Complex motion powered toothbrush

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush.

Toothbrushes having fiber holders movable relative to the toothbrush handle body are known. From U.S. Patent No. 2,215,031, a brush is known that includes a fiber holder that is set in rotation. A similar rotationally driven filament holder system is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 4,845,795. In contrast, US Patent Application 4,156,620 explains how a rotational driving force is converted into a linear reciprocating motion to rotate the filaments in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. US Patent No. 3,577,579 discloses a toothbrush in which the brush head is moved relative to the brush handle so that all fibers attached to the brush head move together laterally back and forth with respect to the handle. US Patent No. 5,625,916 describes a toothbrush with a single fiber handle. The fiber holder is driven to vibrate in a rotational manner around the shaft.

The drive mechanisms and movements of the brushes disclosed in the cited descriptions range from relatively simple to relatively complex. The most complex of the known toothbrushes has a complex brushing motion which has many advantages for the user, but the means used therein to implement this motion are too complex and contain too many moving parts to be practical. The simplest toothbrush known is only one brushing stroke. Although it is easy to manufacture, its brushing action is not sufficient as it does not provide inaccurate cleaning of the space between the teeth. From GB 2247297, an electric toothbrush is known which comprises a head with fiber holders as brushing parts. The head is mounted on the body of the handle in which there is a motor connected to the drive shaft and batteries.

For a better explanation of the invention, a known toothbrush construction is described with reference to the drawing in which fig. I shows a cross-section of the lower part of the brush, pos. II - cross-section of the toothbrush part from Fig. I, pos. III is a cross-section of the lower part of the element in Fig. II, pos. IV is a view from the other side of the item in Fig. II, pos. V, VI and VII are the same views as in Fig. II, III and IV of a different toothbrush and on a different scale.

As shown in Fig. And the toothbrush comprises a handle 10 constituting one end of the toothbrush, a head 11 at the other end of the toothbrush, a neck 9 extending therebetween, a rotatable shaft 12 extending from the handle to the head, and a circular fiber holder constituting the brushing portion 13 on the toothbrush. embedded in a plurality of fiber bundles, each bundle 8 comprising a plurality of fibers. The handle has a body divided into compartments for an electric motor 14 and two batteries 15 and 16, although the batteries 15 and 16 may be replaced with a rechargeable power source. Drive shaft 17 is positioned so that one end of shaft 12 can be gripped for removal for cleaning or replacement.

Header 11, as it is better seen in Fig. II, supports a post 18 which is the rotation axis or pivot axis 40 of the fiber bundle holder 13. The fiber bundles 19 in Fig. II are shown for illustrative purposes only. Shaft 12 has an integral distal end 20 that is offset from the central longitudinal axis 21 of the shaft. The distal end 20 fits into a slot 22 (see Fig. III) formed in the side portion of the fiber holder 13. Note that end 20 is directed toward the intersection of the first axis 21 and the pivot axis 40 of the post 18. In one embodiment, the post is positioned so that the pivot 40 is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 21 of the shaft. The axis of rotation 40 is also parallel to the direction in which the fibers 19 extend. While this alignment is preferred, it will be appreciated that the post 18 may be otherwise oriented. For example, the post 18 may be curved so that the axis of rotation 40 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 21 of the shaft, but rather forms an acute angle with it to provide axial runout or rotation about the axis of rotation 40. When the motor 14 rotates the shaft 12, the distal end 20 of the brush goes in a circle about the shaft 12 and engages the slot 22, causing the handle of the fibers 13 to vibrate or wobble about its axis of rotation. In this case, the distal end 20 may be a cam or a gear tooth. Vibrating means moving from side to side. To swing means to move or move back and forth between two points. A cam is a shaped element or part of an element that determines the movement of the follower. As can be seen in Fig. III, slot 22 is closed on one side and extends radially inward from the outer periphery of the handle to less than a distance to

