Abstract:
A pet bathing brush with a hose attachment to aid in bathing pets comprises a massaging brush and a control valve. The brush comprises a gripping handle and is preferably constructed of a pliable hard rubber compound and further comprises a plurality of conical scrubbing protrusions along a bottom surface. The bottom surface further includes a plurality of water apertures which enable water to pass through the bottom surface onto the pet. Water is provided to an interior space of the brush by an attachable hose. Additionally, the brush provides storage and dispensing of a cleanser via an internal reservoir. As a pet is washed, the user can massage the pet with the protrusions while allowing a flow of water to pass through the bottom surface while simultaneously dispensing the cleanser from a nozzle also located along the bottom surface to effectively bathe the pet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a bathing brush implement for removable attachment to a water supply hose. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Keeping pets is a time-consuming task, requiring one to constantly feed, groom, and clean up after their animal friends. Those who own pets know the importance of frequent bathing to keep their pet&#39;s coat healthy, clean, and fresh smelling. For this bathing process, many take their pets to pet grooming salons. Others may bathe their pet in a sink or bathtub while others bathe their pet outside. However, no matter the bathing method or location, it is always important to properly massage the pet&#39;s fur to help loosen dead skin, hair, and dander. It is also very important to provide for a proper rinsing to remove all traces of dirt and shampoo as well. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which pets can be easily and thoroughly bathed. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a means for bathing and scrubbing an animal. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,809, issued in the name of Morawski, describes a fountain brush with a soap reservoir and valve. Unfortunately, the Morawski device does not provide pressure bulbs conveniently located on the lid to propel the cleanser through the nozzle, nor does it describe such a nozzle having an integral drip valve. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,984, issued in the name of Underwood, describes a shampoo brush comprising a container for a cleaning agent with a pair of one-way spring-loaded plungers. The plungers must act in concert with each other to dispense an amount of cleaning agent while the other plunger opens to receive an amount of cleaning agent to be dispensed on a second actuation. This actuation means is more complicated and not as convenient as the present pressure bulbs located in the lid of the brush. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,840, issued in the name of Kennedy, describes an internal reservoired soap dispensing animal washer wherein the reservoirs are constantly under pressure due to a back pressure chamber in the head of the brush and further has vortex chambers to mix incoming water with the soap. This means is more complicated and comprises different features not necessary with the present invention, which only requires selectable dispensing of either the water or cleanser. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,553, issued in the name of Kishimoto, describes a shower utensil with a brush. Unfortunately, the Kishimoto invention does not comprise a centrally located lid providing a gripping means and a pair of pressure bulbs for propelling the cleanser through the nozzle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,790, issued in the name of Kay, discloses a brush providing a user to dispense liquid soap onto a brush head. Unfortunately, similar to the Kishimoto invention, Kay does not comprise a centrally located lid providing a gripping means and a pair of pressure bulbs for propelling the cleanser through the nozzle. Further, the Kay invention cannot be connected to a water source as taught in the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many such devices are not suited to easily and quickly adapt to be connected to a water source such as a spigot or shower plumbing fitting and comprising a water flow control means and a cleanser dispensing means. Accordingly, there exists a need for such a pet bathing brush. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for such a pet bathing brush. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pet bathing brush having an internal chamber for receiving water for subsequent dispensing, an internal reservoir for holding an amount of cleanser for subsequent dispensing, a lid for capping the reservoir and providing a propelling means for the cleanser, a plurality of protrusions for providing a scrubbing means, a connection means for a water source, and a control means for controlling the amount of water flowing from the water source to the brush. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a brush having a top and bottom surface, a pair of first sidewalls, and a pair of second sidewalls. The plurality of protrusions each depends downward from the bottom surface. A plurality of apertures is also located on the bottom surface and in fluid communication with the internal chamber. An attachment nipple is in fluid communication with the internal chamber and extends outwardly from one of the sidewalls. The attachment nipple removably attaches the control valve. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the lid for providing a removable cap to the internal reservoir. The lid further has a head and a hollow neck having a pair of pressure bulbs to hydraulically propel the contents of the reservoir through the dispenser. In at least one (1) embodiment, the dispenser comprises a nozzle having an integral drip valve. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the means for connecting to be a hose having a proximal end removably attached to the control valve. In at least one (1) embodiment, there is an adapter that provides a removable attachment for a distal end of the hose to the water source. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the control valve to be a ball valve. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of protrusions is conical-shaped. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a pet bathing brush with hose attachment  10  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the pet bathing brush with hose attachment  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the pet bathing brush with hose attachment  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded section view of the pet bathing brush with hose attachment  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a kit form of the pet bathing brush with hose attachment  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                    10 
                   pet bathing brush with hose attachment 
                 
