Abstract: An applicator, also referred to as workpiece, is suitable for use with a personal care appliance. The applicator can be in the form of a dual brush head. The dual brush head includes a movable central portion having first and second independently movable sections.

Abstract: An applicator, also referred to as workpiece, is suitable for use with a personal care appliance. The applicator can be in the form of a dual brush head. The dual brush head includes a movable central portion having first and second independently movable sections.

Abstract: An oscillating motor for a personal care appliance. The oscillating motor imparts suitable oscillating motion to one or more associated workpieces or workpiece sections via first and second independently moving armatures. The first and second armatures move counter to one another. Each armature/inertial device can be configured to offset the inertia generated by the other of the armature/inertial device, thereby creating zero or almost zero moments about the oscillating axis of the workpiece. The one or more workpiece or workpiece sections can include but is not limited to cleansing brushes, composition applicators, exfoliating brushes, exfoliating discs, toothbrushes, shaving heads, etc.

Abstract: An oscillating motor for a personal care appliance that aims to reduce or substantially eliminate vibration transmitted to the appliance handle. In order to reduce vibration in the handle, the oscillating motor in one embodiment includes dual workpiece mounts. Each workpiece mount is moved independently by one of the two output drives or armatures of the oscillating motor. The oscillating motor utilizes dual, counter-oscillating armatures, each armature/inertial device being configured to offset the inertia generated by the other of the armature/inertial device, thereby creating zero or almost zero moments about the oscillating axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Abstract: The motor includes an E-core stator assembly with a source of alternating current and an armature portion mounted to be responsive to the stator to oscillate back and forth through an arc portion of the personal care appliance and flexure elements are connected between the armature and the mounting member, the flexure elements crossing each other, wherein the crossing point defines a pivot point about which the armature rotates. A workpiece assembly, which includes a mounting arm, is configured so that a skin brush mounted on a free end of the mounting arm has an axis of rotation about the pivot point.

Abstract: The brushhead attachment system includes a hub member which is secured to a drive shaft of a personal care appliance for oscillating action. The hub member includes a number of spaced locking elements in the form of protrusions around the periphery thereof. An annular outer brushhead portion with a first group of bristles includes a plurality of spaced grooves in the outer surface thereof which mate with extending pins in the body of the appliance for insertion and removal of the outer brushhead portion.

Abstract: The motor includes an E-core stator assembly with a source of alternating current and an armature portion mounted to be responsive to the stator to oscillate back and forth through an arc portion of the personal care appliance and flexure elements are connected between the armature and the mounting member, the flexure elements crossing each other, wherein the crossing point defines a pivot point about which the armature rotates. A workpiece assembly, which includes a mounting arm, is configured so that a skin brush mounted on a free end of the mounting arm has an axis of rotation about the pivot point.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Abstract: The acne treatment devices use an array of LEDs, which emit monochromatic light substantially at a wavelength of 405 nanometers, which is coincident with the peak absorbance of light by acne porphyrins. The emitted light is directed from the light source to an acne area of the skin. The device can either be hand-held, with the LEDs mounted on a handle portion, or an LED can be mounted on a patch-like mounting element, which is adapted to be secured to the skin for longer exposure at less intensity.

