To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ernest Bocchino, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belleville, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hair-Cutting Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in that class of implements known in the art as hair-cutters; and, the present invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel cutting-device or implement, in the form of a combination comb and cutter-blade having its cutting edge in close proximity to the face of the teeth of the comb, so that the cutter or knife-blade, when drawing the teeth of the comb through the hair, will sever the individual hairs, which are in the path of the cutter.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a simple, neat and effectively constructed device for use in cutting and trimming the hair of a person, the implement combining in its structure with an ordinary toilet or barber's comb, a sharp cutting blade, made after the manner of a razor-blade, the cutting edge of the blade being located in close proximity to the teeth of the comb, so that the hairs which are drawn between the exposed portions of the teeth of the comb will be readily severed or cut in substantially the same manner as in the method of cutting hair by means of the shears.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the general character hereinafter more fully set forth which is especially adapted for the purpose of trimming the rough or straggling ends of the hair, so as to produce a neater and more perfect hair-cut than can ordinarily be produced in the usual manner by means of the shears.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel means for separably or detachably connecting the cutting blade upon the comb; and, furthermore, to provide a means of adjustment whereby the cutting-edge of the blade can be located closely to or farther away from the teeth of the comb, by suitably varying the distances between the line of the cutting edge of the blade and the plane upon one side or face of the comb.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the present invention.

With the various objects of the invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel hair-cutting device or implement hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists furthermore in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:—

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hair-cutting device or implement embodying the principles of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a top edge-view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the hair-cutting device; and Fig. 4 is a bottom edge-view of the same. Fig. 5 is a transverse section, taken on line 5—5 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a detail cross-section, taken on line 6—6 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, said view being made on an enlarged scale, and showing only the lower portions of the tool; and Fig. 7 is a transverse section, taken on line 7—7 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional representation, on an enlarged scale, of the one end-portion of the hair-cutting device, showing a portion of the comb and the cutting-blade.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference-character 1 indicates the complete hair-cutting device, or implement, and 2 indicates any usual and well-known toilet or barber's comb which is provided with the usual teeth 3 extending from the back or edge-portion 4 of the comb. The said comb is removably and adjustably arranged in a suitably constructed frame 5, which is preferably made of sheet-metal, and is preferably made much shorter in its length than the length of the comb, so that the free portion of the comb can be held in the hand for the manipulation of the device and for pushing the teeth of the comb through the hair an thereby bringing the cutting edge of the cutting-blade against the hair, substantially in the manner and for the purposes to be presently more fully described. The said frame consists, essentially, of a main base or body-portion 6, formed with a pair of forwardly extending arms or members 7, each arm being bent or shaped into an upwardly projecting part or member 8, from which extend the rearwardly projecting parts or members 9, each member 9 being formed at its rear end with a downwardly extending part or member 10, which terminates at the rear edge of said main base or body-portion 6, and is suitably secured thereto, either by being soldered to said rear edge, or by being secured to said edge in any other suitable manner. The said main base or body-portion 6 is provided with an upwardly extending flange or portion 11, which is provided at its respective ends with forwardly extending retaining lips or lugs, as 12, and between the said lips or lugs 12, the said flange or portion 11 is made with an upwardly and forwardly inclining part 13, which is bent into another forwardly extending and downwardly projecting portion or element 14, which provides a suitable seat or rest for a knife or cutting blade 15.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings, the comb 2 is suitably retained in its operative position in these various members of the frame just described, by having the back-edge 4 of the comb fitted against the upwardly extending flange or portion 11 and beneath the forwardly extending retaining lips or lugs 12, so as to retain the back of the comb upon the main base 6 of the comb-retaining frame, the comb being further held in place by means of suitably formed holding or clamping members, substantially as illustrated in said Figs. 5 and 7. Two of such holding or clamping members are usually employed, these members being preferably made in the form of slides slidably and adjustably arranged upon each forwardly extending arm or member 7. Each slide is preferably made in the manner herein shown, and comprises a main body-portion 16 which is provided at one end with a retaining or holding portion, as 17, adapted to be fitted upon and embrace a portion of the free or pointed ends of a number of teeth 3 of the comb; and, at its opposite end the said device is made with an upwardly extending post or member 18. This post is preferably provided with a suitably formed receiving socket 19′ for the reception therein of the end-portion of an adjusting screw 19, said screw being provided with a suitably formed knob or finger-piece 20.

To retain each slide in its proper position upon the upper face of each arm or member 7, each-arm is made with an elongated opening or slot 21, each opening or slot being made with the downwardly inclining surface-portions 22, so as to provide a slot of greater width upon the bottom of each arm 7 than at the top, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. A correspondingly formed retaining block 23 is slidably arranged in each opening or slot 21, each block 23 being provided with a rivet-post or stud 24 which is inserted through a hole 25 in the body-portion 16 of each slide, said rivet-posts having their free ends upset so as to provide suitable rivet-heads 26. It will thus be seen, that I have provided a simply constructed means for retaining each slide in its operative and adjustable position upon the upper face of each arm 7, and thereby providing a suitable means for retaining the comb in its detachable position; and, also permitting the arrangement of a different size or differently shaped comb upon the main base 6 of the frame, on account of the adjustability of the said clamping or retaining slides, as will be clearly evident.

As has been stated, the knife or cutting-blade 15 is suitably disposed upon the seat or rest 14, the said cutting-blade 15 being ground, preferably in the shape of a razor-blade, to the sharp cutting edge 27 which extends beyond the marginal edge 28 of said seat or rest 14, and lies upon or in close proximity to the teeth 3 of the comb. At its opposite end-portions, the cutting-blade is made with suitable extensions, as 29, and retaining or holding pins, posts or lugs, as 30, said pins, posts, or lugs being in alinement with correspondingly placed posts or lugs, as 31, with which the upwardly projecting parts or members 8 are provided, substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawings. Helically coiled springs 32 are supported at their ends between the said posts or lugs 30 and 31, substantially as shown, the said springs causing the cutting-blade 15 to rest upon the seat 14. To produce the proper angular relation of the cutting-blade to the teeth of the comb, and also to provide for the proper adjustment of the cutting-tool, so as to bring its cutting edge close to or farther away from the teeth of the comb, I have provided a suitably formed plate 32′ which is adapted to be placed upon the flat face of the blade and has a rounded end-portion 33 which extends down over the back or rear edge-portion 34 of the blade, substantially in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The said plate 32′ is made with an upwardly extended and preferably socket-shaped member or part 35 into which extends, and bears against said member of part, the end-portion of an adjusting screw 36, said screw turning in a screw-threaded portion 38 of a post 37 which is suitably connected with and extends in an upward direction from the upwardly extending flange or portion 11, as ‘clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The said post 37 is provided with a horizontally disposed and forwardly projecting finger or element 38, having a downwardly extending retaining or holding pin, post or lug, as 39. The said plate 32′ is also provided with a suitably formed post or lug, as 40, which is located directly opposite the said post or lug 39, a helically coiled spring 41 having its ends arranged over the respective posts or lugs 39 and 40, so as to support said spring in a vertically disposed relation with respect to the plane of the base of the main frame 5. The spring thereby presses the plate 32′ directly upon the cutting-blade, so as to bring said blade into its proper angular position upon the face of the comb, as will be clearly evident. To operate the said screw 36, so as to produce the proper angular adjustment of the cutting-blade, said screw is provided with a knob or fingerpiece 42 for turning the screw, substantially as shown.

The operation of the hair-cutting tool or implement will be clearly understood from the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, suffice it to say that when the comb is pushed through the hair, the hairs which are passed between the end-portions of the teeth 3.of the comb will be brought directly against the sharp cutter-edge of the cutting-blade, and are thereby severed or cut away, as will be clearly understood. The device can be used for skilfully cutting the hair to any desired depth; or, if desired, it may be used simply for the purpose of trimming the straggling ends of the hair after having used the ordinary cutting shears.

I am aware that changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as described in the foregoing specification without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which are appended to said specification. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as described in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim :—

1. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a blade-rest extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending angularly in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting-edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, springs for retaining said blade against said rest, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting-edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, and a spring-actuate plate upon said blade provided with a member against which the end of said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a blade-rest extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending angularly in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting-edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, springs for retaining said blade against said rest, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting-edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, a finger extending horizontally and forwardly from said post, a downwardly projecting lug upon said finger, a plate upon said blade, an upwardly projecting lug on said plate, a spring located between said lugs, and a socketed member upon said plate against which said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, and a cutting-blade connected with said frame and arranged upon the face of said comb, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, and springs for retaining said blade against said rest, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, springs for retaining said blade against said rest, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, springs for returning said blade against said rest, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, and a spring-actuated plate upon said blade provided with a member against which the end of said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, springs for retaining said blade against said rest, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, a finger extending horizontally and forwardly from said post, a downwardly projecting lug upon said finger, a plate upon said blade, an upwardly projecting lug on said plate, a spring located between said lugs, and a socketed member upon said plate against which said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a hair-cutting device, the combination, with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, adjustable clamping slides connected with said frame, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, a blade-rest connected with said frame and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, and a clamping lug at each end of said rest into which the back of the comb extends and is held by said lugs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, and a cutting-blade mounted in said frame and arranged upon the face of said comb, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting member, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, with a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said-comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting-edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, spring-retaining lugs at each end of the blade, spring-retaining lugs projecting inwardly from said upwardly extending members, and springs supported between said lugs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, spring-retaining lugs at each end of the blade, spring-retaining lugs projecting inwardly from said upwardly extending member, and springs supported between said lugs, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade-with respect to the teeth of the comb, substantially as and, for the purposes set forth.

14. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, spring-retaining lugs at each end of the blade, spring-retaining lugs projecting inwardly from said upwardly extending members, and springs supported between said lugs, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, and a spring-actuated plate upon said blade provided with a member against which the end of said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, spring-retaining lugs at each end of the blade, spring-retaining lugs projecting inwardly from said upwardly extending members, and springs supported between said lugs, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, consisting of a post provided with a screw-threaded portion, an adjusting screw therein, a finger extending horizontally and forwardly from said post, a downwardly projecting lug upon said finger, a plate upon said blade, an upwardly projecting lug on said plate, a spring located between said lugs, and a socketed member upon said plate against which said adjusting screw acts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. In a hair-cutting device, the combination with a comb, of a frame in which said comb rests, said frame consisting of a main base-plate, forwardly extending arms, upwardly projecting members connected with said arms, rearwardly extending members projecting from said upwardly extending members, and downwardly extending members projecting from said-rearwardly extending members and connected at their lower ends with the said base, clamping slides upon said forwardly extending arms, said slides having retaining members adapted to be brought in engagement with portions of said comb, adjusting screws connected with said upwardly projecting members, said screws having their end-portions in engagement with said slides, a blade-rest connected with said main base and extending over a portion of said comb, said rest extending in a downward direction toward the-points of the teeth of the comb, and a cutting blade arranged upon the face of said rest, said blade having a sharp cutting edge located in close proximity to the points of the teeth of the comb, spring-retaining lugs at each end of the blade, spring-retaining lugs projecting inwardly from said upwardly extending members; and springs supported between said lugs, and a means of adjustment for raising and lowering the position of the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the teeth of the comb, and a clamping lug at each end of said rest, into which the back of the comb extends and is held by said lugs, substantially as and for the -purposes set forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of May, 1908.

Ernest Bocchino.

Witnesses:

Fredk C. Fraentzel,

F. H. W. Fraentzel.