Abstract:
A toothbrush with a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a first section and a second section forming an oblique angle. A projector of sound or music located within the handle. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a handle cover attached to the base. A method of using a toothbrush including the step of gripping the toothbrush. The method further including the step of engaging the projector of sound or music. The method still further including the step of utilizing the toothbrush while the projector of sound or music is activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/986,558, filed Nov. 8, 2007. The above-mentioned provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this specification. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present inventions relate to dental hygiene and, more particularly, to toothbrushes. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     To ensure proper oral care, dentists recommend that we brush our teeth more than once a day for at least two to three minutes each time. Despite this recommendation, the average adult person does not brush his or her teeth for two to three minutes. This problem is worse with children, who have notoriously short attention spans and often view brushing their teeth as a chore. Accordingly, there is a general need for a device that encourages people, especially children, to brush their teeth more often and for longer periods of time. See e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004-0143920, filed Jan. 24, 2003 and published on Jul. 29, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004-0143920 describes a toothbrush with a handle having a base, a body, and a head. These toothbrushes help the user to brush for a sufficient period of time by flashing or remaining otherwise illuminated for an established time. The user is encouraged to brush and remain brushing while the toothbrush is lighted. This is especially useful for children for the reasons explained above. 
     One aspect of the present invention is that there may exist drawbacks and shortcomings to using light to help the user know how long to brush his or her teeth. For example, it may be difficult for the user to see the light when the toothbrush is in the mouth. It may be difficult to see when the light turns off in a well lit bathroom. There also exist many people who have difficulty seeing but who also could use some encouragement to brush more often and for longer periods of time. Applicant has recognized that a need exists for a musical toothbrush or one that projects sound instead of or together with light to inform the user how long they should brush. 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and a head coupled to the first end of the handle, the head comprising a plurality of bristles. A handle cover is coupled to the second end of the handle. A loudspeaker is positioned in the handle. The tooth brush also includes a power source, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a microchip. The microchip is attached to the PCB. A switch is positioned in the handle such that when the switch is pressed the switch contacts the PCB but does not contact the PCB when it is not pressed. A control circuit configured such that contact between the switch the PCB completes a circuit and initiates the sound or music projection from the loudspeaker for a set period of time. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush as disclosed including a waterproof wall positioned in the handle and surrounding part of the switch to ensure that water does not enter the handle from the area around the switch. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and a head coupled to the first end of the handle, the head comprising a plurality of bristles. A loudspeaker is positioned in the handle. A light source is positioned in the handle. The tooth brush also includes a power source, a PCB, and a microchip. The microchip is attached to the PCB. A switch is positioned in the handle such that when the switch is pressed the switch contacts the PCB but does not contact the PCB when it is not pressed. A control circuit configured such that contact between the switch the PCB completes a circuit and initiates illumination and sound or music projection from the loudspeaker for a set period of time. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a toothbrush as in any of the previously disclosed aspects wherein the toothbrush further comprises a microchip. The microchip can be separate from the loudspeaker and easily removable so that one toothbrush can utilize different microchips. Each microchip could, for example, be programmed with different sounds or music. Thus, the control circuit would complete the circuit and initiate the microchip which would determine the sound or music to be projected from the loudspeaker. 
     The foregoing objects may also be achieved by a toothbrush having a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a chamber therein. A loudspeaker for projecting sound or music located within the chamber. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a handle cover attached to the base. 
     The foregoing objects may still further be achieved by a method of using a toothbrush. The method uses a toothbrush having a handle and a sound projection circuit. The toothbrush handle having a base, a body, and a head. The toothbrush sound projection circuit having a loudspeaker to project sound or music connected to a switch. The toothbrush sound projection circuit may further have a microchip programmed with sound or music connected to a loudspeaker. The method including the step of pressing the switch for completing the sound projection circuit. The method further including the step of activating a loudspeaker within the toothbrush to project sound or music. The method still further including the step of utilizing the toothbrush while the loudspeaker is activated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art toothbrush. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded top view of the toothbrush grip, base, and lower section of toothbrush handle showing the placement of the illumination circuit within the toothbrush handle. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a toothbrush handle, switch and waterproof wall. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a toothbrush handle and the sound projection circuit. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a toothbrush handle with the sound projection circuit installed, the handle cover and bristles. 
         FIG. 6  shows front and side views of a waterproof wall. 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view and a cross-sectional view of a switch. 
         FIG. 8  shows top, side and front views of a toothbrush handle. 
         FIG. 9  shows top, side and front views of a toothbrush handle cover. 
         FIG. 10  is an embodiment of a sound projection circuit. 
         FIG. 11  is shows another aspect of the invention where the toothbrush is configured to include an illumination projection circuit. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a toothbrush with a front-mounted button. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toothbrush with a front-mounted button. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toothbrush with a front-mounted button. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art illuminated toothbrush  10 , which comprises a handle  12 , an illumination circuit  14 , a brush  16 , and a grip  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle  12  comprises a base  20 , a body  21 , and a head  26 . The body  21  has a first section  22  and a second section  24 . The handle  12  can be formed of hard, clear plastic. In one arrangement, the handle  12  can be a colored plastic. In another arrangement, the handle  12  can be a translucent plastic. 
     The toothbrush handle  12  can be formed through an injection molding process. In such an embodiment, plastic in a liquid form can be injected into a mold having two sections. Liquid plastic can be injected into the mold where it is then allowed to solidify. When the mold is opened it creates a handle having a brush side  28  and a non-brush side  30 . At the intersection of these two sides  28 ,  30  can be a ridge  32 . The ridge  32  can be a surface characteristic resulting from the injection molding process. In the illustrated arrangement, the ridge  32  does not extend inside the handle  12  but exists on the surface. The injection molding process in constructing of the toothbrush handle  12  is conventional and does not form a part of the present invention. 
     The brush  16  can have a bristle  80 . The bristle  80  can have a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The bristle second end  84  can be embedded in the head  26  of the handle  20 . 
     The handle base  20  has an opening  38  and a cavity  50 , see  FIG. 2 . The illumination circuit  14  fits partially inside the cavity  50  and partially within grip  18  which is essentially hollow. The chamber  50  can extend within the section  22 . The chamber  50  can be generally cylindrical in shape. 
     Continuing to look at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first section chamber  50  can be also positioned in off-center alignment with the base  20  because in the first section  22  is ergonomically designed to accommodate a user&#39;s grip. In the ergonomic design, the brush side  28  of the first section  22  is contoured and the non brush side  30  of the first section  22  is flat. In addition, the brush side  28  of the first section  22  arrives at a point of the second section  24  at a greater angle than the non brush side  30 . In other words, the illumination circuit  14  extends within the first section  22  substantially parallel to the center line of the base member  20  but the first section  22  brush side  28  angles toward the inner point where the first section  22  meets the second section  24  and the non brush side  30  portion of the first section  22  also angles toward the point where the first section  22  meets the second section  24 . Thus, for the first section chamber  50  to extend the furthest into the first section  22  of the handle  12 , the first section chamber  50  is preferably positioned closer to the non-brush side  30  of the first section  22 . 
       FIGS. 3-14  illustrate embodiments of a toothbrush with a sound projection circuit that advantageously addresses the aforementioned problem. Numerical reference to components is the same as in the previously described arrangement, except that a prime symbol (′) has been added to the reference. Where such references occur, it is to be understood that the components are the same or substantially similar to previously-described components. 
       FIG. 3  shows a toothbrush  10 ′ with the non-brush side  30 ′ on the top. The handle  12 ′ has a base  20 ′ which has been formed on the non-brush side  30 ′ to receive the parts of the sound projection circuit  40  and activation means for activating the circuit  40 . A waterproof wall  44  is used to cover a switch  42  which is placed in the switch holder  62 .  FIGS. 6-7  show the waterproof wall  44  and switch  42  respectively in more detail. 
       FIG. 4  shows a configuration of a sound projection circuit. A contact member  46  with a hole  70  is placed on post  72 . The batteries  48  fit in the battery holders  64 . The batteries  48 , switch  42 , waterproof wall  44  and contact member  46  are held in place by a printed circuit board (PCB)  50  and a screw  74 . The screw  74  is screwed into the post  72 . A microchip, not shown, is attached to the PCB. A loudspeaker  52  is also placed into the handle  12 ′. 
       FIG. 5  shows the sound projection circuit  40  installed into the handle, the handle cover  54  and bristle  80 ′.  FIG. 8  shows a more detailed view of the toothbrush handle  12 ′.  FIG. 9  shows a more detailed view of the toothbrush handle cover  54 . 
     The sound project circuit  40 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , can have a loudspeaker  52 , a resistor  62 , a timing circuit  64 , and a power source  66 . The timing circuit  64  can include the microchip. The microchip is programmed with a unique sound or music. The unique sound or music is projected by the loudspeaker  52  after the switch  42  is pressed, completing the sound projection circuit  40 . The PCB  50  and microchip are preferably positioned on the outside of the handle  12 ′ preferably immediately below the handle cover  54  such that it can be easily installed by attaching the screw  74  described above. In this manner, during mass production, toothbrushes  10 ′ can be made with different microchips having different musical compositions or sound patterns. That is, a large number toothbrushes can be created with each toothbrush can have substantially the same or identical parts. To make toothbrushes with different musical or sound patterns, a different PCB board or microchip with a different musical program or sound pattern is added to the toothbrush. In this matter, product lines of toothbrushes with multiple musical or sound patterns can be cost effectively created. 
     The timing circuit  64  preferably can function to activate the loudspeaker  52  for approximately 60 seconds. The timing circuit  64  also preferably can serve to control the loudspeaker  60  to project a sound intermittently for the time period in which it is engaged. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker  52  may stay on continuously and/or sound for a longer or shorter period of time. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit is activated by closing an electrical switch  42  to complete a circuit. 
     The switch  42  can be made of a flexible material. Alternatively, the switch  42  may be of a hard material but have a flexible portion that may be used to engage the PCB  50  to connect the sound projection circuit  40 . 
     In operation, the musical toothbrush  10 ′ is used by a user to indicate the duration of an amount of time. The user grips the toothbrush handle  12 ′ in their hand with the bristle  80 ′ surface with the bristle  80 ′ against their teeth and engages the switch  42 . The loudspeaker  52  begins to project sound intermittently in an on/off fashion. The loudspeaker  52  continues to sound for a period of approximately 60 seconds. The handle is designed to direct sound to the user in multiple ways so that the user may be accurately apprised of brushing time. The frequency of sound can remain constant, or vary in frequency. In some embodiments, the frequency can increase as the time approaches 60 seconds. In some embodiments, the frequency can remain constant through a first period of time, and increase in frequency in a second period of time. In one example, the frequency can remain constant for approximately 45 seconds; then increase for the remaining 15 seconds. In other embodiments, different time intervals can be used, such as, for example, two even periods of thirty seconds each. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the toothbrush can be configured to have an illumination circuit  14  installed within the handle  12 ′. Though not shown the toothbrush can have a loudspeaker and microchip installed so that the toothbrush can play music or sound and illuminate. The illumination circuit  14  can include a light emitted diode (LED)  90 , batteries  48 , a first battery contact  94 , a second battery contact  96  and a connector  92 . The connector can be a simple electrical connector, a PCB or a timing circuit. 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate alternative embodiments of the toothbrush having a front-mounted activation mechanism for activating a sound projection circuit  40 . The mechanism can comprise a variety of devices, some examples of which are illustrated and described below. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a toothbrush  410  having an sound projection  40  and an activation mechanism  468 . The mechanism  468  can comprise a contact port  470  and a button  472 . The button  472  can comprise a metallic mesh  474  that surround the contact post  470 , and activates the sound projection circuit  40 , activating the loudspeaker, as described above. The mesh  474  can case the sound projection circuit  40  to activate through contact with a electrically-conducting inner surface, or support an electrically-conducting surface which activates the circuit  40 . The mesh  474  can be replaced by a spring, flexible rods, or any other suitable device, as described above. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another embodiment of a toothbrush  510  having a front-mounted activation mechanism. The mechanism can comprise a push-button device  568  having a button  572  and a switch device  574 , as are well-known in the art. The push-button device  568  can cause the sound projection circuit  40  to activate the loudspeaker. The switch device  574  can be activated by manipulation of the button  572 , whether the button  572  is flexible or a rigid connection to the switch device  574 . The push-button device  568  can activate the circuit  40  once manipulated and future manipulations can be ignored by the circuit  40  until the timer has completed a cycle. This operation can occur in any embodiment described herein. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of a toothbrush  610 , wherein a loudspeaker projects sound or music by a sound projection circuit  40 . The circuit  40  can start a timed cycle upon receiving a signal from an activation device  668 . In the illustrated embodiment, the activation device  668  comprises a base  670  and two contact terminals  672 . The contact terminals  672  can activate the circuit  40  when electrical conduction occurs between the terminals  672 . In one embodiment, the circuit  40  and terminals  672  can be constructed to allow contact with human skin to both terminals  672  to cause conduction to occur, thereby activating the circuit  40 . In non-limiting examples, the palm of a human hand gripping the toothbrush can activate the circuit or, a finger or thumb pressed to touch both terminals  672  can activate the circuit  40 . Water disposed in continuous contact with both terminals  672  can also activate the circuit  40 . 
     Although certain embodiments, features, and examples have been described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of the methods and devices shown and described in the present disclosure may be differently combined and/or modified to form still further embodiments. For example, any one component of the toothbrushes shown and described above can be used alone or with other components without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Additionally, it will be recognized that the methods described herein may be practiced in different sequences, and/or with additional devices as desired. Such alternative embodiments and/or uses of the methods and devices described above and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.