ZA200810714B - An electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter - Google Patents

Description

’ “a “ ~. ,

AN ELECTRICAL TOOTHBRUSH TO SHAVER ADAPTER

: FIELD OF THE INVENTION :

This invention relates to an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous shavers and shaving systems currently on the market.

Although the traditional handheld blade-based shaver is still quite common, electric wet and/or dry shavers have increased in popularity, primarily due to their speed, convenience and improved effectiveness. The most recent development is Gillette's M3 power, which takes the form of the traditional handheld blade-based shaver, but which includes a battery-operated vibrating motor so as to vibrate the blade at the end of the shaver. The vibrating blade assists in the shaving process. However, a downside to this latest shaver is that the housing for the battery/motor unit is not particularly well sealed, and thus water tends to enter this housing, which in turn quickly causes failure of the battery/motor unit.

Rechargeable electric toothbrushes are also quite common and readily available. These devices are well sealed, and thus tend to be far more reliable and robust.

al 3 Ek y

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is thus to provide an adapter that can be used on a conventional electric toothbrush but that can be fitted with a conventional blade-based shaver head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter comprising: a body defining a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and configured so as to allow the body to be fitted to an end of an electrical toothbrush base, the electrical toothbrush base comprising a vibrating motor located adjacent the end of the toothbrush and a battery to operate the vibrating motor; and a blade receiving interface fitted to the second end of the body, the blade receiving interface being arranged to receive a shaver blade.

In an example embodiment, the blade receiving interface is movable, typically vibratory, relative to the body.

In an example embodiment, a shaft is housed within the body, the shaft extending between the vibrating motor and the blade receiving interface.

In an example embodiment, the shaft engages lugs within the blade receiving interface that cause the blade receiving interface to vibrate as a result of the shaft being vibrated by the vibrating motor.

In an alternate example embodiment, the body accommodates an insert, the insert having a first end that can be fitted to a vibrating shaft extending from the electrical toothbrush base, and a free second end to vibrate the second end of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter : for use in conjunction with a conventional electric toothbrush, according to a first example embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the adapter shown in Figure 1 fitted to a base of the conventional electric toothbrush, ready for use;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter shown in Figure 1, in use; and

Figure 4 shows views of an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter for use in conjunction with a conventional electric toothbrush, according to a second example embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter 10 comprises a body 12 defining a first end 14 and a second end 16. The first end 14 is shaped and configured so as to allow antl ® 2008710714 the body 12 to be fitted to an end 18 of a conventional electrical toothbrush base 20. The electrical toothbrush base 20 comprises a waterproof housing 22 for accommodating a vibrating motor 24 terminating in a vibrating tip 26, the vibrating motor 24 being located adjacent the end 18 of the toothbrush base 20. A rechargeable battery 28 and associated ON/OFF switch 29 is used to operate the vibrating motor 24. A charging base 30, charging pins 32 and an electrical wire 34, which is connected to an electrical source (not shown). In the normal course of events, a toothbrush body 36 terminating in a rotatable toothbrush head 38 may be fitted to the base 20 so as to define an electrical toothbrush.

The electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter 10 further comprises a blade receiving interface 40 fitted to the second end 16 of the body 12. The blade receiving interface 40 is arranged to interchangeably receive a shaver blade 42 in a snap-fit arrangement. In an example embodiment, the blade receiving interface 40 is movable relative to the body 12 as indicated by arrows 44 in

Figure 3.

In an example embodiment, a shaft 46 is housed within the body 12. In use, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shaft 46 extends between the vibrating tip 26 of the motor 24 and the blade receiving interface 40. The shaft 46 thus conveys the vibrations from the vibrating tip 26 to the blade receiving interface 40, so as to vibrate the blade receiving interface 40 and thus the shaver blade 42 fitted to the blade receiving interface 40.

In an example embodiment, the shaft 46 engages lugs 48 within the blade receiving interface 40 that cause the blade receiving interface 40 to vibrate as a result of the shaft 46 being vibrated by the vibrating motor 24.

: 2 2008 710714

Turning now to Figure 4, an electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter 50 comprises a body 52 defining a first end 54 and a second end 56. The first end 54 is shaped and configured so as to allow the body 52 to be fitted over an end 58 of a conventional electrical toothbrush base 60. Although not shown, but as substantially described above, the electrical toothbrush base 60 comprises a waterproof housing for accommodating a vibrating motor terminating in a vibrating shaft 62.

The electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter 50 further comprises a blade receiving interface 64 fitted to the second end 56 of the body 52. The blade receiving interface 64 is arranged to interchangeably receive a shaver blade 66 in a snap-fit arrangement.

In this alternate embodiment, the body 52 accommodates an insert 68. The insert 68 has a first end 70 that can be fitted to the vibrating shaft 62 extending from the electrical toothbrush base 60, and a free second end 72 to vibrate the second end 56 of the body 52. The first end 70 defines a circular aperture 74 to accommodate a circular portion 76 of the vibrating shaft 62, and a semi- circular aperture 78 to accommodate a semi-circular portion 80 of the vibrating shaft 62.

In an example embodiment, the vibrating shaft 62 moves in a twisting motion, as indicated by arrow 82. This twisting motion in turn cause the insert 68 to move in a twisting, vibratory motion, so as to impart a vibratory motion on the second end 56, and in particular the blade receiving interface 64 and the shaver blade 66.

The present invention thus takes an adapter that enables an electric toothbrush to be used for shaving as well. In particular, the resulting shaver can readily be used in wet conditions, is rechargeable on a continuous basis,

does not need to any additional equipment, tends to give a stronger vibrating shave than existing shavers and is relatively inexpensive.

Claims (6)

cL. _ = - CLAIMS

1. An electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter comprising: a body defining a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and configured so as to allow the body to be fitted to an end of an electrical toothbrush base, the electrical toothbrush base comprising a vibrating motor located adjacent the end of the toothbrush and a battery to operate the vibrating motor; and a blade receiving interface fitted to the second end of the body, the blade receiving interface being arranged to receive a shaver blade.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the blade receiving interface is movable relative to the body.

3. The adapter of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a shaft is housed within the body, the shaft extending between the vibrating motor and the blade receiving interface.

4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the shaft engages lugs within the blade receiving interface that cause the blade receiving interface to vibrate as a result of the shaft being vibrated by the vibrating motor.

5. The adapter of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body accommodates an insert, the insert having a first end that can be fitted to a vibrating shaft extending from the electrical toothbrush base, and a free second end to vibrate the second end of the body.

ha

6. An electrical toothbrush to shaver adapter substantially as herein described and illustrated. i DATED THIS 19™ DAY OF DECEMBER 2008 BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC. : (JOHN & KERNICK) FOR THE APPLICANT