WO2022255857A1

WO2022255857A1 - A vibrational oral care apparatus with improved safety feature

Info

Publication number: WO2022255857A1
Application number: PCT/MY2022/050037
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joo Koi Lai
Original assignee: Joo Koi Lai
Priority date: 2021-05-31
Filing date: 2022-05-20
Publication date: 2022-12-08
Also published as: CN117157032A

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an elongate body for receiving a battery, a trunk having an arm erected from top. The arm houses a vibrational motor and a fastening mechanism for an oral care tool. An assembly established within elongate body forms a plug that partially connects vibrational motor to a battery. The plug comprises a base and a stage is fashioned to secure to the trunk by way of a first stage engagement and a second stage engagement with pressure built when connected. Dissociating elongate body from trunk requires a pressure to be applied to the body towards the trunk when the plug is rotated in off direction until impeded to dissociate the plug from the trunk. Also, the plug is rotated towards the second engagement until being impeded thus completes the circuit by electrically connecting the battery to the vibrational motor to drive a vibrational movement around the arm.

Description

A Vibrational Oral Care Apparatus With Improved Safety Feature

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus of oral care equipped with safety features to prevent accidental disassembly of different building components used to construct the disclosed apparatus. More specifically, the disclosed apparatus includes a safety or child-proof plug which requires additional manipulation before permitting one to access one or more batteries kept within the disclosed apparatus. Also, the disclosed apparatus is incorporated with a fastening mechanism having reinforced grip against a collection of oral care tools mountable to the disclosed apparatus.

The history of using motorized or electric toothbrush for maintaining hygiene of human teeth can be dated back for more than three decades ago. For instance, Copeland discloses a portable electronic toothbrush in United States patent no. 3848336 which has a priority referring to the year of 1973. The disclosed toothbrush claims to have a rotatable brush head for cleaning purpose. Since then, numerous efforts have been put into developing better and more user-friendly electric toothbrushes aiming to acquire significant commercial success. Chinese patent no. CN1557265 discloses an electronic toothbrush free from any physical switch that the toothbrush will become turned on automatically once a brushing force applied to the toothbrush by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold. Electronic toothbrush operates with similar principle can be found in United States patent no. 6792640. Furthermore, Chinese patent no. CN1810218 teaches another electronic toothbrush configured to improve transmission of the vibrational force optimally to the brush head rather than the handle. Also, Banning claims to provide an inexpensive semi-disposable yet reliable electric toothbrush, which comprises an eccentric link composed of pinion and rack to actuate the rotation of the brush head, in United States patent no. 7636976. Despite the abovementioned electronic toothbrushes are indeed able to attain the objects set out to cater greater user experience, these devices may have overlooked other features essentially rendering the electronic toothbrush being safe for daily use especially in the presence of children. For example, the internal enclosure of the electronic toothbrush can become undesirably accessible to children due to mishandling of the lid or cover concealing the internal enclosure. The same incident can occur to any exchangeable parts of the electric toothbrush. This may pose a risk of accidental damage to the electronic toothbrush when the internal component being fiddled with. More dreadfully, the children may end up having the batteries or other replaceable components ingested out of curiosity. Therefore, there exists a need of an electric toothbrush or oral-care apparatus possessing one or more child-proof features to prevent accidental detachment of replacement components when the electric toothbrush is used unsupervised.

The present disclosure aims to provide a vibrational oral care apparatus incorporated with safety features to prevent disengagement of different parts or components of the disclosed apparatus either by mishandling or due to exposure to consistent vibrational force in connection to the use of the disclosed apparatus.

Further object of the present disclosure is directed to a locking mechanism for safely housing of a battery powering the vibrational movement of the disclosed apparatus. Particularly, the accessibility to the housed battery in the disclosed apparatus is by way of a covering plug that engaging or disengaging of the plug to the disclosed apparatus requires simultaneous application of a compression force and a turning force towards the plug. The like arrangement shall prohibit undesired accessibility of the house battery by children.

Another object of the present disclosure is to further arrange the plug to function as a switch to power on or off of the disclosed apparatus through at least two separated engagement levels while maintaining the object to prevent undesired accessibility of the battery by children.

Still another object of the present disclosure is about offering an oral care apparatus carrying a fastening mechanism allowing one or more oral care tools to be detachably mounted to the disclosed apparatus for acquiring various cleaning effects.

