GB2537135A

GB2537135A - A brush device

Info

Publication number: GB2537135A
Application number: GB1505927.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Caroline Dalton Lesley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-08
Filing date: 2015-04-08
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-08
Also published as: WO2016162825A1; GB2537135B; GB201505927D0

Abstract

A brush device comprising a handle 1 which extends orthogonally from an interface with a head 2 which supports a plurality of bristles (3, figure 7). The brush is characterised in that the device allows insertion of a user's fingers into a lacuna 9 so as to aid in manipulation of the head 2. The handle 1 has a finger grip 7 with a series of transverse ribs 8. The head 2 includes a substantially rigid perforated shield (6, figure 7) which covers an inner head (5, figure 7) which is segmented allowing some flexure of the head in use.

Description

A BRUSH DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a brush device, in particular a device for brushing hair effectively; more particularly but not exclusively a device for intuitively and naturally forming hair into curls and adding volume.

Background

Increasing attention to appearance in many societies is necessary in work and domestic environments.

Hair styling and grooming is of particular importance to many users.

Many styles of combs and brushes exist, for a variety of different purposes.

Volume is often portrayed as a desirable characteristic for hairstyles, and is often accompanied in use by particularly complex hairstyles, involving a significant amount of time in preparation. Consequently a great deal of hairstyling apparatus is directed towards achieving volume, by means or rollers or similar. Unfortunately rollers are time consuming.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent application US 2009 314 304 (JOCHIM et al) discloses apparatus comprising: a handle grip including a plurality of finger slots situated between a first thumb slot and a second thumb slot, and a palm rest extending rearwardly from the finger slots and adapted between the first and second thumb slots; and a bristle base adapted to the handle grip, where the bristle base includes a bristle field having a length and width, the length extending in a direction substantially parallel to a user's hand when engaged in the finger slots, wherein the bristle base is removeably adapted to the handle grip.

United States patent application US 2006 090 770 (WALL) discloses a hair pick for lifting, holding and combing a shock of hair comprising a plurality of essentially parallel elongated teeth attached to a narrow, flexible base bar having a finger hole and two finger grips attached, the entire assembly formed as an integral piece of moderately flexible plastic.

United States patent application US 2005 241 661 (EDDINGER et al) discloses a generally flat, elongated hand-held comb comprising: a first elongated end, a second elongated end and a center section, a center line passing through a longitudinal center of the comb, said first elongated end having a plurality of first comb teeth extending away from the center line from a first edge to a second edge of said first elongated end, said first comb teeth being open at said second edge of said first comb teeth, said second elongated end having a plurality of second comb teeth extending away from the center line from a first edge to a second edge of said second elongated end, said second comb teeth being open at said second edge of said second comb teeth, said second edges of said first and second elongated ends being on opposite sides of the center line of the comb.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a brush device comprising a handle and a brush head, wherein the handle extends from an interface located adjacent the head, wherein the head comprises a plurality of bristles extending from the head; and characterised in that the device allows insertion of a user's fingers to manipulate the head, at or adjacent the interface.

In this way the user is advantageously enabled to manipulate the brush head in some embodiments generally with their hand and precisely with their fingertips in use, 30 allowing closer and more precise control by situating the bristles adjacent and extending from fingers, so as to form a natural extension to the hand.

In some embodiments the device may be constructed with short or long handles, and/or heads, and comprise a plurality of materials advantageous to manipulation of 35 the handle, and to allowing manipulation as appropriate at the interface. The interface may be angled, continuous, deviated or articulable.

The fingers may be inserted directly into the head. For example both handle and brush head may be made from a moulded plastic with finger shaped indentations in the head of the brush.

In preferred embodiments the interface provides a lacuna into which the user's fingers or fingertips may be inserted, so as to aid in manipulation of the device or head.

In some embodiments the head may provide a lacuna into which the user's fingertips may be inserted for manipulation of the head. Such lacuna may be surrounded in part or whole to form a catch for at least one finger.

In some other embodiments the handle may provide a lacuna into which the user's 15 fingertips may be inserted for manipulation of the head. Such lacuna may be surrounded in part or whole to form a catch for at least one finger.

In this way the head may be manipulated in an ergonomic, instinctive and natural manner such that the user can run their hand in their hand naturally and the brush 20 head and bristles are in use on the user's hair.

Ideally the head comprises an elongate form providing a plurality of outwardly extending bristles. In some embodiments the bristles point in a plurality of directions.

Such bristles in some embodiments may be formed in substantially rigid material such as polyethylene. In other embodiments the bristles may comprise flexible, natural or synthetic fibres, for example wherein the head comprises a greater number of tighter packed bristles.

In preferred embodiments the head provides a substantially curved or cylindrical shape wherein the bristles are dispersed along the curvature allowing a wide section of hair to be worked at any one time by the head. In this way the user's hair can be wrapped around the head and the head rolled or rotated by the handle; so as to for example provide volume to the hair.

In such embodiments the handle ideally interfaces with the head centrally on the length, so as to advantageously allow for a central point of control. In further embodiments the handle may extend offset on the head, for example towards an end according to effectiveness for different tasks and allowing for the device to be reversible. In such embodiments the interface and/or lacuna may differ to each side.

In some embodiments the handle may be displaceable on or along the head according to user preference. For example the handle may be mounted on the head in a slot and slidable therein, and subsequently the head may be capped with a 10 displaceable cap and/or a sliding lock may be provided.

In preferred embodiments the handle replicates or emulates the user's fingers, for example being sized appropriately, elongated and substantially planar. Some embodiments may include a curvature to mimic a hand at rest. Some embodiments 15 may be configured for reversible use.

In some embodiments the lacuna is configured for receipt of plural fingers. Accordingly the lacuna may be configured for receipt of differing finger lengths, in order that each of the fingertips butt against a surface and the lacuna holds the head effectively and comfortably, and allows more precise operation or manipulation of the head.

In some embodiments the lacuna may comprise strips or hoops, individually or combining fingers.

For example the lacuna may comprise a series of substantially parallel indentations or tubes, of differing length.

In some embodiments the handle may provide articulation, wherein the handle may 30 be separated into segments having hinges therebetween.

In some embodiments the interface may be adjustable, so as to allow further chances for natural manipulation of the head, for example providing a knuckle synonymous or corresponding to the user's hand.

In some embodiments the device may provide a glove-like form, wherein the head is presented to the glove end, and mounted thereon. Further such embodiments may have bristles dispersed about or on the glove's end so as to allow greater precision in use of the head. The glove may combine fingertips so as to provide a single or fewer heads.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device; Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show rear and front views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 5 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a third isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a handle 1 extending orthogonal to a head 2.

The handle includes a light longitudinal curvature and includes a hip 11 and enlarged end 12, and is finished in a silicone coating so as to provide comfort.

The head includes a substantially circular section tubular form with a plurality of 35 bristles 3 extending outward. The bristles are formed in rigid plastic with a degree of flexure, having ends 4 that are rounded to avoid damage to a user's head or hair.

The bristles are tightly packed and extend around the head to approximately 270 degrees of the diameter in section.

The head has an inner 5 holding the bristles, which is segmented in order that the segments enable some flexure in the head to make for a more comfortable use. The inner is substantially formed of two halves, each having six elongate T-section segments 55 with living hinges 56 therebetween. The inner is ideally made from silicone, rubber or elastomeric plastics. In some further embodiments the inner may comprise substantially rigid material interspersed with elastomeric material.

The head further includes a substantially rigid perforated shield 6 over the segments in order that there is no likelihood of capture of hair or skin between segments during flexure.

The shield is plastics such as polyethylene or a heat resistant plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

The handle has a finger grip 7 for aiding in manipulation in use, being close to the head for added control. The finger grip is a rubber or silicone moulding, with 20 transverse ribs 8.

The head and handle interface provides a curved lacuna 9 into the head, and a block 10 to prevent the fingertips moving into the lacuna undesirably. Such block may be hinged, flexible, rubber or silicone, to aid in comfort in use.

The lacuna has a rubber gasket 13 for comfort against the user's fingers for when the fingers are pushed upwards against the head to manipulate the head in use. The head includes end stoppers 14 for holding the inner and shield together. The shield clips together at resiliently deformable clips 15.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A brush device comprising a handle and a brush head, wherein the handle extends orthogonally from an interface located adjacent the head, wherein the head comprises a plurality of bristles extending from the head; and characterised in that the device allows insertion of a user's fingers to manipulate the head at or adjacent the interface.
2. A brush device according to claim 1 wherein the interface provides a lacuna into which the user's fingers or fingertips are inserted, so as to aid in manipulation of the device or head.
3. A brush device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the head exclusively provides a lacuna into which the user's fingertips may be inserted for manipulation of the head.
4. A brush device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the handle exclusively provides a lacuna into which the user's fingertips may be inserted for manipulation of the head.
5. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the Interface comprises a padded lacuna.
6. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head provides a substantially curved or cylindrical shape wherein the bristles are dispersed thereabout.
7. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head is comprised of elongate segments each supporting a plurality of bristles longitudinally.
8. A brush device according to claim 7 wherein the segments are joined by living hinges.
9. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head comprises elastomeric material.
10. A brush device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.
11. A brush device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the brush head and handle are moulded as a piece.
12. A method of forming a hairdressing device according to any of the preceding claims.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS Claims 1. A hair brush device comprising a handle and a brush head, the brush head is substantially cylindrical with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, the handle extends substantially orthogonally from the brush head, from an interface located adjacent to the head; wherein the interface provides an opening into which a user's fingers or fingertips are inserted so as to enable rotational manipulation of the brush device about a brush head axis when styling hair.2. A brush device according to claim 1 wherein the handle is arranged centrally on the brush head.3. A brush device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the interface is padded.4. A brush devise according to any preceding claim wherein the interface is adjustable. cr)5. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head is comprised of elongate segments each supporting a plurality of bristles CD longitudinally.N6. A brush device according to claim 5 wherein the segments are joined by living hinges.7. A brush device according to any preceding claim wherein the head comprises elastomeric material.8. A brush device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the brush head and handle are moulded as a piece.9. A brush device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.10. A method of forming a hairdressing device according to any of the preceding claims.