U.S. patent application number 11/188899 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for ball head toothbrush.
Invention is credited to John Carpenter.
Application Number | 20060016033 11/188899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35786757 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060016033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carpenter; John |
January 26, 2006 |
Ball head toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush comprising a handle comprising a bend at
approximately a midpoint thereof, a head support structure
connected to the handle, and a partially spherical bristle cluster
attached to the head support.
Inventors: |
Carpenter; John; (Cochiti
Lake, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEACOCK MYERS, P.C.
201 THIRD STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1340
ALBUQUERQUE
NM
87102
US
|
Family ID: |
35786757 |
Appl. No.: |
11/188899 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60590279 |
Jul 22, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/026 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush comprising: a handle comprising a bend at
approximately a midpoint thereof; a head support structure
connected to said handle; and a partially spherical bristle cluster
attached to said head support.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said head support and said
handle join at an angle.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said angle is approximately 45
degrees.
4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein bristles of said bristle
cluster do not project beyond a plane defined by a top of said head
support structure.
5. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristle cluster is
approximately hemispherical.
6. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristle cluster is
approximately toroidal.
7. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head support structure
connected to said handle; and a partially spherical bristle cluster
attached to and capped by said head support.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said head support and said
handle join at an angle.
9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein said angle is approximately 45
degrees.
10. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein bristles of said bristle
cluster do not project beyond a plane defined by a top of said head
support structure.
11. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said bristle cluster is
approximately hemispherical.
12. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said bristle cluster is
approximately toroidal.
13. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said handle comprises a bend
at approximately a midpoint thereof.
14. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head support structure
connected to said handle; and a substantially hemispherical or
toroidal bristle cluster attached to and capped by said head
support.
15. The toothbrush of claim 14 wherein said head support and said
handle join at an angle.
16. The toothbrush of claim 15 wherein said angle is approximately
45 degrees.
17. The toothbrush of claim 14 wherein bristles of said bristle
cluster do not project beyond a plane defined by a top of said head
support structure.
18. The toothbrush of claim 14 wherein said bristle cluster is
substantially hemispherical.
19. The toothbrush of claim 14 wherein said bristle cluster is
substantially toroidal.
20. The toothbrush of claim 14 wherein said handle comprises a bend
at approximately a midpoint thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the
filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,279,
entitled "Spherical Head Toothbrush", filed on Jul. 22, 2004, and
the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to dental hygiene.
Particularly, the present invention relates to a uniquely-shaped
toothbrush which enables a user to more thoroughly clean teeth in
difficult to reach areas of the mouth. Attempts have been made at
such a device, all with various deficiencies, including U.S. Pat.
No. 6,401,291, to Lee, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,066,772, to Doyle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is of a toothbrush comprising: a
handle comprising a bend at approximately a midpoint thereof; a
head support structure connected to the handle; and a partially
spherical bristle cluster attached to the head support. In the
preferred embodiment, the head support and the handle join at an
angle, most preferably at approximately 45 degrees. Bristles of the
bristle cluster do not project beyond a plane defined by a top of
the head support structure. The bristle cluster is approximately
hemispherical or toroidal.
[0004] The invention is also of a toothbrush comprising: a handle;
a head support structure connected to the handle; and a partially
spherical bristle cluster attached to and capped by the head
support. Preferred features are as noted in the previous
paragraph.
[0005] The invention is further of a toothbrush comprising: a
handle; a head support structure connected to the handle; and a
substantially hemispherical or toroidal bristle cluster attached to
and capped by the head support. Again, the preferred features are
as noted two paragraphs above.
[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
user with the ability to better brush the inside surfaces of his or
her teeth for good dental health and to make it easier to clean
those surfaces so that the user is more likely to do so.
[0007] A primary advantage of the present invention is that the
ball-shaped tip with myriad bristles at many angles and the neck
piece at a certain angle allow for easy and more effective cleaning
of the inside surfaces of the teeth, because the user can contact
the teeth with the 45 degree angle of the spherical head, then turn
and roll the brush head to reach with maximum contact to the
farther inside dental surfaces.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further
scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth
in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may
be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages
of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The
drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more
preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed
as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the
toothbrush of the present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the
toothbrush of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] As depicted in FIG. 1, toothbrush 10 preferably comprises
bristle cluster 20 which is preferably cut to form a substantially
hemispherical shape. Bristle cluster 20 is preferably fixedly
secured to terminal end 30 of handle 40. It is preferable that
terminal end 30 of handle 40 be shaped in such a fashion that some
individual bristles of bristle cluster 20 project in the general
direction of the proximal end of handle 40, but others extend in
other directions up to being perpendicular to the general direction
of the proximal end of the handle. As such, some individual
bristles of bristle cluster 20 preferably extend in a substantially
parallel fashion with at least a portion of handle 40, thus
allowing a user the ability to effectively brush a back portion of
the user's teeth with handle 40 projecting out of a front portion
of the user's mouth. While desirable results can be produced when
handle 40 is substantially straight, bend 50 is preferably disposed
near a central portion of handle 40.
[0013] Some of the problems which are addressed by the present
invention include failure to brush the inside surfaces of the
teeth; poor brushing of the inside surfaces of the teeth;
infrequent brushing of the inside surfaces of the teeth; inability
to clean these surfaces easily and well with standard toothbrushes;
poor dental health resulting from the above--plaque, gingivitis,
periodontitis, other dental diseases, halitosis etc.; pain to gums
when trying to use a standard toothbrush to clean the inside
surfaces; all of the above with respect to brushing at the back
ends of the molars or other teeth farthest within the mouth; costly
dental care for failure to clean the inside and back end surfaces
adequately; lack of awareness about options for brushing and
commitment to the general care of one's teeth; and all of the above
as well with respect to orthodontic care and to the care and
brushing of braces as well as dental care for dogs, cats, and other
pets.
[0014] The invention preferably has a standard hard or soft plastic
or wooded handle, a long slender neck piece at such an angle as to
make brushing the inside surfaces of the teeth easier, and a
spherical ball at the end of the neck piece from which myriad
bristles of the same or varying lengths (1/8, 1/4, or 1/2 inches)
extend, in the same way as when a porcupine curls into a ball and
his quills come out from the skin at all angles, and in this
invention form a spherical shape (referred to as the "ball-head"),
so as to make cleaning easy and effective.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view drawing of a first embodiment of the
toothbrush of the present invention. While those skilled in the art
will recognize that various sizes dimensions in accordance with the
teachings of this application will produce desirable results, an
adult-size toothbrush preferably has a handle of approximately six
inches in length with or without bend 50 disposed therein. The
substantially hemispherical-shaped bristle cluster preferably has a
diameter of about one-half of an inch. While handle 40 can be
substantially straight, if bend 50 is disposed therein, it is
preferable that bend 50 comprise an angle of about 155 degrees. As
depicted in this figure, the darkened area of the bristle cluster
can comprise bristles of the same or of varying lengths, and can
project from terminal end 30 of handle 40 at a myriad of angles
such that only the white area of proximal end 30, depicted in FIG.
1, is not bristled. Bristle cluster 20 is preferably angled (or
hooked slightly down) as shown so that it forms an angle of about
45 degrees with a portion of handle 40, and consistently with the
rigid spherical head containing the bristles.
[0016] Upon studying this application, those skilled in the art
will readily recognize that numerous materials and/or combinations
thereof can be used for the handle of the present invention.
However, the handle of the present invention is preferably made
from a wood or plastic material and most preferably from a plastic
material. The individual bristles are preferably made from a
material commonly used for such purposes, such as nylon, and are
preferably from about 1/16 inch to about 1/2 inch in length.
Bristle length can vary or be the same over the ball-head depending
on the fashion in which the bristles extend from terminal end 30 of
handle 40. The ends of the bristles preferably do not extend beyond
the "Bristle Plane" line into the white area of the ball-head.
Further considerations are:
[0017] (1) The neck piece can also be made so that its angle is
adjustable where it joins the handle, at stops from 110 degrees to
180 degrees;
[0018] (2) The neck piece can be made to fold to touch the handle;
and
[0019] (3) The toothbrush can be made smaller or larger
proportionately for adults and children.
[0020] The toothbrush can also be electric. The electric model may
use twin ball-heads and ball-head movements:
[0021] (1) The embodiment in FIG. 1 preferably would use a motion
in which the head moves from side to side (as when the toothbrush
is vertical and the ball-head is toward the viewer). The ball-head
can be permanent or replaceable on the neck piece or on the handle.
The electric model's handle and/or its neck piece can be a
different size and shape than the manual embodiment to accommodate
the mechanisms, batteries, cord plug-ins, etc., of electric usage.
Sonic features can be incorporated.
[0022] (2) The embodiment in FIG. 2 preferably would use a
ball-head with bristles all the way around the ball-head in the
darkened area, congruent on the sphere. This ball-head, as in FIG.
1, would have bristles extending out from many points of the
darkened area, although, as with the ball-head in FIG. 1, the ends
of the bristles would not extend beyond the "Bristle Plane" into
the white portion of the ball-head. The ball-head in FIG. 2 would
preferably sit or attach to the mid-point of the neck piece, and
not be angled at all. The ball-head would spin in a circle. It
would be permanent or replaceable on the neck piece as could be the
neck piece on the handle. The electric version's handle and neck
piece can be a different size and shape than the brush to
accommodate the mechanisms, batteries, cord plug-ins, etc. Again,
sonic features can be incorporated.
[0023] (3) The toothbrush can be made smaller or larger
proportionately to suit adults, children, dogs, cats, etc.
[0024] Although the invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other
embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and
modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those
skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended
claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire
disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and
publications cited above and/or in the attachments, and of the
corresponding application(s), are hereby incorporated by
reference.
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