US20100136874A1

US20100136874A1 - Toothbrush and amusement device

Info

Publication number: US20100136874A1
Application number: US12/315,627
Authority: US
Inventors: David B. Moss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-03
Filing date: 2008-12-03
Publication date: 2010-06-03

Abstract

A toothbrush for children has a snap element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head having bristles. A snap element includes a male that may traverse an aperture in an ornamental element that can be held adjacent the handle by the closure. The ornamental element and snap element do not interfere with brushing or with holding the handle. The snap element may also contain an additional ornamental element. In either case, the ornamental element(s) may be separated from the handle by opening the closure element and replaced with the user's favored appealing ornamental element. Children or adults are encouraged to collect ornamental element to be attached to their toothbrush.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This patent application claims priority from U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/986.464 filed Nov. 21, 2007 by Applicant David B. Moss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for encouraging children and adults to brush teeth and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods of combining a children's toothbrush with a removable and selectable aerial or other amusement device.
Children need to learn to use toothbrushes to brush their teeth. Children's dental appointments can be expensive. The pain and fear they engender can also cause hysterical reactions in the children. Accordingly, anything that reduces cavities is helpful to the child and the child's parents. Brushing teeth is understood by the dental profession and public to reduce cavities in teeth. In addition, teaching children to brush their teeth helps to develop good habits for later use as adults.
Adults also need to be encouraged to brush their teeth since that reduces cavities. Adults unquestionably benefit greatly from good oral hygiene both in regard to the health of their teeth and in regard to the health of other bodily systems. For example, since bacteria found in the found has been linked to heart disease and other systemic conditions, tooth brushing may lessen the presence of such bacteria As can be seen, there is a need for a toothbrush that encourages children and adults to brush teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is presented a toothbrush and amusement device, comprising a handle; a snap element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another and effecting closure when attached, the snap element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion to be held by a user during brushing and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom; and an ornamental element removably attachable to the handle by means of the snap element, the ornamental element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.
In another aspect of the invention, there is presented a toothbrush and amusement device, comprising a handle; a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, and an ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the ornamental element and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is presented a toothbrush and amusement device, comprising a handle; a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, the male element or the female element including a first ornamental element integrally attached to the male element or female element, and a second ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the ornamental element and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user, the ornamental element removable when the closure element is opened.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a child holding the toothbrush of FIG. 1 in the air as if it were a flying object;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a child holding the toothbrush of FIG. 1 and brushing with it;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a child holding a toothbrush in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and brushing with it;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electric toothbrush for a child according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a toothbrush with the snap element and ornamental element removed;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment showing a toothbrush with the snap element and a second ornamental element removed;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the brush of FIG. 4 showing a portion of the handle adjoining the cape element;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the brush of FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a toothbrush wherein the handle is adjoined to the cape element through an opening in the cape element;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the cape element of the toothbrush of FIG. 15 from the rear wherein the cape element has a opening on the shoulder for adjoining to the handle;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a toothbrush an amusement device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention in which the closure element includes a recess in the handle;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention with an ornamental element shaped like a dinosaur;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention with an ornamental element shaped like a flower;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention with an ornamental element shaped like a cat; and

FIGS. 21-23 are rear views of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention showing ornamental elements having particular appealing indicia on them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention generally provides a toothbrush that provokes a child or adult into holding the brush and amusing himself or herself with it. Typically, the user may hold the brush at a lower portion of its handle and move it in the air as if it were a flying object or may observe the ornamental element. The ornamental element, which may be a cape element or a flying object element, may suggest an amusing or ornamental figure to the user. The ornamental element snaps on an off and may easily be replaced by a new ornamental element that the user identifies with. The fact that the user holds the brush and finds it appealing will increase the chance that the child or adult will be willing to hold the brush to brush his or her teeth.
In contrast to the prior art, in which an entire toothbrush has to be replaced when one wants to alter the amusement device on the toothbrush, the present invention allows the user to easily and simply replace an ornamental device on the toothbrush without having to set aside or throw away the brush. Children or adults may be impelled to collect ornamental devices to be attached. In further contrast to the prior art, which discloses toothbrushes with ornamental elements attached thereto, the present invention discloses a toothbrush with both a first and a second ornamental element attached thereto. In further contrast to the prior art, which may involve a toothbrush with a fixed ornamental element, the toothbrush of the present invention may include an ornamental element that may be replaced easily with a different ornamental element. In further contrast to the prior art, which may be a toothbrush with amusing shapes but is not practical to hold and brush with and/or may not simulate holding an actual mechanical or electric toothbrush, the toothbrush of the present invention may be used to stimulate amusement while at the same time may be comfortable for a child or adult to grasp and hold for actual brushing since the snap or closure element may be positioned so as to not interfere with the brush head or with the lower portion of the handle. Furthermore, the lower portion of the handle may be generally smooth. In further contrast to the prior art, where the interesting shapes jutting out of the brush interfere with the normal manner of holding the handle of the brush at its bottom portion, the toothbrush of the present invention may have an ornamental element that may adjoin the handle of the brush at a location and angle that that does not interfere with a user holding the brush for actual brushing.
As seen from FIG. 1, brush 10 may include a handle 20 and a flying object element 29 such as a cape element 30. Cape element 30 may be any structural element that may look like or have the appearance of a “cape”, which is defined in Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (10^thed.) as “a sleeveless outer garment or part of a garment that fits closely at the neck and hangs loosely over the shoulders”. Handle 20 should be comfortable for a child to grasp. Handle 20 may be an ordinary toothbrush handle. In some cases, lower portion 22 of handle 20 may be bereft of protrusions or shapes designed solely for amusement.
Flying object element 29 may take other forms besides cape element 30, for example wings (i.e. insect wings, fairy wings, to name a few examples) or a princess gown attached to handle 20. If instead of a cape element there were wings or another flying object element, the brush 10 would be identical except insofar as structural components unique to cape elements. For example, the discussion below with respect to the point where cape element 30 adjoins handle 20, its angle relative to handle 20, the existence of a space between cape element 30 and handle 20 for insertion of a hand of a child may also apply to another flying object element.
Cape element 30 may be integrally connected to handle 20, such as for example where cape element 30 and handle 20 are both made of rigid plastic. In other cases, cape element 30 may be a separate element that is attached to handle 20.
Cape element 30 may extend from handle 20 at a point high enough along handle 20 that a child can comfortably hold a lower portion of handle 20 in the normal manner that anyone brushing teeth holds a toothbrush. For example, cape element 30 may adjoin handle 20 approximately two-thirds of the way from the very bottom to the very top of brush 10. Cape element 30 may also adjoin handle 20 between approximately three-fifths to approximately four-fifths of the way from the very bottom of brush 10 to the very top of brush 10. In other cases, for example if upper portion 24 were lengthened relative to lower portion 22, cape element 30 may be positioned lower than two-thirds or lower than three-fifths of the length of the brush, but there may be sufficient room to insert a child's hand with room left over to adjust the grip of the child.
The area of contact between cape element 30 (or other flying object element 29) and handle 20 may be such as to provide stability and durability of brush 10. As such, cape element 30 (or other flying object element 29) may adjoin and be in contact with handle 20 along a relatively small distance of the length of handle 20. For additional stability, as seen from FIG. 13, cape element 30 (or other flying object element 29) may adjoin handle 20 at a portion of handle 20 lengthier than a mere point along handle 20.
In addition, for stability, as seen from FIG. 14, cape element 30 may adjoin and be in contact with handle 20 at a horizontal rotational portion/section of handle 20 of approximately 120 to approximately 150 degrees rotational arc of the surface of handle 20. Such point of horizontal rotational contact between cape element 30 and handle 20 may also be greater than approximately 150 degrees or less than approximately 120 degrees.
As seen from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, cape element 30 may also be rigid enough so that cape element 30 may maintain a fixed position with respect to handle 20, at least until pressure is applied to cape element 30. Accordingly, cape element 30 may not droop or require flicking away or other effort by the child in order for the child to insert the child's hand in space S between cape element 30 and handle 20 to hold brush 10. The term “rigid” in this context does not preclude a gown that may be movable when force is exerted against it.
In an alternative embodiment, cape element 30 may be non-rigid, may droop and may require the child to first move cape element 30 prior to insertion of the child's hand on handle 20.
