Toothbrush and amusement device

Abstract

A toothbrush for children has a snap element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head having bristles. A snap element includes a male that may traverse an aperture in an ornamental element that can be held adjacent the handle by the closure. The ornamental element and snap element do not interfere with brushing or with holding the handle. The snap element may also contain an additional ornamental element. In either case, the ornamental element(s) may be separated from the handle by opening the closure element and replaced with the user's favored appealing ornamental element. Children or adults are encouraged to collect ornamental element to be attached to their toothbrush.

1 . A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:
 a handle;   a snap element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another and effecting closure when attached, the snap element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion to be held by a user during brushing and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom; and   an ornamental element removably attachable to the handle by means of the snap element, the ornamental element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.   
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental element has an aperture through which the male element attaches to the female element, the ornamental element sandwiched between the male and female elements of the snap element such that closure of the snap element maintains the ornamental element affixed to the snap element, 
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental element is a flying object element. 
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 3 , wherein the flying object element meets the handle at an angle exceeding approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 3 , wherein the flying object element is a cape element that suggests an action figure. 
   
   
       6 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the handle is between approximately three-fifths and four fifths of a length of the handle. 
   
   
       7 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is at least  4  centimeters long. 
   
   
       8 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the handle is a majority of a length of the handle and wherein the lower portion is smooth. 
   
   
       9 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and the ornamental element define a space between the handle and ornamental element into which a user can place a hand to hold the toothbrush during brushing of the user's teeth. 
   
   
       10 . The amusement device of  claim 9 , wherein the snap element closes by means of a friction fit. 
   
   
       11 . A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:
 a handle;   a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, and   an ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the ornamental element and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user.   
   
   
       12 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 11 , wherein the ornamental element is a cape element. 
   
   
       13 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 11 , wherein the ornamental element meets the handle at an angle exceeding approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       14 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 11 , wherein the closure element adjoins the handle such that the lower portion can be comfortably held by a user during brushing. 
   
   
       15 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 11 , wherein the female element comprises a portion of the handle that defines a recess. 
   
   
       16 . A toothbrush and amusement device, comprising:
 a handle;   a closure element attached to the handle, the closure element including a male element and a female element removably attachable to one another in one manual motion and effecting a friction fit closure when attached, the closure element adjoining the handle so as to divide the handle into a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion including a head, the head having bristles extending therefrom, the male element or the female element including a first ornamental element integrally attached to the male element or female element, and   a second ornamental element having an aperture through which the closure element traverses to effect a secure closure, the first and second ornamental elements and the closure element not interfering with a user holding the lower portion and not interfering with use of the head for brushing teeth of the user, the second ornamental element removable when the closure element is opened.   
   
   
       17 . The toothbrush and amusement device of  claim 16 , wherein the ornamental element is a flying object element.