US4520526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resiliently flexible toothbrush
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-22
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Granted: 1985-06-04
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Expires: 2004-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A brush having a shaped body member with a handle portion, a head portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion allows the head portion to move relative to the handle portion in the vertical plane, but is substantially rigid in the horizontal plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:25
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B5/00; A46B5/002; A46B5/0054; A46B5/0062; A46B5/0066; A46B15/00; A46B15/0002; A46B15/0004; A46B15/0012; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A tooth brush comprising: a shaped body member having a handle portion, a head portion and a resiliently flexible portion therebetween, the head portion having attached bristles, the resiliently flexible portion being flexible in a vertical plane allowing the head portion movement relative to the handle portion, but substantially rigid in a horizontal plane, the bristles extending upwardly in the vertical direction, wherein said body member has a shaped hollow at the resiliently flexible portion, creating a thin top resiliently flexible horizontal member and a thin bottom resiliently flexible horizontal member, said shaped hollow extending completely through said resiliently flexible portion from one side to the other side thereof in the horizontal direction, and wherein the middle of the head portion can be deflected in the 1/4" to 3/4" range with a force just sufficient to bring the bristle ends in good contact to the irregular surfaces of the teeth and gums.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A tooth brush comprising: a shaped body member having a handle portion, a head portion and a resiliently flexible portion therebetween, the head portion having attached bristles, the resiliently flexible portion being flexible in a vertical plane allowing the head portion movement relative to the handle portion, but substantially rigid in a horizontal plane, the bristles extending upwardly in the vertical direction, wherein said body member has a shaped hollow at the resiliently flexible portion, creating a thin top resiliently flexible horizontal member and a thin bottom resiliently flexible horizontal member, said shaped hollow extending completely through said resiliently flexible portion from one side to the other side thereof in the horizontal direction, and wherein the middle of the head portion can be deflected in the 1/4" to 3/4" range with a force just sufficient to bring the bristle ends in good contact to the irregular surfaces of the teeth and gums.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The tooth brush of claim 1 wherein the middle of the head portion can be deflected 1/4" by application of a mass in the range of 100-300 grams, 1/2" by application of a mass in the range of 150 to 400 grams and 3/4" by application of a mass in the range of 250-500 grams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The tooth brush of claim 1 wherein the middle of the head portion can be deflected approximately 10 degrees by application of a mass in the range of 100-300 grams, approximately 20 degrees by application of a mass in the range of 150 to 400 grams and approximately 30 degrees by application of a mass in the range of 250-500 grams.
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) | 1988-06-03 | 1988-12-03 | 1989-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-03 | 1992-12-03 | 1993-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-03 | 1996-12-03 | 1997-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |