IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

An International Application for a:

COMB

Invented by:

Simon Ghoorchian

Related Application

This application claims the benefit of priority from United States Application Serial No. 11/538,036 filed October 2, 2006.

Technical Field

This application relates generally to the field of devices that are used for cutting hair. More specifically, this application relates to a comb with various features that allow a user to cut hair in a more precise manner.

Background Art

This application relates generally to a hairstyling or barber's comb. Hairstylist, barbers, and individuals utilize a comb to more effectively cut hair. This is true whether the user employs scissors, an electric trimmer, or manual trimmer. As used herein, the word "trimmer," whether manual or electric is the same as what is also commonly referred to as a "clipper." Generally a comb is utilized to draw up the hair into the user' s hand before making the cut. A comb is also utilized to determine the proper length or angle to cut the hair. However, due to the nature of cutting hair, it is difficult for a user to determine if a given cut is at the proper angle or at the proper

length. There are also specific cuts during a typical haircut that are difficult for a user to make because the hair is too short for the user to hold with their hands.

Therefore, there is a need for a comb that would assist a user in determining whether a given cut was at the proper length and angle so that the overall haircut is done more efficiently and accurately. For specific cuts involving short hair, it would also be desirable if the comb was able to hold the hair in place during the cut rather than the user having to use their hands. Further, it would be desirable if the comb was small, convenient, and affordable to both manufacture and for a user to purchase.

Disclosure of Invention

This application discloses a comb that is economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production, but also capable of providing a user a suitable means to efficiently and accurately cut a person's hair.

In particular, this application discloses a comb for use in cutting hair comprising an elongated body portion having a plurality of integral macroteeth extending therefrom; and, angle indicating means attached to said body for indicating the angular position of said comb wherein the angle indicating means indicates the angular position of said comb in 360°. The application further discloses additional features that can be added to the comb just described either individually or in combination. These additional features include: a measuring scale along the length of the body; a plurality of integral microteeth extending from said body at a position opposite said macroteeth; and, an extending member with a measuring scale along the length of said extending member, wherein said body further includes extending

member retaining means such that the extending member can be retained in said body and slide in and out of said body.

This application also discloses a comb for use in cutting hair comprising an elongated body portion having a plurality of integral macroteeth extending therefrom; and, a plurality of integral microteeth extending from said body at a position opposite said macroteeth. The application further discloses additional features that can be added to the comb just described either individually or in combination. These additional features include: a measuring scale along the length of said body; an extending member with a measuring scale along the length of said extending member, wherein said body further includes extending member retaining means such that the extending member can be retained in said body and slide in and out of said body; and, angle indicating means attached to said body for indicating the angular position of said comb.

This application also discloses a haircutting system comprising a device for cutting hair selected from the group consisting of scissors, electric trimmers, and manual trimmers; and, a comb comprising an elongated body portion having a plurality of integral macroteeth extending therefrom and angle indicating means attached to said body for indicating the angular position of said comb. The application further discloses additional features that can be added to the comb in the system just described either individually or in combination. These additional features include: an angle indicating means that indicates the angular position of said comb in 360°; and, a measuring scale along the length of said body.

Finally, This application discloses a haircutting system comprising a device for cutting hair selected from the group consisting of scissors, electric trimmers, and manual trimmers; and, a comb comprising an elongated body portion having a plurality of integral macroteeth extending therefrom and a plurality of integral microteeth extending from said body at a position opposite said macroteeth. The application further discloses additional features that can be added to the comb in the system just described either individually or in combination. These additional features include: angle indicating means attached to said body for indicating the angular position of said comb; angle indicating means that indicates the angular position of said comb in 360°; and, a measuring scale along the length of said body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is front plan view of a first embodiment of the comb;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the comb in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is front plan view of the elongation member shown detached from the comb in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the elongation member in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the comb in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the detail represented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is front plan view of a second embodiment of the comb;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the comb in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is front plan view of the elongation member shown detached from the comb in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the elongation member in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the comb in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the detail represented in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 13-15 show the comb in FIG. 1 in use at various representative angles and include a respective detail of each angle.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, shown therein and generally designated by the reference character 10 is the preferred embodiment of the comb 10 constructed in accordance with the following description. The comb 10 comprises an elongated body portion 11 that is preferably made out of a semi-rigid moldable material such as plastic, glass reinforced resin, ABS, and polystyrene. The body 11 includes a plurality of integral macroteeth 12 extending from the body. The macroteeth are the same shape, size and form as commonly found on standard combs. The term "macroteeth" as used herein is simply used to distinguish them from the term "microteeth" that will be described below. The body 11 may also include at least one separating tooth 29 at one end and preferably at each end of the body 11. See FIG. 1. The separating tooth 29 has is triangular in shape with an open space 30 adjacent thereto which allows the user to more easily grab the hair with this portion of the comb 10 so that it can be separated or handled, which is helpful to during the styling or cutting of the hair. The comb 10 also includes an angle indicating means 13 which allows the user to determine the angular position of the comb 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the angle indicating means 13 include a substantially circular sealed chamber 14 that is mounted in a laterally extending bore 15 in said body 11 such that it is visible from both sides of the comb 10 and is capable of indicating the angular position of the comb 10 in 360°. The chamber 14 is partially filled with any suitable liquid 16 to a level where an air bubble 17 is formed in the chamber 14. The chamber 14 further includes markings 18 that are inscribed, embossed, printed or any other suitable form upon both surfaces

of the chamber 14. The markings 18 indicate the angular position of the comb 10 when the bubble 17 reaches various locations along the substantially circular chamber 14.

The comb 10 may also include a measuring scale 19 along the length of the body 11. See FIG. 1. The scale 19 can be of any graduation of linear measurement. The scale 19 can be inscribed, embossed, printed any other suitable form upon either one or both sides of the body 11 such that the scale 19 is usable by the user during the task of measuring the length of hair, determining a particular portion on the head, or any other purpose where a measuring scale would be helpful.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the body 11 may also include an extending member 20 that can be slideably retained in the body 11 by extending member retaining means 22. The extending retaining member means 22 may include a longitudinal bore 23 formed within a portion of the body 11. The bore 23 is shaped to receive the extending member 22 and allow the member to be retained in the body. Further, means 22 allows the member 22 to be slide in and out of said body 11. The extending member 20 may include a measuring scale 19. Again, as on the body 11, the scale 19 on the member 20 can be inscribed, embossed, printed or any the other suitable form upon either one or both sides of the member 20 such that the scale 19 is usable by the user during the task of measuring the length of hair, determining a particular portion on the head, or any other purpose where a measuring scale would be helpful. The member 20 may further include a tabbed portion 21 to allow a user to grip the member when sliding the member in and out of the bore 23. The tabbed portion 21 may also

be located on the member 20 at the opposite end of the member 20 (or any place therebetween) such that the tabbed portion can extend through a channel 28 in the body 11 thereby allowing a user to extend the member 20 from the longitudinal bore

23 by sliding the tabbed portion 22 within the channel 28. See FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the body 11 may also include a plurality of integral microteeth 24 extending from said body 11 at a position opposite the macroteeth 12 the body. The microteeth 24 are substantially shorter in length than the macroteeth 12. For purposes of this description, the term "microteeth" is used to refer to teeth where the length of the teeth is within the range of approximately 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, wherein the range of approximately 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm is even more desirable, and wherein a length of approximately 3.0 mm is particularly preferred. The microteeth

24 allow the user to hold the hair against the head of the person receiving the haircut thereby bending the hair in an upwards direction away from the head which makes it easier for the user to make the desired cut.

A second embodiment of the comb 10 is shown in FIGS. 7-12. Here the comb 10 includes an angle indicating means 13 where the indicating means 13 is a traditional bubble level 25 which is well known in the art. The bubble level 25 is mounted in a laterally extending bore 15 in said body 11 such that it is visible from both sides of the comb 10. See FIG. 8. The bubble level 25 can be mounted horizontally 26 in said bore 15, at a 45° angle 27, or a combination of both as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11.

FIGS. 13-15 show examples of how a user is shown the angular position of the comb 10 through the angle indicating means 13 wherein the means shown is a substantially circular sealed chamber 14. As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the bubble 17 travels to different locations within the chamber 14, as indicated by the markings 18, in response to the changing angular position of the comb 10. The illustrations shown are for explanation purposes only, and are not meant to be exhaustive with respect to the angles shown.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Industrial Applicability

The disclosed inventions would be valuable to the hair cutting/hairstyling industry, as they would enable the more precise cutting of ones hair. Further, the inventions would provide a perfect training device for nascent hairstylist/barbers as they begin their trade. The inventions would also allow others to save on the cost of getting a hair cut, for example for one's children, as a parent would be better able to provide a hair cut for them with little to no training.