Force-responsive toothbrush

Abstract

A toothbrush has an inner handle part having an outer end, an outer handle part having an outer end remote from the inner handle part and an inner end juxtaposed with the inner-part outer end, bristles on the outer-part outer end, and a releasable ball-and-socket joint between the inner-part outer end and the inner-part inner end. This joint releasably secures the handle parts together and can open and release when a lateral force is applied to the outer-part outer end that exceeds a predetermined safe brushing force.

1 . A toothbrush comprising: 
 an inner handle part having an outer end;    an outer handle part having an outer end remote from the inner handle part and an inner end juxtaposed with the inner-part outer end;    bristles on the outer-part outer end; and    a releasable joint between the inner-part outer end and the inner-part inner end joining the handle parts together and so constructed as to open and release when a lateral force is applied to the outer-part outer end that exceeds a predetermined safe brushing force.    
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush defined in  claim 1  wherein the joint is a ball-and-socket snap joint.  
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush defined in  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a tether between the handle parts, whereby the parts remain connected together by the tether even when the joint opens.    
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush defined in  claim 3  wherein the tether is a flexible web extending between the outer-part inner end and the inner-part outer end.  
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush defined in  claim 4  wherein the tether is molded unitarily with the inner part and outer part.