Patent Publication Number: US-9427073-B2

Title: Interchangeable modular toothbrush

Description:
This applications claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/964,120, filed on Dec. 24, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to the construction of a toothbrush having replaceable and/or interchangeable elements. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type have been directed to a number of different toothbrush configurations having replaceable portions typically centered around the brush head, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,875,510, 6,015,328, 6,968,590 and U.S. Patent Publication 2013/0248388. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,510 a replaceable head toothbrush is disclosed having a handle with a cavity for receiving interchangeable brush heads by insertion for retainment and removable by a locking pin system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,328 claims a toothbrush toy having interchangeable bendable and poseable character representation within its handle of a fictional toy figure. A brush receiving and retainment insert engages a brush stem and head removable therefrom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,590 is directed towards a disposable toothbrush with positive blocking having a handle portion and a bristled portion with a flexible coupling with an elastomeric mass to impart an elastic reaction during use between the brush head and handle. 
     Patent Publication 2013/0248388 shows a toothbrush kit having a decorative component for applying to the brush handle with inclusion of a writing instrument to effect application and embellishment of the decorations on the brush handle surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A build a brush configuration for a toothbrush having multiple interchangeable portions to assemble a unique and personalized toothbrush configuration. A brush head and interlocking stem assembly registerably engages within a generally cylindrical handle portion with a corresponding insertable base end portion which is engaged by both the brush head and handle portions defining a stable interlocking brush assembly of a true customizable and interchangeable nature. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the assembled toothbrush of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged end view on lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged end view on lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the bristle brush head and support portion. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the assembled toothbrush of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged front elevational view of the handle insert base portion. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged rear elevational view of the insertable base portion. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross section on lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of the handle insert portion of the brush assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective assembly view of the toothbrush configuration of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 and 10  of the drawings, a modular component toothbrush  10  of the invention can be seen having an interchangeable assembly comprised of a brush head portion  11  selectively engaged with a central cylindrical handle portion  12  and a correspondingly handle insert toothbrush base portion  13 . 
     The brush head portion  11  has a main body member  14  with a tapered brush head support portion  15  extending therefrom. A plurality of synthetic resin bristles  16  are uniformly attached and extend freely from a head end portion of reduced transverse dimension defining a bristle insertion mounting area at  17  as will be well understood by those skilled within the art. 
     The brush head portion  11  has an ovaloid integral handle registration and support surface  18  with multiple annular O-rings  18 A and  18 B in the respective ring seats in longitudinally spaced relation to one another thereon. 
     A flattened surface portion  19  defines an alignment key for the insertion of the hollow handle portion  12 . 
     A retainment support shaft  20  extends from and is integral with the handle registration and support  18  on its longitudinal axis for registrational retainment within the toothbrush base portion  13  as will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     The base portion  13 , best seen in  FIGS. 5-8 and 10  of the drawings has a generally ovaloid body member  21  with a tapered flange  22  of increased diameter defining a continuous tapered side edge  23  thereabout. A central bore at  24  extends inwardly within its oppositely disposed end  25  for registerably receiving and frictionally retaining the inserted free end portion of the retainment support shaft  20  as best seen in  FIG. 5  of the drawings. 
     An O-ring  26  within a seat  26 A is positioned on the ovaloid body member  21  in spaced relation to the flange base  22  providing a sealing relationship between the handle portion and the base when therein engaged. 
     It will be seen that the base portion  13  has a correspondingly flattened alignment portion  27  for component registration and assembly of the brush  10  of the invention as will be discussed hereinafter. 
     The hollow handle portion  12  is of a thin wall generally cross-sectionally ovaloid configuration having a longitudinally extending flattened alignment portion  12 A and is of an interior dimension greater than that of the exterior of the base portion  13  and the brush head portion  11  which has a correspondingly exterior shape for registration thereover, as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5  of the drawings. 
     It will be evident from the above description that in use the modular component toothbrush  10  of the invention is assembled for use by combining the corresponding component parts in interchangeable order selection by the user, as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 10  of the drawings. 
     As such, different colors and ornamental designs of the components can be assembled to achieve a unique toothbrush configuration for each individual user. By use of the registerable engaging universal defined retainment components, a customized toothbrush can be assembled containing a variety of different interchangeable elements such as the hollow handle portion  12  allowing potential users, such as children, to enhance and enrich their tooth brushing experience by providing a fun, effective, build a toothbrush configuration. 
     It will also be evident from the above description that the orientation of the respective flattened elongated surface on the handle portion  12  and registerable flattened areas on the base  13  and brush head portion  11  provide unique alignment and interengagement to provide proper orientation of the brush head to the most effective handle engagement area typical in such structures. 
     It will be seen, therefore, that alternate exterior surface keyed configurations may be utilized and as such it will be seen that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.