Angular headed toothbrush

• US 5,371,915 A
• Filed: 04/06/1993
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John R Key
• Original Assignee: John R Key
• Inventors: Key, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COOLEY, CHARLES E
• Application Number:
  US08/043,627
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 15/106, 15/110, 15/143 R, 15/159 R, 15/160, 15/167.1, 15/167.2, 128/62 A, D 4/104-113, D 4/130-134, D 4/138, 132/310
• 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 9/045 specially adapted for cleaning a plurality of tooth surfaces simultaneously

Abstract

An improved toothbrush design incorporating a bristle head including a fixed obtuse angle. This toothbrush is designed to be the sole implement needed for dental hygiene. The angle in the bristle head is formed by intermediate and distal segments which each have a straight longitudinal center axis. The intermediate segment is connected to a neck which in turn, is connected to a handle, each also having a straight longitudinal center axis. The neck, handle, and intermediate segments are contiguous and co-linear so as to provide superior cleansing of the lingual, buccal, embrasure, and distal aspects of the teeth and gums.

Claims

1. A new and improved toothbrush providing optimum cleaning performance for all areas of the teeth and gums comprising in combination, a plurality of bristles;

an angled head for holding said bristles;

a handle; and

a neck connecting said handle to said angled head;

wherein,

(a) said angled bristle head includes a distal segment with a straight longitudinal center axis, a second segment intermediate to said distal segment and said neck, said intermediate segment having a straight longitudinal center axis;

(b) said longitudinal center axis of said distal and intermediate segments each meet at a fixed obtuse angle; and

(c) said neck having a straight longitudinal center axis which is continuous and colinear with the longitudinal axis of said intermediate segment of said angled bristle head, and is continuous with said handle.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the bristles are attached to the inside surface of the angled bristle head so that bristles mounted to the distal segment of the angled bristle head are facing the bristles mounted to the intermediate segment of the angled bristle head.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said handle extends in a linear fashion from the neck.

4. A new and improved toothbrush providing optimum cleaning performance for buccal, lingual and distal surfaces of the teeth and gums and optimum cleaning performance for the embrasure areas of the mouth comprising in combination, a plurality of bristles;

an angled head for holding said bristles, a handle; and

, a neck connecting said handle to said angled head;

wherein,

(a) said angled bristle head comprises a distal segment with a straight longitudinal center axis, a second segment intermediate to said distal segment and said neck, said intermediate segment having a straight longitudinal center axis;

(b) said longitudinal center axis of said distal and intermediate segments each meet at a fixed obtuse angle;

(c) said neck having a straight longitudinal center axis which is continuous and colinear with the longitudinal axis of said intermediate segment of said angled bristle head, and is continuous with said handle;

(d) said two segments of said bristle head are provided on the inside facing surfaces of said segments with surfaces for the attachment of said bristles;

(e) said bristles are parallel so that bristles mounted to the distal segment of the angled bristle head are facing the bristles mounted to the intermediate segment of the angled bristle head and so that the bristle ends of the bristles attached to the distal segment forms a plane facing and intersecting a plane of bristle ends formed by the bristles attached to the intermediate segment; and

,

(f) said handle has a longitudinally straight center axis and is connected to said neck colinearly.