Toothbrush having multiple selectable brushing surfaces

Abstract

An adjustable toothbrush having a plurality of interchangeable bristle mount settings that facilitate more direct contact with the various teeth geometries. The adjustable toothbrush preferably has at least three selectable surface variations or configurations comprising a flat surface, an inverted/concave surface, and a radial/convex surface. The adjustable toothbrush comprises a brushing surface defined by a plurality of bristles, a bristle mount, at least one adjustment key, hollow brush casing and adjustment mechanism wherein the bristles are secured to the mount and the mount engages the adjustment mechanism. The bristle mount is flexible to accommodate manipulation of its shape by the adjustment mechanism. Depending on the setting, the adjustment mechanism raises the mount to create the radial version, lowers the mount to create the inverted version or leaves the mount stationary for the flat version. The three configurations are selected and engaged by a tactile control.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adjustable toothbrush device, said device comprising: 
 a handle;    a brush end comprising a flexible mount and plurality of bristles extending outward from said mount and defining a brush surface, said mount having a first end, a second end and a mid-section between said first and second ends;    adjustment means, in mechanical communication with said mount, for raising and lowering at least a portion of said mid-section from a neutral straight position to adjust the shape of said brush surface; and    drive means, in mechanical communication with said adjustment means, for manipulating said adjustment means.    
     
     
         2 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mount comprises: 
 a flexible plate.    
     
     
         3 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mount comprises: 
 a plurality of adjacently disposed segments, each of said segments comprising a plurality of bristle sleeves for securing said bristles.    
     
     
         4 . A device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said mount further comprises: 
 a flexible plate bridging across the lower surface of said segments, said plate being engageable by said adjustment means.    
     
     
         5 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mount comprises: 
 means for joining said segments to each other.    
     
     
         6 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 a connecting rod having a distal end and a proximal end; and    a mount lever extending from said connecting rod distal end, said connecting rod proximal end being mechanically engageable with said drive means and said mount lever being mechanically engageable with said mount.    
     
     
         7 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 at least one arched key extending across said mount and engageable with said drive means for raising said mid-section when rotated in one direction and for lowering said mid-section when rotated in another direction.    
     
     
         8 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 a plurality of adjustable keys in communication with said drive means for adjusting the elevation of the mount in a plurality of different sections.    
     
     
         9 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 a rotatable cam in mechanical communication with said mount; and    connecting rod mechanically communicating said drive means and said rotatable cam.    
     
     
         10 . A device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said segments comprise a plurality of different shapes.  
     
     
         11 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 a contoured guide wire engaged with said mount at one end and with said drive means at an opposite end for adjusting the elevation of said mount in a plurality of positions when rotated by said drive means.    
     
     
         12 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 opposing magnetic plates sandwiching said guide wire.    
     
     
         13 . A device as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 electronic means for moving said segments sideways wherein adjacent segments move in opposite directions.    
     
     
         14 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drive means comprises: 
 a rotatable shaft in mechanical communication with said adjustment means.    
     
     
         15 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drive means comprises: 
 a push and pull handle in mechanical communication with said adjustment means.    
     
     
         16 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drive means comprises: 
 a slidable switch in mechanical communication with said adjustment means.