Toothbrush with a brush head moved by an electromotive drive means
First Claim
1. A toothbrush comprisingelectromotive drive structure,brush head structure,drive structure between said electromotive drive structure and said brush head structure for coupling said electromotive drive structure to said brush head structure in driving relation, said drive structure including mechanical torque limiting structure that comprises a first coupling half with annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of elliptical configuration, anda second coupling half cooperating with said first coupling half and including cam follower structure, and spring structure for biasing said cam follower structure against said annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of said first coupling half for limiting transmission of torque by said drive structure to said brush head structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to a toothbrush having a brush head 26 moved by an electromotive drive 12. It is suggested to arrange a mechanical torque limiting device 15 including a cam follower 13, 14 which is acted upon by a spring 16, 17 between a drive shaft of the electromotive drive 12 and the brush head 26. The user of the toothbrush and the electric motor 12 of the toothbrush are thereby protected against damage resulting from an improper manipulation of the toothbrush.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A toothbrush comprising
electromotive drive structure, brush head structure, drive structure between said electromotive drive structure and said brush head structure for coupling said electromotive drive structure to said brush head structure in driving relation, said drive structure including mechanical torque limiting structure that comprises a first coupling half with annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of elliptical configuration, and a second coupling half cooperating with said first coupling half and including cam follower structure, and spring structure for biasing said cam follower structure against said annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of said first coupling half for limiting transmission of torque by said drive structure to said brush head structure.
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9. A toothbrush comprising
electromotive drive structure, brush head structure, drive structure between said electromotive drive structure and said brush head structure and rotatable about a drive axis for coupling said electromotive drive structure to said brush head structure in driving relation, said drive structure including mechanical torque limiting structure that comprises a first coupling half with annular wall surface structure, and a second coupling half cooperating with said first coupling half and including cam follower structure, and spring structure for biasing said cam follower structure against said annular wall surface structure of said first coupling half for limiting transmission of torque by said drive structure to said brush head structure, said spring structure urging said cam follower structure along a chord in a direction that is substantially radial to and does not intersect said drive axis.
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17. A toothbrush comprising
electromotive drive structure, brush head structure, drive structure between said electromotive drive structure and said brush head structure for coupling said electromotive drive structure to said brush head structure in driving relation, said drive structure including mechanical torque limiting structure that comprises a first coupling half with annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of elliptical configuration, a second coupling half cooperating with said first coupling half and including cam follower structure, and spring structure for biasing said cam follower structure against said annular inner peripheral wall surface structure of said first coupling half for limiting transmission of torque by said drive structure to said brush head structure, a groove-shaped recess on one of said coupling halves and a ratchet-type projection on the other of said coupling halves for cooperation with said groove-shaped recess to produce an audible noise when said coupling halves move relative to one another with torque limiting effect.
Specification