Hair detangler comb

Abstract

A comb for detangling hair includes a handle, a head portion attached to the handle, and a plurality of teeth attached to the head portion. At least some of the teeth comprise first and second proximal ends, and a distal end, the first and second proximal ends being spaced apart from one another and being relatively moveable, wherein such relative movement of the proximal ends of said at least some of the teeth causes flexion or shape change of the tooth. The flexion of the tooth assists in detangling the hair by gently moving the hair shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A comb for detangling hair comprising:
 a handle;   a head portion attached to the handle;   a plurality of teeth attached to the head portion, wherein at least some of the teeth comprise first and second proximal ends, and a distal end, the first and second proximal ends being spaced apart from one another and being relatively moveable, wherein such relative movement of the proximal ends of said at least some of the teeth causes flexion of the tooth.   
     
     
         2 . The comb according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 one of the proximal ends of each tooth of the comb is movable, and the other proximal end of each tooth is fixed to the head portion in a stationary position, such that a relative movement between the two ends is created by movement of only one end of the tooth.   
     
     
         3 . The comb according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the proximal ends of each tooth are mounted to at least one attachment section mounted in the head portion, and wherein at least one said attachment section is moveable within the head portion to move the proximal tooth ends attached thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The comb according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one attachment section is a bar defining a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The comb according to  claim 4 , wherein two longitudinal attachment sections are provided, and wherein the first proximal ends of the teeth are attached to one of the longitudinal attachment sections while the second proximal ends of the teeth are attached to the other of the longitudinal attachment sections. 
     
     
         6 . The comb according to  claim 3 , further comprising a mechanism for moving said at least one moveable attachment portion. 
     
     
         7 . The comb according to  claim 6 , wherein said mechanism comprises a motor. 
     
     
         8 . The comb according to  claim 6 , wherein said mechanism comprises a manually-operated crank handle. 
     
     
         9 . The comb according to  claim 7 , wherein said motor is connected to said at least one moveable attachment portion via a gear wheel and a crank, and wherein the movement of the at least one moveable attachment portion is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the attachment section. 
     
     
         10 . The comb according to  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are made of a flexible material selected from the group consisting of plastic and silicone. 
     
     
         11 . The comb according to  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are U- or V-shaped, with the apex of the tooth forming the distal end. 
     
     
         12 . A comb for detangling hair comprising:
 a handle;   a head portion attached to the handle;   a plurality of teeth attached to the head portion, wherein at least some of the teeth comprise first and second proximal ends, and a distal end, the first and second proximal ends being spaced apart from one another and being relatively moveable with respect to each other, and wherein movement of at least one of the first and second proximal ends cause modifications in the shape of the tooth.   
     
     
         13 . The comb according to  claim 12 , wherein the modifiable shape comprises an increase or decrease in dimension between the first and second proximal ends. 
     
     
         14 . The comb according to  claim 13 , wherein the increase or decrease in dimension between the first and second proximal ends of the teeth is caused by movement of at least one attachment portion mounted to the head portion, one of the first or second proximal ends of each tooth being attached to the movable attachment portion while the other of the first or second proximal ends of each tooth is attached separately to the head portion. 
     
     
         15 . The comb according to  claim 14 , wherein the movement of one of the first or second proximal ends of each tooth causes flexion of the tooth. 
     
     
         16 . The comb according to  claim 12 , wherein relative movement of the first and second proximal ends of the teeth is operated by a motor housed in the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The comb according to  claim 12 , wherein the teeth are made of a flexible material selected from the group consisting of plastic and silicone. 
     
     
         18 . The comb according to  claim 17 , wherein the teeth are made of a flexible plastic material, and wherein the distal ends of the teeth are coated or made of a flexible silicone material. 
     
     
         19 . The comb according to  claim 12 , wherein the teeth are U- or V-shaped, with the apex of the tooth forming the distal end. 
     
     
         20 . The comb according to  claim 12 , wherein modifications in the shape of the tooth assist in detangling of the hair by moving portions of a hair shaft.