US20100205760A1

US20100205760A1 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: US20100205760A1
Application number: US12/371,577
Authority: US
Inventors: Francisco Alvarenga
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-14
Filing date: 2009-02-14
Publication date: 2010-08-19

Abstract

A manually driven toothbrush creating the same force, effect and rotation as the electric powered toothbrush. The oval head is smaller in circumference to the handle, to allow the flexible movement between the two pieces and stimulate the pushing of the stem against the pillar of the first rotator cog, thereby creating the rotating motion of the three brushes.

During use of the toothbrush, the applied force of the hand combined with the friction of the bristles against the tooth surface and the spring and stem between the two segments set in motion the three interlocked cogs to which the bristles are embedded causing the bristles to rotate accordingly. This oppositional rotation pressures against the teeth going back and forth, removing the plaque from high surfaces of the teeth with merely the force of a hand. Such movement and rotation, prevents abrasion, massages the gum, while also providing for 360 degree coverage of the tooth surface.

Description

BACKGROUND ART

Toothbrushes in general are, and have been, a well-known art. Most brushes are broken down into two main categories: 1) the conventional manual brush; and 2) electric brushes. It is also well-known that dentists are concerned with the manner people brush their tooth, in such motion that causes abrasion and irreversible damage.
In the present case, the toothbrush created allows cleaning motion of not only up and down, but also circular movement. More importantly, this movement will be created, not by electrical force, but simply by the manual/applied force of the hand of the user.
When toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements the user inserts the head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known manner. While, the head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached and is comprised of static brushes, and provides only up and down movement. However, this device has brushes which rotate in oppositional directions, creating circular movement, providing a more comprehensive cleaning for toothbrush.
The toothbrush of the present inventor facilitates more motion of cleaning elements in the toothbrush head thereby promoting healthy stimulation of gums and cleaning in the hard to reach surfaces and crevices. It provides complete cleaning along the vertical surface of teeth and massages the gums simultaneously. Here, the user's hand provides the up and down movement while the internal structure of the toothbrush creates the movement creates the circular rotation of the bristles thereby captivating more angles of the tooth surface.
The typical classical brush is comprised of static, non-moveable bristles that are locked in place and move only in conjunction with the force and direction provided by the user's hand. This type of toothbrush, though light and easily portable is, however, limited in functionality, and flexibility of movement.
Electric brushes on the other hand, are more intricate, move in different directions, but require electricity in order to create the rotation, oscillation or movement of the bristles. They are heavier, less easy to transport and require constant charging in order to appropriately operate.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,430 issued to Filsouf Ehsan in Jan. 3, 2006 discloses an electric toothbrush in which the brushing head moves in an elliptical motion such that, on the brushing stroke, the bristles are proximate the teeth, and in the recovery portion of the cycle the bristles are pulled away from the teeth. By contrast, the present invention creates a rotating motion, but without the need for an electrically powered toothbrush.
Celso Caroli discloses an electrically driven continuous toothbrush in U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,479, issued on Jun. 30, 1981. A reversible, rotating brush head is controlled by a manual switch controlled by the user's fingers. Once again, here, there is no need for a switch, the rotation of the brushes comes about by the applied force of the users hand. No electricity is needed.
Robert Moskovich discloses a toothbrush in U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,780 issued in Feb. 8, 2005, which includes a head having multiple cleaning elements. One group of the cleaning elements is flexibly mounted on the head and another group may be fixedly mounted on the head. Here, although there may be some flexibility, it is not based on interlocked cogs propelled by the applied force of the hand and the spring propelled cog-shaped stem. The three forces combined lead to the rotational movement of the three brushes.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although toothbrushes have been around since the time of the Egyptians, their design, shape, structure and motion has remained practically the same. In the early 1980's the ingenious idea of creating electrically powered toothbrushes sprouted. This was when the conventional toothbrush evolved and included vibrations, oscillations and different rotational motions. The problem with the electrical toothbrush is its dependence on electricity, its heaviness and limited portability, along with the need for multiple parts, such as the charging base.
The unique design of the present invention is that it is hand operated, non electric, lightweight and easily portable. The bristles are operated by a rotation device in collaboration with the applied force of the hand allowing bristles to rotate in oppositional directions. The design is unique in that it not only are the bristles mounted on interlocked cogs suspended inside the hollow head of the toothbrush, but that each bristles turns in opposite directions caused merely by manual force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention the toothbrush includes two segments, a head and a handle. The handle being partially hollow and partially solid, and having a long cylindrical stem that spans from the end to the tip. The tip being grooved and protruding out into the head segment. The head also being partially hollow and partially solid, the hollow portion interlocking with the handle by the interlocking of the protruding triangles with the triangular grooves on the handle. The two segments sliding perfectly into each other in the hollow portions.
The head carries cleaning elements, such as bristles and being comprised of rotator cogs, one with a grooved pillar which when pushed against the stem activates movement.
An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush with rotating concave bristles that are manually propelled instead of electrically powered.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a toothbrush containing interlocked rotating cogs with bristles secured by in-molded technology, circularly arranged, that are suspended inside the hollow head of the toothbrush.
A further object of this invention is for the first rotating cog to be set in motion by the applied force of the user's hand pushing the long cylindrical stem to rub against the pillar of the first rotator cog. In turn, the first rotator cog, being interlocked with the second rotating cog turns it in an oppositional direction, the same effect occurring on the third, thereby causing the secured bristles to turn in the same direction of the cog it is attached to.
A further object of this invention is that when the handle is pushed by the user's hand it causes the spring to contract and create resistance against the handle.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is broadly drawn to an oral care toothbrush, preferably comprising: a handle segment and a head segment as described herein.
In a preferred practice of the invention the oral care toothbrush is characterized by its small size and light weight so that it is readily adaptable for travel use. The toothbrush is preferably small in size and lightweight. The toothbrush is a revolutionary and needed design as an alternative to the conventional form, design and utility of a toothbrush. It serves to gently remove the plaque, with merely the force of the hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention related in general to a toothbrush generally to toothbrushes, and, more particularly, to manually propelled rotating brushes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different figures identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The arrows displayed in the Figures are solely for the purpose of showing the direction of movement and are not intended to be part of the patented product.
The toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 comprises a handle segment 6 and a head segment 8. The handle part housing the long stem 11, and part of the small spring 14. The head and handle are both partially solid and partially hollow 13, 15.
Arranged in the interior of the handle part 6, are the long cylindrical stem 11 with the spring 14, welded to the middle of the stem 11.
The small spring 14 is welded onto the long stem 11 and is also housed in the hollow portion of the head 8. The stem of 11, is preferably made of a stiff rigid material, or metal.
The oval head 8, comprised of three interlocked rotator cogs equal in diameter, the first having a grooved pillar 9, 10 which is also interlocked with the long stem 11, as shown mores specifically in 16.
The head segment 8 is equipped with the three rotator cogs 9 10, with the first rotator cog having a cog shaped base and a grooved pillar as more fully shown in 10.
The hollow portion of the head 8, and handle 6, are kept in place by the two triangular shaped edges on the hollow portion of the head locking with the two triangular wedges in the hollow portion of the handle 15, 17.
When the handle 6 is pushed by the applied force of the user's hand, the hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow portion of the handle 15, 17, which causes the toothbrush to be in a contracted position 5, long stem 11 to push against the pillar on the first rotator cog 9, 10 and causes the rotation of the cogs 9, 10, 17 and the ultimate rotation of the bristles as more fully shown in 2,3,4,5.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a side view, left and right respectively, of the interior components of the toothbrush in the standstill position, the stem 11 being interlocked with the first rotator cog of 9, 10.
FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the interior components of the handle wherein the spring 14 is welded to the stem and is housed in the hollow portion of the head 6, 15. When in contracted position, spring 14 slides into the hollow portion of the handle 15 as shown in 5 and 17.
FIG. 4, illustrates a bottom view of the toothbrush comprised of the head 8, and handle 6.
FIG. 12 illustrates a left side view of the toothbrush with the long stem 11, the spring 14, the rotator cogs 9, 10. In contrast, FIG. 13 shows only the solid and hollow portions of the toothbrush without any of the interior components.
The toothbrush in FIG. 12 illustrates only the internal components of 1 and includes the internal components of both the head of 8, and the handle 6, it further shows the spring of 14 and the rotator cogs 9.
FIG. 5 illustrates the toothbrush in a contracted working position, where the handle 6 is being pushed against the head 8, and slides as shown in 15 and 17.
When the toothbrush is in contracted position 5, the small spring 14 causes hits the hollow portion of the head 8, and causes resistance force upon the handle 6 thereby pushing the handle 6 back against the users hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a brief description of the drawings:

FIG. 1. is a left side view of the toothbrush

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the toothbrush, showing interior components, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG.3 is a right side view of the toothbrush, showing interior components, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the toothbrush, showing interior components in a contracted working position, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 6 is a side view of the handle of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 7. is a top view of the inside of the toothbrush, showing interior components, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 8 is a side view of the head of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 9 is a side view of the interior components of the head, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 10 is a top view of the rotator cogs contained in the head of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the long stem contained in the handle of the toothbrush which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the interior components of the toothbrush which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 13 is a side view of the toothbrush without the interior components, showing the hollow and solid portions of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 14 is a side view of the small spring

FIG. 15 is and exploded left side view of the interior components of the hollow portion of the head and the handle.

FIG. 16 is an exploded top side view of the interior components of the hollow portion of the head and the handle.

FIG. 17 is and exploded view of the interior components of the hollow portion of the head and handle, including a partial view of the stem, with the spring attached in contracted position

The arrows displayed in the Figures are solely for the purpose of showing the direction of movement and are not intended to be part of the patented product.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprised of two segmented portions: 1) a handle, larger in circumference than the head, with a solid long protruding cylindrical stem, and 2) an oval shaped head smaller in circumference than the handle.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 with the handle having one end that is partially solid, the hollow portion being proportional to the circumference of said stem, and the other end being cylindrically hollow.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 with the head having two hollow ends, one oval, to house three rotator cogs, the other hollow end being cylindrical to allow the adjoining of the handle and housing a small spring, the center of said head being partially solid, having a hollow portion proportional to the circumference of the stem.

4. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 2, the cylindrical hollow portion of said handle having two triangular shaped grooves which enlace with two protruding triangles of the head, to allow grip and stability of the two segmented portions.

5. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 3, the cylindrical hollow portion of said head having two protruding solid triangle shaped edges extending outwards on parallel sides of the circumference, which enlace with the hollow part of the handle to allow grip and stability of the two segmented portions.

6. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,3,4 and 5, wherein the hollow cylindrical portion of the head slides into the cylindrical hollow portion of the handle, said sliding being secured by the interlocking of the two protruding triangles of the head, to the two triangle shaped grooves of the handle.

7. The toothbrush of claim 1 and 2, with the handle having a long cylindrical stem, with half being embedded in the handle and the other half extending through the cylindrical hollow of the handle and protruding outward towards said head.

8. The toothbrush of claim 12 and 7, wherein the protruding end of said cylindrical stem has grooved wedges on the left side.

9. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,7 and 8, wherein said long cylindrical stem having the bottom end of a small spring welded to the center to provide resistance force upon the handle and housed in the hollow portion of the head.

10. The toothbrush of claims 1,2,3, and, 4 where said spring is housed in the hollow portion of the head and contracts when the hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow portion of the handle creating resistance against the handle pushing it outward

11. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, and 9, wherein said spring, attached to the stem is contracted by the applied force of the hand to the handle

12. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, 6,4, and 5, wherein the applied force of the hand against the handle causes the hollow portion of the head to slide into the hollow portion of the handle

13. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,6,4,5,9 and 10, wherein when the hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow psortion of the handle, the bottom end of the spring welded to the stem providing resistance, causing it to contract and in turn to push against the handle.

14. The toothbrush of claims 1,2,4,5,6,9, and 13, wherein said handle is pushed by the applied force of the hand causing said spring to contract and push against the head creating resistance against the handle.

15. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 2 wherein said long cylindrical stem spans to the tip of the base through the hollow cylindrical portion of the handle, creating strength support for the handle

16. The tooth brush of claims 1 and 3, wherein the hollow oval portion of the head houses three interlocked rotator cogs, which are equal in diameter

17. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, and 16, wherein the said first rotator cog is comprised of a cog shaped base attached to a grooved pillar which interlocks with the grooves on the left side of the long stem of the handle

18. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,16 and 17, wherein the said two other rotator cogs are comprised of interlocked cog shaped bases, which rotate in oppositional directions when set in motion by the movement of the stem against the first rotator cog.

19. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,16,17, and 18, wherein said cogs housed in the hollow interior of the head and contain circularly arranged bristles secured by in-molded technology,

20. The toothbrush of claim 1,3,16,17, and 18, wherein said rotator cogs are interlocked and push oppositionally against each other to create the circular rotator motion of the bristles in different directions.

21. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 19, wherein the ends of said bristles are concavely shaped to fit the surface of human teeth

22. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,4,5,6,11 and 14, wherein the ultimate rotation of the bristles is created by the applied force of the hand against the handle which in turn propels the grooves in the long cylindrical stem to push against the pillar of the first rotator cog, in turn leading to the turning of the first rotator cog, which, being interlocked with the other two cogs created their rotation, and in turn the rotation of the bristles.

23. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,4,5,6,11 and 14, wherein said stem is manually propelled against the pillar of the first rotating cog, set in motion by the applied force of the hand to the handle pushing against the attached spring, leading to the turning of the first rotator cog, which, being interlocked with the two other cogs, in turn stimulates their rotation leading to the ultimate rotation of the bristles