The center of the handle and between adjacent pairs of fiber handles. In this way, the fiber holder 13 twists, sways or pivots back and forth around the center of the post 18. To twist is to turn or as if to make a twist. To rotate is to rotate around an axis or center. Such movement provides a first relative movement between the head 11 and the fibers 19 and is beneficial for effective tooth cleaning. The width of the slit 22 is preferably the same as the diameter of end 20, with a minimum of play. This keeps noise to a minimum during use. The engine 14 is operated at a speed of about 6,000 rpm. Where required, the engine may run at a different speed or it may run at two or more user-selectable speeds. Pos. And it illustrates a toothbrush in which the handle 13 vibrates, oscillates, or rotates at an angle of 30 degrees. In fig. II, this angle is 35 degrees, and in Fig. This angle is 15 degrees. The angle of rotation can be selected by fitting the respective shafts 12, and the same fiber holder can be used for all angles.

Each fiber holder 13 may be provided with more than one slot 22 as shown in FIG. III, positioned opposite to each other so that it is better balanced or so that different slits can be used when one slit is worn or when the fibers wear out in use. In other words, the handle 13 can be set to two or more rotational positions. The handle 13 is easily removable from the head 11, for example by a spring clip securing it to the post 18. Such removal allows for better cleaning and storage in the sanitary container, and also allows the shaft 12 to be radially retracted and replaced when required.

The described shafts 12 are preferably formed integrally, i.e. of a thin rod, and have the same length. However, it is possible to attach a separately formed distal end or cam 20, or to provide and attach to a straight shaft end portion or other location on the shaft. Such a separate part may be a brush having a central axis coinciding with the axis 21 of the shaft u and the eccentric of the central drive post. The drive post assumes the position and function of the distal end or cam 20. Thus, the drive post and the slot 22 engage the shaft and the chuck 13, and thus the drive post can be taken as the distal end of the shaft.

In some embodiments of the invention, it is also possible to hinge the handle 13 in a pivoting manner on one side, for example, opposite to the shaft u. In this case, the fibers attached closer to the hinge axis of the joint will not actually move like the fibers on the adjacent side. into the shaft but will still vibrate. The fiber holder constituting the brush portion 13 need not be round to rotate or oscillate. However, usually the round handle 13 is preferred so that its rotational position can be changed as required. While the above-described shaft arrangement is advantageous, it should be noted that other shaft arrangements may be used. Preferably, the head 11 may be shaped to disengage it radially from the handle 10. This may be accomplished by a coupling system between the shaft and head body portions. Such systems are known in the art. For example, the head and portions of the handle can include slots and tabs and / or locking or securing tabs and grooves. The shaft may be divided into two parts and each part may include a connecting piece. For example, the connection can be achieved through a longitudinal wedge system. For example, the link elements may include protrusions and sockets attached to respective ends of the shaft. The slots 22 may be replaced by oblique disc cams known from US Patent No. 5,784,743.

An electric toothbrush according to the invention, comprising a head with fiber holders as brushing parts, the head being mounted on a handle body in which a motor connected to a drive shaft and batteries are located, characterized in that the drive shaft includes first and second cams, the first cam is connected to the first brushing portion movable with a first movement, and the second cam is connected separately to the second brushing part, longitudinally separated from the first brushing part and movable with a second, different movement.

It is preferred that the second brush part comprises a pusher coupled to the lower surface of the second brush part, the pusher being biased from the longitudinal axis of the second brush part, and the pusher being movable in the direction of movement of the second cam, the brush comprising a spring for biasing the pusher in the longitudinal direction. brush axis.

The second brush part comprises one of the rotatable and hinge parts that is spaced apart from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second brush part, one of the rotatable and hinge parts rotatably connecting the second brush part to the brush head, and on the lower one.

A cam contact surface is provided on the surface of the second brush portion, the cam contact surface being movable on the second cam surface, and the second brush portion being pivotally movable about one of the rotatable and hinge portions.

It is preferred that the first brush portion includes a slot for receiving the first cam.

The first movement is a pendulum rotation movement.

The second brush portion includes a cam contact surface located on the lower portion thereof, the cam contact surface being movable on the second cam surface, and the second brush portion being reciprocatingly movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush.

The second brush portion includes a rotatable portion centrally positioned in the body of the second brush portion transversely to the longitudinal axis of the second brush portion, the rotatable portion rotatably connecting the second brush portion to the brush head, and the second brush portion further includes first and second cam contact surfaces disposed therein. on the lower surface of the second brushing part and on opposite sides of the rotating part, the cam contact surfaces are movable on the first and second cam surfaces and the second brush portion is pivotally movable about the axis of the rotating portion.

The first and second cams include bends formed on the shaft.

The second brush portion includes a centrally positioned follower coupled to the lower portion thereof, the second cam is helical, the first follower surface is movable behind the cam during the first half of the shaft rotation cycle, and the second follower surface is movable behind the cam during the second half of the shaft rotation cycle. the second brush portion is pivotable back and forth along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush.

Preferably, the second brush portion comprises first and second followers coupled to a lower portion thereof, the first and second followers being spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the second brush portion, the second cam being in the holder between the first and second followers and the first follower being in position. a cam-follow position during the first half of the shaft rotation cycle, and the second follower is in a cam-follower position during the second half of the shaft rotation cycle. the second brush portion is pivotable back and forth along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush. An advantage of the proposed solution is that it provides a toothbrush that is simple to manufacture and has several moving parts, providing multiple cleaning and brushing options for performing multiple tooth cleaning tasks.

The invention is described in the embodiments with reference to Fig. 8 is a bottom view of an improved toothbrush having a second cleaning portion. The toothbrush is shown in separate parts, Fig. 9 is a section along the line AA marked in Fig. 8 according to a first embodiment of a toothbrush head, Fig. 9A is a sectional view of a first embodiment, Fig. 10 is a section taken along line AA in Fig. . 8 of the second embodiment of a toothbrush head, Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 8 of a third embodiment of a toothbrush head, Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view taken of a line BB in Fig. 8 of a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush head. Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view taken along the line BB marked in Fig. 8 for a fifth embodiment of the toothbrush head, Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 8 of a fifth embodiment of a toothbrush head. Shown is the shaft rotated to a position other than that shown in Fig. 13, Fig. 15 is a partial section along line BB marked in Fig. 8 of the sixth embodiment of the toothbrush head, Fig. 16 is a partial section view taken along line BB marked in Fig. 8 of the seventh embodiment of the toothbrush head, Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the head of a ninth toothbrush; Fig. 18 is a partial sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 8 of the ninth embodiment of a toothbrush head; Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 8 of the tenth embodiment. 20 is a side view of a toothbrush showing a first exemplary arrangement of fibers, Fig. 20. 21 is an end view along the line DD in Fig. 8 showing a second exemplary fiber array; Fig. 22 is a partial sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 8 of the second embodiment of the fifth embodiment showing another cam pattern. As shown in Figs. 8 - Fig. 18, an improved electric toothbrush 810 includes a first fiber holder defining a first brushing portion 814 similar to

The brush portion 13 described above. The enhanced toothbrush 810 has a head 816 and a handle body 817. Of course, the enhanced toothbrush contains a motor 819 and batteries to power the motor. The head portion 816 has a longitudinal axis 818. The first fiber holder constituting the first brush portion 814 is circular in shape. However, other shapes of the brush portions are possible. First brush portion 814 includes at least one slot as described above (see Fig. III) for receiving the distal end or cam of drive shaft 820 as described with reference to Fig. I - pos. VII. The distal end (see Fig. III) of the drive shaft is bent or deviated from the central longitudinal axis 21 (see Fig. III) of the drive shaft 820 as described above. The engine 819 turns the shaft 820. Briefly, with regard to the structure and operation of shaft 820 relative to the first fiber holder 814, improved toothbrush 810 is similar to the toothbrush described with reference to FIG. I - pos. VII. However, embodiments of the improved electric toothbrush 810 also include a second brush portion positioned adjacent the first brush portion, such as the second brush portion 822. While it is desirable to locate the second brush portion directly against the first brush portion, it should be noted that a gap may form between the first and second brush portions. In addition, the space between the movable first and second brush parts can be filled with stationary fibers that are embedded in the stationary third brush part (not shown) that is part of a toothbrush head. In many embodiments of the improved electric toothbrush, the second brush portion is movable and separately connected to drive shaft 820, and thus separately driven. The movable second brush parts are movable in directions and / or in a manner that is different from any pivoting or swinging motions described with reference to FIG. I - pos. VII.

For example, referring to Fig. 9, a second brush portion 910 is movably secured in slots 912 in brush head 816 and separately driven a vibrating side-to-side movement perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis 818 through an eccentric cam 914. mounted on drive shaft 918. Cam 914 and other cams described below may include one or more bends in shaft 918 as shown, for example, in Fig. 9A and as can be seen in the drawings of other embodiments described below and shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 15. Alternatively, cam 914 may be secured as a separate piece that is secured to shaft 918 by an adhesive. snap or interference fit by co-molding or any other mechanical or chemical means known in the art. Optionally, the drive shaft is supported by shaft support 920. The pusher 922 is dependent on the lower surface 924 of the second brush portion 910 against which it is compressed. The pusher 922 is biased from the longitudinal axis 926 of the second brush part. As the engine 819 of the improved toothbrush 810 rotates the shaft 918, the cam 914 contacts the contact surface of the cam 928 of the follower 922 and drives the follower 922 and thereby the second brush portion 910 towards one side 930 of the improved toothbrush 810 and away from the longitudinal axis. 818 of head 816. As shaft 918 continues to turn, cam 914 disengages follower 922. A resilient biasing member, such as a spring 934, interposed between the head wall 816 and the second pusher surface, presses the pusher 922, and thereby the second brush portion 910 back toward the longitudinal axis 818 of the head 816. repeated side to side (as shaft 918 rotates) a cleaning or brushing movement is provided that is different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814. The pitch and frequency of the second brush portion 910 may be varied by varying the spring structure and the location and / or dimensioning of the cam 914 and follower 922. For example, follower 922 may be positioned closer to axis 926 to provide a smaller stroke, or the follower 922 or stronger spring may be be provided to increase the return frequency of the second brush part 910, or more than one spring may be used. Alternatively, the pusher 922 may form an acute angle with the lower surface 924 of the second brush portion 910, or the first surface may be a curvilinear shape or other complex form as opposed to the flat surface shown in Fig. 9.

As shown in Figure 10, in a second embodiment of the improved toothbrush 810, the second brush portion 1010 is rotatably mounted in a slot 1012 formed in the brush head 816 and separately driven to vibrate, pivot, or rotate about the hinge or pivot 1014. , through a cam 1016 mounted on the drive shaft 1018.

Cam 1016 may include one or more bends on shaft 1018 or may be a separate piece, such as

This has been previously described. Optionally, the drive shaft is supported by a shaft support 1020. A cam contact surface 1022 is located on the bottom surface of the second brush portion 1010. As the enhanced toothbrush motor 810 rotates the shaft 1018, the cam 1016 contacts the cam contact surface 1022 and drives or pushes. second brush portion 1010 causing the second brush portion to pivot or pivot about a hinge or pivot axis 1014. As the shaft 1018 continues to rotate, the cam 1016 disengages from the contact surface of the cam 1022. The cam 1016 contacts the contact surface of the cam 1022, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1010 are pressed against the user's teeth with greater force. Preferably, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1010 are pressed between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning function. When the cam disengages from contact surface 1022, fibers pressed against the user's teeth deflect the second brush portion away from the user's teeth. As this swinging or rotating movement is repeated (as shaft 1018 rotates), a deep cleaning movement is provided that is distinct from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Fig. 11, in a third embodiment of the improved toothbrush 810, the second brush portion 1110 is movably secured in slots 1112 in the toothbrush head 816 and separately driven to vibrate, raise, or vertically pulsate (i.e., in the direction of the toothbrush). perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1114 and parallel to the surface 1115 of the second brush portion 1110 as shown by way of example in Fig. 11) within slots 1112 through a cam 1116 mounted on drive shaft 1118. Optionally, the drive shaft is supported by shaft support 1120. Cam 1116 may include one or more bends in shaft 1118 or may be a separate feature as previously described. A cam contact surface 1122 is located on the bottom surface of the second brush portion 1110. When the motor 819 (see Fig. 8) improved toothbrush 810 rotates shaft 1118, cam 1116 contacts the contact surface of cam 1122 and drives or lifts the second brush portion 1110 in a vibrating, hovering, or vertically pulsating motion, causing the second brush portion to rise or pulsate in the away direction. from head 816 and toward the teeth of a user of a toothbrush (not shown). As shaft 1118 continues to rotate, cam 1116 disengages from cam contact surface 1122. In use, when the cam 1016 contacts the contact surface of the cam 1122, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1110 push against the user's teeth with varying force. Preferably, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1110 extend between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning function. When the cam disengages from the contact surface 1122, the bundles of fibers pressing against the user's teeth pull the second brush portion away from the user's teeth and back toward head 816. As this rising or vertically pulsating motion repeats (as shaft 1018 continues to rotate), a deep cleaning is provided that is different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Fig. 12, in a fourth embodiment of improved toothbrush 810, the second brush portion 1210 is movably secured in slots (not shown, but similar to slots 912 shown in Fig. 9) in toothbrush head 816 and reciprocating or parallel longitudinal movement within the slots separately through a cam 1216 mounted on drive shaft 1218. Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports 1217. The shaft supports can include C-shaped or U-shaped portions (not shown) that engage and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining the shaft in the bracket are known in the art. Cam 1216 may include a bead with a proper eccentric configuration, cam 1216 includes a pair of acute-angled surfaces 1219, 1220 that are inclined in the same direction and at the same angle of inclination but are located at opposite ends of cam 1216. Direction the slope and angle of inclination may be different if it is desired to vary the frequency and pitch of the second brush portion 1210. The first 1222 and second 1226 pushers are dependent on the bottom surface of the second brush part 1210. The pushers 1222, 1226 are biased or spaced apart from the transverse axis 1230 of the second brush part. The followers 1222, 1226 are spaced apart and / or engage the cam 1216 so that the curved surfaces 1219, 1220 gently engage the free ends of the followers 1222 and 1226. When the motor 819 (see Fig. 8) enhanced toothbrush 810 rotates shaft 1218, first acute angled surface 1220 of cam 1216 contacts first follower 1222 and drives follower, thereby second brush portion 1210, pushes away first fiber holder 814 along longitudinal axis 818 of head 816 As the shaft 918 continues to turn, the cam 1216 disengages from the first follower 1222. The second acute-angled surface 1219 of the cam 1216 contacts the surface of the second.

Pusher 1226 and drives the second pusher 1226 and thereby pulls the second brush portion 1210 back toward the first fiber holder 814. As this forward and backward motion is repeated (as shaft 918 continues to rotate), scrubbing by a reciprocating or parallel movement different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, in a fifth embodiment of an improved toothbrush 810, a second brush portion 1310 is movably secured in slots (not shown, but similar to slots 912 shown in Fig. 9) in the head. toothbrushes 816 and separately reciprocating or parallel longitudinal movement through a cam 1316 mounted on drive shaft 1318. Optionally, the shaft is supported on shaft supports 1317. The shaft supports can have C or U-shaped elements (not shown) that receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining the shaft in the brackets are known in the art. Cam 1316 is sinusoidal or curvilinear in nature, therefore having one or more adjacent acute bends 1319 and 1320 on shaft 1318. Each of the acute bends 1319, 1320 has a vertex 1321 and vertices 1321 are located on opposite sides of drive shaft 1318. A follower 1322 is dependent on the lower surface 1323 of the second brush portion 1310 and is positioned between the vertices 1321 of the cam 1316. As the improved toothbrush motor 819 810 rotates the shaft 1318, the first surface 1325 of the cam 1316 contacts the first surface 1324 of the follower 1322 and drives the follower 1322, thereby the second brush portion 1310 deviates away from the first brush portion 814 in a longitudinal direction. axis 818 of head 816. As shaft 918 continues to rotate, first surface 1325 of cam 1316 reaches apex 1321 and disengages from first surface of follower 1324. The second surface 1326 of the cam 1316 contacts the second surface 1426 of the follower 1322 and drives the follower 1322 so that the second brush portion 1310 moves back toward the first brush portion 814. As this forward and backward movement repeats (when shaft 918 rotates further), scrubbing is provided by a reciprocating or parallel movement that is different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814. The pitch and frequency of the reciprocating or parallel motion may be varied by changing the distance between the peaks and / or the amplitude or height of the peaks.

Referring to Fig. 15, in a sixth embodiment of improved toothbrush 810, a second brush portion 1508 is movably attached to a toothbrush head 816 with a pivot point 1510, which may be a pin or a hinge, and is installed in a centrally located toothbrush head 816. transverse axis of the second brush portion 1508. In one embodiment, the second brush portion 1508 pivots about a pin that is anchored to the side walls of the neck or toothbrush head 816 at the midpoint of the second brush portion 1508. The second brush portion 1508 is separately driven to vibrate swinging through the cam. comprised of first 1512 and second 1514 cam portions mounted on drive shaft 1518. Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft supports 1519. The shaft supports can have C or U-shaped elements (not shown) that receive and snap around the shaft. Other means for retaining the shaft in the brackets are known in the art. The cam portions 1512, 1514 may include one or more rectilinear, curved, or other bends on the shaft 1518. As shown in FIG. 15, a first cam portion 1512 is positioned adjacent a first side of a pivot and a second cam portion 1514 is positioned adjacent a second side of a pivot. Second cam portion 1514 may include a distal end or cam portion (not shown, but similar to the distal end or cam 20 of Fig. 3) of shaft 1518. First 1520 and second 1522 cam contact surfaces are provided on the bottom surface of second brush portion 1508 . As it matters in all the embodiments, the amplitude or height of the bends or eccentric features that constitute the first and second cam portions 1512, 1514 are large enough to achieve the desired cam contact surface and to move the second fiber holder the desired distance in the direction. up to, across or along the teeth of a toothbrush user. As the improved toothbrush motor 819 810 rotates the shaft 1518, the first cam portion 1512 contacts the first cam contact surface 1520 and drives or lifts (reference the drawing) the first end 1522 of the second brush portion 1510, causing the first end 1522 to oscillate or move about. pivot 1510 in a direction away from head 816 and toward the teeth of a brush user (not shown). This action lowers the second end 1526 of the second brush portion back toward the head 816. As the shaft 1518 continues to rotate,

The first cam portion 1512 disengages from the first cam contact surface 1520, and the second cam portion 1514 engages the second cam contact surface 1522. The second cam portion 1514 drives or lifts (as shown) the long end 1526 of the second brush portion 1508. causing second end 1522 to oscillate or move about pivot 1510 away from head 816 and toward the teeth of the brush user. Doing so lowers the first end 1530 of the second brush portion back toward the head 816. In use, when the first and second cam portions 1512, 1514 alternately contact the first and second cam contact surfaces 1520, 1522, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1508 are pressed against each other. user's teeth with varying strength. Preferably, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1508 extend between the teeth of the user, providing a deep cleaning. As the swinging or rotating movement is repeated (as shaft 1518 continues to rotate), a deep cleaning movement is provided that is different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Fig. 16, in a seventh embodiment of the improved toothbrush 810, the second brush portion 1608 is movably attached to the toothbrush head 816 by a pivot point 1610, which may be a pin or hinge attached along the transverse axis of the second fiber holder 1608. . In one embodiment, the second brush portion 1608 pivots about a pin that is anchored to the side walls of the toothbrush neck at a midpoint of the second brush portion 1608. The transverse axis is, for example, adjacent to the first end 1612 of the second brush portion 1608. The second the fiber holder 1608 is separately made to vibrate, swing, or rotate through a cam 1614 mounted on drive shaft 1618. Optionally, the shaft is supported by shaft brackets 1619. The shaft brackets may have C-shaped or U-shaped portions (not shown) that receive and snap around the shaft. Other shaft retaining elements in the brackets are known in the art. Cam 1614 may be the distal end of shaft 1618 (not shown, but similar to the distal end or cam 20 of FIG. 3). Cam 1614 may include one or more bends on shaft 1618. For example, the bends can be straight, curved, or some other shape. A cam contact surface 1622 is located on a lower surface of the second brush portion 1608 adjacent to its second end 1626. As the enhanced toothbrush motor 819 810 rotates shaft 1618, cam 1614 contacts the contact surface of cam 1622 and drives or lifts (depending on the drawing) second end 1626 of second brush portion 1608 causing second end 1626 of second fiber holder to wobble or move. 1608 about pivot axis 1610 away from head 816 and toward the teeth of a brush user (not shown). As the shaft 1618 continues to rotate, the cam 1614 disengages from the cam contact surface 1622. In use, as the cam 1614 contacts the cam contact surface 1622, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1608 are pressed against the user's teeth with varying force. Preferably, the fiber bundles of the second brush portion 1608 are sandwiched between the teeth of the user to provide a cleaning function. When the cam disengages from the contact surface 1622, the fiber bundles, pressing against the user's teeth, pull the second brush portion away from the user's teeth and move back toward the head 816. As this swinging or rotating motion repeats (as shaft 1618 rotates). further), a deep cleaning movement is provided that is different from and complementary to the movement provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, in the eighth embodiment of the enhanced toothbrush 810, the second brush portion 1810 is movably secured in slots 1812 in brush head 816 and separately reciprocating or parallel, laterally moving within the slots 1812 by cam 1816 mounted on drive shaft 1818. Cam 1816 may include a properly shaped bead positioned above or formed and fixedly attached to shaft 1818. For example, the bead is formed as an eccentric cam. Alternatively, the cam may include one or more rectilinear, curvilinear, or other bend shapes. The first 1822 and second 1826 pushers are dependent on the bottom surface of the second brush portion 1810. The followers, for example, are offset from the longitudinal axis 818 of the second brush portion and spaced apart from or embrace cam 1816. As motor 819 (see Fig. 8) rotates shaft 1818, cam 1816 contacts surface 1821 of first follower 1822 and drives first follower 1822 and thereby pulls the second brush portion 1810 away from the first side 1828 of head 816 along the transverse axis 1830 of head 816. As shaft 1818 continues to rotate, cam 1816 disengages from first follower 1822. Cam 1816 contacts surface 1825 of second

Of the follower 1826 and drives the second follower 1826, thereby the second brush portion 1810 retracts back toward the first side 1828 of the head 816. As this forward and backward or side-to-side movement is repeated (when shaft 918 pivots further), a swinging motion is provided that is different from and complementary to the motion provided by the first brush portion 814.

Referring to Fig. 19, in a ninth embodiment of the improved toothbrush 810, a second brush portion 1910 is movably secured in slots (not shown) in the brush head 816 and separately reciprocating, or parallel, longitudinal movement through the cam. 1916, mounted on the drive shaft 1918. Cam 1916 may include a shaped bead, suitably arranged, positioned or formed above and securely attached to shaft 1918. Cam 1916 includes a reverse helical or helical groove 1920. A helical or helical groove extends around the circumference of the bead and spirals about the longitudinal axis of the bead. . For example, the longitudinal axis coincides with the 1918 shaft. The follower 1922 depends on the lower surface 1923 of the second brush portion of the fiber holder 1910. The follower 1922 gently enters the spiral groove 1920. As the motor 819 of the improved toothbrush 810 rotates the shaft 1918, the first surface 1924 of the spiral groove 1920 contacts the first surface 1925 of the follower 1922 and drives a follower 1922 whereby the second brush portion 1910 moves away from the first brush portion 814 along the longitudinal axis 818 of the head 816. As the shaft 1918 continues to rotate, the follower 1922 reaches the top of the 1926 spiral groove 1920, and the first face of the 1924 spiral groove 1920 disengages from the first face of the cam 1925. The second face of the 1928 spiral groove 1920 contacts the second face of the follower 1930 1922 and drives the follower 1922, thereby the second brush portion 1910 moves back toward the first brush portion 814. Since this forward and backward motion is repeated (as shaft 918 continues to turn), a scrub motion is provided that is different from and complementary to the motion provided by first brush portion 814. Optionally, cam 1916 is eccentrically mounted on shaft 1918 and the longitudinal axis of the bead or cam 1916 does not coincide with the shaft 1918. In this case, when the follower 1922 is long enough to travel on the lower portion of the helical groove 1920, a rising or vertically pulsating force is applied to the second brush portion as the eccentrically mounted cam is rotated through the shaft. Alternatively or additionally, the depth of the groove is different. The difference in depth provides the pusher with a lifting or vertically pulsating force and therefore the second brushing part. The helical groove can be replaced by a groove that cycles back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the bead several times as it runs around the bead. This type of groove can be used to increase the frequency of the reciprocating movement of the second brush part.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown for simplicity with the fiber bundles that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 818 and the surface (e.g., see item 1115 of Fig. 11) of the brush portions, it should be noted that the fiber bundles may be arranged in a manner. another method that complements or improves the movement of the first and / or second fiber grips. With reference to fig. 20, some or all of the fiber bundles may extend in a direction that forms an acute angle 2008 with the surface 2006 of the brush portion and extends toward or away from the brush portion as shown in the example of Fig. 20 with respect to fiber bundles 2010 and 2014 respectively. With reference to fig. 21, in another embodiment, some fiber bundles may extend outward from the head in a different direction, re-forming an acute angle 2108 with respect to the surface of the brush portion as shown in Fig. 21 with respect to the fiber bundles 2110 and 2114. Bundles of massage fibers or bundles of other heights may also be used.

The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. It is preferable to use cams having shaft bends or having a suitably shaped bead attached to the shaft. In fact, the bends may be replaced by the beads and the beads may be replaced by the bends. For example, fig. 22 depicts a tenth embodiment that is similar to the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14. However, in the tenth embodiment, the cam 2216 is formed as a suitably oriented assembly of beads stationary or formed over shaft 2218. Where the first and the other cam portion or surface is labeled, it may be contemplated to mount them as separate cams. Where cam portions are shown with one eccentric or bent shape, use can be made

Many eccentric or curved shapes are used. Each eccentric or curved shape added will raise the frequency at which the respective fiber bundles vibrate, pulsate, rotate, swing, oscillate, reciprocate or parallel move. Additionally, where a plurality of eccentric shapes are used, a different amplitude may occur whereby a different amplitude of movement of the brush portion will be provided.