Toothbrush

• US 4,672,706 A
• Filed: 12/27/1985
• Issued: 06/16/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stratford Laboratories
• Original Assignee: Stratford Laboratories
• Inventors: Hill, Percy H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feldman, Peter
• Application Number:
  US06/813,748
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 15/167 R, 15/167 A, 15/143 R, D 4/104-112
• US Class Current: 15/167.1
• 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 5/00 Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/02 specially shaped for holding by the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/021 Grips or handles specially adapted to conform to the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes

Abstract

An ergonomically designed toothbrush includes a handle of rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The handle is twisted about its longitudinal axis so that it fits the palm of a person'"'"'s hand providing a power grip yet will fit most toothbrush holders. The forward end of the handle tapers outwardly and has an elliptical cross-sectional configuration with its outer surface being textured for ease of manipulation and comfort. A small elliptical neck connects the brush head to the handle and is designed not to interfere with the lips or cheeks when brushing. The brush head includes multi-level tufts of two grades of stiffness arranged in offset rows and is designed to remove plaque from interproximal areas as well as tooth surfaces and to reach into the gingival margin to gently massage the gums.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle member and a head member connected to the forward end of said handle member;

said handle member being rectangular in cross section throughout a substantial portion thereof, said rectangular cross-sectional portion being twisted about its longitudinal axis whereby each face of said rectangular cross-sectional portion is offset from itself by an angle of approximately 45°

from one end to the other thereof;

said handle member having a substantially larger cross-sectional configuration at its forward end where it connects to said head member and including a transitional portion which tapers downwardly from said forward end to said rectangular cross-sectional portion, the outer surface of said transitional portion being textured to provide a nonslip gripping surface thereon;

said head member including a brush and an elongated narrow neck portion connecting said brush to the forward end of said handle member;

said neck portion being curved upwardly so that said brush is located approximately between 10° and

15°

above the longitudinal axis of said handle member;

said brush having at least three rows of a plurality of tufts of bristles, the tufts in each row being offset from the tufts in the next adjoining row, some of the tufts in each row including strands which are thinner and longer than the strands in the remaining tufts.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said forward end of said handle member is substantially elliptical.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said transitional portion is substantially elliptical.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said neck portion is substantially elliptical.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein substantially every other tuft in each row of tufts is comprised of strands which are thinner and longer than the strands in the tufts therebetween.

6. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle member and a head member including a brush;

said head member including an elongated narrow neck portion connecting said brush to the forward end of said handle member, said neck portion being curved upwardly so that said brush is located approximately between 10° and

15°

above the longitudinal axis of said handle member;

said handle member being rectangular in cross section throughout a substantial portion thereof, said rectangular cross-sectional portion being twisted about its longitudinal axis whereby each face of said rectangular cross-sectional portion is offset from itself by an angle of approximately 45°

from one end to the other thereof;

said handle member having a substantially larger cross-sectional configuration at its forward end where it connects to said head member and including a transitional portion which tapers downwardly from said forward end to said rectangular cross-sectional portion, the outer surface of said transitional portion being textured to provide a nonslip gripping surface thereon.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 6 wherein said brush has at least three rows of a plurality of tufts of bristles, the tufts in each row being offset from the tufts in the next adjoining row, some of the tufts in each row including strands which are thinner and longer than the strands in the remaining tufts.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said forward end of said handle member is substantially elliptical.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said transitional portion is substantially elliptical.

10. The invention as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said neck portion is substantially elliptical.

11. The invention as claimed in claim 7 wherein substantially every other tuft in each row of tufts is comprised of strands which are thinner and longer than the strands in the tufts therebetween.