The Alloy Patent Law Attorney Docket Number: Trinh_NPA_001

Inventor: Alan Trinh

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] The present application hereby claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entirety of the disclosures of the provisional application no. 63/699,823 entitled “HAIRBRUSH DEVICE WITH ROTATABLE BRUSH HEAD” filed on 09/27/2024.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] This invention relates generally to hair care or hair maintenance and styling devices and in particular to rotating head hairbrushes. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a hairbrush device with a rotating brush head that selectively rotates upon encountering resistance from tangled hair and/or matted hair of a user to brush past the tangled hair or matted hair essentially to limit the maximum amount of tension that would otherwise be transferred to the hair, thereby minimizing tugging-related damage to hair and discomfort felt by the user while brushing hair.

BACKGROUND

[003] Tangled hair refers to the condition where strands of hair become twisted, knotted, or intertwined with each other. These knots or interwinding can occur at any length of hair and can be a source of frustration for many users, especially in females. Tangled and/or fine matted hair is hard-to-brush hair that can lead to breakage and damage, and can cause a painful experience during brushing or styling the hair. Further, styling tangled or fine matted hair can be time-consuming. Tangled hair or fine matted hair itself is unlikely to cause hair loss, but excessive pulling and tugging during detangling can lead to hair breakage. Females with such tangled and/or fine matted hair heavily use a stationary head hairbrush to obtain a preferred hair appearance. Problems occurring with the use of the stationary head hairbrush are well-known to those with thick or tangled hair. The bristles of the stationary head hairbrush or comb often grab and pull such thick or tangled hair, causing damage to the hair as well as inflicting pain on the individual.

[004] A solution to this problem has been developed by hair care professionals, involving aspecial wrist movement that provides a combination of brush rotation and movement with variable resistance. However, such a movement is challenging to master and is even more difficult to use on oneself, particularly toward the back of the head and where left or right-handedness makes such movement awkward.

[005] Numerous attempts and solutions have been provided in an attempt to alleviate the pain typically felt by users when detangling or styling their tangled or fine, matted hair. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,684 discloses a tangle-free blow-dry brush, which includes a rotating, lockable head. Such a brush, however, has a freely rotating head, which, while rotating rather than tugging at the hair, rotates freely when applying a conventional tugging motion and must be locked in order to remain functional.

[006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,056 describes a hair detangling device having a pair of parallel combs or brushes mounted for reciprocating movement along their length in opposite directions has a drive mechanism including a pair of bell cranks, each having one end connected to a reciprocating driving member to rock the bell cranks simultaneously so that their other ends move successively toward and away from each other.

[007] GB2375038 discloses a hairbrush for use in brushing long hair that comprises a handle, a shaft upon which a cylindrical brush is rotatably mounted, and a means for resisting rotation of the brush. The means may comprise two sets of interleaved discs secured respectively to the shaft and to the brush housing. Manually operable means, such as a nut and/or a wheel, are provided to vary the axial pressure on the discs and thus the resistance to rotation of the brush.  An audible warning device may be operated when the brush rotates.

[008] EP1797792 discloses that when long hair is brushed, the bristles frequently get caught in knots, resulting in excessive strain on the hair, which is eventually pulled out or damaged. The new design of a brush starts rotating around its longitudinal axis as soon as it is caught in tangles, until it can be easily removed and the knots eliminated. The bristle base is joined to the stationary axle, which extends from the handle, via a slide bearing. The resisting forces can be adjusted using a button that acts on a helical spring.

[009] Although various types of wide-toothed combs or detangling hairbrushes exist to prevent breakage or reduce pain during detangling or hair styling on fine, matted hair or tangled hair, the user still lacks a satisfactory solution that is manually operable, easy to construct, and easy to use. Consequently, a need has been felt to provide a hairbrush device with a rotating brush head that rotates via interaction between at least a pair of magnets, operationally connecting the handle or shaft to the brush head, thereby overcoming the problems associated with tangled and thick hair.

SUMMARY

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for a novel hairbrush that would prevent damage, breakage, and hair loss, ensuring the user’s hair locks remain beautiful and vibrant.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hairbrush with a rotatable head that features a resistance torque provided by at least a pair of magnets, which are configured within the hairbrush to offer proportional resistance to any brushing motion against hair tangles.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide a hairbrush. The hairbrush includes a handle ergonomically designed and comprising an engagement shaft extending from a first end of a grip portion. The engagement shaft comprises at least one first magnet. The engagement shaft is at least cylindrical, polygonal, or partially cylindrical and partially polygonal in shape. A portion of a terminal end of the engagement shaft is configured as the at least one first magnet.  At least one of the first magnets has a polygonal or circular cross-section.

[0013] In an embodiment, the hairbrush further includes a brush head comprising a first end, a second end, and a plurality of bristles radially distributed about a brush head body. The brush head rotates upon encountering resistance from tangled and/or matted hair, allowing it to brush past the tangled or matted hair and limit the maximum amount of tension that would otherwise be transferred to the hair.

[0014] In an embodiment, the hairbrush further includes at least one second magnet disposed within a receiving volume of the brush head.

[0015] In an embodiment, the at least one first magnet attaches to the at least one second magnet.  The resistance to rotation of the brush head with respect to the engagement shaft is by means of the magnetic interaction between the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet.  [0016] In an embodiment, at least one first magnet is two in number, each disposed at a predefined distance from the terminal end of the engagement shaft.

[0017] In an embodiment, the engagement shaft of the handle portion is positioned into a receiving volume of the brush head.

[0018] In an embodiment, the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet are circular magnetic discs with an opening for receiving the engagement shaft. The at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet are selected from a group of magnets consisting of a Neodymium ring magnet.

[0019] In an embodiment, the engagement shaft is at least directly connected to the grip portion, or connected to the grip portion using a connector.

[0020] In an embodiment, the at least one second magnet is disposed within a cap portion configurable within a first internal space extending inside the receiving volume from the first end of the brush head.

[0021] In an embodiment, the brush head comprises a second internal space extending inside the receiving volume from the second end of the brush head for receiving the connector of the handle.

[0022] In an embodiment, the at least one second magnet comprises an internal diameter of approximately 6.1 mm, an external diameter of approximately 12 mm, and a thickness of approximately 8 mm.

[0023] In an embodiment, the brush head is configured to allow at least one first and second magnet to rotate when the brush head bristles encounter tangles during the brushing action of hair.

[0024] In an embodiment, the brush head further comprises a stopper integrally positioned within the receiving volume formed within the brush head body, thereby forming the first internal space for the cap portion and the second internal space for the connector of the handle.

[0025] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hairbrush according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the hairbrush with bristles from the brush head removed, according to an embodiment.

[0029] FIGS.3A-3B show a cap portion of the hairbrush of FIG.2 with at least one embedded magnet, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG.3C illustrates front and side views of the at least one embedded magnet disposed inside the cap portion, according to an embodiment.

[0031] FIGS.4A-4B show a front and rear views of the brush head of FIG.2 without the bristles, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIGS.4C-4D show a front and rear perspective views of the brush head of FIG.2 without the bristles, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG.5 illustrates a handle detached from the brush head of the hairbrush of FIG.1 according to an embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the hairbrush, illustrating the integration of the cap portion and the handle within the brush head, according to an embodiment.

[0035] FIG.7 illustrates the direction of use of the hairbrush of FIG.1 brush passing the tangled hair or matted hair.

[0036] FIG.8 illustrates a use case of the hairbrush of FIG.1.

[0037] FIG.9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hairbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG.10 illustrates a handle detached from the brush head of the hairbrush of FIG.9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components or processes, which constitute a hairbrush device with a rotating brush head and its method of operation. Accordingly, the components or processes have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific component-level details and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0040] References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “another example” and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0041] A hairbrush device with a rotating brush head of the present invention in accordance with various embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly FIGS.1-10.

[0042] Embodiments of the hairbrush device, generally 100, structured according to certain principles of the invention, are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10. The hairbrush 100 is specifically designed to style tangled or fine-matted hair 112 with comfort and minimal pain.  The simplified version of the hairbrush 100, according to various embodiments, is shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 9. The hairbrush 100 comprises at least two parts, namely a handle 101 and a brush head 104, according to an embodiment as shown in FIGS.9-10 and comprises at least three parts, namely a handle 101, a brush head 104, and a cap portion 106, according to another embodiment as shown in FIGS.1-6.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 5-6, the hairbrush 100 includes an ergonomically designed handle 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The handle 101 includes an engagement shaft 102 that extends from a first end 101a of the grip portion 101b of the handle 101. The engagement shaft 102 may be partially cylindrical in shape and partially polygonal in shape along its length, as seen in FIG.5. In some other embodiment, the engagement shaft 102 may be completely cylindrical in shape (FIG.9 and 10). In another embodiment, the engagement shaft 102 may be completely polygonal in shape (not shown in figures).

[0044] The engagement shaft 102 comprises at least one first magnet 102a. FIGS.1-6 show the presence of magnet 102a as an integral part of the engagement shaft 102 (a portion of the shaft) of the handle 101. As seen in FIG.5, the polygonal-shaped portion of the terminal end 102b of engagement shaft 102 may be configured to act as a magnet 102a (first magnet) for the purpose of this disclosure. Although just a single portion 102a of the shaft 102 is configured as a magnet 102a (herein after referred to as the magnetic portion 102a), it should be understood that multiple portions of the shaft 102 may also be configured as magnets. The cross-sectional shape of the magnetic portion 102a is polygonal. In some other embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the magnetic portion 102a may be circular. The magnet 102a is a Neodymium magnet.

[0045] In another embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the engagement shaft 102 may include at least one second magnet 102a. The at least one second magnet 102a is circular disc-shaped magnet 102a configured around the shaft 102. As shown in FIG. 9, the engagement shaft 102 may comprise a pair of magnetic discs 102a (first magnets), each positioned at a predefined distance from a tip/terminal end 102b of the engagement shaft 102. In an example, a first magnetic disc 102a of the pair of magnetic discs 102a may be located at a distance of 1 inch from the tip or terminal end 102b of the engagement shaft 102, and a second magnetic disc 102a of the pair of magnetic discs 102a may be located at a distance of 2 inches from the first magnetic disc 102a. The magnetic discs 102a may be Neodymium disc magnets, for example, having a circular shape and a hollow centre for receiving the shaft 102. The term magnetic disc herein also includes ring magnets. Some of the preferred magnetic discs or ring magnets suitable for the application are offered by vendors such as Stanford Magnets.

[0046] The handle 101 allows a user to maneuver the hairbrush 100 over the user’s hair 112. The handle 101, as seen in FIG.5 and 10, comprises a grip portion 101b, and the elongated engagement shaft 102 extending outward from the grip portion 101b. The grip portion 101b provides the user with a portion of the handle 101 to grasp for maneuvering the hairbrush 100 over the tangled hair 112 to detangle the thick or fine-matted hair 112. The top end 101a of the gripping shaft 101b includes a predefined diameter. In an example embodiment, the diameter may be 1 inch. The engagement shaft 102 is the portion of the handle 101 that is positioned into a receiving volume 104h within the brush head 104.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5 and 10, the grip portion 101b is an elongated member that may be ergonomically shaped for grasping by one hand in order to maneuver the hairbrush 100 specifically the brush head 104 with bristles 104g over the tangled or matted hair 112. The grip portion 101b may be designed to provide the user with a more comfortable grip when holding the handle 101. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the grip portion 101b may comprise an exterior coating, such as a rubber layer, that allows the user to obtain a better grip. The grip portion 101b can be either entirely hollow or solid. The grip portion 101b, in the preferred embodiment, is a hollow cylindrical piece. In an example, the diameter of the grip portion 101b may be 1 inch. In some other examples, the grip portion 101b may be designed with a varying diameter along its length. The engagement shaft 102 may be directly connected to the grip portion 101b at its center or may be connected to the grip portion 101b using a connector 101c. The connector 101c may have a predefined diameter.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2,4A-4D, and 6, the hairbrush device 100 further includes a brush head 104. The brush head 104 is preferably cylindrical. The brush head 104 includes a receiving volume 104h. The receiving volume 104h is adapted to receive the engagement shaft 102 of the handle 101.The brush head 104 comprises a plurality of bristles 104g radially extending from a brush head body with holes 104f. The bristles 104g extend out of the holes 104f located on the brush head body. The brush head 104 comprises a first end 104a and a second end 104b.

[0049] The brush head 104 includes a first internal space 104d extending inside the receiving volume 104h from the first end 104a of the brush head 104. The brush head 104 includes a second internal space 104e extending inside the receiving volume 104h from the second end 104b of the brush head 104 The first internal space 104d is adapted to receive the cap portion 106 within the first internal space 104d. The second internal space 104e is adapted to receive the connector 101c of the handle 101 when the three pieces, the cap portion 106, the brush head 104 and the handle 101 are assembled to form the hairbrush 100. The brush head 104 further includes a stopper 104j integrally positioned within the receiving volume 104h, thereby forming the first internal space 104d for the cap portion 106 and the second internal space 104e for the connector 101c of the handle 101.

[0050] As seen in FIGS. 3A-3C, the cap portion 106 comprises at least one second magnet 106a disposed there inside. The cap portion 106 is preferably cylindrical in shape. The magnet 106a is a magnetic disc. The magnetic discs 106a may be Neodymium disc magnets, for example, having a circular shape and a hollow centre for receiving the shaft 102. The term magnetic disc herein also includes ring magnets. Some of the preferred magnetic discs or ring magnets suitable for the application are offered by vendors such as Stanford Magnets.

[0051] The magnet 106a may have an internal diameter of approximately 6.1 mm, an externaldiameter of approximately 12 mm, and a thickness of approximately 8 mm, according to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3C. The cross section of the magnet 106a complements the cross section of the magnetic portion 102a. The magnetic portion 102a of the shaft 102 is rotationally coupled to the magnet 106a of the cap portion 106 when the cap portion 106 and the shaft 102 are integrated with the brush head 104. The diameter of the magnetic portion 102a of the shaft 102 is chosen such that the magnetic portion 102a is received within a central opening of the magnet 106a of the cap portion 106 and rotatably engages with the magnet 106a to facilitate the rotation of the brush head 104 to overcome resistance from the tangled or matted hair 112 during brushing/combing of the hair 112 of the user 110. The configuration of the brush head 104 is such as to allow the engaging magnets 102a,106a to rotate when the brush head bristles 104g encounter tangles during brushing action of hair 112. The configuration is such that the shaft 102 does not move to the sides within the receiving volume 104h during the brushing action.

[0052] In another embodiment, as seen in FIGS.9 and 10, the use of the cap portion 106 may be eliminated altogether, and the at least second magnet 106a may be disposed within the receiving volume 104h of the brush head 104. In this embodiment, preferably, the receiving volume 104h includes a pair of magnets in the form of magnetic discs 106a. In assembly, the pair of magnetic discs 102a disposed around the shaft 102 engage with the corresponding pair of magnetic discs 106a within the brush head 104 as seen in FIG.9. The two pairs of magnetic discs 102a,106a magnetically couple with each other and are capable of rotating with respect to each other to overcome resistance from the tangled or matted hair 112. The receiving volume 104h is of sufficient diameter to allow the two pairs of magnets 102a,106a to rotate within the space. The configuration is such that the shaft 102 does not move to the sides within the receiving volume 104h.

[0053] In operation, when the hairbrush 100 is moved in a downward direction with respect to the hair 112 while detangling or styling a user’s hair 112 (as seen in FIGS.7-8), the resistance to rotation (rotation in a counter clockwise direction) of the brush head 104 to the engagement shaft 102 is created by the magnetic interaction between the at least one first magnet 102a and the at least one second magnet 106a. During use of the hairbrush 100, when the brush head body 104i encounters tangled or knotted hair by the user 110 while combing the hair 112, the brush head 104 rotates to brush past the tangled or matted hair 112, essentially limiting the maximum amount of tension that would otherwise be transferred to the hair.

[0054] The hairbrush or any components associated thereof, including the brush head 104, the handle 101, magnets/magnetic discs 102a,106a and any other components may be made in different sizes and using various materials (such as plastic, ABS, wooden and so on) known in the art and thus, size, the material of use should not be construed as any limitation.

[0055] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

 

CLAIMS

1. A hairbrush (100), comprising: a handle (101) ergonomically designed and comprising an engagement shaft (102) extending from a first end (101a) of a grip portion(101b), the engagement shaft (102) comprises at least one first magnet (102a); a brush head (104) comprising a first end (104), a second end (104b), and a plurality of bristles (104g) radially distributed about a brush head body (104i); at least one second magnet (106a) disposed within a receiving volume (104h) of the brush head (104); wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) attaches to the at least one second magnet (106a), and wherein the resistance to rotation of the brush head (104) with respect to the engagement shaft (102) is by means of the magnetic interaction between the at least one first magnet (102a) and the at least one second magnet (106a); and wherein, the brush head (104) rotates upon encountering resistance from tangled hair and/or matted hair (112) of a user (110) to brush past the tangled hair or matted hair (112) and limit the maximum amount of tension that would otherwise be transferred to the hair (112).

2. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the engagement shaft (102) is at least cylindrical, polygonal, or partially cylindrical and partially polygonal in shape.

3.The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein a portion (102a) of a terminal end (102b) of the engagement shaft (102) is configured as the at least one first magnet (102a).

4.The hairbrush (100) of claim 3, wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) is polygonal or circular in cross section.

5. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) is two in number, each disposed at a predefined distance from the terminal end (102b) of the engagement shaft (102).

6.The hairbrush (100) of claim 5, wherein at least one first magnet (102a) is a disc-shaped magnet with an opening for receiving the engagement shaft (102).

7. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) is selected from a group of magnets consisting of a Neodymium magnet.

8. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the engagement shaft (102) of the handle portion (101) is positioned into a receiving volume (104h) of the brush head (104).

9. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) and the at least one second magnet (106a) are circular magnetic discs with an opening for receiving the engagement shaft(102).

10. The hairbrush (100) of claim 9, wherein the at least one first magnet (102a) and the at least one second magnet (106a) are selected from a group of magnets consisting of a Neodymium ring magnet.

11. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the brush head (104) is cylindrical.

12. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the engagement shaft (102) is at least directly connected to the grip portion 101b, or connected to the grip portion (101b) using a connector (101c).

13. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one second magnet (106a) is disposed within a cap portion (106) configurable within a first internal space (104d) extending inside the receiving volume (104h) from the first end (104a) of the brush head (104).

14.The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the brush head (104) comprises a second internal space (104e) extending inside the receiving volume (104h) from the second end (104b) of the brush head (104) for receiving the connector (101c) of the handle (101).

15. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one second magnet (106a) comprises an internal diameter of approximately 6.1 mm, an external diameter of approximately 12 mm, and a thickness of approximately 8 mm.

16. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the brush head (104) is configured to allow the at least one first and second magnets (102a,106a) to rotate when the brush head bristles (104g) encounter tangles during the brushing action of hair 112.

17. The hairbrush (100) of claim 1, wherein the brush head (104) further comprises a stopper (104j) integrally positioned within the receiving volume (104h) formed within the brush head body (102i), thereby forming the first internal space (104d) for the cap portion (106) and the second internal space (104e) for the connector (101c) of the handle (101).

18.The hairbrush (100) of claim 13, wherein the cap portion (106) is cylindrical.

ABSTRACT

A hairbrush is provided. The hairbrush includes a handle with an engagement shaft featuring a first magnet, a brush head with a first end and a second end, and bristles radially distributed around the brush head body. The hairbrush further includes a second magnet disposed within a receiving volume of the brush head. The first magnet attaches to the second magnet. The resistance to rotation of the brush head with respect to the engagement shaft is achieved through the magnetic interaction between the first and second magnets. The brush head rotates upon encountering resistance from tangled or matted hair, allowing it to brush past the tangled or matted hair and limit the maximum amount of tension that would otherwise be transferred to the hair.