BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a body hair treating implement which can be advantageously
used to cut or dress unwanted body hair of arms or legs, etc. , or underarm hair,
before e.g., one wears a bikini.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] For instance, if a cutting tool, such as scissors or a razor, is used to cut unwanted
hair before one wears a hi-leg swimsuit or leotard, the tips of the cut hair are sharp
due to shear cutting. The sharp tips of the cut hair can easily penetrate through
the material of the swimsuit, etc. , and protrude out of the material, or cause the
wearer to feel pain upon touching.
[0003] The applicant of the present application has proposed a hair treating implement having
an electrical heating element (electrical heating wire) which burns and cuts the body
hair so as to leave a rounded tip on the hair.
[0004] In this hair treating implement, provision is essentially made for two comb tooth
plates which are juxtaposed and spaced from one another at a distance of approximately
5 to 10 mm; and an electrical heater, such as a nichrome wire, which is provided between
the opposed comb tooth plates, and is in contact with the body hair between the adjacent
comb teeth of the comb tooth plates. With this arrangement, when electrical power
is supplied to the nichrome wire, the nichrome wire generates red-heat, and burns
and cuts the body hair brought into contact therewith.
[0005] The body hair which is in contact with the nichrome wire can be easily burned and
cut. The tip edges of the burned and cut hair are not sharp but rounded, unlike the
conventional hair remover using a cutting tool such as a razor or scissors, etc.,
in which the hair is sheared.
[0006] The proposed hair treating implement can be also used as a hair dressing tool in
a barber or beauty shop. Namely, the tips of the dressed hair can be rounded, curled
or frizzled to obtain a desired hair style by burning and cutting the dressed hair
with the heating element whose nichrome wire portion is brought into slide-contact
therewith.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention provides a further improved body hair treating implement which
has useful functions which cannot be achieved in the prior art, and which has an enhanced
operability.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body hair treating
implement including two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality of comb
teeth; an electrical heating wire which extends between the comb tooth plates, and
which is arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and
to burn and cut body hair combed with the comb teeth; and a illumination device for
illuminating front of the comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair
is being burnt and cut by the electrical heating wire.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body hair
treating implement including two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality
of comb teeth; an electrical heating wire which extends between the comb tooth plates,
and which is arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto,
and to burn and cut body hair combed with the comb teeth; and a vibration device for
vibrating at least the comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut
by the electrical heating wire.
[0010] According to further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body hair
treating implement including two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality
of comb teeth; an electrical heating wire which extends between the comb tooth plates,
and which is arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto,
and to burn and cut body hair combed with the comb teeth; a illumination device for
illuminating front of the comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair
is being burnt and cut by the electrical heating wire; and a vibration device for
vibrating at least the comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut
by the electrical heating wire.
[0011] According to further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body hair
treating implement including two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates
which respectively have a plurality of comb teeth, and which lie horizontally with
respect to a base implement body of the body hair treating implement; an electrical
heating wire which extends between the comb tooth plates, and which is arranged to
generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn and cut body
hair combed with the comb teeth; and a grip portion extending upward from said base
implement body of the body hair treating implement.
[0012] According to still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body
hair treating implement including two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth
plates which respectively have a plurality of comb teeth, and which lie horizontally
with respect to a base implement body of the body hair treating implement; an electrical
heating wire which extends between the comb tooth plates, and which is arranged to
generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn and cut body
hair combed with the comb teeth; a grip portion extending upward from the base implement
body of the body hair treating implement; and a illumination device for illuminating
front of the comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair is being
burnt and cut by the electrical heating wire.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body
hair treating implement including two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth
plates which respectively have a plurality of comb teeth, and which lie horizontally
with respect to a base implement body of the body hair treating implement; an electrical
heating wire which extends between said comb tooth plates, and which is arranged to
generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn and cut body
hair combed with the comb teeth; a grip portion extending upward from the base implement
body of the body hair treating implement; and a vibration device for vibrating at
least the comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut by the electrical
heating wire.
[0014] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body
hair treating implement including two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth
plates which respectively have a plurality of comb teeth, and which lie horizontally
with respect to a base implement body of the body hair treating implement; an electrical
heating wire which extends between said comb tooth plates, and which is arranged to
generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn and cut body
hair combed with the comb teeth; a grip portion extending upward from the base implement
body of the body hair treating implement; a illumination device for illuminating front
of the comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair is being burnt
and cut by the electrical heating wire; and a vibration device for vibrating at least
the comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut by the electrical
heating wire.
[0015] The body hair treating implement preferably includes a rotatable head in which the
two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates, and the electrical heating
wire are provided. Furthermore, the rotatable head can be made rotatable with respect
to the base implement body of said body hair treating implement.
[0016] The upper comb tooth plate or the lower comb tooth plate can be detachably attached
to the base implement body of the body hair treating implement.
[0017] The lower comb tooth plate is preferably made of aluminum die cast.
[0018] The body hair treating implement is preferably provided with a timer function which
is activated by the turning ON of a switch to activate a power supply circuit for
the electrical heating wire. The timer function is arranged to interrupt power supply
to the electrical heating wire after a lapse of a predetermined time from the turning
ON of the switch even when the switch is being kept ON.
[0019] The body hair treating implement can include a protection cap which is detachable
from the body hair treating implement , and covers at least the two comb tooth plates
when the protection cap is attached to the body hair treating implement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention will be discussed below in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a body hair treating implement with a protection
cap attached thereto;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body hair treating implement with the protection
cap detached therefrom;
Figure 3 is an explanatory view of the body hair treating implement in use;
Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F show a front elevational view, a right side elevational
view, a left side elevational view, a plan view, a back view and a bottom view, of
the body hair treating implement, respectively;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a base implement body of the body hair
treating implement and a rotatable head;
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are explanatory views showing an angular displacement of the
rotatable head;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the base implement body of the body hair
treating implement;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable head of the body hair treating
implement;
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a power receiving electrode plate,
a heating wire supporting electrode plate, and a heating wire;
Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a tensioning mechanism for the heating
wire;
Figure 11 is an explanatory view of the heating wire supporting electrode plate to
which the heating wire is secured;
Figure 12 is a bottom view of a lower housing of the rotatable head;
Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of comb teeth of the rotatable head;
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a slip ring mechanism between the rotatable
head and a second circuit board;
Figure 15 is a block diagram of an electric circuit system;
Figures 16A and 16B are plan views of inner and outer (bottom) sides of a lower comb
tooth plate;
Figures 17A and 17B are plan views of inner and outer sides of a lower comb tooth
plate having a higher-density comb teeth arrangement;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the lower comb tooth plate having the higher-density
comb teeth arrangement; and
Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a symmetrical arrangement of
comb teeth of the lower and upper comb tooth plates;
Figure 20 is a perspective view of a body hair treating implement in which the illumination
lamps are mounted on the rotatable head; and
Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable head in which the illumination
lamps are provided.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a body hair treating implement 1 with a protection
cap 2 attached thereto. In this embodiment, as will be discussed hereinafter, the
body hair treating implement 1 includes (i) spaced and opposed upper and lower comb
tooth plates (two opposed comb tooth plates) 24 and 23 which are provided horizontally
with respect to a base implement body 8 of the body hair treating implement 1, and
which constitutes a comb tooth portion 3, (ii) an electrical heating wire 27 (hereinafter,
a heating wire; see figure 8) which extends between the upper comb tooth plate 24
and the lower comb tooth plate 23, and is brought into contact with the body hair
combed by the adjacent comb teeth of the comb tooth plates 24 and 23, and (iii) a
grip portion 4 which protrudes upward from the base implement body 8. Accordingly,
when the heating wire 27 is supplied with electricity, the heating wire 27 generates
red-heat, and burns and cuts the body hair brought into contact therewith.
[0022] The protection cap 2 is arranged to protect and to keep the comb tooth portion 3
(the comb tooth plates 24 and 23) clean when the body hair treating implement 1 is
not used. When the protection cap 2 is mounted, the body hair treating implement 1
and the protection cap 2 are made integral in shape, so that the comb tooth portion
3 is covered and becomes externally invisible. When the body hair treating implement
1 is being used, the protection cap 2 is removed therefrom. Figure 2 shows the protection
cap 2 detached from the body hair treating implement 1.
[0023] To supply electricity to the body hair treating implement 1, a commercial AC power
source 100 (see figure 15), as an external power supply source, can be used. As shown
in figure 3, the body hair treating implement 1 is connected to the AC power supply
source through an adaptor (AC-DC converter and voltage regulator) 101.
[0024] An output plug 103 is provided at the front end of an output cord 102 of the adaptor
101. The output plug 103 is inserted in a power receiving socket 13 (see figure 7)
which is fixed, through an insertion hole 5 (see figures 4E and 4F) formed in the
rear surface of the grip portion 4, to a first circuit board 11. Accordingly, the
body hair treating implement 1 is electrically connected to the AC power source.
[0025] Upon the body hair treatment implement 1 being electrically connected to the AC power
source via the adapter 101 as shown in figure 3, the user holds the right and left
portions of the grip portion 4 of the body hair treating implement 1 with his or her
thumb 104 and fore finger 105 of right or left hand, while abutting an upper end 4a
of the grip portion 4 against the palm between the thumb 104 and the fore finger 105
of the right or left hand. Consequently, the user can stably handle the body hair
treating implement 1, while holding the grip portion 4.
[0026] When the user who is holding the body hair treating implement 1 depresses one or
both of switching push buttons (key tops) 6-6 provided on the right and left portions
of the grip portion 4 corresponding to the tips of the thumb 104 and forefinger 105,
a heating wire drive circuit 52 (see figure 15) provided on the first circuit board
11 in the grip portion 4 is activated; thereby the heating wire 27 (see figure 8)
in the comb tooth portion 3 is supplied with electricity. Consequently, the heating
wire 27 generates red heat.
[0027] The user brings the heating wire 27 generating red heat into contact with the body
hair between the adjacent comb teeth of the comb tooth portion 3, while combing the
body hair by the comb tooth portion 3. As a result, the body hair brought into contact
with the heating wire 27 is easily burnt and cut. The body hair tips which have been
burnt and cut are rounded, unlike in the case of shearing by a cutting tool, such
as scissors or a razor.
[0028] In the body hair treating implement 1 of the illustrated embodiment, as mentioned
above, the upper comb tooth plate 24 and the lower comb tooth plate 23, constituting
the comb tooth portion 3, is mounted on the base implement body 8, and substantially
lie in horizontal planes; and the grip portion 4 extends upward from the base implement
body 8.
[0029] Due to the upwardly extending grip portion 4, a (downwardly oriented) pressing force,
from the user's hand, to hold and move the body hair treating implement 1 on the user's
skin where the body hair is being cut and burnt can be smoothly and adequately transmitted
thereto. Accordingly, the lower surface of the comb tooth portion 3, i.e., the lower
(bottom) surface of the lower comb tooth plate 23 can be smoothly moved on a user's
skin while keeping close surface contact therewith. Therefore the body hair can be
easily combed.
[0030] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F show a front elevational view, a right side view,
a left side view, a plan view, a back view and a bottom view, of the body hair treating
implement 1, respectively. More specifically, as shown in figure 5, the body hair
treating implement 1 includes (i) the base implement body 8 having the grip portion
4 and a rotatable-head receiving pocket 7, and (ii) a disc-shaped rotatable head 9
(hereinafter, the rotatable head 9) in which the comb tooth portion 3, constituted
by the upper comb tooth plate 24 and the lower comb tooth plate 23, is formed.
[0031] The rear half of the rotatable head 9 is inserted in the rotatable-head receiving
pocket 7 of the base implement body 8; and an upward shaft 33 is provided on an upper
surface of the rotatable head 9, and a downward shaft 35 is provided on a lower surface
of the rotatable head 9. These upward shaft 33 and the downward shaft 35 are respectively
inserted and engaged in shaft receiving holes 7a and 7b formed in the inner-upper
and inner-lower surfaces of the rotatable-head receiving pocket 7. Accordingly, the
rotatable head 9 is rotatable about the shafts 33 and 35, with respect to the base
implement body 8 of the body hair treating implement 1.
[0032] When the rotatable head 9 is manually rotated with respect to the base implement
body 8, the direction of the comb tooth portion 3 is varied from an angular position
of 0 ° , in which the comb tooth portion 3 is oriented forward as shown in figure
6A, to an angular position of +/- 45° as shown in figures 6B and 6C. The angular displacement
is restricted by right and left stop projections 22a of the rotatable head 9, which
interfere with right and left edges 7c formed at the opening portion of the rotatable-head
receiving pocket 7. The angular position of the rotatable head 9 is stably held at
any angular position within an angle range of approximately 90°, due to friction between
an O-ring 37 and the inner surface of the rotatable-head receiving pocket 7. Since
the direction of the comb tooth portion 3 can be adjusted by manually rotating the
rotatable head 9 to a desired direction with respect to the base implement body 8,
the operability of the body hair treating implement 1 can be enhanced.
[0033] The base implement body 8 of the body hair treating implement 1 includes the first
circuit board 11 and a second circuit board 12 incorporated therein.
[0034] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the base implement body 8 of the body
hair treating implement 1. The base implement body 8 is constituted by split-type
right and left housing halves 10-10 which are registered and connected to each other
(for example, by fitting or an adhesive) to thereby form the grip portion 4 and the
rotatable-head receiving pocket 7.
[0035] The first circuit board 11 is secured in the grip portion 4 of the base implement
body 8.
[0036] The second circuit board 12 is secured in the rotatable-head receiving pocket 7 of
the base implement body 8.
[0037] Namely, the first circuit board 11 is considered to be a vertical circuit board;
while, the second circuit board 12 is considered to be a horizontal circuit board.
[0038] The power receiving socket 13 is fixed to the upper end of the first circuit board
11; and the output plug 103 of the power source adaptor 101 is arranged to be inserted
into the power receiving socket 13. In addition, the first circuit board 11 is provided,
on a central surface portion of each surface of the first circuit board 11, with micro
switches 14-14, and provided, on the lower portion of the first circuit board 11,
with a vibrator motor 15 as a vibration generator (vibrator) secured thereto with
a holder 16. An illumination lamp (illumination device) 17 (e.g., a high brightness
white LED) is fixed to the lower end of the first circuit board 11 below the vibrator
motor 15. The illumination lamp 17 is fixed to face forward, and oriented toward the
inside of the rotatable head 9.
[0039] The second circuit board 12 is electrically connected to the first circuit board
11. The front end of the second circuit board 12 is formed to be an arched shape as
shown in figure 7. On the upper and lower surfaces of the arched-shape front end of
the second circuit board 12, metal plates 18-18 for power supply to the heating wire
27 (hereinafter, the power-supply metal sliding-surfaces 18-18) are provided.
[0040] The right and left push buttons (switches) 6-6 are exposed from holes 10c-10c formed
on the right and left housing halves 10-10, corresponding to the right and left micro
switches 14-14 provided on the first circuit board 11.
[0041] When the push button 6 is depressed to turn the corresponding micro switch 14 ON,
the power supply circuit of the circuit board 11 is closed.
[0042] When the push button 6 is released, the switch is turned OFF, so that the power supply
circuit is open.
[0043] Figure 8 shows a exploded perspective view of the rotatable head 9. The rotatable
head 9 includes a disc-shaped lower housing 21, a disc-shaped upper housing 22, the
lower comb tooth plate 23 which is detachably attached to the lower surface of the
lower housing 21, and the upper comb tooth plate 24 which is integrally formed in
the upper housing 22.
[0044] The body housing halves 10-10, the lower housing 21 and the upper housing 22 of the
rotatable head 9, and the protection cap 2 are molded out of a heat-resistant resin
material, such as ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, or DELRIN.
[0045] In the lower housing 21, a pair of right and left power receiving electrode plates
25-25, a pair of right and left heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26, a
heating wire 27 extending between the right and left heating wire supporting electrode
plates 26-26, and a tensioning device 28 which is arranged to tension the heating
wire 27, are mounted.
[0046] Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view of the power receiving electrode plates
25-25, the heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26, and the heating wire 27.
[0047] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the tensioning device 28 for the heating
wire 27.
[0048] The tensioning device 28 for the heating wire 27 includes (i) a stem 30 (support
member) which is held so as to slide in the forward and backward direction in the
lower housing 21 through a bracket 29 which is substantially provided at the center
portion thereof, ( ii ) a stem carrier (cover member) 31 which covers the bracket
29 to prevent the stem 30 from being detached from the bracket 29, and (iii) a piano
wire 32, as a spring member, whose right and left ends are respectively fixed to engagement
portions 21a-21a in the lower housing 21, and which is located on the side opposite
to the heating wire 27 with respect to the stem 30.
[0049] The stem 30 is provided on the front end thereof with a recess 30a, in which an intermediate
portion of the heating wire 27 is engaged, and on the rear end thereof with a recess
30b in which an intermediate portion of the piano wire 32 is engaged. Consequently,
the stem 30 is movably supported between the heating wire 27 and the piano wire 32
due to the flexural elasticity of the piano wire 32. As a result, the heating wire
27 is continuously tensioned.
[0050] The right and left power receiving electrode plates 25-25 (see figures 8 and 9) are
arranged to be brought into elastic contact with the power-supply metal sliding-surfaces
18-18 (see figure 14) to establish stable electrical connection. To this end, the
power receiving electrode plates 25-25 are made of a metal plate of higher hardness
with higher elasticity.
[0051] The heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 partly overlap the right and left
power receiving electrode plates 25-25, respectively, and are mounted in the lower
housing 21. Therefore the right and left heating wire supporting electrode plates
26-26 are electrically connected to the right and left power receiving electrode plates
25-25, respectively.
[0052] The heating wire 27 is secured and supported at its right and left ends by the right
and left heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 in such a way that the right
and left heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 are partly cut to form raised
portions (punched portion) 26a-26a, in which the ends of the heating wire 27 are inserted,
held and are crimped to immovably secure the heating wire 27 (by pushback or downward
pressing).
[0053] Figure 11 is an explanatory view of the heating wire supporting electrode plate 26
to which the heating wire 27 is secured. In order to secure the ends of the heating
wire 27 to the heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 by crimping, it is necessary
for the heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 to have a certain thickness
and to be made of a softer material than a nichrome wire, of which the heating wire
27 is made (softer than the power receiving electrode plates 25 which is required
to be resilient). Namely, the heating wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 are made
of a softer material, such as a pure copper (annealed copper) or an aluminum, which
is soft enough not to damage the heating wire 27 when the heating wire 27 is crimped
to the raised portions 26a-26a.
[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the heating wire 27 can be easily secured to the heating
wire supporting electrode plates 26-26 by inserting the heating wire 27 in the raised
portions 26a-26a, and crimping each end of the heating wire 27 to the raised portions
26a-26a, so that the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0055] In the rotatable head 9, as shown in figure 8, a circular groove 34 for receiving
the O-ring 37, formed concentrically around the upward shaft 33. On the other hand,
figure 12 shows a bottom view of the lower housing 21. The downward shaft 35 is provided
on the lower (bottom) surface of the lower housing 21, and a circular groove 36 for
receiving the O-ring 37 is formed concentrically around the downward shaft 35.
[0056] The upper housing 22 is abutted against and connected to the lower housing 21, in
which the components 25 through 32 have been incorporated therein, by fitting or an
adhesive. The lower comb tooth plate 23 is mounted to the lower surface of the lower
housing 21. The O-ring 37 made of a rubber or resin is respectively fitted in the
O-ring receiving grooves 34 and 36 formed in the central portions of the upper surface
of the upper housing 22 and the lower (bottom) surface of the lower housing 21. Consequently,
the assembly of the rotatable head 9 is completed. The upward shaft 33 of the upper
housing 22 and the downward shaft 35 of the lower housing 21 are aligned on a common
vertical axis.
[0057] As shown in figure 13, the comb tooth portion 3 of the rotatable head 9 include the
upper comb tooth plate 24 of the upper housing 22 and the lower comb tooth plate 23
of the lower housing 21. The upper comb tooth plate 24 and the lower comb tooth plate
23 are spaced at a distance of, for example, 5 to 12 mm. The heating wire 27 is located
between the two comb tooth plates 23 and 24 and close to the base ends of the comb
teeth. The distance between the heating wire 27 and the inner surface of the lower
comb tooth plate 23 is, for example, approximately 2 to 6 mm.
[0058] After the rotatable head 9 has been assembled, the rear part of the rotatable head
9, located opposite to the comb tooth portion 3, is inserted in the rotatable-head
receiving pocket 7 of the base implement body 8 of the body hair treating implement
1; and the upward shaft 33 and the downward shaft 35 are respectively fitted in the
shaft receiving holes 7a and 7b (see figure 5) formed in the upper and lower surfaces
inside the rotatable-head receiving pocket 7. Consequently, the rotatable head 9 is
rotatable about the these shafts 33 and 35.
[0059] When the rotatable head 9 is assembled into the rotatable head receiving pocket 7,
rear contacts (sliding contacts) 25a-25a of the right and left power receiving electrode
plates 25-25 in the rotatable head 9 are, as shown in figure 14, elastically in contact
with the power-supply metal sliding-surfaces 18-18 mounted on the upper and lower
surfaces of the arched-shape front end of the second circuit board 12.
[0060] The contacts 25a-25a and the power-supply metal sliding-surfaces 18-18 constitute
a slip ring mechanism. Due to the slip ring mechanism, the electrical connection between
the power supply circuit of the second circuit board 12 and the power supply circuit,
in the rotatable head 9, for the heating wire 27 is stably established, regardless
of the rotational angle of the rotatable head 9.
[0061] In the state where the rotatable head 9 is incorporated in the rotatable-head receiving
pocket 7 so as to rotate about the upward shaft 33 and the downward shaft 35, the
O-rings 37 on the upper and lower surfaces of the rotatable head 9 are brought into
frictional contact with the inner surfaces of the rotatable-head receiving pocket
7. Due to the frictional contact between the O-rings 37 and the inner surfaces of
the rotatable-head receiving pocket 7, the rotatable head 9 can be stably held at
any angular position within the angular displacement range (see figure 6). Since the
direction of the comb tooth portion 3 can be adjusted by manually rotating the rotatable
head 9 to a desired direction with respect to the base implement body 8, the operability
of the body hair treating implement 1 can be enhanced.
[0062] Figure 15 shows a block diagram of an electric circuit system for the body hair treating
implement 1. As mentioned above, the AC-DC converted power which has dropped to a
predetermined voltage can be supplied from the AC power source 100 to the electric
circuit system of the body hair treating implement 1 through the power source adaptor
101, the output cord 102, the output plug 103 and the power receiving socket 13.
[0063] More specifically, according to figure 15, the electric circuit system includes a
control circuit 51, a heating wire drive circuit 52, an illumination lamp drive circuit
53, and a vibrator motor drive circuit 54.
[0064] The control circuit 51 activates the heating wire drive circuit 52, the illumination
lamp drive circuit 53, and the vibration motor drive circuit 54, when at least one
of the right and left push buttons 6-6 is depressed to turn the corresponding micro
switch 14 ON. Furthermore, the control circuit 51 has a timer function.
[0065] When the heating wire drive circuit 52 is activated, electricity is supplied to the
heating wire 27, so that the heating wire 27 generates red heat.
[0066] The illumination lamp 17 is illuminated when the illumination lamp drive circuit
53 is activated.
[0067] The vibrator motor 15 is driven when the vibrator motor drive circuit 54 is activated.
[0068] When the illumination lamp 17 is illuminated, light emitted therefrom is transmitted
to the rotatable head 9, so that the inside space between the upper comb tooth plate
24 and the lower comb tooth plate 23, i.e., the inside of the comb tooth portion 3,
is illuminated. The light illuminating the inside of the comb tooth portion 3 is further
emitted from the comb tooth portion 3. In figure 3, the symbol L represents the illumination
light which is emitted from the comb tooth portion 3 to the outside thereof to illuminate
front of the comb tooth portion 3, i.e., front of the comb tooth plates 23 and 24.
[0069] Accordingly, the user can bring the heating wire 27 generating red heat with the
body hair between the adjacent comb teeth of the comb tooth portions 3, and burn and
cut the body hair, while combing the body hair by the com tooth portions 3 under the
illumination light.
[0070] In the prior art, the inside of the comb tooth portion is dark, and light emitted
from a room lamp is often intercepted by the user him/herself during the cutting operation.
Having no illumination device makes it difficult for the user to suitably cut the
body hair.
[0071] On the other hand, since (i) the illumination lamp 17 is arranged to illuminate the
inside of the comb tooth plates 23 and 24, and (ii) the light from the illumination
lamp 17 is also arranged to be emitted from the comb tooth portion 3, the operability
of the body hair treating implement is enhanced.
