US20070294847A1 - Electric toothbrush with skewed neck - Google Patents
Electric toothbrush with skewed neck Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070294847A1 US20070294847A1 US11/747,267 US74726707A US2007294847A1 US 20070294847 A1 US20070294847 A1 US 20070294847A1 US 74726707 A US74726707 A US 74726707A US 2007294847 A1 US2007294847 A1 US 2007294847A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- neck
- head
- axis
- driven member
- brush block
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/349—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor with multiple brush bodies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
- A46B13/02—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/222—Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
- A61C17/3436—Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
- A61C17/3454—Translation along the axis perpendicular of the axis of toothbrush handle and in the plane defined by the bristle holder
Definitions
- the present invention relates to electric toothbrushes having an oscillating brush block with an elongate handle and neck, the neck being skewed relative to the handle. More particularly, the invention relates to electric toothbrushes wherein the transmission includes two rotating members with skewed axes of rotation to accommodate the skew between the handle and neck.
- Some known electric toothbrushes have a brush block driven to oscillate by a rotating drive shaft.
- the drive shaft is coaxial with a motor and gearbox and is elongated to extend through the neck of the toothbrush or replaceable brushing attachment.
- the handle is elongate, encloses the motor and gearbox, and the neck extends parallel to the handle.
- the transmission may have an eccentric that fits into a slot formed in the brush block to cause the oscillation. It would be advantageous however, for ergonomic reasons, that the neck be skewed relative to the handle, and doing so creates difficulties with a transmission of this type due to the angle through which the torque must be transmitted. While a bevel gear drive can be used to connect two members when their axes of rotation are skewed, this arrangement is relatively costly to manufacture and so is particularly disadvantageous when this part of the transmission is mounted in a replaceable brushing attachment.
- an electric toothbrush comprising:
- an elongate handle enclosing a rotary motor; an elongate neck extending askew to the handle and having a head at a distal end thereof; at least one brush block mounted to the head for movement relative thereto; a transmission including a driving member connected to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis; a conversion mechanism mounted to the head and adapted for converting rotation of the driven member to movement of the brush block, wherein the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the driving member and driven member are connected by a helical spring flexible coupling.
- the helical spring flexible coupling is able to transmit the torque while accommodating skew (i.e. angular misalignment) and/or offset (i.e. parallel misalignment) between the drive and driving member axes, and thus allows a toothbrush of this type to be manufactured more cost effectively.
- the coupling may possibly also accommodate a degree of end float or axial misalignment between the driving and driven members.
- the neck is releasably attachable to the handle, having means at a proximal end thereof for fastening to the handle.
- the fastening means is a bayonet coupling, allowing the neck to be fastened by a push-turn action.
- the driving member is mounted at the proximal end and the driven member mounted in the head, the helical spring flexible coupling being elongated to extend within the neck between the driving and driven members.
- the helical spring flexible coupling preferably has a substantially cylindrical body with outwardly tapered frusto-conical ends adapted to receive cooperating tapered portions of the driving and driven members in a push fit.
- the transmission preferably further includes a gearbox for increasing the torque applied to the driving member and reducing its speed of rotation, the axes of the motor, gearbox and driving member being coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the handle.
- three brush blocks are mounted to the head for separate oscillatory movement relative thereto, the conversion mechanism comprising a crankshaft, the brush blocks including a pair of sliding brush blocks mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the head and a rotary brush block mounted to rotate relative to the head.
- crankshaft is preferably connected to the driven member with which it is connected coaxially, each sliding brush block being mounted for sliding movement substantially perpendicular to the driven member axis, each rotary brush block being mounted for rotation about a respective rotary block axis substantially perpendicular to the sliding block axis, the crankshaft having an eccentric throw for engaging each brush block.
- Each sliding block throw is received in an aperture in the sliding block which extends substantially parallel to the crankshaft axis, and each rotary block throw is received in a slot in the rotary block which extends substantially parallel to its respective rotary block axis.
