Abstract:
A hair brush with a styling/cleaning element for removing entwined hair from the brush before or after use. The styling/cleaning element of the brush includes a plate(s) with opening through which the bristles protrude. When the plate is expanded, the plate pushes any hairs entwined in the bristles to the tips of the bristles where they are removed. The brush also has a post mechanism, which allows for the adjustment of the styling/cleaning element to various intermediary positions, effectively adjusting the length of the bristles for use of the brush. A mirror is provided on the back of the brush, on the reverse side from the bristles. A hair brush with heatable styling/cleaning plates that when heated with externally generated hot air heat change colour/appearance of styling/cleaning plates which further indicates hair brush readiness for use to user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/189,478 filed Aug. 11, 2008 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/823,733 Filed Jun. 28, 2007, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush that removes hair from the bristles of a hair brush in a thorough and convenient manner which also incorporates the use of colour changing agents that when heated change the colour/appearance of the styling/cleaning element(s) to further indicate hair brush readiness for use to the user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Hair styling brushes are notoriously difficult to clean. The more bristles a hair styling brush has, perhaps the more effective the hair styling brush is as a tool, but also, the more difficult it is to clean. The use of hair styling brushes with self-cleaning capabilities of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, hair styling brushes with self-cleaning capabilities of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of cleaning matter from the bristles of hair styling brushes through known methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
         [0004]    In addition the use of hair styling brushes with colour changing capabilities of known designs and configurations is also known in the prior art. More specifically, hair styling brushes with colour changing capabilities of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of indicating readiness of use of said hair styling brush. 
         [0005]    By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,831 to Loiselle discloses a retractable bristle brush for removing hair from hair brushes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,563 to Hartmann discloses a removable cleaning plate for removing hair from hair brushes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,282 to Calvert discloses a power operated rotary brush for removing hair from hair brushes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,226 to Vecchioala discloses a hairbrush the surface of which changes colour with temperature. 
         [0006]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush that allows automatically removing hair from the bristles of a hair brush in a thorough and convenient manner in addition to the use of colour changing agents that when heated change the colour/appearance of the styling/cleaning element(s) to further indicate readiness for use to the user. 
         [0007]    In this respect, the self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus developed for the purposes of automatically removing hair from the bristles of a hair styling brush in a thorough and convenient manner in addition to the use of colour changing agents that when heated change the colour/appearance of the styling/cleaning element(s) to further indicate hair brush readiness for use to the user. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror, which can be used for automatically removing hair from the bristles of a hair brush in a thorough and convenient manner with heatable styling/cleaning element(s) that change color when heated to further indicate hair brush readiness for use. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of brushes with self-cleaning capabilities of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved self-cleaning hair brush with heatable styling/cleaning element(s). As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved self-cleaning hair styling brush with heatable styling/cleaning element(s), which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0010]    To attain this, the present invention is a hair styling brush with sliding parts (styling/cleaning element) for hair removal. The hair styling brush has a brushing element supporting a plurality of bristles and a styling/cleaning element having openings through which the bristles protrude. To use the brush, as a regular hair brush, the styling/cleaning element can be positioned at various distances from the brushing element to affect long or short bristles. To use the brush, as a hair styling brush, the styling/cleaning elements are heated with external hot air heat to a certain temperature and then also can be positioned at various distances from the brushing element to affect long or short bristles. To heat the hair styling brush, the styling/cleaning element is fully extended (maximum cleaning position) away from the brushing element so that styling plates are positioned at the tips of the bristles. External hot air heat is then applied to the styling plate(s) until the styling plate(s) changes color/appearance further indicating hair brush readiness for use. The styling/cleaning element is then re-positioned to one of the various use positions. To clean the hair brush, the styling/cleaning element is fully extended (maximum cleaning position) away from the brushing element so that any hairs entwined in the bristles are forced to or off the tips of the bristles. The brushing element has a hollow body and the styling/cleaning element is supported by a plate lifter (rib arm) which is attached to the control element/slide plate that is disposed within the brushing elements hollow body. The brush includes a mirror attached thereto on a side opposite the bristles. The mirror can extend along the length of the brush, including the handle. The mirror can be used to assist in grooming while using the brush. 
         [0011]    The brush has a control element/slide plate used for adjusting the styling/cleaning element to the various brushing positions including the heating/cleaning position. Adjustments of the control element/slide plate, moves the styling/cleaning element relative to the brushing element. Specifically, the control element/slide plate pulls the plate lifter (rib arm) within the brushing element propelling outward or inward until the styling/cleaning element is in the desired position relative to the bristles. 
         [0012]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
         [0013]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0014]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror, which has all of the advantages of the prior art hair styling brushes with self-cleaning capabilities of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
         [0017]    It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror, which is of durable and reliable constructions. 
         [0018]    It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror, which includes heatable styling elements. 
         [0019]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such self-cleaning heatable hair styling brush with mirror economically available to the buying public. 
         [0020]    The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a brushing/styling position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a cut away view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the components thereof. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the styling/cleaning element components thereof with the hollow based body removed for clarity. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the maximum heating/cleaning position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  shown in a maximum heating/cleaning condition. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in an alternate brushing/styling use position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the mirror in relation to the back side of the brush. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the mirror attached to the brush. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, referring to  FIG. 1 , the hair styling brush has a hollow body  10  supporting numerous bristles  12  and a handle  14  connected to the body. The brush also has styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  that are positioned flush to the brush body  10  such that the bristles  12  protrude through numerous openings  20  in the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 . The brush may then be heated by pulling the control element  18  outward, which moves the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 , outward toward the tips of the bristles  12 . As the brush is used, hairs may become lodged among the bristles  12 . The brush may then be cleaned by pulling the control element  18  outward, which moves the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 , outward toward the tips of the bristles  12 , thus pushing the entangled hair away from the body  10  and off the bristles  12 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hair brush can be comprised of three elements: a brushing element  2 , a styling/cleaning element  4 , and a control element  18 . The brushing element  2  has a hollow body  10  supporting an array of bristles  12 , and handle  14 . The body  10  is of a generally rectangular shape. The handle  14  is hollow. The handle  14  can be integrally formed with the body  10 . 
         [0034]    The body  10 , handle  14 , styling/cleaning element  4 , and control element  18 , can be constructed from any substantially rigid material such as plastic, rubber, wood or metal. The bristles  12  are flexible and can be made of the same or different material as the body  10 . Each bristle  12  can be a pin or clusters of pins. The bristles  12  can protrude from the body  10  at an angle instead of perpendicularly. The bristles  12  can be arranged in an array of straight columns and rows or arranged in an array of staggered rows. 
         [0035]    The styling/cleaning element  4  has styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  and plate lifters/rib arms  28 . The styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  are of the same general shape as the body  10  of the brushing element and have an array of openings  20 , such that the bristles  12  are disposed through the openings  20 . Each opening  20  can receive only one bristle  12 . The plate lifters/rib arms  28  are positioned within the hollow body  10  of the brushing element. The plate lifters/rib arms  28  are attached to the control element  18  and then to each styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 . 
         [0036]    The control element  18  is housed within the body of the brushing element  2 . It is a flat shaped slide plate with slotted opening which allow for it to be attached to the plate lifters/rib arms  28 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , heating the brush, the brush can be heated by sliding the control element  18  inward. Sliding the control element  18  inward pulls the plate lifters/rib arms  28  inward which move the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  outward to the tips of the bristles  12 . The control element is guided within the body of the brushing element  2 . When the control element  18  is inward, the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  of the styling/cleaning element  2  is approximately even with the tips of the bristles  12 , such that the outer surface of the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  clears the tips of the bristles  12  while the inner surface of the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  remains engaged with the tips of the bristles  12 . Thus the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  are now in position to be heated by an apparatus that provides for hot air heat to a temperature not to exceed 175 degrees Fahrenheit. When the desired temperature is reach the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  change color to further indicate hair brush readiness for use. As a result the control element  18  is now either returned to a brushing position, where the bristles  12  protrude through the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 , by sliding outward the control element  18  in the body of the brush element  2  until the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  are flush with the brushing element  2 , or, one of the multiple brushing positions. 
         [0038]    After using the brush, the brush can be cleaned by sliding the control element  18  inward. Sliding the control element  18  inward pulls the plate lifters/rib arms  28  inward which move the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  outward to the tips of the bristles  12 . The control element is guided within the body of the brushing element  2 . When the control element  18  is inward, the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  of the styling/cleaning element  2  is approximately even with the tips of the bristles  12 , such that the outer surface of the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  clears the tips of the bristles  12  while the inner surface of the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  remains engaged with the tips of the bristles  12 . Thus the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  pushes any hairs that were entwined in the bristles  12  to the tips of the bristles  12  where hairs fall off or are removed. As a consequence the present design provides a means for varying a useful-length of respective bristles  12  and for cleaning bristles  12  using the presently noted styling plates  16 , at least in part. The control element  18  is returned to a brushing position, where the bristles  12  protrude through the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 , by sliding outward the control element  18  in the body of the brush element  2  until the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  are flush with the brushing element  2 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , wherein a partial cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  notes bristles  12  extending radially outwardly from a central portion of brush head element and hollow body  10 . As can also be seen from reviewing  FIG. 3 , cantilever portions extending from styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  contact respective plate lifters/rib arms  28  and move styling/cleaning plates  16  radially outwardly along the direction of each bristle. 
         [0040]    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that openings  20  may be of any shape effective to achieve the goals of the present invention. As a consequence of this realization, while holes  20  are show to be substantially circular in  FIG. 3 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that various shaped openings may be used, including oblong, ovoid, rectilinear, tapered along a depth of styling/cleaning plate(s)  16 , and other shapes effective to both clean hair from bristles  12  and minimizing flexing of bristles  12  during a motion of styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  along the length of each bristle. As a consequence, it will be appreciated in  FIGS. 5 , that styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  are not intended to cause flexing of bristles  12  during operation, thus improving hair removal and bristle life. 
         [0041]    It will also be noted from  FIG. 5 , that where styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  end along a row of bristles  12 , holes  20  may partially exist on each respective plate (for example as a ½-circle or semi-ovoid). Thus, as noted in  FIG. 1 , styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  may have joints between rows of bristles  12 , and as noted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  may have joints that end on a row of bristles  12 , all without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Since styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  operate along a length of respective bristles  12  either construction will operate effectively to either be heated or remove hair and to moderate/adjust a useful bristle length, as will be discussed below. 
         [0042]    The brush has multiple brushing positions. The styling cleaning element  4  can be raised so that its styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  is/are substantially flush with the body  10  of the brushing element  2 . In this position, the bristles  12  are at their full length. To set the brush to this first brushing position, the control element  18  is positioned within the lowest of the notched  34  steps. The control element  18  is set by pulling the control element  18  in the appropriate direction to the targeted notch  34 . In addition, the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  can be adjusted to a plurality of intermediary fixable positions between the first brushing position (FIG.  1 ) and the heating/cleaning position ( FIG. 4 ). For example, the four intermediary positions set the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  at varying distances, e.g. ⅕ and ⅖ distance from the body  10 . The effect of the intermediary positions is to vary the usable and operable length of respective bristles  12 , i.e. long, medium and short. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , when the parallel shaft is set to the notch  1 , the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  is/are secured away from the body  10  at a distance of approximately ⅕ the full length of the bristles. Setting the control element/slide plate  18  to level  1  effectively reduces the bristles  12  to a short length. The combination of the control element/slide plate  18  and the notched  34  opening forms a locking mechanism because when the control element/slide plate  18  is disposed within any of the notches  34 , the styling/cleaning element  4  is locked in position. 
         [0044]    From any brushing position the brush can be heated or cleaned by sliding/pushing the control element  18  inwardly away from the brush head, which in turn moves the styling/cleaning element  4 , styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  to the tips of the bristles  12  thereby removing the entangled hairs. After heating or cleaning the brush, the styling/cleaning plate(s)  16  of the styling/cleaning element  4  are returned to a brushing position by sliding/pushing the control element  18  outward to the desired bristles  12  length. 
         [0045]    As a consequence of the present description, in combination with the drawings, it should be readily understood by those of skill in the art that an operation of the styling/cleaning elements relative to the brushing elements enables a mechanism or system for stripping or removing loose hair from bristles  12  in a direction substantially parallel to a bristle direction without requiring a bending or flexing of the bristles thereby minimizing a bristle flex stress during a cleaning step. 
         [0046]    With reference now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the brush advantageously includes a mirror  50  which is attached to the body  10  of the brush opposite bristles  12  (i.e., the back of the brush). An aperture  52  defined through mirror  50  allows the user to access control element  18  for use as described above. Mirror  50  extends along substantially all of the length of the brush, including the handle  14 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a mirror could be provided along only a portion of the back of the brush without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Mirror  50  can be used, for example, by a person brushing their hair to view their face and hair before, during and/or after brushing. 
         [0047]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0048]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the part of the inventions, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0049]    In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw&#39;s helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt&#39;s head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures. 
         [0050]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.