DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a toothbrush holder 1 embodying principles of the present invention is shown. The toothbrush holder 1 includes a body member 2 having a rigid construction and geometric shape. The body member 2 has a front end 3 and a back end 4. The front end 3 of the body member 2 has at least one recessed surface 5 which surface is formed by providing at least two outwardly extending portions 6, 6′ having an inwardly extending portion 7 between the portions. Outwardly extending portions 6, 6′ and inwardly extending portion 7 acts together to provide one or a series of recessed surfaces 5 along the front end 3 of the body member 2. A deformable holding component 8 extends outwardly into each recessed surface 5 from the inwardly extending portion 7 of the body member 2. Holding component 8 has a center slot 9 which extends vertically from the inwardly extending portion 7 of the body member in a direction toward the front end 3 of the body member 2. Center slot 9 acts to form opposing gripping surfaces substantially in the center of the holding component 8. In use, the opposing gripping surfaces functions to frictionally engage a toothbrush between holding component 8 and the inwardly extending portion 7 of the body member 2.

[0018] A toothbrush may be secured in the toothbrush holder by substantially engaging a toothbrush within the toothbrush holder 1. Generally, the toothbrush will comprise a handle region having a predetermined surface contour shoulder. The toothbrush is secured in toothbrush holder 1 by substantially engaging the shoulder or other region of the handle within vertically extending center slot 9 by sliding the handle or other region into center slot 9 using a forward motion of the handle. Frictional forces between portions of the handle surface and opposing grip surfaces formed by center slot 9 secures the toothbrush in the holder 1 until removed by a user applying an opposite force to the handle. The friction is largely developed by wedging the shoulder or other region of the handle between each of the opposing gripping surfaces formed by slot center 9 and the inwardly extending portion 7 of the body member 2.

[0019] The toothbrush maybe any brand, size, shape or type which includes bristles and a handle. The handle normally has a relatively uniform thickness and includes a front surface, a rear surface, and side surfaces. The handle also generally includes a head portion, a body portion, a neck portion disposed between the head portion and the body portion, and a shoulder region or shank having sloped shoulder surfaces on the sides of the handle where the neck portion adjoins the body portion. The bristles are mounted on the head portion of the handle and the toothbrush is gripped in the user's hand by the body portion of the handle.

[0020] The body member 2 may be made of a variety of materials having sufficient rigidity to maintain the structural integrity of body member 2 under the intended use. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, wood, metal, ceramic or plastic. Preferably, body member 2 is made from a plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, polyurethane and epoxy resins. Body member 2 may be constructed using conventional techniques such as molding, extruding, shaping, etc. to form a rigid geometric shape. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, body member 2 may be shaped in any desired geometric shape provided such shape does not interfere with the principles of the invention as recited herein.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, holding component 8 is removable and replaceable to provide increased cost-savings and sanitary control. Once soiled, holding component 8 can easily be discarded and replaced. Holding component 8 is easily adaptable to hold toothbrushes of various brands, sizes, shapes and types by varying the size and shape of center slot 9. Holding component 8 may be formed by conventional means, i.e., molding, cutting, shaping, etc., using a deformable, flexible material such as rubber, foam or an elastomeric plastic material. Preferably, holding component 8 is formed from a rubber material. In one embodiment of the invention, the deformable material is treated with an antibacterial agent prior to or after forming holding component 8.

[0022] In FIG. 2, holding component 8 comprises an front end 10 and a back end 10′ and opposing side wall 13 and 13′ and a center slot 9 formed substantially in the center of the holding component in a vertical relationship with sidewalls 13 and 13′ to provide an opening at the front of the component. Holding component 8 is inserted in body member 2 through a series of adjacent internal slots 11 located within the interior of body member 2. Each internal slot 11 is shaped independently to be open and extend from the back end 4 of body member 2 to the front end 3 of body member 2 into a single recessed space 5. As shown in FIG. 4., each internal slot 11 may be separated from the adjacent slot by an internal wall 12 extending the height of body member 2 and at least a portion of the vertical width of the body member. This allows for independent insertion, retention, removal and/or replacement of a holding component 8 as desired.

[0023] The toothbrush holder may be used by affixing the body member 2 to a horizontal surface such as, for example a wall or a cabinet, using a suitable attaching means. In one embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 3., body member 2 may be attached to the horizontal surface by inserting screws in a series of holes 14 located along the lower front portion of the body member. Alternatively, the toothbrush holder may be fashioned as shown in FIG. 5 to contain a base 15 and form a free-standing unit.

[0024] Although the foregoing detailed description discloses preferred aspects embodying principles of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that such detail aspects of the present invention are subject to numerous modifications and alterations. For example, holder 1 can be formed or constructed out of a single piece of material or multiple pieces of materials. The holder 1 and/or body member 2 can be provided in many different geometric shapes. The recessed surface/s 5 can be shaped or otherwise adapted to secure virtually any size or shaped toothbrush using virtually any localized surface region of the toothbrush. Preferably, however, recessed surfaces 5 have a width in excess of the width or circumference of the region of the toothbrush to be secured within the holder 1. Holding component 8 may have various length sand shapes depending upon such factors as the number of opposing gripping surfaces desired, the size and shape of the toothbrush region to be secured, the geometric configuration of the recessed surfaces 5, and/or the geometric configuration of the body member 2, etc. Holding component 8 may be placed and secured within the body member in any manner which permits the component to be removable and useful to frictionally engage a desired portion of a toothbrush securely within the holder 1. The toothbrush holder 1 and/or the holding component 8 may be used generally to store and frictionally engage any dental cleaning device or equipment having a handle in a hygienic manner.

[0025] Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to specific embodiments as described in detail hereinabove.