Improvements in Tooth Brushes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tooth Brushes.
I, FRANK DOWNING GOULD of 36 Broadway, Port Richmond, Staten Island,
State of New York, U.S.A., Dentist do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of tooth brushes which are provided with a
removable series of bristles or points, and it has for its object to provide a simple
and in proved brush of this character in which the series of bristles or points can
be conveniently removed for purposes of substitution or cleansing, and which will
furthermore possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness, durability, convenience,
effectiveness, and general. efficiency.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tooth brush embodying my improvements, the
series of bristles being shown separated from the body of the brush.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing the series of bristles in
position.
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line x-x Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view, illustrating a modification.
Referring to the drawings, A designates the body of my improved tooth brush,
from which projects the handle A. The handle and body or back portion are
preferably formed integral and of aluminium, but may be constructed in any
suitable manner and of any adapted material.
In the face of the body A, is formed a longitudinal recess a, adapted to receive
and retain a corresponding detachable or removable mat carrying a series of bristles
or projecting points.
The recess a is provided with an inwardly projecting top flange, a', surrounding
the mouth or opening of said recess, as shown, and the corresponding mat B is
provided with a surrounding bottom flange b, which fits in the recess a under the
projecting edge or flange a¹.
The relative construction and arrangement of the mat B and recess a is preferably
such that the former corresponds in shape to the latter and entirely fills said
recess when the mat is in position.
The mat B is elastic or pliable, so that its bottom edge or flange b may be sprung
into its seat under the projecting top edge or flange of the recess a. The mat carries
a series of points or bristles, b', projecting from its face.
I prefer to form the detachable member B with all its parts integral, of rubber
or other elastic material, but if desired a series of separate bristles or projecting
points may be connected with and carried by the bottom portion
or mat.
At one end of the recess a, its projecting top flange a¹ is notched or recessed, as
ata, to provide for the insertion of the point of any suitable instrument under the
elastic or pliable mat B to spring the same from engagement with the recess when
it is desired to disconnect or remove the member B from the body of the brush.
In Figure 4 I have illustrated a modification in which the top projecting edge a
of the recess and the bottom projecting edge 6 of the member B are formed by
co-relative dove-tail construction, this formation being under some circumstances
more readily adapted for detachment of the member B from the recess.
It will be understood, that in practice, the pliable or elastic member B can be

page_text: readily and conveniently sprung into position in the corresponding recess a in the
body of the brush, and that the relative construction and arrangement of the
retaining projecting edges or flanges will effect a secure connection of the parts
during ordinary use. Whenever desired, the member B may be quickly detached
from the body of the brush by simply inserting the point of an instrument under
the mat, through the notch or recess a³, when the member B may be readily sprung
from its position in the recess.
My invention thus provides for the convenient substitution of that part of the
brush which is subject to wear so that the body and handle portion are capable of
permanent use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim, is :-
1. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back provided with a recess,
in combination with a removable member carrying the series of bristles or points
and corresponding to and adapted to be seated and retained in said recess,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back provided with a recess,
in combination with a removable elastic or pliable member carrying the series of
projecting points or bristles and adapted to be sprung into position within said
recess, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back provided with a recess
having retaining flanges or projections, in combination with a removable member
carrying the series of projecting points or bristles and provided with flanges or
projections adapted to engage the corresponding parts of the recess, whereby said
removable member may be seated and retained in said recess, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
4. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back having a recess
provided with inwardly projecting top edges or flanges, in combination with a
removable pliable or elastic member carrying the series of projecting points or
bristles and provided with projecting bottom edges or flanges, said removable
member being adapted to be sprung into position within the recess and retained
therein by said relatively projecting edges, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back provided with a
longitudinal recess having an inwardly projecting flange or edge surrounding the
mouth or opening of said recess, in combination with a removable elastic or
pliable member carrying the series of projecting points or bristles and provided
with a projecting surrounding flange or edge at its bottom, said removable member
corresponding to said recess, whereby the elastic member may be sprung into
position within the corresponding recess and retained therein by said relatively
projecting edges or flanges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body or back provided with a
recess having an inwardly projecting flange or edge at its mouth or opening and
provided with a notch or recess in said flange or edge, in combination with a
removable pliable or elastic member carrying the projecting points or bristles and
provided with a projecting flange or edge adapted to be seated under the flange of
the recess, whereby said removable member may be sprung into position within the
recess and may be disconnected therefrom by means of the point of an instrument
inserted through said notch or recess in the retaining top flange of the recess seat,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. An improved tooth brush, comprising the body and handle, the former being
provided with a longitudinal recess having the inwardly projecting flange or
edge a in which is formed the recess or notch a', in combination with the
removable pliable or elastic member corresponding to the recess in the body of
the brush and carrying the series of projecting points or bristles, said removable

page_text: member having the projecting flange or edge at its bottom, whereby the removable
member is adapted to be sprung into position within its recess seat or detached
therefrom, substantially as set forth.
8. As an improved article of manufacture, a tooth brush having a recessed body
in which is seated a pliable or elastic detachable member carrying the projecting
points or bristles, said pliable or elastic member being adapted to be sprung into.
or from its recess seat, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th day of November 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.