Toothbrush with light source for illuminating oral cavity

• US 20080196184A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mary T. Dooley
• Original Assignee: Mary T. Dooley
• Inventors: Mary T., Dooley
• Application Number:
  US12/070,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20080196184A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/088 Illuminating devices or attachments for examination of the mouth A61B1/24 and A61B1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B

Abstract

A toothbrush apparatus includes a power source coupled to a light source for illuminating the oral cavity of the user to aid in the tooth cleaning process and prevent damage from inaccurate brushing. The light source is arranged away from the bristles and directs light towards the free ends of the bristles to aid the user in identifying areas of the teeth that may need more cleaning. In this manner, the user can more accurately clean all areas and prevent damage to the surrounding gum tissue, while directing appropriate brushing strokes to areas where food debris and plaque are present. The toothbrush may be provided in a manual or automatic version.

Claims

1. A toothbrush apparatus that illuminates an oral cavity of a user, said toothbrush apparatus comprising:

a head having bristles extending therefrom;

a hollow handle having a cavity;

a neck connecting the head to the hollow handle, said neck including an opening;

a power source arranged in said cavity of the hollow handle;

a light source arranged in the opening of the neck to direct light in front of the bristles such that the oral cavity is illuminated with light to aid the user in examining teeth before, during and after a brushing process has been performed on the teeth;

a switch coupled to the power source and the light source; and

,

lead wires coupling said power source to the light source via the switch.

2. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 further including timer circuitry arranged in series with the switch to receive an input signal therefrom, said timer circuit energizing allowing power to flow from the power source to the light source for a predetermined period of time.

3. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch is a momentary switch.

4. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 includes a detachable head.

5. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light source is a bulb having a filament or a light emitting diode.

6. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a motor for oscillating or rotating the bristles, said motor coupled to the switch and in parallel with the light source.

7. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a timer circuit arranged between the switch and the motor, said timer circuit having an input coupled to the switch and an output coupled to both the light source and the motor.

8. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a timer circuit having a pair of inputs coupled to the switch and a plurality of outputs coupled to the motor and light source, the switch being a three position switch, wherein when the three position switch is in a first position the switch is in an off state, wherein when the three position switch is a second position the timer provides full power to the motor and light source, and wherein when the three position switch is in a third position the timer provides a lower voltage value to the motor than the voltage value provided to the light source.

9. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch is a double pole, triple throw switch having four feed contacts, two of the feed contacts connected to the light source, two of the feed contacts connected to the motor.

10. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening is an angled opening that aids in directing light toward free ends of the bristles.

11. A toothbrush apparatus that illuminates an oral cavity of a user, said toothbrush apparatus comprising:

a head having bristles extending therefrom connected to a hollow handle having a cavity via a neck, said neck including an opening;

a power source arranged in said cavity of the hollow handle;

a light source arranged on the opening of the neck to direct light in front of the bristles such that the oral cavity is illuminated with light to aid the user in examining teeth before, during and after a brushing process has been performed on the teeth;

a switch coupled to the power source and the light source; and

,

lead wires coupling said power source to the light source via the switch.

12. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 further including timer circuitry arranged in series with the switch to receive an input signal therefrom, said timer circuit energizing allowing power to flow from the power source to the light source for a predetermined period of time.

13. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 wherein said switch is a momentary switch.

14. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 includes a detachable head.

15. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 wherein said light source is a bulb having a filament or a light emitting diode.

16. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a motor for oscillating or rotating the bristles, said motor coupled to the switch and in parallel with the light source.

17. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a timer circuit arranged between the switch and the motor, said timer circuit having an input coupled to the switch and an output coupled to both the light source and the motor.

18. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a timer circuit having a pair of inputs coupled to the switch and a plurality of outputs coupled to the motor and light source, the switch being a three position switch, wherein when the three position switch is in a first position the switch is in an off state, wherein when the three position switch is a second position the timer provides full power to the motor and light source, and wherein when the three position switch is in a third position the timer provides a lower voltage value to the motor than the voltage value provided to the light source.

19. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 wherein said switch is a double pole, triple throw switch having four feed contacts, two of the feed contacts connected to the light source, two of the feed contacts connected to the motor.

20. The toothbrush apparatus of claim 11 further including motor control circuitry that steps down the voltage supplied to the motor.