Abstract:
A toothbrush includes a hollow handle which has an outer sleeve made of an elastomeric material which can be expanded or contracted to provide an adjustable diameter grip.

Description:
[0001]     This is a continuation of International Application PCT/US03/33890, filed Oct. 24, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application 60/421,514, filed Oct. 25, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It has been found that there is a preference by users of toothbrushes to have a number of different gripping styles which could be used by the consumers when brushing their teeth. Given these different styles it is difficult to design one handle shape which will accommodate this multitude of gripping styles. It would be desirable if it were possible to provide a toothbrush handle having the capability of being adjustable in its diameter and to a lesser extent in its overall length. Such a handle with an adjustable grip would lend itself to help people with different types of disabilities, such as arthritis, to properly brush their teeth.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush with an adjustable handle grip.  
         [0004]     A further object of this invention is to provide such a toothbrush wherein the diameter of the grip could be easily adjusted by a consumer.  
         [0005]     In accordance with this invention the toothbrush includes a handle having a head attached at one end of the handle. The head carries cleaning elements, such as bristles. The handle is hollow and includes an outer sleeve made of an elastomeric material. The sleeve includes a first end disposed toward the head and a second end located remote from the head with a central portion between the ends. The central portion is expandable so as to increase its diameter in accordance with the desires of a consumer.  
         [0006]     In one practice of the invention, the expansion results from the application of force within the hollow handle outwardly against the central portion so that the central portion expands from a first diameter to a larger second diameter. During the expansion the first end of the sleeve remains anchored at a constant distance from the head in both the first diameter and second diameter conditions of the central portion. In one embodiment of this invention the sleeve is made from a soft thick compressible material which expands when the longitudinal force is applied against the second or outer end of the sleeve to cause the length of the handle to contract while the sleeve bulges outwardly.  
         [0007]     In a further embodiment of this invention the sleeve is in the form of a thin elastic skin which is expanded when a knob at the second end of the sleeve is rotated to cause force applicating members which are part of an expansion wheel to move outwardly and press against the inner surface of the sleeve. The force applicating members may be curved spokes which are pivoted to the shaft and pivoted against the sleeve. The spokes are in a generally tight circle before the sleeve is expanded. The spokes are then rotated into a radial direction on their shaft to cause the sleeve to expand.  
         [0008]     In a still further embodiment of this invention the sleeve is in the form of a thin elastic skin over the expansion chamber. The skin is stretched outwardly under the pressure of air within the chamber in the central portion of a handle. The air is forced into the chamber by a squeeze pump on the handle. 
     
    
     THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view partially broken away and in section of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the toothbrush in an expanded condition;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken through  FIG. 1  along the line  3 - 3 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view partially broken away and in section of a further toothbrush in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken through  FIG. 4  along the line  5 - 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the toothbrush handle in its expanded condition;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a modified form of the toothbrush that is shown in  FIGS. 4-6  wherein the expansion is in response to a motor drive;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a fragmental side elevational view of yet another toothbrush handle in accordance with a further embodiment of this invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a fragmental side elevational view of a portion of the toothbrush shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     The present invention is directed to providing a single toothbrush handle structure which is capable of being adjusted in its diameter. In one practice of the invention the adjustment results from the application of a force in the longitudinal direction to cause the handle to bulge outwardly. In a second practice of the invention the adjustment results from a rotational movement applied to a portion of the handle. In a third embodiment of this invention the expansion or adjustability results from the application of pressure namely from the pumping of air into the hollow handle to cause the handle to bulge outwardly without requiring any longitudinal or rotational movements by the consumer.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a toothbrush  10  in accordance with one embodiment of this invention. As shown therein toothbrush  10  includes a handle  12  and a head  14 . Head  14  would carry any suitable number of cleaning elements such as tufts of bristles as is known in the art. Any suitable number, type, orientation, etc. of cleaning elements may be used in the various practices of this invention. The invention is particularly directed to providing structure which causes a portion of the handle to bulge outwardly so as to increase its diameter.  
         [0020]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2  the handle  12  includes an outer hollow sleeve  16  made of an elastomeric material which is generally soft and thick as well as being compressible. A first end  18  of the sleeve  16  is anchored at a location in the general area of the head  14 . The second or remote end  20  of sleeve  16  is located at the opposite end of handle  12 . As illustrated a hollow tubular member  22  is mounted within the hollow sleeve  16 . Member  22  includes a passageway  24  which is provided with locking structure  26  at spaced locations along its length. An elongated shaft  28  is located axially within the passageway  24  of tubular structure  22 . Shaft  28  may terminate in a knob  30  which abuts against the outer surface of second or remote end  20  of sleeve  16 . A portion of sleeve  16  between ends  18  and  20  is the central portion which is capable of being expanded from a first minimum diameter illustrated in  FIG. 1  to an enlarged second diameter the size of which would vary in accordance with the intent of the consumer.  FIG. 2 , for example, shows one enlarged diameter illustrated in solid lines and a second larger diameter illustrated in phantom lines.  
         [0021]     In order to expand the size or diameter of the central portion of sleeve  16  force is applied in the longitudinal direction as shown by the arrow  32  in  FIG. 2 . Because end  18  is anchored, the application of the longitudinal force causes the sleeve  16  to bulge outwardly thereby increasing its diameter. As the diameter is increased the overall length of the handle and particularly the sleeve  16  is decreased. This is also shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0022]     Any suitable structure may be used for creating the inward movement of remote end  20  of sleeve  16  and then locking the remote end in position to prevent a return movement when the desired diameter has been reached.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one form of force applicating structure which includes the shaft  28  to have a retaining pin  34 . Such a pin  34  could extend on each side of shaft  28  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In practice shaft  28  would be moved inwardly by pressing against knob  30 . Retaining pins  34  are located for movement through passageway  24  by either pressing against the locking structure  26  as the pins are forced past the locking structure. When the desired diameter has been reached the force  32  is no longer applied. Pins  34  are then permitted to enter the locking structure  26  to prevent a rearward or return movement of shaft  28  which would otherwise result in the sleeve  16  returning to its original position.  
         [0023]     The locking structure may be of any suitable form.  FIGS. 1-2  illustrate the locking structure  26  to be of the bayonet type. If desired the locking structure could be similar to a rack with the teeth inclined in a direction opposite that of structure  26 . The pins  34  would act as pinions which would travel over the teeth of the rack and then be held in position when the desired diameter is reached. Other mechanisms could include some slight rotational movement in addition to the longitudinal movement so that the shaft  28  could be rotated sufficiently to engage the pins  34  with the locking structure  26  of tubular member  22  when the desired diameter has been reached. Still other mechanisms such as screw threads could also be used.  
         [0024]     If desired the expansion of the soft outer sleeve  16  could be assisted by a set of longitudinal plastic slats or wires which would also provide for a more uniform expansion. Such slats or wires would be mounted at one end to shaft  28  near its knob  30  and mounted at the opposite end near anchor end  18  of sleeve  16 . When force  32  is applied to move shaft  28  inwardly the slats or wires would bulge outwardly. Since the slats or wires would be disposed against the inner surface of sleeve  16  the outward bulging of the slats or wires would cause the sleeve  16  to similarly bulge outwardly. The provision of such slats or wires could be in addition to or could be instead of having the tubular member  24  and its locking structure  26 .  
         [0025]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate a further embodiment of this invention wherein the toothbrush  10 A has its sleeve in the form of a thin expandable skin  40 . The skin  40  of hollow handle  14 A would have an anchor end  18 A and a remote end  20 A. Sleeve  40  would be expanded as a result of a rotational movement applied to the handle rather than the longitudinal movement of the handle in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6  a shaft  28 A is provided within the hollow handle  14 A. Shaft  28 A terminates in an exposed knob  30 A which abuts against remote end  20 A of skin  40 . An expansion wheel  42  is mounted on shaft  28 A. Expansion wheel  42  is in the form of a plurality of force transmitting members. As best shown in  FIGS. 5-6  these force transmitting members are spokes  44  which are preferably curved. One end  46  of each spoke  44  is pivotally mounted to shaft  28 A. The opposite end  48  of each spoke  44  is pivotally mounted to skin  40  such as by being mounted to reinforcing shoe  50  with each shoe  50  being permanently secured to the inner surface of skin  40 . In the initial condition shown in solid lines in  FIG. 4  and also shown in  FIG. 5  the spokes  44  are disposed in a very tight circle in this collapsed condition. Thus, skin  40  is at its minimum diameter. As knob  30 A is rotated shaft  28 A is also rotated causing the spokes  44  to move toward a radial condition pointing outwards from the longitudinal axis of the handle as shown in  FIG. 6 . By moving the spokes  44  in a radial direction the skin  40  is caused to expand outwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 6  and also shown in phantom in  FIG. 4 . Where skin  40  is made of a stretchable material, the length of the handle remains the same when the skin has been expanded. Where skin  40  is less stretchable, the handle length decreases as skin  40  expands.  
         [0027]     If desired, the inner surface of skin or sleeve  40  may include an inwardly extending partition  52  having detents  54 . Wheel  42  may likewise include one or more pins  56  such as located on the spokes  44  so that as the spokes extend in a more radial direction causing the skin  40  to expand the pins  54 , which could also function as the pivot pins for the ends  48  of spokes  44 , would remain generally in line with the detents  52 . The knob  30 A could be moved inwardly to cause the pins  56  to be locked into detents  54  thereby preventing any reverse rotation of shaft  28 A. Alternatively, such added anti-rotational structure could be omitted and the length of handle and its sleeve  40  could remain constant even while the skin or sleeve  40  expands since the skin  40  is made of a stretchable or expandable material which need not be reduced in length in order to permit the expansion as was the case for sleeve  16  of  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a variation of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6  where the rotation of the shaft is electrically controlled. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7  the shaft  28 A is the shaft of a motor  58  powered by batteries  60  under the control of switch  62  so that the actuation of switch  62  turns on the motor  58  to rotate shaft  28 A and expansion wheel  42 . The handle may be closed by threaded cap  64  which would permit selective access into the interior of the handle for the installation and replacement of batteries  60 .  
         [0029]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate yet another embodiment of this invention wherein the toothbrush  70  has a sleeve in the form of an elastic outer skin  40  anchored at one end near the head and anchored at the other end  72  to a pump structure  74 . Pump structure  74  includes a squeeze pump  76 . Atmospheric air enters the pump  76  through an air intake passage  78  having a one way valve  80 . When pump  76  is squeezed the air within the pump  76  flows through passage  82  past one way valve  84  into the hollow interior which is covered by skin  40 . The pump also includes a bleed valve  86 . As air is pumped into the hollow interior the chamber of the hollow interior must expand to accommodate the incoming air. This expansion results in providing an air pressure against the inner surface of skin  40  to cause the skin  40  to bulge outwardly. In this embodiment of the invention the length of the handle remains the same as its diameter is increased or inflated. Alternatively where skin  40  is less stretchable, the expansion of skin  40  pulls the pump end of the handle inwardly to decrease the length of the handle.  
         [0030]     A variation of the toothbrush  70  shown in  FIG. 8-9  would be to provide a bellows formation within the chamber closed by the elastomeric sleeve or skin  40 . Air could be pumped into the bellows formation to cause the bellows to expand and thereby expand the skin. The invention could also be practiced where instead of air a liquid or other fluid or gas could be provided in a sac and forced into the bellows formation where the fluid could pressurize and cause the bellows to expand.  
         [0031]     In each of the embodiments described herein it is possible to reduce the diameter of the handle after a preselected expansion has been achieved if it is desired to use a smaller diameter handle. With the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  there would be a disengagement of the locking structure between shaft  28  and inner tubular member  24  to permit the shaft  28  to be moved toward its original position in a direction away from the head  14 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6  the diameter of the expanded handle could be reduced by reversing the direction of rotation of shaft  28 A so that the spokes  44  again begin to approach a tighter condition which is less radial. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-9  air could be expelled through the bleed valve  86  to reduce the amount of air within the hollow handle thereby permitting skin  40  to contract until the desired reduced diameter is reached.  
         [0032]     While the various figures illustrate the toothbrushes to be of the manual type the invention could also be practiced with an electrical toothbrush having at least one movable section in the head. The motor and batteries for powering the section could be mounted in a central portion of the handle. The motor shaft for moving the one or more sections of the head would extend through the remainder of the handle and into the head. Such electric toothbrush could include one or more sections which are power driven in one or more different types of manners such as by rotational oscillation, continuous rotation in the same direction, linear oscillation in a longitudinal direction and/or linear oscillation in a transverse direction, as well as a rocking back and forth.  
         [0033]     Where a power operated toothbrush is used the batteries for powering the motor could be arranged in longitudinal series instead of being side by side to minimize space requirements. Additionally, small disc type batteries such as used in watches, cameras, etc. could be used for powering the motor.  
         [0034]     As should be apparent the invention thus provides a toothbrush having a handle of an initial reduced diameter size. The consumer may then increase the diameter of the handle to achieve the desired diameter for that consumer by simple manipulations of the handle. The invention also provides for the possibility of having different size handle adjustment selectability including reducing the handle diameter from an expanded to a less expanded condition.