Abstract:
A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device, such as a hair clipper or trimmer, having a rotary electric motor and a bladeset is provided. The replaceable system includes a drive member removably positionable between the rotary electric motor and the bladeset of the hair cutting device. The drive member includes a first end operably engaged to a moveable blade of the bladeset and a second end operably engaged to the rotary electric motor. The drive member translating the rotary motion of the rotary electric motor to a reciprocating linear motion. An extraction tool is further provided, where the extraction tool is removable attachable to the drive member and is usable to remove and insert the drive member between the rotary motor and the bladeset.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to hair cutting devices, such as clipper and trimmers, having a bladeset including a moving blade reciprocating relative to a stationary blade and a drive system for powering the bladeset, and more specifically, to an extractor tool for the removal and insertion of a drive member interposed between the drive system and the movable blade. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional hair cutting devices, such as hair clippers and trimmers, typically include a drive bearing powered by the drive shaft of the rotary motor. The drive bearing converts the rotary motion generated by the rotary motor into linear motion in the form of the reciprocating movable blade relative to the stationary blade. 
         [0003]    Specifically, the drive bearing is offsettingly mounting to the end of the drive shaft. In this manner, the drive bearing member is eccentrically rotated as the drive shaft rotates. A drive member is positioned between, and operably connected to, the drive bearing at one end and engages the movable blade at an opposite ended. 
         [0004]    In operation, the eccentric rotation of the drive bearing results in a reciprocating, linear, translation of the one end of the drive member, and an opposite reciprocating, linear, translation of the opposite end of the drive member and the moveable blade. In time, operational conditions, including heat and friction, combine to cause wear and deterioration of the drive member. Such wear decreases operational efficiency of the hair cutting device and often increases operational noise, and would require replacement of the drive member. The replacement of the drive member can be difficult due to the limited space and fit tolerances. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure provides a replaceable system for use with hair cutting devices, such as clippers and trimmers, having a rotary electric motor and bladeset. The replaceable system includes a drive member removably positionable between the rotary electric motor and the bladeset of the hair cutting device. The drive member translates the rotary motion of the rotary electric motor to a reciprocating linear motion. An extraction tool is further provided, where the extraction tool is removable attachable to the drive member. 
         [0006]    The hair cutting device has an electric rotary motor and a bladeset, where the bladeset has a stationary blade and a moveable blade. The drive member is removably interposed between the electric rotary motor and the bladeset, where a first end of the drive member operably engages the rotary motor and a second end of the drive member operably engages the moveable blade of the bladeset. The extraction tool is removably attachable to the center body of the drive member, such that the extraction tool is usable to remove and insert the drive member between the rotary motor and the bladeset. 
         [0007]    In a method of replacing the drive member in the hair cutting device, the extraction tool is attached to the drive member. The extraction end of the extraction tool is removably engaged to the center body of the driving member. The extraction tool is used to remove the drive member from between the rotary motor and the blade set. 
         [0008]    A second, new, drive member is provided, where the extraction end of the extraction tool removably engages the center body of the second driving member. Using the extraction tool, the second drive member is inserted between the rotary motor and the bladeset, where the first end of the second drive member is operably connected to the rotary motor and the second end of the drive member in operably connected to the moveable blade. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    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: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a top isometric view of a hair cutting device for use with the drive member of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a sectional top isometric view of the hair cutting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a sectional top isometric view of the drive system of the hair cutting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a drive member of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts an extraction tool of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts the extraction tool of  FIG. 5  in use to engage a drive member of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts the drive member of  FIG. 4  engaging a moveable blade; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts another drive member of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts a cross sectional view of the drive member of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict another drive member and extraction tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict another drive member and extraction tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  depict another drive member and extraction tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a hair cutting device  10  suitable for use with the drive member of the present disclosure is provided. The hair cutting device  10  includes a rotary type electric motor  14  having a drive shaft  16  projecting axially from a motor housing  18 . A bladeset  20  having movable and stationary blades  22 ,  24  is operably connected to an end portion of the hair cutting device  10 . The bladeset  20  includes a biasing element  26  which causes the moveable blade  22  to be slidingly biased against the stationary blade  24 . 
         [0023]    In order to translate the rotation of the drive shaft  16  into a linear motion a drive bearing  28  is affixed to the end of a drive shaft  16 . The drive bearing  28  is mounted to the drive shaft  16  in an off axis position. In this manner, as the electric motor  14  rotates the drive shaft  16 , the drive bearing  28  is eccentrically rotated. 
         [0024]    The drive member  12  is positioned between the bladeset  20  and the motor  14 . The drive member  12  is pivotally attached to the hair cutting device  10  with the first end  30  of the drive member  12  engaging a drive recess  32  in the movable blade  22  and a second end  34  of the drive member  12  engaging the drive bearing  28 . 
         [0025]    In operation, an activation of the electric motor  14  rotates the drive bearing  28  in an eccentric rotational motion. The eccentric rotational motion of the drive bearing  28  drives the second and first ends  34 ,  30  of the drive member  12  in reciprocating linear motions. As the first end  30  of the drive member  12  engages the movable blade  22 , the movable blade  22  is likewise moved is a reciprocating linear motion relative to the stationary blade  24 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a drive member  12  of the present invention is provided. The drive member  12  includes a central body portion  36  having a first and second ends  30 ,  34 . A center aperture  38  is provided through the central body portion  36  for receiving a fastener  40  there through. The fastener  40  pivotally connects the drive member  12  to the hair cutting device  10 . A raised housing  42  is positioned about the center aperture  38 , where the fastener  40  is insertable through the raised housing  42  and center aperture  38  to pivotally connect the drive member  12  to the hair cutting device  10 . An extraction tool  44  is also provided having a handle portion  46  and an engagement end  48 . The engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  is configured to removable connect to the raised housing  42  of the drive member  12 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in operation, the extraction tool  44  can be used to remove and insert a new drive member  12  from the hair cutting device  10 . During operation of the hair cutting device  10 , the drive member  12  wears over time, requiring replacement. In operation, the worn drive member  12  is removed from the clipper  10  by an initial removal of the fastener  40  positioned through the raised housing  42  and center aperture  38  of the drive member  12 . The engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  is connected to the raised housing  42  of the drive member  12 . Using the extraction tool  44 , the drive member  12  is then removed from the hair cutting device  10 . 
         [0028]    The new drive member  12  can then be inserted. The engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  is connected to the raised housing  42  of the new drive member  12 . Using the extraction too  44 , the new drive member  12  is seated in the hair cutting device  10 , such that the first end  30  of the new drive member  12  engages the drive recess  32  in the movable blade  22  and the second end  34  of the new drive member  12  engages the drive bearing  28 . Once the new drive member  12  is seated, the extraction tool  44  can be disconnected from the new drive member  12 . The fastener  40  is replaced, being positioned through the raised housing  42  and center aperture  38 , to pivotally securing the new drive member  12  to the hair cutting device  10 . 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool can include raised threads  52  about the outer surface  50  thereof. The inner surface  54  of the raised housing  42  includes raised threads  56  thereon, matching the raised thread  52  of the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44 . In this manner, the extraction tool  44  can be connected to the drive member  12  by inserting and threading the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  into the raised housing  42 . 
         [0030]    Alternatively, the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  can include raised threads about an inner surface thereof. The outer surface of the raised housing  42  includes raised threads thereon, matching the raised thread of the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44 . In this manner, the extraction tool  44  can be connected to the drive member  12  by threading the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  about the raised housing  42 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an alternative drive member  58  of the present invention is provided. The drive member  58  includes a central body portion  60  having a first and second ends  62 ,  64 . A center aperture  66  is provided partially through the central body portion  60 , where the inner wall  68  of the center aperture  66  is threaded  69 . A bottom wall  70  of the center aperture  66  includes a through hole  72  for receiving a fastener  40  there through. The fastener  40  pivotally connects the drive member  58  to the hair cutting device  10 . Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  includes matching raised threads  52 . In this manner, the extraction tool  44  can be connected to the drive member  58  by inserting and threading the engagement end  48  of the extraction tool  44  into the center aperture  66  of the central body portion  60 . 
         [0032]    In the above examples the extraction tool  44  is connected to the drive member  12  or  58  using threaded elements. However, it is contemplated that the extraction tool  44  can be connected to the drive member  12  or  58  using other mechanical interlocking means. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a drive member  80  and extraction tool  82  having a mechanical interlock is provided. The engagement end  84  of the extraction tool  82  includes a pair of locking taps  86 ,  88 . The housing  90  on the drive member  80  includes oppositely positioned slotted sections  92 ,  94  configured to receiving the locking taps  86 ,  88 . The extraction tool  82  is attached to the drive member  80  by positioning the engagement end  84  of the extraction tool  82  about the housing  90  and rotating the engagement tool  82  to seat the locking taps  86 ,  88  in the slotted sections  92 ,  94  in the housing  90 . The extraction tool  82  can be removed from the drive member  80  by rotating the extraction tool  82  in an opposite direction, unseating the locking taps  86 ,  88  from the slotted sections  92 ,  94 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , another drive member  100  and extraction tool  102  having a mechanical interlock is provided. The engagement end  104  of the extraction tool  102  includes a stepped engagement member  106 . The housing  108  on the drive member  100  includes a stepped channel  110 , configured for receiving the stepped engagement member  106  of the extraction tool  102  therein. The extraction tool  102  is attached to the drive member  100  by slidingly positioning the stepped engagement member  106  of the extraction tool  102  in the stepped channel  110 . The extraction tool  102  can be removed from the drive member  100  by sliding the stepped extraction member  106  out of the stepped channel  100  in the housing  108 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , another drive member  114  and extraction tool  116  having a mechanical interlock is provided. The engagement end  118  of the extraction tool  116  includes a pair of locking taps  120 ,  122 . The locking taps  120 ,  122  are pivotally connected to the engagement end  118  and include a bias member  124  disposed there between. The bias member  124  biases the locking taps  120 ,  122  in a locked position. A release button  126  is operably connected to the bias member  124 , where a depression of the release button  126  actuates the bias member  124  to bias the locking taps  120 , 122  in the open position. Upon releasing the release button  126 , the biases member  124  biases the locking taps  120 , 122  into the locker position. 
         [0036]    The housing  128  on the drive member  114  includes oppositely positioned slotted sections  130 ,  132  configured for receiving the locking taps  120 ,  122 . The extraction tool  116  is attached to the drive member  114  by depressing the release button  126  to open the locking taps  120 , 122  and positioning the engagement end  118  of the extraction tool  116  about the housing  128 . Once positioned, the release button  126  is released, such the bias member  124  to biases the locking taps  120 ,  122  in a locked position. In the locked position, the lock taps  120 ,  122  engage the slotted sections  130 ,  132 , locking the extraction tool  116  to the drive member  114 . The extraction tool  116  can be removed from the drive member  114  by depressing the release button  126  to open the locking tabs  120 , 122 . 
         [0037]    All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0038]    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.