Rotary Disk Patents (Class 15/28)
  • Patent number: 5718014
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. deBlois, Patrick N. Gutelius, Richard J. Carbone, Omer L. Shifflett, Jr., John J. Rego, Paul H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5715556
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Chung
  • Patent number: 5706541
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick N. Gutelius, Bryan P. deBlois
  • Patent number: 5697115
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a housing, a motor, a transmission, an attachment stud, and a cleaning attachment removably connected to the stud. The stud has a leading section with a general triangular block shape and three generally triangular shaped cantilevered tips. The stud is received through a generally triangular shaped aperture in the cleaning attachment. The apparatus can reverse the normal rotation direction of the stud to allow the cleaning attachment to quickly disconnect from the stud without a user having to hold the cleaning attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Sciarra, Patrick N. Gutelius, Paul H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5690545
    Abstract: A motorized rotary tool having a drive motor mounted on a distal end of a tubular wand is provided. A drive shaft is operatively coupled to the drive motor and extends along the length of the tubular wand. A head is mounted by a pivotal joint to a proximal end of the tubular wand. The head includes a rotary pad operatively coupled to the flexible drive shaft such that the rotary pad can be driven rotably by the drive shaft. The pivotal joint has a first and a second flexible joint. The first joint is configured to pivot about a first axis which is different from a second axis about which the second joint pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl Roger Clowers, Steve Harry Plume, John Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 5667019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a soil treating device comprising at least one working element rotatably driven by a rotation shaft and a frame accommodating the working element and displaceable practically parallel to the ground, characterized in that the rotatable working element consists of a plurality of contact elements intended for ground working and fixed in a holder, wherein at least a part of the contact elements lies at different distances from the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Redexim Handel- en Exploitatiemaatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Reincke
  • Patent number: 5652990
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Peter Hilfinger
  • Patent number: 5640735
    Abstract: A power driven dental toothbrush mechanism is provided having a suitable power source such as a water turbine motor or an electric motor operating through a drive shaft and gear train assembly to accomplish controlled rotation of a plurality of gear driven bristle tufts. A brush head assembly is releasably connected to a motor housing structure and defines an internal gear chamber within which is located a plurality of bristle tuft gears and drive gears therefor. The toothbrush mechanism incorporates a flushing water supply passage in communication with a water inlet source and which transitions the joint between the brush head and housing structure and opens into the internal gear chamber. The brush head and housing structure also define a flushing water exhaust passage in communication with the internal gear chamber of the brush head opposite the flushing water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Peter T. Manning
  • Patent number: 5625916
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Greg McDougall
  • Patent number: 5617601
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Gregory J. McDougall
  • Patent number: 5577285
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Drossler
  • Patent number: 5551114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoeshine assembly comprising a main body, a rotable transmission shaft, a power motor for driving said transmission shaft, an upper casing for receiving said members; and a brush member having a fixing hole for inserted in transmission shaft for removing dust and dirt on the shoe; and a polishing member having a fixing hole for inserted in said transmission shaft for shining the surface of shoe; and a polish cup for receiving polish; and a lower casing resembling a hollow cashing with opening upward, the edge wall of said casing for covering up said upper casing; the characteristics lie in: a room formed when said lower casing covering up said upper casing, and in the room of said lower casing having a proper number of fixing members, and accommodating portions formed among said fixing members for receiving brush member, polishing member and polish cup; with the assembly of said members to give facilities such as easy for carrying and use, shrinking time of shoeshine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Tao-Pan Lee
  • Patent number: 5511269
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Kay F. Watson
  • Patent number: 5504959
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yukawa, Yoji Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 5504961
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: C. S. Yang
  • Patent number: 5500972
    Abstract: A scrubber for cleaning a dorsal portion of an individual. The inventive device includes a plurality of cylindrical brushes each symmetrically oriented about an individual axis. The brushes are coupled to rotating assembly for spinning each brush about its individual axis and simultaneously rotating the brushes about a common center axis. The handle extends from the rotating assembly to permit manual manipulation of the device during a bathing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: David C. Foster
  • Patent number: 5495632
    Abstract: An elongated hand held scrubbing device has a pair of motor-driven rotary hubs, onto which a variety of easily replaceable cleaning heads can be temporarily mounted. Different types and styles of cleaning heads can be used based on the type of scrubbing, buffing, wiping or cleaning required. The elongated device has a pivot making it easier to scrub hard to reach locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Rhonda Baker
  • Patent number: 5467495
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush for an electric toothbrush, comprising a cylindrical bristle supporting structure equipped with bristles arranged on several approximately concentric circular rings on the bristle supporting structure. A circular ring devoid of bristles is maintained between at least two adjacent bristled circular rings, with the average width of the bare circular ring corresponding approximately to the average width of a bristled circular ring. The brush is adapted to perform an oscillating movement vertically to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. As a special brush, it is particularly well suited to the cleaning of teeth of persons wearing orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Peter Hilfinger
  • Patent number: 5446939
    Abstract: The present invention is to remedy the cumbersome and messy operation in obtaining a quick shoe shine individually by providing a cylindrical brush. The cylindrical brush is utilized by attaching it to the motor operated screwdriver. The brush has a shape of a cylindrical body with the flat top and bottom. The cylindrical body and the flat top have bristles on them, but the bottom has shaft extending out to be attached to the motorized screwdriver. The bristles on the top portion of the cylindrical body are designed to be used as a polish applicator to the shoe. To the top portion of the cylindrical brush, there is a covering wall having a smaller cylindrical shape which is inserted into the body of the brush from the top with handle extended out onto the surface of the side controlling the covering wall. Also provided is a top brush lid instead of the covering wall to fit over the brush on the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph H. Park
  • Patent number: 5423102
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Ava Madison
  • Patent number: 5416942
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Ariete S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lapo Baldacci, Enzo Galantini
  • Patent number: 5404608
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventor: Edgar Hommann
  • Patent number: 5361442
    Abstract: A swimming pool scrubber has a handle adapted for receiving an extension handle. Attached at an angle to the handle is a ball. Rotatably mounted on the ball by a socket is a rubbery disc. Removably mounted on the front face of the disc is an abrasive cleaning pad with holes for a supply of cleaning compound. The disc has a high friction edge for rolling on the bottom of a swimming pool gutter while the pad is against the vertical wall of the gutter. The edge friction causes the pad to rotate as it moves along the wall for enhanced scrubbing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: Mark Payne, Amy Payne
  • Patent number: 5353461
    Abstract: A rotary scrubber includes an elongate housing having a rotary axle projecting therefrom, with the rotary axle mounting a brush member. A deflecting shield is positioned circumferentially relative to the brush member to deflect fluid therefrom, wherein the shield is arranged for deflection to accommodate various configuration of workpieces to be engaged by the rotary brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Kevin Enriquez
  • Patent number: 5353460
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Ohio Health Care Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary C. Bauman
  • Patent number: 5339476
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush with rotary bundles of bristles includes a driver installed in the handle portion of the toothbrush and a plurality of driven rotors in the head portion. A plurality of bundles of bristles are respectively attached to the driven rotors to rotate therewith. A belt is provided between the driver and the driven rotors to transmit rotation from driver to the driven rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Shun-Der Chang
  • Patent number: 5337435
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventors: Janet H. Krasner, Paul R. Krasner
  • Patent number: 5333337
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a deposit of gum or other sticky substance from a carpet or other flat surface including in combination, a body adapted for upright use and terminated by spaced-apart top and bottom ends, an electric drive motor including a rotatable drive shaft mounted in the lower half of the body to create a low center of gravity to the upright body, a flat bottom brush interconnected the drive shaft and extending below the lower body terminal end, a fluid reservoir for holding an inventory of liquid gum remover attached to the body including a conduit extending toward the brush and device for delivering a controllable charge of liquid to the deposit, handle device extending outward from the upper half of the body to manipulate the body in upright position over the deposit, including device for energizing the motor to spin the brush, and a sleeve slidably mounted coaxial with the bottom end of the body and arranged to extend outward and beyond the brush, having a planar bottom parallel to the plan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Jim Markley
