Patent ID: 7451514
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: A46B,A61C

Abstract:
1. An electric toothbrush, comprising: a handle at a first end of the toothbrush having a motor disposed therein; a head at a second end of the toothbrush, the head having a longitudinal axis, the head having a first bristle holder with a plurality of bristle tufts and a second bristle holder with a plurality of bristle tufts, each of the bristle tufts of the first and second bristle holders having a base end connected to its respective bristle holder and an opposite free end; the motor is operatively connected to the second bristle holder to move the second bristle holder to linearly reciprocate in a side-to-side direction with respect to the head, wherein the base ends of the tufts of the second bristle holder move in unison and in the same direction with the free ends thereof, and wherein the motor is operatively connected to the first bristle holder to oscillate the first bristle holder about an axis passing through the first bristle holder and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head; and a rotatable shaft having a longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the motor, wherein the shaft engages the first and second bristle holders, wherein the shaft further comprises a cam, and wherein the engagement between the shaft and the second bristle holder occurs between the cam and the second bristle holder.