US20040143920A1 - Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush with a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a first section and a second section forming an oblique angle. A projector of a beam of light located within the handle. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a grip attached to the base. A method of using a toothbrush including the step of gripping the toothbrush. The method further including the step of engaging the projector of a beam of light. The method still further including the step of utilizing the toothbrush while the projector of a light beam is activated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to an illuminated toothbrush and a method for using an illuminated toothbrush.[0001]
• In the design and use of a toothbrush, there is a need for illumination. Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a projector of a beam of light within a toothbrush handle to provide for lighting the handle.[0002]
• In the design of toothbrush handles for illumination, there is a need for maximizing the amount of light that is directed towards the user. Therefore, a further objective of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush handle that maximizes the amount of light transmitted, reflected, and refracted within its handle towards the user.[0003]
• Also in the design of toothbrush handles, there is a need for indicating an increment of time in which a user is brushing their teeth. Therefore, a still further objective of the present invention is to provide a timing circuit so that a user can identify an amount of time passed while brushing their teeth.[0004]
• A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a novel device to encourage a user to brush their teeth.[0005]
• A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a device with is easy to use and economical to manufacture.[0006]
• The means and method of accomplishing these and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.[0007]
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The foregoing objects may be achieved by a toothbrush with a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a first section and a second section forming an oblique angle. A projector of a beam of light located within the handle. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a grip attached to the base.[0008]
• The foregoing objects may also be achieved by a toothbrush having a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a chamber therein. A projector of a beam of light within the chamber. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a grip attached to the base.[0009]
• The foregoing objects may still further be achieved by a method of using a toothbrush. The method uses a toothbrush having a handle and an illumination circuit. The toothbrush handle having a base, a body, and a head. The toothbrush illumination circuit having a projector of a beam of light connected to a switch. The method including the step of gripping the toothbrush. The method further including the step of engaging the switch for completing the illumination circuit. The method still further including the step of activating a projector of a light beam within the toothbrush. The method still further including the step of utilizing the toothbrush while the projector of a light beam is activated.[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush showing the lines of transmission, reflection, and refraction of a light beam emitted by a projector of a light beam.[0011]
• FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 showing the brush side of the toothbrush.[0012]
• FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 showing the non-brush side of the toothbrush.[0013]
• FIG. 4 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 showing the chamber preferentially placed near the non-brush side.[0014]
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the toothbrush with the grip removed exposing the toothbrush base and illumination circuit held within.[0015]
• FIG. 6 is an exploded top view of the toothbrush grip, base, and lower section of toothbrush handle showing the placement of the illumination circuit within the toothbrush handle.[0016]
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the grip of FIG. 6.[0017]
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the base in FIG. 6 showing the indentations for containing the positive terminal conductors.[0018]
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the illumination circuit without the power supply.[0019]
• FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the illumination circuit.[0020]
• FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the illumination circuit.[0021]
• FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of the illumination circuit.[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• Referring to the drawings,[0023]numeral10 generally refers to the illuminated toothbrush of the present invention which comprises ahandle12, anillumination circuit14, abrush16, and agrip18.
• The[0024]handle12 has abase20, abody21, and ahead26. The body has afirst section22 and asecond section24. Thehandle12 is formed of hard, clear plastic. Alternatively, thehandle12 may be a colored plastic. Alternatively, thehandle12 may be a translucent plastic. Alternatively, thehandle12 may be fashioned out of a plastic incorporatingmetallic flake90.
• The[0025]toothbrush handle12 is formed through an injection molding process. Plastic in a liquid form is injected into a mold having two sections. Liquid plastic is injected into the mold where it is then allowed to solidify. When the mold is opened it creates a handle having abrush side28 and anon-brush side30. At the intersection of these twosides28,30, is aridge32. Theridge32 is a surface characteristic resulting from the injection molding process. Theridge32 does not extend inside thehandle12 but exists on the surface. The injection molding process in constructing of thetoothbrush handle12 is conventional and does not form a part of the present invention.
• As seen in FIGS. 5, 6, and[0026]8, thehandle12 has ahandle base20. Thebase20 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a circumferential groove orcavity44 therein. The circumferential groove has a centerline. Thebase20 has anoutside surface34, aninside surface36, afirst end38, and asecond end40. On theoutside surface34 of thebase20 are threeannular rings42. Theannular rings42 provide a ledge upon which thegrip18 holds.
• The[0027]inside surface36 defines acavity44. Theinside surface36 hasfirst indentation46 and asecond indentation48. Thecavity44 serves as a housing for theillumination circuit14. The first andsecond indentation46,48 serve as a guide for positioning theillumination circuit14 within thebase20.
• A[0028]chamber50 extends within thesection22. Thechamber50 has afirst end52 and asecond end54. Thechamber50 is generally cylindrical in shape. Thefirst end52 is rounded and provides a transition between thechamber50 filled full of air and thefirst section22 which is of plastic. The air is inherently present as a result of assembly at a time after the handle was formed. Alternatively, the chamber may be filled full of a material in a process separate from the forming of the handle.
• The[0029]second end54 of thechamber50 is open to thefirst end38 of thebase20. Thefirst section chamber50 is in off-center alignment with thebase20. As seen in FIG. 8, thefirst section chamber50 is in off-center alignment with the base20 to allow the projector of a light beam or illuminatingmember60 to emit alight beam104 that travels through thefirst section22 and to strike theinterface114 between thesecond section24 and atmosphere. At this interface, alight beam106 is reflected towards thehandle head26 and alight beam108 is refracted towards atmosphere.
• The[0030]first section chamber50 is also positioned in off-center alignment with the base20 because in thefirst section22 is ergometrically designed to accommodate a user's grip. In the ergometric design, thebrush side28 of thefirst section22 is contoured and thenon brush side30 of thefirst section22 is flat. In addition, thebrush side28 of thefirst section22 arrives at a point of thesecond section24 at a greater angle than thenon brush side30. In other words, theillumination circuit14 extends within thefirst section22 substantially parallel to the center line of thebase member20 but thefirst section22brush side28 angles toward the inner point where thefirst section22 meets thesecond section24 and thenon brush side30 portion of thefirst section22 also angles toward the point where thefirst section22 meets thesecond section24. Thus, for thefirst section chamber50 to extend the furthest into thefirst section22 of thehandle12, thefirst section chamber50 must be positioned closer to thenon-brush side30 of thefirst section22.
• The[0031]illumination circuit14 has an illuminating member or projector of alight beam60, aresistor62, atiming circuit64, and apower source66. These parts are joined by conductor. The conductors serve structural functions. The illuminatingmember conductor68 provides a support structure extending the illuminating member60 a distance away from thetiming circuit64. Thenegative terminal conductor70 is a spring which presses against thepower source66. Thepositive terminal conductor72 extends away from thetiming circuit64 to embrace three batteries. Thepositive terminal conductor72 is also sized to stabilize theillumination circuit14 within thebase20 as thepositive terminal conductor72 is sized to fit within thefirst indentation46 and thesecond indentation48 of thebase20.
• The[0032]illumination member60 in this embodiment is a light emitting diode (LED). Alternatively, the illuminatingmember60 could be an incandescent lightbulb. Alternatively, theillumination member60 may be any other device known in the art that may provide illumination.
• The[0033]power source66 is a micro cell battery model number G3-ACNB. Three batteries are placed in serial within thebase20. The timing circuit functions to illuminate the illuminatingmember60 for approximately 60 seconds. The illuminatingmember60 also serves to control the illuminatingmember60 to blink intermittently for the time period in which it is engaged. Alternately, theillumination member60 may stay on continuously.
• The[0034]brush16 has bristles80. The bristle80 has afirst end82 and a second end84. The bristle second end84 is embedded in thehead26 of thehandle20. The bristle80 are made of clear plastic material. The bristle80 when struck by light traveling from the illuminatingmember60 through thefirst section22 and thesecond section24 illuminate. A portion of the light striking thebristle80 may reflect through thebristle80 and extend out of thebristle80. Thebrush16 is made of a series of individual bristle80.
• The[0035]grip18 is made of a flexible material. Thegrip18 also serves to function as a switch. Thegrip18 has an extending piece or switch74 of flexible material as seen in FIG. 7. Thepiece74 moves the positiveterminal metal conductor72 to contact thepower source66. Alternatively, thepiece74 moves thepower source66 to contact the positiveterminal metal conductor72. In doing so thepiece74 movesillumination circuit14 from an unilluminated position to a ruminated position. Thegrip18 stays in place on thebase20 by engaging the annular rings42 on theoutside surface34 of thebase20. An adhesive88 is positioned between thefirst section22 and thegrip18 to hold thegrip18 in close connection with thefirst section22.
• The[0036]grip18 is made of a flexible material. Alternatively, thegrip18 may be of a hard material but have a flexible portion that may be used to engage thepositive terminal conductor72 and press against thepower source66.
• In operation the illuminated[0037]toothbrush10 is used by a user to indicate the duration of an amount of time. The user grips the toothbrush handle12 in their hand with thebristle80 surface with thebristles80 against their teeth and engages theillumination circuit switch74. The illuminatingmember60 begins to blink intermittently in an on/off fashion. The illuminatingmember60 continues to blink for a period of approximately 60 seconds. The handle is designed to direct light to the user in multiple way so that the user may be accurately appraised of brushing time.
• A[0038]light beam100 travels from the illuminatingdevice14 through afirst section chamber50. Thelight beam100 strikes aninterface112 between the first section chamber and the first section and alight beam102 is partially reflected off of the interface and alight beam104 is refracted enters the first chamber. Thelight beam104 travels through thefirst section22 to strike upon aninterface114 between thesecond section24 and atmosphere. Alight beam106 is reflected from interface144 towardhead26 and alight beam108 is refracted towards atmosphere. Thelight beam106 then strikes aninterface116 between thehead26 and bristle80 where it is partially reflected and refracted.
• Alternatively, the toothbrush handle may have a metallic piece or flake embedded in the hardened plastic. The angle of reflection upon the flake is equal to the angle of incidence upon the flake. These[0039]metallic pieces90 may be glitter. In operation, light will strike thesemetallic pieces90 at an angle of incidence and the reflectedlight beam110 directed at an angle of reflection as seen in FIG. 1.
• In the drawings and specifications there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention in the following claims.[0040]

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle having a base, a body, and a head;

the body having a first section and a second section forming an oblique angle;

a projector of a beam of light located within the handle;

at least one bristle attached to the head;

a grip attached to the base.

2. The toothbrush ofclaim 1 further comprising a switch for control of the projector of a beam of light from a non-illuminating position to an illuminating position.

3. The illuminated toothbrush handle ofclaim 2 wherein the switch is a flexible member attached to the base.

4. The toothbrush ofclaim 3 further comprising a timing circuit limiting the operation of the projector of a beam of light to approximately 60 seconds.

5. The toothbrushclaim 4 wherein the first section has a chamber therein, the projector of a beam of light located within the chamber.

6. The toothbrush ofclaim 5 wherein a light beam is transmitted from the projector, the light beam partially reflected off an interface between the chamber and the first section, the light beam partially refracted off the interface between the chamber and the first section.

7. The toothbrush ofclaim 6 wherein the light beam is partially reflected off of an interface between the second section and atmosphere toward the head, the light beam partially refracted into the atmosphere.

8. The toothbrush ofclaim 7 wherein the light beam is partially reflected off of an interface between the head and the bristle, the light beam partially refracted into the bristle.

9. The toothbrush ofclaim 8 wherein the light beam is partially reflected off of at least one metallic flake imbedded in the body.

10. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle having a base, a body, and a head;

the body having a chamber therein;

a projector of a beam of light within the chamber;

at least one bristle attached to the head.

a grip attached to the base.

11. The toothbrush ofclaim 10 further comprising a switch for control of the projector of a beam of light from a non-illuminating position to an illuminating position.

12. The illuminated toothbrush handle ofclaim 11 wherein the switch is a flexible member attached to the base.

13. The toothbrush ofclaim 12 further comprising a timing circuit limiting the operation of the projector of a beam of light to approximately 60 seconds.

14. The toothbrush ofclaim 13 wherein a light beam is transmitted from the projector, the light beam partially reflected off an interface between the chamber and the body, the light beam partially refracted off the interface between the chamber and the body.

15. The toothbrush ofclaim 14 wherein the base has a circumferential groove therein, the circumferenital groove located adjacent the chamber, the circumferential groove having a centerline.

16. The toothbrush ofclaim 15 wherein a centerline of the chamber is in offset alignment with the circumferential groove centerline.

17. A method of using a toothbrush having a handle and an illumination circuit, the handle having a base, a body, and a head, the illumination circuit having a projector of a beam of light connected to a switch, the method comprising:

gripping the toothbrush;

engaging the switch for completing the illumination circuit;

activating a projector of a light beam within the toothbrush;

utilizing the toothbrush while the projector of a light beam is activated.

18. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the step of engaging the switch comprises longitudinal pressing a grip attached to the base of the toothbrush towards the body.

19. The method ofclaim 18 further comprising the step of intermittent engaging the projector of a light beam.

20. The method ofclaim 19 further comprising the step of deactivating the projector of a light beam after approximately 60 seconds.

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