US3739416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hygienically shielded rotary toothbrush
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A hygienically shielded rotary toothbrush having a brush shield comprising a substantially open structural network to reduce the deposit and transfer from person to person of remnant toothpaste, bacteria and organic matter. Internal switches on the motor casing are triggered by a protruding nub affixed to the interior of the shaft shield to actuate the motor to drive the rotary brush either in a clockwise or in a counterclockwise direction.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kurachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/22; A61C17/24; A61C17/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A hygienically shielded rotary toothbrush comprising, a motor casing and motor means encased therein, a shaft attached at one end to said motor means and extending beyond the upper end of said motor casing, a shaft shield aligned coaxially with said motor casing, the lower end of said shaft shield fitting over and overlapping said upper end of said motor casing in a pressure fit, said shaft extending through said shaft shield and beyond the upper end thereof, a rotary brush detachable attachable with the upper end of said shaft, a hygienic brush shield attached to the upper end of said shaft shield and rotatable between a snapped-in position at which said brush shield protectively shields an approximately semi-cylindrical volume of said brush and a second open position at which both sides of said brush shield and said rotary brush are readily accessible for cleaning, at least two pressure switches affixed to slot means configured in the upper end of said motor casing, one of said switches serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a clockwise direction and another of said switches serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a counterclockwise direction, said switches being actuated by nub means protruding from the interior of said overlapping lower end of said shaft shield, said nub means riding in said slot means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A hygienically shielded rotary toothbrush comprising, a motor casing and motor means encased therein, a shaft attached at one end to said motor means and extending beyond the upper end of said motor casing, a shaft shield aligned coaxially with said motor casing, the lower end of said shaft shield fitting over and overlapping said upper end of said motor casing in a pressure fit, said shaft extending through said shaft shield and beyond the upper end thereof, a rotary brush detachable attachable with the upper end of said shaft, a hygienic brush shield attached to the upper end of said shaft shield and rotatable between a snapped-in position at which said brush shield protectively shields an approximately semi-cylindrical volume of said brush and a second open position at which both sides of said brush shield and said rotary brush are readily accessible for cleaning, at least two pressure switches affixed to slot means configured in the upper end of said motor casing, one of said switches serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a clockwise direction and another of said switches serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a counterclockwise direction, said switches being actuated by nub means protruding from the interior of said overlapping lower end of said shaft shield, said nub means riding in said slot means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein the legs of said hygienic brush shield are contoured to fit in grooves on the upper end of said shaft shield to permit said brush shield to rest firmly in said snapped-in position, said brush being rotated to said open position by twisting said legs over the edges of said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A toothbrush as in claim 2, wherein said hygienic brush shield is attached to the upper end of said shaft shield by spring biased rivets which normally hold said legs in said groove and which permit said legs to be spread apart to slip over the edges of said groove when said hygienic brush shield is rotated from said snapped-in position to said open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein a rechargeable battery or power cell is housed within said motor casing to power said motor, said rechargeable battery or power cell communicating with an external connector through a socket configured iN said motor casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein the pressure switches are affixed to opposite ends of said slot means and are actuated by said nub means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein additional switches are affixed to said slot to provide a control for a variable speed motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said hygienic brush shield is detachably attachable to the upper end of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said slot means includes a first slot and a second slot configured in the upper end of said motor casing and wherein said nub means includes a first nub and a second nub protruding from the interior of said overlapping lower end of said shaft shield, said first nub riding in said first slot and said second nub riding in said second slot, one of said two pressure switches being affixed in said first slot and serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a clockwise direction and the other of said two pressure switches being affixed in said second slot and serving to actuate said motor to drive said brush in a counterclockwise direction.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |