Abstract:
A device made to easily scratch the users scalp. It is easy to use and clean. It has a handle with a prong extending therefrom. It may have a snap-on cap to receive the prong and a shoulder.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    [ 000 . 5 ] This patent application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 61/535,700 having a filing date of Sep. 16, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to scratch where needed, such as the scalp of the user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Typically, people use their fingers to scratch their scalp. However drawbacks may include not being able to scratch one&#39;s scalp due to, for example, overly-long fingernails, short fingernails, or bitten fingernails. 
         [0004]    Another disadvantage may be that the user may have a substance in their hair, which they do not want on their fingers, such as hair mousse, styling gel, or other products. 
         [0005]    There exists a need for a device that is easy to carry, and safe to use to scratch one&#39;s scalp. 
         [0006]    There exists a need for a device that allows one to scratch their scalp without using one&#39;s fingers. 
         [0007]    Multiple embodiments of the system are disclosed herein. It will be understood that other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  scratching device 
           20  scratching portion 
           30  cap 
           40  handle 
           50  prong 
           60  chamber 
           70  shoulder 
           80  cap diameter 
           90  cap length 
           100  handle length 
           110  prong length 
           120  straight prong portion 
           130  angled prong portion 
           140  tip 
           150  flat side 
           160  concave side 
           170  length of shoulder 
           180  angle length 
           190  closed position 
           200  prong thickness 
           210  prong width 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    One aspect of the present invention is a scratching device, comprising: a handle; a prong extending away from said handle along a longitudinal axis said prong having a flat side and a concave side; and said prong having two angled portions to terminate at a blunt tip. 
         [0030]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in a closed position with a sectional view of the cap; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a second pictorial view of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is third pictorial view of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a fourth pictorial view of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a fifth pictorial view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0037]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives, and similar words. Also, “connected to,” “secured to,” or similar language includes the definitions “indirectly connected to,” “directly connected to,” “indirectly secured to,” and “directly secured to.” 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the scratching device  10  having a scratching portion  20  and a cap  30 . The scratching portion  20  may have a handle  40 , with a shoulder  70  extending longitudinally away from the handle  40 , and a prong  50  may extend longitudinally away from the shoulder  70 . The prong  50  may have a straight prong portion  120 , and an angled portion  130 . The prong  50  may terminate at a tip  140 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment the straight prong portion  120  may have a length  110  of about 15/16 of an inch. In one embodiment the shoulder  70  may have a shoulder length  170  of about ⅛ of an inch. In one embodiment the prong  50  may have a length of about 1⅛ of an inch. In one embodiment the angled prong portion  130  may have an angle length of about ¼ of an inch. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment the cap length  90  may be about 1½ inches, and the cap  30  may be about ½ inches in diameter. The cap  30  may have a chamber  60  so as to receive the shoulder  70  and prong  50  therein, and be releasibly sealed to the scratching portion  20  so both can be maintained in a closed position  190 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . The prong  50  may terminate at a tip  140 . In one embodiment the tip may have a length of about 1/16 of an inch. In one embodiment the prong  50  may have a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch. The prong  50  may have a prong width  210  of about 7/32 of an inch. The handle  40  may have a length of about 1 5/16 inches. The handle  40  may have a diameter of about ⅝ of an inch. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment showing the prong width  210 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment showing the prong thickness  200 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position  190 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment were the prong  50  may have a flat side  150  and a concave side  160 . Depending on the user, some may prefer to scratch primarily with the concave side  160 , or the straight side  150 . The tip  140  may be blunt and may have the two angle prong portions  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  5 . 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the present invention  10  may be made from Delrin® Plastic. The cap  30  may snap on and off of the handle  40 . 
         [0046]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.