EP4197720A1 - Beard trimmer with damping system for the cutting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer 1 with damping of the cutting head comprising:
- a handle 2 comprising a motor 7;
- a cutting head 5 comprising a fixed blade 3 and a movable blade 4;
- a cutting head damping system;
the damping system comprising:
- a movable fixed blade support 6 connecting the fixed blade of the cutting head to the handle, the movable fixed blade support being pivotally mounted on the handle;
- an elastic means 8 creating a return force allowing the movable support of the fixed blade to return to its rest position and to absorb the pressure of the cutting head on the skin of the user.

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer, more commonly referred to by the English term "trimmer", providing the user with better visibility when cutting, as well as improved comfort thanks to a damping of the contact between the trimmer and the skin.

More specifically, the mower of the present invention comprises a cutting head offset from the engine, offering a clear set of blades and a mechanism for suspending this cutting head, providing a better feeling for the user.

State of the art

Beard trimmers include a handle as well as a motorized cutting head. The cutting head includes a fixed blade and a movable blade, and can also be provided with a comb in order to adjust the desired cutting length. The user encounters many different bends on the face when trimming the beard, particularly at the chin and near the nose, and the quality of the cut is largely dependent on the maneuverability of the trimmer as well as visibility blades by the user during use. In general, the cutting head of state-of-the-art mowers is covered by a bulky shell that only reveals the toothed parts of the blades and does not allow the user to have a direct view of the blades when mowing.

The document WO2005122685 discloses a clipper with a cutting head and a comb arranged on a handle so as to be simultaneously movable relative to the handle, while maintaining a constant distance between the cutting unit and the comb so as not to influence the length of cut. Thus, if too much pressure is applied to the skin, the cutting unit and the comb recoil and reduce the pressure acting on the skin. However, because the distance between the comb and the cutting unit is kept constant during movement, the cutting length remains the same. In a particular example in this document, the motor is also movable and set in motion with the cutting unit and comb. This is located in the handle and is connected to the cutting unit by a "motion converter", allowing the pressure on the cutting unit to be transmitted to the motor, the latter pushing on a spring provided in the handle in order to to cushion movements on the skin. This device improves the feeling of cutting and also avoids friction of the skin by too much pressure. However, this device has the disadvantage of comprising a set of moving parts external to the handle, arranged in such a way as to make the mower cumbersome and difficult to handle, in particular in cramped places.

Aims of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a beard trimmer that does not have the drawbacks of the state of the art. It aims in particular to provide a beard trimmer with improved comfort of use thanks to its ease of handling.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mower with an unobstructed cutting head, providing better visibility of the blades by the user during use compared in particular to mowers of the state of the art. In this way, the user has a direct view of the mowing he is doing. Furthermore, the cutting head is as compact as possible, in order to respect the morphological constraints of the face in order to work at the level of the mustache for example, and the movements of the cutting head easily follow the curves of the face. The handle design is also simplified and more ergonomic.

Another goal is to provide a trimmer with a trimmer head cushioning system, allowing for improved comfort when trimming. It also allows for a better quality cut thanks to the cushioning system which corrects the differences in pressure exerted on the skin which can lead to differences in length. Thanks to the almost constant pressure applied to the skin, the cut is improved. The cushioning system also limits skin friction and unpleasant sensations related to changes in pressure on the skin.

Summary of the invention

• une poignée comprenant un moteur;
• une tête de coupe comprenant une lame fixe et une lame mobile;
• un système d'amortissement de la tête de coupe;

le système d'amortissement comprenant :

• un support mobile de lame fixe reliant la lame fixe de la tête de coupe à la poignée, le support mobile de lame fixe étant monté pivotant sur la poignée ;
• un moyen élastique créant une force de rappel permettant au support mobile de lame fixe de reprendre sa position de repos et d'amortir la pression de la tête de coupe sur la peau de l'utilisateur.

The present invention discloses a beard trimmer with dampening of the cutting head comprising:

• a handle comprising a motor;
• a cutting head comprising a fixed blade and a movable blade;
• a cutting head damping system;

the damping system comprising:

• a movable fixed blade support connecting the fixed blade of the cutting head to the handle, the movable fixed blade support being pivotally mounted on the handle;
• an elastic means creating a return force enabling the mobile support of the fixed blade to return to its rest position and to dampen the pressure of the cutting head on the skin of the user.

