Multi-directional motion flosser

• US 20050008986A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Snyder, Cliff, Ellsworth, Arthur W., Sokol, Gary, Grudt, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US10/843,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20050008986A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/047 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2201/002 using colour effect, e.g. for identification purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

An improved flossing device for cleaning between one'"'"'s teeth is provided. The flossing device comprises a motor with a rotation drive shaft, a link member, and a motion translator. The link member has a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive a removable floss tip member. The motion translator is configured to transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft to the second end of the link member in the form of axial motion. In alternate embodiments, the motion translator transfers at least two types of motion from the group of vibrating, rotating, and axial motion to the second end of the link member.

Claims

1. An interproximal flosser comprising:

a motor with a rotational drive shaft;

a link member comprising first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive a removable floss tip member; and

motion translation means for transferring rotational motion of said drive shaft to said second end of said link member in the form of at least two of the group consisting of vibrational motion, rotational motion, and axial motion.

2. The interproximal flosser of claim 1, wherein the vibrational motion is orbital in nature.

3. The interproximal flosser of claim 1, wherein the vibrational motion is radial in nature.

4. An interproximal flosser comprising:

a motor with a rotational drive shaft;

a link member comprising first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive a removable floss tip member; and

motion translation means for transferring rotational motion of said drive shaft to said second end of said link member in the form of axial motion.

5. An interproximal flosser comprising:

a body;

a motor coupled with said body, said motor comprising a rotational drive shaft;

a link member comprising first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive a removable floss tip member; and

a motion translator configured to transfer rotational motion of said drive shaft to said link member in the form of at least two of the group consisting of vibrational motion, rotational motion, and axial motion.

6. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, wherein the vibrational motion is orbital in nature.

7. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, wherein the vibrational motion is radial in nature.

8. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, said motion translator comprising:

an eccentric cam configured to engage said rotating drive shaft, said cam comprising an angled top surface;

a pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end coupled with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

a floating support coupled with said pivot arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with said body and said bottom end configured to engage said pivot arm;

wherein upon rotation of said drive shaft, said eccentric cam is rotated by said drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm and said link member to exhibit vibrating, rotating, and axial motions.

9. The interproximal flosser of claim 8, said pivot arm further comprising an open cup with inner side walls, said angled track of said pivot arm located inside said open cup, said cam engaging said inner side walls.

10. The interproximal flosser of claim 8, said floating support defining a hole, said pivot arm extending therethrough.

11. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, said motion translator comprising:

an eccentric cam configured to engage said rotating drive shaft, said cam comprising an angled top surface;

a pivot arm comprising a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end coupled with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

a pivot arm pin operatively coupled with said pivot arm to prevent rotation of said pivot arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with said body and said bottom end configured to engage said pivot arm;

wherein upon rotation of said drive shaft, said eccentric cam is rotated by said drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm and said link member to exhibit vibrating and axial motions.

12. The interproximal flosser of claim 11, said pivot arm further comprising an open cup with inner side walls, said angled track of said pivot arm located inside said open cup, said cam engaging said inner side walls.

13. The interproximal flosser of claim 11, said pivot arm defining an elongated opening, said pivot arm pin extending therethrough.

14. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, said motion translator comprising:

an eccentric cam configured to engage said rotating drive shaft, said cam comprising an angled top surface;

a rotating arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end coupled with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

an upper and a lower vibration-dampening support coupled with said rotating arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with said body and said bottom end configured to engage said rotating arm;

wherein upon rotation of said drive shaft, said eccentric cam is rotated by said drive shaft, thereby causing said rotating arm and said link member to exhibit rotating and axial motions.

15. The interproximal flosser of claim 14, said rotating arm further comprising an open cup with inner side walls, said angled track of said rotating arm located inside said open cup, said cam engaging said inner side walls.

16. The interproximal flosser of claim 5, said motion translator comprising:

an eccentric cam configured to engage said rotating drive shaft, said cam comprising a flat top surface;

a pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end coupled with said cam, said bottom end defining a flat surface engaging said flat top surface of said cam; and

a pivot support coupled with said pivot arm;

wherein upon rotation of said drive shaft, said eccentric cam is rotated by said drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm and said link member to exhibit vibrating and rotating motions.

17. The interproximal flosser of claim 16, said pivot arm further comprising an open cup with inner side walls, said flat surface of said pivot arm located inside said open cup, said cam engaging said inner side walls.

18. A drive mechanism for an interproximal flosser having a body and an electric motor with a rotating drive shaft, said drive mechanism comprising:

a link member having a first end and a second end, said first end configured to receive a tip member;

an eccentric cam configured to cooperate with the rotating drive shaft, said cam including an angled top surface;

a pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end loosely connected with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track for receiving said cam, said angled track of said pivot arm engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

a floating support connected with said pivot arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with the body and said bottom end configured to engage said pivot arm via said floating support;

wherein when the drive shaft rotates, said eccentric cam is rotated by the drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm to exhibit vibrating, rotating, and axial motions, thereby transferring said motions of said pivot arm to said first end of said link member.

19. A drive mechanism for an interproximal flosser having a body and an electric motor with a rotating drive shaft, said drive mechanism comprising:

a link member having a first end and a second end, said first end configured to receive a tip member;

an eccentric cam configured to cooperate with the rotating drive shaft, said cam including an angled top surface;

a pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end loosely connected with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track for receiving said cam, said angled track of said pivot arm engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

a pivot arm pin operatively coupled with said pivot arm to prevent rotation of said pivot arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with the body and said bottom end configured to engage said pivot arm;

wherein when the drive shaft rotates, said eccentric cam is rotated by the drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm to exhibit vibrating and axial motions, thereby transferring said motions of said pivot arm to said first end of said link member.

20. A drive mechanism for an interproximal flosser having a body and an electric motor with a rotating drive shaft, said drive mechanism comprising:

a link member having a first end and a second end, said first end configured to receive a tip member;

an eccentric cam configured to cooperate with the rotating drive shaft, said cam including an angled top surface;

a rotating arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end loosely connected with said cam, said bottom end defining an angled track for receiving said cam, said angled track of said rotating arm engaging said angled top surface of said cam;

an upper and a lower vibration-dampening support coupled with said rotating arm; and

a spring including a top end and a bottom end, said top end coupled with the body and said bottom end coupled with said rotating arm;

wherein when the drive shaft rotates, said eccentric cam is rotated by the drive shaft, thereby causing said rotating arm to exhibit rotating and axial motions, thereby transferring said motions of said rotating arm to said first end of said link member.

21. A drive mechanism for an interproximal flosser having a body and an electric motor with a rotating drive shaft, said drive mechanism comprising:

a link member having a first end and a second end, said first end configured to receive a tip member;

an eccentric cam configured to cooperate with the rotating drive shaft, said cam including a flat top surface;

a pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end attached with said second end of said link member and said bottom end loosely connected with said cam, said bottom end defining a flat surface for receiving said cam, said flat surface of said pivot arm engaging said flat top surface of said cam; and

a pivot support coupled with said pivot arm;

wherein when the drive shaft rotates, said eccentric cam is rotated by the drive shaft, thereby causing said pivot arm to exhibit vibrating and rotating motions, thereby transferring said motions of said pivot arm to said first end of said link member.