Abstract: A process for forming a twisted stem tool uses a specially designed clamping jaw fixture at the nose or bight portion of a half-round wire or cotter pin which helps to reduce the required clamping force and distribute that force over the entire wire-fill material interface. The jaws of the clamping fixture engage the outside of the nose over a substantial area, and in some forms actually bite into the wire or pin. After the twisting operation, the stem is placed in a swaging or coining press, and the stem beyond the fill material is reformed into a three or six-sided drive stem. The cold flow of the metal to form the flat sides locks the twisted half round wire or pin sections together so that the stem will resist unwinding if the tool is driven in a reverse direction. The coining of the stem providing flats provides a tighter confinement of the bundle of fill material at the stem, and enables a common three or six jaw Jacob's style chuck, for example, to obtain a more secure grip.

Abstract: A cylindrical case body is formed by a front case and a rear case. An eccentric weight is secured to a rotating shaft of a motor mounted in the front case. A connecting shaft is formed on a front end of the front case, and a brush is attached to the front case by engaging with the connecting shaft. A metallic pin is inserted in the connecting shaft, and an O-ring is disposed between the front case and the rear case.

Abstract: A brush section (24) for an electric toothbrush in which a rotary shaft (34) is received which is adapted to perform an alternating or a rotary motion. Mounted on the brush section (24) is a rotary bristle supporting structure (38) having its axis of rotation (54) disposed at about right angles to the axis of rotation (52) of the shaft (34). The shaft (34) receives movably therein a rod (102) disposed approximately parallel and eccentrically. In an annular shoulder (61) of the bristle supporting structure (38), a pin (112) is held, extending approximately parallel and eccentrically to the axis of rotation (54). The pin (112) is passed through an eyelet (103) provided at the free end of the rod (102) and is movable therein. When the shaft (34) is caused to perform a rotary or alternating motion, this motion is transmitted to the bristle supporting structure (38) through the rod (102), the eyelet (103), and the pin (112).

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising a toothbrush device (100) and a charge device (200) is operative to provide an accurate determination and an adequate indication of the duty performance of toothbrushing. The toothbrush device (100) comprises a supply unit (110), a control unit (120) and a driving portion (130). The control unit (120) is provided with a time-measuring portion (121) for measuring the duty time during toothbrushing, a pressure-measuring portion (122) for measuring the duty pressure during toothbrushing, a position-determining portion (124) for determining the duty position during toothbrushing and a computing portion (123) to compute a duty performance. An accurate determination of the duty performance is achieved in computing portion (123) which computes the duty performance in response of the duty time, the duty pressure and the duty position. "duty" time, pressure and position being the time, pressure and position during operation of the toothbrush during toothbrushing.

Abstract: An improved therapeutic ultrasonic toothbrush for daily removal of soft plaque, disruption of the bacterial colonization process within the gingival pockets, the reduction of the recurrence of aphthous stomatitis, and for the acceleration of the healing of the sores of the oral cavity. The device includes a handle constructed of a rigid material, a battery pack, an electronics driving module, a piezoelectric member, and a removable brush head. The piezoelectric crystal resonates, expands and contracts volumetrically, in tune with the frequency supplied by the electronics driving module and thereby converts the electronic energy into sound-wave energy. The sound waves loosen up the bound between the bacterial plaque and the teeth and disrupt the bacterial colonization process within the periodontal pockets and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Ultrasonic emission from the back side of the brush accelerates healing of sores of the oral cavity.

Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush, which includes a handle member, an elongated arm which has a brushhead at the distal end thereof, and a drive assembly for moving the brushhead at a selected velocity. Responsive to an on/off switch on the toothbrush is an on/off variable, which enables a master clock to produce a drive signal, the on/off variable being reset by a 120-second timer. A quadtimer variable, when in the enabled state, is responsive to the on/off switch to produce an audible signal and a difference in brush velocity at 30-second intervals within the 120-second period.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising an elongated handle, a bristle support member articulately mounted on one end of the handle so as to be constrained, in use, into limited reciprocal movement with respect to the handle and in a direction of longitudinal axis of the handle. The toothbrush further comprising a plurality of bristle tuft arrays pivotally mounted on the support member about at least one pivotal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and articulately coupled to the one end of the handle so that the limited reciprocal movement of the support member gives rise to limited pivotal lateral rocking of the bristle arrays.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a circular front chamber and a rectangular rear chamber on the brush head thereof, a first brush holder and a second brush holder respectively mounted in the circular front chamber and the rectangular rear chamber, a transmission rod mounted inside the brush head and reciprocated by a DC motor drive, the transmission rod having a stub rod engaged into a guide groove on the bottom side of the second brush holder, and an upright pin inserted through a side notch on the first brush holder, wherein when the transmission rod is reciprocated by the DC motor drive, the second brush holder is forced to oscillate in the transverse direction, and the first brush holder is driven by the upright pin to move round about its own center.

Abstract: An electrically powered vibrating hair brush including an electric vibratory drive, a handle portion, and a brush head portion driven by the vibratory drive, the brush head portion being non-fixedly mounted onto the handle portion about a longitudinal axis, so as to permit both relative axial movement along the longitudinal axis and relative rotational movement thereabout.

Abstract: A hand held extendable wand containing a battery power supply and electric motor is controllable and directable by a pistol grip with switches for on-off and speed on one end. A shaft from the motor extends beyond the wand on the other end. Cleaning brushes attach to the motor shaft in one case and a reciprocating motion conversion block containing a shaped brush is attached to the wand housing and motor shaft in another case. The wand contains an adjustable extension to vary the length of reach of the brush.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle section having a motor drive and a drive shaft coupled to the motor drive by a translating device, and a brush section having bristle assembly and a transmission shaft unit coupled to the drive shaft and driven by it to turn the bristle assembly back and forth alternatively, the transmission shaft unit consisting of a driving member, a connecting member, a driven member, and a compression spring, wherein the transmission shaft unit disengages from the drive shaft upon an overpressure to prevent damage to the bristles.

Abstract: A handle component (1) of an electric toothbrush protrudes from the end of a hollow shaft (3), which holds a drive shaft (9) coaxially therein. A brush attachment (4) with rotatable bristle tufts (6) is disposed on the hollow shaft (3) in such a way that the drive shaft (9) is coupled with a shaft (7) in the brush attachment (4), wherein said shaft (7) drives the bristle tufts (6). The hollow shaft (3) is driven by a motor to oscillate around its longitudinal axis and to slide back and forth in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush including a brush unit (1) adapted to be push-fitted to a handle unit. The brush unit (1) accommodates a rotary camshaft (4) as well as a series of bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) provided with tufts (17) of bristles and disposed approximately transversely relative to the camshaft (4). The bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are pivotally mounted on two mounting pins (8, 9) extending parallel to the camshaft (4), thus enabling the bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to be moved in a motion about the mounting pin (8, 9) by the camshaft (4). The two mounting pins (8, 9) are arranged on either side of an imaginary first plane (18) aligned approximately parallel to the bristle tufts (17) and extending lengthwise through the camshaft (4), and each of the bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) includes an opening (19, 20) for receiving one of the two mounting pins (8, 9).

Abstract: A brush provided on an end surface of a handle is equipped with a drive device capable of producing a reciprocating rectilinear motion in the direction of a handle axis and a reciprocating motion about the handle axis, while also producing a reciprocating motion about an axis in the direction of brush projection. The brush moves in a combination of the reciprocating rectilinear motion in the direction of the handle axis, the reciprocating motion about the handle axis, and the reciprocating motion about the axis in the direction of brush projection, and therefore scrub area increases, by virtue of the motion of the brush, the brush does not become trapped between teeth, and cleaning of the entire tooth surface is possible.

Abstract: An automatic toothbrush to optimally clean at least two sides of a tooth or a row of teeth comprising a cleaning head with a substantially U-shaped support to which are mounted clusters of bristles. The clusters of bristles are mounted on self-positioning pivoting levers of the U-shaped support in order to clean even little accessible tooth locations. Using at least one mechanical and/or electromagnetic drive means, control is made possible of a phase-shifted, impulsive motion of the support relative to the automatic toothbrush and of the pivoting levers with the cleaning bristles relative to the support to implement a cleaning or wiping action by the clusters of bristles from the gum to the tooth crown while, in the opposite direction, the motion takes place with at least reduced pressure applied to the teeth.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush holder for a toothbrush, in particular for cleaning the interproximal spaces, for releasably locating a brush preferably comprising an in particular stem-shaped bristle supporting structure having bristles secured thereto, with the bristle supporting structure including a portion carrying no bristles, and the brush holder including a receiving structure adapted to receive the bare portion. The brush holder is of an approximately disk-shaped configuration. The receiving structure is associated with a recess, and the recess carries pivotally therein a clamping structure for clampingly, yet releasably, positioning the brush in its proper location relative to the brush holder.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a control circuit capable of stopping the brushing operation when the brush is pressed against an user's teeth with an excessive force. The electric toothbrush comprises a housing which carries a shaft mounting a brush. The housing incorporates a rotary electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism which converts a rotational movement of the motor to a reciprocatory movement of the shaft for reciprocating said brush. A pressure sensor is provided to sense a brush pressure being applied back to the brush as a counter-action when pressing the brush against the user's teeth and to produce a stop signal when the sensed brush pressure exceeds a predetermined limit level.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a head which moves in an arc about the longitudinal axis of the brush in a spiral track. The brush comprises bristles, a bristle base from which the bristles extend, a panel in which the bristle base slides, a head base and a handle. The panel is attached to the head base by a hinge. The panel is curved and includes an elongated aperture which forms the track for the bristle base.

Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush which includes a brushhead (18) mounted for vibrating movement, a reservoir (30) for containing dentifrice which is located in the handle (14) of the toothbrush, and fluid connecting means (32) connecting the reservoir (30) to the brushhead (18). The brushhead (18) includes either hollow bristles (80) or nozzles (87) in the brushhead (18) to permit egress of the dentifrice from the brushhead (18) in the area of the bristles. The brushhead (18) is driven so as to provide a scrubbing action for the teeth and to provide acoustical energy for acoustical cleansing as well. The action of the brushhead (18) and the load thereon will result in dentifrice being released out of the brushhead (18) or bristles (80) as needed, supporting cavitation and streaming for the acoustical energy, as well as providing the cleansing/therapeutic effect of the dentifrice.

Abstract: A motorized brush imparts vibrational motion to a scrubbing brush head. The brush includes a water-tight housing, in which a small electric motor is mounted. The motor includes an eccentric weight mounted to its drive shaft. In use, the motor is energized, causing the eccentric weight to be rotated. The eccentric weight vibrates the brush head without rotating it. This vibrational motion provides an effective scrubbing action without the necessity for complex sealing mechanisms connecting the brush head to the motor shaft.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises two parts (2, 3) which are pivotable relative to one another, of which a first part (2) serves as a handle and of which a second part (3) carries a brush-head (5), a spring (7) being arranged between the parts and having one end (8) fixedly connected to one (2) of the parts and having another end (9) which engages with a wall portion (11) of the second part (3), the second part (3) being pivotable relative to the first part (2) against a pressure exerted by the spring (7) during use of the toothbrush, which spring snaps when a given pressure threshold (P.sub.d) is exceeded, after which the second part (3) is subjected only to a bending load in the absence of a pressure (Q) directed in the longitudinal direction of the spring (7) and exerted by the wall portion (11), and resumes its original position when the pressure has decreased.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having in its slip-on brush a piston is disclosed, which is set rotating by a motor shaft projecting out of the handle segment. This piston exhibits a lifting cam, by means of which it effects an axial motion relative to the motor shaft in the slip-on brush. This axial motion causes a reciprocating motion of a toothed rack, which sets the bristle tufts of the toothbrush rotating.

Abstract: A dental device for an electric toothbrush drive having a drive shaft, the dental device including a housing, a motion converter arranged in the housing and including a rocker arm, a rotary oscillation plate having an eccentrically arranged plug-in opening, and a plug-in axle for operatively connecting the rotary oscillation plate to the rocker arm via the plug-in opening. A guide is provided for releasably and operatively connecting one end of the rocker arm to the drive shaft of the toothbrush drive, and a bearing is provided for rotatably supporting the rotary oscillating plate at the housing. The motion converter converts the movement of the drive shaft into rotational ocillatory movement of the rotary oscillation plate about the plug-in axle.

Abstract: A portable battery powered pot washing tool is provided, which consists of a gun-shaped housing having a handle. An electric motor having a shaft is within the housing. A waterproof battery is carried on a back end of the handle of the housing, to supply power to the motor. An on/off trigger switch is on a side of the handle of the housing and is electrically connected between the motor and the battery, to control the power to the motor. A collet having a release lever is carried on a front end of the housing. A brush attachment is coupled to the shaft within the collet and is operated by the motor for rotation, to clean various cooking utensils and similar articles.

Abstract: A tooth-brush is provided which has a brush shank (4) adapted to be driven electrically by a drive (2) and provided with a brush-head (5) having bristles (6), which brush-head performs movement (8), for example, a loosening movement whose frequency is higher than 30 Hz and whose amplitude is between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, which brush-head performs an additional movement (9), for example, a wiping movement having a frequency of between 1 Hz and 5 Hz. The combination of a rapid loosening movement and a slow wiping movement ensures that the teeth are cleaned in a thorough but gentle manner.

Abstract: A handle component (1) of an electric toothbrush protrudes from the end of a hollow shaft (3), which holds a drive shaft (9) coaxially therein. A brush attachment (4) with rotatable bristle tufts (6) is disposed in the hollow shaft (3) in such a way that the drive shaft (9) is coupled with a shaft (7) in the brush attachment (4), wherein said shaft (7) drives the bristle tufts (6). The hollow shaft (3) is driven by a motor to oscillate around its longitudinal axis and/or to slide back and forth in the direction of its longitudinal axis. (FIG.

Abstract: A toothbrush head consists of a hollow body (16) closed at one side by a flexible membrane (13) formed with cavities (17) to hold bases of tufts of bristles. The cavities form protrusions extending up inside the body (16) which are pushed against by a reciprocating finger (18) to tilt and move the bristles relative to the body (16).

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having separable handle and brush segments, a rotating motor shaft extending exteriorly of the handle segment, and a reciprocating toothed rack in the brush segment which engages and imparts a counter-rotating movement to a plurality of tufts on the brush head. A cylindrically shaped gear mounts to and is axially movable on the motor shaft when the brush and handle segments are attached together. First and second lifting cams configured as elliptical flanges lying in oblique planes are provided in radially spaced relationship on the exterior surface and interior bore hole of the gear, respectively. Respective first and second guide grooves are associated with the lifting cams and the reciprocal toothed rack whereby rotation of the gear generates a long stroke of the rack through the interaction of the first and second lifting cams and guide grooves.

Abstract: A holder for an interdental toothcleaner of the type having a substantially rigid but flexible stem and cleaning means on the stem. The holder includes a neck having a tip projection radially therefrom adjacent one end thereof and a slot extending longitudinally therealong from the one end and diametrically opposite the tip. A hole extends through the tip and transversely across the neck to the slot. A cap having a passage therethrough which is open at one end and closed at the other end is on the neck and slidable therealong. The cap has a first slot therethrough which extends from its open end and in which the tip slides. The cap has a second slot therethrough diametrically opposite the first slot. The second slot is closed at both ends with the ends being spaced from the ends of the cap. The stem of a toothcleaner passes through the hole in the tip and projects beyond the groove in the neck and through the second slot in the cap.

Abstract: A portable hand held cleaning device is adapted to receive various cleaning implements, such as bristle brushes, abrasive wheels, chisels, and the like, into a tool engaging member. The tool engaging member is preferably operable by a rechargeable battery to selectively rotate and/or reciprocate at varying speeds. The rechargeable battery is included in a housing. The tool engaging member is preferably displaceable to improve the efficiency of the cleaning device in hard to reach areas. The housing may further include plumbing and a pump for delivering fluid from a cleansing fluid container to a discharge proximate the cleaning tool engaging member.

Abstract: A tooth-brushing method comprises the steps of: predeterming respective weights of an electric toothbrush and a heavy eccentric mass as well as a location of the center of gravity of the eccentric mass; establishing an output of a motor at about 7,000 rpm in accordance with the predetermined conditions; and, producing a vibration at about 7,000 rpm by actuating the motor, thereby brushing the teeth.

Abstract: A motorized anti-plaque toothbrush comprises a handle (1) at one end of which is a cleaning/massaging head (3), in particular a brushing head, which rotates about an axis which is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle (1) and is turned with a continuous one-way rotary motion or with a reciprocating rotary motion by a motor, preferably an electric motor, housed in the handle (1). According to the invention, the cleaning/massaging head (3) is composed of at least two separate cleaning/massaging tool parts (4, 5) that are supported coaxially with respect to each other in such a way that they can rotate relative to each other, being turned in mutually opposite directions in the case of continuous one-way rotation and in phase opposition to each other in the case of reciprocating rotation.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided having two housing sections (1, 2) which are pivotable relative to one another, of which a first housing section (1) serves as a handle and accommodates a drive unit (4) for driving a drive shaft (5), and of which a second housing section (2) carries a brush-head (3), which is drivable by the drive shaft, which second housing section (2) is pivotable relative to the drive shaft (5) about a pivot (6).

Abstract: There is provided an electrically driven toothbrush having a simple structure and capable of changing the reciprocation stroke of bristles in a simple operation. The toothbrush is composed of a head portion 10 including a bristle portion 15 studded with bristles 14, a grip portion 12 having a motor 22, an intermediate transmission member 20 mounted in the grip portion and connected to the head portion, and a conversion mechanism 24 interposed between the intermediate transmission member and the motor for converting a rotational movement of the motor into a reciprocal movement of the intermediate transmission member. At least the bristle portion of the head portion is resiliently tiltable with respect to an axis of the intermediate transmission member, and at least the reciprocation stroke of the bristle portion can be changed in accordance with the tilting distance of the bristle portion.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a handle part (1) and a push-on brush (4). From one end of the handle part (1) there projects the end of a hollow shaft (3) in which a toothbrush arbor (9) is coaxially arranged, the push-on brush (4) being adapted to be pushed on to the hollow shaft (3). The push-on brush (4) has a rotatable tuft of bristles which may be driven by a longitudinally reciprocating connecting rod which attaches to the arbor (9) when the brush (4) and handle (1) are attached together. A gear (18) in the handle part (1) has two cams (23, 27) which are mutually phase shifted by 180.degree. . The first cam (23) displaces the hollow shaft (3) and the second cam displaces the toothbrush arbor (9) in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning the inside surfaces of HVAC ducts or the like is provided by the present invention. The apparatus broadly includes a rotatable cleaning head, a fluid driven drive means, and a variable length lightweight handle. The cleaning head carries a plurality of brush members, each including a tubular stiffener and a group of bristles received in said stiffener. The drive means is a pneumatic motor adapted to rotate the cleaning head which is mounted on the output head of the motor. The input end of the motor is connected to the handle, and the end of the handle is connected to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having in its slip-on brush a piston is disclosed, which is set rotating by a motor shaft projecting out of the handle segment. This piston exhibits a lifting cam, by means of which it effects an axial motion relative to the motor shaft in the slip-on brush. This axial motion causes a reciprocating motion of a toothed rack, which sets the bristle tufts of the toothbrush rotating.

Abstract: An electrical toothbrush according to the present invention comprising a housing, an electric motor mounted in the housing for rotating an eccentric pin, a reciprocating vibration holding shaft mounted in the upper housing for being adapted for attachment of a toothbrush thereon, the holding shaft being drivable for oscillation about its longitudinal axis, the toothbrush being interchangeably connected to the upper end of the holding shaft, transformer structure for transforming the rotary motion of the eccentric pin into a reciprocating vibratory motion of the holding shaft, the transformer comprising a cylindrical member and an elastic deformable member connected by an integral lever member.

Abstract: The dental hygiene apparatus includes a body portion (12) from one end of which extends a elongated resonator arm (32). The arm (32) is mounted for oscillating action about a torsion pin (38), by means of a electromagnet (16) in the body acting in combination with two permqanent magnets (34, 35) which are mounted on the rear end (31) of the resonator arm (32). On the forward end (44) of the resonator arm (32) is mounted a set of bristles (47). The arm (32) is driven such that the tips of the bristles operate within ranges of amplitude and frequency to produce a bristle tip velocity greater than 1.5 meters per second, producing a significant cleansing effect beyond the tips of the bristles.

Abstract: A removable brush-head for an ultrasonic toothbrush for daily dental hygiene purposes, including a plurality of bristle clusters, a substantially tubular body constructed of a flexible material and tensioning means securing the brush-head to the ultrasonic device, providing for the efficient transmission of ultrasonic frequency vibrations from the device via the brush-head to the teeth and gums and oral tissue of the user to loosen and remove soft plaque therefrom and to treat oral lesions.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device has a handle and an automatic stem insertion system and comprises a pair of keys on the motor driven shaft. A bore receives the shaft, and slots receive the keys. A pair of sleeves each having a ramp for receiving and engaging the keys. When coupling the stem to the handle and with a camming action of the keys on the ramp, the ramps guide the keys into the slots. A radially extending flange is on the base of the shaft; and a pair of flexible arms having a recess receive the flange. Upon coupling the stem to the handle, the flange engages the arms and flex the arms outwardly and further movement of the stem onto the handle causes the flange to enter the recesses with a snap action; and upon withdrawal of the stem from the handle, the flange causes the arm to flex outwardly to release the flanges from the recesses.

Abstract: A safe, hygienic and effective device for caring for the interior of the mouth is presented. The system includes easily interchangeable accessories for a brushing device that allows it to function also as a polisher, washer, massager/stimulator, oral irrigator, oral syringe, lubricator, and protector of the teeth and gums. In the example presented, water-driven motors housed inside flexible material formed so that it is capable of fitting comfortably inside the human mouth drive heads in an up-and-down or rotating motion that brush or polish or massage/stimulate or irrigate the interior and exterior of all teeth, top and bottom, and gums, simultaneously, while also supplying fresh-water lubrication and paste or polish or mouthwash or the like and also removing exhaust fluids and exhaust substances from the mouth by a vacuum/suction or pressure or gravity action.

Abstract: A power toothbrush has a superior brushing effect achieved by a brush member which is given a reciprocal motion in the axial direction while at the same time the brush member itself is given a rotary motion and which has a simple construction and is of low cost. A drive shaft is mounted in a casing in such a way that it is free to move in the axial direction. The rotation of a drive motor mounted inside the casing is converted into a reciprocating motion and transmitted to the drive shaft by a first transmission mechanism. A rotary brush member is rotatably mounted on the end of an attachment connected to the drive shaft, and the reciprocating motion, in the axial direction, of the attachment is converted into a rotary motion and transmitted to the rotary brush member by a second transmission mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable toothbrush where the user can select, by turning a thumb knob on the brush handle, the inclination of the bristles to thereby improve on the cleaning of those hard to reach areas of the dentition. The toothbrush comprises a handle, a hollow brush body, a plurality of bristle bundles having their base moulded into resilient holders, a cam plate, a thumb knob connected to a cam shaft and a brush body cover. The cam plate slides within the hollow brush body and the brush body cover in a plane perpendicular to the bristles, and under the action of the thumb knob. The cam plate has a plurality of cavities for receiving the end of the bristle holders. Thus the movement of the cam plate is transmitted to all bristles in harmony.

Abstract: A hand-held power driven toothbrush carries a pair of exposed brush elements and self-contained driving means effective to directly drive one of said brush elements in oscillation, with linkage between the brush elements such that the second brush element is also oscillated, the two brush elements preferably being oscillated in opposite directions.

Abstract: A scrubbing device attachable to rotary power sources comprising a stationary portion, a drive portion, an oscillating portion, and an abrasive portion. Rotary power applied to the drive portion causes the oscillating portion to oscillate linearly allowing the device user to scrub floor surfaces in corners and near adjacent walls.

Abstract: A window scraper and method are provided wherein a scraping brush has filaments and wherein the tips of the filaments are moved linearly across the work surface as the brush rotates. Preferably, the brush has brass filaments trimmed to a point, and the brush drive mechanism moves the brush in an oscillating arcuate path while cams and cam surfaces simultaneously cause the brush to move toward and away from the work surface to maintain the tip of the filaments in substantially the same plane at a constant distance and pressure relative to the work surface. A novel brush has filaments trimmed to a point, an axle of rotation and cams to engage cam surfaces. The device includes an oscillating drive mechanism, a slot to rotatably and slidingly receive the brush axle, and cam surfaces to engage the brush cams and cause the brush axle to slide in the slot, causing the brush to move toward and away from the work surface during portions of the rotating brush sweep.

Abstract: A battery-powered toothbrush has an elongated housing shaped to be grasped by the human hand. The housing encloses a battery-energized motor which drives a brush shaft that has a stub projecting through a nose of the housing and upon which in use a brush is mounted. A generally tubular housing shell confines the battery, motor and shaft. An upper half shell is of a U-shaped exterior cross section over a substantial portion of its length, while a lower half shell is mated to the upper half shell in definition of the housing and is of semi-cylindrical exterior cross-section over a like substantial portion of its length. The distance along those substantial portions approximates the width of the adult human hand. The shaft is offset downwardly from the longitudinal geometric axis. All shell portions of different diameter merge smoothly into other portions of the shell.

Abstract: An automatic toothbrush enables a user to brush all teeth of an arch simultaneously. A toothbrush portion includes a set of brushes arranged in an arc shaped to coincide with the shape of the user's mouth. The toothbrush includes side brushes for brushing the sides of the user's teeth, and occlusal brushes for brushing the biting surfaces of the teeth. All of the brushes are connected together by gears, so that rotation of one of the gears causes rotation of all of the brushes. The toothbrush includes a handle which contains a motor, the motor being connected to a drive shaft which engages one of the gears. The toothbrush also includes a display screen which is connectable to the handle, and which provides educational material or entertainment to the user while the toothbrush is in use.

Abstract: A brush has bristles that tilt laterally out in a first position and tilt laterally in in a second position and are moved back and forth between the two positions to provide a brushing action. The bristles shown are mounted on a flexible membrane that is in an outwardly extending convex configuration to dispose the bristles in the first position and in an inwardly extending convex configuration to dispose the bristles in the second position. A bladder filled with a non-compressible fluid and an electric solenoid are used to move the flexible membrane between the two positions in a continuous cycle.