Improvements in Tooth Cleaners.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1897-Accepted, 24th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tooth Cleaners.
I, FRANK DOWNING GOULD, Dentist, of 36 Broadway, Port Richmond, in the
County of Richmond and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
-
This invention relates to improvements in tooth cleaners, and the object thereof
is to supply a device of this character adapted for thoroughly cleaning teeth of
both regular and irregular contour without liability of injuring the gums of a
user. By the use of this device, the neck of each individual tooth up to the line
of juncture with the gum can be constantly maintained in a perfectly clean
condition and accumulation of all deleterious deposits is prevented. The device
is simple in construction and inexpensive and it can be successfully used by
children or other inexperienced and unskilled persons.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in
the annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cleaner.
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly in section.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cleaner, showing the several parts thereof
disassembled; and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are diagrams, illustrating various arrangements of teeth
adapted for being cleaned by my device.
In the practice of my invention, the cleaner A is composed of rubber or other
similar substance and the face thereof is egg shape in contour or approximately
the shape of the exposed portion of a tooth. This said face is concave and it is
supplied with a series of cross ribs, a. Extended outwardly from the cleaner, A,
is a cylindrical projection, A7, this said projection being extended upon a line
leading from the small end or point, a¹ of the cleaner face, whereby the said small
peint will not be bent back out of place when the device is in use.
To complete the device, a handle, B, is supplied. This said handle can be
composed of metal or other suitable material and it is supplied at the end thereof
with a threaded socket, b, adapted for engagement with the cylindrical pro-
jection A¹ of the cleaner. This said projection has a normal smooth surface, as
illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, but owing to the flexibility of the material
from which it is formed, it can be screwed into the socket b and maintained therein,
as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, whereby it will not be susceptible of
accidental removal or displacement, while at the same time it may be unscrewed
or removed when it is worn out, whereby a new cleaner may be placed within the
socket and one handle will be sufficient for a considerable number of cleaners.
In the operation and use of the device, the concave face of the cleaner is pressed
into contact with the exposed portion 1 of the tooth, the point at the neck thereof,
as illustrated by dotted lines 2, in diagrams 4 and 5 of the drawings. Movement
in an alternately upward and downward direction is then imparted to the cleaner,
CD077

page_text: whereby any deposit thereon is removed by the ribs on the face of the said cleaner.
When the teeth are set irregular in plan, as shown by diagram 6, it is obvious
that owing to the shape of the cleaner face, teeth 3, sel to the rear can be readily
reached, as shown by dotted lines, 4.
I do not confine myself to the specific means for attaching the cleaner to the
handle, as it is obvious that under the scope of my invention, I am entitled to
slight structural variations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :.
1. A tooth cleaner, comprising a flexible body having a concave face of
approximately egg-shaped contour and a handle projecting approximately at right
angles from the said face, substantially as shown and described.
2. A tooth cleaner, comprising a flexible body having a concave and
ribbed face of approximately egg-shaped contour, and a projection extended
approximately at right angles from the rear of said body, and a handle connected
to said projection, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a tooth cleaner, the combination of a flexible body having a concaved
and ribbed face of approximately egg shape contour, and a cylindrical projection
extended rearwardly therefrom, and a handle having a threaded socket in the
end thereof engaging with the said projection, whereby the flexible body may be
secured to the handle or removed therefrom at will, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 17th day of June 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.