Electric inter-dental brush

Disclosed is an electric inter-dental brush device which is generally divided into a cleaning brush attached at a head assembly of the electric inter-dental brush device, a finger grip of a small size for holding a small-sized motor for driving the cleaning brush and a housing for holding a battery or AC adaptor for the small-sized motor and other components and parts of the electric inter-dental brush device. The finger grip and the housing are physically separated except through an electric cord connecting the small-sized motor and the battery or AC adaptor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

This invention relates to an electric toothbrush, and more particularly an electric inter-dental brush of a finger grip type having a freely detachable brush at its tip end.

In general, an electrical toothbrush having a motor providing power or drive and battery or an AC adapter was self contained, and compared to a conventional toothbrush, it was heavier and bulkier.

Due to the larger shape or bulkiness and heavier weight of the electrical toothbrush when compared to a conventional toothbrush, the usage sensation felt by the user was different from the conventional hand help/propelled toothbrush. This made it more difficult to utilize the existing finger-based brushing techniques. When the user relied more on the power generated by the movement of the brush, it was possible to lower the amount of plaque removable on a section by section basis. Especially with inter-dental space brush, the awkwardness associated with the weight and bulkiness made it more difficult to properly perform the brushing without a soft/tender touch so the user did not damage the gum. Also it is desirable to have the equipment waterproofed for daily usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush of a finger grip type suitable for inter-dental brushing techniques.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush of a finger grip type having a detachable and light-weight cleaning brush at its tip end for allowing the user to utilize the existing finger-relied inter-dental brushing techniques.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electric inter-dental brush device of a finger grip type including a finger grip for containing a source of drive therein and a detachable cleaning brush powered by the source of drive.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electric inter-dental brush device of a finger grip and rewinding type including a finger grip for holding a source of drive and a detachable cleaning brush powered by the source of drive and a rewindable electrical connection cord or wire connected between the source of drive and the cleaning brush.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, en electric inter-dental brush device utilizes a small-sized motor or ultrasonic vibrator as a source of drive to be housed in a finger grip of a small-sized cylindrical shape for powering a cleaning brush to be secured at a tip end of the electric inter-dental brush device. An output section of the electric inter-dental brush device is designed to provide an appropriate amount or form of output drive to the cleaning brush by increasing or decreasing the output of rotating power, or by converting the output power into rotating movement, repeating movement, sliding movement, or a combination of two or more of these movements.

If the ultrasonic vibrator is used instead of the small-sized motor, an output section of the ultrasonic vibrator is housed inside the finger grip. The driving power generated from the output section is transferred through a cleaning brush shaft which at one end away from the output section is the cleaning brush. The shaft penetrates through a head assembly of the electric inter-dental brush device. The head assembly is connected to the finger grip of the electric inter-dental brush device through a coupling section which allows the head assembly to be removable from the finger grip. When the user uses the electric inter-dental brush device for oral cavity cleaning, the finger grip thereof can easily be held by fingers and provide maneuverability and usage sensation equivalent to a conventional (non-electric) toothbrush or an inter-dental space brush.

Electricity to run the small-sized motor or ultrasonic vibrator is provided from a battery or batteries or from an AC converter adapter which is housed in a casing or housing of the electric inter-dental brush device. Electrical cords or wires to provide electricity to the motor or to the ultrasonic vibrator are to be adjusted at an appropriate length. A waterproofed spool assembly is housed within the housing to rewind the electrical cords or wires, contain components or parts for an electrical power supply. This arrangement is effective in increasing the portability of the electric inter-dental brush device. A space in the housing for the wound cord is enclosed. A cover is designed to cover up and enclose the space for the wound cord, the housing of the electric inter-dental brush device. The head assembly and the cover may be put on or removed directly to and from the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings, the figures shows an electric inter-dental brush device according to several embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1,6, and8illustrates the electric inter-dental brush device according to three embodiments of the present invention. The electric inter-dental brush device as illustrated therein is generally divided into a cleaning brush3attached at a head assembly of the electric inter-dental brush device, a finger grip1of a small size for holding a source of drive for driving the cleaning brush3and a housing4for holding a power supply for the drive source and other components and parts of the electric inter-dental brush device. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a small-sized motor5(FIG. 2) or an ultrasonic vibrator24(as inFIG. 8) is provided as source of electric drive for powering the cleaning brush3.

An output section (gear box)6of the motor5is self contained in the finger grip1to transfer the output from such driving device to the detachable brush head assembly2, which contains the cleaning brush3located at the tip of the head assembly2. The head assembly2containing the cleaning brush3is detachable from the finger grip1for replacements of the cleaning brush3. An electric supply16(a battery or batteries inFIG. 3) supplying electric power to the small-sized motor is physically separated from the finger grip1except via an electric cord13connecting the small-sized motor5and the electric supply16. The electric supply16is contained within the housing4. The housing4contains an electrical cord rewinding device, wherein the electrical cord13is stored. All components or parts of the electric supply16are also contained in the housing4to improve portability and shape. The housing4has a space or recess for receiving the finger grip1and another space or recess for the head assembly2.

WhileFIG. 9(A)shows the small-sized motor5of a diameter of 5.4 mm, for example,FIG. 9(B)shows in more detail the finger grip1and the head assembly2andFIG. 9(C)shows a cross sectional view of the head assembly2. As more clearly illustrated inFIGS. 10(A) to 10(H), the head assembly2includes an up-down movement shaft51to which the cleaning brush3is attached. The up-down movement shaft51is also coupled with the small-sized motor5for rotational movement so that the shaft51carries out not only up-down movement but also rotational movement. The output section (gear box) located between the up-down movement shaft51and the small-sized motor5includes a carrier output shaft52, a carrier53, a desired number of planet gears54, a sun gear55at the center of the planet gears54, and an inner gear56. The gear box comprising those gears is secured between an output shaft set cover57and a motor bracket58. The output box6when assembled is illustrated in more detail inFIGS. 11(A) and 11(B).

If the number of the planet gears54is changed, then the number of revolutions and revolution torque of the gear box are made adjustable. When the number of planet gears54is three, for example, reduction of revolution speed will be 1/20. Should the gear box be of a cartridge type, an electric inter-dental brush may be made adjustable for different rates of revolutions, even with the same voltage and same motor. As long as the user purchases an electric inter-dental brush, he or she may use or adjust that one for his or her best brushing position and brushing technique.

The driving mechanism for up-down movement and rotation is also shown and described in PCT application PCT/JP02/04510 “UNIVERSAL ANGLE ELECTRIC ORAL CLEANING DEVICE”, filed on May 9, 2002 by the same applicant, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

As shown inFIG. 1, the electric supply16is physically separated, making the whole of the electric inter-dental brush device light in weight and compact, and provides maneuverability and usage sensation similar to the popular hand held inter-dental brush. The established finger-based brushing technique for manual (non-electric) brushes may be used with the present invention, particularly because the finger grip1for housing the drive device is light in weight and may be held by fingers.

As shown inFIG. 2, the head assembly2having the cleaning brush3at its tip end is flexible and has a rotational phase relative to the finger grip1. The rotational phase of the head assembly2may be set at several different pre-set angles or a removable joint8between the finger grip1and the head assembly2itself may be adjustable at an appropriate angle desired by the user. Therefore, in addition the head assembly2having the cleaning brush3is also detachable, allowing the angle between the cleaning brush and the finger grip1may be adjusted according to the desired area of cleaning.

Within the finger grip1, there are located the small-sized motor5, and the power output device (gear box)6. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the ultrasonic vibrator24is located within the finger grip1. Drive force from the shaft7is transferred to the joint8, and a cam mechanism9to convert the rotating movement into one or combination of rotating movement, repeating movement, sliding movement or repeating movement. The resulting movement is finally transferred to the cleaning brush through a slider10which penetrates through the head assembly2of the electric inter-dental brush device.

A water resistant packing11is attached to the other end of the finger grip1, and an electric cord or wire13is pulled into the finger grip1and attached to an input terminal12of the motor through this water resistant packing11.

This electric cord13, as illustrated inFIG. 3, is stored in an electric cord rewinding assembly15, with a water repelling packing14in the housing as a guide for the electric cord. The electric cord rewinding assembly15adjusts the length of the electric cord13to an appropriate length and a terminal secured at the back side of the electric cord rewinding assembly15is used for attachment to the battery or batteries (electrical power supply or power source)16.

When the electric inter-dental brush device is used as a portable device, as shown inFIG. 5, the finger grip1and the head assembly2having the cleaning brush3are held in spaces or recesses in the housing17, while the electric cord13is wound in the electric cord rewinding assembly15. A housing cover18is attached as protection to prevent the finger grip1, the head assembly2and the cleaning brush3from contamination.

FIGS. 12(A) to 12(F)show another example of the housing4with a safety switch mechanism wherein the housing4is shaped like a breakable egg with a left half4′ and a right half4″ with a couple of switches30and31. The switches30and31are connected in series between the motor5and the power supply or batteries16for safety purposes. The first switch31is turned OFF only when pushed by the head assembly2, whereas the second switch32is OFF when the housing4is open and ON when the housing13is closed. That is, power is supplied to the motor5only when the housing4is closed and the head assembly2is pulled out from the housing4.

When the housing4is held by the user and one click opened by the left hand, for example, the housing4is opened so that the head assembly2may be pulled out of the housing4by the right hand. Once the housing4is then one click closed, the head assembly2starts operating. When the housing4is gripped again after use, the housing4is opened to turn OFF the second switch32. Therefore, safety is secured against misuse because the head assembly2operates only when the housing4is closed and the head assembly2is pulled out of the housing4.

It is noted that as shown inFIGS. 13(D) to 13(F)the head assembly2is positioned with stability because the bottom of the housing4is curved in a certain direction. Even when the electric cord13is rewound into the rewinding assembly15, the head assembly2will keep stable and will not turn in a certain direction.

The shape of the housing4shown inFIGS. 5 and 6may be designed to be permanently attached to improve portability. When this shape and design is used, an AC adapter19and the electric cord rewinding assembly15, which can adjust the length of the unwound electrical cord to an appropriate length, are both housed inside the housing4. A suction cup20is attached on the back side of the housing4. For example, the housing4may be attached to a surface of bathroom sink or a mirror surface. An AC adapter cord21is connected to a household AC electric outlet as shown inFIG. 6. The electric cord13is wound up by the electrical cord rewinding assembly15, while the finger grip1remains fitted closely to the housing4.

The housing4is held by the suction cup20to the mirror or other surfaces, as shown inFIG. 6. Under this condition, the finger grip1may be pulled out with the cord extending to an appropriate length and a rotation switch mechanism28secured on the electrical cord rewinding assembly15is automatically activated, so that the user can immediately start the process to clean the oral cavity. The cleaning brush3is kept dry when not in use, to prevent growth of caries and other bacteria, the causes of gum diseases which are bacteria that do not like dry or airy environment. An electric cord rewinding wheel22is located at the bottom of the housing4for winding and holding an AC adapter cord21. This arrangement makes the electric inter-dental brush device compact and makes the same not bulky and easy to change location of where the electric inter-dental brush device is set up.

Where the ultrasonic vibrator24is used as the source of driving the cleaning brush3, its electric power supply may still be separated as shown inFIG. 7. Therefore the outer shape of the electric inter-dental brush device as shown inFIG. 7may be similar to the outer shape of a conventional hand-held inter-dental (non-electric) brush. The shape of the housing4is shaped to fit the finger grip1and a head arm26. The electric cord13is wound and stored in the electrical cord winding wheel22and the cleaning brush3is held in a storage space in the housing4.

As the ultrasonic vibrator24may be applicable to inter-dental brush, as shown inFIG. 8, the housing4may be divided into a first division for the AC adapter19with an electric cord and a second division for the electric cord rewinding mechanism15. The housing4may be made highly portable by making the first and second divisions of the housing4detachable. When the device is in use, the first and second divisions of the housing4are separated and the AC adapter cord21and the power supply electric cord13are pulled out from the electric cord rewinding mechanism15. The AC adapter19is plugged into an electric utility outlet and the electrical cord rewinding mechanism15is affixed to a mirror or other surface by a suction cup or other means. Because the AC adapter which is relatively heavy is secured on the mirror or other surface, the negative effect towards the brushing technique is avoided. When the electrical cord rewinding mechanism15is maintained at the same height as the height of the oral cavity, the weight of the electric cord13is also reduced by half, allowing the user to practice intricate brushing technique.

When a brush holding mechanism is formed or installed on the housing4, the cleaning brush3may be kept dry as shown inFIG. 5to prevent the growth of caries and bacteria that cause periodontal disease, which do not prefer dry and ventilated area for growth. As shown inFIG. 8, the AC adapter cord21and the electric cord13are stored in the electric cord rewinding device15. The AC adapter19and the electric cord rewinding device15is combined into as one unit with the aid of a joint mechanism23. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7wherein the battery or batteries (electrical power supply)16is kept within the housing4, the electrical cord13is wound onto the perimeter of the winding wheel22. The portability of the electric inter-dental brush device is increased by installing a brush holding mechanism (not shown) on the housing4.

The shape of the cleaning brush3of the electric inter-dental brush device with the rewinding cord according to the embodiments of the present invention is not to be limited to the illustrations and suggestions described above. It should be noted that the finger grip1, the battery or batteries (electric power supply)16, the AC adapter19and the electrical cord rewinding assembly15may be combined in other ways as well as certain changes and improvements may be made, so long as it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the portion of the electric inter-dental portable electrical brush with the rewinding cord, to be held by the hand of the user is small and light weight. More particularly, the finger grip may be similar in shape and size to a conventional hand-held inter-dental brush to allow the user the maneuverability and usage sensation that is equal to the conventional hand-held inter-dental brush and allow the user to practice the established brushing technique. In addition, the housing4may be equipped with a water repelling packing or gasket for daily use.