US2662238A - Toothbrush guard - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 15, 1953 w. G. ROBEY TOOTHBRUSH GUARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1950 mwm,

BY t M 9L ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1953 w. G. ROBEY TOOTHBRUSH GUARD Filed Dec. 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- III V6 INVENTOR m'zlz'am affoiey ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TO OTHBRUSH"GUARD William G.:Robey, Grafton, aW-a.

vApplicationDecember 21, 1950, SerialN0. 2013994 3 Claims. l

This invention relates to toothbrush guards and more particularly an improved guard for use with a rotary toothbrush of the type'shown by applicantsprior Patent No.2,d46,995 issued August 10, 1948.

In the operation of a rotary toothbrush it is highly desirable that exposure of the rotating parts be kept to a minimum. A further problem is to provide an enclosing type of guard that fits closely to the shaft and brush so as to not be cumbersome and too large for comfortable insertion in the users mouth. To place "an un= guarded rotating brush in the mouth causes'a great deal of discomfort due to the brushscontact with the cheek and'gums.

Another problem presented in the use of a rotary toothbrush is the undesirable conduction of moisture and cleaning compound from the mouth by the rotating parts it left exposed.

It is therefore among the objects of thepresent invention to provide an improved rotary toothbrush guard or shield that substantially encloses the rotatable parts insertable in the mouth and is contoured to their general configuration so as to keep the overall dimensions of the insertable parts to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a guard that substantially encloses all of the rotating parts except for the teeth engaging area of the brush.

Still another object is to provide a guard capable of being moved away from the brush to provide different degrees of exposure thereof adjacent the teeth.

A still further object is to provide a toothbrush guard that is capable of ready disassembly from the brush for cleaning and sterilization.

Another object is to providearotary toothbrush guard having an engaging surface that is readily conformable to the contour of the users teeth and jaws.

A further object is to provide a rotary toothbrush guard having an absorbent insert disposed from the brush to protect the operating parts from moisture and further to specifically prevent moisture from contacting the electric motor which might effect an electric are which could cause an electric shock to the user.

The invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In-the drawings Figure l is a side elevational vi'ew showingth'e guard of this invention attached to arotary toothbrush.

Figure -2 is a 'plan view showingtheopen face of the guard.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line '33 of Figure 2.

Figure i is-a sectional view taken online L-d of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional'view-takenon line 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a partial side sectional view of a modified form.

Figure 7-is a sectional View taken on line 1-1 of Figure 6.

FigureB is-a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings the numeral I 0 designates generally the guard or shield of this invention which is adapted for attachment to the electric motor driven rotary toothbrush ll of the type shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 2,446,995 dated August 10, 1948. However, it will be appreciated that this guard'may be used on other types of rotary brush drive means providing there is a fixed shaft receiving member to which the guard can be attached in shaft encircling position.

The toothbrush H is formed With-a housing l2 having a forwardly extending tapered nipple [3. The nipple is formed with a threaded portion 14 (Fig. 3) which is concentrically disposed relative to a brush shaft socket l5. Rotatably and removably mounted in the socket i5 is a brush shaft 16 havinga free end i! disposed forwardly of the nipple l3. Mounted on the shaft end I! is a rotary brush 18 adapted for cleaning the teeth of a user thereof.

The guard I0 is preferably formed of plastic materialconforming in appearance and feelwith the plastic material from which the housing i2 is formed. The guard I9 is also formed with a connecting sleeve portion l9 threaded interior-1y as at 20 to threadingly engage with the nipple threads [4 to secure the guard in fixed relationship relative to the housing i2. Sleeve i9 is formed with a receding taper complementary to the taper of nipple I3 to merge with the straight lines of an eccentrically shaped mid-section 2i bored as at 22 to fit snugly over the shaft it. The bore 22 is disposed above the normal center line of the mid-section 2| so as to provide an enlarged or thickened underportion 23. The greater cross-section thusly provided for the bottom section 23 is best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The combined length of sleeve l9 and midsection 2| is just sufilcient to encase shaft Hi to a point 24 adjacent the brush l8 so that the shaft l6 can be inserted in sleeve enclosed relationship within the sleeve l9 and mid-section 2| for rotation of the brush l8 protruding therefrom.

The bottom portion 23 is split as at 26 from a point 25 disposed forwardly of sleeve l9 to the outer end 21 to form a flap 28 that extends coextensively with the mid-section 2| to provide a downwardly bendable free end 29. Attached to the free end 29 or integrally formed therewith as an extension of the flap 2B is a cup 30. The cup 30 is formed with an inside cavity sufliciently dimensioned to receive the brush I8 with its periphery substantially planar with a U-shaped rim 3| that extends along both sides and the outer end of the cup as best illustrated in Figure 2 leaving an open top 33 of suflicient width to permit passage of the brush therethrough on bending of the flap 28 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3. The cup 30 is proportioned and contoured to snugly and rotatably receive the brush 13 extended therein with the wall thickness being held to a minimum. The bottom portion 35 or back surface of the cup 36 is rounded and smoothly finished so as to slip easily within the users mouth between the cheek and jaws allowing the brush it to be exposed through the open top 33 to engage the teeth as desired.

Disposed within the bore 22 of the mid-section 2| is a suitable bearing 34 surrounding shaft H3. The bearing 34 is preferably formed with an inner sleeve 39 carried by the shaft |6 engaging within an outer sleeve 42 carried in a socket ii formed in mid section 2| concentrically of bore '22. This bearing arrangement reduces the possibility of vibration at the shaft end to a mini mum.

In the operation of the rotary toothbrush to which the guard if; has been attached the amount of brush exposure or engagement with the users teeth is easily controlled by the user merely increasing or decreasi the side pressure on the brush is can be withdrawn by merely bending the flap 2 to allow the end clearance from the cup 3% as desired.

In Figure 6 the guard I8 is shown as being formed with a cup 38a having a rim 3 ia formed with a soft rubber insert 35. The insert 35 is preferably secured to the rim 3|a by tongue and groove construction as at 37. The function of the insert 36 is to provide a resilient gum engaging member which will more closely enclose the brush I8 as it is being rotated. The resilient rim 3|a. will also provide for softer contact with the gums of the user. Disposed in the mid-section 2| of the modification shown by Figure 6 is a collar 38 formed of absorbent material to surround the shaft l6 and prevent conduction of moisture along the shaft. The provision of an absorbent collar 38 protects the brush driving mechanism from injury and further prevents any danger of forming an electric are from the motor caused by moisture and abrasive material which might otherwise be conducted along the shaft.

Inasmuch as various embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A guard for a rotary toothbrush comprising a sleeve, said sleeve having a bore and being adapted to receive a rotatable shaft inserted therein with an end protruding therefrom, said sleeve being longitudinally slotted along a substantial portion of its length forming an integral resilient flap having a swingable end disposed coextensive therewith, a cup carried by said iiap adjacent the end of said sleeve for substantial enclosure of a brush mounted on the end of the shaft, said cup having an opening for outward movement of the brush on swinging movement of the cup.

2. A device as defined by claim 1 having a bearing disposed within the bore of said sleeve adjacent said cup and an absorbent collar for surrounding engagement with said shaft.

3. A device as defined by claim 2 wherein the cup is formed with 9, groove in the thereof and a soft, rubber member having a tongue engages. in said groove to provide a resilient rim for close engagement with an irregular gum surface.

WILLIAM G. ROBEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,792,188 Robey Feb. 10, 1931 2,275,247 Cavanagh Mar. 3, 194:2 2,279,982 Glynn Apr. 14, 1942 2,310,626 Gold Feb. 9, 1943 2,446,995 Robey Aug. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 752,046 France Sept. 15. 1933 esyw

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