U.S. patent application number 12/807904 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for power guard.
Invention is credited to Khadijah Aminah Tilgner.
Application Number | 20110061779 12/807904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43729306 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110061779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tilgner; Khadijah Aminah |
March 17, 2011 |
Power guard
Abstract
A guard for preventing activation of an on/off switch that
provides a source of power to operate a personal electric device,
such as an electric toothbrush, an electric razor, a trimmer, and
the like. The guard includes a flexible cylindrical body having a
thickness defined by an inner surface and an outer surface. The
guard includes a flexible opening having a first edge and a second
edge that substantially face each other along an axial direction of
the guard. Peripheral ends of the cylindrical body terminate into a
first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are
aligned concentrically, and substantially perpendicular, to an axis
centrally disposed through the cylindrical body of the guard. In
use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a
portion of the handle of the electric device. The cylindrical body
of the guard is sufficiently rigid to prevent an inadvertent
activation of the on/off switch of the electric device.
Inventors: |
Tilgner; Khadijah Aminah;
(Atlanta, GA) |
Family ID: |
43729306 |
Appl. No.: |
12/807904 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61276878 |
Sep 17, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/16 20130101;
B26B 19/3813 20130101; B26B 19/3853 20130101; B26B 21/4062
20130101; B26B 19/3886 20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101; A46B
15/0087 20130101; B26B 21/40 20130101; A46B 17/00 20130101; A46B
15/0004 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A guard for a personal electric device comprising: a semi-rigid
flexible cylindrical body having an inner surface and an outer
surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends are
aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, and around which
the cylindrical body of the guard is aligned, where in use, the
guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch on the
electric device, and wherein the cylindrical body is sufficiently
rigid to prevent an inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of
the electric device.
2. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body of
the guard includes a flexible opening defining a first edge and a
second edge substantially facing each other, and wherein each edge
is aligned substantially parallel to the axis.
3. The guard as recited in claim 2, where in: a stored position,
the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned toward a
back of the electric device so that the on/off switch is protected
from activation; and a use position, the flexible opening is
positioned and axially aligned forward so that the on/off switch is
aligned within the flexible opening to permit access to the on/off
switch through the flexible opening.
4. The guard as recited in claim 2, wherein the flexible opening is
constructed to expand open to fit over a handle of the electric
device, and when at rest, the guard is biased to close the flexible
opening against the handle of the electric device.
5. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is composed
of a resilient flexible material adapted to stretch and contract to
snugly fit over a variety of different size and shapes of handles
for various electronic devices, and being suitable for providing
sufficient rigidity to prevent the on/off switch of the electric
device from being activated when the guard is positioned over the
on/off switch.
6. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of
the guard contacts and snugly covers the on/off switch, and the
outer surface faces outward away from the on/off switch to prevent
the on/off switch from being activated when the on/off switch is
covered.
7. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is an
extended guard that comprises an extended construction that covers
the entire handle and the on/off switch of the electric device.
8. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is an
extended guard that comprises an extended construction that covers
the head of the electric device and the on/off switch.
9. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the on/off switch is a
rotating switch.
10. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein ribs are disposed on
the guard to enhance the strength of the guard and to prevent
activation of the on/off switch.
11. The guard as recited in claim 10, wherein the ribs surround the
inside surface of the guard.
12. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard includes a
power meter that indicates an amount of remaining charge available
in the electric device.
13. The guard as recited in claim 12, wherein the power meter
includes a display that indicates the amount of charge remaining in
the electric device.
14. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the electric device
may be selected from at least one of: an electric toothbrush; an
electric razor; an electric trimmer; and an intimate personal
device.
15. A guard for an electric toothbrush comprising: a flexible
cylindrical body further comprising: an inner surface and an outer
surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends are
aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, around which the
cylindrical body of the guard is aligned; and a flexible opening
disposed in the flexible cylindrical body having a first edge and a
second edge substantially facing each other, wherein each edge is
aligned substantially parallel to the axis, where in use, the guard
is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a portion of the
handle of the electric toothbrush, and wherein the cylindrical body
is sufficiently rigid to prevent an activation of the on/off switch
of the electric toothbrush.
16. The guard as recited in claim 15, where in: a stored position,
the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned toward a
back of the electric toothbrush so that the on/off switch is
protected from activation; and a use position, the flexible opening
is positioned and axially aligned forward so that the on/off switch
is aligned within the flexible opening to permit access to the
on/off switch through the flexible opening.
17. A power guard for a personal electric device comprising: a
flexible cylindrical body further comprising: an inner surface and
an outer surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends
are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, around which
the cylindrical body of the power guard is aligned; a flexible
opening disposed in the flexible cylindrical body having a first
edge and a second edge substantially facing each other, wherein
each edge is aligned substantially parallel to the axis; and ribs
disposed on the guard to enhance the strength of the guard and to
prevent activation of the on/off switch, where in use, the guard is
adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a portion of the
handle of the electric device.
18. The power guard as recited in claim 17, wherein the power guard
includes a battery power meter that displays an amount of remaining
charge available in the electric device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Non-Provisional Application which
claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/276,878, entitled "Power Guard" filed Sep.
17, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a power guard for an electric
powered personal device, and in particular to providing a flexible
guard adapted to fit snugly over an on/off switch on an electric
toothbrush.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An electric toothbrush contains several basic components.
The toothbrush shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a conventional electric
toothbrush 100. The electric toothbrush 100 includes a removable
brush 110 with a semi-rotating head 120 at the top. The electric
toothbrush 100 also includes a mechanism inside the brush handle
130 that rotates back and forth and causes the semi-rotating head
120 to reciprocate and the turn from side to side. A cam and gear
unit (not shown) is disposed under the semi-rotating head 120. The
cam and gear unit convert the high-speed rotary (spinning) motion
of the electric toothbrush's electric motor 140 into a
reciprocating (back-and-forth) brushing motion that causes the
semi-rotating head 120 to clean a person's teeth effectively while
in use. The cam and gear unit are connected to a gear (not shown)
built into the top of the electric motor 140, and the electric
motor 140 drives the gear directly. Various batteries 150
(rechargeable or non-rechargeable) are electrically connected to,
and located under the electric motor 140. A circuit board (not
shown) is attached within the electric toothbrush 100 that receives
an activation input from an on/off switch 160 disposed on the outer
case 170 of the electric toothbrush 100. The outer case 170 of the
electric toothbrush 100 may be made of a durable plastic. The
on-off switch 160 is set into, and sealed by, a piece of thin
flexible rubber. The outer case 170 keeps moisture, toothpaste and
other contaminates away from the circuit board, electric motor 140,
and batteries 150, which would otherwise cause damage to the
electric toothbrush 100.
[0006] Although an electric toothbrush is fairly simple in design,
one of the on-going problems with electric toothbrushes occurs
unavoidably while in transit. All too often an on/off switch of a
stored electric toothbrush is activated when a force is applied by
an adjacent packed object, and/or by compressing the luggage area
around the on/off switch of the electric toothbrush thereby
inadvertently turning the on/off switch to the active position.
Unfortunately, activation of the electric toothbrush may go
unnoticed and the battery will drain.
[0007] Even more embarrassing is the instance where the electric
toothbrush begins to vibrate in a person's luggage while in the
vicinity of others only to be mistaken by the bystanders as a
different more personal electronic device. Consequently, when the
user attempts to activate the on/off switch for use, to their
surprise, there is no charge in the battery and the electric
toothbrush is unusable.
[0008] In the past, electric toothbrush carrying cases have been
marketed and sold with the electric toothbrush. The problem with
these carrying cases is that they are large and cumbersome and
often take up substantial space in a compact carrying case thereby
occupying room at the expense of leaving behind other necessary
travel items. Consequently, there is a need for a compact portable
device that prevents inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of
the electric toothbrush.
SUMMARY
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a guard for
a personal electric device comprising a semi-rigid flexible
cylindrical body having an inner surface and an outer surface
bounded by a first end and a second end. The ends are aligned
substantially perpendicular to an axis, and around which the
cylindrical body of the guard is aligned. In use, the guard is
adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch on the electric device.
The cylindrical body is sufficiently rigid to prevent an
inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of the electric
device.
[0010] The cylindrical body of the guard includes a flexible
opening defining a first edge and a second edge substantially
facing each other, and edges are aligned substantially parallel to
the axis. In a stored position, the flexible opening is positioned,
and axially aligned, toward a back of the electric device so that
the on/off switch is protected from activation. And, in a use
position, the flexible opening is positioned, and axially aligned,
forward so that the on/off switch is aligned within the flexible
opening to permit access to the on/off switch through the flexible
opening.
[0011] The guard is composed of a resilient flexible material
adapted to stretch and contract to snugly fit over a variety of
different size and shapes of handles for various electronic
devices. Likewise, the guard is rigid suitable for providing
sufficient rigidity to prevent the on/off switch of the electric
device from being activated when the guard is positioned over the
on/off switch.
[0012] In another embodiment, the guard may be constructed as an
extended guard that covers the entire handle and the on/off switch
of the electric device. Alternatively, the guard may be constructed
to cover the head of the electric device and the on/off switch.
[0013] Various ribs may be disposed on the guard to enhance the
strength of the guard and to prevent activation of the on/off
switch.
[0014] Another aspect is to integrate a power level meter into the
guard that indicates the amount of charge residing in the battery
and to provide on a display therefore.
[0015] These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may
accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present
invention, as described in more detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail,
wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar
components or steps, with reference to the following figures,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary power guard for a personal
electric device in accordance with this invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective front view of the guard secured
in place over an on/off switch of an electric toothbrush in
accordance with this invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the guard secured
over the on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush in
accordance with this invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the guard secured over the
on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush, and the
flexible opening of the guard in accordance with this
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the guard secured over the
on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush in
accordance with this invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an extended guard secured
over the on/off switch and the lower end of the handle of the
electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an extended guard secured
over the head of the electric toothbrush and the on/off switch of
the handle in accordance with this invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a conventional electric toothbrush.
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the guard
including various ribs in accordance with this invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment in which
the guard includes a battery power meter in accordance with this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary power guard 10 constructed
to cover and prevent the on/off switch 160 from activating a source
of power that operates the personal electric device. In particular,
the guard 10 is shown herein cylindrical in shape. The guard 10 may
be made of a semi-rigid flexible material and may be placed over
the on/off switch 160 disposed on the handle 140 of an electric
powered device, such as an electric toothbrush 100 shown and
described in these exemplary embodiments. However, it is to be
understood that the electric powered device may be selected from a
variety of different electric powered devices, such as an electric
razor, an electric trimmer, an intimate personal device, and/or any
other electric device.
[0029] The guard 10 may be made of a resilient flexible material
adapted to stretch and contract and snugly fit over any number of
handles for various commercially available electronic devices which
come in various sizes and shape. It is to be understood that the
various features and functionality among the guards 10, 20, 30, 40
are interchangeable.
[0030] Various materials may be used to construct the guard 10. The
guard 10 may be composed from a variety of different materials
including but not limited to, for example, rubber, a flexible
composite or polymeric material and/or any other semi-rigid elastic
material suitable to install the guard 10 onto the electric
toothbrush 100 as well as to provide sufficient rigidity to prevent
the on/off switch 160 of the electric toothbrush 100 from being
activated when the guard 10 is affixed over the on/off switch 160
disposed on the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100. Although
the on/off switch 160 shown in these FIGS is embodied central to
the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100, it is to be
understood that the on/off switch 160 may be configured as a
twisting rotational switch and/or any other type of actuating
switch which may be used in combination with the guard 10 described
herein.
[0031] It is also to be understood that the guard 10 may
constructed from a semi-rigid and/or more rigid material which is
substantially tailored to fit over the on/off switch of the handle
130 and to prevent activation of the on/off switch when the
electric toothbrush 100 is stored. In both instances, the material
of the guard 10 is sufficiently rigid to prevent a user and/or an
inadvertent activation of the on/off switch 160 of the electric
toothbrush 100.
[0032] Referring back to FIG. 1, the guard 10 is shown constructed
cylindrical in shape and includes a flexible opening 12. At rest
the guard 10 is biased to close the flexible opening 12. The
flexible opening 12 is provided to allow the guard 10 to expand
open to fit over electric toothbrush handles 130 of various shapes
and sizes. The flexible opening 12 is defined at its edges by a
first edge 13 and a second edge 14. Since the guard 10 is biased
into a closed configuration, the first edge 13 and a second edge 14
substantially face each other at the flexible opening 12.
[0033] At the peripheral ends of the cylindrical shaped guard 10
are disposed a first end 15 and a second end 16. The ends are
aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis running through the
cylindrical shaped guard 10. The guard 10 further defines an inner
surface 17 and an outer surface 18.
[0034] Although the guard 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a flexible
opening 12, it is to be understood that the guard 10 can be a
closed continuous cylindrical shape without a flexible opening 12.
As such, the entire guard 10 can be allowed to stretch over the
handle 130 of an electric toothbrush 100. Furthermore, although the
guard 10 is depicted as a cylindrical member, it is to be
understood that the guard 10 may take a variety of different sizes
and shapes.
[0035] FIGS. 1-5 depict an exemplary illustration of the guard 10
attached to the electric toothbrush 100. In use, the flexible guard
10 may be slipped over the handle 130 from above, below or from the
side. The guard 10 is positioned over the on/off switch 160 to
prevent access to the on/off switch 160. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and
4 in more detail, the inner surface 17 of the guard 10 lies
against, and over the handle 130 and on/off switch 160. The outer
surface 18 of the guard 10 faces outward and surrounds the outside
of the guard 10. The outer surface 18 of the guard 10 will come
into contact with various items while in a stored position, such as
in a travel carrying bag, or the like. An object of the guard 10 in
the stored position is to prevent the on/off switch 160 from
accidentally being activated when disposed in place over the on/off
switch 160.
[0036] Traditionally, and all too often, the on/off switch 160 of a
stored electric toothbrush is activated by contact and/or force
applied by an adjacent packed object and/or by an inadvertent
compression of the luggage area around the on/off switch 160.
Unfortunately, activation of the electric toothbrush 100 may go
unnoticed and the batteries 150 will drain. When the user attempts
turn on their electric toothbrush 100 for use, to their surprise
there is no charge in the batteries 150 and the electric toothbrush
100 is unusable until it can be recharged.
[0037] In a stored position (such as shown in FIGS. 2-3), the
flexible opening 12 is rotated and axially aligned toward the back
of the electric toothbrush 100 so that the on/off switch 160 is
protected from inadvertent activation. In use, the extended
flexible opening 12 may be rotated forward so that the on/off
switch 160 is aligned within the flexible opening 12, and the
flexible opening 12 is suitable opened to permit a user to access
the on/off switch 160 through the flexible opening 12 in order to
activate the electric toothbrush 100.
[0038] When the user has finished brushing her teeth, she may then
rotate the flexible opening 12 back into the storage position in
which the flexible opening 12 is again facing the rear of the
electric toothbrush 100 thereby covering the on/off switch 160 to
prevent inadvertent activation.
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a perspective and a rear view of the
guard 10 secured over the on/off switch 160 and the handle 130 of
the electric toothbrush 100 in accordance with this invention. From
this view, the flexible opening 12 is shown defined at its edged by
a first edge 13 and a second edge 14. The exemplary electric
toothbrush 100 shown has an ergonomic contour that the guard 10
flexibly adapts to in use as a result of the elastic properties of
the flexible material of the flexible guard 10.
[0040] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the guard 10 secured over
the on/off switch 160 and the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush
100 in accordance with this invention. As shown, the guard 10
flexibly stretches over the handle 130 and covers the on/off switch
160 of the electric toothbrush 100. The flexible opening 12 is
adapted to fit over and tightly snug against an irregular shaped
ergonomic handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 such as shown
in these figures.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an extended guard 30
secured over the on/off switch 160 as well as the lower end of the
handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 in accordance with
another aspect of this invention. The flexible opening 12 may be
extended as shown to facilitate the ease of installation of the
extended guard 30. As shown, the power guard 30 may comprise an
extended construction that covers the lower end of electric
toothbrush 100 and/or other electric powered device. The advantage
being that the extended guard 30 can account for the on/off switch
160 disposed anywhere under the cover of the extended guard 30.
[0042] As mentioned before, when the electric powered device is in
a stored position, the flexible opening 12 may be rotated toward
the back of the electric toothbrush 100 so that the on/off switch
160 is protected from inadvertent activation. In use, the extended
flexible opening 12 may be rotated forward so that the on/off
switch 160 is aligned within the flexible opening 12. The user may
then access the on/off switch 160 through the flexible opening 12
and activate the electric toothbrush 100 for use.
[0043] When the user has finished brushing her teeth, she may then
rotate the flexible opening 12 into the storage position in which
the flexible opening 12 is again facing the rear of the electric
toothbrush 100 and covering the on/off switch 160 to preventing
inadvertent activation. The same method of rotating and aligning
the flexible opening 12 to access the on/off switch 160 applies for
use with the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 described herein. The
benefit of rotating the flexible opening 12 forward and back to
access the on/off switch 160 is convenient in that the various
guards 10, 20, 30 do not have to be removed to activate the
electric toothbrush 100.
[0044] In another aspect, the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be
constructed in at least two parts (not shown) in which a first
portion can rotate relative to a second portion. The advantage of
this construction being able to rotate the first portion between a
first storage position in which the on/off switch 160 is
inaccessible, and a second storage position in which the on/off
switch 160 is accessible.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an extended guard 40
secured over the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 and the
on/off switch 160 of the handle 130 in accordance with this
invention. A flexible opening 12 may also be disposed along the
extended guard 40 to facilitate the ease of installation of the
extended guard 40. Likewise, the flexible opening 12 may be moved
from a first closed position in which the on/off switch 160 is
inaccessible through the flexible opening 12, and a second storage
position in which the on/off switch 160 is accessible through the
flexible opening 12.
[0046] When stored, the open end 42 of the extended guard 40 is
placed over the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 and slid
down along the handle 130 until the extended guard 40 completely
covers the on/off switch 160 in order to prevent inadvertent
activation of the electric toothbrush 100 as shown in FIG. 7.
[0047] Various other "personal" electronic devices can benefit from
the configuration of the extended guard 30 where the on/off switch
is a twisting on/off switch disposed at the bottom of the personal
electronic device. It is to be understood that the various guards
10, 20, 30, 40 may be modified and adapted to snugly fit over
various on/off switch configurations, such as the on/off switch
160, a twisting on/off switch and/or any other commercially
available on/off switch for various portable electronic
devices.
[0048] The extended guard 40 also serves a hygienic purpose in that
in the stored position, the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100
is protected against unsanitary contaminants that would normally
come into contact with an uncovered head 120 of the electric
toothbrush 100 and/or personal electric powered device. Although
the top end 44 of the extended cover 40 is shown closed, it is to
be understood that the top end 44 of the extended cover 40 may be
open.
[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the guard 10
including various ribs 19 in accordance with this invention. The
ribs 19 may be disposed about the guard 10 in order to enhance the
strength of the guard 10 at various locations. As shown, the ribs
19 surround the inside surface 17 of the guard 10. The advantage of
providing the ribs 19 is to provide rigidity to the guard and to
prevent the inadvertent activation of the on/off switch 160 when
the guard is positioned over the on/off switch 160. As a result,
the rigidity of the ribs 19 will allow the guard to slide onto the
electric toothbrush 100 with ease.
[0050] The guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be strengthened in a variety
of different ways including, but not limited to: embedding a rigid
material in the composition of the guard, placing a rigid member on
the guard and/or integrating the rigid member into the guard,
and/or any other suitable method for suitably enhancing the
rigidity of the guard. It is to be understood that the rigid member
disposed on the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be constructed as
ribs inside, outside, within and/or in any other configuration on
the guards 10, 20, 30, 40.
[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary power guard 20
including a battery power meter 22 in accordance with this
invention. In use, the guard 20 is adapted to determine the amount
of remaining charge available in the power source (e.g., batteries
150) of the electric toothbrush 100. The power meter 22 may include
a visual display 24 to indicate to a user the amount of charge
remaining in the batteries 150 of the electric toothbrush 100.
Since there are generally no metal electrical contacts in electric
toothbrushes 100, the guard 20 will measure the amount of charge in
the batteries though induction detection of the electromagnetic
field in the guard 10 and/or the area surrounding the batteries
150.
[0052] As such, the guard 20 may be constructed with a circuit
including a material composition capable of induction and detection
thereof. When detecting the amount of charge in the batteries 150,
the guard 20 will substantially mimic the characteristics of a
transformer in which the electric toothbrush 100 and the guard 20
form a two-part transformer, with the guard 20 having one part of
the transformer and the electric toothbrush 100 having the
other.
[0053] When the guard 20 is placed on to the electric toothbrush
100 and a current is induced, a complete transformer is created and
the residual charge in the batteries can flow through the guard 20
by induction. The amount of charge in the electric magnetic field
flowing though the guard 20 can be detected and visually displayed
24 by indicia on the power meter 22 in a suitable range, such as
between a range of "LOW" and "FULL."
[0054] The guard 20 may be embedded with an inductive material
property capable of detecting and determining the strength of the
induction within the field adjacent to the battery 150 power
source. That is, the strength of the electromagnetic field
generated by the batteries 150 through the guard 20 can be detected
and measured and the result displayed 24 on the power meter 22.
[0055] Although an electric toothbrush 10 was used to describe an
exemplary use for this invention, it is to be understood that
various types of electric toothbrushes are available and may be
implemented in accordance with this invention, e.g., an ordinary
electric toothbrush to sonic toothbrushes. Likewise, it is to be
understood that the guard 10 may be used on a variety of different
devices, such as an electric razor, an electric trimmer, an
intimate personal device, and/or any other electric device.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, various aesthetic logos 46 and or
designs may printed on the guards 10, 20, 30, 40 including but not
limited to, circles, rectangles, squares, triangles, trademark
designs, a logo, a brand, cartoons, a mascot, and/or any obtuse
shape, design or printed indicia in accordance with this
invention.
[0057] The illustrations and examples provided herein are for
explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the
appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art
that changes or modifications may be made to the above described
embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of
the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not
limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is
intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *