Illuminated toothbrush

• US 8,079,109 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunstar Americas Incorporated (Hosei Gijuku Luxembourg SA)
• Original Assignee: Sunstar Americas Incorporated (Hosei Gijuku Luxembourg SA)
• Inventors: Misner, Chad, Eatherton, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Carter, Monica
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENNINGS, MICHAEL DEANGILO
• Application Number:
  US12/202,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20100050357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 151/05, 151/43, 151/671, 151/431, 248/110, 248/205.5, 248/108, 248/109, 248/205.8, 248/205.9, 248/206.2, 248/683
• US Class Current: 15/105
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0044 with light signalling means A46B15/0034, A46B15/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0097 Self supporting, e.g. brushes that stand upright or in other particular ways
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04

Abstract

The invention provides a toothbrush having a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis, a head portion coupled to the handle portion having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, a light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion, and a base portion including a suction cup configured to removably adhere to a support surface, wherein the suction cup includes an actuator configured to actuate the light source.

Claims

1. A toothbrush, comprising:

a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a head portion coupled to the handle portion;

a plurality of bristles extending from the head portion;

a light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion; and

a base portion including a suction cup configured to removably adhere to a support surface, wherein the suction cup includes an actuator positioned within a substantially circular portion of the suction cup and engageable with the support surface when the suction cup is attached to the support surface, wherein the actuator is moveable between a first position in which the actuator activates the light source and a second position, and wherein the actuator is biased toward the second position.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially normal to the support surface when the suction cup is adhered to the support surface.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the actuator is located on the longitudinal axis.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the actuator is located in a center of the substantially circular portion.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a switch coupled to the actuator, wherein the switch is configured for movement substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

6. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board and a switch, wherein the switch is coupled to the actuator and moveable with the actuator to contact the printed circuit board when the actuator is moved to the first position, and wherein the printed circuit board operates to illuminate the light source for a predetermined period of time.

7. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the switch is biased toward the second position.

8. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board includes a timer that begins counting the predetermined period of time when the switch contacts the printed circuit board.

9. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the handle portion includes at least one of a substantially transparent material and translucent material, and wherein the light source is disposed adjacent to the at least one of a substantially transparent material and a translucent material.

10. The toothbrush of claim 9, wherein the head portion is substantially transparent.

11. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes at least one of a substantially transparent material and translucent material, and wherein the light source is disposed adjacent to the at least one of a substantially transparent material and a translucent material.

12. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a second light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion.

13. An illuminated toothbrush comprising:

an elongated handle defining a chamber and a longitudinal axis;

a brush head coupled to the handle and including a plurality of bristles;

a suction cup coupled to the handle and having a center portion that defines an actuator, the suction cup releasably attachable to a support surface to support the toothbrush in a position in which the longitudinal axis is substantially normal to the support surface, and the actuator positioned within the suction cup and engageable with the support surface when the suction cup is attached to the support surface;

a switch positioned within the chamber and having an end engaging the actuator, the switch and the actuator moveable together along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position and being biased toward the second position; and

a light source positioned within the chamber and operating in response to movement of the switch and the actuator along the axis from the second position to the first position.

14. The illuminated toothbrush of claim 13, wherein the light source operates for a predetermined period of time in response to movement of the switch along the axis from the second position to the first position.

15. The illuminated toothbrush of claim 13, further comprising a control circuit having a timer, the control circuit operating in response to movement of the switch along the axis from the second position to the first position to operate the light source.

16. The illuminated toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the control circuit includes a timer for counting a predetermined time period, wherein the timer begins counting the predetermined time period and operates the light source in response to movement of the switch along the axis from the second position to the first position, and wherein the control circuit terminates operation of the light source upon expiration of the predetermined time period.