DUAL HEAD TEETH CLEANING APPLIANCE

Abstract

Described herein is an electronic dual-head teeth cleaning appliance that facilitates simultaneous front and rear surface cleaning of individual teeth. The teeth cleaning appliance is rechargeable, portable, lightweight, and electronic. In particular, the appliance is equipped with an ergonomic axially rotating handle, speed settings, and may have rubber bristles on the brush heads for massaging the gums during teeth cleaning. The bristles may have side-to-side or rotational action.

Claims

1. A teeth cleaning appliance comprising: an energy generating and transmitting module and handle assembly, the energy transmitting module including a housing having therein a motor and shaft crank arm assembly electrically connected to a power source, the housing including a power actuator located thereon configured to activate and control a speed of the motor, wherein the shaft crank arm includes a drive portion that protrudes from the module housing at an end opposite the handle assembly and which imparts a circular or radial motion upon being actuated; and a teeth brushing module coupled to the housing member that includes an L-shaped crank arm that has a proximal end coupled to the drive portion of the shaft crank arm, the teeth brushing module including a dual-head brush assembly protruding from an upper surface of the brushing module and coupled to a distal end of the L-shaped crank arm, wherein the dual-head brush assembly imparts a vertical movement in and out of the brushing module responsive to the L-shaped crank arm movement to provide a dual surface tooth cleansing motion on a user's teeth.

2. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the dual-head brush assembly within the brushing module includes a set of brush head members partially located within a brush assembly support frame in the housing member, wherein the brush assembly support frame includes a support plate with a set of pivoting stopper arms located on distal ends of the support plate such that the stopper arms form a channel for vertical movement of the set of brush head members, each of the brush head members having spring-like extensions protruding therefrom that are both coupled at a distal end to a spring steel strip, the spring steel strip configured to provide a compression force on the spring-like extensions and against the stopper arms to widen a brush gap between the brush head members with each upward movement of the L-shaped crank arm.

3. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 2, wherein the teeth brushing module includes a pressure adjustment actuator configured to change the brush gap between the brush head members through a plurality of settings, a low setting for larger teeth wherein the brush head support frame is lowered within the brushing module and a high setting for narrower teeth wherein the brush head support frame is raised within the brushing module and protrudes further from the upper surface of the brushing module.

4. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 2, wherein the brush head member includes rubber bristles on an upper end configured to massage and clean a user's gums.

5. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to pivot or rotate axially.

6. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the teeth brushing module includes a series of fluid draining holes at a surface opposite the brush head members.

7. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing of the energy transmitting module includes a release button to decouple the teeth brushing module from the energy transmitting module.

8. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the dual-brush head assembly includes head brushes with each having bristles protruding laterally therefrom towards each other to perform a front and rear surface cleaning a user's tooth.

9. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the handle member includes a ribbed gripping surface.

10. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1 wherein the teeth brushing module is configured to be removable from the housing member.

11. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing and handle assembly include a charging port for charging the power source.

12. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1 wherein the brush assembly is selected from the group consisting of a set of elongate brush heads, a set of rotary-style bristle brush heads, and a set of elongate sponge heads.

13. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the handle and housing assembly includes an LED light on an upper surface co-planar with the brush assembly.

14. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the handle and housing assembly includes an electronic module with a microcontroller to provide time of use alert with a haptic vibration appliance or an LED light.

15. A teeth cleaning appliance comprising: an energy generating and transmitting module and handle assembly, the energy transmitting module including a housing having therein a motor and driveshaft assembly electrically connected to a power source, the housing including a power actuator located thereon configured to activate and control a speed of the motor, wherein the driveshaft includes a proximal drive portion that extends from the motor at an end opposite the handle assembly and which imparts a circular or radial motion upon being actuated; a teeth brushing module coupled to the housing member; a rotatable drive gear member disposed within the teeth brushing module, the drive gear member axially coupled to the proximal drive portion of the driveshaft assembly; a first brush driveshaft and a second brush driveshaft disposed parallel and offset to the driveshaft and extending from the teeth brushing module opposite the handle assembly; a gear assembly including the rotatable drive gear member, a rotatable first brush gear member, a rotatable second brush gear member, and at least one intermediary gear member, each gear member co-planarly aligned and interlocking at least one other gear member within the gear assembly; a distal end of the first extendable brush driveshaft coupled to the rotatable first brush gear member and a distal end of the second brush driveshaft coupled to the rotatable second brush gear member; and a first rotatable brush member coupled to a proximal end of the first brush driveshaft and a second brush member coupled to a proximal end of the second brush driveshaft, a plurality of bristle members circumscribing the first and second brush members, wherein the drive gear member, when rotated, imparts through the gear assembly a counterrotating movement of the first and second brush members to provide a dual surfaced, rotational tooth cleansing motion on a user's teeth.

16. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 15, wherein the drive gear member is slidably coupled to the driveshaft assembly, the drive gear member of the gear assembly coupled to an interior connector assembly of a slider assembly, an exterior portion of the slider assembly disposed through a slot portion disposed through the brushing module, the slot portion parallel to the driveshaft, the slider assembly adapted to allow a user to at least partially extend and retract the first and second brush driveshaft from the teeth brushing module.

17. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 16, wherein a U-shaped cheek protector assembly is slidably coupled to the teeth brushing module, the aperture portion of the U-shaped cheek protector proximally faced, the first and second brush shaft crank member disposed longitudinally and laterally substantially within the aperture portion and parallel to a first stem portion and a second stem portion of the U-shaped cheek protector, the U-shaped cheek protector coupled at the base portion of the U-shaped cheek protector to the exterior portion of the slider assembly and adapted to extend and retract jointly with the first and second brush driveshafts.

18. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 15, wherein the handle is configured to pivot or rotate axially.

19. The teeth cleaning appliance of claim 15, wherein the housing of the energy transmitting module includes a release button to decouple the teeth brushing module from the energy transmitting module.

20. A method of simultaneously cleaning a front and rear surface of a user's teeth comprising the steps of: providing a set of opposing brush head members having a plurality of bristles circumscribing the brush head members to form a cleaning zone about the user's teeth; and counterrotating the opposing brush members in clockwise and counterclockwise directions using a motive force provided by a teeth cleaning mechanism coupled to the brush head members so as to clean a front and back surface of a user's teeth simultaneously, the plurality of bristles adapted to move materials away from the user's gumlines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a perspective view, a left side perspective view of a teeth cleaning appliance and views of a plurality of drain holes and a charging port of the teeth cleaning appliance or appliance according to the teachings of the inventive concept.

[0023] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate a front view and exploded views of components of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0024] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate right side views of a brushing technique of a pair of brush heads in the brushing component of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0025] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a pressure adjustment mechanism and a low and a high setting of the pressure adjustment mechanism of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a right-side view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the teeth cleaning appliance.

[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0034] FIG. 13 illustrates the interior view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0035] FIG. 14 illustrates a right-side view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0036] FIG. 15 illustrates a left side view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0037] FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotating brush configuration.

[0038] FIG. 17 illustrates a back view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0039] FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

[0040] FIG. 19 illustrates an interior view of the teeth cleaning appliance with rotatable brush configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. In various embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided an electronic dual-head teeth cleaning appliance having in one embodiment a rechargeable battery and an axially rotatable handle for ease of use as well as simultaneous cleaning of a front and a rear surface of a user's teeth.

[0042] Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a perspective view, a left side perspective view of teeth cleaning appliance 100 and views of a plurality of drain holes 140 for draining fluids and a charging port 142 of a teeth cleaning appliance according to the teachings of the inventive concept. In this example embodiment, cleaning appliance 100 includes a housing and handle assembly 110 having a housing 112 and a handle 114 extending laterally from and coupled to housing 112. Handle 114 includes a series of ribs or rubber padding 116 to enhance gripping and as will be discussed later, handle 114 is rotatable in an axial direction to enhance ease of use by the user. Cleaning appliance 100 further includes a teeth brushing module 130 coupled laterally to housing 112. In this example embodiment, module 130 includes a set of brush heads 132 protruding from holes 134 on an upper surface of module 130. Referring now to FIG. 1B there is shown a brush pressure adjustment lever 136 that slides up and down along a track 139 in housing 130. A settings display 137 is located adjacent lever 136. In addition, the housing of the energy transmitting module and housing assembly 110 includes a release button 117 to decouple the teeth brushing module 130 from the energy transmitting module 110.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D and FIGS. 3A-3B, which illustrate a front view and exploded views, as well as internal views, of components of teeth cleaning appliance 100. In particular assembly 110 is an energy generating and transmitting module and handle assembly, which includes housing 112 having therein a motor 150 and shaft crank arm assembly 152 electrically connected to a power source 170, the housing including a power actuator 118 with a speed indicator 119 located thereon to activate and control a speed of the motor 150. Shaft crank arm assembly 152 includes a drive portion 152A that protrudes from module housing 112 at an end opposite handle 114 and which imparts a circular or radial motion upon being actuated. Module assembly 110 includes a battery 170 as a power source as well as a microcontroller 154 electrically connected to battery 170 and motor 150 for controlling shaft crank arm assembly 152. Microcontroller 154 also provides time of use capabilities for a user as a well as haptic alerts. In a related embodiment, module 110 includes an LED light to illuminate a user's teeth and is electrically coupled to the battery 170 and controller 154. A charging port 142 is included that is coupled to battery 170 for charging.

[0044] Appliance 100 includes a removable teeth brushing module 130 coupled to housing member 110 that includes an L-shaped crank arm assembly 160 that has a proximal end coupled to drive portion 152A of shaft crank arm 152, with teeth brushing module including a dual-head brush assembly 132 protruding from an upper surface of the brushing module via apertures 134 which is coupled to a distal end 162A of L-shaped crank arm 162. Dual-head brush assembly 132 imparts a vertical movement, as displayed by the arrows, in and out of the brushing module 130 responsive to L-shaped crank arm 162 movement to provide a dual surface tooth cleansing motion on a user's teeth.

[0045] In this example embodiment, referring briefly to FIGS. 4A-4B, dual-head brush assembly 132 within brushing module 130 includes a set of brush head members 132A and 132B partially located within a brush assembly support frame 190 in the housing member. Brush assembly support frame 190 includes a support plate 192 with a set of pivoting stopper arms 194A/194B located on distal ends of support plate 192 such that stopper arms 194A/194B form a channel for vertical movement of the set of brush head members 132A-132B, each of the brush head members having spring-like extensions 132C/132D protruding therefrom that are both coupled at a distal end to a spring steel strip 193, the spring steel strip provides a compression force on spring-like extensions 132C/132D and against the stopper arms to widen a brush gap 180 between the brush head members 132A-132B with each upward movement of the L-shaped crank arm 162. Dual-brush head assembly 132 includes head brushes 132A/132B with each having bristles 131A/131B protruding laterally therefrom towards each other to form a cleaning zone and perform a front and rear surface cleaning a user's tooth.

[0046] In operation, teeth cleaning appliance 100 cleans the front and rear surfaces simultaneously of a user's teeth by providing a set of opposing brush head members 132A/132B having a plurality of bristles that are directed laterally and inward to form a cleaning zone about the user's teeth. Thereafter, moving the opposing brush members in a vertical up and down direction using a motive force provided by a teeth cleaning mechanism coupled to the brush head members so as to clean a front and back surface of a user's teeth simultaneously. The cleaning operation also includes massaging and cleaning a set of gums using rubber bristles 131C/131D at an upper end of each of the brush head members 132A/132B during the vertical up and down movement.

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 4A-4C, there is illustrated a pressure adjustment mechanism and a low setting (FIG. 4B) and a high setting (FIG. 4C) of the pressure adjustment mechanism of the teeth cleaning appliance. In this example embodiment, teeth brushing module 130 includes a pressure adjustment actuator 138 that changes the brush gap 180 between the brush head members 132A/132B through a plurality of settings 137, a low setting for larger teeth wherein the brush head support frame 190 is lowered within the brushing module and a high setting for narrower teeth wherein the brush head support frame 190 is raised within the brushing module and protrudes further from the upper surface of the brushing module 130.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 5-11, there is illustrated various views of the teeth cleaning appliance of the present inventive concept. In a related embodiment, rechargeable batteries are replaced with standard non-rechargeable batteries. In another related embodiment, the toothbrush heads are individually replaceable and include fading color dyes indicating the time to change the cleaning head. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning appliance is applicable to cleaning dentures or other mouthpieces or removal dental implants or fixtures.

[0049] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the teeth cleaning appliance 100 with the rotating brush configuration with energy generating and transmitting module as a housing and handle assembly 110, the energy transmitting module including a housing 112 and handle 114 having therein a motor 150 and driveshaft assembly 182 electrically connected to a battery 170, the housing including a power actuator 118 located thereon configured to activate and control a speed of the motor 150, wherein the driveshaft 182 includes a proximal drive portion 182A that extends from the motor 150 at an end opposite the handle assembly 114 and which imparts a circular or radial motion upon being actuated. In this embodiment, a teeth brushing module 130 is coupled to the housing member 112. A rotatable drive gear member 210 is disposed within the teeth brushing module 130, the drive gear member 210 axially coupled to the proximal drive portion of the driveshaft 182A. A first brush driveshaft 230 and a second brush driveshaft 240 is disposed parallel and offset to the driveshaft 182 and extends from the teeth brushing module 130 opposite the handle assembly 114. A gear assembly 200 including the rotatable drive gear member 210, a rotatable first brush gear member 211, a rotatable second brush gear member 212, and at least one intermediary gear member 213, each gear member 210, 211, 212, 213 co-planarly aligned and interlocking at least one other gear member 210, 211, 212, 213 within the gear assembly 200. A distal end of the first extendable brush driveshaft 231 is coupled to the rotatable first brush gear member 211, and a distal end of the second brush driveshaft 241 is coupled to the rotatable second brush gear member 212. A first rotatable brush member 251 is coupled to a proximal end of the first brush driveshaft 239 and a second brush member 252 is coupled to a proximal end of the second brush driveshaft 249, a plurality of bristle members 255 circumscribing the first and second brush members 251, 252, wherein the drive gear member 210, when rotated, imparts through the gear assembly 200 a counterrotating movement of the first and second brush members 251, 252 to provide a dual surfaced, rotational tooth cleansing motion on a user's teeth.

[0050] In this embodiment of the teeth cleaning appliance 100, the drive gear member 210 is slidably coupled to the driveshaft 182, the drive gear member 210 of the gear assembly 200 coupled to an interior connector assembly 271 of a slider assembly 270, an exterior portion of the slider assembly 279 disposed through a slot portion 280 disposed through the brushing module 130, the slot portion 280 parallel to the driveshaft 182, the slider assembly 270 designed to allow a user to at least partially extend and retract the first and second brush driveshaft 230, 240 from the teeth brushing module 130 by sliding the gear assembly 200 coupled thereto. A U-shaped cheek protector assembly 300 is slidably coupled to the brushing module 130, the aperture portion of the U-shaped cheek protector 350 proximally faced, the first and second brush shaft crank member 230, 240 disposed longitudinally and laterally substantially within the aperture portion 350 and parallel to a first stem portion and a second stem portion 330, 340 of the U-shaped cheek protector 300, the U-shaped cheek protector 300 coupled at the base portion of the U-shaped cheek protector 320 to the exterior portion of the slider assembly 279 and designed to extend and retract jointly with the first and second brush driveshafts 230, 240 attached thereto to the gear assembly 200.

[0051] In this exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the first brush gear member 211 is co-planar and interlocking with the drive gear member 210, the at least one rotatable intermediary gear member 213 is co-planarly disposed between the drive gear member 210 and the second brush gear member 212 and interlocked with the drive gear member 210 and the second brush gear member 212.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 15-19, there is illustrated various views of the teeth cleaning appliance of the exemplary embodiments with the rotatable brush configuration.

[0053] The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,864,911; 6,381,794, 9,339,357, 9,603,687, and 8,584,292 along with WO2009092958A2, WO2002096314A1, and CN104905887A.

[0054] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.