Hair cutting techniques for automated hair cutting system

Inventor: Matthew W. Krenik (Garland, TX)

B26B19/388 B26B19/3806 B26B19/3846 B26B19/42 B26B21/4081 Y10T83/141

View Patent ↗

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…

Monitor This Case

Get email alerts when status or documents change.

Order Certified Copies

Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.

Order via The Patent Place →

Pre-filled with this patent's details

Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 9,656,400
App. No.: 14/534,411
Granted: May 23, 2017
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

Various aspects of automated grooming systems and cutting devices are disclosed. One embodiment of an automated grooming system comprises a computing device; a cutting device comprising a handle having a proximal and distal end and a cutting head positioned near the distal end of the handle; and a plurality of positioning sensors configured to send signals to the computing device relaying the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom. The computing device may be configured to receive the signals from the positioning device and prepare instructions for actuation of the cutting device. In some embodiments, the cutting device comprises a processor configured to receive the prepared instructions from the computing device and actuate the cutting device according to the prepared instructions.

Claims (53)

1. A cutting device for use with an automated hair cutting system, comprising:

a handle having a proximal and distal end;

a cutting head positioned near the distal end of the handle, the cutting head comprising:

a cutting instrument, said cutting instrument having a plurality of cutter knives, said cutter knives configured having:

a first surface extending to a second surface and forming a sharp edge therebetween; and

a contoured surface extending from the second surface to the first surface; and

a comb coupled proximate the cutting instrument, said comb having a first and second end and a plurality of teeth positioned therebetween,

wherein the plurality of teeth and at least one of the first and second end have:

a first surface extending to a second surface and forming a sharp edge therebetween; and

a contoured surface extending from the second linear surface to the first surface;

wherein the sharp edges of the cutter knives are configured to slidingly engage the sharp edges of the plurality of teeth when the cutting instrument is actuated; and

at least one positioning sensor secured to the cutting device and configured to interact with a positioning device that is configured to be secured to a head of a user and having a positioning interface, said interaction comprising at least one signal indicating the position of the cutting head relative to the positioning interface.

2. The cutting device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one button, said at least one button configured to receive input from an operator of the cutting device.

3. The cutting device according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one button is configured to initiate a signal that hair is collected in said cutter head when said at least one button is depressed and to immediately stop actuation of said cutting instrument when said at least one button is released.

4. The cutting device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises at least one positioning guidance ridge extending between the distal and proximal ends.

5. The cutting device according to claim 1 , wherein said automated hair cutting system further comprises a computing device comprising a user interface configured to receive inputs from an operator of the cutting device.

6. The cutting device according to claim 5 , wherein the computing device is configured to receive the at least one signal indicating the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom and prepare instructions for an operator using the cutting device.

7. The cutting device according to claim 6 , wherein the instructions indicate one or more movements of the cutting device for cutting hair to a specified length.

8. The cutting device according to claim 6 , wherein the instructions indicate a time to actuate the cutting instrument to coordinate a cutting stroke with the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom.

9. The cutting device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to send a signal indicating that hair is collected in the cutting head.

10. The cutting device according to claim 5 , wherein the computing device is configured to receive a signal indicating that hair is collected in the cutting head and prepare instructions for an operator using the cutting device.

11. The cutting device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions indicate one or more movements of the cutting device for cutting hair to a specified length.

12. The cutting device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions indicate a time to actuate the cutting instrument to coordinate a cutting stroke with the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom.

13. An automated grooming system, comprising:

a computing device; and

a cutting device comprising: