Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6789549
-
Patent Number
6,789,549
-
Date Filed
Monday, July 8, 200221 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 14, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Wilson; John J.
- Doan; Robyn Kieu
Agents
- Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 132 120
- 132 219
- 132 126
- 132 148
- 132 123
- 132 150
- 132 124
- 132 111
- 015 1671
- 015 176
- 015 145
- 015 194
-
International Classifications
-
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)