EP-4739108-A1 - PET GROOMING DEVICE

EP4739108A1EP 4739108 A1EP4739108 A1EP 4739108A1EP-4739108-A1

Abstract

A grooming device comprises a plurality of flexible tines, each having a grooming element mounted to the distal end thereof. The tines are spaced from one another laterally and spaced at different elevations as viewed from the side. The tines may be of uniform shape and lengths or different shapes and lengths. The grooming elements can be integrally molded with the tines or may be blades made from a different material. The blades may be permanently secured to the tines or can be removable for replacement by a user. The blades may have a planar body with a contact edge comprising a plurality of teeth that enable grooming of an animal by contact with the contact edge. The proximal ends of the tines are secured to a handle which is grasped by the user. Embodiments of the invention include tines with curved or hooked tips of different shapes.

Inventors

MARKHAM, JOSEPH P.

Assignees

Bounce Enterprises LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240708

Claims (18)

1. A grooming device comprising: a handle; a plurality of tines each having a proximal end secured to said handle and a distal end extending away from the handle; a bend incorporated at the distal end of each tine; the plurality of tines being spaced from one another laterally; a grooming element integral with each tine, said grooming element having an exposed end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon; wherein a first group of tines and corresponding grooming elements form a first row and a second group of tines and corresponding grooming elements form a second row that is longitudinally spaced from said first row; and wherein said plurality of tines are substantially planar with respect to one another.
2. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: said bend forms an angle of between about 60 to 90 degrees.
3. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: said tines are substantially uniformly spaced from one another.
4. The grooming device of claim 1, further including: a mid-support extending laterally across and connected to said tines.
5. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: the tines are arranged in an array and an overall width of the array is between about 3.5 to 4.0 inches.
6. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: an overall length of the tines is between about 2.0 to 4.0 inches.
7. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a width of the tines is between about .20 to .40 inches.
8. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a thickness of the tines is between about .040 to .070 inches.
9. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a gap or space between the tines is between about .25 to .50 inches.
10. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a length of the bend is between about .40 to 1.0 inch.
11. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a length of the bend is between about .60 to .80 of an inch.
12. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: a length of the bend is between about .40 to .60 of an inch.
13. The grooming device of claim 1, wherein: an angle of a bend in distal ends of the tines in relation to the body is approximately 90°.
14. A grooming device comprising: a handle; a plurality of tines each having a proximal end secured to said handle and a distal end extending away from the handle; the plurality of tines being spaced from one another laterally; and a grooming element integral with a corresponding tine of said plurality of tines, each grooming element having a top portion that curves in an angular manner so that the top portion forms a bend that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of a body of the tine, the top portion terminating at a point, a bottom curved portion disposed opposite the top portion, wherein a side portion of the grooming element having one of a V-shape or a U-shape.
15. The grooming device of claim 14, wherein: said tines are substantially uniformly spaced from one another.
16. A grooming device comprising: a handle; a plurality of tines each having a proximal end secured to said handle and a distal end extending away from the handle; the plurality of tines being spaced from one another laterally and said plurality of tines being offset from one another in a lateral direction; a grooming element integral with each tine, said grooming element having a hook shape, wherein the grooming element has a tip that terminates at a converging point and an inner surface of the tip has a sharpened edge.
17. A method of grooming an animal with a grooming device for removing hair or fur from the animal, said method comprising: providing the grooming device having (a) a handle, (b) a plurality of tines each having a proximal end secured to said handle and the distal end extending away from the handle, the plurality of tines being spaced from one another laterally, (c) a grooming element secured to each tine; contacting the animal with the grooming elements so to selectively separate and remove hair or fur from the animal and wherein each grooming element has a top portion that curves in an angular manner so that the top portion forms a bend that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of a body of the tine, the top portion terminating at a point, a bottom curved portion disposed opposite to the top portion, and wherein a side portion of the grooming element has one of a V-shape or a U-shape.
8. A method of grooming an animal with a grooming device for removing hair or fur from the animal, said method comprising: providing the grooming device having (a) a handle, (b) a plurality of tines each having a proximal end secured to said handle and the distal end extending away from the handle, the plurality of tines being spaced from one another laterally, (c) a grooming element secured to each tine; contacting the animal with the grooming elements so to selectively separate and remove hair or fur from the animal; and wherein each grooming element has an exposed end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon, wherein a first group of tines and corresponding grooming elements form a first row and a second group of tines and corresponding grooming elements form a second row that is longitudinally spaced from said first row; wherein said plurality of tines are substantially planar with respect to one another, wherein the plurality of tines are arranged in an array with an overall width between about 3.5 to 4.0 inches and the tines each having a length of between about 2.0 to 4.0 inches.

Description

PET GROOMING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18/349,038 filed July 7, 2023, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/521,467 filed November 8, 2021; the entirety of these related applications being incorporated herein by references. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention generally relates to combs or brushes for animals, and more particularly, to a pet or animal grooming device that has replaceable grooming elements that can be selected for the particular type of animal being groomed and the grooming task to be achieved. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Brushes or combs for animals are known in a multitude of different configurations. A standard comb has a shaft or body and a plurality of teeth that extend linearly along the length of the body. Further, a standard comb typically has teeth that are of the same size, shape and spacing from one another. A standard brush includes a plurality of bristles made of a flexible material and mounted to a body of the brush. The standard brush may have handles of different configurations. [0004] Common functionality for both standard combs and brushes is that the force capable of being transferred to the hair or fur of an animal primarily depends upon two factors: the stiffness of the teeth or bristles and the amount of force applied by the user to the brush. Accordingly, variability in how the hair or fur of an animal is manipulated is somewhat limited in that the uniform flexibility or stiffness of the teeth and bristles becomes a primary factor as to how the animal’s hair is groomed. [0005] In order to vary the type of grooming an animal is to receive, a groomer may have a number of different brushes and combs to address the varying types of animal hair encountered for pets. For example, some dog breeds have short hair of uniform length and texture, while other dog breeds may have longer hair and two coats with differing textures and lengths. Further for example, some dogs have an undercoat of soft fine fur and an overcoat of longer, stiffer fur. As one can appreciate, having the capability to address grooming requirements for the multitude of different types of animal coats can require a relatively large number of grooming utensils. [0006] One particularly difficult grooming task is the grooming of an undercoat for an animal in which it is necessary to penetrate the outer or overcoat layer of hair without destroying the overcoat in the process of grooming the undercoat. [0007] As set forth herein, the grooming device of the present invention provides many advantages over existing grooming devices, as one will appreciate from a review of the following description of the invention and accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The invention herein provides a grooming device that is especially adapted for grooming the fur of animals including pets such as dogs and cats. According to one preferred embodiment, the grooming device comprises a plurality of flexible tines or support extensions, each having a grooming element mounted to the distal ends thereof. [0009] The tines are spaced from one another laterally and may have the same or differing lengths. For differing lengths, this arrangement provides a staggered presentation of grooming elements for contact with the animal to be groomed. The tines may be of uniform shape and spaced substantially equidistant from one another. Alternatively, the tines can be of different shapes and lengths, thereby providing enhanced controlled flexibility for each tine. [0010] The grooming elements are provided in a number of different arrangements in which the side of the grooming elements which contact the fur of the animal have a contact edge that may contain specially configured teeth, or the contact edge may have a pointed or tapered configuration, as discussed in further detail below. The grooming elements may also be described as blades that have a planar body with a contact edge comprising a plurality of teeth or other features which enable grooming of an animal. [0011] With respect to the grooming elements that have a plurality of teeth, these may be configured in a number of different arrangements to provide the desired type of grooming action to be undertaken. For example, according to one configuration, the teeth may be pointed or rectangular shaped. Further for example, the teeth may incorporate teeth similar to teeth that are used on a hacksaw blade; such teeth may be aligned parallel with the contact edge of the grooming element or the teeth may be provided in an offset arrangement with the contact edge. Another configuration of the teeth are provided in a V-shaped orientation. [0012] The proximal ends of the tines are secured to a handle which is grasped by the user. The handle may be ergonomically configured to fit comfortably in the user’s hand. Specifically, th