U.S. patent application number 10/052834 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for rotatable hair brush.
Invention is credited to Janavicius, Jason, Kunkler, Jeffery Scott, Marino, Claudio, Ragosta, Michael, Richmond, David J..
Application Number | 20030131865 10/052834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21980193 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030131865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richmond, David J. ; et
al. |
July 17, 2003 |
Rotatable hair brush
Abstract
A rotatable hair brush includes a core with a plurality of
series of holes, each series displaced in an annular direction from
the other series. Bristles are disposed in the holes. Dividers are
disposed on the core between successive series of bristles. A
support member holds the dividers. Detents on the support member,
and on an end cap at the other end, and matching detents on the
core retain the core fixedly relative to the dividers. A handle
extending from the other end of the core and the dividers holds a
battery and a motor for rotating the core and the dividers. The end
cap and the portion of the handle adjacent the end cap are shaped
to provide a smooth continuous surface (preferably concave) for
preventing a user's hair from becoming entangled during the brush
operation. An end cap covering the support member has a smooth
continuous surface to prevent the user's hair from becoming
entangled during the brush operation. This smooth continuous
surface may follow the contours of the dividers and may be concave
in the distances between the dividers.
Inventors: |
Richmond, David J.; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Kunkler, Jeffery Scott; (Chicago,
IL) ; Marino, Claudio; (Van Nuys, CA) ;
Janavicius, Jason; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Ragosta,
Michael; (Reseda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELLSWORTH R. ROSTON, ESQ.
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
HOWARD HUGHES CNETER
6060 CENTER DRIVE, TENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
21980193 |
Appl. No.: |
10/052834 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/119.1 ;
132/238 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/021 20130101;
A46B 13/001 20130101; A46B 2200/104 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/119.1 ;
132/238 |
International
Class: |
A45D 024/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination for use in a rotatable hair brush, a pair of
oppositely disposed supports, a plurality of dividers supported by
at least one of the oppositely disposed supports, the dividers
being spaced from one another in an annular configuration to define
a central opening, a core disposed in the central opening and
supported at its opposite ends by the supports, there being a
plurality of series of openings in the core, the openings in each
series being spaced annularly from the openings in the other
series, bristles disposed in the openings in the core and having
characteristics to brush the user's hair during the rotation of the
core, and a motor operatively coupled to the core to rotate the
core.
2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the motor
rotates the core and the dividers and wherein the dividers abut the
core at spaced portions in the annular configurations on the
core.
3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the brush has a
handle and wherein the handle is smoothly cratered at the end of
the handle adjacent to the core to provide for a brushing of the
hair, during the rotation of the core, without entangling the
hair.
4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a first switch
is disposed in the handle and is provided with three (3) different
positions and wherein the switch is operative in the first position
to prevent the core from rotating and is operative in the second
position to provide for a rotation of the core at a first speed and
is operative in the third position to provide for a rotation of the
core at a second speed different from the first speed.
5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a switch is
disposed in the handle and is provided with a first position to
obtain a rotation of the core in a first direction and is provided
with a second position to obtain a rotation of the core in a second
direction different from the first direction.
6. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the brush has a
handle and wherein the handle is smoothly cratered at the end of
the handle adjacent to the core to provide for a brushing of the
hair, without entangling the hair, during the rotation of the core
and wherein a first switch is disposed in the handle and is
operative in three (3) positions and wherein the switch is
operative in the first position to prevent the core from rotating
and is operative in the second position to provide for a rotation
of the core at a first speed and is operative in the third position
to provide for a rotation of the core at a second speed different
from the first speed and wherein a second switch is disposed in the
handle and is provided with a first position to obtain a rotation
of the core in a first direction and is provided with a second
position to obtain a rotation of the core in a second direction
different from the first direction.
7. In a combination for use in a rotatable hair brush, a rotatable
core, there being holes disposed at spaced positions in the core,
bristles disposed in the holes in the core to brush the user's hair
upon a rotation of the core, a detent at one of the ends of the
core, a support, a plurality of dividers extending from the support
in a co-operative relationship with the core at displaced positions
around the peripheral surface of the core, the support having a
detent in a mating relationship with the core detent to retain the
dividers and the core in a fixed relationship.
8. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, the mating
relationship between the support and the rotatable core providing
for the rotation of the dividers with the rotatable core.
9. In a combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the hair brush
includes a handle and wherein the hair brush is shaped relative to
the handle at the end adjacent to the handle to prevent the user's
hair from being entangled in the handle as the core and the
dividers rotate.
10. In a combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the bristles
have a distal end and wherein the dividers extend in a direction
toward the distal end of the bristles and have a curved surface at
the distal end wherein the dividers extend through an axial
distance corresponding to the length of the core.
11. In a combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the core is
substantially cylindrical and wherein the dividers are
substantially cylindrical and wherein the dividers have axes and
wherein the core has an axis and wherein the axes of the core and
the dividers are substantially parallel.
12. In combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein the hair brush
includes a handle and wherein the hair brush is shaped relative to
the handle at the end adjacent to the handle to prevent the user's
hair from being entangled in the handle as the core and the
dividers rotate and wherein the bristles have a distal end and
wherein the dividers extend in a direction toward the distal end of
the bristles and have a curved surface at the distal end and
wherein the dividers extend through a distance corresponding to the
length of the core and wherein the core is substantially
cylindrical and wherein the dividers are substantially cylindrical
and wherein the dividers have axes and wherein the core has an axis
and wherein the axes of the core and the dividers are substantially
parallel.
13. In combination for use in a rotatable hair brush, a plurality
of dividers extending in a first direction and spaced from one
another in an annular direction to define a central opening
extending in the first direction, supports disposed at the opposite
ends of the dividers for holding the dividers in a fixed
relationship defining the central opening, a core fixedly
positioned in the central opening by the supports, there being
series of openings in the core, the openings in each series being
spaced in the annular direction from the openings in the other
series, bristles disposed in the openings in the core for brushing
the user's hair when the brush rotates, the dividers being
positioned relative to the core and the bristles for pushing the
hair outwardly in a direction away from the central opening as the
core and the dividers rotate, thereby preventing the hair brush
from entangling the user's hair.
14. In a combination as set forth in claim 13, a handle included in
the hair brush and shaped at the end adjacent to the core and to
the dividers for directing the user's hair away from the core to
prevent the user's hair from being entangled by the brush during
the rotation of the brush.
15. In a combination as set forth in claim 13 including, a handle
included in the brush at one end of the brush, and the support at
the end of the brush displaced from the handle constituting an end
cap having a peripheral configuration to prevent the user's hair
from becoming entangled in the brush during the rotation of the
brush.
16. In a combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein a battery is
disposed in the handle and wherein a motor is disposed in the
handle and is electrically coupled to the battery to rotate the
core and the dividers.
17. In a combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein the end cap
overlaps the dividers to provide a smooth surface around its
periphery for preventing the user's hair from becoming entangled as
the core and the dividers rotate.
18. In a combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein the
peripheral configuration of the end cap is provided with a smooth
concave configuration in the annular direction between each
adjacent pair of dividers to prevent the user's hair from becoming
entangled as the hair brush rotates.
19. In a combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein a handle is
included in the hair brush and is shaped at the end adjacent to the
core and to the dividers for directing the user's hair away from
the core and the dividers to prevent the user's hair from being
entangled by the brush during the rotation of the brush and wherein
a battery is disposed in the handle and wherein a motor is disposed
in the handle and is electrically coupled to the battery to rotate
the core and the dividers.
20. In a combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein the handle is
provided with a periphery and wherein a first switch is disposed on
the handle periphery and is operative in a first relationship to
provide for the operation of the motor at a first speed and is
operative in a second relationship to provide for the operation of
the motor at a second speed different from the first speed and
wherein a second switch is disposed on the handle periphery and is
operative in a first relationship to provide for an operation of
the motor in a first direction and is operative in a second
relationship to provide for an operation of the motor in a second
direction opposite to the first direction.
21. In a combination for use in a rotatable hair brush, a core
having a periphery, there being pluralities of holes in the core,
each of the plurality of holes being at a spaced position around
the core periphery relative to the positions of the other
pluralities of the holes, bristles in the holes in each of the of
the pluralities, a plurality of dividers disposed at spaced
positions around the core periphery at positions extending radially
outwardly from the core, each of the dividers being disposed
between an adjacent pair of pluralities of bristles in the core,
the core and the dividers being disposed in a fixed relationship to
one another at opposite ends of the core and the dividers, a handle
at one of the opposite ends of the core and the dividers, and an
end cap disposed at the other of the opposite ends of the core and
the dividers, the end cap being provided with a peripheral
configuration to prevent the user's hair from being entangled in
the rotatable hair brush as the hair brush rotates.
