Abstract:
A self-cleanable hairbrush for use on animals or humans is described that has a frame with strands stretched across it. In one embodiment, the frame is attached to the brush by a pivoting hinge and may be pivoted by the hinge to a position in which the frame is seated flat against a bristle-side of the brush, allowing the strands to slip between the bristles and the frame to be secured in place. As the brush is used, loose hairs, fur, or other debris may become entangled in the bristles. Releasing the frame and allowing it to swing up through the bristles gathers the entangled debris and removes it from bristles, allowing it to be disposed of. The frame and strands may then be re-seated against the bristle-side of the brush, leaving the brush cleaned and ready for re-use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to hair and grooming brushes, and, more particularly to self-cleanable brushes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Brushes of various types, such as hair brushes and pet grooming brushes, suffer from the problem of becoming clogged with loose hairs, fur, and other debris that may become entangled amongst the bristles of the brush while the brush is being used.  
         [0003]     Users may try to remove the hair by using a comb or another brush, if one is available, or by hand. However, these methods are often time-consuming and inconvenient, sometimes even exposing the user to a risk of injury by sharp bristles, in part because hair and fur may easily become entangled amongst the bristles. Thus, it can be difficult to remove the debris in essentially one manipulative motion, which can be desirable, especially when grooming a pet who is trying to escape confinement.  
         [0004]     Self-cleanable brushes that include a perforated plate with holes that can slide over the bristles of a brush may be limited to brushes with bristles configured to emerge from a backing member perpendicularly to the backing member, among other limitations. Such self-cleanable brushes may thus not be suitable for pet grooming brushes that frequently include bristles extending from a backing member at an angle. Such self-cleanable brushes may also become difficult or impossible to use when bristles become bent or are no longer in their original perfect alignment, as can be caused by the wear-and-tear of normal brush use.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, self-cleanable brushes that include removable and/or disposable parts are not usable when the removable parts are misplaced or replacements for disposable parts are not readily available.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing a self-cleanable hairbrush for use on animals or humans that has a frame with strands extending across it, allowing for easy removal of fur, hair, and other debris while remaining tolerant of non-perpendicular bristles and other deviations and imperfections in the bristles that may arise from the wear-and-tear of normal use. In one embodiment, the frame is attached to the brush by a pivoting hinge and may be pivoted by the hinge to a position in which the frame is seated flat against a bristle-side of the brush, allowing the strands to slip between the bristles and the frame to be secured in place. In other embodiments, the frame is formed as an integral part of the brush or brush handle. In some embodiments, the strands and frame are formed as an integral unit.  
         [0007]     As the brush is used, loose hairs, fur, or other debris may become entangled in the bristles. Releasing the frame and allowing it to swing up through the bristles gathers the entangled debris and removes it from bristles, allowing it to be disposed of. The frame and strands may then be re-seated against the bristle-side of the brush, leaving the brush cleaned and ready for re-use.  
         [0008]     In various embodiments, the strands may be configured in a variety of patterns to fit easily between the bristles of the brush. For example, the strands may be configured as parallel lines, as a grid of perpendicular strands, as a set of diagonal lines, or in another suitable configuration. The strands may be formed of wire, plastic, or other material that allows the strands to slip easily between the bristles and to support the collect debris without breaking.  
         [0009]     Embodiments of the self-cleanable brush further include a handle that is rotatable to various positions within a full circle and that may thus allow the user to find a position that reduces hand strain and that allows for a more comfortable and efficient use of the brush.  
         [0010]     An embodiment of a brush is described that comprises a brushing element, a cleaning element, and a pivoting hinge. The brushing element includes a bristle head and a multiplicity of bristles extending from the bristle head. The cleaning element includes a frame and strands extending across the frame. The pivoting hinge mounts the frame to the bristle head, allowing the frame to swing across the bristles when the brush is being used and to swing away from the bristles when the brush is being cleaned, such that when the frame swings across the bristles, the frame lies substantially flat against the bristle head and the strands lie between the bristles. When the frame swings away from the bristles, the strands carry away any debris that may have collected amongst the bristles during use of the brush.  
         [0011]     An embodiment of a method of cleaning a hair brush is described. The method comprises the acts of: providing a hair brush that has a bristle head and a releaseably attached strand frame attached by a hinge to the bristle head; and allowing the strand frame to pivot about the hinge, lifting up out of the bristles debris from the bristle head that has collected on the strand frame.  
