Patent Publication Number: US-7904988-B2

Title: Self-supporting manual toothbrush

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention generally relates to dental care. More particularly, the invention relates to a toothbrush. Specifically, the invention relates to a manual toothbrush having a stand pivotally mounted to the handle and movable between a collapsed position, where it is disposed adjacent the handle, and an extended position where it angles outwardly from the handle, and when the stand is in the extended position it can be placed on a surface to hold the head and bristles of the brush off the surface. 
     2. Background Information 
     Both power and manual toothbrush heads need to be rinsed off after each use to dislodge debris removed from the teeth during brushing. This is typically accomplished by holding the head under running tap water. While rinsing removes most of the material trapped in the bristles, it is also necessary and recommended to allow the brush to dry as this creates a less hospitable environment for most bacteria that may remain on the bristles. Previously, most bathrooms in homes were provided with a wall-mounted toothbrush fixture which was designed to retain several toothbrushes After rinsing, the handle of the brush would be inserted through an aperture in the fixture and the head would rest on a support and would air-dry. 
     The design of present-day toothbrushes, however, has rendered these fixtures essentially useless because of the changes in handle design and materials. These changes have resulted in larger, rubber grip handles that cannot be inserted through the apertures in the toothbrush fixtures. Additionally, many people are no longer comfortable with putting their brushes in close proximity to those of other people, even members of their own family, as it is now commonly known that infections can be easily passed from one family member&#39;s oral care products to another. People are also not comfortable resting their toothbrushes on bathroom countertops and then placing them into their mouth. 
     In response to this dilemma, many people resort to using a drinking glass or other similar container for holding and drying toothbrushes. Once again, however, people are not comfortable placing their toothbrush with others in such glasses. The ideal air drying technique for brushes to is to have the bristles facing downwardly so that rinse water and other foreign materials can drip off the bristles under the influence of gravity. When brushes are stood upright, the water and foreign materials tend to drip from one region of bristles to another. If the brush is laid on a surface with the bristles extending upwardly then the water and trapped materials tend to flow downwardly toward the base of the bristles, thereby creating a wet, favorable environment in which bacteria can flourish. 
     Traveling is also an issue as hotels do not make provision for a suitable place for resting one&#39;s toothbrush. The counter is an especially unsuitable place for resting the brush and the types of plastic cups that are provided in hotels are lightweight and will tend to fall over if a brush is placed in it. 
     Several patents have been directed toward addressing this issue. U.S. Pat. No. 851,550 issued to Nevius disclosed a guard that slides onto the handle of the toothbrush. The purpose of the guard, according to the patent, is twofold. Firstly, it stops the water, toothpaste and removed material from sliding down the handle and onto the user&#39;s hand. Secondly, it was designed to support the bristle portion of the brush so when the brush is laid down, the bristle portion will be aired. While the guard might accomplish the purpose of shielding the user&#39;s hand during brushing, the shape of the guard is such that if the brush were to be laid down on a counter it might roll off the same or the brush might tip in such a manner that the head is caused to rest on the counter instead of being lifted off the same. Furthermore, the guard is an obstruction on the handle and would likely make the brush sufficiently difficult to hold that the user will remove the same. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,516 issued to Blue, also discloses a guard that is slidingly engaged on the handle of a toothbrush to prevent slurry from sliding down the handle and onto the hands of the user. Most of the shapes of the guard would not encourage the toothbrush to roll off the counter and would act as a sufficient support so that the head of the brush may air-dry. Again, however, the guard is an obstruction on the handle. This guard is sufficiently large enough that it might also be a problem for the user during actual brushing of the teeth as the guard extends away from the brush handle to such a degree that it might strike the user&#39;s chin or cheek. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,638 issued to Katz, teaches a toothbrush that has a stand slidably engaged on the end of the handle. The stand includes three legs and allows the user to store the brush in an upright position on a flat surface. The stand is made from a flexible or resilient material that allows the user to hold the stand against the handle during the brushing operation so that it doesn&#39;t become an obstruction during brushing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,406 issued to Holland, discloses a toothbrush that has a specially designed handle. The handle includes an inner region to which the head is attached. The inner region also includes an enlarged area that has a plurality of fluted paths formed therein. A movable ring is provided that includes several shafts that are designed to slide up and down the fluted paths. When the ring is moved in a first direction, the shafts are retracted against the handle and the brush may be used for brushing teeth. When the ring is moved in a second direction, the shafts slide outwardly beyond the head of the brush and become legs upon which the toothbrush can stand for drying. When the shafts are extended in this manner, the brush is in an inverted position with the head in close proximity to the surface upon which the legs rest. One of the problems with this design is that the fluted paths will tend to act as guides for slurry to flow down toward the user&#39;s hand. This may allow liquid and materials removed from the teeth to become trapped beneath the shafts and in the flutes. The inner surface of the shafts and the flutes may then become breeding grounds for bacteria. Consequently, when the brush is inverted and liquid flows out of the flutes and off the shafts, some of these bacteria might be entrained in the liquid and be deposited directly onto the head of the brush. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,400 issued to Ryan, shows an alternative method of protecting the head of a toothbrush. The patent discloses a brush that incorporates a pivotable cover. The handle includes a pocket into which the cover may be rotated so that the handle is easily grasped during brushing. When the user wishes to store the brush, the cover is pivoted out of the pocket and over the bristles. This design is also problematic from a hygenic point of view. When the cover is retained within the pocket the interior chamber of the cover faces outwardly. Consequently when the user brushes their teeth, liquid and removed materials slide down the handle onto the user&#39;s hand and at least partially into the chamber of the cover. Obviously, the user will run the brush, including the handle, under the tap to remove this mixture of toothpaste and removed materials, but this will cause water to flow into the cover. Consequently, when the cover is rotated over the bristles, water droplets trapped in the chamber of the cover will drip onto the bristles. Instead of aiding the bristles to dry, this cover is more likely to create a dark, wet environment in which bacteria will tend to multiply. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for an improved toothbrush that can rest on a horizontal surface in a sanitary manner to allow the bristles to dry easily and which does not include obstructions that will interfere with the user&#39;s hand during brushing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention is a toothbrush with a bristled head and a handle that includes a pivotable stand. The stand is movable between a collapsed position where an interior surface of the stand is proximate an outer wall of the handle, and an extended position where the stand extends outwardly away from the outer wall and at an angle thereto. This movement is effected by contacting a small flange or a lever on the stand that extends slightly outwardly from the handle. Preferably, the stand is U-shaped and is configured to be received in a complementary cavity in the front wall of the handle. When in the extended position, the legs of the stand together with the end of the handle may be placed in contact with a horizontal surface thereby causing the brush to be oriented in a head-down position with the bristles retained a distance above the surface so that they can drip-dry. The stand is positioned on the handle so that when the brush is later used, no portion of the stand will enter the user&#39;s mouth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a manual toothbrush that incorporates a stand in accordance with the present invention, the stand being shown in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the toothbrush taken through line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the toothbrush with the stand in the collapsed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the toothbrush with the stand in the extended position; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged exploded view of the stand detached from the toothbrush; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a rear view of the stand; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a front view of the stand; 
         FIG. 6   c  is an end view of the stand taken through line  6   c - 6   c  of  FIG. 6   b ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial front view of the toothbrush with the stand in the extended position; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the toothbrush taken through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the toothbrush shown with the stand resting on a surface and supporting the head a distance away therefrom; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a toothbrush incorporating a second embodiment of the stand in accordance with the present invention and showing the stand in the collapsed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of the toothbrush taken through line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded partial perspective view of the toothbrush with the stand detached therefrom; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial front view of the toothbrush with the stand in the extended position; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the toothbrush taken through line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective rear view of the toothbrush showing the position of the lever when the stand is in the collapsed position; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective rear view of the toothbrush showing the position of the lever when the stand is in the extended position; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the toothbrush with the stand in an extended position and engaging the surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , there is shown a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at  20 . Toothbrush  20  includes a handle  22  and a head  24  and has a longitudinal axis “Y” that extends between head  24  and end  25 . A plurality of bristles  26  extend outwardly from head  24  and at right angles to axis Y. 
     In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, toothbrush  20  is provided with a stand  28  that is movable between a collapsed position ( FIG. 1 ) and an extended position ( FIG. 4 ). As shown in  FIGS. 5-6   c , stand  28  is a generally U-shaped member that includes a central region  30  with a pair of legs  32  extending outwardly away therefrom. Stand  28  has a longitudinal axis Y′ that is aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of toothbrush  20  when stand  28  is secured thereto. At a first end, central region  30  includes a generally cylindrical rod  31  that is disposed along a horizontal axis X and at right angles to the longitudinal axis Y′ of stand  28 . Central region  30  further defines an aperture  34  immediately adjacent said rod  31 . Legs  32  originate proximate the ends of rod  31  and extend outwardly away therefrom and substantially aligned with longitudinal axis Y′ and terminate in terminal ends  38 . Stand  28  further includes an inner peripheral edge  40  and an outer peripheral edge  41 , both of which are substantially U-shaped. Furthermore, both of inner and outer peripheral edges  40 ,  41  preferably are at least partially beveled ( FIG. 5 ). Outer surface  28   a  of stand  28  is complementary in cross-sectional shape to the contour of handle  22 . Consequently, when stand  28  is in a collapsed position, handle  22  presents a substantially continuous and smooth front surface  22  profile that is substantially free of projections which might interfere with the user holding the handle. Interior surface  28   b  preferably is similarly contoured to outer surface  28   a . When stand  28  is in the extended position any liquid on the handle and stand is channeled downwardly toward terminal ends  38  of legs  32 . 
     In accordance with another feature of the present invention, legs  32  are each provided with a longitudinally aligned flange  36  along outer peripheral edge  41  and proximate terminal ends  38 . When stand  28  is in a collapsed position, flanges  36  extends slightly outwardly away from the exterior surface of handle  22 . If the user slides a finger or thumb along the exterior surface of handle  22 , they can feel flanges  36  and consequently easily locate stand  28  without needing to look at the same. Flanges  36  can be used to move stand  28  between the collapsed and extended positions as will be hereinafter described. 
     Handle  22  defines a substantially U-shaped recess  42  ( FIG. 4 ) therein that is complementary in shape and size to stand  28 . When stand  28  is collapsed into recess  42 , the outer profile of handle  22  is essentially smooth and uninterrupted (see  FIG. 2 ). Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the surface  44  of the wall of handle  22  which surrounds and defines recess  42  is complementary shaped to mate with inner and outer peripheral edges  40 ,  41  of stand  28 . A projection  46  ( FIG. 5 ) extends inwardly into recess  42  from the upper wall  48  of handle  22 . Projection  46  is shaped and sized to be received through aperture  34  in stand  28  when stand  28  is in the collapsed position. Projection  46  blocks aperture  34  and prevents liquid and particulate material removed from the teeth from entering cavity  42  in handle  22 . 
     A groove  49  is formed in upper wall  48  of handle  22  and adjacent to projection  46 . Groove  49  is substantially complementary in cross-sectional shape and size to rod  31 . Groove  49  is aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis Y of toothbrush  20 . When stand  28  is engaged with toothbrush handle  22 , rod  31  is snap-fitted into groove  49  and is tightly retained within groove  49 . When stand  28  is moved between the collapsed and extended positions, rod  31  rotates within groove  49  and about the horizontal axis X of stand  28 . 
     Toothbrush  20  is used in the following manner. When the user has finished brushing their teeth, they grasp handle  22  in their hand and, using their thumb, engage one of flanges  36  on stand  28 , pushing stand  28  outwardly away from handle  22 . This causes rod  31  on stand  28  to pivot within groove  49 , moving stand  28  in the direction indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 3 . When in a fully extended position, stand  28  preferably locks into place and extends outwardly from outer wall  22   a  of handle  22  at an angle of between approximately 90 degrees and 120 degrees relative to handle  22 . The stand  28  substantially locks in place to prevent the user from only partially extending the stand and then having it later accidentally collapse, thereby bringing bristles  26  into contact with a contaminated surface. Once stand  28  is in the fully extended position the user may rest toothbrush  20  ( FIG. 9 ) on surface S by placing ends  38  of legs  32  and end  25  of handle  22  on surface S. This retains toothbrush  20  at an angle to surface S with end  25  of handle  22  in abutting contact with the surface and the head  24  and bristles  26  spaced a distance above surface S. Consequently, any liquid and materials entrained therein will tend to drip off bristles  26  and onto surface S. 
     When the user next wishes to brush their teeth, they grasp the handle  22  and using a finger or thumb push stand  28  back toward handle  22 . This causes rod  31  on stand  28  to pivot in groove  49  in the opposite direction to arrow “A” ( FIG. 3 ) and to once again become seated in recess  42 . Preferably, the exterior contour of stand  28  and the shape of the peripheral inner and outer surfaces  40 ,  41  and the mating surfaces  44 ,  48  of recess  42  are shaped so that, during brushing, liquid is encouraged to flow outwardly onto handle  22  and not into recess  42 . Once the user has finished brushing their teeth, the toothbrush  20 , including bristles  26 , head  24 , handle  22  and recess  42  can be rinsed off. The user then uses his or her thumb to engage one of flanges  36  and pivot stand  28  into the extended position as previously described. 
