Patent US2387596A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable tooth cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-08
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held, motor driven cleaning cup, wherein torque is delivered from the motor to the cup by a flexible torsion cable to allow the axis of rotation of the cup to be substantially at a right angle to the spin axis of the motor.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In combination: a motor housing; a tubular housing having a flexible cable therein, said housing having a first portion extending outwardly from said motor housing, a second portion curved from the axis of said first portion, and a distal portion substantially coplanar with said first and second portions and having a curvature opposite to the curvature of said second portion to cause the axes of said first portion and the distal end of said distal portion to be substantially at right angles, whereby said housing reduces cable friction and allows access to all of the surfaces of the teeth of a user; said tubular housing beind enclosed with a covering of material which is chemically inert in the presence of saliva; said flexible cable being attached to be driven by said motor; and a cleaning member rotatably attached to the distal end of said tubular housing and connected the be driven by said flexible cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination: a motor housing; a tubular housing having a flexible cable therein, said housing having a first portion extending outwardly from said motor housing, a second portion curved from the axis of said first portion, and a distal portion substantially coplanar with said first and second portions and having a curvature opposite to the curvature of said second portion to cause the axes of said first portion and the distal end of said distal portion to be substantially at right angles, whereby said housing reduces cable friction and allows access to all of the surfaces of the teeth of a user; said tubular housing beind enclosed with a covering of material which is chemically inert in the presence of saliva; said flexible cable being attached to be driven by said motor; and a cleaning member rotatably attached to the distal end of said tubular housing and connected the be driven by said flexible cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said chemically inert material is a plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 and further comprising a slip connector on the outer end of said cable for attaching said cleaning member to said cable for turning therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said cleaning member is a dental cleaning cup.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 and further comprising a detachable coupler for connecting said motor to said cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which said detachable coupler is a slip coupler.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 in which said motor is battery-driven, and further comprising a battery enclosed within said motor housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
In combination: a handle-housing; an electric motor enclosed within said housing; a housing tube enclosing a flexible cable from one end to the other of said tube, said tube extending from one end of said housing thence curving in a first direction, thence into a second direction opposite to said first direction in a hook-shaped configuration to cause the distal end of said housing tube to have an axis substantially at a right angle to the axis of its proximal end, whereby said housing tube reduces cable friction and allows access to all of the surfaces of the teeth of a user; means for coupling said cable, on a first end thereof, to said motor for rotation therewith; and attaching means on the second end of said cable, for attaching a dental cleaning member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
In combination: a handle-housing; an electric motor enclosed within said housing; a housing tube enclosing a flexible cable from one end to the other of said tube, said tube extending from one end of said housing thence curving in a first direction, thence into a second direction opposite to said first direction in a hook-shaped configuration to cause the distal end of said housing tube to have an axis substantially at a right angle to the axis of its proximal end, whereby said housing tube reduces cable friction and allows access to all of the surfaces of the teeth of a user; means for coupling said cable, on a first end thereof, to said motor for rotation therewith; and attaching means on the second end of said cable, for attaching a dental cleaning member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 and further comprising a cover for said housing tube and said handle-housing, fabricated of a material which is chemically inert to saliva.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 in which said means for coupling is a slip coupling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 in which said attaching means is adapted to attach a dental cleaning cup to be driven by said cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which said attaching means is shaped as an oval button, attached by a stem to a substantially flat collar.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |