Multi-Tool Folding Grooming Device

Abstract

A multi-tool, foldable grooming device that provides two different brushes on the outside (for example a conventional bristle brush on one side and a sponge-head brush on the other side) of the device and a large tooth comb, a small tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror that rotatably fold inside the device. Each of the large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror have tabs on their lateral edges so that when stored inside the device, the user may extract one or more of these devices by means of a finger and a thumb. The large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror are all locked inside the device until a locking button in the lower handle of the device is pressed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-tool, foldable grooming device that provides two different brushes on opposite sides of the outside (for example a conventional brush on one side and a sponge-head brush on the other side) of the device and a large tooth comb, a small tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror that rotatably fold inside the device. Each of the large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror have tabs on their lateral edges so that when stored inside the device, the user may extract one or more of these devices by means of a finger and a thumb. The large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror are all locked inside the device until a locking button in the lower handle of the device is pressed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are numerous combs and brushes that one may carry on one's person. Sophisticated hair styling requires numerous combs and brushes. The present invention is an innovative product created out of the necessity of consolidating the many loose tools needed to style and maintain hair.

The various hair tools that are commonly used in grooming have been integrated into one simple, easy to use, easy to carry device that brings an efficient new product to the well-established multi-billion-dollar hair grooming marketplace.

It is a first goal of the present invention to provide a single, portable device that presents double sided brush heads (e.g., a brush and a sponge brush) while multiple other combs, picks, and mirror may be rotatably secured inside the body of the brush, between the brush heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a handle with an outwardly facing brush on one side and another outwardly facing brush on the other side. Each outwardly facing brush may be of any type, i.e., such as bristle brush or a sponge brush. Affixed between both outwardly facing brushes are at least a large tooth comb, a small tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror. Each of the large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror are rotatably affixed between the outer, exposed brush heads.

The large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror have protruding lateral tabs which are exposed beyond the lateral extents of the outer, exposed brush heads when the large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror are rotated inside between the outwardly facing brush heads. These lateral tabs are positioned at different locations on each of the bodies of the large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror such that the large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror may be selectively removed from the interior of the device and rotated out for use.

Each of the large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror are affixed to a common locking shaft. The common locking shaft proceeds through the handle and presents a locking button. Ordinarily, the large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror are locked inside between the outwardly facing brush heads. When the locking button is pressed, any one of the large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, or mirror may be rotated out of its storage area between the outer, exposed brush heads for use. Those having skill in the art will recognize that all other conceivable methods of locking the internally stored combs or mirrors in place are readily conceivable and are implicitly included in the scope of the present invention.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention allows the exposed large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror to lock in place at some location in the arc while outside of the outwardly facing brush heads. This alternative embodiment allows the selected large tooth comb, small tooth comb, pick comb, and mirror to be restored to its stored position between the outer, exposed brush heads by pressing the locking button. Those having skill in the art will recognize that other methods of locking the internally stored combs or mirrors in place are readily conceivable and are implicitly included in the scope of the present invention.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a top portion connecting the tops of the two outwardly facing brushes wherein affixed to this top portion of the present invention is a rotating light assembly. The light assembly is actuated by means of a switch wherein the light may be directed at any angle with respect to the vertical centerline of the present invention. Thus, the light may be directed in the direction of either of the outwardly facing brushes or laterally with respect to them.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that more or less than three tools may be rotatably affixed between the outwardly facing brush heads.

It will also be obvious to those having skill in the art that the outer, exposed brush heads may face inside the device with the large tooth comb, the small tooth comb, the pick comb, and the mirror rotating inside between them. In this implementation, the inside facing outer, exposed brush heads may be rotated and locked for use as the internally stored combs or mirrors in place are rotated and locked in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a brush with a sponge brush on one side and a small tooth comb, a large tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror rotatably affixed between them.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a brush with a bristle brush on one side and a sponge brush on the opposite side and a small tooth comb, a large tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror rotatably affixed between them.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a brush with a sponge brush on one side and a small tooth comb, a large tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror rotatably affixed between them. This embodiment of the present invention includes a top portion connecting the tops of the two outwardly facing brushes wherein affixed to this top portion of the present invention is a rotating light assembly.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a brush with a bristle brush on one side and a sponge brush on the opposite side and a small tooth comb, a large tooth comb, a pick comb, and a mirror rotatably affixed between them. This embodiment of the present invention includes a top portion connecting the tops of the two outwardly facing brushes wherein affixed to this top portion of the present invention is a rotating light assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention 100 is comprised of a handle 101 with outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b on the outside. Affixed between outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b, are at least a large tooth comb 203, a small tooth comb 201, a pick comb 202, and a mirror 200. Each of the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 are rotatably affixed between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b.

The large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 have protruding lateral tabs 203a, 201a, 202a, and 200a, respectively, which are exposed beyond the periphery of outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b when the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 are rotated inside between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. These lateral tabs 203a, 201a, 202a, and 200a are positioned at different locations on each of the bodies of the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 such that the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 may be selectively removed from the interior of the present invention 100 and rotated out for use.

Each of the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 is affixed to a common locking shaft 103a. The common locking shaft 103a proceeds through the handle 101 and presents a locking button 103b. Ordinarily, the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 are locked inside between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. When the locking button 103b is pressed, one (or more) of the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 may be rotated out of its storage area between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b for use. One having skill in the art will recognize that other types of locking mechanisms may be readily used. For example, a locking device with a linearly sliding actuator may be installed in lieu of the aforementioned rotary locking mechanism and locking button 103b.

An alternative embodiment of this exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the exposed large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 to lock in place at any rotational location in the arc while outside of the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. This alternative embodiment of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the selected large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, or mirror 200 to be restored to their stored position between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b by repressing the locking button 103b.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention 100 is comprised of a handle 101 with outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b on the outside. Affixed between outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b, are at least a large tooth comb 203, a small tooth comb 201, a pick comb 202, and a mirror 200. Each of the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 are rotatably affixed between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b.

Affixed on top of outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b is a bridging portion 300 which physically connects outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. On top of bridging portion 300 is rotatable lamp assembly 301. Rotatable lamp assembly 301 is comprised of a battery; an electrically powered lamp 301a; and, an on/off switch 301b. Electrically powered lamp 301a is ordinarily a light-emitting diode (LED), but may be any other type of electrically powered source of light, such as an incandescent lamp. In this embodiment, on/off switch 301b is positioned on top of rotatable lamp assembly 301, but it will be understood that it may be positioned at any point on the outside of rotatable lamp assembly 301. Finally, electrically powered lamp 301a may be rotated so that when activated the light that it produces may be directed in any direction along the 360° arc of rotation.

The large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 have protruding lateral tabs 203a, 201a, 202a, and 200a, respectively, which are exposed beyond the periphery of outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b when the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 are rotated inside between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. These lateral tabs 203a, 201a, 202a, and 200a are positioned at different locations on each of the bodies of the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 such that the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 may be selectively removed from the interior of the present invention 100 and rotated out for use.

Each of the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 is affixed to a common locking shaft 103a. The common locking shaft 103a proceeds through the handle 101 and presents a locking button 103b. Ordinarily, the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 are locked inside between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. When the locking button 103b is pressed, one (or more) of the large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 may be rotated out of its storage area between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b for use. One having skill in the art will recognize that other types of locking mechanisms may be readily used. For example, a locking device with a linearly sliding actuator may be installed in lieu of the aforementioned rotary locking mechanism and locking button 103b.

An alternative embodiment of this alternative embodiment of the present invention allows the exposed large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, and mirror 200 to lock in place at any rotational location in the arc while outside of the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. This alternative embodiment of the alternative embodiment of the present invention allows the selected large tooth comb 203, small tooth comb 201, pick comb 202, or mirror 200 to be restored to their stored position between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b by repressing the locking button 103b.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that, in all disclosed embodiments, more or less than four tools may be rotatably affixed between the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b. Such tools may be, without limitation, a large tooth comb 203, a small tooth comb 201, a pick comb 202, a mirror 200, a fine-tooth comb, a pin tail comb, a pocket comb, a rake comb, a rat tail comb, a teasing comb, a wide-tooth comb, a hard bristle brush, a soft bristle brush, an afro-twist comb, an LED light, a razor blade, and a soft bristle neck brush. Also, a scissor, a facial make-up brush, a pet comb, a cat comb, a dog comb, a horse comb, and a document display holder may be rotatably placed between outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b

It will also be obvious to those having skill in the art that, in all disclosed embodiments, the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b may be reversed and face inside the device with the large tooth comb 203, the small tooth comb 201, the pick comb 202, and the mirror 200 rotating inside between them. In this case, the inwardly facing brush heads must also be deployed by depressing lock button 103b causing locking shaft 103a to allow the inwardly facing brush heads to rotate out and be used.

It will also be obvious to those having skill in the art that, in all disclosed embodiments, the outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b may be removably affixed to handle 101 such that outwardly facing brush heads 102a and 102b may be replaced by any of the brushes, combs, heads, or alternative devices disclosed above.

While the present invention has been described in what are thought to be the most useful and practical embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art that other variations may be readily conceived and created. Accordingly, these and all such other readily conceived and created variations are implicitly included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes further comprising at least one of the items selected from the following group: a) a large tooth comb;b) a small tooth comb;c) a pick comb; andd) a mirror; wherein each of the selected items are rotatably affixed on a common shaft transversely deployed across the gap between the two brushes such that the item might be rotatably removed from the gap between the two brushes and used;wherein any of the selected items may be rotated and locked at any angle as the common shaft transversely deployed across the gap between the two brushes is rotated throughout 360°;wherein the common shaft may be locked in place such that none of the selected items extend beyond the confines of the two brushes;wherein a bridging portion connects the tops of the two brushes;wherein a rotatable electrically powered lamp is affixed to the top of the bridging portion; andwherein the rotatable electrically powered lamp may be directed in any direction along a 360° arc.

2. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes of claim 1 wherein any one of the selected items may be rotated around the single common shaft to any position along its rotational arc wherein the chosen item is outside of the lateral confines of the two brushes.

3. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes of claim 1 wherein the rotated item may rotated around the single common shaft to a position along its rotational arc wherein the chosen item is outside of the lateral confines of the two brushes and the chosen item is rotationally locked in that position.

4. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes of claim 1 wherein by pressing the lock button the rotated item may be rotated around the single common shaft and stored within the lateral confines of the two brushes.

5. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered lamp is a light emitting diode.

6. A handle with a brush on one outwardly facing side and a brush on the other outwardly facing side with a gap between the two brushes of claim 1 wherein the electrically powered lamp is an incandescent lamp.