Light emitting electric toothbrush

• US 6,202,242 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zephyr Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zephyr Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Salmon, DʼMiles E., Ambriz, De Anne M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/369,027
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 15/221, 151/05, 151/671, 362/109, 362/119, 362/120, 362/804, 433/29
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0006 with a controlling brush technique device, e.g. stroke movement measuring device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0044 with light signalling means A46B15/0034, A46B15/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0046 with vibrating signalling means
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0089 Brushes with figurines such as animals on the handle
• 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 5/00 Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/32 reciprocating or oscillating
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2203/00 Means for making patients feel at ease during dental treatment, e.g. dental instruments in the form of toys
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/425 Toothbrush

Abstract

A light emitting electric toothbrush and method therefore is disclosed which is intended for use by children, is comprised of a robust high-strength, plastic construction, and employs both light and vibration to assist in the development of suitable dental hygiene skills. In its most fundamental embodiment, the light emitting electric toothbrush comprises a construction including a handle having a bottom end and a top end and a toothbrush shaft mounted to the top end of the handle. The brush shaft is comprised of a plastic resin including a fluorescent colored light refractive additive for optimizing light transmission through the brush shaft. A high intensity light source is mounted within the top end of the handle for generating light and a domed-shaped optical lens is positioned over the high intensity light source for directing the generated light into the brush shaft. Finally, a switched electrical source is included for energizing the light source and the generated light therefrom creates a glowing illumination in the brush shaft for illuminating a dental cavity of a person during brushing of the teeth. In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush also includes a vibrating motor mounted within the handle for causing the brush shaft to vibrate. The vibrating motor is also energized by the switched electrical source simultaneously with the light source.

Claims

1. A light emitting electric toothbrush comprising:

a handle having a bottom end and a top end;

a brush shaft mounted to said top end of said handle, said brush shaft comprised of a plastic resin including a fluorescent colored light refractive additive for optimizing light transmission through said brush shaft;

a high intensity light source mounted within said top end of said handle for generating light;

a domed-shaped optical lens positioned over said high intensity light source for directing said generated light into said brush shaft; and

a switched electrical source for energizing said light source, wherein said generated light creates a glowing illumination in said brush shaft for illuminating a dental cavity of a person.

2. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said handle is comprised of Acrylonitrile Butabiene Styrene (ABS).

3. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bottom end of said handle is flat for supporting the toothbrush in an upright position.

4. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said brush shaft includes an interlocking receptacle that cooperates with a protuberance formed on a lamp holder molded to said handle.

5. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 4 wherein said interlocking receptacle of said brush shaft includes a groove formed in said domed-shaped optical lens.

6. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source is mounted within a lamp holder molded to said top end of said handle.

7. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said domed-shaped optical lens is a highly polished lens formed within said brush shaft.

8. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said switched electrical source includes a push-to-operate switch in series with a direct current electrical source.

9. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 8 wherein said direct current electrical source is located within a compartment within the bottom end of said handle.

10. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said compartment includes a locking door.

11. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said handle is sculpted and ergonomically designed for use by a child.

12. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said brush shaft is angled and contoured to maximize light transmission.

13. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said handle further includes a plurality of internal ribbing for providing structural support.

14. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 1 further including a vibrating motor for causing said brush shaft to vibrate.

15. A light emitting electric toothbrush comprising:

an ergonomically designed handle having a bottom end and a top end;

a brush shaft mounted to said top end of said handle, said brush shaft comprised of a light carrying resin including a fluorescent colored light refractive additive for optimizing light transmission through said brush shaft;

a light source mounted within said top end of said handle for generating light;

an optical lens positioned over said light source for directing said generated light into said brush shaft;

a motor mounted within said handle for causing said brush shaft to vibrate; and

a switched electrical source for simultaneously energizing said light source and said motor, wherein said generated light creates a glowing illumination in said brush shaft for illuminating a dental cavity of a person.

16. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 15 wherein said bottom end of said ergonomically designed handle is flat for supporting said toothbrush in an upright position.

17. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 15 wherein said optical lens is a highly polished domed-shaped lens formed within said brush shaft.

18. A light emitting electric toothbrush comprising:

an ergonomically designed handle having a bottom end and a top end;

a brush shaft mounted to said top end of said handle, said brush shaft comprised of a plastic resin including a fluorescent colored light refractive additive for optimizing light transmission through said brush shaft;

a high intensity light source mounted within said top end of said handle for generating light;

a domed-shaped optical lens positioned over said high intensity light source for directing said generated light into said brush shaft;

a vibrating motor mounted within said handle for causing said brush shaft to vibrate; and

a switched electrical source for simultaneously energizing said light source and said vibrating motor, wherein said generated light creates a glowing illumination in said brush shaft for illuminating a dental cavity of a person.

19. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 18 wherein said bottom end of said ergonomically designed handle is flat for supporting the toothbrush in an upright position.

20. The light emitting electric toothbrush of claim 18 wherein said handle is comprised of Acrylonitrile Butabiene Styrene (ABS).