Removable toothbrush head for electric toothbrush handle
The brush head design with a connecting member and friction fit addresses the challenge of securely attaching to the handle without metal springs, enhancing stability and reducing costs while maintaining vibration performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024177527
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-28
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing electric toothbrushes face challenges in securely attaching brush heads to the handle without using metal springs, which increases manufacturing costs or results in loose attachments that affect vibration performance.
A brush head design featuring a connecting member with a chamber and irregular surfaces that provide a friction fit with the drive shaft, eliminating the need for metal springs, ensuring a stable and removable attachment.
The design achieves a secure, cost-effective, and vibration-transmitting attachment of the brush head to the handle, reducing manufacturing costs and improving stability under high-speed vibrations.
Smart Images
Figure 2025131487000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of power toothbrushes, and more particularly to brush heads configured to couple to the handles of power toothbrushes. [Background technology]
[0002] Many types of electric toothbrushes use high-speed vibrations from a motor inside the toothbrush handle to drive the brush head. To operate the electric toothbrush, the brush head must be firmly attached to the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle to withstand the high-speed vibrations caused by operating the toothbrush. Therefore, many existing products use metal or springs inside the brush head to facilitate a tight connection with the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle. This can increase the manufacturing cost of the brush head.
[0003] Additionally, some brush heads avoid the use of metal springs, but these can be difficult to connect to the handle or can be loosely attached, resulting in less vibration effect.
[0004] This patent document describes an apparatus that addresses at least some of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems.
[0005] In a first aspect, a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush includes a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles, a base portion having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush, a body portion connecting the bristle tray portion to the base and having an opening, and a connecting member. The connecting member includes an interior sidewall surrounding a chamber for receiving the drive shaft and a receptacle positioned to align with the opening in the body portion. The connecting member does not include or rely on a spring that contacts the drive shaft or the body portion. A pin is positioned within the opening in the body portion and the receptacle in the connecting member.
[0006] In a second embodiment, a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush includes: (a) a bristle tray portion containing a plurality of bristles, (b) a base portion having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush, (c) a base portion having an opening and connecting the bristle tray to the base, and (d) a connecting member. The connecting member includes (a) a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion, and (b) a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base. The relatively narrow portion has a length that is shorter than a length of the drive shaft such that, when the drive shaft is inserted into the connecting member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an internal cavity within the body portion.
[0007] In a third embodiment, a toothbrush includes a handle having a drive shaft extending therefrom, and a toothbrush head. The toothbrush head includes a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles, a base portion having an opening for receiving the drive shaft, a body portion having an opening connecting the bristle tray portion to the base, and a connecting member. The connecting member includes a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion and a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base. The relatively narrow portion has a length shorter than that of the drive shaft, such that when the drive shaft is inserted into the connecting member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an internal cavity within the body portion. The internal sidewall of the body portion has an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head. The drive shaft also has an irregular surface positioned to contact the internal sidewall of the body portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle and removable toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a toothbrush head having a connecting member according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a toothbrush head having a connecting member according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a toothbrush head with a connecting member according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a first modification of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 7] Figures 7A and 7B show a second variant of the embodiment of Figure 5. 7A and 7B show a second variant of the embodiment of Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figures 8A and 8B show a second variant of the embodiment of Figure 5. 8A and 8B show a third variant of the embodiment of Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, the term "comprising" (or "comprises") means "having (or having, but not limited to)." As used herein, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean "by way of example" and is not intended to indicate that a particular exemplary item is preferred or required.
[0010] In this document, when terms such as "first" or "second" are used to modify a noun, such use is intended merely to distinguish one item from another, and unless otherwise specified, the terms are not intended to dictate an order. The term "about," when used in connection with a numerical value, is intended to include values that are close to, but not exactly, the numerical value. For example, in some embodiments, the term "about" may include values within plus or minus 10% of the value.
[0011] As used herein, when referring to two physical structures, the term "connected" means that the two physical structures are in contact with each other. Devices that are connected may be fixed to each other or may simply be in contact with each other but not fixed to each other.
[0012] As used herein, terms such as "top" and "bottom," "upper" and "lower," or "front" and "rear" are not intended to have absolute orientations but instead are intended to describe the relative positions of various components with respect to one another. For example, a first component may be the "top" component and a second component may be the "lower" component when the device of which the components are a part is oriented in a first direction. When the orientation of the structure containing the components is changed, the relative orientations of the components may be reversed, or the components may become coplanar. The claims are intended to encompass all orientations of devices containing such components.
[0013] The present disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, methodologies, or protocols described, and the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.
[0014] In various embodiments, a brush head 101 is connectable to a drive shaft 109 of an electric toothbrush handle 102, as shown in FIG. 1 . The brush head 101 includes a bristle tray portion 106, which is a substrate from which a plurality of attached bristles extend. The brush head 101 also includes a body portion 105, which extends from the bristle tray portion 106 and leads to a base portion 107 that flares outward from the body portion. In use, the base is placed over and attached to the drive shaft 109 of the electric toothbrush handle 102. The handle 102 includes a motor and / or other electrical components that, when activated, vibrates the drive shaft 109. When the brush head 101 is attached to the drive shaft 109, vibrations are transmitted along the body portion 105 to the bristle tray portion, facilitating a user's brushing of their teeth.
[0015] The body 105 and base 107 each have an opening with one or more internal structures configured to receive and attach to the drive shaft 109. The internal structures may be integral with the body 105 and / or base 107, such as a portion of a sidewall of an internal cavity of the body 105 and / or base 107. Alternatively, or in addition, some or all of the internal structures may be formed into a connecting member that fits within the internal cavity. Examples of such structures are described below.
[0016] One configuration is shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, and Figure 3 is an external view. In this embodiment, a connecting member 201 fits within an internal cavity 211 of the stem 105 and base 107. The connecting member 201 includes a chamber 202 including a relatively wide portion 231 positioned to align with the base 107 and a relatively narrow portion 232 positioned to align with the body 105. Optionally, the internal sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232 may be cylindrical. Optionally, the internal sidewall of the relatively wide portion 231 may be funnel-shaped, with an opening aligned with the opening 219 and a tapered sidewall that narrows as it approaches the internal sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232.
[0017] When the drive shaft 109 is positioned through the opening 219 in the brush head, it is received within the chamber 202 and connects to the sidewall of the narrower portion 232 of the chamber 202. Optionally, as shown, the drive shaft may not contact any part of the sidewall of the wider portion 231 of the chamber 202.
[0018] The connection between the drive shaft 109 and the sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232 may be at least partially a friction fit. In some embodiments, the drive shaft 109 may include an irregular (i.e., textured, non-smooth) surface 205, such as teeth, gears, or ledges, that facilitate engagement with the sidewall of the chamber 202. In some embodiments, the interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232 of the chamber 202 may include an irregular surface 215, such as teeth or multi-pole teeth, gears, or ledges, that facilitate contact with the drive shaft 109. In some embodiments, both the interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232 of the chamber 202 and the drive shaft 109 may have irregular surfaces 215, 205 positioned to align with one another. For example, each irregular surface 215, 205 may include gears positioned such that the teeth of one irregular surface (e.g., surface 215) align with the gaps between the teeth of the other irregular surface (e.g., surface 205). With this connection, the connecting member does not include or rely on springs that contact the drive shaft or the body portion to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft or to provide support to the brush head on the drive shaft.
[0019] The height of the irregular surface of either element is sufficient to provide a friction fit between the drive shaft and the interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 232, while still being separable with a moderate human tug. In this manner, the brush head is removably attached to the drive shaft of the handle.
[0020] The end of the portion of the connecting member 201 that includes the relatively narrow portion 232 may include a receptacle 204 positioned to align with an opening 203 in the body 105. The receptacle 204 may have its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 105. A pin 212 may be positioned within the opening 203 and the receptacle 204 to provide additional stability and hold the connecting member in place. The pin may be made of a metal, such as aluminum, or a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material.
[0021] Also shown in FIG. 3 are substrate 216 and bristles 217 of the bristle tray portion 106.
[0022] In the embodiment of Figure 2, the interior sidewall of the narrower portion 232 surrounding the chamber 202 completely surrounds the chamber 202 without any breaks in the interior sidewall. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the interior sidewall includes a break 244 (i.e., an opening) such that a portion of the chamber 202 is open facing the body. Optionally, the break 244 may be positioned elsewhere in the interior sidewall, and in some embodiments, the interior sidewall may have multiple breaks.
[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment in which the connecting member 501 also fits within the internal cavity 511 of the body 105 and base 107. The connecting member 501 includes a chamber 502 that includes a relatively wide portion 531 positioned to align with the base 107 and a relatively narrow portion 532 positioned to align with the body 105. However, unlike the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the relatively narrow portion 532 in the embodiment of Figure 5 has a length that is shorter than the length of the drive shaft 109, and there is no pin securing the connecting member 501 in place. Thus, the drive shaft 109 extends from the top end of the relatively narrow portion 532 into the internal cavity 512 of the body 105.
[0024] The internal cavity 511 of the body 105 may be cylindrical. When the drive shaft 109 is positioned through the opening 519 in the brush head, it is received in the internal cavity 511 of the body 105 and connects to a sidewall of the internal cavity 511 of the body 105. Optionally, as shown, the drive shaft may not contact any portion of the sidewall of the relatively wide portion 531 of the chamber 502.
[0025] The connection between the drive shaft 109 and the internal cavity 511 of the body 105 may be at least partially a friction fit. In some embodiments, the drive shaft 109 may include an irregular (i.e., textured rather than smooth) surface 205, such as teeth, gears, or ledges, that facilitate engagement with the sidewall of the internal cavity 511. In some embodiments, the internal cavity 511 may include an irregular surface 515, such as a tooth or multiple teeth, gears, or ledges, extending from the sidewall of the internal cavity 511 and facilitating contact with the drive shaft 109. In some embodiments, both the internal sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 532 of chamber 551 and the drive shaft 109 may have irregular surfaces 515, 205 positioned to align with one another. For example, each irregular surface 515, 205 may include gears positioned such that the teeth of one irregular surface (e.g., surface 5515) align with the gaps between the teeth of the other irregular surface (e.g., surface 205).
[0026] The height of the irregular surface of either element is sufficient to provide a friction fit between the drive shaft and the interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion 532, while still being separable with a moderate human tug. In this manner, the brush head is removably attached to the drive shaft of the handle.
[0027] In this embodiment, the interior sidewall of the wider portion 531 may include a cylindrical first subsection near the opening 519, followed by a funnel-shaped second subsection having the tapered portion narrowing as it approaches the interior sidewall of the narrower portion 232. The transition from the cylindrical first section to the tapered second section may occur at a corner 522 that includes a ledge or ridge positioned to align with a corresponding corner 521, which may be a ledge or ridge, on the interior sidewall of the body base 107. The corner 521 of the interior sidewall of the body base 107 thus acts as a stop that limits the path of travel of the connecting member into the interior cavity 511 of the body 105.
[0028] Figure 6 shows a variation of Figure 5 in which the connecting member 601 is integral with the body 105 and base 107 and therefore not a separate part. In Figure 6, a connecting member 6011 narrows the portion of the interior cavity 511 located between the body 105 and base 107. The portion of the base 107 containing the connecting member 601 includes a chamber 602 that includes a relatively wide portion 631 that is positioned to align with the base 107, and the portion of the body 105 containing the connecting member 601 includes the relatively narrow portion 632 that is positioned to align with the body 105. All other elements of the embodiment of Figure 6 are the same as those described above for Figure 5.
[0029] Figures 7A and 7B show a different variation of the embodiment of Figure 5, in which an upper (relatively narrow) portion of connecting member 501 is coupled to the interior, narrower portion of body 105 by a set of threads 701. Figure 7A shows connecting member 501 attached to body 105 by threads 701, forming a joint 705 between body 105 and base 107. Figure 7B shows body 105 and base 107 separated from one another, with the interior sidewall of body 105 including threads 701a sized and positioned to mate with threads 701b positioned on the exterior sidewall of the upper portion of connecting member 501.
[0030] 8A and 8B show a different variation of the embodiment of FIG. 5. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper (relatively narrow) portion of connecting member 501 is connected to the interior, narrower portion of body 105 by a set of threads 701. However, in this embodiment, body 105 and base 107 are not separate from one another. Instead, as shown in FIG. 8A, pre-assembled connecting member 501 begins outside interior cavity 511. In FIG. 8B, connecting member 501 is placed into cavity 511 and rotated so that threads 701b on the outside of connecting member mate with threads 701a positioned on the interior sidewall of body 105.
[0031] Optionally, in the embodiments of Figures 7A-7B and 8A-8B, instead of positioning the threads on the interior sidewall of the body, the threads can be positioned on the interior sidewall of the base. If so, the threads of the connecting member can be positioned further down the sidewall than depicted here, such that the threads are located in the wider portion of the connecting member. If this variation is used in the embodiments of Figures 7A-7B, the seam will not be located between the body and the base, but somewhere in the base.
[0032] It is notable that in each of the above-described embodiments, a metal spring is not used to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the bristle tray portion. The above-described embodiments eliminate the need for a metal spring. However, a spring may optionally be included in any of the embodiments.
[0033] In various embodiments described above, the coupling member and / or body may be formed from a resilient material to provide a spring function that allows the drive shaft to oscillate when the coupling member or body is positioned relative to the drive shaft. For example, at least the interior sidewall of the coupling member and / or body may be formed from a soft plastic such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), rubber, or other soft yet strong material. The entire coupling member or body may be formed from such a material, or the gear, the body, or the interior sidewall of the coupling member may be formed from such a material.
[0034] Various aspects of the above-described configurations can be combined with each other. For example, other combinations are also possible.
[0035] The disclosures of the following U.S. patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 9,724,180, U.S. Patent No. 9,827,079, U.S. Patent No. 11,890,153, U.S. Patent Application No. 2022 / 0273407, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2023 / 038126.
[0036] In various embodiments, the exterior sidewall of the connecting member may be smooth, as shown in Figures 2-4, or may include a ridge positioned to align with a receptacle on the interior sidewall of the body, or a receptacle positioned to align with a ridge on the interior sidewall of the body, as disclosed in the patents incorporated by reference above.
[0037] The various embodiments disclosed in this patent document, taken individually or in combination, offer advantages over the prior art. For example, the resilient wall of the handle coupling portion of the coupling member, which is positioned to engage the drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle, can be made from the same wall of the handle coupling portion of the coupling member, eliminating the need for a metal spring or other separate resilient member. This achieves a strong coupling (due to the lack of separate parts) and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the multiple engagements between the body portion and various portions of the coupling member all promote a tight coupling between the coupling member and the body portion, thereby improving the stability of the brush head operating under high-speed vibrations of the motor inside the handle.
[0038] Furthermore, the toothbrush head may be easy to manufacture, since all parts may be made of plastic or polyester material. A conical opening in the body may facilitate receiving and coupling the connecting member to the body, and a plurality of engagement means, such as the longitudinal ridge of the connecting member and the corresponding longitudinal channel of the body, the mounting channel of the coupling member and the corresponding ridge block of the stem, the raised resilient wall of the connecting member and the corresponding coupling channel of the body, the mounting block of the connecting member and the corresponding mounting groove in the body, the base ring of the connecting member and a mating counterbore in the body, and the mounting hole of the connecting member and the mounting ridge in the body, may facilitate easy sliding and positioning of the connecting member within the body and secure attachment of the connecting member to the body, respectively.
[0039] Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to cover all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0040] Various aspects of the invention are also described in the following clauses, the features of which may be combined in various ways with other features of these clauses, as well as with other features described herein.
[0041] Item 1: A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush includes a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles, a base portion having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush, a body portion having an opening connecting the bristle tray portion to the base, and a connecting member. The connecting member includes an interior sidewall surrounding a chamber for receiving the drive shaft and a receptacle positioned to align with the opening in the body portion. The connecting member does not include or rely on a spring in contact with the drive shaft or the body portion. A pin is positioned within the opening in the body portion and the receptacle in the connecting member.
[0042] Item 2: The toothbrush head of item 1, wherein the connecting member has (a) a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion, and (b) a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base portion.
[0043] Clause 3: The toothbrush head of clause 2, wherein the inner sidewall of the relatively narrow portion has an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head.
[0044] Clause 4: The toothbrush head described in clause 2 or clause 3 further includes the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has an irregular surface positioned to contact the inner sidewall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head.
[0045] Clause 5: The toothbrush head described in clauses 2 to 4 further includes the electric toothbrush, wherein (a) the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, (b) the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion has a second gear having teeth extending toward the drive shaft, and (c) the teeth of the second gear are aligned with the gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
[0046] Clause 6: The toothbrush head described in clause 2 or clause 3 further includes the electric toothbrush, wherein (a) the drive shaft has a gear positioned to contact the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, (b) the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion has a ledge extending toward the drive shaft, and (c) the ledge is positioned to align with the gear.
[0047] Clause 7: The toothbrush head of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the inner sidewall surrounding the cavity completely surrounds the chamber without any breaks in the inner sidewall.
[0048] Item 8: A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush includes (a) a bristle tray portion containing a plurality of bristles, (b) a base portion having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush, (c) a body portion having an opening and connecting the bristle tray portion to the base, and (d) a connecting member. The connecting member includes (a) a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion, and (b) a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base. The relatively narrow portion has a length shorter than that of the drive shaft, such that when the drive shaft is inserted into the connecting member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an internal cavity within the body portion.
[0049] Clause 9: The toothbrush head of clause 8, wherein the interior sidewall of the body portion has an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head.
[0050] Item 10: The toothbrush head of item 8 or 9 further includes the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has an irregular surface positioned to contact the inner side wall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head.
[0051] Clause 11: The toothbrush head described in clause 8 or clause 9 further includes the electric toothbrush, wherein (a) the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact the inner side wall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, (b) the inner side wall of the body has a second gear having teeth extending toward the drive shaft, and (c) the teeth of the second gear are positioned to align with the gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
[0052] Clause 12: A toothbrush head according to clauses 8 to 11, wherein (a) the relatively wide portion includes a cylindrical first subsection and a funnel-shaped second subsection tapering toward the relatively narrow portion, (b) the outer sidewall of the relatively wide portion includes a corner located at the point where the first subsection transitions into the second subsection, and (c) the base includes a corresponding corner located to limit the path of movement of the connecting member into the internal cavity of the body.
[0053] Item 13: The toothbrush head according to items 8 to 12, wherein the connecting member is integrally formed with the base.
[0054] Item 14: In the toothbrush head described in items 8 to 13, (a) the outer side wall of the connecting member includes a thread, (b) the inner side wall of the body portion or the base includes a thread, and (c) the thread of the connecting member is configured to mate with the thread of the body portion or the base when the connecting member is screwed onto the body portion or the base.
[0055] Item 15: The toothbrush head described in item 14 further includes a seam on the body portion, on the base portion, or between the body portion and the base portion, the seam being positioned to align with the threads on the body portion or the base.
[0056] Item 16: A toothbrush has a handle having a drive shaft extending therefrom, and a toothbrush head. The toothbrush head includes a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles, a base portion having an opening for receiving the drive shaft, a body portion connecting the bristle tray portion to the base and having the opening, and a connecting member. The connecting member includes a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion and a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base. The relatively narrow portion has a length shorter than that of the drive shaft, such that when the drive shaft is inserted into the connecting member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an internal cavity within the body portion. The interior sidewall of the body portion comprises an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head. The drive shaft also has an irregular surface positioned to contact the interior sidewall of the body portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head.
[0057] Item 17: The toothbrush of item 16, wherein (a) the irregular surface of the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact the interior side wall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, (b) the irregular surface of the body comprises a second gear having teeth extending toward the drive shaft, and (c) the teeth of the second gear are positioned to align with the gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
[0058] Item 18: The toothbrush of items 16 or 17, wherein (a) the relatively wide portion has a cylindrical first subsection and a funnel-shaped second subsection tapering toward the relatively narrow portion, (b) the outer sidewall of the relatively wide portion has a corner positioned at the point where the cylindrical first subsection transitions into the tapered second subsection, and (c) the base includes a corresponding corner positioned to limit the path of movement of the connecting member into the internal cavity of the body.
[0059] Item 19: In the toothbrush according to items 16 to 18, the connecting member is integrally formed with the base.
[0060] Item 20: The toothbrushes described in items 16 to 19 further include a seam on the body portion, on the base portion, or between the body portion and the base portion, the seam being positioned to match the threads on the body portion or the base portion.
Claims
1. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles; a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a body portion connecting the bristle tray portion and the base portion and having an opening; A connecting member, The connecting member is an interior sidewall surrounding a chamber for receiving the drive shaft; a receptacle positioned to align with the opening in the body; does not include or rely on springs in contact with the drive shaft or the body; The connecting member; a pin positioned within the opening in the body and the receptacle of the connecting member; A toothbrush head having
2. 2. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises: a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion; a relatively wide portion positioned in alignment with said base; A toothbrush head having
3. 3. The toothbrush head of claim 2, wherein the interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion has an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head.
4. The toothbrush head of claim 2, further comprising: A toothbrush head comprising the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has an irregular surface positioned to contact an interior sidewall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head.
5. The toothbrush head of claim 2, further comprising: The toothbrush head includes the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact an inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, and the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion has a second gear having teeth extending toward the drive shaft, the teeth of the second gear being positioned in gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
6. The toothbrush head of claim 2, further comprising: The toothbrush head includes the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has a gear positioned to contact an inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head, and the inner side wall of the relatively narrow portion has a ledge extending toward the drive shaft, the ledge being positioned to align with the gear.
7. 2. The toothbrush head of claim 1, wherein the interior sidewall surrounding the cavity completely surrounds the chamber without any breaks in the interior sidewall.
8. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles; a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a body portion connecting the bristle tray portion to the base portion and having an opening; Connecting member and and the connecting member includes a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion and a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base portion; the relatively narrow portion has a length that is shorter than a length of the drive shaft, such that when the drive shaft is inserted into the coupling member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an internal cavity within the body. Toothbrush head.
9. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, wherein the interior sidewall of the body portion has an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head.
10. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, further comprising: A toothbrush head comprising the electric toothbrush, wherein the drive shaft has an irregular surface positioned to contact an interior side wall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head.
11. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, further comprising: The electric toothbrush is provided. the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact an interior sidewall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head; the interior sidewall of the body has a second gear with teeth extending toward the drive shaft; The toothbrush head, wherein the teeth of the second gear are positioned in the gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
12. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, the relatively wide portion includes a cylindrical first subsection and a funnel-shaped second subsection tapering toward the relatively narrow portion; an outer sidewall of the wider portion including a corner positioned at a point where the first sub-portion transitions into the second sub-portion; The toothbrush head, wherein the base includes corresponding corners positioned to limit the path of travel of the connecting member into the interior cavity of the body.
13. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, wherein the connecting member is integrally formed with the base.
14. 9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, the outer sidewall of the connecting member has threads; A toothbrush head, wherein the body or base has a thread on the inner side wall, and the thread on the connecting member is configured to mate with the thread on the body or base when the connecting member is screwed onto the body or base.
15. 15. The toothbrush head of claim 14, further comprising: The toothbrush head has a seam on the body, on the base, or between the body and the base, the seam being positioned to align with the threads on the body or the base.
16. A toothbrush, a handle having a drive shaft extending therefrom; A toothbrush head, comprising: a bristle tray portion having a plurality of bristles; a base having an opening for receiving the drive shaft; a body portion connecting the bristle tray portion to the base and having an opening; A connecting member, the connecting member includes a relatively narrow portion positioned to align with the body portion and a relatively wide portion positioned to align with the base portion; the coupling member, the relatively narrow portion having a length that is shorter than a length of the drive shaft such that when the drive shaft is inserted into the coupling member, the drive shaft extends from the relatively narrow portion into an interior cavity within the body; an inner sidewall of the body having an irregular surface positioned to contact the drive shaft when inserted into the toothbrush head; the toothbrush head, wherein the drive shaft has an irregular surface positioned to contact the inner sidewall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head; A toothbrush having
17. 17. The toothbrush of claim 16, the irregular surface of the drive shaft has a first gear positioned to contact the interior sidewall of the body when the drive shaft is inserted into the toothbrush head; the irregular surface of the body has a second gear with teeth extending toward the drive shaft; The teeth of the second gear are positioned in gaps between the teeth of the first gear.
18. 17. The toothbrush of claim 16, the relatively wide portion includes a cylindrical first subsection and a funnel-shaped second subsection tapering toward the relatively narrow portion; an outer sidewall of the wider portion having a corner located at the transition point from the cylindrical first portion to the tapered second subsection; The toothbrush, wherein the base includes corresponding corners positioned to limit the path of travel of the connecting member into the interior cavity of the body.
19. 17. The toothbrush of claim 16, wherein the connecting member is integrally formed with the base.
20. 17. The toothbrush of claim 16, further comprising: The toothbrush has a seam on the body, on the base, or between the body and the base, the seam being positioned to align with the threads on the body or the base.