Tooth cleaning system with timer and signaling means

• US 5,438,726 A
• Filed: 05/09/1994
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francisca P. Leite
• Original Assignee: Francisca P. Leite
• Inventors: Leite, Francisca P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US08/239,377
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 15/22.1, 15/105, 15/106, 15/110, 15/111, 15/167.1, 15/176.1-176.6, 132/308-310, 132/321-325, 132/329, 601/139, 601/141, 601/142, 606/161
• US Class Current: 15/105
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0008 with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/004 with an acoustic signalling means, e.g. noise
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0046 with vibrating signalling means
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0069 Brushes fitted with a interdental devices, e.g. toothpick A46B2200/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0081 Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper
• 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 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers

Abstract

A toothbrush with timer and signalling apparatus having interchangeable periodontal devices. The signalling apparatus is composed of both an audio and vibrating signalling device to alert the user when the preset time limit is achieved.

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning system with timer and signalling means comprising:

a) a handle having a top end with an interchangeable attachment means contained therein, a middle of said handle including a display screen which both displays and counts down a predetermined time period, an on/off reset button, a speaker, and a vibrating means, and a bottom end with an interchangeable attachment means contained therein, said handle having an ergodynamically designed gripping means conforming to a user'"'"'s hand;

b) a plurality of interchangeable periodontal devices each with a complimentary interchangeable engagement part for releasable attachment to the attachment means at either the top or bottom end of said handle, said periodontal devices including a toothbrush head, a tongue scraper, concave-shaped toothbrush head, compact toothbrush head, pick, dental floss apparatus having a roll of dental floss with cutter, and rubber headed gum massager so that said user can select any two devices at any one time to mount on the top and bottom ends of said handle; and

c) electronic means within said handle operatively connecting together the display screen, on/off reset button, speaker and vibrating means such that it functions as a timing, signalling and signalling activation means for said on/off reset button to set a preselected period of time at the end of which according to the selection by the user the screen will display the expiration of the time, the speaker will emit an audio signal, and said vibrating means will vibrate in said handle to alert said user.

2. The tooth cleaning system of claim 1 in which said attachment means are snap-on devices.

3. The tooth cleaning system of claim 1 in which said attachment means are screw-on devices.