US3683442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toothbrush
Assignee: Hollymatic Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A toothbrush and the like comprising a brush head elongated along its longitudinal axis and having longitudinal sides, a hollow interior and an elongated bottom opening, a plurality of individual brush units in the head each projecting a plurality of tufts through the opening but each being retractable into the hollow interior of the brush head when subjected to an external force and brush projecting urging means in the hollow head for urging each brush unit toward the opening to project the tufts therethrough and end guide means in the brush head snugly engaging the end surfaces of the brush units for guiding movement of the units individually inwardly of the head when subjected to an external force sufficient to overcome the urging means of the individual unit. The brush units are spaced apart at the sides to provide liquid flow paths communicating with the hollow interior of the brush head for cleaning purposes and each brush unit has two or more tufts aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the brush head.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Holly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:02
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B7/00; A46B7/06; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A toothbrush and the like usable with a liquid in cleaning, comprising: a brush head elongated along its longitudinal axis and having longitudinal sides, a hollow interior, an elongated bottom opening, retaining means along the sides of the opening and a liquid outlet from said interior spaced from said opening; a plurality of individual brush units in said brush head retained therein by said retaining means and each having a projecting brush tuft, each said unit having end surfaces adjacent the longitudinal sides of said brush head; brush projecting urging means in said hollow head for urging each said unit toward said opening to project said tufts therethrough; and guide means in said brush head snugly engaging said end surfaces of said brush unit for guiding the movement of the units individually inwardly of the head when subjected to an external force sufficient to overcome said urging means of the individual unit; and spacing means spacing the sides of said brush units apart to provide liquid flow paths communicating with said hollow interior of said brush head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A toothbrush and the like usable with a liquid in cleaning, comprising: a brush head elongated along its longitudinal axis and having longitudinal sides, a hollow interior, an elongated bottom opening, retaining means along the sides of the opening and a liquid outlet from said interior spaced from said opening; a plurality of individual brush units in said brush head retained therein by said retaining means and each having a projecting brush tuft, each said unit having end surfaces adjacent the longitudinal sides of said brush head; brush projecting urging means in said hollow head for urging each said unit toward said opening to project said tufts therethrough; and guide means in said brush head snugly engaging said end surfaces of said brush unit for guiding the movement of the units individually inwardly of the head when subjected to an external force sufficient to overcome said urging means of the individual unit; and spacing means spacing the sides of said brush units apart to provide liquid flow paths communicating with said hollow interior of said brush head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The brush of claim 1 wherein said brush units are elongated between said end surfaces transversely to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The brush of claim 2 wherein each said brush unit has a plurality of said tufts symmetrically arranged on each unit and laterally aligned transversely to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The brush of claim 1 wherein each said brush unit has substantially parallel sides transverse to said longitudinal axis, and each said brush unit has a plurality of said tufts symmetrically arranged on each unit and laterally aligned transversely to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The brush of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises edge flanges at said bottom surface overlapping said brush unit end surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The brush of claim 5 wherein said edge flanges are of narrow width for lateral distortion of said head in forcibly moving a brush unit into said hollow interior past said flanges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The brush of claim 1 wherein there are also provided a guide pin in said brush head hollow interior for each said brush unit located centrally of the brush unit on which the brush unit is slidably movable during its said movement, all said pins being parallel to each other, parallel to said brush unit end surfaces and side surfaces, and parallel to said end guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The brush of claim 7 wherein said urging means for urging said brush unit comprises a helical spring positioned around a said pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
A toothbrush and the like, comprising: a brush head elongated along its longitudinal axis and having longitudinal sides, a hollow interior, an elongated bottom opening and retaining means along the sides of the opening; a plurality of individual brush units in said brush head retained therein by said retaining means and each having a plurality of projecting brush tufts, each said unit having end surfaces adjacent the longitudinal sides of said brush head; brush projecting urging means in said hollow head for urging each said unit toward said opening to project said tufts therethrough; and end guide means in said brush head snugly engaging said end surfaces of said brush unit for guiding the movement of the units individually inwardly of the head when subjected to an external force sufficient to overcome said urging means of the individual unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A toothbrush and the like, comprising: a brush head elongated along its longitudinal axis and having longitudinal sides, a hollow interior, an elongated bottom opening and retaining means along the sides of the opening; a plurality of individual brush units in said brush head retained therein by said retaining means and each having a plurality of projecting brush tufts, each said unit having end surfaces adjacent the longitudinal sides of said brush head; brush projecting urging means in said hollow head for urging each said unit toward said opening to project said tufts therethrough; and end guide means in said brush head snugly engaging said end surfaces of said brush unit for guiding the movement of the units individually inwardly of the head when subjected to an external force sufficient to overcome said urging means of the individual unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The brush of claim 9 wherein said brush units are elongated between said end surfaces transversely to said longitudinal axis, each said brush unit has a plurality of said tufts symmetrically arranged on each unit and laterally aligned transversely to said longitudinal axis and each said brush unit has substantially parallel sides transverse to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The brush of claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises edge flanges at said bottom surface overlapping said brush unit end surfaces and said edge flanges are of narrow width for lateral distortion of said head in forcibly moving a brush unit into said hollOw interior past said flanges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The brush of claim 9 wherein there are also provided a guide pin in said brush head hollow interior for each said brush unit located centrally of the brush unit on which the brush unit is slidably movable during its said movement, all said pins being parallel to each other, parallel to said brush unit end surfaces and side surfaces, and parallel to said end guide means, and said urging means for urging each said brush unit comprises a helical spring positioned around a said pin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |