Patent US4397055A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4397055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversable shaft with rotary and selective oscillating motion
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-10-20
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Granted: 1983-08-09
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Expires: 2000-10-20
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus is a rotary shaft mechanism having selective axial oscillation and reversable rotary motion, preferably in a battery powered toothbrush. Within such a toothbrush, the user of same can easily select either a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the toothbrush and if desired, an axial oscillation for either rotation. The selective combinations permit the toothbrush to effectively move food particles away from the gum line independent of it's location on the teeth and to polish the teeth with its oscillation motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel M. Cuchiara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/22; A61C17/32; A61C17/34; A61C17/3409; A61C17/3472; A61C17/24; A61C17/26; A61C17/224; A61C17/3418; A61C17/3445; A61C2204/00; A61C2204/002; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An electrically powered toothbrush comprising: a tubular housing having a forward end; an electrical battery within said housing; an electrical motor with a motor shaft axially disposed within said housing and energized by said battery; an electrical switch on said housing for controlling said motor; an end cap, slidably attached to and enclosing said forward end, having a rearwardly projecting shaft guide with a helical shaped cam surface on it's most rearward end; a brush holder shaft traversably projecting forwardly through said end cap and slidably engaged to a coupling means, wherein said means is axially attached to said motor shaft; a compression spring within said means which forceably presses said shaft forwardly; and an axial cam on said brush holder shaft, located approximately near the cam surface, having a cam mating surface codependent with and simular to said cam surface; whereby rotation of said brush holder shaft rotates said cam mating surface upon the said cam surface thereby causing axial displacement of said brush holder shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An electrically powered toothbrush comprising: a tubular housing having a forward end; an electrical battery within said housing; an electrical motor with a motor shaft axially disposed within said housing and energized by said battery; an electrical switch on said housing for controlling said motor; an end cap, slidably attached to and enclosing said forward end, having a rearwardly projecting shaft guide with a helical shaped cam surface on it's most rearward end; a brush holder shaft traversably projecting forwardly through said end cap and slidably engaged to a coupling means, wherein said means is axially attached to said motor shaft; a compression spring within said means which forceably presses said shaft forwardly; and an axial cam on said brush holder shaft, located approximately near the cam surface, having a cam mating surface codependent with and simular to said cam surface; whereby rotation of said brush holder shaft rotates said cam mating surface upon the said cam surface thereby causing axial displacement of said brush holder shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein, slots, having a predetermined length, are axially orientated on the wall of said means; a pin within the rearward end of said brush holder shaft radially projects through said slots whereby axial displacement of said shaft is limited by the length of said slots; a slidable joint with threads joins said end cap to said housing; and whereby moving said end cap forwardly disengages said surfaces such that only rotary motion is imparted to said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein, said battery is rechargable; said holder has a secondary coil electrically connected to said battery for inductance charging of said battery; and said motor is bi-directional.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-08 | 1987-02-07 | 1987-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-08 | 1991-02-07 | 1991-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-08 | 1995-02-07 | 1995-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |