US3771186A - Hydraulically operated hand appliance for personal hygiene - Google Patents

Abstract

A unitary hand appliance, driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, alternatively oscillates an appliance head such as a toothbrush head or supplies liquid pressure pulses to an appliance head such as a water jet head. The appliance is controlled for either type of operation by a manually operated control ring at the front end thereof which controls valve means toward the rear of the appliance. Advantageously a two-tube recirculating appliance is employed, and the control means is designed so that the appliance can also be turned on and off by the front control ring. The control mechanism and appliance heads may be designed to insure proper positioning of the control ring for each type of appliance head.

Description

United States Patent [191 Moret et al.

1 Nov. 13, 1973 [75] Inventors: Michel A. Moret; Pierre J. Jousson,

both of Geneva, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Etablissements SOPHINDAR,

Vaduz, Liechtenstein {22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 244,879

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 117,466, Feb. 22, 1971,

abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1965 Murov et al. 15/22R 12/1969 Deines et al. 1, 15/22R 10/1970 Moret 128/50 2/1971 Trenary et a1. 15/22 R Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-Dean S. Edmonds et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A unitary hand appliance, driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, alternatively oscillates an appliance head such as a toothbrush head or supplies liquid pressure pulses to an appliance head such as a water jet head. The appliance is controlled for either type of operation by a manually operated control ring at the front end thereof which controls valve means toward the rear of the appliance. Advantageously a two-tube recirculating appliance is employed, and the control means is designed so that the appliance can also be turned on and off by the front control ring. The control mechanism and appliance heads may be designed to insure proper positioning of the control ring for each type of appliance head.

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INVENTQRS MICHEL MORET PIERRE J. JOUSSON TORNEYS HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED HAND APPLIANCE FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE This is a continuation, of US. Pat. application Ser. No. ll7,466, filed Feb. 22, 1971 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Power driven toothbrushes and water jet devices are now well known for oral hygiene, and supplement each other for proper care of the teeth and gums. Most commonly, at the present time, separate devices are used for the purpose. Thus electric toothbrushes and hydraulic water jet devices are widely known, the latter utilizing a pump unit which delivers water pressure pulses to a jet tip which is inserted in the mouth.

Water-powered toothbrushes are known, and also separate toothbrush and water jet appliances which may be attached through suitable fittings to a pump unit. The latter are inconvenient for toothbrush use, since they require attaching a separate handle device containing an hydraulic motor to the pump unit by means of an adaptor fitting, as well as inserting a toothbrush stem. Such devices commonly require turning the apparatus on and off at the pump unit to avoid splashing, both when using an attachment and when changing attachments, and require a separate purging operation when using a toothbrush attachment in order to eliminate air from the hydraulic system.

In US. Pat. No. 3,536,065 a unitary hand appliance is described which can be permanently attached to a pump unit and is adapted for either toothbrush or water jet operation by simply changing the appliance head and actuating valves in the hand appliance. This greatly simplifies the use of the appliance for both purposes. Also, preferably a two-tube connection between the pump and hand appliance is employed, so that water can be recirculated back to the pump unit, thereby permitting operation of the hand appliance to be turned off at the appliance itself while the pump unit is running, and also eliminating the need for a separate purging operation when using the toothbrush stem.

The present invention is an improvement on the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,536,065 and is particularly designed to simplify operation for the user. Certain features are applicable to single-tube as well as two-tube appliances, although two-tube recirculating appliances are preferred.

Although especially designed for toothbrush and water jet operation, the invention can be employed with other types of appliance heads requiring, alternatively, an oscillating drive and liquid pressure pulses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, alternative control for oscillation and water jet uses is provided by a control member mounted at the front end of the appliance handle, so as to enable convenient actuation by the forefinger and thumb, while the handle remains gripped by the remaining fingers and palm. The control member actuates valve means which is located considerably rearward in the handle so as to control the water pulse supply near its point of entry. Advantageously the control member is a ring encircling the front end of the handle casing and arranged for longitudinal sliding to its various positions.

Preferably a two-tube recirculating system is employed and the control means is designed so that the appliance can be turned of by the control member,

thereby enabling control of all three operations by a single, conveniently positioned control member.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, means are provided so that one or both of the toothbrush and water jet heads establish the proper position of the control member for the operation of that head.

Also, positive detents are provided for water jet operation so that the water jet head is held axially in place but allowed manual rotation thereof, while at the same time means are provided for positively oscillating a toothbrush head.

Provision can also be made to permit varying the pressure of the liquid pulses by the control member, thereby avoiding the need to adjust pressure at the pump unit. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the description of the specific embodiments given hereinafter.

Although particularly designed for use with toothbrush and water jet heads, the appliance could be used with other types of attachments requiring an oscillating drive or liquid pressure pulses.

