WO2012038633A1

WO2012038633A1 - Device for treating the fur of animals

Info

Publication number: WO2012038633A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/051960
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eddy Cathaud
Original assignee: Eddy Cathaud
Priority date: 2010-09-20
Filing date: 2011-08-24
Publication date: 2012-03-29
Also published as: FR2964826A1; FR2964826B1

Abstract

The invention relates to devices including a handle (1), a head (2) which supports an interchangeable comb in the form of a blade (3) attached onto said head via a plate (4), said head being separate from the handle and hinged onto the latter about a transverse axle parallel to the blade, so as to be able to occupy various angular positions relative to said handle. The aim of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages inherent in an invariable angular position during brushing by providing a device which makes it possible to automatically adapt the angular position between the head and the handle to the morphology of the animal during brushing. According to the invention, the connection between the head (213) and the handle (211), and the control of the hinge are provided by a longitudinal spring leaf (223), the ends (223a, 223c) of which are connected to the head and to the handle, respectively, and an intermediate portion (223b) of which is arranged in a cavity (224) provided at the end of the handle (211) so as to be transversely movable perpendicular to said spring leaf.

Description

The invention relates to a device comprising, as shown in FIG. 1 appended hereto, a longitudinal handle 1 and a transverse head 2 serving to fix a lamellar comb 3. The comb is interchangeable and is plated on the head by a plate 4 by means of at least two screws 5 screwing into threaded inserts 6 of the head.

This device is well known and used for brushing and smoothing the coat of various animals, such as cat, dog, horse ....

It turns out to use that the invariable angulation between the handle 1 and the head 2 is restrictive because, when the device is moved on the body of the animal, it does not follow the curvature of this body, so that the comb teeth can come into contact with the dermis and even scratch or injure it and, in any case, provoke reactions from the animal, if the user is not careful.

The documents US2009 / 1 01 076 and US2007 / 08441 6 describe brushes in which the head is distinct from the handle, is articulated on it by a transverse joint and is immobilized on it by locking means, manually unlockable. This allows the operator to adapt the fomated angle between the handle and the head to the needs of brushing and the morphology of the animal.

However, the adjustment of the angulation can be performed only at rest and in no case during the use of the brush, so that, despite the possibilities of adjustment, the head and its comb may occupy positions that are inappropriate with respect to peel and skin and can injure the skin.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this disadvantage by providing it with the possibility of automatically adjusting the angulation between the head and the handle to the morphology of the animal, and more particularly the part of the animal that is brushed, the thickness of the coat and also the strength of the user.

It relates to a brushing device comprising a handle, a head carrying an interchangeable blade-shaped comb fixed on this head by a plate, said head being distinct from the handle and being articulated on it about a transverse axis, parallel to the blade, to be able to occupy various angular positions with respect to this handle.

According to the invention, the linkage of the head with the handle and the control of the articulation are provided by a longitudinal spring blade whose ends are connected respectively to the head and the handle, and an intermediate portion of which is arranged in a cavity arranged at the end of the handle with the possibility of transverse movements perpendicular to the spring blade. Thanks to this arrangement, during the movement of the device on the body of the imal, the head naturally follows the shape of this body and automatically adapts to these variations., Under the control of the stiffness of the part intermediate spring blade that determines the flexibility of the head and comb

In one embodiment, the end of the handle has, opposite the head, a semi-cylindrical profile on which can slide a semi-cylindrical groove formed partly in a separate element of the handle and constituting the head, and for part in the comb attachment plate on this head.

Thus, the articulation of the head on the handle is perfectly guided. In a preferred embodiment, the handle carries adjustment means bearing on the intermediate portion of the spring blade to modify, on the one hand, the freedom of movement at least in the vertical plane and, on the other hand, on the other hand, the stiffness with which this blade comes out controls the movements of the head.

