Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-03-06
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
C015S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195828
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a brush section for an electric toothbrush, having a mounting tube in which is accommodated an actuatable plug-on shaft mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, said shaft being equipped with a driving element arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis, having a bristle carrier mounted for rotation about a transverse axis and equipped with a driven element arranged eccentrically to the transverse axis and coupled with the driving element, whereby a rotary movement of the plug-on shaft about the longitudinal axis produces a rotary movement of the bristle carrier about the transverse axis.
A brush section of this type is known from the international patent application WO 94/12121. With the brush section attached to an electric toothbrush and the electric toothbrush in operation, the plug-on shaft performs an oscillating rotary movement. This rotary movement is transmitted by the driving element to the driven element and by the driven element to the bristle carrier. Hence the bristle carrier also performs an oscillating rotary movement with its tufts of bristles projecting in the direction of the transverse axis.
On the brush section known from the international patent application WO 94/12121 the mounting tube forms a fixed component whereas the plug-on shaft, the bristle carrier, the driving element and the driven element are moving components. These moving components have a clearance in their bearings and are able to perform free movements within the limits of this clearance. In doing so, they knock against each other or against the fixed component(s). This results in rattling noises when the electric toothbrush is in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a brush section for an electric toothbrush in which there are no or as close to no rattling noises when the electric toothbrush is in operation.
According to the present invention this object is accomplished with a brush section for an electric toothbrush of the type initially referred to by having the plug-on shaft and the bristle carrier braced (or biased) against each other and/or against the mounting tube.
As the result of the bracing the plug-on shaft and the bristle carrier are urged against their bearings. Consequently, when the electric toothbrush is not in operation the two components are no longer able to perform any free movements in their bearings in spite of the existing clearance. Even when the electric toothbrush is in operation the two components continue to be urged against their bearings. Consequently, friction is generated in the bearings, preventing or at least reducing the occurrence of free movements by the plug-on shaft and the bristle carrier in their bearings. Bumping or knocking of the moving components against each other or against the fixed component(s) is thus prevented, which means that there are no longer any rattling noises.
It is possible for only the plug-on shaft or only the bristle carrier to be separately braced against the mounting tube. This results in only the one or other of the two components no longer making any rattling noises. It is also possible for the plug-on shaft and the bristle carrier to be braced against each other, that is, independently of the mounting tube, and for rattling to be prevented in this way. Yet another possibility is to jointly brace the plug-on shaft and the bristle carrier against the mounting tube and to prevent rattling in this way.
In an advantageous aspect of the present invention the plugon shaft, the bristle carrier, the driving element and the driven element are braced against each other and/or against the mounting tube. Consequently, there is no longer any rattling caused by these components.
It is possible for the plug-on shaft, the bristle carrier, the driving element and the driven element each to be separately braced against the mounting tube. It is also possible for these components to be braced against each other, that is, independently of the mounting tube. Yet another possibility is to jointly brace the components mentioned against the mounting tube.
It is particularly suitable to provide spring means for the bracing. This represents a particularly simple way and means of bracing the respective components against each other. Furthermore, the spring means may be accommodated in the interior of the mounting tube, enabling them to be structurally integrated in the known brush section without any major effort.
In an advantageous further aspect of the present invention provision is made for a helical compression spring held on the side of the driving element remote from the driven element and bearing against the plug-on shaft. It is particularly convenient in this connection for the helical compression spring to be held by an enlargement of the driving element or by a sleeve fitted onto the driving element. With this further configuration the bracing of the components can be effected particularly simply and economically.
In further advantageous aspects of the present invention provision is made for a helical compression spring arranged on the side of the driving element close to the driven element and bearing against the driven element and the plug-on shaft. It is also possible to provide a helical tension spring held on the side of the driving element remote from the driven element and on the plug-on shaft. These further configurations are likewise simple and low-cost possibilities for bracing the components.
Particularly conveniently, the driving element and the driven element are fixedly joined together. In this manner the driving element and the driven element are unable to knock against each other and cause any rattling noises.
Further features, application possibilities and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of embodiments of the invention illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawing. It will be understood that any single feature and any combination of single features described or represented by illustration form the subject-matter of the present invention, irrespective of their summary in the patent claims or their back-reference, and irrespective of their wording and representation in the description and the drawing, respectively.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2766470 (1956-10-01), Baker
patent: 5504961 (1996-04-01), Yang
patent: 5577285 (1996-11-01), Drossler
patent: 5732432 (1998-03-01), Hui
patent: 5842244 (1998-12-01), Hilfinger et al.
patent: 5974613 (1999-11-01), Herzog
patent: 497 153 (1970-11-01), None
patent: 44 09 817 C1 (1995-07-01), None
patent: WO 94/12121 (1994-06-01), None
patent: WO 96/37164 (1996-11-01), None
Braun GmbH
Graham Gary K.
Podszus Edward S.
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