Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for the dematting of hair on a hairy surface, such as the coat of an animal.

Background of the inven

The present invention aims to provide a handy and

comparatively small, electrically driven device for the fast and straightforward dematting and brushing of the coat of for example an animal, such as the coat of a dog. It has to be effective for all breeds: short haired, long haired, curly haired and all with or without an undercoat. The only

exception hereto is the removal of felted mats. These mats are almost impossible to remove and are mostly removed by the professional dog trimming salon with scissors.

Techniques and tools that are currently used for this in the trimming salon and by private persons are different types of hand brushes and combs. The coat is then repeatedly brushed on the same spot until the mat has been combed out. This is a time consuming and tough job that can take up to three hours.

Summary of the inven

To accomplish the abovementioned goal an automatic chain belt dematting device has been developed in which brush pins are tiltably arranged. A special guide in which the chain runs provides that the brush pins stand up straight on the position where the chain runs over the coat of the dog, deliver their brushing action there, and lie flat when leaving this

position. In the position where the pins lie tilted flat the belt runs under a fine comb which ensures that the hairs are pulled from the pins and are not taken into the inside of the device. Because of this technique long hairs of the dog, if present, do not get stuck in the drive mechanism of the device and the device can be used on every hair length.

The brush pins may also be embodied as torsion springs or bendable pins such that they, when encountering too high of a resistance of a mat which is too big, do not get stuck in a mat but instead can simply spring away. The coat and the skin of the dog are hereby protected against injuries and an overload for the device is avoided.

The hair catcher has a further function and works as a

protection and ensures that the user cannot get between the brush chain and the housing with his hands or fingers.

Furthermore, parts of the body of the dog are hereby also protected against getting pinched.

In combination with the small dimensions and the limited weight of the device, the above mentioned tilt- and spring technique has the advantage that one can get onto the skin and to places which are difficult to reach. Because of this it is an easy to handle and effective device.

Furthermore, the position of the brush pins in brush position can be adjusted. Generally, the pins are positioned for example at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the chain, however, it is possible to give the pins a greater or smaller operating angle. A larger angle provides for a smoother treatment, a smaller angle for a stiffer treatment. This latter position is recommended if the coat has many mats. The larger angle is recommended if only a normal maintenance brushing treatment is desired. This adjustment is performed by rotating the adjustment knob on the side of the chain belt to the desired position.

As an alternative to the application of an adjustable angle use can be made of different brush chains in which different angles are pre-set. Furthermore, a variation of belts can be developed with different numbers of pins, longer or shorter pins and different materials for the pins can be used to achieve a harder or softer brushing effect.

The device mainly comprises two modules:

1. A drive module with the output drive of the chain which is embodied in the form of a handle.

Depending on the customer' s wish this can be provided with an adapter or with a battery.

2. A chain module in which the chain runs around. This module is a replacement part which needs to be easily and quickly exchangeable when worn out. Moreover, there are multiple types of chain available which need to be exchangeable during a treatment. The types of chain differ in spring tension, length and material of the brush pins and the degree of occupation of the chain.

The device is easily implemented for different types of coat. The development has taken place on the coat of the dog;

however, the coats of other hairy animals are also well and effectively treatable with it. One might think here of, for example, cats and horses. Moreover, in principle it is also well usable for human hair. For this last application the pins may for example be made of plastic to get a softer effect on the scalp.

Somewhat different than formulated hereabove the invention comprises a device for the dematting of hairs of a hairy surface, such as the coat of an animal, which device comprises a drive module and a chain module,

wherein the chain module comprises a frame and two chain rollers mounted therein of which during use of the device at least one is coupled to a drive motor of the drive module, wherein further provided is one or more parallel chains which extend around and between both chain rollers and which during use of the device are brought into movement by means of the at least one driven chain roller,

which of one or more chains are provided with brushing

elements which are connected resiliently tiltably around a tilt axis transverse to the direction of movement of the applicable chain with said chain and which each comprise at least one outwardly tiltable brush pin and an inwardly

tiltable tilting cam connected therewith,

wherein is provided a tilting cam guide which is connected with the frame and wherein the tilting cam guide and the tilting cams are arranged such that on the side of the chain module which during use of the device is brought into contact with the hairs of the hairy surface to be dematted, the tilting cams under influence of the driven movement of the chains during the passage of the tilting cam guide are pushed in the direction of the chain by the tilting cam guide whereby the brush pins which are connected with the tilting cams are pushed in the direction of the hairy surface.

The chain module and the drive module are preferably arranged to be coupled to each other and to be decoupled from each other by the user, wherein the at least one driven chain roller is then coupled to the drive motor of the drive module and decoupled therefrom, respectively. For example, the at least one driven chain roller is coupled to the drive motor of the drive module via a gear which is connected with the drive motor and a gear which is connected with the at least one driven chain roller.

Furthermore, preferably a hair catch module is provided which comprises hair catch pins which extend, determined in the direction of movement of the of the chains, near the end of the chain cam guide at an angle against the direction of movement of the chains from outside at angle in the direction of the chains, wherein the brush pins and the hair catch pins are arranged such that they can pass each other substantially unhindered, wherein any hairs being taken by the brush pins during use of the device are taken outside by the hair catch pins. The hair catch module is preferably inwardly, in the direction of the chains, and outwardly tiltably connected with the chain module.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be discussed with the help of the following description of the drawings.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention . Detailed description

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 for the dematting of hairs of a hairy surface, such as the coat of an animal, which device 1 comprises a drive module 2 and a chain module 3. The chain module 3 comprises a frame 4 and two chain rollers 5 and 6 mounted therein of which during use of the device one (6) is coupled to a drive motor 7 of the drive module 2.

Further provided are one or more parallel chains 8 with chain links 9, which extend around and between both chain rollers 5 and 6 and which, during use of the device, are brought into movement by means of the driven chain roller 6. The chain links 9 are provided with brushing elements 10 which are resiliently tiltably around a tilt axis 11 transverse to the direction of movement of the applicable chain connected with said chain and which each comprise at least one outwardly tiltable brush pin 10a and an inwardly tiltable tilting cam 10b connected therewith.

Further provided is a tilting cam guide 12 which is connected with the frame 4 (and/or is a part thereof) and wherein the tilting cam guide 12 and the tilting cams 10b are arranged in such a way to cooperate so that on the side (in the figures the underside) of the chain module 3 which is brought into contact with the hairs of the hairy surface to be dematted, under influence of the driven movement of the chains during the passage of the tilting cam guide 12, the tilting cam guide 12 is pushed (tilted) (more) into the plane of the chain by the tilting cam guide 12 whereby the brush pins 10a which are connected with the tilting cams 10b are also being pushed (tilted, see arrow 20) to the outside (more) transverse to the plane of the chain, in the direction of the hairy surface, whereby they can engage the hairs of the hairy surface and by the driven movement of the chain 8 and the (outwardly

pointing) brush pins 10a are able to demat those hairs. The chain module 2 and a drive module 3 are arranged to be coupled to each other and to be decoupled from each other by the user, wherein the driven chain roller 6 is then coupled to the drive motor 7 of the drive module 3 and decoupled

therefrom, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the driven chain roller 6 is coupled to the drive motor 7 of the drive module 3 via a gear 13 which is connected (via a drive belt 14) with the drive motor 7 and a gear 15 which is connected with the driven chain roller 6.

Further provided is a hair catch module 16 which comprises a series of hair catch pins 17 which extend, determined in the direction of movement 18 of the of the chains 8, near the end of the chain cam guide 12 at an angle against the direction of movement 18 of the chains 8 from outside at angle in the direction of the chains 8, wherein the brush pins 10a and the hair catch pins 17 are arranged such that they can pass each other substantially unhindered, wherein any hairs being taken by the brush pins 10a during use of the device are taken outside by the hair catch pins 17. The hair catch module 16 is inwardly, in the direction of the chains 8, and outwardly tiltably (see arrow 19) connected with the device 1 by means of a tilting axle 20.

Thus, with the present invention a handy and comparatively small, electrically driven device is provided for fast and straightforward dematting and brushing of the coat of for example an animal, such as the coat of the dog.