GB2230942A

GB2230942A - Children's toothbrushes

Info

Publication number: GB2230942A
Application number: GB8909556A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edward Maddison; Peter Manning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-26
Filing date: 1989-04-26
Publication date: 1990-11-07
Also published as: GB8909556D0

Abstract

A toothbrush for children has a visual indicator incorporated in the handle portion, the indicator indicating that a correct brushing action is being used and optionally also that a suitable brushing time has been achieved. In one embodiment, the visual indicator comprises an animatable figure formed on a handle portion (2) of the toothbrush. The figure in this case, is a crocodile (22) having a jaw (23) which is movable about a pivot (24) in response to a correct brushing action. If the toothbrush is being correctly used, a child can view the crocodile (22) in a mirror and see it being animated due to its jaw (23) moving up and down in response to each correct brush stroke. In other embodiments the indicator may comprise a ball bearing running along a groove, or a changing design or pattern operated by a ratchet mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

TOOTHBRUSHES This invention relates to toothbrushes and is more particularly concerned with children's toothbrushes.

It is often difficult to encourage children to clean their teeth properly using a standard toothbrush, that is a toothbrush having a brush portion rigidly fixed to a handle portion. There are two aspects to the correct brushing of teeth, namely that the correct brushing action is used and the teeth are brushed for a sufficient period of time.

Electrical toothbrushes are known which comprise a brush portion and a handle portion. The brush portion is carried by a head which is driven by an electrical motor to move it relative to the handle portion, the head portion being detachable from the handle portion. In use, the brush portion of the toothbrush is held against the teeth as it is driven by the motor to provide the correct brushing action. However, this may only provide the correct brushing action, and may not ensure brushing for a sufficient period of time.

However, although children can use these electrical toothbrushes to obtain the correct brushing action, there is no indication of a suitable length of time for which the toothbrush should be used, for example in terms of the number of brush strokes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush for children which is similar to a standard toothbrush but which encourages the child to clean its teeth properly.

In accordance with the present invention, a toothbrush for children is characterised by a visual indicator provided on the handle portion which indicates at least that a correct brushing action is being achieved.

It is preferred that the visual indicator is such that an indication that brushing for a predetermined time has been effected may be given.

The visual indicator may be positicned on or in the handle portion of the toothbrush so that it can be easily viewed using a mirror as the child is cleaning his/her teeth, or it may be of a kind which faces the child when the brush is held a short distance in front of the mouth but in the same orientation as when brushing.

The visual indicator may comprise a part of a handle portion which is relatively movable with respect to the rest of the handle portion.

In one embodiment, the visual indicator is a ball bearing which is free to run in a groove formed in the handle but will do so only by brushing of the teeth with the correct brushing action. The groove can be appropriately shaped to operate in this way: for example, a circular groove with its axis parallel to the bristles of the brush portion may have a ball bearing freely movable in the groove. The ball may be held captive but visible by a transparent cover.

In a further embodiment, the visual indicator takes the form of a movable portion of an animatable figure. In this case, correct brushing action causes the movable portion, for example a moving jaw of a crocodile, to move up and down as a result of correctly executed brush strokes. Naturally, other forms of graphics can be used.

In order to give an indication of sufficient brushing, the indicator may be capable of progressive visual change as correct brushing action is carried out. For example a visually striking pattern can be indexed through a series of changes in response to the brush strokes. These changes can either be those of colour, or of shape or position.

Such a pattern or other indicator can be indexed by ratchet mechanism which is operated by a pivoted lever arm. One end of the lever arm is weighted so that it can move in response to each brush stroke and therefore push against the ratchet mechanism, the arrangement being such that only the proper brushing stroke will cause movement thereof.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectioned view along lines III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectioned view along lines IV-IV of Figure III; Figure 5 is a sectioned view along line V-V of Figure IV; Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention; Figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention; Figure 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention; and Figure 9 illustrates the operating mechanism of the Figure 8 embodiment.

Figures 1 to 4 show a toothbrush 1 according to the present invention. The toothbrush 1 comprises a handle portion 2 and a head portion 3. The head portion 3 is detachable from the handle portion 2 and carries a brush 4 which is used for cleaning the teeth. The handle portion 2 is hollow and comprises a chassis 5 and a clear cover 6.

The handle portion 2 houses a ratchet mechanism (see in particular Figures 3 and 4).

The ratchet mechanism comprises a rotable ratchet wheel 7 which is located with respect to the chassis 5 by means of a spigot 8 which engages a socket 9 formed in the chassis wall. A plurality of teeth 10 are arranged around the circumference of the wheel 7. These teeth engage with two pawl members 11, 12 as shown. These pawl members allow the wheel 7 to rotate in one direction only (anti-clockwise as viewed in Figure 3). A pendulum arm 13 is pivoted to the chassis 5 at 14, the arm 13 having a socket 15 which fits over a hollow projection 16 formed in the chassis wall. As the toothbrush is used, if the correct brushing actionis effected, the pendulum arm 13 pivots about the point 14 and oscillation of pawl 11, causes the wheel 7 to rotate.

The wheel 7 carries a disc 17 which bears a design or pattern. An inlay card 18 overlies the disc 17 and the ratchet mechanism with its ends being retained between the chassis 5 and the clear cover 6. The card 18 may also bear a design or pattern. Card 18 has a portion cut ojt of it through which at least a portion of disc 17 can be seen. Rotation of the disc 17 will thus cause the whole pattern or design formed of the pattern or design on the card 18 and what can be seen through the window to alter.

For example the card may have a figure formed on it with a portion missing, the disc having more than one representation of the missing portion of the figure on it in more than one attitude. Correct movement of the toothbrush during use causes the wheel 7 which carries the disc 17 to rotate and the figure will appear to be animated as the disc 17 rotates relative to the card 18.

Incorrect use of the brush does not, however, cause such movement.

Figure 5 shows how the head portion 3 of the toothbrush is attached to the handle portion 2. The head portion 3 has a base 19 comprising a pair of spaced apart arms 20 which can be slotted into a corresponding recess 21 formed in the handle portion 2.

Figure 6 illustrates an animated figure formed on the handle portion 2 of the toothbrush. The figure comprises a crocodile 22 which has a movable lower jaw 23. The jaw 23 moves up and down about a pivot 24 in response to correct brushing action. Other animated figures can be implemented in a similar fashion to the crocodile, for example, a man running; a flying bird whose wings flap up and down; and animals with heads and tails which move up and down.

In a very simple case, the visual indicator could simply be a simple printed elongate moving piece which is pivoted at one end and which moves up and down within the handle portion in response to the brushing action.

Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention. In this embodiment, a circular groove 25 is formed in the handle portion 2. A ball bearing 26 can run in the groove 25.

When the brush is being used in a correct rotary motion, as shown by the arrows lox', the ball bearing 26 is forced round the circular groove as shown by arrows 27.

Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the handle portion 2 which incorporates a "Jack in the Box" 28. The "Jack in the Box" 28 is initially housed in the handle portion 2 and is moved outwards by the brushing action. The "Jack in the Box" 28 is generally planar and is made from thin plastics material. It is operated by a ratchet mechanism (see Figure 9) which comprises an actuating arm 29 which carries a weight 30 and one end. The arm 29 is pivoted at 31 and at its other end 32, engages a rack 33 attached to the rear of the "Jack in the Box" 28. As the toothbrush is used, providing the correct brushing action is carried out, the end 32 is indexed along the rack 33 due to pivotal movement of the arm 29 about pivot 31 due to the presence of the weight 30. The "Jack in the Box" 28 becomes fully extended after about 50 or 100 strokes of the toothbrush.After use, the ratchet mechanism can be re-set by pushing the "Jack in the Box" 28 back into the handle portion 2 in the direction of arrow 'Y', Additional graphics can be provided on the handle portion as shown at 34.

As an alternative to gradual movement of the visual indicator e.g. the indexing of a disc by a ratchet mechanism, in response to the brushing action, the visual indicator can retain an element of surprise. In this case, the visual indicator does not alter until a predetermined number of brush strokes have been correctly executed and then operates instantaneously to effect a change in the indication.

As an alternative to animated figures or changing graphics etc, a simple counter can be used which is indexed by the brushing action. The counter counts the number of brush strokes executed during each use of the toothbrush, and can be re-set after use. The counter may be mechanical or electronic, e.g. with a liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. A toothbrush for children comprising a handle portion and a brush portion characterised by a visual indicator provided on the handle portion which indicates that at least a correct brushing action is being achieved.

2. A toothbrush according to Claim 1 characterised in that the handle portion comprises at least two parts, at least one part forming the visual indicator and being relatively movable with respect to the remaining part or parts.

3. A toothbrush according to Claim 2 characterised in that the at least one part forms a portion of a figure which when moved relative to the rest of the handle portion causes the figure to be animated during correct use of the toothbrush.

4. A toothbrush according to Claim 3 characterised in that the movable portion is operated by a ratchet mechanism.

5. A toothbrush according to Claim 4 characterised in that the ratchet mechanism comprises an operating arm which is pivotedly connected to the handle portion and is indexed along a toothed element in response to the brushing action to operate the movable portion.

6. A toothbrush according to Claim 5 characterised in that the toothed element comprises a rack, movement of the movable part being translational.

7. A toothbrush according to Claim 6 characterised in that the toothed element comprises a toothed wheel, movement of the movable part being rotational.

8. A toothbrush according to Claim 2 characterised in that at least one part comprises a ball bearing which is forced to run in a groove formed in the remaining part or parts of the handle portion during correct use of the toothbrush.

9. A toothbrush according to Claim 1 characterised in that the visual indicator comprises a counter which is indexed by each correctly executed stroke of the toothbrush.

10. A toothbrush according to Claim 9 characterised in that the counter is an electronic counter.

11. A toothbrush according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the visual indicator is viewed through a transparent part of the handle portion.

12. A toothbrush substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 5, figure 6, figure 7 or figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.