Abstract This is a method and apparatus for brushing teeth. The method embodies an up and down chewing action on a resilient cushioning element and bristles having relatively soft frayed or filamented ends to avoid injury to the gums; the design of the brush unit is illustrated in several different forms, one being a plurality of radial fingers mounted on a handle supported hub and engaging the sides of the teeth during the chewing operation. This form of the apparatus is also adapted for actuation to a back and forth oscillating action which produces a rolling of the fingers along the teeth. Other forms of the invention embody brush type units specifically constructed to facilitate chewing thereon while simultaneously brushing the teeth with an up and down action.
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle mounting head connected to said handle, a cushioning element mounted on said head, and a plurality of cleaning bristles carriEd by said head and having certain of said bristles bent to form an acute angle to the direction of motion produced by up and down chewing action against the cushioning element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle mounting head connected to said handle, a cushioning element mounted on said head, and a plurality of cleaning bristles carriEd by said head and having certain of said bristles bent to form an acute angle to the direction of motion produced by up and down chewing action against the cushioning element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said head comprises a hub member disposed at right angles to said handle, and said cushioning element having a plurality of circumferentially arranged bristles extending generally radially around said hub-for forming at least one generally circular ring of bristle elements with the axis thereof disposed substantially concentrically with the axis of said hub member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein each bristle element has the brushing ends thereof filamented to produce soft tooth and gum engaging end portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein the bristles include a plurality of substantially concentric rings of bristle elements forming a first set of rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein a second set of concentric rings of bristles is provided on said hub member in generally opposed spaced relation to said first set of rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and said cushioning element comprising a second set of bent bristles mounted on the opposite side of said head from the first mentioned bristles so that chewing action against the opposed bristles will simultaneously clean both the upper and lower teeth.