Toothbrush

• US 5,864,915 A
• Filed: 10/09/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dojin RA
• Original Assignee: Dojin RA
• Inventors: Ra, Dojin
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US08/727,696
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 15/143.1, 15/162.1, 15/176.1, 15/176.4-176.6, D 4/104, D 4/138
• US Class Current: 15/167.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers

Abstract

The present invention is a toothbrush which consists of a handle constructed and arranged to receive thereto a removably mountable brushing head. The brushing head is provided with a base having a plurality of bosses which coact with the handle to removably mount the brushing head to the handle for replacement and repair. The handle is formed with an aperture extending therethrough and in registration with the brushing head. A region of the brushing head is in registration with the aperture such that the region is accessible at the aperture for being depressed to release the brushing head from the handle.

Claims

1. A toothbrush, comprising:

a handle comprising;

a first end,

a second end opposite to the first end, a first surface extending between the first end and the second end,

a second surface extending between the first end and the second end opposite to the first surface,

a continuous sidewall interconnecting the first surface and the second surface,

a recess constructed and arranged in the first surface at the first end,

a lip constructed and arranged along the first surface at the recess and extending inward toward the recess,

a protrusion extending from the handle at the first surface intermediate the first end and the second end,

a first elevated portion extending along the first surface between the protrusion and the second end,

a plurality of ridges projecting from the first elevated portion, each one of the plurality of ridges having a density less than the density of the material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed,

an aperture constructed and arranged to extend through the first surface at the recess and the second surface to provide communication between the recess and the second surface,

a pair of separate and discrete regions disposed on the first surface between the first end and the protrusion, each region having a density less than a density of the material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed,

a second elevated portion extending along the second surface substantially in registration with the first elevated portion,

a region of material extending along the second surface between the protrusion and the first end, the region having a density less than the density of the material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed; and

a brushing head comprising;

a top,

a bottom,

a continuous sidewall interconnecting the top and the bottom,

at least one resilient mounting member extending from the continuous sidewall for releasable engagement with the lip at the recess,

a plurality of bristles extending from the top,

a post extending from the bottom opposite to the bristles, the post supporting a region of the brushing head to be accessible at the aperture in the second surface,

at least one ridge of cushionable material projecting from the region of the post,

a flange extending from the sidewall proximate to the top, the flange spaced apart from the at least one resilient mounting member for

providing a space therebetween, the flange coacting with the at least one resilient mounting member to releasably receive the lip in the space to removably mount the brushing head in the recess,

wherein coaction between the at least one resilient mounting member and the lip at the recess permits the brushing head to be removably mounted in the recess for the region of the post to be exposed in the aperture for access at the second surface of the handle.

2. A toothbrush, comprising:

a handle comprising;

a first end, the first end having opposite upper and lower surfaces;

a second end opposite to the first end;

a recess constructed and arranged within the first end of the handle, said recess being open at the upper surface bounded at a bottom portion thereof by a wall proximate the lower surface, the recess further being defined by a sidewall extending between the open upper portion thereof and the wall at the lower portion thereof;

an aperture extending through said wall to the lower surface of the handle for providing communication between the recess and said lower surface;

an interior lip portion located at said upper surface about the recess, the sidewall of the recess being substantially linear and free of all surface interruptions from a bottom edge of the interior lip portion to the bottom wall of the recess;

a brushing head comprising;

a base having a top and a bottom;

a plurality of bristles extending from the top of the base;

a peripheral sidewall at the top of the base which extends outwardly therefrom;

a plurality of bosses fixed to a sidewall of the base and spaced a predetermined distance from the peripheral sidewall, the predetermined distance corresponding to the thickness of the interior lip portion of the handle;

a post extending from the bottom of the base which is adapted to fit within the aperture in the handle, the post acting as a means for the user to eject the brushing head from the handle;

wherein the peripheral sidewall of the base is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the handle and further wherein the peripheral sidewall and the plurality of bosses are closely engaged with opposed sides of the interior lip portion when the base is located in the recess;

wherein the bottom of the base rests on a top portion of the wall of the recess when it is located within the recess; and

wherein, when the brushing head is located in the recess, the sidewall of the base and the sidewall of the recess define an uninterrupted space extending from a lower edge of the bosses to the bottom wall of the recess.

3. The toothbrush according to claim 2, further comprising:

a protrusion extending from the handle at the upper surface of the handle between the first end and the second end for providing leverage for movement of the handle.

4. The toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the handle further comprises;

at least one region disposed on the upper surface of the handle between the first end and the protrusion, the at least one region having a density less than a density of the material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed.

5. The toothbrush according to claim 3, further comprising:

a first elevated portion extending along the upper surface between the protrusion and the second end of the handle; and

a plurality of ridges projecting from the first elevated portion, each one of the plurality of ridges constructed from a resilient material having a density less than a material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed.

6. The toothbrush according to claim 5, further comprising:

a second elevated portion extending along the lower surface of the handle opposite to the upper surface and substantially in registration with the first elevated portion, the second elevated portion formed of cushionable material to facilitate gripping the handle.

7. The toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the handle further comprises:

a region of material extending along the upper surface of the handle between the protrusion and the first end, the region of material having a density less than a density of the material from which the remainder of the handle is constructed.

8. The toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the post comprises:

at least one ridge of cushionable material projecting therefrom.