US4654922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brush with universal joints
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-28
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A brush divided into three sections and four independent pieces, is joined by many alternative joints. At each joint the brush can be bent upward or downward or turned to any direction to achieve some special functions of brushing or cleaning in a limited working space for which the conventional brush can not attain.
Inventors
- 👤 Horng Y. Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:25
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B5/00; A46B5/002; A46B5/0054; A46B5/0075; A46B5/0087; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066; A46B5/0025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck portion including a rear main brush portion, and two equally divided smaller front brush portions, said front and main brush portions having bristles extending downwardly therefrom, said front brush portions being about 1/4 of the length, in the axial direction, of the main brush portion, the main brush portion being about 3/4ths the length of the front and rear brush portions combined, each of the two smaller front brush portions having a joint to couple with the main brush body so that said small brush portions can be pivoted upwardly and downwardly or turned outwardly and inwardly, and a joint connected between the handle portion and the neck portion to allow the brush body to be pivoted or turned in any direction so as to be able to clean the hard-to-get-at areas of the teeth, thus increasing the brushing and cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck portion including a rear main brush portion, and two equally divided smaller front brush portions, said front and main brush portions having bristles extending downwardly therefrom, said front brush portions being about 1/4 of the length, in the axial direction, of the main brush portion, the main brush portion being about 3/4ths the length of the front and rear brush portions combined, each of the two smaller front brush portions having a joint to couple with the main brush body so that said small brush portions can be pivoted upwardly and downwardly or turned outwardly and inwardly, and a joint connected between the handle portion and the neck portion to allow the brush body to be pivoted or turned in any direction so as to be able to clean the hard-to-get-at areas of the teeth, thus increasing the brushing and cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein each of said front brush portions has a back portion in a direction towards said neck portion and the main brush portion has a front portion opposite said back portion, each of said joints on the front brush portions comprises a plain ball and the front portion of said main brush body being provided with two corresponding ball sockets, whereby, said two front brush portions couple with said main brush body so that external forces produced during use cause said front brush portions to be pivoted upwardly or downwardly or turned toward or away from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said joint at said neck is formed of a ratchet ball and a corresponding ratchet ball socket, such that under an external force, the neck portion can be pivoted upwardly or downwardly or turned to any direction, and a sleeve member covering said neck joint to increase the strength of said neck joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said neck joint comprises a polyhedron ball and a corresponding polyhedron ball socket, such that under an external force, the neck portion can be pivoted upwardly or downwardly or turned in any direction, and a sleeve member covering said neck joint to increase the strength of said neck joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said neck joint comprises a circular flexible rod, each end of said rod being inserted in any of the handle or neck portion, such that said neck joint can be pivoted or turned in any direction under an external force, and a sleeve member covering said neck joint to increase the strength of said neck joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein said flexible rod is substantially rectangular-shaped in cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said neck joint comprises a drum-shaped wheel having parallel round prisms extending about the circumferential surface of said drum-shaped wheel and a corresponding drum-shaped wheel socket having parallel troughs on the circumferential surface of said drum-shaped wheel socket, such that the neck portion can be pivoted upwardly or downwardly or turned to any direction, and a sleeve member covering said neck joint to increase the strength of said neck joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein said drum-shaped wheel is coupled to and enclosed by a shell-shaped drum wheel block, and a corresponding socket is provided at the end of the handle to retain said shell-shaped drum wheel block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein said drum wheel is provided with a cylindrical axle having a plurality of parallel circular ribs thereon, said axle being turnably retained in a correspondingly shaped socket in said neck portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the ends of said bristles form an arcuate surface extending along an axial direction of the toothbrush and the ends of the bristles forming a wavy-shaped configuration along said arcuate surface.
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) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |