The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 02, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 12, 1995
Kiyoshi Maekawa, Mount Prospect, IL (US);
Scott Koepsel, Waukegan, IL (US);
John O. Butler Company, Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An interdental toothbrush handle for holding a twisted wire brush includes a handle with a locking retainer connected thereto by a living hinge. The handle has two opposing side walls which extend perpendicularly from the handle and are adjacent to the living hinge. At least one of the walls includes a V-shaped gap for receiving the stem of a twisted wire brush. The handle also preferably has an indentation between the two opposing side walls and the locking retainer preferably includes a protrusion in communication with the indentation. A nub on the protrusion prevents the locking retainer from opening more than about 30.degree. to 40.degree.. The stem of a twisted wire brush is inserted into the V-shaped gap when the locking retainer is open. As the locking retainer is closed, the stem of the twisted wire brush is captured between the handle and locking retainer. A latch on the locking retainer passes through a hole in the handle to lock the retainer in place and hold the stem of the twisted wire brush firmly and securely.