US20070114891A1

US20070114891A1 - Toothbrush holder

Info

Publication number: US20070114891A1
Application number: US11/550,103
Authority: US
Inventors: Dae-Woong Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-17
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: KR200405861Y1

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved toothbrush holder in which a toothbrush can be stored or from which a toothbrush can be taken out in a simple manner. In the toothbrush holder, on the inside of which an enclosing space that is opened on one side is formed, a body is included, on one side of which an inserting groove is formed. A protective cover is hinged rotatably to one side of the body to close the opened part of the body. A hinge member is provided to the body and a part of the protective cover, respectively. A guide member is provided on the inside of the protective cover and encloses the head part of the toothbrush. A chucking member is installed on the closed rear surface of the body and is attached detachably to a wall surface of a fixture. Through this configuration, a rotation movement of the protective cover can be made in accordance with a rotation of the toothbrush and thus the procedure of taking out the toothbrush is performed easily; therefore improving significantly a convenience of using it.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toothbrush holder, and more particularly, to an improved toothbrush holder, in which a toothbrush can be stored and from which it can be taken out conveniently.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a toothbrush, which is used together with toothpaste, is a unit for hygiene of the mouth, and removes plaque produced on teeth by food, etc. caught between teeth, such that decayed teeth can be avoided.
Currently, a toothbrush is stored in a separate storage device such as a toothbrush holder, which is installed on a bathroom shelf or on a fixture to a wall. In particular, the toothbrush holder is typically configured that plural toothbrushes can be stored for convenience of storage. At this time, the brush of a toothbrush is directed upwardly to get rid of moisture from the respective toothbrush. Under this configuration, the toothbrushes may be in contact with each other and propagate microbes and cause a problem in the hygiene of the mouth.
Accordingly, recently, a toothbrush holder has been proposed to solve the above problem in which the toothbrushes are stored.
As a representative example of the above configuration, Korean Utility Model application No. 20-0196440 (Titled “a toothbrush holder”) is referred to, and will be described in the following referring to FIG. 7.
As shown in the drawing, a toothbrush holder 200 is configured that a protective cover 120 is connected openingly or closingly to a body 110 one side of which is opened. An inserting groove 112 is provided on one side of the body 110 such that a head of a toothbrush (not shown) is fitted into and held on. In addition, the protective cover 120 is hinged to the one side of the body 110 through a hinge pin 140, to cover the opened part of the body 110. Meanwhile, a chucking member 130 is installed detachably on the rear side of the body 110.
In the conventional toothbrush holder 200, as configured in the above described manner, the toothbrush holder 200 is fixed to the wall surface of a fixture installed on a bathroom with the chucking member 130. To store a toothbrush, a user can rotate the protective cover 120 to open the inside of the body 110, and then put a toothbrush (not shown) into the opened inside of the body 110 and for a head of the toothbrush to be fitted into the inserting groove 112 of the body 110.
Meanwhile, to use a toothbrush stored in the inner part of the body 110 of the toothbrush holder 200, a user can rotate the protective cover 120 to open the inside of the body 110. At this time, the protective cover is rotated around the hinge pin 140 to open it. Under these circumstances, the user can take out the toothbrush stored in the inner part of the body 110 and use it.
However, referring to the conventional toothbrush holder as described above, to use a toothbrush, a user has to rotate a protective cover to open the front surface of the body and take out a toothbrush stored in the inner part of the body. In addition, after brushing teeth, to store a toothbrush, the user has to again rotate the protective cover to open the front surface of the body and put the toothbrush into the inserting groove to be fitted, and finally close the opened part of the body with the protective cover. That is, according to the conventional toothbrush holder, a user has to rotate the protective cover to open or close a part of the body every time a toothbrush is taken out therefrom or put therein, and thus it causes inconvenience in using a toothbrush for brushing teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above drawbacks, and the object of the present invention is related to providing a toothbrush holder in which a toothbrush can be stored or taken out conveniently, thereby improving significantly the convenience of using it.
To achieve the object, the present invention provides a toothbrush holder inside of which a toothbrush is enclosed and secured to a wall surface of a fixture, including: a body on the inside of which an enclosing space opened on one side is formed and on one side of which an inserting groove is formed; a protective cover which is hinged rotatably to the one side of the body to close the opened part of the body; a hinge member which is provided on the body and a part of the protective cover, respectively; a member for inducing closing or opening, which is provided on the inner side of the protective cover to enclose the head part of the toothbrush; and a chucking member which is installed on the closed rear surface of the body and is attached detachably to the wall surface of a fixture, wherein in storing the toothbrush or taking it out, the toothbrush is fitted into the member for inducing closing or opening and the toothbrush is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise to close or open automatically the opened part of the body.
Preferably, the hinge member includes a locking member connected integrally to the one side of the protective cover and a securing member, which is formed integrally on the one side of the body and to which the locking member is connected rotatably.
Preferably, the locking member includes a pair of hinge parts that are formed protrudingly on the outer surface of the protective cover and a locking end connected to the respective free end of the hinge part.
Preferably, the locking end is formed in a sectional octagonal shape.
Preferably, the member for inducing opening or closing is formed in a square shape both sides of which are opened.
Preferably, the member for inducing opening or closing is formed in a shape of a U letter both sides of which are opened.
As described above, a toothbrush holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a member for inducing opening or closing such as a guide member in which a head of a toothbrush is enclosed, on the inside of a protective cover hinged to one side of a body to open the inner space of the body. Through this configuration of the toothbrush holder, the head of the toothbrush is fitted into the guide member and rotates together with the protective cover to open or close, and thus it can ensure efficiency of use.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective view of a toothbrush holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toothbrush holder in FIG. 1, attached to a wall surface of a fixture (shown in a circle) and an exploded view of the main part of the toothbrush holder;
FIG. 3 is a view of a toothbrush stored in the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view of the protective cover partly opened in the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view of the protective cover fully opened in the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a view showing an operation of taking out the toothbrush from the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional toothbrush holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a toothbrush holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective view of a toothbrush holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toothbrush holder in FIG. 1, attached to a wall surface of a fixture (shown in a circle) and an exploded view of the main part of the toothbrush holder.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toothbrush holder 200 includes a body 10, a protective cover 20, a hinge member and a chucking member 60.
An enclosing space 12 is formed on the inside of the body 10, an inserting groove 14 is formed on the lower part of the body 10 and a connective hole 16 is provided on a rear surface of the body 10. The connective hole 16 includes an enlarged part 16A and a narrow part 16B that extends in a longitudinal direction form the enlarged part 16A and is narrower than the enlarged part 16A in width.
The protective cover 20 is connected openingly or closingly to the front surface of the body 10 through a hinge member (described later). The protective cover functions to make the head part 72 of a toothbrush 70 be received into the inside of the body 10 and not departed form the body 10. At this time, a surface of the protective cover 20 may be designed to form a shape of a man or an animal for enhancing decoration effects, or formed to have perforations therethrough in the shape of eyes, nose or mouth of a mascot for ventilation purposes.
A hinge member connects rotatably the protective cover 20 to the body 10. The hinge member includes a locking unit 30 and a securing unit 40. Here, the locking unit 30 is provided on the upper surface of the protective cover 20 and the securing unit 40 is provided on the upper surface of the body 10, on the place corresponding to the locking unit 30.
The locking unit 30 includes a pair of protruding ends 32 that are formed protrudingly on the external surface of the protective cover 20. Here, a locking end 34 is connected to a free end of the respective protruding end 32. At this time, the locking end 34 is formed in a sectional octagonal shape and adjusts the angle of the protective cover 20. In addition, there is provided a space between the locking end 34 and the protective cover 20 such that the securing unit 40 can be connected and rotated.
Meanwhile, the protruding end 32 may be formed in a sectional octagonal shape the same as the locking end 34, but it is not limited thereto, and the protruding end and the locking end may be formed in a sectional shape of a polygon other than an octagon.
A guide member 50 is formed on the inner surface of the protective member 20. The guide member 50 may be configured for the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 to be fitted freely into it. At this time, the handle part 74 of the toothbrush 70 is exposed to the outside of the guide member 50.
The guide member 50 as an element for inducing a closed or opened state is formed in a state in which both sides thereof are opened. The guide member, into which the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is inserted, can be rotated to close or open the protective cover 20 in accordance with a movement of the toothbrush. In other words, in a state in which the toothbrush 70 is inserted into the guide member 50, the enclosing space of the body 10 can be closed or opened by only the clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the toothbrush 70. Here, even though the sectional shape of the guide member 50 is configured to be a square tube-shaped body in this embodiment, it may be configured to be in the shape of a letter U and can be varied depending on the shape of the head of the toothbrush.
The chucking member 60 is operated to attach detachably the toothbrush holder 200 to a wall surface of a fixture (W) or a glass surface. A connective protruding part 62 is provided on one surface of the chucking member 60 to fit into the connective hole 16 of the body 10.
The respective body 10, protective cover 20 and hinge member are preferably made of a synthetic resin that is light and is carried out conveniently, and is low cost. In particular, the hinge member has self-elasticity.
An operation of the toothbrush holder as is configured above will be described in the following.
FIG. 3 is a view of a toothbrush stored in the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view of the protective cover partly opened in the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a view of the protective cover fully opened in the toothbrush in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation of taking out the toothbrush from the toothbrush holder in FIG. 2.
First, referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, to use the toothbrush holder 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover 20 is connected rotatably to the front surface of the body 10. In other words, the locking end 34 of the locking member 30 on the protective cover 20 is connected to the securing member 40 of the body 10.
Subsequently, the chucking member 60 is connected to the connective hole 16 of the body 10. That is, the connective protruding part 62 of the chucking member 60 is inserted into the enlarged part 16A of the connective hole 16, which is formed on the rear surface of the body 10, and is moved upwardly. In other words, the connective protruding part 62 is moved from the enlarged part 16A to the narrow part 16B. As a result, the chucking member 60 is secured to the body 10 to be stationary.
Under these circumstances, the toothbrush holder 200 is attached to a wall surface of a fixture (W) in a bathroom, as shown in FIG. 2.
Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 3, the body 10 is attached to a wall surface of a fixture (W) with the chucking member 60. In addition, the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is inserted into the guide member 50 and enclosed into the enclosing space of the body 10, and the connection portion of the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 and the gripping part 74 is inserted into the inserting groove 14.
Again, referring to FIG. 4, in the state of the front surface of the body 10 being covered by the protective cover 20, for using the toothbrush 70, a user grabs the gripping part 74 of the toothbrush 70 and rotates it in the direction indicated by an arrow. Then, the toothbrush 70 fitted into the guide member 50 is rotated together with the protective cover 20. At this time, the protective cover is rotated around the connecting part of the locking member 30 and the securing part 40. As a result, the enclosing space 12 of the body 10 becomes opened.
At this time, since the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is fitted into the guide member 50 attached to the protective cover 20, it cannot be departed from the guide member 50. In addition, in the state of the angled shape locking member 30 being rotated with respect to the securing member 40, in the case of the securing member 40 being on the angled edge of the locking member, they are separated instantly, and then return to their initial positions in the case of the securing member 40 leaving the angled edge. This is caused by the elasticity of the securing member 40. Here, since the sectional shapes of the locking member 30 and the securing member 40 are formed as polygons, they can function to adjust the rotation angle of the protective cover 20.
Again, referring to FIG. 5, in the case where the toothbrush 70 is further rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow, compared with FIG. 4, the enclosing space of the body 10 is opened completely.
Again, referring to FIG. 6, in the state of the enclosing space 12 of the body 10 being opened completely, a user pulls the toothbrush 70 in the direction indicated by a solid line arrow and thus the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 moves along the guide member 50 to be out completely. Afterwards, the user can use the toothbrush 70 for brushing his/her teeth.
Meanwhile, after brushing teeth, to store the toothbrush 70 in the toothbrush holder 200, the procedures described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 are taken in a reverse order. That is, a user places the toothbrush 70 on the guide member 50 and then pushes the toothbrush 70 in the direction indicated by a dotted line arrow (see FIG. 6). As a result, the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 can move along the guide member 50 toward the inner side of the protective cover 20. When the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is placed on the inside of the protective cover 20, the toothbrush 70 cannot be departed from the protective cover 20 (see FIG. 5).
When the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is inserted into the protective cover 20 through the guide member 50, a user rotates the gripping part 74 of the toothbrush 70 in the direction opposite to that of the arrow. Here, this rotation movement of the toothbrush 70 is made together with the rotation movement of the protective cover 20. That is, in accordance with the rotation movement of the toothbrush 70, the protective cover 20 is rotated around a hinged connective part of the locking member 30 and the securing part 40. As a result, the protective cover rotates and moves together with the toothbrush 70 to close the enclosing space 12 of the body 10 (see FIG. 4).
In the case of the toothbrush 70 being further rotated downwardly, a connective part of the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 and the gripping part 74 is inserted through the inserting groove 14 to be fastened thereto. At the same time, the protective cover 20 closes the enclosing space 12 of the body 10. In this state, the head part 72 of the toothbrush 70 is enclosed in the enclosing space 12 of the body 10 such that the toothbrush 70 is kept sanitarily in custody of the toothbrush holder 200 (see FIG. 3).
Like this, according to the present invention, through only the rotation movement of the toothbrush 70, the toothbrush 70 can be stored in the toothbrush holder 200 or taken out therefrom, the angle of the protective cover 20 adjusted.
Meanwhile, even though a toothbrush is described as a preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto; the present invention is applicable to a shaver and other articles on the condition that the toothbrush holder is manufactured in accordance with the different sizes of shavers and other articles.
As described above in detail, according to the toothbrush holder of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a guide member is attached to a wall surface of a fixture of a protective cover and the rotation movement of the protective cover is made in accordance with the rotation of the toothbrush such that the procedure of taking out the toothbrush is easily preformed and thus it can improve significantly the convenience of using the toothbrush holder.
In addition, the sectional shapes of the locking member and securing member are formed polygons such that an opened angle of the protective cover can be adjusted to conveniently use the toothbrush holder.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toothbrush holder inside of which a toothbrush is enclosed and secured to a wall surface of a fixture, including:

a body on the inside of which an enclosing space opened on one side is formed and on one side of which an inserting groove is formed;

a protective cover, which is hinged rotatably to the one side of the body to close the opened part of the body; a hinge member, which is provided on the body and a part of the protective cover, respectively;

a member for inducing closing or opening, which is provided on the inner side of the protective cover to enclose the head part of the toothbrush; and

a chucking member which is installed on the closed rear surface of the body and is attached detachably to the wall surface of a fixture, wherein in storing the toothbrush or taking it out, the toothbrush is fitted into the member for inducing closing or opening and the toothbrush is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise to close or open automatically the opened part of the body.

2. A toothbrush holder according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member includes a locking member connected integrally to the one side of the protective cover and a securing member which is formed integrally on the one side of the body and to which the locking member is connected rotatably.

3. A toothbrush holder according to claim 2, wherein the locking member includes a pair of hinge parts that are formed protrudingly on the outer surface of the protective cover and a locking end connected to the respective free end of the hinge part.

4. A toothbrush holder according to claim 3, wherein the locking end is formed in a sectional octagonal shape.

5. A toothbrush holder according to claim 1, wherein the member for inducing opening or closing is formed in a square shape both sides of which are opened.

6. A toothbrush holder according to claim 1, wherein the member for inducing opening or closing is formed in the shape of a letter U both sides of which are opened.