A comb

Abstract

There is provided an Afro comb having a handle extending laterally from a comb body, and a plurality of comb teeth extending downwardly from the comb body. The comb body and the handle together fit within a hand of a user to provide greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair.

Description

[0001] A COMB

[0002] Field

[0003] This invention relates to a comb. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a type of comb that is often referred to and sold as an Afro comb which is particularly well suited, but not limited to, combing curly or Afro hair.

[0004] Background

[0005] There are many different types of combs, and one example of an Afro comb is shown in the drawing labelled PRIOR ART.

[0006] The example depicted is typical to afro combs which always have the handle above the main body and long teeth beneath. The teeth are longer than in standard combs so the teeth can extend right through thick hair and reach to the scalp. These combs have been effective at detangling and styling and are typically used to comb, but not limited to, Afro type hair, thick hair or very curly hair. They are typically narrow with a lower number of teeth than other types of comb, due to the larger effort required to pull each tooth of the comb through the hair. This prior art comb is shown in the drawing labelled prior art.

[0007] Afro hair is a term that is used to describe a hairstyle which tends to be thicker and curlier and is often referred to as a natural hairstyle. In most cases the hair is left untreated by relaxers or straightening chemicals and is instead allowed to express its natural curl. The afro comb is also used for detangling other hair types including thick, straight hair and curly.

[0008] In addition to combing Afro combs have been used to massage the head and scalp as this was considered to help stimulate production of sebum.

[0009] Another problem with using Afro combs was that they are held above the surface area of the main body, so it was difficult to manoeuvre and control the comb effectively when combing the hair as the user’s hand was always held above the main comb body. When combing hair with an existing type of Afro comb, the user’s hand, which is only able to rotate a comb along about its longitudinal axis, becomes strained, especially when the comb is being moved in an upward direction to fluff up the hair. This was partly because Afro combs have a long handle above the main body. They also have a relatively narrow neck which has been difficult to securely grasp This has led to wrist strain as it does not provide ideal combing, particularly where the hair is tangled.

[0010] The present invention overcomes this by providing a comb with a grip that is received in a palm of a user who uses the comb.

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] According to a one aspect of the invention, there is provided an Afro comb having a handle extending laterally from a comb body, and a plurality of comb teeth, extending downwardly from the comb body, wherein the comb body and the handle together fit within a hand of a user to provide greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an Afro comb having a handle extending laterally from a comb body, and a plurality of comb teeth extending from the comb body, whereby in use rotation of the comb body by a wrist action provides a greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair.

[0013] The way a user grips the afro comb has been resolved with this invention, as for the first time, the handle, that protrudes to the side, functions to provide a gripping or support mechanism which no other afro comb does. The body provides a firmer grip as the hand is lower down and grips on the comb body, which in use tends to be angled pointing outwards. For the first time, the comb does not wiggle, and it is easier to control when combing the hair. The teeth extend from the comb body not the handle, and the handle increases the control over the teeth when both the comb body and the handle are simultaneously fitted into the hand of the user. In use, rotation of the comb body by a wrist action provides a greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair.

[0014] As a consequence of the handle the Afro comb is more ergonomic and so more comfortable to the user. This prevents wrist strain and so provides improved grooming, especially of thick, curly or tangled hair and when additional force is required by the user to untangle knotted hair. The Afro comb may alternatively be referred to as a pick comb.

[0015] The comb body and the handle may together have a combined width of less than 13 cm, more preferably a width of 12 cm or less, to facilitate fitting both the comb body and the handle into the hand of the user.

[0016] The comb body may have a upper edge in the shape of a rounded protrusion for fitting into a hand of a user.

[0017] Preferably the comb body has a curved handle. The curved handled includes a curved recess which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into a user’s palm.

[0018] In some embodiments the comb teeth extend from the body to a distance at least as wide as the comb body. In some embodiments the comb teeth extend from a thinner portion of a comb body to enable the comb teeth to flex.

[0019] In some embodiments, the comb body has a recessed part for receiving labels, inserts or other devices.

[0020] In some embodiments, the comb body and / or the extended handle is provided with novelty, decorative items, such as jewels, or other adornments or types of apparel.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the teeth comprise pairs of teeth whose ends are offset one from another, so as to impart a variable flexure of the teeth.

