Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Brush or broom
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-24
2001-02-27
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Brush or broom
C015S246000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192544
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to toothbrushes and, more particularly, to a toothbrush having a resilient bumper which prevents injury to the teeth and gums, and to a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Related Art
Heretofore, some toothbrushes have been provided with resilient elements for use in massaging the gums or for preventing injury to the teeth and/or gums from impact with the brush. One such device is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,560, where a relatively thin protective bumper of U-shaped cross-section is fitted over the outer edge of the brush.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,805 discloses a toothbrush having bristles encased in vulcanized rubber to avoid harsh grating of tooth enamel by the relatively stiff bristles.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,253,210 shows toothbrushes which have resilient projecting elements for massaging the gums, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,408 shows a cushioned frame encircling the bristles of a toothbrush for massaging the gums.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,251,250 shows an attachment which fits over the head of a toothbrush and has rubber bristles positioned beside the regular bristles of the brush for use in massaging the gums.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,188,823 discloses a resilient cover which fits over the head of a toothbrush and has a skirt which encircles the bristles for massaging the gums and protecting them from being bruised and injured by the hard portion of the brush.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is in general an object of the invention to provide a new an improved toothbrush which has a protective bumper for preventing injury to the teeth and gums of a person using the brush, and to a method of manufacturing the same.
Another object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush and method of the above character which overcome the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by forming a toothbrush with an elongated handle, a head joined at its base to the handle and having a peripheral side edge which extends around the head from one side of the handle to another, a plurality of bristles extending from a face of the head bounded by the side edge, a peripheral groove extending along the side edge with opposite ends of the groove adjacent to the two sides of the handle, and a protective resilient bumper which is disposed in the groove and projects laterally from the side edge to protect the teeth and gums of a person using the toothbrush from impact with the head. In some disclosed embodiments, a tunnel extends through the base of the head between the two ends of the groove, and the bumper consists a ring of resilient material which passes through the tunnel. In others, the bumper is molded in place and thereby bonded integrally and permanently to the head.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3258805 (1966-07-01), Rossnan
patent: 3337893 (1967-08-01), Fine
patent: 4628564 (1986-12-01), Youssef
patent: 5325560 (1994-07-01), Pavone
patent: 5373602 (1994-12-01), Bang
patent: 2402785 (1975-07-01), None
Persidsky Maxim D.
Thatcher Don LeRoy
Chin Randall E.
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
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