GB2461291A

GB2461291A - Brush

Info

Publication number: GB2461291A
Application number: GB0811708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ricky Moate; Brian Flinders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-26
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: GB0811708D0

Abstract

A brush 10 for use in animal grooming comprises a rotating brush head 14 and a means for blowing hot air through apertures 19 in the brush head 14. Rotation of the head and fan 32 is by means of an electric motor and gear arrangement and an electric heating element 30 is used to heat the air flow. The brush head 14 is interchangeable with other heads with different bristle or tine arrangements 20, which are suitable for different animal coats. Control dials 52, 54 are provided to control the speed of rotation of the brush head 14 and the temperature of the air flow. An induction type charging station (58, see Figure 7) is provided for recharging a rechargeable battery 42 of the brush and for use as a container, in which cleaning fluid can be held to enable cleaning of brush heads.

Description

Title: Brush The present invention relates to a brush and particularly but not exclusively to a brush for grooming an animal.

When grooming an animal, for example a pet dog, it is usual to wash the dog and to dry its coat with a domestic hairdryer and to brush its coat at the same time. A problem in brushing and drying an animal's coat in this way is that it generally requires two people, one person to hold the animal and the other person to dry and brush the animal.

Another problem of using a domestic hairdryer for drying an animal is that the animal may get too hot or become burned if the hairdryer is on too high a heat setting.

Furthermore, brushing an animal can be physically demanding, particularly if the animal is large and has a long-haired coat.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for grooming an animal which substantially reduces or obviates the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a brush for grooming an animal comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion including a brush head having tines for brushing the animal, means for rotating the brush head relative to the handle portion and means for providing a flow of air from the brush head.

An advantage of the invention is that a flow of air can pass through the animal's coat, whilst the animal is being brushed, thereby drying the coat and avoiding the need for a separate dryer, such as a domestic hairdryer.

Also, the rotary motion of the brush head facilitates brushing of the coat, is less physically demanding than hand brushing and is highly effective at removing moulting hair. The brush is particularly advantageous for elderly, infirm and some disabled users that have difficulty in brushing animals using a traditional hand-held brush.

Preferably a heating element is provided for heating the flow of air. The application of heat is advantageous because it increases the speed of drying of the animal's coat.

The tines of the brush head may be mounted on a cylindrical element. Preferably the brush head is removable and interchangeable with one of a plurality of further brush heads having different tine structures.

This is desirable because a brush head can be selected to suit a particular animal.

Preferably apertures are provided in the cylindrical element to allow air flow out of the head portion of the brush.

Preferably a plurality of lines of apertures are provided in the cylindrical element, each line of apertures being disposed between adjacent lines of tines to enable an even flow of air out of the head portion of the brush.

Preferably the handle portion of the brush consists of a cylindrical casing having a rubber grip disposed on a portion thereof. This enhances a user's grip on the handle portion of the brush.

This is advantageous because the animal may struggle and in doing so may dislodge the brush from the user's hand. A secure grip decreases the probability of this occurring, thereby decreasing the likelihood of damage to the brush.

Preferably an electric motor, gearbox, heating element and fan are mounted within the casing of the brush.

Preferably the cylindrical element rotates around a longitudinal axis of the brush and is driven by the electric motor through the gearbox and a drive gear.

Preferably a plurality of apertures are provided in the distal end of the casing, allowing air to enter the end of the casing and to flow through the handle portion to the head portion.

Preferably the electric motor, gearbox and heating element of the brush are waterproof to allow the brush to be positioned in a container of liquid.

A rechargeable battery may be contained within the head portion, and is preferably mounted in a fixed position relative to the handle portion. A rechargeable battery is preferred to a hardwired power supply.

Preferably a first part of a transformer is mounted proximate to the distal end of the head portion, enabling charging of the battery, Preferably a second part of the transformer is mounted in a base of a container of a charging station, for receiving the head portion of the brush, allowing charging of the battery.

Preferably a liquid can be contained in the container, the brush head being immersed in the liquid during charging to allow convenient cleaning of the brush head and tines.

Preferably a removable end cap is mounted to the distal end of the head portion. The removable cap aids the secure fitting of the interchangeable brush heads.

Preferably control means is provided on the handle portion for controlling the rate of air flow, the speed of rotation of the head portion and the heat setting of the heating element.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a brush for grooming an animal according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of three examples of interchangeable brush head adapted to fit the brush of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of the internal components of the brush of Figure 1 mounted in one half of the housing; Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of the components of the brush of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the brush of Figure 1 from one end; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the control means in the handle portion of the brush of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of two charging stations, with a brush of Figure 1 received in one of the charging stations for charging; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of part of the brush of Figure 1 indicating rotation of the brush head; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of part of the brush of Figure 1 indicating air flow from the brush head; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a user holding the brush of Figure 1 and using the brush to groom a pet dog.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a brush for grooming an animal, for example a dog, rabbit or guinea pig, is indicated generally at 10. The brush 10 includes a handle portion 12 and a head portion 14. A rubber grip 16, also seen in Figure 5, is disposed substantially on the outer part of the handle portion 12 to assist in the handling and use of the brush 10. The brush head 14 includes a cylindrical element 18 and bristles or brushing tines 20 extending radially outwards from the cylindrical element. The tines 20 are arranged in lines parallel with a longitudinal axis 22 of the cylindrical element 18. Apertures 19 provided through the wall of the cylindrical element 18 are alTanged in rows, also parallel with the longitudinal axis 22 of the cylindrical element, the rows of apertures 19 being provided between adjacent rows of bristles or tines 20.

Referring also to Figure 2, a number of alternative interchangeable brush heads 14 are shown, each having a different bristle or tine 20 alTangement. For example, the brush head 14A includes widely-spaced singular metal or plastic tines which are suitable for brushing a long-haired animal coat, the brush head 14B includes closely-packed singular metal or plastic tines for brushing a knotted long-haired animal coat and the brush head 14C includes bristles for lifting out loose hair.

Referring also to Figures 3 and 4, the handle portion 12 consists of a substantially cylindrical casing 24, into which internal components of the brush are mounted. The internal components include an electric motor 26, a gearbox 28, a heating element 30, and a fan 32. The electric motor 26 is mounted substantially towards the centre of the casing 24 and is connected directly to the gearbox 28, which is positioned between the motor 26 and the brush head 14. An axial shaft 34 extends from the other end of the motor 26 and passes through the centre of the heating element 30. The heating element 30 is rigidly mounted within the casing 24 and the axial shaft 34 is supported in bearing blocks 36, 38, disposed at either end of the heating element 30. The fan 32 is mounted at the distal end of the axial shaft 34, adjacent the bearing block 38. The end of the casing 24 is provided with a plurality of apertures 40, best seen in Figure 5, which allow air at ambient temperature to be drawn into the casing by the action of the fan 32.

A rechargeable battery 42 is mounted within the brush head 14 and lies in a fixed position relative to the casing 24. A first part of a transformer 44 for charging the rechargeable battery 42 is mounted adjacent the battery proximate the distal end of the brush head 14.

The removable brush head 14 is disposed around the rechargeable battery 42 and the first part of the transformer 44 and is held on the casing 24 by means of a removable end cap 46. A gear 48 is mounted on an output shaft 50 of the gearbox 28 and is in meshing engagement with a geared ring 51, into which one end of the cylindrical element 18 of the brush head 14 is fitted with an interference fit.

Referring now to Figure 6, two control dials are located on the handle portion 12 of the brush 10. The first dial 52, to the left hand-side as viewed, controls the speed of rotation of the motor and hence controls the speed of rotation of the rotating brush head 14. The second dial 54, to the right hand-side as viewed, controls the fan and temperature of the heating element 30, thereby controlling the temperature of air flow passing through the brush 10, as described below. A central control button 56 disposed between the first and second dials 52, 54, switches the brush on and off.

Referring to Figure 7, a charging station 58, two of which are shown, contains within its base a second part 60 of the transformer. The transformer 44, 60 recharges the rechargeable battery 42 through electrical induction in known manner. The charging station 58 is formed as a substantially cylindrical container. The internal components of the brush are waterproof and cleaning fluid, for example detergent, can also be poured into the charging station 54, where it is contained. When it is desired to recharge the battery 42, the brush 10 is inserted into the charging station, such that the brush head 14 is adjacent and proximate the base of the container, The detergent within the container surrounds and cleans the brush head 14. The electrical components and gearbox 28 in the handle portion 12 are not submerged, but are designed to be resistant to the cleaning fluid. The battery 42 is submerged, but is waterproof and is unaffected, Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, the brush head 14 rotates as indicated by arrow A around the longitudinal axis 22 of the brush 10, as a result of the driving motion of the motor 26 through the gears 48, 51. Air is sucked in through the apertures 40 in the end of the casing 24 by the fan 32, and is forced through the handle portion 12 and heat exchanger fins of the heating element 30. The air is heated by the heating element 30 and passes around the motor and gearbox to the brush head 14. The air flow then passes outwards through the apertures 19 in the brush head 14.

Both rotation and air drying can be performed simultaneously if the user wishes to dry his/her pet as well as groom it. The rotation of the brush can also be used without the ejection of hot air, if only grooming is required, for example, for use with a dry animal.

The brush can also be used in this mode of operation with animals that do not react well to the noise of the fan and airflow. In another mode of operation, the brush head is stationary, ie there is no rotation, but the fan is operational to provide airflow through the brush. This mode of operation is useful for soothing animals having skin disorders or irritation. The air flow can optionally be heated by the heating element. The brush can be seen in use in Figure 10, in which a dog 62 is being groomed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A brush for grooming an animal comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion including a brush head having tines for brushing the animal, means for rotating the brush head relative to the handle portion and means for providing a flow of air from the brush head.
2. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 1, in which a heating element is provided for heating the flow of air.
3. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the brush head includes a cylindrical element with tines mounted thereon,
4. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 3. in which the brush head is removable and interchangeable with one of a plurality of further brush heads having different tine structures.
5. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which apertures are provided in the cylindrical element to allow air flow out of the head portion of the brush.
6. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 5, in which a plurality of lines of apertures are provided in the cylindrical element, each line of apertures being disposed between adjacent lines of tines.
7. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the handle portion consists of a cylindrical casing, having a rubber grip disposed on a portion thereof.
8. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 7, in which an electric motor, gearbox, heating element and fan are mounted within the casing.
9. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 8, when dependent on claim 3, in which the cylindrical element rotates around a longitudinal axis of the brush and is driven by the electric motor through the gearbox and a drive gear.
10. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, in which a plurality of apertures are provided in the distal end of the casing, allowing air to enter the end of the casing and to flow through the handle portion to the head portion.
ii. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, when dependent on claim 8, in which the electric motor, gearbox and heating element are waterproof.
12. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a rechargeable battery is contained within the head portion, and is mounted in a fixed position relative to the handle portion.
13. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 12, in which a first part of a transformer is mounted proximate the distal end of the head portion, enabling charging of the battery.
14. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 13, in which a second part of the transformer is mounted in a charging station, the charging station including a container for receiving the head portion of the brush.
15. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in claim 14, in which a liquid can be contained in the container, the brush head being immersed in the liquid during charging.
16. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a removable end cap is mounted at the distal end of the head portion.
17. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any preceding claim, in which control means is provided on the handle portion for controlling the rate of air flow and the speed of rotation of the head portion.
18. A brush for grooming an animal as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 17, when dependent on claim 2. in which control means is provided for controlling the heat setting of the heating element.
19. A brush for grooming an Sinai substantially as claimed herein with reference to and as illustrated in FIgures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.