Powered toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush head containing a first tuft block mounted for oscillating about a centrally located axis and an elongated second tuft block mounted for rotational movement about an axis eccentric to its center point. One of the tuft blocks has a recess for receiving an extension of the other tuft block to create a drive connection between the two tuft blocks, such that when one of the tuft blocks is driven by a drive structure the rotational movement of that tuft block causes the other tuft block to oscillate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A powered toothbrush having a handle with a neck, a head mounted to said neck, said head having an exposed outer surface; a first tuft block mounted to said head having bristles extending outwardly therefrom; a second tuft block mounted to said head having bristles extending outwardly therefrom; said first tuft block mounted for oscillating rotation about a pivot axis, said second tuft block being mounted for oscillating rotation about an eccentric pivot axis; a drive connection between said first tuft block and said second tuft block; a drive structure for oscillating one of said first tuft block and said second tuft block, with said drive connection causing the other of said first tuft block and said second tuft block to oscillate; and said oscillating movement of said eccentrically pivoted tuft block being oscillated in a wiping type movement.  
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said head includes a section located generally peripherally around said eccentrically pivoted tuft block.  
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush of  claim 2  wherein a plurality of bristles extend outwardly from said section.  
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said eccentrically pivoted tuft block has an elongated shape.  
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said pivot axis of said first tuft block is a centrally located axis.  
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said first tuft block has an outer surface which is generally circular or egg-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said drive connection includes a cut-out in the periphery of one of said tuft blocks, and the other of said tuft blocks having an engaging member located in said cut-out to maintain engagement between said tuft blocks during the movement of said tuft blocks.  
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush of  claim 7  wherein said engaging member is an end portion of said elongated tuft block, and said cut-out is in said first tuft block.  
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said drive structure includes a motor operated drive member engaged with said first tuft block, whereby oscillation of said first tuft block causes said second tuft block to oscillate.  
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said first tuft block is located on said head adjacent to said neck.  
     
     
         11 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said drive structure includes a motor operated drive member engaged with said second tuft block whereby oscillation of said second tuft block causes said first tuft block to oscillate.  
     
     
         12 . The toothbrush of  claim 1  wherein said second tuft block is located adjacent to said neck.  
     
     
         13 . The toothbrush of  claim 3  wherein said section is a fixed section.  
     
     
         14 . The toothbrush of  claim 13  wherein said bristles on said fixed section are fixed bristles.  
     
     
         15 . The toothbrush of  claim 13  wherein said bristles on said fixed section are mounted for independent movement with respect to each other.  
     
     
         16 . The toothbrush of  claim 4  wherein said elongated shape has an outer surface which is oval, triangular, diamond shape, polygonal or rectangular.