U.S. patent application number 12/371577 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Francisco Alvarenga.
Application Number | 20100205760 12/371577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42558610 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100205760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alvarenga; Francisco |
August 19, 2010 |
Toothbrush
Abstract
A manually driven toothbrush creating the same force, effect and
rotation as the electric powered toothbrush. The oval head is
smaller in circumference to the handle, to allow the flexible
movement between the two pieces and stimulate the pushing of the
stem against the pillar of the first rotator cog, thereby creating
the rotating motion of the three brushes. During use of the
toothbrush, the applied force of the hand combined with the
friction of the bristles against the tooth surface and the spring
and stem between the two segments set in motion the three
interlocked cogs to which the bristles are embedded causing the
bristles to rotate accordingly. This oppositional rotation
pressures against the teeth going back and forth, removing the
plaque from high surfaces of the teeth with merely the force of a
hand. Such movement and rotation, prevents abrasion, massages the
gum, while also providing for 360 degree coverage of the tooth
surface.
Inventors: |
Alvarenga; Francisco;
(Visalia, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dr. Francisco Alvarenga
4151 S. Bridge Ct
Visalia
CA
93277
US
|
Family ID: |
42558610 |
Appl. No.: |
12/371577 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 7/08 20130101; A46B 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush comprised of two segmented portions: 1) a handle,
larger in circumference than the head, with a solid long protruding
cylindrical stem, and 2) an oval shaped head smaller in
circumference than the handle.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 with the handle having one end that is
partially solid, the hollow portion being proportional to the
circumference of said stem, and the other end being cylindrically
hollow.
3. The toothbrush of claim 1 with the head having two hollow ends,
one oval, to house three rotator cogs, the other hollow end being
cylindrical to allow the adjoining of the handle and housing a
small spring, the center of said head being partially solid, having
a hollow portion proportional to the circumference of the stem.
4. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 2, the cylindrical hollow portion
of said handle having two triangular shaped grooves which enlace
with two protruding triangles of the head, to allow grip and
stability of the two segmented portions.
5. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 3, the cylindrical hollow portion
of said head having two protruding solid triangle shaped edges
extending outwards on parallel sides of the circumference, which
enlace with the hollow part of the handle to allow grip and
stability of the two segmented portions.
6. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,3,4 and 5, wherein the hollow
cylindrical portion of the head slides into the cylindrical hollow
portion of the handle, said sliding being secured by the
interlocking of the two protruding triangles of the head, to the
two triangle shaped grooves of the handle.
7. The toothbrush of claim 1 and 2, with the handle having a long
cylindrical stem, with half being embedded in the handle and the
other half extending through the cylindrical hollow of the handle
and protruding outward towards said head.
8. The toothbrush of claim 12 and 7, wherein the protruding end of
said cylindrical stem has grooved wedges on the left side.
9. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,7 and 8, wherein said long
cylindrical stem having the bottom end of a small spring welded to
the center to provide resistance force upon the handle and housed
in the hollow portion of the head.
10. The toothbrush of claims 1,2,3, and, 4 where said spring is
housed in the hollow portion of the head and contracts when the
hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow portion of the
handle creating resistance against the handle pushing it
outward
11. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, and 9, wherein said spring,
attached to the stem is contracted by the applied force of the hand
to the handle
12. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, 6,4, and 5, wherein the applied
force of the hand against the handle causes the hollow portion of
the head to slide into the hollow portion of the handle
13. The toothbrush of claim 1,2,6,4,5,9 and 10, wherein when the
hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow psortion of the
handle, the bottom end of the spring welded to the stem providing
resistance, causing it to contract and in turn to push against the
handle.
14. The toothbrush of claims 1,2,4,5,6,9, and 13, wherein said
handle is pushed by the applied force of the hand causing said
spring to contract and push against the head creating resistance
against the handle.
15. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 2 wherein said long cylindrical
stem spans to the tip of the base through the hollow cylindrical
portion of the handle, creating strength support for the handle
16. The tooth brush of claims 1 and 3, wherein the hollow oval
portion of the head houses three interlocked rotator cogs, which
are equal in diameter
17. The toothbrush of claims 1,2, and 16, wherein the said first
rotator cog is comprised of a cog shaped base attached to a grooved
pillar which interlocks with the grooves on the left side of the
long stem of the handle
18. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,16 and 17, wherein the said two
other rotator cogs are comprised of interlocked cog shaped bases,
which rotate in oppositional directions when set in motion by the
movement of the stem against the first rotator cog.
19. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,16,17, and 18, wherein said cogs
housed in the hollow interior of the head and contain circularly
arranged bristles secured by in-molded technology,
20. The toothbrush of claim 1,3,16,17, and 18, wherein said rotator
cogs are interlocked and push oppositionally against each other to
create the circular rotator motion of the bristles in different
directions.
21. The toothbrush of claims 1 and 19, wherein the ends of said
bristles are concavely shaped to fit the surface of human teeth
22. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,4,5,6,11 and 14, wherein the
ultimate rotation of the bristles is created by the applied force
of the hand against the handle which in turn propels the grooves in
the long cylindrical stem to push against the pillar of the first
rotator cog, in turn leading to the turning of the first rotator
cog, which, being interlocked with the other two cogs created their
rotation, and in turn the rotation of the bristles.
23. The toothbrush of claims 1,3,4,5,6,11 and 14, wherein said stem
is manually propelled against the pillar of the first rotating cog,
set in motion by the applied force of the hand to the handle
pushing against the attached spring, leading to the turning of the
first rotator cog, which, being interlocked with the two other
cogs, in turn stimulates their rotation leading to the ultimate
rotation of the bristles
Description
BACKGROUND ART
[0001] Toothbrushes in general are, and have been, a well-known
art. Most brushes are broken down into two main categories: 1) the
conventional manual brush; and 2) electric brushes. It is also
well-known that dentists are concerned with the manner people brush
their tooth, in such motion that causes abrasion and irreversible
damage.
[0002] In the present case, the toothbrush created allows cleaning
motion of not only up and down, but also circular movement. More
importantly, this movement will be created, not by electrical
force, but simply by the manual/applied force of the hand of the
user.
[0003] When toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements the user
inserts the head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known
manner. While, the head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a
flat or slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are
attached and is comprised of static brushes, and provides only up
and down movement. However, this device has brushes which rotate in
oppositional directions, creating circular movement, providing a
more comprehensive cleaning for toothbrush.
[0004] The toothbrush of the present inventor facilitates more
motion of cleaning elements in the toothbrush head thereby
promoting healthy stimulation of gums and cleaning in the hard to
reach surfaces and crevices. It provides complete cleaning along
the vertical surface of teeth and massages the gums simultaneously.
Here, the user's hand provides the up and down movement while the
internal structure of the toothbrush creates the movement creates
the circular rotation of the bristles thereby captivating more
angles of the tooth surface.
[0005] The typical classical brush is comprised of static,
non-moveable bristles that are locked in place and move only in
conjunction with the force and direction provided by the user's
hand. This type of toothbrush, though light and easily portable is,
however, limited in functionality, and flexibility of movement.
[0006] Electric brushes on the other hand, are more intricate, move
in different directions, but require electricity in order to create
the rotation, oscillation or movement of the bristles. They are
heavier, less easy to transport and require constant charging in
order to appropriately operate.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,430 issued to Filsouf Ehsan in Jan. 3,
2006 discloses an electric toothbrush in which the brushing head
moves in an elliptical motion such that, on the brushing stroke,
the bristles are proximate the teeth, and in the recovery portion
of the cycle the bristles are pulled away from the teeth. By
contrast, the present invention creates a rotating motion, but
without the need for an electrically powered toothbrush.
[0008] Celso Caroli discloses an electrically driven continuous
toothbrush in U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,479, issued on Jun. 30, 1981. A
reversible, rotating brush head is controlled by a manual switch
controlled by the user's fingers. Once again, here, there is no
need for a switch, the rotation of the brushes comes about by the
applied force of the users hand. No electricity is needed.
[0009] Robert Moskovich discloses a toothbrush in U.S. Pat. No.
7,430,780 issued in Feb. 8, 2005, which includes a head having
multiple cleaning elements. One group of the cleaning elements is
flexibly mounted on the head and another group may be fixedly
mounted on the head. Here, although there may be some flexibility,
it is not based on interlocked cogs propelled by the applied force
of the hand and the spring propelled cog-shaped stem. The three
forces combined lead to the rotational movement of the three
brushes.
[0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Although toothbrushes have been around since the time of the
Egyptians, their design, shape, structure and motion has remained
practically the same. In the early 1980's the ingenious idea of
creating electrically powered toothbrushes sprouted. This was when
the conventional toothbrush evolved and included vibrations,
oscillations and different rotational motions. The problem with the
electrical toothbrush is its dependence on electricity, its
heaviness and limited portability, along with the need for multiple
parts, such as the charging base.
[0012] The unique design of the present invention is that it is
hand operated, non electric, lightweight and easily portable. The
bristles are operated by a rotation device in collaboration with
the applied force of the hand allowing bristles to rotate in
oppositional directions. The design is unique in that it not only
are the bristles mounted on interlocked cogs suspended inside the
hollow head of the toothbrush, but that each bristles turns in
opposite directions caused merely by manual force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with this invention the toothbrush includes
two segments, a head and a handle. The handle being partially
hollow and partially solid, and having a long cylindrical stem that
spans from the end to the tip. The tip being grooved and protruding
out into the head segment. The head also being partially hollow and
partially solid, the hollow portion interlocking with the handle by
the interlocking of the protruding triangles with the triangular
grooves on the handle. The two segments sliding perfectly into each
other in the hollow portions.
[0014] The head carries cleaning elements, such as bristles and
being comprised of rotator cogs, one with a grooved pillar which
when pushed against the stem activates movement.
[0015] An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush with
rotating concave bristles that are manually propelled instead of
electrically powered.
[0016] A further object of this invention is to provide such a
toothbrush containing interlocked rotating cogs with bristles
secured by in-molded technology, circularly arranged, that are
suspended inside the hollow head of the toothbrush.
[0017] A further object of this invention is for the first rotating
cog to be set in motion by the applied force of the user's hand
pushing the long cylindrical stem to rub against the pillar of the
first rotator cog. In turn, the first rotator cog, being
interlocked with the second rotating cog turns it in an
oppositional direction, the same effect occurring on the third,
thereby causing the secured bristles to turn in the same direction
of the cog it is attached to.
[0018] A further object of this invention is that when the handle
is pushed by the user's hand it causes the spring to contract and
create resistance against the handle.
[0019] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
invention is broadly drawn to an oral care toothbrush, preferably
comprising: a handle segment and a head segment as described
herein.
[0020] In a preferred practice of the invention the oral care
toothbrush is characterized by its small size and light weight so
that it is readily adaptable for travel use. The toothbrush is
preferably small in size and lightweight. The toothbrush is a
revolutionary and needed design as an alternative to the
conventional form, design and utility of a toothbrush. It serves to
gently remove the plaque, with merely the force of the hand.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention related in general to a toothbrush
generally to toothbrushes, and, more particularly, to manually
propelled rotating brushes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in
different figures identify the same or similar elements. Also, the
following detailed description does not limit the invention.
Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended
claims and equivalents thereof. The arrows displayed in the Figures
are solely for the purpose of showing the direction of movement and
are not intended to be part of the patented product.
[0023] The toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 comprises a handle segment 6
and a head segment 8. The handle part housing the long stem 11, and
part of the small spring 14. The head and handle are both partially
solid and partially hollow 13, 15.
[0024] Arranged in the interior of the handle part 6, are the long
cylindrical stem 11 with the spring 14, welded to the middle of the
stem 11.
[0025] The small spring 14 is welded onto the long stem 11 and is
also housed in the hollow portion of the head 8. The stem of 11, is
preferably made of a stiff rigid material, or metal.
[0026] The oval head 8, comprised of three interlocked rotator cogs
equal in diameter, the first having a grooved pillar 9, 10 which is
also interlocked with the long stem 11, as shown mores specifically
in 16.
[0027] The head segment 8 is equipped with the three rotator cogs 9
10, with the first rotator cog having a cog shaped base and a
grooved pillar as more fully shown in 10.
[0028] The hollow portion of the head 8, and handle 6, are kept in
place by the two triangular shaped edges on the hollow portion of
the head locking with the two triangular wedges in the hollow
portion of the handle 15, 17.
[0029] When the handle 6 is pushed by the applied force of the
user's hand, the hollow portion of the head slides into the hollow
portion of the handle 15, 17, which causes the toothbrush to be in
a contracted position 5, long stem 11 to push against the pillar on
the first rotator cog 9, 10 and causes the rotation of the cogs 9,
10, 17 and the ultimate rotation of the bristles as more fully
shown in 2,3,4,5.
[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a side view, left and right
respectively, of the interior components of the toothbrush in the
standstill position, the stem 11 being interlocked with the first
rotator cog of 9, 10.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the interior components of
the handle wherein the spring 14 is welded to the stem and is
housed in the hollow portion of the head 6, 15. When in contracted
position, spring 14 slides into the hollow portion of the handle 15
as shown in 5 and 17.
[0032] FIG. 4, illustrates a bottom view of the toothbrush
comprised of the head 8, and handle 6.
[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates a left side view of the toothbrush with
the long stem 11, the spring 14, the rotator cogs 9, 10. In
contrast, FIG. 13 shows only the solid and hollow portions of the
toothbrush without any of the interior components.
[0034] The toothbrush in FIG. 12 illustrates only the internal
components of 1 and includes the internal components of both the
head of 8, and the handle 6, it further shows the spring of 14 and
the rotator cogs 9.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates the toothbrush in a contracted working
position, where the handle 6 is being pushed against the head 8,
and slides as shown in 15 and 17.
[0036] When the toothbrush is in contracted position 5, the small
spring 14 causes hits the hollow portion of the head 8, and causes
resistance force upon the handle 6 thereby pushing the handle 6
back against the users hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The following is a brief description of the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1. is a left side view of the toothbrush
[0039] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the toothbrush, showing
interior components, which is constructed according to an
embodiment of the invention
[0040] FIG.3 is a right side view of the toothbrush, showing
interior components, which is constructed according to an
embodiment of the invention
[0041] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the toothbrush, which is
constructed according to an embodiment of the invention
[0042] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the toothbrush, showing
interior components in a contracted working position, which is
constructed according to an embodiment of the invention
[0043] FIG. 6 is a side view of the handle of the toothbrush, which
is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention
[0044] FIG. 7. is a top view of the inside of the toothbrush,
showing interior components, which is constructed according to an
embodiment of the invention
[0045] FIG. 8 is a side view of the head of the toothbrush, which
is constructed according to an embodiment of the invention
[0046] FIG. 9 is a side view of the interior components of the
head, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the
invention
[0047] FIG. 10 is a top view of the rotator cogs contained in the
head of the toothbrush, which is constructed according to an
embodiment of the invention
[0048] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the long stem contained in
the handle of the toothbrush which is constructed according to an
embodiment of the invention
[0049] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the interior components of
the toothbrush which is constructed according to an embodiment of
the invention
[0050] FIG. 13 is a side view of the toothbrush without the
interior components, showing the hollow and solid portions of the
toothbrush, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the
invention
[0051] FIG. 14 is a side view of the small spring
[0052] FIG. 15 is and exploded left side view of the interior
components of the hollow portion of the head and the handle.
[0053] FIG. 16 is an exploded top side view of the interior
components of the hollow portion of the head and the handle.
[0054] FIG. 17 is and exploded view of the interior components of
the hollow portion of the head and handle, including a partial view
of the stem, with the spring attached in contracted position
[0055] The arrows displayed in the Figures are solely for the
purpose of showing the direction of movement and are not intended
to be part of the patented product.
* * * * *