DK2766153T3

DK2766153T3 - Beard trimmer

Info

Publication number: DK2766153T3
Application number: DK12759719.3T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Pierre Julemont
Original assignee: Babyliss Faco S P R L
Priority date: 2011-10-13
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2018-05-22
Also published as: ES2663823T3; EP2766153B1; HUE038871T2; RU2607054C2; CN203062821U; EP2581180A1; CN103042544A; RU2014118190A; CN103042544B; WO2013053568A1; EP2766153A1

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer provided with means for precisely adjusting the cutting height. It also relates to a removable comb with the aforementioned adjusting means integrated therein.

Background of the invention

Beard trimmers must allow to perform short cuts, typically between 0.5 and 6 mm. It must be possible to adjust the cutting height very precisely to achieve what is called "three-day stubble".

Precision beard trimmers are generally provided with telescopic combs that substantially move along the fixed blade of the trimmer .

Such a trimmer is for example described in document WO 2008/028332, where the telescopic comb moves via the actuation of a knob provided with a slot cooperating with a cam secured to the comb.

The drawback of trimmers provided with telescopic combs is that during shaving, the cutting height may be reduced if the user inadvertently tilts the trimmer.

There are other means for adjusting the cutting height on beard trimmers. These for example comprise screw adjustment, as described in document EP 0 325 326. A knob is used to adjust the cutting height by moving a stud in a helical slot formed in the inner face of the knob. Rotating the knob thus allows the user to move the comb longitudinally, and thus to change the cutting height.

Due to the structure of the comb and sizing of the slot, the trimmer according to document EP 0 325 326 does not allow to achieve cuts with heights that are smaller than several millimeters. It is therefore not suitable for short cuts with the "three-day stubble" effect.

Document US2011/0107604 shows another trimmer of the state of the art.

Aims of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a trimmer equipped with means for precisely adjusting the cutting height.

More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a trimmer allowing to adjust the cutting height to within a tenth of a millimeter, for cutting heights of between several tenths of a millimeter and several millimeters.

The present invention further aims to provide a trimmer where the cutting height cannot be accidentally reduced during use.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer according to claim 1.

The present invention also relates to an accessory for a beard trimmer according to claim 9.

Brief description of the drawings

Figures la-ld use block diagrams to illustrate the operation of the means for adjusting the cutting height within a trimmer as in the invention. During use, a lug cooperates with a helical slot to move the comb. The lug may be positioned directly on the comb, as shown in figures la and lb, or positioned on an arm mounted on the comb, as shown in figures lc and Id.

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the trimmer as in the invention with an attached comb. For clarity purposes, the accessory is shown in the open position with the lug outside the slot of the knob.

Figures 3a-3d show three-dimensional views, from different angles, of the accessory comb designed to be mounted on the trimmer as in the invention. The accessory comb is also shown in the open position.

Figure 4 shows a profile view of the accessory comb designed to be attached on the trimmer as in the invention. The comb is shown in the open position.

Figure 5 shows a front view of the trimmer as in the invention with an integrated comb.

Figures 6a and 6b show two three-dimensional views of the trimmer as in the invention with an integrated comb. In figure 6a, the cover is removed. In figure 6b, part of the handle and of the knob have also been erased to show the position of the lug within the slot of the knob. The thick lines delimit the part that moves longitudinally during use.

Figure 7 shows an alternative of the male/female cooperation means within the trimmer as in the invention. Only the cooperation means are shown, and part of the knob has been erased to show the helical slot.

Key (1) Trimmer (2) Accessory or comb integrated into the trimmer (3) Comb (a) Upstream part, also called first part (b) Downstream part, also called second part (4) Connection point or axis connecting the two connection points (5) Holder (6) Window of the comb (7) Blade (8) Knob (9) Handle (10) Helical slot (11) Protuberance (lug, rib, stud) (12) Cylindrical portion (13) Base of the knob (14) Cavity in the comb (15) Arm (16) Outlet of the helical slot (17) Bolt

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer provided with means for precisely adjusting the cutting height.

According to the present invention, the trimmer 1 comprises an attached comb 2, also called accessory, or integrated comb, as shown in figures 2 and 5, respectively.

In figures 3a-3d, the accessory comb is shown from different angles in the open position for clarity reasons. To describe the integrated comb, reference will be made to figure 5 or to figures 6a-b.

The accessory or integrated comb 2 comprises a comb 3 tiltably mounted on a holder 5. The tilting axis passes through the connection points 4 positioned on either side of the holder. As already mentioned, the latter is designed to be mounted on the trimmer or is integrated into the trimmer.

The comb 3 is provided in two parts 3a and 3b that are separated by a window 6 allowing the passage of the blade 7 of the trimmer (see figures la-d, 3c and 6a) . A first part 3a serves as a bearing surface on the face to be shaved and allows to vary the cutting height due to its distance from the holder. A second part 3b positioned in front of the end of the blade serves as a barrier between the skin and the blade, in case the user inadvertently tilts the trimmer. The presence of this protection thus allows to avoid any accidental reduction of the cutting height during use.

The cutting height is adjusted using cooperation means allowing to convert a rotational movement into a translational movement. "Cooperation means" refer to a male-female type of means in the broadest sense. This category comprises, but is not limited to, a protuberance and a helical slot as illustrated in figures la-d, 2-4, 6a-b and 7, or any other structural assembly where at least two elements cooperate to broadly speaking convert a rotational movement into a translational movement.

According to the present invention, the user adjusts the cutting height using an annular knob 8 (cylinder) positioned on the holder 5 or on the handle 9 of the trimmer, as shown in figures 3a-d and 5, respectively. A helical slot 10 is formed in the inner face of the knob; this slot is diagrammed in figures la-ld. During use, a lug 11, also called protuberance, moves in the slot 10 when the knob is rotated. The lug 11 may be directly positioned on the comb 3 as shown in figures la and lb. It may also be positioned separated from the comb 3 and connected to the latter by means of an arm 15 as shown in figures la and Id.

In the case of an accessory comb, the lug 11 is positioned on the first part 3a of the comb across from the knob 8 positioned within the holder 5 (see figure 3b). The knob 8 rests on a base 13 on one side. On the other side, it is housed in a cavity 14 of a complementary shape that is formed in the first part 3a of the comb. During use, the movement of the lug within the slot separates the comb from the holder or brings it closer thereto. Figures la and lb show the comb with its cutting height adjusted to the minimum and maximum, respectively. In the first case, the blade 7 is situated in the window 6 and is flush with the user's skin. In the second case, the comb is substantially separated from the blade. There is also a position where the comb is tilted by more than 90° to allow cleaning of the comb. As shown in figure 3d, the helical slot 10 emerges on the edge of the wall of the knob, at the outlet 16, which allows to release the lug and thus to tilt the comb by more than 90°. This cleaning position is visible in figure 4, among others.

In the case of a comb integrated into the trimmer, the protuberance 11 is positioned on a cylindrical portion 12 inside the handle 9 (see figures 5, 6a-6b and 7) . The cylindrical portion 12 is connected to two arms 15, which in turn are connected to the comb 3. During use, rotating the knob 8 causes a longitudinal movement of the arms 15, thus bringing the comb 3 closer to or further from the holder 5. Figures lc and Id diagrammatically and respectively show the comb with cutting heights adjusted to the minimum and maximum.

According to the invention, the pitch of the helical slot can be adapted based on the required movement of the comb. The slot can extend over the entire perimeter of the knob or only part of the perimeter. Preferably, the slot is dimensioned to achieve cuts between 0.2 and 12 mm, and more preferably between 0.2 and 5 mm, with a precision to within a tenth of a millimeter.

Still according to the present invention, the holder for the comb may be movable in the case of an integrated comb. The holder of the removable comb may comprise a bolt 17 that allows it to be fixed to the trimmer (see figure 3a). Furthermore, the holder of the removable comb can include two lateral bearing surfaces allowing to unlock the bolt when the user applies pressure.

The holder can further be provided with an indexing device that allows to lock the knob in the chosen position.

In the configuration with the knob on the handle of the trimmer, the present invention also covers the alternative where the comb is detachable.

Advantages

The comb provided with a window according to the invention allows the passage of the blade and thus allows to achieve short cuts in the order of several tenths of a millimeter, unlike prior-art document EP 0 325 326.

The adjustment system according to the invention is particularly suitable for adjusting the cutting height of combs provided with a window, unlike the system of document EP 0 325 326 that is configured to produce a longitudinal movement of the comb.

Adjusting the cutting height using the cooperation means according to the invention allows a precise adjustment. Thus, one revolution of the knob, i.e., a movement of approximately 78 mm for a knob with a diameter of 25 mm, allows a separation of approximately 5 mm from the comb.

The adjustment system according to the invention coupled to a comb with a window also allows to keep the cutting height fixed during shaving. In fact, and firstly, if the user accidentally tilts the trimmer, the downstream part of the comb acts as a shield and thereby prevents the cutting height from being reduced. Furthermore, when the knob is not rotated, the protuberance cannot move in the slot, even if pressure is exerted on the comb during shaving. The movement of the comb is therefore irreversible .

The helical slot is provided with an outlet that allows the body of the comb to be released, and hence allows easy cleaning.

Claims

A beard trimmer (1) comprising: - a cutting system (7) - a cam (3) provided with a working window (6) for the cutting system (7), which cam (3) is tiltably mounted on a holder (5); a knob (8) for adjusting the cutting height; and - a means of cooperation between the knob (8) and the cam (3), which means, in use, allows a rotational movement of the knob (8) to be converted to a movement of the cam (3) relative to the holder (5); characterized in that the cooperating means comprises a helical groove (10) formed on the inside of the button (8) and a projection (11) located either on the cam (3) or on an intermediate part (12) connecting the cam (3) to said button (8).

The trimmer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (5) forms a removable accessory (2) with the cam (3) and the button (8).

Trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the helical groove (10) comprises an outlet (16) for releasing the projection (11) and allowing tilting of the cam (3).

Trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pitch of the helical groove (10) is configured to allow a setting within one tenth of a millimeter.

Trimmer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting line of the cutting system (7) is substantially in the same plane as the working window (6) when the cam (3) is adjusted to its lowest position.

Trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (5) comprises a bolt (17) which allows the detachable accessory (2) to be attached to the trimmer (1).

The trimmer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the holder (5) comprises two lateral support surfaces which allow the bolt (17) to unlock by applying a pressure.

Trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (5) comprises an indexing device which allows the button (8) to lock in a position.

A beard trimmer (1) accessory (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a cam (3) provided with a window (6) allowing a cutting system (7) abutting against the skin of the user during shaving, which comb is tiltably mounted on a holder (5), which holder is intended to be mounted on the trimmer; and - a button (8) disposed on the holder (5), which button (8) comprises a helical groove (10) on its inner surface which cooperates in use with a projection (11) located on the cam (3), which allows to convert a rotary movement of the knob (8) to a movement of the cam (3) relative to the holder (5) to adjust the cam, thereby cutting it.