US3855696A

US3855696A - Hair cutters

Info

Publication number: US3855696A
Application number: US00340379A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Spanel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-05
Filing date: 1973-03-12
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24

Abstract

A plurality of improved hair cutters are shown of the type in which a blade carrier supports a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set of apexes formed by a partially or fully enclosing cage made up of wire a plurality of elements of substantially identical shape and small crosssection. In order to avoid risks incident in changing blades, structure is provided for relatively longitudinal movement of a whole of either the blade carrier or the cage. This provision of relative longitudinal movement of the blade and the cage preferably can occur only when the blade carrier supports the blade in a predetermined position between the oppositely disposed apexes. In that predetermined position, the sharp edges of the blade are shielded in manner such that accidental cutting or other injury will be avoided.

Description

United States Patent [191 Spanel Dec. 24, 1974 HAIR CUTTERS [76] Inventor: Abram Nathaniel Spanel, 344 Lawrence. Smith Stockton St., Princeton, NJ. 08540 Asslstam Exammerhgary Smth Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Steele & Petock [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 340,379 [57] ABSTRACT A pluralit of improved hair cutters are shown of the Related Apphcatlon Data type in wli ich a blade carrier supports a double-edged Continuation-impart of 321,343, 5, blade for lateral movement in either of two directions 1973- respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set of apexes formed by a partially or fully en- [52] US. Cl 30/30, 30/54, 30/55 closing cage made up of wire a plurality of elements of [51] hit. Cl B26!) 21/12 substantially identical Shape and Sma cross section. [58] Field Of Search 30/30, 31, 62-65, In Order to avoid risks incident in Changing blades,

30/54 320 structure is provided for relatively longitudinal movement of a whole of either the blade carrier or the [56] References cued cage. This provision of relative longitudinal movement UNITED STATES PATENTS of the blade and the cage preferably can occur only 2,636,261 4 1953 Schaeffer 30/30 when the blade carrier pp the blade in a P 2,650,42l 9/1953 Wietzel 30/30 termined position between the oppositely disposed 31,717 l/l956 Spane 30/ apexes. In that predetermined position, the sharp 3,289,295 12/1966 Tomvanw 30/30 edges of the blade are shielded in manner such that 3,358,367 12/1967 Barney 30/30 accidental cutting or other injury will be avoided. 3,613,233 10/1971 Lundell 30/30 3,754,325 8/1973 Tornvall 30/30 51 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures HAIR CUTTERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hair cutters for home and other uses which may be safely used by men, women, and children for hair cutting, grooming, and for either minimum or extensive trimming of the hair to suit the particular style desired.

2. Prior Art In my US. Pat. No. 2,731,7l7, I have shown a number of different embodiments. The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 inclusive has proved to be the most satisfactory, though it left something to be desired as will be explained. Within a generally diamond-shaped cage formed by a plurality of spaced wires and having a gap in one side there was disposed a double-edged blade movable laterally along a plane which bisected oppositely disposed apexes. The angle-shape of the tines provided a desired spacing between the scalp and the selected position of the cutting edge of the blade adjacent one or the other apexes. The lateral adjustment was readily accomplished by a thumb wheel carried by the handle portion. In order to change blades, a clamping element had to be moved relative to clamping studs and physically moved through the gap provided between the free ends of the tines on one side of the hair cutter. Then the blade had to be moved over the clamping post and similarly removed. The procedure had to be reversed with a new blade. During the needed replacement of blades, partly due to the needed high degree of sharpness required for efficient hair cutting, there was always danger of injury due to accidental contact with the cutting edges. Though there was shown in FIG. 6 an embodiment in which the cage could be removed as a whole from the device to expose the blade carrier, blade and clamping element, instead of achieving greater safety when changing the blade the device was converted into one in which the blade was securely held and at the same time unprotected in any way from accidental contact with one or the other of the cutting edges. Because of these dangers, the cutting device of FIG. 6 was not considered of adequate safety for commercial production. In my copending application Ser. No. 321,343, I disclosed and claimed not only improved driving means for the blade carrier which permitted a wider selection of spacings between each of the opposed apexes of the cage and the blade edge adjacent thereto but also improvements in the cage itself including disposition of the several elements so as to provide a camming or transverse movement of hair relative to the cutting blade to increase the efficiency of the cutting action. The latter feature is shown as a part of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, structure is provided for the mounting of the cage and of the blade carrier for relative longitudinal movement as a whole of one of them relative to the other to expose the blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of the blade. Provision is made to prevent this relative longitudinal movement from taking place by safety locks which are released in only one selected lateral position of the blade carrier. In that selected position the blade is shielded so that accidental contact with either cutting edge is prevented By including this safety provision, not only is blade changing made easier and safer, but structural improvement may be made in the cage. For example it may be entirely closed either by the elements of the cage themselves or by interconnecting the free ends by a transparent plastic element or other suitable material to provide bracing. In either case the cage strength is increased to prevent any damaging deformation from the originally produced, efficient cutting configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1-11 illustrate one form of the invention; more particularly,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section of the embodiment in which the cage can only be removed when blade carrier is in a safety position and after operation of a safety device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the hair cutter showing the cage in its removed position and the blade carrier constrained to its safety position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the thumbwheel having an arrow which in the safety position points in the direction of the balade carrier;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underside of the thumbwheel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spring having a pair of detents which are disposed to engage serrations on the underside of the thumb-wheel of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view partly in section illustrating the operation of the safety device which in its illustrated position shows the cage unlatched for removal, which is possible only when the blade carrier is in its safety position;

FIG. 8 is a fractional perspective view of the driving gear, safety-disc and constraining member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating how upon release of the latching device from its operated position it is effective to constrain the blade carrier to its safety position with the cage removed; this Figure also illustrates the removal of the blade and blade clamp from the blade carrier;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the safety latching member together with its releasing knob;

FIG. 11 is a fractional perspective view showing the constraining member after movement from the safetydisc to a position between the teeth of the driving gear;

FIG. 12 is a fractional side elevation partly in section of the device of FIG. I, but illustrating the structural changes needed for the placement of the release button on the opposite or upper side of the handle;

FIG. 13 is a partial side elevation partially in section illustrating the positions of the parts upon operation on the safety or release button;

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevation, partially in section illustrating the positions of the parts upon release of the release button and the movement of the constraining member to engage the teeth of the driving gear to constrain the blade carrier in its safety position during removal and replacement of the blade;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are fractional side elevations, partly in section illustrating a modified form of safety mechanism in each of two of its positions;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention in which the lateral driving mechanism for blade carrier is bodily movable into the confines of the cage FIG. 20) with concomitant movement of the blade carrier outside of the cage for easy replacement of the blade;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 18l8 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 17 and illustrates the longitudinal driving knob and the latch release in positions for longitudinal movement of the blade carrier;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of FIG. 17 with the blade carrier in its position outside the cage;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of FIG. 20 showing the blade and blade clamp removed from the blade carrier;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of another modified form of the invention;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view of the hair cutter of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of selected parts of the hair cutter of FIGS. 22 and 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the drawings, the invention in one form has been shown as applied to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1 1 comprising the hair cutter having a double-edged blade 11 held by clamping member 12 and posts 13 secured to a blade carrier 14. The blade carrier 14 is slidably supported on a flat plate member 16a which, as shown, is an extension of the bottom portion of handle 16. The sub-assembly so far described is enclosed within a cage 18 comprising a plurality of tines or elements of substantially identical shape, each of relatively small cross-sectional area and forming oppositely disposed

apexes

18a and 18b as best shown in FIG. 2. Preferably each of said tines or elements is a wire which is round, curvilinear, of narrow rectangular, or triangular cross-section. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 each tine or element 18c and the remaining tines or elements as a whole are of generally diamond-shape formed by interconnected substantially equilateral triangles.

Each wire element or tine 18c, FIG. 2, has an intermediate midportion 18d disposed inwardly of the base portions of the oppositely disposed triangles to provide clearance for hair to move between the tines. Each intermediate portion 18d extends through channels or slots provided along the bottom of a cage carrier 20. By upsetting the metal partly around each midportion 18d the tine is securely held in fixed position. Clearance for hair to pass through the tines is also provided on the opposite side as by the inturned portions which terminate in free ends. To provide additional bracing and support for these free ends, they are embedded within a plate 22, preferably of transparent, plastic which extends the full length of the cage 18.

As more fully explained in my 'copending application Ser. No. 321,343, the elements or tines of the cage 18 are so shaped as to provide a camming action or sidewise movement of the hair along a cutting edge of the blade. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3 the apical or bight portions l8e lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade. The remainder of each of the tines of the cage 18 is slanted to provide the camming action on each subdivided portion of hair in such manner as to prevent an unsightly chop or ugly ridged type of haircut, which easily happens unless the hair be moved sideways to produce a tapered cut having a gradation substantially following the curvilinear configuration of the head. The straight portions 18c are provided for better control in the areas where a hair part is formed and along the neck and in the regions of the sideburns where normally a shorter cut is desired, often akin to shaving.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the plate member 16a throughout its intermediate portion has a width sufficient to effectively shield both edges of the blade 11 when the blade is in a substantially centered position relative to plate member 16a. Thus, in the position best shown in FIG. 2 the blade is in its shielded position, namely in a non-cutting position. Accordingly, if the cage be removed as shown in FIG. 3, it will be seen that the blade is fully shielded and cannot accidentally do injury to a person which would otherwise be the case.

In order to move the blade from its shielded position, a transport mechanism, similar to that in my earlier issued Pat. No. 2,731,717, is utilized, but having signifi' cant differences. The blade carrier 14 in FIG. 1 has a convex curved surface 14a slidably engaging a concave curved surface of an extension of the upper plate 16b forming a part of the handle 16. The outer extremity of the bottom plate 16a of the handle 16 terminates in a T-shaped end 16k bent back upon itself to provide a guide channel for the outer extremity of the blade carrier 14. The blade carrier 14 at its opposite end terminates in a rack gear 14c which meshes with a driving gear 24. The driving gear 24 is secured to a stub shaft 26. Also secured to the stub shaft 26 is a thumb-wheel or knob 18 the underside of which has a plurality of radial serrations, V-shaped notches 28b best shown in FIG. 5, into which there extends, on opposite diametral portions of the wheel 28, the V-shaped

detents

30 a and 30b of the two arms of a spring member 30 the shape of which is best shown in FIG. 6. This spring member 30 is suitably fastened as by riveting, as shown to the upper plate 16b of handle 16. The top of the thumbwheel 28 has an arrow 28a, FIG. 4, which, with the parts in the positions illustrated, points in a direction along the mid-longitudinal axis of the blade support 16a, for purposes later to be explained.

As shown by a double-headed arrow 32, FIG. 1, the thumb-wheel 28 may be rotated either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction correspondingly to drive the gear 24 and through the rack 14c, the blade carrier 14, to move the blade 11 from its protected position outwardly either to the right or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, and into a selected cutting position. The arrow 18a is useful to indicate to a user that with the arrow in different selected angular positions desired reproducible cutting can be obtained as determined from previous experience with the cutter. Thus, with an edge of the blade 11 moved just outside the protected position, trimming of hair at its greater length will be best achieved. As the cutting edge is moved nearer and nearer to the apex portions (tine-angles), the cutting ,will produce progressively graded shorter hair. Due to the separated tines of the cage which provide for passage of hair between them with little obstruction, there is little accumulation of cut hair within the cutter and the position of the cutting edges of the blade 11 can be observed at all times. Also, the cutter cuts equally well with either face of the cutter against the hair and thus, with a blade edge in any one of a great number of selected positions relative to its adjacent apex, substantially the same cutting action is provided regardless of whether the cutter is held in either the right or the left hand.

As already explained, for close cutting a blade edge will be moved to a position where it almost touches the adjacent inner surface of the apex portion (tine angle). Another feature of my copending application Ser. No. 321 ,343 is here utilized for the purposse of preventing damaging nicking of blade edges by having one or more of the tines, as for example tine 18f, FIG. 3, shorter than the remaining tines so that the blade will be stopped by engaging the inner surface of that tine without engaging any of the remaining tines. Alternatively, a suitable stop for the blade carrier may be provided to achieve this desirable purpose. Also one or more shortened tines may serve as a stopping structure to prevent close cutting by one or both cutting edges; thus preventing overcutting during initial use of the cutter.

When it is desired to change blades, the release button 34 will be pressed inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 7. This will release the latch formed by the upturned, or hook-shaped, end 20a of the cage carrier 20 from the depending latch member 35 carried by the latching element 36 made of spring steel or other resilient material. The end portion 36a of latching element 36 prevents release of the latch if the blade 11 is not in its shielded position. If it is in the shielded position then the narrow end portion 36a can be moved upwardly into the radial notch 37, FIG. 8, provided in the safety disc 38 secured to the stub shaft 26.

With the latch released, it is only necessary to engage the downturned end 20b with thumb or finger to move the cage from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 to the position shown in FIG. 3. With the parts now exposed, it becomes a simple matter, FIG. 9, to engage tab 12a to move the blade clamp 12 to the left to release it from the slotted studs 13 and thence to remove the blade 11. Replacement is readily accomplished by dropping the blade over the studs 13 and then clamping it into position with the blade clamp 12 whose outer angularly disposed side walls provide adequate spring action to achieve this purpose, as best shown in FIG. 2.

While the cage is in its removed position, it will be noted that both hands will be required: one to hold the hair cutter, and the other to manipulate the blade clamping member 12. Thus, the release button 34 may be freed to drop to the position shown in FIG. 9. The blade carrier 14 is then constrained to its safety position by the descent of the end 36a of the latching member 36 into the space between the teeth of the driving gear 24 as shown in FIG. 11. This constraining feature effectively prevents rotation of that gear by the thumbwheel 28. Thus the blade 11 during the time it is mounted on the blade support 14 is at all times in its shielded position. It is to be understood that the latching element 36 best shown in FIG. is of spring metal and is suitably fastened, as riveted, to the lower member 16a of the handle 16. Due to its width, it is laterally rigid and resists twisting caused by any attempts to move the adjusting wheel 28. Thus, the safety means is effective in achieving its functions.

Returning now to FIG. 3, in order to replace the cage 18 to its cooperative relation with the blade 11 and its associated mechanism, it will be observed that the right hand side of the cage carrying member 20 extends outwardly of the cage proper. This is for the purpose of providing visual aid for insertion of its inturned tracks provided by the inturned sides of the plate carrier 20 as best shown in FIG. 2, onto the downwardly and outwardly extending

tracks

16e and 16f of the plate member 16a forming part of the handle 16. The track or guideways Me and 16f of plate member 16a are formed by punching and shaping intermediate portions of that plate member.

Ass soon as the guideways mate, the cage as a whole is then smoothly slid into place and the rounded end of latching member 20a engages the inclined surface of the companion latching member 35 to raise the element upwardly until the hook-shaped end 20a moves beyond the shoulder of the latching member 35. At this point it drops into place, FIG. 1, holding the parts securely in position and against any accidental dislodgement of the cage during use or in other handling of the cutter.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the latching member 36 provides a downward bias to assure movement of its end 36a into constraining engagement with the gear 24. In the embodiment now to be discussed, that member provides a bias against movement both above and below a neutral, intermediate, position.

In order to place the release button 34 on the same side of the cutter as the thumb-wheel 28, the latching element 40, FIG. 12, is of generally the same configuration as shown in FIG. 10, but differs therefrom. As in FIG. 10 it is fastened as by riveting at 41 to the bottom plate 16a of the handle 16. But near the riveted end there is an upwardly extending inclined portion 40a, and then a flat portion extending out to its narrow end 40b which cooperates with the locking disc 38 and the gear 24 as in the preceding.

By providing a ridge 16d intermediate the length of the latching element 40, inward movement of the release button 34, FIG. 13, will cause the latching element 40 to lift the latch member 35 above the upturned end 20a of the cage carrier 20 to release it for withdrawal as explained in connection with FIGS. l-11. When the blade carrier 14 is in the unshielded position upward movement will be prevented as in the preceding embodiment by the disc 38. When in the shielded position end 40b enters notch 37 of disc 38 permitting release of the

latch

35, 20a.

After removal of the cage 18, the button 34 is released and under the influence of the spring-bias of element 40, it moves upwardly and element 40b moves downwardly until into meshing engagement with the driving gear 24, FIG. 14, so that the blade remains constrained to its shielded position upon removal of the cage.

Upon return of cage 18 to the position shown in FIG. 12, the latching element 40 is returned to its initial latched position as illustrated in that Figure.

In embodiments now to be described, like reference characters have been applied to identify the same parts as in the preceding modifications.

Corning now to the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16 a modified form of safety mechanism is shown. In the structure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 a latching element 42 has its left end carrying the wedge-shaped latch 35. It is moved upwardly by movement to the left of a slider 44 the top surface of which is knurled for frictional engagement by the thumb. As shown in FIG. 15, the concave groove of the slider has disposed within it the convex portion 42a of element 42 which thus restrains the slider from accidental movement and requires a slight amount of force to move it to the left. As the slider 44 is moved to the left, an inclined surface thereof engages an inclined surface 42b of the latching eiement 42 to move it downwardly. It then pivots over a fulcrum 16d to lift the latch 35 to release the hooked end 200 of the cage carrier 20. When the foregoing occurs, the parts occupy the positions shown in FIG. 16. Thus, the latching element 35 is in its fully elevated position and the concave surface on the underside of the slider 44 now has within it the concave surface 42c of the latching element 42. Due to the spring bias on the slider 44, it is restrained from movement absent the application of force applied by thumb or finger to move slider 44 to the right as viewed in FIG. 16.

It is to be observed that the slider 44 has secured to it a constraining element 46 with a free end which is moved from the position in FIG. to the position in FIG. 16. In the latter position the end of the constraining element 46 extends between the teeth of the driving gear 24 so that the knob 28 cannot be turned whenever the slider 44 is in the position shown in FIG. 16. As in the preceding embodiments, the serrations or radial grooves 28b form the indexing means for the knob 28, as shown in FIG. 5. Two of them, 28c, 28c, diametrically disposed, have grooves much deeper than the remainder of the grooves thus to signal the operator of the fact knob 28 is in the mid-position, with the blade 1 1 in its safety position. The arrow, FIG. 4, then points in directions to coincide with the central longitudinal axis of the supporting member 16a for the blade carrier 14.

When the cage is returned to its enclosing position, the knob or thumb-wheel 28 may not be moved until the slider 44 has been returned to the position shown in FIG. 15. In this latter position the latch 35 has moved downwardly to engage its companion member 200 to latch the cage in position.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 17-21, blade changing is accomplished with increased safety and with the movement of the blade carrier 14 and blade 11 outwardly of the cage by a slider 52 provided in the handle portion of the hair cutter 10, FIG. 17. The outward movement of blade carrier 14 and blade 11 from the cage can only be accomplished when the blade occupies its shielded position on supporting member 50. The safety means for accomplishing this objective differs from those in the preceding embodiments. These means will now be described in detail. Within the handle 16 there is slidably mounted an extension 50a of a supporting member 50. This member 50 is provided at its outer end with a T-shaped end 50b which forms a transverse guideway within which there is slidably mounted one end of the blade carrier 14. The member 50 has an intermediate portion bent back upon itself and terminating in a downwardly concave portion 50c forming a rounded guideway for the convex portion 14a, FIG. 21, of the blade carrier 14 which, as in preceding modifications, terminates in a rack gear 140, FIG. 17, with which there meshes the driving gear 24, FIG. 21, driven by the knob 28.

The supporting member 16a, FIG. 18, has a fixed post or bearing member 54, one end of which has a round flange nesting within a channel 50f extending lengthwise of the supporting member 50. The round midportion of bearing member 54 extends through a narrow slot provided in member 50 coextensive with channel 50f. The post or bearing member 54 terminates in a flat head which is received in a widened portion of channel 50f. The round portion of post 54 then extends through an opening in supporting member 16a and terminates in a threaded end to which a nut is attached or it may be secured in fixed position by other means such as by riveting. Thus, the member 50 is mounted for sliding movement relative to frame member 16a.

In order to move the slidable supporting member 50 and its associated component parts from the positions shown in FIG. 17, to the positions shown in FIG. 20, a slider 52 extending upwardly through an elongated slot 16m in the handle 16 which when pressed downwardly releases the latch 53, as shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the extension 50a of member 50 is flexible enough to permit the deflection downwardiy. A member 50g which forms a fulcrum for the extension 50a may be a part of the supporting member 50 and the other portion 50a may be a second member as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21. As shown, the slider extension 50g is a part of the supporting member 50 and the slider 52 is secured to the U-shaped end 5011 as by a riveting, brazing or other suitable means. The indexing spring 30 for thumbwheel 28, FIG. 21, is likewise secured to the assembly at the location of the U-shaped end 50h and serves the purpose as in the preceding embodiments for its cooperation with the serrations of the knob to provide the indexing means. Preferably, the deeper diametral slots 280 (FIG. 5) are likewise utilized as further indications of the shielded position of the blade 11 with reference to its supporting member 50. As best shown in FIG. 20, the supporting member 50 has a width sufficient to effectively shield both edges of blade 11 when the latter is in a substantially centered position relative to 50.

As soon as the latch 53 is released, the slider 52 may be pushed to the left, a narrow longitudinal slot 16m in handle member 16b being provided for a narrow shoulder on slider 52. The slider 52 can be moved to the left, only when the arrow shown in FIG. 17 points outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the blade assembly. This safety means accomplishes the stated objective by reason of the subdivision of the downwardly concave guides, one of them, 16g, being on one side of knob 28 and the other, 16h, on the opposite side. Both of the

ways formingguiding surfaces

16g and 16h are formed from the supporting member 1612 of the handle.

If the knob 28 is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction away from the safety position shown in FIG. 17, the gear rack 14c and the blade carrier and associated blade will move upwardly or downwardly toward the upper or lower row of bights respectively. As this movement occurs, the upwardly convex portion of the carrier 14, FIG. 21, moves into sliding engagement along the downwardly convex portion of 16g or 16h respectively. Such engagement then prevents any longitudinal outward movement of the assembly by attempts to operate the slider 52.

With the parts centered, however, as shown in FIG. 17, then upon releasing the latch 53, the supporting member 50 can be moved to the left until the blade 11 is fully exposed. At this time, the tab 12a may be used to move the blade clamp 12 to the left until its larger openings register with the posts or studs 13 for removal of the clamping blade and then the blade itself for changing blades, the parts thereupon being in the positions shown in FIG. 21.

When the slider 52 is in its left-hand position, FIGS. 20 and 21, the latching element of extension 50a then registers with a notch 53c to hold the parts in the extended position. This is a further protective feature in that when the blade clamp is being released longitudinal movement of the assembly as a whole is prevented thus decreasing danger of accidental injury by reason of the sharp edges of the blade.

After the blade has been changed and the blade clamp 12 returned to its clamping position, the slider 52 is again pressed downwardly to release its engagement with the latching recess 53c and thence moved along the length of the handle from the position of FIG. 20 to the position of FIG. 17. The latch 53 is again engaged and the hair cutter is then ready for use with the new blade.

Inasmuch as the protective features earlier realized have been provided by reason of the fact that the blade changing now takes place outside of the cage, it will be seen that the cage 18 itself may fully enclose the blade and its associated assembly as clearly shown in FIG. 18. The individual wires, tines, or elongated elements comprising each element of the cage may be formed singly and each shaped to conform with the desired pattern for the hair-camming actions earlier described and so illustrated in FIGS. 17, 20 and 21 or the elements may be continuous with crossovers taking place in the region of the mounting plate and the grooves.

In a further embodiment of the hair cutter, as illustrated in FIGS. 22-24, there are utilized a number of the features earlier described in the preceding embodiments. Instead of longitudinally moving the complete driving mechanism for lateral movement of the blade 11 as in FIGS. 17-21, in the embodiment of FIGS. 22-24 the adjusting knob or thumb-wheel 28 has its stub shaft 26 rotatably carried by the bottom member 16a of the frame forming the handle portion 16 of the hair cutter while only the remaining portion of the lateral driving mechanism is moved longitudinally. As will be explained, the rack gear 61b separates from the driving gear 24 when the blade carrier is longitudinally moved to an exposed position outside of the cage 18.

The cage 18 is mounted on, or carried by, the stationary extension of the bottom portion 16a of the handle 16 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1721. The driving gear 24 is secured to stub shaft 26 intermediate its ends to provide space above and below it respectively for the upper arm 60a and the lower arm 60d of the U-shaped member 60 to which the slider 52 is secured. The upper arm 60a has an elongated slot 60b through which extends the portion of stub shaft 26 above gear 24. The arm 60a terminates in the curvilinear guideway 600. This forms one portion of the guideway for the blade carrier 61, the other curvilinear portion 61a being formed from the end portion of the blade carrier 61 which terminates in the rack gear 61b. The lower arm 60d of U-shaped member 60 also has an elongated slot 60e through which extends the portion of stub shaft 26 below gear 24. An extension of the lower arm 60d forms the support for the blade carrier 61 and terminates in a T-shaped end 60f corresponding in shape and function to the corresponding T-shaped end or guideway 50b of the modification of FIGS. 17-21.

To change blades, the slider 52 is pressed downward to release latching element 53 and is then moved to the left from the position shown in FIG. 23 to the position shown in FIG. 22. It should be noted that such movement cannot occur unless the arrow 28a be pointing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the cage which indicates that the blade 11 is in its substantially centered position on the support d, in which position the support has a width sufficient to effectively shield both edges of blade 1 l to prevent accidental contact and re sultant injury. The longitudinal movement of the slider 52 moves with it the U-shaped member 60. The upper and lower slots form guides by the contact of their side walls with the stub shaft 26. The curvilinear guideways 61a and 600 in combination with bearing

surfaces

16g and 16h prevent movement of the blade carrier and blade unless the blade is in its shielded position, as in the preceding embodiments. With the initial longitudinal outward movement of blade support 60d the rack gear 61b disengages itself from the driving gear 24. Thus, the blade 11 is constrained by friction to its shielded protected position on blade support 60d during the time it is exposed for blade-changing purposes.

With the blade and carrier outside the cage, bladechanging is accomplished as earlier described in connection with the preceding embodiments.

To return the assembly to hair-cutting positions within the cage 18, the slider 52 is pressed downwardly to release latching member 53 and is then moved to the right. Since the teeth of the engaging gears are pointed. meshing of the rack gear 61b with the driving gear 24 is automatically accomplished.

Normally there is adequate friction in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-24 provided by the

arm members

60a and 60d to make unnecessary the need of a latch to hold the assembly in the hair-cutting position. If desired, and as shown in FIG. 24, there may be provided

notches

53c, 53c cooperating with a detent which provides additional restraint against longitudinal movement of the components which move inwardly and outwardly of the cage.

In each of the several embodiments, the two

elements

16a and 16b of the handle may be formed from sheet metal with one being rolled over the other as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 20. This provides strong mechanical structure for the handle and the hair cutter 10 as a whole. It is, of course to be understood that the use of sheet metal is not essential to the invention since the parts can be made of any selected materials including rigid plastic molding compounds except, of course, for the blade 11 which should be of a good quality stainless steel or other hard material which will sustain and maintain sharp cutting edges. It is preferred that the elements of the cage be formed of stainless steel wire or equivalent.

Now that the principles common to the several embodiments have been fully explained, it is to be understood that features of one embodiment may be utilized with other embodiments all within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, instead of utilizing the cage construction of FIG. 18 in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-21 inclusive, the cage construction of FIG. 2 may be used even though the cage of the embodiment of FIGS. 17-21 provides more clearance for free movement of hair through both sides of the cage than in the preceding modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area, forming at least one row of apexes,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward away from said apexes,

a support for said blade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof,

means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relative longitudinal movement of one of them, relative to the other, to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade, and

means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but one of its lateral positions.

2. The combination of claim 1, in which said mounting means for said cage has a tab for assisting in the movement of said cage longitudinally of said support for blade carrier.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1, in which said support for said blade carrier has a width sufficient to provide protection against accidental contact with at least one edge of the blade when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered position relative to said blade carrier supporting member.

4. The combination of claim 3, in which said cage at least partially surrounds said blade carrier, and in which said mounting means for said cage is slidable relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade changing purposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with said mounting means, and

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair-cutting position,

said means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement of said cage with respect to said blade carrier including restraining means for restraining release of said latching means except when said blade is substantially centered in its position on said support for said blade carrier.

5. The combination of claim 4, in which there is provided,

a handle portion for the hair cutter secured to said support for said blade carrier,

said restraining means being carried by said handle portion.

6. The hair cutter of claim 4, in which said manually operable element is carried by said handle portion and is exposed on the same side of the handle portion as said manually rotatable element, and fulcrum means for moving one element of said latching means in a direction opposite to inward movement of said manually operable means to release said latching means.

7. The combination of claim 4, in which said restraining means includes a disc having a notch, said second element of said latching means having an extension which can enter said notch only when said blade carrier is in its said substantially centered position, thus permitting unlatching only when said blade carrier is in its substantially centered position,

said driving means including driving and driven gears,

and an extension of said manually operated latching member interlockingly engaging one of said gears to constrain movement of said blade carrier away from said substantially centered position during and after movement of said cage to a position exposing said blade carrier and blade.

8. The combination of claim 7, in which said latching means and said restraining means are separate elements, and slider means mounted within the handle portion and movable lengthwise from a latching position to a latch releasing position conjointly to release said latching means and to constrain said blade carrier in its centered position during and after removal of said cage.

9. The combination of claim 3, in which said driving means for producing said lateral movement of said blade carrier includes a manually rotatable element having a plurality of notches, a spring biased into engagement with said notches to provide indexing means for said rotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper than the remaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier is in its said substan tially centered position.

10. The combination of claim 1, in which said means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprises guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of the handle,

a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from said cage, and

means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

11. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cutting positions,

a frame therefor including a handle,

a cage attached to said frame,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof to the series of hair cutting positions,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement including guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension to said support extending from said blade carrier lengthwise of the handle,

a slider member for moving said support means and its associated blade carrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to expose the blade carrier and blade, and

12. A hair cutter having a cage comprised of a plurality of elements,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward one side of said cage and toward the other side of said cage,

a support for said blade carrier having a width sufficient to shield at least one edge of the doubleedged blade to provide protection against accidental contact therewith when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered position relative to said blade carrier supporting member,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, to expose a cutting edge of said blade in a selected position within said cage,

means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relative longitudinal movement as a whole of one of them relative to the other to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade, and

means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but said substantially centered position.

13. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier,

a support therefor,

a cage at least partially surrounding said blade carrier,

mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movement relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with its said mounting means,

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair-cutting position, and

means for preventing release of said latching means except when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered position on said support.

14. The hair cutter of claim 13, in which said support for said blade carrier has a width sufficient to provide protection against accidental contact with at least one edge of the blade when said blade carrier is in said substantially centered position.

15. The hair cutter of claim 13, in which said support has a handle portion and in which driving means are provided for driving said blade carrier in lateral direction relative to the long axis of said cage.

16. The hair cutter of claim 15, in which said manually operable element is accessibly mounted on said handle portion on the opposite side thereof from said driving means.

17. The hair cutter of claim 15, in which said manually operable element is accessibly mounted on said handle portion on the same side as said driving means.

18. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircutting positions,

means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said blade carrier and said support when said blade carrier is at a different lateral position, and

restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its said shielded position. 19. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which there are provided,

means for preventing restraint of said driving means during operation thereof to produce said lateral movement of said blade carrier, and

means for rendering said restraining means effective to restrain operation of said driving means.

20. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which said restraining means includes two elements each having notches,

said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which it does not restrain said operation of said driving to two positions in one of which positions it engages a first of said notches and then to the other of its positions where it engages the second of said notches and being effective when engaging either of said notches to restrain said operation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its said protected position.

21. A hair cutter comprising:

a blade carrier for supporting a double-eedged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircutting positions, and

restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its said shielded position, said restraining means including two elements, each having notches, said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which it does not restrain said operation of said driving means to two positions in one of which positions it engages a first of said notches and then to the other of its positions where it engages the second of said notches and being effective when engaging either of said notches to restrain said operation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its said protected position and wherein said driving means includes driving and driven gears with one of said notches being the space between the teeth of one of said gears and further including a separate element rotatable with said driving means having formed therein the other of said notches.

22. A hair cutter comprising:

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade,

a support therefor,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected haircutting positions and wherein said driving means includes driving and driven gears, and restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its shielded position, said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which said driving means is unrestrained to a position interlocking with one of said gears for preventing movement of said blade carrier when in its said protected position.

23. A hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements,

a frame to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating in a handle portion provided with an elongated slot,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions respectively toward one or the other of opposite sides of said cage, said blade carrier having a rack gear at one end portion,

a supporting member for said blade carrier, said supporting member and said blade carrier having extending therefrom a member which extends into the handle portion of length coextensive with said elongated slot,

transporting means extending through said slot for movement along said slot to move said supporting member, its blade carrier and blade outwardly of said cage.

driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshing with said rack gear,

manually operable means for driving said driving gear, and

at least one component part of said driving means being movable with said transporting means to a position preventing lateral movement of said blade carrier when exposed outwardly of said cage.

24. The hair cutter of claim 23, in which said driving means as a whole is moved within said cage to prevent said lateral movement of said blade carrier.

25. The hair cutter of claim 23, in which only said gear rack is movable with said supporting member.

26. The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member has a transversely extending convex surface nesting within a mating concave surface forming part of said supporting member for slidably mounting said blade carrier for its movement toward and away from one or the other of said apexes, said lastnamed convex and concave members being of lesser width than said cage, and said frame having convex surfaces extending outwardly in opposite directions from its central portion to provide bearing surfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positions in juxtaposition respectively with one or the other sets of apexes.

27. The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member and said blade carrier have bearing surfaces of less width than that of said cage providing for said lateral movement, and said frame having separate bearing surfaces respectively extending outwardly from the respective ends of said bearing surface of said supporting member to receive said bearing surface of said blade carrier, said movement of said bearing surface of said blade carrier into engagement with either of said bearing surfaces of said frame forming a restraint against movement of said blade carrier outwardly of said cage.

28. The combination of claim 23, in which said elements of said cage provides continuous encirclement of said blade and its carrier.

29. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cutting positions, a frame therefor, a cage attached to said frame,

a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways,

an extension to said support extending from said blade carrier,

a slider member connected to said extension for moving said support and its associated blade carrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to expose the blade carrier and blade, and

30. A hair cutter comprising,

a supporting member,

a blade carrier supported by said supporting member and having a central portion forming a first part of a guideway,

a frame having spaced portions together forming the second part of a guideway to receive said first part during lateral movement of said blade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement, and

guiding means in which said supporting means is slidably mounted to provide longitudinal movement for said blade carrier.

31. The combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area, forming oppositely disposed apexes,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set of apexes,

a support for said blade carrier,

driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, and

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement, relative to said cage of said blade carrier to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade.

32. The combination of claim 31, in which said cage at least partially surrounds said blade and blade carrier.

33. The combination of claim 31, in which, longitudinally, said cage and part of said blade carrier lateral driving means are fixed, and said blade carrier with the remaining part of its lateral driving means is movable.

34. The combination of claim 31, in which said support has a width sufficient to prevent accidental cutting by at least one edge of the blade when said blade is in a substantially centered position relative to said support.

35. The combination in claim 34 including constraining means which prevents said blade carrier from moving away from said substantially centered position on said blade carrier support when said cage, relative to said blade carrier, is away from said hair cutting position.

36. The combination of claim 35, in which said driving means for producing said lateral movement of said blade carrier includes a manually rotatable element having a plurality of notches, a spring biased into engagement with said notches to provide indexing means for said rotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper than the remaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier is in its said substantially centered position.

37. The combination of claim 31, and including a tab which moves longitudinally with said blade carrier for assisting in said longitudinal movement of said blade carrier.

38. The combination in claim 33, including a handle to which said cage is fastened,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof, and said support for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and

a tab for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from said cage.

39. The combination in claim 33, including,

a handle to which said cage is fastened,

means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof and said support for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways,

an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and

a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from said cage.

40. The combination of claim 39, and including means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

41. The combination of claim 31, including:

means for preventing longitudinal movement of said blade carrier away from a hair cutting position except when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered lateral position, and

means for preventing lateral movement of said blade carrier away from said substantially centered position when said blade carrier is longitudinally away from a hair cutting position.

42. A hair cutter having a cage comprising a plurality of elements, a frame to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating in a handle portion provided with a longitudinal elongated guideway,

a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions re spectively toward one or the other of opposite portions of said cage, said blade carrier having a laterally oriented gear rack,

a supporting member for said blade carrier having extending therefrom a tab for aid in driving blade carrier and blade outwardly and inwardly of said cage,

driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshing with said gear rack, manually operable means for driving said driving gear, and

at least one component part of said blade carrier or said blade carrier driving means being laterally movable from positions where longitudinal motion of said blade carrier is prevented to at least one position where longitudinal motion of said blade carrier is permitted.

43. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said driving means is longitudinally moved within said cage to prevent said lateral movement of said blade carrier.

44. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said gear rack is movable with said supporting member.

45. The hair cutter of claim 42, in which said supporting member has a transversely extending surface nesting within a mating surface forming part of said supporting member for slidably mounting said blade carrier for its movement toward and away from one or the other of opposite portions of said cage, said mating surface being of lesser width than said cage, and said frame having matching surfaces extending outwardly in opposite directions from its central portion to provide bearing surfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positions in juxtaposition respectively with one or the other opposite portions of said cage.

46. The hair cutter of claim 42 including,

frictional means for restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

47. The hair cutter of claim 42 including,

detent means for restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

48. A hair cutter comprising,

a blade carrrier for supporting a blade,

a support therefor,

a cage at least partially surrounding said blade and blade carrier,

mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movement relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes,

latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with said mounting means,

a manually operable element forming a second element of the latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair cutting position, and

means for preventing release of said latching means except when said blade is in a particular position relative to said support.

49. The hair cutter of claim 48, in which said support for said blade carrier has a width sufficient to prevent accidental cutting by at least one edge of the blade when said blade is in substantially centered position relative to said support.

50. The hair cutter of claim 49, including constraining means which prevents said blade carrier from moving away from said substantially centered position when cage is in said exposed position.

51. The hair cutter of claim 50 including a handle and in which driving means are provided for driving said blade carrier in lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said cage.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION P N 3, 855, 696 Dated December 24, 1974 Inve t Abram Nathaniel Spanel It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title Page, Abstract, line 6, delete "Wire",

Column 2, line 2, after "prevented'flinser't Column 2, line 27, delete "balade" and insert --blade'-.

Column line 4, befored'FIG. 20" insert Column line 35, delete "l8" and insert -28--.

Column line 11, delete "purposse" and insert --purpose-.

Column Column 4, line 54, delete "18a" and insert -28a--.

6, line l2,delete "Ass" and insert -As--.

Column line 37, after "preceding" ,insert --embodiments- Column 7, line 14, delete "concave" and insert --conveX-.

Column ll, line 8, after "toward", insert --and-;

Column 13, line 66, delete "different" and insert --designated--.

Column 14, line 16, after "driving", insert means Column 14, line 24, delete "eedged" and insert edged- Signed and sealed this 4th day of March 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM P0405) (10459) USCOMM-DC scan-P69 I u.5I GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE t I9, 5*35-35,

Claims

1. In combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area, forming at least one row of apexes, a blade carrier for supporting a blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward away from said apexes, a support for said blade carrier, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relative longitudinal movement of one of them, relative to the other, to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade, and means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but one of its lateral positions.

4. The combination of claim 3, in which said cage at least partially surrounds said blade carrier, and in which said mounting means for said cage is slidable relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade changing purposes, latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with said mounting means, and a manually operable element forming a second element of the latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair-cutting position, said means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement of said cage with respect to said blade carrier including restraining means for restraining release of said latching means except when said blade is substantially centered in its position on said support for said blade carrier.

5. The combination of claim 4, in which there is provided, a handle portion for the hair cutter secured to said support for said blade carrier, said restraining means being carried by said handle portion.

7. The combination of claim 4, in which said restraining means includes a disc having a notch, said second element of said latching means having an extension which can enter said notch only when said blade carrier is in its said substantially centered position, thus permitting unlatching only when said blade carrier is in its substantially centered position, said driving means including driving and driven gears, and an extension of said manually operated latching member interlockingly engaging one of said gears to constrain movement of said blade carrier away from said substantially centered position during aNd after movement of said cage to a position exposing said blade carrier and blade.

9. The combination of claim 3, in which said driving means for producing said lateral movement of said blade carrier includes a manually rotatable element having a plurality of notches, a spring biased into engagement with said notches to provide indexing means for said rotatable member, at least one of said notches being deeper than the remaining notches and serving to indicate when said blade carrier is in its said substantially centered position.

10. The combination of claim 1, in which said means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprises guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof, a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways, an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of the handle, a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from said cage, and means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

11. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cutting positions, a frame therefor including a handle, a cage attached to said frame, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof to the series of hair cutting positions, means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement including guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof, a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways, an extension to said support extending from said blade carrier lengthwise of the handle, a slider member for moving said support means and its associated blade carrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to expose the blade carrier and blade, and means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

12. A hair cutter having a cage comprised of a plurality of elements, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward one side of said cage and toward the other side of said cage, a support for said blade carrier having a width sufficient to shield at least one edge of the double-edged blade to provide protection against accidental contact therewith when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered position relative to said blade carrier supporting member, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, to expose a cutting edge of said blade in a selected position within said cage, means for mounting said cage and said blade carrier for relative longitudinal movement as a whole of one of them relative to the other to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade, and means for preventing said relative longitudinal movement in all but said substantially centered position.

13. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier, a support therefor, a cage at least partially surrounding said blade carrier, mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movement relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair-cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes, latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with its said mounting means, a manually operable element forming a second element of The latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair-cutting position, and means for preventing release of said latching means except when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered position on said support.

18. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade, a support therefor, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions, means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said blade carrier and said support when said blade carrier is at a different lateral position, and restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its said shielded position.

19. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which there are provided, means for preventing restraint of said driving means during operation thereof to produce said lateral movement of said blade carrier, and means for rendering said restraining means effective to restrain operation of said driving means.

20. The hair cutter of claim 18, in which said restraining means includes two elements each having notches, said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which it does not restrain said operation of said driving to two positions in one of which positions it engages a first of said notches and then to the other of its positions where it engages the second of said notches and being effective when engaging either of said notches to restrain said operation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its said protected position.

21. A hair cutter comprising: a blade carrier for supporting a double-eedged blade, a support therefor, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions, and restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its said shielded position, said restraining means including two elements, each having notches, said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which it does not restrain said operation of said driving means to two positions in one of which positions it engages a first of said notches and then to the other of its positions where it engages the second of said notches and being effective when engaging either of said notches to restrain said operation of said driving means with said blade carrier in its said protected position and wherein said driving means includes driving and driven gears with one of said notches being the space between the teeth of one of said gears and further including a separate element rotatable with said driving means having formed therein the other of said notches.

22. A hair cutter comprising: a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade, a support therefor, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof from a shielded Position where the edges of the blade are rendered incapable of accidental cutting, to selected hair-cutting positions and wherein said driving means includes driving and driven gears, and restraining means for restraining operation of said driving means when said blade carrier is in its shielded position, said restraining means being operable from a neutral position in which said driving means is unrestrained to a position interlocking with one of said gears for preventing movement of said blade carrier when in its said protected position.

23. A hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, a frame to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating in a handle portion provided with an elongated slot, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions respectively toward one or the other of opposite sides of said cage, said blade carrier having a rack gear at one end portion, a supporting member for said blade carrier, said supporting member and said blade carrier having extending therefrom a member which extends into the handle portion of length coextensive with said elongated slot, transporting means extending through said slot for movement along said slot to move said supporting member, its blade carrier and blade outwardly of said cage. driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshing with said rack gear, manually operable means for driving said driving gear, and at least one component part of said driving means being movable with said transporting means to a position preventing lateral movement of said blade carrier when exposed outwardly of said cage.

26. The combination of claim 23, in which said supporting member has a transversely extending convex surface nesting within a mating concave surface forming part of said supporting member for slidably mounting said blade carrier for its movement toward and away from one or the other of said apexes, said last-named convex and concave members being of lesser width than said cage, and said frame having convex surfaces extending outwardly in opposite directions from its central portion to provide bearing surfaces for movement of said blade carrier to positions in juxtaposition respectively with one or the other sets of apexes.

29. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrier for supporting a blade in a series of hair cutting positions, a frame therefor, a cage attached to said frame, means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement including guideways formed in the frame longitudinally thereof, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing lateral movement thereof to the series of hair cutting positions, a support for said blade carrier slidably mounted by said guideways, an extension to said support extending from said blade carrier, a slider member connected to said extension for moving said support and its associated blAde carrier in direction outwardly of the cage and to a position to expose the blade carrier and blade, and means providing restraint against longitudinal movement of said support for said blade carrier.

30. A hair cutter comprising, a supporting member, a blade carrier supported by said supporting member and having a central portion forming a first part of a guideway, a frame having spaced portions together forming the second part of a guideway to receive said first part during lateral movement of said blade carrier, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement, and guiding means in which said supporting means is slidably mounted to provide longitudinal movement for said blade carrier.

31. The combination with a hair cutter having a cage made up of a plurality of elements, each of relatively small cross-sectional area, forming oppositely disposed apexes, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions, respectively toward one set of apexes and toward the other set of apexes, a support for said blade carrier, driving means engaging said blade carrier for producing said lateral movement thereof, and means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement, relative to said cage of said blade carrier to expose said blade carrier for unobstructed removal therefrom and placement thereon of said blade.

38. The combination in claim 33, including a handle to which said cage is fastened, means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof, and said support for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways, an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and a tab for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blade in a position removed from said cage.

39. The combination in claim 33, including, a handle to which said cage is fastened, means for mounting said blade carrier for longitudinal movement comprising guideways formed in a frame longitudinally thereof and said support for said blade carrier is slidably mounted in said guideways, an extension from said blade carrier extending lengthwise of said handle, and a slider member for moving said supporting means and its associated blade carrier outwardly of the cage to expose the blade carrier and blAde in a position removed from said cage.

41. The combination of claim 31, including: means for preventing longitudinal movement of said blade carrier away from a hair cutting position except when said blade carrier is in a substantially centered lateral position, and means for preventing lateral movement of said blade carrier away from said substantially centered position when said blade carrier is longitudinally away from a hair cutting position.

42. A hair cutter having a cage comprising a plurality of elements, a frame to which said elements of said cage are secured, said frame terminating in a handle portion provided with a longitudinal elongated guideway, a blade carrier for supporting a double-edged blade for lateral movement in either of two directions respectively toward one or the other of opposite portions of said cage, said blade carrier having a laterally oriented gear rack, a supporting member for said blade carrier having extending therefrom a tab for aid in driving blade carrier and blade outwardly and inwardly of said cage, driving means for said blade carrier including a driving gear meshing with said gear rack, manually operable means for driving said driving gear, and at least one component part of said blade carrier or said blade carrier driving means being laterally movable from positions where longitudinal motion of said blade carrier is prevented to at least one position where longitudinal motion of said blade carrier is permitted.

46. The hair cutter of claim 42 including, frictional means for restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

47. The hair cutter of claim 42 including, detent means for restraining longitudinal motion of said blade carrier when blade carrier is inwardly or outwardly of said cage.

48. A hair cutter comprising, a blade carrrier for supporting a blade, a support therefor, a cage at least partially surrounding said blade and blade carrier, mounting means for said cage for slidably supporting it for movement relative to said blade carrier for removal of said cage from a hair cutting position to expose said blade for blade-changing purposes, latching means for said cage, a first element of which is movable with said mounting means, a manually operable element forming a second element of the latching means for engaging said first element when said cage is in said hair cutting position, and means for preventing release of said latching means except when said blade is in a particular position relative to said support.