Although water will commonly be referred to hereinafter, it will be understood that other liquids such as antiseptic solutions could be employed if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates overall apparatus utilizing a hand appliance of the invention with a toothbrush head attached thereto, and FIG. 1(a) illustrates rotational oscillation thereof;

FIG. Zillustrates the hand appliance with a water jet attachment in place;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a one-tube embodiment of the invention, partially in cross-section, with toothbrush and water jet heads attached thereto, respectively;

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), 3(0) and 3(e) are cross-sections along the lines a-a, bb, 0-0 and e-e of FIG. 3, respectively, and FIGS. 3(d) and 3(1) are details of parts of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a water jet attachment suitable for the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another one-tube embodiment of the invention with toothbrush and water jet attachments, respectively, and FIG. 6(a) is a detail of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 810 illustrate, mostly in cross-section, a twotube embodiment of the invention in water jet, toothbrush and off positions, respectively;

FIGS. 1 1-13 illustrate another two-tube embodiment of the invention, mostlyin cross-section, showing water jet, toothbrush and of positions, respectively;

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate another two-tube embodiment of the invention, mostly in cross-section, in water jet, toothbrush and off positions, respectively.

FIGS. 14(a)14(f) are cross-sections taken along respective lines a--a through ff of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15(a) is a cross-section taken along the line ad of FIG. 15; t

FIG. 17 is 'a partial cross-section of the head of a hand appliance adapted for use with a combination toothbrush and water jet attachment, and FIG. 1'7 (a) is a cross-section along the line aa of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 18 is aperspective view of a combination toothbrush and water jet appliance usable with the arrangement of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a pump unit generally designated as is connected to a hand appliance generally designated as 11 by flexible conduit means, here shown as a pair offlexible tubes 12 and 13. The pump unit has awater reservoir 14 and thelower part 15 contains a pump and drive motor for supplying liquid pressure pulses tooutlet tube 12.Tube 13 serves as a return line. The pump unit may be provided with means for regulating the water pressure, controlled byknob 16, apower switch 17, and anindicator light 18. In some embodiments described hereinafter, only a single tube is employed, andtube 13 may be omitted. Suitable pump units are known in the art and need not be described specifically.

Hand appliance 11- is elongated so that it can readily be grasped, and is shown with atoothbrush head 21 attached at the front end thereof. A manuallyactuable control member 22 is mounted at the front end of the hand appliance so that it can conveniently be actuated by the forefinger and thumb, while the appliance is grasped by the other fingers and palm.

The hand appliance 11 contains a hydraulic motor driven by pressure pulses fromline 12 and designated to oscillate thetoothbrush 21 under the control ofmember 22. Preferably rotational oscillation is produced, as illustrated in FIG. 1a.

FIG. 2 showshand appliance 1 1 with awater jet head 24 attached thereto. By suitably movingcontrol member 22, the hydraulic motor is stopped, and the pressure pulses fromtube 12 supplied through conduit means in hand appliance 11 to thejet head 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 3a-e and 4, a hand appliance is shown using only onetube 12 for receiving liquid pressure pulses from thepump unit 15, and having two operating positions of thecontrol member 22. FIGS. 3 and 4 show operation with toothbrush and water jet heads 21 and 24, respectively. In most of the hand appliance the parts have rotational symmetry, and departures therefrom will be evident from the difference in the figures.

Insofar as practical, parts which are separately formed for convenience of manufacture, but fastened together in use, have cross-section lines extending across the line whereat the parts are joined, so as to facilitate understanding. Departures from this will be evident from the description.

Elongated casing 31 forms a handle, andtube 12 is connected at the rear of the casing to anaxially extending conduit 32 which connects with an hydraulic motor comprising ahollow piston 33 longitudinally reciprocating in a cylinder having arear section 34 and aforward section 35. The diameter of therear section 34 is somewhat larger than that of the piston, leaving anannular space 36 through which water may flow to a series of circumferentially spacedapertures 37 in the wall of therear cylinder section 34. Theannular space 36 is closed at its forward end by aseal 38.

Flow throughapertures 37 is controlled bycontrol member 22 mounted at the front end of the casing.Member 22 is ring shaped and profiled on the outside for convenient finger operation. It is connected through a cylindrical slidingsleeve 39 to a rotationallysymmetrical valve section 41 nearapertures 37. Aseal 42 prevents rearward water flow.Compression spring 40 bears againstcasing 31 and seal 42 to urge the control assembly to its forward position. The outer lip 22' extends over the front end ofcasing 31, and the recess between 22' andsleeve 39 serves to limit rearward movement of the control member, as seen in FIG. 4.

An O-ring seal 43 abuts against an enlargement 34' of therear cylinder section 34. Consequently, in the forward position ofcontrol member 22 shown in FIG. 3,valve section 41 presses against ring-seal 43 and no water flows thereby. Thus apertures 37 are effectively closed and the full pressure of the incoming pressure pulses is applied topiston 33.

Each pressurepulse forces piston 33 forward.Compression spring 44, bearing against abutments onpiston 33 andforward cylinder section 35, provides a return force to cause the piston to reciprocate. Abushing 45 serves to join rear andforward cylinder sections 34' and 35, and extends forwardly thereof as seen in FIG. 4. Asleeve 46 is rotatably mounted in the forward part ofbushing 45.Pin 47 is mounted in the forward end ofpiston 33 and projects into alongitudinal slot 48 inbushing 45 which prevents rotation of the piston.Pin 47 passes through ahelical slot 49 in sleeve 46 (see FIG. 3d) so that longitudinal reciprocation ofpiston 33 produces rotational oscillation ofsleeve 46.

The forward end ofsleeve 46 forms a socket for receiving appliance heads. The axiallyinner portion 51 of the socket has a smaller internal diameter, the axiallyintermediate portion 52 has a larger internal diameter, and theaxially forward portion 53 has an intermediate internal diameter. Theforward portion 53 has anaxial slot 54 for the reception of apin 55 of an appliance head requiring a rotationally oscillating drive.

FIG. 3 shows atoothbrush head 21 inserted in the socket. A hollow protectingshank portion 56 of the attachment fits intoinner portion 51 of the socket and is sealed therein by O-ring 57. Anintermediate diameter portion 58 of the attachment abuts against the step in the socket betweensections 51 and 52 to limit the degree of insertion.Pin 55 entersslot 54 in the forward section of the socket, and therefore the toothbrush is rotationally oscillated by the socket.

Referring to FIG. 4, thecontrol member 22 is shown in its rearward position, andvalve member 41 has been moved rearward to openapertures 37. A cylindrical channel 61 extends forwardly from outside O-ring 43 and between the slidingsleeve 39 and fixedbushing 45.

The forward end of channel 61 is closed by aseal 60.

The forward end ofbushing 45 has circumferentially arranged apertures 62 (FIG. 3]) and a larger internal diameter so that water from channel 61 flows throughapertures 62 and circumferentially arrangedapertures 63 insleeve 46 to the interior of the sleeve. The front end ofsleeve 46 is open so that liquid pressure pulses are discharged therethrough in this rearward position of thecontrol ring 22 andvalve 41.

In this position ofvalve 41, the input pressure pulses fromconduit 32 are bypassed around thepiston 33, so that insufficient pressure is applied to the piston to drive the hydraulic motor mechanism.

In FIG. 4, a portion of ajet nozzle 24 is shown inserted in the front socket of the appliance handle. The construction of the nozzle is shown in FIG. 5. Theshank tubular portion 64fitsinto stocket section 51 and passage of water around the outside thereof is prevented by Oring 57. Accordingly the pressure pulses pass into theinternal passage 62 to the jet tip.

The jet nozzle has a pair of diametrically spaceddetents 66 onspring arms 67 radially spaced fromtubular portion 64. Thus, when the nozzle is inserted, thedetents 66 engage in the larger diameter axiallyintermediate section 52 ofthe socket, so as to prevent the nozzle from being ejected by the water pressure pulses. However, the nozzle can be freely rotated by hand by graspingsections 68 thereof. Theshank portion 64 may be somewhat enlarged at 64' to bear againstsocket portion 51 and serve as a stop when inserting the nozzle. To remove the nozzle, the spring arms are moved inward by pressing onprojections 69 to disengage thedetents 66. A

In this embodiment the forward position ofcontrol member 22 corresponds to toothbrush action, and the rearward position to jet action.Shoulder 71 of the jet nozzle attachment is axially positioned relative todetents 66 so that, ifcontrol member 22 is in its forward position, the insertion of the jet nozzle will automatically move the control member to its jet operating position. Also, inasmuch as the control'member is urged forwardly byspring 40, thedetents 66 hold the control member in its rearward position, thereby making it unnecessary for the operator to do so. This not only eliminates an awkward and somewhat tedious effort on the part of the user, but also frees his forefinger and thumb I to rotate the jet nozzle as desired. Upon removal of the jet nozzle,spring 40 automatically movescontrol ring 22 forward to stop flow of water through the front socket.

It is possible to eliminatespring 40 by designing the bypass channel so that equal forward and rearward pressures are applied to the control assembly. Thus if the radial projection of the forward face ofvalve section 41 is equal to the radial projection of the sealingring 60 at the forward end of channel 61, the pressure will approximately balance and thespring 40 can be eliminated, if desired. Small co-operating projections and indentations between the casing and the sliding sleeve could be used to establish the two positions of the control member. I

When operating with a toothbrush appliance head, it may be necessary to eliminate air from the hydraulic system before proper operation is obtained, as is well known in hydraulic systems. Thus, in FIG. 3 if purging of air is necessary,control member 22 may be'pulle dgroove 83 for receiving thedetents 66 of the jet nozzle shank is here made a part of thecontrol ring 22, to form an outer portion of the socket (FIG. 7). Thus, if thecontrol member 22 is in its forward position when inserting the jet nozzle head, there is no tendency to rotate the head during the insertion.

As seen in FIG. 6, the toothbrush shank has a sufficient clearance with respect to the walls ofgroove 83 to allow free oscillation thereof. 7

The differences pointed out above may be incorporatedin the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. An additional modification is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Instead of a longitudinal sliding movement of the control members, the longitudinal or axial movement is produced by apin 84, fixed incasing 31, and riding in ahelical groove 84 at the rear of the valve section 41'. This allows a fine adjustment of pressure of the jet spray directly at the handle, without readjustment of pressure at the pump.

The preceding embodiments require turning operation on and off at the pump unit, as byswitch 17 in FIG. 1. This may be awkward and require care to avoid splashing. Also, the need for purging air from the system when operating the hydraulic motor is a nuisance, and may wash paste from the toothbrush before it is used. I

, In subsequent embodiments these disadvantages are eliminated while retaining advantages of the preceding embodiments. I

Referring to FIGS. 8l0, a two-tube recirculating appliance is shown, utilizing both supply and returntubes 12,13 as specifically illustrated in FIG. 1. Provision is made for an off? position at the handle, as well as toothbrush and jet spray positions, all operated by a 5 single control member at the front of the handle. Many back momentarily to openvalve 41 and allow water to 5 flow through thecentral passage 72.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 6a and 7, a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown, still employing a single tube connection to thepump unit. Here theseals 38, 42 and 60 are replaced by O-rings 38', 42' and 60'. Also, fixed O-ring 43 in FIG. 3 is replaced by an O-ring 81 which is secured in slidingvalve member 41, andapertures 37 have shallow forward extensions 37'. Thus, as the valve assembly starts to move rearwards, at first only small pressure pulses are supplied to the forward parts of the water channel. This may be useful in purging air from the hydraulic system while maintaining sufficient pressure onpiston 33 to start oscillating the toothbrush as soon as air has been eliminated,

,and also helps to avoid washing paste from the toothbrush bristles.

The socket at the front end for receiving a toothbrush head here uses a different radial asymmetry to drive the toothbrush. Instead of a pin and slot connection, the portion of the socket designated 82 is made with an internal square configuration, and the corresponding section of the shank of the toothbrush head has a square cross-section (FIG. 6). Further, the retaining annular of the parts are similar to those of the previous figures, although differing in detail, and will be given similar designations preceded by a I. The description will be confined largely to significant differences. The conver sion of longitudinal reciprocation to rotational oscillation is similar to that previously described, and is contained between the broken lines.

FIG. 8 shows the forward position of thecontrol ring 122, which in this embodiment corresponds to jet spray operation.Outlet tube 13 isconnectedthrough conduit 191 toaperture 192 in therear cylinder section 134. O-rings 142 and 181, mounted in the slidingvalve section 141, are axially spaced so they can spanapertures 137 and 192 (FIG. 10) In the position shown in FIG. 8, the water pulses pass by O-ring 181 into the forwardly extendingannular conduit 161, thence throughpassages 163 to the interior ofsleeve 146, and out to theconduit 165 in the jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is axially retained in position bydetents 166, but allowed free manual rotation, as before.

It will be noted that in this embodiment the outer surface of theinner portion 151 of the socket has a stepped upregion 193 against which O-ring firmly presses in the jet spray position, so that no water can leak thereby.

FIG. 9 shows the mid-position of thecontrol ring 122, with a toothbrush attachment in place. In this position,apertures 137 are blocked on each side by 0-rings 142, 181, so that full pulse pressure is applied topiston 133 and oscillation of the toothbrush head is produced. With the ftoothbrush stern inserted in the socket, the pin andslot connection 155, 154 insures that the toothbrush will oscillate with the socket. In this embodiment it is unnecessary to provide for purging through the toothbrush head, and theinner channel 72 of the toothbrush ste'm shown in FIG. 3 is omitted. Inasmuch as no water need flow to the front in this operation, it is unnecessary for theshank 156 of the toothbrush stem to extend past O-ring 157, although it may do so if desired. The O-ring 160 has stepped off theenlarged region 193 of the socket, thereby reducing resistance to oscillation.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the rear position of the control members. Here pressure pulses frominlet conduit 132 can flow throughapertures 137 and 192 to theoutlet conduit 191. This bypassing action results in insufficient pressure to operate the hydraulic motor, and water is prevented from flowing forward throughannular channel 161. Consequently, the appliance head is effectively off, even though the pump unit is on.

In operation, the pump unit can be turned on, with thecontrol member 122 of the hand appliance in its rearward off position, and either appliance head attached. The continuous circulation of water back to the pump effectively removes any air from the hydraulic system so that no purging is necessary at the handle, and the hydraulic motor is ready to go immediately 1 upon moving thecontrol member 122 to its midposition. With a jet nozzle in place, the control member is moved to its forward position. Thus full control at the handle is provided, thereby making the appliance very convenient to use. Note that if the control member is in its forward position when the toothbrush head is inserted, the control member will automatically be pushed back to its mid-position.

FIGS. 11-13 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 8l0 and similar parts are similarly labeled, but using aninitial digit 2. Here O-rings 242, 281 are mounted on the exterior surface of fixedmembers 234 and 234' rather than on the slidingvalve section 241, and an additional O-ring 293 is mounted on 234' intermediate the other two. An internally enlargedsection 294 is formed in the valve section 241. This facilitates construction and assembly and in general provides better operation.Apertures 237 are located more rearwardly than in FIG. 8.

In the forward jet spray position ofcontrol member 222, as shown in FIG. 1 1, O-rings 242 and 293 close off theoutlet port 292, whereasenlarged section 294 registers with O-ring 281 and allows passage of water pulses thereby tocylindrical channel 261.

In the mid-position of the control member, for toothbrush operation, shown in FIG. 12, O-rings 242, 293 still close offoutlet port 292, but O-rings 293 and 281 now spanenlarged section 294 and block passage of water fromports 237 tochannel 261. Thus full magnitude pressure pulses are applied topiston 233 to produce oscillation of the front socket.

In the rear position of the control member, shown in FIG. 13,enlarged section 294 spansports 237 and 292, thereby recirculating the pressure pulses back to the pump unit and stopping operation of the piston. O-ring 281 blocks passage of water to channel 261. Thus the appliance head is effectively off.

At the forward end, O-ring 260 is now mounted on the external surface ofsocket portion 251 and, in the forward jet spray position of control ring 222 (FIG. 11), bears firmly against aninternal projection 295 on the slidingcontrol sleeve 239. This prevents water leakage in thejet spray position. In the mid-position of the control ring for toothbrush operation, as seen in FIG. 12, O-ring 260 does not engage thecontrol sleeve projection 295, and reduces resistance to socket rotation.

The embodiment of FIGS. 11-13 functions similarly to that of FIGS. 8-10.

Referring now to FIGS. 14, 14a-g, 15 and 16, an embodiment is shown which functions overall like that of FIGS. 8 and 11, but differs considerably in construction. Generally similar parts will be similarly numbered, using an initial digit 3, with certain differences pointed out, and additional numerals will be used as required.

In this embodiment provision is made to prevent the jet spray tip from oscillating when pushing the control member through the brushing position to the jet position, which may be confusing to the user. Also, the force required to actuate the control member has been reduced and a more powerful spray jet has been provided. These and other advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Theinlet conduit 332 supplies incoming pressure pulses to the hydraulic motor much as before, but theapertures 337 have been redesigned and relocated so that they are at the rear ofcylinder section 334 adjacent the head of piston 333 (see FIG. 14b). Also, the recirculation to theoutlet line 13 is now a ring-shapedchannel 401 connected to outlet conduit 39] through a pair oftransverse channels 402. This arrangement provides a low resistance to recirculation.

In the jet spray position shown in FIG. 14,control ring 322 is forward and thusvalve section 341 is forward. Water pulses pass around O-ring 381 between theenlarged section 394 of the control valve section and therear cylinder section 334, as in FIG. 11. However, the outer periphery ofvalve section 341 and thecontrol sleeve 339 joined thereto, are spaced from the inside ofcasing 331 so as to reduce friction in operating the control mechanism. Also, in this embodiment the forward flow of water is directed inwardly, so there is no water pressure against the control sleeve which would press it against the casing and increase the friction of operation. To guide the sleeve while allowing water flow thereby, the rear portion ofcylinder section 335 has alternate steps of larger and smaller diameter as shown in FIG. 140. Also, thecontrol sleeve 339 has an axially extending slot into which anaxially extending ridge 400 oncylinder section 335 projects, to allow the control sleeve to slide back and forth but prevent rotation thereof.

Instead of continuing the water channel between the outside ofcylinder section 335 andcontrol sleeve 339, here the water channel passes inward through circumferentially spaced apertures 403 (FIG. 14d) to the taperingspace 404 between'the piston andcylinder section 335.

In this embodiment rotation ofpiston 333 is prevented by a pair of outwardly projectingwings 405 on the piston, which ride inaxial slots 406 in cylinder section 335 (see FIG. 14e), and the portion of the piston ahead ofwings 405 not only accommodatesreturn spring 344 but also provides anannular space 407 for the forward flow of water.

Instead of using a driving pin and helical slot as a motion converter, as in previous embodiments, here the known equivalent reverse arrangement is used. Thussleeve 346 is rotationally oscillated by ahelical cam screw 408 at the end of the piston, the cam screw riding in a helical cam nut in the rear wall ofsleeve 346. As seen in FIG. 14f, the cam nut has two pairs of cam recesses 409, whereascam screw 408 has only two flutes. Thus one pair of cam recesses 409 are open for water flow therethrough without excessive resistance to flow.

The water pulses pass through the interior ofsleeve 346 to an axial passage intubular drive member 411.Member 411 is preferably of metal and provided with smallsawtooth sections 412 which form a press fit intosleeve 346 so as to rotate therewith. The mid-portion 413 of drive member411 is round on its exterior surface so as to receiveshank 414 of a jet nozzle attachment. Theforward portion 415 has a square exterior surface, or in general a radial non-symmetrical surface, for driving a toothbrush attachment.

A jet spray attachment is axially retained in place, while allowing manual rotation, by acircumferential groove 416 which receives adetent 417 of the jet spray attachment. Only a single spring detent member on the jet spray head is here employed. In thisembodiment groove 416 is formed in astationary socket member 418 press-fit intocylinder section 335. Thus, as thecontrol member 332 passes through the brushing position, the squarefront portion 415 of drivingmember 413 may oscillate without oscillating the jet tip. Also the internal diameter of the shank of the jet attachment is slightly greater thansection 413 of the driving memher, so there is no tendency to oscillate the jet tip at this point.

O-ring 419 is held between an inwardly projecting shoulder onsocket member 418 and afixed sleeve 421 whose rear end bears against awasher 422 to provide proper spacing. The inner cylindrical surface ofspacer sleeve 421 guidesrotational sleeve 346.

FIG. 15 shows thecontrol member 322 in its midposition with a toothbrush attachment in place. O-rings 393 and 381 block the passage of water thereby so that full pulse pressure is applied to thepiston 333 andsleeve 346 oscillates. The shank of the toothbrush attachment has an initial round sectionfitting section 413 of the driving member but spaced from O-ring 419 to avoid friction in rotating. The mid-portion of the shank has a squarecross-section fitting section 415 of the drive member so as to oscillate the toothbrush. In this embodiment the toothbrush attachment is also provided with adetent 423 to hold it in place axially, while allowing rotational oscillation.

FIG. 16 shows thecontrol member 322 in its rear or of "position. Here O-ring 381 blocks forward passage of water, but flow is allowed fromapertures 337 around O-ring 393 toannular passage 401, and thence tooutlet conduit 391.

Referring now to FIGS. 17, 17a and 18, a modification is shown in which a single attachment may serve alternatively as a toothbrush or as a water jet. Only the front part of the appliance handle is shown, and is an adaptation of the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, although other embodiments described hereinbefore could be suitably adapted.

As shown in FIG. 18, the attachment has atubular shank 490 with anaxial hole 491 therein leading to ajet outlet 492. Beyond the outlet isbrush 493. Twosimilar spring members 494, 494 have at theirfree ends detents 495 provided with a series ofserrations 496 on the peripheral surfaces thereof. Intermediate shoulders are shown at 497, and rear manually operable shoulders at 498. The attachment also has enlargedsections 499 between the spring sections.

In FIG. 17,circumferential recesses 501 inrotatable driving socket 451 are serrated to correspond to those at 196 in FIG. 18. Here thecontrol ring 422 extends farther forward of the socket than in FIG. 3 and has alarge diameter recess 502 andsmaller diameter recess 503.

With the attachment inserted and thecontrol ring 422 in its forward position as shown in full lines, therecess 502 receives theintermediate shoulders 497 of the attachment and allows thespring members 494 to spring outwardly sufficiently to allowserrations 496 of the attachment to engageserrations 501 of the socket and cause rotational oscillation of the attachment as thesocket 451 oscillates.

If, now,control member 422 is moved backward, as indicated in dotted lines,recess 503 forcesintermediate shoulders 497 of the attachment inward and disengages the serrated surfaces as indicated in FIG. 17a. This supplies the water pulses to theconduit 491 of the attachment and the attachment operates as a jet spray. The dimensions are selected so that the inward movement of thespring members 494 byrecess 503 does not movedetents 495 fully out ofrecess 501, so that the atv tachment is axially retained in position but allowed tomember 411 andstationary socket member 418 of FIG.

14. However, simple cross-sectioning lines have been used herein since the scale of the drawings would make plastic-sectioning unduly confusing.

It will be understood that many modifications and changes may be made in the specific embodiments described, within the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim: I

1. A hand appliance for personal hygiene, for use with appliance heads requiring alternatively an oscillating drive and liquid pressure pulses, and driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, said hand appliance comprising v a. an elongated casing forming a handle,

b. flexible conduit means for connecting said casing with said source of liquid pressure pulses,

c. an output member mounted near the front end of said casing for oscillating an appliance head attached thereto and having an opening for supplying liquid pressure pulses to an appliance head attached thereto,

d. an hydraulic motor in said casing actuable by liquid pressure pulses for oscillating said output member,

e. conduit means in said casing for delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member,

f. control valve means in said casing positioned substantially rearwardly ofthe front end of the casing and controllable to supply liquid pressure pulses from said flexible conduit means alternatively to actuate said hydraulic motor and to supply the pressure pulses to said conduit means in the casing,

g. a manually actuable control member mounted at the front end of said appliance and adapted for longitudinal movement relative thereto,

h. and a connecting member within the casing connecting said control member and control valve means for actuation of the valve means to alternative positions thereof in response to actuation of the control member.

2. A hand appliance according toclaim 1 in which said control member and connecting member are slidably mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said casing.

3. A hand appliance according toclaim 2 including a forwardly opening socket at the front end of said appliance having an internal groove for receiving detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

4. Avhand appliance according to claim 3 in which said socket is fixed with said casing, and said'output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion of the outside thereof radially non-symmetrical for rotationally oscillating an appliance head fitting therewith.

5. A hand appliance according toclaim 1 in which said hydraulic motor includes a longitudinally extending piston cylinder and a piston reciprocating therein, and including a conduit in said casing for connecting said flexible conduit means to the head of said piston cylinder, said control valve means including a port extending laterally through the wall of said piston cylinder, an annular valve section encircling the wall of said cylinder in the region of said port, and a pair of longitudinally spaced annular sealing members for sealing said valve section and cylinder wall, said valve section being movable longitudinally to alternatively seal off liquid flow through said port and allow flow from said port to said conduit means delivering liquid pressure pulses to saidoutput memben 6. A hand appliance according to claim 5 in which said manually actuable control member is an annular control member mounted at the front end of said appliance, and a generally cylindrical sleeve slidable between the wall of the casing and said piston cylinder and joining said annular control member and said annular valve section.

7. A hand appliance according toclaim 1 in which said flexible conduit means includes a discharge conduit for discharging liquid from said casing, and including a return conduit in said casing connected to said discharge conduit, said control valve means including means for returning liquid pressure pulses from said source to said return conduit.

8. A hand appliance according to claim 5 in which said flexible conduit means includes a return conduit for returning liquid pressure pulses to said source, and including a return conduit in said casing connected to the return conduit in said flexible conduit means and having a return port extending laterally through the wall of said piston cylinder, said valve section being movable longitudinally to connect the first-mentioned port to said return port to thereby recirculate incoming liquid pressure pulses back to said source.

9. A hand appliance in accordance with claim 3 in combination with a combined toothbrush and water jet attachment having a spring member with a detent near the shank end thereof, said internal groove and said detent having matching serrated surfaces for oscillating said attachment, a second internal groove in said control member and an external projection on said spring member designed and adapted to hold said attachment in said socket with said serrated surfaces in engagement, and a third smaller internal diameter groove in said control member engageable with said external projection upon sliding said control member for disengaging said serrated surfaces while retaining the detent in the first-mentioned groove, and shoulder means on said attachment for depressing said spring member to disengage said detent from the first-mentioned groove and allow withdrawal of the attachment.

10. A hand appliance according toclaim 1 in which said output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion of the outside thereof radially non-symmetrical for rotationally oscillating an appliance head fitting therewith, and annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for cooperating with detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

11. A hand appliance according to claim 7 in which said control valve means is designed and adapted to return said liquid pulses to said return conduit in the rearward position of said control member, to actuate said hydraulic motor in the intermediate position of the control member, and to supply pressure pulses to said conduit means for delivering pulses to the output member in the forward position of the control member.

12. A hand appliance according to claim 1 l in which said output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion thereof radially non-symmetrical, and annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for cooperating with detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

13. The combination of a hand appliance according toclaim 12 and a toothbrush head attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said toothbrush attachment having a radially extending shoulder positioned for abutment by said manual control member in the intermediate position thereof and prevent movement to the forward position thereof.

14. The combination of a hand appliance according toclaim 12 and a jet nozzle attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said jet nozzle attachment having an internal bore of larger diameter than said projecting tubular member to avoid engagement thereby.

15. A hand appliance for personal hygiene for use with appliance heads requiring alternatively a rotational oscillation and liquid pressure pulses, and driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, said hand appliance comprising a. an elongated casing forming a handle,

b. flexible conduit means including supply and return conduits for connecting said casing with said source of liquid pressure pulses,

c. an output member mounted near the front end of said casing and including a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion thereof radially non-symmetrical,

d. annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for j. longitudinally spaced rear, intermediate and forward valve ports cooperating with said annular valve section and connected respectively with said return conduit, the interior of said piston cylinder, and said conduit means for delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member,

k. said valve section being movable longitudinally to alternatively connect said rear and intermediate ports, seal off liquid flow through said intermediate port, and connect said intermediate and forward ports in respective rear, intermediate and forward positions thereof,

1. and a manually actuable annular control member encircling the front end of said appliance and connected with said valve section for moving the valve section to respective positions thereof.

16. The combination of a hand appliance according toclaim 15 and a toothbrush head attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said toothbrush attachment having a radially extending shoulder positioned for abutment by said manual control member in the intermediate position thereof and prevent movement to the forward position thereof.

17. The combination of a hand appliance according toclaim 15 and a jet nozzle attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said jet nozzle attachment having an internal bore of larger diameter than said projecting tubular member to avoid engagement thereby.

Claims (17)

1. A hand appliance for personal hygiene, for use with appliance heads requiring alternatively an oscillating drive and liquid pressure pulses, and driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, said hand appliance comprising a. an elongated casing forming a handle, b. flexible conduit means for connecting said casing with said source of liquid pressure pulses, c. an output member mounted near the front end of said casing for oscillating an appliance head attached thereto and having an opening for supplying liquid pressure pulses to an appliance head attached thereto, d. an hydraulic motor in said casing actuable by liquid pressure pulses for oscillating said output member, e. conduit means in said casing for delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member, f. control valve means in said casing positioned substantially rearwardly of the front end of the casing and controllable to supply liquid pressure pulses from said flexible conduit means alternatively to actuate said hydraulic motor and to supply the pressure pulses to said conduit means in the casing, g. a manually actuable control member mounted at the front end of said appliance and adapted for longitudinal movement relative thereto, h. and a connecting member within the casiNg connecting said control member and control valve means for actuation of the valve means to alternative positions thereof in response to actuation of the control member.

2. A hand appliance according to claim 1 in which said control member and connecting member are slidably mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said casing.

3. A hand appliance according to claim 2 including a forwardly opening socket at the front end of said appliance having an internal groove for receiving detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

4. A hand appliance according to claim 3 in which said socket is fixed with said casing, and said output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion of the outside thereof radially non-symmetrical for rotationally oscillating an appliance head fitting therewith.

5. A hand appliance according to claim 1 in which said hydraulic motor includes a longitudinally extending piston cylinder and a piston reciprocating therein, and including a conduit in said casing for connecting said flexible conduit means to the head of said piston cylinder, said control valve means including a port extending laterally through the wall of said piston cylinder, an annular valve section encircling the wall of said cylinder in the region of said port, and a pair of longitudinally spaced annular sealing members for sealing said valve section and cylinder wall, said valve section being movable longitudinally to alternatively seal off liquid flow through said port and allow flow from said port to said conduit means delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member.

6. A hand appliance according to claim 5 in which said manually actuable control member is an annular control member mounted at the front end of said appliance, and a generally cylindrical sleeve slidable between the wall of the casing and said piston cylinder and joining said annular control member and said annular valve section.

7. A hand appliance according to claim 1 in which said flexible conduit means includes a discharge conduit for discharging liquid from said casing, and including a return conduit in said casing connected to said discharge conduit, said control valve means including means for returning liquid pressure pulses from said source to said return conduit.

8. A hand appliance according to claim 5 in which said flexible conduit means includes a return conduit for returning liquid pressure pulses to said source, and including a return conduit in said casing connected to the return conduit in said flexible conduit means and having a return port extending laterally through the wall of said piston cylinder, said valve section being movable longitudinally to connect the first-mentioned port to said return port to thereby recirculate incoming liquid pressure pulses back to said source.

9. A hand appliance in accordance with claim 3 in combination with a combined toothbrush and water jet attachment having a spring member with a detent near the shank end thereof, said internal groove and said detent having matching serrated surfaces for oscillating said attachment, a second internal groove in said control member and an external projection on said spring member designed and adapted to hold said attachment in said socket with said serrated surfaces in engagement, and a third smaller internal diameter groove in said control member engageable with said external projection upon sliding said control member for disengaging said serrated surfaces while retaining the detent in the first-mentioned groove, and shoulder means on said attachment for depressing said spring member to disengage said detent from the first-mentioned groove and allow withdrawal of the attachment.

10. A hand appliance according to claim 1 in which said output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion of the outside thereof radially non-symmetrical for rotationally oscillatinG an appliance head fitting therewith, and annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for cooperating with detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

11. A hand appliance according to claim 7 in which said control valve means is designed and adapted to return said liquid pulses to said return conduit in the rearward position of said control member, to actuate said hydraulic motor in the intermediate position of the control member, and to supply pressure pulses to said conduit means for delivering pulses to the output member in the forward position of the control member.

12. A hand appliance according to claim 11 in which said output member includes a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion thereof radially non-symmetrical, and annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for cooperating with detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement.

13. The combination of a hand appliance according to claim 12 and a toothbrush head attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said toothbrush attachment having a radially extending shoulder positioned for abutment by said manual control member in the intermediate position thereof and prevent movement to the forward position thereof.

14. The combination of a hand appliance according to claim 12 and a jet nozzle attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said jet nozzle attachment having an internal bore of larger diameter than said projecting tubular member to avoid engagement thereby.

15. A hand appliance for personal hygiene for use with appliance heads requiring alternatively a rotational oscillation and liquid pressure pulses, and driven by a source of liquid pressure pulses, said hand appliance comprising a. an elongated casing forming a handle, b. flexible conduit means including supply and return conduits for connecting said casing with said source of liquid pressure pulses, c. an output member mounted near the front end of said casing and including a hollow axially projecting tubular member having at least a portion thereof radially non-symmetrical, d. annular means radially spaced from said tubular member and fixed with respect to said casing for cooperating with detent means of an appliance head and retaining the head against forward axial displacement, e. means for rotationally oscillating said output member including a longitudinally extending piston cylinder and a piston reciprocating therein, f. an input conduit in said casing for connecting said flexible supply conduit to the head of said piston cylinder, g. a return conduit in said casing connected to said flexible return conduit, h. conduit means in said casing for delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member, i. an annular valve section encircling the wall of said piston cylinder, j. longitudinally spaced rear, intermediate and forward valve ports cooperating with said annular valve section and connected respectively with said return conduit, the interior of said piston cylinder, and said conduit means for delivering liquid pressure pulses to said output member, k. said valve section being movable longitudinally to alternatively connect said rear and intermediate ports, seal off liquid flow through said intermediate port, and connect said intermediate and forward ports in respective rear, intermediate and forward positions thereof, l. and a manually actuable annular control member encircling the front end of said appliance and connected with said valve section for moving the valve section to respective positions thereof.

16. The combination of a hand appliance according to claim 15 and a toothbrush head attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said toothbrush attachment having a radially extending shoUlder positioned for abutment by said manual control member in the intermediate position thereof and prevent movement to the forward position thereof.

17. The combination of a hand appliance according to claim 15 and a jet nozzle attachment having detent means cooperating with said annular means, said jet nozzle attachment having an internal bore of larger diameter than said projecting tubular member to avoid engagement thereby.

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