Abstract: The motor assembly which produces an oscillating action for a personal care device includes a horizontally positioned U-shaped stator portion, and an armature portion which includes a torsion spring shaft which is anchored at one end thereof. The armature portion also includes a U-shaped magnet mounting member which is fixed near the upper end of the spring shaft, the U-shaped member including two opposing legs which extend along a substantial part of the length of the spring shaft, away therefrom. At the tips of each leg are magnet assemblies, which interact with the stator portion in alternating torsion, to produce a back-and-forth oscillation of the armature and a brushhead or other workpiece attached thereto.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a wheelchair having a number of structural features, including a two-gear arrangement, in which one gear is a hypocycloidal gear providing a gear ratio lower than 1:1. A shift member is located on the wheel assembly with hand operated shift portions of the shift member, the shift member capable of moving laterally (perpendicular to the axle) of the wheel between two positions. The shift member can be moved by the user while seated in the wheelchair. The wheel assembly includes a hand rim which is connected to a housing within which is a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes two spaced cage plates which are joined by fixed shafts having unidirectional rollers positioned thereon around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The acne treatment devices use an array of LEDs, which emit monochromatic light substantially at a wavelength of 405 nanometers, which is coincident with the peak absorbance of light by acne porphyrins. The emitted light is directed from the light source to an acne area of the skin. The device can either be hand-held, with the LEDs mounted on a handle portion, or an LED can be mounted on a patch-like mounting element, which is adapted to be secured to the skin for longer exposure at less intensity.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a wheelchair having a number of structural features, including a two-gear arrangement, in which one gear is a hypocycloidal gear providing a gear ratio lower than 1:1. A shift member is located on the wheel assembly with hand operated shift portions of the shift member, the shift member capable of moving laterally (perpendicular to the axle) of the wheel between two positions. The shift member can be moved by the user while seated in the wheelchair. The wheel assembly includes a hand rim which is connected to a housing within which is a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes two spaced cage plates which are joined by fixed shafts having unidirectional rollers positioned thereon around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A vibrating driver assembly is used to vibrate a mounting means, on which a stimulator member is positioned. The stimulator member is a flexible rubber (elastomeric) member which is positioned in operation so as to contact tissue within the vicinity of a salivary gland or a salivary duct of the human body or the salivary gland/duct directly. The vibration of the stimulator member has such a frequency and amplitude and the stimulator itself has such a configuration and arrangement as to result in a vibration of the salivary gland or salivary duct sufficiently and of such a character to produce a significant increase in the production of saliva and/or movement of the saliva from the salivary gland into the mouth.

Abstract: The three point force sensing system includes three spaced sensor members which change in resistance linearly or monotonically over a selected range of force applied thereto. The sensor members are arranged in a triangle configuration in a flex circuit which is positioned between a brushhead and a brushhead body. The brushhead has three raised portions on a lower surface thereof which bear against the sensor members in a spring-like relationship. Electrically conductive trace lines extend from the sensor members along the length of the toothbrush to a connector at the rear end thereof. A microprocessor is used to evaluate the change of resistance as force is applied against the brushhead to determine force in the z direction against the teeth, as well as motion in the x and y direction in a plane parallel with a base portion of the brushhead.

Abstract: The pressure sensing system includes a hinged member that is fixedly attached to a brushhead body. An arm member is attached at one end to said hinged member and pivots about a hinge portion of the hinged invention. The pivoting arm member and the brushhead member nestle within the toothbrush body. The brushhead member includes a striking element portion that extends away from a rear surface of the brushhead. Mounted on the toothbrush body beneath the brushhead member is a collapsible, recoverable dome member, which provides an alarm indication by collapsing when excessive pressure is applied by the user on the brushhead against the teeth.

Abstract: A brushhead for a toothbrush having a particular bristle configuration which includes a plurality of bristle tufts arranged in three columns and nine rows, wherein the distal end two adjacent rows and the proximal end two adjacent rows and an intermediate row have longer bristles than the remaining bristle tuft rows. The distal, intermediate and proximal bristle tuft rows all have pointed tips (in the lateral direction) and beveled outside edges at the top portion thereof. The shorter bristle tuft rows also have beveled outside edges. The shorter bristle tuft rows between the distal and intermediate rows have angled top surfaces in addition to the beveled outside edges.

Abstract: A power toothbrush has a brushhead mounted at one end thereof, the brushhead including a base mounting element for bristles which extend from one surface thereof. Extending from the opposing surface of the base mounting element is a pressure contact member. A substantially rigid brushhead shield extends along and is adjacent to the opposing surface of the brushhead. The brushhead has a hinge-like portion which permits the brushhead to move or swivel in response to pressure being placed on the brushhead, while the brushhead is moving back and forth at its operating frequency of its normal brushing action at over 150 Hz. Thin electrical switch contacts, which are part of an electrical circuit, are positioned on the brush shield, spaced from the contact member on the brushhead.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic tape recorder where the magnetic tape and tape reels are driven by a drive belt with the capability of operating in temperature extremes, the drive belt is composed of silicone rubber that has been cured with a peroxide curing agent.