Abstract:
A hygienic magnetic-electric toothbrush holder capable of suspending one or more electric toothbrushes, without prejudice to brand or housing style. The present invention is based on the fact that all electric toothbrushes internally consist of parts which are made with iron, steel, or alloys of these metals, which attach through the plastic housing of the electric toothbrush, to an external magnet. The present invention is designed with a magnet for the suspension and a second magnet for the prevention of lateral movement, of the electric toothbrush. The magnets are coated, on the front flat surface, with a non-slip material to prevent sliding of the electric toothbrush. The present invention may be attached to a base unit for the countertop. The present invention may be made of plastic, metal, ceramic, or other hygienic water-proof material. The design of the present invention allows for easy cleaning and inspection to ensure hygienic cleanliness.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to magnetic holding devices and more particularly to electric toothbrush holders. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electric toothbrushes are becoming more popular among consumers; therefore it is necessary that people have a neat, hygienic and affordable way to store the electric toothbrush when it is not in use. Currently electric toothbrushes are stored by laying them flat on countertops or in storage containers, or by placing them vertically in cup-type holders. Because the electric toothbrush is wet when placed on the countertop or in the container, and the bristles are not prevented from touching these surfaces, bacteria will cross contaminate from the countertop or storage container to the electric toothbrush, and then to the consumer. Many consumers place the electric toothbrush in a cup-type holder this manner of storage also allows for the spread of bacteria that grows in the bottom of the cup, and allows for contact with other toothbrushes stored in the same cup-type holder. Also considering weight and size of many of the electric toothbrushes this method of storage is not always a stable option. 
         [0003]    The UV style toothbrush holders cannot accommodate for the array of different electric toothbrush models, they are enclosed and do not allow the brush to dry, are expensive, and are not practical for children. 
         [0004]    Furthermore many people who have small bathrooms with pedestal sinks or small sinks with little counter space, need to use a wall-mount holder. Currently wall-mount toothbrush holders cannot accommodate for the array of different electric toothbrush housings. They also allow for the spread of bacteria that grows in the bottom service where the handle sits. 
         [0005]    Accordingly there is not a hygienic, aesthetically pleasing and affordable way to properly hold the electric toothbrush when it is not in use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Therefore it is general object of this invention to provide the consumer with a hygienic, aesthetically pleasing, practical, affordable and fun, magnetic-electric toothbrush holding device. The electric toothbrush will be suspended from a single magnet and stabilized with a secondary magnet 
         [0007]    It is an object of this invention to magnetically suspend the electric toothbrush, keeping the electric toothbrush in a vertical position allowing the bristles to air dry completely without contact and contamination from foreign objects. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend one or more electric toothbrushes, with a minimal amount of physical contact to the electric toothbrush. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend the electric toothbrush above a countertop, sink, drip catch, base or other surface which is below but not in contact with the electric toothbrush, thus allowing the water to drip off and allowing the handle to dry completely. The electric toothbrush will not be in contact with the stagnant water or sediment that is present in cup-type holders and other containers, further reducing the possibility of contamination to the electric toothbrush. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend the electric toothbrush in a manner in which the electric toothbrush may be easily removed or replaced. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend any electric toothbrush without prejudice to housing style or brand. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend a single electric toothbrush or multiple electric toothbrushes. The number of electric toothbrushes the present invention may suspend is proportionately dependent upon the number of magnetic-suspension piece and magnetic-stability piece sets. Each electric toothbrush requires one magnetic-suspension piece and one magnetic stability-piece. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend multiple electric toothbrushes in a manner which they do not make contact with each other. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend the electric toothbrush, as described, on a freestanding base unit for countertop placement. The support piece and base combined create the base unit. This base unit must be of a size, shape, and weight to accommodate the number of electric toothbrushes that the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder is suspending. The base unit must be of a size, shape, and weight so that the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder is stable when an electric toothbrush is removed or replaced. This base unit can be a variety of shapes, sizes and or themed, including but not limited to pyramid, square, rectangle, animal forms, character forms etc. for aesthetic appeal. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to magnetically suspend the electric toothbrush as described in a wall-mount alternative. The vertical-mounting piece, to which the magnetic-suspension piece and magnetic-stabilizing piece are mounted, in this wall-mount alternative, will have a relatively flat back surface. An adhesive tape or other adhesive or may be used to attach the magnetic electric toothbrush holder to a wall mirror or other preferably vertical surface. The vertical mounting piece can be a variety of shapes and sizes or themed, including but not limited to triangle, square, rectangle, animal forms, character forms etc, for aesthetic appeal. 
         [0016]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through a review of the drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a right-side elevated view of the freestanding magnetic-electric toothbrush holder; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side-view of the magnetic-suspension piece and magnetic-stabilizing piece; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front-elevated view of the freestanding magnetic-electric toothbrush holder; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the base; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the freestanding designed to support three electric toothbrushes embodying principles of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a right-side view of the wall-mount magnetic-electric toothbrush holder, with a removable drip catch; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the removable drip catch; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the wall-mount magnetic-electric toothbrush holder without the removable drip; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front elevated view of the wall-mount magnetic-electric toothbrush holder with removable drip catch; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a back-elevated view of the wall-mount magnetic electric toothbrush holder with removable drip catch; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates an ornamental design for a freestanding countertop magnetic-electric toothbrush holder; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates an ornamental design for a wall-mount magnetic-electric toothbrush holder; 
       
    
    
       [0029]    The broken-line disclosure of an electric toothbrush in is for illustrative purposes only and forms no part of the claimed design. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The invention herein is described as a magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20 . The magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20 , is formed of rigid material such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, ceramic, or other hygienic waterproof material. The preferred embodiment of the present invention would allow for easy cleaning and inspection to ensure hygienic cleanliness. The magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  is primarily comprised of a magnetic-suspension piece  21 , a magnetic-stability piece  22  and a vertical-mounting piece  23 . The magnetic-suspension piece  21  and the magnetic-stability piece  22  are parallel to each another in a horizontal position, and are molded at ninety-degrees to the vertical-mounting piece  23 . The magnetic-suspension piece  21  is mounted directly above with the magnetic-stability piece  22 , spaced at a distance which will permit the strongest magnetic pull at the points of contact, with the majority of electric toothbrushes  19 , while also providing the most stability. The length of the magnetic-suspension piece  21  and the magnetic-stability piece  22  must be of a length so that they can partially encapsulate the magnet  29  ( FIG. 2 ) and the magnet  30   FIG. 2  respectively, while also allowing for ornamental protrusions as found on many children&#39;s caricature electric toothbrushes  19 . The vertical-mounting piece  23  must be of a size and shape to accommodate the number of electric toothbrushes  19  the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  will be suspending, while maintaining the objectives of the present invention. The vertical-support piece  26  connects the vertical-mounting piece  23  to the base  24 . The vertical-support piece  26  is of a length so that when an electric toothbrush  19  is magnetically suspended in position, it is suspended without touching the base  24 . The magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  will support an electric toothbrush  19  without prejudice to housing style or brand. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic-suspension piece  21 , magnetic-stability piece  22  and vertical-mounting piece  23  are cylindrical in shape. However, for aesthetics they may be formed in any physical shape so long as they embody the principles set forth in the present invention. The vertical-support piece  26  is molded to the base  24 . The base  24  with attached vertical-support piece  26  must be of a size, shape and weight to accommodate the number of electric toothbrushes  19  that the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  is suspending. The base  24 , with attached vertical-support piece  26 , must be of a size, shape and weight so that the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder is stable when an electric toothbrush  19  is removed and replaced. The base  24  in the preferred embodiment would have a slight concave depression  25  on the top surface, directly under the electric toothbrush  19 , to capture any water dripping from the electric toothbrush  19 . The base  24  and the vertical-support piece  26  can be a variety of sizes and shapes and or themed, including but not limited to, pyramid (as shown), square, rectangle, animal forms, character forms etc. for aesthetic appeal. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional side-view of the magnetic-suspension piece  21  and the magnetic-stability piece  22 ; illustrating, magnet  29  which is partially encapsulated within the magnetic-suspension piece  21 , leaving only the front surface of the magnet  29  exposed, and magnet  30  which is partially encapsulated within the magnetic-stability piece  22 , leaving only the front surface of the magnet  30  exposed. This magnet  29  will be a small high-strength magnet which can suspend the weight of the electric toothbrush  19 . The magnet  30  will be a smaller high-strength magnet; its purpose is to prevent the electric toothbrush  19  from rotating on the axis point of the magnet  29 , thereby preventing lateral movement of the electric toothbrush  19  thus preventing the electric toothbrush  19  for being easily dislodged, and holding it in a vertical position. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2-3  illustrate that the exposed front surfaces of magnet  29  and magnet  30 , have a non-slip coating  27 . The pull-force of magnet  29  and magnet  30  are affected by various factors which include the weight of the electric toothbrush  19 , the coefficient of friction between the magnet  29 , magnet  30 , and the electric toothbrush&#39;s  19  housing. Since most electric toothbrush&#39;s  19  housings are made of smooth plastic, it is necessary to increase the coefficient of friction at the contact point between the surfaces of the magnet  29 , magnet  30 , and the electric toothbrush  19 , thus preventing the electric toothbrush  19  from sliding down. The coefficient will be increased by adding a non-slip coating  27 , to the front surface of both magnet  29  and magnet  30 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates the bottom surface of the base  24 ; since the base  24  can be a variety of shapes and sizes this will vary according to the design. However it is an object of the present invention for the electric toothbrush  19  to be easily removed and replaced. Therefore the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a non-slip material  31  which is on the bottom surface of the base  24 . The non-slip material  31  will prevent the electric-toothbrush holder  20  from moving or sliding on the countertop when an electric toothbrush  19  is removed or replaced. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front-elevated view of the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  for the suspension of multiple electric toothbrushes  19  herein described as the second embodiment  40 . This embodies the principles of the present invention, expanded to hold three electric toothbrushes  19 . The second embodiment  40  may suspend several electric-toothbrushes  19 , for illustration purpose the second embodiment  40  has been designed to suspend three electric toothbrushes  19 . The number of electric toothbrushes  19  the second embodiment  40  may actually suspend are proportionately dependent upon the number of magnetic-suspension piece  21 , and magnetic stability piece  22  sets. All the magnetic-suspension pieces  21  and all the magnetic stability pieces  22 , must have a non-slip coating  27  on the front surface of the partially encapsulated magnets  29  and magnets  30 , respectively  FIG. 2 . Each electric toothbrush  19  requires one magnetic-suspension piece  21 , and one magnetic-stability piece  22 . The vertical-mounting piece  23  must be of a size and shape to accommodate the number of electric toothbrushes  19  the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  will be suspending, while maintaining the objectives of the present invention. The pairs, of magnetic-suspension piece  21  and magnetic-stability piece  22  for each electric toothbrush  19 , must be spaced apart from one another so that when one electric toothbrush  19  is removed or replaced, in regular use, the other electric toothbrushes  19  which are being suspended, are not disturbed. The length of the vertical-mounting piece  23  may vary for aesthetic appeal however the placement of the magnetic-suspension piece  21  and the magnetic-stability piece  22  to the vertical-mounting piece  23  must maintain the principles and objectives of the present invention. In the preferred design of the second embodiment  40  the vertical-mounting piece  23  is four cylinder rods molded together. The vertical-support piece  26  connects the vertical-mounting piece  23  to the base  24 . The vertical-support piece  26  is of a minimum length so that when an electric toothbrush  19  is magnetically held in position, it is suspended without touching the base  24 . The base  24  in the preferred second embodiment  40  would have three slight concave depressions  25  on the top surface, directly under each electric toothbrush  19 , to capture any water dripping from the electric toothbrush  19 . In the preferred design, of the second embodiment  40 , the base  24  with attached vertical-support piece  26 , must be of a size, shape and weight to accommodate the number of electric toothbrushes  19  that the second embodiment  40  of the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  is suspending. In the preferred design, of the second embodiment  40 , the base  24  with attached vertical-support piece  26 , must be of a size, shape and weight so that the second embodiment  40  of the magnetic electric toothbrush holder  40  is stable when an electric toothbrush  19  is removed and replaced. This base  24  and the vertical-support piece  26  may be a variety of shapes and sizes or themed for aesthetic appeal, as is illustrated in  FIG. 11  for the suspension of a single electric toothbrush  19 , the same can be done with the second embodiment  40  of the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an elevated right-side view of the preferred third embodiment, the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50 . The wall-mounted magnetic toothbrush holder  50  embodies the principles of the present invention  20 ; differing only in the fact that the back-side of the vertical-mounting piece  23  must be relatively flat. In use the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50  is preferably, but not necessarily, affixed to a vertical relatively flat surface using an adhesive or adhesive tape  51  which is applied to the back surface of the vertical-mounting piece  23 . Below the suspended-electric toothbrush  19  is an optional drip catch  54  which is molded at a right angle to a vertical-mounting extender piece  53 . The vertical-mounting piece extender  53  will be attached to the vertical-mounting piece  23  magnetically at the easy-off connection point  58 , thus allowing the user to easily remove and replace the vertical-mounting piece extender  53  with attached drip catch  54  for easy cleaning. The vertical-mounting piece extender  53  will be of a length so that when attached to the vertical-mounting piece  23 , the drip catch  54  is below, and not touching, the electric toothbrush  19 . The drip catch  54  will be of a length and width so that will cover the area directly under the toothbrush  19 , thus catching the water that runs down the handle and drips off the end, preventing unwanted water on the counter or other surface below. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder&#39;s  50  optional vertical-mounting piece extender  53  with attached drip catch  54 . A thin, flat, nickel plated (to prevent rust) magnet  55  is attached to the top edge of the vertical-mounting piece extender  53 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates a thin, flat, nickel plated (to prevent rust) magnet  56  which is attached to the bottom edge of the vertical-mounting piece  23 , of the preferred embodiment of the wall-mounted magnetic-electrical toothbrush holder  50 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates an elevated-front view of the preferred embodiment of the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50 . In this illustration the vertical-mounting piece  23  is a rectangle, however, the vertical-mounting piece  23  may be a variety of shapes and sizes or themed, including but not limited to, triangle, square, animal forms, character forms etc, for aesthetic appeal as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As in the countertop magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20 , the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50  will have non-slip coating  27  on the front surfaces of both magnet  29  and magnet  30 . The preferred embodiment of the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50  may be designed to suspend multiple-electric toothbrushes  19  by increasing the number of magnetic-suspension pieces  21  and the number of magnetic-stability pieces  22  proportionately (each electric toothbrush requires one magnetic-suspension piece  21  and one magnetic-stability piece  22 ) and by increasing the size of the vertical-mounting piece. The pairs, of magnetic-suspension piece  21  and magnetic-stability piece  22 , for each electric toothbrush  19  must be spaced apart from one another so that when one electric toothbrush  19  is removed or replaced, in regular use, the other electric toothbrushes  19 , which are being suspended are not disturbed. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates the back-view of the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50 . The back-side of the vertical-mounting piece  23  is relatively flat so that the adhesive material or adhesive tape  51  makes secure contact between the vertical-mounting piece  23  and the surface to which it is being attached, thus preventing the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  50  from being detached from the mounting surface (example a wall or mirror), when the electric toothbrush  19  is removed. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  illustrates the wall-mounted magnetic-electric toothbrush holder using an alternative ornamental shape for the vertical-mounting piece  23 . The vertical-mounting piece  23  may be a variety of shapes, and sizes and themed for aesthetic appeal, providing that the vertical-mounting piece upholds the objectives of the present invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates the magnetic-electric toothbrush holder  20  using an alternative ornamental base  24 . The ornamental base  24  may be a variety of shapes, and sizes and or themed for aesthetic appeal, providing that the base  24  upholds the objectives of the present invention.