Abstract:
A hair clipper/trimmer includes a blade set having a stationary clipper comb and a movable cutter blade. To decrease the heat transfer from the clipper comb, the clipper comb can be cooled by a convection cooling. The clipper comb can be provided with a plurality of vented sections extending through the inner and outer surfaces of the clipper comb. In this manner, when in use, air flows through the clipper comb, cooling the clipper comb. To aid in the air flow, the inner surface of the moveable cutter blade can include fins extending therefrom. In use, the fins direct the airflow through the vented section in the clipper comb.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for removing heat from electric clipper blade assemblies of the type used in hair grooming. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A common issue with modern electric hair clippers is that the rate of reciprocation of the cutting blade is typically high enough to cause significant increases in the temperature of the clipper blade and clipper comb. Because the clipper comb is in direct contact with a person or animal being shaved, a hot comb can result in discomfort to the subject. It is not unusual for the clipper comb to reach temperatures of 100° F. or more within just 7 or 8 minutes of continuous use. Much of this is due to the friction between the reciprocating clipper cutter blade and stationary clipper comb which together form a clipper head assembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides an apparatus for use with hair clippers/trimmers for decreasing the amount of heat transferred to the scalp/skin of a user. A hair clipper/trimmer includes a blade set having a stationary clipper comb and a movable cutter blade. To decrease the heat transfer, the clipper comb can include a heat resistant cover affixed to an outer surface of the clipper comb, where the outer surface is adjacent to a user&#39;s skin when in use. The heat resistant cover provides a protective, insulating, barrier decreasing the amount of heat transferred from the clipper comb to the user. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the clipper comb can be cooled by convection cooling. The clipper comb can be provided with a plurality of vented sections extending through the inner and outer surfaces of the clipper comb. In this manner, when in use, air flows through the vented sections of the clipper comb, cooling the clipper comb. 
         [0005]    To aid in the air flow, the inner surface of the moveable cutter blade can include fins extending therefrom. In use, the fins direct the airflow through the vented section in the clipper comb. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a partial isometric view of a clipper blade set mounted on an electric hair clipper/trimmer; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the clipper blade set of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of a clipper comb having a heat resistant cover; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts an exploded view of an alternative clipper blade set with a heat resistant cover; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  depicts a rear view of a clipper comb and heat resistant cover having an air channel therebetween; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  depicts a top view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  depicts a top view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover having a front vented section; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  depicts a side view of a clipper comb and heat resistant cover having an air channel therebetween; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  depicts a top view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  depicts a side view of a clipper comb and heat resistant cover having alternative air channel therebetween; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  depicts a top view of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  depicts a top view of a clipper comb and heat resistant cover having a closed insulating air gap therebetween; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  depicts a front top isometric view of a clipper comb having a heat resistant cover including comb teeth; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  depicts a side vide of the clipper comb and heat resistant cover of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  depicts a front isometric view of a clipper comb including vented sections; 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  depicts a front isometric view of a clipper comb including alternative vented sections; 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  depicts a top isometric view of a cutting blade of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  depicts a side view of the cutting blade of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  depicts a side view of another cutting blade of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  depicts a side view of another cutting blade of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  depicts a top view of a cutting blade of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  depicts a top view of a cutting blade of the present disclosure; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  depicts a top view of a cutting blade of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a clipper blade set  10  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and mounted on an electric hair clipper  12 . The clipper blade set  10  has a clipper comb  14  having a plurality of comb teeth  16  that are run through hair like a comb and cut the hair when the electric hair clipper  12  is activated. Within the electric hair clipper  12  is an electric motor that drives a cutter blade  18  in a known fashion. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded side plan view of the clipper blade set  10  of  FIG. 1 . A cutter blade  18  is resiliently and slideably pressed against a stationary clipper comb  14  by a spring member  22 . The cutter blade  18  contacts the clipper comb  14  along two rail-like surfaces  24 ,  26 . A rear cutter blade rail  28  makes slideable contact with a slide rail  24  on the inner surface of the clipper comb  14 , while the scissor teeth  20  of the cutter blade  18  are in slideable contact with the comb teeth  16  of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0035]    The spring member  22  can exert several pounds of downward force upon the cutter blade  18 . The spring member  22  may include a low friction blade guide  30  to reduce sliding friction with the cutter blade  18 . The blade guide  30  can be made of a polymer material, such as a polytetraflouroethelene material or a nylon material. Particularly useful materials are molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) filled nylons. 
         [0036]    The spring member  22  may be fixedly attached to a spring rail by any convenient attachment, such as one or more screws  32 . Also shown is an attachment member  34 , which may be fitted within the spring member  22  and attached to the clipper comb  12  along with the spring member  22  with the same set of screws  32 . The attachment member  34  is shaped and designed in a conventional manner to allow the clipper blade assembly  10  to be mounted on the electric hair clipper  12  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an outer surface  36  of the stationary clipper comb  14  can include a heat resistant cover  38 . The heat resistant cover  38  reduces the transmission of heat from the clipper comb  14  to the scalp/skin of a user. The heat resistant cover  38  can be mounted to the clipper comb  14  with an adhesive fastener or mechanical fastener. The heat resistant cover  38  provides a protective, insulating, barrier between the clipper comb  14  and the skin of a user. The heat resistive cover  38  can be made of plastic or other known heat resistive material. 
         [0038]    The outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14  can include a rear notched surface  40 , onto which the heat resistant cover  38  is mounted. In this manner, the heat resistant cover  38  can be mounted flush with the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0039]    A front edge  42  of the heat resistant cover  38  can be provided at an angle, which can be positioned in a corresponding reverse angle of a front surface  44  of the notched section  40 . In this manner, the front edge  42  of the heat resistant cover  38  can be secured to the clipper comb  14 , substantially preventing a pulling-up of the front edge  42  of the heat resistant cover  38  when in use. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is shown an exploded side plan view of the clipper blade set  10 ′. A cutter blade  18  is resiliently and slideably pressed against a stationary clipper comb  14  by a spring member  22 . The cutter blade  18  contacts the clipper comb  14  along two rail-like surfaces  24 ,  26 . A rear cutter blade rail  28  makes slideable contact with a slide rail  24  on the inner surface of the clipper comb  14 ′, while the scissor teeth  20  of the cutter blade  18  are in slideable contact with the comb teeth  16  of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0041]    An outer surface  36  of the stationary clipper comb  14 ′ can include a heat resistant cover  38 ′. The heat resistant cover  38  reduces the transmission of heat from the clipper comb  14  to the scalp/skin of a user. The heat resistant cover  38 ′ can be mounted to the clipper comb  14 ′ with an adhesive fastener or mechanical fastener. The heat resistant cover  38  provides a protective, insulating, barrier between the clipper comb  14  and the skin of a user. The heat resistive cover  38 ′ can be made of plastic or other known heat resistive material. 
         [0042]    The spring member  22 ′ can exert several pounds of downward force upon the cutter blade  18 . The spring member  22  may include a low friction blade guide  30  to reduce sliding friction with the cutter blade  18 . The blade guide  30  will be made of a polymer material, such as a polytetraflouroethelene material or a nylon material. Particularly useful materials are molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) filled nylons. 
         [0043]    The spring member  22  may be fixedly attached to a spring rail by any convenient attachment, such as one or more screws  32 . The screws  32  can be positioned through the spring member  22 ′ and the clipper comb  14 ′ engaging a boss  37  in the inner surface of the heat resistive cover  38 ′. In this manner, the screws  32  do not pass entirely through the heat resistive cover  38 ′. It is also envisioned that the holes  35  through the clipper comb  14 ′ can be threaded, such that the screws  32  engage the clipper comb  14 ′ as they pass through the holes  35  in the clipper comb  14 ′. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a bottom surface  46  of the heat resistant cover  38  can include an air channel  46 , where the air channel  46  is positioned adjacent to the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . The air channel  46  allows for the flow of air between the clipper comb  14  and the heat resistant cover  38  to decrease the transmission of heat from the clipper comb  14 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the air channel  46  is provided along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a front edge  47  of the heat resistant cover  38  can include a vented section  49 . The vented section  49  can be substantially aligned with the air channel  46 , such that an air flow path is provided between the heat resistant cover  38  and the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the bottom surface  46  of the heat resistant cover  38  can include a lateral air channel  48 , where the lateral air channel  48  is positioned adjacent the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . The lateral air channel  48  allows for the flow of air between the clipper comb  14  and the heat resistant  38  cover to decrease the transmission of heat from the clipper comb  14 . The lateral air channel  48  is provided along the lateral length of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the bottom surface  46  of the heat resistant cover  38  can include a substantially T-shaped air channel  51 . The T-shaped air channel  51  includes a lateral section  53  extending through the width of the heat resistant cover  38  and a longitudinal section  55  extending a least partially along the length of the heat resistant cover  38 , where the T-shaped air channel  51  is positioned adjacent the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . The T-shaped air channel  51  allows for the flow of air between the clipper comb  14  and the heat resistant  38  cover to decrease the transmission of heat from the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 15  the heat resistant cover  38  can include an indented section  50  on the inner surface  40 . In this configuration, when mounted to the clipper comb  14 , the indented section  50  provides an air gap between the inner surface  40  of the heat resistant cover  38  and the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . The air located within the air gap provides an insulation barrier, decreasing the transmission of heat between the clipper comb  14  and the heat resistant cover  38 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a heat resistant cover  52  is provided which substantially covers the outer surface  36  of the clipper comb  14 . A front portion  54  of the heat resistant cover  52  can include comb teeth  56 , which are substantially aligned with the teeth  16  of the clipper comb  14 . 
         [0050]    Referring also to  FIG. 17 , the front portion  54  of the heat resistant cover  52  can include a raised arcuate section  58 . The radius of curvature of the raised arcuate section can be selected such that the clipper comb  14  and heat resistant cover  52  combination combine to form a designated sized clipper blade set  10 , for example # 1 , # 2 , # 3 , # 4 , etc. Alternatively, for an adjustable size clipper blade set  10 , the radius of curvature of the raised arcuate section can be selected such that the clipper comb  14  and heat resistant cover  52  combination combine to form a designated range of sizes. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , a stationary clipper comb  60  is provided having a plurality of vented sections  62  through the clipper comb  60 . When used in combination with the cutter blade  18 , air is forced through the vented sections  62  allowing for convective cooling of the clipper comb  60 . The vented sections  62  can account for a sufficient surface area of the clipper comb  60 , while maintaining the structural integrity of the clipper comb  60 . For example, the vented sections  62  can account for between 0% and 75% of the surface area of the clipper comb  60 . 
         [0052]    The vented sections  62  can be provided as longitudinal slots extending along the longitudinally length of the clipper comb  60 . Alternatively, not shown, the vented sections  62  can be provided as lateral slots extending along the lateral width of the clipper comb  60 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the vented sections  62  can be provided a plurality of geometric channels through the clipper comb. For example, the geometrical shape of the vented sections  62  can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, and any similar geometric shape. 
         [0054]    The vented clipper comb  60 , as depicted in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , can be used in conjunction with the above heat resistant covers  38  and  52 . In such use, clipper combs  14  and  14 ′ can be modified to include the vented configurations of clipper comb  60 . The cover  52  can includes vented sections along the front portion  54  of the cover  52 , aligned with the air channel provide therein providing a flow path. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , a cutting blade  64  of the present invention is provided. The cutting blade  64  includes a plurality of fins  66  extending from the inner surface  68  of the cutting blade  64 . When used in combination with a clipper comb, the fins  66  force air along the surface of the clipper comb, allowing for convective cooling of the clipper comb. 
         [0056]    For example, when the cutting blade  64  is used in combination with clipper comb  60 , the fins  66  force air through the vented sections  62  allowing for convective cooling of the clipper comb  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , the fins  66  can extend at acute, obtuse, or perpendicular angles from the inner surface  68  of the cutting blade  64 . Referring to  FIG. 24-26 , the fins can be provided at acute, obtuse, or parallel angles to each other along the length of the cutting blade  64 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 20-26  depict two fins  66  on the inner surface  66  of the cutting blade  64 . However, it is envisioned that one or more fin  66  can be provided on the inner surface  66  of the cutting blade  64  in a variety of the above configurations, each having the same or different angles with respect to the inner surface  66  of the cutting blade  64  and each other. Furthermore, each of the cutting blades  64  can have differing lengths, and be provided in an offset configuration, laterally or longitudinal, along the inner surface  66  of the cutting blade  64 . 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.