Ouchless comb

Abstract

A comb includes an elongate slender main body, a slot, and a plurality of bristles. The elongate slender main body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The slot is disposed in the main body and extends substantially along the entire length of the main body. The main body is separated into a rigid handle portion and a flexible spine portion, such that the rigid handle portion is connected to the flexible spine portion at the first and second ends of the main body. The plurality of bristles extend from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion.

1 . A comb comprising: 
 an elongate main body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;    a slot disposed in the main body extending substantially along the entire length of the main body, thereby separating the main body into a rigid handle portion and a flexible spine portion, wherein the rigid handle portion is connected to the flexible spine portion at the first and second ends of the main body; and    a plurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion, wherein the flexible spine portion deflects toward the rigid handle portion when sufficient force is applied to tips of the bristles in a direction of the slot.    
   
   
       2 . The comb of  claim 1 , further including a limiting member disposed in the slot configured to engage the handle portion to limit deflection of the flexible spine portion in direction of the handle portion.  
   
   
       3 . The comb of  claim 2 , wherein the limiting member extends into the slot from an inside surface of one of the rigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion.  
   
   
       4 . The comb of  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion including the rigid handle portion, the flexible spine portion, and the bristles are integrally formed.  
   
   
       5 . The comb of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is at least partially filled with a resilient material.  
   
   
       6 . The comb of  claim 5 , wherein the slot entirely filled with one of a rubber and TPE material.  
   
   
       7 . The comb of  claim 1 , further including a handle extension disposed on one of a first and second end of the body portion, wherein a length of the handle extension is at least ⅔ the length of the body.  
   
   
       8 . The comb of  claim 7 , further including a plurality of combs extending from the handle extension.  
   
   
       9 . The comb of  claim 1 , further including one of a hook and pick disposed on one of a first and second end of the body portion.  
   
   
       10 . The comb of  claim 1 , further including a housing that slidably receives the comb, wherein the comb is slidable between a retracted and an extended position.  
   
   
       11 . The comb of  claim 1 , further including a channel disposed in at least one of the plurality of bristles.  
   
   
       12 . A comb comprising: 
 a rigid handle portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;    a flexible spine portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, each of the respective first and second ends of the rigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion being attached, thereby providing a slot; and    a plurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion, wherein the flexible spine portion deflects toward the rigid handle portion when sufficient force is applied to tips of the bristles in a direction of the slot.    
   
   
       13 . The comb of  claim 12 , wherein the spine portion bends during use and abuts the handle portion.  
   
   
       14 . The comb of  claim 12 , wherein the rigid handle portion, the flexible spine portion, and the bristles are integrally formed.  
   
   
       15 . The comb of  claim 12 , wherein the slot is at least partially filled with a resilient material.  
   
   
       16 . The comb of  claim 12 , further including a channel disposed in at least one of the plurality of bristles.  
   
   
       17 . A comb comprising: 
 a body comprising a rigid handle portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a flexible spine portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the respective first and second ends of the rigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion are attached, thereby providing a slot there between;    a plurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion; and    a housing that slidably receives the body between a retracted and an extended position.    
   
   
       18 . The comb of  claim 17 , wherein the body includes a slider that is received by a track in an outer surface of the housing, the slider being engageable when comb is in the retracted position to slide comb to the extended position.  
   
   
       19 . The comb of  claim 18 , wherein the slider is accessible from an exterior of the housing.  
   
   
       20 . The comb of  claim 17 , wherein housing fully encompasses the body when in the retracted position.  
   
   
       21 . The comb of  claim 20 , wherein the housing includes a cover for closing an opening through which the body enters and exits the housing.  
   
   
       22 . The comb of  claim 17 , wherein the housing covers the slot and leaves the bristles exposed when in the retracted position.  
   
   
       23 . The comb of  claim 17 , further including a channel disposed in at least one of the plurality of bristles.