Abstract: A brush in which the individual bristles are arranged in clusters so that the bristles are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the brush body for improved gathering and aligning of hair without damage thereto. One embodiment also has a casing having a panel with a plurality of openings extending therethrough, a cradle member positioned within the casing carrying a plurality of elongate support members with thread-like monofilament bristles attached thereto. Each of the bristles extends into one of the openings in the panel in a close-fitting relationship. The embodiment also includes means to retract the bristles into the casing through the openings whereby the close fitting relationship between the openings and the monofilament bristles exert a scraping action to the bristles to clean them of any foreign matter adhering thereto.

Abstract: A retractable bristle brush comprising a housing having a bottom side, a top side, spaced side walls and spaced end walls, a plurality of openings extending inwardly from the bottom side, a plurality of bristles aligned with said openings, means mounted for movement between retracted and extended positions of adjustment relative to the housing, the inner ends of said bristles being connected to said means for movement of said bristles through said openings to retracted position within the housing responsive to movement of said means to retracted position and for movement to extend perpendicularly outwardly from the bottom side of the housing responsive to movement of said means to extended position.