Abstract:
A telescoping comb for lice removal is provided for removing head lice and nits from a person&#39;s hair. The comb has a telescoping handle with serrated teeth and a pivoting handle. Resilient springs are utilized for holding the pivoting handle in an open position and holding a head portion of the telescoping handle in a closed position in the resting state. Pressure applied to the pivoting handle actuates the head portion to an open position, and upon subsequent release thereof, the head portion is spring biased back to the closed position. When the invention is used on one&#39;s hair, the teeth of the comb separate any lice from the hair where they can be safely removed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of combs and, more particularly, to a telescoping comb for lice removal. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The effective elimination of head lice requires radical eradication. If you kill 99.99% of the lice, for example, but leave 0.01% alive and kicking, you have the makings of yet another unfortunate infestation. In order to achieve control, you must kill the active adults and remove all of the nits. According to many parasitologists and lice experts, the manual or mechanical removal of lice and nits from the hair is crucial no matter what treatment regimen is chosen. The preferred method of mechanical removal is that of using a lice comb. However, conventional lice combs are little more than combs with tightly space teeth, and do not compensate for an individual&#39;s specific type of hair. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which head lice can be removed from a persons&#39; hair in a simple, safe and effective manner without regard to specific hair styles or textures. The development of the telescoping comb for lice removal fulfills this need. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose a method and comb for the detection and removal of head lice: U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,758 issued in the name of Thorne; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,427 issued in the name of Dolev. 
   The following patents describe the design and function of an adjustable lice comb: U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,670 issued in the name of Saferstein et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. D 307,192 issued in the name of Saferstein et al. 
   The following patents disclose the design and function of a delousing comb: U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,652 issued in the name of Bachrach; U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,945 issued in the name of Bachrach; U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,944 issued in the name of Bachrach et al.; U.S. Pat. No. D 353,915 issued in the name of Lanne; and U.S. Pat. No. D 289,567 issued in the name of O&#39;Connor et al. 
   U.S. Pat. No. D 415,595 issued in the name of O&#39;Farrell et al. describes the ornamental design for an insect and insect egg removal device. 
   Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a device by which head lice can be removed from a persons&#39; hair in a simple, safe and effective manner without regard to specific hair styles or textures. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal device which allows for complete removal of lice and which reduces chances of re-infestation. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal device which helps control diseases. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal device which can be used anywhere and is safe to use. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal comb which is equipped with serrated teeth. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal comb which provides for secure grabbing of lice. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal comb which is easy to hold and use. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal comb which utilizes springs for holding the head portion of the comb in a closed position. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a head lice removal comb which can be used on both short and long hair. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a telescoping comb for lice removal is provided for removing head lice and nits from a person&#39;s hair. 
   The device comprises a telescoping handle with serrated teeth and a pivoting handle. Resilient springs are utilized for holding the pivoting handle in an open position and holding a head portion of the telescoping handle in a closed position in the resting state. Pressure applied to the pivoting handle actuates the head portion to an open position, and upon subsequent release thereof, the head portion is spring biased back to the closed position. When the invention is used on one&#39;s hair, the teeth of the comb separate any lice from the hair where they can be safely removed. 
   The use of the present invention allows for complete removal of lice from a victim&#39;s hair in a quick, easy, effective and safe manner. 

   
     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 a perspective view of a telescoping comb for lice removal according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof: 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the present invention shown with the pivoting handle in an open position and with the protective casing removed according to the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the present invention shown with the pivoting handle in a closed position and with the protective cover removed according to the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment; and 
       FIGS. 6   a – 6   c  show an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–5 , a telescoping comb for lice removal  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprised of a comb casing  18 , a linearly elongated, cylindrical telescoping handle  20 , an L-shaped head portion  30 , and a pivoting handle  40 . The telescoping comb for lice removal  10  is fabricated of a plastic material such as polyurethane or polypropylene or other plastic material capable of injection molding, and therefore can be formed easily of recycled material. It is envisioned that the telescoping comb for lice removal  10  is colored so as to make lice and nits conspicuous when adhered thereto. 
   The comb casing  18  is of a linearly elongated, hollow, C-shaped configuration which provides a protective cover for components encased therein. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–4 , the handle  20  has an anterior end  22  opposite a posterior end  24 . The handle  20  further includes a linearly elongated, cylindrical, hollow first handle portion  26  positioned above a second handle portion  28 . The first handle portion  26  is designed and configured so as to telescopically receive an L-shaped head portion  30 . A plurality of linearly aligned, closely-spaced serrated teeth  33  extend vertically away from a base  34  of the L-shaped head portion  30 . The spacing between the teeth  33  is defined as having elongated, serrated edge teeth  39  mounted to the base  34  which extend vertically therefrom for aiding in the removal of both lice and nits in the hair and on the scalp. The serrated edges  39  are designed and configured to aid in the capture of both lice and nits as the teeth  33  of the head portion  30  glide through one&#39;s hair and scalp. Both the teeth  33  and the serrations  39  in conjunction facilitate the adherence of lice and nits thereto when combing through one&#39;s hair when using the present invention. 
   The head portion  30  is held in a retracted, resting position within the first handle portion  26  by a pair of retention springs  41   a ,  41   b  wherein each spring  41   a ,  41   b  is mounted at one end to an end of the head portion  30  opposite the base  34 , and mounted at an opposite end to an internal circumferential surface of the first handle portion  26 . While in the resting position, pointed ends of the teeth  33  rest against a base  42  (to be described in greater detail below) of the second handle portion  28 . 
   The second handle portion  28  is of a generally, linearly elongated, cylindrical hollow configuration which has an elongated void  29  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) formed on an underside thereof for allowing inward and outward passage of a pivoting handle  40  (to be described in greater detail below). The second handle portion  28  includes a base  42  formed at the posterior end  24  thereof. 
   An elongated drive arm  43  is mounted between the retention springs  41   a ,  41   b  at the end of the head portion  30  opposite the base  34 . A C-shaped pivot arm  45  is pivotally attached at one end to an end of the drive arm  43 , and is mounted at an opposite end to an upper surface of the pivoting handle  40  near a posterior end  46   b  thereof. The pivoting handle  40  is pivotally attached at an anterior end  46   a  thereof to the second handle portion  28  via a pivot pin  47  which includes a spring  48  disposed therearound biased such that the pivoting handle  40  rests in an open position. The pivoting handle  40  is further defined as having a plurality of finger-gripping channels  49  formed along a lower surface thereof to allow a user to obtain both a firm and comfortable grasp of the pivoting handle  40  when squeezing it to a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring now specifically to  FIG. 4 , the telescoping comb for lice removal  10  is designed and configured such that when a user squeezes the pivoting handle  40  to a closed position, such action actuates upward movement by the C-shaped pivot arm  45 , and being pivotally connected to the drive arm  43 , thus actuates the drive arm  43  to drive the head portion  30  outside of the first handle portion  26  to an open position. 
   Upon release of the pivoting handle  40 , both the pivoting handle  40  and the head portion  30  are spring-biased to a closed position via springs  41   a ,  41   b ,  48 . 
   When using the present invention, the objective is to ensure the entire scalp and hair is combed so as to effectively remove all lice and nits. First, the user squeezes the pivoting handle  40  to a closed position, thereby actuating the head portion  30  to an open position. Next, the user places the pointed ends of the teeth  33 , while making sure hair is trapped therebetween, next to the scalp, releases the pivoting handle  40 , and combs the entire length of the hair in one gliding motion. After each passage of the telescoping comb for lice removal  10  through the hair, it should be rinsed with running hot water so as to effectively remove captured lice and nits adhered thereto. This combing process starts in one section of the head and progresses systematically over the entire scalp. The above stated process should be repeated daily for approximately one to two weeks or until lice and nits are no longer present. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a – 6   c , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown for use with persons having hair of extraordinary length, such as hair extending below shoulder length. 
   The alternate embodiment comprises a pair of elongated handle members  50 ,  51  coupled by a resilient spring  60  along a linearly elongated centerline of each. 
   Each handle member  50 ,  51  includes a cavity  52 ,  53  formed on an inner surface thereof, thereby forming a circular hole  62  wherein the resilient spring  60  rests. The resilient spring  60  is further defined as having ends  64 ,  65  disposed within handle members  50 ,  51  respectively. 
   Handle member  50  includes a plurality of linearly aligned, closely-spaced, serrated teeth  70  extending vertically away from a base  66  of a head portion  68  of handle member  50 . 
   The resilient spring  60  is biased such that handle members  50 ,  51  rest in an open position, and the head portion  68  of handle member  50  rests in a closed position, wherein the teeth  69  thereof rest against an upper surface of a forward portion  56  of handle member  51 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
   Spring  72  is disposed between handle members  50 ,  51  for aiding in biasing the handle members  50 ,  51  to an open position. 
   Handle member  51  is further defined as having a plurality of finger-gripping channels  74  formed along a lower surface thereof to allow a user to obtain a firm and comfortable grasp of the handle members  50 ,  51  when squeezing them to a closed position. 
   The alternate embodiment is designed and configured such that when a user squeezes handle members  50 ,  51  to a closed position, such action, via the resilient spring  60 , spring biases the head portion  68  of handle member  50  and the forward portion  56  of handle member  51  to an open position. 
   When using the alternate embodiment of the present invention, the objective is to ensure the entire scalp and hair is combed so as to effectively remove all lice and nits. First, the user squeezes handle members  50 ,  51  to a closed position, thereby actuating the head portion  68  of handle member  50  to an open position. Next, the user places the pointed ends of the teeth  70 , while making sure hair is trapped therebetween, next to the scalp, releases handle members  50 ,  51 , and combs the entire length of the hair in one gliding motion. After each passage of the alternate embodiment through the hair, it should be rinsed with running hot water so as to effectively remove captured lice and nits adhered thereto. This combing process starts in one section of the head and progresses systematically over the entire scalp. The above stated process should be repeated daily for approximately one to two weeks or until lice and nits are no longer present. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, first, the user squeezes the pivoting handle  40  to a closed position, thereby actuating the head portion  30  to an open position. Next, the user places the pointed ends of the teeth  33 , while making sure hair is trapped therebetween, next to the scalp, releases the pivoting handle  40 , and combs the entire length of the hair in one gliding motion. After each passage of the telescoping comb for lice removal  10  through the hair, it should be rinsed with running hot water so as to effectively remove captured lice and nits adhered thereto. This combing process starts in one section of the head and progresses systematically over the entire scalp. The above stated process should be repeated daily for approximately one to two weeks or until lice and nits are no longer present. 
   The use of the present invention allows for complete removal of lice from a victim&#39;s hair in a quick, easy, effective and safe manner. 
   Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.