22. In a combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein the end cap
disposed on the core and the dividers is provided with a concave
configuration between each adjacent pair of the dividers to prevent
the user's hair from being entangled during the rotation of the
hair brush.
23. In a combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein the concave
configuration of the end cap extends between each pair of the
dividers and wherein the peripheral configuration of the end cap at
each of the dividers corresponds to the peripheral configuration of
the dividers and provide a smooth continuity with the concave
configuration of the end cap at the positions between adjacent
pairs of the dividers.
24. In a combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein an end cap is
provided adjacent the handle and wherein the handle and the end cap
adjacent the handle are provided with a smooth composite
configuration to prevent the user's hair from being entangled when
the hair brush is rotating.
25. In a combination as set forth in claim 24 wherein the handle
and the end cap adjacent the handle are provided with a smooth
concave composite configuration to prevent the user's hair from
being entangled when the hair brush is rotating.
26. In a combination as set forth in claim 25 wherein the concave
configuration of the end cap extends between each pair of the
dividers and wherein the peripheral configuration of each of the
dividers corresponds to the configuration of the dividers and
wherein an end cap is provided adjacent the handle and wherein the
handle and the end cap adjacent the handle are provided with a
smooth composite configuration to prevent the user's hair from
being entangled when the hair brush is rotating.
27. In a combination for use in a rotatable hair brush, a core
having a periphery, there being pluralities of holes in the core,
each of the pluralities of holes being at a spaced position around
the core periphery relative to the other pluralities of the holes,
bristles in the holes in each of the pluralities, a plurality of
dividers disposed at spaced positions around the core periphery at
positions extending outwardly from the core, each of the dividers
being disposed between adjacent pairs of pluralities of bristles in
the core, the core and the dividers being disposed in a fixed
relationship to another at oppose ends of the core and the
dividers, a handle at one of the opposite ends of the core and the
dividers, and an end cap adjacent the handle, the handle and the
end cap adjacent the handle being provided with a smooth composite
configuration to prevent the user's hair from being entangled when
the hair brush rotates.
28. In a combination as set forth in claim 27 wherein the handle
and the adjacent end cap are provided with a smooth concave
composite configuration to prevent the user's hair from being
entangled when the hair brush is rotating.
29. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein the smooth
concave composite configuration of the handle and the adjacent end
cap is seamless.
30. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein an end cap is
disposed at the opposite end of the core and the dividers from the
handle and is provided with a peripheral configuration to prevent
the user's hair from being entangled in the rotatable hair brush as
the brush rotates.
31. In a combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein the end cap
at the opposite end of the core is provided with a smooth concave
configuration to prevent the user's hair from being entangled as
the hair brush rotates.
32. In a combination as set forth in claim 31 wherein the end cap
at the opposite end of the core has portions extending over the
dividers in a smooth configuration and with the smooth concave
configuration of the end cap continuous with the portions of the
end cap extending over the dividers.
33. A method of brushing a user's hair, including the steps of:
providing supports for a plurality of dividers spaced from one
another in an annular configuration to define a central opening,
the supports being provided at the opposite ends of the dividers,
providing a core having a plurality of series of openings, each of
the plurality of series of openings being spaced in an annular
direction from the other ones of the plurality of series of
openings, disposing the core in the central opening defined by the
dividers, and providing for the supports to retain the core in a
fixed position in the central opening defined by the dividers.
34. In a method as set forth in claim 33, including the steps of:
providing a handle at one end of the core and the dividers, and
providing an end cap at the opposite end of the core and the
dividers with a peripheral configuration to prevent the user's hair
from being entangled when the hair brush is rotated.
35. A method as set forth in claim 33, including the steps of:
providing the handle with a peripheral configuration at one end to
prevent the user's hair from being entangled when the handle is
attached to the hair brush and the hair brush is rotated, and
attaching the handle to the support.
36. A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein the peripheral
configuration of the handle at the one end is smooth and concave to
prevent the user's hair from becoming entangled when the hair brush
is rotated.
37. A method of brushing a user's hair, including the steps of:
providing a core having a plurality of series of bristles, each
series being displaced annularly from the adjacent series around
the periphery of the core, providing in the hair brush a plurality
of dividers each disposed outwardly from the periphery of the core
between an adjacent pair of series of bristles, supporting the core
and the dividers in a fixed relationship to each other, and
providing for the rotatable hair brush a handle which provides a
smooth continuous surface with the rotatable portion of the brush
to prevent the user's hair from being entangled in the brush during
the operation of the brush.
38. A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein the smooth continuous
configuration between the handle and the rotatable portion of the
brush is substantially seamless.
39. A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein the smooth continuous
configuration between the handle and the rotatable portion of the
brush is concave.
40. A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein an end cap is
disposed on the brush at the peripheral end of the brush and is
provided with a smooth continuous outer configuration to prevent
the user's hair from becoming entangled during the brush
operation.
41. A method as set forth in claim 40 wherein the end cap covers
the core and the dividers at the outer ends of the core and the
dividers and wherein the end cap is substantially seamless relative
to the core and the dividers.
42. A method as set forth in claim 41 wherein the dividers have a
smooth continuous peripheral configuration and wherein the end cap
has a periphery following the peripheral contour of the dividers
and has a smooth continuous concave configuration between the end
caps.
43. A method of brushing a user's hair, including the steps of:
providing a rotatable hair brush, providing in the brush a
plurality or series of bristles, each series being displaced
annularly from the adjacent series around the periphery of the
core, providing in the hair brush a plurality of dividers each
disposed outwardly from the core between an adjacent pair of series
of bristles, providing a handle for the rotatable hair brush, and
providing supports for the core and the dividers at the opposite
ends of the core and the dividers.
44. A method as set forth in claim 43, including the step of:
disposing an end cap on the brush at the outer end of the brush
with a smooth continuous peripheral configuration to prevent the
user's hair from being entangled in the brush during the operation
of the brush.
45. A method as set forth in claim 44 wherein the periphery of the
end cap extends around the dividers in a configuration
corresponding to the configuration of the dividers and extends
between the dividers in a configuration continuous with the
extension of the periphery of the end cap around the dividers.
46. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein the position of the
handle adjacent to the core and the dividers is provided with a
concave configuration to prevent the hair strands from becoming
entangled in the brush as the brush rotates.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to rotatable hair brushes. More
particularly, the invention relates to rotatable hair brushes which
prevent a user's hair from becoming entangled in the brush during
the operation of the brush in brushing the user's hair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Women have discovered through the years the benefits of
brushing their hair to enhance the appearance of their hair. For
years, women have stroked their hair manually to arrange their hair
neatly and to enhance the sheen of their hair. In brushing their
hair manually, women have tended to turn the brush partially so
that the bristles in the brush move through the hair. Generally,
the rotation of the brush has been limited to about one-half (1/2)
of a revolution. The user has then removed the brush from the
user's hair. The rotation of the brush is limited to about one-half
(1/2) of a revolution because rotations greater than one-half (1/2)
of a revolution tend to entangle the user's hair. The user has then
moved the brush to a new position in the user's hair and has
repeated the process described above.
[0003] When the user manually brushes the user's hair, the user has
obtained certain advantages. One advantage has been that the
positioning of the hair strands has become controlled so that the
appearance of the hair has become styled rather than tangled or
disheveled. Another advantage has been that oil near the surface of
the user's scalp has become distributed throughout the length of
the hair strands. This has tended to enhance the sheen and
attractiveness of the user's hair.
[0004] A manual rotation of a hair brush has certain significant
disadvantages. It is time consuming. Furthermore, the hair brush
has been removed from the user's hair after each rotation of the
hair brush through approximately one-half (1/2) of a revolution.
The next one-half (1/2) of a revolution of the hair brush has not
then been at the previous one-half (1/2) of a revolution of the
hair brush. This has prevented the user's hair from being as tidy,
or lustrous, as the user would have otherwise preferred.
[0005] It has been known for some time that a motor-driven rotation
of a hair brush might be advantageous over a manually rotatable
hair brush in enhancing the appearance of a user's hair. A number
of attempts have been made in the past to provide a rotatable hair
brush which will operate upon a user's hair without entangling the
user's hair. These attempts have not been entirely
satisfactory.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635 has been issued on to Claudio Marino
on Aug. 8, 2000 for a Motorized, Rotating Hair brush and has been
assigned of record to an entity which has licensed the patent to
the assignee of this patent application. U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635
discloses and claims rotatable hair brushes which enhance the
appearance of a user's hair without entangling the hair. The
rotatable hair brush in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635 includes a core
with a plurality of series of openings, each series being displaced
from adjacent series. Bristles are disposed in the openings in each
series. A plurality of dividers are provided each disposed in the
space above the core and between adjacent series of bristles. When
the core and the dividers rotate, the dividers prevent the user's
hair from being entangled in the brush.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A rotatable hair brush includes a core with a plurality of
series of holes, each series displaced in an annular direction from
the other series. Bristles are disposed in the holes. Dividers are
disposed on the core between successive series of bristles. A
support member holds the dividers. Detents on the support member,
and on an end cap at the other end, and matching detents on the
core retain the core fixedly relative to the dividers. A handle
extending from the other end of the core and the dividers holds a
battery and a motor for rotating the core and the dividers.
[0008] The end cap and the portion of the handle adjacent the end
cap are shaped to provide a smooth continuous surface (preferably
concave) for preventing a user's hair from becoming entangled
during the brush operation. An end cap covering the support member
has a smooth continuous surface to prevent the user's hair from
becoming entangled during the brush operation. This smooth
continuous surface may follow the contours of the dividers and may
be concave in the distances between the dividers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable hair brush and a
support base for the hair brush with the hair brush disposed in the
support base, the rotatable hair brush constituting a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the hair brush and the
support base with the hair brush disposed in the support base;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the hair brush and the
support base, as seen from the left side, with the hair brush
disposed in the support base;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the hair brush and the
support base with the hair brush disposed in the support base;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hair brush and the support
base with the hair brush disposed in the support base;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hair brush and the
support base with the hair brush disposed in the support base;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the hair brush and the
support brush, as seen from the left side, with the hair brush
removed from the support base;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hair brush and the
support base, with the hair brush removed from the support base and
with the hair brush partially exploded, to show the internal
construction of the hair brush;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle portion of the
hair brush with the handle portion exploded;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a sectional view in a longitudinal direction of
the handle portion of the hair brush; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the support base for the
hair brush as seen from a position above and in front of the
support base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
1-11. The preferred embodiment includes a rotatable hair brush
generally indicated at 10 and a support base generally indicated at
12. The rotatable hair brush 10 includes a core 14 (FIG. 8)
preferably having a cylindrical configuration and preferably made
from a suitable plastic material such as ABS or polypropylene.
[0022] A plurality of series or rows of holes 16 (FIG. 8) are
disposed in the core 14. The holes 16 in each series are preferably
spaced from one another in an axial direction but other
configurations such as a spiral configuration may be provided for
the disposition of the holes in each series. This is shown in FIG.
5 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635 issued to Claudio Marino on Aug. 8,
2000 for a Motorized, Rotating Hair Brush and licensed to the
assignee of record of this application. Each series of holes 16 in
the plurality are preferably spaced in an annular direction from
adjacent series of holes in the plurality by a particular
rotational angle. The number of the series or rows of holes in the
plurality may vary. For example, FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635
shows twelve (12) series or rows of holes 16; FIG. 12 of U.S. Pat.
No. 6,098,635 shows fifteen (15) series or rows of holes; and FIG.
13 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635 shows eight (8) series or rows of
holes. Preferably the number of the series or rows of the holes 16
is three (3), each spaced by an angle of 120 degrees from the
others.
[0023] Bristles 18 (FIGS. 1-4, 7-8) are fixedly disposed at their
roots in the holes 16. The bristles may have a tubular
configuration and may have substantially identical lengths. The
bristles 18 may preferably be made from a suitable material such as
nylon but a number of other materials are also quite satisfactory.
The bristles 18 may be provided with resilient properties so that
they can be bent relative to the surface of the core 14 as a
fulcrum and can be returned to their unstressed position after the
bending has been relieved.
[0024] A divider generally indicated at 20 (FIG. 8) is provided for
association with the core 14 to prevent the user's hair from
becoming entangled when the core and the dividers are rotated and
the brush is applied against the user's hair during such rotation.
The divider 20 may preferably be made from a material such as ABS
or polypropylene. These materials are desirable for use as the
divider 20 because they facilitate the movement of oils
substantially uniformly from the user's scalp and from the portion
of the hair strands close to the scalp to the outer ends of the
hair strands. The oils also help to draw out and smooth each strand
of the user's hair.
[0025] The dividers 20 have a substantially cylindrical
configuration. Each of the dividers 20 is provided with a convex
cut-out 22 at its radially inner end so as to conform to the
cylindrical configuration of the core 14. In this way, each divider
20 can form a snug relationship with the core 14 along the convex
cut-out 22 in the divider. Each of the dividers 20 is disposed in
the annular direction approximately equidistant from the series or
rows of bristles 18 on the opposite sides of the divider.
[0026] As indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,635, the number of the
rows or series of the bristles 18 in the core 14 is optimally three
(3). Furthermore, the number of the dividers 20 is optimally three
(3). The dividers 20 can be considered as defining a triangle at
their apices 24 in FIG. 8. As the core 14 and the dividers 20
rotate, the dividers "kick" the user's hair outwardly to prevent
the hair from being entangled in the brush. This outward movement
of the hair counteracts the tendency of the core 14 to move the
hair inwardly. This provides for the bristles 18 to engage the hair
strands and separate the hair strands and brush the hair strands as
the core 14 and the dividers 20 rotate. The curved configuration of
the dividers 20 also provides for the dividers to contact the hair
and shape and add smoothness and volume to the hair.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 8, a support member 30 is suitably mounted
as by a collar 32 on the dividers 20. The collar 32 preferably
extends in a smooth configuration around the outer peripheries of
the dividers 20 in a close fit relationship with the dividers. The
collar 32 has a smooth configuration, preferably in a concave
configuration 34, between the dividers 30. The support member 30
has a socket 36 at a central position in the support member. The
socket 36 may have a unique (e.g. triangular) configuration to mate
with a lug 38 having a corresponding configuration at the adjacent
end of the core 14. The socket 36 and the lug 38 may constitute
female and male detents in which the lug fits tightly into the
socket to retain the core 14 in a fixed relationship with the
dividers 20. An end cap 39 (FIG. 8) is disposed in a tight fit on
the collar 32. The end cap 39 has a peripheral configuration
corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the collar 32. The
end cap 39 is provided for aesthetic purposes and also to prevent
the user's hair strands from becoming entangled in the hair brush
10 when the hair brush is rotating and is applied to the user's
hair.
[0028] An end cap 40 (FIG. 8) is disposed at the opposite ends of
the core 14 and the dividers 20 and may be provided with a
peripheral configuration corresponding to that of the support
member 30 (e.g. somewhat triangular but with a smooth
configuration). The end cap has depressed portions 42 to receive
the dividers 20 and has a socket 44 corresponding in configuration
to the socket 36 to receive a detent corresponding to the detent
38. The end cap 40 thus provides a support for the core 14 and the
dividers 20. The end cap 40 has a peripheral configuration 46 which
provides a close fit with the dividers 20. This periphery includes
a smooth configuration 47 (preferably concave) between the adjacent
pairs of the dividers. In this way, the end cap 40 has a smooth
configuration around its periphery corresponding to the smooth
configuration of the collar 32. This is advantageous for reasons
which will be described in detail subsequently.
[0029] A handle generally indicated at 50 (FIGS. 8-10) forms a
stationary part of the rotatable hair brush 10. The handle 50 is
shown in an exploded view in FIG. 9. It includes a pair of husk
members 52 of like construction. The husk members 52 define a
central chamber 54 when the two husk members are attached to each
other by pins 56. Decorative wings 58 are attached to the husk
members 52 as by clips 60. A housing 62 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is
disposed in the central chamber 54. The housing 62 is divided into
two (2) axially spaced compartments by a spacer 64. A motor 66
(FIG. 9) is disposed in the compartment closest to the hair brush
10 and a battery 68 is disposed in the other compartment.
[0030] Switches 70 and 72 (FIGS. 2 and 10) are disposed in cavities
in the husk members 52. The switch 70 has three (3) positions. In
an intermediate position, the switch 70 is open and prevents the
motor 66 from being energized. In a second position to one side of
the intermediate position, the switch 70 causes the motor 66 to
rotate at a first speed. In a second position to the opposite side
of the intermediate position, the switch 70 causes the motor 66 to
operate at a second speed greater than the first speed. The switch
72 has two (2) positions. In a first position, the switch 72 causes
the motor 66 to rotate in a first direction. In a second position,
the switch 72 causes the motor 66 to rotate in a second direction
opposite to the first direction. A drive member 74 (FIG. 8) extends
from the motor 66 to an opening in the core 14 to rotate the core
and the dividers 20 in accordance with the rotation of the
motor.
[0031] The housing 62 is provided with a smooth peripheral
configuration 78 (FIGS. 8-10) at the position adjacent the core 14
to prevent the user's hair from being entangled in the hair brush
as the core 14 and the dividers 20 rotate. Preferably this
configuration is concave such that the diameter of the housing 62
progressively decreases with progressive positions toward the core
and the dividers and then progressively increases at further
positions toward the core and the dividers. At positions 80
adjacent the core 14 and the dividers 20, the diameter of the
housing 14 is substantially constant.
[0032] The dividers 20 are fixedly positioned relative to the core
14 in an optimal relationship with the core. This results from the
fact that the core 14 and the dividers 20 are fixedly positioned
relative to one another by their attachments to the support member
22 and the end cap 40. As previously indicated, the core 14 tends
to pull the hair strands of the user radially inwardly as the core
rotates. This results from the tendency of the bristles 18 to flex
downwardly as the core rotates. However, the dividers 20 tend to
project the hair strands of the user radially outwardly as the
dividers rotate. This interrelationship between the core 14 and the
dividers 20 tends to provide an optimal operation of the brush 10
in brushing the user's hair as the core and the dividers rotate.
For example, this relationship prevents the user's hair from
becoming entangled in the brush 10 as the brush rotates.
[0033] The end cap 39 and the collar 32 at the outer end of the
brush 10 also are instrumental in preventing the user's hair
strands from becoming entangled in the brush 10 as the brush
rotates. This results from the peripheral configurations of the end
cap 40 and the collar 32 corresponding to the peripheral
configurations of the dividers 20 and from the concave
configurations of the end cap and the collar in the positions
between the dividers. This configuration causes the ends of the
user's hair strands to extend radially outwardly from the core 10
as the brush 10 rotates.
[0034] The cratered configuration of the handle 50 at the positions
adjacent the core 14 and the dividers 20 is also instrumental in
preventing the user's hair strands from becoming entangled in the
brush as the brush rotates. This results in part from the fact that
the cratered configuration 78 is smooth and concave and forms a
seamless relationship with the core 14. Because of this, the user's
hairs at the inner end of the brush 10 adjacent the handle 50 move
inwardly into the cratered configuration 78 in a direction away
from the core 14, thereby preventing the user's hair from becoming
entangled in the brush 10.
[0035] The hair brush 10 of this invention also has other
advantages. Especially when the user's hair is wet, brush rotation
in the past has carried the outer ends of the hair around the brush
10. The outer ends of some of the user's hair strands have then
been entangled in the hair brush. However, the dividers in the
brush 10 of this invention have tended to smooth the outer ends of
the user's hair strands and to push the outer ends of the hair
strands radially outwardly, thereby inhibiting the hair strands
from becoming entangled.
[0036] The dividers 20 of this invention also retain heat. As hot
air from a blow dryer (not shown) impinges upon the user's hair and
the dividers, the divider becomes warm. The heat from the dividers
20 becomes transferred back to the user's hair even when the heat
from the dryer is directed elsewhere. The dividers 20 could also be
pre-heated by directing the heat from the blow dryer against the
dividers before directing air from the blow dryer to the user's
hair.
[0037] The hair brush 10 of this invention also spreads the oil on
each hair strand while smoothing and shaping the hair. Brushing the
hair a number of times spreads the oil along the length of the hair
strands while separating the hair strands and drawing the strands
radially outwardly. The transfer of oil along the length each hair
strand provides body and sheen to the hair strand. This enhances
the appearance of the user's hair.
[0038] The support base 12 includes an opening 90 (FIGS. 8 and 11)
for receiving the brush 10 so that the brush is disposed vertically
in the opening. The support base has a converging configuration
with progressive distances upwardly from the bottom of the support
base. This provides the support base 12 with a stable disposition
on a support surface.
[0039] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated
with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved
are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments which will be
apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is,
therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
claims.
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