Toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising a head and a handle, wherein the handle has a gripping portion arranged to be grasped by a user. The head is arranged such that a first longitudinal axis of the head is generally perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis of the gripping portion. The head is also rotatably mounted to an end of the handle such that the head is rotatable about a rotation axis generally parallel to and offset from the second longitudinal axis of the gripping portion.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A toothbrush comprising a head and a handle, wherein the handle includes a gripping portion arranged to be grasped by a user, the head is arranged such that a first longitudinal axis of the head is generally perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis of the gripping portion and the head is rotatably mounted to a first end of the handle such that the head rotates about a rotation axis generally parallel to and offset from the second longitudinal axis of the gripping portion.  
     
     
         2 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a shoulder portion adjacent the first end thereof, the shoulder portion serving to offset the rotation axis of the head from the second longitudinal axis of the gripping portion.  
     
     
         3 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the shoulder portion includes a thickened portion, the thickened portion being arranged such that the user's thumb rests on the thickened portion during use.  
     
     
         4 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the thickened portion includes a grip pad against which the user's thumb rests, the grip pad being arranged to provide additional grip between the user's thumb and the toothbrush  
     
     
         5 . A toothbrush in accordance with claim ], wherein the head includes a neck portion extending generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the head.  
     
     
         6 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein a swivel means is provided to allow rotatable interconnection between the neck portion and the first end of the handle.  
     
     
         7 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the swivel means comprises a ball and socket joint  
     
     
         8 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the head is removable from the handle to allow replacement of the head.  
     
     
         9 . A toothbrush in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the removable head may be replaced with a shaving head.  
     
     
         10 . A toothbrush in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head includes bristles, the bristles being arranged to vary in height across head.