CAT BRUSH HAVING INTEGRAL PENETRTION GUIDE

Abstract

A cat brush with a surface having adjacent spaced apart fingers intended to interfit between the hairs of a feline coat, so that the hairs can be dragged therethrough to align the hairs and remove matted fur, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the fingers such that the fingers taper from the surface to a point and are characterized by a maximum thickness (T.sub.max) measured at and parallel to the surface, a maximum height (H.sub.max) measured perpendicular to the surface, and a midway thickness (T.sub.1/2) measured parallel to the surface at one-half the maximum height, such that: (2T.sub.max)<H.sub.max<(3T.sub.max); and T.sub.max(2T.sub.1/2); and H.sub.max=2 to 5 mm.

Claims

1. A cat brush comprising a surface having adjacent spaced apart fingers intended to interfit between the hairs of a feline coat, so that the hairs can be dragged therethrough to align the hairs and remove matted fur, wherein the surface is less than 55 cm (22 inch), and wherein the fingers taper from the surface to a point in a hook shape and are characterized by a maximum thickness (T.sub.max) measured at and parallel to the surface, a maximum height (H.sub.max) measured perpendicular to the surface, and a midway thickness (T.sub.1/2) measured parallel to the surface at one half the maximum height, wherein (2T.sub.max)<H.sub.max<(3T.sub.max), T.sub.max(2T.sub.1/2), and H.sub.max=2 to 5 mm (0.10.2 inch).

2. (canceled)

3. The cat brush of claim 1, wherein H.sub.max=2.5 to 3.5 mm.

4. (canceled)

5. The cat brush of claim 1, wherein H.sub.max=2.75 to 3 mm.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The cat brush of claim 1, wherein the fingers are spaced apart about 1.1 mm (0.04 inch) as measured at the surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 (Prior Art) shows a generic brush 10 having a multiplicity of adjacent spaced apart fingers 12 that extend from a generally planar surface 14 to which a handle 16 may be attached;

[0010] FIGS. 2A-C present schematic side views of a representative embodiment of my improved cat brush 18; and

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an exemplary finger 12 of my improved cat brush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2A, my invention provides an improved cat brush 18 having a multiplicity of short, tapered fingers 12 that extend in spaced array from a common surface 14, optionally with a handle 16 attached to the surface 14.

[0013] The surface 14 may be generally shaped as a rectangle or a roughly isosceles trapezoid, as shown in FIG. 2A. For use with domestic cats (Felis catus) the surface 14 dimensions are preferably encompassed by one or more of the following rectangles: 107 cm, 55 cm, and 44 cm.

[0014] The subject fingers 12 are arrayed on the surface 14 in order to interfit between and align the guard hairs of a domestic cat, with a representative lateral spacing between adjacent fingers 12 of about 1.1 mm apart as measured at the surface 14.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, each finger 12 is quite short, in terms of maximum height (H.sub.max) measured perpendicular to the surface 14, in order to penetrate the undercoat without scratching the underlying skin, with a representative maximum height of about 2.8 mm above the surface 14. The maximum height (H.sub.max) can range from 2 to 5 mm, preferably 2.5 to 3.5 mm, and optimally 2.75 to 3 mm.

[0016] The fingers 12 are quite squat, in terms of maximum thickness (T.sub.max), as measured perpendicular to the surface 14. A representative finger 12 of 2.8 mm maximum height (H.sub.max) has a maximum thickness (T.sub.max) of about 1.3 mm. The following relationship is considered operable: (2T.sub.max)<H.sub.max<(3T.sub.max).

[0017] The fingers 12 are also tapered in shape, that is, wider proximal the surface 14 and narrowing to a thinner distal point 20. Pursuant to the invention the narrowing taper is configured to align and compress guard hairs near the surface 14 and present the point 20 to penetrate underlying mats and undercoat. As shown here, the fingers 12 are preferably curved into a hooked shape in order to facilitate capture and removal of shed hairs.

[0018] Regardless of whether the finger 12 is straight or curved, its taper should be controlled with respect to its maximum thickness (T.sub.max) and maximum height (H.sub.max) as follows: T.sub.max is equal to or preferably greater than (2T.sub.1/2), wherein T.sub.1/2 is the widest thickness of the finger 12 as measured parallel to the surface at one-half (H.sub.1/2) of its maximum height (H.sub.max).

[0019] Through much experimentation of size and shape of cat brush fingers, I have found that thicker finger widths prevent an effective penetration into the very fine hair of the cat undercoat. If the fingers were too long and thin they would penetrate the undercoat too far, reach the animal's skin and create an uncomfortable scratching sensation. Yet fingers too short failed to pass beyond the outer coat into the fine hair of the undercoat.

[0020] Thus my empirically determined configuration is optimized to reach the undercoat for accomplishing removal of loose hair thus preventing matting. My empirically determined shape constraints, particularly the stated relationship between T.sub.1/2 and T.sub.max, fosters a better grooming experience, by discouraging penetration/entanglement in favor of a gentle unraveling and recovery of individual hair strands. The resulting array of adjacent spaced apart fingers provides sufficient resistance to serve as a tactile penetration or depth guide that prompts the groomer to gently locate matted hairs and avoid pulling the cat's undercoat.

[0021] My improved cat brush 18, particularly embodiments wherein H.sub.max is 2.75 to 3 mm, is readily manufactured by available 3D printing processes and printers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D printing. Accessed Oct. 11, 2018.)

[0022] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the disclosed configuration can be adapted for use with larger felines, other mammalian pets, and farm animals.