Abstract:
A combined hair brush and mobile phone case. In particular, an improved device that is uniquely configured to allow a user to brush his/her hair and protect his/her mobile phone. The phone case hair brush has a head portion, a handle portion, a plurality of bristles extending from the front of the head portion, an outer rim on the back of the head portion, and a hollow body defines by the outer rim for securely receiving the mobile phone therein.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/886,758 filed on Oct. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a brush. In particular, an improved device that combines a brush and a case, namely a case sized to allow a mobile phone to fit securely therein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Hair brushes and combs are commonly designed to untangle hair. It is ordinary for woman and men to carry a brush or comb with them to untangle or smooth out their hair throughout the day. 
         [0004]    Recently mobile telephones have become very popular. It is common for mobile telephone users to protect their mobile telephone by putting it in a case. Some prior art phone cases also improve the gripping of the mobile phone since most mobile phones have smooth surfaces that often slide off a user&#39;s hand. Secure gripping is more important when a user takes his/her own photograph with the phone. However, prior art phone cases have some limitations as they only serve limited purposes. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a unique mobile telephone case that provides secure gripping and incorporates a hair brush to eliminate the number of devices or tools that one carries around. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a hair brush mobile phone case for gripping and protecting the phone and untangling hair. 
         [0007]    The phone case hair brush of the present invention comprises a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion has a front, a back, a right side, a left side, a top side and a bottom side. The handle portion extends from the bottom side of the head portion. The front of the head portion has bristles. Extending from the back of the head portion is an outer rim which extends around the circumference of the head portion and defines a hollow body formed from the right, left, top and bottom sides. The outer rim is sized to correspond to the perimeter of a mobile phone. The hollow body is sized to correspond to the size and shape of and to receive a mobile phone. 
         [0008]    In an alternate embodiment, the outer rim has a mirror adjacent the hollow body. In another alternate embodiment, no handle portion is required. 
         [0009]    The hair brush phone case of the present invention not only advantageously combines a brush and a case, but also provides a convenient handle for secure gripping of the mobile phone, especially when a user takes his/her own photograph with a phone installed in the phone case. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the hair brush case of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the hair brush case of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the hair brush case of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the hair brush case of the present invention with a phone being installed in the case. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hair brush case of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an alternate perspective view of the hair brush case of the present invention with the specific section enlarged. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a right view of the hair brush case of the present invention with the specific section enlarged. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a back view of a second embodiment of the hair brush case of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a back view thereof without a phone in the case. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view thereof with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a back view of a third embodiment of the hair brush case of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a back view thereof without a phone installed in the case. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view thereof with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a back view of the hair brush case of a fourth embodiment of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an adaptor of the present invention without a phone installed in the adaptor. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention having a mirror with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention with a phone installed in the case. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a front view of the hair brush case of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1-7  the hair brush case  100  comprises a head portion  8  and a handle portion  10 . The head portion  8  has a front, a back, a right side, a left side, a top side and a bottom side. The handle portion  10  extends from the bottom of the head portion  8 . The front of the head portion  8  has a plurality of bristles  5 . The back of the head portion  8  has an outer rim  25  which extends around the circumference of the head portion  10  and defines a hollow body  20  therein and formed from the left, right, top and bottom sides. The outer rim  25  is sized to correspond to the perimeter of a mobile phone  50 . The hollow body  20  is sized and shaped to securely receive a mobile phone  50  therein. When a mobile phone  50  is installed in the hair brush case  100 , the head portion  8  encases the mobile phone  50  while allowing usage of the mobile phone  50  and access to the screen of the mobile phone  50 . 
         [0030]    The top of the head portion  8  of the hair brush case  100  has a first aperture  30 . The first aperture  30  is sized to allow a mobile phone  50  to slide therethrough as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the mobile phone  50  is installed within the hair brush case  100 , the top of the phone  55  is accessible through the first aperture  30 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom of the head portion  8  has a third aperture  35 . A plurality of third apertures  35  may be provided on the bottom of the head portion  8 , adjacent to one or both sides of the handle portion  8 . The third aperture  35  allows any sound transmitted by the speaker (not shown) of the mobile phone  50  to be heard while a phone is installed in the hair brush case  100 . The right side of the head portion  8  has a button access  40 . The button access  40  is positioned to overlap the button, switch or other features (not shown) of the mobile phone  50  such as volume control, lock switch, etc. The button access  40  allows control of the button, switch or other features of the mobile phone  50  while the phone is installed in the hair brush case  100 . In the preferred embodiment, the second aperture  40  is rectangular. 