  • Patent number: 5311633
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric power driven toothbrush having a four-bar linkage (8) disposed in the handle section, the input end thereof being driven by an electric motor (2) through a train of spur gears, while the output end thereof drives in an oscillatory manner an output shaft (15) within an angular range of .+-.35.degree., approximately. The output shaft (15) is suitable for coupling engagement with a toothbrush section through a bevel gear train, and the axis of rotation of the toothbrush section forms an approximately right angle with the axis of the output shaft (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Herzog, Gustav Gassner
  • Patent number: 5289604
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a brush section which is demountable from a handle section that has a protruding brush drive shaft. Radial and axial securing of the brush section to the handle section is accomplished by structure separated by function, including radial securing structure at the base of the brush section that engages cooperating structure at the end of the handle section from which the drive shaft protrudes, and axial securing structure housed within the brush section that engages the protruding drive shaft of the handle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Kressner
  • Patent number: 5289605
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus in the form of a scrubber that is motor driven by a direct current (DC) motor driving a rotatable scrubber unit which includes a scrubber disc with the motor and scrubber disc forming a power head supported from a detachable and adjustable length pole which enables surfaces that are normally out of reach to be easily scrubbed. The scrubber disc incorporates a unique pad structure driven through a unique clutch structure with the power head being supported from the pole and connected with a source of DC electric power through a unique, dependable and longlasting electrical conductor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph M. Armbruster
  • Patent number: 5276932
    Abstract: Improvements to a manually operated, rotary bristle toothbrush. A thumb actuated mechanism is slidably and longitudinally mounted in an essentially hollow, elongate handle and a part of the mechanism, a rack, is caused to engage at least one compound pinion/spur gear in order to convert longitudinally reciprocative motion to rotary motion that is shunted toward the head of the toothbrush. The head contains therein one or more rotary bristles that project orthogonally from the head of the toothbrush and off the major longitudinal axis of the device. Rotary motion is conducted by a drive shaft into the head of the brush and transferred via a crown gear to bases of the brush(es) by interface between the crown gear of the drive shaft and at least one brush base comprising a capstan device adapted for rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Ralph Byrd
  • Patent number: 5235716
    Abstract: A direct current powered golf club cleaning device which incorporates a housing configured to fit into the palm of a hand, the housing having a recessed region adapted to accept at least one battery inside the housing. The device is powered by a battery operated motor located inside the housing which has a shaft extending from the front of the motor and through the housing. A safety slip sleeve attaches by frictional engagement onto the shaft of the motor at the first end of the sleeve and a removable cleaning head attaches at the second. The device is activated by a switch having an electrically open first and an electrically closed second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: Steve Stella
  • Patent number: 5231727
    Abstract: A torsion handle polisher in which a motor housing is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, aligned outwardly extending torsion handles oriented in aligned relation and in perpendicular relation to the rotatable axis of the motor and polishing bonnet which is randomly orbited in relation to the motor housing. An arcuate slide arrangement is provided for actuating a motor switch enabling effective operation by left and right handed individuals with equal facility. The torsion handles can rotate with a limited degree of resistance to rotation to enable the polisher to readily move to various angular positions while the hands and arms of the operator of the polisher remain in the same angular relation to each other as the torsion handles rotate in relation to the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph M. Armbruster
  • Patent number: 5227229
    Abstract: Surface-finishing articles comprising a lofty, nonwoven, three-dimensional web of polyester fibers coated with a phenol-formaldehyde resin binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kay McMahan McCoy, Kimberly K. Harmon, Mary B. Mallo
  • Patent number: 5226206
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a bristle holder oscillatably mounted within a brush head, and a carrier assembly carrying the bristle holder and reciprocatable with it within the brush head by a motor; and a coupling between the bristle holder and the brush head effective to oscillate the bristle holder upon its reciprocation by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: A to Z Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Davidovitz, Israel Ramot
  • Patent number: 5213434
    Abstract: A plug-in connector for an electric toothbrush drive mechanism, including an electric motor and a movement converter which is arranged between the motor and a plug-in shaft and sets the plug-in shaft in radial and longitudinal movement, the motor and converter being arranged in a housing, and the plug-in shaft, which is supported in a bottom surface of the housing, has a free end that penetrates the bottom surface, the plug-in connector is detachably connected with the housing and the plug-in shaft is engaged in an installed state with a connecting rod arranged on the inside of the plug-in connector, and an end of the connecting rod remote of the plug-in shaft is in a working connection with a radial drive, the connecting rod and radial drive being connected with one another by an elastically deformable spiral, and the connecting rod, spiral and radial drive being constructed so as to form one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Rowenta-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Hahn
  • Patent number: 5186627
    Abstract: A hand powered rotatable toothbrush is characterized by elements, such as tufts of brush bristles, positionally fixed to the brush head to frictionally engage tooth surfaces and thereby positionally stabilize the brush head so that a distal portion of the brush handle can be longitudinally reciprocated relative to the brush head. One or more rotatable brush members mounted on the brush head are operatively connected to the distal handle portion, as by a rack and pinion, to cause the brush members to be rotated in response to longitudinal handle reciprocation. In one embodiment the rotatable brush member cyclically rotates in opposite directions in response to back and forth linear motion of the handle. In another embodiment the rotation of the brush member is in the same direction, irrespective of the direction in which the handle moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Noah Amit, Miro S. Cater
  • Patent number: 5177826
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided with a pair of disc-like rotary brushes mounted for rotation about a axis generally perpendicular to the length of the brush. The rotary brushes are in axially spaced relationship and are provided with inwardly directed bristles. Between the rotary brushes, upper and lower linear brushes are mounted above and below the axis of rotation for linear reciprocating motion generally perpendicular to that axis. The upper brush has upwardly directed bristles, and the linear brushes are mounted to the rotary brushes so as to be brought into reciprocal, linear movement when the rotary brushes are reciprocated angularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Hagemann International
    Inventors: Jean Louis Vrignaud, Albert W. Gebhard, Kenneth J. Hegemann, David W. Roecker
  • Patent number: 5173983
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a bristle holder rotatably mounted on an end portion of a toothbrush handle and driven by an electric motor mounted inside the handle having a plurality of bristles spirally mounted on the bristle holder operatively driven for a rotation of the bristles for rotatably brushing, piercing and removing foods accumulated on teeth surfaces, or in apertures between the neighboring teeth for effectively cleaning a user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Mike Le
  • Patent number: 5170525
    Abstract: A brush member has two ends and includes a brush portion at one end, the brush portion including a plurality of bristles extending outwardly. A gripping member houses a motor and includes a drive rod connected to the shaft of the motor for rotatably driving the bristles, the brush member being detachably attached to the gripping member. A battery case houses a rechargeable battery and a recharging circuit for recharging the rechargeable battery. The battery case is detachably attached to the other end of the gripping member whereby electric power is provided from the battery to the motor for driving the motor. When travelling, the brush member, gripping member and battery case are detached from each other and are conveniently stored in a travel case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Giovest Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Cafaro
  • Patent number: 5153962
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluid powered brushes. A preferred embodiment is directed to a toothbrush powered by water enroute to a shower head. The toothbrush includes a handle and an operating head detachably connected thereto. A plurality of brush heads are positioned adjacent the operating head. A fluid driven impeller is disposed upstream of the outlet of the shower head. A flexible cable is connected at one end to the impeller and at the other end to the brush heads. The flexible cable rotates upon rotation of the impeller to drive the brush heads. A fluid powered toothbrush formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted to efficiently drive multiple brush heads. Furthermore, no fluid need be drawn off the shower to power the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Charles H. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5148568
    Abstract: An end brush for use in a dental unit or the like includes a base formed of solified fiber material. The base includes an outwardly projecting portion, which is adapted to be received within a mounting structure provided on the dental unit. An apparatus and method for forming the end brush are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Professional Dental Technologies, Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Bojar, Richard J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5146643
    Abstract: An end brush for use in a dental unit or the like includes a base formed of solified fiber material. The base includes an outwardly projecting portion, which is adapted to be received within a mounting structure provided on the dental unit. An apparatus and method for forming the end brush are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Professional Dental Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Bojar, Richard J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5142723
    Abstract: A dental hygiene (10) has a housing (12) that provides a manually deployable handle for the device and that houses a motor (14) that drives both a brush agitating drive mechanism (16) and a liquid dispensing pump mechanism (18). The housing (12) has a tool mount (20) that interchangably mounts in operable relation with the drive mechanism and with the pump mechanism any one of a dental brush tool (22) and a dental spray tool (24). The brush tool and the drive mechanism preferably are arranged to agitatingly drive two sets of brush elements (26) and (28) oppositely, preferably with back and forth rotation of individual brush tufts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: L. Paul Lustig
    Inventors: L. Paul Lustig, Andrew Tybinkowski
  • Patent number: 5142724
    Abstract: A rotary toothbrush comprises a round brushhead having at least one projection, bristles on the roundbrush head, a grip, a shaft extended from the grip and eccentrically, rotatably mounted to the round brushhead, whereby the toothbrush can perfectively clean the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Sa R. Park
  • Patent number: 5138734
    Abstract: A motor-operated toothbrush bristle fastening structure, comprising a brush head having two rows of stub rods fixedly disposed at two opposite sides, a plurality of gears respectively mounted on said stub rods with the ones on the same row of stub rods respectively engaged with one another and driven by a screw rod to carry a plurality of rotary wheels to rotate, which rotary wheels have each a bundle of bristles fastened therein for cleaning the teeth, and a plurality of spring coils respectively fastened in said gears to resiliently support said rotary wheels permitting the bundles of bristles to be moved up and down when they are carried by said rotary wheel and driven by said gears to rotate on said stub rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Chung
  • Patent number: 5099536
    Abstract: In an electric toothbrush of the present invention, a head case is detachable from a main case, so that brushes on the head case can be easily washed and kept clean. The orientation of the brushes with respect to the main case can be changed, so that every tooth can be brushed well. A driving force of a motor is transmitted by first and second shafts and gears, so that the force can be positively transmitted to the brush even through the transmitting route is bent. Vibration of the electric toothbrush is less than conventional toothbrushes which alternately rotate brushes because the brushes are rotated by the first and second shafts. Holes of lead-pieces for connecting terminals have inwardly extending claws, and the terminals can be connected only by insertion into the holes, so that assembling steps can be reduced. If the tips of the claws are sharpened, the terminals are held tightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Izumi Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Akira Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 5070567
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a brush head having a first group of bristle holders arranged along a substantially straight line and a second group of bristle holders arranged in a circle, all the bristle holders being rotatable about their respective axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Neta Holland
  • Patent number: 5068939
    Abstract: A brush includes a plurality of bristle holders each rotatably mounted in the brush head about its own rotary axis, a plurality of crank arms each coupled to one of the bristle holders for oscillating it about its respective rotary axis, and a rod reciprocatably mounted within the handle and carrying a plurality of pins each received in a slot of one of the crank arms to oscillate the respective bristle holder about its rotary axis upon the reciprocation of the rod. In one described embodiment, the reciprocatable rod is connected to a weight slidably mounted in the handle so that the rod is reciprocated by the weight during manual reciprocation of the handle by a user when using the brush. In another described embodiment, the reciprocatable rod is connected to the handle, and the handle is connected to the brush head by a yielding coupling so that the rod is reciprocated by the handle by a user when using the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Ohad Paz
    Inventor: Neta Holland