Abstract:
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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/843,865, which application was filed on 26 Jul. 2010 and which application is presently pending and which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to hair styling and relates more specifically to implements used in conjunction with electric clippers. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Cutting hair is a skill and an art, much more than a science. Although the standard implements used in cutting hair are well known, it is the skill of the barber or the stylist that determines the quality of a haircut. It can take many years to learn how to cut hair and, in the early stages of a career, mistakes and bad haircuts are not uncommon. 
         [0006]    Even with the most skilled stylists and barbers, it is possible to make a mistake in the haircutting process, thereby creating a “bad hair day” for the customer. One of the most common mistakes, especially when using electric hair clippers, is a tendency to cut a portion of the hair too short, thereby creating a need to “fix” the problem. This typically results in a haircut that is noticeably shorter than originally planned, if the problem can be fixed at all. Accordingly, most new graduates of hair styling and barber schools work for years trying to develop the necessary skills that are needed to be a successful stylist or barber. 
         [0007]    In general, most haircutting professionals establish a “guide” length, which is the desired length that the customer specified for the hair on the sides &amp; back of the head. For example, several of the most common blades that are used to achieve a desired length for many haircuts are the Oster® #1.5 blade (˜4.5 mm or 5/32″) and the Oster® #2 blade (˜6 mm or ¼″). The number of the blade correlates generally to the length that the hair should be cut to on the sides and back of the head. The desired length for the hair on the top of the head is generally specified by the customer in inches (e.g., ½″ or 1″). Given this, the art of the haircutting profession includes the ability to make the transition from length of the hair on the sides and back of the head (guide length) to the top length in a smooth and precise fashion. 
         [0008]    For most barbers and hair stylists, this transition in the length of the hair is accomplished by using a standard comb in a “freestyle” manner. To make the transition, the barber or hairstylist will typically hold the comb in one hand and use the comb to lift the hair away from the head. Then, they will cut the hair with the other hand using an electric hair clipper with the selected blade attachment. In order to achieve a smooth transition between two different lengths of hair, the barber or stylist needs to hold the hand with the comb in the air without any support and estimate or “eye ball” the length of hair to be cut. In this stage of the haircut it is very easy to make a mistake and cut the hair too close to the scalp (i.e. shorter than the guide length). Once the hair is cut too short in one spot, it cannot be fixed except by cutting the hair shorter all around the head. This stage of the haircut requires very precise hand-eye coordination and can be a very challenging operation that requires high concentration and precision. Many barbers and hair stylists, both new and experienced, find it difficult to make the transition between the different lengths of hair, resulting in uneven and unprofessional haircuts. Accordingly, without improvements in the implements and methods of cutting hair, the process and results of many haircuts will continue to be sub-optimal. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    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 blade 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a hair cutting tool used in conjunction with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a pair of removable clipper blades commonly used in conjunction with electric clippers when cutting hair; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of the clipper blades of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2   b;    
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  illustrate a pair of combs suitable for use in conjunction with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top views of the combs of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of using the combs of the present invention to provide a haircut to a customer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an electric clipper  110 , suitable for use in conjunction with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Electric clipper  110  has a body portion  111  for holding electric clipper  110  and is configured with the capability to selectively detachable clipper blade at clipper head  112 . The clipper blades of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  may be used interchangeably with electric clipper  110 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a clipper blade  210  and a clipper blade  220  suitable 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 clipper  110  of  FIG. 1 . In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, each of clipper blade  210  and clipper blade  220  has 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. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a side view of each of clipper blade  210  and clipper blade  220  of  FIG. 2  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of clipper blade  210  and clipper blade  220  has a clipper blade thickness  310  or a clipper blade thickness  320 , respectively. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a pair of combs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Comb  410  comprises a solid handle portion  412 , a plurality of teeth  411 , a spine portion  413 , and a brace portion  414 . Comb  420  comprises a solid handle portion  422 , a plurality of teeth  421 , a spine portion  423 , and a “fish-tail” or brace portion  424 . Comb  410  and comb  420  are both substantially flat and one-dimensional. This is important because in at least some preferred embodiments of the present invention, comb  410  and comb  420  are packaged and sold as a kit, often with a plurality of additional items. The flat and one-dimensional nature of comb  410  and comb  420  will 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. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , comb  410  comprises a plurality of teeth  411  arranged in a single row and affixed to spine portion  413 . While each tooth of single row of teeth  411  may vary slightly in size, each tooth is substantially the same shape. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , comb  420  comprises a plurality of teeth  421  arranged in a single row and affixed to spine portion  423 . While each tooth of single row of teeth  421  may vary slightly in size, each tooth is substantially the same shape. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 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 comb  410  and comb  420  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , each of comb  410  and comb  420  has a spine thickness  510  or a spine thickness  520 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , spine thickness  520  is greater than spine thickness  510 . It should be noted that the each of combs  410  and  420  has a substantially uniform spine thickness over the length of spine portion  413  and  423  respectively and that spine thickness  510  and spine thickness  520  do not vary from the distal to the proximate end of their respective handles. 
         [0025]    Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 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 line  517  taken along spine portion  413 , 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 portion  413 . 
         [0026]    Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 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 line  527  taken along spine portion  423 , 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 portion  423 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the unique characteristics of the combs of the present invention can be more fully understood. While comb  410  and comb  420  are similar in some respects to other combs, the spine thickness  510  of spine portion  413  and spine thickness  520  of spine portion  423  have been specifically selected so as to correlate with blade thickness  310  and blade thickness  320 , respectively. 
         [0028]    In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the spine thickness  510  of comb  410  will be substantially identical to the thickness  310  of cutting blade  210 . Similarly, the spine thickness  520  of comb  420  will be substantially identical to the thickness  320  of cutting blade  220 . 
         [0029]    In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, comb  410  and comb  420 , 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 comb  410  and comb  420  will 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. 
         [0030]    Brace portion  424  consists of an enlarged section of handle portion  412  and is specifically configured to provide the hair stylist or barber with additional leverage for holding and positioning comb  410  or comb  420 . It should be noted that since brace portion  424  is meant to provide leverage when the hair stylist or barber presses against brace portion  424 , brace portion  424  is not a wire handle or a handle with an aperture formed in brace portion  424  that would limit the effectiveness of brace portion  424  to provide the desired leverage. 
         [0031]    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 clipper  110  of  FIG. 1  in 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. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a method  600  for using one or more combs of the present invention in providing a haircut is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hair stylist or barber will first ascertain the desired hair length (step  610 ). Next, the hair stylist or barber will select the appropriate cutting blade to use in cutting the hair to the desired length (step  620 ). 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) (step  630 ). Finally, the hair stylist or barber will cut the hair using the selected combination of comb and cutting blade (step  640 ). 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. 
         [0033]    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. 
         [0034]    First the hair is cut on the sides &amp; 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. 
         [0035]    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&#39;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&#39;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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    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. 
         [0039]    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. 
         [0040]    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.