US4829621A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toothbrush
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-07-09
•
Granted: 1989-05-16
•
Expires: 2006-07-09
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable toothbrush having an elastically deformable neck section allowing the brush head to be positioned at varying angular orientations relative to the handle.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Phenegar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:50
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B5/00; A46B5/002; A46B5/0054; A46B5/0075; A46B5/0079; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A toothbrush comprising: a brush head having at least one surface from which a plurality of bristles extend; a handle to be held by a user; a neck connecting the handle to said brush head formed of a thermoplastic material which softens to an inelastically deformable state when heated; a deformable reinforcement insert extending through said neck and projecting at least partially into the handle and the brush head, said insert remaining rigid when the thermoplastic material is heated to the softened state; wherein said neck may be inelastically deformed when temporarily heated allowing the angular orientation of said head relative to said handle to be varied allowing said user to choose any angle measured in the side elevation from 0° to 45° which is most comfortable, where 0° represents a straight head, neck, handle orientation, said insert maintaining the selected shape until the neck has cooled sufficiently to harden.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A toothbrush comprising: a brush head having at least one surface from which a plurality of bristles extend; a handle to be held by a user; a neck connecting the handle to said brush head formed of a thermoplastic material which softens to an inelastically deformable state when heated; a deformable reinforcement insert extending through said neck and projecting at least partially into the handle and the brush head, said insert remaining rigid when the thermoplastic material is heated to the softened state; wherein said neck may be inelastically deformed when temporarily heated allowing the angular orientation of said head relative to said handle to be varied allowing said user to choose any angle measured in the side elevation from 0° to 45° which is most comfortable, where 0° represents a straight head, neck, handle orientation, said insert maintaining the selected shape until the neck has cooled sufficiently to harden.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic material softens to an inelastically deformable state when heated above 150° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said neck is formed of a thermoplastic material softening to an inelastically deformable state when heated above 120° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said toothbrush is originally formed with the neck pre-bent to an angle measured in the side elevation substantially midway between 0° and 45°, thereby minimizing the maximum likely deformation required to obtain the shape desired by a typical user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said reinforcment insert is formed of a ductile metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said ductile metal is soft steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US651841A
Cited
US1494448A
Cited
GB304459A
Cited
US1796001A
Cited
US1928328A
Cited
US1963360A
Cited
US2254365A
Cited
US2445657A
Cited
US2438268A
Cited
US3499072A
Cited
US3589823A
Cited
US3609789A
Cited
US3993403A
Cited
US4306327A
Cited
JPS5373169U
Cited
US4227276A
Cited
US4263691A
Cited
US4520526A
Cited
US4712266A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-11-14 | 1993-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-15 | 1996-11-14 | 1997-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-15 | 2000-11-14 | 2001-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |