Hair styling device
United States Patent DAngelo 51 Apr. 15, 1975 HAIR STYLING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Frank DAngelo, 5158 Mt. Whitney,  
 Marrero, La. 70072 g 22 Filed: Apr. 8, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 458,499  
 Primary ExaminerG. E. McNeill Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pugh &amp; Laiche [57] ABSTRACT The present invention provides a novel hair gauging or styling device for cutting hair to a uniform length in an efficacious manner such that even an amateur may perform a good job of hair cutting. The present hair styling device basically comprises elongated inner and outer handle means which are pivotally connected to each other and adapted to fit in the hand of the user whereby they may be accurately manipulated relative to each other in a horizontal plane. The inner handle means is provided at its outer portion with a guide means portion which is adapted to be placed against the head of the person whose hair is to be styled by cutting it a predetermined length. Comb means is provided in combination with the outer portion of the outer handle means and is operably attached thereto whereby it moves in a parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the guide portion of the inner handle means. Specific embodiments are directed to parallel motion linkages for achieving this mode of operation.  
 4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures HAIR STYLING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Long hair is very much in style today and one particular coiffure that is especially popular is that known as the shag cut. That particular coiffure. as well as variations thereof, requires that the hair of the person be cut of equal lengths, both from side to side. as well as from top to bottom of the head of the person. An experienced hair stylist can fairly accurately estimate or gauge the length of the partys hair using a conventional comb and scissors in the customary manner of combing the hair up and holding the comb out away from the partys head the selected distance. This procedure is repeated over the head of the person such that essentially all of the hair is cut the same length to produce what is referred to as a shag cut.  
  Needless to say, it is difficult even for an experienced hair stylist to guess or accurately cut a partys hair a constant length, especially when the press of business requires the hair dresser to perform such tasks quickly. Moreover, itis common practice among young people today to style their own hair, and accordingly, it is even more difficult for such amateurs to accurately cut hair a constant length utilizing conventional barber tools.  
  Numerous devices have been made to accomplish the purpose of the present invention. Such devices generally comprise a pair of opposing combs which are operably connected so that they move apart in a parallel relationship. However, the prior art devices are generally characterized as being expensive to manufacture thus imposing an economic disadvantage, and/or are bulky and difficult to handle, generally requiring that they be held in a vertical position. The latter feature is especially undesirable when attempting to cut hair on the lower part of the partys head in the neck region whereby it becomes difficult to properly manipulate such prior art devices.  
  An object of the present invention is to not only provide a hair styling device for cutting hair a constant length, which device is characterized by a simplicity of design, hence offering an economic advantage, but additionally, that which can be employed in a much more efficacious manner whereby a hair stylist can perform his tasks much faster and more accurately.  
  Among the distinct advantages and features of the present invention is not only the accomplishment of the above objectives, but additionally the provision of a hair styling device which is particularly adapted for home or domestic use by a party unskilled or inexperienced in the barbering arts whereby said party can cut hair of a proper or constant length, especially without nicked or gouged places occurring due to cutting hair to too short ofa lenth as normally experienced by ameteurs when utilizing conventional barber tools in attempting a shag cut.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 in the drawings depicts a front elevational view of a rudimentary embodiment of the present invention taken with respect to the plane in which the present device is normally held in the hand of the user.  
  FIG. 2 in the drawings depicts a side elevational view of the present device as illustrated in FIG. 1, which view would be considered the bottom of the present device as viewed from the position normally held in the hand of the user.  
  FIG. 3 represents a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present hair styling device showing it reposed in a plane of normal use.  
  FIG. 4 depicts a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.  
  FIG. 5 represents an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present device as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.  
  FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation cut-away view of another embodiment of the present device showing how it is gripped in the hand of the user, the device being cut-away across the grips provided on the handles as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.  
  FIG. 7 in the drawings depicts an isolated fragmentary view of the handle means of another embodiment of the present hair styling device showing how they are pivotally connected together with a parallel motion linkage mechanism (see also FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) whereby the combs means of the outer handle means and the guide portion of the inner handle means are maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship. the parts illustrated being in section taken along a horizontal plane bisecting the handle means of the present hair styling device.  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isolated plan view showing a section of the outer handle means and comb means as to how they are pivotally connected. a section being taken essentially along the vertical center-line of the inner handle means.  
  FIG. 9 depicts a similar view as embodied in FIG. 8 of the drawings with the addition of illustrating the guide portion of the inner handle means showing its position relative to the comb means that are connected to the outer handle means.  
