US4572223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental brush holder and assembly
Assignee: Dentool Inc
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Filing: 1983-09-12
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Granted: 1986-02-25
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Expires: 2003-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An assembly of a holder and dental brush is disclosed for massaging the gums, and cleaning around and between the teeth. The assembly comprises an elongate, molded plastic including a central holding arm, and angled ends integrally formed with the arm. Each end forms a slit portion that is compressable by means of a small moveable ring. At least one slot is provided in each angled end for receiving a correspondingly shaped handle of a cleaning brush, the slot being formed within the compressible slit. The dental brush is inserted by its stem into the slit and then moved into the slot to form an initial friction fit. The slot is then compressed by sliding a compression ring over the slit to compress the slot and secure the stem and brush in place. The device enables a user to manipulate the brush at an angle to the teeth and gums and effect a good cleaning and massaging action.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin L. Rosenfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:04
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B7/00; A46B7/04; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066; A46B2200/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A dental brush holder, comprising an elongate, plastic holder, including: a. a central member; b. end portions integrally formed at each end of the central member, and inclined thereto; c. outwardly formed sidewalls provided by at least one end portion and defining respective slits, each slit comprising interior and exterior ends, stress relieving slots being defined at each of said interior and exterior ends, the said sidewalls of the slot being outwardly inclined at the exterior and interior ends, and being parallel medially of the ends; d. a brush retaining slot defined within each slit; and, e. compression rings adapted to slide along their respective end portions and compress the sidewalls; whereby, i. when a dental cleaning brush is inserted into said brush retaining slot, it will be initially secured by frictional contact within the slot; ii. movement of the compression ring compresses the parallel sidewalls and the slit to further secure the brush within the slot; and, iii. retraction of the compression ring permits the sidewalls to expand, and enable removal of the brush.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A dental brush holder, comprising an elongate, plastic holder, including: a. a central member; b. end portions integrally formed at each end of the central member, and inclined thereto; c. outwardly formed sidewalls provided by at least one end portion and defining respective slits, each slit comprising interior and exterior ends, stress relieving slots being defined at each of said interior and exterior ends, the said sidewalls of the slot being outwardly inclined at the exterior and interior ends, and being parallel medially of the ends; d. a brush retaining slot defined within each slit; and, e. compression rings adapted to slide along their respective end portions and compress the sidewalls; whereby, i. when a dental cleaning brush is inserted into said brush retaining slot, it will be initially secured by frictional contact within the slot; ii. movement of the compression ring compresses the parallel sidewalls and the slit to further secure the brush within the slot; and, iii. retraction of the compression ring permits the sidewalls to expand, and enable removal of the brush.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A dental brush holder assembly, comprising an elongate injection molded plastic holder, including: A. a. a central member; b. end portions integrally formed at each end of the central member, and inclined thereto; c. outwardly formed sidewalls provided by at least one end portion and defining respective slits, each slit comprising interior and exterior ends, stress relieving slots being defined at each of said interior and exterior ends, the said sidewalls of the slot being outwardly inclined at the exterior and interior ends, and being parallel medially of the ends; d. a brush retaining slot defined within each slit; and e. compression rings adapted to slide along their respective end portions and compress the sidewalls; and, B. a dental cleaning brush inserted into said brush retaining slot and being frictionally engaged thereby; whereby, i. movement of the compression ring compresses the sidewalls and the slit to further secure the brush within the slot; and, ii. retraction of the compression ring permits the sidewalls to expand, and enable removal of the brush.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A dental brush holder assembly, comprising an elongate injection molded plastic holder, including: A. a. a central member; b. end portions integrally formed at each end of the central member, and inclined thereto; c. outwardly formed sidewalls provided by at least one end portion and defining respective slits, each slit comprising interior and exterior ends, stress relieving slots being defined at each of said interior and exterior ends, the said sidewalls of the slot being outwardly inclined at the exterior and interior ends, and being parallel medially of the ends; d. a brush retaining slot defined within each slit; and e. compression rings adapted to slide along their respective end portions and compress the sidewalls; and, B. a dental cleaning brush inserted into said brush retaining slot and being frictionally engaged thereby; whereby, i. movement of the compression ring compresses the sidewalls and the slit to further secure the brush within the slot; and, ii. retraction of the compression ring permits the sidewalls to expand, and enable removal of the brush.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
The dental cleaning brush of claim 1, in which the dental brush holder includes: a. a central elongate member; b. end portions integrally formed at each end of the central member, and inclined thereto; c. outwardly formed sidewalls provided by each end portion, and defining respective slits, each slit comprising interior and exterior ends, stress relieving slots being defined at each of said interior and exterior ends, the sidewalls being parallel medially of the ends; d. a brush retaining slot defined within each slit; and, e. compression rings adapted to slide along their respective end portions and compress the sidewalls; whereby, i. when a dental cleaning brush is inserted into said brush retaining slot, it will be initially secured by frictional contact within the slot; ii. movement of the compression ring compresses the parallel sidewalls and the slit to further secure the brush within the slot; and, iii. retraction of the compression ring permits the sidewalls to expand, and enable removal of the brush.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
The dental brush holder of claim 1, in which the cleaning brush provides an integrally formed wire handle and bristle holder, the handle being encased in a breakable plastic tube; whereby, i. when the plastic tube portion of the dental cleaning brush is inserted into the slot and extended therefrom, the tube will be secured within the slot; and, ii. the portion of the plastic tube extending from the slot is adapted to be broken off at the slit, leaving the wire handle encased in the portion of the tube within the slit, and the cleaning bristles being exposed for use upwardly of the slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The dental brush holder assembly of claim 2, in which the cleaning brush provides an integrally formed wire handle and bristle holder, the handle being encased in a breakable plastic tube; whereby, i. when the plastic tube portion of the dental cleaning brush is inserted into the slot and extended therefrom, the tube will be secured within the slot; and, ii. the portion of the plastic tube extending from the slot is adapted to be broken off at the slit, leaving the wire handle encased in the portion of the tube within the slit, and the cleaning bristles being exposed for use upwardly of the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dental brush holder of claim 1, in which the plastic holder is manufactured of a material selected from the class consisting of nylon and polypropylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dental brush holder of claim 2, in which the plastic holder is manufactured of a material selected from the class consisting of nylon and polypropylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dental brush holder of claim 3, in which the plastic holder is manufactured of a material selected from the class consisting of nylon and polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dental brush holder of claim 1, in which the compression rings are softened in boiling water and are forced onto each end portions while still in the softened state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dental brush holder of claim 9, manufactured by a plastic injection molding process.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dental brush holder assembly of claim 2, in which the compression rings are softened in boiling water and are forced onto each end portion while still in the softened state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A dental cleaning brush adapted for use in a dental brush holder, including a wire handle defining upper and lower ends, a plurality of cleaning bristles being attached to the wire at the upper end, and the lower end of the brush being encased a portion of the way within a hollow, breakable plastic tube, the dental brush holder comprising a handle member providing a slot adapted to retain said dental cleaning brush, whereby: i. when the plastic tube portion of the dental cleaning brush is inserted into the slot and extended therefrom, the tube will be secured within the slot; and, ii. the portion of the plastic tube extending from the slot is adapted to be broken off at the slit, leaving the wire handle encased in the portion of the tube within the slit, and the cleaning bristles being exposed for use upwardly of the slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A dental cleaning brush adapted for use in a dental brush holder, including a wire handle defining upper and lower ends, a plurality of cleaning bristles being attached to the wire at the upper end, and the lower end of the brush being encased a portion of the way within a hollow, breakable plastic tube, the dental brush holder comprising a handle member providing a slot adapted to retain said dental cleaning brush, whereby: i. when the plastic tube portion of the dental cleaning brush is inserted into the slot and extended therefrom, the tube will be secured within the slot; and, ii. the portion of the plastic tube extending from the slot is adapted to be broken off at the slit, leaving the wire handle encased in the portion of the tube within the slit, and the cleaning bristles being exposed for use upwardly of the slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dental brush holder of claim 12, in which the brush holder is constructed of a deformable plastic, and the slot is deformed outwardly when the plastic tube is inserted therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dental brush holder of claim 3, in which the cleaning brush provides an integrally formed wire handle and bristle holder, the handle being encased in said breakable plastic tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dental brush holder of claim 3, in which the compression ring are softened in boiling water and are forced onto each end portion while still in the softened state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dental brush holder of claim 3, manufactured by a plastic injection molding process.
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) | 1989-02-24 | 1989-08-26 | 1990-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-24 | 1993-08-26 | 1994-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-08-26 | 1998-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |