U.S. patent application number 11/951515 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for toothbrush with improved handle.
Invention is credited to Michael B. Newsome.
Application Number | 20090144921 11/951515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720126 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090144921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newsome; Michael B. |
June 11, 2009 |
TOOTHBRUSH WITH IMPROVED HANDLE
Abstract
A toothbrush with a handle that provides both over insertion
protection and good first gripping. The handle has a generally
curved portion and a generally straight portion, which together
form a closure in the shape of an approximate semi-circle, and
define an aperture. The generally straight portion has a region
with a wavy surface inside the aperture and a wavy surface outside
the aperture. The inside wavy surface has a series of side by side
depressions that define three finger engaging areas or four finger
engaging areas, and the outside wavy surface has a series of side
by side depressions that define a thumb tip engaging area and a
first finger tip engaging area.
Inventors: |
Newsome; Michael B.;
(Pittsboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC
P.O. BOX 13706
Research Triangle Park
NC
27709
US
|
Family ID: |
40720126 |
Appl. No.: |
11/951515 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/143.1 ;
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/023 20130101;
A46B 5/021 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 5/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/143.1 ;
15/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 5/02 20060101
A46B005/02; A46B 9/04 20060101 A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush comprising: a handle of generally rigid
construction having a generally curved portion and a generally
straight portion, forming a closure in the shape of an approximate
semi-circle, and defining an aperture, where the generally curved
portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface outside the
aperture, where the generally straight portion has a surface inside
the aperture and a surface outside the aperture, and the generally
straight portion has a region wherein the inside surface of the
generally straight portion is provided with a wavy surface that has
a series of side by side depressions that define three finger
engaging areas or four finger engaging areas, and the outside
surface of the generally straight portion is provided with a wavy
surface that has a series of side by side depressions that define a
thumb tip engaging area and a first finger tip engaging area, a
bridge, and a brush head, having an array of bristles affixed to
the brush head.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the generally straight portion
extends linearly beyond the closed semi-circular handle forming the
bridge whereby the bridge is an integral part of and unitary with
the handle, and the brush head continues from the bridge whereby
the brush head is an integral part of and unitary with the
handle.
3. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the toothbrush has a generally
straight longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of
the handle, the bridge, and the brush head.
4. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the toothbrush has a generally
straight longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of
the handle and the bridge, and the toothbrush has the brush head
angled from approximately 10.degree. to approximately 20.degree.
with respect to the longitudinal axis.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4, where the brush head is angled from
approximately 12.degree. to approximately 18.degree..
6. The toothbrush of claim 5, where the brush head is angled
approximately 15.degree..
7. The toothbrush of claim 1, where from the outside surface of the
generally curved portion to the outside surface of the generally
straight portion defines a greatest distance from about 45 mm to
about 60 mm, for an adult's toothbrush.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7, where from the outside surface of the
generally curved portion to the outside surface of the generally
straight portion defines a greatest distance from about 47 mm to
about 58 mm.
9. The toothbrush of claim 1, where from the outside surface of the
generally curved portion to the outside surface of the generally
straight portion defines a greatest distance from about 25 mm to
about 35 mm, for a child's toothbrush.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9, where from the outside surface of
the generally curved portion to the outside surface of the
generally straight portion defines a greatest distance from about
27 mm to about 33 mm.
11. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the brush head has a length,
the bridge has a length, and the straight portion of the handle has
a length, and the length of the brush head plus the length of the
bridge to the length of the generally straight portion of the
handle has a ratio from about 0.9 to about 1.5.
12. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the brush head has a length,
the bridge has a length, and the straight portion of the handle has
a length, and the length of the brush head plus the length of the
bridge to the length of the generally straight portion of the
handle has a ratio from about 1 to about 1.4.
13. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the region of the generally
straight portion, having the finger engaging areas and the thumb
tip engaging area and the first finger tip engaging area, has sides
that are generally wavy.
14. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the region of the generally
straight portion, having the finger engaging areas and the thumb
tip engaging area and the first finger tip engaging area, has sides
that are generally straight.
15. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the curved portion has side
edges that are generally straight.
16. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the generally curved portion
defines a distance from its surface outside the aperture to its
surface inside the aperture from about 5 mm to about 8 mm.
17. The toothbrush of claim 16, where the generally curved portion
defines a distance from its surface outside the aperture to its
surface inside the aperture from about 6 mm to about 7 mm.
18. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the generally straight portion
defines a greatest distance from its surface outside the aperture
to its surface inside the aperture from about 15 mm to about 24
mm.
19. The toothbrush of claim 18, where the generally straight
portion defines a greatest distance from its surface outside the
aperture to its surface inside the aperture from about 18 mm to
about 21 mm.
20. The toothbrush of claim 1, where one or both, of the part of
the generally straight portion having the finger engaging areas and
the part of the generally straight portion having the thumb tip
engaging area and the first finger tip engaging area, is
constructed of resilient synthetic polymeric material.
21. The toothbrush of claim 1, where the toothbrush is provided, at
its longitudinal end opposite from the end having the brush head,
with a storage means chosen from one or both of an opening or a
tail.
22. A toothbrush comprising: a handle of generally rigid
construction having a generally curved portion and a generally
straight portion, forming a closure in the shape of an approximate
semi-circle, and defining an aperture, where the generally curved
portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface outside the
aperture, where the generally straight portion has a surface inside
the aperture and a surface outside the aperture, and the generally
straight portion has a region wherein the inside surface of the
generally straight portion is provided with a wavy surface that has
a series of side by side depressions that define three finger
engaging areas or four finger engaging areas, and wherein the
outside surface of the generally straight portion is provided with
a wavy surface that has a series of side by side depressions that
define a thumb tip engaging area and a first finger tip engaging
area, a bridge, and a brush head, having an array of bristles
affixed to the brush head, and where the toothbrush has a generally
straight longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of
the handle, the bridge, and the brush head, and where from the
outside surface outside of the generally curved portion to the
outside surface of the generally straight portion defines a
greatest distance from about 45 mm to about 60 mm for an adult's
toothbrush and from about 25 mm to about 35 mm for a child's
toothbrush.
23. A toothbrush comprising: a handle of generally rigid
construction having a generally curved portion and a generally
straight portion, forming a closure in the shape of an approximate
semi-circle, and defining an aperture, where the generally curved
portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface outside the
aperture, where the generally straight portion has a surface inside
the aperture and a surface outside the aperture, and the generally
straight portion has a region wherein the inside surface of the
generally straight portion is provided with a wavy surface that has
a series of side by side depressions that define three finger
engaging areas or four finger engaging areas, and wherein the
outside surface of the generally straight portion is provided with
a wavy surface that has a series of side by side depressions that
define a thumb tip engaging area and a first finger tip engaging
area, a bridge, and a brush head, having an array of bristles
affixed to the brush head, and where the toothbrush has a generally
straight longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of
the handle and the bridge, and the toothbrush has the brush head
angled from approximately 10.degree. to approximately 20.degree.
with respect to the longitudinal axis, and where from the outside
surface outside of the generally curved portion to the outside
surface of the generally straight portion defines a greatest
distance from about 45 mm to about 60 mm for an adult's toothbrush
and from about 25 mm to about 35 mm for a child's toothbrush.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is directed to a toothbrush, and more
particularly, a toothbrush with an improved handle that provides
both over insertion protection and good first gripping.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Of interest are Canadian Patent No. 2,261,355 (Aug. 10,
2000) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,233 (Dec. 25, 20), both to Proulx.
Both disclose toothbrushes that have a handle with defined
resilient finger tip engagable areas on each of respective opposite
top and bottom faces of the handle.
[0003] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,546 (Sep. 18, 2001) and
Design U.S. Pat. No. D428,257 (Jul. 18, 2000), both to Harada, show
a toothbrush that has an open C-shaped handle mechanically coupled
to the head, which has a specific array of bristles. According to
U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,546, the C-shape of the handle provides
over-insertion protection and the specific array of bristles
provides increased likelihood that the teeth will be properly
brushed.
[0004] Also of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,921 (Apr. 7, 1987)
to Dinner, which shows a toothbrush with a handle that includes an
oval ring defining an oval aperture, sized for a young child's four
fingers for first gripping a half portion of the oval ring.
[0005] Similar to Dinner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,739 (Apr. 29, 1997)
to Thompson shows a toothbrush with a handle forming a closed
aperture in the approximate shape of a semi-circle, curved on one
side and straight on the other, sized for a young child's four
fingers allowing first gripping. According to U.S. Pat. No.
5,623,739, the straight portion of the handle is covered with a
resilient material with small soft protrusions to ensure secure
first gripping.
[0006] Lastly of interest is Design U.S. Pat. No. D490,983 (Jun. 8,
2004) to Tini, which shows a toothbrush with a handle that includes
an oval ring defining an oval aperture.
[0007] The disclosures of all patents, which are mentioned here,
are incorporated here by reference.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a
toothbrush comprising a handle, a bridge, and a brush head. The
handle is of rigid construction and has a generally curved portion
and a generally straight portion, forming a closure in the shape of
an approximate semi-circle, and defining an aperture. The generally
curved portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface
outside the aperture. The generally straight portion has a surface
inside the aperture and a surface outside the aperture. The
generally straight portion has a region wherein the inside surface
of the generally straight portion is provided with a wavy surface
that has a series of side by side depressions that define three
finger engaging areas or four finger engaging areas, and wherein
the outside surface of the generally straight portion is provided
with a wavy surface that has a series of side by side depressions
that define a thumb tip engaging area and a first finger tip
engaging area. The brush head has an array of bristles affixed to
the brush head.
[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides, in another
embodiment, a toothbrush comprising a handle, a bridge, and a brush
head. The handle is of generally rigid construction and has a
generally curved portion and a generally straight portion, forming
a closure in the shape of an approximate semi-circle, and defining
an aperture. The generally curved portion has a surface inside the
aperture and a surface outside the aperture. The generally straight
portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface outside the
aperture. The generally straight portion has a region wherein the
inside surface of the generally straight portion is provided with a
wavy surface that has a series of side by side depressions that
define three finger engaging areas or four finger engaging areas,
and wherein the outside surface of the generally straight portion
is provided with a wavy surface that has a series of side by side
depressions that define a thumb tip engaging area and a first
finger tip engaging area. The brush head has an array of bristles
affixed to the brush head. The toothbrush has a generally straight
longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of the handle,
the bridge, and the brush head. Typically, the outside surface of
the generally curved portion to the outside surface of the
generally straight portion defines a greatest distance from about
45 mm to about 60 mm for an adult's toothbrush and from about 25 mm
to about 35 mm for a child's toothbrush.
[0010] Additionally, the present invention provides, in yet another
embodiment, a toothbrush comprising a handle, a bridge, and a brush
head. The handle is of generally rigid construction and has a
generally curved portion and a generally straight portion, forming
a closure in the shape of an approximate semi-circle, and defining
an aperture. The generally curved portion has a surface inside the
aperture and a surface outside the aperture. The generally straight
portion has a surface inside the aperture and a surface outside the
aperture. The generally straight portion has a region wherein the
inside surface of the generally straight portion is provided with a
wavy surface that has a series of side by side depressions that
define three finger engaging areas or four finger engaging areas,
and wherein the outside surface of the generally straight portion
is provided with a wavy surface that has a series of side by side
depressions that define a thumb tip engaging area and a first
finger tip engaging area. The brush head has an array of bristles
affixed to the brush head. The toothbrush has a generally straight
longitudinal axis for the generally straight portion of the handle
and the bridge, and the toothbrush has the brush head angled from
approximately 100 to approximately 20.degree. with respect to the
longitudinal axis. Typically, the outside surface of the generally
curved portion to the outside surface of the generally straight
portion defines a greatest distance from about 45 mm to about 60 mm
for an adult's toothbrush and from about 25 mm to about 35 mm for a
child's toothbrush.
[0011] The invention is now discussed in connection with the
accompanying Figures as best described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view depicting one embodiment of the
inventive toothbrush, having a handle that includes an
aperture;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive
toothbrush similar to that depicted in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the
inventive toothbrush like that depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, but
having a head that is slightly angled;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the inventive toothbrush and
showing one variation of the shape of the sides of the handle
portion;
[0016] FIG. 5 is another bottom plan view of the inventive
toothbrush and showing another variation of the shape of the sides
of the handle portion; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the inventive toothbrush.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] As used here, certain terminology is for convenience only
and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For
instance, words such as "inside surface," "outside surface,"
"upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "side,"
horizontal," "vertical," "back," "front," "upward," and "downward"
merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. It is
understood that the components may be in any direction and the
terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such
variations unless specified otherwise.
[0019] With reference now to the Figures, whenever possible, the
same reference numerals and letters are used throughout to refer to
the same or like parts.
[0020] More specifically, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are two respective
embodiments of the inventive toothbrush generally indicated as 10,
and comprising a handle 20, a bridge 30, and a brush head 40. An
array of bristles B is affixed to the brush head 40. For purposes
of discussion, and as is conventional in the art, the surface of
the toothbrush 10 having the bristles B corresponds to the bottom
of the toothbrush 10 and the other surface of the toothbrush 10
corresponds to the top of the toothbrush 10. Also, the toothbrush
10 has a longitudinal axis, going from the end of the toothbrush 10
having the brush head 40 to the opposite end of the toothbrush
10.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, for storage of the toothbrush 10,
optionally, the toothbrush 10 may be provided, at its longitudinal
end opposite from the end having the brush head 40, with a storage
means chosen from one or both of an opening OP or a tail 45, where
the opening OP is adapted for hanging the toothbrush 10 by
receiving a hook, such as that on a conventional suction cup for
attaching the hook/suction cup to the bathroom room mirror, and
where the tail 45 is adapted for placing the toothbrush 10 in a
hole of a conventional toothbrush holder, and typically the tail 45
is about 5 to about 7.5 cm long. Although the opening OP and the
tail 45 are not shown in the other Figures, the opening OP and/or
the tail 45 may be provided for the other toothbrushes 10
illustrated in the other Figures.
[0022] The array of bristles B is affixed to the brush head 40 by
any means known in the art, such as embedding or anchoring the base
ends of the bristles B, in accordance with well known toothbrush
manufacturing techniques. Typically, the array of bristles B is
affixed on the brush head 40 on the bottom of the toothbrush 10,
but some bristles B of the array may be affixed along the sides of
the brush head 40, thus extending the array of bristles B somewhat
towards the sides of the toothbrush 10, in accordance with well
known toothbrush manufacturing techniques.
[0023] Typically, the handle 20, the bridge 30 (also called the
stem or the neck), and the brush head 40 are comprised of
conventional moldable synthetic polymeric material, i.e., rigid
plastic, to form a rigid toothbrush 10, as is known in the art. The
handle 20, the bridge 30, and the brush head 40 are typically of
unitary, integral construction, as illustrated in the Figures.
Alternatively (not shown), as is known in the art, the handle 20,
the bridge 30, and the brush head 40 may be two or more separate
pieces that snap together for use of the toothbrush 10, and that
snap apart for ease of packing the toothbrush 10, for instance,
packing in a suitcase in order to go on a trip. Also alternatively
(not shown), as is known in the art, the handle 20, the bridge 30,
and the brush head 40 may be two or more separate pieces that are
hinged together such that the hinge(s) can be placed in a locked
position for use, and in an unlocked position in order to fold the
toothbrush 10 for ease of packing, for instance, packing in a
suitcase in order to go on a trip.
[0024] The handle 20 includes a generally curved portion 24 and a
generally straight portion 26. The generally curved portion 24
provides overreach protection. The generally curved portion 24 and
the generally straight portion 26 form a closure in the shape of an
approximate semi-circle, and thus define a closed aperture A. The
generally straight portion 26 extends linearly beyond the closed
semi-circular handle 20 forming a bridge 30 which typically is an
integral part of the handle 20 and from which the brush head 40,
also typically an integral part of the handle 20, continues.
[0025] Due to the aperture A, the generally curved portion 24 has a
surface inside the aperture A and a surface outside the aperture A.
Also, due to the aperture A, the generally straight portion 26 has
a surface inside the aperture A and a surface outside the aperture
A. The generally curved portion 24 provides over insertion
protection, and the distance from its surface outside the aperture
A to its surface inside the aperture A should be about 5 mm to
about 8 mm, more particularly about 6 mm to about 7 mm.
[0026] The greatest distance from the generally curved portion 24,
on its surface outside the aperture, to the generally straight
portion 26, on its surface outside the aperture A, should be from
about 45 mm to about 60 mm, more particularly from about 47 mm to
about 58 mm, for an adult's toothbrush, and from about 25 mm to
about 35 mm, more particularly from about 27 mm to about 33 mm, for
a child's toothbrush.
[0027] The ratio of the length of the bridge 30 plus the length of
the brush head 40 to the length of the generally straight portion
26 of the handle 20 should be from about 0.9 to about 1.5, more
particularly from about 1 to about 1.4, where the higher ratios are
preferred for an adult's toothbrushes and the lower ratios are
preferred for a child's toothbrushes.
[0028] The generally straight portion 26 has a region wherein the
generally straight portion 26 is provided, on its surface inside
the aperture A, with a wavy surface that has a series of side by
side depressions that define three finger engaging areas F1, F2,
and F3 (see, FIG. 1), or four finger engaging areas F1, F2, F3, and
F4 (see, FIG. 2), and also, wherein the generally straight portion
26 is provided, on its surface outside the aperture A, which is the
bottom of the toothbrush 10, with a wavy surface that has a series
of side by side depressions that define a thumb tip engaging area
TT1 and a first finger tip engaging area FT1. The finger engaging
areas F1, F2, F3 or F1, F2, F3, and F4, together with the thumb tip
engaging area TT1 and the first finger tip engaging area FT1,
provide good first gripping.
[0029] To illustrate an optional embodiment, part of the generally
straight portion 26 of the toothbrush 10 containing the finger
engaging areas F1, F2, F3 or F1, F2, F3, and F4 is designated as
part FP, and part of the generally straight portion 26 of the
toothbrush 10 containing the thumb tip engaging area TT1 and the
first finger tip engaging area FT1 is designated as part TP.
Optionally, one or both of the part FP or the part TP may be
constructed of resilient synthetic polymeric material, i.e.,
resilient plastic, instead of rigid plastic, in order to enhance
good first gripping.
[0030] The greatest distance for the generally straight portion 26
from its surface outside the aperture A to its surface inside the
aperture A should range from about 15 mm to about 24 mm, more
particularly from about 18 mm to about 21 mm. The vertical distance
(perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, i.e., dotted line in FIG.
3, of the toothbrush 10) from a horizontal line through the bottom
of any of areas TT1 or FT1 to a horizontal line through the bottom
of any of areas F1, F2, F3 or F1, F2, F3, and F4 depends on the
greatest distance for the generally straight portion 26 from its
surface outside the aperture A to its surface inside the aperture
A, and in general is about 5 to 6 mm less than the greatest
distance for the generally straight portion 26 from its surface
outside the aperture A to its surface inside the aperture A. Thus,
the vertical distance may be, for instance, from about 10 mm to
about 19 mm, or from about 13 mm to about 16 mm.
[0031] As noted above, the toothbrush 10 has a longitudinal axis,
going from the end of the toothbrush 10 having the brush head 40 to
the opposite end of the toothbrush 10. In general, the inventive
toothbrush 10 has a generally straight longitudinal axis for the
generally straight portion 26 of the handle 20, the bridge 30, and
the brush head 40, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0032] FIG. 3, however, depicts another embodiment of the inventive
toothbrush 10 like that depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, but having a
longitudinal axis that is angled. More particularly, the brush head
40 is angled, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
generally straight portion 26 of the handle 20 and the bridge 30,
i.e., (see, the horizontal dotted line in FIG. 3), downward towards
the bottom of the toothbrush 10 from approximately 10.degree. to
approximately 20.degree., more particularly from approximately
12.degree. to approximately 18.degree., and even more particularly
at approximately 15.degree..
[0033] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the inventive toothbrush,
which may be the toothbrush of FIG. 1 (but FIG. 4 does not show the
optional opening OP or the optional tail 45), FIG. 2, or FIG. 3,
and showing one variation of the shape, generally wavy, of the
sides SI of the region of the generally straight portion 26 having
the finger tip engaging areas F1, F2, F3 or F1, F2, F3, and F4 and
the thumb tip engaging area TT1 and the first finger tip engaging
area FT1.
[0034] FIG. 5 is another bottom plan view of the inventive
toothbrush, which may be the toothbrush of FIG. 1 (but FIG. 5 does
not show the optional opening OP or the optional tail 45), FIG. 2,
or FIG. 3, and showing another variation of the shape, generally
straight, of the sides S2 of the region of the generally straight
portion 26 having the finger tip engaging areas F1, F2, F3 or F1,
F2, F3, and F4 and the thumb tip engaging area TT1 and the first
finger tip engaging area FT1.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the inventive toothbrush. which
may be the toothbrush of FIG. 1 (but FIG. 6 does not show the
optional opening OP or the optional tail 45), FIG. 2, or FIG. 3,
and showing one variation of the shape, generally straight, of the
side edges E1 of the generally curved portion 24 of the handle
20.
[0036] Accordingly, the structure of the inventive toothbrush 10
helps facilitate its being grasped by the hand, for instance by a
handicapped person with a physical impairment (such as a person
with arthritis), a health care worker who is brushing the teeth of
a nursing home patient (such as a patient with dementia), a young
child, et cetera, and also, helps facilitate wrist flexion. In
particular, the inventive toothbrush 10 helps facilitate wrist
flexion when the person doing the brushing is different from the
person whose teeth are being brushed, for instance, when a health
care worker is brushing the teeth of a nursing home patient, as the
person doing the brushing can grasp the inventive toothbrush 10 by
way of grasping the generally curved portion 24 through the
aperture A.
[0037] Although the present invention has been shown and described
in detail with regard to only a few embodiments of the invention as
depicted in the drawings, it should be understood by those skilled
in the art that it is not intended to limit the invention to the
specific embodiments disclosed. Various modifications, omissions,
and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such modifications,
omissions, additions, and equivalents as may be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *