US2740149A - Combined tooth brush and handle - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1956 (:ARLSON 2,740,149

COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH AND HANDLE Filed Feb. 4, 1950 FIG.? 4a FIGB 9 /6/6a INVENTOR. HENRY E. CARLSON Affomey United States Patent Qfiice 2,740,149 COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH AND HANDLE Henry E. Carlson, New Britain, Conn. Application February 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,522 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-485) This invention is a combined tooth brush and handle of the general type wherein the brush is separable from the handle and may be used when supported exteriorly of and on the handle and stored within the handle when not in use. Brushes of this character are particularly convenient for traveling although widely used in the home.

One object of this invention is to provide an extremely A further object of this invention is to provide an article of this kind which shall be of neat and pleasing appearance, compact and of maximum strength and durability with a minimum of size and weight, the structure being such that it may be economically manufactured and, when the brush becomes unduly worn, it may be discarded and a new brush used with the original handle.

In its preferred practical form, the brush is made with a bristled head having an integral shank reduced to form a tongue, the opposite faces of which are notched. The

handle is of generally rectangular prismatic form with L all edges rounded. One end of said handle is made rigid and has in its forward end wall an opening through which and adapted collectively to form, with the rigid portion of the handle, a normally closed casing in which the brush may be positioned when not in use.

A brush holder of unique construction is mounted in the forward end of the handle. of a brush holding unit which may be made and assembled externally of the handle and thereafter positioned therein, in interfitting relation with the tongue opening of the handle, and then riveted, soldered or otherwise permanently secured in this position within the handle. When thus assembled and positioned, the tongue of the brush may be introduced into this brush holder from either the exterior or interior end of the latter, so that the brush may be thus mounted with its bristled head either on the outside or inside of the handle. When supported by the brush holder inside of the handle, the body of the brush and its bristles are held free from contact with the interior surfaces of the handle while the tongue serves as a seal for said opening.

An important feature of this invention resides in the structure of the unit which constitutes the brush holder. This holder is preferably made in the form of an elon- This holder is in the form 2,740,149 Patented Apr. 3, 1956 pins which secure the pivoted sections to the rigid portion of the handle. Furthermore, when the pivoted sections are fully opened, with the brush in position of use on the rigid end portion of the handle, these interfitting parts the accompanying drawing.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article embodying the present invention showing the handle in closed position with the brush therein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article with the hinged sections of the handle partially opened and the brush within the handle.

Figure 3 is a perspective View similar to Figure 1, but showing the brush in position for use externally of the handle.

Figure 4 shows the manner in which the brush and handle may be rested upon a flat surface to dry after use.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental plan View of the tongue end of the brush.

Figure 6 is a fraginental section on the line 6-6 of Figures 1 and 8.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the tongue in plan.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figures 3 and 6.

Figure 9 is a fragmental section on the line 9-9 of Figure 3. This view is similar to Figure 6 but shows of the brush in like section and positioned within the brush holder of the handle, with the bristled head of the brush externally of the handle.

Figure 10 is a fragmental section corresponding to Figure 9, but showing the relation of the parts when the brush head is within the handle.

Figure 11 shows in enlarged perspective the parts of the holding unit dismantled so that their individual structures may be more readily understood.

In said drawing, the brush is shown as embodying a head 1 with bristles 2 and an integral shank 3. The end of the shank is reduced to form a tongue 4, shown 3 slightly curved surfaces M for reasons presently explained and at the base of the tongue are shoulders 4b. The handle has a rigid end portion 6 also of generally rectangular shape. It has top and bottom walls 7 and 8, side walls 9, and an end wall 10, said end wall being provided adjacent the top wall 7 with a tongue open ing 11. To the rear edges of the side walls 9 are secured the pivoted sections 12 which may, if desired, be perforated, as indicated at 13, for ventilation. The pivoted sections are provided at their forward ends with tongues 14 curled around hinge pins 15, the opposite ends of which are held in beads 16 pressed outwardly from the walls 9 so as to locate the axes of the pins 15 somewhat externally of the outer planes of the side walls 9, there being provided, adjacent the beads, tongues 16a which are curled interiorly around the ends of the hinge pins to anchor the latter securely. This arrangement permits the pivoted sections to be swung from the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to the fully open position shown in Figure 4. The free edges of one of the pivoted sections are indented or stepped, as shown at 12a in Figure 2, to fit within the other section when the sections are closed and thus form an overlapping joint between them. The free end of one pivoted section 12 is provided with small internal bosses 17 adapted to coact with complementary depressions 18 in the other section to normally hold the section in closed position. A lip 19 is formed on one of the sections and may be engaged by the end of the finger or finger nail to disengage the bosses 17 from the perforations 18 when it is desired to open thepivoted sections.

The walls of the pivoted sections, which abut the top and bottom walls 7 and 8 of the rigid portion of the handle, are provided with projections 20 which extend into and abut complementary reentrant portions in said top and bottom walls to form feet 29 and 21 on which the article may be placed in upright position with the sections fully opened as shown in Figure 4. When the sections are closed, these projections and re-entrant portions interfit and interlock with one another to impart strength to the handle and reinforce it against flexing stresses imparted by the hand during use and thus relieve direct strain on the hinge pins. Moreover, when the parts are stood up, as indicated in Figure 4, the feet 20 and 21 cooperate to hold the parts in vertical position with all parts free from contact with the bristles of thebrush, so that the brush may readily dry out. These feet form a firm support of relatively small size which pe rmits the device to be rested in this manner upon a relatively small supporting surface. Thus several brushes of this kind may be stood in a small space in a bathroom cabinet. I

Positioned within the rigid portion 6 of the handle is a brush holding unit adapted to be formed and assembled exteriorly of the handle and thereafter positioned within and secured to the same. The body of this unit may be conveniently stamped from sheet metal, so as to form an invertedchannel section comprising a web 22 having parallel side flanges 23 and open at its bot tom. Along the lower edges of these flanges 23 and near the forward ends thereof are formed depending spacing lugs 24. The lugs 24 are positioned near but spaced from the forward end of the channel section a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the end wall 10 of the handle to form at the lower corners and at the forward ends of the channel sections notches 24a, shown best in Figure ll.

Depending from the lower edges of the flanges 2'3 and near the rear ends thereof are ears 25. The purpose of these ears is to secure a leaf spring 26 to the channel section. This leaf spring, shown best in Figure 11. has an overall width approximately equal to that of the channel section. It is however provided along its lat eral edges with cut outs 27 spaced from its rear'end. This spring is adapted to be placed with a large portion ell) of its length in face abutting relation with the lower edges of the flanges 23, with the ears 25 extending through the cut cuts 27, and those portions of the ears 25 which then extend below the spring are bent inwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure ll, to firmly anchor the spring to the channel section. The forward end portion of the spring is reduced in width, as shown at 28, so as to render said forward portion of less width than the dimension across the interior of the channel and the free end of said reduced portion is provided with an upturned head 29. The spring is so tensioned that the bead 29 will normally project above the lower edges of the flanges 23 and into the interior of the straight through channel or passage thereby formed within the resulting unit. The cross section of this channel is substantially the same as the cross section of the brush tongue 4 and the spring is of such length that the bead terminates short of the notches 24a. When the spring is thus mounted, the ears 25 will hold the spring against lateral shifting with the bead within the confines of said channel. The web 22 is provided at its rear end with an upset attaching tab or flange 30 which may be perforated as indicated at 31 for rivets.

The opening 11 in the forward end wall 10 of the handle is of a size and shape corresponding to the exterior contour of the forward end of the channel section of the brush holding unit. Such being the case, the brush holding unit may be positioned within the handle with the forward end of the channel section projecting into and seated within said opening 11, with the lugs 24 engaging with the inner surface of the wall 10 and the notches 24a engaging the lower edge of the opening. This will position the forward edge of the channel section flush with the outer surface of the wall 10. By thus interfitting the channel section into said opening 11, the forward end of the channel section is registered with the opening 11. If the upset attaching flange 30 is then secured to the top wall 7 of the handle by means of rivets 32, the brush holding unit will be permanently and rigidly secured within the handle, for its forward portion is engaged with the end wall 10 by the interfitting relation described and its rear portion is secured to the wall 7 by the rivets 32. Solder or any other suitable attaching means may be used in lieu of the rivets, but in any event the result is the same.

Inasmuch as the cross section of the interior of the brush holding unit corresponds to the cross section of the tongue 4, it will be apparent that the tongue may be introduced into such holder from either end thereof. When introduced from the outer end, the curved surfaces 4a of the tongue will have a camrning action with the head 29 of the spring, causing the spring to be retracted or bent downwardly at its forward end until the bead is juxtaposed with one of the notches 5 whereupon the bead will enter into such notch, as shown in Figure 9, and lock the brush against inadvertent displacement. The brush may, however, be withdrawn with moderate force because the rear surface of the V shaped notch 5 thus engaged will exert a camming action on the bead to facilitate such withdrawal.

The tongue may also be introduced into the channel or passage of the holder frornthe inside of the handle, but in that case the bead 29 does not engage with the notch 5. It merely exerts sufficient pressure against the surfaceof the tongue, as shown in Figure 10, to frictionally hold the brush in position with the end of the tongue forming a closure seal for the outer end of the channel.

Figure 3 shows the brush so positioned with respect to the handle that the bristles extend upwardly, but, if desired, the tongue may be inserted in inverted position to thus invert the bristles, as indicated in Figure 4.. It is 'for this reason that the tongue 4 of the brush is pmvided withnotches -'5 in both its upper and lower surfaces. For either position of the brush bristles, "the brush is anodes effectually supported against lateral forces when in use by the side flanges 23 of the channel section. When the bristles are in the up position, shown in Figure 3, downward forces resulting from the action of brushing teeth are adequately withstood by the web 22 of the channel section and the lower edge of the opening 11. When the brush is reversed so that the bristles extend in a downward direction, upward forces are braced by the web 22 of the channel section and the anchored rear portion of the spring 26, which forms in effect a fourth wall of the channel or passage through the holder. When the brush is positioned externally of the handle for use, the shoulders 4b between the end of the shank for the notches 5 are so gripped by the bead 29 will be in firm contact wall 10.

It will be noted that the lower edges of the flanges 23 are provided with openings 23a. These openings facilitate thorough washing out of the tongue receiving channel of the brush holder, without collection of water between the spring and the lower edges of the flanges 23.

When the brush is not in use, it is contained within the handle and the handle is closed, as shown in Figure 1. When it is to be used the handle sections 12 are opened, as shown in Figure 2, and the brush is removed and the tongue thereof positioned within the brush holding unit from the exterior of the handle, as shown in Fig ure 3, or in the reversed position to which I have referred. After use, the handle sections 12 are fully opened and then rested on a flat surface, as shown in Figure 4, to permit the parts to dry out. are dried, the brush may be position and placed within sections 12 closed to house and fully protect it until The foregoing detailed vention in its preferred practical form, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handle having an undivided and non-expandable end wall at its forward end with a brush opening through which the rigid shank of a brush is adapted to be rectilinearly inserted, there being handle a tooth brush holder both of its opposite ends and secured within the handle with its passage in alinement with the brush opening, a spring operable through one wall of the holder to positioned that, when they are of the spring, these shoulders with the'outer face of the end removed from its exterior the handle and the pivoted the brush in sterile condition it is desired to again use it.

having a passage open at engage with and hold the brush shank when the latter is longitudinally pushed into either end of the passage of the holder, such holder having non-yieldable walls supporting all sides of the shank when the latter is in place therein.

2. A combined tooth brush and handle according to claim 1, wherein the shank of the brush used with said handle has a cross section to longitudinally pass freely through said brush opening and is provided with at least one notch adapted to be engaged by the free end of the spring when the shank is pushed into the holder from the forward end of the latter.

3. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handle having in the end Wall of its forward end a brush opening through which the rigid shank of a brush is adapted to be inserted, there being provided within the hollow handle a brush holder into either end of which the brush shank may be inserted, the forward end of which holder is seated in said opening and the rear end of which is attached to a wall of the handle rearwardly of said end wall to mount the brush holder Either before or after they description sets forth the inprovided within the hollow 1 within the handle, one wall of said-brush holder em bodying a leaf spring to engage with and hold the brush shank when the latter is longitudinally pushed into either end of the holder.

4. A combined tooth brush and handle according to claim 1, wherein the brush holder comprises an elongated rigid channel section having flanges and an open side, the latter of which is closed by a leaf spring anchored to the flanges of the channel section.

5. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a rigid brush shank stepped at its free end to form shoulat least one of its faces, in combination with a hollow handle provided in the end wall of its forward end with a tongue opening, a tubular brush holder secured within the handle rearwardly of said end wall with its forward the brush tongue may be inserted, one embodying a spring carrying a bead projecting into the confines of the holder to engage with the tongue notch when the tongue is extending into the holder with the shoulders of the brush shank in abutting relation with the exterior surface of the end wall of the handle, the remaining walls of the holder being nonexpandable.

6. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handle embodying a rigid forward end portion having relatively rigid top, bottom, side and end walls the latter of which is provided with a brush shank receiving opening, a tubular brush holder positioned within said rigid end portion in registration with said brush opening and into either end of which the shank of a brush may be inserted, and a pair of complementary pivoted handle sections having side walls hinged to the side Walls of the rigid forward end portion on hinge pins positioned with their axes externally of the side walls of the latter and also having top, bottom and end wall flanges adapted to abut one another to form with the rigid forward end portion an enclosure, the top and bottom flanges of both sections having projections exend portion having relatively rigid top, bottom, side and end walls, and a pair of complementary pivoted handle sections having side walls hinged to the side walls portion an enclosure, the top and bottom flanges of both sections having projections extending into and interfitting with complementary recesses in the top and bottom walls of the rigid forward end portion, whereby said interfitting projections and recesses impart rigidity to the handle as a whole when the sections are closed and the projections may serve as feet to hold the sections in vertical position when the sections are opened and the handle is stood upright on its open end.

8. A brush holding unit for tooth brush handles comprising: an elongated channel section having spaced apart flanges and an open side, the latter of which is closed for the greater portion of its length by a leaf spring with one end of the spring anchored to the flanges of said section and bearing against the longitudinal free edges thereof and the other end of the spring of less width than the distance between said flanges, said spring being biased to normally impel the reduced end thereof into a position between said flanges, whereby the spring is adapted to grip the shank of a tooth brush introduced into the channel section from either end of the latter.

9. A brush holding unit according to claim 8, wherein 7 the 'freeend of the spring terminates ina transversebead adapted to engage with the brush shank.

10. A brushholding unit'according to claim 8, wherein the spring is anchored to the flanges by ears formed on the flanges and extending through notches in the lateral edges of the spring and bent into engagement with the outer surface of the spring.

1 1. A brush holding unit comprising: an elongated channel section having a web with flanges and an open side, the open side being closed for the greater portion of its length by a leaf spring, one end portion of which bears against the free longitudinal edges of the flanges with its other end portion -'of reduced Width to extend between the flanges, said flanges being provided at their free longitudinal edges and nearone end *of the channel section with projecting ears extending through notches in theedges'of the-spring and'bent 'over the outer surface of the-spring to secure said spring to the flanges and said longitudinal edges of the flanges being also provided with projecting positioning lugs spaced from the opposite "end of the channel section.

8 12. A 'brush holding unit according to claim 11, wherein the web of the channel "section is provided at its end opposite the lugs with an integral attaching tab.

'13. A combined tooth brush and handle according *to' claim 1, wherein the shank of the brush used with said handle is adapted to be engaged by the free end of the spring when the shank is pushed into the holder from the inside end of the latter.

References Citedinthe file of this patent UNITED STATES "PATENTS

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