DETANGLING HAIRBRUSH

Abstract

A hairbrush includes features that enable an individual to firmly grip and maintain a firm grip on the hairbrush as it is used to brush tangled and/or thick hair. Such features may include an indentation in a back surface of a head of the hairbrush and one or more recesses in sides of the periphery of head at locations adjacent to a base of the head (i.e., near a handle of the hairbrush). Methods of grasping such a hairbrush are also disclosed. In addition, hairbrushes with bristles that oscillate, vibrate, rotate, or otherwise move to facilitate their movement through tangled hair are disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to hairbrushes and, more specifically, to hairbrushes that detangle hair. Even more specifically, this disclosure relates to hairbrushes with features that enable an individual to firmly grip and maintain a firm grip on the hairbrush as it is used to brush tangled and/or thick hair. This disclosure also relates to hairbrushes with bristles that oscillate, vibrate, rotate, or otherwise move to facilitate their movement through tangled hair.

SUMMARY

A hairbrush according to this disclosure may be used to brush tangled hair and, thus, to detangle hair. Thus, the hairbrush may be referred to as a “detangling hairbrush.” The hairbrush includes a head and a handle. The head may include a front surface, from which bristles protrude, a back surface opposite from the front surface, and a periphery between the front surface and the back surface. The head also includes a base, from which handle protrudes. The hairbrush (e.g., its head, its handle, etc.) may have a shape that enables the hairbrush to be firmly gripped and precisely controlled, yet comfortable to hold and use, even while pulling the hairbrush through tangled hair.

A head of the hairbrush may be shaped to facilitate gripping of the hairbrush. For example, the head may include one or more indentations in its back surface and/or in its periphery. In a specific embodiment, the head may include an indentation in its back surface, adjacent to the base of the head and, thus, adjacent to the handle. Such an indentation may have a shape that enables it to receive one finger (e.g., an index finger) or two fingers (e.g., an index finger and a middle finger) of a hand of an individual holding the handle of the hairbrush, regardless of whether the individual holds the handle with her right hand or her left hand. In addition, a recess may be defined in at least one side edge of the periphery of the head of the hairbrush at a location adjacent to the handle, where the recess may receive and enable the individual to comfortably wrap a finger (e.g., an index finger, a middle finger when the index finger is positioned over the back surface of the head (e.g. within an indentation in the back surface), a thumb, etc.) around the side edge of the head of the hairbrush. A transition between the base of the head and the handle may have a shape that enables it to comfortably receive the individual’s middle finger so the individual can wrap her index finger around the base of the head and rest a tip of her index finger against the base of the back of the head. A middle portion of the handle may be enlarged to comfortably receive a ring finger and a pinkie of the individual. The handle may be formed from a soft material that can be comfortably and securely gripped by the individual’s hand (e.g., her ring finger, her pinkie, her thumb, and, optionally, her middle finger).

In another aspect, a hairbrush of this disclosure may include detangling bristles that move in a manner that that facilitates their passage through tangled hair. The detangling bristles of the hairbrush may move in a manner that facilitates their ability to be pulled, or slide, through tangled hair, thereby detangling or smoothing the tangled hair. Without limitation the detangling bristles may vibrate, oscillate, rotate, and/or otherwise move in a manner that enables them to be pulled, or slide, through tangled hair more readily than passive bristles.

In some embodiments, a hairbrush according to this disclosure may also include conventional, passive bristles.

Methods of using a hairbrush to brush thick or tangled hair may include firmly gripping the hairbrush and maintaining a firm grip on the hairbrush as it is used to brush the thick and/or tangled hair. The hairbrush may be firmly gripped by placing one or more fingers in indentations and/or recesses of a head of the hairbrush while holding a handle of the hairbrush. As an example, an index finger may be placed in an indentation in a back surface of the head of the hairbrush and pressed against the head. A portion of a middle finger (e.g., a distal phalanx, or third bone from the hand, of the middle finger) may placed within a recess in a side edge of a periphery of the head of the hairbrush. The pinkie and ring finger may be wrapped around a middle portion of the handle. The thumb may be pressed against a transition between the handle and head of the hairbrush or placed in and pressed against another recess in an opposite side edge of the periphery of the head of the hairbrush. With the hairbrush held in this manner, the individual may use the hairbrush to brush her hair while maintaining the grip as bristles of the hairbrush pass through thick and/or tangled hair.

In some embodiments, at least some bristles of a hairbrush may vibrate or oscillate relative to longitudinal axes of the bristles to facilitate movement of the bristles through hair (e.g., thick and/or tangled hair, etc.).

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of the disclosed subject matter, should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the preceding disclosure, the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hairbrush according to this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of a way in which an individual may grasp the hairbrush with her hand, with FIG. 8 showing the back of the individual’s hand and the back of the hairbrush and FIG. 9 showing the front of the hairbrush and the front of the individual’s hand;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example of a way in which an individual may grasp the hairbrush with her hand, with FIG. 10 showing the back of the individual’s hand and the back of the hairbrush and FIG. 11 showing the front of the hairbrush and the front of the individual’s hand;

FIG. 12 illustrates a housing of another embodiment of a hairbrush;

FIG. 13 depicts a back of a head of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a rear portion of the handle of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIGS. 12-14, with at least some detangling bristles, which may move (e.g., vibrate, oscillate, rotate, etc.) in a manner that enables them to be pulled, or slide, through tangled hair more readily than passive bristles, showing various components of the hairbrush;

FIG. 16 shows a movable base of the head of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a front portion of the head of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 depicts passive bristles of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 illustrates all of the bristles, including the detangling bristles and the passive bristles, of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 20 provides an assembly view of electrical contacts and batteries within the handle of the embodiment of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-7 depict an embodiment of a hairbrush 10 according to this disclosure. The hairbrush 10 includes a head 20 and a handle 60, as well as a transition 40 between the head 20 and the handle 60. In addition, bristles 80 of the hairbrush 10 are carried by and protrude from the head 20.

The head 20 of the hairbrush 10 includes a front 22, a back surface 24, and a periphery 26 between the front 22 and the back surface 24. The bristles 80 protrude from the front 22 of the head 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the back surface 24 of the head 20 may include an indentation 30. The indentation 30 may be located adjacent to a base 28 of the head 20. A location and a configuration (e.g., a shape, a depth, etc.) of the indentation 30 may enable the indentation to receive one or more fingers (e.g., an index finger, a middle finger, etc.) of an individual’s hand. In some embodiments, the configuration of the indentation 30 may enable it to receive fingers on either of an individual’s hands (i.e., fingers on a right hand or a left hand); thus, the indentation 30 may be useful regardless of which hand an individual uses to hold, or grasp, the hairbrush 10.

The periphery 26 of the head 20 may include side edges 26s, a top edge 26t, and base edges 26b. The base edges 26b may be located on each side of the transition 40. The periphery 26 may include one or more recesses 35 with locations and shapes that enable them to be engaged by a portion of an individual’s finger (e.g., an index finger, a middle finger (e.g., a distal phalanx of a middle finger, etc.), a thumb, etc.). As illustrated, the head 20 and, thus, the hairbrush 10 includes two recesses 35. Each recess 35 may be located slightly beyond the transition 40, between a base edge 26b and a corresponding side edge 26s of the periphery 26 and have a concave shape.

The base 28 of the head 20 may be continuous with the transition 40 from the head 20 to the handle 60. The transition 40 may include concavely curved sides 42 that are continuous with the periphery 26 of the head 20 and extend to an upper portion 62 of the handle 60.

In addition to the upper portion 62, the handle 60 includes a middle portion 64 and a lower portion 66. The middle portion 64 is on an opposite side of the upper portion 62 from the transition 40. The lower portion 66 is on an opposite side of the middle portion 64 from the upper portion 62. The handle 60 may also include a base 68 at a bottom of the lower portion 66.

The middle portion 64 of the handle 60 may be enlarged (e.g., have a larger cross-sectional diameter, taken transverse to a length of the handle 60, etc.) relative to the upper portion 62 and lower portion 66 of the handle 60. Such a configuration may provide a recess 63 between the transition 40 and the middle portion 64, which may accommodate an individual’s ring finger as she grasps the handle 60 and head 20 of the hairbrush 10 with her hand. The enlarged middle portion 64 of the handle may receive the distal phalanx and, optionally, the medial phalanx of the individual’s pinkie as she grasps the handle 60 and head 20 of the hairbrush with her hand.

In some embodiments, the handle 60 and, optionally, the head 20 of the hairbrush 10 may be coated with a so-called “soft-touch” material, or a soft-touch plastic coating. Such a coating may impart the handle 60 and, optionally, the head 20 with a rubbery feel.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of a way in which an individual may grasp the hairbrush 10 with her hand H. As illustrated by FIG. 8, the individual may place her index finger I in the indentation 30 in the back surface 24 of the head 20 of the hairbrush 10. Her middle finger M (e.g., the distal phalanx of her middle finger M) may be placed within a recess 35 to one side of the indentation 30, while her thumb T may be placed within another recess 35 to the opposite side of the indentation 30. As illustrated in FIG. 9, her ring finger R may wrap around the transition 40 and/or the upper portion 62 of the handle 60 and rest within a recess 63 to the side of the upper portion 62. Her pinkie P may wrap around the middle portion 64 of the handle 60. The ring finger R and pinkie P may rest on a front side of the handle 60.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another example of a way in which an individual may grasp the hairbrush 10 with her hand H. As illustrated by FIG. 10, the individual may place her index finger I in the recess 35 on one side of the periphery 26 of the head 20 of the hairbrush 10, while her thumb T may be placed within another recess 35 to the opposite side of the periphery 26. As illustrated in FIG. 11, her middle finger M and her ring finger R may wrap around the transition 40 and/or the upper portion 62 of the handle 60 and rest within a recess 63 to the side of the upper portion 62. Her pinkie P may wrap around the middle portion 64 of the handle 60. The ring finger R and pinkie P may rest on a front side of the handle 60.

Turning now to FIGS. 12-20, an embodiment of a hairbrush 10′ is shown that includes a head 20′, a handle 60′, and a transition 40′ between the head 20′ and the handle 60′. In addition, the hairbrush 10′ includes bristles 80′ protruding from the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′. The bristles 80′ include detangling bristles 82′, which may actively move. The bristles 80′ may also include bristles 84′ which do not actively move.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front 22′ of the head 20′, from which the bristles 80′, including the detangling bristles 82′ and any passive bristles 84′, protrude. FIG. 13 shows a back 24′ of the head 20′. FIG. 14 shows a back portion 69′ of the handle 60′.

The head 20′, transition 40′, and handle 60′ of the hairbrush 10′ may have any suitable configuration. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, the head 20′, transition 40′, and handle 60′ may be configured (i.e., include features, have shapes, etc.) similar to or the same as the head 20, transition 40, and handle 60 of the embodiment of hairbrush 10 shown in and described in reference to FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 15 provides an exploded view of the hairbrush 10′. More specifically, from left to right, FIG. 15 shows the handle 60′ and its parts and contents, including a battery 70′, a back portion 69′ of the handle 60′, another battery 70′, a front portion 61′ of the handle 60′, and electrical contacts 72′. An embodiment of an arrangement of the batteries 70′ and electrical contacts 72′ within the handle 60′ is depicted by FIG. 20.

FIG. 15 also shows the head 20′ and its parts and contents, including a back portion 29′ of the head 20′, electronics 74′, a motor 76′ that oscillates, a movable base 78′ coupled to and movable by the motor 76′, detangling bristles 82′ associated with (e.g., carried by, etc.) the movable base 78′, a stationary base 79′, and passive bristles 84′ carried by the stationary base 79′ at locations laterally around the movable base 78′.

FIG. 16 provides another view of the movable base 78′ and illustrates an embodiment of a manner in which the movable base 78′ may be associated with the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′. Specifically, the movable base 78′ may comprise an elongated element arranged along a length or a height of the head 20′, positioned somewhat centrally (at least laterally) at or adjacent to the front 24′ of the head 20′. As illustrated by FIG. 17, the stationary base 79′ may be positioned laterally around an outer periphery of the movable base 78′. FIG. 18 shows passive bristles 84′ protruding from the stationary base 79′, while FIG. 19 additionally shows detangling bristles 82′ protruding from the movable base 78′.

The one or more batteries 70′ may comprise any suitable type of battery with any suitable voltage. Each battery 70′ may comprise a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. Without limitation, each battery 70′ may comprise a 1.5 V AA battery, a 1.5 V AAA battery, a button battery, or the like. In embodiments where the hairbrush 10′ includes a plurality of batteries 70′, the batteries 70′ may be organized in any suitable arrangement. For example, the batteries 70′ may be arranged end-to-end, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 20. Alternatively, the batteries 70′ may be placed side-to-side. The batteries 70′ may be readily accessible and replaceable (e.g., by removing the front portion 61′ or back portion 69′ of the handle 60′ from a remainder of the handle 60′, etc.). The battery 70′ or batteries 70′ may selectively (e.g., by actuating a switch, etc.) supply power to the motor 76′ of the hairbrush 10′.

The motor 76′, which may be carried within the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′, may comprise any suitable motor. Without limitation, the motor 76′, when actuated, may include an element that moves laterally. Such movement may be oscillatory movement, vibrational movement, or the like. The motor 76′ may be associated with the movable base 78′ (e.g., beneath or behind the movable base 78′, etc.) in a manner that causes the movable base 78′ to move.

The movable base 78′ may comprise a rubber pad that covers a central portion of the front 22′ of the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 18, the movable base 78′ may include apertures that receive bases 83′ (FIG. 15) of the detangling bristles 82′ to hold or secure the detangling bristles 82′ in place relative to the head 20′. The detangling bristles 82′ may be spaced apart from one another a distance that facilitates their movement through certain types of hair. For example, the detangling bristles 82′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made to be used with coarse, curly hair may be spaced a farther distance apart from one another than the detangling bristles 82′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made to be used with medium hair or than the detangling bristles 82′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made for use with fine hair.

As illustrated by FIG. 17, the stationary base 79′ may be positioned somewhat over but laterally around the movable base 78′ such that the movable base 78′ is exposed through a center of the stationary base 79′. Further, the stationary base 79′ may be arranged with the movable base 78′ in such a way that the movable base 78′ can move in a desired manner while the stationary base 79′ remains in place relative to a remainder of the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′.

The stationary base 79′ may comprise a rubber pad that covers peripheral portions of the front 22′ of the head 20′ of the hairbrush 10′. The stationary base 79′ may include apertures that receive bases 85′ (FIG. 15) of the passive bristles 84′ to hold the passive bristles 84′ in place relative to the head 20′. The passive bristles 84′ may be spaced apart from one another a distance that facilitates their movement through certain types of hair. For example, the passive bristles 84′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made to be used with coarse, curly hair may be spaced a farther distance apart from one another than the passive bristles 84′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made to be used with medium hair or than the passive bristles 84′ of a hairbrush 10′ that is made for use with fine hair.

As shown in FIG. 18, due to the relative positions of the stationary base 79′ and the movable base 78′, the passive bristles 84′ may be positioned around the detangling bristles 82′. The passive bristles 84′ may be positioned on opposite sides of the group of detangling bristles 82′. Additionally, the passive bristles 84′ may be positioned adjacent to one or both ends (e.g., a top end, a bottom end, etc.) of the group of detangling bristles 82′. In some embodiments, a group of the passive bristles 84′ may completely surround the group of detangling bristles 82′. As the detangling bristles 82′ move, the passive bristles 84′ may remain substantially stationary (e.g., they may flex as they are pulled through the hair, they may experience residual vibration as the movable base moves, etc.).

Although this disclosure provides many specifics, the specifics should not be construed as limiting the scope of any appended claim, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, the scope of each appended claim may encompass other, undisclosed embodiments. All additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.

Claims

1. A hairbrush, comprising: a head with a front including: a front;a back including an indentation that can receive a portion of a finger of a hand of an individual holding the hairbrush;a periphery between the front and the back and including a recess that can receive a portion of a finger or a thumb of the hand of the individual; anda base;a plurality of bristles carried by the head and protruding the front of the head;a transition adjacent to and continuous with the base of the head and having a shape that can receive at least one other finger of the hand of the individual; andhandle adjacent to the transition.

2. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the head includes two recesses adjacent to and on opposite sides of the base of the head, a first recess of the two recesses for receiving the finger and a second recess of the two recesses for receiving the thumb.

3. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a handle recess adjacent to the transition for receiving a portion of the at least one other finger as the at least one other finger wraps around the transition and onto handle.

4. The hairbrush of claim 3, wherein the handle includes an enlarged middle portion on an opposite side of the recess for receiving a tip of the at least one other finger.

5. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the handle is coated with a soft-touch material.

6. The hairbrush of claim 5, wherein at least the back and the periphery of the head are coated with the soft touch material.

7. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the indentation and the recess in the periphery of the head are positioned to enable an individual to firmly grasp the hairbrush.

8. A detangling hairbrush, comprising: a head with a front including: a housing including: a front defining a front opening;a back;a periphery between the front of the housing and the back of the housing; anda base;a movable base in the front opening of the front of the housing;a group of detangling bristles carried by the movable base; anda plurality of passive bristles carried by the front of the housing and at least partially surrounding the group of detangling bristles;a motor within the head and associated with the movable base in a manner that selectively moves the movable base and the detangling bristles carried thereby while the passive bristles remain substantially stationary;a handle extending from the base of the head and including: an exterior; anda receptacle that receives at least one battery and carries electrical contacts for establishing electrical communication between the at least one battery and the motor.

9. The detangling hairbrush of claim 8, wherein the motor causes the movable base to move in a manner that oscillates the detangling bristles.

10. The detangling hairbrush of claim 8, wherein the motor causes the movable base to move in a manner that vibrates the detangling bristles.

11. The detangling hairbrush of claim 8, wherein the motor causes the movable base to move in a manner that rotates the detangling bristles.

12. The detangling hairbrush of claim 8, wherein: the back of the housing of the head includes an indentation that receives tips of an index finger and a middle finger of a hand of an individual holding the detangling hairbrush;the periphery of the housing of the head includes a recess adjacent to the base of the head that receives and enables a portion of the index finger to wrap around the periphery of the housing of the head and extend to the indentation; anda transition between the handle and the base of the head has a shape that enables a portion of the middle finger to wrap around the periphery of the housing of the head and to extend to the indentation.

13. The detangling hairbrush of claim 12, wherein the exterior of the handle comprises an enlarged, soft body made to be engaged by a pinkie finger and a ring finger of the hand of the individual.

14. A method for grasping a hairbrush, comprising: placing a finger or a thumb in a recess in a periphery of a head of the hairbrush adjacent to handle of the hairbrush; andwrapping at least one other finger around the handle of the hairbrush.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein placing the finger or the thumb in the recess comprises placing the finger in a first recess on a first side of the head and placing the thumb in a second recess on a second side of the head.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the finger in the first recess comprises placing an index finger in the first recess.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the finger in the first recess comprises placing a middle finger in the first recess.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: placing another finger in an indention in a back surface of the head.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein placing the another finger in the indentation comprises placing an index finger in the indentation.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein wrapping the at least one other finger includes placing a portion of the at least one other finger in a recess on a side of the handle and resting a tip of the at least one other finger on an enlarged middle portion of the handle.