Abbreviated toothbrush handle

摘要

A toothbrush with an abbreviated toothbrush handle facilitates a healthier brushing technique by encouraging the use of a pinch grip. An abbreviated handle with one or more finger grooves encourages a two or three fingered pinch grip, thereby reducing the amount of pressure a user can apply during brushing at any brushing orientation. A finger groove may be contoured, consisting of concave surface areas and optionally convex surface areas. A handle may feature a pair of finger grooves that resemble a peanut or hour glass shape, which encourages the use of a pinch grip. Embodiments may take the form of a supplemental attachment to a toothbrush, or an integral part of a solid single-piece toothbrush.

主权项

1. An abbreviated toothbrush handle comprising:
a distal region comprising a first distal end, a first medial portion, and a first proximal end; a medial region comprising a second distal end, a second medial portion, and a second proximal end; the second medial portion having a radial width less than the second distal end and the second proximal end; the second distal end connected to the first proximal end; a proximal region comprising a third distal end, a third medial portion, and a third proximal end; the third medial portion having a radial width greater than the third distal end and the third proximal end; the third distal end connected to the second proximal end; the distal region, medial region, and proximal regions defining (i) a longitudinal axis of the abbreviated toothbrush handle, and (ii) a top surface and a bottom surface on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal axis; a fulcrum region about which the abbreviated handle flexes when an applied force exceeds a threshold value, the fulcrum region in at least one of (i) at least a portion of the medial region and (ii) at least a portion of the proximal region; wherein first portions of the first proximal end, second distal end, second medial portion, second proximal end, and third distal end define at least one finger groove along at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface, the finger groove configured to encourage the use of a pinch grip; and wherein a cross section of the medial region perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle has a first width in a first direction that is greater than a second width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.