U.S. patent application number 10/894577 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for ergonomic brush with magnet.
Invention is credited to Gonzalez, Bridgett.
Application Number | 20050011030 10/894577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34068403 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gonzalez, Bridgett |
January 20, 2005 |
Ergonomic brush with magnet
Abstract
A grooming brush includes a body having a convex top surface
with multiple tooled finger grooves arranged to accommodate
multiple hand positions and/or right and left-handed grasps. This
ergonomic grip reduces hand and wrist strain and fatigue. The
bottom surface of the brush body is equipped with a flexibly
attached configuration of bristles. A magnet is fixed within the
body of the brush with one pole (e.g., south) in the direction of
the top surface and the groomer's hand, and the other pole (e.g.,
north) in the direction of the bottom surface and the grooming
subject. With metal bristles, the magnetic field at the skin
surface of the grooming subject may be enhanced by the proximity of
the magnetized bristles. The groomer and the grooming subject may
thus experience the benefits of magnetic therapy through the
grooming process.
Inventors: |
Gonzalez, Bridgett; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE HECKER LAW GROUP
1925 CENTURY PARK EAST
SUITE 2300
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Family ID: |
34068403 |
Appl. No.: |
10/894577 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60488200 |
Jul 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/160 ; 119/625;
119/633; 15/143.1; 15/159.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/02 20130101; A46B
2200/1093 20130101; A46B 15/0026 20130101; A46B 15/0002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/160 ;
119/625; 119/633; 015/143.1; 015/159.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 005/02 |
Claims
The claimed invention is:
1. A brush comprising: a body having a top surface and a bottom
surface; said top surface comprising a plurality of grooves
ergonomically arranged to receive a plurality of fingers for
grasping said apparatus; said bottom surface comprising a plurality
of bristles; and a magnet disposed within said body.
2. The brush of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves are
configured for hand positions with a left hand and a right
hand.
3. The brush of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves are
configured to accept a range of hand sizes
4. The brush of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves are
configured to receive said plurality of fingers in a plurality of
hand positions.
5. The brush of claim 4, wherein said plurality of grooves are
configured to ergonomically receive said plurality of fingers: in a
first hand position with said hand in line with a long axis of said
brush; and in a second hand position with said hand tangential to
said long axis of said brush.
6. The brush of claim 5, wherein said plurality of grooves are
further configured to ergonomically receive said plurality of
fingers in a third hand position with said hand at an angle between
said long axis and a short axis of said brush.
7. The brush of claim 1, wherein said bristles comprise a metallic
material that is magnetized by said magnet.
8. The brush of claim 1: wherein said magnet is positioned with a
first magnetic pole facing said top surface to expose a hand on
said top surface to a magnetic field; and wherein said magnet is
positioned with a second magnetic pole facing said bristles to
expose a grooming subject to said magnetic field.
9. The brush of claim 8, wherein said first pole is the north pole
and said second pole is the south pole.
10. The brush of claim 1, wherein said magnet comprises a set of
magnets.
11. The brush of claim 1, wherein said magnet comprises a ferrite
magnet.
12. A brush comprising: a body having a top surface and a bottom
surface, wherein said top surface is configured to be held by a
user, and wherein said bottom surface comprises a plurality of
bristles; and a magnetic element disposed within said body.
13. The brush of claim 12, wherein said magnetic element comprises
one or more magnets affixed to an underside of said top
surface.
14. The brush of claim 12, wherein said top surface is
ergonomically shaped to accommodate an open handed grip.
15. The brush of claim 12, wherein said bristles are magnetized by
said magnetic element.
16. The brush of claim 12, wherein said top surface comprises a
plurality of finger grooves configured to accept a plurality of
hand positions.
17. The brush of claim 16, wherein said top surface is oval shaped
with said plurality of finger grooves disposed around a perimeter
of said top surface.
18. The brush of claim 12, wherein said brush is configured to
expose a hand grasping said top surface to a magnetic field
generated by said magnetic element.
19. The brush of claim 12, wherein said brush is configured to
expose a grooming subject to a magnetic field generated by said
magnetic element.
20. A brush comprising: a top element configured as a grasping
surface with a plurality of grooves for receiving a plurality of
fingers in one of a plurality of supported hand positions; a bottom
element configured as a grooming surface with a plurality of
bristles, wherein said bottom element is configured to engage said
top element to form a hollow body; a magnet disposed within said
hollow body, said magnet exerting a magnetic field over said
grasping surface and said grooming surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/488,200, filed on Jul.
17, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of pet care, and more
specifically, to grooming devices.
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has
no objection document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in
the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyrights associated with this document.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Prior art brushes, e.g., for grooming pets, are commonly
configured as a bristle-holding base connected to an elongated
handle. Two examples of this brush design are shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B. As shown, each prior art brush is composed of a base 100
containing a number of bristles 101 for grooming a pet's hair. A
handle element 102 is coupled to base 100 to provide a grasping
region for a groomer's hand.
[0005] During use, a groomer's hand encircles the handle element
102 as if making a fist. The groomer applies pressure in the
direction of the bristles to engage the coat of the pet subject.
Grooming is accomplished by pushing or pulling the brush in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle
element.
[0006] For multiple reasons, this brush design is non-ergonomic.
The closed-fist grip on the handle leads to hand and wrist fatigue.
Further, by having the bristles located on a base at the end of the
handle, the groomer must apply a certain amount of wrist torque to
maintain pressure against the grooming subject and to maintain the
perpendicular brushing motion. This wrist torque can lead to extra
strain on the muscles, tendons and joints of the hand and wrist.
With intermittent use, such as by a pet owner who occasionally
grooms her pet, this brush design can lead to temporary pain and
fatigue in the hand and wrist. With constant use, e.g., such as by
a professional groomer that grooms pets daily for extended periods
of time, this brush design may also lead to repetitive motion
injury and chronic nerve and joint conditions. A better grooming
brush design is therefore desired.
[0007] In addition to causing strain and fatigue for the groomer,
the grooming experience may be unpleasant for the pet that is being
groomed. The tension on the pet's hair may be painful, and the
close contact, possibly by a person with which the pet is
unfamiliar, can increase the stress level of the pet. The pain and
stress experienced by the pet may lead to the pet struggling or
even biting the groomer. In response, the groomer may find herself
applying more pressure with the brush and/or restraining the pet
more forcefully, leading to further pain and stress in the pet, not
to mention further fatigue and frustration in the groomer. A brush
that reduces the pain and stress on the pet would therefore be
beneficial.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A and 1B are examples of prior art brush designs.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a brush in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a brush in accordance with
one or more embodiments of an invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a brush in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of a brush in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a left-side plan view of a brush in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a right-side plan view of a brush in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of a brush showing an internal
magnet in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention provides a brush with an ergonomic grip and an
integrated magnetic element. In one or more embodiments, the brush
may comprise a body having a convex top surface with multiple
tooled finger grooves arranged to accommodate multiple hand
positions and/or right and left-handed grasps. This ergonomic grip
reduces hand and wrist strain and fatigue. The bottom surface of
the brush body may be equipped with a flexibly attached
configuration of bristles, e.g., for grooming pet hair. The body of
the brush may comprise an internally affixed magnetic element
having, for example, one pole (e.g., south) facing in the direction
of the top surface and the groomer's hand, and the other pole
(e.g., north) facing in the direction of the bottom surface and the
grooming subject. In one or more embodiments, the bristles may
comprise metal or a metallic coating flexibly attached to the body
of the brush, such that the magnetic field at the skin surface of
the grooming subject is enhanced by the proximity of magnetized
bristles. The groomer and the grooming subject may thus experience
the benefits of magnetic therapy through the grooming process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The invention provides an ergonomic brush having an internal
magnet. In the following description, numerous specific details,
such as physical dimensions for one or more embodiments, are set
forth to provide a more thorough description of the invention. It
will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well known features have not been described in detail so
as not to obscure the invention.
[0018] Ergonomic Brush Configuration
[0019] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a grooming brush may include an ergonomic grasping surface on the
top side of the body of the brush, opposite to the bristles. In
these embodiments, because the groomer's hand is roughly centered
on the point of greatest resistance (i.e., the bristles), the wrist
torque associated with prior art brush designs is minimized. Strain
placed on hand and wrist muscles, tendons and joints is therefore
reduced, lessening the chance of injury or chronic medical
conditions.
[0020] In one or more embodiments, the ergonomic grasping surface
may include a relatively smooth, convex surface which seats
comfortably within the palm of the groomer's hand. Multiple grooves
may be tooled into the convex surface to accommodate multiple
fingers in an open-handed grip. It is not necessary for all fingers
to rest in respective grooves of the brush to obtain benefits from
the present invention. A combination of grooves may be provided to
allow for multiple hand positions. For example, a groomer may grasp
the brush with her first and second fingers to either side of the
primary axis of the brush. Alternatively, a groomer may grasp the
brush with four fingers spanning the width of the brush. Other hand
positions may also be used. The availability of such alternative
hand positions allows the groomer to grasp the brush in a manner
according to her preference, or in a manner which suits the size of
her hand. The combination of grooves may also be configured to
accommodate both right and left-handed groomers, in one or more
embodiments.
[0021] The finger grooves provide a firmer grip of the brush with
less effort. The groomer is therefore able to perform grooming
services longer or more often with less hand and wrist fatigue. Pet
owners that find it too painful or strenuous to groom their own
pets with brushes of the prior art may experience less pain and
strain when grooming with an embodiment of the present invention.
The grooming experience may therefore become a more pleasurable
bonding experience with their pet, rather than a painful chore.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a brush in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the invention. As shown, the top surface 200
is oval, having a long axis 201 and a short axis 202. In other
embodiments, other circular or angular body shapes that will
accommodate the ergonomic features of the invention may be used
without departing from the scope of the invention. The brush body
may be constructed, for example, of any durable, lightweight, rigid
(or semi-rigid) material, such as ABS plastic.
[0023] In FIG. 2, labels A, B, C and D indicate the front, back,
right and left sides of the brush body, respectively. In one
embodiment, the length of the brush may be on or about five inches,
with the width being on or about three inches. This size of brush
is useful for average hand sizes, though it will be clear that
various lengths and widths may be used (e.g., for children or for
people with extra large hands) without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0024] The embodiment of FIG. 2 is shown with seven finger grooves,
labeled as grooves 203-209. Other embodiments may use a lesser or
greater number of finger grooves and support a lesser or greater
number of hand positions. Each groove terminates adjacent to the
edge of the top surface, as the grooves are meant to receive
fingers grasping around the top surface of the brush body. To
provide a comfortable ergonomic grip, it is typically sufficient
for the grooves to have a maximum depth of approximately 0.0625 to
0.125 inches below the rest of the top surface at the deepest point
in the groove. Note that the top surface of the brush body is
preferably convex to conform to the palm of the hand more
ergonomically (see FIG. 4, for example), so the grooves may track
the curvature of the convex top surface to a certain degree. Other
embodiments may use deeper or shallower grooves without departing
from the scope of the invention.
[0025] The more circular grooves permit the use of the groove in a
greater variety of hand positions or with a greater variety of hand
sizes, whereas a more elongated groove provides a more secure fit
within a tighter range of hand positions. Most embodiments will
have both circular and elongated grooves.
[0026] As an example of some of the hand positions supported by the
embodiment of FIG. 2, grooves 203-205 may accommodate the third
finger, the second finger and the first finger of the right hand
with the hand at an angle between the long and short axis of the
brush. Grooves 203-206 may also be used to accommodate the fourth,
third, second and first fingers, respectively with the first and
second fingers splitting the long axis of the brush. Grooves 205
and 206 may also be used to accommodate the first and second
fingers of the left hand. Grooves 207-209 may be used in a grip
with the fingers in parallel with the short axis to accommodate the
third, second and first fingers, respectively, of the right hand,
as well as the first, second and third fingers (or the second,
third and fourth fingers), respectively, of the left hand.
[0027] Groove 205 is roughly circular, as seen from above, whereas
groove 204 is elongated at an angle from the long axis 202, e.g.,
roughly forty-five degrees. Groove 203 may be formed roughly
one-half to one inch from groove 204, with an elongation in a
direction similar to groove 204. Groove 205 is shown with a more
circular shape because the finger positions associated with the
hand positions described above may vary to a greater extent than
the finger positions for grooves 203 and 204. Because of the
variation in finger position, groove 205 may also have a shallower
profile relative to the other grooves.
[0028] Groove 206 is at the front of the brush, extending roughly
parallel with the long axis 201, offset from the long axis by
approximately one-half to one inch. Grooves 207-209, being used for
gripping the brush with the hand substantially perpendicular to the
long axis 201, are disposed along the left side of the brush with
the grooves extending substantially parallel with the short axis
202. Finger position variation for grooves 207-209 may depend
primarily on differences in hand size.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a brush in accordance with
one or more embodiments of an invention. A ring 301 of rigid or
semi-rigid material, such as ABS plastic, supports a flexible
bristle base 302, which contains an arrangement of bristles 303. In
other embodiments, a rigid or semi-rigid bristle base may replace
the ring and flexible bristle base shown.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, ring 301 is approximately three-eighths
inch in width, though larger or smaller widths of ring 301 may be
used in other embodiments to support bristle base 302. The flexible
bristle base 302 may be formed, for example, of synthetic rubber,
with bristles arranged in concentric circles or ovals, such that
when the bristle base is flexed outward from the brush body, the
tips of the bristles cover an expanded footprint (e.g., from
approximately 2.125 inches wide at bristle base 302 to a bristle
tip footprint approximately 2.75 inches wide). The bristles may be
formed of any rigid or semi-rigid material. In a preferred
embodiment, the bristles are nickel-plated or stainless steel.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a brush in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention. Visible from the front of
the brush are top surface 200, ring 301, bristle base 302 and the
bristle footprint 401. Grooves 204-207 are visible from left to
right. In one or more embodiments, top surface 200 is convex with
the finger grooves extending from near the highest region of top
surface 200 to the fitted junction between top surface 200 and ring
301.
[0032] Ring 301 is shown, in this embodiment, with a rounded
transition between bristle base 302 and top surface 200. Such a
rounded transition is preferred to a ring structure having corners
that may cause discomfort to the grooming subject and that are less
ergonomic with respect to the groomer's grasp (the groomer's thumb
may rest partially on ring 301). The height of ring 301 is
illustrated as approximately 0.5 inches at the front, though the
front height of ring 301 may vary for different embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of a brush in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the invention. Grooves 203 and 209 may be
visible. Also, in one or more embodiments, the convex nature of top
surface 200 may exhibit a slightly higher left side and slightly
flatter right side of the brush, to better suit certain hand
positions. Ring 301 is shown with a height of around 0.25 inches,
illustrating that, in some embodiments, top surface 200 may be
slightly inclined from back to front when seated in ring 301.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a left-side plan view of a brush in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention. The incline of ring
301 in this embodiment, as well as the lengthwise footprint 601 of
the bristles, are readily apparent. The general positions of
grooves 206-209 are also indicated. Top surface 200 exhibits a
convex shape along the long axis of the brush body, providing a
comfortable grip. FIG. 7 provides a right-side plan view of a brush
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The
general positions of grooves 203-205 are illustrated towards the
front of top surface 200.
[0035] Given the surface configuration having finger grooves as
described above and illustrated by way of an example embodiment in
FIGS. 2-7, an improved, ergonomically designed brush is provided.
As a further advance in brush design with benefits for both the
groomer and the pet, one or more embodiments of the invention may
also include a magnetic element disposed within the body of the
brush. The tissues exposed to the resulting magnetic field, both in
the hand of the groomer and the skin of the pet, may experience
benefits normally associated with magnetic therapy, as described in
greater detail below.
[0036] Magnetic Therapy
[0037] Magnetic therapy is the practice of applying magnetic fields
to obtain beneficial effects in body tissues. Magnetic therapy has
brought about the development of fixed or wearable products
containing permanent magnets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,219
teaches a sleeping mattress provided with permanent magnets. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,921,560 teaches a method for affixing permanent magnets
to bed coverings. Current magnetic therapy merchandise include head
bands, vests, belts, wrist bands, supports for the elbows, arms,
legs, knee and ankle, and also necklaces.
[0038] The apparent premise for the merchandise provided with the
magnetic elements is to place a permanent magnet such that body
cells are exposed to a low-level magnetic field emitted from the
permanent magnets. The magnetic exposure is believed to assist
stressed cells in restoring their correct balance of electrical
charge for performing more efficiently. The magnetic exposure when
concentrated at the same specific points on the body known to
acupuncture and accupressure practitioners is a developing
therapeutic practice.
[0039] U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,956 teaches that opposite magnetic poles
have unique therapeutic effects on body tissues. Specifically, the
flux from a north pole of a magnet, if applied in effective levels
on the order of at least 200 gauss per square inch, has a sedator
effect, reduces pain, mobilizes calcium, relieves muscle spasms,
increases joint mobility and lowers the pH of the affected tissues.
By contrast, flux from a south pole of a magnet stimulates
circulation, speeds healing time, strengthens tissues, and raises
the pH to a weak alkaline condition characterizing healthy tissue.
The north pole flux may reduce the electrogalvanic potential across
the nerve sheaths in the affected tissue to a value substantially
below that recognized by the brain as a pain signal; and the south
pole flux, if applied subsequently, does not raise the potential to
a value which the brain would recognize as a pain signal, thus it
can effect healing while enabling normal activity without pain.
[0040] Magnet Integrated Within Brush
[0041] To provide the therapeutic effects described above, one or
more embodiments of the invention may include a magnetic element
disposed within the body of the brush. For example, one or more
magnets may be affixed to the hollow underside of top surface 200.
The magnet may be affixed, for example, with an adhesive substance,
a mechanical fastening apparatus or the top surface piece 200 of
the brush may have a molded fitting that is configured to retain
the magnetic element, e.g., in a compression fit. Some examples of
mechanical fastening apparatus may include a flexible clipping
mechanism, or a magnetic element container that may be attached to
the underside of top surface 200 using screws driven into molded
plastic footings in the underside of top surface 200.
[0042] In one embodiment, the magnetic element is positioned such
that the north pole of the magnetic element is facing the bristle
base and the grooming subject (e.g., the dog), whereas the south
pole of the magnetic element is facing the top surface 200 and the
hand of the groomer. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art
that the magnetic element may be oriented in other directions while
still exposing the groomer and pet to the beneficial effects of the
magnetic field generated by the magnetic element.
[0043] The magnetic element may include one or more magnets,
preferably in the form of one or more ferrite or ferromagnetic
magnets to achieve a strong magnetic field. However, other
embodiments may use any type of magnet, including an electromagnet
powered, for example, by one or more batteries disposed within the
brush body or by a power cord coupled through a connector in the
body of the brush to a power adapter device. In one or more
preferred embodiments, the magnet provides a magnetic field on the
order of 200 Gauss per square inch, or greater.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of a brush embodiment showing a
magnetic element 800 disposed inside the brush body in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention. In this embodiment,
the top surface 200 includes molded footings 801, threaded to
receive screws 802. A thin container 803 (e.g., formed of plastic)
having eyelets 804 for screws, is coupled via screws 802 to the
underside of top surface 200. The lowest portion of magnetic
element 800 is disposed adjacent to bristle base 302. A pet being
groomed will therefore be exposed to the magnetic field of magnetic
element 800. If the bristles 303 comprise a metal material, then
the bristles 303 will be magnetized, while making direct contact
with the skin of the pet. Likewise, the groomer's hand will be
exposed to the magnetic field directed out through top surface
200.
[0045] Though the foregoing description has been directed to brush
embodiments intended for grooming purposes, the concepts herein may
be extended to other types of brushes, such as scrubbing tools for
cleaning, with similar benefits to the brush user.
[0046] Thus, an ergonomic brush having an internal magnet has been
described. Particular embodiments described herein are illustrative
only and should not limit the present invention thereby. The
invention is defined by the claims and their full scope of
equivalents.
* * * * *