Apparatus for management of hair

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6789549
  • Patent Number
    6,789,549
  • Date Filed
    Monday, July 8, 2002
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 14, 2004
    19 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Wilson; John J.
    • Doan; Robyn Kieu
    Agents
    • Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee
Abstract
An apparatus for the management of hair is provided. The apparatus includes a first hair management instrument, a second hair management instrument and a central connector having a first end and a second end. A first means secures the first hair management instrument to the first end of the central connector and a second means secures the second hair management instrument to the second end of the central connector.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to hair care. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new apparatus for the management of hair.




2. Description of Related Art




Typically, devices for the management of hair, such as combs, brushes and the like, are separate units. Thus, when a hair care professional such as a barber or stylist needs to utilize a combination of items such as a comb and a brush, that person must use one item and set it down before picking up the next item. This may create clutter and may be difficult for a busy professional who needs to change tools often, sometimes causing the barber or stylist to drop the devices onto an unsanitized floor. These devices also pose problems for the average person who utilizes them, such as an individual who may be visually challenged. Having several separate items may create confusion with the increased clutter they cause.




In addition, typical hair management devices, particularly combs, have small handles. Thus, when a person with arthritis or a similar condition attempts to hold and use the device, it is often difficult and painful. Such small handles also present problems for professionals utilizing the tools for extended periods of time. These professionals use techniques known in the art that may be problematic with devices of the prior art. Such techniques include the clipper-over-comb and the comb-brush techniques. For example, in the clipper-over-comb technique, hair to be cut is drawn away from a customer's head by a comb which is grasped in between the forefinger and thumb of the barber or stylist. Once the portion of hair held out by the comb is cut, the comb is rotated under the next portion of hair to be cut and then rotated out so as to hold that hair away from the customer's head. This process continues for each customer until all of that customer's hair has been cut. Performing this repeated rotation of the small-handled hair management device throughout the day may cause severe discomfort.




Moreover, constant rotation of the apparatus using the forefinger and thumb becomes an awkward maneuver due to the small, flat handle types of devices of the prior art, again causing the barber or stylist to drop the tool and forcing her or him to obtain a new, sanitary one. If the barber or stylist attempts to overcome this problem by rotating the device through raising and dropping his or her wrist, such repeated wrist motion may cause pain and even problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, problems are created by devices of the prior art through separate hair management instruments and small handle configurations that do not allow easy and firm gripping and rotation.




There have been attempts to combine hair management devices in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 288,534 issued to Wilkerson discloses a comb having a solid end which forms the back of a brush. U.S. Pat. No. 2,261,747 issued to Vegh discloses a brush with a handle forming a comb. However, these devices lack the flexibility to adapt to different implements and do not allow the user to easily grip or rotate the apparatus.




Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a new apparatus for the management of hair which would overcome the foregoing difficulties by providing for the use of multiple instruments while allowing for easier grip and rotation by a user.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




According to the present invention, a new apparatus for the management of hair is provided.




In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for the management of hair is provided. The apparatus includes a first hair management instrument, a second hair management instrument and a central connector having a first end and a second end. A first means secures the first hair management instrument to the first end of the central connector and a second means secures the second hair management instrument to the second end of the central connector.




In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for the management of hair is provided. The apparatus includes a first hair management instrument and a central connector having a first end and a second end. The first end of the central connector is connected to the first hair management instrument and a second hair management instrument is removably connected to the second end of the central connector.




In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for the management of hair is provided. The apparatus includes a first hair care instrument including a proximal end, a handle near the proximal end, an interface edge on the handle, a shaft connected to the handle at the interface edge and a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section. The shaft removably engages the orifice and bristles are secured to the upper surface of the base. A connector has a first end and a second end and the first end of the connector is secured to the proximal end of the first hair care instrument.




The benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention may take form in certain components and structures, preferred embodiments of which will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an assembled perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an assembled perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 1

from a reverse angle;





FIG. 4

is an assembled top view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is an assembled side view of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is an assembled top view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 7

is an exploded top view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 8

is an assembled side view of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 9

an assembled top view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 10

an exploded top view of the apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 11

is an assembled top view of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and





FIG. 12

is an assembled top view of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,

FIG. 1

shows the components of an apparatus for the management of hair in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus


10


comprises a central connector


12


that couples a first hair management instrument


14


and a second hair management instrument


16


along a longitudinal axis


18


. In the illustrated embodiment, the central connector


12


has a cylindrical configuration and the first instrument


14


is a comb and the second instrument


16


is a bristle brush. An enhanced grip surface


20


is defined by the central connector


12


.




Means to facilitate the coupling of the first instrument


14


and the second instrument


16


into a single apparatus


10


may include a first orifice


22


and a second orifice


24


that are defined at opposing first and second ends of the central connector


12


. Such coupling will be described in greater detail below and may be accomplished by any means known in the art, including pin and orifice, threaded members, snap-fit, interference type fittings, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the central connector


12


includes threads


26


in both the first orifice


22


and the second orifice


24


.




The first hair management instrument


14


comprises a proximal end


28


and a distal end


30


, with the proximal end having a cross-section compatible with the first orifice


22


of the central connector


12


. An interlocking portion


32


is adjacent the proximal end


28


and contains interlocking members


34


, such as threads, that are compatible with the threads


26


of the central connector


12


. The first orifice


22


defined by the central connector


12


may receivably engage the interlocking portion


32


, as shown, or the first instrument


14


may define an orifice to receive an interlocking portion of the central connector


12


. In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking members


34


terminate at a shoulder


36


which contacts the central connector


12


in an assembled state. As mentioned above, other connecting means known in the art, such as a pin, a snap-fit or an interference fit, may be used to create a removable coupling.




Proximate the interlocking portion


32


of the first instrument


14


is an upper handle


38


. The upper handle


38


may define a textured surface which, as will be described below, may comprise a portion of an enhanced grip surface


20


. A first implement


40


extends from the upper handle


38


. In the illustrated embodiment, the first implement


40


is a comb. The comb


40


includes teeth


42


and a first edge


44


at the base of the teeth. A second edge


46


, sometimes referred to as a spine, can extend parallel to the first edge


44


. The second edge


46


may also be non-parallel to the first edge


44


, tapering to a generally pointed configuration at the distal end


30


.




The second hair management instrument


16


comprises a proximal end


48


and a distal end


50


, and an interlocking portion


52


adjacent the proximal end


48


. The interlocking portion


52


includes interlocking members


54


, shown as threads that are compatible with the threads


26


of the central connector


12


. As mentioned above, other connecting means known in the art, such as a pin, snap-fit or interference fit, may be used to create a removable coupling. The interlocking members


54


terminate at a shoulder


56


which contacts the central connector


12


in an assembled state. The second orifice


24


defined by the central connector


12


may receivably engage the interlocking portion


52


, as shown, or the second instrument


16


may define an orifice to receive an interlocking portion of the central connector


12


.




Proximate the interlocking portion


52


is an upper handle


58


of the second instrument


16


. The upper handle


58


may define a textured surface which, as will be described below, may comprise a portion of an enhanced grip surface


20


. The upper handle


58


includes an interface edge


60


to which a shaft


62


connects. The shaft


62


may be straight or may taper along the longitudinal axis


18


, as desired. In addition, the cross-sectional configuration


64


of the shaft


62


may be curved, as shown, or may take other geometric configurations.




A second implement


66


may be removably engaged with the shaft


62


of the second instrument


16


. In the illustrated embodiment, the second implement


66


is a bristle brush. The second implement


66


has a base


68


and a cross-sectional configuration defining an orifice


70


which engages the shaft


62


, thus allowing the shaft to removably engage the base


68


. Bristles


72


are secured as known in the art to an upper surface


73


of the base


68


of the second implement


66


. The upper surface


73


defines a multiplicity of orifices


74


in between the bristles


72


to allow items such as dander and small particles of hair to pass through the bristles to an inner plate


75


, rather than remaining on the upper surface


73


near the bristles


72


like devices of the prior art. In practice, dander and similar particles that are present in the hair or on the scalp of a person are picked up by bristles


72


and pass through the orifices


74


. Instead of trapping these particles in the brush and creating a need to sanitize the entire unit, as with devices of the prior art, the present invention allows the bristle implement


66


to be removed from the shaft


62


and sanitized. A clean bristle implement


66


may then be placed on the shaft


62


, creating a more sanitary environment without the need for multiple separate brush assemblies.




Thus, the present invention provides for more sanitary instruments and the easy and secure connection of two hair management instruments


14


and


16


. As illustrated, the instruments


14


and


16


may both be removably coupled or only one may be removably coupled to the central connector


12


. In addition, both the first instrument


14


and the second instrument


16


may be permanently coupled or manufactured as a single unit. If the present invention comprises permanently coupled instruments, the interchangeability of instruments by a user, to be described below, may not be present. Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment depicts the first instrument


14


as a comb and a second instrument


16


as a bristle brush, the present invention may utilize various other types of hair management instruments, also to be described below.




Turning now to

FIG. 2

, the apparatus for the management of hair


10


is shown in an assembled state, with the first instrument


14


and the second instrument


16


coupled by the central connector


12


. In an assembled state, a mating line


76


delineates the visible area of connection between the first hair management instrument


14


and the central connector


12


, while a second mating line


78


delineates the visual area of connection between the second hair management instrument and the central connector


12


. Of course, if the apparatus is manufactured with one or both instruments


12


and


14


permanently coupled, one or both of the mating lines


76


and


78


may not be present.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, the apparatus for the management of hair


10


is shown from a reverse perspective view. In this view, a transition point


80


is shown on the first hair management instrument


14


between the upper handle


38


and the first implement


40


. The transition point


80


defines a surface for the point of attachment


82


of the first implement


40


to the upper handle


38


. The attachment of the first implement


40


at point


82


may be by standard means known in the art such as mechanical fasteners, a snap-fit or chemical bonding. In addition, the first implement


40


and the upper handle


38


may be an integrally molded assembly.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 3

, the base


68


of the second implement


66


of the second hair management instrument


16


includes a lower surface


83


. The lower surface


83


defines finger placement points


84


which may assist the user of the apparatus


10


in gripping the apparatus


10


in a stable manner by allowing one or more fingers (including a thumb) to be placed on slip resistant placement points


84


.




Turning to

FIG. 4

, the orifices


74


defined in between bristles


72


on the second implement


66


are illustrated. Also shown in

FIG. 4

are the details of an embodiment of the central connector


12


and the enhanced grip surface


20


. The central connector


12


includes a first end


86


and a second end


88


. In between the first end


86


and the second end


88


is at least one central body member. In the illustrated embodiment, two central body members are shown, a first central body member


90


and a second central body member


92


. A first groove


94


is defined in the circumference of the central connector


12


between the first end


86


and the first central body member


90


. While different numbers of grooves may be present, the illustrated embodiment depicts three grooves, the first groove


94


, a second groove


96


defined between the first central body member


90


and the second central body member


92


and a third circumferential groove


98


defined between the second central body member


92


and the second end


88


. The width and the depth of each groove


94


,


96


and


98


are defined to allow a user to place a finger over a groove or in a portion of a groove. This allows a user to have an indexing means for the initial placement of his or her fingers and a guide for rotating the apparatus


10


uniformly.




The enhanced grip surface


20


may also include texturing the surface of the central connector


12


and at least one of the upper handles


38


and


58


of the instruments


14


and


16


. This surface texturing enhances the ability of the apparatus


10


to be gripped by a user. The texturing also facilitates an enhanced tactile response by the apparatus


10


to a rotating motion made by a user. The tactile response generated by the enhanced grip surface


20


is advantageous in many ways. A busy professional is able to focus on the customer, rather than the instrument, by knowing the exact position of the instrument through tactile means. The professional is also easily able to switch from the first implement


14


to the second implement


16


and back, as both are part of the same apparatus and have the enhanced grip surface


20


to allow easy indexing and maneuvering. In addition, an average user would be able to pick up and use the apparatus


10


more easily because of the enhanced surface. The present invention also lends particular advantage to people with impaired or no vision. The enhanced grip surface


20


allows the person to locate the proper grip position through touch alone and provides for the use of multiple tools in one unit. Thus, a person with reduced or no vision may use a single, easily indexed apparatus


10


in place of multiple, difficult-to-orient tools of the prior art.




The central member


12


is of an outer diameter between about 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches to allow a user to easily grasp and hold the connector


12


. Many advantageous grasp configurations are possible. For example, a user may place a portion of his or her index finger over groove


94


, a portion of his or her middle finger over groove


96


, a portion of his or her ring finger over groove


98


and a portion of his or her thumb over groove


94


opposite the portion occupied by the index finger. Through a slight back and forth motion of the fingers, the entire apparatus


10


rotates about its longitudinal axis


18


(referring back to FIG.


1


), thereby facilitating easy rotation of angles well over 90°. Such rotation may even be accomplished through the use of only two fingers rather than the four previously described. Finger placement for users may vary depending upon personal preferences. Thus, some users may choose to place a portion of a thumb or an index finger on the upper handle


38


or


58


during certain uses of the apparatus


10


and may place some fingers on the upper handle


58


and the finger placement points


84


(referring back to

FIG. 3

) when using the second instrument portion


16


. Many other grip positions are possible, as the above positions are provided for purposes of illustration only.




Other shapes may be used for the central connector. For example, turning now to

FIGS. 5-7

, an alternative configuration for a central connector


100


is shown. The central connector


100


is essentially flat with contoured sides, having a first top side


101


extending in a generally parallel manner to an opposing second bottom side


102


. A third side


103


and a fourth side


104


are located opposite each other and connect the first side


101


and the second side


102


. The central connector


100


has a first end


105


and a second end


106


. A contoured portion


108


,


110


is defined on both the third side


103


and the fourth side


104


, respectively. The contoured portion


108


,


110


near the first end


105


acts as a main finger grip area and may include a textured surface or a soft material to allow enhanced gripping by a user. The shape of the entire central connector


100


is thus generally flat with two contoured sides.




An additional contoured portion


112


,


114


may be included on the central connector


100


or on a portion of either or both hair care instruments


14


and


16


proximate the central connector


100


. This allows a user to place additional fingers in a compressive position and thereby increase control and responsiveness of the apparatus


10


with minimal effort. As with the contoured portion of the central connector


108


,


110


the additional contoured portion


112


,


114


may include a texture or a soft material to facilitate gripping.





FIG. 7

illustrates coupling means, such as a first threaded connection


116


between the central connector


110


and the first hair care instrument


14


and a second threaded connection


118


between the central connector


100


and the second hair care instrument


16


. The central connector


100


defines a first threaded orifice


120


that receives a first threaded rod


122


located on the first hair care instrument


14


. The central connector


100


also defines a second threaded orifice


124


that receives a second threaded rod


126


located on the second hair care instrument. It is to be noted that any means of coupling known in the art, including those noted above, may be used to connect the central connector


100


to either or both the first hair care instrument and the second hair care instrument.




The central connector


100


may be an integral part of at least one of the first hair care instrument


14


and the second hair care instrument


16


. For example, the central connector


100


may be permanently attached to the second hair care instrument


16


. Or, one portion of the central connector


100


may be part of the first hair care instrument


14


and a second portion may be part of the second hair care instrument


16


, resulting in the formation of a complete central connector


100


upon assembly of the unit


10


.




In

FIGS. 8-10

, the apparatus


10


is illustrated as a two-piece unit, wherein the central connector


100


is shown as an integral part of the second hair care instrument


16


and the first hair care instrument


14


is attached thereto at a connection


128


, shown as a threaded connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the contoured portion


108


,


110


extends from the central connector


100


across an adjacent portion of the first hair care instrument


14


. Any coupling means known in the art, as described above, may be used to facilitate the connection


128


.




In addition to a three-piece unit (

FIG. 7

) and a two-piece unit (FIG.


10


), the apparatus


10


may be a one-piece unit wherein the central connector


100


, first hair care instrument


14


, and the second hair care instrument


16


are not removably coupled.




The shape of the central connector shown in

FIGS. 5-10

allows ease of use and the incorporation of two hair management instruments similar to that of the previously described embodiments. For example, a user may place a portion of an index finger and a thumb on opposing sides of the contoured portions


108


,


110


and a pinky finger on the additional contoured portion


112


,


114


to easily maneuver and rotate the apparatus


10


with the use of only a few fingers. It is anticipated that a user will easily be able to rotate the apparatus well over 90° about a longitudinal axis


18


(referring back to

FIG. 1

) through the use of only two fingers. The previously described removable second implement


66


(referring back to FIG.


1


), may be utilized in these embodiments as well.




The distance between the opposing contoured portions


108


and


110


of the central connector


100


is between about 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches. Thus, with both this connector and the embodiment described above, a user may easily grip the apparatus. This is convenient for both home users and professionals and may help to reduce the discomfort of professionals who typically grasp hair care instruments for long periods. In addition, the large size and tactile surface allow users with conditions such as arthritis to grasp and manipulate the apparatus of the present invention much more easily and with less pain than devices of the prior art. As mentioned, other shapes that provide enhanced gripping by a user may be used for the central connector.




Turning to

FIGS. 11 and 12

, many different hair management instruments may be used in the apparatus


10


of the present invention. For example, as described above, a comb and a bristle brush may be used. Other instruments such as a hair pick


130


, shown in

FIG. 11

, may be used. As

FIG. 12

illustrates, various tools known in the art may be adapted for use with the central connector


12


, taking the general location of one or both of the symbolic boxes


132


and


134


. These tools may include, in addition to those previously described, a single rod tail pick, a clipper attachment, a hair color bottle, a hot comb, a beard comb, a moustache comb and other specialized combs and tools. The specific tool configuration that is used may depend on the particular hair care service that is to be performed, hence making performance of that specific hair care service easier.




Thus, the present invention provides for an apparatus which may be designed to have two different tools permanently attached to one another with an ergonomic handle, i.e., a central connector, or two different tools removably coupled as a two-piece (one instrument and at least a portion of a central connector removably coupled to a second instrument) or a three-piece (two separate instruments both removably coupled to a central connector) apparatus. As a result, there is tremendous flexibility for both home users and for professionals. For example, professionals could have multiple instruments of the same type, such as a comb, may place many combs in a sterilizing medium while one comb is in use. When a new customer is to be serviced, a clean comb may easily be placed on the central connector


12


.




Moreover, the entire apparatus


10


could be changed for each customer, not only for sanitary reasons, but depending on the instruments needed for each customer, as mentioned above. For example, for some individual styles of hair, a comb instrument and a bristle brush instrument may be optimal. However, for others, a comb and a hair pick may provide the best combination. Other tools may be selected from the list above or from any other instruments typically used for hair care. This interchangeability and easy-to-grip surface, combined with the ergonomic shape of the apparatus


10


, provides many advantages for professionals, including greater versatility (with a tool that can be configured for each customer), increased comfort and increased ability to maneuver the apparatus


10


for hair styling techniques.




Home users may also benefit from the advantage of multiple tools given by the present invention. A person could use a single apparatus having two tools, reducing the amount of clutter, and may also be able to exchange multiple tools on the same apparatus. While a comb and a brush may work best at one point, a comb and a fine-toothed moustache comb may be preferred by the user at another point. For a visually impaired person, the use of one multi-instrument apparatus rather than multiple separate items of the prior art is much more convenient. Thus, the present invention allows for multiple advantages to many types of users of hair management devices.




The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair management instrument; a second hair management instrument; a central connector having a first end and a second end; a first means for removably securing said first hair management instrument to said first end of said central connector; a second means for removably securing said second hair management instrument to said second end of said central connector; and at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a shaft and a selectively removable base, said base including an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice.
  • 2. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a comb.
  • 3. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a brush.
  • 4. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments is selected from the group consisting of a hair pick, a beard comb, a moustache comb, a single rod tail pick, a clipper attachment, a hot comb and a hair color bottle.
  • 5. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 1, wherein said central connector includes a cylindrical body and defines at least one circumferential groove.
  • 6. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 1, wherein said central connector includes a first side extending parallel to an opposing second side, a third side and a fourth side extending opposite each other and connecting said first and second sides, and said first side and said second side each defining at least a part of a contoured portion.
  • 7. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair management instrument; a second hair management instrument; a central connector having a first end and a second end; a first means for removably securing said first hair management instrument to said fist end of said central connector; a second means for removably securing said second hair management instrument to said second end of said central connector; at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a brush; a shaft; a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice; and bristles secured to said upper surface of said base.
  • 8. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair management instrument; a central connector having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is removably connected to said first hair management instrument; a second hair management instrument removably connected to said second end of said central connector; said second hair management instrument outwardly extending from said second end when said second hair management instrument connected to said second end; and at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a shaft and a selectively romovable base, said base including an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice.
  • 9. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein said connection between said first end of said connector and said first hair management instrument is permanent.
  • 10. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a comb.
  • 11. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a brush.
  • 12. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments is selected from the group consisting of a hair pick, a beard comb, a moustache comb, a single rod tail pick, a clipper attachment, a hot comb and a hair color bottle.
  • 13. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein said central connector includes a cylindrical body and defines at least one circumferential groove.
  • 14. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 8, wherein said central connector includes a first side extending parallel to an opposing second side, a third side and a fourth side extending opposite each other connecting said first and second sides, and said first side and said second side each defining at least a part of a contoured portion.
  • 15. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair management instrument; a central connector having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to said first hair management instrument; a second hair management instrument removably connected to said second end of said central connector; and, said second hair management instrument outwardly extending from said second end when said second hair management instrument connected to said second end; at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a brush; a shaft; a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice; and bristles secured to said upper surface of said base.
  • 16. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair care instrument including a proximal end, a handle near said proximal end, an interface edge on said handle, a shaft connected to said handle at said interface edge, a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice, and bristles secured to said upper surface of said base; a rigid connector having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said connector is secured to said proximal end of said first hair care instrument; said connector axially aligned with said first hair care instrument; and a second hair care instrument secured to said second end of said connector.
  • 17. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair care instrument including a proximal end, a handle near said proximal end, an interface edge on said handle, a shaft connected to said handle at said interface edge, a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice, and bristles secured to said upper surface of said base; and, a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said connector is secured to said proximal end of said first hair care instrument; and, a second hair care instrument secured to said second end of said connector.
  • 18. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair care instrument including a proximal end, a handle near said proximal end, an interface edge on said handle, a shaft connected to said handle at said interface edge, a base having an upper surface and defining an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice, and bristles scoured to said upper surface of said base; and, a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said connector is secured to said proximal end of said first hair care instrument; a second hair care instrument secured to said second end of said connector; and, at least one of said first and second hair care instruments is removably secured to said connector.
  • 19. An apparatus for the management of hair, comprising:a first hair management instrument; a second hair management instrument; a central connector having a first end and a second end; said first hair management instrument, said second hair management instrument, and said central connector defining a longitudinal axis; a mechanism to secure said first hair management instrument to said first end of said central connector along said axis; a mechanism to secure said second hair management instrument to said second end of said central connector along said axis; and, at least one of said first and second hair management instruments comprises a shaft and a selectively removable base, said base including an orifice in its cross-section, wherein said shaft removably engages said orifice.
  • 20. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 19, wherein said first hair management instrument outwardly extending from said first end of said central connector and said second hair management instrument outwardly extending from said second end of said central connector.
  • 21. The apparatus for management of hair of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second hair management instruments includes a base having an upper surface, said upper surface includes a plurality of orifices therethrough.
US Referenced Citations (18)
Number Name Date Kind
202161 Finley Apr 1878 A
288534 Wilkerson Nov 1883 A
525337 Cooper Sep 1894 A
1206679 Cummings Nov 1916 A
2148927 Conway Feb 1939 A
2160618 Kreutzig May 1939 A
2181448 Behr Nov 1939 A
2261747 Vegh Nov 1941 A
2446086 Hermans Jul 1948 A
2450344 Jung Sep 1948 A
3083715 Trabish Apr 1963 A
3084700 Fischer et al. Apr 1963 A
5007442 Hirzel Apr 1991 A
5449006 Hogan et al. Sep 1995 A
5960745 Boyland Oct 1999 A
5992423 Tevolini Nov 1999 A
6029307 Baudoin Feb 2000 A
6382216 Clark May 2002 B1