Abstract:
The present invention provides a hairbrush having a handle, a brush support screen dependent on said handle; and a plurality of bristles extending outward through said screen, wherein said screen is constructed and arranged in a substantially egg shaped geometry

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/694,675 filed Aug. 29, 2012 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The hair styling industry is replete with numerous articles configured for specific hair styling functions. There are many variety and configuration of hairbrushes in order to provide a hair stylist or a user particular functionality. However, an aspect of hair styling has been over looked until now. A hairbrush would need bristles of varying lengths in order to properly style hair from the region of the center area of the head towards the outer section of the head, however, with varying sized bristles become cumbersome to use. The present invention has developed a configuration for a hairbrush whereby the bristles have a varying effective length and still provide a configuration for improved styling of the hair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The configuration of the present invention provides a hairbrush bristle support screen constructed and arranged to provide increased efficacy in styling hair. 
         [0004]    The present invention contemplates the following as representative improvements:
       Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries.   Reduce unnecessary stress to shoulders and arms with this ergonomically designed brush—Handle has been lengthened to allow for less stress to the shoulders and arms and provide better relaxation and control of the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th  fingers with ample space for movement.   The thumb is a very mobile joint. This mobility gives the hand much of its functional ability, but the mobility also makes the thumb susceptible to injury. Thumb pain and discomfort is a common hair stylist complaint. Any posture significantly different from “neutral” is considered to be at risk for musculoskeletal distress symptoms. When in use, the thumb in an un natural position a user often feels pain at the base of the thumb and at the wrist where various thumb tendons travel. Prolonged hairbrush use can often cause thumb discomfort. Holding the thumb in a very “tight” grip between the thumb and the 1st finger over an extended period of time in an unnatural position can cause thumb discomfort. The new thumb rest design naturally fits the contour of the thumb and makes it easy to manipulate the brush with less thumb fatigue. The invention has also incorporated grip beads on the thumb rest for a better non-slip grip and a rubber texture.   Rubber handle keeps a user&#39;s hand and fingers warm and a comfort grip.   Skill level: The handle design is developed to enable stylists to customize their own ergonomic preference for holding the brush in various ways that best suit their hand size, right or left handed, height of the stylist and approach angle to the head.   The handle is ergonomically configured for a power grip, a pinch grip, and an internal precision grip. Below are the details of each grip.   Power grip: The fingers are bunched firmly around an object and overlapped by the thumb. The handle is thick enough to separate the fingertips from the palm. (In this situation the forearm muscles have shortened halfway through their available range of contraction, and they are at their most efficient, because of the mechanics of the line of pull. There is a large area of contact, with no spots of local high pressure to prevent strength of grip being inhibited by discomfort. A common variant of the power grip is having the thumb out straight along the back of the handle. This is a power grip with a precision component. In holding a handle firmly in this kind of grip, movements are carried out by the powerful muscles of the forearm, upper arm, and shoulder, and not by the fine and delicate muscles in the palm of the hand. This grip is used when Blow drying and pulling back on the length of the hair.   Pinch Grip: This grip between the thumb and the side of the index finger is used for picking up small groups of hair. But not for manipulating them accurately, which needs the internal precision grip. You would roll the brush in between your fingers after picking up the hair to switch to the internal precision grip.   Internal precision grip is for precise manipulation of the hairs. The knuckles slightly resting against the head, or the other hand may steady the hand.       
 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the present invention is a hairbrush comprising: 
         [0015]    a handle; 
         [0016]    a brush support barrel having a surface screen incorporated thereon, said barrel is dependent on said handle; and a plurality of bristles extending outward through said screen; 
         [0017]    wherein said screen is constructed and arranged in a substantially egg shaped geometry. 
         [0018]    The hairbrush has a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles emanating outward from said axis. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the bristles emanating outward from said axis and said bristles each have a terminal end substantially equidistant from said axis. In order to achieve this, bristle length varies to accommodate for the curvature of the barrel 
         [0020]    The hairbrush has a conical thumbrest formed at the connecting interface of handle and barrel. 
         [0021]    The hairbrush has an interchangeable endcap connected to one end of said barrel. The barrel, as understood has a first end configured for receiving an endcap and a second end configured for mounting the barrel onto the head of the divider rail. 
         [0022]    One configuration of the interchangeable endcap provides a plurality of teeth about the circumferal head of the cap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is separated perspective view of the components of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the handle of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the end cap with comb rake teeth about the outer circumference of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the brush of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the brush of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the metal wrap (barrel) of the brush of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the divider of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the thumb rest of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a view showing a hand grasping the handle of the bush of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a view showing interaction of a hand and thumb with the thumb rest and handle according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a view showing one grip on the handle of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a view of the assembled brush in an isometric view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    The present invention relates to an improved hairbrush having a particularized configuration whereby the configuration results in an increased efficiency in the brushing action. In one embodiment, the brush of the present invention can generally be described as egg shaped. 
         [0036]    Brush  10  is assembled of component parts including cap  12  constructed and arranged to be mounted on barrel  15 . Barrel  15  is configured to mount onto rail  17 . Rail  17  includes a rail shaft  18  that is constructed and arranged to receive about its thumb rest  20 . Thumb rest  20  ultimately could next to handle  21 . 
         [0037]    Bristles  14  are configured to nest with in the inner cavity of barrel  15 . Bristles  14  extend outward through barrel  15  through a plurality of barrel screen  16  incorporated about the circumferential surface of barrel  15 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, end cap  11  has incorporated there on a plurality of cap teeth  12 . Cap  11  is configured with a male Mt. 
         [0039]      13  constructed and arranged to interact with a female mount on barrel  15 . The male-female connection of  11  to barrel  15  is any one of screw fit, snap fit, and the like. 
         [0040]    Barrel  15  is configured two connect on to rail  17  at rail cap  19 . Handle  21  has a mounting and  23  constructed and arranged for attachment with thumb rest  20 . Handle  21  is configured with a hollow interior providing a receiving cavity for rail shaft  18  therein. Handle  21  has disposed about its circumference on the outer surface grip  22 . Handle  21  is further configured with a handle terminal and  24   
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the barrel screen  16  is configured to form a cylindrical shape with tapered end portions. The amount of taper, in one embodiment, is the same on each end. In another embodiment, the amount of taper differs on either end. 
         [0042]    As generally understood the shape of an egg is approximately half of each prolate (long) and is a roughly spherical (potentially even slightly oblate/short) ellipsoid joined at the equator, sharing a principal axis of rotational symmetry, as illustrated above. Although the term egg-shaped usually implies a lack of reflection symmetry across the equatorial plane, it may also refer to true prolate ellipsoids. It can also be used to describe the 2-dimensional figure that, revolved around its major axis, produces the 3-dimensional surface. 
         [0043]    The egg shape configuration of barrel  15  provides a user increased efficiency in providing bristles  14  to contact hair roots of those hairs substantially towards the center of the scalp. 
         [0044]    The configuration further provides variations in diameter whereby sides are smaller than the middle and when the bristles of the brush contact the hair the hair will be subjected to increased force which will result in a tighter curl on the outside edges compared the to the middle portion of the head. It has been discovered that brushes of this configuration will result in an ability to curl hair such that the curl has an increased duration, i.e., the curl will last longer than brushes conventionally used. 
         [0045]    When the brush  10  of the present invention is used in conjunction with a blow dryer as is commonly known in the art there is a tight curl on the outside and a large curl on the inside of the same section. Brush bristles  14  extend generally outward from the center of the brush. The bristles  14  protrude through a curved surface of barrel  15  whereby said curved surface has the substantial egg shape. This provides bristles  14  of varying lengths relative to the outer surface. However, it is generally understood that the bristles terminate in a substantially linear fashion relative to the absolute center of the brush. Egg shape allows the hair around to curl titer especially around the edges where the diameter is smaller then the middle. 
         [0046]    Additionally, the brush  10  is constructed and arranged with interchangeable caps on either end of the barrel. These caps are integral in their configuration as they assist in various aspects of brush usage. One cap  11  has comb (rake) teeth  12  on it while the other cap has a smooth surface. The comb cap is used for parting the hair. 
         [0047]    The caps keep a section of hair in contact with the bristles. Brushes without caps such as these can have sections of hair exit prematurely off either or both peripheral edges of the bristle section. In maintaining hair on the bristles, there is a greater efficacy in in styling and blow-drying hair. The styling and blow-drying is typically done in sections and the cap configuration provides a physical and visual aid in maintaining sections during these operations. 
         [0048]    The cap  11  is further configured as a hair-parting device. Conventionally, a brush is changed for a comb or other implement when forming a hair part. The cap  11  of the present invention eliminates the need for such changes by allowing the leading edge to be used to form a part. One cap ( FIG. 3 ) has comb teeth for separating the hair like a comb, by pivoting the brush it separates the volume of hair in a precise manner. It allows friction between the cap and the scalp that results in easier parting for both professionals and home use. 
         [0049]    As seen in  FIG. 8  thumbrest  20 , in one embodiment, is coated with a satin rubber finish for grip. Additionally, thumb rest has a plurality of indentations that provide for improved grasping by a user. The thumb rest configuration naturally fits the contour of the thumb and makes it easy to manipulate the brush with less thumb fatigue. In one embodiment, the invention has incorporated grip beads on the thumbrest for a better non-slip grip and a rubber texture. 
         [0050]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.