With this arrangement, the user can adjust himself the tension between the head and the handle, and thus adapt the tool to the needs of the treatment, the morphology of the animal and the force of application that will be communicated to the tool.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing several embodiments of this peeling device.

Figure 1 is a side view with partial section of a traditional brush;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a partial view in section and on an enlarged scale of the head of the device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial side view with partial section of the handle when it is equipped with a means for adjusting the oscillation movements and the stiffness of the spring blade;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment with oscillating head;

Figure 6 is a partial view in longitudinal section when the adjustment means tolerates the maximum amplitude;

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the components of the device of Figures 5 and 6, each of them being shown in longitudinal section passing in its vertical median plane;

Figure 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the device of Figure 6, when the adjustment means tolerates the smallest amplitude; Figure 9 is a partial end view of the end of the handle without any other component;

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the two parts of the adjustment knob;

Figure 1 1 is a partial plan view over the end of the handle when are removed the manipulating knob of the adjusting nut and the fixing plate of the spring blade.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the head is distinct from the handle and comprises a lower element 1 3 and a clamping plate 14 for the comb 3. The end of the handle 1 1 is rounded at 20 and cooperates with a cylindrical groove 21 -22 formed partly in 21 in the plate 14 and partly in

22 in the element 13 constituting the head.

Apart from the comb 3, the fixing screws and the inserts receiving them, the various components of the device, namely, handle 1 1, head member 13 and plate 14 are obtained by molding plastics material.

The manch e 1 1 is sol id ai re, pa r su rmou l ag e or in cl iq u unemountable, one of the ends 23c of a metal blade 23, elastically deformable and which, in the following of the description is called leaf spring. This blade is flat, longitudinal and bent locally to present three parts 23a, 23b and 23c. The end 23c is extended by an intermediate bent portion 23b, connected by a bend to the other end portion 23a.

The latter is inserted between the comb 3 and the face of the element 13.

Figure 2 shows that the leaf spring 23 in the general shape of a T whose crossbar constitutes the end portion 23a.

FIG. 3 shows that this portion 23a is pinched between the element 13 and the plate 14 by means of screws 15 which pass through it and screw into inserts.

16 of the element 13 of the head.

A n d e rm a n d i n te rm a tio n 23 b d e l a n d s a n d s a n d y s 23 longitudinally a cavity 24 at the end of the handle 1 1. This cavity has opposing walls, respectively upper and lower, which flare outwardly to allow elastic deformations of the spring blade 23 in response to movements given to the head by variations in shape and curvature. of the body of the animal. In practice, this deformation is between 0 and 40 degrees, and for example is of the order of 25 degrees.

With this arrangement, when the device is used by being pulled by the handle on the body of the animal, in the presence of a sudden jump of the body the sharp part of the comb 3 tends to adopt a clear path to the high, that is to say to move away from the dermis. As a result, the risks of scratching the animal are removed.

In one embodiment, the device is provided with means for adjusting the oscillation stroke of the head and the stiffness of the leaf spring 23.

In Figure 4, these means are constituted by a screw 30 screwed into an insert 31 of the handle 1 1 1. The end 30a of the screw may come into contact with the intermediate portion 123b of the blade 123, in its portion disposed in the housing 124, to limit and even cancel its movements in this housing.

This arrangement eliminates all movements of the head relative to the handle, so that the device can perform some peeling treatments under the same conditions as a traditional rigid device.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 11, the elements common to the previous embodiments and fulfilling the same function will bear the same reference plus 200 and the new elements will be referenced from 40.

Thus, as shown in Figure 7, the device is composed of a handle 21 1, a member 213 forming the head, a plate 214 for clamping the comb 3, and a leaf spring T 223.

To these components are added:

adjustment means 40,

a plate 41 of pinching of the portion 223c of the blade spring against the bottom of a housing 42 of the handle 21 1,

a decorative cap 43,

screws 44 (FIGS. 6 and 8) for fixing the plate 41 against the handle, and screws 45 (FIG. 6) for connecting the head 213 with the clamping plate 214.

The adjustment means 40, shown in detail in FIG. 10, is constituted by a cylindrical nut which, rotatably mounted at the free end of the handle and about a transverse axis X'-X, comprises a cylindrical manipulation button 50 and an adjusting body 51 in the form of a truncated cylinder with a lower spout 52 adapted to bear on the elastic blade 223. The body 51 of the nut has in the upper part a peripheral detent 53 and an axial mortise 54 adapted to receive a stud 55 protruding from the bottom of the button 50.

In the example shown, the mortise 54 and the post 55 have a cross section positioning them relative to each other, so that the pins 56 carried on the button 50, visible in Figure 7, and cooperating with an index 58 of sleeve, shown in Figure 5, can indicate the positioning of the nut and the adjustment provided by the device in amplitude and stiffness of the leaf spring 223.

As shown in section in FIG. 7, the housing 42 formed in the handle 21 1 is surrounded by a shoulder 46 for receiving the plate 41 and by a shoulder 47 for receiving the cap 43. The housing 41 communicates with the cavity 224 whose diverging walls allow the movements of the portion 223b of the blade. The cavity 224 opens on the outside by a vertical half-bore 48 having, going from the top to the bottom and as shown in FIG. 9:

a groove 48a for receiving the flange of the button 50,

a shoulder 48b for receiving the notched portion 53 of the body of the nut,

a cylindrical bearing surface 48c for rotating the body 51 of the nut,

in this range 48c, a crenel 49 adapted to receive a finger 59 protruding radially from the body 51, to ensure, in a simple version of the device, the setting in rotation the adjusting nut,

- And, in the end and in the diametral plane of the bore, two faces of abutments 48d adapted to receive the support of the finger 59 at each end of its rotary stroke 180 degrees.

In addition and as shown in FIG. 11, the shoulder 48b for receiving the toothed portion 53 has in its posterior part a slot 60 preceded in each direction of rotation by engagement ramps 61, to ensure a sensitive indexing. the position of the walnut 48.

FIGS. 6 and 8 show that the half-bore 48 formed in the handle 21 1 is completed by a similar semi-bore made in the posterior edge of the wafer 21 4. Thus, when the wafer 214 is fixed on the element 21 3 by pinching the spring blade 223, it traps in translation the adjusting nut, without opposing its rotation.

In the embodiment just described, the user can adjust the amplitude of the oscillation of the head 21 3-214 and the stiffness of the elastic return by rotating the adjusting nut between its two extreme positions, know :

a position P1 with a large oscillation amplitude in which, as shown in FIG. 6, the spout 52 of the nut is disposed opposite the head 213-214,

and a position P2 allowing oscillations of smaller amplitude and in which, as shown in FIG. 8, the spout 52 is near the head 213-214.

The rotation of the nut takes place on 1 80 degrees, but can be stopped in intermediate positions, especially as the notch 53 cooperates with the tooth 60 to mark its various intermediate positions. For applications in which the adjustment of amplitude and / or stiffness can be troublesome, the same adjusting nut 40 is disposed in its half-bore 48, taking care to orient it so that its finger 59 is turned towards the right angle. rear and can engage in the slot 49 provided to receive it and which then ensures rotation in rotation. In this position of the nut, the spout 52 occupies a median position between those P1 and P2 shown in the figures.

In the variant shown in Figure 8, the head member 213 is provided with a radial lug 63 projecting rearwardly and slidably mounted in a groove 64 of the handle. By abutting against the end faces of the groove 64 the lug 63 limits the oscillation stroke of the head 21 3 -214 and protects the spring blade 223 from premature aging.

The same results can be obtained with a lug protruding from the handle and penetrating into a blind groove of the element 213.

It follows from the foregoing description that, thanks to the controlled mobility of the brush head and whatever its embodiment, the device according to the invention improves the animal's fur treatment conditions and the fatigue of the affected personnel. at this spot.

Although it is for the animal peeling treatment devices that the articulation of the head on the handle is the most interesting, this articulation can also be applied to all the tools with manual actuation whose variation of inclination of the head relative to the handle can improve the functions performed by the tool carried by the head.

Claims

1.) Apparatus for the treatment of animal pelage comprising a handle (1), a head (2) carrying an interchangeable blade-shaped comb (3) fixed on this head by a plate (4), said head being distinct from the handle and being articulated on it about a transverse axis, parallel to the blade, to be able to occupy various angular positions relative to this handle, characterized in that the connection of the head (1 3, 1 1 3, 21 3) with the handle (1 1, 1 1 1, 21 1) and the control of the articulation are provided by a longitudinal spring blade (23, 123, 223) whose ends (23a, 23c) are connected respectively to the head and handle, and an intermediate portion (23b) is disposed in a cavity (24, 124, 224) formed at the end of the handle (1 1, 1 1 1, 21 1) with the possibility of transverse movements, perpendicular to said spring blade.

2.) Apparatus for treating animal peeling according to claim 1 characterized in that the end of the handle (1 1, 1 1 1, 21 1) has, opposite the head (13, 1 13, 213), a semi-cylindrical profile (20) on which can slide a semi-cylindrical groove (21-22) formed partly in a member (13, 13, 213) distinct from the handle and constituting the head, and partly in the plate (14. 1 14.214) for fixing the blade on this head.

3. Animal treatment device according to claim 1 characterized in that the spring blade (23, 123, 223) is constituted by a flat metal blade folded to present three parts (23a, 23b and 23c) and having viewed from above a generally T-shaped, of which an end portion (23c) is connected to the handle (1 1), while its end portion (23a), in the form of a transverse bar of the T, is pinched between the lower head member (13, 13, 21 3) and the comb (14, 14, 214) wafer.

4.) Device for the treatment of animal peeling according to claim 1 characterized in that the handle (1 1 1, 21 1) carries a setting means (30-40) bearing on the intermediate portion (123b, 223b ) of the spring blade (123, 223) to modify, on the one hand, the oscillation stroke and, secondly, the stiffness with which the leaf spring controls the movements of the head.

5.) Device for the treatment of animal peeling according to claims 1 and 4 taken together, characterized in that the adjusting means is constituted by a screw (30) whose rod is screwed into an insert (31) of the handle and comes, by its end (30a), in contact with the part intermediate (123b) spring blade (123) disposed in a housing (124) of the handle.

6.) Apparatus for treating animal skin according to claims 1 and 4, taken together, characterized in that the adjusting means (40) is constituted by a nut (50, 51) which, rotatably mounted to the end of the handle (21 1) and around a transverse axis (X'-X), comprises a manipulation button (50) and a truncated cylinder-shaped adjusting body (51) forming a lower spout ( 52) on the blade.

7.) Apparatus for the treatment of animal pelage according to claim 6 characterized in that the rotary nut (50, 51) comprises a radial finger (59) adapted to ven r in contact against two abutment faces (48d) arranged at the end of the handle (21 1) and at each end of its 180 ° rotation stroke.

8.) Apparatus for treating the animal's fur according to claims 1 and 2 taken together characterized in that the oscillation stroke of the head (21 3-214) relative to the handle (21 1) is limited by cooperation a lug (63) protruding from the head (213) or the end of the handle (21 1), penetrating into a groove (64) formed in the handle or in the head, and being able to come into contact against the end faces of this groove.

9.) Device for treating the animal's peeling according to claims 1 and 6 taken together characterized in that the half bore (48) formed in the handle (21 1) for containing and guiding the rotation of the adjusting nut ( 40) comprises a slot (49) adapted to receive the radial finger (59) of the nut to ensure the rotation of the latter, in a version without adjustment.