COMB

Abstract

A comb includes a generally flat, planar body having a left side surface, a right side surface, a top edge, a handle end, and an opposite front end. A plurality of teeth is provided on the body, each tooth having a root secured to the comb body near the top edge and having an opposite free end, a first barb projecting in a first direction towards the handle end and being located approximately half a distance between the root and the free end, and a second barb projecting in a second direction opposite the first direction, and being located approximately half a distance between the first barb and the root.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to hair combs, and more particularly to such combs constructed and arranged for use by barbers, hair stylists and other hair care professionals.

Conventional styling combs used by hair care professionals have been adapted over the years to perform more and more styling-related functions. For example, the comb teeth have been provided with barbs or other projections for enhanced grasping and holding of hair strands for cutting. The comb handle has been modified to enhance gripping by the stylist, and to improve ergonomic properties of the comb to reduce stylist fatigue in the hand muscles. An edge of the comb near bases of the teeth has been used as a guide for powered clippers or trimmers. In addition, the comb itself has been configured to better grasp and coil or otherwise position locks of hair for easier cutting or otherwise manipulating by the stylist.

It has been found that conventional styling combs of this type have been deficient in sufficiently achieving the needs of hair stylists in being effective in grasping and manipulating hair, being ergonomically effective in reducing stylist hand fatigue, and in serving as a guide for powered hair clippers and trimmers. Thus, there is a need for an improved styling comb.

SUMMARY

The above-listed need is addressed by the present comb, which features multiple barbs on each comb tooth for more aggressively grasping hair strands. Each tooth is provided with a first barb near a tooth base facing in a first direction, and a second barb spaced linearly from the first barb and facing in an opposite direction. It is preferred that the two sets of barbs are oriented approximately 180° degrees from each other. Also, the barbs are located in a plane defined by the comb teeth. In addition, the present comb is provided with a recessed guide slot spaced between bases of the comb teeth and a top edge of the comb. The slot is located parallel to a longitudinal axis of the comb, and is located between the teeth and the curved, beveled top edge portion of the comb which is configured for improved grasping of hair strands as the comb is rotated by the stylist about the longitudinal axis.

Improved gripping by the stylist is achieved by a radially enlarged gripping collar extending from left and right side surfaces of the comb and located at a relatively narrow “neck” of the comb between the teeth and the handle. Also, the handle is provided with finger grip recesses along one edge, and a lobed handle end.

More specifically, the present comb includes a generally flat, planar body having a left side surface, a right side surface, a top edge, a handle end, and an opposite front end. A plurality of teeth is provided on the body, each tooth having a root secured to the comb body near the top edge and having an opposite free end, a first barb projecting in a first direction towards the handle end and being located approximately half a distance between the root and the free end, and a second barb projecting in a second direction opposite the first direction, and being located approximately half a distance between the first barb and the root.

In another embodiment, a comb is provided, including a generally flat, planar body having a left side surface, a right side surface, a top edge, a handle end, and an opposite front end. A plurality of teeth is provided, each tooth has a root secured to the comb body near the top edge and having an opposite free end, a first barb projecting in a first direction towards the handle end, and a second barb projecting in a second direction opposite the first direction. The top edge is arched and has a beveled surface formed by the left and right side surfaces to form a relatively narrow edge portion.

It is preferred that the first and second barbs, which are preferably generally triangular in shape, project approximately 180° from each other, and within a plane defined by the comb teeth. The present comb includes a guide slot projecting along each of the left and right side surfaces, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the comb body, and located between the roots and the top edge. A handle of the body has at least one finger grip on a lower edge, and one of the grips is formed by a narrow neck. Gripping formations extend radially from the left and right side surfaces at the neck for enhancing gripping by the stylist. A handle end of the comb forms an asymmetric lobe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present comb;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of same;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the comb of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of same;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the comb of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of same; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the comb of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, the present comb is generally designated 10, and includes a generally flat, planar comb body 12, which is preferably integrally formed of molded plastic or similar self-supporting, durable material. The body 12 has a left side surface 14, a right side surface 16, a top edge 18, a handle end 20, and an opposite front end 22. Also included on the body 12 is a plurality of teeth 24, each tooth preferably being identical, having a root 26 secured to the comb body near the top edge 18, and having an opposite free end or tip 28. A first barb 30 is generally triangular in shape when viewed from the left and right sides, and projects or points in a first direction towards the handle end 20. While other locations are contemplated, it is preferred that the first barb 30 on each tooth 24 is located approximately half a distance “D” between the root 26 and the tip (FIG. 1). Also, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate that an optional additional first barb 30a is preferably located on the body 12 near a first tooth 24a.

A second barb 32 projects in a second direction opposite the first direction and towards the front end 22. While other locations are contemplated, as is the case with the first barb 30, the second barb 32 is preferably located approximately half a distance “d” between the first barb and the root (FIG. 1). It is further preferred that the first and second barbs 30, 32 project approximately 180° from each other and are located within a plane defined by the teeth 24 (FIG. 7).

Also found on the comb body 12 is a recessed guide slot 34 projecting along each of the left and right side surfaces 14, 16 and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis “A” of the comb body (FIG. 2). In the preferred embodiment, the guide slot 34 is located between the roots 26 of teeth 24 and the top edge 18. More specifically, it is especially preferred that the guide slot 34 is located closer to the roots 26 than to an apex 36 of the arched or curved top edge 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, another feature of the arched top edge 18 is that a beveled surface 38 formed on each of the left and right side surfaces 14, 16 at the top edge forms a relatively narrow or tapered edge portion 40 relative to the body 12. A line 41 defines a lower extent of the tapered edge portion 40, which is generally “D”-shaped. The beveled surfaces 38 on each of the sides 14, 16 combine to form a general tapered wedge-shape as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. It has been found that the arched shape of the top edge 18 is more comfortable to the subject receiving styling, since the comb 10 is optionally placed against the subject's head. By providing the arched profile, with the beveled edge portion 40, user comfort is increased through use of the present comb 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, a handle 42 is integrally formed on the body 12 between the teeth 24 and the handle end 20, and meets the body at a narrowed neck 44. As is seen in FIGS. 1-3, the neck 44 is adjacent the teeth 24. At least one and preferably a plurality of arcuate finger recesses 46 are formed on a lower handle edge 48. One such recess 46a is formed by the neck 44 at the lower edge 48. In addition, another recess 46b is located on a handle top edge 50, which is continuous with the top edge 18. Also, the arched top edge 18 extends from the neck 44 to the front end 22.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the neck 44 is provided with raised, radiused gripping formations 52 on each of the left and right side surfaces 14, 16. In the preferred embodiment, the formations 52 are arched relative to a plane of the respective side surface 14, 16, and have spaced, generally parallel flutes 54, however it is contemplated that the particular configuration and arrangement may vary to suit the application. When the user grips the comb 10, the formations 52 facilitate gripping, as well as rotating the comb about the longitudinal axis “A” during the styling operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, at the handle end 20, the comb 10 has a curved lobe 56 that also enhances the ergonomic comfort of the comb in a user's hand. More specifically, the lobe 56 is asymmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis “A” of the body 12 (FIG. 2).

While a particular embodiment of the present comb has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A comb, comprising: a generally flat, planar body having a left side surface, a right side surface, a top edge, a handle end, an opposite front end; anda plurality of teeth, each said tooth having a root secured to said comb body near said top edge and having an opposite free end, a first barb projecting in a first direction towards said handle end and being located approximately half a distance between said root and said free end, and a second barb projecting in a second direction opposite said first direction, and being located approximately half a distance between said first barb and said root.

2. The comb of claim 1, wherein said first and second barbs project approximately 180° from each other, and within a plane defined by said teeth.

3. The comb of claim 1, wherein said first and second barbs are generally triangular in shape as viewed from said right and left sides.

4. The comb of claim 1, further including a guide slot projecting along each of said left and right side surfaces and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said comb body.

5. The comb of claim 4, wherein said slot is located between said roots of said teeth and said top edge.

6. The comb of claim 1, wherein said top edge is arched and has a beveled surface formed by said left and right side surfaces to form a relatively narrow edge portion.

7. The comb of claim 1, further including a handle on said body between said teeth and said handle end, said handle having at least one finger grip on a lower edge.

8. The comb of claim 7, wherein said handle is formed on said body with a narrowed neck portion adjacent said teeth.

9. The comb of claim 8, wherein said neck is provided with raised radiused gripping formations projecting from each of said left and right side surfaces.

10. The comb of claim 7, wherein said handle end forms a curved lobe.

11. The comb of claim 10, wherein said lobe is asymmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis of said body.

12. A comb, comprising: a generally flat, planar body having a left side surface, a right side surface, a top edge, a handle end, an opposite front end;a plurality of teeth, each said tooth having a root secured to said comb body near said top edge and having an opposite free end, a first barb projecting in a first direction towards said handle end, and a second barb projecting in a second direction opposite said first direction; andsaid top edge is arched and has a beveled surface formed by said left and right side surfaces to form a relatively narrow edge portion.

13. The comb of claim 12, wherein said arched top edge extends on said body from a narrow neck defining an end of a handle to a front end of said comb.

14. The comb of claim 13, wherein said neck is provided with raised radiused gripping formations projecting from each of said left and right side surfaces.

15. The comb of claim 14, wherein at least one of an upper and a lower edge of said neck defines one of a plurality of finger grips in said handle.