Comb for removing debris on carpet

The present invention "A Comb for Removing Debris on Carpet" is a hand held tool that will comb debris such as pine needles or other debris left lying on carpet or embedded in carpet into a pile for easy pick-up. This tool consists of a body, a handle, and a plurality of plates that are spaced, varying in height, and extended the entire length of the body. These plates extend upward into parallel grooves cut into the underside of the body and are permanently attached there. These plates also extend downward from the body and have a plurality of teen that are distal from the body deposed on the edge of each plate. The teeth are in a saw-toothed configuration. The tool is held in the hand(s) and is drawn towards the operator. The plates and teeth are in contact with the carpet. The manual action of drawings the tool over the carpet results in the collection of debris at the front side of the tool and between the plates. Repeating this action results in having a pile of debris that can be picked up manually or swept into a dust pan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to a tool used for combing over carpet pile. In
 particular, the tool is used for the collection of pine needles and other
 debris that lie on the surface or get embedded in carpet pile. The manual
 action of combing this tool over the carpet pile results in the collection
 of debris that is lying on the carpet or embedded in the carpet.
 In the past various devices have been invented for the removal of certain
 objects form the carpet pile. U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,430 pertains to the
 removal of staples embedded in carpet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,995 pertains to
 the removal of animal hair from carpet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,223 pertains
 to the removal of debris from carpet through the use of an adhesive. U.S.
 Pat. No. 4,156,298 pertains to a shag rug fluffing and object retrieving
 device in which magnetism is used. Numerous inventions pertain to the
 cleaning of carpets through means of liquids, steam, foam, or granules.
 There are also inventions that are used to restore carpet and to ready for
 additional cleaning such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,244 "Shag Rug Rake", and
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,808 "Device for preparing the cleaning of carpet
 floors". None of these previously mentioned patents are of the same design
 as the present invention. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,547,25 and 6,023,811 are
 similar in design, but the plates of each are such that they are adjacent
 and in direct contact with one another. The present invention has plates
 that are spaced so that debris can be collected between the plates as well
 as in front of the plates. U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,00 and foreign paten 804859
 are also similar in design, but the plates of each are such that they do
 not vary in height like the present invention. The height variation of the
 plates is such that the tool can be maneuvered along the carpet at an
 angle so that the plates with the accompanying teeth are at spaced
 intervals along the carpet so that debris can be collected between the
 plates more easily and efficiently. None of the previously mentioned
 patents have plates with the teeth such that the teeth are purposely
 misaligned. This staggering of the plates with the teeth is necessary so
 that debris will not slip through all the plates and not get collected.
 The pine needles and other debris that are left lying on the carpet or
 embedded in the carpet after the holiday season have posed a problem for
 those people who choose to have a live Christmas tree in their home for
 the holidays rather than an artificial tree. Some people purposely choose
 an artificial tree because of the mess and hassle of having to clean up
 all the fallen needles and other debris that the trees leave behind. These
 dry and brittle needles get embedded in carpet and are difficult and time
 consuming to clean up.
 Vacuum cleaners are often used to try and remove the needles from the
 carpeting. The results of using a vacuum cleaner are poor due to the
 adherence between the needles and the carpet. The same area must be swept
 over and over again to effect any sort of removal. The pine needles often
 get stuck in the carpeting, and vacuums don't usually provide enough
 suction to dislodge the needles. Assuming that the vacuum cleaner does
 remove some of the needles, the needles being dry, brittle, and for the
 most part inflexible, often get clogged in the vacuum. The nozzle, the
 ridged hose, and the housing between the hose and the tank become clogged
 easily with the dry pine needles. Removal of the clogged needles from the
 vacuum is a very time consuming tedious task.
 Other methods of removing needles from the carpeting include hand picking.
 Hand picking of pine needles from carpeting can be an exhausting chore,
 and sometimes a painful one due to needles pricks. It can take hours to
 completely remove all of the needles that a single pine tree leaves
 behind.
 This invention solves the problem of cleaning up the pine needles and other
 debris left on the carpet or embedded in the carpet after the Christmas
 tree is removed form the home. The invention is not limited to the removal
 of pine needles, but can be employed for the collection of other debris as
 well.
 SUMMARY
 A preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a body in conjunction
 with a handle, and a plurality of plates that are spaced and are of
 varying heights. In conjunction with the plates are a plurality of teeth
 that are disposed on the edges of each plate distal from the body and are
 in a saw-toothed configuration such that the teeth of one plate do not
 align with the teeth of any adjacent plate. It is constructed such that
 when the plurality of plates in conjunction with the plurality of teeth
 are pressed against the carpet and dawn towards an operator, debris will
 be collected at the front side of the tool. The collection of debris can
 then be moved to a dust pan for easy removal. The plates, in conjunction
 with the teeth, are positioned such that the debris will be dislodged form
 the carpet pile and collected at the front side of the tool without
 slipping through.
 A novel result of the comb according to the present invention is achieved
 through a combination of the plurality of plates which are spaced and are
 of varying heights are the plurality of teeth which are preferably
 disposed in a saw tooth configuration and are preferably positioned so
 that the saw-tooth configuration of one plate does not align with the
 configuration of any adjacent plates.
 The plates, body and handle of the tool are not limited to any one
 construction material. A variety of materials such as wood, plastic, and
 metal can be used interchangeably.
 It is a purpose of this invention to provide a tool that will quickly and
 easily collect pine needles and other debris that is left lying on the
 carpet pile or embedded din the carpet for easy pick up and removal.
 It is further purpose of this invention to provide a sturdy tool that is
 simple and inexpensive in design so that excessive costs are avoided.
 It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a tool that is
 efficient in use and requires a minimum amount of effort and time.
 It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a light weight tool
 that is not cumbersome to use.
 It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a tool that is sturdy
 in construction dn manual in operation so as to avoid the need for part
 replacement and repairs that accompany many motorized devices.
 It is further purpose of this invention to provide a tool that is not
 limited or restricted to any one construction material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 FIG. 1 illustrates on example of a cleaning tool in accordance with the
 present invention. This embodiment is referred to and identified by the
 reference numeral 10.
 The embedment 10 as viewed from the front in FIG. 1 preferably comprises a
 rectangular body 1 having a handle 7 that is continuous with the body 1.
 The length and width of the body and handle are variable, but the longer
 the body, the greater the area of carpet that can be combed. The handle 7
 is an extension of the body 1 that tapers to a size that fits comfortably
 in a average sized hand. The handle 7 has four finger indentations 9(a, b,
 c, d) for ease of gripping and holding. The handle 7 can be equipped with
 a hold drilled in the far end 8 to which a cord can be attached for
 hanging when not in use. Various materials can be used of right
 construction of the invention, such as wood, metal, or plastic.
 Attached to the underside 2 of the body 1 is a plurality of plates 4. Each
 plate is permanently secured in grooves that have been cut in the body
 (not illustrated). The plates are preferably constructed of smooth, flat,
 sturdy material such as stainless steel or polymeric plastic. The plates 4
 preferably extend at least the full length of the body 1. For ease of
 combing the carpet near walls and in corners, the plates 4 preferably
 extend past the length of the body 1 so that the body does not impede the
 combing action near walls and corners. The plates 4 extend downward from
 the underside of the body 2. Each plate 4 has a plurality of teeth 12 at
 the distal end of the plate furtherest from the body. The teeth 12 are
 preferably in a saw-toothed configuration. Each plate is preferably
 arranged so that the teeth in that plate are not aligned with the teeth in
 any adjacent plates. The plates 4 are preferably configured so that the
 for most plate is of a height that is least of all plates. The height of
 the plates preferably increases gradually from the foremost plate to the
 most distal. Each individual plate can effectively tough the carpet and
 aid in the collection of debris when the height of the plates vary. Each
 plate is preferably spaced an even distance from all other plates so that
 debris can be collected between the plates as well as in front of the
 plates. The number of plates is preferably two or more to effect the
 efficiency of the debris collection.
 The number of teeth per plate can vary. Several models have been
 constructed and proven to work having between three to eight teeth per
 inch. The width of each plate can vary. Again, models have been built and
 proven to work with widths that vary between one-thirty-second of an inch
 to one-eighth of an inch thickness. The number of teeth per inch on each
 plate and the thickness or width of each plate can be combined to
 incorporate numerous combinations of the two.
 FIG. 2 shows the underside 2 of the embodiment 10. Portrayed in this view
 are the relative positions and spacing of the plates 4. Three plates are
 shown as one example; however, this invention is not limited to that
 specific number of plates. Also shown are the finger indentations 9(a, b,
 c, d) of the handle 7.
 FIG. 3 depicts a modified version of the invention referenced as 10a. This
 modified embodiments 10a is for individuals who for one reason or another
 would rather not stoop down to use the original invention as seen in FIG.
 1. An operator 30 is depicted using the modified embodiment 10a. The
 handle 7a has been elongated such as the handle of a broom, and is now
 preferably centered at the front side 29 of the modified body 1a. When the
 tool 10a is drawn towards the operator 30 as indicated by the arrow 27,
 the result is the collection of debris 19 from the carpet 18.
 FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the invention in use. The angle 20 that is
 formed between the carpet 18 and the tool 10 is variable and depends on
 the lengths chosen for each individual plate in relationship with the
 other plates. The greater the height variation between individual plates,
 the smaller the angle will be. When the tool is pressed into the carpet 18
 and is moved in the direction indicated by numeral 27 the debris 19
 collects at the front side of the tool.
 FIG. 5 depicts a modified version of the invention as depicted in FIG. 3.
 This modified embodiment 10a is for individuals who prefer not to stoop
 down to use the original embodiment 10 as seen in FIG. 1. A handle 7a,
 like the handle of a broom, is employed. The only difference that exists
 between the modified embodiment 10a and the original embodiment 10 is the
 body and the handle. The handle 7a is now located mid-way of the body 1a,
 and extends outwardly from the front side of the body 29. The handle 7a
 extends into the body 1a and is secured thereto.
 FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the modified embodiments 10a. The preferred
 angle 21 that is made between the handle 7a and the front side of the body
 29 is obtuse. The angle 21 varies in relationship to the height of each
 individual plate with relationship to the other plates.
 This is to allow all plates to come in contact with the carpet at intervals
 so that maximum efficiency in the use of the tool is obtained.
 FIG. 7 depicts a side view of another version of the present invention
 referenced as numeral 10b. This embodiment differs from the original
 embodiment in that the plurality of plates 4 vary in height from a
 foremost plate 4a to a midway plate 4m to a most distal plate 4z. The
 height of the plates gradually increase until a midway plate 4m is
 reached. The height of each additional plate is then decreased gradually
 until the most distal plate 4z is reached. The gradual increase in height
 of the foremost plates are a mirror image of the gradual decrease of the
 height from the midway plate to the most distal. The plates are still
 spaced and are not in contact with each other. This embodiments allows the
 operator to move the tool in a to and fro motion with both motions
 efficiently collecting the debris in either direction as well s between
 the plates.
 FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the embodiments 10b. This embodiment can be
 drawn in a to and fro direction 31. Either direction 31 still allows for
 the efficient collection of debris 19 from the carpet 18.