Patent ID: 8281443

Claim:
An electrically powered toothbrush comprising: a body having a first end; a head opposite from the first end, the head comprising a frame defining a recess; a neck extending between the first end and the head; an electrical motor and a power source disposed in the body; a drive shaft operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the shaft having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a portion that is offset from the axis of rotation and including a cam incorporated therein; a bristle carrier disposed within the recess and being pivotally secured to the frame by a laterally extending pivot member disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the drive shaft, the bristle carrier having a receiving channel adapted to receive the portion of the drive shaft that is offset; and a second bristle carrier; wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes the portion offset from the axis of rotation to engage the receiving channel of the bristle carrier thereby causing the bristle carrier to pivot about the laterally extending pivot member; and wherein the second bristle carrier includes at least one cam follower extending from a bottom surface of the second bristle carrier, the cam and the at least one cam follower being in operative engagement with one another so that rotation of the shaft causes the second bristle carrier to move.