Combing device and method of use

Abstract

Use a comb with adjustable teeth. [Solution] A combing device including a first comb having a plurality of first comb teeth and a plurality of first comb tooth spacings, wherein adjacent teeth of the plurality of first comb teeth are spaced apart from each other by one of the first comb tooth spacings located between adjacent first comb teeth, and a second comb having a plurality of second comb teeth, the second comb being movable relative to the first comb, such that each one of the second comb teeth of the plurality of second comb teeth is movable within the first comb tooth spacings located between adjacent first comb teeth.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Field TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to combing devices for grooming pets, particularly household pets such as cats and dogs, and more particularly to combing devices with an adjustable number of teeth. [Background technology]

[0002] background

[0002] Grooming a pet's coat can provide benefits such as removing loose hair and detangling, removing dirt, debris and other foreign objects from the coat, and generally promoting good hygiene.

[0003]

[0003] Certain pets may grow two coats of hair, which may be called a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is generally longer than the undercoat and may grow slower than the undercoat. The top coat may shed once a year, while the undercoat may shed twice a year.

[0004]

[0004] Grooming with a comb can remove loose hair from pets, especially during shedding. To make hair removal easier, it may be desirable to use a comb with adjustable teeth. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] overview

[0005] A combing device comprising: a first comb having a plurality of first comb teeth and a plurality of first comb tooth spacings, wherein adjacent first comb teeth among the plurality of first comb teeth are spaced apart from each other by one of the first comb tooth spacings located between adjacent first comb teeth; a second comb having a plurality of second comb teeth, wherein the second comb is movable relative to the first comb, such that each one of the second comb teeth among the plurality of second comb teeth is movable within the first comb tooth spacings located between adjacent first comb teeth.

[0006]

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the second comb is movable relative to the first comb, whereby each second one of the plurality of second comb teeth is extendable and retractable between its respective adjacent first comb teeth.

[0007] In at least embodiments, the second comb tines are movable substantially parallel to the first comb tines.

[0008]

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the combing device further includes a housing having a housing cavity, the first comb having a fixed position relative to the housing, and the second comb being extendable from the housing cavity and retractable into the housing cavity.

[0009]

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the combing device further includes a mechanical actuator arranged to move the second comb relative to the first comb, the actuator including a slider movable in a first slider direction and a second slider direction opposite to the first slider direction, and when the slider moves in the first slider direction, the actuator extends the second comb from the cavity, and when the slider moves in the second slider direction, the actuator retracts the second comb into the cavity.

[0010] In at least embodiments, when the slider moves in either the first slider direction or the second slider direction, the actuator moves the second comb substantially perpendicular to the movement of the slider.

[0011]

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the slider is movable within a slider receiver formed in the housing.

[0012]

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the slider includes a pivot shaft, the slider receiving portion includes an axis slot formed in the housing, and the pivot shaft is movable along the axis slot.

[0013]

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the axial slot is provided by a through hole formed in the housing.

[0014] In at least some embodiments, the axle slot includes an elongated segment and at least one detent segment, the at least one detent segment holding the pivot axle in a predetermined retaining position.

[0015]

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the slider includes a button knob positioned at the end of the pivot shaft, the slider receiving portion includes a knob recess formed in the housing, and the button knob is movable along the knob recess.

[0016]

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the slider includes two button knobs each positioned at opposite ends of the pivot axis, the slider receiving portion includes two knob recesses each formed on opposite sides of the housing, and the button knobs are each movable along the knob recesses.

[0017]

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the actuator includes a linkage mechanism that mechanically couples the slider and the second comb, the linkage mechanism coupled to a pivot of the slider so that the linkage mechanism is rotatable about the pivot of the slider, and the linkage mechanism coupled to a pivot of the second comb so that the linkage mechanism is rotatable about the pivot of the second comb.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the slider pivot is provided by a slider pivot axis and the second comb pivot is provided by a second comb pivot pin.

[0019]

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the linkage includes a branched extension region having two forks separated by a gap that combine to form a single extension region, the single extension region including a single extension region through-hole, a pivot shaft disposed within the pivot shaft through-hole, the branched extension region including branched extension region through-holes disposed in each fork, respectively, and a pivot pin disposed within each of the branched extension region through-holes of the two forks.

[0020] In at least embodiments, the second comb has a second comb spine with a spine through-hole, and the pivot pin is disposed within the spine through-hole.

