TOOTHBRUSH ASSEMBLY

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a toothbrush assembly and, more particularly, to modular toothbrush assembly including a handle formed by a plurality of interchangeable grip members.

2. Background Information

Toothbrushes are typically designed to facilitate oral hygiene practices such as cleaning and/or massaging the teeth and/or gums of a user. For children, in particular, it is important to maintain oral hygiene and also to instill and develop healthy oral hygiene practices including toothbrushing practices. Various toothbrush configurations are known in the art. While these known toothbrushes may be suitable for their intended purposes, there is always room in the art for improvement.

SUMMARY

It should be understood that any or all of the features or embodiments described herein can be used or combined in any combination with each and every other feature or embodiment described herein unless expressly noted otherwise.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a toothbrush assembly includes a shaft, a toothbrush head, and a handle. The shaft extends along an axis between and to a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The shaft includes a shaft sidewall extending between and to the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The toothbrush head is disposed at the first shaft end. The toothbrush head includes a head portion and a plurality of bristles attached to the head portion. The handle extends about the shaft and along the axis between and to a first handle end and a second handle end. The first handle end is disposed at the brush head. The handle includes an outer radial side extending between and to the first handle end and the second handle end. The outer radial side forms a grip surface for the toothbrush assembly. The handle further includes a plurality of grip members forming the outer radial side. The plurality of grip members are axially arranged along the shaft sidewall to form the outer radial side between the first handle end and the second handle end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shaft sidewall may include a shaft thread. Each grip member of the plurality of grip members may include a grip member body. The grip member body may include an inner grip member sidewall. The inner grip member sidewall may include a grip member thread configured to engage the shaft thread. The inner grip member sidewall may form a mounting aperture extending through the grip member body along the axis.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shaft sidewall may form a shaft mating feature. Each grip member of the plurality of grip members may include a grip member body. The grip member body may include an inner grip member sidewall. The inner grip member sidewall may form a grip member mating feature. The grip member mating feature may be engaged with the shaft mating feature.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shaft mating feature and the grip member mating feature may have a same polygonal cross-sectional shape.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may include an end grip member. The end grip member may be fixedly attachable to the shaft at the second shaft end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shaft sidewall may include a shaft thread. The toothbrush head may further include a base portion. The base portion may include a toothbrush head sidewall forming a shaft cavity of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush head sidewall may include a toothbrush head thread configured for engagement with the shaft thread.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may include a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member may be different than the second grip member.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may be axially movable along and engaged with the shaft sidewall.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the toothbrush assembly may further include a vibration subassembly disposed within the shaft. The vibration subassembly may include a vibration module, a battery module, and a control module. The vibration module may be electrically connected to the battery module and the control module. The vibration module may be configured to effect vibration of the toothbrush head.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the control module may include an actuating pushbutton at the second shaft end.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a toothbrush assembly includes a shaft and a toothbrush head. The shaft extends along an axis between and to a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The shaft includes a shaft sidewall extending between and to the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The shaft sidewall includes a shaft thread. The toothbrush head is disposed at the first shaft end. The toothbrush head extends along the axis between and to a first head end and a second head end. The toothbrush head includes a toothbrush head body and a plurality of bristles. The toothbrush head body includes a head portion and a base portion. The head portion is disposed at the first head end. The base portion is disposed at the second head end. The base portion includes a toothbrush head sidewall forming a shaft cavity of the toothbrush head at the second head side. The toothbrush head sidewall includes a toothbrush head thread configured for engagement with the shaft thread with the first shaft end positioned within the shaft cavity. The plurality of bristles are attached to the head portion.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the toothbrush assembly may further include a handle. The handle may include a plurality of grip members positionable on the shaft sidewall to form an outer radial side of the handle. The plurality of grip members may be axially movable along and engaged with the shaft sidewall.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, each grip member of the plurality of grip members may include a grip member body. The grip member body may include an inner grip member sidewall. The inner grip member sidewall may include a grip member thread configured to engage the shaft thread. The inner grip member sidewall forms a mounting aperture extending through the grip member body.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may include a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member may be different than the second grip member.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the toothbrush assembly may further include a vibration subassembly disposed within the shaft. The vibration subassembly may include a vibration module, a battery module, and a control module. The vibration module may be electrically connected to the battery module and the control module. The vibration module may be configured to effect vibration of the toothbrush head.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a toothbrush assembly includes a shaft, a toothbrush head, and a handle. The shaft extends along an axis between and to a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The shaft includes a shaft sidewall between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The toothbrush head is disposed at the first shaft end. The toothbrush head includes a toothbrush head body and a plurality of bristles. The toothbrush head body includes a head portion and a base portion. The base portion is selectively fixedly attachable to the shaft at the first shaft end. The plurality of bristles are attached to the head portion. The handle extends about the shaft and along the axis. The handle forms a grip surface for the toothbrush assembly. The handle includes a plurality of grip members. The plurality of grip members are axially arranged along the shaft sidewall to form the grip surface.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the shaft sidewall may include a shaft thread. Each grip member of the plurality of grip members may include a grip member body. The grip member body may include an inner grip member sidewall. The inner grip member sidewall may include a grip member thread configured to engage the shaft thread. The inner grip member sidewall may form a mounting aperture extending through the grip member body along the axis.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may be axially movable along and engaged with the shaft sidewall.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the plurality of grip members may include a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member may be different than the second grip member.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the toothbrush assembly may further include a vibration subassembly disposed within the shaft. The vibration subassembly may include a vibration module, a battery module, and a control module. The vibration module may be electrically connected to the battery module and the control module. The vibration module may be configured to effect vibration of the toothbrush head.

The present disclosure, and all its aspects, embodiments and advantages associated therewith will become more readily apparent in view of the detailed description provided below, including the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toothbrush assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cutaway, side view of the toothbrush assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a partial cutaway, side view of a toothbrush head for the toothbrush assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a shaft for the toothbrush assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cutaway, side view of a grip member for the toothbrush assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a top view of the grip member of FIG. 5, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-E schematically illustrate various shapes of grip members for toothbrush assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cutaway, side view of another toothbrush assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a cutaway, side view of a portion of another toothbrush assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a controller for the toothbrush assemblies of FIGS. 8 and/or 9, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of another toothbrush assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a top view of a grip member for the toothbrush assembly of FIG. 11, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a toothbrush assembly 20. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the toothbrush assembly 20. FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway, side view of the toothbrush assembly 20. The toothbrush assembly 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 extends along an axis 22 (e.g., an axial centerline) between and to a first axial end 24 of the toothbrush assembly 20 and a second axial end 26 of the toothbrush assembly 20. The toothbrush assembly 20 includes a toothbrush head 28, a shaft 30, and a handle 32. The toothbrush assembly 20 may additionally include a vibration subassembly 34 (see FIG. 8).

The toothbrush head 28 forms and is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the first axial end 24. The toothbrush head 28 includes a body 36 and a plurality of bristles 38. The body 36 extends (e.g., axially extends) along the axis 22 between and to a first head end 40 of the body 36 and a second head end 42 of the body 36. The first head end 40 is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the first axial end 24. The second head end 42 is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the shaft 30 and the handle 32. The body 36 includes a head portion 44, a base portion 46, and a stem portion 48. The head portion 44 forms and is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the first head end 40. The bristles 38 are attached (e.g., fixedly attached) to the head portion 44. The bristles 38 may extend orthogonally or substantially orthogonally relative to the axis 22. The base portion 46 forms and is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second head end 42. The base portion 46 is a radially enlarged portion of the body 36, for example, relative to the head portion 44 and the stem portion 48. The stem portion 48 extends between and connects the head portion 44 and the base portion 46.

The toothbrush head 28 (e.g., the base portion 46) is connected to the shaft 30 at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second head end 42. For example, the body 36 may be detachable mounted to the shaft 30, as will be discussed in further detail, to allow the toothbrush head 28 to be selectively and periodically replaced as the bristles 38 wear over time (e.g., during use of the toothbrush assembly 20). Alternatively, however, the toothbrush head 28 (e.g., the body 36) and the shaft 30 may form a single, monolithic body.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 46 may form a shaft cavity 50 of the toothbrush head 28 at the second head end 42. The shaft cavity 50 may extend on and along the axis 22 from the second head end 42 to a distal end 52 of the shaft cavity 50 formed by the base portion 46. The shaft cavity 50 may be further formed by a sidewall 54 of the base portion 46 extending (e.g., axially extending) from the second head end 42 to the distal end 52. The sidewall 54 may extend circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the axis 22 to circumscribe the shaft cavity 50.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway view of a portion of the toothbrush head 28. The sidewall 54 of FIG. 3 includes a thread 56 (e.g., a screw thread, a helical thread, etc.). The thread 56 extends circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the axis 22 to facilitate selective attachment and engagement between the toothbrush head 28 and the shaft 30. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the foregoing exemplary configuration of the sidewall 54 with the thread 56.

The shaft 30 extends (e.g., axially extends) along the axis 22 between and to a first shaft end 58 of the shaft 30 and a second shaft end 60 of the shaft 30. The first shaft end 58 is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the toothbrush head 28. For example, the first shaft end 58 may be disposed within the toothbrush head 28 (e.g., within the shaft cavity 50). The second shaft end 60 may be disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second axial end 26. The shaft 30 includes a sidewall 62 forming an outer radial side of the shaft 30. The sidewall 62 extends between and to the first shaft end 58 and the second shaft end 60.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a portion of the shaft 30. The sidewall 62 of FIG. 4 includes a thread 64 (e.g., a screw thread, a helical thread, etc.). The thread 64 extends circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the axis 22 to facilitate selective attachment and engagement between the toothbrush head 28 and the shaft 30. In particular, the thread 64 is configured to engage the thread 56 to selectively retain the shaft 30 (e.g., the first shaft end 58) installed in the shaft cavity 50. The thread 64 extends (e.g., axially extends) along all or a substantial axial portion of the sidewall 62 between the first shaft end 58 and the second shaft end 60. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the foregoing exemplary configuration of the sidewall 62 with the thread 56 or to threaded engagement between the toothbrush head 28 and the shaft 30. For example, secure and selective attachment between the toothbrush head 28 and the shaft 30 may alternatively be made by an interference fit (e.g., friction fit), a snap fit, magnetic attachment, or another suitable attachment interface.

The handle 32 extends (e.g., axially extends) along the axis 22 between and to a first handle end 66 of the handle 32 and a second handle end 68 of the handle 32. The first handle end 66 is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the toothbrush head 28 (e.g., the second head end 42). The second handle end 68 may be disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second axial end 26. The handle 32 includes an outer radial side 70 forming a grip surface 72 for the toothbrush assembly 20. The outer radial side 70 extends about (e.g., completely around) the axis 22 between and to the first handle end 66 and the second handle end 68.

The handle 32 includes and is formed by a plurality of grip members 74. The grip members 74 are arranged axially along the shaft 30 to form the handle 32 extending between and to the first handle end 66 and the second handle end 68. For example, the grip members 74 may be arranged to extend axially between and to the toothbrush head 28 (e.g., the second head end 42) and an axial position at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second axial end 26. Each of the grip members 74 may be selectively attached to the shaft 30 such that each of the grip members 74 extend circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the shaft 30 and the axis 22. The grip members 74 form the outer radial side 70 between and to the first handle end 66 and the second handle end 68. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the handle 32 with four of the grip members 74, however, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular number of the grip members 74 for forming the handle 32.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the grip members 74 (e.g., an exemplary one of the grip members 74). FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway, side view of the grip members 74. FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the grip members 74. Each of the grip members 74 includes a grip member body 76. The grip member body 76 may be configured, for example, as a monolithic block configured for selective installation or removal, in its entirety, from the shaft 30. The grip member body 76 includes a first end 78 (e.g., a top end), a second end 80 (e.g., a bottom end), and an outer sidewall 82. The grip member body 76 extends (e.g., axially extends) between and to the first end 78 and the second end 80, for example, along the axis 22. The outer sidewall 82 extends (e.g., axially extends) between and to the first end 78 and the second end 80. The outer sidewall 82 extends about (e.g., completely around) the grip member body 76 (e.g., and the axis 22) to form an outer surface 84 of the grip member body 76. The outer surface 84 of the grip member body 76, for each of the grip members 74, forms the outer radial side 70 of the handle 32 and, hence, the grip surface 72 for the toothbrush assembly 20.

The grip member body 76 of FIGS. 5 and 6 further includes an inner sidewall 86. The inner sidewall 86 extends (e.g., axially extends) between and to the first end 78 and the second end 80. The inner sidewall 86 forms and circumscribes a mounting aperture 88 of each respective one of the grip members 74. The mounting aperture 88 extends between and to the first end 78 and the second end 80 within the grip member body 76, for example, along the axis 22. The inner sidewall 86 of FIG. 5 includes a thread 90 (e.g., a screw thread, a helical thread, etc.). The thread 90 may extend circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the axis 22 to facilitate selective attachment and engagement between the respective one of the grip members 74 and the shaft 30. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the foregoing exemplary configuration of the inner sidewall 86 with the thread 90. For example, secure and selective attachment between each of the grip members 74 and the shaft 30 may alternatively be made by an interference fit (e.g., friction fit), a snap fit, magnetic attachment, or another suitable attachment interface.

FIGS. 7A-E illustrate top views of the grip members 74 with various shapes and sizes. For example, a shape of the outer sidewall 82 may be selected to facilitate formation of the grip surface 72 with an effective gripping shape and/or an ornamental and aesthetically desirable shape. The grip members 74 may be sized to accommodate an effective grip by different hand sizes (e.g., younger children and older children). Each of the grip members 74 installed on the shaft 30 to form the handle 32 may have a same or different size and/or shape. For example, each of the grip members 74 may have a different size and/or shape than one, more than one, or each other one of the grip members 74.

The configuration of the toothbrush assembly 20 facilitates simplified replacement and interchangeability of the different components of the toothbrush assembly 20 including, for example, the toothbrush head 28, the shaft 30, and the handle 32 (e.g., the grip members 74). For example, the components of the toothbrush assembly 20 may be completely disassembled from one another to facilitate improved cleaning and drying of the different components. After continued use of the toothbrush head 28, the bristles 38 may have degraded to a point in which replacement of the toothbrush head 28 becomes desirable. The toothbrush head 28 may, for example, be simply detached from the shaft 30 (e.g., by rotating the toothbrush head 28 relative to the axis 22 to decoupled the thread 56 from the thread 64), and a new instance of the toothbrush head 28 attached to the shaft 30 using a similar process. One, more than one, or each of the grip members 74 may be similarly attached and detached from the shaft 30, as modular and interchangeable units, to facilitate customization of the look and feel of the toothbrush assembly 20 and its handle. For example, a user may design and/or change the configuration of the handle 32 and its grip members 74 using grip members 74 having same or different shapes, sizes, materials, designs, colors, and the like. This interchangeability and customization provided by the grip members 74 may facilitate improved attention to and interest in use of the toothbrush assembly 20 (e.g., for toothbrushing), particularly for children, thereby contributing to improved oral hygiene and development of healthy oral hygiene practices.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the toothbrush assembly 20 may include the vibration subassembly 34. The vibration subassembly 34 may be disposed on and/or within the shaft 30. The vibration subassembly 34 of FIG. 8 includes a vibration module 92, a battery module 94, and a control module 96. As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft 30 may include a selectively detachable shaft portion 112 configured to allow access to components of the vibration subassembly 34 such as, but not limited to, the battery module 94 (e.g., to install, remove, or replace one or more batteries of the battery module 94). For example, the shaft portion 112 may be a threaded cap installed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) and forming the second shaft end 60. The vibration subassembly 34 may, alternatively, be fully contained and sealed within a single-piece configuration of the shaft 30, such that the shaft 30 and its internal vibration subassembly 34 may be replaced, as a unit, as one or more batteries or other components of the vibration subassembly 34 become inoperable. Alternatively, the single-piece configuration of the shaft 30 and its internal vibration subassembly 34 may be engaged, as a unit, with an external battery charging assembly (e.g., an inductive charging assembly) to facilitate recharging the one or more batteries of the battery module 94).

The vibration module 92 is configured to apply a vibration (e.g., subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibration) to the toothbrush assembly 20 (e.g., to the toothbrush head 28) to facilitate improved performance of the toothbrush assembly 20 for cleaning teeth. The vibration module 92 may be disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the first shaft end 58 and, for example, at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) and/or within (e.g., axially and radially within) the toothbrush head 28. For example, the vibration module 92 may include an electric motor configured to drive vibration of the vibration module 92 (e.g., and the toothbrush head 28) in subsonic, the sonic, or the ultrasonic vibration ranges. Alternatively, for example, the vibration module 92 may include one or more piezoelectric transducers configured to drive vibration of the vibration module 92 (e.g., and the toothbrush head 28). The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the foregoing exemplary configurations of the vibration module 92 for effecting vibration. The vibration module 92 is electrically connected to the battery module 94 and the control module 96. The battery module 94 is configured to retain and house one or more batteries configured to provide electrical power for operation of the vibration module 92. The battery module 94 may be configured for use with rechargeable batteries or non-rechargeable batteries. The battery module 94 may be disposed within the shaft 30 axially between the vibration module 92 and the control module 96. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular position of the battery module 94 within the shaft 30. The control module 96 is configured to selectively complete or interrupt an electrical circuit between the battery module 94 and the vibration module 92 to facilitate selective energization and deenergization of the vibration module 92 by a user. The control module 96 may be disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second shaft end 60.

The control module 96 may include a pushbutton 98 configured, when pushed or otherwise actuated, to control the energization or the deenergization of the vibration module 92. As shown in FIG. 8, the pushbutton 98 may be disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second shaft end 60 and the second axial end 26. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the second shaft end 60 and the pushbutton 98 may be axially recessed within the handle 32 (e.g., within one of the grip members 74 forming the second axial end 26), such that the pushbutton 98 is axially spaced from the second axial end 26. The recessed configuration of the pushbutton 98 may facilitate a reduced likelihood of inadvertent energization or deenergization of the vibration module 92 through actuation of the pushbutton 98.

In some embodiments, the control module 96 may include a controller 100. FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of the controller 100. The controller 100 may be connected in communication (e.g., signal communication) with the vibration module 92, the battery module 94, and/or the pushbutton 98 to control and/or receive signals therefrom to perform the functions described herein. The controller 100 includes a processor 102 connected in signal communication with memory 104. The processor 102 may include any type of computing device, computational circuit, processor(s), CPU, computer, or the like capable of executing a series of instructions that are stored in memory 104. Instructions can be directly executable or can be used to develop executable instructions. For example, instructions can be realized as executable or non-executable machine code or as instructions in a high-level language that can be compiled to produce executable or non-executable machine code. Further, instructions also can be realized as or can include data. Computer-executable instructions also can be organized in any format, including routines, subroutines, programs, data structures, objects, modules, applications, applets, functions, etc. The instructions may include an operating system, and/or executable software modules such as program files, system data, buffers, drivers, utilities, and the like. The executable instructions may apply to any functionality described herein to enable the vibration subassembly 34 to accomplish the same algorithmically and/or coordination of vibration subassembly 34 components. For example, the instructions may enable the control module 96 to control energization and deenergization of the vibration module 92 based on actuation of the pushbutton 98, a length time for energization of the vibration module 92 (e.g., a timer function) following pushbutton 98 actuation, a vibration frequency and/or intensity of the vibration module 92, similar control functions for the vibration subassembly 34. The memory 104 may include a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices (e.g., a computer-readable storage device that can be read, written, or otherwise accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computing device, including any processing electronics and/or processing circuitry capable of executing instructions). The present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of memory device, which may be non-transitory, and may include read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory, optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, magnetic tape, other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing one or more instructions, and/or any device that stores digital information. A person of skill in the art will recognize that portions of the controller 100 may assume various forms (e.g., digital signal processor, analog device, etc.) capable of performing the functions described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments of the toothbrush assembly 20, the sidewall 62 of the shaft 30 and the inner sidewall 86 of the grip member body 76 may be configured without threads (e.g., the thread 64 and the thread 90; see FIGS. 4 and 5). For example, the sidewall 62 may have a mating feature 106 having, for example, a circular, elliptical, or polygonal (e.g., non-circular) cross-sectional shape (e.g., along a plane orthogonal to the axis 22) extending axially from the second shaft end 60 to or toward the first shaft end 58. The inner sidewall 86 may have a counterpart mating feature 108 having, for example, a circular, elliptical, or polygonal (e.g., non-circular) cross-sectional shape (e.g., along a plane orthogonal to the axis 22) matching the mating feature 106 and extending axially from the first end 78 to the second end 80. The mating feature 106 and the mating feature 108 of FIGS. 11 and 12 have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing exemplary configuration of the mating features 106, 108. The grip members 74 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may include an end grip member 110 configured to axially retain the grip members 74 on the shaft 30. The end grip member 110 may be fixedly attachable to the shaft 30 at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the second shaft end 60. For example, the end grip member 110 may be fixedly engaged with the shaft 30 by an interference fit (e.g., friction fit), a snap fit, magnetic attachment, or another suitable attachment interface.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

It is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a block diagram, etc. Although any one of these structures may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one or more than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “comprising a specimen” includes single or plural specimens and is considered equivalent to the phrase “comprising at least one specimen.” The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, “comprises” means “includes.” Thus, “comprising A or B,” means “including A or B, or A and B,” without excluding additional elements.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the present description and drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option.

The terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and other similar terms of approximation used throughout this patent application are intended to encompass variations or ranges that are reasonable and customary in the relevant field. These terms should be construed as allowing for variations that do not alter the basic essence or functionality of the invention. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, variations due to manufacturing tolerances, materials used, or inherent characteristics of the elements described in the claims, and should be understood as falling within the scope of the claims unless explicitly stated otherwise.

No element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, and so on-may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. For example, in the exemplary embodiments described above within the Detailed Description portion of the present specification, elements may be described as individual units and shown as independent of one another to facilitate the description. In alternative embodiments, such elements may be configured as combined elements.