Pet accessory apparatus with lockable bi-stable spring

Abstract

A pet accessory apparatus, the apparatus comprising a bi-stable spring, the bi-stable spring having a first equilibrium position and a second equilibrium position, wherein in the first equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in an elongated state, and in the second equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in a coiled state; and a hairbrush coupled with the bi-stable spring, wherein, in the elongated state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged to brush hair and, in the coiled state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged within a coil formed by the bi-stable spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pet accessory apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a bi-stable spring, the bi-stable spring having a first equilibrium position and a second equilibrium position, wherein in the first equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in an elongated state, and in the second equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in a coiled state; and   a hairbrush coupled with the bi-stable spring, wherein, in the elongated state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged to brush hair and, in the coiled state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged within a coil formed by the bi-stable spring.   
     
     
         2 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a polymer body which at least partially covers the bi-stable spring. 
     
     
         3 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer body is formed of an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer body is overmolded on the bi-stable spring. 
     
     
         5 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer body has a cavity; and
 wherein the hairbrush is disposed in the cavity.   
     
     
         6 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hairbrush comprises bristles and a bristle holder;
 wherein the bristles are coupled to the bristle holder; and   wherein the bristle holder is coupled to the bi-stable spring and/or the polymer body.   
     
     
         7 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bristles have a conical portion. 
     
     
         8 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bristles have a spherical distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The pet accessory apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the bi-stable spring is in the elongated state, the pet accessory apparatus has a proximal end region and a distal end region; and
 wherein the proximal end region provides a handle of the pet accessory apparatus and the distal end region comprises the hairbrush.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bi-stable spring is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the bi-stable spring in the elongated state, or unlock the bi-stable spring from the elongated state. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking bar which is rotatable relative to the bi-stable spring. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking bar is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bi-stable spring has a bi-stable spring longitudinal axis and the at least one locking bar has as locking bar longitudinal axis;
 wherein the at least one locking bar is rotatable to lock the bi-stable spring in the elongated state when the locking bar longitudinal axis is parallel with the bi-stable spring longitudinal axis; and   wherein the at least one locking bar is rotatable to unlock the bi-stable spring from the elongated state when the locking bar longitudinal axis is perpendicular with the bi-stable spring longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking bar further comprises a plurality of locking bars which are each rotatable relative to the bi-stable spring. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein, when the bi-stable spring is in the elongated state, the pet accessory apparatus has a proximal end region and a distal end region;
 wherein at least one locking bar of the plurality of locking bars is disposed at the proximal end region; and   wherein at least one other locking bar of the plurality of locking bars is disposed at the distal end region.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein, when the bi-stable spring is in the elongated state, the pet accessory apparatus has a front side and a rear side; and
 wherein the at least one locking bar is disposed at the rear side of the pet accessory apparatus.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein, when the bi-stable spring is in the elongated state, the bi-stable spring has an arch with the front side of the pet accessory apparatus being a convex side due to the arch and the rear side of the pet accessory apparatus being a concave side due to the arch; and
 wherein the at least one locking bar is disposed at the concave side of the pet accessory apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a pet accessory apparatus, the method comprising:
 obtaining the pet accessory apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a bi-stable spring, the bi-stable spring having a first equilibrium position and a second equilibrium position, wherein in the first equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in an elongated state, and in the second equilibrium position the bi-stable spring is in a coiled state; 
 a hairbrush coupled with the bi-stable spring, wherein, in the elongated state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged to brush hair and, in the coiled state of the bi-stable spring, the hairbrush is arranged within a coil formed by the bi-stable spring; and 
 a locking mechanism to lock the bi-stable spring in the elongated state, or unlock the bi-stable spring from the elongated state, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking bar which is rotatable relative to the bi-stable spring; 
 rotating the at least one locking bar relative to the bi-stable spring to lock the bi-stable spring in the elongated state or rotating the at least one locking bar relative to the bi-stable spring to unlock the bi-stable spring from the elongated state.