Patent Publication Number: US-9427880-B2

Title: Personal grooming apparatus and blade assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a personal grooming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hair clipper and blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a first blade set and a releasably mounted second blade set. The second blade set may be detached depending on the intended use of the apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hair clipper apparatii are known in the art with examples of such devices being disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,536,116 and 6,742,262, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D464,466, D458,411, D456,950, and D653,812 and U.S. Patent Publication No.: 20020162226, the entire contents of each of these disclosures being hereby incorporated by reference herein. These devices or tools have proven to be quite effective for their intended uses. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a personal grooming apparatus including a handle defining a central longitudinal axis, first and second blade sets mountable relative to the handle with each blade set including a stationary blade member and a movable blade member, and a drive mechanism disposed within the handle and operatively coupled to the movable blade members of the first and second blade sets. The drive mechanism is operable to cause corresponding reciprocating movement of the movable blade members relative to the stationary blade members of each of the first and second blade sets. The second blade set may be releasably mountable to the first blade set to improve cutting functions and/or improve versatility of the apparatus. The first and second blade set each may include a housing for at least partially accommodating respective stationary and movable blade members. 
     The drive mechanism may include a rotating eccentric cam shaft operatively coupled to the movable blade members of the first and second blade sets such that rotational movement of the eccentric cam shaft causes corresponding reciprocating movement of the movable blade members. The movable blade member of the first blade set may be coupled to the eccentric cam shaft and the movable blade member of the second blade set may be coupled to the movable blade member of the first blade set. 
     The second blade set may include a drive element which is operatively coupled to the movable blade member thereof and to the movable blade member of the first blade set whereby reciprocating movement of the movable blade member of the first blade set causes corresponding reciprocating movement of the drive element to effect reciprocating movement of the movable blade member of the second blade set. The drive element may include a drive post depending outwardly relative to the movable blade member of the second drive set. The drive post may extend within the housing of the first blade set and is operatively couplable to the movable blade member of the first blade set. The first blade set may include a reciprocating member coupled to the movable blade member and to the cam shaft of the drive mechanism. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second blade sets are movable relative to each other between an operative condition and a release position where said first and second blade sets may be released. The first and second blade sets may be normally biased toward the operative condition thereof. One of the first and second blade sets includes a main locking latch. The main locking latch is adapted for movement between a lock position corresponding to the operative condition of the first and second blades sets and an unlock position corresponding to the release position of the first and second blades sets. The main locking latch may be normally biased toward the lock position. The other of the first and second blade sets may define a latch shelf where the locking latch is engagable with the latch shelf during movement between the lock and unlock positions thereof. At least one supplemental latch depends outwardly from the housing of the one of the first and second blade sets. The at least one supplemental latch is received within a correspondingly dimensioned supplemental latch opening in the housing of the other of the first and second blade sets whereby movement of the first and second blade sets to the release position permits removal of the at least one supplemental latch from the correspondingly dimensioned supplemental latch opening to permit removal of the second blade set from the first blade set. At least two of said supplemental latches may depend outwardly from the housing of the one of the first and second blade sets and received within correspondingly dimensioned supplemental latch openings in the housing of the other of the first and second blade sets. The first blade set may be releasably mountable to the handle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a blade assembly for use with a hair clipper includes a first blade set for mounting to the hair clipper and a second blade set for mounting to the first blade set. The first blade set includes a first housing, a first movable blade member and a first stationary blade member. The first moveable member is adapted for reciprocal movement relative to the stationary blade member. The second blade set includes a second housing, a second movable blade member and a second stationary blade member. The second housing is movable between an operative condition mounted to the first housing of the first blade set with the second movable blade member operatively coupled to the first movable blade member, and a release condition permitting release from the first housing. The second blade set includes a drive element operatively coupled to the second movable blade member and to the first movable member when in the operative condition thereof whereby movement of the first movable blade member causes corresponding reciprocating movement of the second movable blade member. 
     The housing of the second blade set may include a main locking latch. The main locking latch is adapted for movement between a lock position corresponding to the operative condition of the first and second blades sets and an unlock position corresponding to the release position of the first and second blades sets. The main locking latch may be normally biased toward the lock position. At least one supplemental latch may depend outwardly from the housing of the second blade set. The at least one supplemental latch is received within a correspondingly dimensioned supplemental latch opening in the housing of the first blade set whereby movement of the first and second blade sets to the release position permits removal of the at least one supplemental latch from the correspondingly dimensioned supplemental latch opening to permit removal of the second blade set from the first blade set. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal grooming apparatus and blade assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an axial view illustrating the forward end of the handle of the personal grooming apparatus with the blade assembly removed; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are first and second perspective views of the blade assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating the first and second blade sets in an assembled condition; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of the first blade set of the blade assembly illustrating the treatment and trailing sides of the first blade set; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view with parts separated of the first blade set; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of the second blade set of the blade assembly illustrating the treatment and trailing sides of the second blade set; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view with parts separated of the second blade set; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the blade assembly in the assembled condition; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9C, 10A-10C and 11A-11C  are perspective, side and cross-sectional views illustrating a sequence of steps for causing relative movement of the first and second blade sets from an operative position to a release position to permit removal of the second blade set from the first blade set. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a personal grooming apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Hair grooming apparatus  10  is a hair trimmer or clipper and incorporates a blade assembly  100  which provides versatility of use to the subject and improved cutting function. 
     Grooming apparatus  10  includes handle  12  dimensioned for engagement by the subject. Handle  12  may be elongated and incorporate surface contours  14  to facilitate manipulation by the subject. Disposed within the handle  12  is a motor, shown schematically as  16 , and associated circuitry, to control operation of the motor. As best depicted in  FIG. 2 , the forward or leading end of handle  12  includes a central drive shaft  18 , which is connected to the motor  16 , and an eccentric drive or cam post  20  mounted to the drive shaft  18 . The central drive shaft  18  rotates about a shaft axis “k” in response to actuation of the motor  16 . The cam post  20  is arranged off-axis relative to the shaft axis “k” to actuate the blade assembly  100  in an eccentric camming manner as will be discussed. The handle  12  further includes a pair of opposed mounting legs  22  secured to the internal surface of the handle  12  through conventional means, e.g., screws, fasteners or the like. The mounting legs  22  secure the blade assembly  100  to the handle  12 . The drive shaft  18  and the mounting legs  22  each may be formed of a resilient polymeric material while the eccentric cam post  20  may be made of a metal such as stainless steel. Other materials are also envisioned. The motor  16  may be any suitable rotary motor adapted to impart rotational movement to the central drive shaft  18 . The circuitry associated with the motor may include on/off switch, variable speed functions, etc. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the blade assembly  100  in an assembled condition.  FIG. 3A  illustrates the external or subject side of the blade assembly  100  and  FIG. 3B  illustrates the trailing or handle side of the blade assembly  100 . In general, the blade assembly  100  includes first and second blade sets  102 ,  104  which may be assembled together and mounted to the handle  12  of the grooming apparatus  10 . The second blade set  104  is releasably mounted to the first blade set  102  to provide variable cutting functions and versatility to the grooming apparatus  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 , in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the first blade set  102  will be discussed. The first blade set  102  is directly mounted to the handle  12  and includes a first blade housing  106  having a first stationary blade  108  and a first movable blade  110 . In the figures, the teeth of the first stationary and moveable blades  108 ,  110  are not illustrated. Any means for mounting the first blade set  102  to the handle are envisioned. In one embodiment, the mounting legs  22  of the handle  12  engage corresponding structure, e.g., mounting elements  112 , of the first blade housing  102  in snap relation therewith to releasably secure the first blade set  102  to the handle  12 . 
     The first blade set  102  further includes a reciprocating member  114  defining an opening or recess  116 . The recess  116  receives the eccentric drive or cam post  20  connected to the drive shaft  18  which is coupled to the motor  16  and circuitry. Upon actuation of the motor  16 , the eccentric cam post  20  rotates with the drive shaft  18  and within the recess  116  of the reciprocating member  114  to cause reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member  114  in the direction of directional arrows “k”. (See  FIG. 4B ). 
     The reciprocating member  114  includes a pair of opposed mounting posts  118  at each end. The mounting posts  118  are received within corresponding openings  120  within the first movable blade  110  to connect the reciprocating member  114  to the first movable blade  110 . Accordingly, reciprocating translating movement of the reciprocating member  114  is directly imparted to the first movable blade  110  during operation of the motor  16 . The first stationary blade  108  is secured within the first blade housing  106  through conventional means. The first stationary blade  108  is also fixed relative to the first movable blade  110 , thus cooperating with the first movable blade  110  to trim or cut hair. Any known means for securing the first stationary blade  108  are envisioned. The first blade housing  106  further includes a generally rectangular shaped opening  122  which is adjacent the second blade set  104  when the blade assembly  100  is in the assembled condition—the significance of which will be detailed hereinbelow. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 , in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the second blade set  104  will be discussed. The second blade set  104  may be directly mounted to the first blade set  102  to provide an additional set of blades to enhance the versatility and/or cutting action of the grooming apparatus  10 . The second blade set  104  includes a second blade housing  120   a  having a second stationary blade  124  and a second movable blade  126 . The second stationary blade  124  may be secured to the second housing  120   a . In one embodiment, spaced mounting posts  128  extending on the internal surface of the second housing  120   a  are received within correspondingly dimensioned and positioned openings  130  on the second stationary blade  124  to fix the second stationary blade  124  to the second housing  120   a.    
     The second blade housing  120   a  further includes a second reciprocating or drive member  132  having a generally cylindrically shaped second drive post  134  depending outwardly therefrom. The lower segment  134   a  of the drive post  134  may be received within post aperture  135  of the second movable blade  126  to fix the drive member  132  to the second movable blade  126 . Other means for securing the drive member  132  to the second movable blade  126  are also envisioned including the use of adhesives or with the use of a plurality of mounting posts (not shown) depending from the drive member  132  which are received within apertures  137  of the second movable blade  126 . 
     A securing element  136  is mountable to the second housing  122  to retain the second reciprocating or drive member  132  against the second housing  122  while permitting reciprocating movement of the drive member  132  and the second movable blade  126 . In one embodiment, the securing member  136  includes a cross beam  138  and two opposed longitudinal beams  140  extending from the cross beam  130 . The longitudinal beams  140  define an angled or offset region which is positioned over the second movable blade  126 . A pair of fasteners or screws  142  extends through openings in the cross beam  138  to be received (e.g., threadably) within mounting posts  146  of the second blade housing  122 . With this arrangement, the second reciprocating member  132  and the second movable blade  126  are each mounted relative to the second blade housing  120   a . The second reciprocating member  132  and the second movable blade  126  are capable of reciprocal movement in the direction of directional arrow “k”. Other means for securing the second reciprocating member  132  relative to the second housing  120  while permitting reciprocal movement are also envisioned including torsional spring arrangements or the like. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6B, 7 and 8  in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , the upper segment  134   b  of the second drive post  134  of the second reciprocating or drive member  132  extends upwardly through the opening  148  of the securing member  136  and through the generally rectangular shaped opening  122  of the first housing  106  ( FIG. 5 ) to be received at least within the central opening  150  in the first movable blade  110 . It is also envisioned that the first reciprocating member  114  may include a correspondingly dimensioned opening or recess aligned with the central opening  150  to receive a segment of the second drive post  134 . With this arrangement, as the first reciprocating member  114  and the first movable member  110  move in reciprocating manner, the second reciprocating or drive member  132  and the second movable member  126  will correspondingly (and e.g., concurrently) move in the same directions; thus providing movement to each of the first and second movable blade members  110 ,  126  during actuation of the motor  16 , e.g., thereby providing a double cutting action. In one arrangement, the edges of the second stationary and movable blades  124 ,  126  of the second blade set  104  are located closer to the handle  12 , or staggered relative of the first blade set  102 . (See, e.g.  FIG. 3A ) It is also envisioned that the edges of the second blade set  104  may extend beyond the blades of the first blade set  102  to provide alternative cutting capabilities. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7 and 8 , the second blade set  104  further includes opposed mounting legs  152  which are received within corresponding mounting openings  154  of the first blade housing  106  of the first blade set  102  ( FIG. 3B ) when in the assembled condition of the components. The second blade set  104  further includes a latch mechanism  156  for releasably securing, or removably mounting, the second blade set  104  to the first blade set  102 . The latch mechanism  156  includes a latch  158  having a latch segment or shelf  160 , a set screw  162  for retaining the latch  158  within the second blade housing  122 , and a coil spring  164 . The set screw  162  extends within an elongated opening  166  within the latch  158 , which opening  166  is dimensioned to permit the set screw  162  to traverse the opening  166  during reciprocating movement of the latch  158 . The coil spring  164  is dimensioned to normally bias the latch  158  away from the stationary and movable blades  124 ,  126  such that the latch shelf  160  engages the latch edge  170  defined adjacent the latch opening  172  of the first housing  106  (see also  FIG. 5 ) when in a lock position of the locking latch  158 . In addition, the coil spring  164  will normally bias the mounting legs  152  into position to releasably engage the surfaces surrounding the mounting openings  154  of the first blade housing  106  thereby securing the first and second blade sets  102 ,  104 . Thus, the latch mechanism  156  is adapted to normally bias the first and second blade sets  102 ,  104  to the operative condition depicted in  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 8 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the grooming apparatus  10  may be used with the blade assembly  100  mounted thereto with the first and second blade sets  102 ,  104  operable to cut or trim hair. When it is desired to remove the second blade set  104 , the apparatus may be deactivated. With reference to  FIGS. 9A-9C , which depicts the blade assembly  100  detached from the handle  12 , removal of the second blade set  104  is effected by advancing the second blade housing  122  in the direction of the directional arrows of  FIGS. 9A-9C  to the position of  FIGS. 10A-10C . During this movement toward the release condition of the first and second blade sets  102 ,  104 , the latch  158  of the latch mechanism  156  is driven against the bias of the coil spring  164  to contract the spring  164 . This relative movement between the first and second blade housings  106 ,  120   a  positions the mounting legs  152  of the second blade set  104  in general alignment with the mounting openings  154  of the first blade set  102  to permit the mounting legs  152  to pass through the openings  154  thereby enabling removal of the second blade set  104  from the first blade set  102  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-C . It is noted that the latch opening  172  of the second housing  120   a  is sufficient in dimension to permit removal of the latch  158  of the latch mechanism  156  through the opening  172  as well. Thereafter, the first blade set  102  may be mounted to the grooming apparatus  10  to trim or cut hair with the single first blade set  102 . 
     Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.