FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vibrating apparatus providing attachment site for mounting of different tools to be used in conjunction with the disclosed vibrating apparatus. In more specific, the present invention has water impermeable design that prevents the contained electronic components to contact with water thus it is suitable to be used in high humidity environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vibrating apparatus are commonly used in our daily life. For example, massaging apparatus employs vibration movement to relax the tensed muscle, oscillator in telecommunication gadget uses vibration to produce different wavelength for data transfer, or ultrasonic generator used in laboratory for dissolution of chemical compounds or cleaning laboratory apparatus through generating vibration movement onto the treated objects. Moreover, vibrating apparatus are also incorporated into toiletry products, such as toothbrush, to bring beneficial effects to the user through the vibration movement of the apparatus. However, to be used as toiletry products, these vibrating apparatus needs to be water proof to avoid possible malfunction due to long term exposure to the surrounding humid environment. Failure of these toiletry products is often caused by water seepage into the electronic circuit contained, possibly, lead to circuit failure or corrosion of the electronic components. In order to be water proofing, a much complicated design or mechanism is needed to be applied onto these products. Consequently, higher manufacturing cost is likely to be incurred considering the complex manufacturing process flow accompanied. Therefore, development of simple yet effective water proofing mechanism or design to be applied in vibrating toiletry products is highly appreciated.

International patent application no. WO2009006760 discloses an ultrasonic toothbrush claiming ability to generate micro-electricity in the mouth to rid off dirt mounted on the tooth besides vibration movement at the brush head for cleaning the tooth. The claimed tooth brush includes a toothbrush head with bristle, a handle, a sealed storage cavity contained within the toothbrush head, a conductor provided on the toothbrush head, and an exposed electrically conductive end provided on the toothbrush handle that the electrically conductive end and the conductor are connected to an output electrode respectively to allow generation of micro-electric at the conductor upon switching on the circuit.

Another electric toothbrush with vibrating brush head is disclosed in International patent application no. WO2008130246. The disclosed invention claims to have brush head with improved vibrating power while reducing vibration made onto the handle. The claimed invention includes a vibrating brush head, a main unit with a vibrator motor for transfer of vibrating power to the brush head and a battery connected to a switch for operation of the vibrator motor. The vibrator motor of this invention is at least partially contained in a rubber covering that surrounds the main unit to reduce vibrating power transferred to the handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a vibrating apparatus which can be fabricated through simple manufacturing process flow. Specifically, the disclosed apparatus utilize a unique mechanism for switching on and off the vibrating movement without utilizing conventional button. This unique mechanism greatly reduces the abundance of electronic components required for fabrication a vibrating apparatus as in conventional products.

Further object of the present invention is to disclose a vibrating apparatus with water proofing property thus can be employed as toiletry products.

Still another object of the present invention is to offer a vibrating apparatus which is ease to be manufactured owing to its simple design. Another object of the present invention aims to disclose a vibrating apparatus can be used in conjunction with different disengagably useful tools. Particularly, the present invention is fabricated with a site for coupling and decoupling of various useful tools that vibration movement may further improve basic function of these tools. For example, a toothbrush head can be mounted on coupling site to provide additional vibrating motion when the user brushing their teeth.

The present invention is a vibrating apparatus comprising an elongate shaft, enclosing a vibrating motor within, having an receiving end and a conducting end; a tubular handle, for housing a power source, with a first opening at one end and a relatively smaller second opening at another end that an adapting means is exposed at the second opening, a cover is located at the first opening and a resilient means is located within the tubular handle to connect the power source to the adapting means as well as a contacting point predisposed substantially around the second opening to form parts of an electric circuit; wherein the conducting end of the elongate shaft can be removably engaged to the adapting means to complete the electric circuit thus powering up the vibrating motor, while applying further pressure towards the resilient means through the elongate shaft causes retreat of the resilient means and detaches the adapting means from the contacting point to break the electric circuit to cease the vibrating motor.

To be water proof, in one embodiment, the disclosed apparatus further comprises a connecting means, to be attached around the conducting end, capable of removably securing the conducting end contacting with the adapting means to complete electronic circuit and maintaining detachment of the adapting means from the contacting point upon application of the further pressure.

Further aspect of the present invention, the connecting means attaches onto the tubular handle via thread fitting. Moreover one or more O-ring is predisposed at the elongate shaft around the conducting end which can correspondingly fit into grooves carved on the inner surface of the connecting means. For enhance versatility of the disclosed apparatus, the receiving end of the present invention provides a site for mounting of a tool to be used in conjunction with the vibrating apparatus.

In another aspect, the conducting end and the adapting means are contacting one another via tongue and groove mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the enlarged (a) cross-sectional view and (b) explosive cross- sectional view of the tubular handle of the embodiment shown in figure l;

Figure 3 is an explosive view of the adapting means shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transparent perspective view of one embodiment of the adapting means; and

Figure 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the details may be without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

The present invention discloses a vibrating apparatus (100), as shown in figure 1 , comprising an elongate shaft (110), enclosing a motor within, having an receiving end (1 13) and a conducting end (1 16); a tubular handle (120), for housing a power source

(130), with a first opening (121) at one end and a relatively smaller second opening (126) at another end that an adapting means (140) is exposed at the second opening (126); a cover (150) is located at the first opening (121) and a resilient means (160) is located within the tubular handle (120) to connect the power source (130) to the adapting means (140) as well as a contacting point (122) predisposed substantially around the second opening (126) to form parts of an electric circuit; wherein the conducting end (1 16) of the elongate shaft (1 10) can be removably engaged to the adapting means (140) to complete the electric circuit thus powering up the motor to generate vibration movement, while applying further pressure towards the resilient means (160) through the elongate shaft (110) causes retreat of the resilient means (160) and detaches the adapting means (140) from the contacting point (122) thus breaking the electric circuit to cease the vibration movement of the motor.

In respect to further modified embodiment, the vibrating apparatus (100) comprises an elongate shaft (1 10), enclosing a vibrating motor within, having an receiving end ( 1 13) and a conducting end (116); a tubular handle (120), for housing a power source (130), with a first opening (121) disposed on side surface of the tubular handle and a relatively smaller second opening (126) at one end that an adapting means (140) is exposed at the second opening (126), a cover (150) is located at the first opening (121) and a resilient means (160) is located within the tubular handle (120) to connect the power source (130) to the adapting means (140) as well as a contacting point (122) predisposed substantially around the second opening ( 126) to form parts of an electric circuit; wherein the conducting end (1 16) of the elongate shaft (1 10) can be removably engaged to the adapting means (140) to complete the electric circuit thus powering up the vibrating motor, while applying further pressure towards the resilient means (160) through the elongate shaft (110) causes retreat of the resilient means (160) and detaches the adapting means (140) from the contacting point (122) to break the electric circuit to cease the vibrating motor. Particularly, the first opening ( 121) of this modified embodiment is found on the side surface instead of at the end of the tubular handle (120). Preferably the elongate shaft (110) is made of plastic or rubber material which the vibrating motor is wholly contained within or shielded by the plastic material. Part of the circuit for activating the vibrating motor extends out from the vibrating motor to form part of the conducting end (116) to be connected with the adapting means (140). The other extreme of the elongate shaft (1 10) forms the receiving end (1 13) bearing a site for mounting and locking of a useful tool (180) equipped with a compatible locking mechanism. Representative examples of useful tools can be, but not limited to, a toothbrush head, a massage pad and the like.

Pursuant to another preferred embodiment as shown in figure 2, the tubular handle (120) contains a hollow space (205) for housing and fitting in the power source (130). The power source can be a rechargeable battery of any size and shape as long it can be housed within the tubular handle (120). It is more preferable that common battery of AA or AAA size is employed in the present invention. Preferably, there are two different openings available on the tubular handle (120), namely the first opening (121 ) at one end and a relatively smaller second opening (126) at another end. The first opening (121) preferably has a size or diameter slightly larger than the power source (130) thus the power source can be housed snugly within. Accordingly, a fully or partially demountable cover (150) is used in the present invention to seal off the first opening (121) letting the first opening to be exposed only when it is necessary (for example exchange of the battery). As shown in figure 2, the fully demountable cover (150) engages with the tubular handle (120) through a thread fitting mechanism, yet other mechanism like snap-lock can be employed as well in the present invention. It is possible too the cover (150) maybe partially demountable from the first opening (121). For example, part of cover circumference hinges on the tubular handle ( 120) around the first opening (121) and shields the first opening via a snap-lock mechanism found on the tubular handle (120) as well.

As in foregoing description, the second opening (126) is relatively smaller in size compared to the first opening (121). This can be achieved by having a convergence extension (123) perpendicularly projected out from the circumference at the end of the tubular handle (120) towards the center axis of the tubular handle (120). It is important to be noted that, in the embodiment where the cover and (150) the tubular handle (120) are conductive, the convergence extension (123) serves as the contacting points (122) to be connected to the adapting means (140) to form part of the electric circuit to power up the motor.

Another aspect of the present invention, the tubular handle (120) and cover (150) are made of plastic or rubber materials that one or more conducting strip is required to be embedded in the inner surface of the tubular member to connect the cathode of the power source (130) to the adapting means (140) forming part of the circuit to power the motor upon contact of the conductive end (116). More preferably, the conducting strip has one tip to make direct or indirect contact with the cathode of the power source (130) while another tip extends to form the predisposed contacting point (122) around the convergence extension (123). Yet, the contacting point (122) can be made onto the inner surface of the tubular handle (120) too as long the contacting point (122) can made contact to a conductive piece (143) which serve as anode for the embedded electric circuit.

According to the more preferred embodiment, the body of the tubular handle (120) and the cover (150) are made from conducting material such as aluminium. These components serve as part of the circuit to channel the electrical charges from the cathode of the power source (130) identical to the function of the conducting strip abovementioned.

Preferably, the resilient means (160) in the present invention is a spring or a spring plates made of conductive material which allows electric flow. The resilient means (160) is slightly compressed to push other housed components within the tubular handle (120) when the power source (130) is inserted into the hollow space (205). Possibly a plurality of resilient means can be employed, though a single resilient means (160) is more preferable. The resilient means (160) is positioned within the tubular handle (120) together with the power source (130) and the adapting means (140). The primary function of the resilient means in the present invention is to generate a compressive force within the hollow space (205) of the tubular handle (120) to push other components available in the hollow space (205) to tightly contacting one another to form a continuous circuit. Nevertheless, the resilient means (140) also play an important role in circuit breakage by retreating to disengage the adapting means (140) from the contacting point (122) upon sufficient applied counter pressure. Specifically, in the most preferred embodiment, the resilient means (140) mounts on the inner surface of the demountable cover with one end as presented in figure 2 and the other free end abutting the cathode of the power source (130) followed by the anode of the power source pushing the adapting means (140) to make contact with the contacting point (122).

It is feasible, in one embodiment where both cover (150) and body of the tubular handle (120) are made of conductive material, to have the resilient means (160) positioned in between the power source (130) and the adapting means (140). Consequently, the resilient means, preferably a spring element, pushes the cathode end of the power source (130) in contact with the conductive cover (150) at the bottom end while connects the anode end indirectly to the adapting means (140) at the upper end as well as presses the adapting means (140) against the contacting points (122) to form part of the circuit as in the above mentioned embodiment.

Referring to figure 2 and 3, the adapting means in the present invention is designed in such a way for connecting the conducting end (1 16) to the power source (130) to form a complete electronic circuit thus activating the motor. In the preferred embodiment, the adapting means (140) comprises a substantially circular core piece (141) with two through holes (142a and 142b) spaced apart at a predetermined gap and a vertical protrusion (147) disposed in between the through holes (142a and 142b) on its top flat surface, a conductive piece (143) placed on the top flat surface of the core piece (141) having three corresponding apertures (144a, 144b and 144c) enclosing the circumference of the through holes (142a and 142b) as well as the vertical protrusion (147) and a second conducting strip (145) with a first (146a) and second communication point (146b) that the first communication point (146a) is positioned at the bottom flat surface of the core piece (141) and the second communication point (146b) is located on the top flat surface or within the through hole (142b) as long the second communication point is contactable by the conducting end (1 16) wherein the first communication point (146a) touches the anode of the power source (130) and the second communication point (146b) is positioned in such a way not to contacting the conductive piece (143). Preferably the apertures (144a and 144b) of the conductive piece (143) enclosing the circumference of the through holes (142a and 142b) are much larger in diameter or size than the enclosed through holes (142a and 142b) in order to provide sufficient ground on the top flat surface for positioning the second communication point (146b). To be more specific, the second conducting strip (145) functions as an extension for the anode of the power source (130) with the first communication point (142a) to be in touch with the anode and the second communication point to be contacted by the conducting end (1 16). Likewise, the conductive piece (143) operates as the cathode of the power source (130) by indirect connection of the cathode of the power source (130) through the contacting point (122).

In accordance with the best mode embodiment, the adapting means (140) is placed atop in the tubular handle (120) followed by the power source (130) with the anode of the powers source contacting the first communication point (144a) of the second conducting strip (145) which the first communication point is located at the flat bottom surface of the adapting means (140). Owing to the compressive force of the resilient means (160), the conducting piece (143) touches the contacting point (122) available on the tubular handle (120) thus forming a connection with the cathode end of the power source (130).

Attention shall now bring to the conducting end (116) of the elongate shaft (1 10) for engaging onto the adapting means (140). Following the preferred embodiment, as in figure 1 and 4, the conducting end (116) comprises a pair of conductive plugs (1 18) extending out from the vibrating motor. In order to activate the motor, each of the conductive plugs is required to make contact with the conductive piece (143) and the second communication point (146b) respectively to complete the electrical circuit. The groove and tongue fitting in between the adapting means (140) and the conducting end (116) provides some gripping force to hold the elongate shaft (1 10) in place during vibration. Apart from that, some additional aids can be employed to improve the contact of the plugs (1 18) with the conductive piece (143) and the second communication point (146b). For example, at least one of the plugs is entangled with an electrical conductive spring. The electrical conductive spring renders the elongate shaft (1 10) to have some extent of shaking movement when the activated motor vibrates. Moreover, these electrical conductive springs greatly increase conductive surface area available on the plugs (118). This features is especially important in permitting one of the plugs (1 18) to touch the conductive piece (143) due to the large gap exists in between the through holes and edges of the enclosing apertures (144a and 144b) as above mentioned. For the most preferred embodiment, each of the plugs (1 18) is mounted with the electrical conductive spring. A perpendicular extension projected from the middle part of the plug may also be feasible in enabling sufficient contact to be made with the conductive piece (143) in accordance with another modified embodiment of the present invention.

As setting forth, one of the plugs (118) contacts the second communication point (anode) (146b) while another plug touches the conductive piece (cathode) (143) to activate the motor to vibrate. Following the most preferred embodiment, application of further pressure compresses the electrical conductive springs at the plugs (1 18) leading the base of the conducting end (116) to press against the vertical protrusion (147). The pressure on the vertical protrusion (147) subsequently causes the resilient means (160) to retreat thus detaching the conductive piece on the adapting means from the contacting point to break the electric circuit and stop the motor.

Further embodiment of the vibrating apparatus may comprise a connecting means (170), to be attached around the conducting end (116), capable of removably securing the conducting end (1 16) to contact with the adapting means (140) to complete the electronic circuit and lead to detachment of the adapting means (140) from the contacting point (122) upon application of further pressure. The connecting means in the preferred embodiment is a hollow tube with two different openings at its end, namely a top opening (171) and a bottom opening (172). The bottom opening has a diameter or circumference slightly larger than the tubular handle (120) permitting the connecting means (170) to be encased onto the tubular handle (120). The section of the connecting means around the top opening (171) is relatively smaller than the bottom opening in order to hold the elongate shaft within the hollow by the portion around the conducting end (116). To be used in conjunction with the connecting means (170), the section around the conducting end (116) of the elongate shaft (1 10) is fabricated to be relatively larger in size than the shaft body and the receiving end (113). Consequently, the receiving ends ( 1 13) and the shaft body can pass through the top opening (171) easily but not the expanded portion of conductive end (1 16). At the expanded portion around the conductive end (116), one or more circular indentation (1 19) is made for installation of O-ring (200). In consistent with the expanded portion, the inner surface of the connecting means (170) adjacent to the top opening (171) has the corresponding indentation (173) for fitting in the O-ring installed on the conductive end (116). Through fitting the installed O-rings (200) onto the indentation (173) on the connecting means (170), the elongate shaft is securely held by the connecting means.

For the connecting means (170) to mount on the tubular handle, thread fitting mechanism is employed. In more specific, the external surface of the tubular handle adjacent to the second opening is threaded to match the corresponding track found at the inner surface of the connecting means (170). When the tubular handle is turn to thread into the connecting means, the motor is activated upon connection of the plugs (118) onto the adapting means (140) and the disclosed vibrating apparatus is considered switched on. However, turning the tubular handle further into the connecting means shall slowly cause a counter-pressure to be applied onto the vertical protrusion (147) thus detaching the adapting means (140) from the contacting point (122) to stop the motor which the disclosed apparatus is deemed to be switched off at this state.

Apart from securing the elongate shaft (110) onto the connecting means (170), the CD- ring utilized in the present invention also confers water-proof characteristic to the present invention because it prevent water to seep through tubular handle ( 120) and spoil the disclosed apparatus. Preferably, one or more O-ring (200) can be disposed at the inner surface of the connecting means (170) around the bottom opening (172) to avoid water seepage from the small slit found in between the bottom opening (172) and the tubular handle (120). Besides O-ring, grease like material can be applied too to attain the similar water-proofing object. Similarly, O-ring (200) or grcasc-likc material may be disposed around the thread fitting of the cover (150) to attain the same purpose.

To improve water proofing capability of lhc present invention, a cap (206) can be further added onto the connecting means (170) as in figure 5. The cap (206 ) is preferably to be elastic n-shaped member that a slit is available on its top. It is originally smaller in size than the connecting means which it is stretched to be fitted tightly onto the top opening (171 ) of the connecting means ( 170) to substantially seal the top opening ( 171 ). The silt is fabricated to provide an entrance for the receiving ( 1 13) end and body of the elongate shaft ( 1 10) while the conductive end ( 1 16) engaged with the connecting means ( 170). Yet the slit is relatively smaller than the diameter of the shaft that it is stretched to tit and seal the void around the entry. Hence, the cap (206) avoids water seepage into the tubular handle (120).

Furthermore, a friction grip layer (208) may be coated on the external surface of tubular handle (120) and/or the connecting means ( 170) to improve user gripping onto the disclosed apparatus (100). The friction grip layer may also serves as a cushioning material to absorb vibration transmitted from the elongate shaft ( 1 10) to the tubular handle ( 120) to further comfort the user grip onto the present invention. Nonetheless, the grip onto the disclosed apparatus can be improved too without the friction grip layer. This can be simply done b\ making a plurality of small indentations or bumps on the external surface of the tubular handle ( 120) and/or the connecting means (170).

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.