Abstract:
A hair grooming brush with a plurality or rows of curved wavy bristles, rather than traditional straight bristles found on brushes and combs. The curvature of the bristles produces a springiness to the bristles when pressure is applied during the combing action. The springiness of the numerous rows of bristles, translates into a massaging effect upon the hair and scalp. Rows of curved bristles are more effective at untangling the hair. The three different sections of the bristle, the lower, middle and tip sections, can be either straight or curved. Additionally the rows can alternate between various formations of bristles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,809 filed Apr. 28, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to a hair grooming brush having a handle and bristles, most commonly a brush. Prior art brushes come in a variety of designs. The prior art brushes having straight bristles or combs with straight or curved bristles.  
           [0003]    Most of the present conventional hair grooming brushes with straight shaped bristles, are either sparsely populated with such bristles or too densely populated. Hair grooming brushes with sparsely populated bristles just pass through the hair, providing minimal massaging or combing effect to the hair. Those hair grooming brushes with densely populated bristles tend to become entangled in the hair. Prior art brushes only have straight bristles and are not found with curved bristles. Combs with curved bristles only have one row of bristles, so combs do not steadily massage the scalp and provide waviness to the hair strands. A comb with wavy bristles would have to be pulled through the hair at a very rapid and uncomfortable speed, in order to emulate the benefits of a brush with numerous rows of curved bristles.  
           [0004]    The straight bristles can be only forcibly pulled through the tangled hair and cause breaking of the hair strands. Straight bristles provide minimal lateral action that would serve to separate the tangled hair strands. The lateral action being the force that would tend to create a greater distance between the outer edge of the circumference of each bristle. The hair strands would be resting on the edge of the bristle, so as the distance between the bristle circumference edge increases, this lateral force would then tend to separate the hair strands as the distance between the hair strands also increases.  
           [0005]    Hair grooming brushes with straight bristles create a massaging effect by the person placing force upon the brush in the direction of the scalp. This force can be inconsistent and erratic as the combing action occurs. Combs have only one row of bristles that provide minimal massaging effect, when compared to a brush with many rows of bristles. Combs with their one row of bristles, would need to be passed rapidly through the hair strands to simulate the effects of a multiple rowed brush. The rapid movement of a comb would tend to snag the hair strands and cause discomfort.  
           [0006]    Hair grooming brushes with straight bristles do not provide any waving or curling effect to the hair. The straight bristles simply pass through the hair without applying any lateral force that would bend and shape the hair. Brushes with straight bristles require the user to twist the hair grooming brush to create any curling or waving effect to the bristles. Combs with one row apply pressure to the hair strands for only a short period of time. There is simply not enough continuous contact between the comb and the hair strands to provide proper waving and curling of the hair.  
           [0007]    The shortcomings of the prior art hair grooming brushes show the need for a brush that will massage the hair and scalp, while still moving easily through the hair and providing the proper combing effect. The desire of so many individuals to add a natural waving effect to their hairstyle and the failure of prior art brushes to provide that result emphasizes the need for such a hair grooming brushes.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention, with its curved bristles, to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art hair grooming brushes that have only straight bristles or provide only one row of curved bristles. Multiple rows of curved bristles provide a continuous untangling action as the brush passes through the hair strands. Another advantage of multiple rows of curved bristles is the firm and continuous massaging effect upon the scalp as the brush interacts with the scalp and hair strands.  
           [0009]    Prior art brushes only have straight bristles and are not found with curved bristles. Combs with curved bristles only have one row of bristles, so combs do not steadily massage the scalp and provide waviness to the hair strands. A comb with wavy bristles would have to be pulled through the hair at a very rapid and uncomfortable speed, in order to emulate the benefits of a brush with numerous rows of curved bristles.  
           [0010]    The hair grooming brush includes a platform and a plurality of rows with numerous bristles in each row attached to the platform. The platform includes a first section, a second section and a third section. Each bristle has a bristle tip and a bristle base. Each bristle is divided into a lower section, a middle section, and a tip section.  
           [0011]    The bristles also have a plurality of bristle centers that are the center of the area of any given cross-section of the bristle. A bristle centerline follows about the continuous line formed by the bristle centers from the bristle tip to the bristle base. There is a bristle perpendicular axis that is a straight line perpendicular to the platform at the bristle base.  
           [0012]    The curvature of the bristles is created by the distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis and the equivalent point on the bristle center line varying from about 0 to about 0.3 inches. The three different sections of the bristle, the lower, middle and tip sections, can be either straight or curved. Also, from about 10% to 90% of the bristles can be straight with the remainder being curved bristles.  
           [0013]    It is an objective of the new hair grooming brush to provide a massage to the hair and scalp. A hair grooming brush with many rows of curved bristles can create a massaging effect by the person placing force upon the brush in the direction of the scalp, just as the brushes with straight bristles do. Additionally, curved bristles tend to bend and retain some of the force, rather than transferring all of the force directly to the scalp, with the force gradually releasing to provide even massaging pressure. Numerous rows on the brush provide a steady and continuous contact upon the hair strands. The steady contact produces a pleasing massaging effect and promotes wavy hair.  
           [0014]    The curvature of the bristles produces a springiness and a bending to the bristles when pressure is applied during the brushing action. The springiness of the bristle then translates into a massaging effect upon the hair and scalp. Also, the curvature of the bristles provides a healthy shaking effect to the root of the hair. The temporary retention and gradual release of the force create a consistent massaging force upon the scalp. Each individual curved bristle produces a greater massage effect than is accomplished by a single straight bristle, this allows the bristles to be spaced farther apart and minimizes the tangling of the hair within the bristles. The bristles can be randomly placed on the platform of the brush, which provides random yet frequent massaging of the scalp. The rows of bristles can be varied between a row of straight bristles and an alternate row of curved bristles.  
           [0015]    The curved bristles are also more effective in untangling the hair. Curved bristles provide lateral action that serves to separate the tangled hair strands. As the brush is pulled through the hair the distance between the outer circumference edge of the bristles can increase and decrease significantly, because the distance from the perpendicular axis to the outer edge of the bristle varies over the height of the curved bristle. Since the hair strands are lying on the bristles, this increasing and decreasing of distance between the perpendicular axis and outer edge tends to pull the hair strands apart, creating an effect that serves to untangle the hair strands.  
           [0016]    Another advantage is the natural waving effect given to the hairstyle by the waved bristles. The curvature of the bristles gently bends and shapes the strands of hair to provide a waving effect and the appearance of thicker hair.  
           [0017]    The bristles may be of varying materials that provide the proper stiffness and resiliency to render the desired massaging to the scalp and natural waviness to the hair. The tip may be a plastic or metal ball, which provides a gentle massage effect to the scalp in contrast to the sharper pointed bristle tips that dig deeper into the scalp and create a more vigorous and stimulating massage. The mixture of bristles may be from 10% to 90% straight, with the remainder being curved bristles. There are many combinations of bristle formations available including varying the mixture of straight and curved bristles; alternating the bristle style between adjacent rows; and varying the bristle style between the first, second and third section of the platform.  
           [0018]    The invention is in the form of a brush. Commonly the brush would have a handle, although a strap may also be used for holding the brush. The strapped brush is more commonly used for the grooming of animals. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    The invention is further described in the appended drawings, description and claims.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a present embodiment of the hair grooming brush as a brush.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is an enlarged side perspective view of a bristle.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the hair grooming brush without a handle, having a mixture of straight and curved bristles.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the hair grooming brush without a handle, having all curved bristles.  
         [0024]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 J show examples of various bristle configurations.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 shows an example of the lateral force created by the curved bristles.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 shows a top view of a cut portion from the bristle displaying “d”, the distance, between the bristle centerline and the perpendicular axis.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 a  shows a top view of the brush with a handle having numerous rows of bristles.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 b  shows a side view of FIG. 8 a,  illustrating the different bristle styles in the first area, second area and third area of the brush.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 c  shows a variation in the bristle arrangement compared to FIG. 8 b.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 a,  FIG. 2, and FIG. 7, a hair grooming brush  10  is made of a platform  12 , a plurality of rows  13  having a plurality of bristles  14  in each row, and a handle  16 . The bristles have a bristle tip  23 , bristle base  30 , lower section  18 , a middle section  20  and a tip section  22 . Each bristle has a plurality of bristle centers  25 , which is the center of the area of any given cross-section of the bristle  14 . The bristle centerline  24  follows about the continuous line formed by the bristle centers  25  from the bristle tip  23  to the bristle base  30 .  
         [0031]    A perpendicular axis  26  runs in a straight line perpendicular from the platform  12 . The perpendicular axis  26  intersects the platform  12  at the same point  28  where the bristle centerline  24  intersects the platform  12 . This point  28  is also the centerline of the bristle base  30 . The bristle base  30  is defined as the cross section of the bristle that intersects the upper surface of the platform  12 . The bristle  14  height is about 0.7 inches in the preferred embodiment, but may be of other lengths.  
         [0032]    “d” is the distance between the bristle center line  24  and the perpendicular axis  26 . In the embodiment depicted “d” begins at 0 inches at the bristle base  30 , increases to about 0.3 inches, then decreases to 0 inches at the perpendicular axis  26 , then increases to about 0.3 inches, then decreases to about 0 inches at the bristle tip  23 .  
         [0033]    Although not shown, combs with curved bristles  14  only have one row  13  of bristles  14 , so combs do not steadily massage the scalp and provide waviness to the hair strands  34 . A comb with curved wavy bristles  14  would have to be pulled through the hair at a very rapid and uncomfortable speed, in order to emulate the benefits of a brush with numerous rows  13  of curved bristles  14 . The comb would snag in the hair strands  34  and cause discomfort.  
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment the handle  16  is a continuous part of the platform  12 . In alternate embodiments the handle  16  may be manufactured as a separate piece and attached to the platform  12 . The handle  16  and platform  12  may of varying materials including wood, metal or plastic. Although not explained or shown on the drawing, the tip  23  may be a plastic or metal ball.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 3, the hair grooming brush  10  is shown without a handle. The bristles  14  have the same characteristics as the embodiment with a handle. Straight bristles  15  are shown, where “d” would be about 0 inches. The preferred embodiment has 50% straight bristles  15 , although the mixture may be from about 10% to 90% straight bristles  15 . The perpendicular axis  26  is shown.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment of the hair grooming brush  10  with all curved bristles  14 . The bristles  14  are commonly made of plastic, but may be of wood, metal or other materials. The perpendicular axis  26  is shown.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIGS.  5 A- 5 J, are shown examples of various bristle  14  configurations. FIG. 5A shows a single right curvature on the lower section  18 . FIG. 5B shows a single right wave on the top section. FIG. 5C shows a single left wave on the tip section. FIG. 5D shows four waves with a right wave beginning from the platform. FIG. 5E shows a double wave with a right wave beginning at the platform  12 . FIG. 5F illustrates a single left wave beginning at the platform. FIG. 5G illustrates four waves with a left wave beginning from the platform. FIG. 5H illustrates a double wave with a left wave beginning at the platform. FIG. 5I illustrates a double wave at the top and a straight section at the bottom. FIG. 5J illustrates a double wave at the bottom and a straight section at the top.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an example of the lateral force action that separates the tangled hair strands. FIG. 6 shows an example with bristles  14  being straight and curved. The hair strands  34  are shown at the bottom of the bristle  14  in position  36 , as the bristles  14  are pulled through the hair some of the hair strands  34  will glide towards the top of the bristles  14  into a new position  38 . The distance between the hair strands  34  in this new position  38  is greater than at position  36 , creating a lateral force upon the hair strands  34  that separates the tangled hair strands  34 . Multiple rows  13  of bristles provide continuous action upon the hair strands  34 , which steadily and gently separates the tangled hair and massages the scalp.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 8 a,    8   b,    8   c  and FIG. 2, a top view of the brush  10  with a handle having numerous rows  13  of bristles  14  is shown. The multiple rows  13  of bristles  14  provide a steady massaging action to the scalp. The hair grooming brush  10  has a first area  40 , a second area  42  and a third area  44 . FIG. 8 b  shows a side view of FIG. 8 a.  Each of the three areas  40 ,  42 ,  44  has a different shaped bristle  14 . For the bristles  14  in the first area  40 , the distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle center line  24  varies from about 0 and about 0.3 inches. The bristles  14  in the second area  42  are straight. Each bristle  14  in the third area  44  has a lower section  18 , a middle section  20 , and a tip section  22 . The distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle centerline  24  is about 0 throughout the lower section  18 . The distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle center line  24  gradually varies from between about 0 and about 0.3 inches throughout the middle section  20  and the tip section  22 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 c  shows an alternate embodiment of the variation in bristle arrangement, from that shown in FIG. 8 b.  For the bristles  14  in the first area  40 , the distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle center line  24  varies from about 0 and about 0.3 inches. The bristles  14  in the third area  44  are straight. Each bristle  14  in the second area  44  has a lower section  18 , a middle section  20 , and a tip section  22 . The distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle center line  24  is about 0 throughout the lower section  18  and the middle section  20 . The distance between a point on the bristle perpendicular axis  26  and the equivalent point on the bristle center line  24  gradually varies from between about 0 and about 0.3 inches throughout the tip section  22 .  
         [0041]    Although not shown specifically in the figures, the rows  13  of bristles  14  can also be alternated, where an initial row  13  has curved bristles  14  and an adjacent row  13  has straight bristles. Other combinations of alternating rows  14  can also be achieved by using two or more of the many variations of bristles  13  that have been described above and are illustrated in the FIGS.  5 Aa- 5 J.  
         [0042]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be a limiting factor and other versions are possible. Therefore, the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.