Removable head mechanism for automatic cleaning device
First Claim
1. A removable head mechanism for use with a base having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, comprising:
- a hollow housing;
a head drive shaft slidably mounted for longitudinal movement within said housing; and
means for connecting said base drive shaft to said head drive shaft in locking relationship responsive to axial movement of said base drive shaft into housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cleaning apparatus is provided for transmitting powered motion to an operating member having a removable head mechanism contained within a hollow housing. A motorized base, including a base drive shaft, is locked onto a head drive shaft of the removable head mechanism in response to axial movement of the base drive shaft into the housing. The head mechanism comprises a collet having outwardly radiating arms and inwardly extending feet at the lower end of the collet and a rack at the upper end. The rack engages rotatable gears containing tufts of filaments. The base drive shaft defines a shoulder and a tip at the upper end which is received into the collet. A sleeve, retained within the head mechanism by the inner dimensions of the hollow housing, receives the outwardly radiating arms and compresses them over the tip of the base causing the feet to engage the shoulder. Once locked onto the head mechanism, the axial movement of the base drive shaft causes rotation and counter-rotation of the gears and the tufts mounted within the gears. Unlocking of the shafts is accomplished by pulling the head mechanism away from the base. The rotational movement of the tufts is useful for cleaning surfaces such as teeth.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A removable head mechanism for use with a base having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, comprising:
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a hollow housing; a head drive shaft slidably mounted for longitudinal movement within said housing; and means for connecting said base drive shaft to said head drive shaft in locking relationship responsive to axial movement of said base drive shaft into housing. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A removable head mechanism, for use with a base having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, said base drive shaft defining a shoulder spaced inwardly from the end of said shaft, said head mechanism comprising:
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a hollow housing; a head drive shaft slidably mounted within said housing; a flexible arm mounted for movement with said head drive shaft and defining an inwardly extending foot at the end of said arm; and locking means for selectively moving said arm between an unlock position radially outwardly of the shoulder defined by said base drive shaft and a lock position in which said foot engages said shoulder when said head mechanism is mounted on said base. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to an operating member, said apparatus comprising:
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a base including a base drive shaft extending therefrom; means mounted in said base for reciprocating said base drive shaft axially; a removable head mechanism including a head drive shaft slidably mounted for axial movement within a hollow housing and operatively associated with said operating member; and
,locking means for connecting said base drive shaft to said head drive shaft actuated solely by axial movement of said base drive shaft into said hollow housing of said head mechanism.
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22. An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to an operating member, said apparatus comprising:
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a base including a base drive shaft extending therefrom, defining a shoulder spaced inwardly from the end of said base drive shaft; a removable head mechanism including a head drive shaft slidably mounted within a hollow housing; a flexible arm mounted for movement with said head drive shaft and defining an inwardly extending foot at the end of said arm; and locking means for selectively moving said arm between an unlock position radially outwardly of the shoulder defined by said base drive shaft and a lock position in which said foot engages said shoulder when said head mechanism is mounted on said base. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for transmitting powered motion to a work-engaging member, said apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a recess therein; a work-engaging member positioned within said recess; a drive shaft; means for operably connecting said drive shaft to said work-engaging member; a plate for covering said recess, said plate defining a bearing for receiving said work-engaging member; and a tab extending from said plate across the path of movement of said drive shaft, said drive shaft being received for movement through an opening defined in said tab. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of connecting a base, having a base drive shaft extending therefrom, to a removable head mechanism, comprising the steps of:
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axially inserting said base drive shaft into a hollow housing of said head mechanism, said base drive shaft being adapted for axial movement; axially extending said base drive shaft to a predetermined extended position; and responsive solely to axial movement of said base drive shaft, locking said base drive shaft to a head drive shaft slidably mounted for axial movement within said housing of said head mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A method of connecting a base, including a base drive shaft extending therefrom, to a removable head mechanism, comprising the steps of:
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inserting said base drive shaft into a hollow housing of said head mechanism, said base drive shaft defining a shoulder spaced inwardly from the end of said shaft; and responsive to axial movement of said base drive shaft, locking said base drive shaft to a head drive shaft slidably mounted within said housing, said head drive shaft including a flexible arm mounted for movement with said head drive shaft, said flexible arm defining an inwardly extending foot at the end of said. arm, so that said foot of said flexible arm of said head drive shaft is inserted onto said shoulder of said base drive shaft.
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Specification