Abstract:
A toothbrush that includes a brushing attachment and a handle. The brushing attachment includes a main body portion with a hollow neck having an attachment opening and a head with a cleaning member opening, a drive shaft positioned in the neck, a cleaning member drive mechanism matingly engaged with gearing on the drive shaft, and a cleaning member extending through the cleaning member opening in the head and operatively associated with the cleaning member drive mechanism. The drive shaft includes a spline drive on one end and gearing on the opposite end. The handle includes a main body portion with a brushing attachment connection receiver that is at least partially received in the attachment opening. The brushing attachment connection receiver includes a recess defined therein that receives a drive hub with a grooved recess defined therein that receives the spline drive.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/720,894, filed Oct. 31, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a drive mechanism, and more particularly to a drive mechanism for an electric toothbrush. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    After a certain amount of use, the brush heads on electric toothbrushes often wear out and need to be replaced. A drive mechanism that is efficient and includes parts that are easily connectable between the new brushing attachment and handle is desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0004]    The invention generally is a drive interface between a powered toothbrush handle that includes a battery, motor, and gear train that rotates a drive shaft located at an attachment interface to power a removable brushing attachment. The drive interface includes features that help provide proper alignment during connection and drive torque during operation. 
         [0005]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothbrush that includes a brushing attachment and a handle. The brushing attachment includes a main body portion with a hollow neck with an attachment opening and a head with a cleaning member opening, a drive shaft positioned in the neck, a cleaning member drive mechanism matingly engaged with gearing on the drive shaft, and a cleaning member extending through the cleaning member opening in the head and operatively associated with the cleaning member drive mechanism. The drive shaft includes a spline drive on one end and the gearing on the opposite end and is positioned adjacent the attachment opening in the neck. The handle includes a main body portion that houses a motor, and a brushing attachment connection receiver extending upwardly from the main body portion that is at least partially received in the attachment opening in the brushing attachment. The brushing attachment connection receiver includes a recess defined therein that receives a drive hub therein. The drive hub includes a grooved recess defined therein that receives the spline drive. In a preferred embodiment, the grooved recess includes a straight section and an incline section, and the straight section has smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the incline section. Preferably, the grooved recess includes at least one drive groove having an inner surface and at least one guide groove having an inner surface, and there is clearance between the spline positioned in the guide groove and the inner surface of the guide groove. Put another way, the guide groove is larger in volume than the drive groove. In an embodiment, the grooved recess includes a plurality of alternating drive grooves and guide grooves. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a brushing attachment for a toothbrush that includes a main body portion, drive shaft, cleaning member drive mechanism, and a cleaning member. The main body portion includes a hollow neck and a head, and the neck includes an attachment opening and the head includes a cleaning member opening. The drive shaft is positioned in the neck and includes a spline drive on one end and gearing on the opposite end. The spline drive is positioned adjacent the attachment opening in the neck. The cleaning member drive mechanism is matingly engaged with the gearing on the drive shaft, and the cleaning member extends through the cleaning member opening in the head and is operatively associated with the cleaning member drive mechanism. In use, motivating rotational force imparted to the spline drive is translated from the drive shaft to the cleaning member drive mechanism and to the cleaning member such that the cleaning member rotates. In a preferred embodiment, the spline drive includes a plurality of splines that each have an inclined surface on the distal end thereof. Preferably, each of the six splines includes two opposing longitudinally extending surfaces that taper toward the distal end. 
         [0007]    The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an electric toothbrush having a handle and brushing attachment removably connected to one another in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the electric toothbrush of  FIG. 1 , showing the drive hub and drive shaft; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the drive shaft; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom plan view of the drive shaft; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the drive hub; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a top plan view of the drive hub; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  is an cross-sectional view of the drive hub taken along line  4 C-- 4 C of  FIG. 4B ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4D  is an cross-sectional view of the drive hub taken along line  4 D-- 4 D of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the drive shaft inserted into the drive hub, with the drive hub shown in cross-section; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 -- 6  of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the brushing attachment with the internal components in elevation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. 
         [0020]    Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
         [0021]    The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. 
         [0022]    Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
         [0023]    Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. 
         [0024]    It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1-6  show an electric toothbrush  10  having a handle  12  and a brushing attachment  14  and that includes a drive mechanism or interface  16 . It will be understood that the electrical components of the handle  12 , (e.g., the motor  17 , battery, etc.) and the components for transmitting motion (e.g., rotational motion) to the drive mechanism  16  are known. Therefore, a discussion of these components will be omitted. Furthermore, any type of attachment mechanism for securing the brushing attachment  14  to the handle  12  is within the scope of the present invention and, therefore, a description herein will be omitted. For example, the attachment mechanism taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,246, the entirety of which is incorporated herein be reference, can be used. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the drive mechanism  16  generally includes a drive hub  18  that is received in a recess  20  defined in a brushing attachment connection receiver  22  that extends from the main body portion  21  of the handle  12  and a drive shaft  24  that is housed in a neck  26  of the brushing attachment  14 . A bushing can be used to position or secure drive shaft  24  within neck  26 . However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , in a preferred embodiment, brushing attachment  14  includes a main body portion  25  (comprising neck  26  and a head  28 ) and cleaning member  30  (e.g., bristles). The neck  26  includes an attachment opening  26   a  and the head  28  includes a cleaning member opening  28   a.  It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that brushing attachment  14  can include brushing surfaces other than the bristles, such as massagers, flossers or other tooth cleaning technology known in the art (these are all referred to herein generally as “cleaning members”). Internally, the brushing attachment  14  includes gearing  32  or other energy translation mechanism for translating the rotational energy through the 90 degree bend from the drive shaft  24  to the cleaning member  30 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in a preferred embodiment, drive shaft  24  is a unitary structure that includes a spline drive  34  comprising a series of splines  34   a  on one end thereof, and gearing  32  on the other end thereof In another embodiment, the drive shaft  24  can be constructed of separate, non-unitary parts. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the gearing  32  on the end of the drive shaft  24  mates with the gearing  32  on a cleaning member drive mechanism  33  that is positioned in the head  28 . Gearing for translating the rotation of the drive shaft  24  to the cleaning member drive mechanism  33  (through the 90 degree bend) and ultimately the cleaning member  30  is known. Any type of gearing or the like is within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, any type of cleaning member drive mechanism  33  and attachment to the cleaning member  30  is within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , in a preferred embodiment, drive hub  18  includes a main body portion  36  that is received in recess  20 , a rim  38  that seats on or is adjacent to the top surface of brushing attachment connection receiver  22 , a lower recess  40  for receiving rotational energy from the motor (e.g., via a knurled shaft), and an upper or grooved recess  42  that includes a series of grooves  44  that matingly engage the spline drive  34  of the drive shaft  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the grooves  44  each include a straight portion  44   a  and a lead in or incline portion  44   b.  The straight portion  44   a  interfaces with the splines  34   a  to provide the interface to facilitate the transfer of the rotational motivation generally from the handle  12  to the brushing attachment  14 , and more specifically, from the drive hub  18  to the drive shaft  24 . The incline portion  44   b  helps facilitate the insertion of the spline drive  34  into the upper recess  42 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , in a preferred embodiment, the incline portion  44   b  of the grooves  44  includes a circumferential incline surface  46   a  and two non-circumferential incline surfaces  46   b.    
         [0030]    The plurality of grooves  44  together form, within the upper recess  42 , a straight section  42   a  and an incline section  42   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 6 , the incline section  42   b  has a greater outer diameter OD 1  than the outer diameter of the spline drive  34  OD 2  (measured at the tip of the individual splines  34   a ) and a greater outer diameter OD 1  than the outer diameter of the straight section  42   a  OD 3 . The larger diameter and incline section  42   b  makes it easier to align the drive shaft  24  with the straight section  42   a  of upper recess  42  when placing a brushing attachment  14  on the handle  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the splines  34   a  each include an inclined surface  34   b  on the distal end  34   c  thereof, which further facilitates alignment of the drive shaft  24  and drive hub  18 . As is best shown in  FIG. 5 , the splines  34   a  each include two opposing longitudinally extending surfaces  34   d  that taper toward the distal end  34   c  thereof The inclined and tapered surfaces all help facilitate mating of the spline drive  34  with the grooved opening  42  of the drive hub  18 . In another embodiment, the tapered surfaces  34   d  and the inclined surfaces  34   b  can be omitted. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, as is shown best in  FIG. 4B , within the series of grooves  44 , the drive hub  18  and upper recess  42  also include drive grooves  44   c  and guide grooves  44   d.  The guide grooves  44   d  are sized larger than the splines  34   a  and help provide proper alignment of the splines  34   a  during attachment of the brushing attachment  14 . The clearance between the surfaces of splines  34   a  and the inner surfaces of guide grooves  44   d  are shown in  FIG. 6 . The drive grooves  44   c  are sized to snugly receive the splines  34   a  and provide little clearance. In use, the drive surface of drive grooves  44   c  contact the splines  34   a  positioned within drive grooves  44   c  to rotate drive shaft  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the drive grooves  44   c  and the guide grooves  44   d  alternate. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the drive hub  18  includes three drive grooves  44   c  and three guide grooves  44   d . However, this is not a limitation on the present invention and any number of drive grooves  44   c  and guide grooves  44   d  can be used. 
         [0032]    In use, a new brushing attachment  14  is placed onto the brushing attachment connection receiver  22  such that the spline drive  34  is received into upper recess  42 . As the spline drive  34  enters the incline section  42   b,  if the drive shaft  24  is misaligned, as a result of the incline, the spline drive  34  will be guided inwardly until the axis of the drive shaft  24  is generally axial with the axis of the drive hub  18  and the spline drive  34  will enter the straight section  42   a  of upper recess  42 . The individual splines  34   a  each enter a corresponding drive groove  44   c  or guide groove  44   d.  The attachment mechanism between the handle  12  and brushing attachment  14  is attached and the toothbrush is now ready for use. When the toothbrush  10  is used, motivating rotational force is transferred from the motor to the drive hub  18 , which, as a result of the interaction of splines  34   a  and drive grooves  44   c,  imparts motivating rotational force to drive shaft  24 . As a result of gearing  32 , the motivating rotational force is translated  90  degrees from the drive shaft  24  and to cleaning member  30 , for teeth cleaning. 
         [0033]    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. 
         [0034]    The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges. 
         [0035]    Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure. 
         [0036]    Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.