Abstract A toothbrush has a brush portion pivotally connected to the handle. The head portion of the toothbrush may be provided with a pair of opposed facing brushes for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth. Three different pivotal mechanisms may be utilized for securing the head portion of the toothbrush to the handle at a selected angular adjustment. In a first embodiment, a slip ring is utilized to squeeze a collet around a pivot ball. In a second embodiment, a pivot ball is retained in adjusted position by frictional engagement with a socket in the handle of the brush. In a third embodiment, a threaded sleeve is utilized to lock a pivot ball attached to the head portion of the toothbursh in an adjusted position.
A double headed pivotal toothbrush, comprising: a handle portion; a bifurcated head portion having spaced facing brushes; a pivotal connection between said handle portion and said head portion including a ball attached to said handle portion by an elongated reduced diameter neck and a longitudinally slotted socket collet attached to said head portion; said head portion and said socket integrally molded from a plastic material; a slip ring disposed around an outer surface of said socket collet for expanding and contracting said collet; a curved radially projecting circular lip formed at an outer end of said socket collet; an outer surface of said collet from said head portion to said radially projecting lip being generally cylindrical; and a concave spherical seat formed within said sicket collet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A double headed pivotal toothbrush, comprising: a handle portion; a bifurcated head portion having spaced facing brushes; a pivotal connection between said handle portion and said head portion including a ball attached to said handle portion by an elongated reduced diameter neck and a longitudinally slotted socket collet attached to said head portion; said head portion and said socket integrally molded from a plastic material; a slip ring disposed around an outer surface of said socket collet for expanding and contracting said collet; a curved radially projecting circular lip formed at an outer end of said socket collet; an outer surface of said collet from said head portion to said radially projecting lip being generally cylindrical; and a concave spherical seat formed within said sicket collet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising sealing boot means around said pivotal connection.