Complex motion toothbrush

• US 20060137118A1
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Brown, Patrick W., Gall, Douglas A., Blaustein, Lawrence A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3472 with combined movements of the brush body
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies

Abstract

An electrically driven toothbrush may comprise a shaft comprising a cam. The cam may contact and move a first bristle holder. The shaft may drivingly engage the first bristle the holder. A second bristle holder may be driven by the first bristle holder. The second bristle holder may be driven by an engagement with an element extending from the first bristle holder.

Claims

1. An electric toothbrush, comprising:

a handle at a first end of the toothbrush having a motor disposed therein;

a head at a second end of the toothbrush, the head having a longitudinal axis and the head comprising a first bristle holder, the first bristle holder comprising a housing and a plurality of bristle tufts, the head also comprising a second bristle holder, the second bristle holder comprising a housing and a second plurality of bristle tufts;

wherein the first bristle holder oscillates about a first pivot, wherein a molded protrusion of the first bristle holder extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the head;

wherein the second bristle holder is driven by the protrusion of the first bristle holder which extends along the longitudinal axis of the head.