Abstract:
A retractable comb and brush includes a casing having a perforated pad drilled with plurality of bristle holes, a bristle means fixed with plurality of bristles extendible and retractable through the bristle holes and a bristle extender raising the bristles outwards for combing use, wherein the bristles may be automatically retracted by depressing a releasing button to separate a latch normally locking a positioning gear formed on the bristle extender.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,251 of Albert Wall taught a hairbrush construction having means for positively locking the bristles in either a projected or retracted position so that the bristle unit can be readily removed for cleaning or replacement by another bristle unit. However, Wall&#39;s patent still has the following defects: 
     1. The bristle unit 14 is resiliently backed by leaf spring 21, which will not be stable during combing or brushing operation. 
     2. The locking of the bristle unit should be operated by push button 17, which is quite inconvenient because the bristle unit is always backed by spring 21 and the pushing of button 17 needs much force against the upward resilient force from spring 21. 
     3. Whenever retracting the bristles 16 through the define openings 44, as the openings 44 are each formed as a lengthy slot, the dirts or hairs during combing action will easily poke into such openings 44 to contaminate the internal casing of the brush construction. 
     The present inventor has found the defects of conventional Wall&#39;s brush and invented the present retractable comb and brush. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a retractable comb and brush which includes a casing having a perforated pad, a bristle means and a bristle extender, wherein the bristle extender is actuated to extend the bristles fixed on bristle means through the bristle holes formed on the perforated pad for combing use and may be retracted inside the perforated pad for easier cleaning and convenient handling or storage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing all components in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of one preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom-view drawing showing the bristle extender in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial illustration showing a bristle retracted into the perforated pad in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows another bristle retracted into perforated pad of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a top-view drawing of another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a top-view drawing of still another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the present invention includes a casing 1, a bristle means 2 and a bristle extender 3. 
     Casing 1 comprises a perforated pad 11 drilled with plurality of bristle holes 11a, several bristle-extending guides 12, a cylindrical wall 14 disposed on the perforated pad 11, and a cover 15 covering cylindrical wall 14. 
     Bristle means 2 comprises a bristle base 21 and a plurality of bristles 22 fixed on base 21. Each bristle-extending guide 12 is formed with a pin hole 12a which is inserted with a pin 13a of a limiting cap 13. Each guide 12 is jacketed with a tension spring 12b. The bristle base 21 is drilled with several guide holes 21a each passing the bristle-extending guide 12. The bristle means 2 is then movably on the guides 12 and is resiliently backed by the springs 12b. The limiting caps 13 define the backward motion of bristle means 2. 
     Bristle extender 3 comprises a rotating knob 31, a raising arm 32 formed as U-shaped to raise bristle means 2, a positioning gear 33 connected between raising arm 32 and rotating knob 31, two retaining springs 34, 34a respectively disposed on both ends of raising arm 32, and a releasing means 35 which includes a pivot 35a for rotatably mounting releasing means 35, a releasing button 35b extending through a hole 14b formed on cylindrical wall 14, a latch 35c engaging with positioning gear 33, and a spring plate 35d resiliently biasing latch 35c to resiliently engage with gear 33. 
     The cylindrical wall 14 is formed with washing holes 14a so that the present invention may be dipped in detergent water for flushing the oil dirts possibly penetrating into casing through bristle holes 11a. The perforated pad 11 may be made from elastomers or rubber materials so that the bristles 22, 22a as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be retracted into pad 11 and the elastomer material of pad 11 will serve as a packing for sound sealing and prevent dirt penetration through the holes 11a. 
     One end of retaining spring 34 is fixed on positioning gear 33 and another end thereof is fixed on the wall 14. Another retaining spring 34a is fixed on the wall 14 opposite to spring 34 and is also fixed on a disk 34b connected with raising arm 32. A washer 31a is provided between the rotating knob 31 and the wall 14 for smooth rotation of knob 31. 
     A handle 4 is connected with casing 1 as shown in FIG. 6. The raising arm 32 may be extended through a handle 4 by connecting a link 31b and terminated by the rotating knob 31 as FIG. 7 shown. 
     When using the present invention, the rotating knob 31 may be rotated to allow the raising arm 32 to push bristle means 2 upwards to extend bristles for combing use. As the positioning gear 33 is always locked by latch 35c or releasing means 3 so that, whenever extending the bristles 22, the bristles 22 will not be retracted and will be stable as the bristle base 21 is resiliently supported by springs 12b. During the rotation of knob 31, the retaining springs 34, 34a are wound to store the resilience. When depressing the releasing button 35b, the latch 35c is separated from the engagement with gear 33 so that gear 33 is no longer locked and the resilience of springs 34, 34a will re-rotate the raising arm 32 to retract the bristles 22 within perforated pad 11, whereby the dirts or hairs accumulated on bristles 22 will then be easily removed. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has the following advantages in comparison with the prior Wall&#39;s patent: 
     1. The bristles can be retracted automatically only by depressing a releasing button. The extension of bristles is merely operated by rotating knob 31 in an easier and more convenient way. 
     2. When not in use, the bristles can be retracted into perforated pad for compact storage or handling. 
     3. The pad 11 may serve as a packing to prevent penetration of dirts through the bristle holes 11a. Even a little amount of dirt may still come into casing, the washing hole 14a provides a water passage for flushing and washing purpose. 
     4. The bristles can be optionally positioned and automatically locked as the positioning gear 33 is normally engaged by a latch 35c of a releasing means 35 of the present invention. 
     The present invention is applied both for combs and brushes. The cover 15 may be formed as a mirror for wider uses.