Abstract:
A tool for cutting synthetic hair that is for sealing synthetic hair when synthetic hair is braided and cut to length. The tool for cutting synthetic hair includes a top portion containing a cutting blade and a bottom portion containing an electric heating element. An electrical cord extends into the bottom portion connecting a switch to the heating element. A hinge connects the top and bottom portions. The top portion is urged away from the bottom portion by a spring. Synthetic hair is placed between the top and bottom portions. When the cutting blade is brought in contact with the heating element, the synthetic hair is cut and sealed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to synthetic fiber cutting tools and more particularly pertains to a new tool for sealing synthetic hair when it is braided. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of synthetic fiber cutting tools is known in the prior art. More specifically, synthetic fiber cutting tools heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,654; U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,115; U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,640; U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,224; U.S. Pat. Des. No. 132,140; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,532,610. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new tool for cutting synthetic hair. The inventive device includes an electric heating element and cutting blade which cuts and seals the hair in one step. 
     In these respects, the tool for cutting synthetic hair according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of sealing synthetic hair when it is braided. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of synthetic fiber cutting tools now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new tool for cutting synthetic hair construction wherein the same can be utilized for sealing synthetic hair when it is braided. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the synthetic fiber cutting tools mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art synthetic fiber cutting tools, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a bottom member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a forth side, a top surface and a bottom surface. The first and third sides are parallel to each other. The bottom member has a periphery defined by the area between the top and bottom surfaces. 
     A heating element having a length, a width and a height such that the length is substantially greater than the width and the height. The heating element is mounted in the bottom member such that its length is adjacent and parallel to the first side of the bottom member. 
     An electrical power switch is located between the top and bottom portions of the bottom member. An electrical cord having wires extending through the periphery of the bottom member such the heating element and the switch are connected together. 
     A hinge mechanism attached to the bottom member on the top portion thereof wherein the hinge mechanism has a direction of operation parallel to the first side of the bottom member. 
     A top member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a forth side, a top surface and a bottom surface. The first and third sides are parallel to each other. The bottom member has a periphery defined by the area between the top and bottom surfaces. 
     The top member forms generally the same shape as the bottom member. The top member has a notch removed from the bottom portion adjacent to the first end. The notch has a length, width and depth such that it can house the hinge mechanism. 
     The top member is attached to the bottom member by the hinge mechanism such that the bottom surface of the top member covers and is generally aligned with the top portion of bottom member. 
     A metallic blade is removably attached to the bottom surface of the top member. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the synthetic fiber cutting tools mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art synthetic fiber cutting tools, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such tool for cutting synthetic hair economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair for sealing synthetic hair when it is braided. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair which includes a one step method of cutting and sealing the synthetic hair. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair that avoid the use of open flames and candles which are a prevalent method of sealing synthetic hairs. The use of open flame is dangerous, time consuming and often inaccurate. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new tool for cutting synthetic hair that will fulfill the needs of many professional hairdressers who currently lack such a tool. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new tool for cutting synthetic hair according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of the bottom portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the top portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the blade member for the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention displaying the hinge mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new tool for cutting synthetic hair embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the tool for cutting synthetic hair  10  generally comprises a bottom member  11  having a top surface  12  and a bottom surface  13  of equal dimensions. Vertical walls or sides  14  defining a periphery between the top and bottom portions and connect the top and bottom portions. 
     Preferably, the bottom member forms a trapezoid having a first end  15  and a second end  16  oriented parallel to each other. the bottom member has a line of symmetry perpendicular to these ends  15 ,  16 . The first end is shorter in length than the second end. The bottom member has two sides  17  of a length such that they are longer than the second end. 
     The bottom member contains a heating element  20  having first  18  and second  19  circular ends. The ends are connected by a cylindrical wall. The heating element is mounted in the bottom member adjacent and parallel to the second end of the bottom member. Preferably, the heating element has a horizontal diameter  21  located below the top surface of bottom member such that an arc  22  of less than 180 degrees of the element is exposed above the plane of the top surface. 
     An electrical power switch is located in the periphery of the bottom member preferably such that the switch  23  extends downwardly out from the bottom portion of bottom member. 
     An electrical cord  25  has wires  24  entering through the first end of the bottom member. The wires are connected to the switch and extend to the heating element. 
     A hinge mechanism formed by a rectangular box  26  has a bottom panel and two pair of opposite, parallel walls. The walls extend upwardly equidistantly from bottom panel and define a space therebetween. A first pair of the parallel walls forms a separate distal  47  and proximate wall  46 . A second pair of walls  48  is perpendicularly adjacent to the first pair. The box is open from the top. The rectangular box is attached by a fastening means to the bottom member adjacent to first end  16  such that the proximate wall  46  is parallel and adjacent to the bottom member first end  16 . The box can be fastened by any of the known methods including but not limited to soldering, gluing and fasteners. The box should be located such that the combination of box and bottom member retains one line of symmetry perpendicular to the ends of the bottom member. 
     A spring  27  is attached by a fastening means to the bottom portion of the box. The spring is to be located within the box adjacent to the distal box wall  47 . The spring extends upwardly beyond height of the box. 
     Two bores  28  are diametrically located in the walls of the box perpendicular to the proximate wall. The bores are located adjacent to the proximate wall at upper most portion of connection between the proximate wall and the perpendicular walls. 
     A hinge extends between and beyond the bores  29 . 
     A top member  32  has a top surface  30  and a bottom surface  31  of equal dimensions. The top and bottom surfaces connected by vertical walls  33  to define a periphery of the top member therebetween. 
     Preferably, the top member forms a trapezoid having a first end  34  and a second end  35  parallel to each other. The top member has a line of symmetry perpendicular to the ends. The first end is shorter in length than the second end. 
     The top member has two sides  36  of a length such that they are longer than the second end. The top member has dimensions identical to bottom member. The top member has a first notch  37  removed from the bottom portion adjacent to the first end. The first notch will have a length and width slightly longer than the box. The first notch will have a depth so as to leave the top portion intact, the first notch will receive the box when the top member is placed over the bottom member. 
     A pair of bores  28  in the first notch are diametrically opposed to each other and positioned to receive the hinge such that the top member is connected to the box. The box fits within the first notch and the spring urges the second end of top member away from the second end of bottom member. 
     A metallic blade  40  member comprises a blade of length substantially greater than its height. The blade has a base portion  49  and sharpened portion  41 . An anchor portion  42  has a rectangular configuration with a length identical to the length of the blade, height approximately one half of the height of the top member, and width equal to the base of the blade. The anchor is in fluid connection to the base of blade. A tab  44  extends from juncture of the base and the anchor and has a bore therethough  43  for receiving a screw. 
     A second notch  45  removed from the bottom surface of top member adjacent to the second end of top member. The second notch has a length, width and depth of equal proportions to the anchor. The second notch is to be placed such that insertion of the blade member allows the blade to come in contact with the heating element when the top member is forced downward against the spring. 
     In use, the hairdresser or other person turns on the heating element using the switch  23 . When the element  20  is hot, the user grabs a braided section of synthetic hair and places it between the element and the blade  40 . The top  32  and bottom  11  members remain apart because of the spring  27  located between them. The user presses down on the top member so that the blade comes in contact with the heating element. The synthetic hair is cut and heat sealed in one step. When the blade becomes dull, it can be replaced by removing the screw  50  holding it in and replacing it with another blade. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.