Cape element 30 may adjoin handle 20 and thereby divide handle 20 into a lower portion 22 of handle 20 and an upper portion of handle 20. Lower portion 22 and upper portion 24 are defined by reference to being below or above the point or the portion of the length of handle 20 that adjoins cape element 30. For definitional purposes, the portion or point of handle 20 along the length of handle 20 that is adjacent cape element 30 may be considered to be part of upper portion 24. Accordingly, lower portion 22 may run from the lower tip 23 of handle 20 to just below the portion of handle 20 that adjoins cape element 30. Upper portion 24 may also include a head 26 having bristles 28 extending from head 26.
As seen from FIGS. 15-16, cape element 30 may adjoin handle 20 in ways other than those shown in FIGS. 1-6. For example, shoulder 36 of cape element 30 may have formed therein an aperture 39 of any suitable shape so as to removably receive handle 20 in a secure manner and allow cape element 30 to be adjoined to handle 20 at shoulder 36. In such a case, cape element 30 may be made of rubber which may be more flexible than plastic. Furthermore, this method of adjoining cape element 30 to handle 20 is designed to allow a utensil handle 20 (for example the handle of a toothbrush) to be fitted into the aperture by the user and to be removed by the user (i.e. a child or the child's parent) at the desire of the user. Depending upon the size of the aperture, handles of different utensils may be inserted into it. As a result, cape element 30 may be adjoined to different utensils besides a toothbrush, for example a pencil. As seen in FIG. 16, the aperture may be a slit opening 39 that may allow for a friction fit insertion of handle 20 of a utensil (i.e. a toothbrush) into cape element 30 at shoulder 36. The size of the opening 39 need not be rectangularly shaped and may be varied to correspond to a variety of handles for a variety of utensils. Besides friction fit, other methods of adjoining handle 20 to cape element 30 through opening 39 on cape element 30 may be used. In the top view of FIG. 16, the viewer is facing where the rear of brush 10 a would be if it had been shown in that figure. In other embodiments,
As seen from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, handle 20 and cape element 30 define a space S between them into which a child can place a hand to hold toothbrush 10. In addition lower portion 22 is long enough to allow the child to grip brush 10 for brushing. When speaking of a hand of a “child” in this context, the space S and length of lower portion 22 are such as to accommodate the hand of a child of any normal size and of an age up to approximately 10 years old.
In order to allow the child to grasp and hold brush 10 without discomfort, cape element 30 meets handle 20 at a sufficiently large angle that a hand of a child on the lower portion 22 of handle 20 can hold lower portion 22 and brush the child's teeth. Although cape element 30 need not be linear in cross-section or even substantially linear, it were it were linear, the angle that cape element 30 would need to meet handle 20 at so as to provide enough room for a child's hand may be approximately thirty-five degrees. Generally, the ideal angle may be between approximately thirty degrees and forty-five degrees, and more particularly between thirty-five degrees and approximately forty degrees. Since cape element 30 may not be linear, the angle would be measured by approximating the overall direction of cape element 30.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, cape element 30 has a left side 31 and a right side 32. As seen from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, since left side 31 and right side 32 of cape element 30 may curved around toward handle 20. Left side 31 and right side 32 are sufficiently distanced, for example one inch or more, from lower portion 22 so that a child can easily insert his or her hand onto lower portion 22 of handle 20. Toothbrush may be dimensioned to be appealing to children of a variety of ages and sizes, or adults.
Lower portion 22 of handle 20 may be tapered so as to allow a child to comfortably grasp lower portion 22 during the child's brushing of the child's teeth. For the same reason, lower portion 22 of handle 20 may be smooth and shaped without elaborate projections from lower portion 22 that may render grasping by a child uncomfortable. Accordingly, lower portion 22 may be unconnected to (not in contact with) other structural elements, at least from a point on the lower portion just below where the cape element adjoins the handle and downward.
The length of lower portion 22 may vary, although given the typical width of a child's hand, and a need to have extra room for different grips, it is estimated that lower portion 22 may be approximately 3 to approximately 7 centimeters long.
Although FIG. 3 shows a lower tip of cape element 30 being roughly equal to a lowest tip of handle 20, cape element 30 may in fact extend lower, or in some cases higher, than handle 20. For example, as seen from FIG. 5, cape element 30 has a lower tip 33 that is lower than a lower tip 23 of handle 20.
FIG. 5 shows a brush 10 having a cape element 30 that extends outward before curving downward, thereby creating a shoulder 36. The remainder of cape element 30 below shoulder 36 may be referred to as the draping portion 37. Besides the fact that the presence of a shoulder 36 as part of cape element 30 serves to increase the suggestion of an action figure or of a human figure, shoulder 36 also makes it easier for the child to insert his or her hand. Shoulder 36 may be of varying widths to suggest different action figures.
Although the exact length and shape of cape element 30 may vary, cape element 30 may resemble a cape of an action figure or object so as to induce the child to grasp it and move it in the air like a flying object. Cape element 30 itself may take a number of shapes. As seen from FIGS. 1-6, cape element 30 may be shaped so as to appear “flowing”. As seen from FIG. 6, cape element 30 may be laterally symmetrical. Cape element 30 of may also be shaped so as to appear robe-like.
As seen from FIG. 9, toothbrush 10 may be any kind of toothbrush usable by a child, including an electric toothbrush having button 99 to activate head 36.
As seen from FIG. 7, which shows a child holding the toothbrush of FIG. 1 in the air as if it were a flying action figure or other object, a child can grasp lower portion 22 without cape element 30 obstructing the grip of the child. This is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the child's hand holds lower portion 22 of handle 20 while brushing with brush 10.
The present invention also provides a toothbrush and amusement device 10 that may include a closure element 40 such as a snap element 40. As seen from FIG. 10, toothbrush and amusement device 10 may comprise a handle 20 and a snap element 40. Snap element 40 may include a male element 42 and a female element 44 removably attachable to one another. Male and female elements 42, 44 need not be shaped exactly as illustrated in FIG. 10 Snap element 40 may effect closure when male and female elements 42, 44 are attached to one another. The snap element 40 may adjoin handle 20 so as to divide handle 20 into a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 24, the upper portion 24 including a head, the head 26 having bristles 28 extending from head 26. Lower portion 22 may be between approximately three-fifths and four fifths of a length of the handle and may constitute at least a majority of the length of handle 20. Lower portion 20 may be smooth to make it easier to hold brush 10.
Brush 10 may also include an ornamental element 50 that may be removably attachable to handle 20, for example by means of the snap element 40. Snap element 40 may snap closed by means of a friction fit or other closure means As seen from FIG. 11, ornamental element 50 may itself have a female element 44 (or a male element 42) to be fitted or snapped into the corresponding male or female element affixed to handle 20. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 10, ornamental element 50 may have an aperture 55 defined in the body of ornamental element 50 and be sandwiched between male element 42 and female element 44 of snap element 40 so that when the male element 42 is attached or snapped on to the female element 44, for example by traversing the aperture 55 in ornamental element 50, such that ornamental element 50 may be held affixed in a sturdy manner to handle 20 when snap element 40 is closed. Concomitantly, when female element 44 (or in certain embodiments male element 42) is removed, ornamental element 50 may be easily separated.
Ornamental element 50 and snap element 40 may be positioned so that they may not interfere with a user holding the lower portion and or interfere with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user. As seen from FIGS. 8A, 10-12, 18-23, ornamental element may be a flying object element such as a cape element that suggests an action figure or ornamental element 50 may be a flower, dinosaur, cat or rectangular board bearing an indicia appealing to the user. If ornamental 50 is long enough, especially if ornamental element is a flying object element, handle 20 and ornamental element 50 define a space between handle 20 and ornamental element 50 between which a user can place a hand to hold the toothbrush 10 during brushing of the user's teeth.
Normally, closure element 40 may adjoin handle 20 at a point high up enough on handle 20 such that lower portion 22 may be held by a user comfortably during brushing. In an alternative embodiment, however, ornamental element 50 may be snapped or otherwise attached to handle 20 by means of a closure element 40 that is affixed to handle 20 at or adjacent the butt end, i.e., the distal end 77, of handle 20.
Ornamental element 50 may be formed of any suitable material. It is preferred that the material used for the ornamental element 50 be such as to allow easy rinsing with water. Rigid plastic may satisfy this criteria. In addition, Ornamental element 50 may meet handle 20 at an angle exceeding approximately 30 degrees in order to avoid interference with holding the handle during brushing.
Generally, toothbrush and amusement device 10 may comprise handle 20, closure element 40 attached to handle 20, the closure element 40 including male element 42 and female element 42 removably attachable to one another in one manual motion so that even a child can remove the ornamental element and replace it with another one of the child's choosing. The closure element 40 may adjoin handle 20 so as to divide handle 20 into lower portion 22 and upper portion 26, the upper portion 24 including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom. In a further embodiment, toothbrush and amusement device 10 may include two ornamental elements, as seen in FIG. 11. In this case, brush and amusement device 10 may comprise handle 20 and closure element 50 attached to the handle, the closure element including male element 42 and female element 44 removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached. Closure element 40 may adjoin handle 20 so as to divide the handle into lower portion 22 and upper portion 24. Female element 44 may include a first ornamental element 60, depicted in FIG. 11 as a snowman for illustrative purposes only, integrally attached to the male element 42. Alternatively, male element 42 may have first ornamental element 50 a attached thereto.
Brush 10 may then include a second ornamental element 50A having an aperture 55 through which closure element 40 traverses to effect a secure closure.. Ornamental element 60, second ornamental element 50A and closure element 40 may be shaped and positioned so as to not interfere with a user holding the lower portion or with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user. Second ornamental element 50A may be removable when the closure element is opened. First ornamental element 60 may be integrally attached to male element 42 or female element 44.
Ornamental element 50, as well as second ornamental element 50A in the embodiment in which there are two ornamental elements, may be sold separately from the remainder of the brush 10 and may be attached by the user or else the entire brush including ornamental element 50 (or 50A) may be sold together. In either case, a user may own one toothbrush and may still collect many different kinds of ornamental elements that may easily snap on and off handle 20 manually. The user can remove one ornamental element and replace it with a favored, more appealing ornamental element. Children can amuse themselves with different ornamental elements and can collect ornamental elements to be attached to their toothbrush to design their own toothbrush. Parents can encourage children to brush teeth by rewarding them with particular ornamental elements favored by the child to be attached to the toothbrush.
Although the size of ornamental element 50, 50A may vary considerably within the criteria set forth above (not interfering with holding the brush or brushing), it is the intention that ornamental element 50 in FIG. 10 and ornamental element 50A in FIG. 11 represent an element similar in size, shape and orientation to the cape element 30 shown in FIG. 1, notwithstanding the fact that the ornamental element in FIGS. 10-11 have been drawn smaller.
FIG. 17 is a side view of toothbrush 10 in accordance with a further embodiment in which closure element 40 includes a recess 49 in handle 20 so that male element 42 may be inserted into recess 49 either by means of a friction fit and/or a snap connection. In this case, female element 44 has been replaced by a portion 45 of handle 20 adjacent to and defining a recess 49.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:

a handle;

a snap element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another and effecting closure when attached, the snap element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion to be held by a user during brushing and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom; and

an ornamental element removably attachable to the handle by means of the snap element, the ornamental element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.

2. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental element has an aperture through which the male element attaches to the female element, the ornamental element sandwiched between the male and female elements of the snap element such that closure of the snap element maintains the ornamental element affixed to the snap element,

3. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental element is a flying object element.

4. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 3, wherein the flying object element meets the handle at an angle exceeding approximately 30 degrees.

5. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 3, wherein the flying object element is a cape element that suggests an action figure.

6. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the handle is between approximately three-fifths and four fifths of a length of the handle.

7. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is at least 4 centimeters long.

8. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the handle is a majority of a length of the handle and wherein the lower portion is smooth.

9. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 1, wherein the handle and the ornamental element define a space between the handle and ornamental element into which a user can place a hand to hold the toothbrush during brushing of the user's teeth.

10. The amusement device of claim 9, wherein the snap element closes by means of a friction fit.

11. A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:

a handle;

a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, and

an ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the ornamental element and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.

12. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 11, wherein the ornamental element is a cape element.

13. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 11, wherein the ornamental element meets the handle at an angle exceeding approximately 30 degrees.

14. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 11, wherein the closure element adjoins the handle such that the lower portion can be comfortably held by a user during brushing.

15. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 11, wherein the female element comprises a portion of the handle that defines a recess.

16. A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:

a handle;

a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, the male element or the female element including a first ornamental element integrally attached to the male element or female element, and

a second ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the first and second ornamental elements and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user, the second ornamental element removable when the closure element is opened.

17. The toothbrush and amusement device of claim 16, wherein the ornamental element is a flying object element.