MULTI-MOVEMENT COSMETIC DEVICE
A multi-movement cosmetic assembly includes a housing defining an interior; a drive system disposed within the housing; a sleeve received within the housing; and a drive shaft positioned in the sleeve. The drive system is operably coupled to the sleeve and the drive shaft such that actuation of the drive system causes (i) the sleeve to move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing, and (ii) the drive shaft to rotate relative to the housing.
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This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/688,110 filed Aug. 28, 2018 entitled “MULTI-MOVEMENT COSMETIC DEVICE” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/380,880, filed Aug. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND FieldThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of cosmetic devices, and more specifically, to cosmetic devices that provide multi-movement features for users.
BackgroundOuter layers of skin, hair, nails, etc. may be removed for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. A cosmetic device may include cutting blades, abrasive surfaces, or other features to perform such tasks. For example, during a pedicure, dead skin from the bottom of the feet may be removed using a pumice stone. Chemical exfoliant products containing various chemicals such as, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid, can also be used.
Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to improved multi-movement cosmetic devices and related methods.
SUMMARYOne embodiment relates to a multi-movement cosmetic assembly, including a housing defining an interior; a drive system disposed within the housing; a sleeve received within the housing; and a drive shaft positioned in the sleeve; wherein the drive system is operably coupled to the sleeve and the drive shaft such that actuation of the drive system causes (i) the sleeve to move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing, and (ii) the drive shaft to rotate relative to the housing.
Another embodiment relates to a multi-movement cosmetic device, including a housing defining an interior; a motor disposed within the housing and including a motor shaft; a drive gear coupled to the motor shaft; a first drive train coupled to the drive gear and including an elongated gear; a second drive train coupled to the drive gear and including a drive wheel; and a sleeve received within the housing and including a drive shaft; a third drive train coupled to the elongated gear and the drive shaft; and a recess configured to receive the drive wheel; wherein actuation of the motor causes (i) the first and third drive trains to rotate the drive shaft; and (ii) the second drive train to rotate the drive wheel within the recess to cause the sleeve to oscillate laterally relative to the housing.
Another embodiment relates to a multi-movement cosmetic assembly, including a device including a housing defining an interior; a drive system disposed within the housing; and a sleeve received within the housing; and an attachment configured to be removably positioned within the sleeve; wherein the drive system is operably coupled to the sleeve and the attachment when the attachment is received within the sleeve such that actuation of the drive system causes (i) the sleeve to move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing, and (ii) the attachment to rotate within the sleeve and relative to the housing.
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
Before turning to the Figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the Figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and illustration only, and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to the Figures generally, various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to cosmetic devices that provide multi-movement features. The cosmetic device may take a variety of forms, and may include one or more attachments to provide various capabilities for users. As such, the cosmetic device may be one or more of an exfoliation device, a shaver, a nose trimmer, a manicure or pedicure device, a facial scrubber, a nail trimmer/filer/polisher, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, multi-movement refers to both rotational movement about an axis and lateral movement (e.g., a back and forth movement, an oscillating movement) along the axis. For example, a roller assembly may be generally cylindrical in shape and have a longitudinal axis. Various embodiments herein may provide for rotation of the roller assembly about the longitudinal axis, and translation of the roller assembly back and forth along (e.g., parallel to) the longitudinal axis.
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In one embodiment, a power switch 114 is disposed within the housing 106, and is usable to activate and deactivate the device 102 (e.g., by toggling between on and off positions). The power switch 114 is positioned along a front surface of the housing 106 to enable a user to access and move the power switch 114 with a finger while holding the device 102. In one embodiment, the power switch 114 includes a button that must first be depressed to enable movement of the power switch 114.
The head portion 110 of the housing 106 receives a sleeve 112 (e.g., a sliding component, a movable assembly). The sleeve 112 is moveable laterally relative to the housing 106 (e.g., in a left and right direction along the arrow shown in
The various attachments disclosed herein are received within the sleeve 112. The attachment 104 includes a generally cylindrical drum portion 160 to facilitate use during rotation of the attachment 104. A first end of the drum portion 160 includes an aperture or recess 162 configured to receive a drive shaft 142 of the device 102 (e.g., such that the rotation of the driveshaft 142 causes a corresponding rotation of the attachment 104 or portions thereof). A second end of the drum portion 160 is coupled to a hub 164, where the hub 164 includes a plurality of splines, or projections 168, extending circumferentially about the hub 164.
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A fourth gear 138 is coupled to the elongated portion of the third gear 130. The elongated portion of the third gear 130 is wider than (i.e., elongated relative to) the fourth gear 138 such that the fourth gear 138 can translate relative to the third gear 130 while continuing to engage the third gear 130 (e.g., while the sleeve 112 oscillates). A fifth gear 140 engages the fourth gear 138 and is coupled to the drive shaft 142. The drive shaft 142 is configured to receive or be received by the attachment 104 such that rotation of the drive shaft 142 causes a corresponding rotation of all or a portion of the attachment 104. In some embodiments, the fourth and fifth gears 138, 140 form a third drive train or gear train as part of the sleeve 112.
A sixth gear 132 engages the first gear 126 (e.g., at an opposite side of the second gear 128). In one embodiment, the sixth gear 132 includes a first portion engaging the first gear 126 and a second portion positioned above the first portion. A seventh gear 134 engages the sixth gear 132. In one embodiment, the seventh gear 134 includes a first portion engaging the second portion of the sixth gear 132 and a second portion. In some embodiments, the second portion of the seventh gear 134 forms a drive wheel 136. In one embodiment, the drive wheel 136 is mounted eccentrically relative to the center of the first portion of the seventh gear 134. For example, the drive wheel 136 may include a cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis that is offset from the axis of the first portion of the seventh gear 134. The drive wheel 136 is in one embodiment cylindrical in shape and includes a substantially smooth cylindrical sidewall configured to engage an inner surface of a recess 144 of the sleeve 112. The first, sixth, and seventh gears 126, 132, 134 form a second drive train, or gear train.
In operation, actuation of the motor 122 causes rotation of the motor shaft and in turn, the first gear 126, or drive gear. Rotation of the first gear 126 causes a corresponding rotation of the elongated portion of the third gear 130 (e.g., via the first drive train) and a corresponding rotation of the drive wheel 136 (e.g., via the second drive train). Rotation of the third gear 130 causes a corresponding rotation of the fourth gear 138. Rotation of the fourth gear 138 causes a corresponding rotation of the drive shaft 142 (e.g., via the third drive train). Rotation of the drive wheel 136 within the recess 144 of the sleeve 112 causes a corresponding oscillation of the sleeve 112 (e.g., due to rotation of the eccentrically mounted drive wheel 136 within the recess 144 of the sleeve 112). Accordingly, the fourth gear 138 oscillates along a length of the elongated portion of third gear 130 such that the third gear 130 and the fourth gear 138 engage each other in both a rotational and a translational manner.
In one embodiment, the sleeve 112 includes one or more guide members 156 to facilitate smooth oscillation of the sleeve 112. For example, as shown in
The sleeve 112 includes a sleeve housing 135 configured to receive the attachment 104. The sleeve housing 135 includes a plurality of circumferentially positioned projections 148, or splines, configured to engage corresponding projections 168 on the attachment 104 and rotationally fix a portion of the attachment 104 relative to the sleeve housing 135. In some embodiments, the sleeve 112 includes a support bracket 150 configured to engage a hub portion 164 of the attachment 104 (e.g., an annular groove). The support bracket 150 may have a curve corresponding to an outer curve portion of the attachment 104. In some embodiments, the support bracket 150 is biased toward the hub 164 by a spring 154 or other device, and includes a lever 152 that a user may depress to move the support bracket 150 out of engagement with the hub 164.
The recess 144 in the sleeve 112 is at least partially defined by two opposing sidewalls 158, 159. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 158, 159 are spaced apart a distance just wide enough to receive the drive wheel 136. As such, as the drive wheel 136 rotates, the eccentric mounting causes the drive wheel 136 to engage the sidewalls 158, 159 of the recess 144 and move the sleeve 112 in an oscillating fashion.
In one embodiment, the attachment 104 includes a drum portion 160 received by the sleeve 112 and a hub portion 164. The drum portion 160 includes an inner portion 170 and an outer portion 172. The inner portion 170 includes a recess 162 configured to receive the drive shaft 142 and rotate with the drive shaft 142. The hub 164 includes a plurality of circumferentially positioned projections 148, or splines, configured to engage the corresponding projections 168 on the sleeve housing 135. In some embodiments the outer portion 172 of the drum portion 160 rotates with the inner portion 170 of the drum portion 160, and in other embodiments, the outer portion 172 of the drum portion 160 remains stationary with the hub 164. The inner portion 170 in some embodiments further includes a secondary shaft 166. The secondary shaft 166 extends from the inner portion 170. In some embodiments, the secondary shaft 166 extends beyond the hub 164 to receive additional components. In the embodiment shown in
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Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A multi-movement cosmetic assembly, comprising:
- a housing defining an interior;
- a drive system disposed within the housing;
- a sleeve coupled to the housing; and
- a drive shaft positioned in the sleeve;
- wherein the drive system is operably coupled to the sleeve and the drive shaft such that actuation of the drive system causes (i) the sleeve to move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing, and (ii) the drive shaft to rotate relative to the housing.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is configured to be received by an attachment removably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the attachment includes an abrasive member, and wherein the attachment is operably coupled to the drive shaft when the attachment is received in the sleeve such that a rotation of the drive shaft causes a corresponding movement of the abrasive member.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment is carried by the sleeve to move laterally therewith in a reciprocating motion relative to the housing.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein movement of the sleeve is not a function of movement of the driveshaft.
5. A multi-movement cosmetic assembly, comprising:
- a device including:
- a housing defining an interior;
- a drive system disposed within the housing; and
- an attachment configured to be removably coupled to the housing;
- wherein the drive system is operably coupled to the attachment when the attachment is coupled to the housing such that actuation of the drive system causes the attachment to simultaneously move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing and rotate relative to the housing.
6. The multi-movement cosmetic assembly of claim 5 further comprising a drive shaft operable coupled to the drive system and the attachment, the drive shaft applying a rotational force to the attachment.
7. The multi-movement cosmetic assembly of claim 6 wherein the lateral movement of the attachment is not a function of movement of the driveshaft.
8. The multi-movement cosmetic assembly of claim 5 further wherein the lateral movement is substantially perpendicular to an axis of a longest dimension of the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 18, 2021
Applicant: SOFT LINES INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (HUNGHOM)
Inventor: Wai Wah Yiu (Kowloon)
Application Number: 17/079,797