Related Applications

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/797,029, filed November 25, 1991.

Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to a utensil, such as a toothbrush for use by a small child.

Background of The Invention

Stylized and ornamental designs for the handles of utensils and personal grooming aids have remained popular over the years. When these utensils and grooming aids, such as toothbrushes and combs, are intended for small children they often include a decorative or toy-like structure. This structure is desirable since it entertains the child and prompts it to develop favorable associations with the object. In this manner, the child becomes more familiar with the object and is more likely to use it on a regular basis.

In the past, utensils and toothbrushes have included small figurehead designs upon a small portion of the handle or brushhead. While these designs may have entertained the child, they also increased the child\'s risk of injury. The utensils and their decorative ornamentation often included

small shapes that could break off and be swallowed causing choking. The decorative shape, as a whole, may also attract a child to swallow the brush. Since the designs were somewhat small, the child could easily choke upon the brush. Finally, many of the designs, while small enough to become lodged in a child\'s throat, were too large to fit through a conventional brush holder. Thus, the unsupported brushhead would be prone to contact an unsanitary countertop or similar flat surface, causing soiling of the utensil and/or brushhead.

Summary Of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child\'s utensil, such as a toothbrush, having a decorative shape that is sufficiently large to prevent swallowing of the utensil by a small child.

It is another object of this invention to provide a child\'s utensil having a decorative handle that may be easily held by a small child.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a decorative handle or utensil having a decorative handle that includes an integral structure that supports the operative portion of the utensil away from a countertop.

A child\'s utensil, such as a toothbrush, according to this invention provides a handle in the

form of an animal figure having a body which is essentially to scale and is generally cylindrical in configuration so that it may be gripped by a small child. The figure carries either a forwardly extending or rearwardly extending limb that is aligned symmetrically relative to the animal\'s longitudinal axis and is a limb of a type that is usually singular such as a tail, horn or trunk. The limb is shaped and sized similarly to the neck or handle of a conventional utensil, such as a toothbrush. At the end of this limb is positioned an operative utensil end such as a toothbrush head. The limb should be long enough to allow complete entry of the utensil into the child\'s mouth but not so long as to allow the child to choke upon the operative end of the utensil. As such, the handle should be large enough in diameter to prevent further entry of the utensil into the child\'s mouth.

The figure includes a set of legs or similar appendages that are sized and positioned so that when the figure is rested upon its legs on a substantially flat surface, the operative end of the utensil is suspended above the level of the flat surface preventing contact therewith. The utensil can be removable from the animal figure handle.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become clearer with reference

to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and brief description of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational side view of a child\'s toothbrush according to one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the child\'s toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the child\'s toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a child\'s toothbrush according to this invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a child\'s toothbrush according to this invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a removable toothbrush according to another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates a child\'s knife according to this invention;

Fig. 8 illustrates a child\'s fork according to this invention; and

Fig. 9 illustrates a child\'s spoon according to this invention.

Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

Figs. 1-3 illustrate various views of a child\'s toothbrush according to this invention. While the

following description relates specifically to a toothbrush, as will be described further below, a variety of other utensils can be adapted for use with the figure handle according to this invention. The toothbrush 10 includes a brushhead 12 of substantially conventional design. The head 12 may be sized so that it fits easily within a small child\'s mouth. The bristles 14 may be specifically adapted to the needs of small children\'s and toddler\'s teeth and, thus, may be smaller and softer than the bristles of adult toothbrushes. The head 12 of the toothbrush 10 is attached to a somewhat conventional narrow and elongated neck 16 having a length sufficient to extend out of the child\'s mouth when the brushhead 12 is positioned relative to the child\'s deepest teeth. In this manner, the toothbrush 10 may be inserted into the mouth to reach all of the child\'s teeth.

Unlike prior art designs, the end of the elongated neck 16 opposite the head 12 terminates in a large stylized figure 18 that acts as a gripping handle for the child to hold while brushing. The figure 18 may be molded integrally with or otherwise fastened to the elongated neck 16 and brushhead 12. The overall toothbrush according to this invention, therefore, comprises a brushhead, rod-like neck that is sized to allow the head to enter the child\'s mouth, and an enlarged handle in the shape of a toy-like figure.

According to this invention, the handle figure 18 comprises a decorative animal shape having ornamental clothing. The animal in this embodiment is a horse that, while stylized, is substantially to scale. In other words, the figure includes limbs and other appendages that are not grotesquely misproportioned with the remainder of its body. The toothbrush neck 16 comprises the tail of the horse with the brushhead 12 at its tip according to this embodiment. The tail is a natural element for the positioning of a brush according to this invention since it is an appendage that is symmetrical relative to the animal\'s longitudinal axis and it is singular, unlike the pairs of front and rear legs, 20 and 22 respectively. Due to the axial positioning of the brush 10, the body of the figure 18 may easily serve as a centrally disposed enlarged diameter handle. In addition, the tail of an animal, such as the depicted horse, is usually long, and thus, the elongated tooth brush 10 does not depart substantially from the overall scaled appearance of the animal figure according to this embodiment. Hence the tail location provides a natural and desirable position for the brush. As used herein, therefore, appendage locations such as the tail shall be referred to as limbs that are "singular and symmetrically positioned".

As noted above, the animal figure handle 18 according to this invention is sufficiently sized so that it cannot pass into the mouth of the child. In this manner, the toothbrush 10 can only extend into the child\'s mouth as far as its elongated neck 16, thus largely eliminating the possibility of choking by the child. The handle 18, in addition, includes a somewhat cylindrically proportioned body portion between the figure\'s head and the brush neck 16 that is sized in length and diameter such that it is easily held by a small child with no sharp protrusions to break free or otherwise cut the child\'s hands or mouth.

A notable structural feature of the figure 18 according to this embodiment is the set of four legs 20, 22 disposed along the bottom of the body. The four legs 20, 22 are located in conventional positions for a four legged animal and are depicted as bent into a crouched pose to retain the handle-like configuration of the figure. The legs 20, 22 are also flattened along their bottoms 26 so that the handle may be rested upon a substantially flat surface such as a countertop.

As depicted in Fig. 1, when the handle 18 rests upon a flat surface 28, the brushhead 12 is positioned so that it is suspended substantially above the flat surface. In this manner, the brush may remain clean and free from contact with a dirty

countertop. While the depicted brush 12 is disposed with its bristles 14 facing downwardly relative to the body of the figure 18, it is egually possible to dispose the bristles to the side or upwardly. Downward facing bristles are generally preferred since this allows the brushhead to drain properly. It is desirable primarily that the bristles remain suspended above the flat surface 28 when the figure 18 is placed with its legs 20, 22 upon the surface 28.

Since the figure 18 generally comprises a large stable four legged platform having substantial weight relative to the neck and brushhead, it resists tilting that would place the brushhead 12 into contact with the surface. Additional weight may be added to the interior of the figure 18 if desired, however.

An alternative embodiment of a handle figure according to this invention is depicted in Fig. 4. This figure 30 represents a stylized dog shape. Like the horse figure 18 of Figs. 1-3 the dog figure 30 includes four conventionally positioned bent legs 32, 34 that support the handle figure 30 stably upon a flat surface. In this position, the brushhead 36 and brush neck 38, which again comprise the figure\'s tail, are suspended above the surface. Similarly, the brush of this embodiment comprises a natural appendage or limb (tail) of the animal figure 30

that is singular and symmetrically positioned relative to the animal\'s body.

An additional alternative embodiment, depicted in Fig. 5, reveals another possible natural animal appendage that may comprise a toothbrush according to this invention. The animal figure 40 of this embodiment is an elephant. While the figure\'s tail 42 is a small asymmetric curl exiting the elephant\'s posterior body, the toothbrush 44 corresponds to the elephant\'s trunk and exits from its head 46. In this embodiment, the elongated neck 48 of the brush 44 carries a somewhat trunk-like shape rather than the more conventional square shapes shown for the necks in Figs. 1-4. The brushhead 50 remains relatively conventional, however. As in other embodiments, the brushhead 50 is suspended above a countertop or other substantially flat surface with the figure\'s four legs 52, 54 stably engaging the surface. Again, the trunk of the elephant comprises a singular axially symmetrically positioned appendage of the animal that provides a natural point of positioning for the toothbrush 44 according to this invention.

It is important to note that the animal figures depicted herein are contemplated only as exemplary embodiments. The toothbrush may correspond to a central horn on a rhinoceros styled handle, a unicorn styled handle or various dinosaur styled

handles. The brush may project outwardly from the figure in axial alignment with the body\'s longitudinal axis or it may be angled relative thereto (as in a unicorn). Additionally, while the brush neck is often depicted as a conventional squared rod projecting from the figure, it may comprise a shaped animal limb extending out to the brushhead.

Fig. 6 illustrates a child\'s toothbrush 60 and handle 62 according to an alternative embodiment of this invention. The handle is similar to that described in Figs. 1-3. While a horse is illustrated, any figure can be utilized according to this embodiment for the handle shape including the elephant figure of Fig. 5 in which the toothbrush extends from the trunk of the elephant. The brush 60 according to this embodiment includes an handle 62 having an end 64 opposite the brushhead 66 that is detachable from the handle 62. A conforming slot 68 is formed in the posterior end of the figure 62 in order to receive the handle end 64. In this manner, the handle 62 can be retained when the toothbrush bristles 70 become too worn for further use and the brush is discarded. The user need only purchase a new brush after removing and disposing of the old brush 60.

The brush end 64 according to this embodiment can be held in the slot 68 by a simple press fit or

can be more elaborately retained by means of, for example, spring loaded detents. According to one embodiment, the handle can include nipples 72 (shown in phantom) that are received by the detents 74 (shown in phantom) in the slot 68. Since the handle 62 can be constructed of a somewhat flexible material, the nipples 72 deform during insertion of the handle 62 into the slot 68 and subsequently snap into the detents 74 resulting in a relatively firm interengagement between the brush 60 and handle 62.

As noted above, the handle according to this invention can be adapted to support a variety of other utensils or "utensil elements" commonly employed by children. The familiar figures utilized as handles according to this invention taught in gaining the child\'s acceptance of the utensil. Thus, in training children to use knives, forks, and spoons, as well as other household utensils such as combs and hairbrushes, it can be desirable to provide a welcoming shape. Accordingly, Fig. 7 illustrates a figure 76 having a tail that comprises a utensil element in the form of a table knife 78. The knife 78 is essentially to scale in width, length and thickness with a normal tail of the animal figure 76. The knife 78 includes a shaft portion 80 extending directly from the posterior end of the animal in the general anatomical location of a tail. The knife widens to a blade portion 82 (the

"operative end") used for cutting food. The animal\'s front and rear feet 84 and 86, respectively, maintain the knife blade 82 off a flat surface such as a table.

Fig. 8 illustrates another animal handle 88 having a fork 90 in the position of the tail. The fork includes a shaft 92 extending form the posterior end of the animal figure 88 and also includes a fork end 94. Again, the fork is essentially to scale with a normal tail of the animal and positioned in the same location as a normal tail. The thickness of the shaft 92 is similar to that of a tail. The shaft 92 can be formed as an actual tail shape with only the fork end retaining the functional appearance of a table fork.

Fig. 9 illustrates a similar animal handle 96 having a tail in the form of a spoon 98. The spoon includes a shaft 100 that, in this embodiment, is somewhat conventional in shape, but can also mirror the shape of a normal tail. The spoon end 102 is of conventional shape and is sized, like the fork, to enter into the mouth of a small child.

In each of the embodiments of Figs. 8 and 9, the handle 88 and 96, respectively, serves to support the fork 90 and spoon 98 off a flat surface such as a table top. While each utensil element comprises a tail in the above-described embodiment, it can also

comprise an elephant trunk or similar head mounted limb or appendage.

It should, therefore, be understood that the foregoing is a detailed description of various preferred embodiments. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and equivalents can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preceding description is meant to be taken only by way of example and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: