Patent Publication Number: US-8522973-B2

Title: Toothbrush holder having illuminating means

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to special receptacles or packages for tools, e.g., brushes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The toothbrush is a tool for cleaning the teeth and gums having a cluster of bristles secured to one end of a handle to facilitate the cleansing of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Toothbrushes are available with different bristle textures, sizes and forms. Some toothbrushes even have motors that vibrate or rotate their bristles to make brushing easier and more effective. 
     Dentists recommend that everyone brush their teeth after meals to prevent tooth decay. Toothpaste is usually applied to the bristles of the toothbrush prior to brushing though, in reality, all that is required is water. Generally, teeth and gums are thoroughly brushed in a matter of minutes. Afterward, the toothbrush is suspended above a bathroom sink where it is permitted to air dry for hours or days. Nothing is usually done to limit the spread of germs to the toothbrush as it awaits its next use. 
     The use of a sink and toilet in a bathroom tends to produce germ-carrying droplets that can travel many feet through the air. Not only do these droplets fall on the floor, countertops, and cabinetry in a bathroom, but they also hit uncovered toothbrushes. Of course, the spread of germs to toothbrushes can cause severe illnesses and even death. A need, therefore, exists for a convenient tool that covers a toothbrush between uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the problems associated with toothbrushes as they are typically used, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a toothbrush holder that protects the entirety of one toothbrush, either manually operated or electric, from airborne germs. The holder reduces the likelihood of a user of a protected toothbrush from becoming sick. 
     It is another object of my invention to provide a toothbrush holder of the type described that can be selectively illuminated so that it can be easily found in dark environments or even serve as a nightlight in homes, dormitory rooms, hospitals, etc. 
     It is a further object of the invention of the invention to provide a toothbrush holder of the type described that permit air to flow to a protected toothbrush thereby allowing the toothbrush to quickly dry, robbing germs of an aqueous environment within which they might multiply. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a toothbrush holder having illuminating means that can be deployed and used with minimal instruction and without resort to any tools. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved features and arrangements thereof in a toothbrush holder for the purposes described that is: lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, so attractive that it blends into any decor, and dependable in use. 
     My toothbrush holder achieves the intended objects by featuring a tubular body that is sized to contain a toothbrush. The tubular body is formed of a light-transmissive material and has a lower segment and an upper segment that are releasably secured together so that the toothbrush can be positioned inside. A weighted base is affixed to the bottom of the lower segment. A cap is affixed to the top of the upper segment and is formed of a light-transmissive material. A light source is secured within the cap. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of my toothbrush holder will become readily apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred holder embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       My toothbrush holder can be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toothbrush holder in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the toothbrush holder of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the toothbrush holder revealing details of the cap. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the middle portion of the toothbrush holder revealing details of the connection between the upper and lower segments of the tubular body. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross=sectional view of the bottom portion of the toothbrush holder revealing details of the weighted base. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the toothbrush holder. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the FIGS., a toothbrush holder having illuminating means in accordance with the present invention is shown at  10 . The toothbrush holder  10  includes a tubular body  12  that is sized to contain a toothbrush  14 . The bottom the tubular body  12  is closed by a weighted base  16 . The top of the tubular body  12  is closed by a bulbous cap  18  that contains an LED  20  that can be selectively illuminated. 
     The tubular body  12  has a lower segment  22  and an upper segment  24  that are stacked upon one another and are formed of transparent plastic. The tubular body  12  has a height of about ** inches (** cm) and an inner diameter of about ** inches (** cm) being dimensions sufficient to contain the toothbrush  14 . For added stability, the lower segment  22  is about twice as tall as the upper segment  24 . The diameters of the segments  22  and  24  are also gradually reduced so as to provide the tubular body  12  with a shape resembling an elongated, inverted funnel. 
     The lower segment  22  separates from the upper segment  24  with a “snap”. To facilitate a snap-fit between the segments  22  and  24 , the lower segment  22  is provided with an outwardly opening, peripheral groove  26  around the top thereof. The upper segment  24 , on the other hand, has an inwardly directed flange  28  around the bottom thereof that is adapted to fit snugly into the groove  26 . The resilience of the plastic utilized to form the segments  22  and  24  permits the flange  28  to be selectively inserted and withdrawn from the groove  26  with a “snap”. 
     The upper segment  24  cannot be pushed so far down onto the lower segment  22  as to be wedged thereon or cracked. To these ends, the lower segment  22  has an outwardly directed shoulder  30  located beneath the groove  26 . During use, the shoulder  30  engages the bottom edge of the upper segment  24  and acts as a stop to the downward movement to the upper segment  24  thereby preventing structural damage to the tubular body  12 . 
     The base  16  is an assemblage of elements meant to connect a disk  32 , serving as a stabilizing weight, to the bottom of the tubular body  12 . The disk  32  is slightly larger in diameter than the bottom of the lower segment  22  and has an orifice  34  in its center and a number of smaller openings  35  positioned around the orifice  34 . Atop the disk  32  is positioned a cover piece  36  having a central bowl  38  and an integral containment rim  40  that extends downwardly and outwardly from the bowl  38  so as to snugly receive the disk  32  therein. The bottom of the bowl  38  is conical in form and terminates in a spout  42  that extends downwardly into the orifice  34 . A base piece  44  fits flush against the bottom of the disk  32  and has a tubular riser  46  at its center that extends upwardly into the orifice  34  and snugly receives the spout  42 . A number of openings  48  are provided around the riser  46  through which threaded fasteners  50  are extended through registered openings  52  in the disk  32  and into helically threaded sockets  54  in the bottom of the bowl  38 . Screwing the threaded fasteners  50  into the sockets  54  locks the disk  32  between the cover piece  36  and the base piece  44 . Non-slip rubber pads  56  are secured to the bottom of the base piece  44  to hide the openings  48  and to prevent the holder  10  from sliding on a supporting surface. 
     The cap  18  has a mounting assembly  58  and a rotatable cover assembly  60  that is carried by the mounting assembly  58 . The mounting assembly  58  is secured directly to the upper segment  24 . The cover assembly  60  is snap-fit to the mounting assembly  58 . 
     The mounting assembly  58  includes: a mounting member  62  that connects to the upper segment  24 , a switch plate  64  that is secured atop the mounting member  62 , and an electrically conductive spring  66  that is secured atop the switch plate  64 . The mounting member  62  and switch plate  64  are formed of plastic. The spring  66  is formed of spring steel that may be plated to inhibit oxidation. 
     The mounting member  62  includes a cup  68  having an opening  70  in its center for snugly receiving the top of the upper segment  24 . A number of teeth  72  are positioned around the top of the cup  68  and project inwardly therefrom. A number of air vents  74  are provided in the cup  68  with each being positioned between a pair of teeth  72 . A number of tabs  76  project upwardly from the bottom of the cup  68  around the opening  70 . From the top of each of the tabs  76 , a finger  78  projects inwardly so as to rest atop the upper segment  24 . One or more of the fingers  78  is provided with a small hole  80  for the passage of a threaded fastener  82  into a socket member  84  in the upper segment  24 . When tightened, the threaded fastener  82  locks the mounting member  62  onto the upper segment  24 . 
     The switch plate  64  is formed of transparent plastic, a light transmissive material. Preferably, the switch plate  64  is a flat platter  86  with an outer diameter that is slightly larger than that of the cup  68  at its largest. A centralizing ring  88  projects downwardly from the bottom of the platter  86  into the top of the cup  68 . A number of sockets  90  are spaced around the periphery of the ring  88  to receive the teeth  72  so as to secure the switch plate  64  to the cup  68 . A centralizing band  92  projects upwardly from the top of the platter  86  and is sized to be received into the cover assembly  60 . The centralizing band  92  has three slots  94  oriented about  120  degrees apart around the periphery thereof. 
     The conductive spring  66  is attached to the top of the platter  86  by means of a threaded fastener  96  passing through the center of the spring  66 . The spring  66  has two resilient leaves  98  that extend upwardly from the opposite ends thereof. The leaves  98  serve as electrical contacts and the entirety of the spring  66  serves as a conductor for electrical current. 
     The rotatable cover assembly  60  is constructed from a number of discrete parts. The cover assembly  60  includes a cover member  100  and a circuit plate  102  formed of plastic and joined together by threaded fasteners  104 . The assembly  60  also includes a plastic, battery box  106  affixed to the top of the circuit plate  102 . An electrical circuit  108 , minus the conductive spring  66 , is provided on the circuit plate  102  and is connected to the battery box  106 . 
     The cover member  100  is an inverted bowl. A number of socket members  110  are affixed to the bottom of the cover member  100 . The socket members  110  extend downwardly from the cover member  100  but not below its rim  112 . Three small, inwardly projecting teeth  114  are integrally formed with the cover member  100  and are snap-fit into the slots  94  when the holder  10  is assembled. 
     The circuit plate  102  is a flat disk. A number of holes  116  are provided in the circuit plate  102  for registration with the socket members  110 . When extended through the holes  116  and tightened in the socket members  110 , the threaded fasteners  104  lock the plate  102  within the cover member  100 . 
     The battery box  106  is affixed to the top of the circuit plate  102 . The battery box  106  is five-sided with an open top  120 . Into the top  120  can be fitted three small batteries  124 . Spring clips (not shown) retain the batteries  124  within the box  106 . 
     The electrical circuit  108  that selectively illuminates the LED  20  is simple. The circuit  108  includes a pair of electrical leads  126  and  128  that are connected to the opposite poles of the batteries  124  and that extend outwardly from the battery box  106 . The lead  126  is connected to the positive side of the LED  20 . The other lead  128  is connected to an electrical contact  130  provided on the bottom of the circuit plate  102 . A third lead  132  connects the negative side of the LED  20  to an electrical contact  134  positioned on the bottom of the circuit plate  102  adjacent the contact  130 . To close the circuit  108 , the cover member  100  is manually rotated to bring the contacts  130  and  134  into electrical communication with the spring  66  thereby energizing the LED  20 . Opening the circuit  108  to deenergize the LED  20 , is accomplished by rotating the cover member  100  in the opposite direction. 
     The use of the toothbrush holder  10  is straightforward. First, the tubular body  12  is opened by pulling the upper segment  24  gently away from the lower segment  22 , (The segments  22  and  24  will separate with a “snap.” Then, the toothbrush  14  is positioned with its handle  136  in the lower segment  22  and the upper segment  24  is placed over the bristles  138 . Now, the segments  22  and  24  are pressed lightly together so that the flange  28  “snaps” into the groove  26 . The toothbrush  14  is now enclosed and protected from contamination from germs. Removal of the toothbrush  14  from the holder  10  when needed from brushing is accomplished simply by reversing the steps just described. 
     The toothbrush  14 , if wet, will dry within the holder  10 . The circulation of air within, and through, the holder  10  is facilitated by the spout  42  in the base  16  and the vents  74  in the cap  18 . Air typically passes through the tubular body  12  in the manner of a chimney from the spout  42  to the vents  74 . Excess water transported into the holder  10  on the toothbrush  14  does not puddle within the base  16  but drains therefrom through the spout  42 . 
     If it is desired that the holder  10  be used as a light source, this is done simply by manually rotating the cover assembly  60  relative to the mounting assembly  58 . A rotation of just a few degrees brings the contacts  130  and  134  into engagement with the spring  66  and closes the electrical circuit  108 . With electrical current free to flow from the batteries  124  to the LED  20 , the LED  20  is brightly illuminated. Light from the LED  20  passes outwardly from the holder  10  through the transparent plastic of the switch plate  64  and tubular body  12 . The LED  20  produces much light while requiring little electrical energy to operate, thus the LED  20  can be illuminated by the batteries  124  for many hours. The holder  10  therefore, makes a great nightlight. 
     Turning off the LED  20 , is simple. It is accomplished by rotating the cover assembly  60  relative to the mounting assembly  58  so that the contacts  130  and  134  are not engaged with the spring  66 . With the circuit  108 , thus, open, electrical current cannot flow between the batteries  124  and the LED  20 . To facilitate the opening and closing of the circuit  108 , indicia (not shown) can be provided on the exteriors of the switch plate  64  and the cover member  100  to show their relative rotational positions. 
     The batteries  124  can be replaced when they are run down by disengaging the cover assembly  60  from the mounting assembly  58 . To do this, the cover member  100  is forcefully twisted to withdraw the teeth  114  from the slots  94 . Next, the threaded fasteners  118  are unscrewed from the socket members  110 . Now, with the circuit plate  102  free and the battery box  106  exposed, the discharged batteries  124  are removed from the battery box  106  and are replaced with fresh batteries  124 . Afterward, the threaded fasteners  118  are screwed back into the socket members  110  to reattach the circuit plate  102  to the cover member  100  and the teeth  114  are snapped back into their associated slots  94 . 
     The toothbrush holder  10  is easily cleaned by removing the cover assembly  60 , containing the electrical circuit  108  which should not get wet, from the balance of the holder  10 . Removal is afforded by twisting the teeth  114  from the slots  94 . Once accomplished, the remainder of the holder  10  is submerged in soapy water and scrubbed clean with a soft brush. Afterward, the holder  10  is wiped with a dry cloth to prevent water spots and reassembled. The cleaning process requires just a few minutes to complete and should be undertaken every few days or when it appears necessary to a user. After cleaning, the holder  10  is ready for immediate reuse. To maintain the cleanliness of the holder  10 , excess water should always be shaken from the toothbrush  14  before placing it into the tubular body  12 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the field that numerous modifications can be made to the toothbrush holder  10 . For example, its dimensions can be expanded to contain numerous toothbrushes. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not limited merely to the toothbrush holder  10  described above, but encompasses any and all toothbrush holders within the scope of the following claims.