Pressure sensing toothbrush

Abstract

A device for brushing teeth comprising a head having a plurality of bristles, a handle constructed and arranged for holding and manipulating the device, and a flexible neck coupled between said head and said handle, wherein the flexible neck bends relative to the handle when an external pressure greater than a maximum predetermined pressure is exerted against the head, to prevent more than a maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against teeth by the head of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for brushing teeth, said device comprising:
 a head, having a plurality of bristles protruding from a first surface thereof, for cleaning teeth;   a handle, constructed and arranged for holding and manipulating said device; and   a flexible neck coupled between said head and said handle, wherein said flexible neck bends relative to said handle when an external pressure greater than a maximum predetermined pressure is exerted against said head, to prevent more than a maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against said teeth by said head.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power switch located on said handle for activating and deactivating said device, said power switch having an “on” position and an “off” position;   a power source connected to said power switch; and   a vibrating mechanism connected to said power source.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure sensor in communication with said flexible neck and said vibrating mechanism, wherein said pressure sensor activates said vibrating mechanism when said external pressure exerted against said head is greater than a minimum predetermined pressure, and where said pressure sensor deactivates said vibrating mechanism when said external pressure exerted against said head is less than said minimum predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising an electronic timer in communication with said vibrating mechanism, where said electronic timer is activated when said vibrating mechanism is activated, and where said electronic timer is deactivated when said vibrating mechanism is deactivated. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic timer comprises:
 a processor, for at least counting down from a predetermined time value to a null time value, where said null value signals said vibrating mechanism to deactivate;   a memory chip, for storing said predetermined time value, said null value, a pause value, and an interval time value; and   a speaker, for emitting audio signals or music stored in said memory chip.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic timer signals said vibrating mechanism to emit at least a tactile signal, for indicating that said vibrating mechanism will deactivate within a time period determined by an interval time value stored in said memory chip. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic timer signals said processor, in connection with said speaker, to emit at least an audio signal, for indicating that said vibrating mechanism will deactivate within a time period determined by an interval time value stored in said memory chip. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said pause value stored in said memory chip is set to said null time value when said power switch is moved from the “on” position to the “off” position, whereby deactivating the vibrating mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said pause value stored in said memory chip is set to said predetermined time value when said power switch is moved from the “off” position to the “on” position, whereby said pause value is set to said predetermined time value. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible neck is constructed from a flexible material, wherein said flexible material bends proportionally as said external pressure exerted against said head increases, whereby preventing said external pressure greater than said maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against said teeth. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible neck comprises a flexible core surrounded by a flexible shell, and wherein said flexible core in combination with said flexible shell bends proportionally as said external pressure exerted against said head increases, whereby preventing said external pressure greater than said maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against said teeth. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said flexible core is constructed in a spring-shaped configuration, and wherein said flexible core bends proportionally as said external pressure exerted against said head increases, whereby preventing said external pressure greater than said maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against said teeth. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said flexible core is constructed in a flattened length configuration, wherein said flexible core is constructed in a spring-shaped configuration, and wherein said flexible core bends proportionally as said external pressure exerted against said head increases, whereby preventing said external pressure greater than said maximum predetermined pressure from being exerted against said teeth. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is separable into a first section and a second section, where said first section comprises a first connecting end, and said second section comprises a second connecting end, said first connecting end and said second connecting end joining to connect said first section and said second section. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is separable into a first section and a second section, where said first section comprises a first connecting end, and said second section comprises a second connecting end, said first connecting end