To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, George A. Harley, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hair-Cutters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which—

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved machine, part being broken away to show the construction.

Figure 2 is a detail cross-section of the same, taken through the line x x, fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved instrument for cutting or “shingling” the hair of the human head, which shall be simple in construction and effective in operation, enabling each man to do his own hair-cutting, if desired; and

It consists in the construction and combination of the various parts of the instrument, as hereinafter more fully described.

A is the blade or cutter, which, is made somewhat similar to the blade of a razor.

The cutter A is slotted transversely near each end, as shown in fig. 1.

B is the comb, which is made of ivory, bone, horn, hard rubber, or any of the materials of which combs are usually made.

The comb B is made much thicker than combs are usually made, and is slotted longitudinally through its back or rear edge, said slot extending into the teeth, and being made of such a size as to receive the cutter A, as shown in fig. 2.

C are bolts, which pass through holes in the comb B, and through the slots of the blade or cutter A.

The bolts C have screw-threads cut upon their forward ends to receive the thumb-nuts D, by means of which the cutter A and comb B are securely clamped to each other.

This construction enables the instrument to be conveniently adjusted to cut the hair more or less close or short, as may be desired.

In using the instrument, it is passed over the head in the manner in which a comb is used, and will leave the hair of a uniform thickness all over the head.

A pair of scissors may be used, if desired, to trim or even off the edges of the hair, but when the hair is kept short, this will seldom be required.

I am aware that two combs have been united together, and a blade inserted between them to form a “hair-cutter;” but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

A hair-cutter, formed of a comb in one piece, and a knife inserted in a longitudinal aperture made therein for the purpose.

The above specification of my invention signed by me, this 7th day of July, 1869.

George A. Harley.

Witnesses:

Frank Blockley,

James T. Graham.