Ergonomic handle for grooming brush

• US 20020040686A1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company Incorporated (Petmate Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Willinger, Yoon H.O. Choi
• Inventors: Willinger, Jonathan, Choi, Yoon Ho
• Granted Patent: US 6,543,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/633
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1093 Brush for use on animal A46B2200/1086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/02 specially shaped for holding by the hand

Abstract

A brush handle is formed with a continuously arched upper surface portion and a lower surface portion separated into two arched portions by a humped semi-circular ridge. One of the lower arched portions forms a trigger grip for a single finger held in either a forehand or backhand grip. The handle is preferably covered with a high friction material in the form of a contoured rubber or elastomeric sleeve which is stretched over a complimentarily contoured molded plastic handle.

Claims

1. A brush, comprising:

a longitudinally-extending, elongated, ergonomic handle;

a head; and

a neck portion interconnecting said handle and said head;

said handle having a single continuously-curved longitudinally-extending upper portion, and a lower portion;

said lower portion comprising a first longitudinally-arched portion, a second longitudinally-arched portion and a ridge separating said first and second arched portions.

2. A pet grooming brush, comprising:

a head;

an ergonomic handle connected to said head, said handle comprising an arched upper portion for engaging a user'"'"'s palm and a lower portion comprising a single saddle-shaped trigger grip; and

a neck portion interconnecting said head and said handle;

wherein said neck portion extends between said handle and said head such that said handle commences from said neck portion at a location transversely spaced from the plane of said head.

3. The brush of claim 2, wherein said head is vertically offset said handle.

4. The brush of claim 2, wherein said head is transversely offset from said handle.

5. A pet grooming brush, comprising:

a head having a raised sidewall extending peripherally therearound;

an ergonomic handle connected to said head, said handle comprising an arched upper portion for engaging a user'"'"'s palm and a lower portion comprising a single saddle-shaped trigger grip; and

a neck portion interconnecting said head and said handle, said raised sidewall extending from a portion of said neck and around said head.

6. The brush of claim 5, whereby said head comprises a top portion and wherein said sidewall defines a looped portion extending around said top portion.

7. The brush of claim 5, wherein said brush comprises a slicker brush and said head comprises a rounded substantially circular edge.

8. The brush of claim 6, wherein said top portion comprises a periphery and said sidewall extends around said periphery.

9. The brush of claim 6, wherein said top portion comprises a periphery and said wall is spaced inwardly from said periphery.

10. The brush of claim 6, wherein said wall forms a loop around said top portion of said head.

11. A pet grooming brush, comprising:

a head extending along a first plane,

an ergonomic handle connected to said head and extending along a second plane, and

a neck portion interconnecting said handle and said head such that said first and second planes are offset and do not intersect along said transition portion.

12. The brush of claim 11, wherein said first and second planes are vertically spaced apart.

13. The brush of claim 11, wherein said handle further comprises a plastic section substantially surrounded by a covering.

14. The brush of claim 11, wherein the handle comprises an arched upper portion for engaging a user'"'"'s palm and a lower portion comprising a single saddle-shaped trigger grip.

15. The brush of claim 13, wherein said covering is a soft, pliable sleeve.

16. The brush of claim 15, wherein said sleeve is rubber.

18. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 17, wherein said handle further comprises a contour to enhance gripping.

19. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 18, wherein said contour extends around said handle.

20. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 18, wherein said contour extends at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal axis of said handle.

21. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 17, wherein said handle further comprises a plastic section substantially surrounded by a covering.

22. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 21, wherein said covering is a soft, pliable sleeve.

23. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 22, wherein said sleeve is rubber.

24. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 22, wherein said sleeve further comprises a material to enhance gripping by a user'"'"'s hand.

25. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 17, further comprising at least one raised portion to enhance gripping by a user'"'"'s fingers.

26. An ergonomic handle in accordance with claim 25, wherein said at least one raised portion is defined on said lower portion of said handle.

28. A brush in accordance with claim 27, wherein said head and said handle extend in planes that are respectively transversely offset.

29. A brush in accordance with claim 27, wherein said head is vertically offset said handle.

30. A brush in accordance with claim 27, wherein said head further comprises a raised sidewall extending peripherally therearound.

31. A brush in accordance with claim 30, wherein said head comprises a top portion and wherein said sidewall defines a looped portion extending around said top portion.

32. A brush in accordance with claim 27, wherein said brush comprises a slicker brush and said head comprises a rounded substantially circular edge.

33. A brush in accordance with claim 27, wherein said handle further comprises a plastic section substantially surrounded by a covering.

34. A brush in accordance with claim 33, wherein said covering is a soft, pliable sleeve.

35. A brush in accordance with claim 34, wherein said sleeve is rubber.

17. An ergonomic handle for a grooming brush, comprising:

a continuously curved, longitudinally extending upper portion adapted to accommodate a user'"'"'s palm;

said upper portion having a substantially convex profile when viewed from the side; and

a lower portion defined by a plurality of concave portions adapted to accommodate a user'"'"'s fingers;

one of said concave portions defining a saddle-shaped finger portion.

27. A brush, comprising:

a longitudinally-extending, elongated, ergonomic handle connected to a head,

said handle having a single continuously-curved longitudinally-extending upper portion profile, and a lower portion;

said lower portion comprising a plurality of arched portions,

at least one of said arched portions comprising a saddle-shaped finger portion.