[0072] The illumination lamp 17 further serves as a pilot lamp. When the use sees the emitted
light in and from the comb tooth portion 3, the user can confirm that the heating
wire 27 is supplied with electricity.
[0073] The body hair treating implement 1 is vibrated by the vibrator motor 54. In a conventional
body hair treating implement, when the body hair is being cut, most users draw and
tension the body hair with their fingers and cut the body hair by the heating wire
brought into contact therewith. In this case, the tip of cut hair tends not to be
sufficiently round. It is desirable that the body hair be cut without tensioning the
same, i.e., the body hair be burnt and cut only by contacting the heating wire with
the body hair.
[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, since the body hair treating implement 1 is arranged
to be vibrated, the body hair which is combed by the comb tooth portion 3 is finely
vibrated and less tensioned, so that the tip of the cut hair can be made as round
as possible. The vibration of the body hair caused by the vibration of the comb tooth
portion 3 contributes to easy combing of the body hair by the comb tooth portion 3.
It has been experimentally found that the magnitude of the vibration to be applied
to the body hair treating implement 1 can be small enough to be approximately equal
to that of a cellular phone.
[0075] In the body hair treating implement 1 of the illustrated embodiment, the power supply
circuit is activated to supply the power to the heating wire 27 when at least one
of the micro switches 14 is turned ON via the corresponding push button 6. While the
micro switch 14 is kept ON, the power supply to the heating wire 27 is automatically
terminated after the lapse of a predetermined time set by a timer. Namely, the timer
function of the control circuit 51 begins counting from the time when the micro switch
14 is turned ON. Even if the micro switch 14 is kept ON, the heating wire drive circuit
52, the illumination lamp drive circuit 53, the vibrator motor drive circuit 54 are
deactivated, when the timer counts for about 30 seconds, in the illustrated embodiment.
Consequently, it is possible to prevent the heating wire 27 from overheating which
would otherwise occur if the power supply to the heating wire 27 continues for a longer
time. A user can recognize that the timer function has been activated, by the turning-Off
of the illumination lamp 17, and by the stopping of the vibrator motor 15. If the
push button 6 is depressed again to turn the micro switch ON, the timer is reset.
Consequently, the heating wire drive circuit 52, the illumination lamp drive circuit
53, and the vibrator motor drive circuit 54 are activated again. After the timer counts
the time in response to the operation of the micro switch 14, if the micro switch
14 is turned OFF within about 30 seconds, the control circuit 51 immediately deactivates
the heating wire drive circuit 52, the illumination lamp drive circuit 53, and the
vibrator motor drive circuit 54.
[0076] It is also possible to selectively use the vibration function using a selection switch
55, as shown in figure 15.
[0077] The heating wire 27 can be made of a nichrome wire. In the illustrated embodiment,
the heating wire 27 has relatively a large diameter (
e.g.,
φ 0.2 to 0.32 mm) for the purpose of preventing a slack of the wire due to thermal
expansion as minimum as possible. Such a slack may occur when the wire generates red
heat (400°C). Also, a thick heating wire tends not to break easily.
[0078] When electricity is supplied to the heating wire 27, thermal expansion occurs according
to the length of the heating wire 27.Therefore even if the heating wire 27 has a large
diameter, slack still occurs. To prevent a thermal deformation of the comb teeth due
to the slacked heating wire 27 coming close to the comb teeth, the stem 30 is provided
for the heating wire 27 as mentioned above (see figures 8 and 10).
[0079] The stem 30 is made of a punched stainless steel plate, and the piano wire 32 is
used to control the slack of the heating wire 27. Due to this arrangement, if the
heating wire 27 loosens, the heating wire 27 is moved forward by the stem 30 to maintain
a distance of the heating wire 27 from the lower comb teeth, in order to prevent the
heating wire 27 from coming into contact with the lower comb teeth.
[0080] The heating wire 27 has a relatively large diameter, and the stem 30 is positioned
at the intermediate portion of the heating wire 27 to minimize the slack thereof.
Consequently, no additional self-tensioning mechanism to automatically tension the
wire is necessary in the illustrated embodiment. No additional self-tensioning mechanism
simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the manufacturing costs.
[0081] In the body hair treating implement 1, the lower comb tooth plate 23 of the rotatable
head 9 is detachable from the lower surface of the lower housing 21 of the rotatable
head 9 in order to remove the cut pieces of body hair in or on the comb tooth portion
3. When the lower comb tooth plate 23 is detached, the heating wire 27 is exposed,
so that the heating wire 27, the upper comb tooth plate 24 and the lower comb tooth
plate 23 can be cleaned using a cleaning brush or the like, attached as an accessory.
The detached lower comb tooth plate 23 can be washed with water.
[0082] Figure 16A shows a plan view of the inner side of the lower comb tooth plate 23,
and figure 16B shows a bottom view thereof. The lower comb tooth plate 23 is made
of aluminum die cast. The lower comb tooth plate 23 is provided on its inner surface
with heat radiation fins to enhance radiation efficiency.
[0083] As shown in figure 8, to attach the lower comb tooth plate 23 to the lower housing
21, right and left engagement side portions 23b-23b of the lower comb tooth plate
23 are engaged with engagement guide edges 21b-21b of the lower housing 21, and thereafter
the lower comb tooth plate 23 is slid rearward. When the lower comb tooth plate 23
is sufficiently moved rearward, an engagement projection 21c (see figure 9) of the
lower housing 21 is engaged in an engagement recess 23c (see figure 16B) of the lower
comb tooth plate 23. Thus, accidental detachment of the lower comb tooth plate can
be prevented.
[0084] Conversely, a forward movement of the lower comb tooth plate 23 causes the disengagement
of the projection 21c from the engagement recess 23c, so that the lower comb tooth
plate 23 can be detached from the lower housing 21. In order to ensure a secure sliding
movement of the lower comb tooth plate 23, antiskid rough surface portions 23d are
provided on the outer surface thereof (see figure 16B) .
[0085] Although the number of the comb teeth of the lower comb tooth plate 23 (density of
the comb teeth)is smaller than the number of the comb teeth of the upper comb tooth
plate 24 in the illustrated embodiment (see figure 8), the number of the comb teeth
of the lower comb tooth plate 23 can be the same as the number of the comb teeth of
the upper comb tooth plate 24, as shown in figures 17A and 17B, and 18.
[0086] The cross-sectional shape of the comb teeth of the lower comb tooth plate 23, with
respect to a side elevational view, is different from the shape of the comb teeth
of the upper comb tooth plate 24 in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in figure
13; however, as shown in figure 19, the cross-sectional view of the comb teeth of
the lower comb tooth plate 23 and that of the upper comb tooth plate 24 can be made
symmetrical.
[0087] The illumination lamp 17 which illuminates the inside of the comb tooth portion 3
and emits light therefrom is provided in the base implement body 8 in the illustrated
embodiment; however, the illumination lamp 17 can be provided in the rotatable head
9.
[0088] Figures 20 and 21 show another arrangement of the illumination lamp 17 (e.g., a high
brightness white LED), in which the two illumination lamps 17 are provided in the
rotatable head 9. AS clearly shown in figure 20, one illumination lamp 17 is mounted
in the vicinity of a side of the comb tooth portion 3, and the other illumination
lamp 17 is mounted in the vicinity of the other side of the comb tooth portion 3.
More specifically, according to figure 21, each illumination lamp 17 is installed
in a hole 22b, formed on the upper housing 22, in the vicinity of each side of the
upper comb tooth plate 24.
[0089] Due to this arrangement, when the illumination lamps 17 are illuminated, the inside
space between the upper comb tooth plate 24 and the lower comb tooth plate 23, i.e.,
the inside of the comb tooth portion 3, is illuminated. The light illuminating the
inside of the comb tooth portion 3 is further emitted from the comb tooth portion
3. In figure 20, the symbol L represents the illumination light which is emitted from
the comb tooth portion 3 to the outside thereof to illuminate front of the comb tooth
portion 3, i.e., front of the comb tooth plates 23 and 24. Since the illumination
lamps 17 are mounted on the rotatable head 9, even when the rotatable head 9 is rotated,
the illumination lamps 17 can be suitably oriented toward a target (desired) area
on the user's skin where the body hair is being cut and burnt. Consequently, sufficient
illumination can be constantly given to the target (desired) area on the user's skin.
[0090] Furthermore, as shown in figure 21, the illumination lamps 17 are connected to a
printed circuit board 40. The printed circuit board 40 is mounted on the lower housing
21 of the rotatable head 9; and contacts 40a and 40 are arranged to resiliently come
into contact with terminals 26b and 26b of the supporting electrode plates 26-26.
Consequently, the printed circuit board 40 is electrically connected to the supporting
electrode plates 26-26; and when electricity is supplied to the heating wire 27, electricity
is also supplied to the illumination lamps 17.
[0091] Also, it is possible to provide the illumination lamp 17 on the upper surface of
the upper housing 22 of the rotatable head 9 to illuminate the inside and front of
the comb tooth portion 3.
[0092] It is sufficiently enough to apply vibration to at least the comb tooth portion 3;
accordingly, the vibrator motor (vibration generation device) 15 can be incorporated
in the rotatable head 9. It is also possible to externally provide the vibrator motor
15 onto the body hair treating implement 1.
[0093] The commercial AC power source 100 is used for the body hair treating implement 1
in the illustrated embodiment, and the body hair treating implement 1 is electrically
connected to the commercial AC power source 100 using the electrical cord 102, through
the power source adaptor 101 to supply electricity to the body hair treating implement
1. In place of such an external power supply source, it is possible to provide an
internal power supply system using a battery or rechargeable battery incorporated
in the body hair treating implement 1.
[0094] The lower comb tooth plate 23 is detachably mounted to the body hair treating implement
1 in the illustrated embodiment; however, it is possible to make the upper comb tooth
plate 24 detachable. Furthermore, both the lower comb tooth plate 23 and the upper
comb tooth plate 24 can be detachably mounted to the body hair treating implement
1.
[0095] According to the present invention, the body hair treating implement has the illumination
device which illuminates front of the comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when
the body hair is being burnt and cut by the electrical heating wire. It is therefore
advantageous for a user to use the body hair treating implement, under the illumination
by the illumination device, to burn and cut the body hair located between the adjacent
comb teeth, while combing the body hair by the comb teeth. Consequently, the operability
of the body hair treating implement can be enhanced.
[0096] According to the present invention, the body hair treating implement has the vibration
device for vibrating the two comb tooth plates. Accordingly, it is possible to finely
vibrate the body hair being combed by the comb teeth to thereby reduce the tension,
so that the cut end of the body hair can be made rounded. Also, as the body hair is
vibrated due to the vibration of the comb teeth, combing the body hair by the comb
teeth can be more easily carried out.
[0097] According to the present invention, the body hair treating implement is provided
with the arrangement of (i) the two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth
plates which respectively have a plurality of comb teeth, and which lie horizontally
with respect to a base implement body of the body hair treating implement, and (ii)
a grip portion extending upward from the base implement body of the body hair treating
implement.
[0098] Due to the upwardly extending grip portion, a (downwardly oriented) pressing force,
from the user's hand, to hold and move the body hair treating implement 1 on the user's
skin where the body hair is being cut and burnt can be smoothly and adequately transmitted
thereto. Accordingly, the lower surface of the comb tooth portion, i.e., the lower
(bottom) surface of the lower comb tooth plate can be smoothly moved on a user's skin
while keeping close surface contact therewith. Therefore the body hair can be easily
combed.
[0099] According to the present invention, the body hair treating implement has the rotatable
head in which (i) the two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates are
provided, i.e., the comb tooth portion is provided, and (ii) the electrical heating
wire is provided. Due to the rotatable head, the angular position of the comb tooth
portion with respect to the base implement body of the body hair treating implement
can be made adjustable. Consequently, the operability of the treating implement can
be enhanced.
1. A body hair treating implement comprising:
two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality of comb teeth;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth; and
an illumination device for illuminating front of said comb tooth plates and the inside
thereof when the body hair is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating wire.
2. A body hair treating implement comprising:
two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality of comb teeth;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth; and
a vibration device for vibrating at least said comb tooth plates when the body hair
is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating wire.
3. A body hair treating implement comprising:
two opposed comb tooth plates each having a plurality of comb teeth;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth;
an illumination device for illuminating front of said comb tooth plates and the inside
thereof when the body hair is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating wire;
and
a vibration device for vibrating at least said comb tooth plates when the body hair
is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating wire.
4. A body hair treating implement comprising:
a base implement body;
two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates that respectively have a
plurality of comb teeth, and that lie horizontally with respect to said base implement
body;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth; and
a grip portion extending upward from said base implement body.
5. A body hair treating implement comprising:
a base implement body;
two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates that respectively have a
plurality of comb teeth, and that lie horizontally with respect to said base implement
body;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth;
a grip portion extending upward from said base implement body; and
an illumination device, provided in said base implement body, for illuminating front
of said comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair is being burnt
and cut by said electrical heating wire.
6. A body hair treating implement comprising:
a base implement body;
two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates that respectively have a
plurality of comb teeth, and that lie horizontally with respect to said base implement
body;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth;
a grip portion extending upward from said base implement body; and
a vibration device, provided in said base implement body, for vibrating at least said
comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating
wire.
7. A body hair treating implement comprising:
a base implement body;
two spaced and opposed upper and lower comb tooth plates that respectively have a
plurality of comb teeth, and that lie horizontally with respect to said base implement
body;
an electrical heating wire that extends between said comb tooth plates, and that is
arranged to generate red heat due to electrical power supplied thereto, and to burn
and cut body hair combed with said comb teeth;
a grip portion extending upward from said base implement body;
an illumination device, provided in said base implement body, for illuminating front
of said comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair is being burnt
and cut by said electrical heating wire; and
a vibration device, provided in said base implement body, for vibrating at least said
comb tooth plates when the body hair is being burnt and cut by said electrical heating
wire.
8. The body hair treating implement according to one of claims 4 and 6, further comprising
a rotatable head that is rotatably connected to said base implement body, and wherein
said rotatable head is arranged to contain said two spaced and opposed upper and lower
comb tooth plates, said electrical heating wire, and an illumination device for illuminating
front of said comb tooth plates and the inside thereof when the body hair is being
burnt and cut by said electrical heating wire.
9. The body hair treating implement according to claim 8, wherein said upper comb tooth
plate or said lower comb tooth plate is detachably attached to said rotatable head.
10. The body hair treating implement according to claim 9, wherein said lower comb tooth
plate is made of aluminum die cast.
11. The body hair treating implement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said
body hair treating implement is provided with a timer function that is arranged to
be activated by the turning ON of a switch to activate a power supply circuit for
said electrical heating wire; and wherein said timer function is arranged to interrupt
power supply to said electrical heating wire after a lapse of a predetermined time
from the turning ON of said switch even when said switch is being kept ON.