Patent Publication Number: US-2022232965-A1

Title: Hairbrush

Description:
This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 63/141,247, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     Applicants&#39; invention relates to a device for a brush and storage device combination. 
     Background Information 
     Maintaining hairstyles, in particular long hair, requires numerous accessories. A hair brush for styling, clips to hold hair in place, elastic bands to make ponytails or other styles, pins for support, and various colors of each to match an outfit. The result is that users must maintain, and organize, a large collection of items—making styling on the go a difficult task. 
     The “home remedy” for this problem typically involves wrapping elastic bands around the brush&#39;s handle. Unfortunately, this stretches the bands, shortening their useful life. Some manufacturers have added hollow cavities to brush handles, however this provides very limited storage and is difficult to access while in the act of styling. Inevitably, both approaches require users to carry a separate container of clips, pins, bands, etc. along with the brush. This provides adequate storage, but requires additional space and runs the risk of being misplaced or lost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention offers an improvement over the traditional brush. By incorporating novel storage solutions into the body of the brush, this invention provides a secure and convenient method of transporting an assortment of accessories along with a hairbrush. Specifically, the invention contains: 
     Axial clip mounts along the brush body. This enables clips to be attached to the brush via one or more mounting points. These are designed to be low profile, in order to reduce the potential for clips to snag on other items. 
     Axial band mounting points for elastic bands. The design of the band mounts provides secure fit while reducing the elongation of bands, which prevents “stretching” and premature failure. The mounts are situated near the axial clips, if present, to enable the clips to overlap the bands. 
     A pin clip in the handle of the brush. This enables bobby pins, or similar devices, to be attached to the handle of the brush. The clip is designed to provide secure mounting while preserving easy access. The pin clip is oriented to provide easy access while the brush is in use. This differs from existing solutions with in-handle storage that requires the storage to be accessed while the brush is not in use. The mounts are spaced in such a manner as to permit hair clips to sit flush with the brush body and not interfere with one another. Clips can be mounted on both sides of the brush, or on only one side. 
     A storage compartment in the brush body. This compartment is comprised of a recessed body and a door, which enables the contents to be securely stored. The compartment body can be configured as a single large compartment or contain internal organization features. The in-body storage compartment is oriented to be accessible in an ergonomic manner while the brush is in use, with minimal potential for the access door or compartment to snag on hair. The storage compartment is comprised of two primary parts: a recessed compartment in the brush body, and a hinged door that encloses the compartment. A closure latch secures the door, when shut. 
     A magnetic “pick-up” point. A magnetic insert may be embedded in the brush body or secured in place within the internal cavity of the brush body. This enables the brush to collect pins, clips, and other accessories that might become lost or spilled in a drawer, bag, or other location. 
     The invention is, at its core, a traditional hairbrush. It consists of a body, a handle, and a bristle crown with an assortment of bristles. The brush body is typically made from a plastic or resin, although other material choices are possible. The bristle crown is typically made from rubber or elastomer with rigid bristles. Where it deviates from other brushes is the integration of novel storage solutions throughout the brush. These storage points are typically integrated into the brush, rather than attached as separate components. The storage solutions are arranged in three primary segments: axial, in-body, and in-handle. 
     The axial storage components, specifically the clip and band mounts, provide the ability to affix accessories externally to the outer perimeter of the brush. Elastic bands are affixed via an inset and/or protruded mounting points. Typically, two per side located near the first and second ends of the brush body, although other arrangements are possible, in order to secure various sizes of bands. The mounting points are positioned to provide adequate tension to prevent elastic bands from falling off, but not so much as to result in stretching damage. 
     Additional axial storage is offered by the clip mounts  9 . These mounts protrude from the body and contain an overhanging feature  10  through which hair clips or other accessories can be fastened. The overhang is typically joined to the body at the clip mount&#39;s first  9  and second  11  end along the outer edge of the brush body  16 . The mounts are typically positioned close enough to the brush body to enable clips to exert force against the body, for a secure fit. The mounts may be free standing or may overlap the band mounting points, in order to provide additional reinforcement to the band mounting. 
     In-body storage is offered through a storage compartment that is integrated into the brush body. This compartment has a hinged door, which enables the compartment to be securely closed. The internal volume of the compartment can be uninterrupted or contain various organizational features. The compartment can be designed to be completely sealed with a gasket, offering a waterproof storage option, or it can be vented for drainage purposes. The compartment is located within the body of the brush, in order to utilize the void space beneath the bristles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a first embodiment of the improved brush. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of a first embodiment of the improved brush. 
         FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the improved brush. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the bottom of the improved brush. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of the improved brush with door attached and open. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view illustrating the improved brush with door attached and open. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1 
                 handle 
               