[0021]

[0021] In at least embodiments, the first comb has a first comb back having a plurality of tooth through holes, and the second comb teeth are movable within the tooth through holes.

[0022] In at least embodiments, the second comb has a second comb spine, the second comb spine being movable substantially parallel to the first comb spine.

[0023]

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the first comb back portion and the second comb back portion are connected by at least one guide post, the guide post being fixed to the first comb back portion and extending through a guide post through hole in the second comb back portion, and the second comb back portion being movable along the guide post.

[0024]

[0024] In at least embodiments, the combing device further includes at least one biasing member, the at least one biasing member being arranged to push the second comb teeth out of the first comb tooth spacing.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The following detailed description may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting any aspect of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a combing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the combing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]

[0028] 2 is an internal view of the combing device of FIG. 1 with one side of the outer housing removed and its movable comb in a fully retracted position. [Figure 4]

[0029] 2 is an internal view of the combing device of FIG. 1 with one side of the outer housing removed and its movable comb in a partially extended / partially retracted position. [Figure 5]

[0030] 2 is an internal view of the combing device of FIG. 1 with one side of the outer housing removed and its movable comb in a fully extended position. [Figure 6]

[0031] FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of one of the housing half members. [Figure 7]

[0032] FIG. 7 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of the section of FIG. 6 as bounded by box 7. [Figure 8]

[0033] FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of one of the housing half members. [Figure 9]

[0034] FIG. 9 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of the section of FIG. 8 as bounded by box 9. [Figure 10]

[0035] 1 shows a side view of the teeth of a combing device. [Figure 11]

[0036] 11 shows an enlarged side view of a distal end portion of the tooth of FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Detailed Description

[0037] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0028]

[0038] 1-3, there is shown a fur (i.e., hair) combing device 10 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the combing device 10 includes a clamshell housing 12 formed by opposing mating housing half members 14, 16 that define a cavity 18 therein. Also shown, the combing device 10 further includes a first comb 40 and a second comb 60.

[0029]

[0039] The first comb 40 includes a first comb (elongated) spine 42 with a plurality of first comb tines 46 (which may also be referred to as teeth) extending substantially perpendicularly from the first comb spine 42 (e.g., within 5 degrees of perpendicular, including perpendicular) relative to a longitudinal axis 44 of the first comb spine 42. As shown, adjacent first comb tines 46 are spaced apart from one another by first comb tine spacings 50 located between each adjacent first comb tine 46. The first comb tines 46 are shown to be uniform (e.g., length, diameter, taper, and first comb tine spacing 50).

[0030]

[0040] The second comb 60 includes a second comb (elongated) spine 62 with a plurality of second comb tines 66 (which may also be referred to as teeth) extending substantially perpendicularly from the second comb spine 62 (e.g., within 5 degrees of perpendicular, including perpendicular) relative to a longitudinal axis 64 of the second comb spine 62. As shown, the second comb tines 66 are disposed within / movable through the second comb tine through-holes 48 of the first comb spine 42.

[0031]

[0041] As shown, the longitudinal axis 44 of the first comb back 42 and the longitudinal axis 64 of the second comb back 62 are substantially parallel (e.g., within 5 degrees of parallel, inclusive). The first comb back 42 and the second comb back 62 are connected by guide posts 80 located at their end regions. The guide posts 80 are fixed to the first comb back 42 and are disposed within / movably extend through the guide post cylindrical through-holes 68 of the second comb back 62.

[0032]

[0042] The first comb 40 may further be described as a fixed-position comb (non-retractable / non-extendable relative to the housing 12), while the second comb 60 may further be described as a movable-position comb (retractable / extendable relative to the housing 12). The first comb 40 is fixed in position relative to the housing 12 by a threaded fastener 56. The second comb 60 is movable relative to the first comb 40, such that each second comb tooth 66 of the plurality of second comb teeth 66 is movable within a first comb tooth spacing 50 located between adjacent first comb teeth 46. The second comb teeth 66 are movable substantially parallel to the first comb teeth 46 (e.g., within 5 degrees of parallel, including parallel).

[0033]

[0043] More specifically, the second comb 60 is movable relative to the first comb 40 such that each one of the plurality of second comb tines 66 is extendable and retractable between its respective adjacent first comb tines 46. The second comb 60 is also extendable from and retractable into the housing cavity 18.

[0034]

[0044] The combing device 10 further includes a mechanical (slide) actuator 88 (physically) positioned to move the second (retractable) comb 60 relative to the first comb 40 / housing 12. The actuator 88 includes a slider 90 that moves / slides within a slider receiver 92. The slider 90 includes a pivot 95 provided by a pivot shaft 94, with two roller button knobs 96 disposed at opposite ends thereof. The pivot shaft 94 moves within an elongated shaft slot 30 of the slider receiver 92, which is formed by a through-hole in the housing members 14, 16 and has an elongated segment 32 extending along a longitudinal axis 34. The longitudinal axis 34 is substantially parallel (e.g., within 5 degrees of parallelism) to the longitudinal axis 44 of the first comb spine 42 and the longitudinal axis 64 of the second comb spine 62.

[0035]

[0045] The circular (cylindrical) head portions 98 of the button knobs 96 move (along the longitudinal axis 34) within elongated knob recesses 20 of the slider receivers 92 formed on opposite sides of the housing 12 (in each housing member 14, 16) formed by substantially vertical wall sections 22 and 24 (e.g., within 5 degrees of vertical), while the circular (cylindrical) neck portions 100 of the button knobs 96 also move within the slots 30. In the manner described above, the pair of button knobs 96 maintains the pivot axes (94) in proper orientation and alignment with the housing 12.

[0036]

[0046] The actuator 88 further includes an elongated, Y-shaped, rigid linkage (bar) 110 that mechanically couples to the slider 90 and the second comb 60. The linkage 110 includes a bifurcated extension region 112 that spans the second comb spine 62 and includes two side-by-side forks 114 (similar to bicycle forks) separated by a gap 116, which combine into a single extension region 118.

[0037]

[0047] Linkage 110 also includes a single extension region (pivot axle) cylindrical through-hole 120 between button knobs 96 for receiving pivot axle 94. At the opposite end of linkage 110, bifurcated extension region 112 includes a bifurcated extension region (pivot pin) cylindrical through-hole 122 in each fork 114. A pivot 131 of second comb 60 provided by pivot pin 130 extends through both through-holes 112 and through spine (pivot pin) cylindrical through-hole 70 in second comb spine 62, which is disposed in gap 116 between forks 114 of linkage 110. When connected, the linkage 110 couples to the pivot 95 of the slider 90 provided by the pivot shaft 94 so that the linkage 110 can rotate about the slider pivot 95, and couples to the pivot 131 of the second comb 60 provided by the pivot pin 130 so that the linkage 110 can rotate about the second comb pivot 131.

[0038]

[0048] With respect to the operation of the combing device 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable second comb 60 is shown in a fully retracted position, in which the teeth 66 of the second comb 60 are fully disposed within the cavity 18 of the housing 12.

[0039]

[0049] In FIG. 4 , the movable second comb 60 is shown in a partially retracted / partially extended position. As shown, the second comb 60 is moved to the partially retracted / partially extended position by horizontally (linearly) moving the slider 90 of the actuator 88 along the longitudinal axis 34. During such movement, the pivot axis 94 of the slider 90 moves along the through-hole slot 30 while each button knob 96 moves along its respective recess 20 in the housing members 14, 16. As the slider 90 moves horizontally relative to the housing 12, the second comb 60 moves vertically relative to the housing 12, and the linkage 110 rotates about the pivot axis 94 and pivot pin 130. More specifically, the direction of movement of the second comb 60 is substantially perpendicular (e.g., within 5 degrees of perpendicular) to the direction of movement of the slider 90, and the second comb 60 moves in a linear (translational) motion relative to the first comb 40.

[0040]

[0050] 3 and 4, the housing 12 / slot 30 includes a first detent (catch) segment 36 in which the pivot shaft 94 can be disposed, which holds the pivot shaft 94 in a first predetermined detent retention position when the second comb 60 is disposed in a partially retracted / partially extended position. The pivot shaft 94 can be removed from the first detent segment 36 and returned into the elongated segment 32 by forcing the slider 90 toward the extended position against the biasing force of a biasing member 82 (shown as a compression coil spring) disposed concentrically with the guide post 80.

[0041]

[0051] 5, the movable second comb 60 is shown in a fully extended position, in which the slider 90 is further moved horizontally relative to the housing 12 and the second comb 60 is further moved vertically relative to the housing 12. As shown, the housing 12 / slot 30 includes a second detent (catch) segment 38 in which the pivot axle 94 can be disposed, which holds the pivot axle 94 in a second predetermined detent retention position when the second comb 60 is disposed in the fully extended position. Similar to the first detent segment 36, the pivot axle 94 can be removed from the second detent segment 38 and returned to the elongated segment 32 by forcing the slider 90 toward the extended position against the biasing (compression) force of a biasing member 82 (shown as a compression coil spring) disposed concentrically with the guide post 80.

[0042]

[0052] Therefore, the second comb 60 is movable relative to the first comb 40, so that each one of the second comb teeth 66 can be positioned within one of the first comb tooth spaces 50 located between adjacent first comb teeth 46.

[0043]

[0053] Once the pivot shaft 94 is returned to the elongated segment 32 of the through-hole / slot 30, the second comb 60 can be returned to a partially retracted / partially extended position, a fully retracted position (or any position therebetween) by horizontally (linearly) moving the actuator slider 88 in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis 34. Again, the slider 88 urges / biases the second comb 60 towards the fully retracted position, and the second comb tines 66 are pushed out of the first comb tine spacing 50 by the restoring force of the biasing member 82.

[0044]

[0054] As such, the slider 88 is movable in a first slider direction and a second slider direction opposite to the first slider direction. When the slider 90 moves in the first slider direction, the actuator 88 extends the second comb 60 from the cavity 18, and when the slider 90 moves in the second slider direction, the actuator 88 retracts the second comb 60 into the cavity 18. Furthermore, when the slider 90 moves in either the first slider direction or the second slider direction, the actuator 88 moves the second comb 60 substantially perpendicular to the movement of the slider 90 (e.g., within 5 degrees of perpendicular, including perpendicular).

[0045]

[0055] As previously mentioned, the spacing of the teeth of the combing device 10 relative to the centers can be changed, more specifically, decreased, by extending the second comb 60 to introduce the second comb tines 66 between the first comb tines 46. Alternatively, the spacing of the teeth of the combing device 10 relative to the centers can be increased by fully retracting the second comb 60, thereby removing the second comb 60 from between the first comb tines 46. Such tooth spacing changes can be used to accommodate different dogs and / or different coat characteristics.

[0046]

[0056] 6-9, there is shown a view of the housing half members 14, 16 with all other components removed. As shown, the housing half member 14 includes a protruding snap hook 26 that engages within a hook (latch) receiving portion 27 of the housing half member 16. Also shown, the housing half member 16 includes an (ultrasonic) weld boss 28 that engages within an (ultrasonic) weld boss receiving portion 29 of the housing half member 14. For assembly, after all components are positioned between the housing half members 14, 16, the snap hook 26 of the housing half member 14 first engages within the hook (latch) receiving portion 27 of the housing half member 16 to assemble the combing device 10. At the same time, the (ultrasonic) weld boss 28 of the housing half member 16 engages within the (ultrasonic) weld boss receiving portion 29 of the housing half member 14. The weld boss 28 and the weld boss receiving portion 29 can then be ultrasonically welded in a manner known in the art.

[0047]

[0057] 10-11, the first tine 46 and the second tine 66 have the same shaft diameter 140, end taper 142, taper length 144, and (semi)spherical distal end diameter 146. The shaft diameter 140 may range from 0.9 mm to 2 mm, the taper length 142 may have a length in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm, and the distal end diameter 146 may range from 1.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0048]

[0058] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents. It should further be understood that the appended claims do not necessarily include the broadest scope of the invention that applicant is entitled to claim, or the only way in which the invention may be claimed, or that all recited features are required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] List of reference numbers 10 Combing Device 12 Housing 14 Housing member 16 Housing member 18 cavities 20 Knob recess 22 Housing Wall Sections 24 housing wall sections 26 Hook 27 Hook (latch) receiving part 28 Boss 29 Boss receiving part 30 axis slots 32 elongated segments 34 Longitudinal axis of the slot 36 Detent Segment 38 Detent Segment 40 First Comb 42 First comb back 44 Longitudinal axis of first comb back 46 First comb tooth 48 tooth through hole 50 First tooth spacing 56 Threaded Fasteners 60 Second Comb 62 Second comb back 64 Longitudinal axis of first comb back 66 Second comb tooth 68 Guide post through hole 70 Back through hole 80 Guidepost 82 biasing member 88 Actuator 90 slider 92 Slider receiving part 94 Pivot Axis 95 Pivot 96 Button Knob 98 Knob head 100 Knob neck 110 Link mechanism (bar) 112 Branched extension region 114 Fork 116 Gap 118 Single Extension Region 120 Single Extended Area Through Hole 122 Branched extension area through hole 130 pivot pin 131 Pivot

Claims

1. 1. A combing device comprising: a first comb having a plurality of first comb teeth and a plurality of first comb tooth intervals, wherein adjacent first comb teeth of the plurality of first comb teeth are spaced apart from each other by one of the first comb tooth intervals located between the adjacent first comb teeth; and a second comb having a plurality of second comb teeth; Including, the second combs are movable relative to the first combs, such that each of the second comb teeth among the plurality of second comb teeth is movable within the first comb tooth intervals located between the adjacent first comb teeth; Combing device.

2. 2. The combing device of claim 1, further comprising: the second comb being movable relative to the first comb, whereby each one of the second comb tines of the plurality of second comb tines is extendable and retractable between the adjacent first comb tines.

3. The combing device of claim 1 , further comprising: the second tines being movable substantially parallel to the first tines.

4. further comprising a housing having a housing cavity; the first comb has a fixed position relative to the housing; the second comb is extendable from and retractable into the housing cavity; A combing device according to claim 1 .

5. further comprising a mechanical actuator arranged to move the second comb relative to the first comb; the actuator includes a slider movable in a first slider direction and a second slider direction opposite to the first slider direction; When the slider moves toward the first slider, the actuator extends the second comb from the cavity; When the slider moves toward the second slider, the actuator retracts the second comb into the cavity. A combing device according to claim 4.

6. 6. The combing device of claim 5, further comprising: when the slider moves in either the first slider direction or the second slider direction, the actuator moves the second comb substantially perpendicular to the movement of the slider.

7. The combing device of claim 5 , further comprising: the slider being movable within a slider receiver formed in the housing.

8. the slider includes a pivot shaft; the slider receiving portion includes an axial slot formed in the housing; the pivot shaft being movable along the shaft slot. A combing device according to claim 7.

9. The combing device of claim 8 , further comprising: the axial slots being provided by through holes formed in the housing.

10. The combing device of claim 8 , further comprising: the axle slot including an elongated segment and at least one detent segment, the at least one detent segment holding the pivot axle in a predetermined retaining position.

11. the slider includes a button knob disposed at an end of the pivot shaft; the slider receiving portion includes a knob recess formed in the housing; The button knob may be movable along the knob recess. A combing device according to claim 8.

12. the slider includes two button knobs disposed at opposite ends of the pivot shaft, the slider receiving portion includes two knob recesses formed on opposite side surfaces of the housing, The button knobs are each movable along the knob recesses. A combing device according to claim 8.

13. the actuator includes a linkage; the link mechanism mechanically connects the slider and the second comb; the link mechanism is coupled to a pivot of the slider, such that the link mechanism is rotatable about the pivot of the slider; the link mechanism is coupled to a pivot of the second comb, such that the link mechanism is rotatable about the pivot of the second comb. A combing device according to claim 5.

14. The slider pivot is provided by a slider pivot shaft; the pivot of the second comb being provided by a pivot pin of the second comb. A combing device according to claim 13.

15. the linkage includes a bifurcated extension region having two forks spaced apart by a gap that combine to form a single extension region; the single extension region includes a single extension region through-hole, the pivot shaft is disposed within the pivot shaft through-hole, the branched extension region includes a branched extension region through-hole disposed in each fork, and the pivot pin is further configured to be disposed within the branched extension region through-hole of each of the two forks. A combing device according to claim 14.

16. the second comb has a second comb back portion having a back portion through-hole; the pivot pin is disposed within the rear through-hole. A combing device according to claim 15.

17. the first comb has a first comb back portion having a plurality of tooth through holes; The second comb tooth is movable within the tooth through-hole. A combing device according to claim 1 .

18. the second comb has a second comb spine; The second comb back portion is movable substantially parallel to the first comb back portion.

18. A combing device according to claim 17.

19. the first comb back portion and the second comb back portion are coupled by at least one guide post, the guide post being fixed to the first comb back portion and extending through a guide post through-hole in the second comb back portion; The second comb back portion is movable along the guide post.

19. A combing device according to claim 18.

20. further comprising at least one biasing member; the at least one biasing member is arranged to push the second comb teeth out of the first comb teeth spacing; A combing device according to claim 1 .

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