Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to hair combs that include one or more razors for cutting hair, and more particularly, to hair cutting combs with a t-top member for retaining the razors during use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hair tools are known that can both comb and cut hair. Generally, such hair tools include comb teeth for combing hair in a conventional manner. The hair tools also include a razor for cutting hair. Despite their usefulness, conventional hair tools are typically difficult and expensive to manufacture, and can be unsafe for end users. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide improved hair cutting combs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to hair cutting combs with a t-top member for retaining one or more razors during use. Hair cutting combs made according to some embodiments of the present invention are more cost-efficient to manufacture and safer for end users. 
     In an aspect, a hair tool is provided that includes a first member for housing at least one razor and a second member formed generally in the shape of the letter “T”. The second member may be configured for matable attachment to the first member to resist ejection of the at least one razor from the first member. 
     In some embodiments, the first member may include comb teeth oriented substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the first member. For example, the razor may extend from within a cavity of the first member to within the comb teeth. The razor may be exposed between at least two neighboring ones of the comb teeth to effect hair cutting. In some embodiments, a block out is provided between at least two neighboring comb teeth to prevent exposure of the razor and cutting of hair. 
     In some embodiments, the first member may include at least one component (e.g., a male or female member) configured for slidable engagement with a complimentary component of the second member. This may allow relative movement between the first and second members, for example, from a first state in which the first member and the second member are fully attached to a second state in which the first member and the second member are fully detached. 
     In still other embodiments, the second member may include a grip (e.g., one or more raised edges). The grip may facilitate an application of force by an end user that causes sliding of the second member relative to the first member. 
     In another aspect, a hair cutting comb is provided that includes a body member and a top member. The body member may include a hair tool with comb teeth extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the body member. The body member may also form a cavity that is configured to receive at least one razor (e.g., two razors) via insertion of the at least one razor into an end of the body member in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The at least one razor may extend from an interior of the body member to within the comb teeth, such that at least a portion of the razor is exposed between at least two neighboring ones of the teeth. The body member may additionally form a channel that spans at least a substantial portion of the comb teeth and that is configured to receive the top member. The top member may include a first portion configured to cover the end of the body member. The top member may additionally include a second portion configured for slidable engagement with the channel of the body member, from a first state in which the first portion of the top member covers the end of the body member to a second state in which the first portion does not cover the end of the body member. 
     In some embodiments, the body member may include a second hair tool with comb teeth that extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body member. The comb teeth of the first hair tool and the comb teeth of the second hair tool may extend in opposite directions. In some embodiments, the first hair tool and the second hair tool may be a single, integral component (e.g., formed from plastic). 
     In some embodiments, the first portion of the top member may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the second portion of the top member. In some embodiments, the top member may additionally include a grip. The first portion, the second portion, and the grip of the top member may be a single, integral component (e.g., formed from plastic). 
     In still other embodiments, the body member may include an elongate portion positioned below the hair tool along the longitudinal axis of the body member. The elongate portion may be a comb or a twisted handle. 
     In some embodiments, the body member may be configured to receive two, single-edged razors or one, double-edged razor. The razors may be make from metal and may comprise chromium tips. 
     In some embodiments, the body member may be configured to permit passage of the at least one razor partially but not all the way to the bottom of the cavity. Thus, in the second state in which the top member does not cover the end of the body member, this may cause a gap to be exposed between the bottom of the at least one razor and the bottom of the channel. The at least one razor can be ejected from the cavity of the body member by inserting a tool (e.g., a screwdriver or an edge of the t-top member after it is detached from the body member) into the gap and applying an upward force to the bottom of the at least one razor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, including the various objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a hair cutting comb with a t-top member, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, top view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, top view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1  after detachment of the t-top member; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged, top view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1  after detachment of the t-top member and removal of the razors; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, front view of the hair cutting comb of  FIG. 1  after detachment of the t-top member; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, front view of the t-top member of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged, front view of a razor in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a hair cutting comb  100  according to some embodiments of the present invention. Cutting comb  100  includes member  102  generally in the shape of the letter “T” (also referred to herein as a t-top member), body member  104 , and razors  106  and  108 . Body member  104  includes comb  110  and hair tools  112  and  114 . Comb  110  is connected to hair tools  112  and  114  by neck  116 . The blades of razors  106  and  108  extend outwardly from a cavity of body member  104  to within the comb teeth of hair tools  112  and  114 , respectively. The exposure of the blades between the comb teeth provides a hair cutting capability. However, the positioning of the razors within the comb teeth and the separation of the comb teeth may guard against the cutting of larger objects such as the fingers of an end user. 
     In some embodiments, the blades of razors  106  and  108  may extend only a portion (e.g., one third) of the way through the comb teeth. In some embodiments, one or both of hair tools  112  and  114  may include block outs  118  between the comb teeth, for example, in an alternating arrangement so that only alternating portions of hair is cut. In other embodiments, one of hair tools  112  and  114  may be a regular comb (e.g., similar to comb  110 ), a brush, or other hair tool. The comb teeth of hair tool  112  may extend toward the left side of cutting comb  100 , whereas the comb teeth of hair tool  114  may extend toward the right side of cutting comb  100 , or vice versa. The number and spacing of the comb teeth in  FIG. 1  are only illustrative and modifications are fully contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows a back view of cutting comb  100 .  FIG. 3  shows a right side view of cutting comb  100 .  FIG. 4  shows a left side view of cutting comb  100 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , t-top member  102  may be configured for attachment to and disconnection from body member  104 . Detachment of t-top member  102  from body member  104  may expose a cavity of body member  104  configured to receive razors  106  and  108 . Attachment of t-top member  102  to body member  104  may prevent razors  106  and  108  from ejecting from the cavity during use of cutting comb  100 . T-top member  102  may include portion  120  that forms the top of cutting comb  100 , and portion  122  which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to an axis of top portion  118 . Portion  122  of t-top member  102  may be configured for slidable engagement and disengagement with body member  104 . More specifically, in some embodiments, portion  122  may be insertable to, and removable from, a complimentary channel or other recess formed in body member  104 . T-top member  102  (e.g., portion  122 ) may include one or more raised edges  124  and/or another grip mechanism to facilitate insertion and removal of member  102  to and from body member  104 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , t-top member  102  includes an elongate portion  122  that extends along the entire length of hair tools  112  and  114  in a direction (i.e., along a longitudinal axis of body member  104 ) that is perpendicular to the comb teeth of portions  112  and  114 . In other embodiments, portion  122  and the corresponding channel of body member  104  may be longer or shorter than the length of hair tool portions  112  and  114 , and/or may have a different angular orientation relative to the comb teeth of portions  112  and  114 . In some embodiments, portion  122  and the corresponding channel of body member  104  may span at least a substantial portion of the comb teeth (e.g., more than 1 comb tooth). 
     Hair cutting comb  100  and its various components may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. In one embodiment, t-top member  102  (including top portion  120 , elongate portion  122 , and/or grip portion  124 ) may be a single, integral component made from, for example, plastic. Body member  104  (including comb  110 , hair tool portion  112 , hair tool portion  114 , neck  116 , and/or block out(s)  118 ) may also be a single, integral component made from, for example, the same or a different plastic. This two-piece construction may simplify the manufacturing process significantly. Razors  106  and  108  may be made from, for example, metal. In other embodiments, all or substantially all of the components of cutting comb  100  may be made from metal. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged, top view of hair cutting comb  100 . Referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 5 , top portion  120  of t-top member  102  mates with adjacent surfaces of body member  104 , and more specifically, the top portions of hair tools  112  and  114 . 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged, top view of cutting comb  100  after detachment of t-top member  102  from body member  104 . As shown, detachment of t-top member  102  exposes the cavity of body member  104  configured to receive razors  106  and  108 . 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged, top view of cutting comb  100  after detachment of t-top member  102  and removal of razors  106  and  108  from the cavity of body member  104 . The interior surfaces of body member  104  form opposed female members  702  and  704  (e.g., slots), which are configured to receive corresponding male members of t-top portion  122  (e.g., tabs). Slots  702  and  704  may span at least a portion (e.g., all or substantially all) of the channel of body member  104  that is configured to receive portion t-top portion  122 . The interior surfaces of body member  104  also form recesses  706  that are configured to receive tabs of t-top portion  120 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, front view of cutting comb  100  after detachment of the t-top member  102  from body member  104 . As shown, removal of t-top member  102  from the channel formed in body member  104  exposes razor  108  and a portion of slot  704  ( FIG. 7 ) formed by the interior of body member  104 . In this embodiment, slot  704  does not extend along the top-most portion of the channel, and thus the top-most portion of razor  106  is also exposed. Removal of t-top member  102  from body member  104  also exposes gap  802  between the bottom of razors  106  and  108  and the bottom of the channel. This gap can be utilized to eject razors  106  and/or  108  from the cavity of body member  104 . More specifically, whereas the comb teeth positioned above comb teeth  804  and  806  may have slots formed internally therein to permit passage of the blades razors  106  and  108  (see  FIG. 6 ), comb teeth  804  and  806  (e.g., the bottom-most comb teeth of hair tool portions  112  and  114 ) may be configured to prevent passage of razors  106  and  108  any further down the cavity of body member  104 . Thus, gap  802  may span the distance from at or about teeth  804  and  806  (which may be located at the same vertical position) to the bottom of the channel formed in body member  104 . Razors  106  and/or  108  can be ejected from the cavity of body member  104  by inserting a tool (e.g., a screwdriver or an edge of t-top member  102  once member  102  is slid upwardly relative to body member  104 ) into gap  802  and applying an upward force to the bottom of the razor(s). 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged, front view of t-top member  102 . T-top member  102  may include tabs  902  and  904  configured for receipt within slots  704  and  702 , respectively, formed by the interior of body member  104  ( FIG. 7 ). T-top member  102  may also include tabs  906  configured for receipt within recesses  706  ( FIG. 7 ). Other mechanisms for matably attaching t-top member  102  to body member  104  are of course possible and are fully contemplated by the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the interior surfaces of body member  104  may form at least one tab that is configured for matable attachment to a corresponding recess of t-top member  102 . 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged, front view of a razor according to some embodiments of the present invention, which includes a blunt, handle portion  1002  and a blade portion  1004 . In some embodiments, blade portion  1004  may be chromium-tipped. The razor may be made from any other suitable material or combination of materials. One or two razors may be used within the cutting comb assembly of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, one, double-edged razor may be provided that is configured for receipt within the cavity of body member  104  and for use by hair tools  112  and  114 . 
     Thus it is seen that a hair cutting comb with a detachable t-top member is provided. Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims, which follow. In particular, it is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, in some embodiments, comb  110  ( FIG. 1 ) may be replaced with the twisted handle described in commonly-owned U.S. Design Pat. No. D489,488, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the following claims. The claims presented are representative of the inventions disclosed herein. Other, unclaimed inventions are also contemplated. The applicant reserves the right to pursue such inventions in later claims.

Technology Category: a