               
                 2 
                 handle second end 
               
               
                 3 
                 neck first end 
               
               
                 4 
                 neck 
               
               
                 5 
                 neck second end 
               
               
                 6 
                 axial band mount 
               
               
                 7 
                 head 
               
               
                 8 
                 shoulder 
               
               
                 9 
                 axial clip mount 
               
               
                 10 
                 clip mount ceiling 
               
               
                 11 
                 clip mount edge 
               
               
                 12 
                 head second end 
               
               
                 13 
                 magnet 
               
               
                 14 
                 compartment first side 
               
               
                 15 
                 compartment 
               
               
                 16 
                 body 
               
               
                 17 
                 latching interface 
               
               
                 18 
                 perimeter 
               
               
                 19 
                 head first end 
               
               
                 20 
                 hair pin magazine 
               
               
                 21 
                 collar 
               
               
                 22 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 23 
                 handle first end 
               
               
                 24 
                 hinge 
               
               
                 26 
                 pin clip third end 
               
               
                 27 
                 pin clip first end 
               
               
                 28 
                 pin clip lower floor 
               
               
                 29 
                 pin clip second end 
               
               
                 30 
                 pin clip upper floor 
               
               
                 31 
                 latch 
               
               
                 33 
                 door 
               
               
                 34 
                 brush 
               
               
                 35 
                 compartment third side 
               
               
                 36 
                 compartment second side 
               
               
                 37 
                 compartment fourth side 
               
               
                 39 
                 clip mount lower wall 
               
               
                 40 
                 clip mount upper wall 
               
               
                 44 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 50 
                 clip mount void space 
               
               
                 51 
                 bristle 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1A  illustrates an overall illustration of a first embodiment of the features when combined into a single brush which encompasses the following elements: (I) axial clip mounts, (II) axial band mounts, (III) a handle that contains a magazine for hair pins, and (IV) a compartment and door that are located within the back body of the brush. The combination of one or more of these features into a single brush represents an improvement over existing in-brush storage solutions. The placement of axial clip mounts  9  around the body  16  of the brush  34  and in immediate proximity to the axial band mounts is illustrated. The mounts are placed in such a manner as to allow the clips to overlap the band mounts, providing a more secure storage option for bands.  FIG. 1B  illustrates axial band mounts placed along the outer body of the brush head.  FIG. 1C  illustrates the handle-mounted pin clip and an in-body storage compartment, as well as an embedded magnetic pick-up point. 
     In this first embodiment, the brush  34  is generally comprised of a handle  1 , a neck  4 , and a head  7 . The handle  1  has a first end  23  and an opposing second end  2 . It is anticipated that the handle  1  may have an aperture  44 , near the first end  23 , where the aperture  22  is defined by a circumferential collar  21  that allows a lanyard (not shown) to be attached to the brush  34  by inserting the lanyard (not shown) through the aperture  22 . 
     The neck  4  has a first end  3  and a second end  5 . The neck first end  3  is connected to the handle second end  2 , while a first end  19  of the head  7  is attached to the neck second end  5 . The second end  12  of the head  7  is positioned generally linearly, opposite from the handle first end  23 . 
     In certain embodiments, the neck  4  may be virtually indistinguishable from the handle  1 , or there may be no neck  4 , and the handle  1  is attached at its second end  2  to the first end  19  of the head  7 . 
     The body  16  portion of the head  7 , is a shaped member bounded by a circumferential shoulder  8 . As shown more clearly in  FIG. 1B , the body  16  has a volume. As with conventional brushes generally, one side of the head  7  has a plurality of bristles  51  extending outwardly in one direction for brushing hair. Inside the shoulder  8 , the body  16  has a compartment  15 , which is defined by sides: first side  14  and second side  36 . The sides  14  and  36  are connected by relatively perpendicular, third side  35  and fourth side  37 . The compartment  15  includes a latching interface  17  which helps secure a door  33 . Door  33  is typically connected to the body  16  of the brush  34  by a hinge  24 . Possible alternative arrangements do not feature a hinge  24  and instead feature a removable door  33 . The door  33  additionally contains a latch  31  that secures the door  33  to the brush body  16  at the latching interface  17 . Compartment  15  is enclosed by the brush body  16  and the door  33 . 
     Within the volume of the brush body  16  may be a magnet  13  which may be situated near the second end  12  of the brush head  7  and linearly opposite the handle first end  23 . This placement is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 1C . The integrated magnet  13  enables users to quickly collect dropped or spilled metallic hair accessories. The magnet  13  can be exposed or enclosed within the body  16 , and is typically placed opposite from the brush handle  1 . 
     The outer perimeter  18  of the brush body  16  includes a plurality of axial band mounts  6 . The axial band mounts  6  may be adjacent to a plurality of axial clip mounts  9  that are joined to the axial band mounts  6  at edge  11 . The axial clip mounts  9  are defined by a lower wall  39  and upper wall  40  which are connected by a ceiling  10  and create a void space  50 . 
     The hair pin magazine  20  is located in, and embedded into, the brush&#39;s handle  1 . This compartment comprises a lower floor  28  and an upper floor  30 . The floors  28  and  30  can be smooth or textured in order to offer increased hold on the pins. It can be configured as a single compartment or divided into multiple sections. Within the handle  1  of the brush  34 , situated between the neck  4  and the aperture  22 , is the hair pin magazine  20 . The hair pin magazine  20  is generally comprised of a lower floor  28  and an upper floor  30 . The hair pin magazine  20  has a first end  27  and a third end  26 . The lower floor  28  is defined by a first end  27  and a third end  26 . The upper floor is defined by a second end  29  and third end  26 . The upper floor  30  is generally shorter in length than the lower floor  28 . The p hair pin magazine  20  is set at an angle that recesses third end  26  into the body of the handle  1 . The angle is illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combined invention. Shown are the handle  1 , neck  4 , and head  7 . Axial band mounts  6  and axial clip mounts  9  are located along the outer edge of the brush head  7 . Inset into the body  16  is the storage compartment  15  with latching interface  17 . The door  33  is not pictured in this drawing. Within the handle  1  is the hair pin magazine  20 . The lower floor  28  and upper floor  30  are illustrated. The aperture  22  is illustrated at the first end of the handle. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the invention with a door  33  installed and in the open position. The door  33  rotates around a hinge  24  such that it is rotatably attached to the body at an end of the compartment  15 . When parallel with the body, in the “closed” position, the door  33  would be secured by the latching interface  17  and latch  31  and covers the compartment  15 . Possible variations of the latching interface  17  and latch  31  include magnetic closures, hook and loop fasteners, friction locks, slide locks, or other means of securing the door  33 . In variations with a removable door  33 , the hinge  24  is replaced by an second latching interface (not shown) which may or may not be identical to the latching interface  17  and latch  31 . An optional bristle crown  52  is shown in place in this view. In this embodiment, the bristles  51  (not shown in this Figure) would be attached at one end to the bristle crown  52  and extend outwardly. 
     The terms “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” 
     The term “each” refers to each member of a set, or each member of a subset of a set. 
     The terms “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     In interpreting the claims appended hereto, it is not intended that any of the appended claims or claim elements invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim. 
     It should be understood that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and description, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and description herein. Thus, although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.