Power guard

Abstract

A guard for preventing activation of an on/off switch that provides a source of power to operate a personal electric device, such as an electric toothbrush, an electric razor, a trimmer, and the like. The guard includes a flexible cylindrical body having a thickness defined by an inner surface and an outer surface. The guard includes a flexible opening having a first edge and a second edge that substantially face each other along an axial direction of the guard. Peripheral ends of the cylindrical body terminate into a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are aligned concentrically, and substantially perpendicular, to an axis centrally disposed through the cylindrical body of the guard. In use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a portion of the handle of the electric device. The cylindrical body of the guard is sufficiently rigid to prevent an inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of the electric device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Non-Provisional Application which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/276,878, entitled “Power Guard” filed Sep. 17, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a power guard for an electric powered personal device, and in particular to providing a flexible guard adapted to fit snugly over an on/off switch on an electric toothbrush.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electric toothbrush contains several basic components. The toothbrush shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a conventional electric toothbrush 100. The electric toothbrush 100 includes a removable brush 110 with a semi-rotating head 120 at the top. The electric toothbrush 100 also includes a mechanism inside the brush handle 130 that rotates back and forth and causes the semi-rotating head 120 to reciprocate and the turn from side to side. A cam and gear unit (not shown) is disposed under the semi-rotating head 120. The cam and gear unit convert the high-speed rotary (spinning) motion of the electric toothbrush's electric motor 140 into a reciprocating (back-and-forth) brushing motion that causes the semi-rotating head 120 to clean a person's teeth effectively while in use. The cam and gear unit are connected to a gear (not shown) built into the top of the electric motor 140, and the electric motor 140 drives the gear directly. Various batteries 150 (rechargeable or non-rechargeable) are electrically connected to, and located under the electric motor 140. A circuit board (not shown) is attached within the electric toothbrush 100 that receives an activation input from an on/off switch 160 disposed on the outer case 170 of the electric toothbrush 100. The outer case 170 of the electric toothbrush 100 may be made of a durable plastic. The on-off switch 160 is set into, and sealed by, a piece of thin flexible rubber. The outer case 170 keeps moisture, toothpaste and other contaminates away from the circuit board, electric motor 140, and batteries 150, which would otherwise cause damage to the electric toothbrush 100.

Although an electric toothbrush is fairly simple in design, one of the on-going problems with electric toothbrushes occurs unavoidably while in transit. All too often an on/off switch of a stored electric toothbrush is activated when a force is applied by an adjacent packed object, and/or by compressing the luggage area around the on/off switch of the electric toothbrush thereby inadvertently turning the on/off switch to the active position. Unfortunately, activation of the electric toothbrush may go unnoticed and the battery will drain.

Even more embarrassing is the instance where the electric toothbrush begins to vibrate in a person's luggage while in the vicinity of others only to be mistaken by the bystanders as a different more personal electronic device. Consequently, when the user attempts to activate the on/off switch for use, to their surprise, there is no charge in the battery and the electric toothbrush is unusable.

In the past, electric toothbrush carrying cases have been marketed and sold with the electric toothbrush. The problem with these carrying cases is that they are large and cumbersome and often take up substantial space in a compact carrying case thereby occupying room at the expense of leaving behind other necessary travel items. Consequently, there is a need for a compact portable device that prevents inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of the electric toothbrush.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a guard for a personal electric device comprising a semi-rigid flexible cylindrical body having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a first end and a second end. The ends are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, and around which the cylindrical body of the guard is aligned. In use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch on the electric device. The cylindrical body is sufficiently rigid to prevent an inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of the electric device.

The cylindrical body of the guard includes a flexible opening defining a first edge and a second edge substantially facing each other, and edges are aligned substantially parallel to the axis. In a stored position, the flexible opening is positioned, and axially aligned, toward a back of the electric device so that the on/off switch is protected from activation. And, in a use position, the flexible opening is positioned, and axially aligned, forward so that the on/off switch is aligned within the flexible opening to permit access to the on/off switch through the flexible opening.

The guard is composed of a resilient flexible material adapted to stretch and contract to snugly fit over a variety of different size and shapes of handles for various electronic devices. Likewise, the guard is rigid suitable for providing sufficient rigidity to prevent the on/off switch of the electric device from being activated when the guard is positioned over the on/off switch.

In another embodiment, the guard may be constructed as an extended guard that covers the entire handle and the on/off switch of the electric device. Alternatively, the guard may be constructed to cover the head of the electric device and the on/off switch.

Various ribs may be disposed on the guard to enhance the strength of the guard and to prevent activation of the on/off switch.

Another aspect is to integrate a power level meter into the guard that indicates the amount of charge residing in the battery and to provide on a display therefore.

These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary power guard for a personal electric device in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective front view of the guard secured in place over an on/off switch of an electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the guard secured over the on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the guard secured over the on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush, and the flexible opening of the guard in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the guard secured over the on/off switch and the handle of the electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an extended guard secured over the on/off switch and the lower end of the handle of the electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an extended guard secured over the head of the electric toothbrush and the on/off switch of the handle in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional electric toothbrush.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the guard including various ribs in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment in which the guard includes a battery power meter in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary power guard 10 constructed to cover and prevent the on/off switch 160 from activating a source of power that operates the personal electric device. In particular, the guard 10 is shown herein cylindrical in shape. The guard 10 may be made of a semi-rigid flexible material and may be placed over the on/off switch 160 disposed on the handle 140 of an electric powered device, such as an electric toothbrush 100 shown and described in these exemplary embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the electric powered device may be selected from a variety of different electric powered devices, such as an electric razor, an electric trimmer, an intimate personal device, and/or any other electric device.

The guard 10 may be made of a resilient flexible material adapted to stretch and contract and snugly fit over any number of handles for various commercially available electronic devices which come in various sizes and shape. It is to be understood that the various features and functionality among the guards 10, 20, 30, 40 are interchangeable.

Various materials may be used to construct the guard 10. The guard 10 may be composed from a variety of different materials including but not limited to, for example, rubber, a flexible composite or polymeric material and/or any other semi-rigid elastic material suitable to install the guard 10 onto the electric toothbrush 100 as well as to provide sufficient rigidity to prevent the on/off switch 160 of the electric toothbrush 100 from being activated when the guard 10 is affixed over the on/off switch 160 disposed on the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100. Although the on/off switch 160 shown in these FIGS is embodied central to the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100, it is to be understood that the on/off switch 160 may be configured as a twisting rotational switch and/or any other type of actuating switch which may be used in combination with the guard 10 described herein.

It is also to be understood that the guard 10 may constructed from a semi-rigid and/or more rigid material which is substantially tailored to fit over the on/off switch of the handle 130 and to prevent activation of the on/off switch when the electric toothbrush 100 is stored. In both instances, the material of the guard 10 is sufficiently rigid to prevent a user and/or an inadvertent activation of the on/off switch 160 of the electric toothbrush 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the guard 10 is shown constructed cylindrical in shape and includes a flexible opening 12. At rest the guard 10 is biased to close the flexible opening 12. The flexible opening 12 is provided to allow the guard 10 to expand open to fit over electric toothbrush handles 130 of various shapes and sizes. The flexible opening 12 is defined at its edges by a first edge 13 and a second edge 14. Since the guard 10 is biased into a closed configuration, the first edge 13 and a second edge 14 substantially face each other at the flexible opening 12.

At the peripheral ends of the cylindrical shaped guard 10 are disposed a first end 15 and a second end 16. The ends are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis running through the cylindrical shaped guard 10. The guard 10 further defines an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 18.

Although the guard 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a flexible opening 12, it is to be understood that the guard 10 can be a closed continuous cylindrical shape without a flexible opening 12. As such, the entire guard 10 can be allowed to stretch over the handle 130 of an electric toothbrush 100. Furthermore, although the guard 10 is depicted as a cylindrical member, it is to be understood that the guard 10 may take a variety of different sizes and shapes.

FIGS. 1-5 depict an exemplary illustration of the guard 10 attached to the electric toothbrush 100. In use, the flexible guard 10 may be slipped over the handle 130 from above, below or from the side. The guard 10 is positioned over the on/off switch 160 to prevent access to the on/off switch 160. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 in more detail, the inner surface 17 of the guard 10 lies against, and over the handle 130 and on/off switch 160. The outer surface 18 of the guard 10 faces outward and surrounds the outside of the guard 10. The outer surface 18 of the guard 10 will come into contact with various items while in a stored position, such as in a travel carrying bag, or the like. An object of the guard 10 in the stored position is to prevent the on/off switch 160 from accidentally being activated when disposed in place over the on/off switch 160.

Traditionally, and all too often, the on/off switch 160 of a stored electric toothbrush is activated by contact and/or force applied by an adjacent packed object and/or by an inadvertent compression of the luggage area around the on/off switch 160. Unfortunately, activation of the electric toothbrush 100 may go unnoticed and the batteries 150 will drain. When the user attempts turn on their electric toothbrush 100 for use, to their surprise there is no charge in the batteries 150 and the electric toothbrush 100 is unusable until it can be recharged.

In a stored position (such as shown in FIGS. 2-3), the flexible opening 12 is rotated and axially aligned toward the back of the electric toothbrush 100 so that the on/off switch 160 is protected from inadvertent activation. In use, the extended flexible opening 12 may be rotated forward so that the on/off switch 160 is aligned within the flexible opening 12, and the flexible opening 12 is suitable opened to permit a user to access the on/off switch 160 through the flexible opening 12 in order to activate the electric toothbrush 100.

When the user has finished brushing her teeth, she may then rotate the flexible opening 12 back into the storage position in which the flexible opening 12 is again facing the rear of the electric toothbrush 100 thereby covering the on/off switch 160 to prevent inadvertent activation.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a perspective and a rear view of the guard 10 secured over the on/off switch 160 and the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 in accordance with this invention. From this view, the flexible opening 12 is shown defined at its edged by a first edge 13 and a second edge 14. The exemplary electric toothbrush 100 shown has an ergonomic contour that the guard 10 flexibly adapts to in use as a result of the elastic properties of the flexible material of the flexible guard 10.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the guard 10 secured over the on/off switch 160 and the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 in accordance with this invention. As shown, the guard 10 flexibly stretches over the handle 130 and covers the on/off switch 160 of the electric toothbrush 100. The flexible opening 12 is adapted to fit over and tightly snug against an irregular shaped ergonomic handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 such as shown in these figures.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an extended guard 30 secured over the on/off switch 160 as well as the lower end of the handle 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 in accordance with another aspect of this invention. The flexible opening 12 may be extended as shown to facilitate the ease of installation of the extended guard 30. As shown, the power guard 30 may comprise an extended construction that covers the lower end of electric toothbrush 100 and/or other electric powered device. The advantage being that the extended guard 30 can account for the on/off switch 160 disposed anywhere under the cover of the extended guard 30.

As mentioned before, when the electric powered device is in a stored position, the flexible opening 12 may be rotated toward the back of the electric toothbrush 100 so that the on/off switch 160 is protected from inadvertent activation. In use, the extended flexible opening 12 may be rotated forward so that the on/off switch 160 is aligned within the flexible opening 12. The user may then access the on/off switch 160 through the flexible opening 12 and activate the electric toothbrush 100 for use.

When the user has finished brushing her teeth, she may then rotate the flexible opening 12 into the storage position in which the flexible opening 12 is again facing the rear of the electric toothbrush 100 and covering the on/off switch 160 to preventing inadvertent activation. The same method of rotating and aligning the flexible opening 12 to access the on/off switch 160 applies for use with the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 described herein. The benefit of rotating the flexible opening 12 forward and back to access the on/off switch 160 is convenient in that the various guards 10, 20, 30 do not have to be removed to activate the electric toothbrush 100.

In another aspect, the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be constructed in at least two parts (not shown) in which a first portion can rotate relative to a second portion. The advantage of this construction being able to rotate the first portion between a first storage position in which the on/off switch 160 is inaccessible, and a second storage position in which the on/off switch 160 is accessible.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an extended guard 40 secured over the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 and the on/off switch 160 of the handle 130 in accordance with this invention. A flexible opening 12 may also be disposed along the extended guard 40 to facilitate the ease of installation of the extended guard 40. Likewise, the flexible opening 12 may be moved from a first closed position in which the on/off switch 160 is inaccessible through the flexible opening 12, and a second storage position in which the on/off switch 160 is accessible through the flexible opening 12.

When stored, the open end 42 of the extended guard 40 is placed over the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 and slid down along the handle 130 until the extended guard 40 completely covers the on/off switch 160 in order to prevent inadvertent activation of the electric toothbrush 100 as shown in FIG. 7.

Various other “personal” electronic devices can benefit from the configuration of the extended guard 30 where the on/off switch is a twisting on/off switch disposed at the bottom of the personal electronic device. It is to be understood that the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be modified and adapted to snugly fit over various on/off switch configurations, such as the on/off switch 160, a twisting on/off switch and/or any other commercially available on/off switch for various portable electronic devices.

The extended guard 40 also serves a hygienic purpose in that in the stored position, the head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 is protected against unsanitary contaminants that would normally come into contact with an uncovered head 120 of the electric toothbrush 100 and/or personal electric powered device. Although the top end 44 of the extended cover 40 is shown closed, it is to be understood that the top end 44 of the extended cover 40 may be open.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the guard 10 including various ribs 19 in accordance with this invention. The ribs 19 may be disposed about the guard 10 in order to enhance the strength of the guard 10 at various locations. As shown, the ribs 19 surround the inside surface 17 of the guard 10. The advantage of providing the ribs 19 is to provide rigidity to the guard and to prevent the inadvertent activation of the on/off switch 160 when the guard is positioned over the on/off switch 160. As a result, the rigidity of the ribs 19 will allow the guard to slide onto the electric toothbrush 100 with ease.

The guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be strengthened in a variety of different ways including, but not limited to: embedding a rigid material in the composition of the guard, placing a rigid member on the guard and/or integrating the rigid member into the guard, and/or any other suitable method for suitably enhancing the rigidity of the guard. It is to be understood that the rigid member disposed on the various guards 10, 20, 30, 40 may be constructed as ribs inside, outside, within and/or in any other configuration on the guards 10, 20, 30, 40.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary power guard 20 including a battery power meter 22 in accordance with this invention. In use, the guard 20 is adapted to determine the amount of remaining charge available in the power source (e.g., batteries 150) of the electric toothbrush 100. The power meter 22 may include a visual display 24 to indicate to a user the amount of charge remaining in the batteries 150 of the electric toothbrush 100. Since there are generally no metal electrical contacts in electric toothbrushes 100, the guard 20 will measure the amount of charge in the batteries though induction detection of the electromagnetic field in the guard 10 and/or the area surrounding the batteries 150.

As such, the guard 20 may be constructed with a circuit including a material composition capable of induction and detection thereof. When detecting the amount of charge in the batteries 150, the guard 20 will substantially mimic the characteristics of a transformer in which the electric toothbrush 100 and the guard 20 form a two-part transformer, with the guard 20 having one part of the transformer and the electric toothbrush 100 having the other.

When the guard 20 is placed on to the electric toothbrush 100 and a current is induced, a complete transformer is created and the residual charge in the batteries can flow through the guard 20 by induction. The amount of charge in the electric magnetic field flowing though the guard 20 can be detected and visually displayed 24 by indicia on the power meter 22 in a suitable range, such as between a range of “LOW” and “FULL.”

The guard 20 may be embedded with an inductive material property capable of detecting and determining the strength of the induction within the field adjacent to the battery 150 power source. That is, the strength of the electromagnetic field generated by the batteries 150 through the guard 20 can be detected and measured and the result displayed 24 on the power meter 22.

Although an electric toothbrush 10 was used to describe an exemplary use for this invention, it is to be understood that various types of electric toothbrushes are available and may be implemented in accordance with this invention, e.g., an ordinary electric toothbrush to sonic toothbrushes. Likewise, it is to be understood that the guard 10 may be used on a variety of different devices, such as an electric razor, an electric trimmer, an intimate personal device, and/or any other electric device.

As shown in FIG. 7, various aesthetic logos 46 and or designs may printed on the guards 10, 20, 30, 40 including but not limited to, circles, rectangles, squares, triangles, trademark designs, a logo, a brand, cartoons, a mascot, and/or any obtuse shape, design or printed indicia in accordance with this invention.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A guard for a personal electric device comprising:

a semi-rigid flexible cylindrical body having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, and around which the cylindrical body of the guard is aligned, where in use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch on the electric device, and wherein the cylindrical body is sufficiently rigid to prevent an inadvertent activation of the on/off switch of the electric device.

2. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body of the guard includes a flexible opening defining a first edge and a second edge substantially facing each other, and wherein each edge is aligned substantially parallel to the axis.

3. The guard as recited in claim 2, where in:

a stored position, the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned toward a back of the electric device so that the on/off switch is protected from activation; and

a use position, the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned forward so that the on/off switch is aligned within the flexible opening to permit access to the on/off switch through the flexible opening.

4. The guard as recited in claim 2, wherein the flexible opening is constructed to expand open to fit over a handle of the electric device, and when at rest, the guard is biased to close the flexible opening against the handle of the electric device.

5. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is composed of a resilient flexible material adapted to stretch and contract to snugly fit over a variety of different size and shapes of handles for various electronic devices, and being suitable for providing sufficient rigidity to prevent the on/off switch of the electric device from being activated when the guard is positioned over the on/off switch.

6. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the guard contacts and snugly covers the on/off switch, and the outer surface faces outward away from the on/off switch to prevent the on/off switch from being activated when the on/off switch is covered.

7. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is an extended guard that comprises an extended construction that covers the entire handle and the on/off switch of the electric device.

8. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard is an extended guard that comprises an extended construction that covers the head of the electric device and the on/off switch.

9. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the on/off switch is a rotating switch.

10. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein ribs are disposed on the guard to enhance the strength of the guard and to prevent activation of the on/off switch.

11. The guard as recited in claim 10, wherein the ribs surround the inside surface of the guard.

12. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the guard includes a power meter that indicates an amount of remaining charge available in the electric device.

13. The guard as recited in claim 12, wherein the power meter includes a display that indicates the amount of charge remaining in the electric device.

14. The guard as recited in claim 1, wherein the electric device may be selected from at least one of: an electric toothbrush; an electric razor; an electric trimmer; and an intimate personal device.

15. A guard for an electric toothbrush comprising:

a flexible cylindrical body further comprising: an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, around which the cylindrical body of the guard is aligned; and a flexible opening disposed in the flexible cylindrical body having a first edge and a second edge substantially facing each other, wherein each edge is aligned substantially parallel to the axis, where in use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a portion of the handle of the electric toothbrush, and wherein the cylindrical body is sufficiently rigid to prevent an activation of the on/off switch of the electric toothbrush.

16. The guard as recited in claim 15, where in:

a stored position, the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned toward a back of the electric toothbrush so that the on/off switch is protected from activation; and

a use position, the flexible opening is positioned and axially aligned forward so that the on/off switch is aligned within the flexible opening to permit access to the on/off switch through the flexible opening.

17. A power guard for a personal electric device comprising:

a flexible cylindrical body further comprising: an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a first end and a second end whose ends are aligned substantially perpendicular to an axis, around which the cylindrical body of the power guard is aligned; a flexible opening disposed in the flexible cylindrical body having a first edge and a second edge substantially facing each other, wherein each edge is aligned substantially parallel to the axis; and ribs disposed on the guard to enhance the strength of the guard and to prevent activation of the on/off switch, where in use, the guard is adapted to snugly fit over an off/on switch and a portion of the handle of the electric device.

18. The power guard as recited in claim 17, wherein the power guard includes a battery power meter that displays an amount of remaining charge available in the electric device.