Patent Publication Number: US-2021170613-A1

Title: Electric handheld hair trimmer and method of operating the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/869,422 filed on Jan. 12, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/445,358 filed on Jan. 12, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to grooming appliances, more particularly to electric handheld hair trimmers and even more particularly to electric handheld hair trimmers used for trimming ear and nose hair. 
     Conventional electric hair trimmers typically include a blade housing that supports a blade assembly used for trimming hair. In at least some hair trimmers, the blade assembly includes at least one reciprocating blade and a motor operable to reciprocate the at least one reciprocating blade relative to a second—typically stationary—blade. Following repeated use of the hair trimmer, the reciprocating blade movement may be inhibited by the build-up of hair particles, debris and/or bodily fluids such as oils, mucus or ear wax which may collect between the blades of the blade assembly, or in the drive elements that drive reciprocation of the at least one reciprocating blade. This can be particularly prevalent when the trimmer is turned on after it has been idle during non-use. Some trimmers, such as cordless trimmers, may not have enough power to overcome the resistance to the blade movement caused by this build-up. As such, it would be useful to provide a hair trimmer that is capable of overcoming such resistance to blade movement and may further facilitate the removal of debris from the blade housing and/or the blade assembly. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an electric handheld hair trimmer generally comprises a body, a motor disposed in the housing, and a blade assembly disposed at least in part exterior of the body and including a first blade and a second blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The motor is operatively connected to at least one of the first blade and second blade in a working direction relative to the other one of the first blade and second blade to trim hair. The hair trimmer further comprises a displacement mechanism operable to selectively displace at least one of the first blade and the second blade independent of operation of the motor. The displacement mechanism comprises at least one of an actuator or a separator. The actuator is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the body and operatively connected to the second blade. The actuator is operatively connected to the second blade to selectively move the second blade along the longitudinal axis relative to the first blade independent of operation of the motor. The separator is operable independently of the motor and is positionable between the first blade and the second blade to at least in part separate the first blade from the second blade. 
     In one embodiment of a method of operating an electric handheld hair trimmer, the motor is operated in an ON state to slidably move at least one of the first blade and second blade in a working direction relative to the other one of the first blade and second blade to trim hair. The method includes, independently of the operation of the motor, moving, via a displacement mechanism, at least one of the first blade and the second blade relative to the other one of the first blade and the second blade. The displacement mechanism includes at least one of an actuator movable in the working direction and operatively connected to the second blade. The actuator is operatively connected to the second blade to selectively move the second blade in the working direction relative to the first blade independent of operation of the motor. The separator is operable independently of the motor and is positionable between the first blade and the second blade to at least in part separate the first blade from the second blade. 
     In another embodiment, an electric handheld hair trimmer generally comprises a handle, a motor disposed in the handle, a head connected to the handle, a blade assembly, and an actuator. The blade assembly is disposed at least in part exterior of the head and includes a first blade and a second blade extending along a longitudinal axis. The motor is operatively connected to the blade assembly for driving movement of the blade assembly. The actuator is operatively connected to the blade assembly to selectively displace at least one of the first blade and the second blade along the longitudinal axis independent of operation of the motor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electric hair trimmer. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of the trimmer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a head of the trimmer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the head of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an actuator mechanism of the trimmer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an electric hair trimmer, with the trimmer illustrated in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the trimmer of  FIG. 6  in an opened configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the trimmer of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of another embodiment of an electric hair trimmer. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an actuator of the trimmer of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a portion of another trimmer including a cap for covering a blade assembly of the trimmer during non-use. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a portion of another embodiment of a trimmer including a switch. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a portion of another embodiment of a trimmer including a cam and cam follower. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electric handheld hair trimmer (broadly a handheld grooming appliance) is indicated generally by  100 . The hair trimmer  100  of the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a nose and ear hair trimmer. However, it is understood that the hair trimmer  100  may be other than for trimming nose and ear hair and remain within the scope of this invention. It is also understood that the concepts disclosed herein may be used in other electric handheld grooming appliances that have moving components susceptible to poor performance resulting from debris, such as without limitation, rotary shavers, foil shavers, hair clippers and epilators. The illustrated hair trimmer  100  comprises a handle (indicated generally by  102 ) and a head (indicated generally by  104 ) together generally defining a longitudinal axis A-A of the trimmer. A motor (not shown) is disposed in the handle and is operatively connected to the head  104  by a suitable drive mechanism (e.g., an eccentric drive pin  106 ) such that the trimmer  100  has a longitudinal axis A-A. Other suitable drive mechanisms are contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the head  104  is detachable from the handle  102 . However, the head  104  may be affixed to handle  102  within the scope of the invention. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the head  104  includes a housing (indicated generally by  108 ), a drive assembly (indicated generally by  110 ), a blade assembly  112 , and an actuator  174 . The drive assembly  110 , and part of the blade assembly  112 , are contained within the housing  108  such that cutting edge(s) of the blade assembly  112  are exposed for trimming hair. The actuator  174  is connected to the blade assembly  112  and allows an operator to manually reciprocate the blade assembly  112  relative to the housing  108 . As a result, the actuator  174  enables the operator to dislodge debris that may collect on the blade assembly  112  and within the housing  108 . 
     The housing  108  includes a front shell  114 , a back shell  116  connected to the front shell  114 , and a frame  118  extending longitudinally outward from between the shells  114 ,  116 —the assembly of which defines a proximal end  120  and a distal end  122  of the head  104 . The frame  118  has a base segment  124  secured between the shells  114 ,  116 , a guard segment  126  extending from the base segment  124 , a back panel  128  connected to the guard segment  126 , and a front panel  130  connected to the base segment  124 . 
     A pivot post  132  having a central bore therein is formed on the interior of the back shell  116 . A keyway  134  is formed on the exterior of the front shell  114  for use in releasably connecting the head  104  to the handle  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the trimmer  100 . The base segment  124  is generally horseshoe-shaped and defines a window  136 , and the guard segment  126  includes a pair of spaced-apart side walls  138  and an end wall  140 . The side walls  138  extend from the base segment  124 , and the end wall  140  extends between the side walls  138  opposite the base segment  124  such that the side walls  138  and the end wall  140  surround the blade assembly  112 . Moreover, a back opening (not shown) and a front opening  144  provide access to the interior of the guard segment  126  as set forth in more detail below. The front opening  144  is bifurcated into a first blade slot  146  and a second blade slot  148  by a rib  150  that extends between the end wall  140  and the base segment  124 . 
     The drive assembly  110  and the blade assembly  112  are mounted within the housing  108  of the head  104 . The drive assembly  110  includes a follower  156 , a linkage  158 , and a pivot pin  160 . The pivot pin  160  is received in the central bore of the pivot post  132  to pivotally connect the drive assembly  110  to the housing  108 . The follower  156  has a winged slot  162  and a linking pin  164 , and is pivotable about the pivot pin  160 . The linkage  158  is a generally linear arm having, at opposing ends of the arm, a linking slot  166  and a plurality of locator pins  168 . The linking slot  166  receives the linking pin  164  of the follower  156 , and the winged slot  162  of the follower  156  receives the drive pin  106  of the handle  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , during operation of the trimmer  100 , the eccentric drive pin  106  is rotated (e.g., via a drive shaft of a motor contained within the handle  102 ), and the follower  156  pivots back-and-forth (in a pendulum-like manner) about the pivot pin  160  by virtue of the rotating eccentric drive pin  106  being disposed within the winged slot  162  of the follower  156 . Because the linking pin  164  of the follower  156  is inserted into the linking slot  166  of the linkage  158 , the back-and-forth pivoting movement of the follower  156  about the pivot pin  160  causes a back-and-forth linear movement (or translatory motion) of the linkage  158 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blade assembly  112  includes a first or stationary blade  170  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and a second or reciprocating blade  172 . The blades  170 ,  172  are arranged in shearing, face-to-face contact with one another, and at least one of the blades is seated on the locator pins  168  of the linkage  158 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the reciprocating blade  172  is operatively connected to the motor by the linkage  158  such that the reciprocating blade  172  is reciprocated relative to the first or stationary blade  170  in what is referred to herein as a working direction of the reciprocating blade to trim hair upon operation of the motor. 
     With the blade assembly  112  (e.g., a movable blade of the blade assembly  112 ) being seated on the linkage  158  via the locator pins  168 , the blade assembly  112  is actuated by the linear movement of the linkage  158 , thereby reciprocating the blade  172  in the working direction thereof relative to the stationary blade  170  to shear off hairs that enter the gaps between the respective teeth of the blades. In the illustrated embodiment, the blades  170 ,  172  of the blade assembly  112  extend longitudinally of the housing  108 , e.g., generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A to provide a relative long, narrow profile of the blade assembly for ease of positioning the blade assembly in a user&#39;s nose or ear. In alternative embodiments, the blade assembly  112  may have a horizontal profile relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, or any other suitable blade orientation that enables the trimmer  100  to operate as described herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the actuator  174  includes a slide  176  and an engagement arm  178 . The arm  178  extends from the slide  176  and engages the stationary blade  170  such that movement of the slide  176  causes a displacement of the stationary blade  170 . In particular, the actuator  174  causes displacement of the stationary blade  170  from a first, normal position to a second, displaced position independent of the motor—i.e., there is no operative connection of the stationary blade  170  with the motor. A portion of the slide  176  extends on the exterior of the housing  108  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and is accessible by an operator. To operate the actuator  174 , an operator contacts the slide  176  and moves the slide  176  longitudinally along the housing  108 . The movement of the slide  176  causes displacement of the stationary blade  170  relative to the reciprocating blade  172  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the housing  108  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. In alternative embodiments, the actuator  174  may be any suitable actuator that enables the trimmer  100  to operate as described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the trimmer  100  further includes a biasing member  180  that extends between the housing  108  and the stationary blade  170 . The biasing member  180  suitably biases the stationary blade  170  toward its normal position such that actuation by the actuator  174  displaces the stationary blade against the bias of the biasing member to the displaced position of the stationary blade. In this manner, once the actuator  174  is released the stationary blade  170  shifts back to its normal position. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member  180  is a helical compression spring. In alternative embodiments, the trimmer  100  may include any biasing member that enables the trimmer  100  to operate as described herein. In further embodiments, the biasing member  180  may be omitted and the actuator must be used to shift the stationary blade  170  back to its normal position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member  180  contacts an end of the stationary blade  170  opposite the actuator  174  to bias the stationary blade  170  towards the normal position. In alternative embodiments, the biasing member  180  may bias the first blade  170  toward its displaced position. While in the illustrated embodiment the actuator  174  is used to operatively displace the stationary blade  170  relative to the reciprocating blade  172 , it is understood that in other embodiment an actuator—such as actuator  174  or a separate, discrete actuator (not shown) may be used to operatively displace the reciprocating blade  172  relative to the stationary blade  170 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , during operation of the trimmer  100 , hair and other debris may collect in the housing  108  and on the blade assembly  112 . To clean the trimmer  100 , a user may direct a cleaning fluid (e.g., a liquid such as water or a suitable cleaning solution in the primary embodiment, or a compressed gas in other embodiments) into contact with the blade assembly  112 . In some embodiments, for example, the trimmer  100  may include a washout port and a flow passage (not shown) for fluid to flow through the head  104  to clean the blade assembly  112  and interior of the housing  108 . In other embodiments, the trimmer  100  may be cleaned in any manner that enables the trimmer  100  to operate as described herein. 
     During cleaning of the trimmer  100 , e.g., when the motor is off such that the reciprocating blade  172  is not moving, the operator may use the actuator  174  to displace the stationary blade  170  relative to the reciprocating blade  172  to dislodge debris around and between the blades. This operation may also be done by the user just prior to using the trimmer  100  after the trimmer has been idle. Because the stationary blade  170  can move independently of the motor, it can be displaced by the actuator  174  relative to the reciprocating blade  172  while the motor is off (i.e., while the reciprocating blade is not moving). In some embodiments, the trimmer  100  may be turned on and automatically cause the actuator  174  to briefly displace the stationary blade  170  just prior to or concurrently with initiating reciprocation of the reciprocating blade  172  to dislodge any debris obstructing reciprocation of the blade assembly  112  as operation is initiated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , another embodiment of an electric hair trimmer is indicated generally by  200 . Trimmer  200  includes a body  202  and a head assembly  204  movably (e.g., in the illustrated embodiment, pivotably) coupled to the body  202  such that the trimmer  200  can be configured between an opened configuration (shown in  FIG. 7 ) for operation of the trimmer and a closed configuration (shown in  FIG. 6 ) for storage of the trimmer. When the trimmer  200  is in the opened configuration, the head assembly  204  extends from the body  202 . In the closed configuration, the head assembly  204  is at least partially stowed within the body  202 . In suitable embodiments, the head assembly  204  and the body  202  may be configured in any manner that enables the trimmer  200  to operate as described herein. While in the illustrated embodiment the head assembly  204  is pivotably connected to the body  202 , in other embodiments the head assembly  204  may move linearly along a longitudinal axis of the body  202 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the head assembly  204  includes a housing  206 , a blade assembly  208 , and an actuator  210 . A part of the blade assembly  208  is contained within the housing  206  and cutting edge(s) of the blade assembly  208  are exposed for trimming hair. The actuator  210  is coupled to the blade assembly  208  such that the actuator  210  causes at least one blade  212  of the blade assembly  208  to move. The actuator  210  is accessible from exterior of the housing  206  to enable an operator to manipulate the actuator  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  210  is configured to move linearly when an operator applies a force to the actuator  210 . Movement of the actuator  210  causes the blade  212  (e.g., the stationary blade in a manner similar to the stationary blade  170  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 ) of the blade assembly  208  to displace along a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly  208 . In other embodiments, the trimmer  200  may include any actuator that enables the trimmer  200  to operate as described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator  210  may cause the blade  212  to displace in response to the trimmer  200  being reconfigured between the opened configuration and the closed configuration. 
     The trimmer  200  further includes a motor  214  and a power source  216 . The motor  214  and the power source  216  are housed within the body  202 . The motor  214  is connected to the power source  216  and to the blade assembly  208 . During operation of the trimmer  200 , the motor  214  is powered by the power source  216  and causes the blade assembly  208  to reciprocate for trimming hairs. In the illustrated embodiment, the trimmer  200  includes an internal power source  216  such as a battery. In other embodiments, the trimmer  200  may include any power source that enables the trimmer  200  to operate as described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the trimmer  200  may be configured to receive power from an external power source. In such embodiments, the trimmer  200  may include a power cord. 
     In one example, the actuator  210  is configured to move the stationary blade of the blade assembly  208  independently of the motor  214 . As a result, the actuator  210  facilitates unjamming the blade assembly  208  if the motor  214  is unable to adequately reciprocate the blade assembly  208 . In some embodiments, the actuator  210  may be used during operation of the motor  214 . In other embodiments, the actuator  210  may be connected to the motor  214  and operable only when the motor  214  is in a designated state, such as when the motor is off. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another electric hair trimmer  300  of the present invention in which the trimmer includes a head  302 , a handle  304 , a blade assembly  306 , and an actuator  308 . The head  302  includes a housing  309  at least partially supporting the blade assembly  306 . The blade assembly  306  is configured such that at least one of the blades reciprocates relative to the other blade along a longitudinal axis B-B of the trimmer  300 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the actuator  308  is configured to engage at least one blade, such as the stationary blade  310  of the blade assembly  306 , to linearly (e.g., longitudinally) displace the stationary blade  310  relative to the reciprocating blade. In other embodiments, the blade  310  may be moved in any direction relative to the reciprocating blade that enables the trimmer  300  to operate as described herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the actuator  308  includes an engagement arm  312  and a slide  314 . The slide  314  may be exposed exterior of the housing  309  opposite the blade assembly  306  to allow an operator to operate the actuator  308 . The slide  314  is configured to move along the longitudinal axis B-B when an operator applies a displacement force to the slide  314 . When the slide  314  is moved, the engagement arm  312  moves therewith to displace the blade  310  in response to movement of the slide. As a result, the force applied to the slide  314  is directly transferred to the blade  310 . In alternative embodiments, the actuator  308  may have any configuration that enables the trimmer  300  to operate as described herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , in another embodiment a hair trimmer  400  further includes a cap  402  along with a housing  404  and blade assembly  406 . The cap  402  is positionable relative to the housing  404  and may be releasably connectable to the housing  404  such that the cap  402  at least partially covers and encloses the blade assembly  406  during non-use of the trimmer. In some embodiments, the cap  402  may remain at least partially connected to the housing  404  when the blade assembly  406  is uncovered for operation of the trimmer. For example, in some embodiments, the cap  402  may be connected to the housing  404  by a suitable hinge. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  402  is configured such that when placed on the housing  404  the blade assembly  406  extends at least in part within an interior space of the cap. With reference to  FIG. 11 , a separator  408  is connected to the cap  402  (e.g., by being formed integrally therewith or by being suitably affixed or releasably connected thereto) to extend into the interior space of the cap. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the separator  408  extends from the closed end of the cap  402  towards the open end. In other embodiments, the separator  408  may be positioned anywhere on the cap  402 . For example, in some embodiments, the separator  408  may extend from a sidewall of the cap  402 . 
     The separator  408  is configured to be inserted in part between the stationary blade  410  and the reciprocating blade  412  of the blade assembly  406  when the cap  402  is connected to the housing  404  and covers the blade assembly  406 . As a result, the separator  408  separates the blades  410 ,  412  from each other when the cap  402  is positioned on the housing  404 . The positioning of the blades  410 ,  412  by the separator  408  inhibits the blade assembly  406  becoming jammed with debris or otherwise stuck together as a result of debris during non-use of the trimmer. When the cap  402  is removed from the housing  108 , the blades  410 ,  412  are biased back into closely spaced or contacting relationship with each other for normal operation of the trimmer to trim hair. In alternative embodiments, the separator  408  may be configured to displace the stationary blade  410  and/or the reciprocating blade  412  relative to each other in a manner other than spacing them apart in order to inhibit the blades from becoming jammed with debris or otherwise stuck together during non-use. 
     In alternative embodiments, the separator  408  may be connected to components other than the cap  402 . For example, in some embodiments, the separator  408  may extend from the housing  404  and be configured to displace the stationary blade  410  and/or the reciprocating blade  412 . In some embodiments, the blades  410 ,  412  may be displaced automatically when the operating state of the trimmer  400  is switched and/or when the cap  402  is moved (e.g., placed on the housing and/or removed from the housing). In further embodiments, an actuator, such as the actuators  174 ,  210 , and  308  described above, is disposed on at least one of the housing  404  and blade assembly and is operatively connected to the separator  408  to selectively position the separator between the stationary blade  410  and the reciprocating blade  412 . 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a portion of another trimmer  500  including a switch  502 —in this embodiment a rotatory switch. The trimmer  500  further includes an actuator  504  and a blade assembly  506 . The switch  502  is configured to control power to a motor (not shown) of the trimmer  500 . The motor is configured to operate the blade assembly  506  to trim hair when the switch is in an ON position. When the switch  502  is in an OFF position, power to the motor ceases and the blade assembly is inoperable to trim hair. In other embodiments, the switch  502  may include a toggle, a slide, a button, a joystick, a proximity switch, an optical switch, a speed switch, a pressure switch, a temperature switch, and/or any other suitable switch. 
     The actuator  504  includes an arm  508  and a body  510  connected to a proximal end of the arm  508 . A distal end of the arm  508  is positioned adjacent the switch  502 . The switch  502  is configured to contact the arm  508  when the switch  502  moves between the ON position and the OFF position. When the switch  502  contacts the arm  508 , the switch  502  causes the arm  508  to be displaced in a longitudinal direction  512  and the body  510  to move in the longitudinal direction  512 . Accordingly, the actuator  504  translates rotational motion of the switch  502  to linear displacement of the body  510  and hence displacement of at least one of the blades of the blade assembly  506  independent of the motor (e.g., when the motor is off). 
     In suitable embodiments, the switch  502  may contact the actuator  504  when the switch is in a position intermediate the ON position and the OFF position. Accordingly, the actuator  504  may be displaced as the switch  502  is moved from the OFF position toward the ON position. In such embodiments, the actuator  504  may provide an initial movement of the blade assembly  506 , i.e., a kickstart, prior to or simultaneous with the motor reciprocating the blade assembly  506  in order to overcome any resistance to such initial movement of the blades resulting from a build-up of debris or otherwise sticking together. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a portion of another trimmer  600 . This trimmer  600  includes a cam  602 , an eccentric drive  604 , an actuator  606 , and a switch  608 . The switch  608  is used to control operating states of the trimmer  600 . In particular, the switch  608  is positionable between an ON position and an OFF position. When the switch  608  is in the ON position, a blade assembly (not shown) of the trimmer  600  is operated to trim hairs. The switch  608  engages the eccentric drive  604  to switch operating modes of the trimmer  600 . In alternative embodiments, the trimmer  600  may include any switch  608  that enables the trimmer  600  to operate as described herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a cam follower  610  extends into the cam  602 . As the switch  608  moves between the ON and OFF positions, the cam follower  610  moves along the cam  602  and causes the actuator  606  to move. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam  602  includes an angled groove such that rotational movement of the switch  608  is translated by the cam follower  610  into axial (e.g., linear) movement of the actuator  606 . In alternative embodiments, the trimmer  600  may include any cam  602  and cam follower  610  that enables the trimmer  600  to operate as described herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cam follower  610  disengages from the cam  602  once the switch  608  has reached a designated point in its rotation. As a result, the actuator  606  allows the eccentric drive  604  to connect to the blade assembly and operate the blade assembly during normal operation of the trimmer to trim hair without interference by the actuator  606 . Such a configuration allows the actuator  606  to move the same blade that is reciprocated by the eccentric drive  604  without the actuator  606  interfering with subsequent operation of the eccentric drive  604 . In alternative embodiments, the actuator  606  may be instead be engaged with the stationary blade of the blade assembly during any operating state of the trimmer  600 . 
     As described above, embodiments of a trimmer include an actuator that is configured to move a blade of the trimmer independently of a motor. The actuator may move the blade to remove debris that may inhibit operation of the trimmer. Also, the actuator allows an operator to manually move the blade, e.g., to provide a kickstart, when the motor is unable to reciprocate the blade. As a result, the described embodiments reduce jamming of the trimmer blades. In some embodiments, the actuator allows an operator to manually move the blade. In further embodiments, the actuator may automatically move the blade in response to initiating operation of the trimmer and/or upon ceasing operation of the trimmer. 
     Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus, system, and methods for a grooming device are described above in detail. The apparatus, system, and methods described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described, but rather, components of apparatus, systems, and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the methods may also be used in combination with other grooming devices, systems, and methods, and are not limited to practice with only the apparatuses, systems, and methods described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented and utilized in connection with many grooming applications. 
     Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 
     As various changes could be made in the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.