- the invention provides a replaceable brushing attachment comprising:
- an elongate hollow neck having a proximal end with means for releasably fastening to a handle enclosing a rotary motor, the neck further having a head on a distal end thereof; at least one brush mounted to the head for movement relative thereto; a transmission enclosed substantially within the neck, the transmission including a driving member joined by a connector to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis; a conversion mechanism mounted to the head and adapted for converting rotation of the driven member to movement of the brush, wherein the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the connector comprises a helical spring flexible coupling.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is transverse cross-section (along line AA) of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 ,
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the neck or replaceable brushing attachment of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 shown separated from the handle,
- FIG. 4 is transverse cross-section (along line AA) of the neck or replaceable brushing attachment of FIG. 3 ,
- FIG. 5 is cross-section (along line CC) of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is transverse cross-section (along line DD) of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is transverse cross-section (along line EE) of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 8 is transverse cross-section (along line FF) of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 9 is transverse cross-section of the handle of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 shown separated from the neck or replaceable brushing attachment, and
- FIG. 10 is transverse cross-section (along line BB) of FIG. 9 .
- the electric toothbrush 1 includes a handle 2 having a longitudinal axis 3 and an elongate neck 4 .
- the handle 2 includes hollow casing part 7 a at one end of which is fixed casing part 7 b and to which the neck 4 is fixed at the opposing tapered end 8 .
- Enclosed in the handle 2 are two batteries 9 , rotary motor 10 and gearbox 11 , the axes of both the motor 10 and gearbox 11 being coaxial with a central longitudinal axis 3 .
- a head 12 At a distal end 5 of the neck 4 is a head 12 to which brush blocks 13 , 14 and 15 are mounted.
- the brush blocks 13 , 14 and 15 have bristles 18 , the ends of which define a tooth-contacting plane (indicated generally by the dashed line 19 ).
- the neck 4 is skewed relative to the handle, the longitudinal axis of the neck being curved, relative to the axis 3 , in a plane substantially perpendicular to the tooth-contacting plane 19 , smoothly curving between the proximal end 6 and the distal end 5 through an angle 17 of 20°
- the neck 4 is detachable from the handle to provide a replaceable brushing attachment.
- the means for fastening the handle 2 and neck 4 is a bayonet coupling.
- a cylindrical portion 20 in which two L-shaped slots are formed, each having an axial portion 21 and circumferential portion 22 for cooperating with a nub 43 , 44 provided on the handle 2 (as described below).
- a nub 43 , 44 provided on the handle 2 (as described below).
- a radially extending protrusion 39 is At the end of each circumferential portion 22 .
- a driving member 23 Received in a journal 23 mounted inside the proximal end 6 is a driving member 23 which rotates about a driving member axis 25 , which is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 3 when the handle and neck are assembled.
- the inner end 27 of the driving member 23 is tapered and the opposing end is attached to a first part 28 of a connector, the first part having an outer end 29 which is cross-shaped in transverse section.
- the driven member 30 is fixed inside the head 12 and rotates about a driven member axis 32 both skewed and offset relative to the driving member axis 25 .
- the helical spring flexible coupling 33 is elongated to extend within the neck 4 to provide a torsional coupling between the driving and driven members 24 , 30 .
- the flexible coupling 33 is relatively stiff torsionally, being closely wound with adjacent coils abutting.
- the helical spring flexible coupling 33 has a cylindrical body with frusto-conical ends 34 , 35 opening outwardly to receive the tapered ends 27 , 30 of the driving and driven members in a push fit.
- the conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the driven member 30 to movement of the brush blocks 13 , 14 , 15 includes a crankshaft 36 fixed to the driven member 30 ,
- the crankshaft 36 is mounted by coaxial journals 31 , 37 and 38 spaced at intermediate positions along its length to rotate about the driven member axis 32 .
- the axis 32 of the driven member and crankshaft 36 is inclined at an angle 50 of approximately 10° relative to the central longitudinal axis of the flexible coupling 33 .
- the rotating brush block 13 is mounted to rotate about an axis 50 perpendicular to the crankshaft axis 32 .
- a rotary block eccentric throw 51 formed on the end of crankshaft 36 is received in a slot 52 parallel to axis 50 to oscillate the block 13 .
- Both the sliding brush blocks 14 , 15 are received in the head to reciprocate transversely in direction 55 .
- the throw 53 nearest the driven member 28 and the throw 54 are both circular in cross-section and received in an aperture 56 which extends perpendicular to the crankshaft axis 32 and to direction 55 ,
- a throw 54 for driving the sliding block 14 is 180 degrees out of phase with the throw 53 for driving the block 15 , oscillating the blocks in opposing directions.
- a recess with cylindrical walls 45 for receiving the end portion 20 .
- Opposing nubs 43 , 44 project inwardly from the walls 45 .
- the neck 4 is skewed for best ergonomic positioning.
- the nub 43 is longer circumferentially than the nub 44 , each being received in an axial portion 21 which is correspondingly wider.
- the nubs 43 , 44 ride over the respective protrusions 39 which thereby provide a detent action, holding the head in position.
- a second part 46 of a connector for cooperating with the first part 28 having an outer end 47 having a cross-shaped recess to receive the end 29 .
- the second part 46 is fixed in a bearing 48 to rotate with the gearbox output shaft 49 with which it is coaxially mounted, together with the motor 10 .
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
An elongate neck of a toothbrush extends askew to an elongate handle which encloses a rotary motor. At the end of the neck is a head to which brush blocks are mounted for movement relative to the head. The transmission includes a driving member and a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, and the driven member rotating about a driven member axis. A crankshaft mounted to the head converts rotation of the driven member to movement of a brush block, the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the driving member and the driven member are connected by a helical spring flexible coupling. One brush block rotates in an oscillating manner and a pair of brush blocks oscillate, in a linear manner, 180 degrees out of phase.
Description
- The present invention relates to electric toothbrushes having an oscillating brush block with an elongate handle and neck, the neck being skewed relative to the handle. More particularly, the invention relates to electric toothbrushes wherein the transmission includes two rotating members with skewed axes of rotation to accommodate the skew between the handle and neck.
- Some known electric toothbrushes have a brush block driven to oscillate by a rotating drive shaft. Typically the drive shaft is coaxial with a motor and gearbox and is elongated to extend through the neck of the toothbrush or replaceable brushing attachment. The handle is elongate, encloses the motor and gearbox, and the neck extends parallel to the handle. The transmission may have an eccentric that fits into a slot formed in the brush block to cause the oscillation. It would be advantageous however, for ergonomic reasons, that the neck be skewed relative to the handle, and doing so creates difficulties with a transmission of this type due to the angle through which the torque must be transmitted. While a bevel gear drive can be used to connect two members when their axes of rotation are skewed, this arrangement is relatively costly to manufacture and so is particularly disadvantageous when this part of the transmission is mounted in a replaceable brushing attachment.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electric toothbrush of the type having an elongate handle and neck skewed relative to one another, the handle and neck enclosing a transmission connecting a rotary motor to an oscillating brush block wherein the transmission includes two rotating members with skewed or offset axes of rotation to transmit torque between the skewed handle and neck.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved replaceable brushing attachment having an elongate neck adapted to extend askew to a handle to which it may be releasably connected.
- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electric toothbrush comprising:
- an elongate handle enclosing a rotary motor;
an elongate neck extending askew to the handle and having a head at a distal end thereof;
at least one brush block mounted to the head for movement relative thereto;
a transmission including a driving member connected to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis;
a conversion mechanism mounted to the head and adapted for converting rotation of the driven member to movement of the brush block, wherein
the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the driving member and driven member are connected by a helical spring flexible coupling. - The helical spring flexible coupling is able to transmit the torque while accommodating skew (i.e. angular misalignment) and/or offset (i.e. parallel misalignment) between the drive and driving member axes, and thus allows a toothbrush of this type to be manufactured more cost effectively. The coupling may possibly also accommodate a degree of end float or axial misalignment between the driving and driven members.
- The neck is releasably attachable to the handle, having means at a proximal end thereof for fastening to the handle. Preferably the fastening means is a bayonet coupling, allowing the neck to be fastened by a push-turn action.
- Preferably the driving member is mounted at the proximal end and the driven member mounted in the head, the helical spring flexible coupling being elongated to extend within the neck between the driving and driven members.
- The helical spring flexible coupling preferably has a substantially cylindrical body with outwardly tapered frusto-conical ends adapted to receive cooperating tapered portions of the driving and driven members in a push fit.
- The transmission preferably further includes a gearbox for increasing the torque applied to the driving member and reducing its speed of rotation, the axes of the motor, gearbox and driving member being coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the handle.
- In the preferred embodiment three brush blocks are mounted to the head for separate oscillatory movement relative thereto, the conversion mechanism comprising a crankshaft, the brush blocks including a pair of sliding brush blocks mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the head and a rotary brush block mounted to rotate relative to the head.
- The crankshaft is preferably connected to the driven member with which it is connected coaxially, each sliding brush block being mounted for sliding movement substantially perpendicular to the driven member axis, each rotary brush block being mounted for rotation about a respective rotary block axis substantially perpendicular to the sliding block axis, the crankshaft having an eccentric throw for engaging each brush block.
- Each sliding block throw is received in an aperture in the sliding block which extends substantially parallel to the crankshaft axis, and each rotary block throw is received in a slot in the rotary block which extends substantially parallel to its respective rotary block axis.
- In another aspect the invention provides a replaceable brushing attachment comprising:
- an elongate hollow neck having a proximal end with means for releasably fastening to a handle enclosing a rotary motor, the neck further having a head on a distal end thereof;
at least one brush mounted to the head for movement relative thereto;
a transmission enclosed substantially within the neck, the transmission including a driving member joined by a connector to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis;
a conversion mechanism mounted to the head and adapted for converting rotation of the driven member to movement of the brush, wherein
the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the connector comprises a helical spring flexible coupling. - Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush according to the invention, -
FIG. 2 is transverse cross-section (along line AA) of the toothbrush ofFIG. 1 , -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the neck or replaceable brushing attachment of the toothbrush ofFIG. 1 shown separated from the handle, -
FIG. 4 is transverse cross-section (along line AA) of the neck or replaceable brushing attachment ofFIG. 3 , -
FIG. 5 is cross-section (along line CC) ofFIG. 4 , -
FIG. 6 is transverse cross-section (along line DD) ofFIG. 4 , -
FIG. 7 is transverse cross-section (along line EE) ofFIG. 4 , -
FIG. 8 is transverse cross-section (along line FF) ofFIG. 4 , and -
FIG. 9 is transverse cross-section of the handle of the toothbrush ofFIG. 1 shown separated from the neck or replaceable brushing attachment, and -
FIG. 10 is transverse cross-section (along line BB) ofFIG. 9 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theelectric toothbrush 1 includes ahandle 2 having a longitudinal axis 3 and anelongate neck 4. Thehandle 2 includes hollow casing part 7 a at one end of which is fixedcasing part 7 b and to which theneck 4 is fixed at the opposing tapered end 8. Enclosed in thehandle 2 are two batteries 9,rotary motor 10 and gearbox 11, the axes of both themotor 10 and gearbox 11 being coaxial with a central longitudinal axis 3. At a distal end 5 of theneck 4 is ahead 12 to whichbrush blocks brush blocks neck 4 is skewed relative to the handle, the longitudinal axis of the neck being curved, relative to the axis 3, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the tooth-contactingplane 19, smoothly curving between the proximal end 6 and the distal end 5 through an angle 17 of 20° - As best seen from
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theneck 4 is detachable from the handle to provide a replaceable brushing attachment. The means for fastening thehandle 2 andneck 4 is a bayonet coupling. At the proximal end 6 is acylindrical portion 20 in which two L-shaped slots are formed, each having anaxial portion 21 andcircumferential portion 22 for cooperating with anub 43, 44 provided on the handle 2 (as described below). At the end of eachcircumferential portion 22 is a radially extendingprotrusion 39. - Received in a
journal 23 mounted inside the proximal end 6 is a drivingmember 23 which rotates about adriving member axis 25, which is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 3 when the handle and neck are assembled. Theinner end 27 of the drivingmember 23 is tapered and the opposing end is attached to afirst part 28 of a connector, the first part having anouter end 29 which is cross-shaped in transverse section. - The driven
member 30 is fixed inside thehead 12 and rotates about a drivenmember axis 32 both skewed and offset relative to the drivingmember axis 25. - The helical spring flexible coupling 33 is elongated to extend within the
neck 4 to provide a torsional coupling between the driving and drivenmembers conical ends 34, 35 opening outwardly to receive thetapered ends - The conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the driven
member 30 to movement of thebrush blocks crankshaft 36 fixed to the drivenmember 30, Thecrankshaft 36 is mounted bycoaxial journals member axis 32. Theaxis 32 of the driven member andcrankshaft 36 is inclined at anangle 50 of approximately 10° relative to the central longitudinal axis of the flexible coupling 33. - Referring to
FIGS. 5-8 , the rotating brush block 13 is mounted to rotate about anaxis 50 perpendicular to thecrankshaft axis 32. A rotary blockeccentric throw 51 formed on the end ofcrankshaft 36 is received in a slot 52 parallel toaxis 50 to oscillate the block 13. - Both the sliding brush blocks 14, 15 are received in the head to reciprocate transversely in direction 55. The throw 53 nearest the driven
member 28 and the throw 54 are both circular in cross-section and received in anaperture 56 which extends perpendicular to thecrankshaft axis 32 and to direction 55, A throw 54 for driving the slidingblock 14 is 180 degrees out of phase with the throw 53 for driving theblock 15, oscillating the blocks in opposing directions. - At the end of the
handle 2 is a recess with cylindrical walls 45 for receiving theend portion 20. Opposingnubs 43, 44 project inwardly from the walls 45. In use, when the handle is grasped with the user's thumb projecting toward thehead 12 and resting over theswitches motor 10, then theneck 4 is skewed for best ergonomic positioning. To ensure theneck 4 cannot be angularly misaligned when fixed to thehandle 2, the nub 43 is longer circumferentially than thenub 44, each being received in anaxial portion 21 which is correspondingly wider. Thenubs 43, 44 ride over therespective protrusions 39 which thereby provide a detent action, holding the head in position. - At the inner end of the recess is a second part 46 of a connector, for cooperating with the
first part 28 having an outer end 47 having a cross-shaped recess to receive theend 29. The second part 46 is fixed in a bearing 48 to rotate with the gearbox output shaft 49 with which it is coaxially mounted, together with themotor 10. - Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.
Claims (23)
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
an elongate handle enclosing a rotary motor;
an elongate neck extending askew to the handle and having a head at a distal end of the neck;
at least one brush block mounted to the head for movement relative to the head;
a transmission including a driving member connected to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis;
a helical spring flexible coupling connecting the driving member to the driven member; and
a conversion mechanism mounted to the head for converting rotation of the driven member into movement of the brush block, wherein the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 including fastening means at a proximal end of the neck for releasably fastening the neck to the handle.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein the fastening means is a bayonet coupling fastening the neck to the handle by a push-turn action.
4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the driving member is mounted at a proximal end, the driven member is mounted in the head, and the helical spring flexible coupling is elongated to extend within the neck between the driving and driven members.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4 wherein the helical spring flexible coupling has a substantially cylindrical body with outwardly tapered frusto-conical ends for receiving cooperating tapered portions of the driving and driven members in a push fit.
