Haircut Assistance Device

Abstract

A haircut assistance device includes a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of a head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head. The shield portion defines a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion. The haircut assistance device includes a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/545,568 filed on Oct. 10, 2011, entitled, "TOOL WITH A GUIDE TO TRIM BANGS CALLED PURRRFECT BANGS/EAZYBANGS," the contents and teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Human hair can be styled in a variety of ways. For example, in a hair style known as bangs, hair adjacent the forehead region is forwardly combed, downwardly directed, and cut along a horizontal line. In order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing bangs hairstyle, the lowermost extremity of the bangs hair line should be substantially uniform and straight and should be disposed at a proper length over the forehead region.

SUMMARY

[0003] Conventional bangs haircutting methods suffer from a variety of deficiencies. For example, a person may experience difficulty in achieving a substantially uniform and straight bangs hair line when attempting to cut her own bangs. While the person can utilize tape to make a line on the forehead as a guide to cut straight across the bangs hair line, the person can risk potential injury while holding or actuating the cutting tips of a pair of scissors in close proximity to their eyes. Additionally, the person's face can become irritated or itchy as hair clippings fall in the vicinity of the person's eyes, nose, and mouth.

[0004] Embodiments of the present innovation relate to a haircut assistance device. In one arrangement, the haircut assistance device includes a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of a head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head. The shield portion defines a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion. The haircut assistance device includes a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head.

[0005] In one arrangement, embodiments of the innovation relates to a method for cutting hair. The method includes securing a haircut assistance device to a head. The haircut assistant device includes a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of a head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head. The shield portion defines a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion. The haircut assistance device includes a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head. The method includes disposing hair of the head in proximity to at least one groove of the set of the grooves, disposing at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors in proximity to the at least one groove, and cutting the hair with the pair of scissors while tracking the at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors with the at least one groove of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the innovation, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the innovation.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a haircut assistance device, according to one arrangement.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates the haircut assistance device of FIG. 1 as worn by a user, according to one arrangement.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 1, according to one arrangement.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a rear face view of a section of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 6.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a front face view of a section of the haircut assistance device of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for cutting hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In one arrangement, a haircut assistance device is configured to provide individuals with a mechanism by which they can accurately, efficiently, and safely cut their bangs. For example, the haircut assistance device includes a transparent shield portion configured with a set of grooves. When a user places the haircut assistance device onto her head, the user can both view the grooves through the transparent shield portion and can feel the location or position of the grooves with her fingers, a comb, or scissors. The grooves act as a guide to assist the user in cutting her bangs to any length in a substantially even manner while the shield portion protects the user's face from hair clippings generated during the hair cutting process and from potential injury by the cutting ends of the scissors. In one arrangement, the haircut assistance device attaches to the head with a support device, such as a set of self-attaching fabric bands.

[0017] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a haircut assistance device 100, according to one arrangement. The haircut assistance device 100 includes a shield portion 102 and a support device 104.

[0018] The shield portion 102 is configured to protect a user's face from hair clippings generated, and from potential injury by the cutting ends of scissors used, during the hair cutting process. In one arrangement, with specific reference to FIGS. 1-3, the shield portion 102 extends circumferentially between a first edge 106 and a second edge 108 along a face portion 110 (e.g., from ear to ear) of a head 112 and extends longitudinally between a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116 along the face portion 110 (e.g., from forehead to chin) of the head 112. In use, with particular reference to FIG. 2, after a user places the haircut assistance device 100 on his head 112, the user disposes his bangs 118 on an outer surface 120 of the shield portion 102 in proximity to a set of grooves 122 at the top portion 114 of the shield 102. As the user cuts his bangs 118, the shield portion 102 deflects the hair particles away from the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. Additionally, during the hair cutting process, the user disposes the relatively sharp cutting ends of a pair of scissors near his bangs 118 and in close proximity to his eyes. The shield portion 102 protects the user's face 110, such as in the eye region, from potential injury as caused by accidental contact between the scissors and the user's face 110.

[0019] As indicated above, the shield portion 102 defines a set of grooves 122 that act as a guide to assist the user in cutting his bangs 118 in a substantially even manner. For example, with reference FIGS. 7 and 8, each groove of the set of grooves 122 defines a contour 180 configured to receive a hair cutting implement, such as the cutting tips 182 of a pair of scissors 184 or teeth 186 of a hair comb 188. While the grooves 122 can have a variety of sizes, in one arrangement, each groove of the set of grooves has a diameter 190 of about 0.02 inches. The grooves 122 can be formed in the shield portion 102 using a variety of manufacturing techniques. For example, in the case where the shield portion 102 is a plastic material, a manufacturer can mold or tool the grooves into the plastic material as part of a molding process.

[0020] In use, once the user has placed the haircut assistance device 100 on his head and has aligned an edge of his bangs 118 with one of the grooves, the user can then place the cutting tips 182 of a pair of scissors 184 into the groove and cut the hair along the groove location, using the groove as a guide. Alternately, the user can hold his bangs against the haircut assistance device 100 by placing the teeth 186 of the hair comb 188 into one of the grooves. Next, the user can cut the hair below the groove using the comb as a cutting guide.

[0021] While the set of grooves 122 can be configured in a variety of different geometries, in one arrangement, and with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the shield portion 102 defines a set of horizontal grooves 124, a first set of arcuate grooves 126, and a second set of arcuate grooves 128. As shown, the horizontal grooves 124 are substantially parallel to each other and extend between the first edge 106 of the shield portion 102 and the second edge 108 of the shield portion 102. The horizontal grooves 124 are configured to provide the user with a series of guides for a straight bangs cut, termed blunt bangs. The first set of arcuate or curved grooves 126 extend across the shield 102 between the top portion 114 and the first edge 106 of the shield portion 102. The arcuate grooves 126 are configured to provide the user with a series of guides for a right swept bangs cut. The second set of arcuate or curved grooves 128 extend across the shield 102 in a direction opposing the first set of arcuate grooves 126, between the top portion 114 and the second edge 108 of the shield portion 102. The arcuate grooves 128 are configured to provide the user with a series of guides for a left swept bangs cut.

[0022] Each groove of the horizontal grooves 124 can be disposed at a variety of spacings relative to each other. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, the horizontal grooves 124 include grooves 124-1 through 124-4 where each groove is spaced at a distance 130 of about 0.4 inches from an adjacent groove. Each groove of the first and second sets of arcuate grooves 126, 128 can be configured with a variety of curvatures or radii. For example, the first set of arcuate grooves 126 includes grooves 126-1 through 126-3 and the second set of arcuate grooves 128 includes grooves 128-1 through 128-3. In one arrangement, the grooves 126-1, 128-1 can each be configured with a curvature of about 8.3 inches, the grooves 126-2, 128-2 can each be configured with a curvature of about 8.2 inches, and the grooves 126-3, 128-3 can each be configured with a curvature of about 7.8 inches.

[0023] The shield portion 102 can be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, the shield portion 102 can manufactured from a transparent material, such as a plastic material. As indicated above, in use, a user disposes his bangs 118 on an outer surface 120 of the shield portion 102 in proximity to a set of grooves 122 at the top portion 114 of the shield 102. In the case where the shield portion 102 is manufactured from a transparent material, as the user cuts his bangs 118, the user can view his hair, the grooves 122, and the scissors 184 through the shield portion 102, thereby leading to increased accuracy of the bangs haircut during a haircutting procedure.

[0024] In another example, the shield portion 102 is manufactured from a substantially flexible plastic material. In one arrangement, the thickness of the shield portion 102 can affect its flexibility. For example, shield portion 102 can define a thickness of about 0.02 inches which thickness allows the shield portion 102 to flex along a horizontal or vertical axis while having adequate strength to protect the user's face from potential injury by the cutting ends of the scissors. In the case where the shield portion 102 is manufactured from a flexible material, the shield portion 102 can conform to a variety of differently sized user heads. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, in an initial state, the shield portion 102 is substantially flat. With reference to FIG. 2, when the user places the shield portion 102 on his head 112 using the support device 104, the shield portion 102 flexes to take on a half-tube shape and extend about at least a portion of the circumference of the user's head 112.

[0025] While the shield portion 102 is configured to protect the user's face 110 from the cutting tips 182 of the scissors 184 during a haircutting procedure, the shield portion 102 can be configured to protect other areas of the user's head 112, as well. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, the shield portion 102 can include a first temple guard 140 disposed at the top portion 114 of the first edge 106 of the shield portion 102 and a second temple guard 142 disposed at the top portion 114 of the second edge 108 of the shield portion 102. Each of the first and the second temple guards 140, 142 are configured to cover the corresponding temple areas of the user's head 112. With such coverage, the shield portion 102 protects the user's temples from accidental injury as caused by the scissors 184.

[0026] As indicated above, the haircut assistance device 100 includes a support device 104 that is configured to secure the shield portion 102 to the head 112. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the support device 104 can include a first strap portion 150 and a second strap portion 152. The first strap portion 150 has a first end 156 secured to the shield portion 102 at a location, such as opening 158, at the first edge 106 and an opposing second end 160. The second strap portion 152 has a first end 162 secured to the shield portion 102 at a location, such as opening 164 at the second edge 108 and an opposing second end 166. While the first and second strap portions 150, 152 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, in one arrangement, the first strap portion 150 is formed of a hook material and the second strap portion 152 is formed of a loop material. When the user overlays the first strap portion 150 with the second strap portion 152, the hook material and the loop material become secured to each other, thereby securing the shield potion 102 to the user's head 112.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a flowchart 300 illustrating a method of cutting hair using the haircut assistance device 100, described above.

[0028] In step 302, a user secures the haircut assistance device 100 to his head. For example, the user can place flat shield portion 102, as shown in FIG. 6, against his face 110 face and attach the first and second strap portions 150, 152 to each other. As a result, the shield portion 102 forms a half-tube shape that extends circumferentially and longitudinally along the user's face 110, as indicated in FIG. 2.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 9, in step 304, the user disposes hair of his head 112 in proximity to at least one groove of the set of the grooves 122. For example, as indicated in FIG. 2, the user disposes his bangs 118 on an outer surface 120 of the shield portion 102 in proximity to a set of grooves 122 at the top portion 114 of the shield 102. The user can adjust the positioning (e.g., the forehead to chin positioning or the ear to ear positioning) of the shield portion 102 relative to his bangs 118 until the user can view an alignment of the bangs 118 and a particular, selected groove of the set of grooves 122.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 9, in step 306, the user disposes at least one cutting tip 182 of a pair of scissors 184 in proximity to the at least one groove. For example, as described with respect to FIG. 8, the user can place the cutting tips 182 of a pair of scissors 184 into the groove. Alternately, the user can hold his bangs against the haircut assistance device 100 by placing the teeth 186 of the hair comb 188 into one of the grooves.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 9, in step 308, the user cuts his hair with the pair of scissors while tracking the cutting with the groove of the device 100. For example, as indicated above, the user can either cut the hair along the groove location, using the groove as a guide or can cut the hair below the groove using the comb as a cutting guide. As the user cuts his bangs 118, the shield portion 102 protects the user's face 110 from hair debris as well as from accidental injury from the scissors 184. At end of haircutting procedure, the haircut assistance device 100 can be washed with soap and water, wiped dry, and stored for future use.

[0032] While various embodiments of the innovation have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined by the appended claims.

[0033] For example, as indicated above, the shield portion 102 can be manufactured from a flexible material in order to conform to a variety of differently sized user heads. Such indication is by way of example only. In one arrangement, the shield portion 102 is molded from a plastic material into a shape (i.e., final shape) that extends at least partially about a circumferential geometry of the head, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] In one arrangement, with reference to FIG. 6, each of the top surface 114 and bottom surface 116 defines curved radius. For example, the top surface 114 can define a curved radius 170 of about 67.9 inches and the bottom surface 116 can define a radius 172 of about 52.9 inches. Such curved radii can minimize distortion of the shield portion 102 and grooves 122 when worn by the user.

[0035] As indicated above, the horizontal set of grooves 124 includes four horizontal grooves 124-1 through 124-4. Such indication is by way of example only. In one arrangement, the horizontal set of grooves 124 can include any number of grooves. Also as indicated above, the first and second sets of arcuate grooves 126, 128 each includes three acuate grooves 126-1 through 126-3 and 128-1 through 128-3. Such indication is by way of example only. In one arrangement, the first and second sets of arcuate grooves 126, 128 can include any number of grooves.

[0036] The haircut assistance device 100 is described as being used with a pair of scissors 184 and a comb 188, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In one arrangement, the haircut assistance device 100, scissors 184, and comb 188 together form part of a haircut assistance kit.

Claims

1. A haircut assistance device, comprising: a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of a head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head, the shield portion defining a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion; and a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head.

2. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein the shield portion is a substantially transparent material.

3. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein the shield portion is a substantially flexible plastic material configured to flex and extend at least partially about a circumferential geometry of the head.

4. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein the shield portion is a molded plastic material formed to extend at least partially about a circumferential geometry of the head.

5. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein the shield portion comprises: a first temple guard disposed at the top portion of the first edge of the shield portion; and a second temple guard disposed at the top portion of the second edge of the shield portion, the first temple guard and the second temple guard configured to cover a first temple area and a second temple area of the head.

6. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein at least one groove of the set of grooves defines a contour configured to receive at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors.

7. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein at least one groove of the set of grooves defines a contour configured to receive at least one tooth of a set of teeth of a hair comb.

8. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, wherein each groove of the set of grooves has a diameter of about 0.02 inches.

9. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, where the shield portion defines a thickness of about 0.02 inches.

10. The haircut assistance device of claim 1, where the support device comprises: a first strap portion having a first end disposed at the first edge of the shield portion and an opposing second end; and a second strap portion having a first end disposed at the second edge of the shield portion and an opposing second end.

11. The haircut assistance device of claim 10, wherein: the first strap portion comprises at least one of a hook material and a loop material; and the second strap portion comprises at least one of a hook material and a loop material.

12. A method for cutting hair, comprising: securing a haircut assistance device to a head, the haircut assistant device comprising: a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of the head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head, the shield portion defining a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion; and a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head; disposing hair of the head in proximity to at least one groove of the set of the grooves; disposing at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors in proximity to the at least one groove; and cutting the hair with the pair of scissors while tracking the at least one cutting tip of the pair of scissors with the at least one groove of the device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein disposing at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors in proximity to the at least one groove comprises disposing the at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors within the at least one groove.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein disposing at least one cutting tip of a pair of scissors in proximity to the at least one groove comprises: disposing at least one tooth of a set of teeth of a hair comb within the at least one groove; and disposing the at least one cutting tip of the pair of scissors in proximity to the at least one tooth of the set of teeth of a hair comb.

15. A haircut assistance kit, comprising: a pair of scissors having a set of cutting tips; a comb having a set of teeth; and a haircut assistance device, comprising: a shield portion configured to extend circumferentially between a first edge and a second edge along a face portion of a head and extend longitudinally between a top portion and a bottom portion along the face portion of the head, the shield portion defining a set of grooves, the set of grooves including a set of horizontal grooves extending between the first edge of the shield portion and the second edge of the shield portion, a first set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the first edge of the shield portion, and a second set of arcuate grooves extending between the top portion and the second edge of the shield portion; and a support device carried by the shield portion, the support device configured to secure the shield portion to the head.

16. The haircut assistance kit of claim 15, wherein the shield portion is a substantially transparent material.

17. The haircut assistance kit of claim 15, wherein the shield portion is a substantially flexible plastic material configured to flex and extend at least partially about a circumferential geometry of the head.

18. The haircut assistance kit of claim 15, wherein the shield portion is a molded plastic material formed to extend at least partially about a circumferential geometry of the head.

19. The haircut assistance kit of claim 15, wherein the shield portion comprises: a first temple guard disposed at the top portion of the first edge of the shield portion; and a second temple guard disposed at the top portion of the second edge of the shield portion, the first temple guard and the second temple guard configured to cover a first temple area and a second temple area of the head.

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