Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Pruett

Timothy J. Pruett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9913702
    Abstract: A floss arm in a generally cylindrical configuration has a distal end, a proximal end, and an exterior surface there between. The distal end is formed with a distal recess. A replaceable flosser has a central base and two outwardly extending legs. The outwardly extending legs have free ends. A piece of floss is secured between the free ends. The central base is removably received in the distal recess. A floss guard is formed with a center attached to the distal end of the floss arm. A plurality of short arms extend from the center to limit the depth of penetration of the floss. Two laterally spaced long legs extend from the center and span the plurality of short legs to define a central zone for optimal flossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pruett
  • Patent number: 9055991
    Abstract: A handle has distal and proximal ends and a drive mechanism. Operational components on the handle include ON and OFF controls and a vibrating coupler to create sonic vibrations. A coupling head has a distal and a proximal ends. The proximal end is formed with a coupling recess. A replaceable holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured there between. The central base has a shape for coupling to and uncoupling from the coupling head. The length of the floss between the fingers is from 5 to 10 percent greater than the distance between the fingers. A compressible stop is on the base of the holder between the fingers. The remainder of the fingers are devoid of a compressible stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pruett
  • Patent number: 8590546
    Abstract: A handle has distal and proximal ends and an exterior surface. Controls with a vibrating coupler are adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the controls. A head has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end has a coupling recess for receiving the vibrating coupler. The enlarged distal end has a generally planar surface and a generally hemispherical surface. The hemispherical surface has a recess to couple with a holder. A holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured between the free ends. Bristles extend from the planar surface between the fingers to control the movement of the floss between teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pruett
  • Publication number: 20130239986
    Abstract: A handle has distal and proximal ends and a drive mechanism. Operational components on the handle include ON and OFF controls and a vibrating coupler to create sonic vibrations. A coupling head has a distal and a proximal ends. The proximal end is formed with a coupling recess. A replaceable holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured there between. The central base has a shape for coupling to and uncoupling from the coupling head. The length of the floss between the fingers is from 5 to 10 percent greater than the distance between the fingers. A compressible stop is on the base of the holder between the fingers. The remainder of the fingers are devoid of a compressible stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. PRUETT
  • Publication number: 20120234348
    Abstract: A handle has distal and proximal ends and an exterior surface. Controls with a vibrating coupler are adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the controls. A head has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end has a coupling recess for receiving the vibrating coupler. The enlarged distal end has a generally planar surface and a generally hemispherical surface. The hemispherical surface has a recess to couple with a holder. A holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured between the free ends. Bristles extend from the planar surface between the fingers to control the movement of the floss between teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pruett
  • Publication number: 20120234349
    Abstract: A handle has distal and proximal ends and an exterior surface. Controls with a vibration generating drive mechanism are connected to a vibrating coupler adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the controls. A coupling head has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end has a coupling recess for receiving the vibrating coupler. The enlarged distal end is formed with a generally planar surface and a generally curved surface. The curved surface has a coupling recess for receiving a replaceable holder. A holder has a central base and two outwardly extending fingers. The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss secured between the free ends. A compressible surface extends from the planar surface between the fingers to control the movement of the floss between teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. PRUETT