GB2324027A

GB2324027A - Grooming implement

Info

Publication number: GB2324027A
Application number: GB9706225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Kenneth Ward
Original assignee: House of Hindes Ltd
Current assignee: House of Hindes Ltd
Priority date: 1997-03-26
Filing date: 1997-03-26
Publication date: 1998-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-26
Also published as: GB2324027B; GB9706225D0

Abstract

A grooming implement comprises a holder 20 with a lateral handle 21 and replaceably supported by the holder a grooming member 10 comprising a pad 11 of elastomeric material with rows of hollow projections 12 through which extend spikes 16 of a more rigid plastics material projecting from a plate 15 of said material disposed on the side of the pad 11 remote from the projections 12.

Description

Title: "Grooming implements" Description of the invention This invention relates to grooming implements particularly but not exclusively for animals, including domestic pets such as dogs and cats.

Many forms of brushes and combs are available for grooming such animals. For the most part, such known brushes and combs are provided respectively with conventional bristles of greater or lesser flexibility or with teeth of metal or plastic which are rigid or flexible and of substantially constant crosssection along their length, which may in some cases be bent or curved.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved grooming implement, and in accordance with the invention we provide a grooming implement which comprises a grooming member having an array of hollow open-ended projections of an elastomeric material extending at one side thereof, and a corresponding array of spikes of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastomeric material extending respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond the free ends of the projections.

The projections may be formed integrally with a pad, which is preferably made of a flexible, elastomeric material such as natural or artificial rubber.

The spikes may be formed integrally with a plate, which is preferably made from a relatively rigid plastics material.

The projections and spikes are preferably respectively all of the same length and arranged uniformly in a plurality of parallel rows.

The pad and plate may be of curved, e.g. part-cylindrical, form and the implement preferably further comprises a holder member in which the pad and plate are releasably secured. The holder member may be formed or provided with a handle which preferably projects from the holder member so as to form a hand grip portion which extends laterally relative to the grooming member and is disposed on the side of the latter opposite to that from which the projections and spikes extend at a position spaced therefrom.

The invention further resides in a grooming member for assembly with a holder and comprising in combination a pad of elastomeric material having integrally formed therewith an array of hollow open-ended projections extending at one side thereof, and a plate of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastomeric material having integrally formed therewith an array of spikes extending respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond the free ends of the projections.

These and other features of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment; FIGURE 2 is a corresponding side view; and FIGURE 3 is a underneath plan view.

Referring to the drawings, a typical embodiment of grooming implement in accordance with the invention comprises a grooming member 10 which is releasably secured in a holder member 20.

The holder member 20 comprises an integral moulding formed from any suitable substantially rigid plastics material, and the moulding comprises three main parts, including a handle 21 which includes a longitudinal hand grip portion 22 and a transverse connecting portion 23 whereby the hand grip portion is spaced from the remaining parts of the holder member so as to extend laterally therefrom.

The holder member secondly comprises a curved closure plate 24 carrying the handle 21 integrally formed therewith. One edge of the plate 24 (i.e. that remote from the handle 21) is flexibly connected by means of an integral hinge portion 25 to the third part of the holder member which comprises a frame 26 which, in the illustrated embodiment is of generally rectangular form and of part-cylindrical shape, with the convex side thereof facing away from the connecting portion 23 of the handle 21.

Nibs 27 formed integrally with the frame 26 on the edge thereof opposite to said hinge portion 25 are arranged to engage in complementary recesses 28 formed in the closure plate 24 to hold the frame 26 and closure plate 24 in the illustrated position after the grooming member 10 has been inserted in the frame 26.

The grooming member 10 comprises two elements. The first element is a rectangular pad 11 made of rubber or other similar elastomeric material, having transverse dimensions which are greater than those of the opening defined by the frame 24 so as to be trapped between the frame 26 and the closure plate 24 when the nibs 27 are engaged in the recesses 28.

The pad 11 has integrally formed therewith a rectangular array of hollow projections 12 which are each of substantially frusto-conical form, tapering uniformly in a direction away from the pad 11 towards open ends 13. The projections 12 are preferably somewhat flexible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 12 are all of the same size, shape and length and are arranged in several parallel rows 14, but other arrangements are possible.

Whilst the pad 11, as formed, may be substantially planar, it will be understood that it adopts a curved, part-cylindrical, shape when mounted in the holder member 20, so that the ends of the projections 12 also lie on a partcylindrical surface.

The second element of the grooming member 10 is a plate 15 of a relatively rigid plastics material such as low density polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon, having integrally formed therewith an array of spikes 16 having rounded ends. Each of the spikes extends through a respective one of the projections 12 and is of greater length so that an end portion 17 protrudes from the open end 13 of the respective projection 12.

The arrangement of relatively rigid spikes 16 extending from more flexible projections 12 provides for firmer penetration of the animal's coat when needed, since the outer sheath afforded by the projections 12 holds the bristle-like spikes 16 in a relatively set position against flexing that would otherwise be possible. Additionally, the rubber projections 12 provide an additional cleaning function as moulting hairs and dirt tend to adhere to them, and also provide a massaging effect. Further, because the end portions 17 of the spikes 16 extend a relatively short distance beyond the open ends 13 of the projections 12, the implement can be used successfully for both long- and short-haired coats.

Moreover, it is possible to remove the plate 15 and spikes 16 whilst leaving the pad 11 and projections 12 in place to enable the implement to be used with or without the spikes.

The grooming member 10 can be removed for cleaning and the pad 11 and plate 15 can be replaced can be replaced as necessary.

Typically the pad 11 may be from about 3cm by 5cm to about 10cm by 15cm in area with 5 to 12 rows of about 5 to 15 projections, the projections 12 typically being from about 5 to 20mm long and spaced on centres 5 to 20mm apart. The plate 15 is of corresponding or appropriately reduced lateral dimensions and the spikes are typically 2 to 5 mm longer than the projections 12 so as to project therefrom by such a distance.

Whilst the implement as above-described represents a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that the design may be varied in various ways.

For example, the frame of the holder member need not be of part-cylindrical form, but may be curved in two directions or be flat. Particularly, but not exclusively, where the frame, pad and plate are flat, the projections need not be of uniform height throughout the entire array, but could be of progressively reduced height from the longitudinal centre-line of the array towards the lateral edges thereof so that the ends of the projections are still arranged on a partcylindrical surface, the spikes being of correspondingly graduated lengths.

Alternatively, the ends of the projections and spikes may be arranged to lie in respective flat planes.

Whilst the projections and spikes conveniently are arranged to project substantially radially, as best illustrated in Figure 2, the projections and spikes may, particularly where the pad is flat, be arranged parallel to one another.

Further, whilst the projections are typically of frusto-conical form, being of circular shape in transverse section at all points along their length, other sectional shapes are possible and the projections may not in some cases taper towards their open ends.

Whilst it is particularly convenient for the grooming member 10 to be mounted releasably in the holder member 20, it can alternatively be secured in a non-releasable manner. For example, instead of mounting the grooming member 10 in a frame, it may be secured adhesively or otherwise to a flat or curved plate similar to the plate 24 which may, in turn, carry the handle integrally or otherwise connected thereto.

In a further alternative construction the projections 12 could be formed integrally with a lower plate which replaces the frame 26, the plate 15 which carries the spikes 16 then being located releasably between the upper and lower plates.

Further, whilst the handle 21 most conveniently extends laterally from one side of the holder member 20, other arrangements are possible, and a handle element may, for example, be provided within the lateral boundaries of the holder member on the side thereof opposite that from which the projections and spikes extend. Indeed, instead of securing the composite grooming member 10 in a frame or other similar holder, the grooming member 10 could be secured, for example by means of adhesive, rivetting or stitching to a backing member, which may be of rigid or flexible construction and may be provided with a hand-strap so that the implement can be used with the backing member in the palm of the user's hand.

Although the grooming implement as described above is intended mainly for use in grooming animals, it will be appreciated that it could be adapted for personal use as a hair brush, or even for use as a clothes brush or other sweeping brush.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific frowns or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A grooming implement comprising a grooming member having an array of hollow open-ended projections of an elastomeric material extending at one side thereof, and a corresponding array of spikes of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastomeric material extending-respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond the free ends of the projections.
2. A grooming implement according to Claim 1 wherein the projections are formed integrally with a pad of the same material.
3. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spikes are formed integrally with a plate of the same material and said plate is disposed in face-to-face relation with said pad on the side thereof remote from said projections.
4. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the projections are all of the same length.
5. A grooming implement according to Claim 6 wherein the spikes are all of the same length.
6. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the projections and spikes are arranged uniformly in a plurality of parallel rows.
7. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pad and plate are of curved form.
8. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the implement further comprises a holder member in which the grooming member is releasably secured.
9. A grooming implement according to Claim 8 wherein the holder member is formed or provided with a handle which projects from the holder member so as to form a hand grip portion which extends laterally relative to the grooming member and is disposed en the side of the latter opposite to that from which the projections and spikes extend at a position spaced therefrom.
10. A grooming member as claimed in Claim 9 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accoínpanying drawings.

10. A groomin element for assembly with a holder and comprising in combination a pad of elastomeric material having integrally formed therewith an array of hollow open-ended projections extending at one side thereof, and a plate of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastomeric material having integrally formed therewith an array of spikes extending respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond the free ends of the projections.

11. A grooming implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. A grooming member as claimed in Claim 10 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A grooming implement comprising a grooming member having an array of hollow open-ended projections of all elastolneric material extending at one side thereof, and a conespondiiig array of spikes of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastomeric material extending respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond the flee ends of the projections wherein the projections are formed integrally with a pad of the same material, and the spikes are formed integrally witli a plate of tie same material and said plate is disposed in face-to-face relation with said pad on the side thereof remote from said projections.

2. A grooming implement according to Claim 1 wherein the projections are all of the same length.

3. A grooming implement according to Claim 2 w wherein the spikes are all of the same length.

4 A grooming implement according to ally one of the preceding claims wherein the projections and spikes are arranged @ in a plurality of parallel rows.

5. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pad and plate are of curved form.

6. A grooming implement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the implement further comprises a holder member in which the grooming member is releasably secured.

7. A grooming implement according to Claim 6 wherein the holder member is formed or provided with a handle which projects from the holder member so as to form a hand grip portion which extends laterally relative to the grooming member and is disposed on the side of the latter opposite to that from which the projections and spikes extend at a position spaced therefrom.

8. A grooming element for assembly with a holder and comprising in combiitation a pad of elastomeric material having integrally folded therewith an array of hollow openended projections extending at one side thereof, and a plate of a plastics material that is more rigid than said elastoinetic material having integrally fondled therewith an array of spikes extending respectively through said projections with end portions of the spikes extending beyond tile free ends of the projections.

9. A grooming implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.