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:
Oct. 06, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 14, 1995
Charles L Urso, Waltham, MA (US);
Dynaproducts, Inc., Nashua, NH (US);
Abstract
A flosser includes a frame (2) having a pair of tines (42) mounted on it for supporting a span of floss (62). At least one of pair the tines is pivotally supported for moving toward and away from the other of the pair of tines. Gear-driven capstans (24, 26) are provided for reciprocating the span of floss longitudinally between the tines, while a cam (9) and cam follower (11) act on a lever (32) for reciprocating the tines vertically. A spring (48) urges the tines to move laterally apart to an open position. Each of a pair of engaged sector gears (46) is fixed to a respective tine so that lateral movement of the tines is symmetrical. The spring is adjustable so that when the moving floss span encounters tooth resistance, floss tension increases to overcome the spring force and move the tines toward a closed position. The bulbs (50), which contain rollers (54), are mounted to swivel so the floss span can move in any direction. Thus, the span can wrap around a tooth and reciprocate laterally and vertically thereabout.