  FIG. 10 represents an isolated fragmentary view of the handle locking mechanism with the handle width scale portion of the outer handle means cut-away.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 in the drawing depicts a rudimentary embodiment of the present hair gauging means 10 which basically comprises the elongated inner handle means or grip which is provided with the extended guide portion 12. The elongated outer handle means or grip 13 is pivotally connected to the inner handle means 11 by suitable means such as the spring means 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring means is operable attached to the handle means 11 and 13 by being rigidly imbedded within, for example, by forming the members 11 and 13 of some suitable plastic or metalwhich in turn is cast with the extended end portions of the spring means 14 being embedded therein. Other suitable modes of pivotally connecting the members can be employed, such as by connecting the members together via a shaft or pin as employed in a conventional pair of scissors.  
  The outer handle means 13 is operably connected to the comb means 15 by virtue of the spring loaded hinge means 16. The hinge assembly 16 comprises the helical spring 17 which is operably positioned and held in place between the raised portions 18 affixed or made integral with the comb portion 15. In turn, the raised portions or trunnions 19 are provided on the outer handle portion 13 and are spaced apart so as to receive and confine therebetween the raised portions or trunnions of the comb means 15. The raised portions 18 and 19 are formed to receive the pin means 20 so as to form a hinged assembly whereby the comb means rotates or pivots with respect to the outer handle means 13 around the longitudinal axis of the pin means which serves as a fulcrum. The ends 21 and 22 of the helical spring 17 are affixed to, preferrably by imbedding therein, the respective outer handle means 13 and the comb means 15, the tension in the spring 17 being defined such that the comb means 15 is constantly urged vertically downwards (relative to the plan view shown in FIG. 1). This arcuate downward reflecton of the comb means 15 is controlled through a relatively small angle, that is. the comb means 15 is designed such that it will only swing through an arcuate path of no more than 30. Conversely, the outer handle means 11 and the inner handle means 13 during the normal usevof the present gauging device would only open relative to each other over an arcuate path of generally not more than 45 deflection. Of course, the maximum angle of deflection defining those members would entirelybe governed by the average physical dimensions of the human hand taking into consideration the convenience of use to the user in not having to hold the present gauging device in a very expanded position, which otherwise would make it awkward and clumbsy to use. The extent of downward deflection of the comb means 15 is predetermined and fixed depending upon the other relative dimensions of the present device. Normally, the comb means 15 is operated over a distance from about 3 to 6 inches away from the guide portion 12 of the inner handle means 11. Accordingly, the outward deflection of the comb means 15 is predetermined such that over the arcuate path defined by those spaced apart dimensions. it would thereby be set such that the comb means 15 and the guide portion 12 remain essentially parallel. It is to be further noted that the desired operating distance between these members for a given. angle of deflection between the handle portions 11 and 13 can be regulated by making the handle portions between the springs 14 and 17 either shorter or longer. Thus, for a very wide spacing desired between the comb means 15 and the guide portion 12, without vastly increasing the angle of deflection between the handles 11 and 13 so as to make it difficult for the user to grasp the present gauging device, the handle portions 11 and 13 would be made relatively long. For easy use, it is envisioned that a barber or hair stylist would probably have on hand two or three of the present devices, each having different handle lengths whereby a wide range of hair lengths can be gauged without destroying the convenience and effectiveness of the present device.  
  The extent of downward deflection of the comb means 15 is fixed by virtue of the beveled abutment portion or boss 23 provided on the underside of the extended portions 19. Thus, the comb means 15 will be urged downwards by virtue of the helical spring means 17 until such time that the edge 24 comes into contact and rests upon the surface of the beveled portion or abutment 23 ofthe support portions 19. Consequently, the comb means 15 will be allowed to move between the surface of the beveled portion 23 and the bottom surface 25 of the extended portions 19 as shown in FIG. 2.  
  FIGS. 3 and 4 in thedrawings depicts an especially preferred embodimentof the present invention, the  
 guaging device comprising the outer elongated h andle means 31 which is provided with the grip portion 32 adapted to receive the first two or three fingers of the hand of the user. The elongated handle means 33 in turn is provided with the grip portion 34 which is generally adapted to receive the thumb of the hand of the user. The inner handle means 33 is provided with the guide portion 35 which is slightly curved so as to conform to the normal curvature of the head of the person whose hair is being cut. Additionally, the guide portion 35 is oriented in a skew position relative to the handle portion 33. Generally, the guide portion 35 is positioned inwards toward the opposing portion 31 so as to define an angle of up to about 30 taken with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner handle means 33. This is accomplished by bending the handle portion 35 about the point 36 of the inner handle portion 33, such relationship being salient for the reasons set forth below.  
  The comb means 37 is attached to the elongated outer handle 31 by virtue of the parallel motion linkage assembly 40 as described in detail below.  
  Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the parallel linkage assembly 40 comprises the elongated reciprocating linkage 41 which extends on the inner side of the elongated outer handle member 31 being pivoted at its inner end to the opposing inner handle means 33 and at its outer end to the comb means 37, as particularly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The comb means 37 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, is provided with the lateral connecting portion or saddle 42which is positioned essentially perpendicular to the center line of the longitudinal center line of the comb means 37. The saddle portion 42 is provided with the two spaced apart pin members 43 and 44, the. common center line connecting said pin members being essentially perpendicular to the axis of said comb means 37. The outer handle means 31 is pivotally connected to the outer pin member 43 which serves as a fulcrum and conversely, the elongated reciprocating parallel link or rod 41 is pivotally connected to the inner pin member or pintle 44 by virtue of the parallel link 41 being provided with the arcuate portion or gudgeon 45 at its outer end which also allows the central portion of the member 41 to nestle within the outer handle member 31. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can thus be visualized that as the parallel link 41 is moved outward from its position shown in FIG. 8 towards the comb means 37, the latter is caused to move in a counterclockwise direction relative to the outer handle member 31. However, since the inner end of the parellel link 41 is in reality restrained by virtue of its connection to the inner handle means 33, in effect, the outer handle means 31 actually reciprocates relative to the connecting link 41. That is, as the handle 31 is rotated downwards, the enlarged end portion 41 V of the handle means 31 is caused to nestle within the concave side of the curved portion 35 of the parallel link 41. In such fashion, as the members 31 and 41 are deflected through an arcuate path and allowed to reciprocate relative to each other, the net result is the con- I at its end to receive the connecting pin 49. The pin 49 is rigidly fixed to the enlarged portion or boss 50 of the inner handle means 33. As further shown in FIG. 7, the inner handle means 33 is pivotedly connected to the outer handle means 31 by virtue of the anchor pin member 51 which is rigidly fixed to the inner handle means 33. The outer handle means 31 in turn is provided with the journalled portion 52 bored to receive said pin member 51 whereby the handle members 31 and 33 can be made to pivot relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the pin 51. It can now be appreciated that from the structural arrangements depicted in FIGS. 7. 8 and 9 of the drawings, that as the handle members 31 and 33 are pivoted relative to each other about the common restraining pin member 51 which serves as a fulcrum. that the parallel linkage 41 and the outer handle member 31 are caused to reciprocate relative to each other by virtue of the fact that as, for example, the handles are opened or spread apart. the pin 49 fixed to the handle 33 is caused to rotate relative to the pin member 51 in a clockwise direction thereby moving the connecting link 41 downward (see FIG. 7). As the link 41 moves or reciprocates inwards away from the comb member 37, the latter is maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the guide portion 35 pursuant to the mode of operation as described supra relative to FIGS. 8 and 9.  
  The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 further comprises the guage width indicator 60. The indicator 60 further comprises the dial face 61 which in turn is provided with the series of indices 62 which are positioned over the arcuate edge 63 of the dial face 61 to indicate the width between the guide 35 and the comb means 37, that is, their relative spacing apart in terms of inches. The dial face 61 is rigidly attached to or made integral with the inner handle member 3.  
  The guage width indicating means 60 further comprises the latch plate or member 64 which is pivotally connected to the rear dial face 61 by virtue of the connecting pin means 65, the latch member 64 being provided with the extended portion 66 bored to receive the pin member 65. The inner elongated handle member 33 is also provided with the cut out portion 67 which is of sufficient length to allow the latch member 64 to reciprocate forward or backward about the longitudinal axis of the connecting pin member 65. The latch member is also provided with the series of grooves or notches 68. The outer elongated handle member 31 in turn is provided with the anchor pin member 69 which is rigidly attached to the handle 31 and which serves as a means offixing the elongated handle members 31 and 33 in a predetermined desired spaced apart relationship as indicated by the reading on the dial face upon matching the indicator portion 70 therewith, the indicator portion 70 being made integral with the latch member 64. The space indices or readings 62 provided on the face dial 61 are positioned relative to the positions of the notches 68 provided in the latch 64, the position of which in turn is dependent upon the specific opening between the guide 35 and the comb means 37 at a specific setting. For a given size of hair guage, the relative dimensions of those components are fixed when once determined.  
  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pin means 51 shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and is operably attached or anchored to the guage width indicating means 60, specifically the dial face 61 thereof.  
  FIG. 5 in the drawing depicts an isolated view of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and it can be appreciated therefrom that as the handle members 31 and 33, for example. are moved toward 5 each other then the guide member 35 and comb 37 will remain essentially parallel to each other by virtue of the parallel linkage mechanism described above and after being spaced in a predetermined desired spaced apart relationship, then locked into position by virtue of the guage width latching assembly 60.  
  It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the above device as well as in its mode ofoperation without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the tubular construction as shown in FIG. 6 can be employed instead of the conformed shaped members as described above relative to the preferred embodiments of FIG. 3 and 4. Moreover, the latching mechanism 60 can be varied considerably in detail without changing its basic function. The shape of the comb member and the guide means 35 can also be varied to achieve various different advantages in the specific present device. The relative length and proportions of the various members can be varied considerably, as well as its materials of construction. The various spring means and other means by which the various components of the present invention are operated relative to each other can be varied as well as the specific construction of the present hair gauging device as illustrated without changing the essence of the present invention. In light of the above, it is thus apparent to one skilled in the art that many modifications can be made in the instant invention and that what I intend to incompass within the ambit of my invention is that as set forth and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
 I claim:  
 1. Hair styling means comprising in combination:  
 a. elongated inner handle means having an extended guide portion;  
 b. elongated outer handle means pivotally connected to said inner handle means; and  
 c. comb means having a plurality of teeth pivotally connected to said outer handle means such that both of said means are disposed in an essentially horizontal plane when the teeth of said comb means are vertically oriented, said comb means being further defined as comprising comb positioning means whereby said comb means is maintained in an essentially parallel relationship with the guide portion of said inner handle means.  
 2. The hair styling means of claim 1 further charac- I terized in that:  
 (I. said elongated outer handle means is pivotally connected to said inner handle means by spring means rigidly affixed to both of said handle means whereby said handle means are constantly urged apart from each other; and  
 said comb means having a plurality of teeth is pivotally connected to said outer handle by connector means comprising spring means whereby said comb means is constantly urged toward said extended guide portion of said elongated inner handle means, said elongated outer handle means and said comb means being further defined in that the arcuate path of travel of said comb means is restricted through a relatively narrow angle whereby when said elongated outer handle means is pivoted away from said elongated inner-handle means, said comb means will be maintained in an essentially parallel relationship to the guide portion of said elongated inner handle means when said handle means are moved apart relative to each other over an arcuate distance of up to about 60 as defined and manipulated by the hand of the user.  
 hole provided in said outer handle means for connecting said handle means together and the pin bore hole provided in the outer handle means 3. The hair styling means of claim 1 further charac terized in that:  
 said elongated inner handle means and said elon- 10 gated outer handle means are pivotally connected to each other by pin means. said handle means being journaled to receive said pin means so as to form in combination a hinge means assembly where it is pivotally connected to said handle means together and the pin bore hole provided in the outer handle means where it is pivotally connected to said comb means; and  
 whereby said members are allowed to arcuately elongated connecting link means adapted to be pivotmove relative to each other in a horizontal plane ally connected to the extended portion of said and such that said comb means is maintained in an outer handle means and the extended portion of essentially vertical position; said comb means so as to form in combination with said elongated outer handle means also being further said outer handle means and said comb means a defined in that its end connected to said inner hanparallel motion linkage such that said comb means dle means is provided with an extended journaled when moved in a horizontal plante to and fro from portion extending in a direction essentially perpenthe extended guide portion of said inner handle dicular to the longitudinal center line of said elonmeans will accordingly be maintained in an essengated outer handle means along essentially the tially parallel spaced apart relationship as said same center line of said pin means; outer handle means and said handle means are arsaid comb means also being further defined in that it cuately manipulated relative to each other in the is pivotally connected to said outer handle means course of cutting hair extending through said comb by pin means, said outer handle means and said means which is to be cut a pre-determined length comb means being bored to receive said pin means as regulated by the operator in the manner set forth so as to form a hinge assembly whereby said outer above.  
  4. The hair styling means of claim 1 further characterized in that the extended guide portion of said elongated inner handle means is slightly curved so as to somewhat conform to the head of the person whose handle means and said comb means can arcuately rotate relative to each other in a horizontal plane when the teeth of said comb means are oriented in an essentially vertical direction, said comb means also being further defined in that it is provided with hair is to be styled; and an extended portion at its end pivotally connected said comb means having a plurality of teeth is also to said outer handle means and which extends in an essentially perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of said comb means along esssentially the slightly curved so as to mate with the extended guide portion of said elongated inner handle means when said members are operably positioned adjasame common center line of said pin means concent each other in a closed relationship. nected to said comb means and said outer handle