The present invention relates to a dental cleaning device, such as a toothbrush. More specifically, the present invention relates to an illuminated toothbrush having timed illumination.
Known illuminated toothbrushes typically employ a button or switch on the grip portion of the handle. Actuation of the button or switch begins a timed period of illumination that generally corresponds to a dentist-recommended brushing time period for adequate cleaning of a user's teeth.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a toothbrush having a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis, a head portion coupled to the handle portion having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, a light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion, and a base portion including a suction cup configured to removably adhere to a support surface, wherein the suction cup includes a button configured to actuate the light source.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
With reference to
A printed circuit board (PCB) 50 is positioned adjacent the switch 45 and is disposed substantially within the handle portion 15. The switch 45 and button 40 are movable between a first position in which the switch 45 contacts the PCB 50, making an electrical connection therewith, and second position in which the switch 45 does not contact the PCB 50 and does not make an electrical connection therewith. The button 40 and the switch 45 are biased toward the second position.
A first light source 60, such as a light-emitting diode (L.E.D.), is electrically connected to the PCB 50 and disposed at a first location within the handle portion 15 adjacent a transparent or translucent portion of the handle 15. A second light source 65, such as a light-emitting diode (L.E.D.), is electrically connected to the PCB 50 and is disposed at a second location within the handle portion 15 adjacent a transparent or translucent portion of the handle 15. In other constructions, one, three or more light sources may be employed. One or more of the light sources may alternatively be disposed within the head portion 20.
A plurality of batteries 55 are disposed adjacent the PCB 50 substantially within the handle portion 15. In the illustrated construction, three AG5 batteries are employed. In other constructions, one or more batteries of any suitable size and power may be employed. A negative battery contact 70 including a wire harness and a positive battery contact 75 including a wire harness are disposed between the PCB 50 and the plurality of batteries 55 to electrically connect the plurality of batteries 55 to the PCB 50.
In operation, the first and second light sources 60, 65 flash on and off for a predetermined time period, such as sixty seconds, when the button 40 is moved to the first position. A timer programmed into the printed circuit board 50 begins counting the predetermined time period upon actuation of the button 40. If the button 40 is moved to the first position while the timer is counting the predetermined time period, the timer starts over and the light sources 60 and 65 continue to flash on and off until the predetermined time period has elapsed. In other constructions, moving the button 40 to the first position while the timer is counting may turn off the light sources. In still other constructions, the light sources may stay illuminated continuously for the predetermined time period, and the predetermined time period may be a different time period.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, an illuminated toothbrush having a suction cup base in which is disposed a button that activates a light source for a predetermined period of time. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.