Abstract: A shielded writing system includes a hand shield and a shielded writing instrument. The hand shield comprises a thin plate having a pillar projecting from one side thereof and appropriately contoured to be grasped by the two free fingers of writing hand. The plate extends outwardly in all directions from the connection therewith of the pillar to fully underlie the butt of the hand (held in a loose fist of the writing position) as a barrier to contact with the writing surface. In the direction from the pillar that the thumb and forefinger are to project, the plate terminates short of the tips of the thumb and forefinger. The pillar has a cavity to serve as a receptacle for a writing instrument. A tubular shield of resilient material is provided into which a writing instrument is inserted to protect the user from cross-contamination with the instrument. The tubular shield is longitudinally slit, and open at either end to permit the instrument to extend therethrough.

Abstract: An articulate toothbrush particularly suitable for integral molding having a handle with an elongate grip and a support section extending from the grip to the brush head with an arch shape. The arch has a leg that returns toward the longitudinal axis of the grip at an acute angle to a connection with a brush head. The brush head has a longitudinal axis and terminates along that axis in a heel in the direction of the grip of handle and in a toe in the direction away from the grip. The top of the brush head is proximal to the distal leg of the support and the bottom of the brush head which is distal to the distal leg, has bristles depending therefrom. The distal leg of the support is connected to the top of the brush head at a medial position along the brush head longitudinal axis by a flexible plastic hinge.

Abstract: An articulate toothbrush having a handle with an elongate grip and a support section extending from the grip to the brush head with an arch shape that diverges fron the longitudinal axis of the grip to an apex at a point of maximum divergence. The arch has a leg that returns toward the longitudinal axis of the grip to the axis of a pivot connection with a brush head which is a substantial distance toward the longitudinal axis of the grip from the apex of the arch. The brush head has a longitudinal axis and terminates along that axis in a heel in the direction of the grip of handle and in a toe in the direction away from the grip. The top of the brush head is proximal to the distal leg of the support and the bottom of the brush head, which is distal to the distal leg, has bristles depending therefrom.