Toothbrush

• US 7,748,072 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kendall Peter Rycroft
• Original Assignee: Kendall Peter Rycroft
• Inventors: Rycroft, Kendall Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, III; Joseph J
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANIEL, JAMAL D
• Application Number:
  US11/296,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20060130253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 151/05, 15/221, 434/263, 353/43, 353/24, 353/96, 353/100, 353/35, 362/253, 362/804, 362/109
• US Class Current: 15/105
• 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 17/225 Handles or details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/227 with reservoirs, e.g. for toothpaste
• 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

Abstract

A toothbrush includes a head assembly with bristles, a base assembly, and a connector which connects the two. A battery and light assembly are disposed in the connector and base assembly, and a power button switch turns the power to a light source “ON/OFF”. The base assembly includes a transparent lens portion at the distal end, through which a light beam from the light source shines when the switch is turned ON. The light beam can project a picture or icon on a slide through the lens portion onto a remote surface. The slide can be permanently fixed in the base assembly or interchangeable. A timer is connected to the batteries, light source, and switch, and allows the light source to turn on for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the base assembly contains at least one indicator light which indicates how long the light source has been ON.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a brush head assembly;

a base assembly;

a light source which projects a beam of light from said base assembly externally of said toothbrush;

a lens portion disposed at a distal end of said base assembly; and

a slide disposed in said base assembly, through which said beam projects, said slide having a picture disposed thereon such that said picture is projected externally of the toothbrush.

2. The toothbrush according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connector which connects said head assembly to said base assembly.

3. The toothbrush according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery holder disposed in said base assembly, said battery holder which holds at least one battery.

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

a switch which activates said light source.

5. The toothbrush according to claim 4, further comprising:

a timer connected to said at least one battery, said light source, and said switch, said timer which activates said switch for a predetermined period of time.

6. The toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein said timer activates said light source for at least 30 seconds.

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

a plurality of indicator lights disposed in said base assembly, which are activated by said timer.

8. The toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein said lights are activated in a predetermined sequence.

9. The toothbrush according to claim 4, further comprising:

an aperture disposed in said base assembly, through which said switch protrudes.

10. The toothbrush according to claim 9, further comprising:

a cover disposed in said aperture, which allows access to said switch.

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

a cap disposed on said battery.

12. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said lens portion is transparent or has a color.

13. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said slide is disposed in a distal end portion of said base assembly.

14. The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said slide is interchangeable.

15. A toothbrush comprising:

a brush head assembly;

a base assembly;

means for connecting/disconnecting said head assembly from said base assembly;

means for projecting a light beam from said base assembly externally of said toothbrush;

means for projecting said light beam for predetermined periods of time; and

a slide having a picture thereon, through which said light beam is projected, such that said picture is projected externally of the toothbrush.

16. A toothbrush comprising:

a brush head assembly;

a base assembly;

a light source disposed in said base assembly, which projects a light beam externally of said toothbrush;

a timer which activates said light source for predetermined periods of time;

and a slide having a picture thereon, through which said light beam is projected, such that said picture is projected externally of the toothbrush.