Patent Application
20220087407
The present invention relates generally to the field of hair brushing tools and aids. More specifically, the present invention relates in one exemplary embodiment to a finger operated hair brushing tool that is used to prevent scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing.
Scapular pain and hair pulling is a problem when brushing tangled hair. Few if any adequate solutions exist in the prior art for preventing hair pulling and scapular pain during brushing of tangled hair. Known devices generally comprise specialized combs and brushes. The present invention can be distinguished from the state of the art relating to hair brushing, coloring, curling, straightening, and cutting devices.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2018/0168313 to Miller-Johnson discloses a hair detangling comb that comprises curved hair teeth that are moveable in relation to central shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,525 to Tiram discloses a hair treating apparatus that comprises dual opposing members that are operable with a user's fingers to selectively move the members towards each other to engage strands of hair for selective application of hair coloring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,740 to Lehmann discloses a typical hair curling device that comprises a pressure applicator and pivotally connected rod.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2019/0357655 to Akurt discloses a haircutting tool that comprises a moveably coupled dual headed hairbrush with thumb hole for cutting hair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,939 to Nathe discloses a hair curling iron that includes a pair of moveable W-shaped arms include curved lip portions to prevent hair damage. U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,176 to Shelton discloses a hair stripping device that comprises a pair of cooperating tongs with abrasive pads. U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2012/0227757 to Fardoe discloses a finger sleeve device with a thumb hole and removable mandrel for curling hair.
However, each of the aforementioned devices suffer from one or more disadvantages that make them unsuitable for reducing scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing tangled hair. The foregoing prior art references to Miller-Johnson, Tiram, Lehmann, Akurt, Nathe, Shelton, and Fardoe and all other extraneous materials discussed herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporation reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Based on the foregoing, there is still a need for a finger operated hair brushing tool that can be used to reduce scapular pain, hair pulling, and/or hair loss during brushing tangled hair.
Disclosed herein is a finger operated hair brushing apparatus for preventing scapular pain and hair pulling. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a finger support member configured to engage a user's finger, a rod member coupled to the finger support member, and a clamping member moveably coupled to the rod member. In one variant, the rod member and the clamping member are operably configured to clamp strands of hair during brushing. In other variants, the finger support member can comprise an adjustable loop band, an adjustable magnetic portion, or an adjustable ratcheting mechanism. In further variants, the rod member and/or clamping member further comprise a groove for mating with each other, the user's finger, or an outer foam layer. Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodiments as discussed herein.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, but should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any manner. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or components.
Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings and this disclosure should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any manner. Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to the same or similar parts throughout. One feature of the present invention is to employ a combination of features to prevent scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing tangled hair. Although the present invention is primarily described in the context of brushing tangled hair, the present invention may be readily adapted to other types of hair brushing needs, including, but not limited to, prevention of hair loss. Hence, a myriad of other applications of the present invention are contemplated.
In exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that support member 110 can comprise a fixed or adjustable finger loop that is capable of mating with one or more fingers of a user. As shown in
Rod member 120 is configured for wrapping strands of hair around it during brushing. As shown in
Clamping member 130 is configured to be moveably or hingedly coupled to rod member 120 and/or support member 110. But it is also contemplated that clamping member 130 can also be detachably coupled (not shown) to rod member 120 and/or support member 110. Clamping member 130 is configured to allow a user to operatively engage clamping member 130 with the user's thumb to thereby grip and clamp strands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130. In various embodiments, clamping member 130 can be configured to include a groove 140 for mating with rod member 120 and/or to include a gripping surface or liner (not shown) to help with gripping strands of hair. When clamping member 130 is pushed together with rod member 120, groove 140 encloses rod member 120.
The individual components of the present invention can be constructed out of any suitable materials, including plastics and polymers, stainless steel, metals, metal alloys, any other suitable materials including injection-molded polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, or any other suitable natural/synthetic polymers, and/or any other materials that are capable of being formed, molded, extruded, transformed, forged, and/or cast. In addition, it is contemplated that hair brushing tool 100 and its various components can have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions.
The finger operated hair brushing tool 100 can be utilized in several ways by a user. For light tangles, the user can simply pinch stands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130 during brushing to prevent hair pulling and tugging on the scalp. Alternatively, for stronger tangles and/or for more sensitive scalps, the user can wrap strands of hair around rod member 120 and then pinch and hold such strands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130 to further prevent hair pulling and tugging on the scalp during brushing.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
In another alternative embodiment, as shown in
In yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in
Thus, specific embodiments of a finger operated hair brushing apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprising,” “comprises.” and “comprise” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification or claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/706,945, filed on Sep. 18, 2020, entitled “FINGER OPERATED HAIR BRUSHING TOOL,” and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/219,567, filed on Jul. 8, 2021, entitled “FINGER OPERATED HAIR BRUSHING TOOL,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62706945 | Sep 2020 | US | |
| 63219567 | Jul 2021 | US |