At least one of the preceding objects is met, in whole or in part, by the present disclosure, in which one of the embodiments of the present disclosure is an apparatus for oral care. Generally, the disclosed apparatus for oral care comprises an elongate body enclosing a hollow space for receiving a battery thereto, the elongate body comprising a trunk having a bottom opening, an arm erected from top of the trunk and a plug securable to the trunk at the bottom opening to seal off the hollow space; a vibrational motor being housed inside the arm; and an assembly established within the hollow space forming a partial circuit electrically connecting to the vibrational motor to the battery. Preferably, the plug comprises a base and a stage rising from the base with the stage being insertable into the hollow space through the bottom opening securing the plug to the trunk. The plug is fashioned to secure to the trunk by way of a first stage engagement and a second stage engagement that the plug is rotatable towards a first direction or a second direction, which is opposite of the first direction upon inserting the stage into the trunk. The plug requires a pressure to be applied to the base towards the trunk when the plug is rotated towards the first direction to reach the first stage engagement securing the plug to the trunk without completing the circuit or the plug requires a pressure to be applied to the base towards the trunk when the plug is rotated towards a second direction to free the plug off the first engagement dissociating the plug from the trunk. Moreover, the plug is rotatable towards the first direction further after reaching the first engagement level until being impeded thus arriving at the second engagement level which the plug completes the circuit by electrically connecting the battery to the vibrational motor through an electrical contact for driving a vibrational movement around the arm.

For a number of embodiments, the plug comprises a resilient portion stretching around an external surface of the stage and at least a L-shaped bone fabricated on the external surface of the stage with a shorter segment of the rib having a first tip abutting to the resilient portion and a longer segment extending circumferentially along the external surface of the stage forming a groove in between the longer segment and the resilient portion that the longer segment comprises a second tip of increased size in relation to the rest of the longer segment rendering an entrance into the groove thereto being in reduced width in relation to the width of the groove.

To realize the feature preventing disengagement of the plug caused by mishandling, the trunk further comprises at least a locking rib of a height or thickness corresponding to the width of the groove and larger than the entrance that the locking rib is configured to be slidably inserted into the corresponding groove upon inserting the stage into the trunk and turning the plug towards the first direction with the applied pressure which deforms the resilient portion around the entrance to create sufficient space for sliding the locking rib into the groove through the entrance to reach the first engagement level.

In accordance with more embodiments, the disclosed apparatus further comprises an adaptor having an electrically conductive interface forming part of the circuit connecting to the battery. The adaptor is incorporated to facilitate connection of various components resided within the hollow space of the body. It interfaces with different components to enable two separated stages of engagement of the plug with the trunk such that the electrical circuit connecting to the battery can be switched in between complete or incomplete in connection to the rotation direction of the plug via the base. In some embodiments, the adaptor also provides mechanical support to the connected components directly or indirectly to avoid loosen of these components upon exposure of the consistent vibrational force derived from the motor.

For some embodiments, the stage comprises at least one metal piece rotatable within the hollow space in connection to the rotation of the plug between the first engagement level and the second engagement level that the metal piece meets parts of the assembly to create the electrical contact completing the partial circuit upon reaching the second engagement level.

According to several embodiments, the assembly comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame having a pair of opposing first prong and second prong extending towards the bottom opening of the trunk along an inner surface of the trunk. The bifurcated frame is housed inside the trunk in these embodiments. Preferably, the first prong and the second prong each has a free end located adjacent to the stage such that rotating the plug to reach the second engagement level brings the metal piece into contact with the free ends of the prongs to create the electrical contact completing the circuit. Accordingly, the bifurcated frame is electrically connecting to the conductive interface of the adaptor.

Still, in some other embodiments, the bifurcated frame is accommodated inside a void of the plug. The void of the plug forms part of the hollow space of the body in these embodiments. Particularly, the assembly comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame resided inside a void of the plug that the bifurcated frame comprises a pair of opposing first prong and second prong extending towards the bottom opening of the trunk along an inner surface of the plug. The first prong and the second prong each has a free end located adjacent to the adaptor such that rotating the plug to reach the second engagement level brings the first prong and the second prong into contact with the electrically conductive interface of the adaptor to complete the circuit.

For more embodiments, the assembly may comprise a tensioning construct configured to subject the battery under constant compression force upon engaging the plug to the trunk such that the electrical contact between the battery and the assembly remains uninterrupted by the vibrational movement of the motor. Preferably, the tensioning construct is incorporated with a spring element, which is deformably compressed by one end of the battery upon insertion of the plug into the hollow space through the bottom opening. The compressed spring element intrinsically strike to resume its original state by creating a reciprocal tensioning force towards the battery and other components come into contact with the battery.

For several embodiments, the arm comprises an upper end equipped with a fastening mechanism for detachably mounting of an oral care tool. The fastening mechanism in the disclosed apparatus offers an easy approach to allow the user to switch between tools for preserving oral hygiene.

To attain the object of providing easy tools switching, the fastening mechanism generally comprises elongate holding piece having a thickness relatively lower than the rest of the arm, and a through hole fabricated on a planar surface of the holding piece. Correspondingly, the oral care tool comprises a mounting slab having a planar surface on which a pair of opposing guiding rails are erected, and a track being defined in between the guiding rail for receiving the holding piece thereto with the pair of opposing guiding rails abutting onto opposing edges of the holding piece. Furthermore, the planar surface of the mounting slab comprises a protrusion lockable onto the through hole in a number of embodiments.

To further reinforce gripping force of the fastening mechanism towards the apparatus, the oral care tool further comprising a resilient sheet being stretched across and on top of the defined track from one guide rail to another guide rail enclosing a space between the sheet and the planar surface of the slab for receiving the holding piece thereto, the resilient sheet being arranged to deform and expand asserting a compression force against the holding piece upon inserting the holding piece into the space for securing the oral care tool to the arm.

It is important to note that the disclosed apparatus can be used for purpose or function such as massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc. requiring vibration force to assist in preserving or maintaining health of a subject. Therefore, there is one aspect of the present disclosure associated to a vibrational apparatus for preserving health of a subject, rather than merely used for oral care maintenance.

Fig.1

shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed apparatus for oral care.

Fig.2

shows a front cross-sectional view of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.3

shows an explosive perspective view of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.4

shows another explosive perspective of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.5

shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed apparatus for oral care.

Fig.6

shows a front cross-sectional view of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.7

shows an explosive perspective view of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.8

shows another explosive perspective of the embodiment depicted in .

Fig.9

shows several embodiments of the flossing tools useable together with the disclosed apparatus via the fastening mechanism.

Fig.10

shows (a) back, (b) side, (c) back perspective view of a brush head attachable to the disclosed apparatus using the fastening mechanism.

Fig.11

The embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components or parts of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety different configuration. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus (100) for oral care of the present disclosure, as represented in through , is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosed apparatus (100) for oral care.

Unless specified otherwise, the terms "comprising" and "comprise" as used herein, and grammatical variants thereof, are intended to represent "open" or "inclusive" language such that they include recited elements but also permit inclusion of additional, un-recited elements.

As used herein, the phrase “in embodiments” means in some embodiments but not necessarily in all embodiments.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” or "about", in the context of concentrations of components, conditions, other measurement values, etc., means +/- 5% of the stated value, or +/- 4% of the stated value, or +/- 3% of the stated value, or +/- 2% of the stated value, or +/- 1% of the stated value, or +/- 0.5% of the stated value, or +/- 0% of the stated value.

The directional term such as “top”, “bottom”, “parallel”, “side”, “perpendicular”, “distal” and “proximal” used throughout herein the specification generally refers to the relative direction of the described embodiments with regard to the position of the disclosed oral care apparatus being placed upright when it is not in use.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus (100) for oral care. The disclosed apparatus (100) can be embodied in several forms as shown in, but not limited to, and to attain one or more of the setting forth objects. In general, the disclosed apparatus (100) comprises an elongate body (190) enclosing a hollow space (188) for receiving a battery (260) thereto. Preferably, the elongate body (190) comprises a trunk (120) having a bottom opening (121), an arm (110) erected from a top of the trunk and a plug (130) securable to the trunk (120) at the bottom opening (121) to seal off the hollow space (188). Several components crucial for the operation of the disclosed apparatus (100) are kept inside the hollow space (188). These components can be placed around or within the plug (130), the trunk (120) and the arm (110) depending on the embodiments built. For numerous embodiments, the arm (110) encloses a hollow space (188) of the elongate body (190). In order to actuate vibrational movement around the arm (110) for effectuate the oral care function, a vibrational motor (140) can be housed inside the arm (110) preferably around an end of the arm (110) further away from the trunk (120). Also, an assembly (160) is established within the hollow space (188) forming a partial circuit electrically connecting to the vibrational motor (140) to the battery (260) for a number of the embodiments of the disclosed apparatus (100). Preferably, the plug (130) comprises a base (131) and a stage (132) rising from the base (131) with the stage (132) being insertable into the hollow space (188) through the bottom opening (121) securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120). The plug (130) is fashioned to secure to the trunk (120) by way of a first stage engagement and a second stage engagement. More specifically, the plug (130) is rotatable towards a first direction or a second direction which is opposite of the first direction upon inserting the stage (132) into the trunk (120). The plug (130) requires a pressure to be applied to the base (131) towards the trunk (120) when the plug (130) is rotated towards the first direction to reach the first stage engagement securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120) without completing the circuit or the plug (130) requires a pressure to be applied to the base (131) towards the trunk (120) when the plug (130) is rotated towards a second direction to free the plug (130) off the first engagement dissociating the plug (130) from the trunk (120). Furthermore, the plug (130) can be rotated towards the first direction further after reaching the first engagement level until further rotational movement being impeded thus arriving at the second engagement level which the plug (130) completes the circuit by electrically connecting the battery (260) to the vibrational motor (140) through an electrical contact for driving a vibrational movement around the arm (110).

The hollow space (188) of the body (190) can span across from arm (110) to trunk (120) in embodiments as exhibited in – . Alternatively, the hollow space (188) may extend from the arm (110), the trunk (120) and finally end at plug (130) as in those embodiments depicted in – . Generally, the section of hollow space (188) encompassed by the arm (110) has a diameter relatively smaller than the section of hollow space (188) kept in the trunk (120) or plug (130). The hollow space (188) of narrower diameter within the arm (110) allows the vibrational motor (140) to snugly fitted preferably touching on the inner surface of the body (190). The vibrational motor (140) being proximate to the arm (110) permits more efficient transfer of the vibrational movement or force to the oral care tool (200) attached to the arm (110). More preferably, the disclosed apparatus (100) positions the vibrational motor (140) at one end of the hollow space (188) encompassed within the arm (110). The vibrational motor (140) connects to a pair of conductive wires (144), which are a part of the circuit, for obtaining the needed electrical power to actuate the vibrational movement once the circuit has been completed.

With reference to – , the disclosed apparatus (100) or the assembly (160) further comprises an adaptor (170) having an electrically conductive interface being part of the circuit connecting to the battery (260). The adaptor (170) is an establishment incorporated with conduction lining configured to interfacing the connection of the vibrational motor (140) and the battery (260) with the aid of other electrically conductive components. The adaptor (170) is preferably shaped to have a substantial circular cross-section matching the universal tubular outline of the hollow space (188). As can be seen in the embodiment of – , the adaptor (170) comprises a top torso (171) and a bottom torso (172) projecting downward from the top torso (171) with the bottom torso (172) being bigger in diameter in relation to top torso (171), a central passage (189) boring through the top torso (171) and bottom torso (172), a pair of bumps (173) raising from the top of the top torso (171), one or more wedges (174) expanding laterally from an intersection joining the top torso (171) and the bottom torso (172), a first spring element (181) wrapping around the circumference of the bottom torso (172) abutting on the wedges (174), a metal contact plate (175) with a central bore (176) and a downwardly projecting metal strip (177) being arranged to receive the bottom torso (172) through the central bore (176) sandwiching the first spring element (181) thereto. The downward planar surface of the contact plate (175) is placed adjacent to a planar top of a conductive bifurcated metal frame (179). The metal strip (177) of has an end adjoining to contact plate (175) slightly raised above the planar surface of the contact plate (175) that the raised end can be pushed into a cutout found on the wedges (174). The raised end can further reach out to contact with one of the wires (144) derived from the vibrational motor (140) to direct the power from the battery (260) to the motor (140) once the circuit has been completed.

Referring further to – , the assembly (160) comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame (179) having a pair of opposing first prong (168) and second prong (169) extending towards the bottom opening (121) of the trunk (120) along an inner surface of the trunk (120). As shown in – , the bifurcated frame (179) is electrically connecting to the conductive interface of the adaptor (170). The first (168) and second prongs (169) are diverging out from a planar slice (165) bearing a central pore (166). The distance setting the first (168) and second prongs (169) apart at the horizontal plane is about or slightly larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the battery (260) employed in the disclosed apparatus (100) that the battery (260) can be kept between the two prongs inside the hollow space (188). The planar slice (165) sits on the conduct plate (175) that presses on the first spring element (181) gives resilient compression to the free ends of the two prongs (168,169) which provides consistent electrical contact when the circuit is completed. The first prong (168) and the second prong (169) each has a free end (164) located adjacent to the stage (132) such that rotating the plug (130) to reach the second engagement level brings the metal piece (133) into contact with the free ends (164) of the prongs to create the electrical contact completing the circuit. Again, to facilitate better and lasting contact between the prongs and the metal piece (133) of the stage (132), the free end (164) of the prongs is rounded at the tip.

Pursuant to other the assembly (160) comprises a tensioning construct (150) configured to subject the battery (260) under constant compression force upon engaging the plug (130) to the trunk (120) such that the electrical contact between the battery (260) and the assembly (160) remains uninterrupted by the vibrational movement of the motor (140). Preferably, the tensioning construct (150) comprises a circular stopper (151) fabricated with a central hole (152), a conductive pin (153) placed underneath of the stopper (151) that the pin (153) comprises a pin head (154) joining to a shaft (155), and a second spring element (182) wrapping around the shaft (155). The stopper (151) carries a central hole (152). To form the partial circuit of the assembly (160), the central passage (189) of the top torso (171) and bottom torso (172), the central bore (176) of the contact plate (175), the central pore (166) of the bifurcated frame (179) and the central hole (152) of the stopper (151) are aligned within the hollow space (188) permitting the shaft (155) of the pin (153) to be inserted therethrough and directed towards one of the wires (144) located around the top torso (171). The shaft (155) of the pin (153) making contact with the wire (144) assist drainage of the battery (260) power to the vibrational motor (140). The pin head (154) is fashion to abut onto one end of the battery (260) with the second spring element (182) being sandwiched between the stopper (151) and the pin head (154). The second spring element (182) is compressed following securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120) that the second spring element (182) strikes to resume its original form thus exerting a reciprocal tension force towards battery (260), the adaptor (170), the bifurcated frame (179), etc.

In other embodiments illustrated in – , the plug (130) encloses a void (133), which is part of the hollow space (188) of the body (190), for accommodating the battery (260) therein while those embodiments of – have the battery (260) housed in the trunk (120). In embodiments of – , the hollow space (188) of the body (190) spans across the arm (110), the trunk (120) and the plug (130). The arrangement and the design of the adaptor (170) and the bifurcated frame (179) are different from the embodiments depicted in – . Particularly, the adaptor (170) comprises a top torso (171) and a bottom torso (172) extending downwardly from the top torso (171), which is smaller than the bottom torso (172) in diameter at a cross-sectional plane. A first spring element (181), preferably a helical spring and is a part of a tensioning construct (150), wraps around the circumference or sidewalls of the top torso (171) and rest a top of the bottom torso (172). The bottom torso (172) has a cross-sectional diameter greater than the first spring element (181) for resting of the first spring element (181). The sidewall of the top torso (171) carries a longitudinally flattened facade (137). A passage (189) cuts through the center of the top torso (171) and bottom torso (172). The adaptor (170) further comprises a snap fixing ring (136) enclosing a central space for accommodating the top torso (171). The snap fixing ring (136) is placed on top of the first spring element (181). The first spring element (181) is squeezed in between the snap fixing ring (136) and the bottom torso (172). Two opposing protrusions of the snap fixing ring (136) at the inner diameter of the ring (136) fix the first spring element (181) sandwich between the ring (136) and bottom torso (172). It is worth to note that the two notches (139) are located on the sliding longitudinal ways back to back of the top torso (171) acting as a holder of the snap fixing ring (136). A substantially rectangular slot (138) is carved on the bottom torso (172). The slot (138) is positioned to be slightly distanced away from and facing the facade (137). The adaptor (170) also comprises a metal contact plate (175) abuts onto the underneath surface of the bottom torso (172). The metal contact plate (175) comprises a metal strip (177) running upward from the circumference of the contact plate (175) that the metal strip (177) is being fashioned to pass through the slot (138) of the bottom torso (172), a gap between the first spring element (181) and the top torso (171) and the strip (177) makes contact with one of the wires (144) originated from the vibrational motor (140) thus forming part of the electrical circuit laid in the hollow space (188) of the disclosed apparatus (100). The metal contact plate (175) further comprises a pair of laterally expanding wings (146) for the on and off rotational switch contact.

Moreover, for the embodiments shown in – , the bifurcated frame (179) is somewhat placed inverted compared to the counterpart illustrated in those embodiments of – . Particularly, the assembly (160) of the embodiments in – comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame (179) resided inside a void (133) of the plug (130). The bifurcated frame (179) comprises a planar slice (165) where a pair of opposing first prong (168) and second prong (169) extending out from the side or circumference of the slice (165) towards the bottom opening (121) of the trunk (120) along an inner surface of the plug (130). The disclosed apparatus (100) rests the planar slice (165) on the bottom of plug (130) within the void (133). The first (168) and second prongs (169) projects upwards from the bottom of the plug (130). On top of the slice (165), a second spring element (182) is placed for contacting one end of the battery (260). The second spring element (182) subjects the contacting battery (260) to a compression or tension force upon securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120) yet shaping an electrically conductive partial circuit composed of the battery (260), the second spring element (182), and the bifurcated frame (179). The distance setting the first (168) and second prongs (169) apart at the horizontal plane is about or slightly larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the battery (260) employed in the disclosed apparatus (100) that the battery (260) can be kept between the two prongs inside the hollow space (188). The first prong (168) and the second prong (169) each has a free end (164) located adjacent to the adaptor (170) such that rotating the plug (130) to reach the second engagement level brings the first prong (168) and the second prong (169) into contact with the electrically conductive interface of the adaptor (170) to complete the circuit. More particularly, before arriving at the second engagement stage, the free end (164) of the prongs is not in contact with the metal contact plate (175) of the assembly (160). The rotation of the plug (130) towards reaching the second engagement stage progressively brings the free end (164) of the prongs respectively towards the laterally expanded wings (146) of the metal contact plate (175) that the free ends make contact with the wings (146) in the second engagement stage.

Likewise, the embodiments of – comprise the like tensioning construct (150) configured to subject the battery (260) under constant compression force upon engaging the plug (130) to the trunk (120) such that the electrical contact between the battery (260) and the assembly (160) remains uninterrupted by the vibrational movement of the motor (140). Preferably, the tensioning construct (150) comprises a circular stopper (151) fabricated with a central hole (152), and a conductive pin (153) placed underneath of the stopper (151) that the pin (153) comprises a pin head (154) joining to a shaft (155). The stopper (151) carries a central hole (152). To form the partial circuit of the assembly (160), the central passage (189) of the top torso (171) and bottom torso (172), the central bore (176) of the contact plate (175), and the central hole (152) of the stopper (151) are aligned within the hollow space (188) permitting the shaft (155) of the pin (153) to be inserted therethrough and directed towards one of the wires (144) located around the top torso (171). The bottom torso (172) has a slight protrusion surround the central passage (189) which insulating the electrical contact between the shaft (155) and the contact plate (175). The shaft (155) of the pin (153) making contact with the wire (144) assist drainage of the battery (260) power to the vibrational motor (140). The pin head (154) is fashion to abut onto one end of the battery (260). The first spring element (181) wrapping around the top torso (171) is compressed following securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120) that the first spring element (181) strikes to resume its original form thus exerting a reciprocal tension force towards battery (260), the adaptor (170), the bifurcated frame (179), etc.

It is important to note that the plug (130) or the cover of the bottom opening (121) can take several forms corresponding to the embodiments of the disclosed apparatus (100) as illustrated in and respectively. Nevertheless, these embodiments may share the like feature resulting in the two stages of engagement of the plug (130) for enhancing safety of the disclosed apparatus (100) about mishandling despite the general appearances or designs of the plug (130) are varied in these embodiments. Particularly, the plug (130) comprises a resilient portion (135) stretching around an external surface of the stage. The resilient portion (135) can be rubber ring with good flexibility that the rubber ring can be temporarily deformed or stretched slightly to provide or cover more space upon exposure to a significant external force. Nonetheless, one skilled in the field shall appreciate the fact that other components with similar or almost similar property can be used as well for the present disclosure to form the resilient portion (135). Further, at least a L-shaped bone (134) is fabricated on the external surface of the stage (132) with a shorter segment of the bone (134) having a first tip (125) abutting to the resilient portion (135) and a longer segment extending circumferentially along the external surface of the stage (132) forming a groove (128) in between the longer segment and the resilient portion (135) that the longer segment comprises a second tip (126) of increased size in relation to the rest of the longer segment. In response to the groove (128) fabricated on the stage (132), the trunk (120) comprises at least a locking rib (127) of a height or thickness substantially corresponding to or slightly smaller the width of the groove (128) but greater than the entrance. Therefore, the second tip (126) at the entrance blocks the entry of the rib (127) into the groove (128) through the entrance under normal circumstances. In order to slide the rib (127) into the groove (128), the space around the entrance has to be widen to a certain degree permitting the entry of the rib (127) thereof. The present disclosure realizes the transitional widening of the entrance by requiring a pressure or pressing force to be applied on the resilient portion (135) around the entrance resulting in temporary deformation of the resilient portion (135) thereof to create a gap sufficiently large for sliding in the locking rib (127). Once the rib (127) has been fully inserted into the groove (128), the deformed resilient portion (135) resumes its original state that the width of the entrance becomes smaller than the thickness of the rib (127) again prohibiting the inserted rib (127) from sliding out of the groove (128) unless a pressing force is applied against the resilient portion (135) to create the needed space. Moreover, the length of the groove (128) is preferably greater than the length of the rib (127) allowing the rib (127) to advance further into the groove (128) to reach the second stage engagement, which completes the electrical circuit to drain power from the battery (260) to the motor (140) to generate a vibrational movement around the arm (110) to carry out the oral care operation. In short, the locking rib (127) is configured to be slidably inserted into the corresponding groove (128) upon inserting the stage (132) into the trunk (120) and turning the plug (130) towards the first direction with the applied pressure which deforms the resilient portion (135) around the entrance to create sufficient space for sliding the locking rib (127) into the groove (128) through the entrance to reach the first engagement level. For a number of embodiments, the disclosed apparatus (100) may have a pair of grooves (128) equally spaced apart on the circumference of the stage (132) adjacent to the resilient portion (135) and a pair of corresponding locking ribs (127) can be found on the inner wall of the trunk (120) to secure the plug (130) thereby. The equally spaced paired grooves (128) and ribs (127) shall provide better stability for the engaged plug (130) considering the plug (130) will be exposed to constant tension force generated by the tensioning construct (150) located inside the hollow space (188).

Referring to the embodiments illustrated in – , the base (131) is in the shape of a planar piece which is sized to have a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the bottom opening (121) while the stage (132) extends out from one planar surface of the base (131). The stage (132) is in a diameter slightly smaller than the bottom opening (121) such that the stage (132) can be inserted into the trunk (120) through the bottom opening (121) unhindered. The trunk (120) of these embodiments encloses most of the hollow space (188) of the body (190) and possesses sufficient length to accommodate the whole battery (260) or more than one battery (260), depending on the embodiments, inside the enclosed hollow space (188). One end of the battery (260) is arranged to contact with part of the assembly (160) forming the circuit resided in the hollow space (188) while another opposing end is brought into contact with the stage (132) or other conductive elements mounted on the stage (132) for completing the circuit pursuant to arriving at the second engagement level. For enabling electricity conduction in the second engagement level, the stage (132) comprises at least one metal piece (133) rotatable within the hollow space (188) in connection to the rotation of the plug (130) between the first engagement level and the second engagement level that the metal piece (133) contacting the battery (260) is brought to meet or join to part of the assembly (160) creating an electrical contact, which completes the partial circuit upon reaching the second engagement level. Once the circuit has been completed, the vibrational motor (140) acquires the necessary power to actuate for vibrational movement. In more specific, the embodiments as shown in – , the assembly (160) comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame (179) having a pair of opposing first prong (168) and second prong (169) extending towards the bottom opening (121) of the trunk (120) along an inner surface of the trunk (120). The frame (179) comprises a circular planar top with a central aperture with the first prong (168) and the second prong (169) respectively projecting downwards from the side edge or circumference of the circular top. The first prong (168) and the second prong (169) each has a free end (164) located adjacent to the stage (132). The prongs are substantially tapered towards the free end (164). Correspondingly, a metal piece (133) is laid across the stage (132) of the plug (130) such that rotating the plug (130) to reach the second engagement level brings the metal piece (133) into contact with the free ends (164) of the prongs to create the electrical contact completing the circuit. Preferably, the free ends (164) of the prongs respectively touch on the opposing extremes of the metal piece (133) perpendicularly under compression.

With reference to – , the arm (110) comprises an upper end equipped with a fastening mechanism (220) for detachably mounting of an oral care tool (200). The upper end is relatively leaner in thickness compared to the rest of the arm (110). In more specific, the fastening mechanism (220) comprises an elongate holding piece (221) having a thickness relatively lower than the rest of the arm (110), and a through hole (222) fabricated on a planar surface of the holding piece (221). In order to mount on the disclosed apparatus (100) using the fastening mechanism (220), the oral care tool (200) correspondingly comprises a mounting slab (201) having a planar surface on which a pair of opposing guiding rails (202) are erected, and a sliding track (203) being defined in between the guiding rails (202) for receiving the holding piece (221) thereto with the pair of opposing guiding rails (202) abutting onto opposing edges of the holding piece (221). The sliding track (203) preferably has a length substantially equaled to length of the holding piece. By sliding in the holding piece into the defined track (203), the guiding rails (202) clamp on the edge of the holding piece to avoid accidental detachment of the oral care tool (200) due to consistent vibrational force. In accordance to several embodiments, the planar surface of the mounting slab (201) comprises a protrusion (205) lockable onto the through hole (222) to further reinforce mounting of the oral care tool (200) to the arm (110). For more embodiments, the surface of the track (203) may be depressed slightly conforming the outer dimension and shape of the holding piece (221) such that the tool can be better secured to the fastening mechanism (220). Moreover, in further embodiments, the top surface of each guiding rails (202) has the edge adjacent to the track (203) slightly extended towards the track (203) giving rise to a claw overhanging on top of the track (203) for clamping onto the holding piece inserted into the track (203).

For more embodiments, the oral care tool further comprises a resilient sheet (206) being stretched across and on top of the defined track (203) from one guide rail (202) to another guide rail (202) enclosing a space between the sheet and the planar surface of the slab (201) for receiving the holding piece (221) thereto. The total space encompassed by the resilient sheet (206) over the track (203) is generally smaller than the dimension of the holding piece inserted thereto. As a result, the resilient sheet (206) is arranged to deform and expand for asserting a compression force against the holding piece (221) upon inserting the holding piece (221) into the space for securing the oral care tool (200) to the arm (110). Still, disengagement of the oral care tool (200) from the fastening mechanism (220) requires manipulation of the tool from several directions to yank it off from the arm that such manipulation may not be easily accomplished by children.

Referring to – , various tools (200) mountable to the disclosed apparatus (100) are shown. a, b and c respectively illustrates flossing tool (200a) for molar tooth, premolar/canine tooth and incision tooth. The flossing tools (200a) generally comprises a support, and a pair of opposing spaced apart fingers (204) protruding away from the two extremes of the support. Each end of the fingers (204) carries a hook-like structure (209) for tying a dental floss or molded integrally with dental floss directly. It is important to note that the fingers (204) may protrude at an obtuse or acute angle in relation to the horizontal axis rather than mere right angle such that the flossing for molar or pre-molar tooth can be facilitated. The mounting slab (201) is preferably connected to the support via a neck section (207), which is relatively smaller in width compared to the support and the slab (201) for better transmission of the vibrational force to the fingers (204). a, b and c respectively shows back, side and perspective views of a brush head attachable to the fastening mechanism (220). a, b and c respectively shows back, side and perspective views of a brush head attachable to the fastening mechanism (220). Tools (200b) is a brush head on which one planar surface is incorporated with bristles for cleaning the teeth while another opposing planar surface of mounting slab (201) carries the rail (202), the resilient sheet (206), the track (203), the protrusion (205) for engaging the fastening mechanism (220) prepared at the arm (110).

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the disclosure, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the aforesaid description, the disclosure, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

Claims

An apparatus (100) for oral care comprising:
an elongate body (190) enclosing a hollow space (188) for receiving a battery (260) thereto, the elongate body (190) comprising a trunk (120) having a bottom opening (121), an arm (110) erected from top of the trunk (120) and a plug (130) securable to the trunk (120) at the bottom opening (121) to seal off the hollow space (188);
a vibrational motor (140) being housed inside the arm (110); and
an assembly (160) established within the hollow space (188) forming a partial circuit electrically connecting to the vibrational motor (140) to the battery (260),
wherein the plug (130) comprising a base (131) and a stage (132) rising from the base (131) with the stage (132) being insertable into the hollow space (188) through the bottom opening (121) securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120), the plug (130) is fashioned to secure to the trunk (120) by way of a first stage engagement and a second stage engagement, the plug (130) is rotatable towards a first direction or a second direction which is opposite of the first direction upon inserting the stage into the trunk (120), wherein the plug (130) requires a pressure to be applied to the base (131) towards the trunk (120) when the plug (130) is rotated towards the first direction to reach the first stage engagement securing the plug (130) to the trunk (120) without completing the circuit or the plug (130) requires a pressure to be applied to the base (131) towards the trunk (120) when the plug (130) is rotated towards a second direction to free the plug (130) off the first engagement dissociating the plug (130) from the trunk (120), wherein the plug (130) is rotated towards the first direction further after reaching the first engagement level until being impeded thus arriving at the second engagement level which the plug (130) completes the circuit by electrically connecting the battery (260) to the vibrational motor (140) through an electrical contact for driving a vibrational movement around the arm (110).
The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the plug (130) comprises a resilient portion (135) stretching around an external surface of the stage and at least a L-shaped bone (134) fabricated on the external surface of the stage (132) with a shorter segment of the bone (134) having a first tip (125) abutting to the resilient portion (135) and a longer segment extending circumferentially along the external surface of the stage (132) forming a groove (128) in between the longer segment and the resilient portion (135) that the longer segment comprises a second tip (126) of increased size in relation to the rest of the longer segment rendering an entrance into the groove (128) thereto being in reduced width in relation to the width of the groove (128).
The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein the trunk (120) comprises at least a locking rib (127) of a height or thickness corresponding to the width of the groove (128) and greater than the entrance that the locking rib (127) is configured to be slidably inserted into the corresponding groove (128) upon inserting the stage (132) into the trunk (120) and turning the plug (130) towards the first direction with the applied pressure which deforms the resilient portion (135) around the entrance to create sufficient space for sliding the locking rib (127) into the groove (128) through the entrance to reach the first engagement level.
The apparatus (100) of claim 1 further comprising an adaptor (170) having an electrically conductive interface forming part of the circuit connecting to the battery (260).
The apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the stage (132) comprises at least one metal piece (133) rotatable within the hollow space (188) in connection to the rotation of the plug (130) between the first engagement level and the second engagement level that the metal piece (133) meets part of the assembly (160) to create the electrical contact completing the partial circuit upon reaching the second engagement level.
The apparatus (100) of claim 5, wherein the assembly (160) comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame (179) having a pair of opposing first prong (168) and second prong (169) extending towards the bottom opening (121) of the trunk (120) along an inner surface of the trunk (120), the first prong (168) and the second prong (169) each has a free end (164) located adjacent to the stage (132) such that rotating the plug (130) to reach the second engagement level brings the metal piece (133) into contact with the free ends (164) of the prongs to create the electrical contact completing the circuit, the bifurcated frame (179) is electrically connecting to the conductive interface of the adaptor (170).
The apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the assembly (160) comprises an electrically conductive bifurcated frame (179) resided inside a void (133) of the plug (130), the void (133) forms part of the hollow space (188), the bifurcated frame (179) comprises a pair of opposing first prong (168) and second prong (169) extending towards the bottom opening (121) of the trunk (120) along an inner surface of the plug (130), the first prong (168) and the second prong each has a free end (164) located adjacent to the adaptor (170) such that rotating the plug (130) to reach the second engagement level brings the first prong (168) and the second (169) prong into contact with the electrically conductive interface of the adaptor (170) to complete the circuit.
The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the assembly (160) comprises a tensioning construct (150) configured to subject the battery (260) under constant compression force upon engaging the plug (130) to the trunk (120) such that the electrical contact between the battery (260) and the assembly (160) remains uninterrupted by the vibrational movement of the motor (140).
The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the arm (110) comprises an upper end equipped with a fastening mechanism (220) for detachably mounting of an oral care tool (200).
The apparatus (100) of claim 9, wherein the fastening mechanism (220) comprises elongate holding piece (221) having a thickness relatively lower than the rest of the arm (110), and a through hole (222) fabricated on a planar surface of the holding piece (221).
The apparatus (100) of claim 10, wherein the oral care tool (200) comprises a mounting slab (201) having a planar surface on which a pair of opposing guiding rails (202) are erected, and a track (203) being defined in between the guiding rail for receiving the holding piece (221) thereto with the pair of opposing guiding rails (202) abutting onto opposing edges of the holding piece.
The apparatus (100) of claim 11, wherein the planar surface of the mounting slab (201) comprises a protrusion (205) lockable onto the through hole (222).
The apparatus (100) of claim 12 further comprising a resilient sheet (206) being stretched across and on top of the defined track (203) from one guide rail (202) to another guide rail (202) enclosing a space between the sheet and the planar surface of the slab (201) for receiving the holding piece (221) thereto, the resilient sheet (206) being arranged to deform and expand asserting a compression force against the holding piece (221) upon inserting the holding piece (221) into the space for securing the oral care tool (200) to the arm (110).