Powered toothbrush head having a tuft block with a combination of oscillating motions
AssigneeColgate-Palmolive Company
InventorsBrian Bloch, Lars Ralf Rainer Lieberwirth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.
Claims14
A powered toothbrush head comprising:
- a head portion comprising a longitudinal axis and a cavity in a front side of the head portion;
- a rotatable drive shaft extending through the head portion into the cavity, the drive shaft defining a first axis of rotation and including a first cam;
- a first movable tuft block disposed at least partially in the cavity and having an elongated slot operably engaged with the cam;
- the first movable tuft block including an upper portion configured for retaining tooth cleaning elements, a lower base portion, and a reduced width intermediate portion between the upper and base portions;
- and
- wherein the first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion about the longitudinal axis comprising vertical motion and tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft.
A powered toothbrush comprising:
- a handle portion comprising a motor;
- a head portion comprising a longitudinal axis, the head portion including a rear wall and lateral side walls defining an open cavity;
- a rotatable cylindrical drive shaft operably connected to the motor and extending through the head portion into the cavity, the drive shaft defining a first axis of rotation and having an axially offset segment defining a first cam;
- a first movable tuft block disposed at least partially in the cavity and having a vertically elongated slot operably engaged with the first cam;
- the first movable tuft block including an upper portion configured for retaining tooth cleaning elements, a lower base portion, and a reduced width intermediate portion connected between the upper and base portions;
- and
- wherein the first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion about the longitudinal axis comprising a vertical motion and a tilting motion produced by rotation of the drive shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.