Patent Publication Number: US-2002010046-A1

Title: Side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device

Description:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to any apparatus whose affect is a side to side or back and forth motion.  
       BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0002] Many devices exist which move in a side to side or back and forth motion to perform their intended function. Some of these devices are electric dental floss, electric toothbrushes, automobile body buffers, sanders, and sewing machines. Many devices which depend upon a side to side or back and forth motion to perform their intended function can be retrofitted with the side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device. Because of its simplistic nature of design, the said device will be more cost effective to manufacture than that of the prior art.  
       SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] The side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device is a rotary transmission means which can be used to operate any apparatus whose proper functioning is dependent upon a side to side or back and forth motion to accomplish the purpose for which it was intended. One device that can be operated using the side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device is electrically powered, dental floss. The said rotary device could be attached to a two-pronged fork with a piece of dental floss connected across the two forks. Moving side to side, the dental floss would easily clean plaque and debris from the teeth and gums with very little effort on the part of the user. Effortless flossing is not possible with conventional dental floss. The said rotary device could also be used to operate electrically powered toothbrushes. Operating in the same manner as the electrically powered dental floss, the brush head would move in an “up and down” motion when applied to the teeth thereby cleaning the teeth. Another device that could be operated using the said rotary device is an electric sander or buffer. One could incorporate the said rotary device into a closure type device with a flat bottom. This can be accomplished by attaching the said rotary device to a free moving flat bottom. Next, a buffing pad could be attached to the bottom. This device could then be used to buff the paint on automobiles. By attaching sandpaper to the said bottom instead of a buffing pad, one could sand paint or varnish from automobiles or furniture. The electrically powered dental floss, tooth brush, sander, and buffer could use any type of motor previously or presently used by that of the prior art as a power source for operation. By using the side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device to operate a sander-buffer machine, a dual purpose is created. One will no longer have to purchase both an electric sander and an electric buffer. Instead, one can utilize the benefit of purchasing one machine that will perform both sanding and buffing.  
       ADVANTAGES  
       [0004] One advantage that the side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device has over the prior art when used to operate electric dental floss, toothbrushes, and the sander-buffer is its simplicity. The fact that it is comprised of few parts ensures a lower manufacturing cost and a higher margin of reliability as well as a higher margin of profit compared to the prior art. In addition, though there are many related prior arts to compete with, the side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device and its said dependent devices will broaden the field of competition. The said rotary device will provide an alternative product choice for consumers as well as enable others not already involved to enter into the market. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES  
     [0005]FIG. 1 shows a topical view of a back and forth rotary device while in operation. A rotary shaft  22   a  with rotary bearings  22   b  attached at the end of the said rotary shaft  22   a  synchronized with a rotary sprocket  24   a  are demonstrated in operation within the confines of a circle and an outlying half circle for the purpose of showing the perimeter of operation.  
     [0006]FIG. 2 shows the said rotary shaft  22   a  with the said rotary bearings  22   b  in operation. The arrows show the direction of operation of each said part.  
     [0007]FIG. 3 shows the said rotary sprocket  24   a  in operation. The arrows show the direction of operation of the said rotary sprocket  24   a.  The said rotary sprocket  24   a  is not limited to a clockwise direction of operation. By placing the paddles  24   b  of the said rotary sprocket  24   a  on the opposite side of the arms of the said rotary sprocket  24   a,  the said can perform the same function in a counter-clockwise direction.  
     [0008]FIG. 4 shows the said back and forth rotary device in full operation with the arrows showing the direction of each said part.  
     [0009]FIGS. 5 through 16 show some of the variations of FIGS. 1 through 4. The arrows indicate the direction in which each said part is moving when the said device is in operation.  
     [0010]FIGS. 11 and 13 are to be used in conjunction with FIGS. 15 and 6. The bearings in the form of spheres attached to the rotary shaft in FIGS. 6 through 16 will operate equally well if replaced by ball bearings shown in FIG. 5.  
     DRAWING FIGURES FOR “ELECTROFLOSS” 
     [0011]FIGS. 17 through 19 represent various components of a teeth-flossing devise whose function and mechanical make-up are dependent upon the said side to side-back and forth rotary devise described in FIGS. 1 through 4.  
     [0012]FIG. 17 shows said rotary shaft  22   a  and bearings  22   b.  Shown with  22   a  and  22   b  are upper centering springs  32   b   1 , an upper centering brace  32   a   1 , and an upper spring encasement  28   a  (top), and  28   b  (bottom). A centering spring  32   b   1 , and centering brace  32   a   1  will serve as stabilizer for the said rotary shaft  22   a  as well as keep  22   a  properly aligned with the rotary sprocket  24   a  and paddles  24   b  while in operation and when not in operation. A centering brace  32   a   1  will serve as a brace and equalizer for  32   b   1 . Each centering spring  32   b   1  will have equal tension. To keep the centering springs in place, an encasement  28   a  will secure the upper centering springs  32   b   1  in place.  
     [0013]FIG. 18 shows a lower centering brace  32   a   2  with lower centering springs  32   b   2  and lower spring encasement  28   a   2  (top) and  28   b   2  (bottom). The said parts in FIG. 18 will serve the same purpose as it&#39;s counterparts mentioned in FIG. 17. The parts described in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 will give the rotary shaft  22   a  and bearings  22   b  the proper alignment and equalized stability needed to function properly.  
     [0014]FIG. 19 shows a shaft glider  30   a  with bearings  30   a  whose purpose is to give the rotary shaft  22   a  the ability to move smoothly and evenly from one direction to the other rapidly. The arrows indicate the direction in which the rotary shaft  22   a  is moving. It should be noted that ball bearings may be used in conjunction with  30   a.    
     [0015] For the purpose of understanding how FIG. 20 operates, FIG. 20 shows an exploited view of Electrofloss.  
     [0016]FIG. 21 a  shows a version of an encasement that could be used to house the mechanical, teeth flossing devise, Electrofloss. FIG. 21 a  shows the general form of the encasement whose purpose is to house the components of Electrofloss. The scope of the encasement is not limited to the exact form shown in FIG. 21 a.  The scope of the said encasement should be manufactured so as to compliment the internal components and aid in proper functioning. Any changes in the design of the encasement can be determined by the manufacturer. In addition, the said encasement can be compared to the design form of the prior art for any necessary changes in the design of the said encasement.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is shown on the same page with FIG. 21 a  for the purpose of showing the topical view of FIG. 21 a  while in operation.  
     [0018]FIG. 21 a  shows the said encasement that used to house the said side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device and the various said components.  
     [0019]FIG. 1 is shown again on the same page as FIG. 21 a  for the purpose of showing the relationship between the two said figures.  
     [0020]FIG. 21 b  shows the said encasement with the said side to side-back and forth rotary transmission devise housed within. The arrows indicate the direction of the moving components.  
     [0021]FIG. 37, a sprocket, represents the known prior art which can perform the same function as the said side to side-back and forth rotary transmission device. In FIG. 38, the said sprocket shown in FIG. 37 is shown in operation with a redesigned variation of Electrofloss. However, the said sprocket in FIG. 37 is inferior to the said rotary sprocket  24   a  and rotary paddles  24   b.  FIG. 37 cannot rotate an apparatus in a side to side motion as adequately as the said rotary sprocket  24   a  and rotary paddles  24   b.  FIG. 37 cannot make the rotary bearing  22   b  and rotary shaft  22   a  move side to side at the same speed. The rotary bearing  22   b  and rotary shaft  22   a  will move faster in one direction than it will in the opposite direction. In comparison, the said side to side-back and forth rotary transmission devise and its variations shown in FIGS. 1 through 16 can create a smooth and even side to side motion in which the rotary shaft  22   a  and rotary bearings  22   b  will move at the same speed in either direction, thereby more adequately performing its intended function. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
     [0022]                                                  22a rotary shaft           22b rotary bearings           24a rotary sprocket           24b rotary paddles           (top)           26 flossing fork           (bottom)           28a1 upper spring encasement (top)           (bottom)           28b1 upper spring encasement (bottom)           28a2 lower spring encasement (top)           28b2 lower spring encasement (bottom)           30a rotary shaft glider           30b bearings           32a1 upper centering brace (top)           32b1. upper centering springs           32a2 lower centering brace           32b2 lower centering springs           34 stator motor           36 sprocket chaft                        
     OPERATION—FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  20   
     [0023]FIGS. 1 through 4 represent the said side to side-back and forth rotary device which is an apparatus independent and separate from Electrofloss. Electrofloss, however, is dependent upon the said side to side-back and forth rotary devise covered in FIGS. 1 through 4. The said rotary device enables Electrofloss to perform the function for which it is intended.  
     [0024]FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of Electrofloss. For the purpose of flossing ones teeth adequately, Electrofloss requires a flossing fork  26 . The said flossing fork  26  will be comprised of a two-pronged fork  26  with a piece of dental floss connected tightly between the two forks  26 . During operation, the said flossing fork  26  will move rapidly back and forth. The user will angle the flossing fork  26  towards the space between any two teeth. Pushing into the gum line, the floss will loosen plaque and debris from the teeth and gums.  
     [0025] As previously stated in the description of FIGS. 17 through 19, the upper centering springs  32   b,  lower centering springs  32   b   2 , and the rotary shaft glider  30   a  with bearings  30   b  will secure the rotary shaft  22   a  in place and enable the said rotary shaft  22   a  to operate properly. The upper centering springs  32   b   1  and lower centering springs  32   b   2  will have equal tension on each side for the purpose of keeping the bearings  22   b  synchronized with the paddles  24   b  of the rotary sprocket  24   a.    
     [0026] The rotary sprocket  24   a  can be powered by a stator motor. In FIG. 20, the said rotary sprocket  24   a  is shown operating in a clockwise direction. The said rotary device can operate in the counter clockwise direction as well.  
     [0027] One of the said bearings  22   b  will be engaged with one of the four paddles  24   b  at all times. The rotary sprocket  24   b  and paddles  24   b  are not limited to four extensions and paddles for operation. More or less may be added.  
     [0028] As the stator motor  34  turns the rotary sprocket  24   a,  the engaged bearing  22   b  will roll up in an upwards direction on the connecting paddle  24   b.  The rotary shaft  22   a  will be aligned with the rotary sprocket  24   a  in a synchronized position which will enable the bearing  22   b  opposite the said engaged bearing  22   b  to engage with it&#39;s corresponding paddle  24   b  as soon as the said engaged bearing rolls off the back of it&#39;s connecting paddle  24   b.  This in turn will cause the flossing fork  26  to move in one direction or the other. This continuous process will be the means by which the said flossing fork  26  will move back and forth rapidly to accomplish it&#39;s intended function. Synchronized placement of the rotary shaft  22   a  and rotary sprocket  24   a  is necessary for proper operation. In FIGS. 21 and 22, synchronized placement is demonstrated.  
     [0029] The rotary shaft  22   a  is placed parallel with one of the arms of the rotary sprocket  24   a.  The circle  38  encasing the rotary shaft  22   a  and sprocket  24   a  in FIG. 1 serves as a guide for the purpose of assuring the proper dimensions and placement of the shaft  22   a  and rotary sprocket  24   a.  The components will be adjusted accordingly so as to achieve proper dimensions within the encasement as well as provide optimal performance.