US2238993A - Brush and the like - Google Patents

Description

April 22, 1941. D. c. DANlELs BRUSH AND THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l u III/111;, a r

lllllllllllll lll/11111111 DWIGHT C. 3A/WELS ZSnventor WJGHT C. bA/WELS (Ittorneg D. c. DANIELs 2,238,993

BRUSH AND 1HE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 22, 1941.

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSH AND THE LIKE Dwight C. Daniels, Worcester, Mass.

Original application February 24, 1938, Serial No. 192,342. Divided and this application October 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,238

(ci. 15-2zi 6 Claims.

This invention relates to brushes and the like, and more particularly to small portable appliances, such as electrically driven tooth brushes, which are held in the hand while in use. This application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 192,342, tiled February 24, 1938.

Tooth brushes as heretofore constructed for electrical operation have been found unsatisfactory and subject to many diillculties. The motion imparted to the bristles has been so limited as to render the apparatus comparatively ineffective. Water has had ready access to the electrical coils and switches, and this has not only greatly shortened the life oi the various parts but it has also created a serious shock hazard to the user. In some cases the vibration encountered in the use of the apparatus has been highly disagreeable. The replaceable brushing element has in some instances been comparatively expensive.

`It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a portable electrically actuated brush or the like which can safely be subjected to considerable quantities of water while in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable electrically actuated appliance adapted to be held in the hand while in use and so construct-ed as to avoid disagreeable vibration.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrically driven tooth brush in which the bristles will be actuated in a highly effective manner.

It is a further object of the invention to pro vide a replaceable brushing element which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in View, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

In accordance with my invention in its preferred form I provide an electric motor, which may be of the reciprocating type, andl enclose this motor in a bag formed of a suitable waterproof material such as rubber. This bag is 'preferably provided with a restricted opening which may be stretched to admit the motor and through which extend the electrical leads to the motor.

The bag is supported within a rigid casing which may be shaped to iit the hand of the user. A switch for the motor may be located within the bag and arranged to be actuated through the wall of the bag by means of a push buttonor similar device mounted on the casing. When the invention is to be used as a tooth brush I secure a Cil hollow arm to the casing and pass a rod through this arm, the rod being reciprocated by the motor. A small brushing element is mounted on the end of this arm, with the bristles extending substantially at right angles to the arm, and this brushing element is arranged to be oscillated by the reciprocating rod about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to both the arm and the bristles. The brushing element comprises a backing plate having bristles extending from its outer face and a lug extending from its inner face for engagement with the reciprocating rod. 'I he sides o! the lug are shaped to fit opposed bearings carried by the arm, these bearings preferably being hollow to receive spring-pressed pins which engage shallow depressions in the lug to hold the brushing element yieldablyin place.

- Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in whichlike reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. lis a side elevation of an electrically actuated tooth brush;

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus with half of the casing removed and certain parts shown in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of one half-portion of the casing;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the rubber bag;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the rubber bag;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the motor stator;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the motor stator;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section on the line l3g-l3 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the brushing element.

The embodiment illustrated comprises an electric motor of the reciprocating or vibrating type having a stator 20 formed by a group of thin laminations of magnetic material held in assembled relationship by means of rivets 2|. As shown particularly in Fig. 11, the stator 20 is substantially E-shaped, with two parallel outer branches or poles 22-22, and a central branch or pole 23. Each outer pole 22 is formed on its outer side with a projection 25, and the outer corners at the free ends of thepoles 22 are beveled as indicated at 26. The central pole 23 is provided with a longitudinal cylindrical bore 21 extending inwardly from its free end. This bore 21 is arranged to receive a coiled compression spring 28 (Fig. 3) which engages an armature 38 located close to the free ends of the poles 22 and 23. This'armature is in the form of a bar of magnetic material having its end portions 3| substantially parallel to the adjacent beveled suriaces 26 of the stator. The central pole 23 of the stator is surrounded by a coil 32 oi.' insulated wire arranged to be supplied with an alternating electric current, so that the armature 30 may be reciprocated toward and away from the stator in a well-known manner.

The motor is enclosed in a bag 34 o! a ilexible water-proof material, such as rubber, formed at one end with a ilanged neck 35 which provides a restricted circular opening 38. The rubber is 'sufficiently elastic to allow the opening to be stretched for the insertion of the various parts of the motor therethrough at assembly. The bag 34 is enclosed in a rigid hollow casing 31 which is preferably shaped in the approximate form of an ovoid of a size adapted to be held readily by the user in one hand. This casing is divided along a central longitudinal plane into two separable parts which are held together by means of screws 38 (Fig. 2). An opening 38 is provided at one end of the casing, this' opening being shaped to receive the ilanged neck 35 of the bag and form a tight joint therewith. As shown particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, each haii' of the casing is formed with two pairs cf spaced lugs 4| which project inwardly from opposite sides oi' the casing, and a boss 42 adjacent each pair of lugs arranged to provide a ilat shelf. When the parts are assembled, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the pro- Jections 25 on the motor stator 20 lie between the ipairs of lugs 4| and also between the bosses 42.

These lugs and bosses hold the' wall of the bag firmly against the projections 25 and thus prevent appreciable movement of the stator relative to the casing. Since the rubber forming the bag is of substantial thickness it will absorb to a considerable extent the Vibrations resulting from the operation voi the motor.

The motor is preferably controlled by means of an electric switch located within the interior o1' the bag 34 and actuated manually from the outside of the casing 31. For this purpose a switch block 44 of insulating material (Figs. 3 and 4) is attached by means oi screws 45 to the rear end of the stator 20, adjacent the opening 36 in the bag. This block 44 is recessed to regg assaosa the rod 51 is welded or otherwise secured to a Plate. 58 (Fig. 3) which contacts with the outer surfaces of the bag 34, and this plate is fastened to the armature by means of rivets 58 which pass through the wall of the bag, and are insulated trom the plate. A coiled compression spring 68 surrounds the rear portion of the rod 51. the iront end of this spring being supported in a recess 8'I in the casing 31 and the rear end oi the spring engaging the plate 58 to urge it rearwardly in opposition to the force of the spring 28. I'he two springs 28 and 60 thus hold the armature 30 yieldably in a predetermined position so long as the coil 32 is de-energized. 'I'he rod 51 is slidably supported in a. suitable guideway shown as a tube 62 of square cross-section having a flange 63 at its rear end. The rear portion of the tube 62 is mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess 64 .in the casing 31.

A hollow arm 68 nts over the outside of the tube 62 and is releasably secured thereon by means of a small set-screw 61 located near the rear end of the arm. At its front end the arm 66 is slightly enlarged and provided with a lateral opening 68 substantially rectangular in shape, as shown in Fig. 1. Within the opening 68 there is mounted a brushing element 10 comprising a backing plate 1| with bristles 12 extending from its outer face and a lug 13 on its inner face. It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 that the bristles 12 which form the operative surface of the brush,

project outwardly from the opening 68 substanceive a pair of spring contacts 46 and 41 which j are normally separated by a slight space. The casing 31 is provided with an opening 43i inwhlch there is mounted a push button 50, this push button being so located that it may be pressed inwardly against the outer surface oi the bag 34 andthus force the contact 46 inwardly against the contact 41 to close the switch. Alternating electric current is supplied by means of a cord 5| which passes through the opening 36 in the bag, this cord having a bushing or enlargement 52 thereon which ts tightly Within the opening 38 inthe casing and the opening 36 in. the bag. to exclude all moisture. The cord 5| is provided with a conductor 53 which leads to the contact 46 and with a, conductor 54 which leads to the coil 32. This coil is also connected to the con tact 41 by'means oi' a conductor 55. With this arrangement the coil will be energized when the switch is closed.

, The armature 30 is arranged to actuate a reciprocable rod 51, preferably square in crosssection, which extends forwardly in a direction perpendicular to the armature. The rear end Of tially at right angles to the arm 66.

The brushing element 10 is arranged to be osciliated by the rod 51 about an axis substantially perpendicular to both the arm 66 and the bristles 12, this axis being located between the rod 51 and the bristles. For this purpose two bearings 15 (Fig. i3) are mounted on opposite sides of the opening 68 and extend into recesses 16 on opposite sides of' the lug 13. Each recess 16 is shaped to form a guide groove'extendng away from the plate 1| to the inner end of the lug, so that the brushing element may be inserted and withdrawn through the opening 68 without disturbing the bearings. In order that the brushing element may be held yieldably in place, the bearings 15 are made tubular to receive small slidable pins or plungers 11 which are urged inwardly by small coiled compression springs 18. The inner ends o1' the pins 11 arewell rounded, and engage shallow depressions 13 at the bottoms of the grooves 16 inthe sides of the lug 13. Inward movement of the pins 11, when the brushing element 16 has been removed, is limited by in-turned ilanges on the inner ends oi the bearings 15. The outer ends of the bearings are closed to support the spring 16. Flanges 8| are formed on the bearings to hold them firmly in position in, the walls of the opening 68. The inner end of the lug 13 is formed with a transverse notch 83, and the rod 51 is provided at its rear end with a tooth 84 arranged to iit within the notchy 83 when the parts are assembled, so that reciprocation of the rod in the guideway 62 will cause the brushing element to oscillate about the bearings 15. Since the axis of oscillation is much nearer to the notch 83 than to the outer ends of the bristles 12, these outer ends will swing through an arc of appreciable length even though the amplitude of movement of the rod be rather small.

The operation of the invention will now be apl parent from the above disclosure. The user will hold the casing 31 in one hand, and by pressing opening 6B. The arm 66 can then be withdrawn y from the tube 62 after releasing the set-screw 61. A separate brushing element 'I0 and arm 66 may be provided for the use of each member of a family, only one casing and motor being required.

Water cannot damage the apparatus, since the switch and motor are entirely enclosed in the water-proof rubber bag 34. This bag also ab-4 sorbs much of the vibration of the motor and serves as an excellent insulating shield to protect the user from possible shock hazard. The brushing element 10 is of a simple and inexpensive construction, and is readily replaceable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrically actuated brush comprising an electric motor, a casing enclosing the motor, a hollow arm secured to the casing and having a lateral opening in its outer end, a rod extending through the arm and arranged to be reciprocated by the motor, a brushing element mounted in the opening and having bristles which extend outwardly from the opening, two aligned tubular bearings mounted on opposite sides of the opening, and arranged to support the brushing element for oscillation about an axis substantially perpendicular to both the arms and the bristles, the brushing element having a shallow depression adjacent each bearing, spring-pressed pins slidably supported in the bearings and arranged to enter the depressions and thus hold the brushing element yieldably in position, and means connecting the rod to the brushing eley ment to osclllate the element about said axis.

2. A brushing element for a power actuated brush comprising a plate, means associated with the outer face of the plate to provide an operative surface for the element, and a lug extending from the inner face of the plate, the lug havlng guide grooves on opposite sides thereof which extend away from the plate to the end of the lug.

3. A brushing element for a power actuated brush comprising a plate, means associated with the outer face of the plate to provide an operative surface for the element, and a lug extending from the inner face of the plate, the lug having guide grooves on opposite sides thereof which extend away from the plate to the end of the lug,

the lug having a shallow depression therein at the bottom of each groove.

4. A power actuated brush or the like comprising a hollow arm having a lateral opening in one end, a rod extending through the arm, power means to reciprocate the rod, a brushing element including a plate mounted in the opening, means associated with the outer face of the plate to provide an operative surface for the element, a lug extending from the inner face of the plate inwardly of the opening and toward the rod, means engaging the lug and supporting the same for oscillation about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to both the arm and to the direction in which the said operative surface is faced, the axis being located between the rod and the said operative surface, and inter-engaging parts on the rod and the inner end of the lug whereby the rod serves to oscillate the element about said axis.

5. A power actuated brush or the like comprising a hollow arm having a lateral opening in one end, a rod extending through the arm, power means to reciprocate the rod, a brushing element including a plate mounted in the opening, means associated with the outer face of the plate to provide an operative surface for the element, a lug extending from the inner face of the plate inwardly of the opening and toward the rod, the lug having guide grooves on opposite sides thereof which extend away from the plate to the end oi the lug, two aligned bearings mounted on op posite sides of the opening and engaging the grooves to support the lug, and inter-engaging parts on the rod and the inner end of the lug whereby the rod serves to oscillate the brushing element about the bearings.

6. A power actuated brush or the like comprising a hollow arm having a lateral opening in one end, a rod extending through the arm, power means to reciprocate the rod, a brushing element mounted in the opening, said element having an operative surface facing outwardly of the opening and two guide grooves on opposite sides which extend to the inner end of the element, two aligned bearings mounted on opposite sides of the opening and extending into said guide grooves to support the brushing element for oscillation about an axis substantially perpendicular to both the arm and to the direction in which the said operative surface is faced, the brushing element having a shallow depression in each guide groove, spring-pressed devices supported in the bearings and arranged to enter the depressions and thus hold the brushing element yieldably against withdrawal outwardly oi said opening, and means connecting the rod to the brushing element to oscillate the element about said axis.

DWIGHT C. DANIELS.

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