US3300664A - Toothbrush power handle assembly - Google Patents

Toothbrush power handle assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3300664A
US3300664A US356795A US35679564A US3300664A US 3300664 A US3300664 A US 3300664A US 356795 A US356795 A US 356795A US 35679564 A US35679564 A US 35679564A US 3300664 A US3300664 A US 3300664A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
shaft
toothbrush
plunger
power unit
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US356795A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert L Boyles
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US356795A priority Critical patent/US3300664A/en
Priority to GB10763/65A priority patent/GB1080971A/en
Priority to NL6504054A priority patent/NL6504054A/xx
Priority to CH455165A priority patent/CH434190A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3300664A publication Critical patent/US3300664A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K11/00—Structural association of dynamo-electric machines with electric components or with devices for shielding, monitoring or protection
    • H02K11/0094—Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
    • A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
    • A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
    • A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
    • A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
    • A61C17/3445—Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/50—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
    • H01H13/56—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member the contact returning to its original state upon the next application of operating force
    • H01H13/58—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member the contact returning to its original state upon the next application of operating force with contact-driving member rotated step-wise in one direction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K11/00—Structural association of dynamo-electric machines with electric components or with devices for shielding, monitoring or protection
    • H02K11/20—Structural association of dynamo-electric machines with electric components or with devices for shielding, monitoring or protection for measuring, monitoring, testing, protecting or switching
    • H02K11/28—Manual switches

Definitions

  • FIG. 6 '25 Z9 A i 34 49w 1 :1 E 57 Z5 INVENTOR. if 35 Ea/Z L. Bay/es HA5 flak/7y United States Patent M 3 300,664 TOOTHBRUSH POWER HANDLE ASSEMBLY Robert L. Boyles, Wayland, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 356,795 6 Claims. (Cl. 31050)
  • This invention relates to a power handle assembly for use with an electric toothbrush. More specifically, it relates to a power handle assembly which imparts reciprocal motion to a toothbrush. 1
  • Prior art toothbrush power handle assemblies have been constructed by assembling the power unit in a portion or portions of a casing, and then securing the casing portions together with various types of fastening devices. This manner of assembly necessitates the complete assembly of the power unit and housing before the power handleassembly can be tested. Should adjustment be required, the power handle assembly must be partially disassembled.
  • a formed U-shaped unitary frame comprising a base portion, a pair of upstanding legs or side walls having channels formed therein, and a pair of tabs extending from the side walls.
  • the various components of a power unit for a toothbrush power handle assembly are mounted on this unitary frame.
  • a plunger which is mounted for reciprocal motion in the channels includes a toothbrush engaging portion.
  • the power unit is completely assembled on the frame, and the electrical components wired, whereby the power unit-may be tested and adjusted before .being placed in a casing.
  • a cylindrical casing which encloses the power unit is elastically deformed to'an elliptical shape during insertion of the power unit within the casing.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the toothbrush power handle assembly.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the power unit with the plunger and drive mechanism shown partially in section.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the power unit with portions broken away.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 oflFIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional vie-w taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
  • a power unit 10 comprises a charger 11, a battery 12, a rotary electric motor 13, a ratchet switch mechanism 14, and
  • the charging coil or charger 11 is attached to the battery 12 by the coil holder 16.
  • the battery in turn is attached to the motor 13 by the battery holder 18.
  • the battery holder comprises a resilient insulating sheath 19 into which the battery is inserted, and resilient tabs 20 which extend away from the battery and engage the motor 13.
  • the tabs 20 are provided with hooked ends 21 which engage matching pockets in the motor, as'is best seen in FIG. 2.
  • the motor is in turn attached to the formed frame 17 by a bolt 39 which passes through a hole in the base portion of the frame and is threaded into an upstanding lug 51 on the motor as can be best seen in FIG. 3.
  • the power unit 10 is inserted in a cylindrical case 22, the charger end first. After placing the power unit 10 within the cylindrical case 22, a gasket or boot 23 is placed over the plunger and the cylindrical case, thereby sealing the power unit from the external atmosphere. The gasket is held over the plunger and the cylindrical case by a cover 24, which also secures the switch button 25 to the power handle assembly.
  • the reciprocating plunger mechanism is mounted within the formed frame 17 as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 through 6.
  • the plunger 15 includes a toothbrush-engaging portion 26 and twoparallel spaced arms 27 extending from the toothbrush-engaging portion.
  • the plunger 15 is supported for reciprocating motion with respect to the frame by a pair of'U-shaped channels 28 formed in the upstanding legs or side walls 29 of the frame 17.
  • Ball bearings 30, which are provided to reduce the friction between plunger 15 and the U-shaped channels 28, are received in H-shaped projections 31, two of which are formed on each of the parallel spaced arms 27.
  • a motion translation system In order to impart reciprocating motion to the plunger 15, a motion translation system is provided.
  • the shaft 32 of the rotary electric motor 13 is provided with a pinion 33, which meets with a face gear 34.
  • a shaft 35 which supports the face gear 34, extends transversely between the side walls 29, and is supported at each end by holes 36 in the side walls.
  • the face gear 34 which is formed integrally with an eccentric cylindrical cam 37 is-sho-wn in cross section in FIG. 6.
  • the face gear and cam are mounted for rotation on shaft 35.
  • a serrated portion 38 is provided on the shaft 35 and engages one of the holes 36 in the side walls of frame 17 to prevent rotational and axial movement of the shaft.
  • Each of the arms 27 is provided with a slot or aperture 40, through which the ends of the shaft 35 pass. These slots 40 are elongated in the direction of the reciprocal motion of the plunger so that the plunger may reciprocate without the plunger arms 27 engaging the shaft 35.
  • Lead 43 connects one terminal of the motor 13 to the switch 14.
  • Conducting strap 44 and conductor 45 connect one terminal of the battery to the remaining terminal of the switch.
  • the closing of ratchet switch 14 causes the battery to be connected to the motor, through a series circuit comprising the strap 44, conductor 5, the contacts of switch 14, lead 43, and a direct connection between one of the brushes of the motor and the second battery terminal. Connection is made between the charger terminals and the battery terminals by a charger lead 46 and the conducting strap 44, and a lead 47.
  • the cylindrical case 22 which is made of a deformable resilient plastic, is squeezed into an elliptical configuration to permit insertion of the power unit within the case.
  • the tabs 48 which extend from the upstanding side Walls 29 of the frame, and the pressure finger 49 which is formed to project from the base of the frame, are used to secure the power assembly within the cylindrical case 22.
  • the power unit is inserted within the case with the tabs 48 and pressure finger 49 being in alignment with the longer axis of the deformed, elliptically shaped case.
  • the case is then released so that slots 50' in the cylindrical case engage and secure the tabs 48, while the pressure finger 49 abuts the inner wall of the case diametrically opposite the engagement of the tabs with the slots.
  • the power unit having been assembled on a unitary frame, wired and tested and now inserted in the cylindrical case, it is only necessary to enclose the open end of the case with the gasket or boot 23 and the cover 24, to complete the assembly of the toothbrush power handle assembly.
  • a power handle assembly comprising:
  • tab means extending outwardly from said unitary frame, said tab means having end surfaces frictionally engaging said inner wall
  • a power unit comprising:
  • a power unit comprising:
  • a plunger comprising a toothbrush handle receiving portion, a pair of parallel spaced arms extending from said handle receiving portion, projections extending outwardly from said arms, said projections being received in said channels for supporting said plunger for reciprocating motion with respect to said frame, and a pair of abutments extending inwardly from one of said arms,
  • a power unit comprising:
  • a plunger comprising a cylindrical toothbrushengaging portion, a pair of parallel spaced arms extending from said toothbrush-engaging portion, a pair of projections extending outwardly from each of said arms, an elongated aperture being formed in each of said arms, a pair of inwardly extending abutments formed on the sides of one of said apertures,
US356795A 1964-04-02 1964-04-02 Toothbrush power handle assembly Expired - Lifetime US3300664A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US356795A US3300664A (en) 1964-04-02 1964-04-02 Toothbrush power handle assembly
GB10763/65A GB1080971A (en) 1964-04-02 1965-03-15 Toothbrush power handle assembly
NL6504054A NL6504054A (xx) 1964-04-02 1965-03-31
CH455165A CH434190A (de) 1964-04-02 1965-04-01 Elektrische Zahnbürste

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US356795A US3300664A (en) 1964-04-02 1964-04-02 Toothbrush power handle assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3300664A true US3300664A (en) 1967-01-24

Family

ID=23402983

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US356795A Expired - Lifetime US3300664A (en) 1964-04-02 1964-04-02 Toothbrush power handle assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3300664A (xx)
CH (1) CH434190A (xx)
GB (1) GB1080971A (xx)
NL (1) NL6504054A (xx)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3394277A (en) * 1965-10-24 1968-07-23 Dominion Electric Corp Driving unit for electric toothbrush
US3432702A (en) * 1966-08-24 1969-03-11 Sunbeam Corp Battery powered electric knife
US3524088A (en) * 1969-05-19 1970-08-11 Gen Electric Drive mechanism for selective output motions
US4420702A (en) * 1979-11-22 1983-12-13 U.S. Philips Corporation Resilient motor mounting for an electric dry shaver or the like
US5706542A (en) * 1995-06-27 1998-01-13 Okada; Eiji Electrically driven toothbrush
US20060267419A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2006-11-30 Hall Scott E Top loading internal assembly for a power toothbrush
US20080271271A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2008-11-06 John Geoffrey Chan Modular electric toothbrushes

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2255901B (en) * 1991-05-21 1995-07-19 Appealing Appliances Co Ltd Electric toothbrush holder

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2648787A (en) * 1950-06-24 1953-08-11 Jr Charles B Smithson Motor-driven toothbrush
US2650993A (en) * 1949-01-31 1953-09-01 Oster John Mfg Co Electric hair clipper
US2875458A (en) * 1955-08-19 1959-03-03 George S Tsuda Electric toothbrush with improved toothbrush holder
US3029651A (en) * 1960-08-11 1962-04-17 Harold R Flatt Electrically operated apparatus for producing oscillatory motion of a toothbrush
US3142852A (en) * 1962-05-31 1964-08-04 Gen Electric Automatic toothbrush
US3152272A (en) * 1962-05-31 1964-10-06 Gen Electric Motion translating mechanism for toothbrush power handle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2650993A (en) * 1949-01-31 1953-09-01 Oster John Mfg Co Electric hair clipper
US2648787A (en) * 1950-06-24 1953-08-11 Jr Charles B Smithson Motor-driven toothbrush
US2875458A (en) * 1955-08-19 1959-03-03 George S Tsuda Electric toothbrush with improved toothbrush holder
US3029651A (en) * 1960-08-11 1962-04-17 Harold R Flatt Electrically operated apparatus for producing oscillatory motion of a toothbrush
US3142852A (en) * 1962-05-31 1964-08-04 Gen Electric Automatic toothbrush
US3152272A (en) * 1962-05-31 1964-10-06 Gen Electric Motion translating mechanism for toothbrush power handle

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3394277A (en) * 1965-10-24 1968-07-23 Dominion Electric Corp Driving unit for electric toothbrush
US3432702A (en) * 1966-08-24 1969-03-11 Sunbeam Corp Battery powered electric knife
US3524088A (en) * 1969-05-19 1970-08-11 Gen Electric Drive mechanism for selective output motions
US4420702A (en) * 1979-11-22 1983-12-13 U.S. Philips Corporation Resilient motor mounting for an electric dry shaver or the like
US5706542A (en) * 1995-06-27 1998-01-13 Okada; Eiji Electrically driven toothbrush
US20060267419A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2006-11-30 Hall Scott E Top loading internal assembly for a power toothbrush
US7482906B2 (en) 2002-05-02 2009-01-27 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Bobin assembly for a driving assembly used in a personal care appliance
US20080271271A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2008-11-06 John Geoffrey Chan Modular electric toothbrushes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1080971A (en) 1967-08-31
CH434190A (de) 1967-04-30
NL6504054A (xx) 1965-10-04

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