Stem brush with automatic insertion system
First Claim
1. An oral hygiene device having an automatic stem insertion system comprising:
- a handle and a motor driven shaft, a stem coupled with the shaft, the stem insertion system including at least one key, a base receiving the shaft, at least one slot, each slot receiving a key, at least one sleeve having a ramp for receiving and engaging the key when coupling the stem to the handle and with a camming action of the key on the ramp, guiding the key into the slot, and means for releasably coupling the stem on the handle the coupling means including a radially extending flange and at least one flexible arm having a recess receiving the flange whereby upon coupling the stem to the handle, the flange engaging the arm and flexes the arm outwardly and further movement of the stem onto the handle causes the flange to enter the recess with a snap action, and upon withdrawal of the stem from the handle, the flange causes the arm to flex outwardly to release the flange from the recess.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An oral hygiene device has a handle and an automatic stem insertion system and comprises a pair of keys on the motor driven shaft. A bore receives the shaft, and slots receive the keys. A pair of sleeves each having a ramp for receiving and engaging the keys. When coupling the stem to the handle and with a camming action of the keys on the ramp, the ramps guide the keys into the slots. A radially extending flange is on the base of the shaft; and a pair of flexible arms having a recess receive the flange. Upon coupling the stem to the handle, the flange engages the arms and flex the arms outwardly and further movement of the stem onto the handle causes the flange to enter the recesses with a snap action; and upon withdrawal of the stem from the handle, the flange causes the arm to flex outwardly to release the flanges from the recesses.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An oral hygiene device having an automatic stem insertion system comprising:
a handle and a motor driven shaft, a stem coupled with the shaft, the stem insertion system including at least one key, a base receiving the shaft, at least one slot, each slot receiving a key, at least one sleeve having a ramp for receiving and engaging the key when coupling the stem to the handle and with a camming action of the key on the ramp, guiding the key into the slot, and means for releasably coupling the stem on the handle the coupling means including a radially extending flange and at least one flexible arm having a recess receiving the flange whereby upon coupling the stem to the handle, the flange engaging the arm and flexes the arm outwardly and further movement of the stem onto the handle causes the flange to enter the recess with a snap action, and upon withdrawal of the stem from the handle, the flange causes the arm to flex outwardly to release the flange from the recess. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An oral hygiene device having an automatic stem insertion system comprising:
a handle and a motor driven shaft, a stem coupled with the shaft, the stem insertion system including at least one key, a base receiving the shaft, at least one slot, each slot receiving a key, at least one sleeve having a ramp for receiving and engaging the key when coupling the stem to the handle and with a camming action of the key on the ramp, guiding the key into the slot, and means for releasably coupling the stem on the handle a pair of diametrically opposed sleeves with ramps being adapted to receive and engage the key. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. An oral hygiene device having an automatic stem insertion system comprising:
a handle and an axial motor driven shaft extending longitudinally therefrom and having a free distal end and a proximal end, a stem having a base and being coupled with the shaft and being driven thereby, the stem insertion system including at least one key on the shaft, an axial bore in the base of the stem receiving the free distal end of the shaft, at least one slot in the base of the stem open to the bore, each slot receiving a key, at least one coaxial sleeve extending longitudinally from the base of the stem having a ramp for receiving and engaging the key when coupling the stem to the shaft and with a camming action of the key on the ramp, guiding the key into the slot, means for releasably coupling the stem to the shaft including a radially extending coaxial flange at the proximal end of the shaft having a diameter larger than the shaft and at least one flexible coaxial arm extending longitudinally from the stem base having a distal free end and a proximal end, the arm distal free end having an inner recess receiving the flange whereby upon coupling the stem to the shaft, the flange engages the arm and flexes the arm radially outwardly and further movement of the stem onto the shaft causes the flange to enter the recess with a snap action, and upon withdrawal of the stem from the shaft, the flange causes the arm to flex radially outwardly to release the flange from the recess. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A stem for an oral hygiene device forming part of an automatic system insertion system comprising:
a stem base adapted to be coupled with a keyed drive shaft of the device, an axial bore in the base of the stem for receiving the shaft, a slot in the base of the stem open to the bore for receiving a key of the shaft, at least one coaxial sleeve extending longitudinally from the base of the stem having a ramp for receiving and engaging the key when coupling the stem to the shaft and with a camming action guiding the key into the slot, at least one flexible coaxial arm extending longitudinally from the base stem having a distal free and a proximal end, the arm distal free end having an inner recess for cooperating with surfaces of the shaft to releasably couple the stem to the shaft, the arm adapted to flex radially outwardly to engage the shaft surfaces with a snap action, and upon withdrawal of the stem from the shaft, the arm is adapted to flex radially outwardly to release the stem from the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Specification