GB2185930A - Pliable holder for toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The holder which can be bent to a desired position by finger pressure comprises a plastics tubing 5 in which a length of wire 6 is located, the wire and shortened toothbrush being releasably secured in the tubing by a spigot 4 located in one end of the tubing, the other end of the tubing being sealed by a rubber or plastics tip. The holder is suitable for use by a person with arthritic hands. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pliable holder for toothbrush This invention relates to a Pliable Holder which holds an adapted shortened toothbrush.

This is a Pliable Holder and when assembled with an adapted shortened standard toothbrush has all the cleaning abilities of a conventional handled toothbrush but in addition gives a greater range of movement and variable angles to care for intricate dental bridgework.

Moreover, arthritic hands can experience difficulty in grasping a conventional handled toothbrush.

According to the present invention there is provided a Pliable Holder. It comprises a length of pliable plastic tubing, a length of pliable wire, an open ended adapted spigot which releasably secures a shortened adapted toothbrush and the wire. A rubber or plastic tip at the end of the holder is also provided to form a seal.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in actual size, in a horizontal plane, the Pliable Holderfitted with the shortened toothbrush.

Figure2showsthe Pliable Holder bent to a desired position byfingerpressure, holding ashortened toothbrush.

Figure2 shows the Pliable Holder bent to a desired position by finger pressure, holding a shortened toothbrush.

Figure 3 shows the Pliable Holder with the end of the wire inserted into the apex end of the spigot in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 4 shows the Pliable Holder with the spigot and wire releasably secured inserted into the plastic tubing inthedirection ofthearrow.

Figure5showsthe adapted toothbrush head ready for insertion into the top end of the spigot.

Figure 6shows the pliable holder being held by an arthritic hand, the wire and plastic tubing being of a longer length in order for itto coil around the wrist if desired.

Figure 7shows the pliable holder being held by an arthritic hand, the wire and plastictubing being of a shorter length to suit the individual.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 the Pliable Holder comprises a length of pliable plastic tubing 5.

A length of pliable wire 6. An open ended adapted spigot 4for releasably securing the stem of the shortened toothbrush and the wire. At the base ofthe holder, a rubber or plastic tip 10 is provided.

In order to assemble the Pliable Holder, Figure 3, the wire end 6 is inserted into the apex end of the spigot 4 which releasably secures it. In the direction of Arrow 7. The spigot and length of wire, releasably secured are then guided inside the length oftubing 5 in the direction of arrow 8 as shown in Figure 4.

When the tubing 5 has enclosed and encircled the entire length of the wire 6 and reaches the uppermost, widest part of the spigot, it can go no further and encircles the spigot tightly forming a waterproof seal.

In orderto insert the shortened toothbrush into the holder, it is necessary to push it into the top of the spigot4 in the direction of the arrow 9 as shown in Figure 5. Replacement shortened toothbrushes are fitted in this way as and when desired. The toothbrush head is then held firmly by the spigot and can rotate in either direction as indicated by arrows 2 and 3 shown in Figure 5.

In order to provide arthritic hands with the utmost versatility available, for daily dental care, Figure 6 showsa longer length of wire and plastictubing coiled around the wrist. Figure 7 shows an arthritic hand with a shorter length of plastic tubing and wire positioned to grip the back of the hand. Length being dependent on individual requirements.

To disassemble the holder, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

1. A Pliable Holder for a Toothbrush comprising a length of pliable wire and tubing, an open ended spigotfor releasably securing a shortened adapted toothbrush and the wire and tubing. A rubbertip situated at the end of the holder forming a seal.

2. A Pliable Holderfor Toothbrush as claimed in Claim 1 wherein pliablewire and tubing is provided in variable length to wrap around a disabled hand.

Figures 6 and 7.

3. A Pliable HolderforToothbrush as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, the pliable wire and tubing is provided for adjusting the toothbrush to desired angle.

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

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pliable holder for toothbrush This invention relates to a Pliable Holder which holds an adapted shortened toothbrush. This is a Pliable Holder and when assembled with an adapted shortened standard toothbrush has all the cleaning abilities of a conventional handled toothbrush but in addition gives a greater range of movement and variable angles to care for intricate dental bridgework. Moreover, arthritic hands can experience difficulty in grasping a conventional handled toothbrush. According to the present invention there is provided a Pliable Holder. It comprises a length of pliable plastic tubing, a length of pliable wire, an open ended adapted spigot which releasably secures a shortened adapted toothbrush and the wire. A rubber or plastic tip at the end of the holder is also provided to form a seal. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in actual size, in a horizontal plane, the Pliable Holderfitted with the shortened toothbrush. Figure2showsthe Pliable Holder bent to a desired position byfingerpressure, holding ashortened toothbrush. Figure2 shows the Pliable Holder bent to a desired position by finger pressure, holding a shortened toothbrush. Figure 3 shows the Pliable Holder with the end of the wire inserted into the apex end of the spigot in the direction of the arrow. Figure 4 shows the Pliable Holder with the spigot and wire releasably secured inserted into the plastic tubing inthedirection ofthearrow. Figure5showsthe adapted toothbrush head ready for insertion into the top end of the spigot. Figure 6shows the pliable holder being held by an arthritic hand, the wire and plastic tubing being of a longer length in order for itto coil around the wrist if desired. Figure 7shows the pliable holder being held by an arthritic hand, the wire and plastictubing being of a shorter length to suit the individual. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 the Pliable Holder comprises a length of pliable plastic tubing 5. A length of pliable wire 6. An open ended adapted spigot 4for releasably securing the stem of the shortened toothbrush and the wire. At the base ofthe holder, a rubber or plastic tip 10 is provided. In order to assemble the Pliable Holder, Figure 3, the wire end 6 is inserted into the apex end of the spigot 4 which releasably secures it. In the direction of Arrow 7. The spigot and length of wire, releasably secured are then guided inside the length oftubing 5 in the direction of arrow 8 as shown in Figure 4. When the tubing 5 has enclosed and encircled the entire length of the wire 6 and reaches the uppermost, widest part of the spigot, it can go no further and encircles the spigot tightly forming a waterproof seal. In orderto insert the shortened toothbrush into the holder, it is necessary to push it into the top of the spigot4 in the direction of the arrow 9 as shown in Figure 5. Replacement shortened toothbrushes are fitted in this way as and when desired. The toothbrush head is then held firmly by the spigot and can rotate in either direction as indicated by arrows 2 and 3 shown in Figure 5. In order to provide arthritic hands with the utmost versatility available, for daily dental care, Figure 6 showsa longer length of wire and plastictubing coiled around the wrist. Figure 7 shows an arthritic hand with a shorter length of plastic tubing and wire positioned to grip the back of the hand. Length being dependent on individual requirements. To disassemble the holder, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence. CLAIMS

1. A Pliable Holder for a Toothbrush comprising a length of pliable wire and tubing, an open ended spigotfor releasably securing a shortened adapted toothbrush and the wire and tubing. A rubbertip situated at the end of the holder forming a seal.

2. A Pliable Holderfor Toothbrush as claimed in Claim 1 wherein pliablewire and tubing is provided in variable length to wrap around a disabled hand.

Figures 6 and 7.

3. A Pliable HolderforToothbrush as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, the pliable wire and tubing is provided for adjusting the toothbrush to desired angle.