Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/676,955, filed Oct. 1, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/367,373, filed Feb. 13, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/993,167, filed Nov. 6, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,490, the substances of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is related to the art of electric toothbrushes and detachable heads therefor. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Electric toothbrushes having one or more bristle holders are known in the art. However, there is a continuing need to provide electric toothbrushes which can provide improved cleaning by a synergistic combination of a first bristle holder motion and the bristle tuft arrangements of the first and/or second bristle holders. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein that is operatively connected to a shaft. The detachable head has an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end may be detachably coupled to the electric toothbrush. The detachable head has a first bristle holder with a first plurality of bristle tufts disposed thereon. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of the elongate body and can oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detachable head also has a a second bristle holder disposed between the first bristle holder and the first end. The second bristle holder has a top surface and a second plurality of bristle tufts that form an acute angle with the top surface of the second bristle holder. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various procedures and arrangements of procedures. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments, they are not to scale, and not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional bottom view of a toothbrush. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of part of the toothbrush of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional bottom view of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is an opposite side view of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  are respectively the same views as  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  of a different toothbrush and to a different scale. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of an enhanced toothbrush having a second bristle holder. The toothbrush is shown in partial section. 
       FIG. 8A  is an alternate embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along A—A in  FIG. 8  of a first embodiment of a toothbrush head portion. 
       FIG. 9A  is a partial sectional side view of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along A—A in  FIG. 8  of a second embodiment of a toothbrush head portion. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along A—A in  FIG. 8  of a third embodiment of a toothbrush head portion. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 13  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a fifth embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of the fifth embodiment of a toothbrush head. A shaft is shown rotated to a different position than shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a sixth embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 16  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a seventh embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom view of a head portion of a ninth embodiment of a toothbrush. 
       FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of the ninth embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 19  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a tenth embodiment of a toothbrush head. 
       FIG. 20  is a side view of a toothbrush showing a first exemplary alternate bristle arrangement. 
       FIG. 21  is an end view taken along D—D of  FIG. 8  showing a second exemplary bristle arrangement. 
       FIG. 22  is a partial sectional view taken along B—B in  FIG. 8  of a second implementation of the fifth embodiment showing an alternate cam design. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings, in  FIG. 1  the toothbrush comprises a handle  10  at a first end of the toothbrush, a head  11  at a second end of the toothbrush, a neck  9  extending therebetween, a rotatable shaft  12  extending from the handle to the head, and a generally circular bristle holder  13  having a plurality of bristle tufts embedded therein, wherein each tuft  8  comprises a plurality of bristles. The handle provides compartments for holding an electric motor  14  and two batteries  15  and  16 , although a rechargeable power source can be substituted for the batteries  15  and  16 . A shaft coupling  17  is arranged to grip one end of the shaft  12  and allow the shaft to be pulled out for cleaning or replacement as will be described below. 
   The head  11 , as is better seen in  FIG. 2 , supports a post  18 , which provides a rotational or oscillatory pivot axis  40  for the bristle holder  13 . Bristles  19  are shown for illustrative purposes only in  FIG. 2 . The shaft  12  has an integrally formed remote-most end  20  that is offset from a central longitudinal axis  21  of the shaft. The remote-most end  20  fits into a slot  22  (see  FIG. 3 ) formed in a side of the bristle holder  13 . It will be noted that the end  20  points towards an intersection of the first axis  21  and the pivot axis  40  of the post  18 . In one embodiment, the post is arranged so that the pivot axis  40  is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis  21  of the shaft. The pivot axis  40  is also substantially parallel to the direction in which the bristles  19  extend. While this arrangement is preferred, it is contemplated that the post  18  can be arranged differently. For example, the post  18  might be angled so that the pivot axis  40  is not substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  21  of the shaft but rather forms an acute angle therewith in order to provide a wobbling or swiveling action about the pivot axis  40 . When the shaft  12  is rotated by the motor  14 , the remote end  20  describes a circle about the shaft  12  and drivingly engages the slot  22  to cause the bristle holder  13  to vibrate or oscillate about the pivot axis of the bristle holder  13 . In this regard, the formed remote-most end  20  may be considered to be a cam or a gear tooth. To vibrate is to move to and fro or from side to side. To oscillate is to move or travel back and forth between two points. A cam is a shaped component or potion of a component, which determines the motion of a follower. As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , slot  22  is closed-ended and extends radially inward from the outer circumference of the holder to less than the distance to the center of the holder and between adjacent pairs of bristle holes. Thus, the bristle holder  13  pivots, oscillates, or rotates forwards and backwards about the center of the post  18 . To pivot is to turn on or as if on a pivot. To rotate is to turn about an axis or a center. Such movement provides a first relative motion between the head  11  and the bristles  19  and is generally beneficial for efficient cleaning of teeth. The width of the slot  22  is preferably generally the same as the diameter of the end  20  to leave minimum play; this keeps noise to a minimum in use. 
   Preferably, the motor  14  runs at around 6000 rpm. Where desired, the motor can run at other speeds or be arranged to run at two or more speeds, selectable by the user.  FIG. 1  shows a toothbrush where the holder  13  vibrates, oscillates, or rotates through an angle of 30 degrees. In  FIG. 2 , the angle is 35 degrees and in  FIG. 5  the angle is 15 degrees. It will therefore be appreciated that the rotational angle can be chosen by fitting different shafts  12  and that the same bristle holder can be used for all angles. 
   Each bristle holder  13  may be provided with more than one slot  22  as may be seen in  FIG. 3 , opposite each other so as to be better balanced or so that different slots can be used if the one slot wears or if the bristles wear unevenly in use. In other words, the holder  13  can then be set up in two or more rotational positions. The holder  13  is preferable easily removable from the head  11 , by being spring clipped to the post  18  for example. Such removal allows better cleaning and storing in a hygienic container perhaps and also enables the shaft  12  to be readily withdrawn and replaced when required. 
   The described shafts  12  are preferably integrally formed, i.e., a single length of a thin rod and shaped as shown. However, it is possible to arrange for the remote end or can  20  to be separately formed or provided and fixed to a straight end part of the shaft or elsewhere on the shaft. Such a separate part can be a brush having a central axis coinciding with the axis  21  of the shaft and an off-center driving post. The driving post then takes up the position and function of the remote end or cam  20 . Thus, the driving post and the slot  22  then form the driving engagement between the shaft and the holder  13  and so the driving post can be regarded as the remote end of the shaft. 
   It is also possible, but not usually so convenient, in some embodiments of the invention to arrange for the holder  13  to be hingedly pivoted at one side, for example opposite the shaft. In such a case, bristles mounted nearer the hinged pivot will not actually move as much as bristles at the side next to the shaft but they will still vibrate significantly. 
   It will also be appreciated that whether pivoted to rotate or to hinge, the bristle holder  13  need not be circular. However, a circular holder  13  is normally preferred so that its rotational position can be changed when desired, as mentioned above. 
   While the above-described shaft arrangement is preferred, it is contemplated that other shaft arrangements can be used with the present invention. For example, the arrangement described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,432, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference, might be substituted to accommodate mechanical misalignments of the shaft and mechanical strain during use. Further, the head  11  might be provided in a form in which it can be readily detached from the handle  10 . This could be accomplished using, coupling arrangements for the shaft and body portion of the head. Such arrangements are known in the art. For example, the head and handle portions can include mating slots, spring clips, and protrusions and/or locking or securing tabs and grooves. The shaft can be divided into two sections, each section including a coupling element. For example the coupling is achieved with a keyed arrangement. For instance, coupling elements can include male and female mating splines affixed to respective shaft section ends, or as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,601, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the slot  22  might be replaced by a wobble plate, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,743, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   With additional reference now to FIG.  8 – FIG. 18 , embodiments of an enhanced electric toothbrush  810  include a first bristle holder  814  similar to the bristle holder  13  described above. The enhanced toothbrush  810  has a head  816  and a body or handle  817 . Of course, the enhanced toothbrush includes a motor  819  and batteries for powering the motor. The head portion  816  has a longitudinal axis  818 . The first bristle holder  814  is illustrated as circular. However, other shape bristle holders are contemplated and within the scope of the invention. The first bristle holder  814  includes at least one slot as described above (see  FIG. 3 ) for receiving a remote-most end or can of a driving shaft  820  as described in reference to FIG.  1 – FIG. 7 . The remote-most end (see  FIG. 3 ) of the driving shaft is bent or offset from a central longitudinal axis  21  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the driving shaft  820  as described above. The motor  819  is operative to rotate the shaft  820 . In short, with regard to the construction and operation of the shaft  820  in relation to the first bristle holder  814 , the enhanced toothbrush  810  is similar to the toothbrush described in reference to FIG.  1 – FIG. 7 . However, embodiments of the enhanced electric toothbrush  810  also include second bristle holders disposed adjacent the first bristle holders, such as second bristle holder  822 . While it is desirable to locate the second bristle holder directly adjacent the first bristle holder, it is contemplated that a gap may be provided between the first and second bristle holders. In addition, the space between the movable first and second bristle holders might be filled with stationary or fixed bristles which are embedded in fixed or stationary third bristle holder (See e.g.  FIG. 8A  which forms part of the toothbrush head. In many embodiments of the enhanced electric toothbrush, the second bristle holders are movable and separately associated with, and separately driven by, a driving shaft such as the driving shaft  820 . The movable second bristle holders are movable in directions and/or manners that are different and distinct from whichever of the rotary or hingedly pivoted vibratory movements, described in reference to FIG.  1 – FIG. 7 , is used in the particular embodiment. 
   For example, referring to  FIG. 9 , a second bristle holder  910  is movably mounted in slots  912  in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in a vibratory, side-to-side, motion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis  818  by an eccentric cam  914  included on a driving shaft  918 . The cam  914  and other cams described below can comprise one or more bends in the shaft  918 , as shown for example, example in  FIG. 9A  and as seen in views of other embodiments described below such as seen in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 15 . Alternatively, the cam  914  can be provided as a separate piece, which is attached to the shaft  918  by adhesive, a press or snap fit, a co-molding or any other mechanical or chemical means known in the art. Optionally, the driving shaft is supported by a shaft support  920 . A cam follower  922  depends from a bottom surface  924  of the second bristle holder  910 . The cam follower  922  is offset from a longitudinal axis  926  of the second bristle holder. As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  918 , the cam  914  comes into contact with a cam contact surface  928  of the cam follower  922  and drives the cam follower  922 , and therefore, the second bristle  910  holder toward one side  930  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  and away from the longitudinal axis  818  of the head portion  816 . As the shaft  918  continues to rotate, the cam  914  becomes disengaged with the cam follower  922 . A resilient biasing member such as a spring  934 , lodged between a wall of the head portion  816  and a second surface of the cam follower, urges the cam follower  922 , and therefore the second bristle holder  910 , back toward the longitudinal axis  818  of the head portion  816 . As this back and forth or sided to side motion is repeated (as the shaft  918  continues to rotate), a sweeping or brushing motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . The stroke and/or frequency of the second bristle holder  910  can be changed by varying the construction of the spring and placement and/or sizing of the cam  914  and the cam follower  922 . For example, the cam follower  922  might be placed closer to the axis  926  to provide a shorter stroke for the cam follower  922 , or a stronger spring might be provided to increase the rate of return of the second bristle holder  910  or more than one spring might be provided. Alternatively, the cam follower  922  might form an acute angle with the bottom surface  924  of the second bristle holder  910  or the first surface can be provided as accurate, curvilinear, or in other complex forms as opposed to the planar surface shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , in a second embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1010  is movably mounted in slots  1012  in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in a vibratory, swinging or pivoting motion about a hinge or pivot  1014 , by a cam  1016  included on a driving shaft  1018 . The cam  1016  can comprise one or more bends in the shaft  1018  or be provided as a separate piece as previously discussed. Optionally, the driving shaft is supported by a shaft support  1020 . A cam contact surface  1022  is located on a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1010 . As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1018 , the cam  1016  comes into contact with the cam contact surface  1022  and drives or pushes the second bristle holder  1010  causing the second bristle holder to swing or pivot about the hinge or pivot  1014 . As the shaft  1018  continues to rotate, the cam  1016  becomes disengaged with the cam contact surface  1022 . During use, as the cam  1016  comes in contact with the cam contact surface  1022 , bristles of the second bristle holder  1010  are urged against the users teeth with greater force. Preferably, bristles of the second bristle holder  1010  are urged between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning and flossing function. As the cam disengages with the contact surface  1022 , bristles pressing against the teeth of the user urge the second bristle holder away from the users teeth. As this swinging or pivoting motion is repeated (as the shaft  1018  continues to rotate), a flossing or deep cleaning motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , in a third embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1110  is movably mounted in slots  1112  in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in a vibratory, lifting or vertical pulsating motion (e.g., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  1114  and substantially parallel to a surface  1115  of the second bristle holder  1110  as shown by the way of example in  FIG. 11 ) within the slots  1112 , by a cam  1116  included on a driving shaft  1118 . Optionally, the driving shaft is supported by a shaft support  1120 . The cam  1116  can comprise one or more bends in the shaft  1118  or can be provided as a separate piece as previously discussed. A cam contact surface  1122  is located on a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1110 . As the motor  819  (see  FIG. 8 ) of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1118 , the cam  1116  comes into contact with the cam contact surface  1122  and drives or lifts, in a vibratory, lifting, or vertical pulsating motion, the second bristle holder  1110  causing the second bristle holder to lift or pulsate in a direction away from the head portion  816  and toward the teeth of a toothbrush user (not shown). As the shaft  118  continues to rotate, the cam  1116  becomes disengaged with the cam contact surface  1122 . During use, as the cam  1116  comes in contact with the cam contact surface  1122 , bristles of the second bristle holder  1110  are urged against the user&#39;s teeth with varying degrees of force. Preferably, bristles of the second bristle holder  1110  are urged between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning and flossing function. As the cam disengages with the contact surface  1122 , bristles pressing against the teeth of the user urge the second bristle holder away from the user&#39;s teeth and back toward the head portion  816 . As this lifting or vertical pulsating motion is repeated (as the shaft  1118  continues to rotate), a flossing or deep cleaning motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , in a fourth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1210  is movably mounted in slots (not shown, but similar to the slots  912  illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in a reciprocating or translating, longitudinal motion within the slots by a cam  1216  included on a driving shaft  1218 . Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports  1217 . The shaft supports may include C or U shaped portions (not shown) that are operative to receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining a shaft in a support are known in the art. The cam  1216  can comprise a shaped bead, with an appropriate eccentric configuration, placed or molded over and firmly secured to the shaft  1218 . In one embodiment, the cam  1216  includes a pair of acutely angled surfaces  1219 ,  1220  which are inclined in the same direction and at the same angle of inclination, but which are disposed at opposite ends of the cam  1216 . The direction of inclination and angle of inclination can be varied as desired to change the frequency and stroke of the second bristle holder  1210 . First  1222  and second  1226  cam followers depend from a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1210 . The cam followers  1222 ,  1226  are offset or spaced from a transverse axis  1230  of the second bristle holder. The cam followers  1222 ,  1226  straddle and/or capture the cam  1216  so that the angled surfaces  1219 ,  1220  slidably engage the free ends of the cam followers  1222  and  1226 . As the motor  819  (see  FIG. 8 ) of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1218 , the first acutely angled surface  1220  of the cam  1216  comes into contact with a surface of the first cam follower  1222  and drives the cam follower, and therefore, the second bristle holder  1210 , away from the first bristle holder  814  along the longitudinal axis  818  of the head portion  816 . As the shaft  1218  continues to rotate, the cam  1216  becomes disengaged with the first cam follower  1222 . The second acutely angled second surface  1219  of the cam  1216  then comes into contact with a surface of the second cam follower  1226  and drives the second cam follower  1226 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1210 , back toward the first bristle holder  814 . As this back and forth motion is repeated (as the shaft  1218  continues to rotate), a scrubbing action is provided by the reciprocating or translating motion that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , in a fifth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1310  is movably mounted in slots (not shown, but similar to the slots  912  illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in an reciprocating or translating, longitudinal motion, by a cam  1316  included on a driving shaft  1318 . Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports  1317 . The shaft supports may include C or U shaped portions (not shown) that are operative to receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining a shaft in a support are known in the art. The cam  1316  is sinusoidal or curvilinear in nature in that it has one or more adjacent arcuate bends  1319  and  1320  in the shaft  1318 . The arcuate bends  1319 ,  1320  have each have an apex  1321 , and the apexes  1321  are disposed on opposite sides of the driving shaft  1318 . A cam follower  1322  depends from a bottom surface  1323  of the second bristle holder  1310  and is disposed between the apexes  1321  of the cam  1316 . As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1318 , a first surface  1325  of the cam  1316  comes into contact with a first surface  1324  of the cam follower  1322  and drives the cam follower  1322 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1310  away from the first bristle holder  814  in a direction along the longitudinal axis  818  of the head portion  816 . As the shaft  1318  continues to rotate, the apex  1321  passes and becomes disengaged with the first cam follower surface  1324 . A second surface  1326  of the cam  1316  then comes into contact with a second surface  1426  of the cam follower  1322  and the drives the cam follower  1322 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1310  back toward the first bristle holder  814 . As this back and forth motion is repeated (as the shaft  1318  continues to rotate), a scrubbing action is provided by the reciprocating or translating motion that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . The stroke and frequency of the reciprocating or translating motion can be varied by changing the spacing between the apexes and/or the amplitude, shape, or height of the apexes. 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , in a sixth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810 , a second bristle holder  1508  is movably mounted to the toothbrush head  816  with a pivot  1510 , which can be provided in the form of a pin or hinge. The pivot  1510  is installed at a centrally located transverse axis of the second bristle holder  1508 . In one embodiment, the second bristle holder  1508  pivots about a pin, which is anchored in the sidewalls of the toothbrush neck or head  816  at the midpoint of the second bristle holder  1508 . The second bristle holder  1508  is separately driven in a vibratory, swinging, teetering or rocking motion by a cam comprised of first  1512  and second  1514  cam portions included on a driving shaft  1518 . Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports  1519 . The shaft supports may include C or U shaped portions (not shown) that are operative to receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining a shaft in a support are known in the art. The cam portions  1512 ,  1514  can comprise one or more rectilinear, curvilinear, or other bends in the shaft  1518 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 15  the first cam portion  1512  is located adjacent a first side of the pivot and the second cam portion  1514  is located adjacent a second side of the pivot. The second cam portion  1514  can comprise a portion of the remote-most end or cam (not shown but similar to the remote-most end or cam  20  of  FIG. 3 ) of the shaft  1518 . First  1520  and second  1522  cam contact surfaces are located on a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1508 . As is the case with all the described embodiments, the amplitude or height of the bends or eccentricities that make up the first and second cam portions  1512 ,  1514  are large enough reach the related cam contact surface(s) and to drive the second bristle holder a desired distance toward, into, across or along a toothbrush users teeth. 
   Changing the distance between the apexes and the pivot point can vary the required amplitude or height. Changing the distance between the apexes and the pivot point may affect a required or desired torque delivered by the motor  819 . As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1518 , the first cam portion  1512  comes into contact with the first cam contact surface  1520  and drives or lifts (relative to the figure) a first end  1530  of the second bristle holder  1508  causing the first end  1530  to rock or move about the pivot  1510  in a direction away from the head portion  816  and toward the teeth of a toothbrush user (not shown). This action lowers a second end  1526  of the second bristle holder back toward the head portion  816 . As the shaft  1518  continues to rotate, the first cam portion  1512  becomes disengaged with the first cam contact surface  1520  and the second cam portion  1514  engages the second cam contact surface  1522 . The second cam portion  1514  drives or lifts (relative to the figure) the second end  1526  of the second bristle holder  1508  causing the second end  1526  to rock or move about the pivot  1510  in a direction away from the head portion  816  and toward the teeth of the toothbrush user. This action lowers a first end  1530  of the second bristle holder back toward the head portion  816 . During use, as the first and second cam portions  1512 ,  1514  alternately come in contact with the first and second cam contact surfaces  1520 ,  1522 , bristles of the second bristle holder  1508  are urged against teeth of the user with varying degrees of force. Preferably, bristles of the second bristle holder  1508  are urged between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning and flossing function. As the rocking or pivoting motion is repeated (as the shaft  1518  continues to rotate), a flossing or deep cleaning motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 16 , in a seventh embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1608  is movably mounted to the toothbrush head  816  with a pivot  1610 , which can be provided in the form of a pin or of a hinge installed at a transverse axis of the second bristle holder  1608 . In one embodiment, the second bristle holder  1608  pivots about a pin, which is anchored in the sidewalls of the toothbrush neck at the midpoint of the second bristle holder  1608 . The transverse axis is, for example, adjacent to a first end  1612  of the second bristle holder  1608 . The second bristle holder  1608  is separately driven in a vibratory, swinging, pivoting or rocking motion by a cam  1614  included on a driving shaft  1618 . Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports  1619 . The shaft supports may include C or U shaped portions (not shown) that are operative to receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining a shaft in a support are known in the art. The cam  1614  may be a portion of a remote-most end of the shaft  1618  (not shown but similar to the remote-most end or cam  20  of  FIG. 3 ). The cam  1614  can comprise one or more bends in the shaft  1618 . For example, the bends can be rectilinear, curvilinear or other kinds of bends. A cam contact surface  1622  is located on a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1608  adjacent to a second end  1626  thereof. As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1618 , the cam  1614  comes into contact with the cam contact surface  1622  and drives or lifts (relative to the figure) the second end  1626  of the second bristle holder  1608  causing the second end  1626  of the