Nozzle separating structure of oral irrigator

• US 9,039,642 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Young Hoon Lee
• Original Assignee: Young Hoon Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Young Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D
• Application Number:
  US13/286,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20130089832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 601/154, 601/160, 601/162, 601/163, 601/165, 601/169, 433/80, 433/81, 433/82, 433/89, 604/19, 604/30, 604/32, 604/43
• US Class Current: 601/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0202 Hand-pieces

Abstract

A structure for separating a discharge nozzle of an oral irrigator includes a first discharge path formed in one side of the irrigator body, a water pressure control lever rotatably arranged above the first discharge path and having a second discharge path in the other side of the irrigator body, a release button section provided on an upper portion of the water pressure control lever and into which the discharge nozzle is inserted and engaged, and configured, when pushed, to be bent so as to release the engaged discharge nozzle, and a locking section provided in the release button section and water pressure control lever to control a pushing operation of the release button section depending upon whether the first discharge path is open or blocked.

Claims

1. An oral irrigator comprising:

an irrigator body;

a discharge nozzle; and

a structure-for separating a discharge nozzle of an oral irrigator from an irrigator body,

wherein the structure comprising;

a first discharge path formed in one side of the irrigator body from a central line of the irrigator body;

a water pressure control lever rotatably arranged above the first discharge path and having a second discharge path in the other side of the irrigator body from the central line, thereby opening and blocking the first discharge path;

a release button section provided on an upper portion of the water pressure control lever and into which the discharge nozzle is inserted and engaged at a central portion thereof, and configured, when an outer surface thereof is pushed, to be bent so as to release the engaged discharge nozzle; and

a locking section provided in the release button section and in the water pressure control lever to control a pushing operation of the release button section depending upon whether the first discharge path is open or blocked.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the release button section includes a leaf spring part which is provided at the central portion and with which the discharge nozzle is engaged, a button part connected to one side of the leaf spring part and designed, when pushed, to bend the leaf spring part so as to enlarge an inner diameter of the leaf spring part, and a cover part covering the leaf spring part such that the button part protrudes outwardly and having an upper opening through which the discharge nozzle is inserted.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking section includes a locking groove of a certain length that extends along a circumference of the water pressure control lever, a locking release groove integrally connected to one end of the locking groove, and a locking bar vertically protruding from an undersurface of the release button section such that the locking bar is inserted into and positioned at the locking groove or locking release groove as the water pressure control lever rotates, so as to control the pushing operation of the release button section.

4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the water pressure control lever has an irregular outer surface in order to facilitate rotation and control of the water pressure control lever.

5. An oral irrigator comprising:

an irrigator body;

a discharge nozzle; and

a structure-for separating a discharge nozzle of an oral irrigator from an irrigator body, wherein the structure comprising;

a first discharge path formed in one side of the irrigator body from a central line of the irrigator body;

a water pressure control lever including an outer lever part having a second discharge path formed along a line with the first discharge path and a central hollow receiving section, one side of which is open, being formed into a dual layer structure of upper and lower layers, and a central lever part rotatably coupled into the receiving section and having a third discharge path in the other side of the irrigator body from the central line, thereby opening and blocking the first and second discharge paths;

a release button section provided on an upper portion of the water pressure control lever and into which the discharge nozzle is inserted and engaged at a central portion thereof, and configured, when an outer surface thereof is pushed, to be bent so as to release the engaged discharge nozzle; and

a locking section provided in the release button section and water pressure control lever to control a pushing operation of the release button section depending upon whether the first and second discharge paths are open or blocked.

6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein the locking section includes a locking groove of a certain length that extends along circumferences of the outer lever part and central lever part, a locking release groove integrally connected to one end of the locking groove and having a width bigger than that of the locking groove, and a locking bar vertically protruding from an undersurface of the release button section such that the locking bar is inserted into and positioned at the locking groove or locking release groove as the central lever part rotates, so as to control the pushing operation of the release button section.

7. The structure according to claim 5, wherein the release button section includes a leaf spring part which is provided at the central portion and with which the discharge nozzle is engaged, a button part connected to one side of the leaf spring part and designed, when pushed, to bend the leaf spring part so as to enlarge an inner diameter of the leaf spring part, and a cover part covering the leaf spring part such that the button part protrudes outwardly and having an upper opening through which the discharge nozzle is inserted.