Automatic electric toothbrush

• US 6,895,625 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FKA Distributing Co. LLC
• Original Assignee: Homedics (Lifetime Brands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ferber, Roman S., Lev, Mordechai
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/106,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20030000033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 15 221- 224, 15/23, 15/28, 200/42.01, 200/52.R, 200/61.41, 200/61.42, 200/61.58 R, 200/61.85, 200/332.3, 200/511, 200/512, 200/600
• US Class Current: 15/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/221 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/225 Handles or details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder

Abstract

An motorized electric toothbrush includes a removable brush head and a switch that allows the toothbrush to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head contacts the operator'"'"'s teeth, a switch is actuated and the motor is engaged. The brush head is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or to allow use of the toothbrush by multiple users.

Claims

1. A motorized electric toothbrush comprising:

a handle portion having a first housing;

a removable head portion having a bristle head and a second housing and selectively attachable to the handle portion; and

a switch having a first position for preventing motorized operation of the toothbrush and a second position for facilitating motorized operation of the toothbrush, the switch including first and second contact plates disposed to electrically connect, thereby placing the switch in the second position when pressure is exerted on the bristle head, and

wherein the handle portion includes a pivotable rocker element including an actuator configured to contact one of the contact plates, thereby moving the one contact plate into electrical connection with the other contact plate, when the rocker element pivots in response to a pressure exerted on the bristle head.

2. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the rocker element further includes an attachment feature configured to facilitate attachment of the removable head portion to the handle portion.

3. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an actuator arm having a pin thereon for contacting the one contact plate to move it into electrical connection with the other contact plate.

4. A motorized electric toothbrush comprising:

a handle portion having a first housing;

a removable head portion having a bristle head and a second housing and selectively attachable to the handle portion;

a first switch disposed within the handle portion having a first position for preventing motorized operation of the toothbrush and a second position for facilitating automatic operation of the toothbrush; and

a second switch disposed within one of the housings and including first and second contact plates disposed to electrically connect, thereby actuating the second switch when the toothbrush is used by an operator, thereby causing motorized operation of the toothbrush when the first switch is in the second position, and

wherein the handle portion includes a pivotable rocker element including an actuator configured to contact one of the contact plates, thereby moving the one contact plate into electrical connection with the other contact plate, when the toothbrush is used by an operator, thereby pivoting the rocker element.

5. The electric toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the rocker element further includes an attachment feature configured to facilitate attachment of the removable head portion to the handle portion.

6. The electric toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the actuator includes an actuator arm having a pin thereon for contacting the one contact plate to move it into electrical connection with the other contact plate.

7. A motorized electric toothbrush comprising:

a handle portion having a first housing;

a removable head portion having a bristle head and a second housing and selectively attachable to the handle portion;

a first switch disposed within the handle portion having a first position for preventing motorized operation of the toothbrush, a second position for facilitating automatic operation of the toothbrush, and a third position for continuous motorized operation of the toothbrush; and

a second switch disposed within one of the housings and including first and second contact plates disposed to electrically connect, thereby actuating the second switch when the toothbrush is used by an operator, thereby causing motorized operation of the toothbrush when the first switch is in the second position, and

wherein the handle portion includes a pivotable rocker element including an actuator configured to contact one of the contact plates, thereby moving the one contact plate into electrical connection with the other contact plate, when the toothbrush is used by an operator, thereby pivoting the rocker element.

8. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the rocker element further includes an attachment feature configured to facilitate attachment of the removable head portion to the handle portion.

9. The electric toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the actuator includes an actuator arm having a pin thereon for contacting the one contact plate to move it into electrical connection with the other contact plate.