Pet Brush

Abstract

A brush having flexible plastic bristles and adapted for connection with a vacuum cleaner to remove loose hair dislodged in brushing an animal. In a modification, the brush is incorporated in a mitt to receive the operator's hand and the body of the brush is pliable so that it may be curved to correspond to the surface being brushed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a brush equipped with suction means for removing loose hair, for use by veterinarians and owners of animals.

In grooming an animal, the disposal of loose hair creates a problem. There is a need for a device to remove and dispose of loose hair so that it will not fall on the floor and so that it will not pack between the bristles of the brush.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved pet brush, to provide a brush with suction means and to provide a flexible brush of the type described equipped with a mitt to receive the hand of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Two embodiments are disclosed. In the first embodiment a rigid base member has rows of flexible plastic bristles disposed around its periphery. A central cavity communicates with a suction connection for attachment to a vacuum cleaner hose for removing any loose hair or other material that may be dislodged by the bristles. The airflow through the brush tends to keep it clean and prevents hair from falling on the floor.

The second embodiment has a flexible base connected with a mitt to receive the hand of the operator. Thus, the operator may curve the brush around the back, neck and legs of the animal for more effective brushing.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments illustrated on the accompanying drawing. Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts and certain features may be used without others. All such modifications within the scope of the appended claims are included in the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of pet brush embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 to 4, a flat and substantially rigid base member 10 has rows of bristles 11 around its periphery. The bristles preferably vary in length from the front to the back end of the base member as shown in FIG. 2. This allows the operator to apply pressure primarily against the short bristles in brushing short hair and to apply pressure primarily against the long bristles in brushing long hair. Thus, a single brush is adapted for brushing both short hair and long hair. A preferred bristle pattern is illustrated in FIG. 4 but this pattern may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Base member 10 has a central opening 12 communicating with a cavity or chamber 13 in a housing part 14. The lower edges of housing part 14 are integrally united with the top of base member 10 about the opening 12. The top of housing 14 is preferably provided with an air hole 15 which communicates with chamber 13. Housing 14 has an inclined rearwardly extending cylindrical part 16 which terminates in a tapered tubular adapter 17 for connection with the suction hose of a vacuum cleaner. The taper allows hoses of different size to be fitted snugly onto the adapter in order to establish suction in chamber 13.

Housing part 14 and adapter portion 17 provide a convenient handle to be grasped by the operator. In brushing an animal, the hole 15 may be completely closed by the forefinger to establish maximum suction in chamber 13. When less suction is desired, the hole 15 may be partially or completely uncovered to admit air to chamber 13.

Preferably, the body 10, bristles 11, housing 14 and adapter 17 are all integrally molded in one piece from a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modification having a mitt 20 to receive the hand of the operator. The palm side of mitt 20 is fixedly secured to a flexible base member 21 having rows of bristles 22 which are preferably of uniform length. The bristle pattern is preferably the same as in FIG. 4 and, in bottom plan view, the base member 21 is also substantially as shown in FIG. 4 having a central opening 23 corresponding to the opening 12 and a suction chamber 24 corresponding to suction chamber 13.

The rear end of the base member 21 terminates in a tapered tubular adapter 17 for transmitting suction from a vacuum cleaner suction hose 25 to the chamber 24. Wrist portion 26 of the mitt preferably extends adjacent and generally parallel with the adapter 17 so that hose 25 will readily follow the movements of the operator's arm.

Base member 21, bristles 22 and adapter 17 are preferably integrally molded in one piece from a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene. The composition of the plastic and the thickness of the wall sections are controlled to produce a desired degree of flexibility for curving the base member by the operator's hand in the mitt, as shown. Thus, the curvature may be varied to correspond to the surface of the animal being brushed, such as its back, legs, neck, etc. An air hole 15 is not necessary in the embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 as the suction may be reduced at will by either increasing or decreasing the curvature of base member 21 to admit excess air through opening 23. Any hair that may accumulate in the bristles is readily disposed of by dislodging it into the airstream entering opening 23.

Claims

I claim:

1. A pet brush comprising an elongated, substantially flat base member having a suction chamber therein and a central opening in one side thereof communicating with said chamber, bristles on said one side of said base member disposed around the marginal portion thereof and about said opening, said base member and bristles being integrally molded in one piece of flexible material and including an integral tubular suction connection on one end of said base member communicating with said chamber, and a mitt affixed to the opposite side of said base member, said suction connection extending from said base member in generally parallel relation with the wrist portion of said mitt, said base member being capable of being curved by an operator's hand in said mitt to correspond to the surface of an animal being brushed.

2. A pet brush as defined in claim 1, said base member having a sidewall and an inturned flange on said sidewall spaced from the mitt side of the base member, said mitt side of said base member, sidewall and flange forming said suction chamber, said flange defining the margin of said opening, and said bristles projecting from said flange.