Patent ID: 7383603

Claim:
An ergonomic toothbrush having a flexible neck and adaptively designed handle to prevent tooth abrasion and gum damage comprising: a. a handle member defining a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end including an open cavity defining an interior surface; b. a neck member defining a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end including a dental brush and said proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the handle member and said neck member movable between a first position wherein the handle member and neck member are substantially aligned and a second position angularly offset relative to the handle; c. a leaf spring defining a first end, second end and spring body; said first end bonded to said neck member, wherein movement of the neck member about the pivotal connection translates movement of the spring body within the cavity of the handle member; said spring body adapted to engage the interior surface to provide biasing resistance; wherein said leaf spring is operative to normally bias the neck member to the first position and is configured such that the application of pressure to the neck portion beyond a prescribed threshold facilitates movement of the neck portion from the first position to the second position.