         [0031]    Optionally, the right side of the head portion  8  provides a separate volume access  45 . The volume access  45  is positioned to overlap the volume buttons (not shown) of the mobile phone  50 . The volume access  45  allows a user to adjust the volume of the mobile phone  50  while the phone is installed in the hair brush case  100 . In the preferred embodiment the head portion of the hair brush case  100  is made from rubber, silicone or other similar flexible and stretchable materials. It is also contemplated that the hair brush case  100  be made from plastic. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 8-10  show a second embodiment of the present invention. The hair brush case  200  comprises a head portion  108  and a handle portion  110 . The head portion  108  has a front, a back, a right side, a left side, a top side and a bottom side. The handle portion  110  extends from the bottom of the head portion  108 . The front of the head portion  108  has a plurality of bristles  105 . The back of the head portion  108  has an outer rim  125  that extends around the perimeter of the head portion  108  and defines a hollow body  120  therein and formed from the left, right, top and bottom sides. The outer rim  125  is sized to correspond to the perimeter of a mobile phone  50 . The hollow body  120  is sized and shaped to receive a mobile phone  50  therein. The head portion  108  including the outer rim  125  is constructed of rubber, silicone, or a similar material that is flexible and stretchable. 
         [0033]    To install a mobile phone  50  within the hollow body  120 , the outer rim  125  is pulled or stretched to allow the mobile phone  50  to fit therein and encase the mobile phone  50 . The top of the head portion  108  may have a first aperture (not shown) for accessing various buttons, switches and ports, etc. of the mobile phone  50 . When the mobile phone  50  is installed within the hair brush case  200 , the top of the phone  55  may be accessible through the first aperture (not shown). The bottom of the head portion  108  may comprise a third aperture (not shown). A plurality of apertures around the outer rim  125  may be provided to allow for any sound transmitted by the speaker (not shown) of the mobile phone  50  to be heard while the phone is installed in the hair brush case  200 . 
         [0034]    The hair brush case  200  may have a second aperture (instead of the button access of  FIG. 7 ) on the right side of the head portion  108  to allow access to buttons, switches, or other features of the mobile phone  50  such as a media jack, volume control, etc. Optionally, the right side of the head portion  108  provides a separate volume access (or an aperture) to allow a user to adjust the volume of the mobile phone  50  while a phone is installed in the hair brush case  200 . In the preferred embodiment, the hair brush case  200  is made from rubber, silicone, or other similar flexible and stretchable material. It is also contemplated that the hair brush case  200  be made from plastic. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 11-13  show a third embodiment of the present invention without a handle of the previous embodiments. The hair brush case  300  comprises a head portion  208 . The head portion  208  has a front, a back, a right side, a left side, a top side and a bottom. The front of the head portion  208  has a plurality of bristles  205 . The back of the head portion  208  has an outer rim  225  that extends around the perimeter of the head portion  208  and defines a hollow body  220  therein and formed from the left, right, top and bottom sides. The outer rim  225  is sized to correspond to the perimeter of a mobile phone  50 . The hollow body  220  is sized and shaped to receive a mobile phone  50  therein. The head portion  208  including the outer rim  225  is constructed of rubber, silicone or a similar material that is flexible and stretchable. To install a mobile phone  50  within the hollow body  220 , the outer rim  225  is pulled or stretched to allow the mobile phone to fit therein and encase the mobile phone  50 . The top of the head portion  208  may have a first aperture (not shown). When the mobile phone  50  is installed within the hair brush case  300  the top of the phone  50  may be accessible through the first aperture (not shown) for accessing various buttons, switches, ports, etc. of the mobile phone  50 . 
         [0036]    The right side of the head portion of the hair brush case  300  may have a second aperture (not shown) to allow access to features of the mobile phone  50  such as buttons, switches, jacks or ports of the mobile phone  50 . The bottom of the head portion  208  may have a third aperture (not shown). A plurality of third apertures may be provided around the outer rim  225  to allow any sound transmitted by the speaker (not shown) of the mobile phone  50  to be heard while a phone  50  is installed in the hair brush case  300 . Optionally, the right side of the head portion  208  provides a separate volume access (or an aperture) to allow a user to adjust the volume of the mobile phone  50  while the phone is installed in the hair brush case  300 . In the preferred embodiment, the hair brush case  300  is made from rubber, silicone or other similar flexible and stretchable material. It is also contemplated that the hair brush case  300  be made from plastic. 
         [0037]      FIG. 16  shows another phone case  400  of the present invention. Phone case  400  is similar to phone case  100  of  FIGS. 1-7  except for a mirror  465  on the outer rim  425  and a plurality of fourth apertures  436  (in addition to third apertures  435 ) that face the back for transmitting sounds from the speaker of the mobile phone  50  installed in the hollow body  420 . Mirror  465  is shown to be rectangular and along the left side of the outer rim  425  on the back of the head portion  408 . However, the mirror  465  can also be positioned on the right side, top and/or bottom of the outer rim  425 , or has different shapes. This embodiment advantageously eliminates another tool (a mirror) that a user needs to carry around by incorporating it on the phone case  400 . Mirror  465  also advantageously facilitates taking a photograph of oneself by allowing a user to practice positioning the mobile phone  65  and to check the user&#39;s own look prior to actually taking the photos with the mobile phone  65 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 17  shows another phone case  500  of the present invention. Phone case  500  is similar to phone case  100  of  FIG. 1-7  except the outer rim  525  is thinner than the outer rim  25  due to the larger hollow body  520  for accommodating a larger mobile phone  70 . Further, the overall dimension of phone case  500  is larger than the phone case  100  to accommodate the larger phone  70 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 18  shows another phone case  600  of the present invention. Phone case  600  is similar to phone case  500  of  FIG. 17  except for the dimension. The overall dimension of phone case  600  is larger than the phone case  500  to accommodate a larger phone  80 . 
         [0040]    The bristles  5 ,  105 ,  205  shown in the various embodiments may be made of nylon or plastic with an enlarged head. However, it is contemplated that the bristles  5 ,  105 , and  205  can be made from boar hair, nylon composite, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the bristles  5 ,  105 , and  205  can have different shapes, sizes and lengths as known in the art. 
         [0041]    The bristles  5 ,  105 ,  205  of the present invention may be shaped and sized in such a manner to allow each embodiment of the hair brush case to act as a stand where the hair brush case is held up and in place on a table or desk by the bristles  5 ,  105 ,  205 . 
         [0042]    The head portion  8 ,  108 ,  208  shown in the various embodiments are shown to be generally rectangular. It is also contemplated that the head portion  8 ,  108 ,  208  may have different shapes such as a circle, oval (as shown in  FIG. 14 ), square, other non-geometric shapes etc. Although the head portion may have different shapes, the hollow body is shaped and sized to receive a mobile phone  50 . 
         [0043]    The handle portion  10 ,  110 ,  210  of the present invention shown in the various embodiments is generally rectangular, thin, long and narrow. It is contemplated that the handle portion  10 ,  110 ,  210  may have different shapes known in the art such as cylindrical, round, short, wide, with ridges, with curves, etc. to accommodate or allow gripping by a user. The handle portion of the various embodiments allows a user to have a secure gripping of the phone case while brushing one&#39;s hair, talking on the phone, taking photographs and otherwise using the phone. 
         [0044]    Mobile phones  50  come in various versions, models, shapes and sizes. As shown in  FIG. 15 , it is contemplated that an adaptor  60  may be used to allow various phones of different versions, models, shapes and sizes to be able to fit in the hair brush case  100 ,  200 ,  300 . For example, if the hollow body is sized to encase an Apple® iPhone® 5, an adaptor  60  may be used to fit on an iPhone® 4 (which is shorter than an iPhone® 5) that would provide it with the same measurements as the Apple® iPhone® 5 and thereby allow it to fit within the hollow body  20  of the hair brush case of the present invention. 
         [0045]    The features of the invention illustrated and described herein are the preferred embodiments. Therefore, it is understood that the specification is intended to cover unforeseeable embodiments with insubstantial differences that are within the spirit of the specification.