Abstract: An articulated broom, comprising a joint located between a base having an attachment plane for the bristles and the end of the handle, said joint comprising a pin connected to said base and adapted to allow the rotation of a hub at the end of the handle, said hub being attached to said pin so as to provide a certain amount of friction therebetween; abutment elements of the hub being provided in a first end position in which the handle is perpendicular to the bristle attachment plane, and a second end position.

Abstract: A tubular applicator handle having an applicator integrally formed on either end. The applicable integrally formed on either end may be a brush, foam pad, fuzzy ball or other similar or equivalent applicator, for applying a liquid, paste or powder. The applicator handle may or may not have a scribe or score line intermediate either end. The applicator handle may be broken along the score or scribe line forming two separate independent applicators. This greatly reduces waste and provides increased convenience to the user who can either use the double ended applicator or, if desired, two separate single ended applicators. A bendable portion is provided adjacent each applicator so that the angle of the applicator may be changed as desired. The present invention has particular adaptability in the dental field for applying dental materials, but may be valuable in other fields, such as electronics.

Abstract: A duster structure that can be positioned in any direction including a duster body, a retaining connector provided lockably at a rear end of the duster body, a front fork connector connected lockably with the retaining connector as a whole by means of a locking bolt, and a retractable rod provided lockably at a rear end of the front fork connector. The duster body has a handle at its rear end to connect to the retaining connector. The retaining connector has a circular flat pivot portion that has a central through hole and a plurality of retaining grooves extending radially outward from the through hole. The front forked connector has a forked portion, opposite inner portions of which are respectively provided with a retaining rib for engaging a respective one of the retaining grooves. By means of the retaining ribs that engage the retaining grooves, the retaining connector, hence the duster body, can be turned with respect to the front fork connector in any direction to facilitate cleaning.

Abstract: An improved coating tool (20) is provided with a variable flexible connection between a head and handle. The improved tool broadly includes a head (22), a handle (23), a flexible connection (21) between the head and handle to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween, and a restraining member (24) operatively arranged to adjustably limit the amount of relative movement between the head and handle, whereby the amount of permissible relative movement between the head and handle may be selectively varied. In the preferred form, the restraining member (24) may vary the flexibility of the connection.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising, generally in a sole piece, an elongated handle (10); one head (20) carrying, on the front side, a set of bristles (40); and a flexible neck (30) joining the handle (10) and the head (20) and comprising a pair of front (31) and rear (32) spaced longitudinal beams (33) and having their opposite extreme ends respectively united to the head (20) and the handle (10) through localized bending regions (34) which allow the beams to operate as parallelogram articulation arms when the head (20) is displaced in transversal direction in relation to the handle (10) and in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the handle (10) and being parallel to the longitudinal axes of the bristles (40), from an inoperative rest position to operative positions.

Abstract: A toothbrush having two head sections, the sections being normally biased to assume an angle with respect to each other, to thereby define a generally concave bristle tip configuration. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge section integral with the two heads. In one embodiment, there is one bridge section near the lower surface of the head. In another embodiment, there are two longitudinally spaced bridge sections each near the lower head surface. In a third embodiment, the bridge section is a thin integral connection between facing ends of the two sections. In other embodiments, the two head sections are normally aligned and are also joined by a thin, integral bridge section, with the bristles of the head section most remote from the handle being of uniformly different lengths. The space between the two facing ends is filled with an elastomer, typically SANTOPRENE (brand). The two head sections define an articulated head.

Abstract: The invention concerns a toothbrush comprising a handle and a brush head, which is equipped on one side with clusters of bristles, a resilient connection being provided between the handle and the brush head. When pressure is exerted on the surface formed by the free ends of the clusters of bristles, the connection allows the brush head to be deflected relative to the handle. This is achieved in that the connection is formed by a hinged rectangle whose axes of rotation extend transversely to the longitudinal extension of the handle and the bristles, and in that the distance between the two hinges closest to the brush head is less than or equal to the distance between the two hinges closest to the handle.

