Improvements in Tooth-brushes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tooth-brushes.
I, ALICE AMELIA PITMAN, Authoress, of 2 Alma Cottages Burchell Road
Leyton Essex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: -
A most simply constructed tooth-brush, which invention claims partly on account
of its circular parts to be more effective while less awkward than the ordinary
tooth-brush. The said invention further claims a special importance in that it is
provided with a reversed curved brush in order to enable the user to clean &
preserve the back of the teeth in as perfect a manner as the front; when doubled
by means of a hinge in the centre it possesses the power to clean the front & back
of the teeth at one & the same time. As it may be easily moved up & down in
the mouth as well as from side to side, it is impossible with the slightest care for
remnants of food or other matter to escape its action. When folded as before
described it at once becomes a small & compact pocket tooth-brush.
Having thus briefly described the nature & use of the said invention the inventor
does not limit herself to precise details as various modifications may be made while
retaining the essential features of the said invention.
Data 11h 1.
1001
ALICE A. PITMAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tooth-brushes.
I, ALICE AMELIA PITMAN, Authoress, of 25 Woodville Road Walthamstow in
the County of Essex (late of 2 Alma Cottages Burchell Road Leyton, Essex 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 :-
My invention relates to the manufacture of tooth-brushes & consists of the novel
features hereinafter described & which are specifically set forth in the clauses of
claim hereunto annexed.
The object of my invention is to provide an improved tooth-brush for cleaning
the front & back of the teeth at separate times, or at one & the same time & in
order that my said invention may be more readily understood I have annexed a
sheet of drawings on which letters of reference are marked.
To carry my invention into practice I form what I call a hinged tooth-brush; a
brush consisting of two circular or curved heads (see letters A & B in
Figures I & II,) the head of B brush to be rather smaller than the head of A brush,
with handle pieces; such heads & handles to be made of bone or any other suitable
material. Letter C Fig. I refers to a slip ferrule covering the hinge used to unite
the two handle-pieces & which hinge will be hereafter described. The ferrule may
be made of white metal or any other suitable substance & is meant to keep the
brushes in a firm position when they are desired to be used singly.
When the brushes are needed to be used as a duplex brush, that is, to clean the
front & back of the teeth together, the ferrule has simply to be slipped along
the handle (a portion of which is arranged for its convenience, (see letter C Fig. II,)
having moved the ferrule the brush is doubled by means of the afore mentioned
hinge & should be so bent as to bring the bristles of the two brushes facing each
other as in Fig. 11. Having arrived at the bristles I would suggest that B brush
be fitted with softer bristles than A. the inside of the gums being invariably more

page_text: tender than the outside the bristles must also be shorter than those in an ordinary
tooth-brush so that the brushes may not be clumsy when used doubled; I find
an inch a suitable length for the bristles of both brushes.
of
The hinge used for fastening the handles of brushes A & B together is what I
call a parasol hinge, (see Fig. III) that is, it consists of three small pieces of flat
metal, or other suitable material, each piece of metal or material used in place of
metal having a small hole at either end. These pieces of an inch long are fixed
into cavities cut in the end of the handle of each single brush, the handles having
holes to agree with those in the pieces of metal; the whole is secured by two
rivets, (Fig. III D) passing through the afore mentioned holes.
I fully describe this hinge for the use of the manufacturer but do not bind myself
to use it, as any other suitable hinge may be employed if it has the same effect &
answers the same purpose.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature & use of the said
invention & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
1. A hinged & ferruled tooth-brush.
2. A. tooth-brush which can be used as two single brushes, or by the aid of a
hinge & ferrule can be converted into a duplex & pocket tooth-brush.
Dated this 27th day of November 1891.
ALICE A. PITMAN.