# US 9,038,226 B1 · Toothbrush having light emitters on a bottom side

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- Number: US 9,038,226 B1
- Document ID: US9038226B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 14/247,527
- Filed: 2014-04-08
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-08
- Applicants: Patrick Franklin
- Inventors: Patrick Franklin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038226B1

## CPC

- A46B 15/0044: {with light signalling means (A46B15/0034, A46B15/0036 takes precedence)}
- A46B 9/04: {Arranged like in or} for toothbrushes
- A46B 15/0008: {with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing}
- A46B 2200/1066: Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04)
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)

## Abstract

The toothbrush having light emitters on a bottom side includes a handle that may be gripped by a user. The handle is positionable proximate the user's mouth. A bristle is coupled to the handle. The bristle engages the user's teeth when the handle is positioned proximate the user's mouth. A processor is coupled to the handle. A light emitter is coupled to the handle. The light emitter is operationally coupled to the processor. The light emitter selectively emits light. The light emitter may communicate the maximum duration of time. An actuator is coupled to the handle. The actuator is operationally coupled top the processor. The actuator selectively actuates the processor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An oral hygiene assembly for indicating a maximum duration of time to employ oral hygiene, said assembly comprising:
a handle configured to be gripped by a user wherein said handle is positionable proximate the user's mouth;
a bristle coupled to said handle wherein said bristle engages the user's teeth when said handle is positioned proximate the user's mouth;
a processor coupled to said handle;
a light emitter coupled to said handle, said light emitter being operationally coupled to said processor, said light emitter selectively emitting light wherein said light emitter is configured to communicate the maximum duration of time; and
an actuator coupled to said handle, said actuator being operationally coupled top said processor wherein said actuator selectively actuates said processor;
wherein said handle being elongated along a longitudinal axis extending through a first end and a second end of said handle;
wherein said handle having a width being greater than a height of said handle wherein said handle has a rectangular parallelepiped shape;
wherein a bristle portion of said handle having a width being greater than a gripping portion of said handle;
wherein said bristle portion of said handle having a length being less than a length of said gripping portion of said handle;
wherein said light emitter being one of a plurality of light emitters being arranged in a plurality of columns and rows; wherein said plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of light emitters are centrally positioned on a bottom side of a bristle portion of said handle;
wherein said plurality of light emitters each being sequentially illuminated by said processor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bristle being coupled to and extending away from a top side of a bristle portion of said handle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bristle being one of a plurality of said bristles being arranged in a plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of bristles wherein said plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of bristles completely covers a top side of a bristle portion of said handle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said light emitter being coupled to a bottom side of a bristle portion of said handle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said light emitter being electrically coupled to said processor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator being movably coupled to a top side of a gripping portion of said handle such that said actuator is positioned proximate a first end of said handle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator being electrically coupled to said processor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The assembly according to claim 1 wherein a power supply coupled to a gripping portion of said handle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The assembly according to claim 8 wherein said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said power supply comprising at least one battery.

### Claim 11

An oral hygiene assembly for indicating a maximum duration of time to employ oral hygiene, said assembly comprising:
a handle configured to be gripped by a user wherein said handle is positionable within the user's mouth;
a bristle coupled to said handle wherein said bristle engages the user's teeth when said handle is positioned proximate the user's mouth;
a processor coupled to said handle;
a light emitter coupled to said handle, said light emitter being operationally coupled to said processor, said light emitter selectively emitting light wherein said light emitter is configured to communicate the maximum duration of time; and
an actuator coupled to said handle, said actuator being operationally coupled top said processor wherein said actuator selectively actuates said processor;
wherein said handle being elongated along a longitudinal axis extending through a first end and a second end of said handle; said handle having a width being greater than a height of said handle wherein said handle has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; a bristle portion of said handle having a width being greater than a gripping portion of said handle; said bristle portion of said handle having a length being less than a length of said gripping portion of said handle;
wherein said light emitter being coupled to a bottom side of said bristle portion of said handle; said light emitter being electrically coupled to said processor; said light emitter being one of a plurality of light emitters being arranged in a plurality of columns and rows; wherein said plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of light emitters are centrally positioned on said bottom side of said bristle portion of said handle; said plurality of light emitters each being sequentially illuminated by said processor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said bristle being coupled to and extending away from a top side of a bristle portion of said handle; said bristle being one of a plurality of said bristles being arranged in a plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of bristles wherein said plurality of columns and rows of said plurality of bristles completely covers a top side of a bristle portion of said handle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said actuator being movably coupled to a top side of a gripping portion of said handle such that said actuator is positioned proximate a first end of said handle; said actuator being electrically coupled to said processor; a power supply coupled to a gripping portion of said handle; said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor; said power supply comprising at least one battery.