Abstract: In an interdental cleaning device comprising a brush and a holder, the brush being pivotably and replaceably disposed on the free end of the holder, and the holder consisting of two shells, it is provided with a view to advantageous pivotablility of the brush and defined stop positions being attained, accompanied with simple implementation in terms of plastics technology, that the brush comprises a ball of a ball and socket joint and that a socket of a ball and socket joint is formed by two socket members to be assembled and disassembled, one socket member at a time being formed on an end of a shell.

Abstract: A multi-functional back brush includes a brush head having an upper portion provided with a strap, a front end formed with a first opening, a rear end formed with a second opening, an adjustable shaft having a first end engageable with the first and second openings of the brush head, an axle fitted through the center through hole of the adjustable shaft and having an end provided with a disk formed with a plurality of teeth engaged with a circular toothed recess of the adjustable shaft, a handle having a circular end engaged with the second end of the adjustable shaft, a toothed rack mounted on a bottom of the handle, an adjusting block movably engaged with the toothed rack, a T-shaped member fixedly mounted on the circular end of the handle and having a resilient blade engaged with radial partitions of adjustable shaft, a spring fitted within the circular end of the handle, an actuator arranged within the circular end of the handle, a cap threadedly engaged with the circular end of the handle, and a pushbutt

Abstract: A toothbrush device that conforms to the curvature and contours of the teeth while brushing. The toothbrush device includes a handle for gripping. At least one bristle head is disposed a predetermined distance from the handle. A support mechanism is disposed between the handle and each of the bristle heads. The support mechanism varies the predetermined distance between the bristle heads and the handle as a function of a contact force applied to each of the bristle heads. A connection is disposed between each support mechanism and each bristle head. The presence of the connection enables each bristle head to move in at least one plane in a manner independent of the support mechanism. This provides each of the bristle heads with the freedom of movement needed to properly conform to the curvature and contours of the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resiliently flexible brush heads, more particularly to toothbrush heads, having segmented faces with grooves between the segments, wherein the grooves on at least one face contain elastomer, so that the head durability is improved through repeated flexing. The invention further relates to toothbrushes comprising the brush heads.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a bristle-bearing head divided into at least two sections is disclosed. The free end section, when unstressed, is normally biased to assume an angle of about 15.degree. with respect to the other, to thereby define an articulated head. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge or hinge section integral with the two head sections, the bridge or hinge forming a groove between adjacent head sections. The upper surface of the bridge section is substantially flush with the upper surface of the head (opposite to the bristle-bearing surface). The space between the two facing ends is filled with a soft elastomer of about 5 to about 30, preferably about 13 to about 30 Shore A hardness. This hinge construction defines an articulated head of limited flex motion, wherein, when utilized by the average adult brusher, who applies an average brushing force of 0.5 pounds, flexes to a substantially flattened position.

Abstract: A foldable cleaning implement is foldable into a compact form for ease in transporting and storing. The cleaning implement has a handle and a head. The handle may be formed from a plurality of segments coupled together by foldable elements. The head is attached to the handle, preferably by a pivotable or universal joint, and is formed from segments which are displaceable relative to one another so as to selectively be oriented in a coplanar relationship relative to one another, angular disposed relative to one another, and in opposing directions relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved device for cleaning dental implant posts comprising a handle specifically adapted for ease of use by a person of limited or impaired dexterity or muscle control or a care giver and a series of brush and pick attachments specifically adapted for cleaning dental implant posts. This handle configuration eliminates the need for a pencil-like grip.

Abstract: A pivotable hairbrush for offering a hairbrush that would adjust to the contour of a user's head. The inventive device includes a pivotable head, a plurality of bristles protruding from the pivotable head, and a handle extending from one end of the pivotable head. The pivotable head includes a stationary portion and a pivotable portion wherein the pivotable portion and the plurality of bristles protruding therefrom conjointly pivot relative to the stationary portion so as to conform to the contour of the head of a user.

Abstract: According to this invention, a toothbrush is provided having a head and a handle having a grip portion, disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having britstles exending from a face thereof ("the bristle face") in a general bristle direction, between the grip portion and the head of the toothbrush there being an integral region of folds having a fold axis in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis, one or more limbs of the folds being penetrated by an elastomeric material which passes through an aperture in the limb, characterized by the elastomeric material being exposed on both sides of the penetrated limb.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the brushing of surfaces wherein an elongated support member has a longitudinally-extending channel in one surface and a aperture therethrough; a transverse channel intersects the longitudinally-extending channel and extends across the apertures; and a brush is positioned in one of the transverse channels, or in the longitudinally-extending channel.

Abstract: An improved flexible toothbrush for enhancing the brushing of an individual. The flexible toothbrush comprises a bristle head portion, a neck portion and a handle portion integrally connected to the bristle head portion by the neck portion. An elongated flat flexible leaf-spring is embedded within the body of the toothbrush and extends partially in the head portion through the entire neck portion and the end of the handle portion for providing flexibility on the body of the toothbrush and enhancing the brushing of teeth of an individual. The flexible leaf-spring comprises a pair of spaced apart zig-zag sections which located between the head and neck portions and the beginning of the handle portion to further increase the flexibility on the body of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The interdental brush has a quadrangular shaped handle portion with an angled brush head portion with a brush head cartridge attached at one end and a removable brush head holder at the other end. The brush head can fit in a contra-angle arrangement or co-directional arrangement to the angle of the handle and the brush head support. In addition, there is a positive grip handle with a projecting thumb finger grip. The removable brush head holder into which the brush head can fit provides a smaller interdental brush and one that can be used away from home.

Abstract: An improved toothbrush enables the user to brush more effectively the front and back of the upper and lower front teeth and vertically on the back teeth with the toothbrush handle perpendicular to the toothbrush allowing a more natural stroke of the hand and arm which will in turn provide for a more effective cleaning of the front teeth. For all other teeth, simply rotate the brush or handle to be in parallel with each other to offer the present day design for brushing teeth. For the parallel, fixed device, offering a round, square or hexagon head design, the ease of operation is created by bristles not only running thinly parallel with the handle as with present day brushes. This device offers wide bristles and accessibility to difficult areas to brush vertically or horizontaly without rotating the head handle. The extra widened bristle design with rows of bristles running vertically and horizontal. Present day toothbrushes have a narrow bristle construction that is limited by the width of the handle.

Abstract: A toilet brush having a handle portion and a scrubbing portion is provided. A flexible connection is provided between the handle portion and the scrubbing portion. A deflection limiter is located in proximity to the connection which limits deflection of the scrubbing portion in a first direction relative to the handle portion.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed toothbrush having an oversized handle, a shapeable stem, interchangeable, flexible heads of different sizes, bristles arrangements, and geometrical configurations. The handle is generally cylindrical in shape so as to readily fit in the palm of ones hand while having a flattened portion against which the thumb and fingertips may be rested. The handle has attached thereto a rotation means which may be selectively set in a variety of positions about the longitudinal axis of the handle. When a stem with a flexible toothbrush head is attached to the rotation means, the user of the toothbrush may bend the head and set the orientation of the bristles on the head such that they are at a 45.degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toothbrush having an elongated handle having a head at one end and tufts of bristles affixed to the head. The head has a stationary section which contains fixed, stationary tufts of bristles, and a movable section with tufts of bristles affixed thereto. The movable section of the head is movably attached to the stationary section. The movable section may be pivotally or hingedly attached to the stationary section. The present toothbrush provides for the control and cleaning ability of fixed tufts, while also providing for the cleaning efficiency and effectiveness of movable tufts which follow the contour of the teeth.

Abstract: This invention concerns a building trade tool for smoothing flat surfaces coated with varnish, glue or other fluid materials, consisting of a handle fitted with a spatula at the end, rotating to the left or to the right with respect to the axis of the handle.

Abstract: This invention provides a paint aid and/or a brush in which the brush head is connected to the handle by a pivotal connection allowing pivoting of the brush head with respect to the handle about at least a single axis. preferably, ball and socket type joint is used to allow rotation about at least two axes.

Abstract: A car washing brush is composed of a head, a holding plate, and a handle. The head is held by the holding plate and is provided with the bristles attached thereto securely for bringing about the brushing effect. The handle is fastened pivotally at one end thereof with the holding plate by a fastening device enabling the handle to be rotated in relation to the holding plate at such time when a press button of the handle is pressed by the finger of a person using the washing brush. The extension of the handle is therefore attained.

Abstract: A pair of brush heads of a toothbrush may be positioned adjacent each other to define a single brush surface or facing each other to define a pair of opposed brush surfaces by slidable engagement between a V-shaped groove of a movable push block and a pair of oppositely directed spiral ribs on a pair of rolling rods supporting the brush heads, so that the single brush surface may be used to clean the front teeth and the opposed brush surfaces may be used to clean the back teeth.

Abstract: A manually operable toothbrush which has been specifically designed in shape to facilitate cleaning of the mandibular lingual anterior surface of the arch of the lower teeth and the maxillary anterior palatal area of the arch of the upper teeth. The brush includes a rigid handle and a rigid head with the head being mounted at an angular relationship relative to the handle. The interior surface of the head has mounted thereon a series of bristles. These bristles are located in a curved pattern and also in a tapered form which facilitate access to the surfaces of the teeth upon which the toothbrush is to be used. The shape of the head and the angle of the head to the handle can be adjusted according to individual desires.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head.

Abstract: An improved toothbrush is provided with a flexible neck to avoid damage to teeth and gums due to excessive brushing pressure. The toothbrush has a bush head made of a semi-rigid material to adequately support bristles, and a handle and neck made of an elastic material. The elastic material of the handle is comfortable in the users hands. The elastic material of the neck provides the flexibility to avoid damage due to excessive brushing pressure exerted by the user on the handle. The flexible neck is reinforced by semi-rigid arms formed integral with and ending from the semi-rigid material of the brush head. The reinforcing arms are connected by a web with spaced-apart openings. The web openings are provided to receive a portion of the elastic material of the neck to further secure the neck and the handle to the brush head.

Abstract: A toothbrush having two head sections, the sections being normally biased to assume an angle with respect to each other, to thereby define a generally concave bristle tip configuration. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge section integral with the two heads. In one embodiment, there is one bridge section near the lower surface of the head. In another embodiment, there are two longitudinally spaced bridge sections each near the lower head surface. In a third embodiment, the bridge section is a thin integral connection between facing ends of the two sections. In other embodiments, the two head sections are normally aligned and are also joined by a thin, integral bridge section, with the bristles of the head section most remote from the handle being of uniformly different lengths. The space between the two facing ends is filled with an elastomer, typically Santoprene (brand). The two head sections define an articulated head.

Abstract: A hairbrush is disclosed having an elongated, generally hollowed handle having a receiving cavity and a separate brush head having a connection end. At the inside base of the receiving cavity is a first blade slot for retaining one end of a flat, elongated spring blade. The connection end of the brush head has a second blade slot for retaining the other end of the flat, elongated spring blade. A locking button retained slidably within a button slot which penetrates the handle engages into a slotted collar in which a locking slot is formed on the connection end of the brush head by a pair of rotation locking tabs. The impingement of the rotation locking tabs against the locking button thereby prevents rotational motion of the brush head relative to the handle.

Abstract: The method substantially removes a soil spot (resulting from a beverage spill or the like) from a carpet by using a particular type of brush. The brush has (a) a detachable handle, (b) a body with a pair of holes therein for attaching the handle to the body at either hole, and (c) first and second brush portions on first and second brush faces, respectively. The brush portions have differing stiffnesses and either portion may be used to "de-spot" carpet by inserting the handle in the appropriate attachment hole. The method includes the steps of identifying the tuft and pile characteristics of the spot-soiled area of carpet and selecting one of the brush portions for use in removing the spot on carpet having such characteristics. The handle is attached to the hole related to the selected brush portion, a granular cleaning product is deposited on the spot and such product is "worked" across and through that portion of the carpet which includes the spot.

Abstract: A multi-positionable toothbrush comprising a brush array member shiftably supported on the forward end of a hollow handle member within which is housed a toothed element adapted to change its position in accordance with the tooth setting in reference to a spring biassed lever having a detent adapted to be disposed between the teeth in the toothed element; the particular disposition being effected by pressing the lever against its spring bias to allow the brush array member to have its position changed relative to the axis of the handle member.

Abstract: A flexible toothbrush comprises a head portion, a neck portion and a handle portion. The head portion is integrally formed with the neck portion such that it is at an angle of approximately 0.degree. to 20.degree.. The neck potion has a hollow chamber, where a leaf-spring is embedded within the hollow chamber and is bendable for providing flexibility on the neck portion for enhancing the brushing of an individual's teeth.

Abstract: A bent wire serves to form a loop for assembly receiving a brush head of a toothbrush, the bent wire also forming a pair of shanks which are received in a handle holding the shanks together to close the loop and return the brush head assembly therein. At least one of the shanks has formations indexable in the handle. Between the end portions of the shanks and the loop, coil springs are formed in the wire to allow mobility of the brush head in all directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a bristle head and an elongated handle. The bristle head has an elongated shaft extending therefrom, and an engagement rib formed axially on an external surface of the shaft. An upper portion of the handle has an axial hole which forms an opening in a top end of the upper portion, a radial hole that extends radially therethrough in communication with the axial hole and that forms a mouth at a circumferential wall of the upper portion, and an axial slit that extends along the circumferential wall from the opening to the mouth such that the axial hole is also opened laterally through the axial slit. The handle is made of a material which enables a snug-fit connection of the shaft in the axial hole or the radial hole via the opening or the mouth, when the shaft and the engagement rib on the bristle head are inserted respectively into the axial hole and the axial slit in the handle, or into the radial hole and the axial slit in the handle.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a head portion with a large number of bristles thereon, a slender rod extending rearward from the head portion, a slender tang extending rearward from the slender rod, a plurality of rings surrounding the slender rod, and a handle connected to the slender tang. A through hole is formed on an upper portion of the handle. A square hole is formed in a front interior of the handle. The square hole communicates with the through hole. An anti-slip pad is inserted in the through hole. The slender tang is inserted in the square hole.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and at one end having a bristle-bearing head which is in the form of one or more segments which are flexibly and/or resiliently linked to each other. Optionally, the head may also be flexibly and/or resiliently linked to the handle. The grooves between the linked segments of the head are wholly or partly filled with an elastomeric material. In one aspect, the bristle-bearing head of the toothbrush is attached to the handle by a frame which wholly or partly surrounds the head and is an integral extension of the handle.

Abstract: An elastic toothbrush comprises a head, a neck, a connector, and a handle. A slot and a groove are on the upper surface of the handle. An elongated recess is on the lower surface of the handle. An anti-skid rubber infills the slot. A rubber mark infills the groove. A non-slip rubber infills the elongated recess. A circular recess is formed between the head and the neck. A notch is formed on the distal end of the head. An upper and lower recesses are formed on the rim of the head. The end rubber infills the notch. The circular rubber infills the circular recess. The rim rubber infills the upper and lower recesses. The connector is enclosed by a connector rubber.

Abstract: The paint brush apparatus having multiple painting widths is designed in order to provide the user with a paintbrush apparatus that is able to paint in a number of different pre-determined widths that will allow the user to more rapidly finish any painting project. The apparatus is comprised of a handle assembly having lengthwise holes to permit the handle to incorporate internal, movable drive shafts. The drive shafts have a control mechanism such as a slide button or thumbwheel that will allow the extension or retraction of one or both of the shafts. A bristle head assembly has the bush bristles attached and has at least one open slot cut therein. Separate brush inserts are inserted into the slots in the bristle head assembly and are attached to the drive shafts in the handle assembly. The inserts are designed to be constructed of material which will inhibit the sticking of the inserts due to dried paint or debris in the apparatus.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly is disclosed which includes an articulating head portion for releasable supporting a brushhead, and which is configured to releasably mount a plurality of interchangeable dental accessory tools. A spring biased actuation member having a plurality of sprockets associated therewith is provided for effectuating incremental articulated movements of the brushhead supporting portion with respect to the handle of the toothbrush assembly to position the brushhead in a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A toothbrush in which a basal end portion of a neck portion is connected to a distal end portion of a handle portion through a pivotal pin, a slide member for fixedly connecting the basal end portion and the distal end portion is slidably arranged relative to the distal end portion through the pivotal pin, so that the bending angle of the neck portion relative to the handle portion can be adjusted by sliding the slide member, the basal end portion includes a pair of linkage portions which are brought to outer sides of the distal end portion of the handle portion and connected to the distal end portion through the pivotal pin, the linkage portions are each provided with a slant elongated-slit positionally offset toward the bristle portion from the pivotal pin, the handle portion is provided with a slide guide groove for guiding the slide member, the slide member includes a slide basic body having an elongated-slit for receiving the pivotal pin, the slide basic body being slidably fitted in the guide groove and

Abstract: A brush for cleaning various portions of a human foot. The inventive device includes an elongated handle for manual manipulation by an individual. A cylindrical brush extends from a lower end of the handle for cleaning between toes of a human foot. An abrasion pad is pivotally mounted to the lower end of the handle and can be extended therefrom for abrading surfaces of the foot. A planar brush is similarly mounted to the handle and can be extended for brushing exterior surfaces of the foot to improve podiatric hygiene.

Abstract: A brush assembly includes a brush head that is releasably attached to a first elongate handle when a remote area is to be reached and which is releasably attached to a second palm-held handle when the elongate handle is not required. The assembly includes a ball and socket joint. The elongate handle is detachably secured within a blind bore formed in the ball. The socket is defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart curved retainers that are spaced apart from one another by a distance sufficient to receive the elongate handle when the handle is held at an angle relative to the brush head. Thus, the brush head does not rotate with respect to the handle when the brush is in use.

Abstract: A brush has first and second faces and first and second brush portions on the first and second faces, respectively. The tuft bristles used to make the first portion are of a size different from those used to make the second portion, thereby providing brush portions of differing stiffness for removing spots from different types of carpet. The tufts of the brush portions are in a unique pattern particularly well suited for using the brush with a dry granular carpet cleaning product. Each brush portion is defined by rows of bristle tufts disposed along respective row axes oriented in the direction of normal brushing. The tufts are generously spaced from one another (both laterally and longitudinally) so that carpet can be cleaned with a granular cleaning product while yet avoiding brush packing with the product. A new method for removing a spot from a carpet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a scraper disposed therein includes a handle and a bristle portion which has a barrel connected therewith and is pivotally engaged to the handle with a cylinder disposed to the barrel pivotally engaged between two ears extending from an end of the handle, the handle having a groove defined in a side thereof for the scraper to be inserted therein, each of the ears having a first recess defined therein and the cylinder having a plurality of short grooves defined in both ends thereof, the scraper having a first end and having two parts extending therefrom for insertion into said short grooves, a hook portion formed to one of the parts laterally and engaged with the first recess of the ear, the scraper having a T-shaped plate slidably received in the groove of the handle.

Abstract: A shower brush with a handle at one end and a group of bristles located upon one face at the other end has an axial pivot medial to two ninety degree bends taken with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shank. U-shaped and a S-shaped configurations are thus enabled, each being obtained from the other by rotation of one shank portion relative to the other through one hundred eighty degrees in either direction about the axial pivot. Each configuration may be secured to prevent accidental rotation and the pivot maintains the rotatable disposition of one shank portion in relation to the other. A relatively large hand grip, preferably having a resilient exterior, facilitates comfortable gripping. The U-shaped configuration is intended to facilitate scrubbing of one's back while a shower or bath utilizing a reciprocating motion of the hand gripping the handle frontally. The S-shaped configuration is intended to facilitate scrubbing of one's lower extremities in a shower or bath without bending of one's torso.

Abstract: A multi-purpose broom which can be used in any of three distinct modes: as a conventional broom; as a broom that can reach and clean normally inaccessible horizontal surfaces (e.g., the top surface of a blade of a ceiling fan); and as a hand-held sweeper.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly is disclosed which includes an articulating head portion for releasable supporting a brushhead, and which is configured to releasably mount a plurality of interchangeable dental accessory tools. A spring biased actuation member having a plurality of sprockets associated therewith is provided for effectuating incremental articulated movements of the brushhead supporting portion with respect to the handle of the toothbrush assembly to position the brushhead in a desired angular orientation.