       FIGS. 10-17  show a toothbrush  120  that incorporates a second embodiment of a stand in accordance with the present invention. The second embodiment of the stand is generally indicated at  128 . Toothbrush  120  includes a handle  122  and a head  124  with bristles  126  extending outwardly therefrom and a longitudinal axis Y extending between end  125  and head  124 . Handle  122  has a front wall  122   a  and a rear wall  122   b . Handle  122  defines a recess  142  in front wall  122   a  and a slot  150  in rear wall  122   b . As shown in  FIG. 11 , recess  142  and slot  150  constitute openings into an interior chamber  152  within handle  122 . 
     Stand  128  comprises a generally U-shaped member having a central region  130  with two legs  132  extending outwardly away therefrom. As with the previous embodiment, stand  128  is complementary in cross-sectional shape to the contour of handle  122  so that when the stand is in a collapsed position, handle  122  presents a substantially continuous and smooth profile that is substantially free of projections that might interfere with the user holding the handle. Stand  128  further includes a rod  131  that is shaped to be interlockingly received in a groove  149  in handle  122 . Central region  130  defines an aperture  134  adjacent rod  131 . Legs  132  are each provided with a flange  136  along the outer peripheral edge  141  and these flanges  136  are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of stand  128 . 
     In accordance with a specific feature of the second embodiment, stand  128  further includes a longitudinally aligned lever  154  that extends outwardly away from rod  131  and in the opposite direction to legs  132 . When stand  128  is secured to handle  122 , lever  154  is introduced into recess  142  and into cavity  152 . Proximate rear wall  122   b  of handle  122 , cavity narrows to forms slot  150 . Lever  154  is sized so that at least the terminal end  154   a  thereof is received in slot  150 . When stand  128  is in the collapsed position ( FIGS. 10 ,  11  &amp;  15 ), legs  132  of stand  128  extend downwardly toward bottom end  125  of handle  122  and terminal end  154   a  of lever  154  extends upwardly toward head  124  of brush  120 . Terminal end  154   a  abuts end  150   a  of slot  150 . When stand  128  is in this collapsed position, terminal end  154   a  preferably does not extend outwardly from rear wall  122   b  of brush  120  as is shown in  FIG. 11 . When stand  128  is in the extended position ( FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  16 ), legs  132  of stand  128  extend outwardly away from handle  122  and approximately at right angles thereto. Terminal end  154   a  of lever  154  is disposed proximate lower end  150   b  of slot  150  ( FIG. 16 ). As shown in  FIG. 14 , when stand  128  is in this extended position, at least a portion of terminal end  154   a  of lever  154  extends outwardly beyond rear wall  122   b  of handle  122 . 
     Stand  128  may be moved between the collapsed and extended positions by contacting flange  136  on one of legs  132  with a finger or thumb and pivoting stand  128  by moving their finger or thumb outwardly away or inwardly toward handle  122 , as previously described. An alternative method for moving stand  128  from the extended position to the collapsed position is by sweeping a finger or thumb along rear wall  122   b  of brush  122  in the direction indicated by arrow “B” ( FIG. 14 ). The finger or thumb will catch the end  154   a  of lever  154  and move the same in the direction “B”. This will cause rod  131  of stand  128  to rotate within groove  149  thereby causing stand  128  to pivot from the extended position back into the collapsed position. It will be understood that lever  154  can be formed so that at least a portion of terminal end  154   a  extends outwardly from top end  150   a  of slot  150 . In this instance, stand  128  could be rotated from the collapsed position into the extended position by sweeping a finger or thumb downwardly along rear wall  122   b  in the opposite direction to arrow B. 
     When stand  128  is in the extended position, toothbrush  120  can be rested on surface S by placing ends  138  of stand  128  and end  125  of brush onto surface S. As with the first embodiment, toothbrush  120  thereby is angled on surface S in a manner that head  124  and bristles  126  are kept a distance above the surface so that they may drip-dry. 
     It will be understood that while stand  28  is shown as having two terminal ends  38 , stand  28  may alternatively be shaped so that only one terminal end will contact surface S when stand  28  is in the extended position. 
     It will be understood that while the stand  28  is shown pivotally mounted to the front wall  22   a  of handle  22 , the stand may, alternatively, be mounted to a side wall or to rear wall  22   b  in such a location that when stand  28  is in the extended position, terminal ends  38  thereof contact surface S and retain head  24  and bristles  26  a spaced distance away therefrom. Obviously, if stand  28  is mounted to a side wall, head  24  and bristles  26  will be oriented sideways. If stand  28  is mounted on rear wall  22   b , bristles  26  would extend upwardly away from surface S. 
     It will further be understood that while stand  28  is shown as mounted so it is flush or aligned with the front surface wall  22   a  of handle  22 , stand  28  may, alternatively, be mounted so that interior surface  28   b  thereof abuts front wall  22   a  of handle  22 . 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.