U.S. patent application number 10/613364 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for force-responsive toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Baglieri, Gerard.
Application Number | 20050015906 10/613364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34079617 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050015906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baglieri, Gerard |
January 27, 2005 |
Force-responsive toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush has an inner handle part having an outer end, an
outer handle part having an outer end remote from the inner handle
part and an inner end juxtaposed with the inner-part outer end,
bristles on the outer-part outer end, and a releasable
ball-and-socket joint between the inner-part outer end and the
inner-part inner end. This joint releasably secures the handle
parts together and can open and release when a lateral force is
applied to the outer-part outer end that exceeds a predetermined
safe brushing force.
Inventors: |
Baglieri, Gerard; (Dobbs
Ferry, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FIRM OF KARL F ROSS
5676 RIVERDALE AVENUE
PO BOX 900
RIVERDALE (BRONX)
NY
10471-0900
US
|
Family ID: |
34079617 |
Appl. No.: |
10/613364 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/0062 20130101;
A46B 15/0002 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 15/0012
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A toothbrush comprising: an inner handle part having an outer
end; an outer handle part having an outer end remote from the inner
handle part and an inner end juxtaposed with the inner-part outer
end; bristles on the outer-part outer end; and a releasable joint
between the inner-part outer end and the inner-part inner end
joining the handle parts together and so constructed as to open and
release when a lateral force is applied to the outer-part outer end
that exceeds a predetermined safe brushing force.
2. The toothbrush defined in claim 1 wherein the joint is a
ball-and-socket snap joint.
3. The toothbrush defined in claim 1, further comprising a tether
between the handle parts, whereby the parts remain connected
together by the tether even when the joint opens.
4. The toothbrush defined in claim 3 wherein the tether is a
flexible web extending between the outer-part inner end and the
inner-part outer end.
5. The toothbrush defined in claim 4 wherein the tether is molded
unitarily with the inner part and outer part.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a toothbrush. More
particularly this invention concerns a toothbrush that provides the
user with an indication when too much force is applied while
brushing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent times it has been determined that it is unhealthy
for the gums and teeth if too much force is applied with a
toothbrush during brushing. When pressed hard against the gums and
teeth, bristles of the brush can get under and loosen the gums, and
can also actually injure the gums, leading to periodontal problems
and various associated problems.
[0003] It is known to provide a toothbrush with means for
indicating the proper up-and-down brushing stroke, that is movement
of the bristles along rather than across the teeth, is being used.
Such systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,877,477, 4,253,212,
and 5,673,451.
[0004] Other systems, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,476,604, 5,282,291,
and 5,355,544 as well is in the product literature for the Oral-B
3D Excel.TM. toothbrush, are known for providing the user with
feedback when too much or too little force is applied during
brushing. These systems are relatively effective, but all entail a
fairly complicated structure and in some cases even a relatively
complex electronic sensing arrangement that elevates the cost of
the toothbrush beyond what a consumer is willing to spend.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved toothbrush.
[0006] Another object is the provision of such an improved
toothbrush which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is
which provides positive feedback when too much brushing force is
applied, yet which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A toothbrush has according to the invention an inner handle
part having an outer end, an outer handle part having an outer end
remote from the inner handle part and an inner end juxtaposed with
the inner-part outer end, bristles on the outer-part outer end, and
a releasable joint between the inner-part outer end and the
inner-part inner end. This joint releasably secures the handle
parts together and can open and release when a lateral force is
applied to the outer-part outer end that exceeds a predetermined
safe brushing force.
[0008] Thus with the system of this invention a simple two-part
joint, e.g. a ball-and-socket snap joint, is provided in the
handle. When the user presses too hard during brushing, the joint
opens and the user need merely fit the joint back together before
continuing. In very short order the user knows to keep brushing
pressure below the disconnect threshold.
[0009] With this system, unlike the prior art, the toothbrush is a
very simple structure that can be produced at about the same cost
as a conventional one-piece toothbrush. Thus it can be given away
by a dentist as a way of training anyone to establish a habit of
proper brushing technique.
[0010] The toothbrush further has according to the invention a
tether between the handle parts so that the parts remain connected
together by the tether even when the joint opens. This tether is a
flexible web extending between the outer-part inner end and the
inner-part outer end. It is molded unitarily with the inner part
and outer part. Thus the tether can be made when the brush handle
is injection molded at no extra cost, the same as the two parts of
the joint that releases when excessive force is used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will
become more readily apparent from the following description,
reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partly sectional side view of a brush according
to the invention in the assembled condition; and
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of the brush when in the open
condition.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
[0014] As seen in FIG. 1 a toothbrush 10 basically comprises an
outer handle part 11 and an inner handle part 12. The outer part 11
is what is normally gripped by the user and the inner part 12
carries a standard array of bristles 13.
[0015] In accordance with the invention the inner end of the is
outer part 11 and the outer end of the inner part 12 are secured
together at a releasable joint 14 here formed as a ball 15 carried
on the outer part 11 and a complementary socket 16 formed on the
inner part 12. The ball 15 and socket 16 are a tight fit, but still
are capable of pulling apart if the outer end of the outer part 12
is pressed laterally with a predetermined force as indicated at F
so that the joint 14 opens as shown in FIG. 2.
[0016] This force F corresponds to what is considered to be the
maximum safe brushing force that should be applied by the bristles
13 to the teeth.
[0017] To prevent the two parts 11 and 12 from getting separated, a
flexible plastic tether 17 is formed with the parts 11 and 12 and
extends between them. It is injection-molded with the parts 11 and
12 and is unitary with them, but is so thin that it is quite
flexible.
[0018] Thus if the user of the brush 10 according to the invention
presses too hard, the joint 14 will open. It is relatively easy to
snap the joint 14 back together and resume brushing, of course with
less force. In this manner the user quickly learns to brush with
the desired light force sufficient to clean the teeth without
damaging the gums.
[0019] The brush 10 according to the invention can be manufactured
at virtually the same cost as a standard one-piece brush. The mold
in which the handle is molded will be somewhat more expensive, but
otherwise the production costs for the force-responsive brush of
this invention will be substantially the same as for a standard
brush.
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