Toothbrush handgrip and kit

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a toothbrush having a uniquely shaped handgrip integrally supporting a toothbrush, as well as a stand for holding at least one toothbrush and at least one tube of toothpaste, the multiple items, together, forming a unique kit for oral hygiene purposes.

1 . A handgrip for holding a toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated. 
     
     
         2 . The handgrip of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a toothbrush gripping means extending inward relative to the body so as to be in operative abuttance with the handle portion when the toothbrush is seated in the hollow interior of the handgrip. 
     
     
         3 . The handgrip of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow interior is defined by a socket into which a handle portion of the toothbrush can extend. 
     
     
         4 . The handgrip of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow interior takes the shape of a passage through which a handle portion of the toothbrush can extend. 
     
     
         5 . The handgrip of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow interior is shaped to seat and accommodate any one of a number of common toothbrush handles. 
     
     
         6 . The handgrip of  claim 2 , wherein the internal gripping means comprises a yieldable member provided on an internal sidewall of the body adapted to, in use, establish a friction fit between at least part of the handgrip and at least part of the toothbrush handle portion. 
     
     
         7 . The handgrip of  claim 6 , wherein the body is asymmetrical about a lengthwise axis extending through the body. 
     
     
         8 . The handgrip of  claim 6 , wherein the body is symmetrical about a lengthwise axis extending through the body. 
     
     
         9 . The handgrip of  claim 6 , wherein the body is generally tubular. 
     
     
         10 . The handgrip of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow interior is flanked by an underside and opposing upper side, the respective underside and upper side being either rectilinear longitudinally extending- or irregularly shaped 
     
     
         11 . The handgrip of  claim 10 , wherein the upper side and underside each remains equidistantly spaced apart throughout their respective lengths. 
     
     
         12 . The handgrip of  claim 10 , wherein the upper side and underside each differ along their respective lengths in spatial orientation and relative to an axis of the hollow interior. 
     
     
         13 . The handgrip of  claim 10 , wherein the underside comprises a shape selected from convexly arcuate and concavely arcuate. 
     
     
         14 . The handgrip of  claim 10 , wherein the upper side comprises a shape selected from convexly arcuate and concavely arcuate. 
     
     
         15 . The handgrip of  claim 10 , wherein the upper side and the underside each comprise a raised, arcuate finger gripping portion integral with said generally body and extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the width of said body. 
     
     
         16 . A toothbrush comprising a handgrip for holding a handle portion of the toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated. 
     
     
         17 . A stand for a toothbrush handgrip, the latter being adapted to hold a toothbrush and comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated; the stand comprising at least one upright extending from a base, the upright providing at least one contact point against which the body of the toothbrush handgrip can be supported in a suspended position. 
     
     
         18 . The stand of  claim 17 , wherein a first contact point is provided by an upper edge of the at least one upright and a second contact point is provided by an outward facing side of the at least one upright. 
     
     
         19 . The stand of  claim 18 , wherein the base is extended in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the at least one upright to provide locating space for additional oral hygiene care items on said base. 
     
     
         20 . An oral hygiene care kit comprising: a toothbrush handgrip adapted to hold a toothbrush and comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated; and a stand, comprising at least one upright extending from a base, the upright providing at least one contact point against which the body of the toothbrush handgrip can be supported in a suspended position. 
     
     
         21 . The oral hygiene care kit of  claim 20 , comprising any one or more items selected from the group consisting of: toothbrush, glass, cup, mouthwash, dental floss container.