CA1141909A - Toothbrushes - Google Patents
ToothbrushesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1141909A CA1141909A CA000360835A CA360835A CA1141909A CA 1141909 A CA1141909 A CA 1141909A CA 000360835 A CA000360835 A CA 000360835A CA 360835 A CA360835 A CA 360835A CA 1141909 A CA1141909 A CA 1141909A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- head
- handle
- head part
- bristles
- parts
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure TOOTHBRUSHES
This invention relates to toothbrushes of the kind in which a head having bristles projecting from at least one side thereof is articulated to an adjacent end of a handle for adjustment of the head with respect to the handle.
The articulating means of the invention include a pair of projections integral with either the head or the handle and journaled in cooperating sockets in the other part, and means are provided for resisting rela-tive turning movement between the head and handle, whereby the head and handle are adapted to be set in a desired position relatively to one another without being locked in said position.
This invention relates to toothbrushes of the kind in which a head having bristles projecting from at least one side thereof is articulated to an adjacent end of a handle for adjustment of the head with respect to the handle.
The articulating means of the invention include a pair of projections integral with either the head or the handle and journaled in cooperating sockets in the other part, and means are provided for resisting rela-tive turning movement between the head and handle, whereby the head and handle are adapted to be set in a desired position relatively to one another without being locked in said position.
Description
ackground o:~ the Inv~3ntio~- -~he presen-t invention relates to toothbrushes . and, more parti,cularly, to toothbrushes in which the head carrying the bristles is adjus-table relatively to the handle to facilitate brushing and cleaning of the teeth the spaces between -the teeth and the gums.
The problems at-tendant upon the proper care and cleaning of the teeth are well known. The recom~ended actions for cleaning teeth are either brushingfrom.the/
to the teeth, or, preferably, wriggling the brush with the ends of the bristle~ in contact with the teeth which is/~ore effective method of removing food debris accu-mulated in the spaces be-tween the -teeth. aonventional toothbrushes are quite e~fective for brushing and cleaning , the front surfaces of the teeth and gums and the front inter-tooth spaces by either of these recommended methods.
However, dil`ficulties arise when either method i~ applied to brushing the rear surfaces of -the teeth and gums.
Moreover, it is important -that excessive brushing pre-ssure is avoided when cleaning the tee-th as, over an extended period, this is likely to wear the teeth and damage the gums.
Many different constructions of toothbrush have been proposed for facilitating thorough brushing and clean-ing of all surface~ of the teeth and gums. One such construction described in United States Patent 1~69664 ~s ',. . ~
,,,~
,. . ..
comprises a h~ldle so arranged that a finger ~ay be inserted into the handle to permit manipulation o~ the toothbrush, and a brush hea~d which is articulated mid-way along its length and is connected to the handle by another hinged joint. All the joints are constructed so that there is sufficient friction to maintain the toothbrush, while in use, in the shape in which it is bent. U.S. Patent 4020521 describes another arrangement in which the brush head is piuoted to the handle for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the bristles.
Yet another construction is described in Austrian Patent 27ggg4 in which the toothbrush is formed in two parts articulated together approximately mid-way between opposite ends of the brush with adjustment about an axis perpendicular to -the axis of the handle so that the brush proper can be cranked relative to the handle. The two part~ are locked in a desired cranked position b~ an array of inter engaging ribs and groo~ecs and a locking screw.
In the prior constructions, the articulated connections are generally complicated, and in practice, do not provide for satisfactory bru~hing and cleaning of the rear sur~ace of the teeth and gums, and/or do not provide ~or brushing and cleaning under a controlled pressure to alleviate wear of the teeth and damage to the gums. Hence, there is a need for a simple and inexpensive toothbrush having an adjustable head which will permit effective brushing and cleaning of all surfaces of the teeth and gums under a controlled pressure.
Summary o~ t~e Invention It is an objec-t of the present invention to provide a toothbrush having an articulated head which is adjustable in a plane containing the axis of the handle and parallel to the bristles o~ the brush to permit effective brushing and cleaning of all surfaces of the teeth and gums and the spaces between the teeth. Another 1 object is to provide such a toothbrush in which the head is settable in a desired cranked position relati~e to the handle and is retainable in this position without the use of locking screws9 nuts or pins or other separate locking de~ices but which permits the head to m~ e away from the teeth under excessive brushing pressure whereby to control the brushing pressure applied to the teeth when using the $oothbrush. A further object is to pro-vide a toothbrush having an articulated head which is readily adJustable to a required cranked position for properly brushing and cleaning the teeth and gums and which is adJustable whilst in use and gripped in one hand without th~ need for the user to employ his other hand to manipulate the head.
The present invention provides, in a toothbrush comprising an elongated handle part, a head part haYing bristles projecting ~rom at least one side of said head part, and articulating means connecting said head part to an adjacent end of said handle part ~or adjustment of said head part about a pivot axis which extends transversely to a plane containing the axis of the handle part and substantially perpendicularly to the bristles into a selected one of a multipli.city of cranked positions in which said bristles generally face towards said handle .
part, the improvement which facilitates adjustment of said head part into a selected cranked position whilst permitting control of brushing pressure and which is characterisad in that sa~d articulating means includes (i) a pair of projections integral with one af said parts and journalled in cooperating sockets in the other said part, and (ii) resisting means located between said head and handle parts ~or resistingrelative turning movement thereof, (iii) said resisting means being adapted to retain said head part set in a selected cranked position without being locked in said position, and ~ ~}
-3a-1 (iv) said resisting means being adapted to permit said head part to turn ~rom said selecterl cra~ked position in response to an excessive brushing pressure, as pre-determined by said resisting means, to relieve said brushing pressure.
With the construction according to the invention the head part is readily adjustable to a required position whilst in use and being gripped by one hand by gripping or manipulating the head with the mouth.
It will be seen that the head can be set in any desi-red cranked position wi$h respect to the handle part between ,:. .
: .,, i 'i the position in which the head is aligned with the handle and a po~ition in which the head is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle. For example, when it i~ desired to clean the rear surfaces of the front teeth, the head is turned to a position in which it is appro.ximately perpendicular to the axis of the handle 90 that with the handle inserted into the mouth and between the teeth the free ends of the bristles naturally contact the rear surfaces of the tee,th,,and gums.
and can be easily w~iggled~o.penetrate and cl'ean:.between the teeth. In the event of the application of an - e~cessive cleaning pressure, which is determined by the means resi3ting relative turning movement between the head and handle parts, the head tuIns about its pivot axi~ and thus prevents the use of excessive cleaning.
pressure~ , In a preferred embodimen-t, the end of the handle part adjacent the head is bifurca-ted and the head part includes a portion projecting be-tween the blfurcated end of the handle and i8 articulated to the handle at this position. The projections forming the articula-tion may comprise a pair of trunions, pins or bosses on either part journalled in a complementary socket on the other part. However, in the preferred embodiment, the pro~ections are disposed at the bifurcated end of the handle part and engage in sockets on the portion of the head disposed between the bifurcated end of the handle.
~0 The mean~ for resisting turning movement between the head and handle parts may comprise at least one rib on one of the part~ e~tending radially with respect to the pivot axi~ and engaging in at least one fan-or sector-shaped array of cooperating groo~es arranged coaxially with the pivot a~is on the other part. The complementary ribs and grooves are preferably of saw-toothed shape in cross-section and may include a shallow flank and a steeper flank intercepting at the apex of the or each rib or groove, whereby to provide greater resistance to turning of the head relatively to the handle from a cranked position into the position in which it is in alignment with the handle.
Conveniently, means are provided on the head and handle parts which cooperate together to withdraw the projections from thei~ associated sockets in response to turning of the head part into a position in which itæ
bristles generally face away from the handle part 9 whereby to permit the head to be disconnected and removed-from the handle. Such a construction provides for ready assembly or interchange of the head.
Preferably, the surface defined by the free ends of the bristles is profiled to facilitate cleaning of individual teeth and the spaces therebetween~ Hence, in side elevation, thi~ surface may have a scalloped appearance, for example, having three scalloped portions of different sizes corresponding to the surface size of di~ferent teeth. As viewed in end elevation, the surface may have a concave configuration. Tufts of bristles spaced along opposite sides of the head and defining the apices between the scallops may be harder than the other tufts of bristles and these harder tufts are so positioned that they may,project into the spaces between the teeth on opposite side~ of the contact ~0 area between the teeth for cleaning the spaces and will also massage the gums whilst the remaining softer areas of bristles are disposed in positions for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth and avoid undue wear of these surfaces.
Elr ~
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accom-panying drawings which show one embodiment thereof by way of example and in which:
Fig. 1 is a per~pective view of a toothbrush embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the toothbrush illustrating cranked positions o~ the head, Fig. 3 illustrates the use of the toothbru~h to clean the backs of the teeth, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustra-ting details of the articulated connection between the head and the handle, Fig~.5 and 6 respectively illustrate a fragmentary side elevation and plan vie w, the latter being partially in ~ection, illustrating details o~ the shape of the bristles and the articulated connection, and Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively fragmentary side and plan views, the latter being partially in sec-tion, illustrating further details.
Detailed Description o~ Preferred Embodimen-t Referring to Figs. 1 ~ld 2 of the drawlng~, the brush comprises an elongated handle 1 having a head 2 provided with bristles B projecting from the lower side or face thereof. The head is articulated to the adjacent end of the handle by means of a hinge joint generally indicated at 3. To thi~ end, the adjacent end of the ha~dle i9 bi~urcated and the head part includes a por- -tion 4 projecting between the two arms 5, 6 of the bifurcation and articulated to these arms by means of a pair o~ trunions 7,8 projeoting inwardly from the arms adjacent the ends thereof and ~lournalled in cooperating sockets 9,10 formed in opposing surfaces of the portion o~ the head 4 projecting between the arms. In order to control adjustment of -the head relative to the handle and enable it to be set or la-tched in the required cranked position, radially ex-tending ribs 11, 12 are formed respectively adjacent -the trunions which engage in a fan-shaped array 13 of complementary grooves formed in the opposing surface po~tion of the head.
Each fan-shaped array of grooves extends radially out-wardly from its adjacent socket and the array is co-axial with the latter. The ribs 11, 12 ~md grooves 14, are of saw-toothed shape in cross-section and include a shallow flank 15 and a steeper flank 16 intersec-ting the apex or base of each rib or groove. The arrangement of the flanks is such that the head 2 can be readily adjusted relatively to the handle l in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1-4, whilst in the opposite direction, the steeper flanks 16 engage to provide a greater resistance to turning movement. Howeverj the angles of inclina-tion of the steeper flanks of the ribs and grooves are preferably such that excessive brushing pressure applied to the head part causes turning move-ment of the head part rela-tively to the handle in a clockwise direction in order to resist the use of excessive brushing pressure.
As will be seen from Fig 2, a portion of the handle part is o~fset with respect to the lon~itudinal axis ~
of the handle part so that the longitudinal axes of the two parts, in normal orientation, intersect towards the free end of the head, the axis of the head part being shown at M. Thus the longitudinal axis L of the handle l is in alignment with the direction of the bristles B.
On the opposite side of the pivot ~xis 17 to the rib 12 and co-operating array 13 of grooves 14, the bearing surface portions of the head and arms shown at 25 and 26 respectively, are formed wi.th means which co~operate in response to turning of the head part into a position in which the bris-tles B generally face away from the handle part, as shown in Fi~s. 7 and 8, to withdraw the trunions f'rom their associated sockets.
'~his means comprises radially extending rib-like bosses 18, 19 on -the bearing surfaces of the arms 5, 6, res-pectively engaging in arcuate grooves 20, formed in the bearing surfaces of the head 2. The end of the groove 20 which is disposed adjacent the boss when the head and handle are aligned is incline,~ or bevelled to pro-vide a ramp 21 leading into the bearing surface por-tion of the head so that upon turn;ng of the head in a clockwise direction into a position as illustrated in Fig 7, in which the bristles genera~ly face away from the handle part, the boss 18 ( 19 ) rides up its associated ramp on to the bearing surface of the head
The problems at-tendant upon the proper care and cleaning of the teeth are well known. The recom~ended actions for cleaning teeth are either brushingfrom.the/
to the teeth, or, preferably, wriggling the brush with the ends of the bristle~ in contact with the teeth which is/~ore effective method of removing food debris accu-mulated in the spaces be-tween the -teeth. aonventional toothbrushes are quite e~fective for brushing and cleaning , the front surfaces of the teeth and gums and the front inter-tooth spaces by either of these recommended methods.
However, dil`ficulties arise when either method i~ applied to brushing the rear surfaces of -the teeth and gums.
Moreover, it is important -that excessive brushing pre-ssure is avoided when cleaning the tee-th as, over an extended period, this is likely to wear the teeth and damage the gums.
Many different constructions of toothbrush have been proposed for facilitating thorough brushing and clean-ing of all surface~ of the teeth and gums. One such construction described in United States Patent 1~69664 ~s ',. . ~
,,,~
,. . ..
comprises a h~ldle so arranged that a finger ~ay be inserted into the handle to permit manipulation o~ the toothbrush, and a brush hea~d which is articulated mid-way along its length and is connected to the handle by another hinged joint. All the joints are constructed so that there is sufficient friction to maintain the toothbrush, while in use, in the shape in which it is bent. U.S. Patent 4020521 describes another arrangement in which the brush head is piuoted to the handle for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the bristles.
Yet another construction is described in Austrian Patent 27ggg4 in which the toothbrush is formed in two parts articulated together approximately mid-way between opposite ends of the brush with adjustment about an axis perpendicular to -the axis of the handle so that the brush proper can be cranked relative to the handle. The two part~ are locked in a desired cranked position b~ an array of inter engaging ribs and groo~ecs and a locking screw.
In the prior constructions, the articulated connections are generally complicated, and in practice, do not provide for satisfactory bru~hing and cleaning of the rear sur~ace of the teeth and gums, and/or do not provide ~or brushing and cleaning under a controlled pressure to alleviate wear of the teeth and damage to the gums. Hence, there is a need for a simple and inexpensive toothbrush having an adjustable head which will permit effective brushing and cleaning of all surfaces of the teeth and gums under a controlled pressure.
Summary o~ t~e Invention It is an objec-t of the present invention to provide a toothbrush having an articulated head which is adjustable in a plane containing the axis of the handle and parallel to the bristles o~ the brush to permit effective brushing and cleaning of all surfaces of the teeth and gums and the spaces between the teeth. Another 1 object is to provide such a toothbrush in which the head is settable in a desired cranked position relati~e to the handle and is retainable in this position without the use of locking screws9 nuts or pins or other separate locking de~ices but which permits the head to m~ e away from the teeth under excessive brushing pressure whereby to control the brushing pressure applied to the teeth when using the $oothbrush. A further object is to pro-vide a toothbrush having an articulated head which is readily adJustable to a required cranked position for properly brushing and cleaning the teeth and gums and which is adJustable whilst in use and gripped in one hand without th~ need for the user to employ his other hand to manipulate the head.
The present invention provides, in a toothbrush comprising an elongated handle part, a head part haYing bristles projecting ~rom at least one side of said head part, and articulating means connecting said head part to an adjacent end of said handle part ~or adjustment of said head part about a pivot axis which extends transversely to a plane containing the axis of the handle part and substantially perpendicularly to the bristles into a selected one of a multipli.city of cranked positions in which said bristles generally face towards said handle .
part, the improvement which facilitates adjustment of said head part into a selected cranked position whilst permitting control of brushing pressure and which is characterisad in that sa~d articulating means includes (i) a pair of projections integral with one af said parts and journalled in cooperating sockets in the other said part, and (ii) resisting means located between said head and handle parts ~or resistingrelative turning movement thereof, (iii) said resisting means being adapted to retain said head part set in a selected cranked position without being locked in said position, and ~ ~}
-3a-1 (iv) said resisting means being adapted to permit said head part to turn ~rom said selecterl cra~ked position in response to an excessive brushing pressure, as pre-determined by said resisting means, to relieve said brushing pressure.
With the construction according to the invention the head part is readily adjustable to a required position whilst in use and being gripped by one hand by gripping or manipulating the head with the mouth.
It will be seen that the head can be set in any desi-red cranked position wi$h respect to the handle part between ,:. .
: .,, i 'i the position in which the head is aligned with the handle and a po~ition in which the head is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle. For example, when it i~ desired to clean the rear surfaces of the front teeth, the head is turned to a position in which it is appro.ximately perpendicular to the axis of the handle 90 that with the handle inserted into the mouth and between the teeth the free ends of the bristles naturally contact the rear surfaces of the tee,th,,and gums.
and can be easily w~iggled~o.penetrate and cl'ean:.between the teeth. In the event of the application of an - e~cessive cleaning pressure, which is determined by the means resi3ting relative turning movement between the head and handle parts, the head tuIns about its pivot axi~ and thus prevents the use of excessive cleaning.
pressure~ , In a preferred embodimen-t, the end of the handle part adjacent the head is bifurca-ted and the head part includes a portion projecting be-tween the blfurcated end of the handle and i8 articulated to the handle at this position. The projections forming the articula-tion may comprise a pair of trunions, pins or bosses on either part journalled in a complementary socket on the other part. However, in the preferred embodiment, the pro~ections are disposed at the bifurcated end of the handle part and engage in sockets on the portion of the head disposed between the bifurcated end of the handle.
~0 The mean~ for resisting turning movement between the head and handle parts may comprise at least one rib on one of the part~ e~tending radially with respect to the pivot axi~ and engaging in at least one fan-or sector-shaped array of cooperating groo~es arranged coaxially with the pivot a~is on the other part. The complementary ribs and grooves are preferably of saw-toothed shape in cross-section and may include a shallow flank and a steeper flank intercepting at the apex of the or each rib or groove, whereby to provide greater resistance to turning of the head relatively to the handle from a cranked position into the position in which it is in alignment with the handle.
Conveniently, means are provided on the head and handle parts which cooperate together to withdraw the projections from thei~ associated sockets in response to turning of the head part into a position in which itæ
bristles generally face away from the handle part 9 whereby to permit the head to be disconnected and removed-from the handle. Such a construction provides for ready assembly or interchange of the head.
Preferably, the surface defined by the free ends of the bristles is profiled to facilitate cleaning of individual teeth and the spaces therebetween~ Hence, in side elevation, thi~ surface may have a scalloped appearance, for example, having three scalloped portions of different sizes corresponding to the surface size of di~ferent teeth. As viewed in end elevation, the surface may have a concave configuration. Tufts of bristles spaced along opposite sides of the head and defining the apices between the scallops may be harder than the other tufts of bristles and these harder tufts are so positioned that they may,project into the spaces between the teeth on opposite side~ of the contact ~0 area between the teeth for cleaning the spaces and will also massage the gums whilst the remaining softer areas of bristles are disposed in positions for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth and avoid undue wear of these surfaces.
Elr ~
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accom-panying drawings which show one embodiment thereof by way of example and in which:
Fig. 1 is a per~pective view of a toothbrush embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the toothbrush illustrating cranked positions o~ the head, Fig. 3 illustrates the use of the toothbru~h to clean the backs of the teeth, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustra-ting details of the articulated connection between the head and the handle, Fig~.5 and 6 respectively illustrate a fragmentary side elevation and plan vie w, the latter being partially in ~ection, illustrating details o~ the shape of the bristles and the articulated connection, and Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively fragmentary side and plan views, the latter being partially in sec-tion, illustrating further details.
Detailed Description o~ Preferred Embodimen-t Referring to Figs. 1 ~ld 2 of the drawlng~, the brush comprises an elongated handle 1 having a head 2 provided with bristles B projecting from the lower side or face thereof. The head is articulated to the adjacent end of the handle by means of a hinge joint generally indicated at 3. To thi~ end, the adjacent end of the ha~dle i9 bi~urcated and the head part includes a por- -tion 4 projecting between the two arms 5, 6 of the bifurcation and articulated to these arms by means of a pair o~ trunions 7,8 projeoting inwardly from the arms adjacent the ends thereof and ~lournalled in cooperating sockets 9,10 formed in opposing surfaces of the portion o~ the head 4 projecting between the arms. In order to control adjustment of -the head relative to the handle and enable it to be set or la-tched in the required cranked position, radially ex-tending ribs 11, 12 are formed respectively adjacent -the trunions which engage in a fan-shaped array 13 of complementary grooves formed in the opposing surface po~tion of the head.
Each fan-shaped array of grooves extends radially out-wardly from its adjacent socket and the array is co-axial with the latter. The ribs 11, 12 ~md grooves 14, are of saw-toothed shape in cross-section and include a shallow flank 15 and a steeper flank 16 intersec-ting the apex or base of each rib or groove. The arrangement of the flanks is such that the head 2 can be readily adjusted relatively to the handle l in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1-4, whilst in the opposite direction, the steeper flanks 16 engage to provide a greater resistance to turning movement. Howeverj the angles of inclina-tion of the steeper flanks of the ribs and grooves are preferably such that excessive brushing pressure applied to the head part causes turning move-ment of the head part rela-tively to the handle in a clockwise direction in order to resist the use of excessive brushing pressure.
As will be seen from Fig 2, a portion of the handle part is o~fset with respect to the lon~itudinal axis ~
of the handle part so that the longitudinal axes of the two parts, in normal orientation, intersect towards the free end of the head, the axis of the head part being shown at M. Thus the longitudinal axis L of the handle l is in alignment with the direction of the bristles B.
On the opposite side of the pivot ~xis 17 to the rib 12 and co-operating array 13 of grooves 14, the bearing surface portions of the head and arms shown at 25 and 26 respectively, are formed wi.th means which co~operate in response to turning of the head part into a position in which the bris-tles B generally face away from the handle part, as shown in Fi~s. 7 and 8, to withdraw the trunions f'rom their associated sockets.
'~his means comprises radially extending rib-like bosses 18, 19 on -the bearing surfaces of the arms 5, 6, res-pectively engaging in arcuate grooves 20, formed in the bearing surfaces of the head 2. The end of the groove 20 which is disposed adjacent the boss when the head and handle are aligned is incline,~ or bevelled to pro-vide a ramp 21 leading into the bearing surface por-tion of the head so that upon turn;ng of the head in a clockwise direction into a position as illustrated in Fig 7, in which the bristles genera~ly face away from the handle part, the boss 18 ( 19 ) rides up its associated ramp on to the bearing surface of the head
2 and thereby flexes the bifurcated arms 5, 6 of the handle apart so as to withdraw the trunions 7, 8 from their associated sockets, whereupon -the head 2 can be ' disconnected from the handle part 1 and, if desired, can be exchanged for a fresh head. 'rhis is achieved by the reverse process, each boss 18 ( 19 ) being formed with an inclined face 22 on i-ts radially outer end so as;to permit the arms 5, 6 to be flexed ~part as the head 2 is introduced between them.
Conveniently, the head part 2 and the handle part 1 are each formed as one-piece mouldings of resilient plastics material.
'l`he free ends of the bristles B, ~hich may be made from a na~tural or synthetic material, define a sur-face which has a generally scalloped configuration 23 in side eleva-tion and a concave configuration 24 in end elevation as is more clearly shown in Figs 5, 7 and 8.
In side elevation, there are three scallops which may vary in width.
Such an arrangement facilitates cleaning of different size teeth in the mouth. Moreover, the types of bristles which define the apices of the sca~loped con-figuration 23 are harder than the remaining tufts of bristles so that these can project into the spaces between the teeth .' ~, .........
for cleaning the spaces and can massage the gums. l'he central softer bristles enga~e and clean the surfaces of the -teeth and avoid undue w~ar of these surfaces~
Fig. ~ shows how the toothbrush is used to clean the backs of the teeth; the head 2 is pivoted into the position shown in ~'ig. 2 so that the head 2 lies behind the teeth perpendicular to the handle 1. ~his enables the brush to be effectively wriggled with the ends of the bristles in contact with the teeth and aligned to permit maximum penetration, which I believe is the correct and most effective method of removing food debris accumulated in the spaces between the teeth.
" ,. . ~. . . ;
Conveniently, the head part 2 and the handle part 1 are each formed as one-piece mouldings of resilient plastics material.
'l`he free ends of the bristles B, ~hich may be made from a na~tural or synthetic material, define a sur-face which has a generally scalloped configuration 23 in side eleva-tion and a concave configuration 24 in end elevation as is more clearly shown in Figs 5, 7 and 8.
In side elevation, there are three scallops which may vary in width.
Such an arrangement facilitates cleaning of different size teeth in the mouth. Moreover, the types of bristles which define the apices of the sca~loped con-figuration 23 are harder than the remaining tufts of bristles so that these can project into the spaces between the teeth .' ~, .........
for cleaning the spaces and can massage the gums. l'he central softer bristles enga~e and clean the surfaces of the -teeth and avoid undue w~ar of these surfaces~
Fig. ~ shows how the toothbrush is used to clean the backs of the teeth; the head 2 is pivoted into the position shown in ~'ig. 2 so that the head 2 lies behind the teeth perpendicular to the handle 1. ~his enables the brush to be effectively wriggled with the ends of the bristles in contact with the teeth and aligned to permit maximum penetration, which I believe is the correct and most effective method of removing food debris accumulated in the spaces between the teeth.
" ,. . ~. . . ;
Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a toothbrush comprising an elongated handle part, a head part having bristles projecting from at least one side of said head part, and articulating means connecting said head part to an adjacent end of said handle part for adjustment of said head part about a pivot axis which extends transversely to a plane containing the axis of the handle part and substantially perpendicularly to the bristles into a selected one of a multiplicity of cranked positions in which said bristles generally face towards said handle part, the improvement which facili-tates adjustment of said head part into a selected cranked position whilst permitting control of brushing pressure and which is characterised in that said articulating means includes (i) a pair of projections integral with one of said parts and journalled in cooperating sockets in the other said part, and (ii) resisting means located between said head and handle parts for resisting relative turning movement thereof, (iii) said resisting means being adapted to retain said head part set in a selected cranked position without being locked in said position, and (iv) said resisting means being adapted to permit said head part to turn from said selected cranked position in response to an excessive brushing pressure, as pre-determined by said resisting means, to relieve said brushing pressure.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said adjacent end of said handle part is bifurcated and said head part includes a portion projecting between said bifurcated end, said articulating means being arranged between said bifurcated end of said handle part and said projecting portion of said head part.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said projections are disposed on said handle part and said sockets are disposed in said head part.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said resisting means for resisting turning movement between said head and handle parts includes at least one fan-shaped array of grooves on one of said parts operatively engaged by at least one cooperating radial rib on the other said part.
5. A toothbrush according to claim 4, comprising a fan-shaped array of said grooves associated and subs-tantially coaxial with each said socket of said articu-lating means and a cooperating rib associated with and disposed substantially radially with respect to each said projection.
6. A toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein said at least one radial rib includes a shallow flank and a steeper flank intersecting at the apex of said rib, and said grooves of said cooperating array have complementary shapes whereby to provide greater resis-tance to turning of said head from a cranked position towards alignment with said handle part.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 1, including means on said head and handle parts operatively asso-ciated to withdraw said projections from said sockets in response to turning of said head part into a posi-tion in which said bristles generally project away from said handle part, whereby to permit disconnection of said head and handle parts.
8. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the surface defined by the projecting ends of the bristles is profiled to facilitate cleaning of the teeth and adjacent spaces.
9. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said handle part adjacent said head part is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle part so that the longitudinal axes of the two parts, in normal orientation, intersect towards the free end of said head part.
10. A toothbrush comprising:
(a) an elongated handle part (b) a head part having bristles projecting from at least one side of said head part 9 (c) articulating means connecting said head part to an adjacent end of said handle part for adjustment of said head part about a pivot axis extending transversely to the plane which contains the axis of said handle part and is disposed substantially parallel to said bristles into a cranked position in which said bristles generally face towards said handle part, (d) said articulating means including (i) a pair of projections integral with one of said parts and journalled in cooperating sockets in the other said part, and (ii) resisting means for resisting relative turning movement between said head and handle parts, said resis-ting means being adapted to retain said parts set in a selected cranked position without being locked in said position, (e) withdrawing means on said head and handle parts operatively associated to withdraw said projections from said sockets in response to turning of said head part into a position in which said bristles generally project away from said handle part, whereby to permit discon-nection of said head and handle parts, (f) said withdrawing means including:
(i) a boss disposed on one of said parts adjacent each said projection and socket, and (ii) a cooperating arcuate recess disposed on the other said part and provided with a bevelled end, (iii) said bosses being engageable in said cooperating arcuate recesses when said projections and sockets are engaged and being engageable with said bevelled ends of said recesses in response to turning of said head part for withdrawing said projections from said sockets.
(a) an elongated handle part (b) a head part having bristles projecting from at least one side of said head part 9 (c) articulating means connecting said head part to an adjacent end of said handle part for adjustment of said head part about a pivot axis extending transversely to the plane which contains the axis of said handle part and is disposed substantially parallel to said bristles into a cranked position in which said bristles generally face towards said handle part, (d) said articulating means including (i) a pair of projections integral with one of said parts and journalled in cooperating sockets in the other said part, and (ii) resisting means for resisting relative turning movement between said head and handle parts, said resis-ting means being adapted to retain said parts set in a selected cranked position without being locked in said position, (e) withdrawing means on said head and handle parts operatively associated to withdraw said projections from said sockets in response to turning of said head part into a position in which said bristles generally project away from said handle part, whereby to permit discon-nection of said head and handle parts, (f) said withdrawing means including:
(i) a boss disposed on one of said parts adjacent each said projection and socket, and (ii) a cooperating arcuate recess disposed on the other said part and provided with a bevelled end, (iii) said bosses being engageable in said cooperating arcuate recesses when said projections and sockets are engaged and being engageable with said bevelled ends of said recesses in response to turning of said head part for withdrawing said projections from said sockets.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360835A CA1141909A (en) | 1980-09-23 | 1980-09-23 | Toothbrushes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360835A CA1141909A (en) | 1980-09-23 | 1980-09-23 | Toothbrushes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1141909A true CA1141909A (en) | 1983-03-01 |
Family
ID=4117959
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360835A Expired CA1141909A (en) | 1980-09-23 | 1980-09-23 | Toothbrushes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1141909A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-09-23 CA CA000360835A patent/CA1141909A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4330896A (en) | Toothbrushes | |
| US5896614A (en) | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush | |
| CA1095205A (en) | Toothbrush | |
| AU706139B2 (en) | Resiliently flexible bristle bearing head toothbrush | |
| US2685703A (en) | Toothbrush | |
| EP0716573B1 (en) | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush | |
| US7146675B2 (en) | Handheld toothbrush | |
| CA1271007A (en) | Toothbrush | |
| US3939520A (en) | Tooth brush | |
| US4894880A (en) | Tooth brush | |
| US20030084533A1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
| WO1998046103A1 (en) | Toothbrush with both stationary and moving tufts | |
| NZ237951A (en) | Toothbrush - brushhead adjustable to a concave or convex curvature | |
| US4471506A (en) | Toothbrush with multi-positionable head | |
| US3953907A (en) | Twin toothbrushes | |
| CN204812617U (en) | Tooth brush | |
| US5884354A (en) | Toothbrush | |
| US4486914A (en) | Tooth brush for cleaning and care of the teeth | |
| AU652771B2 (en) | Twin-headed toothbrush | |
| CA1141909A (en) | Toothbrushes | |
| US6760949B2 (en) | Rotating dish brush | |
| PL185327B1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
| CA1326334C (en) | Toothbrush | |
| JP2002506360A (en) | Uneven dental rake | |
| US2622259A (en) | Toothbrush having separate rows of long bristles and short bristles |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |