Abstract: A method and device for enabling oscillating drive of at least one tooth cleaning element in a tooth cleaning device which includes a drive unit and motion transmitters acting between the drive unit and the at least one tooth cleaning element. A rotary motion, derived from the rotary motion of the drive unit, is converted and one of the motion transmitters in a vicinity of at least one tooth cleaning element into a cyclic linear motion directed at an angle to an axis of the rotary motion of the drive unit and transmitted to the cleaning element.

Abstract: A submersible scrubbing device using a direct current electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries. The device has a longitudinal body, with the rotating brush tool positioned in line with the body, to allow the tool and the device to be inserted into narrow passageways. The housing of the device is designed to prevent water from entering the device. Variously configured scrubbing brushes or scrubbing tools are used with the device.

Abstract: An oral hygiene system includes a method of removing plaque from teeth and gums by brushing the teeth with a plaque-disclosing dentifrice composition including a dye which will differentially stain plaque according to the organizational structure of the plaque, correlating the observed color of the plaque to the plaque structure, and brushing to remove the plaque structure so identified. The system also includes a toothbrush having a head and a handle, where the head has bristles with their freestanding end in a square pyramidal shape with sides having a slope corresponding approximately to buccal and lingual contours of a tooth.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (1) for an electric toothbrush which includes a mounting tube (2) in which a shaft (7) rotary about a longitudinal axis (3) is received. Further, the brush section (1) includes a bristle carrier (11) from which bristles (15) extend in the direction of a brush axis (14). The bristle carrier (11) is rotary about a transverse axis (19) by means of a bearing pin (21). By means of in particular a tapered disk (24), the brush axis (14) and the transverse axis (19) define between them an angle (28) departing from an apex (29). In operation of the electric toothbrush, the bristle carrier (11) performs a nutating motion about the transverse axis (19). This effects a revolving approaching/receding motion of the free ends of the bristles (15) resulting in an improved cleaning action on a user's teeth.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush having a brush section and a drive shaft received in the brush section. The brush section includes a first bristle supporting structure operatively coupled to the shaft for motion about an axis essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a second bristle supporting structure operatively coupled to the shaft for substantially transverse oscillating motion of the entire second bristle supporting structure relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first bristle supporting structure is generally cylindrically shaped and carries a plurality of bristle clusters.

Abstract: A brush section for an electric toothbrush includes a driver, a mounting tube which receives the driver, where the driver is arranged in the direction of a longitudinal axis defined by the mounting tube, a first bristle carrier mounted for rotation about a first brush axis, a second bristle carrier mounted for rotation about a second brush axis, and a mechanism to effect coupling engagement of the driver with the first and second bristle carriers. A motion of the driver effects a rotary motion of the first bristle carrier about the first brush axis and the second bristle carrier about the second brush axis. The first and second brush axes define an approximately right angle therebetween.

Abstract: A toothbrush for efficiently removing plaque, tartar, and calculus from teeth. The toothbrush includes a grip handle and a crown cap mounted on a distal end of the grip handle. The crown cap is provided with a first tooth fitting portion which includes a pair of walls having curved inner surfaces confronting each other and proximal ends, and a central portion for connecting the pair of walls at the proximal ends. The central portion has a wavy or sinuous inner surface that is continuous with the curved inner surfaces. The curved and wavy inner surfaces have a cross-section of a substantially heart-shape with a lower, opened end, and bristle assemblies are secured on the continuous curved and wavy inner surfaces. The bristle assemblies are elongated and extend at an angle ranging from 30.degree. to 60.degree.

Abstract: An improved electric toothbrush assembly including a handle and a brush portion. The handle has an output shaft which is provided with a vertical positioning rod. The brush portion includes a brushing housing, a brush cover, a brush rod received between the brush housing and brush cover, and two brush heads. The brush housing is coupled to the handle as well as the brush cover. The housing is provided with a brush face formed with two parallel elongated face slots. The brush cover is provided with a cover pin projecting from a middle section thereof. The brush rod has hooks at a bottom side thereof, a vertical elongated slot near a middle section thereof and two grooves at an upper side thereof corresponding to the brush face of the brush housing. The brush heads are each provided with brush axles received therein which pass through the grooves of the brush rod and the face slots of the brush housing. The hooks of the brush rod engage the positioning rod of the handle.

Abstract: In a dental cleaning device (1) including a grip member (2) and at least one elongate extension member (5) which projects from the grip member (2) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (4), the free end portion (13) of the extension member carrying a brush holder (14), from which bristles (10) project in the direction of the pivotal axis (15) and which is drivable so as to pivot to and fro along a circularly arcuate path about a pivotal axis (15) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (4), and an interdental brush holder (16), from which interdental bristles (12) extend also in the direction of dte pivotal axis (15) and which is coupled to a drive member (69) which is drivable so as to pivot to and fro about a further pivotal axis (17), the further pivotal axis (17) also extends transversely to the longitudal axis (4) of the extension member (5), and the free ends of the bristles (10) and the interdental bristles (12) perform a movement whose main component is oriented parallel to a plane which exte

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed which includes an elongate body defining a handle, an elongate housing extending from the body and supporting a brush head at a distal end thereof, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the housing and connected to the brush head, a motor disposed within the body and including a rotating output shaft, and a transmission assembly adapted to convert the rotational movement of the output shaft into reciprocating rotation of the drive shaft and brush head about a common axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hand held insitu reactor vessel stud cleaner includes a right angle drill having a frame with an annular ring portion mounted thereon. An annular rotating plate assembly with a cylindrical brush holder or thread chase is concentrically mounted thereon and driven by a spur gear and ring gear combination or a belt and pulley combination. Vacuum structure is provided to remove corroded material loosened by the brushes or chase.

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: A hand rotating type toothbrush having provision for rotation in first and second rotational directions using separate manually actuated slides. The shaft supporting the head is formed integrally with an axially aligned torsion bar which returns the head to neutral position. A first slide member provides for rotation in a first direction. A second slide member provides for rotation in a second direction, each slide member providing 180 degrees of rotation. Preferably, the entire device is formed from synthetic resinous materials for low cost of production and convenience in maintaining sanitary conditions. The shaft is selectively fixed at an inner end thereof to the handle by catch or detent means, thus maintaining the device in selectively assembled condition.

Abstract: A floor buffer having the power source and drive means mounted at one end of an elongate handle, and a buffer head mounted at the other end, such that the center of gravity of the machine is roughly at the midpoint of the elongate handle, and having a carrier strap, hand grip and switch mounted on the handle between the midpoint of the handle and the power source and drive motor such when in use and carried by the user the buffer head rests lightly and controllably on the floor is disclosed.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed having a power driven rotary brush in which the direction of rotation of the brush is automatically controlled depending on whether the top or the bottom teeth are being brushed in order to brush any food debris present on the teeth and gums in a direction away from the gums. The toothbrush of the present invention utilizes a direction controller that is placed inside the mouth between the top and bottom teeth. The direction controller controls the direction of brush rotation and serves to stabilize the toothbrush relative to the teeth during the brushing operation. The movement of the direction controller operates a reversing switch to change the direction of rotation of the brush as required to brush in a direction away from the gums and towards the teeth without removing the toothbrush from the mouth.

Abstract: An electrically operated oscillatory toothbrush comprises generally a housing, a motor in the housing, an actuator, an oscillator and a sleeve member sequentially secured to the top of the housing and protected by a cap member, and a toothbrush secured into the upper portion of the cap member. The character of this disclosure is that the sleeve member has a transverse slot in cooperation with a recoil spring connected between the oscillator and the sleeve member so as to limit the oscillator to swing within a certain range of angle in order that the toothbrush oscillates with intermittent elastic vibrations to an extent to perfectly clean a user's teeth.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush (10) with an adaptive load sensor (12) is disclosed. The toothbrush of this invention includes a brushhead (16) that is vibrated by a drive assembly (18). The load sensor monitors the current drawn by the drive assembly to determine the mechanical load to which the toothbrush is exposed. The load sensor assembly produces an adaptive threshold signal that represents the instantaneous maximum pressure load. If the sensed load voltage exceeds the adaptive threshold signal, the load sensor assembly deenergizes the drive assembly and generates an alarm signal so as to give the user a warning that the toothbrush has been excessively loaded.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a drive shaft with an off-set finger. A pivotably supported wobble plate has a fork at one end and an arcuate drive gear at another end. The drive gear meshes with a gear rotatably fixed to a brush holder so that in use the brush holder is caused to oscillate. The arrangement provides more flexibility in design and in particular enables the maximum arc of oscillation to be significantly increased over similar prior art toothbrushes.

Abstract: A motorized multiple brush assembly including a handle having a top circular face, a bottom circular face, and a periphery formed therebetween, wherein the handle has a rotating rod concentrically situated along the length thereof with ends protruding therefrom. Further provided is a plurality of attachments adapted to be releasably coupled to the rotating rod. The attachments include a saw attachment with a disk-shaped rigid saw concentrically coupled thereto, a first brush attachment with a brush having a triangular configuration concentrically coupled thereto, a second brush attachment with the brush having a generally cylindrical configuration concentrically coupled thereto, and a third brush attachment with the brush having a disc shaped configuration concentrically coupled thereto. Finally, a control system is situated within the handle and powered by a battery.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a thin, metal cam shaft rotatably driven about a central longitudinal axis. Tuft blocks are mounted in a head member and constrained to pivot about an axis of a support shaft. Upper sides of the tuft blocks each have a slot which fits somewhat loosely over the cam shaft. During use, the cam shaft causes upstanding ends of bristles to move from side to side.

Abstract: An automated dental cleaner (320) comprises a subassembly (324) having a pair of pivotally supported spaced tines (336) for supporting a movable floss span (338) therebetween. A pair of capstans (346, 352) are provided for drivingly reciprocating the floss span. Floss supply and take-up spools (340, 342) are arranged for continuously replacing the span. A main assembly (322) includes a housing containing a motor-driven multi-function transmission for driving the capstans and take-up spool, and for reciprocating the tines vertically. The main assembly and the subassembly are detachably connectable to each other for expedient replacement of the subassembly by a user. An additional feature on each tine includes a bracing pad (424) shaped for bracing the fork on teeth and gums. Brush bristles (426, 428) added to the tines help to inhibit fork lateral motion and enable the cleaner to floss and brush teeth simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for the removal of plaque from interproximal areas of the dental anatomy and from periodontal pockets. An orbital vibratory motion about the longitudinal axis of the bristles is utilized to impart frictional forces from a multitude of bristles positioned within the interproximal area of two adjacent teeth and in the periodontal pockets of the gum. An advanced embodiment utilizes ultrasonically enhanced bristle tufts to transmit ultrasonic vibrations into the gingival fluids in the periodontal pockets, producing standing ultrasonic waves within the gingival fluids which augments and enhances the plaque removal capability of the orbitally vibrating nylon bristles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an interproximal brush for an electric toothbrush which is coupled to the shaft driving the bristle supporting structure in an alternating motion in a manner independent of the coupling of the bristle supporting structure to the shaft. The interproximal brush performs a pivotal motion enabling additional cleaning in particular of interproximal spaces.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush has an elongate shank and a drive shaft formed in two sections. The sections are drivingly coupled together by a coil spring. The shank is formed in two sections joined together by a flexible ribbed seal. The shank is able to flex while the drive shaft continues to run normally without adding strain to the electric motor which would increase electric power required. Rigid bars restrict the flexibility of the shank parts into a single plane.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush assembly with sterilizing and charging devices including a housing, a battery casing and an electric toothbrush. The housing is equipped with an ozone unit and a charging unit. The battery casing may be inserted into the electric toothbrush to provide a supply of power.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a housing, a motor, a battery, and a removable cleaning attachment. The housing comprising a rigid subassembly shell and a resilient cover. The cover is injection molded onto the shell to waterproof a majority of the shell. The shell has raised portions on its exterior that are used to position the shell in the injection mold. After molding is completed, the cover surrounds the raised portions, but does not cover them.

Abstract: A toothbrush including an elongated casing covered with a bottom cover and having rows of bristle holes at one end and three longitudinal sliding slots at an opposite end at different sides, a bristle holder and carrier frame assembly mounted inside the casing and holding bundles of bristles in the bristle holes of the casing, a chain gearing longitudinally mounted inside the casing and engaged with the bristle holder and carrier frame assembly, and three slides respectively mounted in the sliding slots of the casing and reciprocated to turn the bundles of bristles.

Abstract: A hand held tool having a housing, a motor, a removable battery, a tool attachment connected to the motor, and a battery cap connected to the housing. The battery cap is frictionally connected to a ledge of the housing at the entrance to a battery receiving area. The housing and the battery cap have mating edges with cooperating cam surfaces. Axial rotation of the battery cap on the ledge causes the battery cap to be cammed off of the ledge by the cam surfaces.

Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush that includes a switch lever engaged with a hole for switching a motor on and off, the hole being defined through an end wall of a dry cell cap. The switch lever includes a manipulation control portion, a revolving shaft portion, a spherical operating portion, and a lever portion, all formed integrally by a flexible member. The toothbrush includes an electric circuit-connecting terminal structure for joining the motor and dry cell in communication with one another, which terminal structure is formed by first and second terminal members. The first and second terminal members each includes a platelike L-shaped main body, and the platelike main body of the second terminal member is resilient so as to return to a predetermined L-shape when no external forces are exerted thereon.

Abstract: A brush curved having a brush head with a central portion from which extend two arm or wing portions. The wing portions extend away from the central portion at a separation angle of approximately 70.degree. to 90.degree., and preferably 75.degree. to 85.degree., and more preferably at an angle of 80.degree.. Extension of the wings away from a common side of the central portion forms a curved pocket or cup cleaning channel at one edge of the bristles or sponge-like material of the brush. This cleaning channel serves to funnel dirty water away from the contoured surface of an automobile being cleaned. Water is swept across the contoured surface, making drying of the contoured surface less of a chore.

Abstract: A multipurpose motorized cordless scrub cleaning machine is disclosed and is intended to reduce the effort in scrub cleaning jobs around the house or the work places for general cleaning by the usage of rotating pads or brushes. Water and detergent are conveniently supplied into the pads to clean dishes and perform scrub rinsing, too. It could also perform polishing and sanding jobs depending on the setting used in each function, and it could also carry an egg beater accessory.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, in particular for the interdental area, comprising two twisted, wire-type sections (1, 2), it is provided, with a view to putting into practice novel cleaning methods, the cleaning being accompanied by the application of care and cleaning agents, that the wire-type sections (1, 2) are twisted in such a way that at least one free loop or eye (9) is formed.

Abstract: A brush-head assembly for a motor driven toothbrush including an elongated handle housing a motor with a primary drive shaft extending outwardly from one end of the handle, said assembly comprising a housing sleeve attachable at one end to said handle, said sleeve having a second end defining an inner cylindrical bearing surface and an annular end surface, a brush head including a shaft journaled in said second sleeve end and defining an outer cylindrical bearing surface juxtaposed with said inner cylindrical bearing surface and an annular shoulder juxtaposed with said annular end surface of said sleeve, and a soft resilient annular bushing positioned between said brush head shoulder and said sleeve end surface.

Abstract: An accessory device for use with a conventional toothbrush having a handle at one end and bristles at the opposite end, includes a housing of a size and configuration to be grippable by a user's hand, a holder pivotally mounted within the housing and removably receiving the handle of a conventional toothbrush with the bristles of the toothbrush projecting externally of the housing, and a drive coupled to the holder for cyclically pivotting the holder and the toothbrush held thereby.

Abstract: This invention is a new water-powered random orbital power cleaner in which the orbital head rotates in a completely random orbit on which it spins. In addition, this invention involves a foam or bristled shroud which fits around the plastic shell of this invention in order to buff and protect the item being washed, buffed, polished or cleaned with the orbital head.

Abstract: A window scraper brush is disclosed. The brush has a brush support defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments extending from a portion of the brush support. The filaments are tapered with the tips of the filaments defining a longitudinal filament edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the brush has brass filaments and an axle about which the brush can be oscillated. The brush preferably includes camming structure cooperable with a housing to cause the brush to move toward and away from a work surface during a portion of each oscillation of the brush about the axle.

Abstract: A device for removing cobwebs comprising a handle (6) housing electrical storage cells (16), and a motor (14); said motor (14) being drivably connected to a length of rod (8) which when made to come in contact with cobwebs while being spun by the energized motor (14) causes cobwebs (30) to stick to and get tightly wound around said rod resulting in the effective removal and disposal of the cobwebs.

Abstract: A power tool is provided and includes a housing having a first longitudinal axis extending therein. An output shaft is mounted in the housing along the longitudinal axis operably connected to the working element. A motor in the housing is provided for driving the output shaft. A transmission system has cooperating portions which are movable between (1) a first state wherein the cooperating portions are disengaged from each other allowing the output shaft to reciprocate, and (2) a second state wherein the cooperating portions are engaged with each other causing the output shaft to rotate. A wobble driver is mounted to the output shaft with the wobble driver having (1) a first mode wherein the wobble driver is in driving relation to the output shaft and is capable of reciprocating with the output shaft along the first longitudinal axis, and (2) a second mode when the wobble driver is in non-driving relation to the output shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section for an electric toothbrush with a handle section comprising an electric motor, wherein the brush section is adapted to be connected with the handle section and has at its end remote from the handle section an essentially circular cylindrical rotary bristle supporting structure (38) on which bristles (48, 50) are arranged in the form of tufts (60, 62) of different lengths, and wherein the bristle supporting structure (38) has its axis of rotation at approximately right angles to a longitudinal center line of the brush section and is adapted to be driven in an alternating rotary motion over an arc of .+-.20.degree. to .+-.100.degree.. Some of the tufts (60) of bristles are serially located in position on a diameter and on an outer circular ring of the bristle supporting structure (38).

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a handle with a cavity therein, a motor mounted in the cavity of the handle and having a rotatable shaft, a brush head, and a shaft arranged to connect the brush head to the handle. An eccentric weight is mounted to the motor shaft so as to rotate eccentrically when the motor shaft rotates so that the brush handle vibrates. A further weight is mounted to the shaft so as to be axially movable by a manipulator for adjusting vibration of the brush head.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: An electrical driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a remote end which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation on a post supported by a head. When the shaft rotates the remote end describes a circle and driving engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate.

Abstract: A comb comprises a head, a combing portion, a spraying device, a massaging device, and a head shield fastened with the head. The combing portion is fastened with the underside of the head and is provided with a plurality of combing teeth. The spraying device comprises a container for holding therein hair spray and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing hair spray. The massaging device comprises a motor, an eccentric cam and batteries. The vibration force of the eccentric cam in motion is transmitted to the combing teeth to provide hair with a massaging effect.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to make an engaging section between a holder section and a toothbrush section of a motor-driven toothbrush more simple, manufacture thereof easier and also minimize the production cost as well as to achieve minimization and weight reduction thereof, and also to improve the reliability of insertion. For this purpose, an engaging/receiving hole or bore is formed in the toothbrush section of the motor-driven toothbrush, and a projection of the holder section is inserted into the engaging hole for fixing the toothbrush section to the holder section. Also the engaging projection is formed on said holder section and the toothbrush section is made of resilient material to provide the engaging hole having a round cross-section into which the projection is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a staggered swing brush head assembly of an electric toothbrush. There are two swing bodies adjoin in the head part of the toothbrush by a swing bar. They can wobble to the opposite direction as the rear swing body is driven to swing by an eccentric cam of a drive rod. By this means the vibration force of the electric toothbrush can be eliminated to the less, and the action of the brush hair is in accord with the correct method of cleaning tooth. On the other hand, the rotating drive rod with the threaded blade drives the water and the powder infiltrating into the shell trunks out through the slots under the centrifugal effect.

Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed which comprises a rotatably mounted toothbrush head, 100, a connection member, 150, for connection to a linear reciprocal drive means contained in hand-held casing and a flexible member, 160, formed preferably from steel wire or ribbon disposed between the connection member, 150, and the head, 100, and for converting linear reciprocal motion of the connection member to rotational motion of the head.

Abstract: An electric oscillating tool, having particular but not necessarily exclusive utility as an electric toothbrush, for driving a brush head assembly or end effector with a resonant mechanism at high frequencies. The electric toothbrush includes handle housing, an electromagnetic motor mounted in the housing, and a mechanical oscillator acted upon by the motor. One end of the mechanical oscillator extends outwardly through an opening in the handle housing while the other end is attached to the housing inside the chamber. The end effector/brush head assembly attaches to the extending end of the mechanical oscillator. A power source supplies an alternating current drive signal to the motor, in turn causing the armature and the mechanical oscillator to oscillate and drive the brush head assembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush for cleaning the teeth, the brush being suitable for use in a toothbrush having a handle member and a brush member and comprising a bristle supporting structure and bristles fixedly secured thereto. The bristle supporting structure is configured as a rod-shaped stem having a first and a second end portion and carrying no bristles in the region of the second end portion. The bristles extend radially relative to the stem in the region of the first end portion and are arranged in a circumferentially distributed pattern. The length of the bristles decreases starting from the first end portion of the stem in the direction of the second end portion of the stem. This brush allows effective and gentle cleaning of the teeth, in particular the interproximal spaces thereof.

Abstract: A power driven mechanical toothbrush is disclosed. A replaceable toothbrush head member has tuft blocks retained generally therewithin and extending laterally outwardly from the a cam shaft. Each tuft block has at least one tuft of bristles, usually four, secured within the tuft block and extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the bristles has a distal end at a distance from its tuft block, and the bristles in each tuft are generally parallel to each other. The toothbrush head member is adapted to receive and retain the tuft blocks in sliding relation therein, so that each tuft block slides linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal tuft axis as guided by guide rails within the head member, between a retracted position and an extended position. Each tuft block is driven from its retracted position to its extended position by the rotatable cam shaft.