Patent Publication Number: US-8528216-B2

Title: Attachment comb for a hair clipper

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims Section 120 priority from, U.S. Ser. No. 11/482,411, filed Jul. 7, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an attachment comb for use with a hair clipper, and more particularly to an attachment comb having a plurality of teeth configured for passing more easily through the hair. 
     In general, most attachment combs include a set of teeth that extend away from the blade area of the hair clipper. The teeth are designed to contact the skin of the head to maintain the cutting blades at a relatively fixed distance from the skin, so that hair is cut to a uniform length. The bottom edges of the attachment comb are generally pushed along the surface of the scalp, and the teeth guide the hair towards the cutting blades of the clipper. 
     One problem that arises in typical attachment combs is that hair can fall out of the comb during operation, preventing a uniform cut. Although the teeth are configured for guiding the hair towards the cutting blade, longer hair, and especially fine or wispy hair, can slip out of the teeth as the comb is pushed along the scalp, preventing the hair from being cut. 
     Current attachment combs also typically include a set of uniformly shaped, full-sized teeth. However, such configurations generally require a larger amount of material to manufacture the comb, increasing production costs. In addition, the configuration of the teeth increases the weight of the comb, requiring a greater pushing force to move the comb along the scalp. 
     As hair is cut by the clipper, it is fed through the teeth to the blade set, which is attached to the comb at the base portion of the comb. However, in current attachment combs, as the hair is fed through the teeth to the base portion, hair at the base portion is often bunched up or backed up, causing the hair to be pushed away from the blade set, preventing the hair from being cut. Another potential problem is that hair can become caught on the attachment comb due to interference of the comb teeth with the blade set. This can cause damage to the hair, and can also cause the blade set to cut some hair twice if previously cut hair is prevented from exiting the comb. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved attachment comb that prevents hair from falling out of the comb before it is cut. There is also a need for an improved attachment comb that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, but that also provides the required support to the hair being cut. Further, there is a need for an improved attachment comb that prevents hair backup on the base portion, so that more of the hair that is fed into the teeth will be cut. Finally, there is a need for an improved attachment comb that allows hair to easily fall out of the comb once it has been cut. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present attachment comb for a hair clipper meets or exceeds the above-listed needs. Specifically, the present attachment comb is provided with formations for preventing hair from falling out of the comb teeth before it is cut. Also, the comb provides sufficient support to efficiently cut hair, but is also less expensive to manufacture than current combs. Further, the present attachment comb prevents hair from backing up on the base portion, allowing more of the hair to be cut. Finally, the present attachment comb allows hair that has already been cut to exit the comb so it does not interfere with the blade set or the remainder of hair to be cut. 
     Specifically, an attachment comb for a hair clipper includes a base portion constructed and arranged for releasably engaging the hair clipper, and a plurality of teeth extending from the base portion, each of the teeth including a body portion defined between an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge, a proximal end adjacent the base portion and a distal end at an opposite end thereof, wherein the body portion includes at least one formation for retaining hair within the comb prior to cutting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an attachment comb according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the attachment comb of  FIG. 1  when assembled to a blade set of a hair clipper; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the assembly of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an attachment comb for a hair clipper is generally designated  10  and includes a base portion  12  constructed and arranged for releasably engaging the hair clipper  11  ( FIG. 9 ), and a plurality of teeth  14  extending from the base portion, each of the teeth including a body portion  16  defined between an upper peripheral edge  18  and a lower peripheral edge  20 , a proximal end  22  adjacent the base portion and a distal end  24  at an opposite end. The body portion  16  includes at least one formation  26  for retaining hair within the comb prior to cutting. In the preferred embodiment, the formations  26  are provided as a plurality of ridges. The comb  10  is preferably injection-molded from a lightweight plastic, as known in the art. However, it is recognized that other materials and methods of manufacture may be suitable. The hair clipper  11  generally includes a blade set  28  having a pair of blades  28   a ,  28   b , referring respectively to stationary and moving blades, each of the blades having a set of blade teeth  30 . The blade set  28  is constructed and arranged for releasably engaging the base portion  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the base portion  12  extends between a front edge  32 , a rear edge  34  and two outer side edges  36 ,  38  to form a generally horizontal plane  40 . The base portion  12  of the attachment comb  10  is approximately 3/16 of an inch shorter between the front edge  32  and the rear edge  34  than a similar dimension in current combs. It is contemplated that this arrangement allows most of the hair to be cut, unlike the longer horizontal planes generally found in current combs, which can cause hair, especially longer hair, to be pushed up against the front edge of the base portion, causing a back-up of hair on the horizontal plane  40 , and pushing the hair out of the comb before it is cut. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  10 , the horizontal plane  40  preferably includes an aperture  41  defined for identifying the type of comb  10  that is being used with the clipper  11 , because different desired hair styles or lengths generally require different types or sizes of combs. Conventional combs generally have a protrusion or etching on the comb indicating the type of comb being used, where the protrusion or etching is integrally formed with the comb. However, this form of identification can be difficult to see because it is the same material and color as the comb. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the aperture  41 , preferably formed in the shape of a number associated with the size of the comb, will enable the user to more easily identify the comb  10 , due to its visibility on the comb. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the rear edge  34  includes a tab  42  extending generally perpendicular to the horizontal plane  40  and having a tongue  44  arranged generally parallel to the horizontal plane. The tongue  44  is constructed and arranged for engaging the blade set  28  as is well known in the art. The base portion  12  also preferably includes a pair of projections  46  arranged near the rear edge  34  and configured for facilitating the engagement of the tongue  44  upon the blade set  28 . The tongue  44  and the projections  46  provide a secure and removable mounting of the base portion  12  on the blade set  28 . However, it is appreciated that other arrangements for attaching the base portion  12  to the blade set  28  may be suitable, as known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4  and  9 , the plurality of teeth  14  includes a plurality of full teeth  48  and a plurality of intermediate teeth  50 , wherein the plurality of full teeth includes a pair of outer teeth  52 . Each of the full, intermediate and outer teeth  48 ,  50 ,  52  has a distinct configuration. While other arrangements are contemplated, one of the full teeth  48  has a group of intermediate teeth  50  on each side. Preferably still, the plurality of teeth  14  includes three full teeth  48  and six intermediate teeth  50 ; however the number of teeth may vary to suit the application. The outer teeth  52  are constructed and arranged for retaining hair within the comb  10 , as known in the art. 
     It is contemplated that by providing the comb  10  with nine teeth (versus seven teeth traditionally found in hair clipper combs), feeding of hair to the blade set  28  is enhanced, and added comfort is provided to the person whose hair is being cut, because the additional teeth provide the feeling of a conventional grooming comb as it is pushed along the scalp. 
     Preferably, a body portion  16   a  of each of the intermediate teeth  50  has a reduced volume compared to a body portion  16   b  of the full teeth  48 . In the depicted embodiment, the body portion  16   a  of each of the intermediate teeth  50  has less than one-half the volume of the body portion  16   b . It is contemplated that the present arrangement of full and intermediate teeth  48 ,  50  improves the feeding of hair during use of the clipper  11 , allowing more or most of the hair to be fed through the teeth  14  and to the blade teeth  30 , providing a uniform cut. It is further contemplated that because of the alternating geometry of the full and intermediate teeth  48 ,  50 , less material is necessary to manufacture the comb  10 , resulting in a lower production cost and a lower weight. Accordingly, due to the decreased weight of the comb  10 , a user can more easily maneuver the comb through the hair to be cut, without detracting from the overall support the teeth provide to the hair being cut. 
     Best shown in  FIG. 1 , an upper peripheral edge  18   a  of each of the full teeth  48  includes a convex curved surface  54 . An upper peripheral edge  18   b  of each of the intermediate teeth  50  includes a concave curved surface  56 . It is contemplated that the concave curved surface  56  will aid in guiding hair toward the blade set  28  for cutting. The convex curved surface  54  is constructed and arranged to prevent hair from falling outside the cutting area of the comb  10 , essentially acting as walls to hold the hair within the comb. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lower peripheral edge  20  of each of the plurality of full and intermediate teeth  48 ,  50  includes a first portion  58  adjacent the proximal end  22 , a second portion  60  arranged at an oblique angle to the first portion, a blade overhang  62  adjacent the second portion, and an edge portion  64  connecting the blade overhang to a finger portion  66  at the distal end  24 . The first portion  58  is preferably arranged parallel to the horizontal plane  40 , best seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     Preferably, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the finger portion  66  is curved and forms an oblique angle with the edge portion  64  at the distal end  24 . It is contemplated that this arrangement will provide more comfort to the person whose hair is being cut, because the finger  66  has a curved and radiused end rather than a pointed end, which in some cases has been found to scratch the scalp and cause discomfort. Further, during injection molding of the comb  10 , it is contemplated that a parting line  69  (formed on the comb during molding) is located offset from the edge  64 , extends along a tooth sidewall and is located above the finger portion  66  and free of contact with the user&#39;s scalp, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 . It is further contemplated that the parting line  69  conforms to the curved shape of the finger portion  66 , which further prevents the parting line from contacting the user&#39;s scalp during operation. This is contrary to most current combs, where the parting line forms an edge on the comb teeth that can scratch the scalp. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the blade overhang  62  is preferably arranged at an approximate 45° angle α relative to the second portion  60 . The blade overhang  62  and the second portion  60  meet at a radiused corner  68 . It is contemplated that the lack of sharp edges on the radiused corner  68  will allow hair to exit the comb  10  after cutting. The end of the blade overhang  62  is also preferably radiused and is configured for preventing hair from becoming tangled or caught upon it. The blade overhang  62  is constructed and arranged so that there is clearance between the overhang and the blade teeth  30  during hair cutting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , it is preferred that upon engagement of the blade set  28  with the base portion  12 , the teeth  14  are in alignment with corresponding blade teeth  30 . It is contemplated that this arrangement will allow more hair to be cut than in conventional combs, because the teeth  14 , and more specifically, the blade overhang  62 , does not interfere with the cutting zone defined by an area of overlap of the blade teeth  30  of the blades  28   a ,  28   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , a feature of the present comb is that the blade teeth  30  are maintained in a generally perpendicular orientation to the hair strands being cut. This orientation has been found to provide more efficient cutting and increased comfort to the user or stylist. To obtain this generally perpendicular orientation, a distal edge portion  19  of the upper peripheral edge  18   a  is preferably parallel to the second portion  60 . ( FIG. 7 ). Further, the distal edge portion  19  and the horizontal plane  40  define an angle β of approximately 15-25° ( FIG. 2 ). It is preferred that β be approximately 23°. It is further contemplated that by arranging the second portion  60 , the distal edge portion  19  and the horizontal plane  40  in the above manner, during operation the blade teeth  30  will remain perpendicular to the hair being cut, providing a more uniform cut. Also, the size of angles α, β may vary to suit the application. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 ,  7  and  9 , each of the outer teeth  52  includes a shoulder portion  70  at the proximal end  22  defining a planar wall extending generally perpendicularly from the base portion  12  and being constructed and arranged for guiding and maintaining alignment between the blade set  28  and the base portion. The shoulder portion  70  is preferably coplanar with the corresponding outer tooth  52 . However, it is appreciated that other alignment or guiding arrangements may be suitable. 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1  and  6 - 8 , the plurality of spaced, preferably parallel retaining formations  26 , here ridges, extend from the upper peripheral edge  18  to the edge portion  64 , the ridges being arranged at an acute angle γ ( FIG. 7 ) relative to the distal end  24  and the edge portion. When viewed from the finger portion  66 , the first of the ridges  26  is located at a point approximately one-half the length of the edge portion  64 , and the last of the ridges is located at a point near the blade overhang  62 . It is contemplated that this arrangement is most effective at retaining the hair within the clipper  10 . However, it is appreciated that the ridges  26  may be formed at different points on the edge portion  64 , depending on the application. 
     Best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 , the body portion  16  of each of the teeth  48 ,  50  includes a pair of sidewalls  74 , and the ridges  26  are preferably formed on both of the sidewalls of each of the teeth  48 ,  50 . The ridges  26  define a series of wedges  76  when viewed from the lower peripheral edge  20  or from the upper edge  18 . Also, it is preferred that the ridges  26  on adjacent teeth  14  are aligned with each other. 
     Being constructed and arranged for preventing hair from falling out of the comb  10  before it is cut, the ridges  26  catch or retain the hair as it is being fed through the comb  10 . More specifically, as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , when viewed from the bottom, the ridges  26  are each defined by an abrupt narrowing of a thickness ‘T’ of the teeth  14 . The tooth  14  then gradually thickens to form the next adjacent ridge  26 . While ridges are preferred in the present comb  10 , it is contemplated that other hair retention formations  26  may be provided which slightly increase the coefficient of friction without excessively impeding the passage of the comb through the hair. In current combs, the sides of the teeth have a generally smooth surface, and accordingly, as hair is fed through the comb, there is nothing to retain the hair within the comb as it moves along the scalp. Thus, some of the hair can fall out of the comb prior to cutting. In contrast, in the present comb  10 , as the hair moves toward the blade teeth  30 , it is caught by the ridges  26 , preventing hair from falling out of the comb until after it has been cut. 
     As the comb  10  continues along the scalp, hair passes the first of the ridges  26 . However, before the hair can fall out of the comb  10 , it meets the next of the ridges  26 , and so on, until the hair reaches the blade set  28  and can be cut by the blade teeth  30 . It is contemplated that the current spacing between the ridges  26  allows a significant amount of hair to be cut and prevents the hair from falling out of the comb  10  before it is cut. However, it is appreciated that other structures may be suitable instead of the ridges  26 , such as textured cross-hatching or raised bumps, as known in the art. 
     Accordingly, the present attachment comb  10  prevents hair from falling out of the comb prior to cutting by providing at least one formation  26  configured for retaining the hair. Further, the present attachment comb  10  includes both intermediate and full teeth  48 ,  50 , thus requiring less material to manufacture and resulting in a lighter weight comb. Also, the base portion  12  of the present attachment comb is constructed and arranged for preventing hair back-up on the base portion during cutting. Finally, the intermediate and full teeth  48 ,  50  of the present attachment comb are constructed and arranged to allow hair to more easily exit the comb after being cut. It has also been noted that the present comb  10  has been found to cut more hair per pass than conventional combs. 
     While a particular embodiment of the present attachment comb has been described herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.