U.S. patent application number 10/757105 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for toothbrush having multiple selectable brushing surfaces.
Invention is credited to Letendre, Robert P..
Application Number | 20040194238 10/757105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33101109 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040194238 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Letendre, Robert P. |
October 7, 2004 |
Toothbrush having multiple selectable brushing surfaces
Abstract
An adjustable toothbrush having a plurality of interchangeable
bristle mount settings that facilitate more direct contact with the
various teeth geometries. The adjustable toothbrush preferably has
at least three selectable surface variations or configurations
comprising a flat surface, an inverted/concave surface, and a
radial/convex surface. The adjustable toothbrush comprises a
brushing surface defined by a plurality of bristles, a bristle
mount, at least one adjustment key, hollow brush casing and
adjustment mechanism wherein the bristles are secured to the mount
and the mount engages the adjustment mechanism. The bristle mount
is flexible to accommodate manipulation of its shape by the
adjustment mechanism. Depending on the setting, the adjustment
mechanism raises the mount to create the radial version, lowers the
mount to create the inverted version or leaves the mount stationary
for the flat version. The three configurations are selected and
engaged by a tactile control.
Inventors: |
Letendre, Robert P.;
(Hialeah, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David P. Lhota
Stearns Weaver Miller, et al.
Suite 1900
200 East Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
33101109 |
Appl. No.: |
10/757105 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60439860 |
Jan 14, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.2 ;
15/167.1; 15/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
9/04 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/022.2 ;
015/167.1; 015/201 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable toothbrush device, said device comprising: a
handle; a brush end comprising a flexible mount and plurality of
bristles extending outward from said mount and defining a brush
surface, said mount having a first end, a second end and a
mid-section between said first and second ends; adjustment means,
in mechanical communication with said mount, for raising and
lowering at least a portion of said mid-section from a neutral
straight position to adjust the shape of said brush surface; and
drive means, in mechanical communication with said adjustment
means, for manipulating said adjustment means.
2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mount comprises: a
flexible plate.
3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mount comprises: a
plurality of adjacently disposed segments, each of said segments
comprising a plurality of bristle sleeves for securing said
bristles.
4. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said mount further
comprises: a flexible plate bridging across the lower surface of
said segments, said plate being engageable by said adjustment
means.
5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mount comprises:
means for joining said segments to each other.
6. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: a connecting rod having a distal end and a proximal end;
and a mount lever extending from said connecting rod distal end,
said connecting rod proximal end being mechanically engageable with
said drive means and said mount lever being mechanically engageable
with said mount.
7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: at least one arched key extending across said mount and
engageable with said drive means for raising said mid-section when
rotated in one direction and for lowering said mid-section when
rotated in another direction.
8. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: a plurality of adjustable keys in communication with
said drive means for adjusting the elevation of the mount in a
plurality of different sections.
9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: a rotatable cam in mechanical communication with said
mount; and connecting rod mechanically communicating said drive
means and said rotatable cam.
10. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said segments comprise
a plurality of different shapes.
11. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: a contoured guide wire engaged with said mount at one
end and with said drive means at an opposite end for adjusting the
elevation of said mount in a plurality of positions when rotated by
said drive means.
12. A device as recited in claim 11, wherein said adjustment means
comprises: opposing magnetic plates sandwiching said guide
wire.
13. A device as recited in claim 2, further comprising: electronic
means for moving said segments sideways wherein adjacent segments
move in opposite directions.
14. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive means
comprises: a rotatable shaft in mechanical communication with said
adjustment means.
15. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive means
comprises: a push and pull handle in mechanical communication with
said adjustment means.
16. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive means
comprises: a slidable switch in mechanical communication with said
adjustment means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Serial No. 60/439,860 filed Jan. 14, 2003.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
N/A
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates generally to an adjustable
toothbrush, and more particularly, to an adjustable toothbrush that
mechanically adjust to three different configurations to correspond
to the teeth being brushed so as to provide a user with improved
teeth cleaning coverage
[0005] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0006] The upper and lower sets of teeth are shaped like little
horseshoes having generally three main and distinctive shapes. The
frontal teeth are radial in shape, the back teeth have opposite
inverted radial shapes and the tops and sides are considerably
straight. Most toothbrushes are designed with a straight or
slightly inverted radial brushing surface, which do not conform to
all three geometries, resulting in inadequate cleaning. Therefore,
several toothbrushes of varying shapes should be used to provide
complete cleaning. However, using two, three or more toothbrushes
to properly clean teeth can be expensive, cumbersome, messy and
impractical. An all in one toothbrush that changes to conform to
various shaped areas would offer a much more efficient cleaning as
well as a satisfying brushing experience. If an adjustable
toothbrush existed that conformed to the various geometry of teeth,
it would be well received. The instant invention addresses this
unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing a toothbrush that
offers a plurality of adjustable surfaces for facilitating improved
contact with the teeth and hence enhanced cleaning, as described
herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a toothbrush that adapts to the various
geometries of teeth to improve contact with the teeth.
[0008] It is another object of the instant invention to provide a
toothbrush that has an adjustable brushing surfacing for conforming
to the various contours of teeth.
[0009] It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a
toothbrush having an adjustable surface that comes in contact with
the various gaps and crevices typically missed by conventional
toothbrushes.
[0010] It is an additional object of the instant invention to
provide an adjustable toothbrush that is convenient and easy to
use.
[0011] It is an additional object of the instant invention to
provide an adjustable toothbrush that is cost-effective with
respect to manufacturing.
[0012] It is a further object of the instant invention to provide
an adjustable toothbrush that improves the dental hygiene of the
average person.
[0013] It is yet another object of the instant invention to provide
an adjustable toothbrush that provides a brush surface that may be
adjusted to provide a plurality of different contours.
[0014] In light of these and other objects, the instant invention
comprises a toothbrush having a surface that is adjustable to
accommodate the concave, convex and straight geometries of the
average set of teeth. The adjustable toothbrush of the instant
invention is designed to help the bristles come in direct contact
with the teeth regardless of its geometry and so long as the proper
adjustment is made, to facilitate more efficient dental hygiene.
The adjustable toothbrush preferably has three selectable surface
variations or configurations to correspond with the three common
surface geometries of teeth. The three configurations comprise a
flat surface, an inverted/concave surface, and a radial/convex
surface. The adjustable toothbrush generally comprises a brushing
surface defined by a plurality of bristles, a bristle mount, at
least one adjustment key, hollow brush casing and adjustment
mechanism. The bristles are secured to the mount and the mount
engages the adjustment mechanism. The bristle mount is flexible to
accommodate manipulation of its shape by the adjustment mechanism.
Depending on the setting, the adjustment mechanism raises the mount
to create the radial version, lowers the mount to create the
inverted version or leaves the mount stationary for the flat
version. The toothbrush may also be designed to provide a plurality
of alternative brush contours. The brush configurations are
adjusted by a rotatable or slidable tactile control, referenced
herein as a drive mechanism. The adjustable toothbrush is
preferably manufactured with plastic and could offer soft, medium
and hard flexible brushing bristles.
[0015] The instant invention mechanically changes brushing surfaces
to provide maximum contact with teeth for more efficient cleaning.
The flexible bristle mount allows the user to manipulate the
surface configuration of the toothbrush bristles to provide a
straight configuration for flat, accessible tooth surfaces, an
inverted configuration for the back of the teeth and a radial
configuration for the frontal teeth surfaces. In an alternative
embodiment, the instant invention may a plurality of other
configurations as shown herein.
[0016] In accordance with these and other objects, which will
become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be
described with particular reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 provides a perspective exploded view in FIG. 1A and
perspective views in FIGS. 1B-1D of a first embodiment of the
adjustable toothbrush in accordance with the instant invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 provides perspective views in FIGS. 2A-2E of a second
embodiment of the adjustable toothbrush in accordance with the
instant invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 provides elevational views in FIGS. 3A-3C of a third
embodiment of the rotating cam version of the adjustable toothbrush
in accordance with the instant invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 provides elevational views in FIGS. 4A-4C of a fourth
or push/pull embodiment of the adjustable toothbrush.
[0021] FIG. 5 provides elevational views in FIGS. 5A-5C of a fifth
or thumb slide embodiment of the instant invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 provides side and plan views of the preferred
embodiment of the flexible mount in accordance with the instant
invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 provides elevational views of an assembled 12-segment
toothbrush with form keys in accordance with the instant
invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 provides elevational views of the components of the
12-segment toothbrush in accordance with the instant invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 provides elevational views of the brush surface
design variations of the instant invention utilizing bristle
holders extending lengthwise with respect to the brush holder.
[0026] FIG. 10 provides elevational views of the bristle
configurations for the 12-segment brush utilizing a variety of
different key configurations in accordance with the instant
invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 provides elevational views of the 10-segment
toothbrush with formed wire twist guide in accordance with the
instant invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 provides elevational views of the bristle
configurations that may be derived with a formed wire guided
bristle mount in accordance with the instant invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 provides elevational views of the self-adjusting
bristle mount utilizing magnets in accordance with the instant
invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 provides elevational views of the electronically
controlled toothbrush and bristle mount in accordance with the
instant invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 14 depict the
preferred embodiments of the instant invention which is generally
referenced as an adjustable toothbrush and, or by numeric character
10. The adjustable toothbrush 10 is designed so that more bristles,
in comparison to toothbrushes having a static or virtually static
bristle configuration, come in direct contact with the teeth so
long as the proper adjustment is made. With reference to FIGS. 1A
to 14, the adjustable toothbrush 10 comprises a handle 20 having a
proximal/grasping end and a distal end defining or having a
brush/bristle system casing 22, a brush system 11 comprising a
bristle mount 14 and plurality of bristles 16 mounted to and/or
projecting outward from the bristle mount 14 and an adjustment
system 17 (17a-17c) that adjust the elevation of the bristle mount
14, at least one segment of the bristle mount 14 and/or at least
one bristle segment. The handle 20 may also comprise a grip 34 for
enhancing control.
[0032] The bristles 16 and mount 14 are secured in the hollow brush
casing 22, as shown in FIG. 1, by securing the mount 14 to the
adjustment mechanism by way of at least one and preferably two
engagement tabs 15. The adjustable toothbrush 10 preferably has
three selectable surface variations or configurations, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, to correspond with the three surfaces of the teeth.
The three configurations comprise a flat surface 12, an inverted
surface 12, and a radial surface 12, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C and
1D, respectively. The bristles 16 are mounted to the bristle mount
14 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, the
bristle mount 14 comprises at least one base 14a having a locking
groove 14b, and a plurality of bristle holder segments 14c
comprising plastic molded supports 14d having a plurality of
bristle sleeves 14e for securely receiving the bristles 16. As a
result of this construction, the bristle mount 14 is flexible and
may be raised proximal the center to create the radial version, as
shown FIG. 1D, lowered to create the inverted version, as shown in
FIG. 1C, or left stationary for the flat version, as shown in FIG.
1A. The three configurations are selected by engaging the bristle
mount base 14a with an adjustment mechanism 17a, 17b or 17c. The
locking groove 14b locks the bristle mount 14 in a set position.
The adjustable toothbrush 10 is preferably manufactured with
plastic and could offer soft, medium and hard flexible brushing
bristles 16.
[0033] The adjustment mechanism resides in the handle 20 between
the grip 34 and head of the toothbrush 10 and has three
embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The adjustment mechanism
generally comprises a cam or lever connected to or engageable with
the flexible bristle mount 14 in a position, such as proximal the
center, that deforms the mount 14 into a straight, radial or
inverted position, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. Affixing it proximal the
center of the mount base 14a allows the use of a double cam on both
the proximal and distal ends of the mount 14 to obtain the various
configurations. The cam or lever is attached to the drive mechanism
32 by way of the connecting rod 28 to manipulate the mount 14 by
pushing and pulling and, or rotating the connecting rod 28. The use
of an additional guide mount may be incorporated above the flexible
mount 14 to keep the bristles 16 straight.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, 7 and 9-14, the adjustment
mechanism/system 17 embodiments (17a-17c) are shown. Referring to
FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the first adjustment mechanism 17a comprises at
least one bristle mount engagement tab 15, a mount ramp or inclined
lever 26 that engages the bristle mount base 14a and/or tab 15 in a
manner that adjusts its elevation when adjusted, a guide groove 29
extending along at least one side surface of the ramp 26 for
guiding at least one pin projecting from the tab 15 to facilitate
changes in elevation of the mount 14 and a connecting rod 28
attached to, joined to, in engagement with and, or otherwise in
mechanical or magnetic communication with a drive mechanism 32. The
drive mechanism 32 may comprise a rotatable handle, push/pull
handle 32a as shown in FIG. 4 or thumb slide 32b as shown in FIG.
5. The first variation 17a preferably uses a three-position
push/pull handle and lever drive mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4.
When the handle is pushed, the connecting rod 28 urges the center
of the flexible mount 14 upward and when the handle is pulled the
connecting rod 28 urges the center of the flexible mount 14
downward.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the second adjustment mechanism
17b comprises at least one adjustment key 18 or 19 and preferably a
first adjustment key 18, a second adjustment key, a connecting rod
28 and one of the drive mechanisms 32. The first adjustment key 18
is substantially concave and the second adjustment key 19 are
connected or mechanically engaged with the connecting rod 28 and
the connecting rod 28 is driven by the drive mechanism 32. The keys
18 and 19 raise and lower the bristle mount 14, respectively,
depending on which way and how far the drive mechanism 32 is
actuated.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 3, a third variation comprises a
three-position rotating cam. The third adjustment mechanism 17c
comprises at least one bristle mount engagement tab 15, rotating
cam 40, connecting rod 28 and a rotating drive mechanisms 32. The
tab 15 engages or is connected to the bristle mount base 14a at one
end and to the connecting rod 28 at another end. When the drive
mechanism 32 is rotated it imparts rotational movement of the cam
40 causing the mid-section of the bristle mount 14 to be raised or
lowered. The third variation comprises a thumb slide version,
comprising a thumb control switch 30 in the side of the handle for
pushing and pulling the connecting rod. The toothbrush 10 may
incorporate a flexible unitary or segmented bristle mount 14
connected to the adjustment mechanism 17 in a manner that deforms
the shape of the mount 14 into the desired configuration. Each of
the three mechanism variations would allow the brush configuration
to be changed by manipulating the flexible brush mount 14. The use
of an additional guide mount could be incorporated above the
flexible mount in order to keep the bristles straight. The instant
invention 10 may also comprise
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 9-14, alternative adjustment systems
and, or adjustment key configurations may be incorporated with the
adjustment system 17 to achieve a variety of other brush surface
configurations, as shown. With reference to FIG. 9, the bristle
segments 14c may comprise various shapes to vary brush surface
configurations. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the adjustment system
17 may comprise a plurality of different adjustment key
configurations 21a-21h to provide alternative brush surface 12
configurations. With reference to FIG. 11, the adjustment system 17
may comprise a formed wire twist guide 31. The twist guide 31
comprises a preformed wire having a raised or contoured shape that
extends from, is connected to or otherwise engages the connecting
rod 28 to facilitate rotation when the rotating drive mechanism 32
is turned. The twist guide 31 may have an elongated end that
replaces and provides the same function as the connecting rod
28.
[0038] The adjustable toothbrush 10 is adjusted by manipulating the
push/pull mechanism, thumb slide or rotating cam drive mechanism
32, depending on the embodiment employed. By doing so, the user
adjusts the brush formation to be flat, inverted or raised
according to the teeth being brushed. Each of these surfaces
corresponds with the three major surfaces of the teeth. The
inverted radial surface may be used on the frontal surfaces of the
teeth, the inverted brushing surface may used on the inside of the
teeth and the flat brushing surface may be used on the flat areas
of the teeth.
[0039] With respect to the instant invention 10, one method for
changing the brushing surface 12, of the toothbrush 10, is using a
unitary flexible bristle mount 14. Another method of achieving the
brushing surface configurations shown comprises use of a segmented
bristle mount 14. The instant invention 10 may incorporate
different key configurations 21a-21h to create a wide variety of
designs that include different geometrical surface configurations
besides radial bends, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The bristle mount 14
can be divided into any number of independently moving sections 14c
with unique shapes that offer a wide variety changeable brushing
surfaces, as shown in FIG. 9. For instance, a straight brush could
be transformed, temporarily, into a reach style brush, by
mechanically extending the distal bristles, for cleaning those hard
to reach back teeth and then back to a straight brush to continue
normal cleaning, or, from straight, to radial, then inverted radial
and back. Numerous combinations of two, three or more toothbrushes
can be developed into one. Alternatively, the toothbrush 10 may
comprise an electronic version wherein the bristle mount segments
14c are caused to alternate left and right, with adjacent segments
14c moving in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14
shows the electric toothbrush 10 that produces opposing brush
strokes.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 7, an assembled 12-segment toothbrush
10 has two form keys 18, 19 to provide three different changeable
brushing configurations. FIG. 8 illustrates the separate components
of the 12-segment bristle mount 14. The 12 segments 14c, each of
which holds a row of bristles, move up and down independently with
respect to each other. They are all held together in a hollow
housing 22. The different brushing configurations are created by
the use of a form key 18 and, or 19. The form key normally lays
flat beneath the row of segments. These keys are designed to engage
and disengage the mount 14 depending on the rotational direction of
the twist rod. When twisted 45 degrees into an upright position,
the key moves each segment to a new location to form a different
bristle surface 12 configuration. FIG. 9 illustrates some of the
alternative design variations of the segmented bristle mount
14.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows eight assorted brush configurations 21d-21h
all of which can be used on the 10 or 12-segment toothbrush with
forming keys. The keys are extracted from their above assembly
simply to see them better. It demonstrates some the different
configuration achievable with the use of these keys 21. The key 21
and bottom portions of the segments 14c may be magnetized with
magnet plates 51 and 52 to assist in holding the segments 14c in
place, a shown in FIG. 13. The key 21 may be made of metal and
magnetized along with the bottoms of each segment 14c to complete a
mechanism for retaining the segments 14c in position. The magnetic
version of the invention 10 in FIG. 13 is a self-conforming
toothbrush that self-conforms to any shape automatically. It is
also possible to spring load each segment 14c.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a 10-segment brush with a formed wire twist
guide 31. This changeable segmented brush is altered by the use of
a preformed wire 31 used as a twist guide. When turned 180 degrees
it transforms from a radial shaped brush to a straight plane then
to an inverted radial shape. There are a number of selections that
vary the intensity of the radius between the two extremes to
provide a multi-selectable toothbrush. FIG. 12 shows the same
10-segment brush without the housing.
[0043] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person
skilled in the art.
* * * * *