Arrangement for connecting a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush handle

Abstract

This document discloses a member for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush.SOLUTION: The member includes a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush. The member also includes a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base. This document also discloses a brush head incorporating such a coupling member, and an electric toothbrush fitted with such a brush head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This patent document claims priority to (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 053,960, filed July 20, 2020; (2) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 145,897 (U.S. Patent No. 11,071,612), filed January 11, 2021; (3) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 145,911 (U.S. Patent No. 11,071,613), filed January 11, 2021; and (4) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 355,588, filed June 23, 2021.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of power toothbrushes, and more particularly to brush heads configured to couple to power toothbrush handles. [Background technology]

[0003] Many types of electric toothbrushes use the high-speed vibration of a motor inside the toothbrush handle to drive the brush head. To operate the electric toothbrush, the brush head must be rigidly coupled to the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle, so that the brush head can withstand the high-speed vibrations caused by the toothbrush's operation. Therefore, many existing products use metal or springs inside the brush head to facilitate a rigid coupling with the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle. This can increase the manufacturing cost of the brush head.

[0004] Additionally, some brush heads avoid the use of metal springs, but these can be difficult to keep connected to the handle and / or may not provide sufficient vibration effect due to a loose fit.

[0005] This patent document describes an apparatus that addresses at least some of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect, this document discloses a connector for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush. The connector includes a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush. The connector also includes a connector portion extending from a second end of the base. The connector portion has a cylindrical sidewall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft, and a set of teeth extending from the cylindrical sidewall into the cavity along a longitudinal axis of the connector portion.

[0007] Optionally, the base may include one or more mounting holes arranged to respectively mate with corresponding mounting ridges on the handle of the toothbrush head. The connecting portion may include a longitudinal ridge arranged on the side wall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with a channel inside the handle of the toothbrush head. The cylindrical side wall may be a closed side wall without an opening to the cavity, or the cylindrical side wall may include a slit providing an opening to the cavity, in which case a resilient spring member may be arranged between two of the slits and the teeth may be arranged on the resilient spring member. The resilient spring member may extend to the base, or there may be an opening between the resilient spring member and the base, whereby the opening and the slit together form a U-shape.

[0008] In a second embodiment, a connecting member for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush includes a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush, a connecting portion extending from a second end of the base, the connecting portion including a cylindrical sidewall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft, an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall providing an opening to the cavity, and a resilient spring member disposed in the aperture and sized to contact the drive shaft while being retained by the aperture.

[0009] Optionally, in a second embodiment, the resilient spring member may have a base and two sidewalls, which may be arranged such that, upon activation, the resilient spring member contacts the drive shaft and the two sidewalls contact and are held in contact with the aperture. The distance between the two sidewalls of the resilient spring member when the resilient spring member is in a relaxed position may be greater than a corresponding dimension of the aperture. The base of the connecting member may include one or more mounting holes, each positioned to mate with a corresponding mounting ridge on a handle portion of the toothbrush head. The connecting portion of the connecting member may include a longitudinal ridge disposed on the sidewall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with a channel inside the handle portion of the toothbrush head. A set of teeth may extend from the cylindrical sidewall into the cavity along the longitudinal axis.

[0010] In another aspect, a component for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush includes a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft, and an aperture in the cylindrical side wall. The connecting portion also includes a spring disposed within the aperture and positioned to be retained by the aperture during actuation and to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head. Optionally, the spring may be made of metal. Optionally, when the spring is in a relaxed position, the distance between the sides of the spring is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture.

[0011] In another aspect, a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush includes a brush having a bristle tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the bristle tray. The toothbrush head also includes a member including a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush and a connecting portion extending from the base. The connecting portion includes a cylindrical sidewall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft and an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall. The connecting portion also includes a spring disposed within the aperture and positioned to be retained by the aperture during actuation and to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head. Optionally, the spring may be made of metal. Optionally, when the spring is in a relaxed position, the distance between the sides of the spring is greater than a corresponding dimension of the aperture.

[0012] In another aspect, a member for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush includes a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of the electric toothbrush and a connecting portion. The connecting portion includes a cylindrical sidewall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft and a spring. The cylindrical sidewall includes two or more slits, and the spring is disposed between two of the slits. Optionally, the member may include teeth extending from the cylindrical sidewall into the cavity along a longitudinal axis of the connecting portion. Optionally, the teeth may be disposed on the spring. Optionally, the spring may be disposed to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head upon activation.

[0013] Any of the above-described embodiments may be used in a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, where the toothbrush head includes a brush portion having a bristle tray and bristles extending from the bristle tray. A handle extends from the brush portion and defines a cavity in one or more mounting ridges on the inner wall of the opening. The connecting member may be disposed within the cavity in the handle. Any of the above-described embodiments may be used in an electric toothbrush having a handle and a drive shaft, where the handle extends to the handle and the drive shaft is inserted into the connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush head with a connecting member connected thereto. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connecting member. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an alternative perspective view of the coupling member of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the connecting member of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6A] 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment of a connecting member. [Figure 6B] 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment of a connecting member. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C shows a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B. [Figure 7A] 7A and 7B show how a spring is used in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 7B] 7A and 7B show how a spring is used in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment of the connecting member. [Figure 9] 9 is a bottom perspective view of the handle of the toothbrush head with the coupling member therein in the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 10B is an exploded view showing how the toothbrush head and its connecting member are attached to the toothbrush handle. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 10B is an exploded view showing how the toothbrush head and its connecting member are attached to the toothbrush handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As used in this document, 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 in this document, the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to." As used in this document, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean "by way of example" and is not intended to imply that any particular exemplary article is preferred or required.

[0016] In this document, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used to modify nouns, such use is intended merely to distinguish one item from another and is not intended to require a sequential order unless otherwise specified. When used in connection with a numerical value, the term "about" is intended to include values ​​that are close to, but not exactly, the numerical value. For example, in some embodiments, the term "about" can include values ​​within ±10 percent of the value.

[0017] In this document, the term "connected," when referring to two physical structures, means that the two physical structures are in contact with each other. Connected devices may be fixed to each other, or may simply be in contact with each other and not fixed to each other.

[0018] As used herein, terms such as "top" and "bottom," "upper" and "lower," or "front" and "rear" are not intended to have absolute orientations, but rather 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 "bottom" component when the device of which they are a part is oriented in a first direction. When the orientation of the structure containing those components is changed, the relative orientations of the components may be reversed, or the components may be coplanar. The claims are intended to encompass all orientations of a device containing such components.

[0019] This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, methods, or protocols described, as these may vary, and the terminology used in this description is for the purpose of describing particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

[0020] In various embodiments, the brush head 10 can be coupled to a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle, as shown in Figure 10A. As shown in Figure 1, the brush head 10 includes a bristle tray 12, which is a substrate having a plurality of bristles 16 mounted thereon. The brush head 10 also includes a handle 14 that extends from the bristle tray 12 and terminates in a base 17 that flares outwardly from the handle. During use, the base is positioned on the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush handle.

[0021] The handle 14 and base 17 each have an opening leading to a channel 15 for receiving and attaching a coupling member 18. The coupling member 18 is configured to receive and attach to a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle.

[0022] One configuration for attaching the connecting member 18 to the handle 14 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2-4, which show various views of the connecting member 18. The connecting member 18 includes a base 26 and a connecting portion 22. The base 26 has an opening 27 for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle. The opening 27 is located at one end (also referred to as the lower end) of the base 26. The opposite end (also referred to as the upper end) of the base 26 has the connecting portion 22 extending therefrom. The upper end of the base 26 has a diameter narrower than the diameter of the opening 27, allowing the body to flare outward as it moves away from the handle connecting portion 22. The base 26 includes one or more mounting holes 28a, 28b that are positioned to engage one or more mounting ridges (54 in Figure 9) on the handle, thereby allowing the connecting member 18 to be attached to the handle. Optionally, mounting holes 28a, 28b can be positioned directly opposite one another on the body (ie, approximately 180° apart) as shown in FIGS.

[0023] The connecting portion 22 has a generally cylindrical sidewall 24 that surrounds a cavity 34 that receives the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush. Optionally, the sidewall 24 may be closed, such that there are no openings from the outside of the connecting portion 22 to the inside of the connecting portion 22. Alternatively, the connecting portion 22 may include an opening (as illustrated by connecting portion 222 in FIG. 8 , described in more detail below). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the connecting portion 22 may include a longitudinal ridge 46 on the outer surface of the sidewall 24, which may have an opening inside the longitudinal ridge 46 for receiving the tip of the drive shaft. The longitudinal ridge 46 is positioned and sized to engage a longitudinal channel in the interior of the handle (as shown at 64 in FIG. 10A ). The relatively narrow portion 46a of the longitudinal ridge will engage the longitudinal channel, and the optional relatively wider portion 46b (i.e., relatively wider than the narrow portion 46a) may act as a stop to limit the distance the longitudinal ridge 46 can travel into the longitudinal channel 64. The engagement between the longitudinal ridge 46 and the longitudinal channel 64 within the shank prevents rotational movement of the connecting member about the axis of the shank. It also provides a guide to facilitate insertion of the connecting member into the shank.

[0024] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, a longitudinal ridge 46 may also extend longitudinally from the base 26 along the outer surface of the side wall 24 of the handle connecting portion 22 of the connecting member to further strengthen the engagement between the connecting member 18 and the handle and to inhibit rotational or twisting movement of the connecting member relative to the handle.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional size and shape of connecting portion 22 may correspond to the size and shape of shank 14 of brush head 10, e.g., may be approximately 1 / 8 inch in diameter and approximately 1 / 2 inch in length, measured from the outside. Base 26 may extend from connecting portion and flare outwardly to opening 27, forming a semi-conical shape. Opening 27 may be of various sizes, e.g., may be 1 / 2 inch in diameter, measured from the outside at its widest point.

[0026] In various embodiments, multiple engagements between various components may further facilitate a secure connection between the brush head and the connecting member. For example, in Figures 2-4, connecting member 18 may have one or more mounting blocks 33 extending from the exterior of base 26 and positioned to engage one or more mounting receptacles 56 (see Figure 9) within channel 15 of handle 14. This engagement between each mounting block 33 and its corresponding mounting receptacle 56 (Figure 9) further locks the connecting member in place, preventing it from being pushed in or rotating about the axis of the handle.

[0027] 2-4, connecting portion 22 may alternatively and / or additionally terminate in a tip 30 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of side wall 24. Tip 30 mates with a ledge 31 in side wall 24. Tip 30 and ledge 31 further facilitate connection of connecting member 22 to stem 14, with ledge 30 acting as a stop to limit the travel distance of connecting member 22 onto stem 14.

[0028] Alternatively and / or additionally, the coupling member 18 may include engagement means for further coupling the brush head to a drive shaft of a toothbrush handle. As shown in the cross-sectional view of the coupling member in FIG. 5, this engagement means may include a gear 40 extending inward from the side wall 24 into the cavity 34 and positioned to contact the drive shaft when the drive shaft is inserted into the cavity 34 of the coupling portion 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the gear 40 is referred to as a gear because it includes a plurality of teeth (i.e., protrusions or other raised areas) extending inward from the side wall 24 along the longitudinal axis of the cavity 34. When the teeth of the gear 40 contact the drive shaft, they provide friction that helps hold the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush handle in place during operation. FIGS. 4 and 5 also show that the gear 40 can be positioned in a location corresponding to a recess 39 along the inner portion of the side wall 24 to further enhance the engagement between the gear 40 and the drive shaft. The teeth may be flexible and / or resilient to provide a spring function that allows the drive shaft to oscillate when the teeth are positioned against the drive shaft. For example, the teeth may be formed from a soft plastic such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), rubber, or other soft yet strong material. The entire connecting member may be made from such a material, or the teeth and other components of the connecting member may be made from different materials.

[0029] 6A-6 and 7A-7B show an alternative embodiment of a connecting member 118, similar in construction to that of FIGS. 2-4, including a base 126 and a connecting portion 122 having a cylindrical sidewall 124. However, unlike the sidewall 24 of FIGS. 2-4, the sidewall 124 includes one or more apertures 114a that provide access to a central cavity that receives the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush. As shown in FIG. 7A, a resilient spring 191 may be inserted into the aperture 114a and contact the drive shaft to provide stability and help transmit vibrations to the handle of the toothbrush head. Alternatively, the resilient spring 191 may be inserted into one of the other apertures 114a and contact the drive shaft to provide stability and help transmit vibrations to the handle of the toothbrush head. 114b, which contacts the drive shaft to provide stability and help transmit vibrations to the handle of the toothbrush head. Spring 191 may be U-shaped, as shown, with a flat or curved base and two sides extending from it. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of spring 191 as it is inserted into cavity 134 in sidewall 124. The aperture locations and sizes shown in FIG. 6B are for illustrative purposes only, and this embodiment is not limited to the particular aperture shapes and sizes shown. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, instead of a single aperture 114b along the side, two or more apertures 114c, 114e may be included, separated by a spacer 115 that forms part of the sidewall. While apertures 114a, 114c, and 114e allow room for movement of the drive shaft, spacer 115 may function to hold the drive shaft in place and may optionally have teeth, as described above.

[0030] The spring 191 may be formed from a thin strip of metal or other strong but resilient material. The spring 191 may be sized to extend into the cavity so that its flat or curved base and two sides extending from the base are positioned around the drive shaft, with some or all of the sides of the spring contacting the drive shaft. The two sides of the spring 191 extending from the base are flush with or extend slightly beyond the aperture 114a (or 114b) in the side wall 124 into which they are inserted. The base of the spring 191 may be the same size as or slightly smaller than the aperture. The sides of the spring 191 may flare outward slightly so that the maximum distance between the sides is slightly greater than the size of the corresponding aperture 114 when the spring 191 is in a relaxed position. Thus, spring 191 can be compressed into the aperture and relaxed to be held in place by a friction fit in aperture 114a (or 114b).

[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a connecting member 218, such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 9,827,079, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting member 218 includes a base 226 having an opening 227 for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle. The base 226 may include one or more mounting holes 228 that engage one or more mounting ridges on the handle to attach the connecting member to the handle. The connecting member 218 may also include one or more mounting blocks 230 extending from the exterior of the base 226 and positioned to engage one or more mounting receptacles in the opening in the handle.

[0032] The connecting member 218 also has a connecting portion 222 having a sidewall 224 with a cavity 234 therein. The sidewall 224 has at least two longitudinal slits 236 that define a resilient wall 238 therebetween. The resilient wall 238 is positioned to contact the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush handle when the drive shaft is inserted into the cavity 234 within the sidewall 234 and exerts a resilient force inwardly toward the drive shaft to achieve a rigid connection with the drive shaft. The resilient wall 238 may extend to and contact the base 226 as shown, or an opening may exist between the resilient walls 238 and the base 226, such that the two longitudinal slits 236 and the opening between the resilient wall 238 and the base 226 form a U-shape.

[0033] Alternatively and / or additionally, the connecting member 218 of Figure 8 may have engagement means for further connecting the brush head to the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle. The engagement means may include a raised portion 240 extending inwardly from the resilient wall 238 and positioned to contact the drive shaft when the drive shaft is inserted into the cavity 234 of the connecting portion 222. Upon contacting the drive shaft, the raised portion 240 causes the resilient wall 238 to bulge outward, thus increasing the resilient wall's inward return force, which may achieve a more secure connection between the connecting member and the drive shaft of the electric toothbrush handle.

[0034] Additionally, the inner wall of resilient wall 238 may include teeth that function as a gear, similar to gear 40 in FIG.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the channel 15 in the handle 14 may open at a base 50. In Figure 1, the opening 27 in the base 26 of the connecting member 18 may also have a base 29 that may be flush with or slightly offset within the handle from the base 50 of the handle 14 when the connecting member and handle are fully engaged.

[0036] Figure 10A is an assembled cross-sectional view, and Figure 10B is an exploded view, both of which show that the handle 14 of the brush head 10 includes a channel 15 for receiving the connecting portion 22, which in turn has a cavity 34 for receiving the drive shaft 91 of the toothbrush handle 90. The connecting portion 22 is inserted into the channel 15 at the base 17 of the brush head 10. The illustrations of Figures 10A-10B show the connecting portion 22 of Figures 2-4, but any of the embodiments of the connecting member described herein may be used with the configuration shown in Figures 10-10B.

[0037] The various embodiments disclosed in this patent document, whether taken alone 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 arranged to engage the drive shaft of an electric toothbrush handle, may 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 provides a rigid connection (due to the lack of separate parts) and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the multiple engagements of various portions of the handle and coupling member all promote a rigid connection between the coupling member and the handle, thus improving the stability of the brush head even when operating under the high-speed vibrations of the motor in the handle.

[0038] Furthermore, the toothbrush head is easy to manufacture because all components can be made of plastic or polyester material. The conical opening of the handle facilitates reception and connection of the connecting member within the handle, and multiple engagement means, such as a longitudinal ridge on the connecting member and a corresponding longitudinal channel on the handle, a mounting channel on the connecting member and a corresponding raised block on the handle, a raised resilient wall on the connecting member and a corresponding connecting channel on the handle, a mounting block on the connecting member and a corresponding mounting channel on the handle, a mating seat on the base ring on the connecting member and a handle, and a mounting hole on the connecting member and a mounting ridge on the handle, respectively, facilitate easy sliding and positioning of the connecting member within the handle and ensure secure attachment of the connecting member to the handle.

[0039] Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to cover all changes and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connecting member for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush, a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; a plurality of teeth extending from said cylindrical sidewall into said cavity along a longitudinal axis of said connecting portion; the linking portion having A connecting member having

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the base has one or more mounting holes positioned to mate with corresponding mounting ridges on the toothbrush head handle.

3. 2. The connecting member of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a longitudinal ridge disposed on the cylindrical side wall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with a channel inside the handle of the toothbrush head.

4. 2. The coupling member according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical side wall is a closed side wall having no openings leading to the cavity.

5. The connecting member according to claim 1, the cylindrical side wall includes two slits providing openings to the cavity; The cylindrical side wall further includes an elastic spring member disposed between the two slits. Connecting member.

6. 6. The coupling member of claim 5, wherein the teeth are disposed on the resilient spring member.

7. The coupling member according to claim 5 , wherein the resilient spring member extends along the coupling portion and contacts the base portion.

8. The connecting member according to claim 5, the elastic spring member does not contact the base; An opening is present between the elastic spring member and the base, and forms a U-shape together with the slit. Connecting member.

9. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, A brush portion, Hair transplant tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the hair implantation tray; the brush portion, a handle extending from the brush head, the handle defining a channel therein and having one or more mounting ridges on an inner wall of the channel; a connecting member disposed within the cavity of the stem, a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, the connecting portion comprising: a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; a plurality of teeth extending from said cylindrical sidewall into said cavity along a longitudinal axis of said connecting portion; the linking portion having The connecting member A toothbrush head having

10. 10. The toothbrush head of claim 9, wherein the base of the connecting member has one or more mounting holes each positioned to mate with a corresponding one of the mounting ridges.

11. 10. The toothbrush head of claim 9, wherein the connecting portion has a longitudinal ridge disposed on the cylindrical side wall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with a channel inside the handle.

12. 10. The toothbrush head of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical side wall is a closed side wall having no openings leading to the cavity.

13. 10. The toothbrush head of claim 9, the cylindrical side wall includes two slits providing openings to the cavity; The toothbrush head further includes an elastic spring member disposed between the two slits. Toothbrush head.

14. 14. The toothbrush head of claim 13, wherein the tines are disposed on the resilient spring member.

15. 14. The toothbrush head of claim 13, wherein the resilient spring member extends along the connecting portion and contacts the base.

16. 14. The toothbrush head of claim 13, the elastic spring member does not contact the base; An opening is present between the elastic spring member and the base, and forms a U-shape together with the slit. Toothbrush head.

17. An electric toothbrush, The handle and A drive shaft; A toothbrush head, comprising: A brush portion, Hair transplant tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the bristle tray; Hair transplant tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the hair implantation tray; the brush portion having a stem extending from the brush portion to the handle, the stem defining a channel therein and having one or more mounting ridges on an inner wall of the channel; a connecting member disposed within the cavity of the stem, a base having a first end with an opening through which the drive shaft is inserted; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; a plurality of teeth extending from said cylindrical sidewall into said cavity along a longitudinal axis of said connecting portion; the linking portion having The connecting member The toothbrush head, An electric toothbrush having

18. 18. The electric toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the cylindrical sidewall is a closed sidewall with no openings leading to the cavity.

19. 18. The electric toothbrush according to claim 17, the cylindrical side wall includes two slits providing openings to the cavity; The toothbrush head further includes an elastic spring member disposed between the two slits. Toothbrush head.

20. 18. The electric toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the tines are disposed on the resilient spring member.

21. A connecting member for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush, a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall providing an opening to the cavity; a resilient spring member disposed in the aperture and sized to contact the drive shaft while being retained by the aperture; the linking portion having A connecting member having

22. 22. The coupling member according to claim 21, wherein the resilient spring member has a base and two side walls, the two side walls being configured such that, upon actuation, the resilient spring member contacts the drive shaft; and The two side walls contact the aperture and are held by the aperture. This is a connecting member.

23. 23. The coupling member of claim 22, wherein the distance between the two side walls of the resilient spring member when the resilient spring member is in a relaxed position is greater than a corresponding dimension of the aperture.

24. 22. The connecting member of claim 21, wherein the base of the connecting member has one or more mounting holes each positioned to mate with a corresponding mounting ridge on a handle of the toothbrush head.

25. 22. The connecting member of claim 21, wherein the connecting portion has a longitudinal ridge disposed on the side wall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with a channel inside the handle of the toothbrush head.

26. 22. The coupling member of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of teeth extending from said cylindrical sidewall into said cavity along a longitudinal axis of said coupling portion.

27. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, A brush portion, Hair transplant tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the hair implantation tray; the brush portion, a shank extending from said brush portion, said shank defining a channel therein and having one or more mounting ridges on an inner wall of said channel; A connecting member, a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall providing an opening to the cavity; a resilient spring member disposed in the aperture and sized to contact the drive shaft while being retained by the aperture; the linking portion having The connecting member A toothbrush head having

28. 28. The toothbrush head of claim 27, wherein the resilient spring member has a base and two side walls, the two side walls being configured such that, upon actuation, the resilient spring member contacts the drive shaft; and The two side walls contact the aperture and are held by the aperture. This is the toothbrush head.

29. 29. The toothbrush head of claim 28, wherein the distance between the two side walls of the resilient spring member when the resilient spring member is in a relaxed position is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture.

30. 28. The toothbrush head of claim 27, wherein the base of the connecting member has one or more mounting holes each positioned to mate with one of the mounting ridges.

31. 28. The toothbrush head of claim 27, wherein the connecting portion has a longitudinal ridge disposed on the side wall along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage with the channel inside the handle.

32. 28. The toothbrush head of claim 27, further comprising a plurality of teeth extending from the cylindrical sidewall into the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion.

33. An electric toothbrush, The handle and A drive shaft; A toothbrush head, comprising: A brush portion, Hair transplant tray and a plurality of bristles extending from the hair implantation tray; the brush portion having a handle extending from the brush head, the handle defining a channel therein and having one or more mounting ridges on an inner wall of the channel; A connecting member, a base having a first end with an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the second end of the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall providing an opening to the cavity; a resilient spring member disposed in the aperture and sized to contact the drive shaft while being retained by the aperture; the linking portion having The connecting member The toothbrush head, An electric toothbrush having

34. 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the resilient spring member includes a base and two side walls, the two side walls being configured such that, upon actuation, the resilient spring member contacts the drive shaft; and The two side walls contact the aperture and are held by the aperture. This is what an electric toothbrush looks like.

35. 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the distance between the two side walls of the resilient spring member when the resilient spring member is in a relaxed position is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture.

36. 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the base of the connecting member has one or more mounting holes each positioned to mate with one of the mounting ridges.

37. 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 33, wherein the connecting portion has a longitudinal ridge disposed on the sidewall along a longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and sized to engage the channel inside the handle.

38. 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of tines extending from the cylindrical sidewall into the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion.

39. A component for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush, a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; A connecting portion, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall; a spring disposed within the aperture and positioned to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head while being retained by the aperture during operation; the linking portion having A component having:

40. 40. The member of claim 39, wherein the spring is made of metal.

41. 40. A member according to claim 39, wherein the distance between the sides of the spring when in the relaxed position is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture.

42. A toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush, A brush, Hair transplant tray and A plurality of hairs extending from the hair transplant tray The brush, A member, a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; a connecting portion extending from the base, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; an aperture in the cylindrical sidewall; a spring disposed within the aperture and positioned to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head while being retained by the aperture during operation; the linking portion having The member has A toothbrush head having

43. 43. The toothbrush head of claim 42, wherein the spring is made of metal.

44. 43. The toothbrush head of claim 42, wherein the distance between the sides of the spring when the spring is in a relaxed position is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture.

45. A component for attaching a toothbrush head to an electric toothbrush, a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush; A connecting portion, a cylindrical side wall surrounding a cavity for receiving the drive shaft; Springs and the linking portion having and the cylindrical side wall includes two or more slits; The spring is disposed between two of the slits. Components.

46. 46. ​​The member of claim 45, further comprising teeth extending from said cylindrical sidewall into said cavity along the longitudinal axis of said connecting portion.

47. 47. The member of claim 46, wherein the teeth are disposed on the spring.

48. 46. ​​A member according to claim 45, wherein the spring is arranged to transmit vibrations from the drive shaft to the toothbrush head upon actuation.

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