U.S. patent application number 11/544974 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for toothbrush with moveable head.
Invention is credited to Robert G. Dickie.
Application Number | 20080083075 11/544974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39273901 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickie; Robert G. |
April 10, 2008 |
Toothbrush with moveable head
Abstract
A toothbrush head assembly for use with an electric toothbrush
power handle includes a housing having a longitudinal direction, an
oscillating member which oscillates reciprocally in the
longitudinal direction, and a brush which oscillates rotatably
about a longitudinally extending axis. The brush preferably
includes twin brushes. Several mechanisms translate the reciprocal
motion of the oscillating member into rotational motion of the
brush.
Inventors: |
Dickie; Robert G.; (King
City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
39273901 |
Appl. No.: |
11/544974 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.2 ;
15/167.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/349 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 13/02 20130101; A61C 17/222 20130101;
A46B 9/045 20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101; A46B 13/023 20130101;
A61C 17/3472 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.2 ;
15/167.2 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush head assembly for use with an electric toothbrush
power handle, the assembly comprising: a housing having a
longitudinal direction; an oscillating member which is disposed in
the housing and which oscillates reciprocally in the longitudinal
direction; and a brush which is mounted on the housing and which
oscillates rotatably about a longitudinally extending axis.
2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one camming
surface for facilitating translation of reciprocal motion of the
oscillating member into rotational motion of the brush.
3. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising an actuator which
moves transversely to the longitudinal direction in response to
movement of the oscillating member.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the actuator is disposed between
the brush and the housing.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one camming surface
is carried by one of the housing, the brush and the actuator.
6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the oscillating member comprises
a rod and a pair of arms connected to and extending outwardly from
the rod and movable therewith.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the brush comprises first and
second brush heads; and the arms are disposed respectively adjacent
the two brush heads.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least one camming surface
includes first and second camming surfaces; and the arms
respectively slidably engage the first and second camming surfaces
during longitudinal movement of the arms.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the oscillating member comprises
first and second camming surfaces.
10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising an actuator
engageable with the first and second camming surfaces; and wherein
the actuator is movable transversely to the longitudinal axis in
response to oscillation of the oscillating member.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the actuator engages the
brush.
12. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a third camming
surface which the actuator slidably engages.
13. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a cover which is
adjacent the brush and which the actuator slidably engages.
14. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pivoting member
pivotally connected to the oscillating member.
15. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising an actuator movably
connected to the pivoting member and movable transversely to the
longitudinal direction.
16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the actuator engages the
brush.
17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein one of the actuator and the
pivoting member defines an elongated opening; and further
comprising a pivot carried by the other of the actuator and the
pivoting member and disposed in the elongated opening.
18. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising first and second
pivots; wherein the pivoting member is pivotally connected to the
oscillating member via the first pivot and pivotally connected to
the housing via the second pivot.
19. The assembly of claim 18 further comprising a third pivot and
an actuator pivotally connected to the pivoting member via the
third pivot.
20. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing has a front and a
rear defining therebetween the longitudinal direction; and the
brush comprises first and second brush heads; and further
comprising: a cover disposed adjacent the brush heads; a first
camming surface disposed between the first brush head and the
cover; and a second camming surface disposed between the second
brush head and the cover; wherein the first camming surface tapers
forward and radially inwardly toward the axis; and the second
camming surface tapers rearward and radially inwardly toward the
axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to toothbrushes. More
particularly, the invention relates to electric toothbrushes.
Specifically, the invention relates to an electric toothbrush
having two heads and a mechanism for oscillating the two heads.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Manual and electric toothbrushes are well known in the art.
Twin-headed brushes are also known which allow for the simultaneous
cleaning of the lingual and buccal surfaces of the tooth. As
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,794 to Porper et al., some of
these twin-headed brushes are configured to rotatably oscillate
about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. Said patent, which
provides greater detail with regard to the prior art, is
incorporated herein by reference. The present invention provides
new mechanisms for oscillating such a twin-headed brush about the
longitudinal axis.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a toothbrush head assembly
for use with an electric toothbrush power handle, the assembly
comprising a housing having a longitudinal direction; an
oscillating member which is disposed in the housing and which
oscillates reciprocally in the longitudinal direction; and a brush
which is mounted on the housing and which oscillates rotatably
about a longitudinally extending axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the top of the first
embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the first
embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first embodiment with the
housing removed.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 with the inner sleeve, mounting
arms and cap removed.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the top of a second
embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the second
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the second embodiment with the
housing removed.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG.
10.
[0019] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 12 without the inner sleeve,
brushes and cap.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 12
and shows the toothbrush in a neutral or centered position.
[0021] FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 and shows the rotation of the
brush heads about the longitudinal axis in one direction.
[0022] FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 and shows the rotation of the
brush heads in the opposite direction of that shown in FIG. 16.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the top of a third
embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the third
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the third embodiment with the
housing removed.
[0026] FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on line 21-21 of FIG.
18.
[0027] FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 20 without the inner sleeve and
brushes.
[0028] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken on line 23-23 of FIG.
20.
[0029] FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken on line 24-24 of FIG.
21.
[0030] FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken on line 25-25 of FIG. 21
and shows the brush heads rotating about the longitudinal axis in a
first direction.
[0031] FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 25 and shows the brush heads
rotating about the longitudinal axis in a direction opposite that
shown in FIG. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] A first embodiment of the brush head assembly of the present
invention is shown generally at 100 in FIGS. 1-3; a second
embodiment of the brush head assembly of the present invention
generally at 200 in FIGS. 10-11; and a third embodiment is shown
generally at 300 in FIGS. 18-19. Each of assemblies 100, 200 and
300 is part of an electric toothbrush which is removably connected
to an electrically powered power handle which provides
reciprocating oscillating motion along a longitudinal axis of the
power handle for driving an oscillating mechanism of the brush head
assembly. This reciprocating oscillating motion along the
longitudinal axis is translated by the respective assembly to
provide oscillating movement of the twin brush heads thereof about
a longitudinal axis of the assembly.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, assembly 100 has a rear end 102 and
a front end 104 which define therebetween the longitudinal
direction of the assembly. Assembly 100 also has first and second
sides 106 and 108 defining therebetween a lateral direction of the
assembly. Assembly 100 has a top 110 and a bottom 112 defining
therebetween a vertical direction. Rear end 102 is configured to
connect to an electric toothbrush power handle (not shown).
[0034] Assembly 100 includes a housing 114 which includes an outer
sleeve 116 having a substantially circular cross section, a neck
118 connected thereto and flaring outwardly into an oval-shaped
cross section and a cover 120 connected to neck 118. Housing 114
further includes a cap 122 which is connected to cover 120 and a
lower portion of neck 118.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, assembly 100 further includes a
linear oscillator 124 and a rotational oscillator 126 which is
rotatably mounted on oscillator 124. Linear oscillator 124 includes
a power-handle engaging portion 128 that includes a post 130 for
removably engaging the power handle of the electric toothbrush. A
rod 132 is rigidly mounted on and extends forward from portion 128.
An actuator 134 is rigidly mounted on rod 132. Actuator 134
includes first and second arms 136 and 138 which extend laterally
outwardly in opposite directions from one another and from their
connection to rod 132. First arm 136 includes a first lateral
projection 140 and second arm 138 includes a second lateral
projection 142 which projects laterally opposite from projection
140. A first forward projection 144 extends forward from first
lateral projection 140 and a second forward projection 146 extends
forward from second lateral projection 142. A third lateral
projection 148 extends laterally outwardly from first forward
projection 144 and away from second arm 138 and is positioned
forward of first lateral projection 140.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, rotational oscillator 126 includes
an inner sleeve 150, first and second mounting arms 152 and 154
which extend radially outwardly from sleeve 150 laterally opposite
one another, and a brush comprising first and second brush heads
156 and 158 rigidly mounted respectively on arms 152 and 154. First
brush head 156 includes a first pad 160 and a first set 162 of
flexible bristles which angle downwardly and laterally inwardly
therefrom. Second brush head 158 includes a second pad 164 and a
second set 166 of flexible bristles which extend downwardly and
laterally inwardly therefrom. Pads 160 and 164 are substantially
perpendicular to one another so that first set 162 of bristles
extends substantially perpendicular to second set 166 of bristles.
The free ends of the bristles of first set 162 and second set 166
define therebetween a tooth-receiving space 168 (FIG. 7) for
receiving the teeth during the brushing thereof. As shown in FIG.
5, inner sleeve 150 defines a longitudinally extending bore 170
which slidably receives rod 132 therein. More particularly, linear
oscillator 124 is linearly slidable in an oscillating manner back
and forth as indicated at arrow A in FIG. 5 along a longitudinally
extending axis X. Inner sleeve 150 is rotatably disposed within
interior chamber 117 of housing 114 so that rotational oscillator
126 rotates about axis X as shown by arrow B in FIG. 4 in response
to the linear oscillation of oscillator 124.
[0037] More particularly and with reference to FIGS. 6-9, first and
second triangular cams 172 and 174 are mounted respectively atop
first and second pads 160 and 164. As shown in FIG. 9, first cam
172 has a camming surface 176 which tapers or angles radially
inwardly relative to axis X in a longitudinal direction from the
rear end of cam 172 to the front end of cam 172. As shown in FIG.
8, second cam 174 has a second camming surface 178 which tapers or
angles radially inwardly relative to axis X in the longitudinal
direction from a front end of cam 174 to a rear end of cam 174.
Thus, camming surfaces 176 and 178 angle generally in opposite
directions to one another.
[0038] Thus, referring to FIG. 8, when linear oscillator 124 moves
longitudinally forward as indicated at arrow C, second forward
projection 146 slidably engages second camming surface 178 to force
second brush head 158 away from cover 120 as indicated at arrow D
and first brush head 156 toward cover 120 as indicated at arrow E.
Stated otherwise, the forward motion of linear oscillator 124
causes rotational oscillator 126 to rotate about axis X in a first
direction. Referring to FIG. 9, the movement of linear oscillator
124 in the rearward direction as indicated at arrow F causes third
lateral projection 148 to slidably engage first camming surface 176
to force first head 156 away from cover 120 as indicated at arrow G
and section brush head 158 toward cover 120 as indicated at arrow
H. Thus, the rearward movement of linear oscillator 124 causes
rotational oscillator 126 to rotate about axis X in a second
direction opposite that of the first direction shown in FIG. 8.
[0039] Brush head assembly 200 is now described referring to FIGS.
10-11. Assembly 200 includes a housing 214 which is very similar to
housing 114 except that it includes a cover 220 which has a shape
which is slightly different than that of cover 120. In addition,
assembly 200 includes a linear oscillator 224 and a rotational
oscillator 225 having configurations which differ from the
corresponding structures of assembly 100. Assembly 200 further
includes an actuator 234 having a configuration different than that
of actuator 134. Referring to FIGS. 12, 14 and 15, rod 232 includes
an angled segment 226 adjacent its free front end. Segment 226 has
first and second opposed camming surfaces 228 and 230, each of
which is angled or extends transversely in a lateral direction with
respect to axis X.
[0040] Actuator 234 includes first and second arms 236 and 238,
each of which have a generally T-shaped configuration. Thus, first
arm 236 has a first lateral projection 240 which extends laterally
outwardly with respect to axis X and second arm 238 has a second
lateral projection 242 which extends laterally outwardly from axis
X in the opposite direction. First arm 236 includes a first cross
bar 244 connected to first projection 240 and second arm 238
includes a second cross bar 246 connected to second projection 242.
Each of cross bars 244 and 246 thus provide forward and rearward
projections which extend respectively forward and rearwardly of the
respective projections 240 and 242. First and second posts 248 and
250 extend downwardly from arms 236 and 238 and are spaced from one
another to define there between a central space which receives
therein angled segment 226 of rod 232. Thus, posts 248 and 250 are
respectively closely adjacent or in abutment with camming surfaces
228 and 230 of segment 226.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 12, rotational oscillator 225 includes
first and second brush heads 256 and 258 which respectively include
first and second pads 260 and 264 from which the respective sets of
bristles extend. Front and rear guides 266 and 268 extend upwardly
from first pad 260 and are longitudinally spaced from one another
to define therebetween a space for receiving therein first cross
bar 244. The front and rear ends of cross bar 244 are respectively
closely adjacent or in abutment with guides 266 and 268. Similarly,
second brush head 258 includes front and rear guides 270 and 272
which extend upwardly from second pad 264 and define there between
a space for receiving therein second cross bar 246 in a like
manner. The upper surface of first pad includes a first tapered
camming surface 274 (FIG. 15) which is disposed between front and
rear end guides 266 and 268. Likewise, the upper surface of second
pad 264 includes a second tapered camming surface 276 (FIG. 15)
which is disposed between front and rear guides 270 and 272. As
seen in FIG. 15, cross bar 244 abuts camming surface 274 and the
lower surface of housing 220. Likewise, second cross bar 246 abuts
camming surface 276 and lower surface of cover 220.
[0042] In operation, the rearward movement of linear oscillator 224
during oscillation thereof, as indicated by arrows J in FIGS. 12
and 14, causes first camming surface 228 to slidably engage first
post 248 and force actuator laterally in a first direction as
indicated by arrow K in FIG. 16. This movement of actuator 234
causes cross bar 246 to slidably engage the lower surface of cover
220 and camming surface 276, thus forcing second brush head 258
away from cover 220 as indicated at arrow L in FIG. 16 and first
brush head 256 toward cover 220 as indicated at arrow M in FIG. 16,
thus producing a rotational movement of rotational oscillator 225
about axis X. Conversely, the forward stroke of linear oscillator
224 as indicated by arrow N in FIGS. 12 and 14 causes camming
surface 230 of segment 226 to slidably engage second post 250 so
that actuator 234 moves laterally as indicated at arrow O in FIG.
17 in a direction opposite that shown at arrow K in FIG. 16. This
movement of actuator 234 causes first cross bar 244 to slidably
engage camming surface 274 to force first brush head 256 away from
cover 220 as indicated at arrow P in FIG. 17 and second brush head
258 toward cover 220 as indicated at arrow Q in FIG. 17. Thus, the
linear oscillation of oscillator 224 is translated into the
rotational movement of oscillator 225, including the rotational
movement of brushes 256 and 258.
[0043] Brush head assembly 300 is now described with reference to
FIGS. 18-20. Assembly 300 includes a housing 302 which is similar
to the housing of the previous embodiments except that it has a
cover 304 which has a slightly varied configuration. Assembly 300
further includes an actuator 310 and a pivoting member 312. A
linear oscillator 306 includes a rod 314 which extends primarily
longitudinally and includes an angled segment 316 which extends
transversely to longitudinal axis X. Angled segment 316 includes a
free end adjacent which it is pivotally connected to pivoting
member 312 via a first pivot 318, which is laterally offset from
axis X. More particularly, a socket 317 is connected to angled
segment 316 and receives therein pivot 318 (FIGS. 22-23).
[0044] Pivoting member 312 has a body in the form of a
substantially flat triangular plate. Pivot 318 extends downwardly
from adjacent one corner of the triangular body. Member 312 is
pivotally connected to cover 304 via a second pivot 320 which
extends upwardly from the body of member 312 to cover 304. Second
pivot 320 is laterally offset from axis X opposite first pivot 318
and is disposed adjacent a second corner of the triangular plate of
member 312. A third pivot 322 extends downwardly from the body of
pivoting member 312 adjacent the forward corner thereof.
[0045] Actuator 310 includes a central portion 324 defining a
central opening 326 which is elongated in the longitudinal
direction and which lies on axis X when actuator 310 is in a
neutral centered position. Opening 326 receives therein third pivot
322 to provide a pivotal and sliding connection therebetween.
Opening 326 is slightly wider than pivot 322 in the lateral
direction and longer than pivot 322 in the longitudinal direction
to allow for sliding movement between pivoting member 312 and pivot
322. Actuator 310 includes a first arm having a first lateral
projection 328 and a second arm having a second lateral projection
330 wherein projections 328 and 330 extend laterally from central
portion 324. A first cross bar 332 is connected to first projection
328 and a second cross bar 334 is connected to projection 330 so
that the arms are generally T-shaped.
[0046] Rotational oscillator 306 includes first and second brush
heads 336 and 338. First brush head 336 includes a first pad 340
from which the respective set of bristles extends and second brush
head 338 includes a second pad 342 from which the respective set of
bristles extends. Front and rear guides 344 and 346 extend upwardly
from first pad 340 and are longitudinally spaced to define
therebetween a space in which is received first cross bar 332 of
actuator 310. Likewise, front and rear guides 348 and 350 extend
upwardly from second pad 342 and are longitudinally spaced to
define therebetween a space for receiving therein second cross bar
334. The upper surface of first pad 340 includes a first camming
surface 352 (FIGS. 25-26) disposed between front and rear guides
344 and 346. Likewise, the upper surface of second pad 342 includes
a second camming surface 354 (FIGS. 25-26) disposed between front
and rear guides 348 and 350.
[0047] In operation, linear oscillator 306 oscillates linearly in
the longitudinal direction as indicated at arrow A in FIG. 21 to
cause rotational oscillator 308 to rotatably oscillate as indicated
at arrow B in FIG. 20. More particularly, the linear oscillation of
oscillator 306 causes pivoting member 312 to pivot about second
pivot 320 via the pivotal connection between oscillator 306 and
pivoting member 312 via first pivot 318. Thus, member 312
oscillates in a pivotal manner about second pivot 320 as indicated
by arrow R in FIG. 22. This pivoting motion of member 312 causes
third pivot 322 to oscillate laterally back and forth to
alternately slidably engage opposed portions of central portion 324
which bound opening 326 in order to drive actuator 310 laterally
back and forth. The cross bars of actuator 310 then engage the
camming surfaces of the pads of the brush heads to cause rotation
of rotational oscillator 308. More particularly, when linear
oscillator 306 is moved in a forward direction as indicated at
arrow S in FIGS. 20 and 22, the pivotal motion of pivoting member
312 causes pivot 322 and actuator 310 to move laterally as
indicated at arrow T in FIG. 25 so that second cross bar 334
slidably engages the inner surface of cover 304 and second camming
surface 354 to force second brush head 338 away from cover 304 as
indicated at arrow U and first brush head 336 toward cover 304 at
indicated at arrow V. On the backstroke of the oscillation of
linear oscillator 306 as indicated at arrow W in FIGS. 20 and 22,
pivoting member 312 pivots the other way so that third pivot 322
and actuator 310 move laterally in the opposite direction as
indicated at arrow Y in FIG. 26. This lateral movement of actuator
310 causes first cross bar 332 to slidably engage the inner surface
of cover 304 and first camming surface 352 to force first brush
head 336 away from cover 304 as indicated at arrow Z and second
brush head 338 toward cover 304 as indicated at arrow AA in FIG.
26.
[0048] Thus, each of brush head assemblies 100, 200 and 300
provides a simple and effective mechanism for translating
longitudinal reciprocal oscillating movement of a linear actuator
into rotational oscillating movement of twin brush heads in order
to achieve an effective brushing motion for cleaning teeth.
[0049] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0050] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *