US 5,850,659 AGranted

Toothbrush with bendable head

AssigneeThe Smart Brush Corporation

InventorsC. P. Butler, F. M. Butler, Jr.

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Abstract

An ergonomically designed toothbrush having an oversized handle, a shapeable stem, interchangeable, flexible heads of different sizes, bristles arrangements, and geometrical configurations. The handle is generally cylindrical in shape so as to readily fit in the palm of ones hand while having a flattened portion against which the thumb and fingertips may be rested. The handle has attached thereto a rotation means which may be selectively set in a variety of positions about the longitudinal axis of the handle. When a stem with a flexible toothbrush head is attached to the rotation means, the user of the toothbrush may bend the head and set the orientation of the bristles on the head such that they are at a 45.degree. relative to the surface of the teeth while the flat portion of the handle is generally parallel to the surface of the teeth so that the Bass brushing technique may be implemented while moving the toothbrush back and forth in short strokes in a conventional manner and so that all teeth may be effectively reached and brushed regardless of the contour of one's teeth and mouth.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A toothbrush with a bendable head for brushing teeth and gums, said toothbrush comprising:

a generally cylindrical handle, having a longitudinal axis and a cross-section defined by a circular portion for supporting at least one finger and a flat portion for supporting a thumb and fingertips;
rotation means attached to said handle for releasably attaching said handle to a stem, and for selectively positioning said stem at one of a plurality of locations about the longitudinal axis of said handle;
wherein said stem is connected to said rotation means, said stem comprising means for laterally adjusting the position of said stem relative to the longitudinal axis of said handle;
and
an elongated, rubber head connected to said stem and having a front portion with a plurality of tufts of bristles anchored to a flexible substrate embedded within said rubber head, said front portion being arranged so that in one of said plurality of locations of said rotation means the bristles of the head are at about a forty-five degree angle relative to the surface of said flat portion of said handle, whereby the Bass technique of brushing teeth and gums is implemented by the user of the toothbrush by moving the toothbrush in short strokes against the surface of the teeth and gums in a conventional manner.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/684,292Filed 18 Jul 1996 · continuation in part
Priority: 26 Mar 1996
Granted: 22 Dec 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A46B 5/0079
Being adjustable and stable during use: adjustable and stable shaft or handle, e.g. generally in one piece
A45D 44/18
Other cosmetic or toiletry articles, e.g. for hairdressers' rooms: receptacles for hair brushes or tooth brushes as travelling equipment
A46B 5/0075
Designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body: being adjustable and stable during use
A46B 5/02
Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware: specially shaped for holding by the hand