Handgrip for a dental device

• US 9,044,853 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jennie S. Phui
• Original Assignee: Jennie S. Phui
• Inventors: Phui, Jennie S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri, Hadi
• Application Number:
  US13/799,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20140260838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 814/89, 811/772, 164/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/12 Locking and securing devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a dental device holder for holding a dental device in place and a method of use of the dental device holder for providing dental care. The dental device holder can include a spherical outer wall with a plurality of holes in the wall, wherein a dental instrument can be inserted through the holes and frictionally retained in the dental device holder. The dental device holder can include attachment elements. A strap can be attached to the dental device holder using the attachment elements.

Claims

1. A dental device holder configured to adjustably retain a dental device in a user'"'"'s hand comprising:

a substantially spherical outer wall having a substantially uniform outer wall thickness;

the wall defining a substantially spherical interior volume;

the wall having a plurality of substantially circular opening pairs diametrically opposed to each other and positioned at substantially opposite regions of the interior volume, each opening having a diameter of less than about 2 cm;

wherein each opening is sized to receive at least a portion of a dental device having an elongate shaft longer than a diameter of the substantially spherical interior volume, such that the elongate shaft enters the outer wall through a first opening of an opening pair, traverses the interior volume and exits the outer wall through a second opening of the opening pair;

wherein each opening pair is configured to frictionally retain the dental device within the wall during use;

wherein the wall further comprises a slot that extends between two adjacent openings of the plurality of openings;

wherein the slot and wall together define an attachment portion.

2. An elongate device holding system configured to adjustably retain an elongate device in a user'"'"'s hand comprising in combination:

an elongate device, comprising an elongate shaft;

an elongate device holder adapted to hold the elongate device, the elongate device holder comprising;

an outer wall having a substantially uniform outer wall thickness;

the wall defining an interior volume;

the wall having a plurality of openings distributed about the outer wall;

wherein each opening is sized to receive at least a portion of the elongate device; and

wherein the elongate shaft enters the outer wall through a first opening, traverses the interior volume and exits the outer wall through a second opening; and

a strap, wherein a first portion of the strap is coupled to a first portion of the elongate shaft located near the first opening and a second portion of the strap is coupled to a second portion of the elongate shaft located near the second opening.

3. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, further comprising an attachment element coupled to the outer wall.

4. The elongate device holding system of claim 3, wherein the attachment element comprises a prong.

5. The elongate device holding system of claim 3, wherein the attachment element is integrally formed with the outer wall.

6. The elongate device holding system of claim 3, wherein the attachment element comprises a slot located on the outer wall, said slot and said wall together defining an attachment portion.

7. The elongate device holding system of claim 6, wherein the slot extends from one opening to an adjacent opening.

8. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein the elongate device comprises a toothbrush.

9. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein the outer wall comprises a compressible material.

10. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein the outer wall comprises a smooth surface.

11. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein an orientation of the elongate device within the elongate device holder is adjustable without moving or manipulating the elongate device holder.

12. The elongate device holding system of claim 11, wherein the openings are configured to allow for rotation of the elongate device in the elongate device holder.

13. The elongate device holding system of claim 11, wherein the openings are configured to allow for translation of the elongate device with respect to the elongate device holder, wherein the elongate shaft remains within the outer wall during translation.

14. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein the outer wall comprises a single piece.

15. The elongate device holding system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a plurality of sizes.

16. A method of providing an elongate device holding system, configured to adjustably retain an elongate a device in a user'"'"'s hand comprising in combination:

providing an elongate device, comprising an elongate shaft;

providing an elongate device holder adapted to hold the elongate device, the elongate device holder comprising;

a substantially spherical outer wall having a substantially uniform outer wall thickness, the wall defining a substantially spherical interior volume, the wall having a plurality of openings distributed about the outer wall, wherein each opening is sized to receive at least a portion of the elongate device;

inserting the elongate device through a first opening of the elongate device holder, such that the elongate device extends through the elongate device holder and exits the elongate device holder through a second opening;

providing a strap;

securing a first portion of the strap to a first portion of the elongate shaft located near the first opening; and

securing a second portion of the strap to a second portion of the elongate shaft located near the second opening.

17. The method of providing an elongate device holding system of claim 16, wherein the elongate device comprises a toothbrush.

18. The method of providing an elongate device holding system of claim 16, wherein the outer wall comprises a compressible material.

19. The method of providing an elongate device holding system of claim 16, further comprising changing the orientation of the elongate device within the elongate device holder by removing the elongate device from the elongate device holder and inserting the elongate device into a third opening of the elongate device holder, such that the elongate device extends through the elongate device holder and exits the elongate device holder through a fourth opening.

20. The method of providing an elongate device holding system of claim 16, further comprising changing the orientation of the elongate device within the elongate device holder by rotating the elongate device within the elongate device holder.