Improvements in Electrical Hair Cutters and Singers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application. 14th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Hair Cutters and Singers.
We FRANK MERRILL BELL, of 123 Liberty Street, New York City, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Electrical Engineer
and JAMES LUNDIE SLOSS, also of 123 Liberty Street, New York City aforesaid,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
he same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
Our invention consists in the combination with a device for holding the hair in
position for cutting, of a wire or bar of refractory material, such as platinum,
adapted when heated by the passage of an electrical current to burn and sever or
singe the hair, and of fastening and holding devices for said wire or bar, all as will
be hereinafter more fully described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved electrical hair cutter and singer;
Figure 2 is an edge view;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4-4, Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5, Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a detail view of one of the posts of the holder for the bar or wire;
Figure 7 is a detail side elevation of another post; and
Figure 8 is an end view of the straining rod for the wire or bar.
The comb A, in the present case, forms the body of the instrument and is made
of any of the materials of which combs are made, but preferably of aluminum.
The back a of the coinb is made hollow to receive the electrical conductor b, and
the handle B of the comb is provided with a cheek piece, the inner side of which is
grooved lengthwise to receive the other electrical conductor b'. The comb is
tapered, the handle end being the widest. At the narrow end of the comb, the
projection c extends from the back parallel with the teeth and of the same length
as the teeth. The said projection is slotted to receive a stud d, which is held in
place by a nut on the threaded end of the shank of the stud. The slot through
which the shank of the stud projects is lined with insulating material, and the
washers placed upon the side of the projection c, prevent contact with the comb.
Under the stud d adjacent to the projection c, but insulated therefrom, is placed an
angle arm e, which is in electrical contact with the stud d and is connected
electrically with the end of the conductor b. In the stud d is formed a rectangular
mortise (Figure 6) which receives the square end g of the rod h. The rounded
portion of the rod his threaded to receive a nut i, and on the rod between the nut
and the stud d, is placed a spiral spring j. The squared end g of the rod h is
grooved longitudinally and slotted transversely to form a hook for receiving one
end of a platinum wire k, the other end of which is received in a stud 1 (Figures 4
& 7) inserted in a slot m in the handle of the comb, but insulated from the said
handle by a living of insulating material inserted in the slot, and washer placed on
opposite sides of the handle.
Underneath the shoulder of the stud is placed the insulated-T-shaped end of a
metal key spring m' which is insulated from the handle B but in electrical
connection with the stud 1. The stud is slotted lengthwise and is furnished with

page_text: a number of hemispherical cavities n along the length of the slot, to receive the
spherical end of the platinum wire k, to admit of adjusting the platinum wire at
different distances ou the face of the comb.
The conductor terminates in an electrical contact o, and in the metal key
spring m¹ is inserted the shank p of a push-button 7. The metal key spring m
holds the shank p out of engagement with the contact o.
The
The shank p is provided with a head on its inner end, which is larger than the
aperture in the strip m² and limits the ontward motion of the shank.
conductors b, b are connected with any suitable source of electric current, and the
current is controlled by means of a suitable rheostat. When the button q is pressed,
the electrical circuit is completed through the platinum wire k, which is heated to
a sufficient degree to burn the hair into contact with which it is brought. The
wire expands as it is heated, but its tension is maintained by the spiral spring j.
In addition to severing or cutting the hair, the hot wire effectually singes it,
thereby securing at the same time the advantages of singeing, and accomplishing it
without rendering it as noticeable as it is when it is done by means of a flame.
By changing the position of the studs d and 1, the wire may be carried forward
towards the points of the teeth of the comb, or removed therefrom as may be
desired.
We do not restrict ourselves to the use of a platinum wire k as described, as if
found to be desirable, a rod, bar or strip of platinum may be employed for the same
purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
1. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination with a hair support,
of a wire or bar of refractory material, held by the support.
2. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, of a wire or
bar stretched along the comb but not in contact therewith, and insulated conductors
in electrical connection with the wire or bar.
3. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, a wire
or bar stretched along the comb, and means for holding the wire under tension.
4. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, a wire or
bar stretched along the comb, means for holding the wire under tension, and means
for adjusting the position of the wire or bar relative to the comb.
5. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb, a wire or
bar stretched along the comb, the electrical conductors, and means, substantially as
described, for closing and breaking the circuit.
6. In an electrical hair cutter and singer, the combination of a comb provided
with a handle, insulated conductors entering the comb, adjustable studs inserted in
the comb and comb handle, a wire or bar strained between the insulated studs, the
electrical conductors, and the button for closing and breaking the electrical
current.
Dated this 14th day of April 1806
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.