• le support mobile pivote autour d'un axe de rotation perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal de la tondeuse ;
• la tête de coupe est déportée de la sortie du moteur par un système de transmission ;
• la distance entre la tête de coupe et la sortie du moteur est comprise entre 40 et 70 mm, de préférence entre 50 et 60 mm ;
• le système de transmission comprend un premier siège de rotule situé à la sortie du moteur afin d'être entrainé en rotation par celui-ci, un arbre de transmission télescopique comprenant deux parties dont l'une coulisse dans l'autre, les deux extrémités dudit arbre de transmission télescopique étant sous forme de rotules, la première extrémité étant clipsée dans le premier siège de rotule et la seconde extrémité étant clipsée dans un second siège de rotule, une manivelle fixée au second siège de rotule de sorte que, en utilisation, le mouvement de rotation du premier siège de rotule est transmis à l'arbre de transmission télescopique et ensuite à la manivelle via le second siège de rotule, la manivelle transformant le mouvement de rotation transmis par le second siège de rotule en mouvement de translation à la lame mobile ;
• les première et seconde extrémités de l'arbre de transmission comprennent chacune deux tétons coïncidant avec deux fentes présentes respectivement dans le premier siège de rotule et dans le second siège de rotule afin d'éviter le mouvement vertical des première et seconde extrémités de l'arbre de transmission ;
• le support mobile de lame fixe comprend un élément d'arrêt permettant de retenir ledit support mobile de lame fixe dans la poignée afin qu'il ne dépasse pas un angle de rotation déterminé par rapport à la poignée de la tondeuse ;
• l'élément d'arrêt est un segment annulaire, coïncidant avec un rebord formé à l'intérieur de la poignée ;
• la tondeuse comprend un mécanisme de blocage de l'unité de coupe dans une ou plusieurs positions fixes ;
• le moyen élastique est un ressort ;
• la force d'amortissement du moyen élastique peut varier entre 120 et 500g ;
• la tête de coupe est amovible pour permettre le nettoyage ;
• une lame flexible est prévue pour amortir, en utilisation, le mouvement du support mobile grâce au contact de la lame flexible avec l'élément d'arrêt du support mobile.

The particular embodiments of the invention comprise at least one or an appropriate combination of the following characteristics:

• the mobile support pivots around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mower;
• the cutting head is offset from the engine output by a transmission system;
• the distance between the cutting head and the output of the motor is between 40 and 70 mm, preferably between 50 and 60 mm;
• the transmission system comprises a first ball joint seat located at the output of the engine in order to be driven in rotation by the latter, a telescopic transmission shaft comprising two parts, one of which slides inside the other, the two ends of said telescopic drive shaft being in the form of ball joints, the first end being clipped into the first ball joint seat and the second end being clipped into a second ball joint seat, a crank attached to the second ball joint seat so that, in use, the rotational movement of the first ball joint seat is transmitted to the telescopic transmission shaft and then to the crank via the second ball joint seat, the crank converting the rotational movement transmitted by the second ball joint seat into translational movement to the blade mobile ;
• the first and second ends of the transmission shaft each comprise two studs coinciding with two slots present respectively in the first ball joint seat and in the second ball joint seat in order to prevent the vertical movement of the first and second ends of the shaft transmission;
• the mobile fixed blade support comprises a stop element making it possible to retain said mobile fixed blade support in the handle so that it does not exceed a determined angle of rotation with respect to the handle of the mower;
• the stop element is an annular segment, coinciding with a rim formed inside the handle;
• the mower comprises a mechanism for locking the cutting unit in one or more fixed positions;
• the elastic means is a spring;
• the damping force of the elastic means can vary between 120 and 500g;
• the cutting head is removable to allow cleaning;
• a flexible blade is provided to dampen, in use, the movement of the mobile support thanks to the contact of the flexible blade with the stop element of the mobile support.

Brief description of figures

There figure 1 represents an example of a beard trimmer according to the invention in three dimensions and with the cutting head in the rest position, namely when the mobile support of the fixed blade is in a folded position (that is to say when the proximal part of the support is retracted as far as possible into the handle) and that the elastic means (not visible) is not tensioned. It is the pressing action of the mower on the skin by the user who exerts pressure on the cutting head, causing the rotation of the mobile support around its axis. Without pressure, the spring always returns the mobile support to its initial rest position. The proximal part of the support is then aligned with the handle.

There figure 2 represents an example of a beard trimmer according to the invention in three dimensions and with the cutting head in the working position, namely when the proximal part of the mobile support has come out of the handle and the elastic means (not visible) is placed in tension. In this case, the pressing action of the trimmer on the skin by the user exerts pressure on the cutting head, causing the rotation of the fixed blade support around its axis. The proximal part of the support then forms an angle with the handle.

There picture 3 shows a longitudinal section of the embodiment of the figure 1 .

There figure 4 shows a longitudinal section of the embodiment of the figure 2 .

There figure 5 shows a close-up view of the front part of the mower according to the picture 3 .

There figure 6 shows a close-up view of the front part of the mower according to the figure 4 .

There figure 7 represents a three-dimensional view of the figure 5 .

There figure 8 represents a three-dimensional view of the figure 6 .

There figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the connection between the cutting head and the handle, the transmission system and the elastic means being partially visible.

There figure 10 shows another three-dimensional view of the connection between the cutting head and the handle, the transmission system and the elastic means being partially visible.

There figure 11 shows a three-dimensional view of a cut in which the leaf spring is illustrated, with the cutting head in the working position.

There figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of a cut in which the leaf spring is illustrated, with the cutting head in the rest position.

Reference numbers for figures

1.

Beard trimmer or "trimmer"

2.

Handle

3.

Fixed blade

4.

Movable blade

5.

Cutting head

6.

Movable fixed blade support

7.

Engine

8.

Medium elastic (spring)

9.

Movable support rotation axis

10.

Movable support stopper

11.

Lip in the handle for the stopper

12.

transmission system

13.

Proximal part of the mobile support

14.

Distal part of the mobile support

15.

Crank

16.

First patella seat

17.

Telescopic transmission shaft

18.

First end of the driveshaft (ball joint)

19.

Second end of the driveshaft (ball joint)

20.

Second patella seat

21.

Ball stud

22.

Slot in the second ball joint seat

23.

leaf spring

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention discloses a beard trimmer 1 comprising a handle 2 and a cutting head 5. The cutting head, as shown in the figure 5 , comprises a set of blades, namely a fixed blade 3 and a movable blade 4. The movable blade is moved by a motor 7 located in the handle.

In the context of the present invention, the mower comprises a cutting head damping system. The damping system comprises a mobile fixed blade support 6 making it possible to connect the fixed blade of the cutting head to the handle, as well as an elastic means 8 as illustrated on the figure 5 And 6 . The movable fixed blade support is pivotally mounted on the handle, and allows the cutting head to tilt when the user advances the trimmer on his skin. More precisely, the mobile support pivots around an axis 9 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and the amplitude of the rotation of the mobile support varies with the pressure exerted by the skin on the cutting head. The elastic means 8, meanwhile, creates a restoring force allowing the movable support to resume its position of equilibrium and to dampen the pressure of the cutting head on the skin of the user.

More specifically, when the user places the cutting head of the trimmer in contact with the skin, pressure is exerted on the cutting head. This pressure is transmitted to the movable support of the fixed blade, which will pivot around the axis 9, putting the elastic means under tension. Depending on the pressure applied by the user on the skin, the mobile support will more or less pivot, allowing the fixed blade and therefore the entire cutting head to tilt when trimming the beard. The damping system therefore makes it possible to compensate for the movements of the user, which may be too brutal, jerky or of too high a force. The damping system therefore not only softens the movements of the user in order to make the feeling more pleasant, but also to obtain a more uniform cutting length. Indeed, when the user exerts too much pressure on the skin, the blades of the cutting head are closer to the skin and this results in a shorter cutting length. You should know that a beard trimmer is difficult to handle due to the different angles of the face and that maintaining the same pressure throughout the shave is not easy for the user.

There picture 3 illustrates the mower with the cushioning system in the rest position. In this case, the spring is not put under tension, because the cutting head, and therefore the mobile support of the fixed blade, is not subjected to any pressure. Without pressure, the spring always returns the mobile support to its initial rest position. The mobile support comprises a proximal part 13 located on the side of the handle of the clipper, and a distal part 14, located on the side of the head of the clipper (see figure 1 And 2 ). When the damping system is in the rest position, the proximal part of the mobile support is retracted as far as possible into the handle, i.e. the proximal part is aligned with the handle, as illustrated by the figure 1 , 3 , 5 And 7 .

There figure 4 illustrates the mower with the cushioning system in working position. In this case, the spring is under tension, because the fixed blade of the cutting head, and therefore the movable support of the fixed blade, undergoes pressure on contact with the skin. The spring is in tension following the rotation of the mobile support around its axis. The proximal part of the movable support is out of the handle, forming an angle with it, as shown by the figure 2 , 4 , 6 And 8 .

The mower comprises at least one stop element 10 to block the mobile support in a maximum extension position (see figure 6 ). As illustrated on the figure 6 , the stop element is provided in the form of a stop on the proximal part of the mobile support, coinciding with a complementary rim 11 provided inside the handle. In this way, the mobile support is blocked by the stopper element abutting against the rim when the support pivots around its axis, thereby preventing the mobile support from coming completely out of the handle. This stop element can be in any form, as long as it makes it possible to retain the mobile support inside the handle during use (for example in the form of an annular stop, or an annular segment) . More precisely, this stop element makes it possible to maintain the mobile support in the handle, forming a determined angle of rotation between its proximal part and the handle. This angle can be between 10 and 40 degrees, preferably between 20 and 30 degrees.

The objective of the beard trimmer according to the invention is also to offer the user a device with an unobstructed cutting head allowing better visibility of the blades and offering the user a direct view of the mowing he is is realizing. To achieve this goal, the inventor has considerably modified the transmission system from the motor shaft to the moving blade of mowers. classics. The specific transmission system 12 of the mower of the present invention induces that the cutting head is offset from the output of the engine, by a distance of between 40 and 70mm, preferably between 50 and 60mm. This modification of the transmission system makes it possible to respond to the movements of rotation of the mobile support and tilting of the cutting head, and to have the consequence of disengaging the cutting head thanks to the distance of the latter from the exit of the engine. The bulk around the cutting head is thus limited, allowing the smallest areas of the face to be cut and at the same time offering great freedom of movement.

The transmission system comprises a set of elements making it possible to transmit and transform the rotational movement generated by the motor into a translational movement to the moving blade, in order to create the to-and-fro movement of the moving blade by relative to the fixed blade. In general, in state-of-the-art lawnmowers, the rotational movement at the output of the motor is transmitted to a crank, which directly transforms the rotation into translation of the mobile blade, thanks to its off-center axis allowing the transformation of the circular motion in lateral motion. In the case of the present invention, a crank 15 is also present in the mower, directly in contact with the movable blade in order to transform the movement of the motor, but it is offset with respect to the output of the motor. Between the output of the motor and the crank, several elements are included, in order to allow the cutting head to swing freely following the rotation of the mobile support. As illustrated by the figure 5 And 6 , a first ball seat 16 is located at the output of the motor in order to be driven in rotation by the latter. A telescopic transmission shaft 17 has a first end 18 being connected to the first ball joint seat, and a second end 19 being connected to a second ball joint seat 20. The two ends 18 and 19 of the shaft are in the form of ball joints and are clipped into the first and second ball joint seats which have a hollow shape coinciding with the ends of the shaft. In this way, the rotational movement of the first ball joint seat is transmitted to the telescopic transmission shaft, which can then be transmitted to the crank 15 being connected to the second ball joint seat 20. The crank transforms the rotational movement transmitted by the second ball seat in translational movement to the mobile blade, thanks to its off-center axis allowing the circular movement to be transformed into a lateral movement.

The transmission shaft comprises two parts sliding one inside the other in order to be able to perform a translational movement, this movement being created during the damping movements of the cutting head. Furthermore, the first and second ends of the transmission shaft in the form of ball joints comprise a mechanism preventing them from performing a vertical movement, only lateral and rotational movements being permitted to them. Indeed, as illustrated by the figure 7 to 10 , the first and second ball joint seats comprise two diametrically opposed slots 22, allowing the ball joint to be locked in the vertical direction thanks to two studs 21 present on either side of each of the ball joints, coinciding with the slots (the slot and pin locking mechanism is illustrated for the second seat, but it is identical on the first seat).

Cleaning the cutting head is also easier thanks to the fact that the cutting head is further away from the handle. It can therefore be passed more easily under water without wetting the rest of the mower. However, it is preferable that the cutting head be removable, in order to be detached from the rest of the clipper to allow more efficient cleaning.

According to the invention, the mower may also include means for adjusting the damping force of the elastic means 8 (not shown). This could be operated by the user in order to choose the damping force that best suits the type of beard trimming he practices. Setting a high damping force will increase the force needed to dampen skin contact and setting a low damping force will make the trimmer much more sensitive to pressure. The damping force of the elastic means can vary between 120 and 500g.

The mower of the present invention may also comprise a system for slowing down the passage of the movable support from its working position to its initial rest position. Indeed, the mobile support can pivot suddenly when the trimmer is removed from the skin, and therefore when there is no longer any contact or pressure on the fixed blade. Once the user removes the mower, the pressure on the blade is canceled, and the mobile support is returned by the elastic means in order to resume its initial position. However, this return movement to the rest position can be done too abruptly, causing the cutting head to also rise abruptly, possibly surprising or hitting the user in tight places. In order to dampen the return of the blades, a flexible blade, or leaf spring 23 (see figure 5 , 6 , 11 and 12 ) can be provided at the stop 10. This is a very thin metal blade, of lower strength than that of the elastic means. When the movable support moves from its rest position to its working position, the stop has no contact with the leaf spring. Conversely, when the mobile support passes from its working position to its rest position, the stop comes into friction with the blade of the spring at blade. The metal blade has a certain flexibility allowing to dampen the movement of the mobile support.

According to another aspect of the invention, the mower is equipped with a mechanism for locking the cutting head in at least one fixed position. The user can thus block the cutting head at a certain distance from the handle if he no longer wishes to use the damping function of the mower.

The mower of the present invention may also include a rechargeable battery. The trimmer can thus be used cordlessly. The mower can also be provided to operate only on the mains with a power cable, or else be provided with a combination of the two power supply modes (on the mains or on the battery).

Claims (13)

Beard trimmer (1) with damping of the cutting head (5) comprising: - a handle (2) comprising a motor (7); - a cutting head (5) comprising a fixed blade (3) and a movable blade (4); - a cutting head damping system (5); characterized in that the damping system (5) comprises: - a movable fixed blade support (6) connecting the fixed blade (3) of the cutting head (5) to the handle (2), the movable fixed blade support (6) being pivotally mounted on the handle (2) ; - an elastic means (8) creating a return force allowing the mobile fixed blade support (6) to return to its rest position and to absorb the pressure of the cutting head (5) on the skin of the user. Beard trimmer (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mobile support (6) pivots around an axis of rotation (9) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trimmer (1). Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting head (5) is offset from the output of the motor (7) by a transmission system (12). Beard trimmer (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the distance between the cutting head (5) and the output of the motor (7) is between 40 and 70mm, preferably between 50 and 60mm. Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the transmission system comprises: - a first ball seat (16) located at the output of the motor (7) in order to be driven in rotation by the latter; - a telescopic transmission shaft (17) comprising two parts, one of which slides inside the other, the two ends (18, 19) of said telescopic transmission shaft (17) being in the form of ball joints, the first end (18) being clipped into the first ball seat (16) and the second end (19) being clipped into a second ball seat (20); - a crank (15) fixed to the second ball seat (20); so that, in use, the rotational movement of the first ball joint seat (16) is transmitted to the telescopic transmission shaft (17) and then to the crank (15) via the second ball joint seat (20), the crank transforming the rotational movement transmitted by the second ball seat (20) into translational movement to the movable blade (4). Beard trimmer (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the first and second ends (18, 19) of the transmission shaft (17) each comprise two studs (21) coinciding with two slots (22) present respectively in the first ball joint seat (16) and in the second ball joint seat (20) in order to prevent the vertical movement of the first and second ends (18, 19) of the transmission shaft (17). Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable fixed blade support (6) comprises a stopper element (10) making it possible to retain the said movable fixed blade support (6) in the handle (2) so that it does not exceed a determined angle of rotation with respect to the handle of the mower (2). Beard trimmer (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the stop element (10) is an annular segment, coinciding with a rim (11) formed inside the handle (2). Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism for locking the cutting unit (3) in one or more fixed positions. Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means (8) is a spring. Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping force of the elastic means (8) can vary between 120 and 500g. Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting head (5) is removable to allow cleaning. Beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flexible blade (23) is provided to dampen, in use, the movement of the mobile support (6) thanks to the contact of the flexible blade ( 23) with the stop element (10) of the mobile support (6).

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