Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a dual ended hair remover having depilating and epilating functions for removing hair from a user, and more particularly, to a dual ended hair remover having a casing with a depilating head fixed at one end thereof, an epilating head fixed at the opposite end thereof, and a handle which covers one of the depilating and epilating heads at a time while providing power to drive the other one of the depilating and epilating heads. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Shaving devices are known which have multiple heads mounted thereon. The heads may either be permanently affixed to a casing having a motor or may be interchangeable. Such a device may even include a depilating head and an epilating head. A depilating head cuts hairs from the skin of a user, whereas an epilating head plucks (pulls) the hair from the skin of the user. 
     JP 4-348704, published Dec. 3, 1992 to Iwasaki, discloses a main body in which a motor is contained, an epilating block in which epilating means is contained and a trimmer. Both the epilating block and the trimmer are permanently affixed to one end of the main body, and they both operate simultaneously. The epilating block is at one side and the trimmer is at the other side of the same end, with the depilating block and the trimmer being in close proximity with each other. By being in close proximity with each other, there is a risk of injuring one&#39;s self through unintentional contact with the one of the depilating block and trimmer which is not intended to be used at a given time. In addition, as both the depilating block and trimmer operate simultaneously, although one is being used at a given time, unnecessary power is being used to drive the epilating/depilating appliance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,049 issued Jun. 27, 1972 to Demci et al. discloses different operating heads as separate units for individual operation. The operating heads are both trimmers, which are interchangeable with each other at the same end of the casing 11. The two different types of trimmers are mounted one at a time to the casing 11. As a result, effort is required to interchange the two heads to perform the two different types of trimming and extra wearing of the components result from the repeated changing of the heads. Both heads are trimmers, and neither one performs the function of epilation. Also, as only one head is mounted at a time, the unmounted head may easily be lost by the user when not in use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,804 issued Mar. 18, 1997 to Heintke et al. discloses a casing 2 which is adapted to receive a first attachment incorporating an epilating cylinder, or alternatively, a second attachment incorporating a long-hair trimmer. The first and second attachments are interchangeable with each other at a same end of the casing 2. Although Heintke et al. performs both the epilating and depilating functions, the appliance disclosed therein suffers from a number of the same drawbacks as are present in Demci et al. Namely, additional effort is required to replace the epilating head with the depilating head, and vice versa, when alternating between the epilating and depilating functions, and extra wearing of the components result from the repeated changing of the heads. Also, the unattached head may easily be lost by the user when not in use. 
     Other devices are known which have a shaving head and a long-hair trimmer at a same end of a casing, wherein either the shaver is in operation or both the shaver and the long-hair trimmer are in operation. In these devices, it is often easy to accidentally activate the long-hair trimmer, causing possible injury to the user when such operation is unaccounted for. Further, through the simultaneous operation of both the shaver and the long-hair trimmer, unnecessary power is required to drive both heads. Still further, such devices do not enable the epilation function to be performed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having both a depilating function and an epilating function. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having a casing and a depilating head and an epilating head fixed at respective opposite ends of the casing. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having a casing, depilating and epilating heads fixed at respective opposite ends thereof, and a handle which alternately attaches to the opposite ends of the casing so as to cover one of the depilating and epilating heads while providing power to the other one of the depilating and epilating heads. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having a casing, depilating and epilating heads fixed at respective ends thereof, so as to lengthen the durability of the heads since there is no need to repeatedly detach and reattach the same. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having a casing, depilating and epilating heads simultaneously fixed to the casing, and a handle which covers one of the depilating and epilating heads while providing power to the other one of the depilating and epilating heads. 
     It is still yet further another object of the present invention to provide a dual ended hair remover having a casing, depilating and epilating heads simultaneously fixed to the casing, and a handle which covers one of the depilating and epilating heads while providing power to the other one of the depilating and epilating heads, wherein the casing has a motor for driving the depilating and epilating heads, and a coupling unit to disengage the one of the depilating and epilating heads covered by the handle while engaging the motor and the one of the depilating and epilating heads which is not covered by the handle. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     The above objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a dual ended hair remover to remove hairs from skin of a user, comprising a casing having first and second ends opposite each other, an epilating head mounted on the first end, to pluck the hairs from the skin of the user, and a depilating head mounted on the second end, to cut the hairs from the skin of the user. 
     The above and other objects are further achieved by providing a dual ended hair remover to remove hairs from skin of a user, comprising a casing having first and second ends opposite each other, an epilating head mounted on the casing, to pluck the hairs from the skin of the user, a depilating head mounted on the casing, to cut the hairs from the skin of the user, and a handle to alternately cover the epilating head and enable driving of the depilating head, and cover the depilating head and enable driving of the epilating head. The above and other objects are still further achieved by providing a dual ended hair remover to remove hairs from skin of a user, comprising a casing having first and second ends opposite each other, an epilating head mounted on the casing, to pluck the hairs from the skin of the user, a depilating head mounted on the casing, to cut the hairs from the skin of the user, and a handle to alternately cover the epilating head and enable driving of the depilating head without enabling driving of the epilating head, and cover the depilating head and enable driving of the epilating head without enabling driving of the depilating head. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a dual ended hair remover having a handle being attached to one end of a casing so as to cover an epilating unit and attached to the other end of the casing so as to cover a depilating unit, respectively; 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B show a plan view and a perspective view of an internal mechanical configuration of the casing according to the first embodiment; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B show electrical circuitry of the dual ended hair remover when the handle is attached to one end and the other end of the casing, respectively, according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A through 4D show various views of contacts exposed externally from the casing and terminals of the handle which contact the contacts of the casing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A through 5D are various views of the internal electrical system according to the first embodiment of the present invention using a two-contact AC system; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B show a plan view and a perspective view of an internal mechanical configuration of the casing, respectively, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B show a plan view and a perspective view of an internal mechanical configuration of the casing, respectively, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B show a plan view and a perspective view of an internal mechanical configuration of the casing, respectively, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B show a coupling unit having a coupler at first and second positions, to selectively drive an epilating head and a depilating head, respectively, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 shows a plan view of rotary gears and the coupler according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B show a cross-sectional view of the coupler at the first and second positions, respectively, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the coupler according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 shows a coupling mechanism to move the coupler between the first and second positions according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 shows the coupling mechanism along with the coupler and attached to the handle according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an in-depth view of the coupler and the coupling mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 shows a coupling mechanism for driving the coupler between the first and second positions in a second aspect according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 17A and 17B show the internal electrical circuiting of a casing based upon whether a handle is attached to a first end or a second end of the casing, respectively, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 18A through 18C are various views of contacts externally exposed from the casing and terminals of the handle according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 19A through 19C are various views of the internal mechanical configuration and internal electrical circuitry of the casing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B show the internal circuitry of a casing using a four-contact AC system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 21A through 21C show various views of the contacts of the casing and terminals of the handle according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 22A and 22B show a plan view and a perspective view of the internal mechanical configuration of a casing according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 23A and 23B show the internal circuitry based upon whether a handle is attached to one end or the other end of the casing, respectively, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the internal mechanical configuration and internal electrical circuitry of the casing according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a dual ended hair remover in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The dual ended hair remover  10  has a casing  12 , an epilating head attached to one (a first) end of the casing and a depilating head (shaving unit) attached to the other (second) end of the casing  12 . A pair of contacts  18  are exposed at respective opposite sides of the casing  12 , in between the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 . An on/off switch  17  extends from a middle of one of the surfaces of the casing  12  to control power to the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 . 
     A handle  20  fits over either of the ends of the casing  12 , selectively covering the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 . A pair of terminals  22  are thin strips of metal extending in opposite directions from a power receptacle  24 . The terminals  22  run along opposite sides of inner walls of the handle  20 . 
     FIG. 1A shows the handle  20  about to be placed over (attached to) the first end of the casing  12  so as to cover the epilating head  14 , and FIG. 1B shows the handle  20  about to be placed over (attached to) the other end of the casing  20  so as to cover the depilating head  16 . 
     Regardless of whether the handle is placed over the first end or the second end of the casing  12 , the terminals  22  respectively come into contact with the contacts  18  to provide electrical power to the contacts  18 . 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show a plan view and a perspective view of the interior mechanical configuration region of the casing  12 . A motor  26  is positioned near a center of the interior of the casing  12 . First and second axles  30 ,  32  extend from opposite sides of the motor  26 , the first axle  30  having an axis pointing toward the epilating head  14  and the second axle  32  having an axis of rotation directed toward the depilating head  16 . When the handle  20  is placed over the epilating head  14  or the depilating head  16 , the terminals  22  respectively come into contact with the contacts  18 , thereby providing power to the contacts  18 . The contacts  18  provide power to the motor  26  (see description of the electrical circuitry below), thereby causing the first and second axles  30 ,  32  to rotate. 
     A rotary gear  34  is affixed to the end of the axle  30  and is concentric thereto. A rotary gear  36  is permanently engaged with the rotary gear  34 , has an axis of rotation parallel to that of the rotary gear  34 , and has teeth  38  extending from the surface of the rotary gear  36  facing away from the motor  26 . A rotary gear  40  is positioned at a right angle to the rotary gears  34  and  36 , and permanently engages the teeth  38  of the rotary gear  36 . A rotary gear  42  is affixed to an end of an axle  44  of the epilating head  14 . Grippers  46  are formed at the periphery of an epilating cylinder  48  of the epilating head  14 . 
     When the first axle  30  is driven by the motor  26 , the rotary gear  34  is rotated, thereby rotating the rotary gear  36  and the teeth  38 . The rotation of the teeth  38  causes the rotary gear  40  to rotate at a 90° angle relative to the rotary gear  36 , thereby causing the rotary gear  42  to rotate. The rotation of the rotary gear  42  causes the axle  44  of the epilating cylinder  48  to rotate, thereby causing the grippers  46  to open and close, so as to pluck hairs from the skin of a user. 
     The motor  26  simultaneously drives the second axle  32 , thereby causing a shaving element  50  to reciprocate back and forth relative to a fixed element  52 . The reciprocation of the shaving element  50  relative to the fixed element  52  causes hair extending from the surface of the skin of the user between the shaving element  50  and the fixed element  52  to be cut. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B show a first situation wherein the handle  20  covers the epilating head  14 , and a second situation wherein the handle  20  covers the depilating head  16 , respectively. The contacts  18  are connected to two opposite points of a regulator (a wheatstone bridge)  54  and positive and negative poles  56 ,  58  of the motor  26  are connected to other opposite points of the regulator  54 . A transformer  60  which is part of an external adapter (not shown) converts a 230V-110VAC from a wall socket  62  to 3V-18VAC which is transmitted through the power receptacle  24  to the terminals  22 . When the handle  20  is placed over the first end to cover the epilating head  14  or the second end to cover the depilating head  16 , power is supplied through the terminals  22  to the contacts  18 , and subsequently to the motor  26  through the regulator  54  and the positive and negative poles  56 ,  58  of the motor  26 . 
     As a result of this two-contact AC system, the electrical system forms an adapter which converts AC current to DC current inside the casing  12 , so that there is no importance placed on the polarity of the contacts  18 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B show a perspective view and a plan view of the dual ended hair remover  10  having the two-contact AC system, respectively, shown in FIGS. 1A through 3B. FIG. 4C shows the electrical contacts  22  respectively in contact with the contacts  18  when the handle  20  (the external portion of the handle  20  not being shown herein) is placed over the first end of the casing  12  to cover the epilating head  14 . FIG. 4D shows the terminals  22  in contact with the contacts  18 , respectively, when the handle  20  (the external portion of the handle  20  not being shown herein) is attached over the second end of the casing  12  to cover the depilating head  16 . 
     FIGS. 5A through 5D show various views of the internal electrical circuitry for the two contact AC power system shown in FIGS. 3A through 4D. FIG. 5A shows a front perspective view of the electrical circuitry, FIG. 5B shows a back perspective view of the electrical circuitry, FIG. 5C shows the terminals  22  of the handle  20  (not shown in this drawing) contacting the respective contacts  18  when the handle  20  is mounted at one end of the casing  12  to cover the epilating head  14 , and FIG. 5D shows the terminals  22  in contact with the respective contacts  18  when the handle  20  (not shown in this drawing) is mounted on the other end of the casing  12  to cover the depilating head  16 . 
     A printed circuit board (PCB)  21  has two diodes  23  and a switch  25  mounted thereon. The PCB  21  receives AC current from the contacts  18  which are supplied from the terminals  22  (see FIGS.  5 C and  5 D). 
     FIG. 5B shows wires  27  that conduct the AC current from the contacts  18  from both sides to the rectifier  54  shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and then the DC direct current is supplied to the positive and negative leads (motor poles)  56 ,  58  of the motor  26 . 
     A variety of other mechanical configurations and electrical circuitries may be adapted for use in the present invention, some of which are explained below. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B show a plan view and a perspective view of the internal mechanical configuration of the casing  12  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical elements and operation of the mechanical elements are substantially the same as the internal mechanical elements shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B with the following exceptions. 
     Instead of the second axle  32  extending from the opposite side of the motor  26  to that of the first axle  30  to reciprocatingly drive the shaving element  50 , a second axle  66  is attached to the rotary gear  36  so as to extend parallel to the first axle  30  alongside the motor  26  and past the motor  26 . The end of the second axle  66  opposite the rotary gear  36  is attached to the shaving element  50 . When the motor  26  is driven, the first axle  30  rotates, thereby rotating the rotary gear  36 . As a result of rotation of the rotary gear  34 , the rotary gear  36  rotates, thereby rotating the second axle  66 , to cause the reciprocating movement of the shaving element  50  relative to the fixed element  16 . As a result, hair positioned between the shaving element  50  and the fixed element  52  is cut, as in the first embodiment. The epilating cylinder  48  is driven simultaneously with the shaving element  50 , with either the epilating head  14  or the depilating head  16  being covered by the handle  20 . 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B show a plan view and a perspective view of the internal mechanical portion of the casing  12  for driving the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, instead of the motor extending in a lengthwise direction of the casing  12  in a direction from the epilating head  14  to the depilating head  16 , the motor is rotated 90° from that of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A through 5B. In this third embodiment, the motor  26  extends in a direction from one side of the casing  12  to the other side, and not in a direction from one end to the other. A bracket  78  is fixed within the casing  12 . The motor  26  is mounted in the bracket  78  and is movable between a position A and a position B. The mounting of the handle  20  on the epilating head  14  or the depilating head  16  or a switch in the interior of the handle  12  based upon the mounting of the handle  12  on the epilating head  14  or the depilating head  16  may be used to move the motor between the positions A and B. The first axle  30  extends from one side of the motor  26  and is rotated in conjunction with the driving of the motor  26 . The rotary gear  34  is coaxial with and placed at the end of the first axle  30 . 
     A rotary gear  38  has an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary gear  34  and is positioned at a right angle relative to a rotary gear  70 . A rotary gear  70  has teeth  72  extending from a surface thereof to permanently engage with the rotary gear  68 . The rotary gear  70  is connected to the shaving element  50 . A rotary gear  74  has an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of rotary gear  34 , and is permanently engaged with a rotary gear  76 . The rotary gear  76  is permanently engaged with the rotary gear  40 . 
     In the position A (when the handle  20  is mounted over the epilating head  14 ), the rotary gear  34  attached to the first axle  30  engages with the rotary gear  68 , and is disengaged from the rotary gear  74 . The rotation of the rotary gear  34  causes the rotary gears  68  to rotate, thereby causing the rotary gear  70  to rotate through the interaction of the teeth  72  with the rotary gear  68 . The rotation of the rotary gear  70  causes the shaving element  50  to move in a reciprocating motion relative to the fixed element  52  of the depilation head  16 . 
     When the motor  26  is in the position B (when the handle  20  is mounted over the depilating head  16 ), the rotary gear  36  engages the rotary gear  74 , and is disengaged from the rotary gear  68 . The rotation of the rotary gear  34  causes the rotation of the rotary gears  74 ,  76 ,  40 , and  42 , thereby causing rotation of the epilating cylinder  48 . As a result, the grippers  46  open and close to pull the hair, positioned between the grippers, from the skin of the user. 
     The two contact system shown in FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  3 A through  4 B may be used to power the motor  26 . 
     In the third embodiment, because the motor  26  is movable between the positions A and B, it is possible to selectively drive the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 , only when necessary. Therefore, if the epilating head  14  is covered by the handle  20 , only the depilating head  16  need be driven. If the depilating head  16  is covered by the handle  20 , only the epilating head  14  need be driven. Such a configuration saves power by not simultaneously driving both the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16  while only one head is being used while the other one is covered. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B show a plan view and a perspective view of the internal mechanical configuration and operation of the casing  12 , respectively, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Many of the mechanical parts are very similar to those shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, except there are distinctions to enable selective driving of the epilation head  14  and the depilation head  16  as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Like the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the rotary gear  34  is currently engaged with the rotary gear  36 . However, instead of the rotary gear  36  having teeth extending from a surface thereof, another rotary gear  80  is adjacent to the rotary gear  36 , but may or may not rotate based upon the rotation of the rotary gear  36 . The rotary gear  80  has teeth extending from a surface thereof in a direction toward the epilating head  14 . Further, the rotary gear  80  has a hole in the middle and protrusions  84  at a periphery of the hole and extending from the same surface as the teeth at 90° intervals. The second axle  66 , unlike in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, extends beyond the rotary gear  36  and through the hole of the rotary gear  80 . A spline  90  is fixedly formed at the end of the axle  66  and has slots  92  formed at 90° intervals. A coupler  86  having protrusions  88  is selectively moved linearly to either engage the protrusions  84  or the slots  92  of the spline  90 . FIGS. 9A and 9B show a more detailed perspective view of the coupler  86  engaging the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80  and the slots  92  of the spline  90 , respectively. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the rotary gear  34  engaged with the rotary gear  36 , and the rotary gear  80  and the coupler  86  positioned above the rotary gear  36 . FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the coupling unit shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, respectively. FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the coupling unit shown in FIGS. 9A through 11B. 
     In FIGS. 9A and 11A, the coupler has been moved into a first position so that recesses  94  formed therein to correspond with the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80  are engaged by the protrusions  84 . A description of the how the coupling moves between the first and second positions will be described later in the specification. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the rotary gear  36  has a thickened region  96  extending therefrom and through the hole of the rotary gear  80 . The thickened region  96  is coaxial with the second axle  66 , and has slots  98  formed at 90° relative to each other and extending along the lengthwise direction of the second axle  66 . The protrusions  88  of the coupler  86  are slidable within the slots  98  of the thickened region  96 , and as the rotary gear  36  and the thickened region  96  rotate, the coupler  86  is rotated through the interaction of the protrusions  88  and the slots  98 . 
     A description of the mechanical operation according to the fourth embodiment when the coupler  86  is in the first position will now be described. As the motor  26  is driven, the axle  30  rotates the rotary gear  34  so that the rotary gear  36  is rotated. The rotation of the rotary gear  36  causes the thickened region  96  to rotate so that the coupler  86  rotates through the interaction between the slots  98  and the protrusions  88 . The interaction between the engagement of the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80  and the recesses  94  of the coupler  86  cause the rotary gear  80  to rotate. Because the teeth  82  of the rotary gear  80  are permanently engaged with the rotary gear  40 , the rotary gear  40  is rotated, thereby rotating the rotary gear  42 . As a result, the axle  44  is rotated, to thereby rotate the epilating cylinder  48 , which in turn causes the grippers  46  to rotate and open and close. Based upon the rotation and opening and closing of the grippers  46 , the hairs from the skin of the user are plucked, to accomplish the epilation function. FIGS. 9B and 11B show when the coupler  86  is in the second position. At this time, the recesses  94  disengage from the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80 , and the protrusions  88  engage with the slots  92  of the spline  90 . When the coupler  86  is in this second position, the protrusions  88 , which extend through the height of the coupler  86  are within both the corresponding slots  98  and the corresponding slots  92 . 
     When the motor  26  is driven, the first axle  30  rotates the rotary gear  34 , thereby rotating the rotary gear  36 . The thickened region  96  rotates in conjunction with the rotary gear  36 , thereby causing the rotation of the coupler  86  through the interaction of the engagement of the protrusions  88  within the corresponding slots  98 . Simultaneously, the protrusions  88  are at least partially engaged in the corresponding slots  92  of the spline  90 , thereby rotating the second axle  66 . The rotation of the second axle  66  causes the shaving element  50  to move in the reciprocating motion relative to the fixed element  52 , thereby cutting the hairs from the skin of the user which are positioned between the sharing element  50  and the fixed element  52 . 
     FIGS. 13 through 15 show a coupling mechanism for moving the coupler  86  between the first and second positions. FIG. 13 shows a fork  100  which is connected at one end to the coupler  86  so that a portion of the fork  100  goes around part of the periphery of the coupler  86 . The other end of the fork  100  is fixed to a lever mechanism  102  which extends perpendicularly from the bottom surface (see FIG. 12) of the fork  100 . The lever mechanism  102  includes an H-shaped bracket having a protrusion  107  fixed to an interior portion of the casing  12  so that the H-shaped bracket  109  is rotatable about an axis of the cylindrical protrusion  107 . A cylindrical piece  103  is fixed in between one of the gaps of the H-shaped bracket  109  at one end and to the fork  100  at the other end thereof. A T-shaped arm  105  has one end fixed to the other gap in the H-shaped bracket  109 . FIG. 14 shows the coupler  86 , the fork  100  and the lever mechanism  102  (which are in the interior part of the casing  12 ) which are pushed in one direction by the handle  20  when the handle  20  is mounted on the casing  12 . When the handle  20  is inserted over one end of the casing  12  to cover the epilating head  14 , the T-shaped arm  105  is moved downward (in FIGS.  13  through  15 ), the H-shaped bracket  109  is rotated clockwise about the cylindrical protrusion  107  and the cylindrical piece  103  is pushed upward, thereby pushing the fork and coupler upward to the first position to engine the spline  90 . When the handle  20  is removed from the casing  12  and inserted over the other end of the casing  12  to cover the depilation  16 , the T-shaped arm  105  is moved upward, thereby causing the H-shaped bracket  109  to rotate counterclockwise about the cylindrical protrusion  107 . As a result, the cylindrical piece  103  is pulled downward, thereby moving the fork  100  and the coupler  86  downward to the first position. Then, the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80  engage the recesses  94  of the coupler  86 . A more detailed view of the interaction between the lever mechanism  102  and the fork  100  is shown in FIG.  15 . The handle  20  contacts the lever mechanism  102  through a track in the casing  12 . When the handle  20  is inserted over one end of the casing  12  to cover the epilating head  14 , the lever mechanism  102  pushes against the fork  100  to move the coupler  86  to the second position. When the handle  20  is removed from the casing  12  and inserted over the other end of the casing  12  to cover the depilation head  16 , the lever mechanism  102  pushes on the opposite side of the fork  100  to move the coupler  86 . A more detailed view of the interaction between the lever mechanism  102  and the fork  100  is shown in FIG.  15 . 
     Based upon the positioning of the handle  20 , the lever mechanism  102  pushes or pulls the fork  100  to selectively move the coupler  86  to the first and second positions, thereby selectively driving the one of the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16  which is positioned at the opposite end of the casing  12  from which the handle  20  is mounted. Therefore, when the handle  20  covers the epilating head  14 , the depilating head  16  is driven by the coupler  86  being positioned at the second position, whereas when the handle  20  covers the depilating head  16 , the epilating head  14  is driven by the movement by the coupler  86  to the first position. 
     Another possible coupling mechanism for moving the coupler  86  between the first and second positions to alternately engage the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16  is shown in FIG. 16 according to another aspect of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A spring  104  biases the lever mechanism  102  so that the fork  100  is in either the first or second position, and as shown in the drawing, biases the lever mechanism  102  so that the fork  100  is in the second position so that the protrusions  88  engage the slots  92  of the spline  90 . When the handle  20  is mounted on the depilating head  16 , the handle  20  moves the lever mechanism  102  to push down on the fork  100 , thereby moving the coupler  86  to the first position against the bias of the spring  104 . As a result, the coupler  86  disengages from the spline  90  and the recesses  94  of the coupler  86  are engaged by the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80 . When the handle  20  is removed from the depilating head  16 , the coupler  86  is moved back to the second position through the bias of the spring  104 . 
     Based upon the two aspects described above regarding the movement of the coupler  86  between the first and second positions, it is possible to alternately engage the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 , so that only one head is operating at a given time. As are result, power is conserved, and wear and tear on the epilating and depilating heads  14 ,  16  are minimized. 
     Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there are any number of different ways to move the coupler  86  between the first and second positions to selectively engage the splines  90  and the protrusions  84  of the rotary gear  80 . 
     FIGS. 17A through 19C show another electrical system for supplying power to the motor  26  using a three-contact AC system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the three-contact AC system, the transfer of current is performed by an adapter within a casing  112 , wherein there are three contacts instead of two. FIGS. 17A and 17B show the internal schematic drawings of the power electrical system of the dual ended hair remover when the handle  20  is attached to one end of the casing  112  which covers the epilating head  14  and when the handle is connected to the other end of the casing  112  to cover the depilating head  16 . As shown in FIGS. 18A through 18C, the casing  112  differs from the casing  12  in that there are three contacts  114 ,  116  and  118  which are exposed externally from the casing  112 . The handle  20 , instead of having terminals  22  extending along the inner peripheries of opposite sides of the handle  20 , has terminals  122 ,  124  extending along an inner surface of the back of the handle  20 . 
     The central contact  116  has a positive polarity, while the outside contacts  114 ,  118  have a negative polarity and are connected together. The central contact  116  is connected to one end of the rectifier  54 , whereas the outside contacts  114  and  118  are connected to the other end of the rectifier  54 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 17A and 18B, when the handle  20  is attached at one end of the casing  112  to cover the epilating head  14 , the terminal  124  contacts the center contact  116  and the terminal  122  contacts the outer contact  114 . As shown in FIGS. 17B,  18 C and  19 B, when the handle  20  is attached to the other end of the casing  112  so as to cover the depilating head  16 , the terminal  124  contacts the center contact  116  and the terminal  122  contacts the outer lead  118 . 
     FIG. 19C shows a closeup of FIG. 19B, and shows a conductor  126  of the motor  26  having a minus polarity, a conductor  128  having a positive polarity, and a conductor  130  of the motor  26  having a negative polarity. A wire  132  connects the conductors  126 ,  130  to the negative terminal  58  of the motor  26 . A wire  134  connects the conductor  128  with a switch  136 . A wire  138  connects the switch  136  to the positive lead  56  of the motor. 
     Regardless of at which end of the casing  12  the handle  20  attaches, the terminal  124  contacts the positive conductor  128 , and the terminal  122  contacts either of the negative conductors  126 ,  130 . 
     Although FIGS. 19A through 19C show a mechanical configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, other mechanical configurations such as those shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and  6 A and  6 B may be used with the three-contact AC power systems. 
     FIGS. 20A through 21C show a four-contact AC power electrical system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The casing  212  as shown in FIGS. 21A through 21C differs from casings  12 ,  112  in that there are four contacts  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220  which are externally exposed from the casing  212 . The terminals  122 ,  124  of the handle  20  contact either the contacts  214 ,  216  or contacts  218 ,  220 , depending upon which end of the casing  212  at which the handle  20  attaches. 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B show that there are two separate contact systems which are combined within the casing  212 . The rectifier  54  provides DC power from the terminals  122 ,  124  to the contacts  214 ,  216  or the contacts  218 ,  220 . The rectifier  54  is in an outside adapter (not shown) external to the dual ended hair remover  10 . 
     As one can see, there are numerous power electrical circuits which may drive the motor to operate the epilating head  14  and the depilating head  16 . The three-contact or four-contact AC system according to the fifth and sixth embodiments may be used in any of the first through fourth embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there may be other power electrical systems which would properly operate the motor  26 . 
     FIGS. 22A and 22B show a plan view and a perspective view of internal mechanical configuration for the casing  12  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, there is a second motor  226  in addition to the first motor  26 . The configuration of the rotary gears  34 ,  74 ,  76 ,  40  and  42  in relation to powering the epilating head  14  is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, with the exception that the motor  26  is not movable within the casing  12 . Thus, the motor  26  is used only to drive the epilating head  14 , and not the depilating head  16 . 
     The second motor  226  is positioned perpendicular to the motor  26 , and has an axle  228  which is connected to the moving element  50  of the depilating head  16  so as to move the moving element  50  in a reciprocating motion relative to the fixed element  52 , as in the other embodiments of the invention. 
     FIGS. 23A and 23B are schematic electrical diagrams of the power electrical circuitry for driving the motors  26 ,  226 . FIG. 24 shows the internal mechanical configuration of the casing  212  which has the contacts  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220  as in the sixth embodiment. The difference is that the contact  214  is connected to the negative pole  56  of the motor  26  and the contact  216  is connected to the switch  136 . The contact  218  is connected to the negative pole  56  of the motor  226  and the contact  220  is connected to the switch  136 . The positive and negative poles of the second motor  226  are  256 ,  258 , respectively. The rectifier  54  is part of an outside adapter external to the dual ended hair remover  10 . 
     Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: 1