# US 5,704,376 A · Strand-separating apparatus

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- Number: US 5,704,376 A
- Document ID: US5704376A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/745,427
- Filed: 1996-11-12
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-11-12
- Inventors: E. Olayinka Ogunro
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704376A

## CPC

- A45D 24/10: combined with additional devices
- A45D 2/00: Hair-curling or hair-waving appliances (heated curling-tongs, curling-irons A45D1/00 ){; Appliances for hair dressing treatment not otherwise provided for}
- A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING

## Abstract

An apparatus to separate hair into units of three for braiding, producing several such units in one application, comprises a handle and a platform affixed thereto having an upper shelf and anchor. The anchor has comb-like teeth for fixing the device to the hair of the subject. The upper shelf prevents tangling of unbraided hair above the device. A blade fixed perperdicularly to the platform has a plurality of teeth separated by notches of alternating depths which receive strands of hair. A lower shelf affixed at an angle to the blade acts as a support for the separated hair strands and prevents tangling. The width between braids may be varied by providing teeth of different widths on the blade.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for separating hair into substantially equal strands for braiding comprising:
(a) an upper shelf,
(b) an anchor longitudinally connected to the upper shelf and substantially co-planar therewith,
(c) a blade disposed in a plane perpendicular to the upper shelf and the anchor and longitudinally connected thereto,
(d) a lower shelf disposed between the blade and the anchor, and connected longitudinally to the blade and the upper shelf and the anchor,
(e) a handle connected to the upper shelf, the lower shelf, the anchor, and the blade,
(f) means integral with the blade for separating hair into substantially equal strands; and,
(g) means integral with the anchor for gripping hair.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper shelf and the anchor are curved along their longitudinal and transverse axes so as to more closely fit the shape of a human head.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for separating hair into substantially equal strands comprises the blade having first teeth; the first teeth being alternately separated by first notches, the first notches having alternating deep and shallow depths, and the blade having a number of first notches equal to a multiple of three.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for gripping hair comprises the anchor having second teeth, the second teeth being equally spaced by second notches; the second notches being wider at their distal ends than their proximal ends.

### Claim 5

An apparatus for separating hair into substantially equal strands for braiding comprising:
(a) an upper shelf,
(b) an anchor longitudinally connected to the upper shelf and substantially co-planar therewith,
(c) a blade disposed in a plane perpendicular to the upper shelf and the anchor and longitudinally connected thereto,
(d) a lower shelf disposed between the anchor and the blade, and connected longitudinally to the blade and the upper shelf and the anchor,
(e) a handle connected to the upper shelf, the lower shelf, the anchor, and the blade;
(f) the blade having first teeth; the first teeth being alternately separated by first notches, the notches having alternating deep and shallow depths; the blade having a number of first notches equal to a multiple of three;
(g) the anchor having second teeth, the second teeth being equally spaced by second notches; the second notches being wider at their distal ends than their proximal ends; and,
(h) the upper shelf and the anchor are curved along their longitudinal and transverse axes so as to more closely fit the shape of a human head.