GB2031785A

GB2031785A - A gum massaging instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2031785A
Application number: GB7920255A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Flick K E
Current assignee: Flick K E
Priority date: 1978-06-19
Filing date: 1979-06-11
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: JPS5540581A; SE7905355L

Abstract

A massage head 12 of resilient material, e.g. rubber is attached to a handle 10 by a plurality of tines on the handle engaging the resilient material of the head. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gum massaging instrument This invention relates to instruments for gum massage which have a similar overall configuration and size to toothbrushes.

Gum massage is increasingly important because today many diets do not provide sufficient natural exercise for healthy, sound gums.

It is believed that at present more adult teeth are lost through gum disease than tooth decay.

It is an object of this invention to provide an effective and convenient instrument for gum massage which, in addition to normal brushing and flossing, is designed to assist in preserving gums by providing proper massage.

According to the present invention, a gum massaging instrument comprises a combination: a resilient rubber-like massage head; a handle having an end portion for carrying the head, and means attaching the head to the handle end portion comprising: a portion of the head defining an elongated cavity receiving the end portion of the handle, and a plurality of tines extending from the handle end portion and engaging the head inside the cavity whereby both detachment and rotation of the head on the handle is prevented.

In the preferred form, the gum massaging instrument comprises a resilient rubber-like head having a plurality of massaging tips arranged on a handle in a manner similar to the arrangement of the bristles of a toothbrush. The massage head is carried at the end of the handle which is also of the same general size and configuration as a toothbrush handle. The massage head is attached by stretching it over an end portion of the handle which carries a plurality of tines. The tines grip the head and hold it permanently to the handle.

One arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a gum massaging instrument according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the gum massage head shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the gum massage head shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the head portion of Fig. 1 shown in partial longitudinal cross section.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

The gum massaging instrument of the invention is shown in the Figures and includes an elongated handle 10 carrying a massage head 1 2 on an end portion thereof. Massage head 1 2 may be made up of any resilient material, natural rubber being preferred. Head 12 is moulded in a configuration suitable for gum massage as shown and includes a plurality of flexible massaging tips 14. The massaging tips 14 are arranged on the massage head in a configuration similar to the arrangement of the bristles on a toothbrush. Due to the flexibility and resiliency of the tips, they provide a massage action when rubbed against one's gums.

Handle 10, which may be of any suitable material, a mouldable material such as polypropylene being preferred, is attached to head 1 2 by inserting a specially adapted end portion 18 of handle 10 into an elongated cavity 20 in the body of head portion 1 2. Cavity 20 is best seen in Figs. 4-6. Specially adapted handle end 1 8 includes a plurality of tines or barbs 22 formed thereon and extending therefrom which engage the resilient material of head 1 2 holding it to handle 10 in permanent attachment. Tines 22 are preferably located along the sides of handle 10 as shown in Fig.

4. End portion 1 8 of the handle and cavity 20 of the head are preferably of the same general cross-sectional configuration as can be seen in Fig. 5. The preferred cross-sectional configuration is generally rectangular as shown. Preferably the overall size of cavity 20 will be somewhat smaller than the cross-sectional area of portion 1 8 of handle 10, thus requiring massage head 1 2 to resiliently stretch when handle 10 is inserted into cavity 20 therein. Some distortion will occur as can be seen in Fig. 6. The distortion in head 12 results in a tight fit between the two components.

As shown in Fig. 4, tines 22 are shaped and oriented such as to grip head 1 2 and prevent its being pulled away from handle 1 0.

The tines are oriented so as to point toward the other end of the handle, thus resisting any movement of head 1 2 off end portion 1 8.

1. A gum massaging instrument, comprising in combination: a resilient rubber-like massage head; a handle having an end portion for carrying the head, and means attaching the head to the handle end portion comprising: a portion of the head defining an elongated cavity receiving the end portion of the handle, and a plurality of tines extending from the handle end portion and engaging the head inside the cavity whereby both detachment and rotation of the head on the handle is prevented.

2. The instrument of Claim 1 in which the tines extend toward the opposite end of the handle.

3. The instrument of Claim 1 in which the handle, at least the end portion, is flat and the cross-section configuration of the cavity and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gum massaging instrument This invention relates to instruments for gum massage which have a similar overall configuration and size to toothbrushes. Gum massage is increasingly important because today many diets do not provide sufficient natural exercise for healthy, sound gums. It is believed that at present more adult teeth are lost through gum disease than tooth decay. It is an object of this invention to provide an effective and convenient instrument for gum massage which, in addition to normal brushing and flossing, is designed to assist in preserving gums by providing proper massage. According to the present invention, a gum massaging instrument comprises a combination: a resilient rubber-like massage head; a handle having an end portion for carrying the head, and means attaching the head to the handle end portion comprising: a portion of the head defining an elongated cavity receiving the end portion of the handle, and a plurality of tines extending from the handle end portion and engaging the head inside the cavity whereby both detachment and rotation of the head on the handle is prevented. In the preferred form, the gum massaging instrument comprises a resilient rubber-like head having a plurality of massaging tips arranged on a handle in a manner similar to the arrangement of the bristles of a toothbrush. The massage head is carried at the end of the handle which is also of the same general size and configuration as a toothbrush handle. The massage head is attached by stretching it over an end portion of the handle which carries a plurality of tines. The tines grip the head and hold it permanently to the handle. One arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a gum massaging instrument according to the invention. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the gum massage head shown in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the gum massage head shown in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the head portion of Fig. 1 shown in partial longitudinal cross section. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4. The gum massaging instrument of the invention is shown in the Figures and includes an elongated handle 10 carrying a massage head 1 2 on an end portion thereof. Massage head 1 2 may be made up of any resilient material, natural rubber being preferred. Head 12 is moulded in a configuration suitable for gum massage as shown and includes a plurality of flexible massaging tips 14. The massaging tips 14 are arranged on the massage head in a configuration similar to the arrangement of the bristles on a toothbrush. Due to the flexibility and resiliency of the tips, they provide a massage action when rubbed against one's gums. Handle 10, which may be of any suitable material, a mouldable material such as polypropylene being preferred, is attached to head 1 2 by inserting a specially adapted end portion 18 of handle 10 into an elongated cavity 20 in the body of head portion 1 2. Cavity 20 is best seen in Figs. 4-6. Specially adapted handle end 1 8 includes a plurality of tines or barbs 22 formed thereon and extending therefrom which engage the resilient material of head 1 2 holding it to handle 10 in permanent attachment. Tines 22 are preferably located along the sides of handle 10 as shown in Fig. 4. End portion 1 8 of the handle and cavity 20 of the head are preferably of the same general cross-sectional configuration as can be seen in Fig. 5. The preferred cross-sectional configuration is generally rectangular as shown. Preferably the overall size of cavity 20 will be somewhat smaller than the cross-sectional area of portion 1 8 of handle 10, thus requiring massage head 1 2 to resiliently stretch when handle 10 is inserted into cavity 20 therein. Some distortion will occur as can be seen in Fig. 6. The distortion in head 12 results in a tight fit between the two components. As shown in Fig. 4, tines 22 are shaped and oriented such as to grip head 1 2 and prevent its being pulled away from handle 1 0. The tines are oriented so as to point toward the other end of the handle, thus resisting any movement of head 1 2 off end portion 1 8. CLAIMS

3. The instrument of Claim 1 in which the handle, at least the end portion, is flat and the cross-section configuration of the cavity and the handle end portion are generally similar in shape.

4. The instrument of Claim 3 in which the cross-section configuration is generally rectangular.

5. The instrument of Claim 3 in which the cross-section dimensions of the cavity are smaller than those of the handle end portion.

6. The instrument of Claim 3 in which the tines comprise two separate rows positioned on opposite sides of the handle end portion.

7. The instrument of Claim 1 in which the overall size of the cavity is somewhat smaller than that of the handle end portion requiring the head to stretch when being mounted on the handle.

8. A gum massaging instrument substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.