US2284200A - Gum massaging and teeth strengthening device - Google Patents

Description

F. J. GRUSS May 26, 1942.

GUM MASSAGING AND TEETH STRENGTHENING DEVICE Filed' Nov. 12, 1940 v I h ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1942 H ED TATE$ N T oee 'ce' GUM MASSAGING AND TEETH STRENGTHENING DEVICE Francis J.- Gruss, San Francisco, Calif. Application November 12, 1940, Serial No.e365,155 4 Claims. -(o1. 128-62) This invention relates to a gum massaging and teeth strengthening device. V

The. object of the presentinvention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of devices .of the character-;de--

gums; to provide a rubber sleeve whichserves to maintain' the proper spacing between'' the massaging tips and which also 1 functions asfa member which may be grasped-or bitten by the teeth to exercise and strengthen them; and further, to provide a device of the character described in which all parts are readily removable and separable for cleaning and sterilization after use.

The gum massaging and teeth strengthening device is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the same;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the massaging device is applied to the gums adjacent the teeth;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device showing the sleeve, together with the outer head and the detachable clamping plate removed from the shank;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the spacing sleeve;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the outer head; and

heads 8 and 9,'and acombination bite and spacing sleeve l0.

The massaging heads are identical in con-.

struction, the head part of'each, being made of 1 rubber and'the heads tapering from the center outwardly, being of maximum thickness at the center'and thinnest at the outer end, to give flexibility. Bristle-likerubber massaging tips II are provided at the outer end of each head member, and a central opening [2 isformed in each head to permit the'headstto be slipped-over and'into place on the shank t. The clamping plate 6 has two right-angular flanges one at each end, to grip the side edges of the adjacent massaging head, and it is rigidly secured against the shoulder 3, as removal of this plate is'not necessary. The clamping plate I is identical in construction, with the exception that "a slot la is 'formed therein, 'andrecesses lb areformed on opposite sides of theslot ,to receive the fin,-

gers' 5-5, as will later be described. Q I V If the several parts,- ;to&wit,'-the massaging heads the clamp 1, and thesleeve; have been removed from the shank for cleaning or sterilizing,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the detachable clamping plate.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, A indicates a handle having a metallic rod or extension 2 terminating in a shoulder 3. Extending outwardly from the shoulder, at right angles to the rod, is a shank 4, the outer end of which is provided with a pair of opposed fingers 5-5 to form a T-shaped interlocking head, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described, and adapted to be slipped over and secured to the shank are a pair of clamping plates 6 and 1, a pair of massaging they are replaced as follows: First, the head 8 is applied to the shank and forced against the clamping plate 6; the sleeve I0 is next placed in position, then the head'9 and finally the clamping plate 7. The application of plate 1 is accomplished by turning it so that the slot 7a lies parallel to the fingers 5-5; the plate is then pushed inwardly against the head 9, causing this together with the sleeve I i) and head 8 to be slightly compressed. When this happens, the

fingers 5-5 pass through the slot la, and by then turning the plate so that the slot assumes a position at right angles to the fingers 5-5, it may be released, permitting the fingers to enter the depressions 1b, thereby forming an interlock which secures the plate 7 and the remaining parts in position and against removal while the device is being used; However, when the parts are to be removed for cleaning or otherwise, it is quickly and easily accomplished by merely depressing the plate 1 and turning it until the slot 1a aligns with the fingers 5-5. In this event the plate is removable, and so. are the other parts, and theymay thus be individually cleaned and sterilized.

The device is not intended merely for massaging of the gums adjacent the teeth, but it is s also used for strengthening the teeth. This may Also, by biting the sleeve and pulling on the 'handle in a sidewise direction,the teeth are further exercised and strengthened.

The device is equally applicable to the upper and lower teeth; and as the head members 8 and 9 are disposed'at right anglesto the handle A and the shank 2,- thehandle ,will normally assume a horizontal position when the gums are being massaged, while-the heads will assume a vertical position, and as they are comparatively narrow, all parts of the gums, from the innermost molars to the front, may be thoroughly massaged, such massaging bringing about free head member, an outer head member on the shank engaging the opposite end of the sleeve, said head and the inner head being constructed of rubber and both heads having rubber massaging tips formed on their adjacent surfaces, and

a detachable clamping plate engaging the outer head member and interlocking with the interlocking head, said 'detachable clamping plate when removed permitting removal of both of the head members and the sleeve.

3. A gum massaging and teeth strengthening device comprising a handle, a shank secured to one end of the handle andat right angles therecirculation ofblood, with the result that a healthy tough gum tissue is formed.

While this and other features of 'my'invention have been more or less specifically illustrated and described-I nevertheless wish it'understood that changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described and illustrated my in- 1. A gum massaging and teethstraightening devicecomprising a handle, a shank secured to .one end of the handle andiat right angles'thereto, apair of spaced head members carriedby the shank, rubber massagingtips formed at each end of each head and pointing toward each other, said head members and the rubber tips carried thereby being flexible throughout their length, a rub- 1 bersleeve carried by the shankand disposedbetween the head members, and detachable means onthe shank to permit application or removal of the head members and sleeve from the shank. 2. A gum massaging and teeth strengthening devicecomprisinga handle, a shank secured to one end of the handle and at'right angles thereto, said shank terminating in an interlocking head, a clamping plate on the shank, an-inner head member on the shank and disposed in engagement with the clamping plate, a rubber to, said shank terminating in a T-shaped head, a pairv of spaced elongated rubber head members carried by the shank, rubber massaging tips formed on the adjacent faces of the heads, a

, rubber sleeve disposed'between the heads, an invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

nerand an outer clamping plate on the shank, said plates engaging the respective head members and maintaining. them in a position at right anglesv to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and

-, carried by the shank, massagingtips formed at each end of each head and pointing toward each sleeve on the shank in engagement with the other, said-head members and massaging tips being constructed frubber and the head members decreasing. in thickness towards the opposite ends so as to render them increasingly flexible, a rubber. sleeve carried by the shank and disposed between the head members, and detachable means-on the shank to permit applicationor the shank.

removal orthe head members and sleeve from FRANCIS J. Gauss}

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