[0022] In other embodiments the extended handle may have a roughened or patterned surface or be textured to improve a user’s grip.

[0023] It is appreciated that the body of the Afro comb, its teeth and the extended handle may be supplied in a range of different colours.

[0024] Likewise, the Afro comb, its teeth and the extended handle may be manufactured from a number of different materials which have conventionally been wooden or ivory but nowadays are formed from a synthetic plastics material.

[0025] Preferably the combined width of the body and the handle is greater than 9 cm and preferably greater than 10 cm. The comb body may have a width of less than 8 cm and the handle may have a width of less than 7 cm.

[0026] Ideally the teeth extend from the body for a length exceeding 6.5 cm and preferably exceeding 7 cm.

[0027] The comb body may have a depth of greater than 3 cm from an upper edge of the comb body down to the top of the comb teeth, to provide sufficient depth for the user to grasp without the user needing to hold the teeth. Preferably the depth is greater than 4 cm, for example between 4 and 6 cm.

[0028] These dimensions have been found to provide a comfortable grip which fits in a user’s hand and overcomes the aforementioned problems of limited manual control when using the prior art Afro comb as well as preventing wrist strain in users, especially professional hair stylists and barbers.

[0029] The thickness of the body and extended handle portion is greater than 4 mm and ideally 5 mm or more. This thickness ensures a general rigidity sufficient to grip and transfer forces from the handle and comb body to the teeth as well as enabling the teeth to flex without them snapping.

[0030] Ideally the Afro comb, its teeth and the extended handle are formed as a single item, preferably as a single moulded item, from a synthetic plastics material, such as ABS, nylon or polypropylene. The comb body, handle and comb teeth may be formed as a single item, with extra separately formed elements such as decorative or informational devices added to the comb body, handle and comb teeth. It will be appreciated however that other material may be used such as metal, bamboo or wood.

[0031] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following Figures, in which:

[0032] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] The Figure labelled PRIOR ART shows an example of an existing type of Afro comb;

[0034] Figures 1A, 1 B, 2A, 2B and 3A and 3B are examples of some preferred embodiments of the invention;

[0035] Figure 4B is an example of another embodiment of an Afro comb in which the teeth are provided in pairs;

[0036] Figure 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention in which teeth are connected to the comb body;

[0037] Figure 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention in which teeth are connected to the Afro comb body at recessed body portions;

[0038] Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the comb shown in Figure 5 in darker colour;

[0039] Figure 8 is an overall view of another example of a comb with at recessed body portions on its handle to assist flexing of the teeth;

[0040] Figure 9 is an overall view of another example of a comb with recessed portion in its handle for receiving a label or advert;

[0041] Figure 10 is an overall view of another example of a comb with novelty jewels on its handle;

[0042] Figure 11 is example of a comb with tapering teeth and with novelty jewels on its handle corresponding to the version shown in Figure 8 which is provided in a different colour; and Figure 12 shows another example of a comb being grasped by a user.

[0043] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0044] Referring to the Figures in general, and to Figure 1 in particular, there is shown an example of an Afro comb 10 with a body 12 with a handle 14 extending laterally from the comb body 12. A plurality of comb teeth 16 extend from the comb body 12. Referring to Figure 1, in use rotation of the comb body about widthwise axis A-A’, in the direction of the arrow, by a wrist of a user’s hand 20, provides a greater torque to the comb teeth 16 for combing hair (not shown). The handle 14 extending from the comb body 12 also enables application of a greater torque to prevent wriggling of the comb rotationally about a vertical axis perpendicular to the comb.

[0045] The width of the comb along the axis A-A, corresponding to the combined width of the comb body and the handle, may be less than 13 cm to allow the full width of the comb to be grasped within the hand.

[0046] The remaining drawings are annotated where like parts have the same reference numerals as in the other Figures. It is appreciated that the comb 10 may be supplied with or without ridges on the main body.

[0047] Figures 4A and 4B depict the comb and illustrate the extended handle 14. The comb body 12 may be profiled in a range of different forms or shapes. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, a profile or silhouette of a face is formed along an upper edge of the comb 10. Other shapes may be defined therein, for example and without limitation, the profile of the comb may take the form an inanimate object or an animal. The upper edge is in the shape of a rounded protrusion for fitting into the hand of the user, the face formed as part of the rounded protrusion.

[0048] Referring briefly to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 teeth are connected to the comb body at recessed body portions which taper into the comb body 12. These tapered regions assist with flexing of the teeth 16.

[0049] Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the Afro comb 12 formed from a material in darker colour. A label or insert or plate 22 is received in a recess 24. The plate may have a label or branding affixed thereon or be a name or have other types of marking or indica. The plate or insert 22 is bonded by a heating and / or pressure process with an adhesive for attaching the plate 22 to the comb 10.

[0050] Likewise, the embodiment shown in Figure 8 shows an overall view of another example of a comb with at recessed body portions extending into its handle 12 to assist flexing of the teeth 16.

[0051] Figure 10 is an overall view of another example of an Afro comb with novelty cosmetic or artificial jewels or other adornments 26 on its handle 12. This version of the comb also includes the curved handle with a curved recess 15 which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into a user’s palm.

[0052] Figure 12 shows another view of the comb 10 being held by a user, with both the comb body and the handle fitting within the hand of the user. In this example the handle is shown adjacent the wrist and the comb teeth adjacent the fingers, however the comb could be rotated 180 degrees with the comb teeth adjacent the wrist and the handle adjacent the fingers if desired.

[0053] It will be appreciated that in the embodiments described above that one advantage of the invention is that no modification of any existing manufacturing processes or equipment or filling processes is needed. It is appreciated that variation may be made to the aforementioned embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. For example, although reference has been made to a curved handle it will be appreciated that the handle may include straight edges and / or a straight portion whose axis is at an angle to the comb body axis (A- A’).

Claims

CLAIMS1. An Afro comb having a handle extending laterally from a comb body, and a plurality of comb teeth extending downwardly from the comb body, wherein the comb body and the handle together fit within a hand of a user to provide greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair.

2. A comb according to claim 1 wherein the handle is a curved handle.

3. A comb according to claim 2 wherein the curved handle includes a curved recess which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into a user’s palm.

4. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb body and the handle together have a combined width of less than 13 cm to facilitate fitting both the comb body and the handle into the hand of the user.

5. A comb according to any preceding claim, wherein the comb body has a upper edge defining a rounded protrusion for fitting into a hand of a user.

6. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb teeth extend downwardly from the comb body by a distance that is at least as wide as the comb body.

7. A comb according to claim 6 wherein the comb teeth extend from a thinner portion of the comb body to enable them to flex.

8. A comb according to claim 7 wherein the comb body has a recessed part for receiving labels or other devices.

9. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb body and / or the extended handle is provided with novelty, decorative items, such as cosmetic or paste jewels, or other adornments or types of apparel.

10. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb teeth comprise pairs of teeth whose ends are offset one from another to impart a variable flexure of the comb teeth.

11. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the handle has aroughened or patterned surface or is textured to improve a user’s grip.

12. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb, the comb teeth and the handle are supplied in a range of different colours.

13. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb body, the comb teeth and the handle are formed as a single item, preferably as a single moulded item, from a synthetic plastics material, such as nylon or polypropylene.

14. A comb according to claim 13 wherein the comb is moulded from a synthetic plastics material, such as nylon, ABS or polypropylene.

15. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the combined width of the comb body and the handle is greater than 9 cm and preferably greater than 10 cm.

16. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb teeth extend from the comb body for a length exceeding 6.5 cm and preferably exceeding 7 cm.

17. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the thickness of the comb body and the handle is greater than 4 mm and ideally greater than 5 mm.

18. A comb according to any preceding claim wherein the comb body has a depth of greater than 3 cm from an upper edge of the comb body down to the comb teeth.

19. A comb according to any preceding claim, wherein the comb body has a width of less than 8 cm and the handle has a width of less than 7 cm.

20. An Afro comb having a handle extending laterally from a comb body, and a plurality of comb teeth extending from the comb body, whereby in use rotation of the comb body by a wrist action provides a greater torque to the comb teeth for combing hair, and wherein the comb is optionally the comb of any one of claims 1 to 19.

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