EP4359178B1 - Beard trimmer with suspension system for the cutting unit - Google Patents

Description

Subject of the invention

The present invention relates to a beard trimmer, more commonly referred to by the English term "trimmer", comprising a mechanism for suspending the cutting unit making it possible to cushion the contact between the trimmer and the skin, in order to provide a better feeling for the user but also a better cutting result.

State of the art

Beard trimmers consist of a handle and a motorized cutting unit. The cutting unit includes a fixed blade and a movable blade, and can also be equipped with a comb to adjust the desired cutting length. The user encounters many different facial curves when trimming a beard, especially around the chin, and the quality of the cut largely depends on the maneuverability of the trimmer.

The document WO2005122685 discloses a clipper with a cutting head and a comb arranged on a handle so as to be simultaneously movable relative to the handle, while keeping a constant distance between the cutting unit and the comb so as not to influence the cutting length. Thus, if too much pressure is applied to the skin, the cutting unit and the comb move back and reduce the pressure acting on the skin. But because the distance between the comb and the cutting unit is kept constant during movement, the cutting length remains the same. In a particular example of this document, the motor is also movable and set in motion with the cutting unit and the comb. This is located in the handle and is connected to the cutting unit by a "motion converter", allowing the pressure on the cutting unit to be transmitted to the motor, the latter pushing on a spring provided in the handle in order to cushion the movements on the skin. This device makes it possible to improve the cutting sensation and also to avoid friction of the skin caused by too much pressure. This device, however, has the disadvantage of comprising a set of moving parts external to the handle, arranged in such a way as to make the mower bulky and difficult to handle, especially in tight spaces. In addition, this mower is easily clogged and difficult to clean.

Aims of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a beard trimmer that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art, namely large size, difficulty in handling and easy clogging. It aims in particular to offer a beard trimmer with improved user comfort thanks to its ease of handling.

An objective of the invention is to provide a clipper with a cutting unit suspension system, allowing a better quality cut thanks to the suspension system which corrects the differences in pressure exerted on the skin, which can lead to differences in length. Thanks to the almost constant pressure applied to the skin, the cut is improved. The suspension system also makes it possible to limit skin friction and unpleasant sensations linked to changes in pressure on the skin.

Another objective is to provide a trimmer with a simplified arrangement of the various elements of the suspension system, particularly compared to state-of-the-art trimmers. The aim is to have all the moving elements of the suspension system located inside the handle, avoiding clogging and difficulty in cleaning as well as manufacturing complexity. In this way, the design of the handle is also simplified and more ergonomic. The cutting unit is as space-saving as possible, to respect the morphological constraints of the face in order to work on the mustache, for example, and the movements of the cutting head easily follow the curves of the face.

Summary of the invention

• une poignée ;
• une unité de coupe motorisée comprenant une tête de coupe et un moteur;

l'unité de coupe motorisée étant fixée sur une unité mobile de forme cylindrique coulissant dans une forme cylindrique complémentaire située à l'intérieur de la poignée ou formant la poignée et en ce qu'un moyen élastique est positionné derrière l'unité mobile afin d'amortir la pression de l'unité de coupe motorisée sur la peau et de créer une force de rappel permettant à l'unité mobile de reprendre sa position d'équilibre.The present invention discloses a beard trimmer with suspension of the cutting unit comprising:

• a handle;
• a motorized cutting unit comprising a cutting head and a motor;

the motorized cutting unit being fixed on a cylindrically shaped movable unit sliding in a complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle or forming the handle and in that an elastic means is positioned behind the movable unit in order to cushion the pressure of the motorized cutting unit on the skin and to create a restoring force allowing the mobile unit to return to its equilibrium position.

• le moyen élastique est un ressort ou un piston ;
• l'unité de coupe motorisée et le moyen élastique sont alignés, l'axe de coulissement de l'unité de coupe motorisée et l'axe de déplacement du moyen élastique étant identiques et correspondant substantiellement à l'axe de la partie de la poignée assurant l'effet d'amortissement ;
• la course du moyen élastique et la distance de déplacement de l'unité mobile est comprise entre 10 et 30 mm, de préférence entre 15 et 25 mm et de manière encore préférée de 20 mm ;
• la tondeuse comprend un moyen pour régler la force d'amortissement du moyen élastique ;
• la force d'amortissement du moyen élastique peut varier entre 120 et 500g.
• la tondeuse comprend au moins un élément d'arrêt permettant de retenir ladite unité mobile à l'intérieur de la poignée lorsque la course du moyen élastique est maximale;
• la tondeuse comprend un mécanisme de blocage de l'unité de coupe dans une ou plusieurs positions fixes ;
• l'unité mobile comprend une butée de compression venant en contact avec la poignée lorsque la course du moyen élastique est minimale.
• la butée de compression est une surface semi-annulaire coïncidant avec ladite forme cylindrique complémentaire située à l'intérieur de la poignée ou formant la poignée.
• la tête de coupe est amovible pour permettre le nettoyage.

Particular embodiments of the invention comprise at least one or a suitable combination of the following features:

• the elastic means is a spring or a piston;
• the motorized cutting unit and the elastic means are aligned, the sliding axis of the motorized cutting unit and the movement axis of the elastic means being identical and corresponding substantially to the axis of the part of the handle providing the damping effect;
• the stroke of the elastic means and the displacement distance of the mobile unit is between 10 and 30 mm, preferably between 15 and 25 mm and more preferably 20 mm;
• the mower includes means for adjusting the damping force of the elastic means;
• The damping force of the elastic means can vary between 120 and 500g.
• the mower comprises at least one stop element for retaining said movable unit inside the handle when the stroke of the elastic means is maximum;
• the mower includes a mechanism for locking the cutting unit in one or more fixed positions;
• the mobile unit includes a compression stop coming into contact with the handle when the travel of the elastic means is minimal.
• the compression stop is a semi-annular surface coinciding with said complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle or forming the handle.
• The cutting head is removable for cleaning.

Brief description of the figures

• There Figure 1 represents an example of a beard trimmer according to the invention in three dimensions and with the cutting unit in the rest position, namely when the stroke of the elastic means is maximum and the movable unit is in an advanced position (i.e. when it is fully extended from the handle). It is the action of the user pressing the trimmer on the skin which exerts pressure on the elastic means and which pushes the movable unit with the motor and the cutting unit towards the inside of the handle. Without pressure, the spring always returns the cutting unit to its initial rest position.
• There Figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the beard trimmer of the Figure 1 , with part of the handle removed to illustrate the internals of the mower. In this case, the spring travel is at its maximum, pushing the moving unit partly out of the handle.
• There Figure 3 represents a 3-dimensional view of the beard trimmer of the Figure 1 , but this time with minimal spring travel. The latter is crushed by the moving unit (following the user pressing the cutting unit onto the skin).
• There Figure 4 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a beard trimmer according to the invention, the spring stroke being maximum because the mobile unit is extended as far as possible from the handle
• There Figure 5 represents an enlarged view of the cutting head and the movable unit of the mower according to the invention.
• There Figure 6 represents a three-dimensional view of an example of a beard trimmer according to the invention, the cutting unit being in the rest position, with a part of the handle having been removed in order to illustrate the electric power cable of the motor, wound inside the spring, as well as the stopping element of the mobile unit.
• There Figure 7 represents a three-dimensional view of an example of a beard trimmer according to the invention, the cutting unit being in the rest position, with the stop shown in an apparent manner despite the fact that it is normally only partially visible.

Numerical references of the figures

1.

Beard trimmer or "trimmer"

2.

Handle

3.

Motorized cutting unit

4.

Engine

5.

Cutting head

6.

Mobile unit

7.

Protective cover

8.

Spring (elastic means)

9.

Motorized cutting unit stop element

10.

Electronic system of the mower and battery

11.

Motor power cable, coiled inside the spring

12.

Alignment axis of the mobile unit and the elastic means

14.

Compression stop

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention discloses a beard trimmer 1 with a handle 2 and a motorized cutting unit 3. The motorized cutting unit, as shown in the Figure 2 , includes a 5 cutting head as well as a 4 motor (see on the Figure 4 ). The cutting unit is fixed on a movable unit 6 of substantially cylindrical shape, sliding in a complementary substantially cylindrical shape located inside the handle, thus allowing the movement of the motorized cutting unit. The movable unit constitutes a shell enclosing the motor and a part of the cutting unit, the shape of which is complementary to the internal shape of the handle to allow it to fit together. Thanks to this movable unit, sliding within the partially hollow handle is done easily, without requiring moving parts external to the handle which could make the mower bulky and easily clogged and thus make cleaning complicated.

In the context of the present invention, the trimmer comprises a means for suspending the cutting unit. Indeed, an elastic means 8 is positioned in the handle, at the rear of the mobile unit in order to cushion the pressure of the motorized cutting unit on the skin. This elastic means is preferably a spring, as shown in the figures, but can also be any other elastic means such as for example a piston. When the user places the cutting head of the trimmer in contact with the skin, pressure is exerted on the cutting head. This pressure is transmitted to the mobile unit, which comprises as explained previously the cutting unit and the motor, and which will slide inside the handle by pressing on the elastic means. Depending on the pressure applied by the user on the skin, the mobile unit will press more or less on the elastic means, making back and forth movements when trimming the beard thanks to the telescopic fitting of the mobile unit in the handle. This elastic means therefore makes it possible to compensate for the user's movements, which may be too abrupt, jerky or too forceful. The suspension system therefore makes it possible on the one hand to soften the user's movements in order to make the sensation more pleasant, but also to obtain a more uniform cutting length. Indeed, when the user exerts too much pressure on the skin, the blades of the cutting head are closer to the skin and this results in a shorter cutting length. It is important to know that a beard trimmer is difficult to handle due to the different angles of the face and that maintaining the same pressure throughout the shave is not easy for the user.

There Figure 2 illustrates the mower with the movable unit in the rest position. In this case, the spring travel is maximum because the cutting head is not subjected to any pressure. The movable unit is in an advanced position (i.e. it is extended as far as possible from the handle). The mower comprises at least one stop element 9 for blocking the movable unit when the travel of the elastic means is maximum (see Figure 6 ). For example, as illustrated in the Figure 6 , this is in the form of a stud provided on the mobile unit and coinciding with a complementary slot provided in the handle. In this way, the mobile unit is blocked by the stud located at the bottom of the slot when the spring travel is maximum, thereby preventing the mobile unit from coming out completely from the handle. This stop element can be in any other form, as long as it allows the mobile unit to be retained inside the handle when the spring travel is maximum, (for example in the form of an annular or semi-annular stop).

There Figure 3 illustrates the mower with the spring shown at minimal travel, the spring being crushed by the moving unit as a result of pressure being exerted on the cutting head. Figure 7 represents an example of a compression stop 14 located on the mobile unit, the latter being shown in a visible manner. The compression stop is in this case a semi-annular surface, located on the periphery of the mobile unit and which is in reality only partially visible when the cutting unit is in the rest position. This compression stop can be in any other form. It allows the handle to be locked by compression, when the spring is compressed by the mobile unit when pressure is exerted on the cutting head. The handle therefore comes into contact with this compression stop, which in the illustrated case, coincides with the cylindrical shape located inside the handle or forming the handle.

The stroke of the elastic means, and therefore the distance of movement of the movable unit towards the inside of the handle, is preferably between 10 and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 and 25 mm and even more preferably 20 mm.

The aim of the beard trimmer according to the invention is also to offer the user a device with a space-saving and lightweight cutting unit that allows trimming the most confined areas of the face and at the same time allows great freedom of movement. To achieve this aim, the inventor has considerably simplified the suspension system. The motorized cutting unit and the elastic means are aligned, as shown in the Figure 4 The sliding axis of the mobile unit and the movement axis of the elastic means are parallel and preferably even identical (axis 12). This simplification of the means of suspension of the cutting head makes it possible to limit the space around the cutting head and to have an ergonomic handle.

Cleaning the cutting head is made easier by the fact that the cutting unit is further away from the handle when it is at rest because it is pushed by the elastic means. It can therefore be passed more easily under water without wetting the rest of the trimmer. However, it is preferable for the cutting head to be removable, in order to be detached from the rest of the trimmer to allow for more efficient cleaning. The trimmer also includes a protective cover 7, to protect the motor unit and limit the deposit of hair on the mobile unit and therefore the motor unit.

According to the invention, the trimmer may also comprise means for adjusting the damping force of the elastic means 8 (not shown). This may, for example, be a wheel on the handle of the trimmer which can be operated by the user to change the stroke of the elastic means to change the damping force. This allows the user to choose the damping force which best suits the type of beard trimming he is doing. Setting a small damping stroke will increase the force required to dampen contact with the skin and setting a large damping stroke will make the trimmer much more sensitive to pressure.

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

The mower of the present invention may also include a rechargeable battery 10, as illustrated in the figures. The mower can thus be used cordlessly. The mower may also be designed to operate solely on mains power with a power cable, or be designed with a combination of the two power supply modes (mains power or battery power). The motor is powered via an electric wire 11 connecting it to the electronic system and the battery 10 of the mower. The wire 11 is wound (for example inside the spring 8 as illustrated in the Figure 2 And 4 ), in order to absorb the movements of mobile unit 6.

Claims (11)

1. A beard trimmer (1) with a suspended cutting unit, comprising:

   - a handle (2);

   - a motorized cutting unit (3) comprising a cutting head (5) and a motor (4);

   characterized in that the motorized cutting unit (3) is attached to a cylindrical movable unit (6) that slides in a complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle (2) or forming the handle (2) and in that a resilient means (8) is positioned behind the movable unit (6) to damp the pressure of the motorized cutting unit (3) on the skin during use and to create a return force allowing the movable unit (6) to return to its equilibrium position after having released the pressure of the motorized cutting unit (3) on the skin.
2. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient means (8) is a spring or a piston.
3. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motorized cutting unit (3) and the resilient means (8) are aligned, the sliding axis (12) of the motorized cutting unit (3) and the movement axis (12) of the resilient means (8) being identical and substantially corresponding to the axis of the part of the handle providing the damping effect.
4. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stroke of the resilient means (8) and the distance of movement of the movable unit (6) is between 10 and 30 mm, preferably between 15 and 25 mm and still more preferably equals 20 mm.
5. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means for adjusting the damping force of the resilient means (8).
6. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the damping force of the resilient means (8) may vary between 120 and 500 g.
7. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one stop element (9) making it possible to keep said movable unit (6) in the handle (2) when the stroke of the resilient means (8) is maximal.
8. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism for blocking the cutting unit (3) in one or several fixed positions.
9. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable unit (6) comprises a compression stop (14) coming into contact with the handle (2) when the stroke of the resilient means (8) is minimal.
10. The beard trimmer (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the compression stop (14) is a semi-annular surface coinciding with said complementary cylindrical shape located inside the handle (2) or forming the handle (2).
11. The beard trimmer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting head (5) is removable to allow cleaning.