Patent ID: 6015328
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: A46B

Abstract:
A bendable and posable toothbrush toy comprising a toothbrush portion having a longitudinal axis and being detachably secured to a handle portion, said handle portion being formed at least in part from a resilient material and having portions that are posable relative to remaining portions of said handle portion and said toothbrush portion in at least a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, to assume a variety of changeable configurations of said toothbrush, wherein said handle portion is in the form of an animate character having limbs extending at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis, said limbs being posable relative to said remaining portions, and wherein said toothbrush portion is secured to said handle portion by a twist-and-lock connection comprising a male connection formed integrally with said toothbrush portion and having at least one radially outwardly extending projection, and a cylindrical socket disposed in said handle portion having at least one axial groove for receiving said at least one projection, said at least one axial groove communicating with an inclined surface defined by a cut-out portion of said cylindrical socket and cooperating with said at least one projection to releasably secure said toothbrush portion to said handle portion, said cylindrical socket further comprising at least one axial abutment restricting said toothbrush portion to rotation in only one direction upon being inserted into said cylindrical socket.