US147410A - Improvement in tooth-brushes - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES Gr. LA FONTE, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOOTH-BRUSHES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 147,410, dated February 10, 1874; application filed January 8, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES GUY LA FONTE, M. D., of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tooth Brushes, of which the following is a specification My invention permits the use of sponge or other suitable'material in lieu of bristles in a toothbrush and it particularly consists in constructing the brush with a clamp, as hereinafter described, whereby the said sponge may be readily applied and secured, or removed when desired by the user.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure lis a perspective view of my improved tooth-brush. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the head on the line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the head without the sponge or screw-cap, hereinafter described. Fig. 4 is a transverse section 011 the line 4 4, Fig. 2.

A represents the handle, and B the head of the brush, which may be molded or otherwise formed in one piece of any hard material. The head is formed in front with a deep longitudinal groove, 1), to-receive the rubber O of sponge or other suitable material, which is retained by a tongue, D, hinged to the head at d, and secured at its free end by a screw-cap, E, fitting a thread at the extremity of the head. Dotted lines in Fig. 2 illustrate the open position of the tongue in readiness to receive the sponge. Full lines in Figs. 2 and 4 show the sponge and the tongue in position secured by the screw-cap E. i

In Fig. 3 the sponge and screwcap are omitted in order to exhibit the construction of the other parts more clearly.

It will be observed that this invention en ables the using of a tooth-brush for an indefinite period, and the keeping of it in a perfectly clean state, as the sponge may be removed for cleansing, or replaced or renewed as frequently as desired.

I am aware that sponge has before been used in the place of bristles for tooth-brushes, but not fastened by a clamp and removable at will by the user.

I do not limit myself to the precise construction of the clamp, as it is manifest that this may be varied without departing from the essential features of my invention.

I claim as new- The tooth-brush herein described, consisting of a stock, A B, removable sponge O, and clamp D E for holding said sponge, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JAMES G. LA FONTE, M. D.

Witnesses W. H. CLARK, SAMUEL -HARLAN.

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