Reciprocating flosser and total dental hygiene

• US 5,224,500 A
• Filed: 07/15/1991
• Issued: 07/06/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stella, Carl J.
• Original Assignee: Stella, Carl J.
• Inventors: Stella, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary E.
• Application Number:
  US07/729,697
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 132/322, 132/323, 132/324, 132/325, 132/309
• US Class Current: 132/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/047 power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/028 with intermittent liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/26 driven by electric motor

Abstract

A flosser which holds the floss between two (2) unequal length prongs located in the head piece. The floss moves back and forth by a motor. When the floss is placed between the teeth and laterally moved forty-five degrees, the floss will clean between and the opposite sides of the teeth. When removed and rotated 180 degrees and placed between the same teeth, it will now clean the opposite sides of the same teeth, resulting in cleaning the four sides of the teeth. The head is detachable so that a separate round toothbrush with a guard on half of it will be able to brush in between the teeth. The top teeth are cleaned with the motor operating counterclockwise, the bottom teeth cleaned with the motor operating clockwise. However, due to its reversability, the motor may be operated in either direction as desired.

A head with the following attachments:

A small, round, pointed brush used to clean placque at the gum line

A round rubber or plastic cup to hold polish rotating at a low rpm to brighten teeth

A rubber or plastic gum massager may also be placed on this head

A separate head which operates a water pulser to remove solids from between the teeth which operates on an offset cam causing water to be squirted out in small bursts.

Claims

1. A dental hygiene device comprising:

(A) a main body having therein;

(a) a rechargeable battery,

(b) a motor connected to said battery,

(c) drive means, connected to said motor, for moving a rack, mounted for longitudinal movement within said body,

(d) a shaft having a first bevel gear on one end and second bevel gear on the other end, wherein said drive means engages said first gear thereby causing the shaft and the second gear to rotate;

(B) a head piece adapted to be removably attached to the main body comprising;

(a) a pair of prongs being of unequal length,

(b) a bar pivotally mounted, between its ends of prongs;

whereby, when the headpiece is attached to the main body, the rack abuts one of the ends of the bar to pivot said bar back and forth when motor is on, thereby imparting a reciprocating motion to said floss.

2. The dental hygiene device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of accessories adapted to be detachably connected to said main body, each accessory comprising a head and a beveled gear adapted to be driven by the second gear when the accessory is attached to said main body.

3. The dental hygiene device according to claim 2, wherein one of the heads includes a round brush drivably connected to the beveled gear, and a guard.

4. The dental hygiene device according to claim 3, wherein said motor is reversible and said round brush may by rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise by reversing the motor.

5. The dental hygiene device according to claim 2, wherein one of the heads includes a plurality of removably attachable cleaning devices adapted to be driven by the beveled gear, said cleaning devices including;

(a) a pointed toothbrush,

(b) a gum massager, and

(c) a round polisher/cleaner.

6. The dental hygiene device according to claim 2, wherein one of the heads comprises a water pulsator for delivering water, in a pulsating manner, to the oral cavity.

7. The dental hygiene device according to claim 1, wherein said motor is a variable speed motor and is reversible.

8. The dental hygiene device according to claim 1, wherein said prongs are made of pliable material that will bend during use so that a greater surface area of the teeth is cleaned.

9. The dental hygiene device according to claim 1, wherein said floss comprises a spool of floss and the headpiece comprises a hinged access door to allow replacement of said spool.