TOOTHBRUSH AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR

摘要

The invention relates to a toothbrush, preferably an electric toothbrush, comprising a handle and an attachment that can be mounted on the latter. The invention relates in particular to the attachment for an electric toothbrush of this type, comprising a working head and a tubular connecting piece that is connected to the latter and can be mounted on the handle. A preferably sleeve-type coupling insert comprising at least one engagement section designed to positively and/or frictionally lock with the toothbrush handle is provided in the connecting piece. The invention further relates to said toothbrush handle, which has a connecting piece that can be inserted into the tubular connecting piece of the attachment. The attachment can be, in particular, an attachment brush for cleaning teeth, but may also consist of inter-dental cleaning equipment, gum massage heads or other attachment instruments for carrying out similar tasks in the oral cavity. According to the invention, the coupling insert of the attachment can be axially displaced in relation to the connecting piece of said attachment and/or to an actuating piece connected to said connecting piece in the longitudinal direction of the attachment and said coupling insert is connected to the engagement section, which can be positively or frictionally locked with the toothbrush handle, in such a way that an axial displacement of the coupling insert in relation to the connecting piece and/or the actuating piece generates an unlocking or locking displacement of the engagement section transversally to the longitudinal direction of the attachment. If the coupling insert or engagement section is locked with the toothbrush handle, the attachment or an actuating piece connected thereto must be first displaced axially, essentially in the longitudinal direction of the attachment in relation to the locked coupling insert, the latter remaining stationary in relation to said attachment or piece as a result of being locked with the toothbrush handle. The coupling insert together with the attachment can only be removed once the axial relative displacement has released the lock. This two-phase fixing or connecting mechanism permits non self-locking connecting or adapting contours to be provided at the interface between the toothbrush handle and the coupling insert, as fixing is guaranteed by the locking displacement that takes place transversally to the longitudinal direction of the attachment.