US3750680A - Teasing comb - Google Patents

Abstract

A comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teeth projecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which is housed in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinder thereof. Placing the rotating cylinder of the comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof. The teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereof being directed away from the direction of rotation to assure that the ends of the teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglement therewith, thus minimizing the damage to the hair in the teasing process which normally pulls and breaks many strands of hair. The non-power driven embodiment of the comb includes a handle which facilitates manual turning of the cylinder when desired as the comb is caused to pass through the hair.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Miller TEASING COMB [76] Inventor: Benjamin L. Miller, 4523 Jamaica, Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,022

[52] U.S. Cl ..132/11 R [51] Int. Cl A45d 24/00 [58] Field of Search 132/11 R, 159-160, 132/161, 122, 134, 137-139, 150-151; 128/56 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,433 8/1931 Miller 132/139 3,459,199 8/1969 Connell 132/11 R 3,302,654 2/1967 Scamman 132/122 1,042,940 10/1912 McConnell.... 132/134 2,829,656 4/1958 Pecovsky 132/122 952,491 3/1910 Youngs 132/159 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 954,436 6/1949 France 132/150 1 Aug. 7, 1973 Primary ExaminerLouis G; Mancene Assistant ExaminerGregory E. McNeill Attorney-John R. Walker, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teeth projecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which is housed in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinder thereof. Placing the rotating cylinder of the comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof. The teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereof being directed away from the direction of rotation to assure that the ends of the teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglement therewith, thus minimizing the damage to the hair in the teasing process which normally pulls and breaks many strands of hair. The nonpower driven embodiment of the comb includes a handle which facilitates manual turning of the cylinder when desired as the comb is caused to pass through the hair.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED M18 SM 1 0F 2 WWW TEASING COMB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of teasing combs.

2. Description of the Prior Art A preliminary patentability search revealed the following U.S. Patents: Spillers US Pat. No. 3,204,469; Sawin US. Pat. No. 3,349,782; Rankin US. Pat. No. 3,373,739; Paccione US. Pat. No. 3,384,096; Roberts et al. US Pat. No. 3,386,453; and Magguilli U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,522. None of the above patents show or suggest applicants device. However, it should be pointed out that certain of the above patents, e.g., No. 3,204,469 depend upon traveling a straight comb in an elliptical path so that the teeth are moving substantially perpendicular to the strands of hair when entering and leaving the strands of hair and travel a distance substantially parallel with the strands of hair while accomplishing the teasing process. Additionally, other of the above patents, e.g., No. 3,386,453, depend upon a retracting action of the teeth to strip the strands of hair from the teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The concept of the present invention is to provide a teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teeth projecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which is housed in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinder about the longitudinal axis thereof. Several embodiments of the comb are disclosed, one of which includes alternate rows of primary and secondary teeth arranged about the circumference of the cylinder. This later embodiment of the cylinder preferably is fixedly attached to a handle to facilitate manual turning about the longitudinal axis thereof.

The primary teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereof being directed away from the direction of rotation to assure that the ends of the teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglement therewith. More specifically, the free ends of the primary teeth trail the root ends as the cylinder is caused to turn about the longitudinal axis thereof, i.e., in the preferred direction of rotation.

The secondary row of teeth is disposed substantially parallel with the primary row of teeth; however, the secondary teeth are staggered with respect to the primary teeth. Additionally, the secondary teeth are straight and preferably are disposed along extensions of radii of the cylinder.

The objects and/or advantages of a power-driven hair teasing comb are well identified or defined and enumerated in certain of the above-referenced patents, e.g., the Nos. 3,349,782; 3,386,453; and 3,421,522. It should be noted that the foremost advantages are: First, less fatigue is experienced by the beauty operator; secondly, the power-driven comb accomplishes the same task in considerably less time. These advantages are further enhanced by peculiar structure as herein disclosed.

The principal embodiment of the teasing comb of the I present invention preferably has three rows or more rows of primary teeth symmetrically arranged about the circumference of the cylinder. The motor is housed in the handle of this embodiment to facilitate manipulation of the comb. Placing this embodiment of the comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof.

The teeth of the comb of the principal embodiment preferably are shorter than the radius of the cylinder body. These features result in the teasing comb of the present invention, minimizing the damage to 'the hair in the teasing process which normally heretofore, even when straight combs are used, pulls and breaks many strands of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the principal embodiment of the teasing comb of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line II-Il of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the principal embodiment of the comb of the present invention depicting a preferred direction of rotation and showing the comb actively engaged in teasing a plurality of strands of hair.

FIG. 4 depicts a second embodiment of the main body member.

FIG. 5 depicts a third embodiment of the main body member.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational'view of a fourth embodiment of the teasing comb.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII- -VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIII- --VIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the fourth embodiment of the teasing comb of the present invention shown being passed through several strands of hair.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 except the comb is shown being rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof while being passed through several strands of hair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS referring first to the principal embodiment of the teasing comb 11 shown in FIGS. 1 3, comb II includes a cylinder-like main body member 13 having at least one row of teeth 15 projecting radially therefrom. This embodiment of the comb 11 preferably has three rows of teeth, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings with the first row being character referenced by the numeral 15, the second row being referenced by the numeral 15', and the third row being character referenced by the numeral 15".

An electric motor 17 is included and has one end of a power cord 19 suitably attached thereto with the other end of the power cord 19 being suitably fitted with a typical male plug 21. The plug 21 is intended to be received in any convenient power outlet, e.g., volts or the like. It will be understood that if desired any source of electricity such as a battery, not shown, may be used in place of an AC power source. The motor 17 includes a rotatably driven output shaft 23 which is suitably attached to the main body member 13 as by embedding the output shaft in the main body. Therefore, energizing the motor 17 is effective to cause the main body member 13 to rotate in the direction of the arrow 25, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

Tubular housing means 27 is included for receiving the motor 17. The housing 27 constitutes a handle vto facilitate manipulation of the comb by the user, e.g., a beauty operator or the like. The handle or housing 27, being formed from plastic or the like, may optionally include the usual ridges and depressions (not shown) typical with various handles to readily adapt the handle 27 to the hand of the user in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

Particular attention is now directed to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that each of the teeth respectively have proximal and distal ends 29, 31 thereto. Further, an important feature of the comb 1 1 of the present invention is the sweepback or arcuate profile of the teeth 15. More specifically, the proximal ends 29 of the teeth 15 are attached to the main body member 13 in such a manner that the distal ends 31 thereof trail the proximal ends 29 a predetermined distance as the cylinder 13 rotates in the direction of the arrow 25.

The teasing comb 11 of'the present invention is intended to be used by'a beauty operator or the like by placing the comb 11 adjacent a plurality of strands of hair as depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawings and character referenced therein by the numeral 33. Rotating the main body member 13, in the direction of the arrow 25 by the motor 17, is effective to cause the respective rows of teeth 15, 15, 15" to engage the strands of hair 33 and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation of the main body member 13.

From FIG. 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that only one row of teeth engages the strands of hair 33 at any one time. In other words, the row 15 is shown in phantom, slipping free from the strands of hair 33 as the second row 15' is about to engage the strands of hair 33, etc. However, it should be noted that as the teeth 15 leave the taut strands of hair 33, a few of the strands are carried therewith in the typical teasing manner, as depicted by the numeral 33'. The scalp for the hair 33 is shown as at 35 and the beauty operator holds the strands of hair 33 taut while placing the comb ll adjacent thereto and moving the comb 11 in the direction of an arrow 37 or towards the scalp 35. In this regard, it should be understood that the strands of hair 33 may be held vertically, as shown, or horizontally. Additionally, the comb 11 may be placed adjacent the strands of hair 33 so as to comb them from above rather than from beneath, i.e., known as French lacing.

Another important feature of the comb 11 is the relative size of the teeth 15 with respect to the main body members 13. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the comb 11, the dimensionallength of the radius of the cylinder-like main body member 13 is greater than is the length of the teeth 15. This feature keeps the hair 33 from wrapping around the main body member 13 or becoming tangled into the comb 11. In other words, the comb 11 is just like manually using a straight comb for accomplishing the teasing process, i. e., the curvature or sweepback of the teeth 15 allows them to slip gently from the strands of taut hair 33. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the rpm of the main body member 13 should not be excessive. Therefore, a typical arrangement would cause approximately 200 strokes per minute or about 66 rpm of the main body member 13.

The main body member 13 and the teeth 15 preferably are integrally formed from plastic in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. The teeth 15 preferably are relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair as the cylinder or main body member 13 rotates.

From FIG. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that a second embodiment of the main body member is disclosed, being character referenced therein by the numeral 213. The member 213 includes at least four rows of teeth as shown by the numerals 2150, 215b, 2150, and 2150!. It should be noted that the distal ends of the teeth 215a, 215b,, 2150, and 215d are closer to the main body member 213 than are those of the principal embodiment.

From FIG. 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that a third embodiment of the main body member is disclosed and is character referenced therein by the numeral 313. The member 313 includes at least four rows of teeth as shown by the numerals 315a, 315b, 3150, and 315d. It should be noted that the distal ends of the teeth 3150, 315b, 3150, and 315d are closer to the main body member 313 than are those of the principal embodiment or the second embodiment.

Particular attention is now directed towards FIGS. 6 10 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that a fourth embodiment of the main body member is disclosed and is character referenced therein by the numeral 413. In addition, an alternate embodiment of the comb is disclosed and is character referenced in FIG. 6 of the drawings by the numeral 411. The member 413 includes several rows of primary teeth as shown by the numerals 415a 415L alternately spaced by several rows of secondary teeth 418a 4181,. It should be noted that the primary teeth 415a 415L have a curved profile somewhat resembling a boomerang. In other words, the proximal ends 429 are disposed along an extension of a radius of the cylinder 413 and the distal ends 431 are swept back rather abruptly from the intermediate portions thereof, whereby the respective termini thereof trail the proximal ends by a greater distance than do the distal ends 31 of the teeth 15 of the principal embodiment.

The secondary rows of teeth are disposed in substantial parallel arrangement with the primary rows of teeth. However, from FIG. 8 of the drawings, it may be seen that the secondary teeth 418a 418L are staggered with respect to the primary teeth 415a 4151,. From FIGS. 7, 9 and 10 of the drawings, it may be seen that the secondary teeth 418a 418L are much shorter than are the primary teeth 415a 415L and are disposed along an extension of a radius of the cylinder 413. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 7 of the drawings wherein it can be observed that the teeth 15, 215, 315 and 415 have substantially equal length thereto but are shaped differently, as depicted, or are attached to their respective main body members 13, 213, 313, 413 with unique pitch angles. From FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, it may be seen that the distal ends 431 extend a distance above the adjacent row of secondary teeth or the distal ends of the primary teeth 415a intersect a' plane lying coincident with the longitudinal axes of the secondary teeth 418a, etc..

The main body member 413 preferably is intended to constitute a part of the comb 411 and the remaining disclosure will be directed toward that end; however, it should be understood that the main body member 413 may optionally be interchanged with any of the previously described main body members and vice versa.

The comb 411 includes handle 427 which is fixedly attached to the cylindrical main body member 413. Ac-

tually, it may be desirable that the comb 411 be integrally formed, that is, the main body member 413, the primary teeth 415a 41SL, the secondary teeth 418a 418L and the handle 427 being integrally formed from plastic or the like in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. In any event, the primary teeth 415a 41SL and the secondary teeth 418a 418L are relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

In using the comb 41 1, the operator would preferably grasp the handle 417 with one hand and grasp several strands of hair 33 with the other, then while holding the strands 33 taut or slightly pulling them away from the scalp 35, he would move the comb toward the scalp 35 or in the direction of the arrow 437 while a plurality of the primary and secondary teeth 415, 418 simultaneously engage several strands of the hair 33. In this manner, a few of the strands, as depicted by the numeral 33' are teased or lifted from the taut strands 33 in a well known fashion. In other words, the comb 411 is used in a manner very similar to a standard straight comb except the comb 411 accomplishes the task in considerably less time and also the operator experiences less fatigue since fewer strokes are required.

On the other hand, the operator may further enhance the advantages of the comb 411 by turning the handle 427 and the main body member 413 in the direction of the arrow 425 while moving the comb 411 in like manner as just described, that is, in the direction of the arrow 437, etc.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure, said teasing comb comprising cylinder means including a plurality of coacting first, sec- 0nd, and third symmetrically arranged rows of primary teeth projecting radially therefrom for sequentially engaging the hair, and a handle attached to said cylinder means to facilitate turning said cylinder means in a predetermined direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof as said comb iscaused to pass through the hair, each of said primary teeth having proximal and distal ends thereto and having an arcuate profile with the proximal ends thereof being attached to said cylinder means respectively establishing convex forward directed portions and concave rearward directed portions thereto, the distal ends of said first row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said second row of primary teeth, the distal ends of said second row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said third row of primary teeth, the' distal ends of said third row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said first row of primary teeth, and the distal ends of each of said primary teeth trailing said proximal ends, said convex forward portions of each of said primary teeth initially encountering the hair and the distal ends thereof being the last portions of each of said primary teeth to become disengaged therefrom regardless of in which of said rows said primary teeth may be situated as said cylinder means is caused to turn about the longitudinal axis thereof. I

2. The comb of claim 1 in which the dimensional length of the radius of said cylinder means is greater than the length of said primary teeth.

3. The comb of claim 1 in which said cylinder means including said teeth are integrally formed from plastic, said teeth being relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

4. The comb of claim 1 in which said handle is fixedl attached to said cylinder means.

5. The comb of claim 1 in which is included motor means attached to said cylinder means for selectively rotating said cylinder means about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby placing said comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair being effective to cause said row of primary teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof.

6. The comb of claim 5 in which said handle constitutes housing means for receiving said motor means.

7. The comb of claim I in which is included at least one row of secondary teeth for each of said rows of primary teeth, said secondary teeth projecting radially from said cylinder means for engaging the hair, said secondary row of teeth being disposed in substantial parallel arrangement with said primary row of teeth and with said secondary teeth being staggered with respect to said primary teeth, and each of said secondary teeth being relatively short with respect to said primary teeth and disposed along an extension of a radius of said cylinder means.

8. The comb of claim 7 in which said handle and said cylinder means including said primary and secondary teeth are integrally formed from plastic, said primary and secondary teeth being relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

Claims (8)

1. A teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure, said teasing comb comprising cylinder means including a plurality of coacting first, second, and third symmetrically arranged rows of primary teeth projecting radially therefrom for sequentially engaging the hair, and a handle attached to said cylinder means to facilitate turning said cylinder means in a predetermined direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof as said comb is caused to pass through the hair, each of said primary teeth having proximal and distal ends thereto and having an arcuate profile with the proximal ends thereof being attached to said cylinder means respectively establishing convex forward directed portions and concave rearward directed portions thereto, the distal ends of said first row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said second row of primary teeth, the distal ends of said second row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said third row of primary teeth, the distal ends of said third row of primary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions of said first row of primary teeth, and the distal ends of each of said primary teeth trailing said proximal ends, said convex forward portions of each of said primary teeth initially encountering the hair and the distal ends thereof being the last portions of each of said primary teeth to become disengaged therefrom regardless of in which of said rows said primary teeth may be situated as said cylinder means is caused to turn about the longitudinal axis thereof.

2. The comb of claim 1 in which the dimensional length of the radius of said cylinder means is greater than the length of said primary teeth.

3. The comb of claim 1 in which said cylinder means including said teeth are integrally formed from plastic, said teeth being relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

4. The comb of claim 1 in which said handle is fixedly attached to said cylinder means.

5. The comb of claim 1 in which is included motor means attached to said cylinder means for selectively rotating said cylinder means about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby placing said comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair being effective to cause said row of primary teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof.

6. The comb of claim 5 in which said handle constitutes housing means for receiving said motor means.

7. The comb of claim 1 in which is included at least one row of secondary teeth for each of said rows of primary teeth, said secondary teeth projecting radially from said cylinder means for engaging the hair, said secondary row of teeth being disposed in substantial parallel arrangement with said primary row of teeth and with said secondary teeth being staggered with respect to said primary teeth, and each of said secoNdary teeth being relatively short with respect to said primary teeth and disposed along an extension of a radius of said cylinder means.

8. The comb of claim 7 in which said handle and said cylinder means including said primary and secondary teeth are integrally formed from plastic, said primary and secondary teeth being relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

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