US3927435A - Toothbrush stem attachment - Google Patents

Toothbrush stem attachment Download PDF

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US3927435A
US3927435A US316980A US31698072A US3927435A US 3927435 A US3927435 A US 3927435A US 316980 A US316980 A US 316980A US 31698072 A US31698072 A US 31698072A US 3927435 A US3927435 A US 3927435A
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section
fingers
socket
flared
stem
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US316980A
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Michel A Moret
Jean-Pierre Musy
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LES PRODUITS ASSOCIES
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LES PRODUITS ASSOCIES
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61CDENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/16Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
    • A61C17/22Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
    • A61C17/222Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61CDENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/16Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
    • A61C17/22Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
    • A61C17/32Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/59Manually releaseable latch type
    • Y10T403/591Manually releaseable latch type having operating mechanism

Definitions

  • a molded plastic toothbrush stem attachment for a power hand appliance comprises a stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the other end.
  • the coupling includes a flared section, a driving socket section and a pair of detent fingers.
  • the fingers are disposed at rotational angles 90 from that of the brush, and their free ends have internal arcuate grooves and external arcuate projections.
  • a portion of the flared section overlaps the socket section in spaced relationship and the socket is deeper than the overlap region, to facilitate one-piece molding.
  • Tip portions of the flared section adjacent one finger are flat and non-symmetrical to O Umted States Patent [191 Moret et al.
  • FIG.1 A first figure.
  • This invention relates to a toothbrush stem attachment for a hand appliance for oral hygiene. It provides an attachment which can be easily attached and removed, is securely held in place during use, and can be economically molded in one piece of plastic to which the bristles are subsequently affixed.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,065 describes a unitary hydraulically-operated hand appliance capable of both toothbrush and water jet operation by simply interchanging the appliance attachments.
  • the appliance includes an hydraulic motor driven by liquid pressure pulses from a pump unit for toothbrush operation, and a separate conduit actuable by a manual valve for supplying the pressure pulses to a water jet attachment. Simple means for coupling attachments to the hand appliance are described.
  • the coupling should be as simple and foolproof in operation as possible, so that it can easily be used by children and will not result in damage to the hand appliance or attachment if carelessly used. Also, it should be capable of rotational oscillation in a positive manner without undue wear, and should resist forces tending to detach the brush from the motor unit when the bristles are pressed against the teeth. Finally, inasmuch as worn bristles will require replacement attachments, the attachment should be economical to manufacture.
  • coupling means are described in which the driving and detent functions are separated, driving being by means of a square socket in the toothbnish attachment and detent by means of spring arms having outwardly extending hooks which engage in an annular groove in the motor unit.
  • the spring arms are pressed inward to uncouple the hooks from the groove.
  • coupling means having a coupling section and a coupling retaining member slidable thereon.
  • the retaining member includes a spring arm having an inwardly-extending hook which engages an annular lip on the motor unit. Cam surfaces on the spring arm and coupling section cooperate to disengage the hook as the attachment is pulled ofi.
  • the present invention is directed to a toothbrush attachment which is simple and satisfactory in operation, and can be molded in one piece of plastic material with subsequent attachment of bristles.
  • the toothbrush stern attachment comprises a molded plastic stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterallyextending bristles forming a brush at the other end.
  • the coupling includes a flared section, a driving socket section extending beyond the flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinally-extending resilient cantilever detent fingers radially spaced from the socket section and terminating between the ends of the flared and socket sections.
  • the socket section has a rotationally symmetrical exterior surface and an interior surface which is cylindrical at the open end thereof and is of non-circular cross-section deeper in the socket.
  • the cylindrical portion aids in quiding the attachment onto the output member of a power hand appliance, and provides a pivot for rotating the attachment to mate with the output member.
  • the fixed ends of the detent fingers are integral with the flared section and spaced back from the end thereof, and the sides of the fingers are spaced from the adjacent portions of the flared section.
  • the free ends of the fingers have respective detent grooves on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section.
  • the free ends of the detent fingers have outward projections opposite the detent grooves which strengthen the ends and prevent distortion of the grooves.
  • the outer faces of the projections are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section.
  • the fingers are disposed on opposite sides of the socket section at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of the brush. In case of play between the socket section and the appliance output member, this disposition guards against uncoupling when the brush is pressed against the teeth and possible jamming against an encircling member of the hand appliance if such is present.
  • a portion of the flared section overlaps a portion of the socket section in spaced relationship therewith, and the inside of the socket section extends into the stem beyond the portion overlapped by the flared section.
  • This facilitates one-piece molding by promoting rapid and reasonably uniform cooling of all portions of the flared section, thereby avoiding distortion and reducing overall molding time.
  • the tip portions of the flared section adjacent one of the detent fingers are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger, to facilitate properly orienting the molded stem in automatic apparatus for inserting the bristles.
  • FIG. 1 is an overall view of an hydraulic hand appliance with toothbrush attachment in place
  • FIG. 2 shows the front end of the hand appliance of FIG. 1 and the coupling portion of the toothbrush attachment in longitudinal cross-section
  • FIG. 3 shows the toothbrush attachment rotated 90 from its position in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an end view and partial cross-section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 an hydraulic hand appliance of the type described in the aforesaid application Ser. No. 244,879 is shown.
  • Liquid pulses are supplied through flexible conduit 11 and the appliance is controlled by a slidable sleeve 12.
  • sleeve 12 controls valves in the appliance 10 which cause the toothbrush attachment 13 to be rotationally oscillated.
  • sleeve 12 shuts off the appliance.
  • the front end of the hand appliance is shown and is similar to that shown in FIGS. 14-16 of the aforesaid application Ser. No. 244,879 except for the coupling arrangement.
  • the casing has a cylindrical member 14 and a bearing 15 fixedly mounted therein.
  • Sleeve 16 is rotationally oscillated by an hydraulic piston motor in the rear of the appliance and a motion converter including a helical cam screw 17 and cooperating nut section.
  • Attached to the sleeve 16 is an output member having a cylindrical rear section 18 and a front section 19 which is square in cross-section so as to drive a toothbrush attachment in rotational oscillation.
  • Member 21 is fixedly attached to 14 and 15 and has an annular projection 22 serving as a detent.
  • An O-ring 24 provides a seal for a liquid jet attachment when used, but is out of contact with the toothbrush attachment here shown.
  • the toothbrush attachment comprises a stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterally-extending bristles 31 forming a brush at the other end. These ends may conveniently be termed rear and front ends, respectively. Several rows of tufts are used, as shown in FIG. 4, but only the center row is shown in FIG. 3 to avoid undue complexity of illustration.
  • the coupling includes a flared section 32, a driving socket section 33 extending beyond the flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinallyextending resilient cantilever detent fingers 34 extending beyond the flared section and terminating between the ends of the flared and socket sections.
  • the socket section 33 has arotationally symmetrical exterior surface, with the end 33' reduced in diameter to clear O-ring 24 and eliminate friction therewith.
  • the interior surface is cylindrical at the open end 33 thereof, as shown at 35 in FIG. 4. Deeper in the socket, at 36, the interior surface is square in cross-section to mate with section 19 of the appliance output member and, with the greater thickness of the socket wall at 33", provides a strong driving connection. Although square cross-sections are preferred, other non-circular cross-sections could be used.
  • the initial cylindrical inner wall 35 aids in guiding the coupling onto output member 19 and provides a pivot for rotating the attachment to mate the square sections.
  • Chamfers may be employed at the beginning of square section 36, and on the end of member 19, to facilitate attachment.
  • the fixed ends 34 of the detent fingers are integral with the flared section 32 and spaced back from the end thereof to provide sufficient resiliency for outward movement of the finger ends during attachment to and removal from the appliance 10.
  • Slots 37 provide spacing between the sides of the fingers and the adjacent portions of the flared section.
  • the free ends of the fingers have respective detent grooves 38 on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs (FIG. 4) which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section. This, together with the narrowness of the fingets, allows the attachment to rotationally oscillate without undue friction with detent ring 22.
  • the free ends of the detent fingers have outward projections 39 opposite the detent grooves 38 which strenghten the ends and prevent distortion of the grooves.
  • the outer faces of the projections are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section, as best seen in FIG. 4. This permits maintaining adequate thickness over the width of the finger, without contacting the control sleeve 12 in operation.
  • control sleeve 12 overlaps projections 39 in operation, and prevents sufficient outward movement of the fingers to disengage the detent surfaces.
  • the strength of the fingers may be made sufficient to hold the attachment in place despite the forces exerted on the coupling as the bristles are pressed against the teeth.
  • the holding action may be weakened.
  • the resilient fingers 34 are advantageously disposed on opposite sides of the socket section 33 at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of the brush formed by bristles 31.
  • the rotational angles of the fingers indicated by dot-dash lines 41, 41', are at 90 from the rotational angle of the brush, indicated by dot-dash line 42.
  • the turning forces attempt to turn the attachment about an axis which passes diametrically through the grooves of the two fingers, and the clamping of the grooves against the annular detent 22 in the appliance resists these turning forces and maintains the coupling despite some play in the socket section.
  • the ends 32' of the flared section overlap a portion of the socket section 33 in spaced relationship, as indicated by dash lines 43. Also, as seen in FIG. 2, the inside of the socket section extends into the stem beyond the portion thereof overlapped by the flared section. This facilitates molding in one piece, as
  • the tip portions of the flared section adjacent one of the fingers, indicated at 44, are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger. This permits properly orienting the molded stem in automatic apparatus for inserting the bristles, without requiring the attention of the operator.
  • the entire stem including the coupling may readily be molded in one piece of plastic material without complicated fixtures, thereby enabling economical manufacture.
  • a mold having a single inner member and a pair of mating outer members suffices.
  • the outer members may be separated and the stem with the integral coupling pulled ofi the inner member, the resiliency of the fingers allowing the pulling off.
  • Holes 45 may be formed by the molding operation so that the entire attachment can be made in one operation, ready for insertion of the bristles.
  • Suitable plastics are known in the art, such as nylon or an acetal resin sold under the trademark DELRIN by duPont.
  • a toothbrush stem attachment adapted to be attached to and driven by a hand appliance having an opening for receiving said toothbrush stern and an annular projection for retaining the toothbrush stem to said appliance, which attachment comprises a. a molded stern having an integral coupling at the rear end thereof and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the front end thereof,
  • said coupling including a flared section flaring three-dimensionally outwardly and rearwardly, a
  • said socket section having a rotationally symmetrical exterior surface and an interior surface which is cylindrical at the open end thereof and is of noncircular cross-section deeper in the socket,
  • said resilient fingers being on opposite sides of the stem with the fixed ends of the fingers integral with said flared section and forward of the rear end of the flared section,
  • the free ends of said fingers having respective detent grooves on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of said socket section, said fingers being adapted to extend over said annular projection, and
  • a toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which said resilient cantilever detent fingers are at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of said brush.
  • a toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which the tip portions of said flared section adjacent one of said fingers are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger.

Abstract

A molded plastic toothbrush stem attachment for a power hand appliance comprises a stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the other end. The coupling includes a flared section, a driving socket section and a pair of detent fingers. The fingers are disposed at rotational angles 90* from that of the brush, and their free ends have internal arcuate grooves and external arcuate projections. A portion of the flared section overlaps the socket section in spaced relationship and the socket is deeper than the overlap region, to facilitate one-piece molding. Tip portions of the flared section adjacent one finger are flat and non-symmetrical to the tip portions adjacent the other finger to enable proper orientation for automatic bristle insertion.

Description

[ Dec. 23, 1975 ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-James A. Niegowski Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds A molded plastic toothbrush stem attachment for a power hand appliance comprises a stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the other end. The coupling includes a flared section, a driving socket section and a pair of detent fingers. The fingers are disposed at rotational angles 90 from that of the brush, and their free ends have internal arcuate grooves and external arcuate projections. A portion of the flared section overlaps the socket section in spaced relationship and the socket is deeper than the overlap region, to facilitate one-piece molding. Tip portions of the flared section adjacent one finger are flat and non-symmetrical to O Umted States Patent [191 Moret et al.
Inventors: Michel A. Moret; Jean-Pierre Musy,
both of Geneva, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Les Produits Associes, SA, Geneva,
Switzerland Dec. 20, 1972 Appl. No.: 316,980
15/176; 15/22 R; 403/322 Int. A46B 13/02 [58] Field of Search.......... 15/176, 145, 22; 128/50, 128/66; 403/315, 321, 326, 330, 377, 322
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TOOTHBRUSH STEM ATTACHMENT [22] Filed:
the tip portions adjacent the other finger to enable proper orientation for automatic bristle insertion.
U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1,975 3,927,435
FIG.1
TOOTHBRUSH STEM ATTACHMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a toothbrush stem attachment for a hand appliance for oral hygiene. It provides an attachment which can be easily attached and removed, is securely held in place during use, and can be economically molded in one piece of plastic to which the bristles are subsequently affixed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,065 describes a unitary hydraulically-operated hand appliance capable of both toothbrush and water jet operation by simply interchanging the appliance attachments. The appliance includes an hydraulic motor driven by liquid pressure pulses from a pump unit for toothbrush operation, and a separate conduit actuable by a manual valve for supplying the pressure pulses to a water jet attachment. Simple means for coupling attachments to the hand appliance are described.
Application Ser. No. 244,879 filed Apr. 17, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,771,186 as a continuing application of Ser. No. 1 17,466 filed Feb. 22, 1971 now abandoned, also describes an hydraulically-driven hand appliance for personal hygiene which is capable of alternatively rotationally oscillating a toothbrush attachment or supplying liquid pressure pulses to an appliance head such as a water jet attachment.
To permit attachment and removal, and use of different toothbrush attachments by different members of the family, a coupling arrangement is necessary. The coupling should be as simple and foolproof in operation as possible, so that it can easily be used by children and will not result in damage to the hand appliance or attachment if carelessly used. Also, it should be capable of rotational oscillation in a positive manner without undue wear, and should resist forces tending to detach the brush from the motor unit when the bristles are pressed against the teeth. Finally, inasmuch as worn bristles will require replacement attachments, the attachment should be economical to manufacture.
In the foregoing application coupling means are described in which the driving and detent functions are separated, driving being by means of a square socket in the toothbnish attachment and detent by means of spring arms having outwardly extending hooks which engage in an annular groove in the motor unit. To remove the attachment, the spring arms are pressed inward to uncouple the hooks from the groove. Although such removal is a simple operation, some users may simply pull on the attachment without depressing the spring arms. In such case the hook detents may be broken off, or become sufficiently worn so that they no longer function properly.
In application Ser. No. 228,574 filed Feb. 23, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,851,984 by Jean-Pierre Crippa, coupling means is described having a coupling section and a coupling retaining member slidable thereon. The retaining member includes a spring arm having an inwardly-extending hook which engages an annular lip on the motor unit. Cam surfaces on the spring arm and coupling section cooperate to disengage the hook as the attachment is pulled ofi. Although successful in operation, the use of separate parts require separate molding operations and then assembly, with resultant somewhat high manufacturing cost.
The present invention is directed to a toothbrush attachment which is simple and satisfactory in operation, and can be molded in one piece of plastic material with subsequent attachment of bristles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the toothbrush stern attachment comprises a molded plastic stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterallyextending bristles forming a brush at the other end. The coupling includes a flared section, a driving socket section extending beyond the flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinally-extending resilient cantilever detent fingers radially spaced from the socket section and terminating between the ends of the flared and socket sections.
The socket section has a rotationally symmetrical exterior surface and an interior surface which is cylindrical at the open end thereof and is of non-circular cross-section deeper in the socket. The cylindrical portion aids in quiding the attachment onto the output member of a power hand appliance, and provides a pivot for rotating the attachment to mate with the output member.
The fixed ends of the detent fingers are integral with the flared section and spaced back from the end thereof, and the sides of the fingers are spaced from the adjacent portions of the flared section. The free ends of the fingers have respective detent grooves on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section.
' Advantageously the free ends of the detent fingers have outward projections opposite the detent grooves which strengthen the ends and prevent distortion of the grooves. The outer faces of the projections are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section. Preferably the fingers are disposed on opposite sides of the socket section at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of the brush. In case of play between the socket section and the appliance output member, this disposition guards against uncoupling when the brush is pressed against the teeth and possible jamming against an encircling member of the hand appliance if such is present.
Also, advantageously, a portion of the flared section overlaps a portion of the socket section in spaced relationship therewith, and the inside of the socket section extends into the stem beyond the portion overlapped by the flared section. This facilitates one-piece molding by promoting rapid and reasonably uniform cooling of all portions of the flared section, thereby avoiding distortion and reducing overall molding time. Preferably the tip portions of the flared section adjacent one of the detent fingers are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger, to facilitate properly orienting the molded stem in automatic apparatus for inserting the bristles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall view of an hydraulic hand appliance with toothbrush attachment in place;
FIG. 2 shows the front end of the hand appliance of FIG. 1 and the coupling portion of the toothbrush attachment in longitudinal cross-section;
FIG. 3 shows the toothbrush attachment rotated 90 from its position in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is an end view and partial cross-section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, an hydraulic hand appliance of the type described in the aforesaid application Ser. No. 244,879 is shown. Liquid pulses are supplied through flexible conduit 11 and the appliance is controlled by a slidable sleeve 12. In the position shown, sleeve 12 controls valves in the appliance 10 which cause the toothbrush attachment 13 to be rotationally oscillated. In its rearward position, sleeve 12 shuts off the appliance.
Referring to FIG. 2, the front end of the hand appliance is shown and is similar to that shown in FIGS. 14-16 of the aforesaid application Ser. No. 244,879 except for the coupling arrangement. Briefly, the casing has a cylindrical member 14 and a bearing 15 fixedly mounted therein. Sleeve 16 is rotationally oscillated by an hydraulic piston motor in the rear of the appliance and a motion converter including a helical cam screw 17 and cooperating nut section. Attached to the sleeve 16 is an output member having a cylindrical rear section 18 and a front section 19 which is square in cross-section so as to drive a toothbrush attachment in rotational oscillation. Member 21 is fixedly attached to 14 and 15 and has an annular projection 22 serving as a detent. An O-ring 24 provides a seal for a liquid jet attachment when used, but is out of contact with the toothbrush attachment here shown.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the toothbrush attachment comprises a stem having an integral coupling at one end and laterally-extending bristles 31 forming a brush at the other end. These ends may conveniently be termed rear and front ends, respectively. Several rows of tufts are used, as shown in FIG. 4, but only the center row is shown in FIG. 3 to avoid undue complexity of illustration. The coupling includes a flared section 32, a driving socket section 33 extending beyond the flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinallyextending resilient cantilever detent fingers 34 extending beyond the flared section and terminating between the ends of the flared and socket sections.
The socket section 33 has arotationally symmetrical exterior surface, with the end 33' reduced in diameter to clear O-ring 24 and eliminate friction therewith. The interior surface is cylindrical at the open end 33 thereof, as shown at 35 in FIG. 4. Deeper in the socket, at 36, the interior surface is square in cross-section to mate with section 19 of the appliance output member and, with the greater thickness of the socket wall at 33", provides a strong driving connection. Although square cross-sections are preferred, other non-circular cross-sections could be used. The initial cylindrical inner wall 35 aids in guiding the coupling onto output member 19 and provides a pivot for rotating the attachment to mate the square sections. Chamfers may be employed at the beginning of square section 36, and on the end of member 19, to facilitate attachment.
The fixed ends 34 of the detent fingers are integral with the flared section 32 and spaced back from the end thereof to provide sufficient resiliency for outward movement of the finger ends during attachment to and removal from the appliance 10. Slots 37 provide spacing between the sides of the fingers and the adjacent portions of the flared section. The free ends of the fingers have respective detent grooves 38 on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs (FIG. 4) which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section. This, together with the narrowness of the fingets, allows the attachment to rotationally oscillate without undue friction with detent ring 22.
The free ends of the detent fingers have outward projections 39 opposite the detent grooves 38 which strenghten the ends and prevent distortion of the grooves. The outer faces of the projections are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the socket section, as best seen in FIG. 4. This permits maintaining adequate thickness over the width of the finger, without contacting the control sleeve 12 in operation.
In FIG. 2 it will be noted that control sleeve 12 overlaps projections 39 in operation, and prevents sufficient outward movement of the fingers to disengage the detent surfaces. In a new attachment with well-fitting detent grooves and close mating of the socket on the output member 19 of the appliance, the strength of the fingers may be made sufficient to hold the attachment in place despite the forces exerted on the coupling as the bristles are pressed against the teeth. However, as wear occurs, or if manufacturing tolerances are not sufficiently close, the holding action may be weakened. In such case it is desirable to avoid any spreading of the fingers which will bring the projections'39 into contact with sleeve 12, since this would not only wear the attachment but would add to the load on the motor and, if jarnmin g occurs, might seriously impair the rotational oscillation of the brush. If the attachment is used with an appliance in which a control sleeve does not encircle the finger ends, it is desirable to avoid sufficient spreading to uncouple the detents.
To guard against such adverse effects in case of play in the socket section, the resilient fingers 34 are advantageously disposed on opposite sides of the socket section 33 at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of the brush formed by bristles 31. Thus, in FIG. 4 the rotational angles of the fingers, indicated by dot-dash lines 41, 41', are at 90 from the rotational angle of the brush, indicated by dot-dash line 42. From FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that, as the brush is pressed against the teeth, the turning forces on the fingers are in the direction of the width thereof and are resisted by the side walls of the grooves. That is, the turning forces attempt to turn the attachment about an axis which passes diametrically through the grooves of the two fingers, and the clamping of the grooves against the annular detent 22 in the appliance resists these turning forces and maintains the coupling despite some play in the socket section.
On the other hand, if the brush were rotated 90 from that shown, the turning forces on the fingers would be parallel to the stem axis and the groove in each finger would serve as a fulcrum for the groove in the other. Also, for a given amount of rocking allowed by play in the socket section, there will be greater outward movement of the finger ends.
Thus, with the fingers and brush oriented as shown, if there is play in the socket section there is less danger of the ends of the fingers being forced outward to release the attachment, and less danger of the ends jamming against the control sleeve 12 when such a sleeve is employed in the hand appliance.
As seen in FIG. 3, the ends 32' of the flared section overlap a portion of the socket section 33 in spaced relationship, as indicated by dash lines 43. Also, as seen in FIG. 2, the inside of the socket section extends into the stem beyond the portion thereof overlapped by the flared section. This facilitates molding in one piece, as
by injection molding, by reducing the thickness of the plastic material in adjacent portions of the flared section so that rapid and reasonably uniform cooling can be obtained in all portions of the flared section. Thus distortions due to markedly different rates of cooling are avoided, and the overall molding time reduced. This is of considerable importance in promoting economical manufacture.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the tip portions of the flared section adjacent one of the fingers, indicated at 44, are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger. This permits properly orienting the molded stem in automatic apparatus for inserting the bristles, without requiring the attention of the operator.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the entire stem including the coupling may readily be molded in one piece of plastic material without complicated fixtures, thereby enabling economical manufacture. For example, a mold having a single inner member and a pair of mating outer members suffices. When the plastic has been injected and cooled, the outer members may be separated and the stem with the integral coupling pulled ofi the inner member, the resiliency of the fingers allowing the pulling off. Holes 45 may be formed by the molding operation so that the entire attachment can be made in one operation, ready for insertion of the bristles. Suitable plastics are known in the art, such as nylon or an acetal resin sold under the trademark DELRIN by duPont.
We claim:
1. A toothbrush stem attachment adapted to be attached to and driven by a hand appliance having an opening for receiving said toothbrush stern and an annular projection for retaining the toothbrush stem to said appliance, which attachment comprises a. a molded stern having an integral coupling at the rear end thereof and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the front end thereof,
b. said coupling including a flared section flaring three-dimensionally outwardly and rearwardly, a
driving socket section extending rearwardly beyond said flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinally-extending resilient cantilever detent fingers radially spaced from the socket section and terminating between the rearward ends of the flared and socket sections,
0. said socket section having a rotationally symmetrical exterior surface and an interior surface which is cylindrical at the open end thereof and is of noncircular cross-section deeper in the socket,
d. a portion of said flared section overlapping a portion of said socket section in spaced relationship therewith and the inside of the socket section extending into the stern beyond the region of said overlapping,
e. said resilient fingers being on opposite sides of the stem with the fixed ends of the fingers integral with said flared section and forward of the rear end of the flared section,
f. the sides of said fingers being spaced from the adjacent portions of the flared section,
g. the free ends of said fingers having respective detent grooves on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of said socket section, said fingers being adapted to extend over said annular projection, and
h. the free ends of said fingers having respective outward projections opposite said detent grooves with the outer faces curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of said socket section.
2. A toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which said resilient cantilever detent fingers are at respective rotational angles approximately from the rotational angle of said brush.
3. A toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which the tip portions of said flared section adjacent one of said fingers are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger.

Claims (3)

1. A toothbrush stem attachment adapted to be attached to and driven by a hand appliance having an opening for receiving said toothbrush stem and an annular projection for retaining the toothbrush stem to said appliance, which attachment comprises a. a molded stem having an integral coupling at the rear end thereof and laterally-extending bristles forming a brush at the front end thereof, b. said coupling including a flared section flaring threedimensionally outwardly and rearwardly, a driving socket section extending rearwardly beyond said flared section, and a pair of narrow longitudinally-extending resilient cantilever detent fingers radially spaced from the socket section and terminating between the rearward ends of the flared and socket sections, c. said socket section having a rotationally symmetrical exterior surface and an interior surface which is cylindrical at the open end thereof and is of non-circular cross-section deeper in the socket, d. a portion of said flared section overlapping a portion of said socket section in spaced relationship therewith and the inside of the socket section extending into the stem beyond the region of said overlapping, e. said resilient fingers being on opposite sides of the stem with the fixed ends of the fingers integral with said flared section and forward of the rear end of the flared section, f. the sides of said fingers being spaced from the adjacent portions of the flared section, g. the free ends of said fingers having respective detent grooves on the inside thereof which are curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of said socket section, said fingers being adapted to extend over said annular projection, and h. the free ends of said fingers having respective outward projections opposite said detent grooves with the outer faces curved in arcs which are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of said socket section.
2. A toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which said resilient cantilever detent fingers are at respective rotational angles approximately 90* from the rotational angle of said brush.
3. A toothbrush attachment according to claim 1 in which the tip portions of said flared section adjacent one of said fingers are flat and non-symmetrical with respect to the tip portions adjacent the other finger.
US316980A 1972-12-20 1972-12-20 Toothbrush stem attachment Expired - Lifetime US3927435A (en)

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US4106152A (en) * 1976-04-07 1978-08-15 Joseph Hadary Toothbrush
US4224786A (en) * 1977-09-09 1980-09-30 Howard Langlie Hand tool with readily detachable handle
US4697949A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-10-06 Firma Vileda Gmbh Plug, socket and plug-and-socket coupling thereof for temporarily attaching an implement to a handle
WO1992004935A1 (en) * 1990-09-21 1992-04-02 The Gillette Company Interdental foam brush
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US5361446A (en) * 1993-05-06 1994-11-08 Mark Rufo Toothbrush
US5365627A (en) * 1993-07-22 1994-11-22 Les Produits Associes. Lpa-Broxo S.A. Stem brush with automatic insertion system
US5875510A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-03-02 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Replaceable head toothbrush
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WO2005000149A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-01-06 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Brushhead attachment system for a power toothbrush
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WO2008074411A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-26 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush and attachment therefor
US20100162501A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2010-07-01 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush
US20100162498A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2010-07-01 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush and attachment therefor
US20120090104A1 (en) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-19 Anton Jaeger Cleaning apparatus
US20140115801A1 (en) * 2012-10-31 2014-05-01 Zila, Inc. Electric toothbrush attachment mechanism
EP2881080A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-10 Braun GmbH A toothbrush handle part of an electric toothbrush
US9301821B2 (en) 2011-07-12 2016-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Refill head for powered oral care implement that produces vibratory and oscillatory motion
US9775693B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2017-10-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US20190175320A1 (en) * 2017-12-12 2019-06-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
EP3524093A1 (en) * 2018-02-09 2019-08-14 The Gillette Company LLC A method for manufacturing an oral care implement
USD881583S1 (en) * 2018-12-19 2020-04-21 Shenzhen Ximalong Technology Co., Ltd. Electric toothbrush
US10828137B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2020-11-10 Water Pik, Inc. Brush tip with motion transfer and securing engagement structures
US11375802B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-07-05 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care implement
US11382409B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2022-07-12 The Gillette Company Llc Connector for a manual oral care implement
US11388984B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-07-19 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care implement
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USD960582S1 (en) 2020-12-10 2022-08-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care refill head
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US11553784B2 (en) 2019-03-29 2023-01-17 The Gillette Company Llc Head for an oral care implement and oral care implement
US11553782B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2023-01-17 The Gillette Company Llc Manual oral care implement
US11571060B2 (en) 2018-09-03 2023-02-07 The Gillette Company Llc Head for an oral-care implement and a kit comprising such head
US11653752B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2023-05-23 The Gillette Company, LLC. Oral care implement
US11659922B2 (en) 2018-09-03 2023-05-30 The Gillette Company, LLC. Head for an oral-care implement and a kit comprising such head
US11672633B2 (en) 2019-11-06 2023-06-13 The Gillette Company, LLC. Handle for an electrically operated personal care implement
USD997567S1 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-09-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Electric toothbrush
US11833004B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2023-12-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof

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Cited By (65)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4106152A (en) * 1976-04-07 1978-08-15 Joseph Hadary Toothbrush
JPS5329849A (en) * 1976-08-31 1978-03-20 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Electric toothbrush
JPS5426938B2 (en) * 1976-08-31 1979-09-06
US4224786A (en) * 1977-09-09 1980-09-30 Howard Langlie Hand tool with readily detachable handle
US4697949A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-10-06 Firma Vileda Gmbh Plug, socket and plug-and-socket coupling thereof for temporarily attaching an implement to a handle
US5283924A (en) * 1990-09-21 1994-02-08 Gillette Canada, Inc. Interdental foam brush and treatment gel combination therewith
WO1992004935A1 (en) * 1990-09-21 1992-04-02 The Gillette Company Interdental foam brush
US5361446A (en) * 1993-05-06 1994-11-08 Mark Rufo Toothbrush
US5365627A (en) * 1993-07-22 1994-11-22 Les Produits Associes. Lpa-Broxo S.A. Stem brush with automatic insertion system
US5875510A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-03-02 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Replaceable head toothbrush
US6145152A (en) * 1999-01-22 2000-11-14 Ward; Peter Martin Replaceable head toothbrush construction
US6315488B1 (en) * 1999-08-09 2001-11-13 Uniontools, Inc. Snap-in handle assembly for a tool
WO2002041802A1 (en) 2000-11-22 2002-05-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus, method and product for treating teeth
US6648641B1 (en) 2000-11-22 2003-11-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus, method and product for treating teeth
US6890182B2 (en) 2002-07-25 2005-05-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for the selection of oral care chemistry
US20050102164A1 (en) * 2002-07-25 2005-05-12 Healey Patrick J. Method and apparatus for the selection of oral care chemistry
WO2004019728A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-11 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with head non-detachably mounted to handle
WO2005000149A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-01-06 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Brushhead attachment system for a power toothbrush
JP2007518435A (en) * 2003-06-27 2007-07-12 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Brush head mounting system for electric toothbrush
US20070214587A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2007-09-20 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Brushhead attachment system for a power toothbrush
JP4773345B2 (en) * 2003-06-27 2011-09-14 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Brush head mounting system for electric toothbrush
US7987544B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2011-08-02 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Brushhead attachment system for a power toothbrush
US20100162498A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2010-07-01 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush and attachment therefor
US20100043156A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2010-02-25 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush and attachment therefor
WO2008074411A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-26 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush and attachment therefor
CN101557775B (en) * 2006-12-18 2013-06-19 布劳恩股份有限公司 Toothbrush and attachment therefor
US8474085B2 (en) * 2006-12-18 2013-07-02 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush and attachment therefor
US20100162501A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2010-07-01 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush
US20100170051A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2010-07-08 Gerhard Kressner Toothbrush
US8256055B2 (en) 2007-06-28 2012-09-04 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush
US20120090104A1 (en) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-19 Anton Jaeger Cleaning apparatus
US8800090B2 (en) * 2010-10-15 2014-08-12 Anton Jaeger Cleaning apparatus
US9301821B2 (en) 2011-07-12 2016-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Refill head for powered oral care implement that produces vibratory and oscillatory motion
US20140115801A1 (en) * 2012-10-31 2014-05-01 Zila, Inc. Electric toothbrush attachment mechanism
US9427293B2 (en) * 2012-10-31 2016-08-30 Den-Mat Holdings, Llc Electric toothbrush attachment mechanism
US9775693B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2017-10-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10828137B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2020-11-10 Water Pik, Inc. Brush tip with motion transfer and securing engagement structures
US11399925B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-08-02 Water Pik, Inc. Wirelessly controlled oral irrigator
US10918469B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-02-16 Water Pik, Inc. Toothbrush with fluid directing drive assembly
US11351018B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-06-07 Water Pik, Inc. Oral cleansing device with removable base
US11744690B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2023-09-05 Water Pik, Inc. Toothbrush tip
EP2881080A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-10 Braun GmbH A toothbrush handle part of an electric toothbrush
WO2015083023A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-11 Braun Gmbh A toothbrush handle part of an electric toothbrush
US20190175320A1 (en) * 2017-12-12 2019-06-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
US11833004B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2023-12-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
US11517412B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2022-12-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10639133B2 (en) * 2017-12-12 2020-05-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
US11399622B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-08-02 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care implement
US11375802B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-07-05 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care implement
US11653752B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2023-05-23 The Gillette Company, LLC. Oral care implement
US11388984B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2022-07-19 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care implement
WO2019156902A1 (en) * 2018-02-09 2019-08-15 The Gillette Company Llc A method for manufacturing an oral care implement
US11382409B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2022-07-12 The Gillette Company Llc Connector for a manual oral care implement
US11865748B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2024-01-09 The Gillette Company Llc Connector
US11400627B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2022-08-02 The Gillette Company Llc Method for manufacturing an oral care implement
EP3524093A1 (en) * 2018-02-09 2019-08-14 The Gillette Company LLC A method for manufacturing an oral care implement
US11553782B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2023-01-17 The Gillette Company Llc Manual oral care implement
US11388985B2 (en) 2018-02-09 2022-07-19 The Gillette Company Llc Connector for a manual oral care implement
US11571060B2 (en) 2018-09-03 2023-02-07 The Gillette Company Llc Head for an oral-care implement and a kit comprising such head
US11659922B2 (en) 2018-09-03 2023-05-30 The Gillette Company, LLC. Head for an oral-care implement and a kit comprising such head
USD997567S1 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-09-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Electric toothbrush
USD881583S1 (en) * 2018-12-19 2020-04-21 Shenzhen Ximalong Technology Co., Ltd. Electric toothbrush
US11553784B2 (en) 2019-03-29 2023-01-17 The Gillette Company Llc Head for an oral care implement and oral care implement
US11672633B2 (en) 2019-11-06 2023-06-13 The Gillette Company, LLC. Handle for an electrically operated personal care implement
USD960582S1 (en) 2020-12-10 2022-08-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care refill head

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