second bristle holder  1608  to rock or move about the pivot  1610  in a direction away from the head portion  816  and toward the teeth of a toothbrush user (not shown). As the shaft  1618  continues to rotate, the cam  1614  becomes disengaged with the cam contact surface  1622 . During use, as the cam  1614  comes in contact with the cam contact surface  1622 , bristles of the second bristle holder  1608  are urged against teeth of the user with a varying degree of force. Preferably, bristles of the second bristle holder  1608  are urged between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning and flossing function. As the cam disengages with the contact surface  1622 , bristles pressing against the teeth of the user urge the second bristle holder away from the users teeth and back toward the head portion  816 . As this swinging or pivoting motion is repeated (as the shaft  1618  continues to rotate), a flossing or deep cleaning motion is provided that is distinct from, and complimentary to, the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 , in a eighth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1810  is movably mounted in slots  1812  in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in a reciprocating or translating, transverse motion within the slots  1812  by a cam  1816  included on a driving shaft  1818 . The cam  1816  can comprise an appropriately shaped bead placed over or molded and fixedly secured to the shaft  1818 . For example, the bead is shaped as and eccentric cam. Alternatively, the cam can include one or more rectilinear, curvilinear or other kind of bend. First  1822  and second  1826  cam followers depend from a bottom surface of the second bristle holder  1810 . The cam followers are, for example, offset from the longitudinal axis  818  of the second bristle holder and straddle or capture the cam  1816 . As the motor  819  (see  FIG. 8 ) rotates the shaft  1818 , the cam  1816  comes into contact with a surface  1821  of the first cam follower  1822  and drives the first cam follower  1822 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1810  away from a first side  1828  of the head portion  816  along a transverse axis  1830  of the head portion  816 . As the shaft  1818  continues to rotate, the cam  1816  becomes disengaged with the first cam follower  1822 . The cam  1816  then comes into contact with a surface  1825  of the second cam follower  1826  and drives the second cam follower  1826 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1810  back toward the first side  1828  of the head portion  816 . As this back and forth or side to side motion is repeated (as the shaft  1818  continues to rotate), a sweeping motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 19  in a ninth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush  810  a second bristle holder  1910  is movably mounted in slots (not shown) in the toothbrush head  816  and separately driven in an reciprocating or translating, longitudinal motion, by a cam  1916  included on a driving shaft  1918 . The cam  1916  can comprise a shaped bead, with an appropriate configuration, placed or molded over and firmly secured to the shaft  1918 . The cam  1916  includes a reversing spiral or helical groove  1920 . The spiral or helical groove extends around a circumference of the bead and spirals about a longitudinal axis of the bead. For example, the longitudinal axis coincides with the shaft  1918 . A cam follower  1922  depends from a bottom surface  1923  of the second bristle holder  1910 . The cam follower  1922  is slidingly received within the spiral groove  1920 . As the motor  819  of the enhanced toothbrush  810  rotates the shaft  1918 , a first surface  1924  of the spiral groove  1920  comes into contact with a first surface  1925  of the cam follower  1922  and drives the cam follower  1922 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1910  away from the first bristle holder  814  along the longitudinal axis  818  of the head portion  816 . As the shaft  1918  continues to rotate, the cam follower  1922  reaches an apex  1926  of the spiral groove  1920  and the first surface  1924  of the spiral groove  1920  becomes disengaged with the first cam surface  1925 . A second surface  1928  of the spiral groove  1920  then comes into contact with a second surface  1930  of the cam follower  1922  and drives the cam follower  1922 , and therefore, the second bristle holder  1910  back toward the first bristle holder  814 . As this back and forth motion is repeated (as the shaft  1918  continues to rotate), a scrubbing motion is provided that is distinct from and complimentary to the motion provided by the first bristle holder  814 . Optionally cam  1916  is eccentrically mounted on the shaft  1918  and the longitudinal axis of the bead or cam  1916  does not coincide with the shaft  1918 . In this case, if the cam follower  1922  is made long enough to ride on the bottom of the spiral groove  1920 , a lifting or vertical pulsing force is provided to the second bristle holder as the eccentrically mounted came is rotated by the shaft. Alternately, or additionally, the depth of the groove is varied. The variation in depth provides lifting or vertical pulsing forces to the cam follower and therefore to the second bristle holder. The spiral groove may be replaced with a groove that cycles back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the bead several times as it circles the bead. This sort of groove can be used to increase the reciprocating frequency of the second bristle holder. 
   With the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated for simplicity with bristles, which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  818  and the surface (for example see  1115  of  FIG. 11 ) of the bristle holders, it is contemplated that the bristles might be arranged differently to complement or further enhance the motions of the first and/or second bristle holders. Referring to  FIG. 20 , some or all of the bristles might extend in a direction which forms an acute angle  2008  to a surface  2006  of the bristle holder and extends in a direction toward or away from the handle, such as shown by way of example in  FIG. 20  with respect to bristles  2010  and  2014  respectively. Referring to  FIG. 21 , in another embodiment, some of the bristles might extend outwardly away from head, in another direction, again forming an acute angle  2108  with respect to the surface of the bristle holder, as shown by way of example in  FIG. 21  with respect to bristles  2110  and  2114 . Massaging bristles or bristles of varying height might also be used, such as described in U.S. Patent Nos. Des. 330,286, Des. 434,563, the substances of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other preferred bristle arrangements suitable for use include those arrangements described in whole or part in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,006,394; 4,081,876; 5,046,213; 5,335,389; 5,392,483; 5,446,940; 4,894,880; and international publication no. WO 99/23910; the substances of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   The described embodiments have been described with certain words and phrases that attempt to describe certain motions. Motion can either be constant or vibratory. One example of a constant motion is simple rotation where an element angularly moves in a single direction (e.g., a bristle holder which only rotates clockwise or swivels clockwise in a cone like envelope) or translates in a single direction. Vibration is any periodic movement having repeated cycles. Vibratory motion can have one or more frequencies and amplitudes. Vibratory movement which is substantially linear is referred to herein as a reciprocating motion. Reciprocating motion can occur in a number of directions, such as substantially horizontal, substantially vertical (i.e., a lifting or pulsating motion), and combinations thereof. Vibratory movement which is substantially rotational in nature is referred to herein as an oscillatory or pivoting motion. 
   Because most motions can be complex in nature (i.e., include elements of other types of motion), the use of the above-described terms herein can include other motions, unless stated otherwise (e.g. reciprocates only), in addition to the basic or primary motion described by the term. So, for example, a motion which is described herein as reciprocating may also include other vibratory or constant movements even though the primary movement is reciprocatory in nature. 
   The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understandings this specification. For example, while certain have been described as comprising bends in a shaft and other cams have been described as including appropriately shaped beads secured to a shaft, the cams are not limited to the suggested form. Indeed, bends may be substituted for beads and beads may be substituted for bends. For example,  FIG. 22  illustrates a tenth embodiment that is similar to the fifth embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . However, in the tenth embodiment the cam  2216  is formed as an appropriately configured complex bead fixedly placed or co-molded over the shaft  2218 . The cam  2216  provides shapes  2218 ,  2220  with surfaces that serve an equivalent purpose to the arcuate bends  1319 ,  1320  described in reference to the fifth embodiment. Where first and second cam portions or surfaces are described or referenced, the portions or surfaces can be considered to be or implemented as separate cams. Where cams or cam portions are illustrated with one eccentricity or bent shape, multiple eccentricities or bent shapes may be included. Each added eccentricity or bent shape would increase the frequency with witch the related bristle holder vibrates, pulses, pivots, swivels, rocks, oscillates, reciprocates or translates. Additionally, where multiple eccentricities are included, they may be of varying amplitude, thereby providing varying bristle holder movement amplitudes. It is intended that all such modifications and alternations are included insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. 
   All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

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