Description HAIR CLIPPER WITH INHALE DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hair clipper apparatus with an inhale device, and more particularly to hair clipper apparatus with a hair clipper assembly and an inhale device, wherein hair or fur cut by the hair clipper assembly is removed by the inhale device, and power supplied from a power producing apparatus is transmitted to the hair clipper assembly through a connection tube. Background Art

[2] It is necessary to sanitarily remove human hair or animal fur, which may be contaminated by various parasites, bacteria or wastes. In general, fur or hair is cut by hair clippers or scissors. Most hair or fur cut by hair clippers or scissors flies in all directions and then drops on the floor. Conventionally, such hair or fur is cleaned later by a separate collection device.

[3] However, finely cut hair or fur or dust generated in such aconventional hair-cutting method flies in the air, thereby seriously affecting human s respiratory health. In a sever case, such finely cut hair or the like may cause an adverse reaction such as an allergic reaction or atopy.

[4] In addition, in the conventional hair-cutting method, if the hair clippers are not sufficiently sterilized or generate heat on a surface thereof to be in touch with skin, it is not sanitary because a cutaneous disease, such as hot spot, may be caused. Furthermore, because a cutting blade of hair clippers is frequently exposed directly to skin, there is every possibility of damaging skin, which presents many problems in view of safety.

[5] Prior arts for solving the above-mentioned problems are disclosed in Korean

Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 2000-0020208 entitled "Vacuum Hair clippers," Korean Registration Utility Model Publication No. 20-0278406 entitled "Pet Animal Fur Inhale Device," etc. According to these prior arts, an inhale device with an air inlet is attached to hair clippers and the inhale device is connected to a vacuum cleaner through a connection tube, so that fur or hair cut by the hairclippers is inhaled into the vacuum cleaner through the inhale device and the connection tube.

[6] However, the prior arts have not been practically used because it is troublesome to equip an inhale device on hair clippers, and the hair equipped with such an in- haledevice is inconvenient to use because its volume is too large. Furthermore, because heavy devices such as a motor and a driving device are provided within the hair clippers, the user s wrist is overstrained by the heavy weight. Moreover, the connection

tube causes substantial inconvenience to the user.

[7] Another prior art is disclosed in Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No.

2000-0046741 entitled "Hair Scattering Prevention Device of Hair clippers," wherein the device does not remove hair but merely prevent hair from flying in all directions. Another prior art is disclosed in Korean Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-028444 entitled "Electric Hair Clippers with Inhaler," wherein the hair clippers equipped with an inhaler are so large and heavy that a user cannot conveniently use the hair clippers.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hair clipper assembly provided with an inhale device which can effectively inhale hair or fur cut by the hair clipper assembly, thereby allowing the hair or fur to be collected in the outside.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair clipper assembly provided with an inhale device for inhaling cut hair or fur, wherein the hair clipper assembly is so light that a user can conveniently use the hair clippers without any effort.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair clipper assem- blyprovided with an inhale device, wherein a power producing apparatus for the hair clipper assembly is separated from the hair clipper assembly, thereby reducing the weight of the hair clipper assembly, and a connection tube does not cause any inconvenience in using the hair clipper assembly. Technical Solution

[11] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a hair clipper apparatus including: a hair clipper assembly 100 including a detachable hair length adjustment unit 120 for adjusting length of hair or fur to be cut, a rotary cutter blade 130 driven by transmitted rotational power, an inhale guide tube 102 extending between the hair length adjustment unit 120 and an internal passage of the rotary cutter blade 130, and a power follower means 150 for transmitting power to the rotary cutter blade 130; a power producing apparatus 220 including a driving motor 230 for supplying power for the hair clipper assembly 100, a power driver means 240 for transmitting the power of the driving motor 230, and a through-hole part 201, through which inhaled hair or fur passes; an inhale device 300 for inhaling and collecting cut hair or fur; a connection tube 400 including a power transmission means 410 for transmitting the power of the power driver means 240 of the power producing apparatus 200 to the power follower means 150, and an inhale through-hole part 401, hair orfur being inhaled into and passing through the through-

hole part 401 and an inhale tube 500 interconnecting the power producing apparatus 200 and the inhale device 300 so that hair or fur is inhaled into the inhale device 300.

[12] In addition, the inventive hair clipper apparatus may further include: a detachable reciprocal cutter 600 which can be installed instead of the hair length adjustment unit 120 in the hair clipper device 100, the reciprocal cutter 600 havinga reciprocal movement producing means 610 for converting the rotational movement transmitted from the power follower means 150 into reciprocal movement; a head unit 620, in which the reciprocal cutter is provided a connection bar 630 interconnecting the reciprocal movement producing means 610 and the head unit 520; an inhale passage 602 connected to an inhale port601 formed above the reciprocal cutter of the head unit 620, and continuously extending between the top side of the head unit 620 and the top side of the reciprocal movement producing means 610.

[13] If the detachable reciprocal cutter 600 is installed, exhaling is selectively performed beyond inhaling. In the event, the fan unit 350 installed in the inhale device 300 is re versely rotated, thereby exhaling air to the outside through the inhale tube 500, the connection tube 400, and the inhale passage 602.

Advantageous Effects

[14] As described above, according to the present invention, hair or fur cut by hair clipper assembly of the inventive hair clipper apparatus can be effectively removed, so that the area around the position where the hair clipper assembly is used can remain clean. [15] In addition, according to the present invention, the weight of hair clipper assemblyis light so that it is possible to use the hair clippers for a long time without any difficult.

In addition, a user can conveniently use the hair clipper assembly while controlling a power producing apparatus installed adjacent to a ceiling. [16] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a hair clipper assembly can be miniaturized so that the user can use it without any inconvenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings [17] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire construction of a hair clipper apparatus provided with an inhale device according to an embodiment of the present invention [19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hair clipper assembly according to an embodiment of the present view, in which a connection tube is shown by a perspective view

[20] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a front part of the hair clipper assembly, to which a hair length adjustment unit is attached [21] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection area between the hair clipper assembly and the connection tube [22] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a power producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention [23] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an inhale device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [24] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection area between the inhale device and the connection tube;

[25] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inhale device at the time of inhaling;

[26] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inhale deviceat the time of exhaling; and

[27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a front part of the hair clipper assembly, to which a detachable reciprocal cutter according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. [28]

[29] <Reference Numerals for Main Parts in Drawings>

[30] 100: hair clipper assembly

[31] 110: cutter body

[32] 120: hair length adjustment unit

[33] 130: rotary cutter blade

[34] 150: power follower means (151-155)

[35] 200: power producing apparatus

[36] 210: power producing apparatus body

[37] 220: power control unit

[38] 230: driving motor

[39] 240: power driver means (241-245)

[40] 300: inhale device

[41] 312, 313: plugs

[42] 320: collection area

[43] 321: inhale port

[44] 323: exhale port

[45] 330: collection net

[46] 350: fan unit

[47] 352: motor control unit

[48] 400: connection tube

[49] 410: power transmission means (411-416)

[50] 500: inhale tube

[51] 600: detachable reciprocal cutter

[52]

Mode for the Invention

[53] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that the same elements will be designated by the same reference numerals even though they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

[54] FIG. 1 shows the entire construction of a hair clipper apparatus provided with an inhale device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[55] Referring to FIG. 1, the inventive hair clipper apparatus with an inhale device including: hair clipper assembly 100 including a detachable hair length adjustment unit 120 having a body 123 for adjusting the length of hair or fur to be cut according to the length of the body, and a comb 121, the comb 121 being provided with acupuncture needles 122 at the tip end thereof, and a cutter body 110 for cutting hair or fur inhaled into the hair length adjustment unit 120 and discharging the cut hair or fur through a through-hole part 101

[56] A power producing apparatus 200 including a driving body 210 having a driving apparatus for driving the hair clipper assembly, and control input units 221, 222 and 223 for controlling the driving apparatus;

[57] An inhale device300 for inhaling and collecting hair or fur cut by the hair clipper assembly 100

[58] A connection tube 400 including a power transmission means for transmitting the power of the power producing apparatus 200 to the hair clipper assembly 100, and a passage, into which the hair or fur cut by the hair clipper assembly 100 and

[59] An inhale tube 500 including a control line for controlling the driving of the inhale device 300 from the power producing apparatus 200, and a passage for allowing the hair or fur cut by the hair clipper assembly 100 to be inhaled into the inhale device 300 through the connection tube 400 and the power producing apparatus 200.

[60] Now, the detailed construction of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGs. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hair clipper assembly 100 to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a connection tube 400 is shown by a perspective view, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a front part of the hair clipper assembly 100, to which a hair length adjustment unit 120 is attached, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection area between the hair clipper assembly 100 and

the connection tube 400.

[61] The construction of the hair clipper assembly 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 1 to 4.

[62] The hair clipper assembly 100 includes: a detachable hair length adjustmentunit 120 formed from a plastic material, the hair length adjustment unit 120 including a cylindrical body 123 for rendering the cutting length of hair or fur to be controlled according to the length of the body, a comb 121 formed at the lower end of the cylindrical body 123, the comb 121 being provided with acupuncture needles 122 at the lower end thereof; a rotary cutter blade 130 for cutting hair or fur inhaled through the hair length adjustmentunit 120; a cutter follower gear 131 formed with teeth on the outer circumferencethereof, the hair or fur being inhaled into the inside of the cutter follower gear 131; a safety net 140 interposed between the rotary cutter blade 130 and the hair length adjustmentunit 120; an inhale guide tube 102 for guiding hair or fur cut by the rotary cutter blade 130; a power follower means 150 including a cutter driver gear 151 engaged with the cutter follower gear 131, a cutter driver gear shaft 152 which is a rotary shaft for the cutter driver gear 151, a rotary nut 154 fixed to the cutter driver gear shaft 152 and having an insertion groove 142 formed in the inside of the rotary nut 154, and a rotary nut protection cylinder 155 for protecting the rotary nut 154; and a cutter body 110 having a through-hole part 101 connected to the inhale guide tube 102, a power transmission chamber 112 provided within the rotary nut protection cylinder 155, a protection cover 113, a male screw 160 engaged with a female screw 450 of the connection tube 400, the male screw 160 being formed witha groove on the outer circumference within a predetermined angular range, the groove extending in the axial direction to the power transmission chamber 112.

[63] It is desirable to prepare a plurality of hair length adjustment units 120, the lengths of which are different from each other. As such, because they can be easily detached from or attached to the cutter body 110, it is possible to select and use any of them to be suitable for a desired cutting length of hair or fur.

[64] Referring to FIGs. 1, 2 and 4, the connection tube 400 will be described in detail.

[65] The connection tube 400 includes: an inhale through-hole part 401 which is a passage for permitting cut hair or fur to be inhaled into the inhale device 300; a power transmission means 410 having a wire guide tube 411 inserted into a lateral part of the circumference of the inhale through-hole part 401, a rotary wire 412 inserted into the wire guide tube 411, insertion pins 413 and 416 fixed to the opposite ends, respectively, insertion pin protection tubes 415 and 414 fixed to the opposite ends of the wire guide tube 411, respectively, the insertion pin protection tubes 415 and 414 enclosing the insertion pins 413 and 416; female screws 430 and 420 provided at the opposite ends of the inhale through-hole 410, the wire guide tube 411 extending into

the female screws 430 and 420.

[66] The rotary wire 412 rotates within the wire guide tube 411, thereby transmitting the rotational power of the upper insertion pin 416 to the lower insertion pin 413.In addition, the rotational power of the lower insertion pin 413 transmitted by the upper insertion 416 and the rotary wire 412 is transmitted to the power follower means 150 of the hair clipper assembly.

[67] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a power producing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGs. 1 and 5, the power producing apparatus 200 will be described in detail.

[68] The power producing apparatus 200 includes: a driving motor 230; a power control unit 220 for turning the operation of the driving motor 230 on/off, and controlling the velocity and the forward and reverse operation of the inhale device 300; a power driver means 240 comprising a top bevel gear241, a bottom bevel gear 242, a bottom bevel gear shaft 243, a rotary nut 244, and a rotary nut protection cylinder 245 for protecting the rotary nut 244; an oil introducing means comprising an oil introducing inlet 250, an oil introducingtube 251, a power driver means chamber 252, and an oil guide tube 253 a control transmission means comprising a control line extending from the power control unit 220, and a control jack 225 for connecting a signal from the control line 224 to the inhale tube 500; male screws 260 and 270 for connecting the connection tube 400 and the inhale tube 500; and a power producing apparatus body 210 including a through-hole part 201 within the body, the power producing apparatus body 210 being provided with a hook 211 capable of being hung on a lift or the like fixed to a ceiling.

[69] Additionally describing the way for transmitting the power of the driving motor, the rotational movement of the driving motor 230 is transmitted to the power driver means 240 including the top bevel gear 241, the bottom bevel gear 242, the bottom bevel gearshaft 243, and the rotary nut 244; transmitted to the power transmission means 410 including the insertion pin 416 inserted into the rotary nut 244 when the male screw 260 of the power producing apparatus 200 is engaged with the female screw 430 of the connection tube 400, the rotary wire 412, and the insertion pin 413; transmitted to the power follower means 150 including the rotary nut 154, into which the insertion pin 413 is inserted when the female screw 420 of the connection tube 400 is engaged with the male screw 160 of the hair clipper assembly 100, the cutter driver gear shaft 152, and the cutter driver gear 151; and transmitted to the cutter follower gear 131 rotating together with the rotary cutter blade 130, and finally rotates the rotary cutter blade 130.

[70] The rotary wire 412 is selected to exhibit a function for transmitting torque while being bent with various angles, and the insertion groove of the rotary nut 244 has a sufficient depth because the rotary wire is bent when the connection tube 400 is bent

during haircutting. This is to allow the rotary wire 412 to have up and down mobility when being bent.

[71] The power producing apparatus 200 and the connection tube 400 are connected in such a manner that when the male screw 260 and the female screw 430 are engaged with each other, the insertion pin protection tube 414 is fitted in the rotary nut protection cylinder 245 with the insertion pin 416 being inserted into the groove of the rotary nut 244. The hair clipper assembly 100 and the connection tube 400 are connected in such a manner that before the connector male screw 160 and the female screw 420 are engaged with each other, the insertion pin protection tube 415 is fitted in the rotary nut protection cylinder 155 with the insertion pin 413 being inserted into the groove of the rotary nut 154.

[72] The oil introduced through the oil introducing inlet 250 flowsthrough the oil introducing tube 251, the power driver means chamber 252, the oil guide tube 253, the rotary nut protection cylinder 245, the insertion pin protection cylinder 416, the wire guide tube 411, the insertion pin protection cylinder 415, and the rotary nut protection cylinder 255. Preferably, the wire guide tube 411 is filled with oil, thereby reducing the friction occurring when the rotary wire 412 rotates.

[73] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an inhale device300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[74] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection area between the inhale device and an inhale tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[75] The inhale device300 and the inhale tube 500 will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 1, 5, 6 and 7.

[76] The inhale tube 500 includes: an inhale through-hole part 501 connected to a through-hole part 201 of a power producing apparatus 200; a control connection 520 installed along the inhale through-hole part 501 a connection jack 521 and another connection jack (not shown in the drawing), the connection jacks being adapted to be connected to the opposite ends of the control connection line 520 and a female screw 530 and another female screw (not shown in the drawing), the female screws being connected to the power producing apparatus 200 and the inhale device 200, respectively.

[77] The female screw and the connection jack not shown in the drawing are the same as the female screw 530 and the connection jack 521 in construction, respectively, and are arranged at the connection area with the power producing apparatus 200.

[78] The inhale device 300 includes: a collection part 320 having an inhale port 321, through which inhaled hair or fur flows, and a through-hole322 formed at a distance from the inhale port 321, filtered hair or fur being accumulated in the collection part a collection net 330 having an exhale port 323 inserted though the through-hole 322 and

fitted in an exhaled air passing hole 331 formed with a female screw, the collection net 330 collecting hair or fur introduced through the inhale port 321; a fan unit 350 for generating inhale or exhale power; a control unit 352 for controlling the operation of the fan unit 350 thougha power line 353; a vent 360 forming an inhaled or exhaled air passage 304 through the inside of the collection net 330, the fan unit350 being installed in the vent 360; a body 310 including a connection jack 355 and a male screw formed connection part 311, which are connected to the inhale tube 500, a joint 301 formed through the male screw formed connection part 311, a control line 354 connected to the connection jack 355 being wired in the body 310, the control line 354 arriving at the control unit 352, plugs for closing the inhale port 321 and the exhale port 323 being arranged at the opposite sides of the joint 301, respectively; and a cover for closing the top side of the body 310.

[79] The control line 520 of the inhale tube 500 may be installedseparately from the inhale tube 500. In such a case, the connection jack 355 or 225 of the connection area 311 or 270, through which the inhale tube 500 is connected with the power producing apparatus 200 or the inhale device 300, should be installed at a part of the body 310 or 210.

[80] Through the control lines 224, 520 and 354, it is possible to control the velocity, and forward or reverse operation of the inhale device 300 at the control unit 220 of the power producing apparatus 200.

[81] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled collectionpart 320 and collection net 330 which are installed within the body in the inhale device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention at the inhale operation.

[82] As shown in FIG. 8, at the inhale operation of the fan unit 350, the joint 301 is fitted in the inhale port 321, so that inhaled hair or fur flows into the collectionpart 320, and a plug 312 is fitted in the exhale port 323, thereby closing the exhale port 323.

[83] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled collectionpart 320 and collection net 330 which are installed within the body in the inhale device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention at the exhale operation.

[84] As shown in FIG. 9, at the exhale operation of the fan unit 350, the plug 313 is fitted in the inhale port 321, thereby closing the inhale port 321, and the joint 301 is fitted in the exhale port 323, so that exhaled air produced by the fan unit 350 flows to the joint 301 through the inside 303 of the collection net 330 and the exhale port 323.

[85] The position of the collection part 320 and the collectionnet 330 shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by manually rotating the collection part 320 and the collectionnet 330 by a predetermined angle, i.e., by a rotational angle formed by the joint 301 and the plug 313, from the inhaling position thereof of FIG. 8.

[86] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a detachable reciprocal cutter 600 attached to

a cutter body 110 of hair clipper assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[87] The detachable reciprocal cutter 600 shown in FIG. 10 includes: a reciprocal movement producing means 610 converting rotational movement transmitted from a power follower means 150 of the hair clipper assembly 100 into reciprocal movement; a head unit 620 provided with the reciprocal cutter; a connection bar 630 for interconnecting the reciprocal movement producing means 610 and the head unit 620; and an inhale passage 602 connected to an inhale port 601 formed above the cutter in the head unit 620, the inhale passage 602 being formed in the top areas of the head unit 620 and the reciprocal movement producing means 610.

[88] The inhale passage 602 is adapted to be connected to the top inhale area of an inhale guide tube 102 provided within the hair clipper assembly, so that hair or fur cut in the head unit 620 can be easily inhaled through the inhale passage 602. The inhale guide tube 102 is formed to have the same cross-sectional shape with the outlet of the inhale passage 602, instead of the cylindrical shape of FIG. 2.

[89] The detachable reciprocal cutter 600 is installed in replacement of the rotary cutter blade 130, the cutter follower gear 131, the safety net 140 and the hair length adjustment unit 120 of the hair clipper assembly. In addition, the rotational power of the cutter driver gear 151 of the power follower means 150 of the hair clipper assembly 100 iscon verted into reciprocal movement by the reciprocal movement producing means 610.

[90] Because the reciprocal movement producing means 610 and the head unit 620 are well-known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[91] The exhale operation described above with reference to FIG. 9 will be described in more detail. In general, the detachable reciprocal cutter 600 can be more conveniently used in cutting fur such as wool if some quantity of exhaled air wind exits from the hair clippers. Therefore, according to the present invention, exhaled air produced by the fan unit 350 exits through the inside of the collection net 330, the exhale port 232, the inhale tube 500, the through-hole part 201 of the power producing apparatus 200, the inhale through-hole part 401 of the connection tube 400, the inhale guide tube 102 of the hair clipper assembly, and the inhale port 601. In addition, in FIGs. 8 and 9, if a limit switch operated depending on the position of the rotating collection part 320 is additionally provided, malfunction can be safely prevented when controlling theforward and reverse operation of the fan unit 350.

[92] In addition, because it is evident that a power cord for supplying power to the power producing apparatus 200 and the inhale device 300 should be additionally provided, its description is omitted.

[93]

Industrial Applicability

[94] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.