Brush with replaceable bristles

Abstract

A brush with a replaceable head includes a handle, a collar releasably coupled to the handle, and a brush head releasably coupled to the collar. The brush head may include a plurality of bristles. The collar may include an engagement member that releasably engages the brush head when the collar is coupled to the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brush with a replaceable head comprising:
 a handle;   a collar releasably coupled to the handle; and   a brush head including a plurality of bristles releasably coupled to the collar.   
     
     
         2 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush head consists only of the plurality of bristles attached to one another with adhesive or heat. 
     
     
         3 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush head consists only of the plurality of bristles attached to one another with heat. 
     
     
         4 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein the collar includes a cavity configured to receive the brush head, and at least one engagement member configured to releasably grip the brush head. 
     
     
         5 . The brush of  claim 4 , wherein each engagement member includes a deflectable element configured to move between a released position in which the brush head is moveable into and out of the cavity, and an engaged position in which the deflectable element engages the brush head within the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The brush of  claim 5 , wherein the deflectable element is biased in the released position. 
     
     
         7 . The brush of  claim 6 , wherein the deflectable element is in the released position when the collar is separated from the handle and in the engaged position when the collar is coupled to the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The brush of  claim 7 , wherein the handle includes a recess configured to receive the collar, the recess having internal threading configured to mate with external threading on the collar. 
     
     
         9 . The brush of  claim 8 , wherein an inner wall of the recess moves the deflectable element from the released position to the engaged position as the collar is inserted into the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The brush of  claim 5 , wherein each deflectable element includes a protrusion extending into the cavity configured to grip the brush head. 
     
     
         11 . The brush of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the collar comprises a cavity having a sidewall, the cavity shaped and sized to receive the brush head, and at least one engagement member in the sidewall, the engagement member adapted to move between a released position and an engaged position such that, when the engagement member is in the released position the brush head is movable into and out of the cavity, and when the engagement member is in the engaged position, the brush head is not moveable out of the cavity;   the handle comprises a recess configured to receive the collar and press against the at least one engagement member when the collar is placed in the recess, such that when the collar is placed in the recess, the at least one engagement member is forced into the engaged position, thereby securing the brush head.   
     
     
         12 . The brush of  claim 11  wherein the recess in the handle comprises a securing means for securing the collar therein. 
     
     
         13 . A brush with a replaceable head comprising:
 a handle;   a brush head including a plurality of bristles; and   a collar releasably coupled to the handle, the collar including a cavity and at least one deflectable element configured to move between a released position in which the brush head is moveable into and out of the cavity, and an engaged position in which the deflectable element secures the brush head within the cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the deflectable element is in the released position when the collar is removed from the handle and in the engaged position when the collar is secured to the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the brush head consists only of the plurality of bristles attached to one another with adhesive or heat. 
     
     
         16 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the brush head consists only of the plurality of bristles attached to one another with adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The brush of  claim 13 , wherein the handle includes a recess configured to receive the collar, the recess having internal threading configured to mate with external threading on the collar. 
     
     
         18 . The brush of  claim 17 , wherein an inner wall of the recess moves the deflectable element from the released position to the engaged position as the collar is inserted into the recess. 
     
     
         19 . A brush with a replaceable head comprising:
 a handle;   a brush head consisting only of a plurality of bristles attached to one another with adhesive or heat; and   a collar releasably coupled to the handle, the collar including a cavity and at least one deflectable element configured to move between a released position in which the brush head is moveable into and out of the cavity, and an engaged position in which the deflectable element secures the brush head within the cavity, wherein the brush head is secured to the handle only by the deflectable element of the collar.   
     
     
         20 . The brush of  claim 19 , wherein the handle includes a recess configured to receive the collar, wherein an inner wall of the recess moves the deflectable element from the released position to the engaged position as the collar is inserted into the recess.