Abstract:
The present invention relates to a toothbrush and, more particularly, to a toothbrush produced by providing soft bristles on a side of a solid bar and capable of easily and simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces, e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and upper right side surfaces, and lower left and lower right side surfaces, of teeth based on a simple user operation of grasping the toothbrush with a hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of priority and is a Continuation application of the prior International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2015/010548, with an international filing date of Oct. 6, 2015, which designated the United States, and is related to the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0134427, filed Oct. 6, 2014 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0139445, filed Oct. 5, 2015, the entire disclosures of all applications are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a toothbrush and, more particularly, to a toothbrush produced by providing soft bristles on a side of a solid bar and capable of easily and simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces, e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and upper right side surfaces, and lower left and lower right side surfaces, of teeth based on a simple user operation of grasping the toothbrush with a hand. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A general toothbrush produced by providing bristles in any one direction on an easily-graspable solid bar should brush six surfaces (e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and upper right side surfaces, and lower left and lower right side surface) of teeth one by one. 
         [0006]    As such, many people spend considerable time brushing their teeth in the morning to get ready for work. 
         [0007]    In addition, depending on the position of an arm using the toothbrush, an angle of the toothbrush with respect to the teeth, etc., the six surfaces of the teeth may not be evenly cleaned or some parts of the teeth may be rarely, insufficiently, or incorrectly brushed without being noticed by a user. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush capable of allowing a user to simultaneously clean six surfaces, e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and upper right side surfaces, and lower left and lower right side surfaces, of teeth all the time. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush capable of allowing a user to rapidly and simultaneously clean six surfaces of teeth all the time even when the user brushes the teeth without paying much attention. 
         [0010]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush capable of allowing a user to correctly, rapidly, and simultaneously clean six surfaces of teeth at correct angles even when the user does not intentionally control the direction and angle of the toothbrush or spend equal time on each the six surfaces of the teeth. 
         [0011]    The above and other objects can be accomplished by the present invention described below. 
         [0012]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provided is a toothbrush capable of correctly providing toothbrushes corresponding to six preset surfaces to meet each other at almost right angles and to touch teeth without interference between bristles provided on the six surfaces in different directions, based on a simple user operation of grasping the toothbrush with a hand, thereby brushing the teeth. 
         [0013]    For example, three toothbrushes, e.g., a middle (upper and lower) toothbrush, a left (upper and lower) toothbrush, and a right (upper and lower) toothbrush, each corresponding to two surfaces of the teeth may be coupled together using a coupling means to simultaneously clean a total of six surfaces, e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and right side surfaces, and lower left and right side surfaces, of the teeth. 
         [0014]    For example, the toothbrush may include a middle toothbrush for simultaneously cleaning upper and lower flat surfaces of the teeth, a left toothbrush meeting the middle toothbrush at right angles to clean upper and lower side surfaces of the teeth in one of two side directions of the teeth, and a right toothbrush meeting the middle toothbrush at right angles to clean upper and lower side surfaces of the teeth in the other of the two side directions of the teeth. The middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may be coupled together using a coupling means. Bristles may not be provided on the middle toothbrush in middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones to prevent interference with the left and right toothbrushes meeting the middle toothbrush at right angles, during operation, and bristles may not be not provided on the left and right toothbrush bristles in left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones to prevent interference with the middle toothbrush meeting the left and right toothbrushes at right angles, during operation. 
         [0015]    The coupling means may include hinges. 
         [0016]    The coupling means may include connectors and hinges. 
         [0017]    The left and right toothbrushes may include elastic springs (springs or rubber) for elastically opening or closing the left and right toothbrushes away from or toward the middle toothbrush. 
         [0018]    The left and right toothbrushes may include gears for opening or closing the left and right toothbrushes away from or toward the middle toothbrush by equal angles, and preventing the left and right toothbrushes from being open beyond a certain angle. 
         [0019]    At least one of the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may include a typical vibration device (a device using a typical vibration motor and at least one of a motor, a battery, an electronic circuit, a charger, etc.). 
         [0020]    A coupled structure of the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may be detachable from a middle toothbrush handle by providing a shaft coupling hole under the middle toothbrush and detaching a middle toothbrush handle shaft from the shaft coupling hole, and the left and right toothbrushes may be detachable from the middle toothbrush handle by providing hinge shafts under the left and right toothbrushes and providing arch-shaped coupling rail grooves at sides of the middle toothbrush handle. 
         [0021]    The coupled structure of the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may be detachable from a middle toothbrush handle by providing a shaft coupling hole under the middle toothbrush and detaching a middle toothbrush handle shaft from the shaft coupling hole. Lower parts of the left and right toothbrushes may be coupled together by a coupling ring using hinges. If the middle toothbrush handle is detached through a large hole provided in the coupling ring, since the bottom part of the coupling ring forms a planar surface, the detached coupled toothbrush structure may be easily stored in an upright orientation. 
         [0022]    The toothbrush may further include a vibration plate at a side of a middle toothbrush neck to transfer vibration of the vibration device to the left and right toothbrushes or the middle toothbrush. Vibration coupling grooves may be formed at sides of the vibration plate and sides of left and right toothbrush necks may be inserted into the vibration coupling grooves during operation to transfer vibration there between. 
         [0023]    The coupling means may integrally couple the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes together using slider pistons and a piston guide. 
         [0024]    Handles of all of the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may be detachable by providing a coupling hole under the piston guide and detaching a vibration shaft of the middle toothbrush handle from the coupling hole. 
         [0025]    Handles of all of the middle toothbrush and the left and right toothbrushes may be detachable by providing coupling shafts (or coupling holes) under the left and right toothbrushes and detaching vibration device coupling holes (or shafts) of the left and right toothbrush handles from the coupling shafts (or the coupling holes). 
         [0026]    The toothbrush may further include springs in the slider pistons and the piston guide to provide recovery force to the slider pistons. 
         [0027]    The toothbrush may further include connectors (links) connected to the left and right toothbrushes, a slider coupled to the connectors using hinges, and a slider recovery spring, to open or close the left and right toothbrushes away from or toward the middle toothbrush by equal angles. 
         [0028]    A switch and a switch button may be included in the middle toothbrush handle. 
         [0029]    When a user presses the left and right toothbrushes and thus the slider moves rectilinearly, an inclined side surface of the slider may press the switch button to turn on the switch. 
         [0030]    As apparent from the fore-going, the present invention advantageously provides a toothbrush capable of simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces, e.g., upper and lower flat surfaces, upper left and upper right side surfaces, and lower left and lower right side surfaces, of teeth. As such, a user may simultaneously clean the six surfaces of the teeth without much effort. 
         [0031]    Since the user may simultaneously clean the six surfaces of the teeth, a time required to brush the teeth may be reduced and time may be saved, for example, in the morning when the user is busy to get ready for work. 
         [0032]    In addition, since toothbrushes corresponding to six preset surfaces are correctly provided to touch the teeth without interference between bristles provided on the six surfaces in different directions, based on a simple user operation of grasping the toothbrush with a hand, the user may easily and correctly clean the six surfaces of the teeth without paying much attention. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, if the user simply grasps a handle of the toothbrush of the present invention with a hand and presses left and right toothbrushes with fingers, rectilinear motion of a slider is caused thereby, an inclined side surface of the slider presses a switch button to turn on a switch, and thus the toothbrush operates as an electric toothbrush. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toothbrush capable of simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces of teeth  70   a  and  70   b , according to the present invention(a user&#39;s hand is indicated by an alternating long and short dashed line). 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a magnified view of toothbrush heads capable of simultaneously cleaning six surfaces of upper teeth and lower teeth. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes a middle toothbrush  11 , left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , and coupling device hinges  13   a  and  13   b.    
           [0037]      FIG. 4A  is a partially-cutaway perspective view showing that the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  are coupled together using the hinges  13   a  and  13  band that the toothbrush is in a naturally open state. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4B  is an operational perspective view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 4A  is reduced by grasping the middle toothbrush handle  1  with a hand and pressing left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  with fingers. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5A  is a partially-cutaway top view showing that the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  are coupled together using the hinges  13   a  and  13   b  and that the toothbrush is in a naturally open state. 
           [0040]      FIG. 5B  is an operational partially-cutaway top view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 5A  is reduced by grasping the middle toothbrush handle  1  with a hand and pressing the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  with fingers. 
           [0041]      FIG. 5C  is an operational partially-cutaway top view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 5B  is further reduced and thus the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  contact each other. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6A  is a magnified view of a portion B of gear devices  22   a  and  22   b  of  FIG. 5A  in a case where the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  are fully open and a space at rear parts of gear jaws  27   a  and  27   b  is fully closed. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6B  is a magnified view of a portion C of the gear devices  22   a  and  22   b  of  FIG. 5C  in a case where the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  are fully closed and the space at the rear parts of the gear jaws  22   a  and  22   b  is fully open. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a magnified view of middle toothbrush bristles  12  and left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  in a case where the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are pressed toward the middle toothbrush  11 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a view for describing left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  for protecting the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b , and middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  for protecting the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b , in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 9A  is a view for describing left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush  11  with respect to a centerline of the middle toothbrush  11 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 9B  is a view for describing the left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  for protecting the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b , the middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  for protecting the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b , and the left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush  11  with respect to a centerline of the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b.    
           [0048]      FIG. 9C  is a view for describing the left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  and the middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  with respect to a centerline of the middle toothbrush bristles  12 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 9D  is a perspective view for describing the left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  and  100   c  with respect to the middle toothbrush  11 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 9E  is a perspective view for describing the middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  with respect to the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0051]      FIG. 9F  is a view for describing that the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are extendable to a plural number and thus the forbidden zones  100   a  and  100   b  are also extendable. 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of clearance grooves  120   a ,  120   b ,  110   a , and  110   b  provided in the middle toothbrush  11  to prevent interference with the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  during operation ( 120   a  and  120   b  denote clearance grooves for preventing interference with the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b , and  110   a  and  110   b  denote clearance grooves for preventing interference with the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b ). 
           [0053]      FIG. 11  is a view for describing that the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  meet the middle toothbrush centerline and the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b  at right angles. 
           [0054]      FIG. 12  is a view for describing operations of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  on back teeth. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a toothbrush capable of simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  and further including a typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 14A  is an exploded perspective view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 13 , which further includes the typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the toothbrush further including the typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention, in a case where a coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  is detached from a middle toothbrush handle  10   a.    
           [0058]      FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of the toothbrush further including the typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention, in a case where the coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  is attached to the middle toothbrush handle  10   a.    
           [0059]      FIG. 15B  is an operational partially-cutaway perspective view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 15A  is reduced by grasping the middle toothbrush handle  10   a  with a hand and pressing the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  with fingers (the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are cut). 
           [0060]      FIG. 15C  is an operational partially-cutaway perspective view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 15B  is further reduced and thus the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  contact each other. 
           [0061]      FIG. 16  shows a cross-section A-A′ of a vibration plate  15 , a cross-section B-B′ of a middle part of the middle toothbrush handle  10   a , and a cross-section C-C′ of left and right toothbrush hinge shafts  24   a  and  24   b , in  FIG. 15A . 
           [0062]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a toothbrush which is capable of simultaneously cleaning a total of six surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  and further includes the typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention and in which the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are coupled together using a coupling ring  5 . 
           [0063]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the toothbrush according to the present invention in a case where a coupled toothbrush structure (a coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b ) of  FIG. 17  is detached from a middle toothbrush handle  10   b.    
           [0064]      FIG. 19A  is a perspective view showing that the ring  5 , or  5   a  and  5   b  of  FIG. 18  is disassembled from the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0065]      FIG. 19B  is a perspective view showing that the ring  5 , or  5   a  and  5   b  of  FIG. 19A  is assembled with the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0066]      FIG. 20A  is a perspective view of a toothbrush which further includes the typical vibration device  180  according to the present invention and in which the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are coupled together using the coupling ring  5  and the coupled toothbrush structure (the coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b ) is attached to the middle toothbrush handle  10   b.    
           [0067]      FIG. 20B  is an operational perspective view showing that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 20A  is reduced by grasping the middle toothbrush handle  10   b  with a hand and pressing the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  with fingers. 
           [0068]      FIG. 21A  is a plan view of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180  and from which the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are detachable. 
           [0069]      FIG. 21B  is a plan view of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180  and in which lower parts of the detachable left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are tied using the ring  5 . 
           [0070]      FIG. 21C  is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180 , in which the lower parts of the detachable left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are tied using the ring  5 , and which further includes two-link connectors  41   a  and  41   b  and hinges  42   a  and  42   b , the springs  3   a  and  3   b , and the gears  22   a  and  22   b.    
           [0071]      FIG. 21D  is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the vibration devices  180  at ends of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0072]      FIG. 21E  is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes four columns of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  or the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  (Alternatively, the number of columns may be reduced or increased to one or a plural number as necessary). 
           [0073]      FIG. 21F  is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  serving as springs  4   a  and  4   b , and the hinges  42   a  and  42   b.    
           [0074]      FIG. 21G  is a partially-cutaway top view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes an ‘elastic rubber ball’  31  to serve as a spring, instead of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b.    
           [0075]      FIG. 21H  is a partially-cutaway top view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes ‘handle-integrated springs’  32   a  and  32   b  to form an elastic spring structure by extending sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and to serve as springs, instead of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b.    
           [0076]      FIG. 21I  is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are integrally coupled using sliders and springs, the typical vibration device  180  embedded in the middle toothbrush handle  10   b  is coupled using a shaft  181 , and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are operable by pressing the toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b.    
           [0077]      FIG. 21J  is an exploded perspective view showing that the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 21I  are integrally coupled using the sliders and the springs. 
           [0078]      FIG. 21K  is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are integrally coupled using the sliders and the springs, typical vibration devices  180  embedded in the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  are coupled to shafts  20   a  and  20   b  provided at sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are operable by pressing the toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b.    
           [0079]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes a slider  43 , or  43   a  and  43   b  coupled to the hinges  42   a  and  42   b  of the connectors (links)  41   a  and  41   b  connected to the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , and a slider recovery spring  3   e  to open or close the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  away from or toward the middle toothbrush  11  by equal angles and to smoothly operate the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0080]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view showing connections between the slider  43  of  FIG. 22  and other internal parts such as a switch  80  and a battery module  9 . 
           [0081]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing that the slider  43  of  FIG. 22  is naturally pushed by the spring  3   e  to maintain an open state of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
           [0082]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view showing that the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 24  are pressed with a hand, the slider  43  compresses the spring  3   e , and thus the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  contact the middle toothbrush  11 . 
           [0083]      FIG. 26  is a partially-cutaway perspective view of the slider  43  and a middle toothbrush handle  10   d  of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0084]      FIG. 27  is a magnified view of the partially-cutaway part of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0085]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing that the battery module  9  of  FIG. 22  is detachable or removable. 
           [0086]      FIG. 29  is a view showing that the toothbrush of  FIG. 22  according to the present invention, into which the battery module  9  is inserted, is docked on an external battery charger  92   a , to be charged. 
           [0087]      FIG. 30  is a view showing that only the battery module  9  detached from the toothbrush of  FIG. 22  according to the present invention is directly docked on an external battery charger  92   b , to be charged. 
           [0088]      FIGS. 31, 32, and 33  are views for describing the ‘left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  for protecting the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b ’, the ‘middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  for protecting the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b ’, and the ‘left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush  11 ’, which vary based on shapes of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11 , and positions of the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b , and the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Mode of the Invention 
       [0089]    Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in a toothbrush according to the present invention, when a user grasps a middle toothbrush handle  1 ,  10   a ,  10   b , or  10   c  of a middle toothbrush  11  and gently presses handles  2   a  and  2   b  of left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  with the thumb and other fingers(the user&#39;s hand is indicated by an alternating long and short dashed line), the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21  b contact upper and lower side surfaces of teeth  70   a  and  70   b.  At the same time, when the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  are slightly clenched, upper and lower flat surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  contact middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , six surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  (e.g., left and right side surfaces  70   ii  and  70   iii  of the upper teeth, left and right side surfaces  70   v  and  70   vi  of the lower teeth, flat surfaces  70   i  and  70   iv  of the upper and lower teeth in  FIG. 2 ) may be simultaneously cleaned. 
         [0091]    That is, if the users imply grasps the toothbrush of the present invention with a hand by gently applying pressure and clenches the teeth  70   a  and  70   b , the six surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b  ( FIGS. 2 :  70   ii ,  70   iii ,  70   v ,  70   vi ,  70   i , and  70   iv ) may be simultaneously cleaned. 
         [0092]    In the above operation, the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  connected to two hinges  13   a  and  13   b  integrated with the middle toothbrush handle  1  of the middle toothbrush  11  operate only in a certain orbit like a ring  5 , or  5   a  and  5   b  and meet a centerline of the middle toothbrush  11  and centerlines of the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b  at right angles as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In addition, gears  22   a  and  22   b  open or close the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  away from or toward the middle toothbrush  11  by equal angles as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A to 6B , and a space at rear parts of gear jaws  27   a  and  27   b  prevents the handles  2   a  and  2   b  from being open beyond a certain angle as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the toothbrush of  FIG. 1  according to the present invention may contact and clean six surfaces of the teeth  70   a  and  70   b.  Specifically, the toothbrush contacts a total of six surfaces, e.g., the left side surface  70   ii , the right side surface  70   iii , and the flat surface  70   i  of the upper teeth, and the left side surface  70   v , the right side surface  70   vi , and the flat surface  70   iv  of the lower teeth. 
         [0094]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing all parts of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 . The middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are operable using a combination of a spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b , the gears  22   a  and  22   b , the hinges  13   a  and  13   b , etc. 
         [0095]    Based on  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 5C  showing the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , which is partially cutaway, operations of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b , the gears  22   a  and  22   b , and the hinges  13   a  and  13   b  in a case where the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are open or closed may be understood. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are magnified views of a portion B of the gears  22   a  and  22   b  of  FIG. 5A  in a case where the handles  2   a  and  2   b  are open, and a portion C of the gears  22   a  and  22   b  of  FIG. 5C  in a case where the handles  2   a  and  2   b  are closed. The gears  22   a  and  22   b  move the left and right handles  2   a  and  2   b  away from or toward the middle toothbrush  11  by equal angles, and the space at the rear parts of the gear jaws  27   a  and  27   b  prevents the left and right handles  2   a  and  2   b  from being open beyond a certain angle. 
         [0097]      FIG. 7  is a magnified view of heads of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  and shows that the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  operate without interference with the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b.    
         [0098]    Requirements for operation without interference will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9F . To prevent interference between the bristles  12 , and  23   a  and  23   b , the toothbrush according to the present invention mainly includes three bristle protection zones, e.g., left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   a  for protecting the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b , middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   b  for protecting the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b , and left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush  11 . 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in general, since the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  meet left and right side surfaces of the middle toothbrush  11  at right angles, when the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are pressed toward the middle toothbrush  11 , collision inevitably occurs at final positions where the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  meet the middle toothbrush  11  at 90°. The interference may be prevented by not providing the bristles  12 , and  23   a  and  23   b  in certain zones. In the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , interference with the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b  may be prevented by not providing the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  in the forbidden zones  100   a.  In the middle toothbrush  11 , interference with the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  may be avoided by not providing the bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b  in the forbidden zones  100   b  where the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  are operable. When viewed from the centerline of the middle toothbrush  11  as illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  should not be provided in forbidden zones corresponding to the left and right side surfaces of the middle toothbrush  11 , thereby preventing collision with the side surfaces. These forbidden zones are the left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush  11 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E  shows the forbidden zones  100   a ,  100   b , and  100   c  in different views. 
         [0101]      FIG. 9F  shows that the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are extendable or reducible in number. 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , in the toothbrush according to the present invention, the middle toothbrush  11  may include clearance grooves  120   a ,  120   b ,  110   a , and  110   b  in parts where the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  or the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  approach, to more effectively reduce interference with the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  during operation. 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  meet the centerline of the middle toothbrush  11  and the centerlines of the middle toothbrush bristles  12 , or  12   a  and  12   b  at right angles during operation. 
         [0104]      FIG. 12  shows contact between the toothbrush according to the present invention and the teeth  70   a  and  70   b , and shows that the bristles  23   a  and  23   b  of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  meet the centerline of the middle toothbrush  11  at right angles. 
         [0105]      FIG. 13  shows operation of a toothbrush further including a vibration device  180  according to the present invention, compared to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 14A  is an exploded perspective view of the toothbrush of  FIG. 13 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 14B  shows a coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , which is detachable from the middle toothbrush handle  10   a.    
         [0108]    Referring to  FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C , when no external force is applied, the toothbrush is open due to left and right toothbrush connectors  41   a  and  41   b  and elastic springs  4   a  and  4   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 15A . In this state, if the middle toothbrush handle  10   a  is grasped with a hand and force is gradually applied, the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  gradually move toward and contact each other as illustrated in  FIGS. 15B and 15C , to clean the teeth  70   a  and  70   b.    
         [0109]    In the above-described toothbrush further including the vibration device  180  according to the present invention, in order to transfer vibration of the vibration device  180  coupled to the middle toothbrush  11 , to the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , or in order to transfer vibration of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  to the middle toothbrush  11  in a case where vibration devices  180  are included in the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 21D , if the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are pressed by a certain angle or more as shown in a cross-section A-A′ of  FIG. 16 , left and right toothbrush necks  25   a  and  25   b  of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are fitted into vibration coupling grooves  17   a  and  17   b  of a middle toothbrush vibration plate  15  and thus vibration of the vibration device  180  is transferred via the middle toothbrush vibration plate  15 . 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 14B , the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  are coupled to the left and right toothbrush connectors  41   a  and  41   b  using hinges  42   a  and  42   b  and are integrally detached. As such, when the user grasps and detaches the middle toothbrush  11  from a middle toothbrush handle shaft  181 , hinge shafts  24   a  and  24   b  provided under the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are detached along coupling rail grooves  101   a  and  101   b  provided in the middle toothbrush handle  10   a.  Thus, the coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of another user may be attached to the middle toothbrush handle  10   a.    
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the toothbrush of  FIG. 1  according to the present invention further includes the vibration device  180  provided in the middle toothbrush handle  10   b , and the ring  5  for tying lower parts of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b.    
         [0112]    That is, referring to  FIG. 18  showing that the coupled structure coupled by the ring  5  is detached from the middle toothbrush handle  10   b , since the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are coupled together once again using the ring  5 , the user may conveniently detach the coupled structure from the middle toothbrush handle  10   a  and store the coupled structure in an upright orientation. 
         [0113]    For better understanding of the ring  5 ,  FIG. 19A  shows that the ring  5 , or  5   a  and  5   b  is disassembled from the coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b , and  FIG. 19B  shows that the ring  5  is assembled with the coupled structure. 
         [0114]      FIG. 20A  shows a naturally open state of the toothbrush of  FIG. 17  according to the present invention, and  FIG. 20B  shows that the distance between the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 20A  is reduced by grasping the middle toothbrush handle  10   b  with a hand and pressing the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  with fingers. 
         [0115]      FIG. 21A  is a plan view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180  of the present invention and a coupling means for coupling the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  together, and from which the coupled toothbrush structure is detachable. 
         [0116]      FIG. 21B  is a plan view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180  of  FIG. 18  and in which a lower part of the coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  is tied using the ring  5  to easily detach the coupled structure and store the coupled structure in an upright orientation. 
         [0117]      FIG. 21C  is a plan view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the typical vibration device  180  of  FIG. 17  and in which the lower part of the detachable coupled structure of the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  is tied using the ring  5 , the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  are coupled using the two hinges  42   a  and  42   b , the springs  3   a  and  3   b  are added, and the left and right toothbrush gears  22   a  and  22   b  are installed. 
         [0118]      FIG. 21D  is a plan view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which further includes the vibration devices  180  at sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  compared to the previous embodiment of  FIG. 21A, 21B , or  21 C. 
         [0119]      FIG. 21E  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes four columns of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  or the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b.  Alternatively, the number of columns may be reduced or increased to one or a plural number as necessary. 
         [0120]      FIG. 21F  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are coupled together using the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  and the hinges  42   a  and  42   b , and side parts of the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  serve as the springs  4   a  and  4   b , instead of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b  added to the toothbrush of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 21G  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes an ‘elastic rubber ball’  31  to serve as a spring, instead of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0122]      FIG. 21H  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, which includes ‘handle-integrated springs’  32   a  and  32   b  to form an elastic spring structure by extending sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and to serve as springs, instead of the spring  3 , or  3   a  and  3   b  added to the toothbrush of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Alternatively, it may be easily understood that springs integrated with the middle toothbrush handle  1  may also be formed at sides of the middle toothbrush handle  1 . 
         [0123]      FIG. 21I  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are integrally coupled using slider pistons  28   a  and  28   b  and a slider guide  18 , the shaft  181  of the typical vibration device  180  embedded in the middle toothbrush handle  10   b  is inserted into a coupling hole  16  provided under a middle toothbrush neck  14 , for attachment, detachment, and vibration transfer, and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  may approach the teeth by pressing the toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  to operate the pistons  28   a  and  28   b.    
         [0124]    Referring to  FIG. 21J , the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  of  FIG. 21I  are coupled together using the slider pistons  28   a  and  28   b  and the slider guide  18 , and springs  3   b  and  3   c  are further included therein to provide recovery force to the pistons  28   a  and  28   b.  The pistons  28   a  and  28   b  are inserted into the slider guide  18  and move rectilinearly. Since the pistons  28   a  and  28   b  are configured as large and small pistons and the small pistons are inserted into the large pistons, motion stability may be increased. The springs  3   b  and  3   c  are included in the pistons  28   a  and  28   b.    
         [0125]      FIG. 21K  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the middle toothbrush  11  and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are integrally coupled using the slider pistons  28   a  and  28   b  and the slider guide  18 , shafts  20   a  and  20   b  provided at sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are inserted into shaft coupling holes  16   a  and  16   b  and thus coupled to the typical vibration devices  180  embedded in the left and right toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b , for attachment, detachment, and vibration transfer, and the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  are operable due to shaft-coupling by pressing the toothbrush handles  2   a  and  2   b  to operate the pistons  28   a  and  28   b.    
         [0126]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  may be simultaneously open by equal angles due to rectilinear motion of a slider  43  by coupling the slider  43  to the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  using the hinges  42   a  and  42   b.    
         [0127]      FIG. 23  shows connections between the slider  43  of  FIG. 22  and other internal parts such as a switch  80  and a battery module  9 . Herein, parts such as the switch  80 , a switch frame  81 , and the battery module  9  are not required for a manual toothbrush but are essential for an electric toothbrush. 
         [0128]    Referring to  FIG. 24 , the slider  43  is maintained in a naturally open state due to elasticity of a spring  3   e  included therein. 
         [0129]    Referring to  FIG. 25 , when the user grasps a middle toothbrush handle  10   d  with a hand and softly presses the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  with fingers, the pressure pushes the spring and thus the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  contact the middle toothbrush  11 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 26  is a partially-cutaway perspective view of the slider  43 , the middle toothbrush handle  10   d , and the switch frame  81  of the toothbrush according to the present invention in a naturally open state, and shows connection among the connectors  41   a  and  41   b , the slider  43 , and the spring  3   e.    
         [0131]      FIG. 27  is a magnified view of the cut part of  FIG. 26 . In this state, if the user presses the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  with a hand, the connectors  41   a  and  41   b  push the slider  43  rightward, the spring  3   e  is compressed, an inclined side surface of the slider  43  presses the switch button  80   a  to turn on the switch  80 , the vibration motor  180  vibrates, and the high-frequency vibration is transferred not only to the middle toothbrush  11  but also to the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  via the connectors  41   a  and  41   b.    
         [0132]      FIG. 28  shows a modified embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, in which the battery module  9  is removable from a toothbrush body to which the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b  and the middle toothbrush  11  are coupled, to use the toothbrush as a manual toothbrush, and is detachable to use the toothbrush as an electric toothbrush. 
         [0133]      FIG. 29  shows an example in which the toothbrush into which the battery module  9  is inserted is docked on a battery charger  92   a , to be charged. 
         [0134]      FIG. 30  shows an example in which only the detached battery module  9  is docked on a battery charger  92   b , to be charged. 
         [0135]      FIG. 31  shows an example of the forbidden zones  100   a ,  100   b , and  100   c  generated when the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  and the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b  are configured in groups of two or more rows. 
         [0136]      FIGS. 32 and 33  show examples of the forbidden zones  100   a ,  100   b , and  100   c  generated when the left and right toothbrush bristles  23   a  and  23   b  and the middle toothbrush bristles  12   a  and  12   b  are configured in groups of one row. 
       DIGIT ILLUSTRATION 
       [0137]      1 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c : middle toothbrush handle (original body) 
         [0138]      11 : middle toothbrush 
         [0139]      12 ,  12   a ,  12   b : middle toothbrush bristles 
         [0140]      13   a ,  13   b : left, right hinges 
         [0141]      14 : middle toothbrush neck 
         [0142]      15 ,  15   a ,  15   b : vibration plate 
         [0143]      16 ,  16   a ,  16   b : shaft coupling hole 
         [0144]      17   a ,  17   b : vibration coupling groove 
         [0145]      18 : slider guide 
         [0146]      2   a ,  2   b : left and right toothbrush handles 
         [0147]      20   a ,  20   b : coupled to shafts 
         [0148]      21   a ,  21   b : left and right toothbrushes 
         [0149]      22   a ,  22   b : the gears 
         [0150]      23   a ,  23   b : the left/right brush bristles 
         [0151]      24   a ,  24   b : left and right toothbrush hinge shafts 
         [0152]      25   a ,  25   b : left and right toothbrush necks 
         [0153]      26   a ,  26   b : hinge linking port 
         [0154]      27   a ,  27   b : gear jaws 
         [0155]      28   a ,  28   b : slider piston 
         [0156]      29   a ,  29   b : (slider) piston pressing iron 
         [0157]      3 ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ,  3   e : spring 
         [0158]      31 : elastic rubber ball 
         [0159]      32   a ,  32   b : ‘handle-integrated springs’ to form an elastic spring structure by extending sides of the left and right toothbrushes  21   a  and  21   b    
         [0160]      4   a ,  4   aa ,  4   b ,  4   bb : elastic spring  41   a ,  41   aa ,  41   b ,  41   bb : left and right toothbrush connectors 
         [0161]      42   a ,  42   b : the hinge 
         [0162]      42   c ,  42   cc : hinge coupling port 
         [0163]      42   d ,  42   dd : hinge coupling bolt 
         [0164]      45 : bearing ball 
         [0165]      5 ,  5   a ,  5   b : left, right toothbrush fastening ring 
         [0166]      53   a ,  53   b : left, right toothbrush hinge 
         [0167]      70   a : upper side surfaces of teeth 
         [0168]      70   b : lower side surfaces of teeth 
         [0169]      70   i : flat surface of the upper teeth 
         [0170]      70   ii : upper teeth internal side 
         [0171]      70   iii : upper teeth external side 
         [0172]      70   iv : lower teeth upper side 
         [0173]      70   v : lower teeth internal side 
         [0174]      70   vi : lower teeth external side 
         [0175]      80 : switch 
         [0176]      80   a : switch button 
         [0177]      81 : switch frame 
         [0178]      82   a ,  82   b : elastic insulation ring (rubber ring) 
         [0179]      83 : positive (+) electrode plate 
         [0180]      84 : negative (−) electrode plate 
         [0181]      84   a : battery module fastening jaw 
         [0182]      9 : battery module 
         [0183]      91 : battery module water-proof rubber 
         [0184]      92   a ,  92   b : battery charger 
         [0185]      100   a : left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones for protecting the middle toothbrush bristles 
         [0186]      100   b : middle toothbrush bristle forbidden zones for protecting the left and right toothbrush bristles 
         [0187]      100   c : left and right toothbrush bristle forbidden zones  100   c  for protecting the middle toothbrush 
         [0188]      101   a ,  101   b : left/right brush hinge shaft fastening rail groove 
         [0189]      110   a ,  110   b : side toothbrush rod clearance groove 
         [0190]      120   a ,  120   b : side toothbrush bristle clearance groove 
         [0191]      181 : the shaft  181  of the typical vibration device 
         [0192]      180 : vibration device