Animal grooming tool

• US 7,182,043 B1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller Manufacturing Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Miller Manufacturing Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nelson, Joshua D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US11/006,476
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 119/604, 119/603, 119/613, 119/614, 119/617, 119/665, 401/139, 401/140, 401/130, 401/128, 401/261, 401/266, 401/265, 401/285, 151/03, 151/21, 153/20, 239/532
• US Class Current: 119/604
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/001 Washing, cleaning, or drying devices for veterinary purposes A61D7/00, A61D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 24/22 Combs with dispensing devices for liquids, pastes or powders

Abstract

An animal grooming tool (10, 10′, 10″) that allows a user to spray an animal with a liquid and squeegee excess water from the animal. Spraying and squeegeeing may be performed substantially simultaneously with one another in one motion, if desired. The grooming tool includes a tubular body (14) having a plurality of liquid outlets (22) located along the length of the tool. The body defines a central passageway (18) for conveying liquid to the outlets. Scrapers (42) for providing the tool with its squeegee capability are located adjacent the liquid outlets. The grooming tool further includes a handle region (54) and a grip (58) adjacent one end of the body. A portion of the body is curved to form a concave region (20) so that the tool better conforms to the curved surfaces typically found on the animals groomed with the tool.

Claims

1. A tool for spraying a liquid, comprising:

a) an elongate body having a first end, a second end, a length extending between said first and second ends, and a handle region proximate said first end;

b) a plurality of liquid outlets located at least on one side of said elongate body and positioned along said length, each of said plurality of liquid outlets configured for emitting the liquid;

c) at least one scraper attached to said body and extending in a direction substantially along said length, wherein said scraper has an elongated free edge that lies in a first vertical reference plane when said body is substantially horizontal with the liquid outlets facing generally vertically downwardly;

d) wherein the liquid outlets are configured and located on said body so as to emit liquid in a plurality of streams that lie in a second vertical reference plane when said body is substantially horizontal with the liquid outlets facing generally vertically downwardly, and wherein the second plane in which the liquid streams are emitted is both parallel to and horizontally offset to one side of the first plane which contains the free edge of the scraper such that the free edge of the scraper is horizontally offset on said body from the liquid outlets when said body is substantially horizontal with the liquid outlets facing generally vertically downwardly; and

e) wherein the free edge of the scraper is positioned on said body to be at least substantially as low as the liquid outlets when said body is substantially horizontal with the liquid outlets facing generally vertically downwardly.

2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said at least one scraper is formed integrally with said elongate body.

3. A tool according to claim 1, further including a fitting carried on the handle region for connecting said elongate body to a water hose.