                 
                     
                    20 
                   brush assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                    22 
                   brush body 
                 
                 
                     
                    23 
                   water chamber 
                 
                 
                     
                    24 
                   brush handle 
                 
                 
                     
                    26 
                   handle neck 
                 
                 
                     
                    28a 
                   first pressure bulb 
                 
                 
                     
                    28b 
                   second pressure bulb 
                 
                 
                     
                    30 
                   bottom surface 
                 
                 
                     
                    32 
                   protrusion 
                 
                 
                     
                    34 
                   water aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                    35 
                   reservoir 
                 
                 
                     
                    36 
                   cleanser 
                 
                 
                     
                    38 
                   cleanser tube 
                 
                 
                     
                    40 
                   nozzle 
                 
                 
                     
                    41 
                   drip valve 
                 
                 
                     
                    42 
                   first female threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    44 
                   first male threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    46 
                   second male threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    50 
                   control valve assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                    52 
                   valve body 
                 
                 
                     
                    54 
                   valve handle 
                 
                 
                     
                    55 
                   valving member 
                 
                 
                     
                    56 
                   second female threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    58 
                   third female threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    70 
                   hose assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                    72 
                   hose 
                 
                 
                     
                    76 
                   third male threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    78 
                   fourth female threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    80 
                   adapter assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                    82 
                   fourth male threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                    84 
                   fifth female threaded member 
                 
                 
                     
                   100 
                   carrying case 
                 
                 
                     
                   102 
                   lower case body 
                 
                 
                     
                   104 
                   first foam insert 
                 
                 
                     
                   105a 
                   first cavity 
                 
                 
                     
                   105b 
                   second cavity 
                 
                 
                     
                   105c 
                   third cavity 
                 
                 
                     
                   105d 
                   fourth cavity 
                 
                 
                     
                   106 
                   lid 
                 
                 
                     
                   107 
                   second foam insert 
                 
                 
                     
                   108 
                   hinge 
                 
                 
                     
                   110a 
                   first latching mechanism 
                 
                 
                     
                   110b 
                   second latching mechanism 
                 
                 
                     
                   150 
                   pet 
                 
                 
                     
                   155 
                   spigot 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 , and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of a pet bathing brush with a hose attachment (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides an aid in the bathing of pets  150  and comprises a rectangular or ovular-shaped hand-held massaging brush  20  approximately four inches (4 in.) in length and two and one-half inches (2½ in.) in width; however, it is understood that other overall sizes of the apparatus  10  particularly suited for larger and smaller pets may also be introduced. The apparatus  10  provides such convenience features as a palm-type brush handle  24 , an internal cleanser reservoir  35 , a water control valve  50 , and a hose assembly  70  which allows connection to shower plumbing or to a common spigot  155 . In such a manner the pet  150  is washed and massaged while a supply of water mixed with cleanser  36  is emitted from a bottom surface of the apparatus  10 . These features allow for the complete and thorough bathing of a pet  150 , as well as minimizing or eliminating a need for brushing the pet  150  following bathing. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , front and bottom perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a brush assembly  20 , a control valve assembly  50 , and a water supply hose assembly  70 . The brush assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10  comprises a hollow brush body portion  22  made using a hard rubber compound and further comprising a plurality of conical-shaped protrusions  32  which extend downwardly from an entire bottom surface  30 . Each protrusion  32  is approximately five-sixteenths ( 5/16 in.) of an inch long. Also provided along the bottom surface  30  of the apparatus  10  is a plurality of equally-spaced water apertures  34  arranged along parallel rows which allow for the passage of water from the hollow brush body  22  onto the pet  150  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The apparatus  10  comprises a removably attachable brush handle  24  intermediately located upon a top surface of the brush body  22 . Said brush handle  22  comprises a large spherical or dome-shaped grasping means providing a threaded attachment means to said brush body  22  via an integral cylindrical neck portion  26 . Said brush handle  24  enables a user to securely hold and maneuver the brush assembly  20  upon a pet  150  with dry or even wet and slippery hands. Said brush handle  24  and neck  26  portions are threadingly detachable from the brush body  22  to reveal and access an internal reservoir  35  which may in turn be filled with a pet-washing-type cleanser  36 . Furthermore, said neck portion  26  comprises an integral rubber first pressure bulb  28   a  and second pressure bulb  28   b , both of which provide a means to hydraulically propel said cleanser  36  from a bottom-mounted nozzle portion  40 . Said first  28   a  and second  28   b  pressure bulbs are arranged along right-side and left-side surfaces of the handle neck  26  to provide convenient access to both right-handed and left-handed users (also see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exploded section view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Water is supplied to the apparatus  10  via the hose assembly  70 , which is in turn controlled via the control valve assembly  50 . Said water is then received into a hollow water chamber portion  23  within the brush assembly  20  before being emitted from said water apertures  34  onto the pet  150 . 
     Along with the flow of water, the apparatus  10  provides a means to store, propel, and dispense a cleanser  36  onto the pet  150  in a simultaneous manner. The aforementioned brush handle  24  and neck  26  portions act as a threaded capping means to access an internal cleanser reservoir  35  within the brush body  22 . Said neck  26  and brush body  22  comprise respective first female threaded member  42  and first male threaded member  44  portions. Removal of said brush handle  24  provides access to the internal cleanser reservoir  35  which is to be capable of retaining a sufficient volume of cleanser  36  being appropriate for the washing of a pet  150 . The brush assembly  20  provides a means to convey said cleanser  36  from the reservoir  35  to the aforementioned nozzle  40  via an interconnecting cleanser tube  38 . Once the brush handle  24  is threadingly replaced upon said brush body  22 , said cleanser  36  is propelled through the cleanser tube  38  and nozzle portions  40  by pressing upon either pressure bulb  28   a ,  28   b  located upon the side surfaces of the neck portion  26 . Said pressure bulbs  28   a ,  28   b  comprise hemi-spherical-shaped rubber buttons being convenient to both a right-handed and left-handed user&#39;s finger portions, thereby providing easy activation. The nozzle  40  is envisioned to comprise a conical-shaped rubber form which protrudes downwardly from the bottom surface  30 , being similar in length as the aforementioned protrusions  32 . Said nozzle  40  further comprises an integrally-molded drip valve feature  41  at a lower end portion. Said drip valve  41  is envisioned to comprise a pair of crossing slit features being similar to those commonly used on condiment bottles to control dripping of fluids. 
     The brush assembly  20  provides an attachment means to the control valve assembly  50  via threaded engagement of respective second male threaded member  46  and second female threaded member  56  portions envisioned to comprise a diameter of approximately one-half inch (½ in.) to three-quarters of an inch (¾ in.). Said control valve assembly  50  further comprises a valve body  52 , a quarter-turn valve handle  54 , a flat or spherical internal fluid-metering valving member  55 , and a third female threaded member  58  being opposite the aforementioned second female threaded member  56 . Said control valve assembly  50  is envisioned to comprise a common linear plastic-bodied ball valve or equivalent flow control device having female threaded end portions. Said third female threaded member  58  of the control valve assembly  50  provides threaded attachment to the hose assembly  70 , thereby allowing a user to connect the apparatus  10  to existing water sources such as shower plumbing fittings or an outdoor spigot  155  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a carrying case portion  100  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be conveniently, compactly, and protectively stored within a carrying case  100 . Said carrying case  100  resembles a standard metal or plastic brief case and further comprises a lower case body  102  having a first foam rubber insert  104 , a matching lid  106  having a second foam insert  107 , a pair of joining hinges  108 , and a two-part latching mechanism  110   a ,  110   b . Said first foam insert  104  further comprises a plurality of cavities  105   a ,  105   b ,  105   c ,  105   d  which match a shape of each of the major portions  20 ,  50 ,  70  of the apparatus  10 , thereby providing snug protective containment for possible transportation of the apparatus  10 . 
     The apparatus  10  provides a means of attachment to existing shower head plumbing or to a spigot  155  via the hose assembly  70 . Said hose assembly  70  comprises a length of flexible rubber or plastic garden hose approximately eight feet (8 ft.) in length having a third male threaded member  76  at one (1) end portion and a fourth female threaded member  78  at an opposite end portion in a conventional manner. Additionally, the carrying case  100  is illustrated here containing an adapter assembly  80  which provides a means to attach said hose assembly  80  to an existing shower plumbing fitting. Said adapter assembly  80  comprises a common commercially-available plumbing fitting having a fourth male threaded member  82  at one (1) end portion and a fifth female threaded member  84  at an opposing end portion, thereby enabling connection to respective fourth female threaded member  78  of the hose assembly  70 , and a typical existing male-threaded shower fitting. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be assembled and utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and assembling the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having an appropriately sized brush assembly  20  based upon a particular pet  150  to be washed; opening the carrying case  100  and removing the components of the apparatus  10 ; assembling the brush assembly  20  to the control valve assembly  50  by threadingly connecting the second male threaded member portion  46  of said brush assembly  20  to the second female threaded member portion  56  of said control valve assembly  50 ; assembling the control valve assembly  50  to the hose assembly  70  by threadingly connecting the third female threaded member portion  58  of said control valve assembly  50  to the third male threaded member  76  of said hose assembly  70 ; and, attaching the hose assembly  70  to an existing water source by connecting the fourth female threaded member portion  78  of the hose assembly  70  to a standard spigot  155 . The apparatus  10  is now ready to be utilized to wash and/or groom a pet  150 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  to wash the pet  150  would be achieved by performing the following additional steps: removing the brush handle  24  from the brush body  22  by threading respective threaded members  42 ,  44 ; pouring a desired volume of cleanser  36  into the reservoir portion  35  of the brush body  22 ; replacing the brush handle  24 ; turning the control valve handle  54  to an “OFF” position; activating a flow of supply water to the apparatus  10  by activating the spigot  155  in a normal manner; grasping the brush handle  24  firmly; opening the control valve assembly  50  using the valve handle  54  until obtaining a desired flow rate of water out of the water apertures  34 ; applying water upon the pet  150  by placing the brush assembly  20  onto a desired portion of the pet  150  until thoroughly wetted; applying and mixing a flow of cleanser  36  onto the pet  150  as desired by pressing a pressure bulb  28   a ,  28   b  using a “pumping motion” until a desired amount of cleanser  36  is dispensed from the nozzle  40  upon the pet  150 ; continuing to regulate the flow of water using the control valve handle  54  to obtain a desired mixture of water and cleanser  36 ; scrubbing the pet by motioning the protrusion portions  32  of the brush assembly  20  over the pet  150  as needed to wash the pet  150 ; rinsing the pet  150  by utilizing the control valve assembly  50  to provide a desired flow of water to rinse all soil and cleanser  36  from said pet  150 ; halting the flow of water by closing the valve handle  54  and spigot  155 ; disassembling and draining the apparatus  10  by threadingly detaching the previously described threaded members  46 ,  56 ,  58 ,  76 ,  78 ; returning all major components of the apparatus  10  to the appropriate cavities  105  within the carrying case  100 ; and, benefiting from a convenient and effective means to wash a pet  150  afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     If a user desires to wash the pet  150  indoors, the adapter assembly  80  may be utilized to establish a threaded connection between the hose assembly  70  and an existing male threaded portion of a shower fitting, thereby establishing a pressurized water supply to the apparatus  10 . Utilization of the apparatus  10  to wash the pet  150  would then be performed in an identical manner as previously described above. 
     The features of the apparatus  10  allow for the complete and thorough bathing of the pet  150 , as well as minimizing or eliminating a need for brushing the pet  150  following bathing. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.