Abstract: A hair grooming apparatus includes a vacuum mechanism and a vacuum chamber that is in fluid communication with the vacuum mechanism. The vacuum chamber includes a first opening positioned at a first end of the vacuum chamber with a first cross-sectional area and arranged to accommodate an insertion of a section of hair and a second opening positioned at a second and opposite end of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber further includes a wall extending between the first and second openings and defining an interior bore. An air pocket is formed along a section of the interior bore extending from a first location located proximate to the first opening with a second cross-sectional area to a second location positioned between the first location and the second opening with a third cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than both the first cross-sectional area and the third cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An improved trimmer is structured to be held in the palm of a user's hand. The trimmer has a grinding drum that is advantageously structured to be situated in a palmar region of the user's hand that can be said to extend from the palm and to be generally bounded by the fingertips. When the trimmer is held in the palmar region, the thumb and certain fingers can support the trimmer, and other fingers that are not necessarily employed in supporting the trimmer are usable to operate a control switch of the trimmer. The control switch controls operation of a drive motor that is connected with a grinding drum which provides abrasive surfaces that are engageable with the animal nail or claw.

Abstract: An electronic method and apparatus to externally sense and identify the position of live tissue within an animal claw, including opaque claws. The live tissue (quick) position is determined by electrical conductivity measurements along the claw, so that the claw can be cut or marked. A receptor electrode positioned on the claw measures conductivity resulting from either a source electrode placed on the animal, or from the electro-magnet field created by the ambient presence of radiated line voltage. A multi point contact electrode which does not require calibration, comprises alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections. A claw receptacle conforms the electrode to the claw.

Abstract: Disclosed is a palm-held device having a cutting assembly which exposes blades on two edges simultaneously to enable a user to cut a target's hair or fur with either edge by moving the device in the desired direction.

Abstract: A clipper for clipping nails of an animal such as a dog, or cat, that allows for the clipping of an individual nail at the desired length while preventing injury to the animal, including a clipper portion and a sensing portion which allows the nail to be localized in a desired position relative to the clipping plane of the clipper and the internal structure of the nail, wherein the sensing portion is included within circuitry that includes a signal generation portion, a signal reception portion, and a quick indicator. The animal nail is positioned near the clipper portion and the sensing portion produces a sensible signal confirming the position of the clipping plane upon the nail, particularly the quick of the nail. The user then may adjust the position of the clipper portion such that the clipping plane avoids the quick. The user then actuates the clipper portion and trims the nail.

Abstract: A pet nail filing device for filing down a pet's nails in a quick and painless fashion. The filing device has a housing and a rotating grinding drum within the housing. A motor is connected to a drive belt which causes the grinding drum to rotate while isolating the grinding drum, and thus the animal, from vibration. The grinding drum has an outer surface covered with grit. When the pet's nail is brought into contact with the drum outer surface, the grit coupled with the rotation of the drum both conditions the nail for grooming by causing the vein to retract, and also causes the nail to be filed down. A mask cover exposes only a portion of the grinding drum through openings therein, and thereby avoids trauma to the animal.

Abstract: A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

Abstract: A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

Abstract: A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

Abstract: A nail trimming device for pets and small animals includes a base member and a spacer member. The base member has an abrasive top surface. The spacer member is in the form of a grid having a plurality of apertures. The spacer member is placed over the grid so that when the animal moves across the spacer member its paws are supported on the top surface of the spacer while the nails extend through to contact the abrasive surface and the nails of the animal are trimmed. The spacer member and base may be mounted to a running wheel or the like.