Pressure overload indicator system for power toothbrushes
First Claim
1. A pressure overload indication system for power toothbrushes, comprising:
- a brushhead member having a mounting base for bristles which extend from one surface thereof and a pressure contact element which extends from an opposing surface of said mounting base;
a substantially rigid brushhead shield member which is positioned apart from the pressure contact element when there is no pressure applied to the brushhead;
electrical contact elements, mounted on the brushhead shield so that when no pressure is applied to the brushhead there is a first selected distance between the pressure contact element and a first electrical contact element and a second selected distance between the electrical contact elements, wherein the first electrical contact element is movable under pressure toward another electrical contact element, the electrical contact elements being part of a normally open electrical circuit which includes an indicator element; and
a hinge-like member supporting the brushhead at an inboard end thereof which allows the brushhead to move toward the brushhead shield member when pressure is applied on the brushhead against the teeth, wherein the first and second selected distances are such that a predetermined pressure applied to the brushhead results in electrical contact between the electrical contact elements, closing the electrical circuit and activating the indicator element, indicating a pressure overload condition.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power toothbrush has a brushhead mounted at one end thereof, the brushhead including a base mounting element for bristles which extend from one surface thereof. Extending from the opposing surface of the base mounting element is a pressure contact member. A substantially rigid brushhead shield extends along and is adjacent to the opposing surface of the brushhead. The brushhead has a hinge-like portion which permits the brushhead to move or swivel in response to pressure being placed on the brushhead, while the brushhead is moving back and forth at its operating frequency of its normal brushing action at over 150 Hz. Thin electrical switch contacts, which are part of an electrical circuit, are positioned on the brush shield, spaced from the contact member on the brushhead. When sufficient pressure is applied against the brushhead, the brushhead moves sufficiently about the hinge, while also continuing to move in normal action that the pressure contact member comes into contact with and then closes the switch contacts, closing the electrical circuit and resulting in a visual indication that the brushhead pressure has exceeded the maximum limit for desirable brushing pressure.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A pressure overload indication system for power toothbrushes, comprising:
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a brushhead member having a mounting base for bristles which extend from one surface thereof and a pressure contact element which extends from an opposing surface of said mounting base; a substantially rigid brushhead shield member which is positioned apart from the pressure contact element when there is no pressure applied to the brushhead; electrical contact elements, mounted on the brushhead shield so that when no pressure is applied to the brushhead there is a first selected distance between the pressure contact element and a first electrical contact element and a second selected distance between the electrical contact elements, wherein the first electrical contact element is movable under pressure toward another electrical contact element, the electrical contact elements being part of a normally open electrical circuit which includes an indicator element; and a hinge-like member supporting the brushhead at an inboard end thereof which allows the brushhead to move toward the brushhead shield member when pressure is applied on the brushhead against the teeth, wherein the first and second selected distances are such that a predetermined pressure applied to the brushhead results in electrical contact between the electrical contact elements, closing the electrical circuit and activating the indicator element, indicating a pressure overload condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A pressure overload indication system for power toothbrushes, comprising:
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a brushhead member having a mounting base for bristles which extend from one surface thereof; a substantially rigid brushhead shield member which is positioned apart from the brushhead member when there is no pressure applied to the brushhead; pressure sensing means between the brushhead member and the brushhead shield; a hinge-like member supporting the brushhead at an inboard end thereof which allows the brushhead to move toward the brushhead shield member when pressure is applied on the brushhead against the teeth, acting on the pressure sensing means; and wherein the pressure sensing means determines the pressure exerted on the brushhead; and means for indicating when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A pressure overload indication system for power toothbrushes, comprising:
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a brushhead member having a mounting base for bristles which extend from one surface thereof and a pressure contact element which extends from an opposing surface of said mounting base; a substantially rigid brushhead shield member which is positioned apart from the pressure contact element when there is no pressure applied to the brushhead; electrical contact elements, mounted on the brushhead shield so that when no pressure is applied to the brushhead there is a selected distance between the electrical contact elements, wherein one electrical contact element is positioned between the pressure contact element and the other electrical contact element, wherein said one electrical contact element is movable under pressure toward said other electrical contact element, the electrical contact elements being part of a normally open electrical circuit which includes an indicator element; and a hinge-like member supporting the brushhead at an inboard end thereof which allows the brushhead to move toward the brushhead shield member when pressure is applied on the brushhead against the teeth, wherein a predetermined pressure applied to the brushhead results in electrical contact between the electrical contact elements, closing the electrical circuit and activating the indicator element, indicating a pressure overload condition. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification