DISPOSABLE HEAD PORTION FOR A NODALLY MOUNTED ROTATING TOOTHBRUSH

• US 20090019651A1
• Filed: 09/08/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: KUTSCH, DUANE, GREZ, JOSEPH W., TABER, BRUCE E., PACE, JOHN W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,730,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3418 Rotation around the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3454 Translation along the axis perpendicular of the axis of toothbrush handle and in the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights

Abstract

A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith.

Claims

1. A head portion for a nodally mounted toothbrush which includes a handle portion having a driving system therein, comprising:

a head portion for a nodially mounted toothbrush which is removable from the handle portion of a toothbrush and is disposable, the head portion including (a) a drive shaft on which is mounted a brushhead with bristles for cleaning of teeth, (b) a spring assembly which is responsive to the driving system to move the drive shaft and (c) a cover member which includes a removable connection to the handle portion, the spring assembly including first and second spring sections and a node point between the two sections, wherein one spring section in operation is moved in one direction by the driving system while the other spring section moves in an opposing direction, and wherein the drive shaft extends from the second spring section.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the node point is located approximately at a midpoint between opposing ends of the spring assembly and wherein the head portion includes a nodal mount member which is compliantly connected to the cover member and supports the spring assembly at the node point.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring sections oscillate in a rotational action.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring sections oscillate in a transverse action.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the driving system uses magnetic action, wherein there is no physical connection between the driving system and the spring assembly.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the driving system includes an electromagnet and wherein the first spring section includes magnets at a rear end thereof.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring sections are in the form of two, nested basket-like members, wherein each spring section includes a plurality of individual spring members which extend in a generally circular arrangement and wherein the second spring section is nested within the first spring section.

8. The article of claim 6, wherein the spring members are leaf springs.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein each spring section includes two sheet metal spring members clamped together in registry at opposing ends away from the node point.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein each spring section is a single beam, extending in opposite directions from the node point.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the node point is produced by a magnetic arrangement and wherein the first and second spring sections are single beam elements.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring sections are defined by spring members which are arranged to form a “

V”

configuration, wherein the second spring section is co-extensive longitudinally with the first spring section, and wherein the nodal point is at one end of the first and second spring sections, away from the driving system.