U.S. patent application number 12/436201 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for tooth brushing system.
Invention is credited to David M. DUGAN.
Application Number | 20090276972 12/436201 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41265003 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090276972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DUGAN; David M. |
November 12, 2009 |
TOOTH BRUSHING SYSTEM
Abstract
A tooth brushing system adapted to simultaneously clean a set of
maxilla teeth or a set of mandible teeth. The system comprises a
vibration inducer, a controller for the vibration inducer, a power
source and a handle adapted to enclose the vibration inducer, the
controller for the vibration inducer and the power source. The
system further comprises a plurality of brushes adapted to
simultaneously contact the set of maxilla teeth or the set of
mandible teeth, a vibration isolation plate integral with the
handle and a vibration transfer plate connected to the vibration
inducer and the plurality of brushes and releasably connected to
the vibration isolation plate, wherein the handle is adapted to be
effectively held within a hand of a user and the vibration
isolation plate is adapted to isolate vibration from the set of
maxilla teeth or the set of mandible teeth not contacted by the
plurality of brushes.
Inventors: |
DUGAN; David M.; (Morris,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIMPSON & SIMPSON, PLLC
5555 MAIN STREET
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221-5406
US
|
Family ID: |
41265003 |
Appl. No.: |
12/436201 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61051488 |
May 8, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/349 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A61C 17/228 20130101; A46B 9/045 20130101;
A61C 17/3472 20130101; A46B 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.2 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A tooth brushing system adapted to simultaneously clean a set of
maxilla teeth or a set of mandible teeth, said system comprising: a
vibration inducer; a controller for said vibration inducer; a power
source; a handle adapted to enclose said vibration inducer, said
controller for said vibration inducer and said power source; a
plurality of brushes adapted to simultaneously contact said set of
maxilla teeth or said set of mandible teeth; a vibration isolation
plate integral with said handle; and, a vibration transfer plate
connected to said vibration inducer and said plurality of brushes
and releasably connected to said vibration isolation plate, wherein
said handle is adapted to be effectively held within a hand of a
user and said vibration isolation plate is adapted to isolate
vibration from said set of maxilla teeth or said set of mandible
teeth not contacted by said plurality of brushes.
2. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
inducer is vibrationally isolated from said handle.
3. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
inducer comprises a motor arranged to rotate an asymmetric
mass.
4. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
inducer comprises an ultrasonic transducer.
5. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said controller for
said vibration inducer comprises an on/off switch.
6. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said power source
comprises at least one primary battery or at least one secondary
battery.
7. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said handle
comprises a generally T-shape.
8. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
brushes comprises a U-shaped set of bristles, said U-shaped set of
bristles comprising a generally U-shaped cross-section, a generally
V-shaped cross-section or a combination thereof.
9. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
transfer plate is connected to said vibration isolation plate via
at least one vibration damping means.
10. The tooth brushing system of claim 9 wherein said at least one
vibration damping means is selected from the group consisting of: a
spring, a bumper, a post and combinations thereof.
11. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
transfer plate further comprises at least one bite stop.
12. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
transfer plate further comprises a plurality of mounting features
arranged to releasably secure said plurality of brushes in a
plurality of locations.
13. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
isolation plate comprises a plurality of posts, said plurality of
posts arranged to releasably engage said vibration transfer
plate.
14. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
transfer plate further comprises at least one rail adapted to
receive said plurality of brushes and wherein a position of each of
said plurality of brushes is modified by one or more of the
following steps: moving each of said plurality of brushes along a
length of said at least one rail; rotating each of said plurality
of brushes about said at least one rail; moving each of said
plurality of brushes about laterally relative to said at least one
rail; bending at least a portion of said at least one rail upwardly
or downwardly; and, bending at least a portion of said at least one
rail laterally.
15. The tooth brushing system of claim 14 wherein said position of
each of said plurality of brushes is modified automatically in
response to contact between said plurality of brushes and said set
of teeth to be cleaned.
16. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 wherein said vibration
isolation plate is releasably securable to said handle and said
vibration isolation plate secured to said handle form an integral
assembly.
17. The tooth brushing system of claim 1 further comprising: means
for adjusting a length of said plurality of brushes; at least one
of said plurality of brushes is secured to said vibration isolation
plate via a vibration damping connector; and, an integral assembly
comprising said vibration inducer, said controller for said
vibration inducer, said power supply, at least two of said
plurality of brushes and said vibration transfer plate, wherein
said integral assembly is disposed within said handle and said
means for adjusting a length of said plurality of brushes is
adapted to modify a position of said integral assembly within said
handle thereby modifying a distance between said at least one of
said plurality of brushes secured to said vibration isolation plate
and said at least two of said plurality of brushes of said integral
assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/051,488,
filed May 8, 2008, which application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention broadly relates to tooth brushes, more
specifically to a tooth brush having a plurality of brushes, and
even more particularly to a tooth brushing system having a
plurality of brushes in the form of a U-shaped tray arranged to
simultaneously clean the entire set of maxilla teeth or the entire
set of mandible teeth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Regular brushing of teeth is important to maintain the oral
and general health of an individual. Able body individuals
typically use conventional manual or electric toothbrushes. Many
individuals, such as the elderly and disabled, do not have the
ability to regularly brush their teeth with conventional tooth
brushes. The teeth of many of these individuals are not regularly
or effectively brushed by themselves, while for others, health care
workers are responsible for brushing their teeth. It is difficult
and time consuming for the health care workers to brush the teeth
of their patients using conventional toothbrushes. Moreover, some
children have difficulty grasping traditional tooth brush handles
and manipulating the tooth brush to effectively clean their teeth
due to their smaller and less dexterous hands. In view of the
foregoing, it should be apparent that for the aforementioned
reasons and for a variety of other reasons, traditional tooth
brushes present issues that preclude good dental hygiene.
[0004] In view of some elderly and disabled person's inability to
regularly and/or properly brush their teeth, those people may
experience tooth decay, gum disease and other issues. Similarly,
children and able body individuals who fail to perform sufficient
and/or correct brushing also experience tooth decay, gum disease
and other issues.
[0005] Similar health benefits are provided to animals by proper
oral hygiene, and in addition to the difficulties described above
relative to people cleaning their teeth, it is also extremely
difficult to clean the teeth of animals. For example, dogs and cats
are typically unwilling to permit a person to brush their teeth.
The greater the length of time required clean the animal's teeth,
the less likely that it will be possible to complete the cleaning.
Thus, using a conventional manual or electric toothbrush, which is
capable of cleaning only a single tooth at a time, typically
results in the incomplete cleaning of the animal's teeth.
[0006] Many devices have been created in an attempt to facilitate
effective and proper cleaning of teeth, for example, the devices
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,011,616; 4,237,574; 5,337,435;
6,223,376; 6,353,956; and, 7,082,638. Each of the devices disclosed
in these patents suffers from defects and/or shortcomings that
renders them ineffective, such as complexity of design, difficulty
of operation, inability to properly sanitize after use, etc.
[0007] As can be derived from the variety of devices and methods
directed at teeth cleaning, many means have been contemplated to
accomplish the desired end, i.e., good dental hygiene including but
not limited to minimization of tooth decay and gum disease.
Heretofore, tradeoffs between ease of use, effectiveness and cost
of manufacture were required. Thus, there is a long-felt need for a
tooth brushing system that can effectively clean an entire upper or
lower set of teeth simultaneously and that is easy to use and
inexpensive to manufacture. Moreover, there is a long-felt need for
a tooth brushing system that can be used by health care workers to
clean the teeth of patients or used by individuals such as elderly,
disabled or children to clean their own teeth, where these
individuals have a disability that makes it difficult to use or an
inability to effectively use a conventional tooth brush.
Furthermore, there is a long-felt need for a tooth brushing system
that can be used by veterinarians and pet owners that facilitates
the efficient and effective cleaning of an animal's teeth.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A tooth brushing system has been developed including a
U-shaped mouthpiece having a vibrating or reciprocating inner brush
tray with bristles and an outer base tray that is generally
isolated from the movement of the brush tray. The brush tray is
seated in the base tray by resilient mounts that may also align the
brush tray in the base tray. The resilient mounts allow the brush
tray to be easily removed for replacement or cleaning. The base
tray includes a front handle housing a battery, motor and gearing
system to vibrate or reciprocate the brush tray. The handle and
optionally the base tray may be stored on a battery recharging
mount while the brush tray is separately soaked or cleaned.
[0009] The present invention broadly comprises a tooth brushing
system adapted to simultaneously clean a set of maxilla teeth or a
set of mandible teeth. The system includes a vibration inducer, a
controller for the vibration inducer, a power source and a handle
adapted to enclose the vibration inducer, the controller for the
vibration inducer and the power source. The system further includes
a plurality of brushes adapted to simultaneously contact the set of
maxilla teeth or the set of mandible teeth, a vibration isolation
plate integral with the handle and a vibration transfer plate
connected to the vibration inducer and the plurality of brushes and
releasably connected to the vibration isolation plate, wherein the
handle is adapted to be effectively held within a hand of a user
and the vibration isolation plate is adapted to isolate vibration
from the set of maxilla teeth or the set of mandible teeth not
contacted by the plurality of brushes.
[0010] In some embodiments, the vibration inducer is vibrationally
isolated from the handle. In other embodiments, the vibration
inducer includes a motor arranged to rotate an asymmetric mass,
while in still other embodiments, the vibration inducer includes an
ultrasonic transducer. In still yet other embodiments, the
controller for the vibration inducer includes an on/off switch, and
in some embodiments, the power source includes at least one primary
battery or at least one secondary battery. In other embodiments,
the handle includes a generally T-shape.
[0011] In further embodiments of the present invention, the
plurality of brushes includes a U-shaped set of bristles, and the
U-shaped set of bristles has a generally U-shaped cross-section, a
generally V-shaped cross-section or combinations thereof.
[0012] In other embodiments, the vibration transfer plate is
connected to the vibration isolation plate via at least one
vibration damping means, and in some of these embodiments, the at
least one vibration damping means is selected from the group
consisting of: a spring, a bumper, a post and combinations thereof.
In yet other embodiments, the vibration transfer plate further
includes at least one bite stop, and in still yet further
embodiments, the vibration transfer plate further includes a
plurality of mounting features arranged to releasably secure the
plurality of brushes in a plurality of locations.
[0013] In some embodiments, the vibration isolation plate includes
a plurality of posts. In such embodiments, the plurality of posts
are arranged to releasably engage the vibration transfer plate. In
yet other embodiments, the vibration transfer plate further
includes at least one rail adapted to receive the plurality of
brushes and wherein a position of each of the plurality of brushes
is modified by one or more of the following steps: moving each of
the plurality of brushes along a length of the at least one rail;
rotating each of the plurality of brushes about the at least one
rail; moving each of the plurality of brushes about laterally
relative to the at least one rail; bending at least a portion of
the at least one rail upwardly or downwardly; and, bending at least
a portion of the at least one rail laterally. In some of these
embodiments, the position of each of the plurality of brushes is
modified automatically in response to contact between the plurality
of brushes and the set of teeth to be cleaned. In still yet other
embodiments, the vibration isolation plate is releasably securable
to the handle and the vibration isolation plate secured to the
handle form an integral assembly. In yet another embodiment, the
present invention tooth brushing system further includes means for
adjusting a length of the plurality of brushes, at least one of the
plurality of brushes is secured to the vibration isolation plate
via a vibration damping connector and an integral assembly
including the vibration inducer, the controller for the vibration
inducer, the power supply, at least two of the plurality of brushes
and the vibration transfer plate. In this embodiment, the integral
assembly is disposed within the handle and the means for adjusting
a length of the plurality of brushes is adapted to modify a
position of the integral assembly within the handle thereby
modifying a distance between the at least one of the plurality of
brushes secured to the vibration isolation plate and the at least
two of the plurality of brushes of the integral assembly.
[0014] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a
tooth brushing system that can be effectively used by a variety of
different types of users to clean their teeth and thereby minimize
tooth decay and gum disease.
[0015] It is another general object of the present invention to
provide a tooth brushing system that can be used by health care
workers to clean the teeth of patients or can be used by
individuals such as elderly, disabled or children to clean their
own teeth, where these individuals have a disability that makes it
difficult to use or an inability to effectively use a conventional
tooth brush.
[0016] It is yet another general object of the present invention to
provide a tooth brushing system that can simultaneously clean the
entire set of maxilla teeth or the entire set of mandible
teeth.
[0017] It is a further general object of the present invention to
provide a tooth brushing system that is easy to use and inexpensive
to manufacture.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciable from the following
description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the
accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention
will now be more fully described in the following detailed
description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing
figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention tooth brushing system;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
the present invention tooth brushing system positioned with the
mouth of a person;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the present invention tooth brushing system;
[0023] FIG. 4 is front perspective view of yet another embodiment
of the present invention tooth brushing system;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of
the tooth brushing system shown in FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention tooth brushing system having a partial cut-away
handle;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the tooth brushing
system shown in FIG. 6 having a portion of the vibration isolation
plate removed;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vibration
transfer plate used in the tooth brushing system shown in FIG.
6;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of yet another
embodiment of the present invention tooth brushing system;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a charging
station for use with the present invention tooth brushing
system;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
charging station for use with the present invention tooth brushing
system; and,
[0031] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment
of the present invention tooth brushing system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or
functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While
the present invention is described with respect to what is
presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be
understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the
disclosed aspects.
[0033] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications
described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood
that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of
the present invention, which is limited only by the appended
claims.
[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the
invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now
described.
[0035] An embodiment of the present invention comprises tooth
brushing system 100 adapted to simultaneously clean a set of
maxilla teeth 102 or a set of mandible teeth 104. The set of teeth
may be that of user 106, i.e., the person using system 100 brushing
their own teeth, may be that of a person having their teeth brushed
by another, e.g., a patient having their teeth brushed by a health
care worker, or may be that of an animal having its teeth brushed
by a veterinarian or pet owner. Tooth brushing system 100 comprises
vibration inducer 108, controller 110 for vibration inducer 108,
power source 112 and handle 114 adapted to enclose vibration
inducer 108, controller 110 and power source 112. System 100
further comprises plurality of brushes 116 adapted to
simultaneously contact the entire set of maxilla teeth 102 or the
entire set of mandible teeth 104, vibration transfer plate 118
connected to vibration inducer 108 and plurality of brushes 116 and
vibration isolation plate 120 connected to vibration transfer plate
118. In some embodiments of system 100, handle 114 is adapted to be
effectively held within hand 122 of user 106, e.g., a health care
worker, a child, an elderly person, etc., and vibration isolation
plate 120 is adapted to isolate vibration from set of maxilla teeth
102 or set of mandible teeth 104 not contacted by plurality of
brushes 116.
[0036] It should be appreciated that there are a variety of
embodiments of plurality of brushes 116. For example, plurality of
brushes 116 comprise a plurality of brush segments 124 wherein
interface 126 arranged between each respective segment 124 permits
the modification of the overall shape of plurality of brushes 116
thereby permitting matching its overall shape to the shape of the
user's set of teeth, e.g., set of maxilla teeth 102 or set of
mandible teeth 104. Similarly, in an alternate embodiment of the
present invention, i.e., tooth brushing system 128, plurality of
brushes 130 comprise a plurality of brush segments 132 wherein
interface 134 arranged between each respective segment 132 permits
the modification of the overall shape of plurality of brushes 130
thereby permitting matching its overall shape to the shape of the
user's set of teeth. Additionally, in this alternate embodiment,
the overall length of plurality of brushes 130 may be modified by
removing as many segments 132 as is necessary to match the overall
length of the user's set of teeth. It should be appreciated that in
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, plurality of
brushes 116 and 130 are formed from a flexible material, e.g.,
silicon. It should be further appreciated that that the foregoing
arrangements of plurality of brush segments, being flexibly
interconnected, are capable of automatically repositioning
themselves according to the orientation of each respective tooth of
the set of teeth being cleaned, e.g., a brush segment aligned with
a tooth reorients itself according to the interaction between this
tooth, having a rotational and/or angular position, and the
segment. The general shape of the bristles arranged about plurality
of brushes 116 and 130 and the manual reorientation of the
plurality of brush segments are discussed infra.
[0037] System 100 comprises handle 114. Similarly, system 128,
which is also arranged to simultaneously clean a set of maxilla
teeth 102 or a set of mandible teeth 104, comprises handle 136.
Depending on the arrangement of vibration inducer 108, it may be
advantageous to vibrationally isolate vibration inducer 108 from
handle 114 or 136. For example, system 128 comprises vibration
damping material 138 arranged between vibration inducer 108 and
handle 136. Damping material 138 may be formed of any material that
is capable of damping vibration originating from vibration inducer
108, for example, silicon, natural rubber, etc. Such an arrangement
of vibration isolation will increase user comfort while the present
invention tooth brushing system is in use. Thus, the vibration will
be used to clean the contacted teeth and not to fatigue the user's
hand. Moreover, the present invention may include a handle
comprising a generally T-shape, e.g., handle 139. It should be
appreciated that the shape of the handle will aid in the use of the
present invention tooth brushing system in that the handle provides
means by which user 106 may grasp the device and that some
embodiments of the handle may be more easily grasped by some users
versus grasping other handles, e.g., some users may easily grasp
handles 114 or 136 having sizes larger than traditional tooth
brushes and some users may easily grasp handle 139 having a
generally T-shape. Moreover, the handle may extend directly forward
of the vibration isolation or transfer plates, such that the
respective plates and handle are co-planar. Alternatively, the
handle may extend outward at an angle relative to the plates and
therefore may be suitable for a health care provider to hold the
present invention tooth brushing system while positioning the
plurality of brushes in the mouth of a patient.
[0038] The present invention may include one of a variety of
different vibration inducing means, and several of these vibration
inducing means are discussed herein but are not intended to limit
the scope of the claims to only these types of vibration inducing
means as a variety of other means are also possible. For example,
system 100 comprises ultrasonic transducer 140, while system 128
comprises motor 142 arranged to rotate asymmetric mass 144.
Depending on the needs of user 106 and/or the person or animal
having their teeth cleaned, one vibration inducer may be more
appropriate than another. Transducer 140 can provide ultrasonic
vibration which is beneficial under some cleaning conditions, while
motor 142 can provide vibrations having fewer cycles per unit time
which is beneficial under different cleaning conditions. Controller
110 is arranged to control the frequency at which transducer 140 or
motor 142 vibrates, and such controller includes the necessary
electronic components to affect such control. Controller 110 may
also provide a timer arranged to control how long the vibration
inducer 108 provides vibration and/or may include on/off switch 145
whereby system 100 or system 128 may be turned on or off. In view
of the foregoing, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that plurality of brushes 116 and 130 move in a vibrating and/or
reciprocating manner to simultaneously brush and clean an entire
set of teeth.
[0039] The present invention comprises power source 112 wherefrom
vibration inducer 108 and controller 110 receive power. Power
source 112 may comprise at least one primary battery 146 or
alternatively at least one secondary battery 148. It should be
appreciated that the term "primary battery" is intended to mean a
battery that can produce current immediately on assembly, e.g.,
zinc-carbon or alkaline batteries, and that the term "secondary
battery" is intended to mean a battery that must be charged prior
to use, e.g., nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion
batteries. It should be further appreciated that power source 112
may comprise a transformer plugged directly into an electrical
outlet and arranged to provide power to vibration inducer 108 and
controller 110, and that such variations are within the spirit and
scope of the claimed invention.
[0040] Plurality of brushes 116 and 130 show two embodiments of
bristle arrangements for use with the present invention tooth
brushing system. Plurality of brushes 116 comprises a U-shaped set
of bristles 150, and the overall set of bristles 150 comprises a
generally U-shaped cross-section (See FIG. 3). Alternatively,
plurality of brushes 130 comprises a U-shaped set of bristles 154,
and the overall set of bristles 154 comprises a generally V-shaped
cross-section (See FIG. 7). Furthermore, bristles 150 and 154 may
be coated with tooth paste or other tooth cleaning compound and may
be formed from any material suitable and safe for use in cleaning
teeth, e.g., nylon.
[0041] The present invention tooth brushing system further
comprises a vibration transfer plate. The vibration transfer plate
may take a variety of forms, for example, vibration transfer plates
118 and 158. In some embodiments, e.g., system 100, vibration
transfer plate 118 forms the means by which bristles 150 are
connected to vibration inducer 108, i.e., bristles 150 are attached
to plurality of brushes 116 which also forms vibration transfer
plate 118 and in turn vibration transfer plate 118 is connected to
vibration inducer 108. In other embodiments, e.g., system 128,
vibration transfer plate 158 acts as an interface between plurality
of brushes 130 and vibration inducer 108, i.e., bristles 154 are
connected to plurality of brushes 130, which is in turn connected
to vibration transfer plate 158, and which is itself in turn
connected to vibration inducer 108. In the former embodiment,
vibration transfer plate 118 is connected to vibration isolation
plate 120 via at least one vibration damping means 160, while in
the latter embodiment, vibration transfer plate is connected to
vibration isolation plate 162 via at least one damping means 164.
It should be appreciated that in each embodiment at least one
damping means 160 and 164 may be selected from a group of suitable
damping means; however the group discussed infra in not considered
limiting and the at least one damping means may be formed by any
suitable material. In some embodiments, the at least one damping
means may comprise spring 166, may comprise bumper 168 or
alternatively may comprise post 170. Furthermore, a combination of
damping means may also be included, for example, several springs in
combination with several posts, and such variations are within the
spirit and scope of the claimed invention. It should be appreciated
that the various damping means provide lower and lateral support to
the vibration transfer plate and allow the vibration transfer plate
to move in a vibrating and reciprocating manner to brush a set of
teeth on which the present invention is applied. Thus, the damping
means isolate the vibration isolation plate from the vibration and
reciprocal movement of the vibration transfer plate. The damping
means may also be used to align plurality of brushes 116 with
vibration isolation plate 120. In such embodiments, the damping
means, e.g., springs 166, may be seated in openings or recesses
171. By seating the damping means in the openings or recesses,
plurality of brushes 116 can be reliably aligned in vibration
isolation plate 120.
[0042] Additionally, in some embodiments, the vibration transfer
plate may further comprise a plurality of mounting features, e.g.,
slots 172, arranged to releasably secure the plurality of brushes
in a plurality of locations. Thus, it will be apparent to one
having ordinary skill in the art that the position of plurality of
brushes 130 may be modified by altering the location of connecting
posts 174 within slots 172, thereby permitting user 106 to position
plurality of brushes 130 in the most comfortable position based on
the shape of the respective set of teeth being cleaned.
[0043] In some embodiments, the vibration transfer plate, e.g.,
vibration transfer plate 156, may include at least one bite stop
176. Bite stops 176 are arranged to limit the depth within the
bristles, and therefore the plurality of brushes, that user 106, or
the person or animal having their teeth cleaned, may position their
teeth. Thus, without any special training or skill level, user 106
can properly align the plurality of brushes relative to her teeth
or another's teeth thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the
present invention tooth brushing system.
[0044] As can be seen in the figures, the present invention may
include different embodiments of the vibration isolation plate,
e.g., vibration isolation plates 120 and 162. In the embodiment
shown by system 100, vibration isolation plate 120 is integrally
formed, e.g., molded, with handle 114 and is therefore stationary
relative to handle 114, while in the embodiment shown by system
128, vibration isolation plate 162 is releasably securable to
handle 136 via releasable locking means, e.g., locking tabs within
openings, variable shaped slots having complimentary posts disposed
therein, etc. Vibration isolation plate 162 further comprises a
plurality of posts, i.e., posts 170. Posts 170 and vibration
isolation plate 162 may be formed from a compliant material which
also provides vibration isolation characteristics, for example,
silicon. It should be appreciated from the figures that the
plurality of posts 170 are arranged to releasably engage with
vibration transfer plate 158. Thus, as user 106 uses the embodiment
shown in system 128, the set of teeth to be cleaned are in contact
with the vibrating plurality of brushes 130, while the set of teeth
not being cleaned are in contact with the non-vibrating vibration
isolation plate 162. This isolation of the mouth and non-brushed
set of teeth provides comfort to user 106 and avoids unnecessary
irritation of the mouth and teeth. It should be appreciated that
the vibration isolation plate may further include bite pads on the
surface opposite the vibration transfer plate, and the bite pads
may be formed from a deformable material thereby increasing the
isolation of vibration transmitted to the teeth not being
cleaned.
[0045] A further embodiment of the present invention tooth brushing
system is shown in FIG. 9. Tooth brushing system 180 comprises
handle 182 having vibration isolation plate 184 fixedly secured
thereto. Vibration isolation plate 184 includes vibration damping
means, e.g., pads 186, arranged to minimize the amount of vibration
transferred from vibration transfer plate 188 to vibration
isolation plate 184. In this embodiment, vibration transfer plate
188 comprises rails 190 and 192; however, it should be appreciated
that vibration transfer plate 188 may comprise only one rail or
alternatively may comprise more than two rails and such variations
are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Vibration
is transferred via connection 194 to vibration transfer plate 188,
from vibration transfer plate 188 to plurality of brushes 196 and
subsequently to the teeth being cleaned by plurality of brushes
196. As can be seen in the figure, plurality of brushes 196
comprises brush elements 198 having substantially V-shaped
cross-sections and brush elements 200 having substantially U-shaped
cross-sections, and further includes bite stop 202. Each of brush
elements 198 and 200 includes bristles 204; however, for clarity
bristles 204 have been shown in only one of each type of brush
element.
[0046] In this embodiment, rails 190 and 192 are adapted to receive
brush elements 198 and 200 and the position of each respective
brush element 198 and 200 may be independently modified. For
example, the position of either type of brush element may be
modified by: moving the brush elements along the length of rails
190 and 192, i.e., moved according to bi-directional arrow 206;
rotating the brush elements about rails 190 and 192, i.e., rotated
according to bi-directional arrow 208; moving the brush elements
about laterally relative to rails 190 and 192, i.e., moving
according to bi-directional arrow 210; bending rails 190 and 192
upwardly or downwardly, i.e., bending according to bi-directional
arrow 212; and/or, bending rails 190 and 192 laterally, i.e.,
bending according to bi-directional arrow 214. It should be
appreciated that rails 190 and 192 may be formed from a number of
different materials, e.g., spring steel or plastic, and that the
foregoing modification of brush element position may occur
manually, e.g., a user physically moves the position of the
respective brush elements, or the respective brush elements may
move in response to the interaction of the teeth being cleaned and
the complimentary brush elements as described supra.
[0047] It should be further appreciated that removal of the
plurality of brushes allows for replacement and/or cleaning of the
plurality of brushes. The plurality of brushes may be cleaned by
being soaked in a cleaning fluid that also applies a tooth cleaning
composition to the brushes. Similarly, the plurality of brushes may
be soaked between brushings and removed from a soaking container
for use in the present invention tooth brushing system.
[0048] In addition to the aforementioned vibration inducers, it
should be appreciated that the present invention may also include
other means of imparting vibration from the vibration inducer to
the plurality of brushes. For example, the vibration inducer may
further comprise rotary transmission or gearing 216 and linkage 218
coupling transmission or gearing 216 to plurality of brushes 116.
The rotation of transmission or gearing 216 is converted by linkage
218 to a reciprocating or vibratory movement that drives the
movement of plurality of brushes 116. Linkage 218 may be a
reciprocating shaft extending through the handle and pivotably
attached to the front of plurality of brushes 116. Further, linkage
218 may include frame 220 that extends beneath plurality of brushes
116 and supports brushes 116, similar to the embodiment including
vibration transfer plate 158.
[0049] In addition to the above described embodiments, the present
invention may further comprise mount and battery charger 222 or
224, which may include a generally inverted U-shaped saddle 226
arranged to receive the U-shaped portion of the present invention
tooth brushing system, or may include recessed portion 228 arranged
to receive base 230 of handle 114. Conductive contacts 232 on the
U-shaped portion of the present invention engage conductive
contacts 234 on charger 224, when the U-shaped portion is seated
within saddle 226. Similarly, conductive contacts 236 on base 230
engage conductive contacts 238 on charger 222, when base 230 is
seated within recessed portion 228. Chargers 222 and 224 receive
electrical power via electrical power cord 240. The engagement of
the contacts 232 with 234 and contacts 236 with 238 allows power
source 112 in handle 114 to be recharged, e.g., recharging
secondary batteries 148. In addition to the foregoing arrangements
of recharging systems, it should be appreciated that other
recharging systems may also be incorporated within the present
invention, e.g., inductive chargers or a transformer plugged
directly into the handle, and such charging systems are within the
spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Housing 242 of mount and
charger 222 or 224 may have a simple form such as the rectangular
housing shown in FIG. 10 or a decorative form such as the tooth
shaped housing shown in FIG. 11.
[0050] It has been further contemplated that the length of the
plurality of brushes may be modified differently than described in
the embodiments supra. FIG. 12 shows a side elevational view of yet
another embodiment of the present invention tooth brushing system,
i.e., tooth brushing system 244. Tooth brushing system 244
comprises vibration inducer 246, a controller (not shown) for
vibration inducer 246, a power source (not shown) and handle 248.
The controller and power source has been left out of FIG. 12 for
clarity; however, it should be appreciated that the arrangement of
such components is similar to the embodiments of the present
invention described above. System 244 further comprises plurality
of brushes 250, vibration isolation plate 252 and vibration
transfer plate 254. It should be appreciated that the nature of
operation of the foregoing components is similar to their
respective functions set forth above. System 244 further comprises
integral assembly 256 which includes vibration inducer 246, the
controller (not shown) for vibration inducer 246, the power supply
(not shown), at least two of plurality of brushes 250, e.g.,
brushes 250a, 250b and 250c, and vibration transfer plate 254.
Integral assembly 256 is disposed within handle 248. Furthermore,
at least one of plurality of brushes 250, e.g., brush 250d, is
secured to vibration isolation plate 252 via vibration damping
connector 258. Vibration damping connector 258 may be formed from
any material suitable for damping vibration transmitted from
vibration transfer plate 254 to vibration isolation plate 252,
e.g., silicone or natural rubber, and such variations are within
the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. System 244 further
comprises means for adjusting length 260 of plurality of brushes
250, e.g., the combination of knob 262, threaded post 264 and
threaded hole 266. In this embodiment, as knob 262 is rotated,
threaded post 264 is also rotated and the interaction of the
threads of threaded post 264 with the threads of threaded hole 266
causes integral assembly 256 to move within handle 248 according to
the directions shown by bi-directional arrow 268. As integral
assembly 256 moves back and forth, vibration transfer plate 254 is
permitted to move past brush 250d as vibration damping connector
258 is disposed within slot 270. Thus, slot 270 is formed within
vibration transfer plate 254 in substantially the same direction as
bi-directional arrow 268. In view of the foregoing, it should be
apparent that the means for adjusting length 260 is adapted to
modify the position of integral assembly 256 within handle 248
thereby modifying the distance between the at least one of
plurality of brushes 250 secured to vibration isolation plate 252,
e.g., brush 250d, and the at least two of plurality of brushes 250
of integral assembly 256, e.g., brushes 250a, 250b and 250c. It
should be appreciated that although the means for adjusting length
260 is depicted as the combination of knob 262, threaded post 264
and threaded hole 266, other embodiments are also possible, e.g., a
post having periodic grooves disposed along its length and a
springed detent within handle 248 arranged to releasably secure the
post at various positions by interacting with the respective
grooves, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the
claimed invention.
[0051] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention
are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the
invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill
in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood
that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present
invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore,
other embodiments of the present invention are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *