Vacuum grooming tool

Abstract

A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is a divisional of pending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11 / 338,221, filed Jan. 23, 2006, for which issuance of U.S. Pat. No. 8,230,819 has been scheduled for Jul. 31, 2012 by way of an Issue Notification mailed Jul. 11, 2012, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10 / 147,802, filed May 17, 2002 and issued Jan. 9, 2007 under U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,274, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 291,762 filed May 17, 2001, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to animal grooming tools and more particularly to animal grooming vacuum tools.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Professional animal groomers deal with a large amount of hair during the grooming process. Hair accumulates on the grooming table, floor, and in the bathing tub. Much of this hair is intro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention discloses a system of tools which, when attached to a vacuum source, reduces the need for the tool user (groomer) to manually deal with animal hair accumulating on or in such tools during use, or manually clean up hair displaced from the animal during the grooming process. Certain of these tools are used with standard professional grooming hand tools. Others integrate vacuum plenums into and with standard professional grooming tool functionality. Others yet facilitate the drying of animals. These tools also reduce exposure to animal dander and pests often found in animal coats.

Problems solved by technology

During the bathing process, an abundance of animal hair often finds its way into the drain causing frequent blockage.

Fewer perform such clean-up with brush, broom and dustpan.

The environment containing accumulated hair, dander and pests is recognized as unhealthy for both humans and animals.

Professional groomers often suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other maladies resulting from repetitive motion, particularly repetitive motion that involves strain due to weight or resistance to such motion.

This shed hair accumulates around the home during shedding season, creating a general nuisance and requiring more frequent home vacuuming and cleaning.

One of the problems faced by all groomers is the accumulation of hair on their hand tools (combs, rakes, brushes, etc.) during use. FIG. 9(A) shows a slicker brush before use, and FIG. 9(B) after use.

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