         [0012]     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     These and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings summarized below. These drawings and the associated description are provided to illustrate preferred embodiments of the inventions, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of one embodiment of a self-cleanable brush with a cleaning frame opened.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1B  shows a view from below of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush with the cleaning frame opened.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of one embodiment of a self-cleanable brush with the cleaning frame closed.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows top views of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush with a rotatable handle positioned in a variety of positions.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a top-view of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush showing a rotating mechanism for rotating the handle of the brush. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     A self-cleanable brush is disclosed that allows a user to easily remove hair, fur, or other debris that may have collected amongst the bristles of the brush during use. Embodiments of the brush may be used as hair brushes, pet grooming brushes, or other types of brushes.  
         [0021]     The self-cleanable brush will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures in which like numerals refer to like parts.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show two views of one embodiment of a self-cleanable brush  10 .  FIG. 1A  shows a front view of the brush  10 , and  FIG. 1B  shows a view of the brush  10  from below. The embodiment of the self-cleanable brush  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  comprises a bristle head  20 , bristles  30 , a handle  70 , and a cleaning frame  40 .  
         [0023]     The bristle head  20  shown in  FIG. 1  is of a generally rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the bristle head  20  may be of another shape. For example, the bristle head  20  may be generally oval-shaped, square, or round. For some embodiments in which a user grasps the bristle head  20  manually during brushing, the bristle head  20  may be kidney-bean-shaped or other shape that ergonomically fits a user&#39;s hand and is comfortable to hold.  
         [0024]     The bristle head  20  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber or other suitable material, such as wood or molded synthetic resin.  
         [0025]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the bristle head  20  has a bristle-side  25  and a back-side  15 . The bristle-side  25  has a plurality of bristles  30  extending therefrom, the bristles  30  generally parallel to one another. The bristles  30  are embedded at one end and extend perpendicularly from the bristle head  20 . In other embodiments, the bristles may extend from the bristle head  20  at an angle. The bristles  30  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, particularly those used for pet grooming, the bristles may be densely packed wire bristles of metal or other similarly strong material.  
         [0026]     In the embodiment of the self-cleanable brush  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the handle  70  that a user grasps to manipulate and control the brush  10  is attached to the back-side  15  of the bristle head  20 . In other embodiments, the handle  70  may be attached to the bristle head  20  along an edge of the bristle-head  20  or in another position that allows a user grasping the handle  70  to manipulate the brush  10 . In still other embodiments, the brush  10  does not have a handle  70 , and the user grasps the bristle head  20  from the back-side  15  directly when using the brush  10 . In some embodiments, the handle  70  is rotatably attached to the bristle head  20 , as will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0027]     The cleaning frame  40  of the self-cleanable brush  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is of substantially the same perimeter shape as the bristle head  20  and may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material. The cleaning frame  40  is attached to the bristle head  20  along one side of the bristle head  20  by one or more pivoting hinges  75  or other pivoting mechanism. The pivoting hinges  75  allow the cleaning frame to swing away from the bristle-side  25  of the bristle head  20 , as is depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The pivoting hinges  75  also allow the cleaning frame  40  to swing up against the bristle-side  25  of the bristle head  20 . A latching mechanism  65  on the cleaning frame  40 , generally opposite the pivoting hinges  75 , is configured to engage with the bristle head  20  to align and releaseably attach the cleaning frame  40  to the bristle head  20 . In one embodiment, there is a ridge on the surface of the bristle head  20  for releasably engaging the latching mechanism  65 .  
         [0028]     The cleaning frame  40  includes strands  50  extending across it that may be configured in any one of a variety of configurations. In several preferred embodiments, the strands are generally parallel to one another. In various embodiments, the strands  50  may be stretched across the cleaning frame  40  from side to side relative to the frame  40  or in a lengthwise direction relative to the frame  40 . In some embodiments, some strands  50  may be stretched across the cleaning frame  40  in a side to side direction and some strands  50  are stretched across the cleaning frame  40  in a lengthwise direction, thereby forming a crossing matrix or grid of strands  50  stretching across the cleaning frame  40 . In other embodiments, the strands  50  may extend diagonally with reference to the cleaning frame  40  or may be configured in another configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the bristles  30 .  
         [0029]     When the cleaning frame  40  is attached to the bristle head  20 , the strands  50  on the cleaning frame  40  easily slip between the bristles  30  to sit substantially against the bristle head  20  at the base of the bristles  30 , allowing the bristles  30  to extend normally from the bristle head  20 . The strands  50  may be spaced so as to allow many bristles  30  to extend between adjacent strands  50 , thereby allowing the allowing the cleaning frame  60  and the strands  50  to tolerate deviations in the bristles  30 , such as bristles  30  that are somewhat bent or misshapen due to wear-and tear of brush use. The brush  10  may then be used in a normal fashion, for example, to groom a pet or to brush hair.  
         [0030]     When the bristles  30  of the brush  10  become clogged with matted fur, hair, or other debris, the latching mechanism  65  of the cleaning frame  40  may be disengaged from the bristle head  20 , allowing the cleaning frame  40  to swing away from the bristle head  20 . As the cleaning frame  40  swings away from the bristle head  20 , the strands  50  of the cleaning frame  40  are drawn up through the bristles  30 , bringing the fur, hair, or debris up with it past the bristles  30 , where the fur, hair, or debris collected on the strands  50  may be removed and disposed of. The cleaning frame  40  may then be replaced and the latching mechanism  65  re-engaged, leaving the brush  10  clean and ready for re-use.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, the handle  70  is split down its length into two sections that are joined at the end of the handle by the pivoting hinge  75 . A first section of the handle  70  may be connected to the bristle head  20  may be integral to the bristle head  20 , and a second section of the handle  70  may be connected to the cleaning frame  40  or may be integral to the cleaning frame. The pivoting hinge  75  may be closed so that the two sections join to form a single handle  70  during use and may be opened to separate the cleaning frame  40  from the bristle head  20  for cleaning.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of one embodiment of a self-cleanable brush  10  with the cleaning frame  40  closed.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows top views of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush  10  with a rotatable handle  70  positioned in a variety of positions. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to adjust the position of the handle  70  relative to the bristle head  20 . For example, when using the brush  10  to groom a pet with thick fur, the fur may cause resistance, thus increasing strain and fatigue of the hand, arm, and/or wrist of the person using the brush  10 . Changing the position of the handle  70  may allow the user to find an orientation which reduces the strain. Furthermore, the three-dimensional and non-uniform nature of an animal&#39;s body surfaces which a user may desire to groom present additional challenges that may be alleviated by adjusting the position of the brush handle  70  relative to the bristle head  20  and the bristles  30 .  
         [0034]     The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3  provides for eight different handle positions relative to the bristle head  20  that together allow the handle  70  to circumscribe an arc of three-hundred-and-sixty degrees in intervals of forty-five degrees.  
         [0035]     In other embodiments, the handle  70  may be positionable in a different set of positions, or may be positionable at any point in a three-hundred-sixty-degree arc. Furthermore, in still other embodiments, the handle  70  of the brush  10  may be non-rotating and may be attached to the bristle head  20  in a fixed manner or may be an integral part thereof.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a top-view of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush  10 , and  FIG. 4B  shows a cross-section view of one embodiment of the self-cleanable brush  10  showing a rotating mechanism for rotating the handle  70  of the brush  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the handle has a circular base  71  with a circular lip  72  that extends downwards and that may be seated in a circular channel  73  formed in the back-side  25  of the bristle head  20 . The handle  70  is held in place by a spring lock screw  74 . In the floor of the circular channel  73  may be recesses, and in the bottom of the circular lip may be one or more protrusions that can fit into the recesses to form detents for holding the handle  70  in a given position relative to the bristle head  20 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , eight recesses may be spaced evenly in the floor of the circular channel  73  to form detents that are forty-five degrees apart around the circle. By applying pressure to the handle  70 , the user may force the protrusion out of the recess to allow for rotation of the handle  70 .  
         [0037]     Still other embodiments of the self-cleanable brush  10  do not include a handle  70 . Instead, a user may grasp the bristle head  20  directly when using the brush  10 . In some of these embodiments, a strap or elastic band may be attached across the back-side  15  of the bristle head  20  and the user may slip a hand under the strap or elastic band for added gripping security while using the brush  100 .  
         [0038]     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0039]     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a self-cleanable brush, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by reference to the appended claims.