Abstract
A spherical toothbrush holder. The spherical toothbrush holder has a resilient spherical body with a channel formed through its center. The channel is configured to receive and securely hold a toothbrush inserted therethrough. A right hand set of five finger indentations and a left hand set of five finger indentations are formed on the outer surface of the spherical body. The shape and configuration of the finger indentations help prevent slippage and help provide instruction to the user on optimal finger placement around the assistive device.
Claims
1. A toothbrush holder comprising: a spherical body; a channel formed through a center of the spherical body; and a plurality of finger indentations formed on an outer surface of the spherical body.
2. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising: a top aperture formed within a top surface of the spherical body; and a bottom aperture formed within a bottom surface of the spherical body, wherein the top aperture and the bottom aperture are aligned with each other and are positioned at opposite ends of the channel.
3. The toothbrush holder of claim 2, wherein the top aperture, the bottom aperture, and the channel have the same diameter.
4. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of finger indentations further comprises: five finger indentations formed on a right surface of the spherical body; and five finger indentations formed on a left surface of the spherical body.
5. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, wherein the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body mirror the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body.
6. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, wherein the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body comprise: a thumb indentation; an index finger indentation; a middle finger indentation; a ring finger indentation; and a little finger indentation.
7. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, wherein the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body comprise: a thumb indentation; an index finger indentation; a middle finger indentation; a ring finger indentation; and a little finger indentation.
8. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, wherein one of the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body and one of the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body are also positioned on a rear surface of the spherical body.
9. The toothbrush holder of claim 8, wherein a remaining four of the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body and a remaining four of the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body are also positioned on a front surface of the spherical body.
10. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein the finger indentations are teardrop shaped with a narrow tip and a wide base.
11. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, wherein a depth of each finger indentation is shallower at its narrow tip than at its wide base.
12. A spherical toothbrush holder comprising: a spherical body; a channel formed through a center of the spherical body; five finger indentations formed on a right surface of the spherical body; and five finger indentations formed on a left surface of the spherical body.
13. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 12, further comprising: a top aperture formed within a top surface of the spherical body; and a bottom aperture formed within a bottom surface of the spherical body, the bottom aperture and the top aperture being aligned with each other and positioned at opposite ends of the channel, wherein the top aperture, the bottom aperture, and the channel have the same diameter.
14. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 12, wherein the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body mirror the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body.
15. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 12, wherein the five finger indentations formed on the right surface of the spherical body comprise: a thumb indentation; an index finger indentation; a middle finger indentation; a ring finger indentation; and a little finger indentation, and wherein the five finger indentations formed on the left surface of the spherical body comprise: a thumb indentation; an index finger indentation; a middle finger indentation; a ring finger indentation; and a little finger indentation.
16. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 15, wherein the thumb indentation formed on the right surface of the spherical body and the thumb indentation formed on the left surface of the spherical body are also positioned on a rear surface of the spherical body.
17. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 16, wherein the index finger indentation, the middle finger indentation, the ring finger indentation, and the little finger indentation formed on the right surface of the spherical body and the index finger indentation, the middle finger indentation, the ring finger indentation, and the little finger indentation formed on the left surface of the spherical body are also positioned on a front surface of the spherical body.
18. The spherical toothbrush holder of claim 12, wherein each finger indentation is teardrop shaped with a narrow tip and a wide base, and wherein each finger indentation gradually deepens from its narrow tip to its wide base.
19. A spherical assistive device comprising: a resilient spherical body; a channel formed through a center of the spherical body; a right hand set of teardrop shaped finger indentations formed on a right surface of the spherical body; and a left hand set of teardrop shaped finger indentations formed on a left surface of the spherical body, wherein the right hand set of finger indentations and the left hand set of finger indentations each comprise: a thumb indentation, an index finger indentation, a middle finger indentation, a ring finger indentation, and a little finger indentation, and wherein the thumb indentations are also positioned on a rear surface of the spherical body and wherein the index finger indentations, the middle finger indentations, the ring finger indentations, and the little finger indentations are also positioned on a front surface of the spherical body.
20. The spherical assistive device of claim 19, wherein each finger indentation is teardrop shaped with a narrow tip and a wide base, and wherein each finger indentation gradually deepens from its narrow tip to its wide base.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing FIGURES are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain FIGURES may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a spherical toothbrush holder in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the spherical toothbrush holder of FIG. 1, shown in use with a toothbrush handle inserted therethrough and with a user's left hand fingers positioned within the corresponding left hand set of finger indentations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of blocks for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 1-7 together disclose a spherical toothbrush holder 10. The spherical toothbrush holder 10 is an assistive device for individuals who have difficulty holding and manipulating small items, like a toothbrush. In its simplest form, the spherical toothbrush holder 10 has a spherical body 12 having a channel 18 formed through the center of the spherical body 12 and having a plurality of finger indentations 20 formed on the outer surface of the spherical body 12. Although the spherical body 12 does not have any flat sides, it will nevertheless be described herein as having a front surface 22, a rear surface 24, a top surface 26, a bottom surface 28, a right surface 30, and a left surface 32. For purposes of orientation, if the spherical body 12 was divided in half along horizontal X-axis, the spherical body 12 would have a front surface 22 and a rear surface 24. If the spherical body 12 was divided in half along a vertical Y-axis, the spherical body 12 would have a right surface 30 and a left surface 32. If the spherical body 12 was divided along the Z-axis (perpendicular to both the X axis and the Y axis), the spherical body 12 would have a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28. Therefore, as described herein, a particular finger indentation 20 may be described as being positioned on more than one surface simultaneously; e.g. a thumb indentation 20a may be described as being on a rear surface 24 and also on a top surface 26 of the spherical body 12. As a further example, the index finger indentation 20b, the middle finger indentation 20c, the ring finger indentation 20d, and the little finger indentation 20e formed on the left surface 32 (or right surface 30) of the spherical body 12 are also positioned on a front surface 22 of the spherical body 12.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of a spherical toothbrush holder 10 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The spherical toothbrush holder has a spherical body 12. The body 12 may be made of silicon, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other suitable material as long as it is lightweight and resilient. The body 12 may have a diameter D1 of about 58 mm. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the body 12 having a larger or smaller diameter, particularly to accommodate varying hand sizes for men, women, and children.
[0021] The spherical body 12 has a plurality of finger indentations 20 formed thereon. In total, there are ten finger indentations 20, one finger indentation 20 intended for each of the user's ten fingers. As seen in FIG. 1, eight of the finger indentations 20 are visible and positioned on a front surface 22 of the body 12. There are two index finger indentations 20b, two middle finger indentations 20c, two ring finger indentations 20d, and two little finger indentations 20e that are shown. The spherical toothbrush holder 10 will have a right hand set of five finger indentations 20 and a left hand set of five finger indentations 20. The right hand set of finger indentations 20 and the left hand set of finger indentations 20 each comprise: a thumb indentation 20a, an index finger indentation 20b, a middle finger indentation 20c, a ring finger indentation 20d, and a little finger indentation 20eeach referred to generically as a finger indentation 20.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. The five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the right surface 30 of the body 12 are intended for the five fingers on the right hand of the user. Particularly, the thumb indentation 20a is for the user's right hand thumb, the index finger indentation 20b is for the user's right hand index finger, the middle finger indentation 20c is for the user's right hand middle finger, the ring finger indentation 20d is for the user's right hand ring finger, and the little finger 20e is for the user's right hand little finger. The same will be true for the five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the left surface 32 of the body 12, as will be detailed below.
[0023] The specific positions of the five finger indentations 20 for each hand helps to provide the user with instruction on how to place his/her five fingers of that hand about the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. Proper finger placement helps to increase the user's comfort and effectiveness when holding the spherical toothbrush holder 10. Using the right hand as an example: the distance D2 between the thumb indentation 20a and the index finger indentation 20b is about 6.8 mm; the distance D3 between the index finger indentation 20b and the middle finger indentation 20c is about 3.6 mm; the distance D4 between the middle finger indentation 20c and the ring finger indentation 20d is about 2.5 mm; and the distance D5 between the ring finger indentation 20d and the little finger indentation 20e is about 2.5 mm. The spacing measurements between the finger indentations 20 will be the same for the five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the left surface 32 of the body 12 so that the five finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 of the body 12 will be the mirror image of the five finger indentations 20 on the left surface 32 of the body 12. It should be clearly understood that these spacing measurements between finger indentations 20 are provided as an example of one embodiment of the present invention; substantial benefit may be derived from the spacing between the finger indentations 20 being greater or smaller than described as long as the spacing provides a comfortable and effective grip for the user. For example, the distances between the finger indentations 20 may vary as the size of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is sized up or down to accommodate the difference in hand sizes for men, women, children.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, a rear view of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is shown. From the rear surface 24 of the body 12, the two thumb indentations 20a (one left hand thumb and one right hand thumb) are visible. The two thumb indentations 20a are positioned on the rear surface 24 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 while finger indentations 20b-20e are positioned on the front surface 22 so that the user's thumb may provide force in an opposite direction as the force applied from the user's other four fingers positioned on the front surface 22 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. The spacing measurements between the finger indentations 20 on the left surface 32 will be the same as described above for the five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the right surface 30 of the body 12. This will help to ensure that the five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the left surface 32 of the body 12 will be the mirror image of the five finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 of the body 12.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. A set of five finger indentations 20 positioned on the left surface 32 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is shown. The five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the left surface 32 of the body 12 are intended for the five fingers on the left hand of the user. Particularly, the thumb indentation 20a is for the user's left hand thumb, the index finger indentation 20b is for the user's left hand index finger, the middle finger indentation 20c is for the user's left hand middle finger, the ring finger indentation 20d is for the user's left hand ring finger, and the little finger 20e is for the user's left hand little finger.
[0026] The finger indentations 20 may have a tapered teardrop shape, having a narrow tip 36 and a wide base 38. When viewing the front surface 22 of the spherical body 12 (as in FIG. 1), the narrow tips 36 of the right hand set of finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 and the narrow tips 36 of the left hand set of finger indentations 20 on the left surface 32 are oriented medially while the wide bases 38 of the right hand set of finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 and the wide bases 38 of the left hand set of finger indentations 20 of the left surface 32 are oriented laterally. The taper angle between the narrow tip 36 and the wide base 38 may be about 15, but it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the taper angle being larger or smaller than 15. The depth of the finger indentations 20 may increase along the length of the finger indentations 20; i.e. the depth of the finger indentations 20 at their narrow tips 36 may be shallower than the depth of the finger indentations 20 at their wide bases 38. This gradual deepening of the finger indentations 20 helps to keep the user's fingers in place within the finger indentations 20, thereby minimizing the likelihood of the user's hands slipping off of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. According to one embodiment, the maximum depth of the finger indentations 20 at their wider bases may be 2.63 mm. The specific dimensions of each of the tapered finger indentations 20 may vary because each finger is typically different in size; e.g. a little finger is typically shorter than a middle finger. Using the left hand as an example: the thumb indentation 20a may have a width D6 of 11 mm and a length D7 of 19.45 mm; the index finger indentation 20b may have a width D8 of 10.97 mm and a length D9 of 19 mm; the middle finger indentation 20c may have a width D10 of 10.61 mm and a length D11 of 18.223 mm; the ring finger indentation 20d may have a width D12 of 10.8 mm and a length D13 of 19 mm; and the little finger indentation 20e may have a width D14 of 10.8 mm and a length D15 of 19 mm. The length and width measurements of the five finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 will be the same as described above for the five finger indentations 20 that are visible on the left surface 32 of the body 12. It should be clearly understood that these length and width measurements for the finger indentations 20 are provided as an example of one embodiment of the present invention; substantial benefit may be derived from the lengths and widths of the finger indentations 20 being greater or smaller than described as long as the finger indentations 20 provide a comfortable and effecting grip for the user. For example, the length and width measurements of the finger indentations 20 may vary as the size of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is sized up or down to accommodate the difference in hand sizes for men, women, children.
[0027] A top surface 26 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is shown in FIG. 5 and a bottom surface 28 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is shown in FIG. 6. A top aperture 14 is shown formed within the top surface 26 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 and a bottom aperture 16 is shown formed within the bottom surface 28 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. The top aperture 14 and the bottom aperture 16 are aligned with each other and positioned at opposite ends of the channel 18 that extends through the center of the body 12. The top aperture 14 and the bottom aperture 16 are also contiguous with the channel 18 so that the handle of a toothbrush 34 may be inserted into the body 12 through the top aperture 14, it will pass through the channel 18, and ultimately exit the body 12 through the bottom aperture 16.
[0028] The diameter D18 of the top aperture 14, the bottom aperture 16, and the channel 18 may all be 8.12 mm. The diameter D18 of the top aperture 14, the bottom aperture 16, and the channel 18 may all be equal to each other or may be different from each other. It should be clearly understood that the top aperture 14, bottom aperture 16, and channel 18 may have a diameter D18 higher or lower than 8.12 mm, as long as the diameter D18 is of a size that is suitable to receive a standard toothbrush 34 therethrough. The spherical toothbrush holder 10 will be constructed of resilient material, so when a toothbrush 34 is inserted through the top aperture 14, the bottom aperture 16, and the channel 18, a friction fit will be created between the toothbrush 34 and the top aperture 14, the bottom aperture 16, and the channel 18 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the distance D16 between each thumb indentation 20a and the top aperture 14 may be 10.12 mm. This distance D16 will help to prevent the user's thumbs from rubbing against the toothbrush 34 that is inserted through the channel 18 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. It should be clearly understood that the distance D16 is an example of one embodiment of the present invention; substantial benefit may be derived from a distance D16 that is larger or smaller than 10.12 mm especially when the size of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is sized up or down to accommodate the difference in hand sizes for men, women, children.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the distance D17 between the little finger indentations 20e and the bottom aperture 16 may be 16.36 mm. This distance D17 will help to prevent the user's little fingers from rubbing against the toothbrush 34 that is inserted through the channel 18 of the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. It will also help to guide the user's grip so that the user's fingers are positioned more closely to the working end of the toothbrush 34; i.e. closer to the top surface 26 of the body 12. This will provide the user with more control over the toothbrush 34 when brushing his/her teeth. It should be clearly understood that the distance D17 is an example of one embodiment of the present invention; substantial benefit may be derived from a distance D17 that is larger or smaller than 16.36 mm especially when the size of the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is sized up or down to accommodate the difference in hand sizes for men, women, children.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the spherical toothbrush holder 10 in use with the handle of a toothbrush 34 inserted therethrough. Any standard size toothbrush may be used with the spherical toothbrush holder 10. The spherical toothbrush holder 10 provides ten finger indentations 20 that are positioned to conveniently accommodate either right handedness or left handedness of a user on the same spherical toothbrush holder 10. Therefore, the finger indentations 20 on the right surface 30 (intended for the right handed user) are positioned as a mirror image of the finger indentations 20 on the left surface 32 (intended for the left handed user). Here, the handle of the toothbrush 34 was inserted through the top aperture 14, through the channel 18, and through the bottom aperture 16. The diameter of the top aperture 14, the channel 18, and the bottom aperture 16, as well as the resilient material with which the spherical toothbrush holder 10 is constructed together create a friction between the handle of the toothbrush 34 and the body 12 of the spherical toothbrush holder 10. The user will then match up his/her fingers to the finger indentations 20: inserting his/her thumb into the thumb finger indentation 20a; inserting his/her index finger into the index finger indentation 20b; inserting his/her middle finger into the middle finger indentation 20c; inserting his/her ring finger into the ring finger indentation 20d; and inserting his/her little finger into the little finger indentation 20e. Placement of finger indentations 20 will guide the user to place his/her fingers into the finger indentations 20 in a comfortable and effective position about the spherical toothbrush holder 10 and the configuration of the finger indentations 20 will help to prevent the spherical toothbrush holder 10 from slipping out of the user's hand during use.
[0032] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless specifically stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.
