AU773439B2 - Haircutting instrument - Google Patents

Description

FOUR WAY HAIR CUTTING TOOL WITH DISPOSABLE BLADE This invention relates to improvements in the tools available to hairdressers to produce a precision haircut that is more hygienic and reduces repetitive strain injury due to restricted and repetitive movements of the hand while cutting hair.

Hairdressers suffer from repetitive strain injuries caused from repetitive use of scissors with the need for the hands, forearms and upper arms to be raised at approximately a 70oo angle, when standing, or 130oo angle when seated, for regular periods of time each day whilst cutting, texturising and shaving hair. Circulation is also reduced in the hand and forearm due to the limited movement during haircutting.

Injuries suffered by hairdressers include hand, forearm, shoulder and neck tenderness when the use of scissors has ceased. Many hairdressers engage a masseur to assist with pain management techniques on a regular basis.

Hairdressers use a variety of techniques to cut hair, including: Horizontal angles to build heavy weight lines •Diagonal angles to create volume Vertical angles to remove bulk Texturising techniques, such as: Slide cutting Weave cutting Chopping Shattered shape Chipping Thinning Razor cutting.

Hairdressers use small scissors and razors to produce these techniques and unless scissors and razors are extremely sharp, they will not produce aprecision' cut.

Hairdressers need to sharpen their scissors on a regular basis.

:.Hairdressers use scissors and razors on more than one client.

Hairdressers use scissors and razors on more than one client.

Inspections by WorkCover NSW and DIR Inspectors in 1996 found that 56% of hairdressing salons had dirty tools and lacked cleaning and disinfection procedures.

The problems identified above can be overcome or reduced substantially by the invention. The invention produces a tool for hairdressers that will enable hairdressers to achieve a precision cut and produce a range of hair styling and hair cutting techniques using the one tool. The invention uses a blade that can be disposed of after each use or after a two to three uses, which is better than the current use of razors and hair cutting tools and is more hygienic for the client.

The problem of repetitive strain injuries for hairdressers is also reduced with the invention as hairdressers are not required to use a scissor-action when cutting hair.

The invention requires the hairdresser to use a sweeping motion of the hand and wrist, thereby encouraging circulation.

Referring to the illustrations provided, in Figure 1 the tool kit can be seen. Figure 1 shows how the invention includes a tool that consists of a handle and three casings for different shape blades The handle is shaped like a fountain pen and is solid metal encased in a smooth resin or plastic casing, with a rubber grip (circling the casing to reduce pressure on the fingers).

Figure 2 illustrates the 3 special blades which make up the toolkit; The first blade is'TheStraightBlade' This blade is used to clean a haircut, shave hair, horizontal, diagonal and vertical cutting and for chopping.

The second blade (b)is'TheVBlade' This blade enables a variety of techniques to cut hair: **.horizontal angles to build heavy-weight lines; diagonal angles to create volume; vertical angles to remove bulk; texturising techniques such as chopping, razor cutting with no restriction, chopping "and slicing.

The third blade is heSharkToothBlade' This blade works the hair to create shape, movement, height and texture.

Working with your techniques will allow you to: texturise; slide cut; weave cut; shattered shape; chipping; thinning.

Its main purpose is to remove bulk.

Claims (1)

1. 3. The claim defining the invention is as follows: A tool kit for hairdressers consisting of three different shaped blades, each encased in resin or plastic to fit the shape and fitted to a handle encircled with a rubber grip. All blades are detached from the handle to enable the hairdresser to fit the required blade for the task required.