the possible articulate positions of the thumb ring in the flexible coupled position. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0055]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 moving blade 
               
               
                   
                 12 thumb grip handle 
               
               
                   
                 14 thumb ring 
               
               
                   
                 16 thumb ring groove 
               
               
                   
                 20 flexible fixing mount 
               
               
                   
                 22 disk magnet 
               
               
                   
                 22a sphere magnet 
               
               
                   
                 24 dampening disk 
               
               
                   
                 26 thumb ring magnet 
               
               
                   
                 28 flexible coupled position 
               
               
                   
                 30 secure fixing mount 
               
               
                   
                 32 rod magnet 
               
               
                   
                 32a cylinder magnet 
               
               
                   
                 38 secure coupled position 
               
               
                   
                 40 stationary blade 
               
               
                   
                 42 finger grip handle 
               
               
                   
                 44 scissors pivot 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  shows a scissors which includes a moving blade  10  and a stationary blade  40 . Moving blade  10  and stationary blade  40  are connected by a scissors pivot  44 . Scissors pivot  44  can be formed by any method known in the art of scissors. A finger grip handle  42  is disposed on stationary blade  40 . A thumb grip handle  12  is disposed on moving blade  10 . A thumb ring  14  is detachably fixed to thumb grip handle  12 . 
         [0057]    In our preferred embodiment, a flexible fixing mount  20  is formed integral with thumb grip handle  12 . Flexible fixing mount  20  includes a flat section which is approximately parallel with the longitudinal axis of moving blade  10  and also parallel with the pivotal axis of scissors pivot  44 . A disk magnet  22  is permanently attached to the flat section of flexible fixing mount  20  using any suitable permanent metal bonding adhesive such as a two part epoxy adhesive made by J-B Weld Company (P.O. Box 483, Sulphur Springs, Tex. 75483). The disk magnet  22  is an axially magnetized type 42 neodymium disk shaped rare earth magnet measuring approximately 13 mm in diameter with a thickness of approximately 3 mm. Magnets of this type are available from K&amp;J Magnetics, Inc (2110 Ashton Dr, Ste 1A, Jamison, Pa. 18929). Thumb ring  14  is made from magnetically attractive steel which is preferably stainless. Either  416  or  410  grade stainless steel is suitable for the purpose of forming thumb ring  14  in a preferably oval shape so as to fit well upon a thumb of a user. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , thumb ring  14  is magnetically attracted to and flexibly coupled to the exposed surface of disk magnet  22  such that it may rotate universally about a multiplicity of axes passing through disk magnet  22 . 
         [0059]    As is shown in  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 4 , dampening disk  24  may be interposed between disk magnet  22  and thumb ring  14  to facilitate a beneficial resistance or a dampening effect on the rotational movement of thumb ring  14 . Dampening disk  24  further serves to cushion and quiet the coupling of thumb ring  14  to disk magnet  22 . Even so, the incorporation of dampening disk  24  is not a necessary component to the basic functionality of our preferred embodiments. 
         [0060]    Dampening disk  24  is made of a soft leather disk approximately 14 mm in diameter. Dampening disk  24  is attached to the exposed circular surface of disk magnet  22  with a semi-permanent adhesive. The use of a semi-permanent adhesive facilitates replacement of dampening disk  24  when it becomes worn through use. Dampening disk  24  may also be made from felt like materials, cork like materials, thin foam rubber like materials, vinyl and other plastics and the like. The provision of varied interchangeable dampening materials does allow a user to subtly alter the rotational characteristics and the detachable coupling characteristics of thumb ring  14  to best suit their individual preferences. 
         [0061]    Thumb ring  14  may be detached from thumb grip handle  12  by the thumb of the user exerting sufficient force on thumb ring  14 , in a rearward direction generally along the longitudinal axis of thumb grip handle  12 , such that the magnetic connection of thumb ring  14  with disk magnet  22  is broken. The use of materials of varying thicknesses to form dampening disk  24  will alter the forces required to uncouple thumb ring  14  from disk magnet  22 . Hard plastics may also be used to form dampening disc  24 . Hard plastics can be molded or shaped with ridges and concavities such that thumb ring  14  may be more easily detached in certain favorable directions, such as in a direction along the longitudinal axis of thumb grip handle  12 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a secure fixing mount  30  formed on thumb grip handle  12  forward of flexible fixing mount  20 . A rod magnet  32  is permanently fixed in a concave circular groove which is formed on a lower surface of secure fixing mount  30 . Rod magnet  32  is a diametrically magnetized neodymium type 42 rare earth magnet which is rod shaped with dimensions of approximately 3 mm diameter and 6 mm thickness. 
         [0063]      FIG. 1D  best shows a thumb ring circular groove  16  formed into the outside circumference of at least that part of thumb ring  14  which can be made to face towards secure fixing mount  30 . Thumb ring circular groove  16  is formed on thumb ring  14  with a 0.75 mm radius so as to correspond and couple with rod magnet  32 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  show two different partial views of thumb ring  14  slid forwards off from a centered position on disk magnet  22  so as to magnetically couple thumb ring  14  to rod magnet  32  even as thumb ring  14  remains coupled to disk magnet  22 . When thumb ring  14  is slid or otherwise positioned forwards of a centered position on disk magnet  22  and coupled magnetically with rod magnet  32 , it is securely fixed by two points of connection. The two points of connection of thumb ring  14  are spaced approximately 90 degrees apart with respect to the circumference of thumb ring  14 , thereby effectively fixing thumb ring  14  substantially inarticulate with respect to thumb grip handle  12  in a secure coupled position  38 . 
         [0065]    Thumb ring  14  may be detached from secure coupled position  38  by the thumb of the user exerting sufficient rearward directed force on thumb ring  14  to break its magnetic connection with rod magnet  32 . Thumb ring  14  will then be in a flexible coupled position  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . When thumb ring  14  is in flexible coupled position  28 , it is flexibly coupled to disk magnet  22  such that it may rotate universally about a multiplicity of axes passing through disk magnet  22 .  FIG. 8  shows thumb ring  14  in various rotated and pivoted operational positions in relation to thumb grip handle  12 . 
         [0066]    Thumb ring  14  may be entirely detached from both rod magnet  32  and disk magnet  22  by a further rearward application of force on thumb ring  14 . Thumb ring  14  will remain on the thumb of the user as shown in  FIG. 6 . The thumb and some fingers of the user are free to grasp another tool such as a comb, as shown in  FIG. 7 , even while the user holds the scissors secure in his palm or “palms the scissors”. Thumb ring  14  may subsequently be reattached to disk magnet  22  in flexible coupled position  28  by the user bringing thumb ring  14  into close proximity with disk magnet  22 . 
         [0067]    Thumb ring  14  may alternatively be reattached to disk magnet  22  and rod magnet  32  in secure coupled position  38 . In secure coupled position  38 , the scissors will operate with characteristics that are similar to those of a conventional scissors whose thumb ring is formed integral with its scissors handle. 
         [0068]    In our preferred embodiment secure fixing mount  30  is formed on thumb grip handle  12  forward of flexible fixing mount  20 . However, in a second embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , secure fixing mount  30  is formed on thumb grip handle  12  in a location rearward of flexible fixing mount  20 . In this second embodiment, secure fixing mount  30  is formed integral with thumb grip handle  12 . Secure fixing mount  30  includes a round pin which is oriented with its longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of thumb grip handle  12  and also oriented perpendicular to the pivotal axis of scissors pivot  44 . A cylinder magnet  32   a  is fixed around the round pin of secure fixing mount  30  with a permanent metal bonding adhesive. Cylinder magnet  32   a  is a diametrically magnetized type 42 neodymium rare earth magnet which is cylindrically shaped and measures approximately 6 mm OD, 2 mm ID with a thickness of approximately 6 mm. Magnets of this type are available from KJ Magnets. 
         [0069]      FIG. 2B  shows thumb ring  14  slid rearward off from a centered position on disk magnet  22  so as to magnetically couple thumb ring  14  to cylinder magnet  32   a  even as it remains coupled to disk magnet  22 . When thumb ring  14  is slid or otherwise positioned rearwards of a centered position on disk magnet  22  and coupled magnetically with cylinder magnet  32   a , it is securely fixed by two points of connection. The two points of connection of thumb ring  14  are spaced approximately 90 degrees apart with respect to the circumference of thumb ring  14 . The two points of connection present in secure coupled position  38  effectively fix thumb ring  14  substantially inarticulate with respect to thumb grip handle  12 . 
         [0070]    Thumb ring  14  may be detached from secure coupled position  38  by the thumb of the user exerting sufficient forward directed force on thumb ring  14  to break its magnetic connection with cylinder magnet  32   a . Thumb ring  14  will then be in flexible coupled position  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , such that it may rotate universally about a multiplicity of axes passing through disk magnet  22 . Thumb ring  14  may be entirely detached from both cylinder magnet  32   a  and disk magnet  22  by a similar application of sufficient forward directed force on thumb ring  14 . The further operations and features of this second embodiment are similar to those described above pertaining to the first embodiment. 
         [0071]    A third embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3 . In this third embodiment, secure fixing mount  30  is formed so as to mechanically connect or couple with thumb ring  14 . In the first and second embodiments, described above, magnetic coupling is utilized to couple thumb ring  14  to secure fixing mount  30  and flexible fixing mount  20 . This third embodiment utilizes magnetic coupling only within the structure of flexible fixing mount  20 .  FIG. 3  shows flexible fixing mount  20  with a concave spherically shaped depression formed on its lower surface into which a sphere magnet  22   a  is fixed. Sphere magnet  22   a  is an axially magnetized neodymium type 42 spherically shaped rare earth magnet measuring approximately 13 mm in diameter. Sphere magnet  22   a  is permanently glued into flexible fixing mount  20 . When thumb ring  14  is magnetically coupled to sphere magnet  22   a  it is free to articulate. Thumb ring  14  is also free to slide upon the outside surface of sphere magnet  22   a  in a forward direction toward secure fixing mount  30 . Secure fixing mount  30  is formed on thumb grip handle  12  forward of flexible fixing mount  20 . A wedge shape is formed integral on the terminus of secure fixing mount  30 . A apex of the wedge shaped portion of secure fixing mount  30  is oriented to point towards flexible fixing mount  20 . In this third embodiment, thumb ring  14  has a syncline groove formed around its outside circumference such that it will cooperate with the apex of the wedge shaped portion of secure fixing mount  30 . 
         [0072]    When thumb ring  14  is moved forwards, it slides around the circumference of sphere magnet  22   a  as it remains magnetically connected. Thumb ring  14  also moves up towards thumb grip handle  12  as it is slid forward.  FIG. 3  shows thumb ring  14  in secure coupled position  38  as it is connected with sphere magnet  22   a  and connected with secure fixing mount  30  such that it is secured in a relatively unmovable and inflexible position with respect to thumb grip handle  12 . Thumb ring  14  may be detached from secure fixing mount  30  by exerting sufficient force in a downward and rearward direction on thumb ring  14  to dislodge it from secure fixing mount  30 . The further operations and features of this third embodiment are similar to those described above pertaining to the first and second embodiments. 
         [0073]    A fourth embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4 . This fourth embodiment is most similar to that scissors described in Provisional Application 61/211,361 and therein titled: Freeform Magnetic Mechanism. The fourth embodiment has structure very to the first preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1  and described above, but it does not incorporate the features and functions enabled by secure fixing mount  30 . This fourth embodiment does not have the ability to fix thumb ring  14  in a secure coupled position in relation to thumb grip handle  12 . Thumb ring  14  is only coupled a flexible position. All of the improved flexible universally rotatable thumb ring features and functions described for the previous three embodiments are present in this fourth embodiment. This fourth embodiment also incorporates a U shaped thumb loop which is disposed on the terminus of thumb grip handle  12 . A user may place their thumb in the thumb loop to operate the scissors whenever especially accurate scissors control and guidance is desired. 
         [0074]    In other alternative embodiments the flexible fixing mount components and the secure fixing mount components could also be chosen from the group comprising: semi permanent adhesive resins and other polymers, compounds with impermanent adhesive properties, Velcro@ or like materials, materials with magnetic properties and the like. 
         [0075]    In our above described preferred embodiments, thumb ring  14  is formed of material that is attractive to material used in flexible fixing mount  20 . This allows thumb ring  14  to have a flexible and easily severable connection with flexible fixing mount  20 . In the first four embodiments the thumb ring is formed from martinsitic stainless steel in an oval shape so as to fit comfortably around the thumb of an average user. However in other embodiments the thumb ring may be shaped in a loop or other shape and may be comprised partially of material which is not attractive to any material used in flexible fixing mount  20 . Such alternative materials for use in forming thumb ring  14  could be chosen from the group including non ferrous metals such as aluminum, precious metals such as gold or silver, leather, materials such as Velcro@ or plastic materials and the like. 
         [0076]    However, it is necessary that materials used to compose thumb ring  14  must include at least one material that is attractive to at least one complimentary attractive material used in flexible fixing mount  20 . For example, thumb ring  14  may be made of aluminum with at least one rare earth magnet disposed within its structure such that thumb ring  14  will cooperate with and connect to magnetically attractive material included within the structure of either one or both flexible fixing mount  20  and secure fixing mount  30 .  FIGS. 5 and 5A  show such an example. Thumb ring  14  is formed in a “C” shape and made of aluminum.  FIG. 5A  shows a view of only the thumb ring structure and best shows a thumb ring magnet  26  fixed to an upper portion of thumb ring  14 . A second thumb ring magnet  26  is fixed to a side of thumb ring  14 . Thumb ring magnets  26  are disk shaped rare earth magnets. Thumb ring magnets  26  cooperate with and connect to magnetically attractive material incorporated into the structure of flexible fixing mount  20  and secure fixing mount  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The operations and features of this fifth example are similar to those described above pertaining to the first embodiment. 
         [0077]    The scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 
       OPERATION AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0078]    To achieve the foregoing and other objects the scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection includes a novel means for attaching a thumb ring to a thumb grip handle of a scissors. In our preferred embodiments, the attaching means incorporate rare earth magnets disposed near the terminus of the thumb grip handle to provide magnetic coupling forces. The magnetic coupling forces are so disposed as to attract and couple with the magnetically attractive thumb ring such that the thumb ring may be attached to the handle in either of two operating modes. The thumb ring may be attached in a secure mode wherein it is securely and inflexibly fixed to the handle such that the scissors operate in a fashion similar to conventional scissors. Or, the thumb ring may be attached in a flexible mode wherein the thumb ring is flexibly fixed to the thumb grip handle such that the thumb ring is capable of universal articulate movement with respect to the thumb grip handle. 
         [0079]    Regarding the two modes of operation described above, the user may switch between the two modes, while engaged in the act of cutting hair, easily and with out interruption. The user may at any time apply a detaching force, in a certain direction, against the thumb ring to detach it from the thumb grip handle. The detaching force required to overcome the magnetic forces which couple the thumb ring to the handle is greater than forces normally used to operate the scissors. Also, the detaching force is in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of the thumb grip handle. In directions along the longitudinal axis of thumb handle, substantial force is not usually applied during the normal operation of the scissors. 
         [0080]    The thumb ring will remain on the users thumb when it is detached from the scissors. Subsequently the user may bring the thumb ring back into connection with the thumb grip handle in either of two specific orientations. In one orientation the thumb ring will couple in the flexible mode wherein, for example, the magnetic connection is made to a single disk shaped magnet disposed on the thumb grip handle. In this first orientation, the single connection to a flat surface of the magnet allows the thumb ring to universally articulate. In a second and slightly different orientation it will couple in the secure mode of operation wherein, for example, there are two or more magnetic connections securing the thumb ring relatively inflexible with respect to the thumb grip handle. 
         [0081]    The detachable thumb ring features and associated desirable characteristics of operation, as described above, also provide a new and unobvious benefit to hair cutters, and others, who commonly use scissors in concert with other hand held tools. There are new benefits to be derived from the capability of the thumb ring of a scissors to easily and continuously detach and reattach, that are heretofore unknown in the prior art of either scissors or haircutting. The features and benefits of the scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection are described below and are only now made possible and practical by the present improvement. 
         [0082]    The ability of the thumb ring to easily detach facilitates a novel new method of cutting hair with a scissors while concurrently using a comb or other tool. The thumb ring is designed to detach from the scissors and remain on the user&#39;s thumb where it does not hinder the grasping of a comb or other tool with that same hand. The detachment and reattachment of the thumb ring of the scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection is quickly and very easily done. In contrast, the complete removal of the user&#39;s thumb from the thumb ring of many scissors of the prior art is not as easily done, especially from scissors with rotational thumb rings. Also, the thumb ring or loop remains attached to prior art scissors making those scissors a larger encumbrance to hold in the hand that must also grasp a comb or other tool. The refitting of the thumb back into the thumb ring of most prior art scissors is also not accomplished as quickly or easily as, for example, the magnetically assisted re-coupling of the thumb ring of the scissors utilizing a flexible and detachable thumb ring connection. 
         [0083]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, the thumb ring attachment can be made with out the use of magnets. Semi-permanent adhesives, bonding materials and the like could also be utilized. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather by the examples given.