6. The toothbrush of claim 5 wherein the transmission further includes a gearbox for increasing the torque applied to the driving member and reducing speed of rotation of the driving member, axes of the motor, the gearbox, and the driving member being coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the handle.
7. The toothbrush of claim 6 wherein the conversion mechanism comprises a crankshaft.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7 including at least one sliding brush block mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the head and at least one rotary brush block mounted to rotate relative to the head.
9. The toothbrush of claim 8 including three brush blocks mounted to the head for separate oscillatory movement relative to the head, the brush blocks including a pair of sliding brush blocks and one rotary brush block.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein
the crankshaft is connected to the driven member coaxially,
each sliding brush block is mounted for sliding movement substantially perpendicular to the driven member axis,
each rotary brush block is mounted for rotation about a respective rotary block axis substantially perpendicular to the sliding block axis, and
the crankshaft has an eccentric throw for engaging each sliding and rotary brush block.
11. The toothbrush of claim 10 wherein each sliding block throw is received in an aperture in a respective sliding brush block, the aperture extending substantially parallel to an axis of the crankshafts, and each rotary brush block throw is received in a slot in the rotary brush block, the slot extending substantially parallel to a rotary brush block axis.
12. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein the neck is curved.
13. A replaceable brushing attachment comprising:
an elongate hollow neck having a proximal end with means for releasably fastening to a handle enclosing a rotary motor, the neck further having a head on a distal ends of the neck;
at least one brush mounted to the head for movement relative to the head;
a transmission enclosed substantially within the neck, the transmission including a driving member joined by a connector to a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, the driven member rotating about a driven member axis;
a conversion mechanism mounted to the head for converting rotation of the driven member into movement of the brush, wherein
the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and
the connector comprises a helical spring flexible coupling.
14. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 13 including fastening means at a proximal end of the neck for releasably fastening to the handle.
15. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 14 wherein the fastening means is a bayonet coupling, fastening the neck to be the handle by a push-turn action.
16. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 14 wherein the driving member is mounted at a proximal end, the driven member is mounted in the head, and the helical spring flexible coupling is elongated to extend within the neck between the driving and driven members.
17. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 16 wherein the helical spring flexible coupling has a substantially cylindrical body with outwardly tapered frusto-conical ends for receiving cooperating tapered portions of the driving and driven members in a push fit.
18. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 17 wherein the conversion mechanism comprises a crankshaft.
19. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 18 including at least one sliding brush block mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the head and at least one rotary brush block mounted to rotate relative to the head.
20. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 19 including three brush blocks mounted to the head for separate oscillatory movement relative to the head, the brush blocks including a pair of sliding brush blocks and a one rotary brush block.
21. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 20 wherein
the crankshaft is connected to the driven member coaxially,
each sliding brush block is mounted for sliding movement substantially perpendicular to the driven member axis,
each rotary brush block is mounted for rotation about a respective rotary brush block axis substantially perpendicular to the sliding block axis, and
the crankshaft has an eccentric throw for engaging each sliding and rotary brush block.
22. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 21 wherein each sliding block throw is received in an aperture in a respective sliding brush block, the aperture extending substantially parallel to an axis of the crankshafts, and each rotary brush block throw is received in a slot in the rotary brush block, the slot extending substantially parallel to a rotary brush block axis.
23. The replaceable brushing attachment of claim 22 wherein the neck is curved.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GB0612398.8 | 2006-06-22 | ||
GBGB0612398.8A GB0612398D0 (en) | 2006-06-22 | 2006-06-22 | Electric toothbrush with skewed neck |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20070294847A1 true US20070294847A1 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
Family
ID=36803716
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/747,267 Abandoned US20070294847A1 (en) | 2006-06-22 | 2007-05-11 | Electric toothbrush with skewed neck |
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Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20070294847A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB0612398D0 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100205760A1 (en) * | 2009-02-14 | 2010-08-19 | Francisco Alvarenga | Toothbrush |
US20110041269A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2011-02-24 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US20110056033A1 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2011-03-10 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US20120036655A1 (en) * | 2010-08-13 | 2012-02-16 | Thomas Fritsch | Brush Section For An Electric Toothbrush |
US20120251975A1 (en) * | 2010-02-02 | 2012-10-04 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Oral care apparatus |
US20130247321A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-26 | Gary Steven Sichau | Pressure sensing toothbrush |
WO2015119701A1 (en) * | 2014-02-04 | 2015-08-13 | Stevi, Llc | Electric interdental cleaning apparatus and systems useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
USD837527S1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-01-08 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
US10206492B2 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2019-02-19 | Stevi, Llc | Brushes useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
USD841333S1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-02-26 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
CN114727701A (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2022-07-08 | 博朗有限公司 | Personal care device |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP4023185A4 (en) * | 2019-08-26 | 2023-09-20 | Denflex Co., Ltd. | Handpiece |
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- 2007-06-21 GB GB0711985A patent/GB2439453A/en not_active Withdrawn
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US5099536A (en) * | 1989-02-17 | 1992-03-31 | Kabushiki Kaisha Izumi Seiki Seisakusho | Electric toothbrush |
US5173983A (en) * | 1991-06-04 | 1992-12-29 | Mike Le | Electric toothbrush having spirally arranged bristles |
US5529495A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-25 | Edwards; Donald L. | Right angle dental hand piece with spring drive |
US6168433B1 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2001-01-02 | David A. Hamlin | Direct drive dental prophy angle |
US6446294B1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2002-09-10 | Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Electric toothbrush |
US20040016067A1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2004-01-29 | Hans Kraemer | Electric toothbrush with a replaceable head section |
US7428766B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2008-09-30 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Powered toothbrush |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110056033A1 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2011-03-10 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US8966694B2 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2015-03-03 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US8341791B2 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2013-01-01 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
RU2493760C2 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2013-09-27 | Омрон Хэлткэа Ко., Лтд. | Electric toothbrush |
US20110041269A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2011-02-24 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US20100205760A1 (en) * | 2009-02-14 | 2010-08-19 | Francisco Alvarenga | Toothbrush |
US20120251975A1 (en) * | 2010-02-02 | 2012-10-04 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Oral care apparatus |
US8863343B2 (en) * | 2010-02-02 | 2014-10-21 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Oral care apparatus |
US20120036655A1 (en) * | 2010-08-13 | 2012-02-16 | Thomas Fritsch | Brush Section For An Electric Toothbrush |
US8434183B2 (en) * | 2010-08-13 | 2013-05-07 | Braun Gmbh | Brush section for an electric toothbrush |
US20130247321A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-26 | Gary Steven Sichau | Pressure sensing toothbrush |
WO2015119701A1 (en) * | 2014-02-04 | 2015-08-13 | Stevi, Llc | Electric interdental cleaning apparatus and systems useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
US9333059B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 | 2016-05-10 | Stevi Llc | Multi-function electric brush apparatus and systems useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
US9339356B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 | 2016-05-17 | Stevi Llc | Electric interdental cleaning apparatus and systems useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
CN106470640A (en) * | 2014-02-04 | 2017-03-01 | 史迪伍有限责任公司 | For cleaning electronic teeth space cleaning device and the system of tooth and teeth space |
US10206492B2 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2019-02-19 | Stevi, Llc | Brushes useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces |
USD837527S1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-01-08 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
USD841333S1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-02-26 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
USD853732S1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-07-16 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
USD899094S1 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2020-10-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Refill head for an oral care implement |
CN114727701A (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2022-07-08 | 博朗有限公司 | Personal care device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2439453A (en) | 2007-12-27 |
GB0612398D0 (en) | 2006-08-02 |
GB0711985D0 (en) | 2007-08-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WONG'S SPRINGS INDUSTRIAL LIMITED, CHINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WANG, THOMAS HAI;REEL/FRAME:019279/0113 Effective date: 20070412 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |