United States Patent (19)
`Jeannet et al.
`
`54) TOOTHBRUSH
`75 Inventors: Roland Jeannet, Dusseldorf, Germany;
`Robert Leutwyler, Boppelsen; Werner
`Leutwyler, Zurich, both of Switzerland
`73 Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer
`Products, Inc., Skillman, N.J.
`This patent issued on a continued pros
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`Notice:
`
`*
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/479,631
`22 Filed:
`Jan. 7, 1999
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation of application No. 09/163,237, Sep. 30, 1998,
`abandoned, which is a continuation of application No.
`09/053,942, Apr. 2, 1998, abandoned, which is a continua
`tion of application No. 08/926,597, Aug. 21, 1997, aban
`doned, which is a continuation of application No. 08/617,
`974, Mar. 15, 1996, abandoned, which is a continuation of
`application No. 08/382,943, Jan. 31, 1995, abandoned,
`which is a continuation of application No. 08/195,978, Feb.
`14, 1994, abandoned, which is a continuation of application
`No. 07/990,736, Dec. 15, 1992, abandoned.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`30
`Dec. 19, 1991 DEI Germany ............................. 41 41891
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................................................ A46B 9/04
`52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 15/167.1; 15/145; 15/176.1;
`15/176.6; 403/327; 403/349
`58 Field of Search .................................... 15/144.1, 145,
`15/167. 1, 172, 176.1-176.6; 403/326, 327,
`348, 349
`
`USOO6161244A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,161,244
`*Dec. 19, 2000
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`607,105 7/1898 Wilkinson ........................... 403/349 X
`935,493 9/1909 Gramm et al.
`15/167.1 X
`2002,320 5/1935 Jones ......................................... 15/172
`2,091,716 8/1937 Petta ...
`... 15/172
`2,527,256 10/1950 Jackson
`403/349 X
`3.081,783 3/1963 Miller ................................. 15/176.1 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`676374 2/1930 France ................................... 403/349
`923.294 2/1947 France ................................... 403/349
`92.9815
`1/1948 France .................................. 15/176.2
`Primary Examiner Mark Spisich
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay
`LLP
`ABSTRACT
`57
`The invention relates to a toothbrush (20) with a brush head
`which can be secured on a brush handle (24) by a bayonet
`catch (26). The bayonet catch comprises a locking pin (28)
`which is mounted in the front end of the brush handle (24)
`in Such a way that it can be displaced axially to a limited
`extent but is non-rotatable and which is Subject to the action
`of a prestressing device (50). The brush head (22) is pro
`vided with a recess (102) which has a locking groove
`pursuant to which the brush head (22) is mounted on the
`locking pin (28) by engagement of a bayonet Stud (32) in the
`locking groove (106), the locking pin (28) being pulled out
`of the brush handle (24) counter to the prestressing device
`(50) until the bayonet stud (32) locks into a lock-in portion
`(114) of the locking groove. Since the locking groove is
`arranged in the bristle bed (100) of the brush head (22), a
`minimum use of material for the brush head, which is
`disposable after wearing out, is guaranteed and the brush
`head is reliably secured on the brush handle.
`10 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`ZEZZZZ,2ZZ
`ZZ44
`gé225 Rae
`ZZZZZ
`
`43 S
`ea
`
`
`
`SharkNinja Ex. 1008
`SharkNinja et al. v. Dyson Technology Limited,
`IPR2024-00219
` Page 1 of 9
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
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`6,161,244
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 2 of 9
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`6,161,244
`
`
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 3 of 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`6,161,244
`
`Z9
`
`99
`
`89
`
`9/
`
`
`
`
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 4 of 9
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 19, 2000
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`6,161,244
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`
`
`12
`
`1 OO
`
`360°
`
`270°
`
`180°
`
`FIG. 6
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 5 of 9
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`6,161,244
`
`FG. 8
`
`32
`
`28
`
`46
`
`32a
`
`FIG. 9
`
`+ -XI
`121
`
`22 122
`46
`56
`SN2 (46&
`NLZZZZZZZZZZy
`126 -/ 28-0 30
`K&
`Q
`
`w
`
`FIG 10
`
`
`
`120
`
`46
`
`FIG 11
`
`FIG. 12
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 6 of 9
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`

`

`1
`TOOTHBRUSH
`
`6,161,244
`
`This is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 09/163,
`237, filed Sep. 30, 1998, now abandoned, which is a
`continuation of Application Ser. No. 09/053,942, filed Apr.
`2, 1998, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Appli
`cation Ser. No. 08/926,597, filed Aug. 21, 1997, now
`abandoned, which is a continuation of Application Ser. No.
`08/617,974, filed Mar. 15, 1996, now abandoned, which is a
`continuation of Application Ser. No. 08/382,943, filed Jan.
`31, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Appli
`cation Ser. No. 08/195,978, filed Feb. 14, 1994, now
`abandoned, which is a continuation of Application Ser. No.
`07/990,736, filed Dec. 15, 1992, now abandoned.
`The invention relates to a toothbrush, the brush head of
`which is connected releasably to the brush handle by a
`plug-in and lock-in connection.
`EPO 326 363 A1 discloses a toothbrush in which the
`brush handle has a conical shape at its front end and in which
`the rear end of the brush head, the said end facing the brush
`handle, has a corresponding receSS. The cone on the brush
`handle is provided with an annular bead which engages in an
`annular groove in the receSS of the brush head and thus
`forms a Snap-in holding device which fixes the brush head
`on the brush handle in the axial direction. Longitudinal ribs
`provided on the cone engage in corresponding longitudinal
`grooves in the receSS of the brush head in order to provide
`a connection fixed in terms of rotation.
`The object on which the invention is based is to improve
`a toothbrush of the known generic type Stated in Such a way
`that a firm, reliable connection between the brush head and
`the brush handle is provided in the longitudinal direction
`during its use, also providing a child-proof Safety catch, but
`that the brush head can nevertheless be released again
`relatively easily from the brush handle and, if required,
`replaced by a new brush head. The material requirement for
`the disposable brush head should be minimal.
`The invention achieves this object by the fact that the
`releasable connection between brush head and brush handle
`is designed as a bayonet catch.
`The bayonet catch can advantageously be assigned an
`unlocking device having an actuating member which is
`displaceably mounted in the brush handle and is connected
`to the bayonet catch, which can thus be unlocked by
`actuating the unlocking device. The bayonet catch expedi
`ently comprises at least one locking groove in an axial receSS
`in a rear end of the brush head, the Said end facing the brush
`handle, and a locking pin in an axial sliding bearing of the
`front end of the brush handle, the said end facing the brush
`head. The locking pin is here mounted in the sliding bearing
`in such a way that it is movable backwards and forwards to
`a limited extent but is non-rotatable, and is resiliently
`prestressed in the direction away from the brush head. At its
`end protruding freely out of the brush handle, the lockingpin
`is furthermore provided with at least one bayonet stud
`directed radially to the locking pin and intended for engage
`ment in the locking groove of the brush head.
`It is particularly advantageous if the locking groove is
`arranged in the rear end of the bristle bed of the brush head
`and the Sliding bearing is arranged in the front end of the
`neck on the brush handle. Extremely economical use of
`material for the production of the replaceable brush head is
`thereby achieved.
`The limitation of the axial movement of the locking pin
`is advantageously achieved by means of radial projections of
`the locking pin which engage in exclusively longitudinally
`displaceable fashion in longitudinal guides in the wall of the
`
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`sliding bearing in the brush handle. It is furthermore advis
`able to design the sliding bearing and the locking groove as
`integral components of the brush handle and of the brush
`head respectively. The sliding bearing can be designed Such
`that it is delimited for the locking pin, at its inner end facing
`away from the brush head, by a transverse wall against
`which the inner end of the pin Shank rests, that end of the pin
`Shank which extends through an axial bore of the transverse
`wall being connected to a part of a prestressing device, the
`other part of which is secured in the brush handle. The
`prestressing device may, like the locking pin, be produced
`from plastic, with the result that the entire toothbrush is
`composed exclusively of plastic.
`The locking groove in the brush head for receiving the
`locking pin with the bayonet Stud expediently consists of a
`curve portion parallel to the axis, a curve portion extending
`in the axial direction and over a circumferential angle of the
`longitudinal bore, and of a locking portion angled towards
`the rear end of the brush head.
`The invention is explained in greater detail in the draw
`ing by means of the Schematic drawing of illustrative
`embodiments of the toothbrush according to the invention.
`In the drawing:
`FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through the longitudinal
`centre line of a toothbrush with mounted brush head,
`FIG. 2 shows the toothbrush in a view similar to that in
`FIG. 1 but with the brush head in the unlocked position,
`FIG. 3 shows a partially sectioned plan view of the rear
`Side of the brush, the Said rear Side facing away from the
`bristles,
`FIG. 4 shows a view in accordance with IV-IV in FIG.
`1 of the front end of the handle neck, the said end facing the
`brush handle,
`FIG. 5 shows a view in accordance with V-V in FIG.
`
`1,
`
`FIG. 6 shows a curve development of the locking groove
`of the bayonet catch,
`FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the rear end of a brush head, the
`Side view of a lockingpin and an end View of the lockingpin
`in FIG. 8,
`FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of an unlocking
`device in a vertical Section along the longitudinal centre line,
`FIG. 11 shows a plan view relating to FIG. 10, and
`FIG. 12 shows a section along the line XII-XII in FIG.
`10.
`FIGS. 1 to 3 show a toothbrush 20, the brush head 22 of
`which is locked to a brush handle 24 by a bayonet catch 26.
`The bayonet catch comprises a locking pin 28 which is
`mounted in a sliding bearing 30 in the forward handle neck
`46 of the brush handle 24 in such a way that it is displaceable
`axially to a limited extent but is non-rotatable and which
`protrudes with its front end out of the front end of the handle
`neck, the Said end facing the brush head 22. The free outer
`end of the locking pin 28 is provided with a radially
`projecting bayonet Stud 32. The locking pin 28 is provided
`approximately halfway along its length with one or more
`longitudinal ribs 34, which engage in longitudinal grooves
`36 in the sliding-bearing wall of the handle neck. The
`longitudinal grooves 36 are longer than the longitudinal ribs
`34 of the locking pin 28 by the stroke length of the locking
`pin 28 and in this way ensure the limited axial displaceabil
`ity of the locking pin 28. The front end 38 and the rear end
`40 of the lockingpin Serve as cylindrical guide Shanks which
`are guided in corresponding coaxial bores 42 and 44,
`respectively, of the Sliding bearing in the handle neck 46.
`The rear shank end 40 of the locking pin 28, the said end
`protruding into a cavity 48 of the brush handle 24, carries a
`
`SharkNinja Ex. 1008
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 7 of 9
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`

`3
`prestressing device 50 which, in the illustrative embodiment
`under consideration, is designed as a helical compression
`Spring 52. The ends of the helical compression Spring are
`Supported, on the one hand, on a transverse wall 54 in the
`brush handle 24, the Said transverse wall containing the bore
`44, and on a Supporting disc 56 which is Secured on the inner
`end of the threaded pin 28.
`FIGS. 1 to 3 furthermore show an unlocking device 60
`comprising a pressure plate 62 which is mounted in longi
`tudinally displaceable fashion in the rear end 64 of the brush
`handle 24. In plan view, the pressure plate is of H-shaped
`configuration, as FIG. 3 shows, a central web 66 of the
`preSSure plate being mounted in an axial Slot 68 in the brush
`handle 24 in Such a way that it can be displaced backwards
`and forwards to a limited extent. In this arrangement, the
`inner plate part 70 of the pressure plate 62 normally rests
`against stop faces 72 in the brush handle 24. This position is
`secured by a wire 74 being fixed or loosely inserted in the
`plate part 70 at 76 and extending with longitudinal mobility
`through transverse walls at 78,80, 82,84, 86 in FIG. 2 and
`engaging with its end facing away from the pressure plate in
`a spherical cup 92 in the rear end of the locking pin 28 and
`resting against the latter. Since the wire is of Sufficiently
`rigid design, the pressure plate 62 is at all times held in the
`position shown in FIG.3 by the locking pin 28 Subject to the
`action of the prestressing device 50. If the pressure plate 62
`is pressed into the brush handle 24, the locking pin 28 can
`be moved axially out of the handle neck 46, counter to the
`action of the prestressing device 50, by a stroke length which
`permits unlocking, this stroke length being determined by
`the length of the longitudinal grooves 36 in the handle neck
`46 for the longitudinal ribs 34 on the locking pin 28.
`The brush head 22 has a bristle bed 100 which, as shown
`in particular by FIGS. 1 and 5, is distinguished in the region
`of an axial receSS 102 by a central, longitudinally extending
`bulge. In this way, the parting plane between the abutting
`end faces of the brush head 22 and the handle neck 46 is
`brought extremely close to the bristles 104 of the brush
`element, a considerable Saving in material thereby being
`achieved for the brush head 22, which can be discarded after
`a certain time in use and replaced by a new brush head.
`Arranged in the cylindrical wall of the recess 102 in the
`brush head 22 is at least one locking groove 106, the
`development of which can be seen from FIG. 6. According
`to this figure, the locking groove consists of an axial portion
`108, adjoining which is a helically curved portion 110,
`which merges into a portion 112 extending transversely to
`the axial direction of the receSS 102 and merging at the outer
`end into a lock-in portion 114 which is angled by 90 relative
`to portion 112 towards the rear end facing the brush handle
`24 and accommodates the bayonet stud 32 in the lock-in
`position. 116 denotes the lock-in path which the bayonet
`stud with the locking pin 28 must travel into the interior of
`the brush handle 24, under the action of the prestressing
`device 50, in order to be able to reach the lock-in position
`or be moved back out of the lock-in position into the locking
`groove when the brush head 22 is to be removed from the
`brush handle 24.
`The locking groove is produced from injection-moulded
`plastic as an integral component of the bristle bed, as can be
`seen from the view in FIG. 4. 118 denotes annular sealing
`ribs in FIG. 4, the Said ribs guaranteeing reliable Sealing of
`the parting plane between the brush head 22 and the brush
`handle 24.
`AS FIG. 5 shows, the closing angle or angle of rotation
`of the brush head from the mounting position to the closing
`position of the bayonet catch is 135, the closing direction
`being indicated by the arrow X.
`
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`6,161,244
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`4
`Two diametrically opposite locking grooves 106, 106a
`can be seen in the brush element 22 in FIG. 7. In this case,
`the closing angle is only 90. FIG. 8 shows corresponding
`bayonet studs 32 and 32a, these being shown in an end view
`in FIG. 9.
`Another embodiment of an unlocking device 120 is
`depicted in FIGS. 10 to 12. This unlocking device 120
`comprises an unlocking button 121, which is guided by
`means of a connecting pin 124 in an elongated slot 122 on
`the rear Side of the handle neck 46, the Said pin being
`secured on the underside of the unlocking button 120 and
`being firmly connected to the locking pin 28 by means of a
`locking peg 126. Although, in this embodiment, the locking
`pin 28 can likewise be provided with the longitudinal ribs 34
`which engage in the longitudinal grooves 36 of the brush
`neck 46 in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, the unlocking
`button 121 with its connecting pin 124 and locking peg 126
`may be quite Sufficient as a stop for the limitation of the axial
`backwards and forwards mobility of the locking pin 28, as
`FIG. 10 shows by means of the brush head 22, depicted in
`essentially broken-away form. Appropriate Selection of the
`characteristic of the helical compression Spring 52 allows
`the bayonet catch for the illustrative embodiments in FIGS.
`1, 2 and 10 to be configured in such a way that it can be used
`as a child-proof catch. It is Self-evident that it is also
`possible, instead of the helical compression Spring, to use
`tension Springs, one end of which is anchored on the rear end
`of the locking pin and the other end of which is anchored in
`the brush handle 24. The Springs used can, if required, like
`the locking pin and the unlocking devices in FIGS. 1, 2 and
`10, be composed completely of plastic Since, if required, the
`wire 90 in FIG. 1 can also be composed of a relatively
`flexurally Stiff plastics material.
`LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
`20 Toothbrush
`22 Brush head
`24 Brush handle
`26 Bayonet catch
`28 Locking pin
`30 Sliding bearing
`32 Sayonet stud
`32a Bayonet stud
`34 Longitudinal ribs
`36 Longitudinal grooves
`38 Front end
`40 Rear end
`42 Bore
`44 Bore
`46 Handle neck
`48 Cavity
`50 Prestressing device
`52 Helical compression Spring
`54 Transverse wall
`56 Supporting disc
`60 Unlocking device
`62 Pressure plate
`64 Rear end
`66 Central web
`68 Slot
`70 Plate part
`72 Stop face
`74 Wire
`78 Transverse wall
`80 Transverse wall
`82 Transverse wall
`84 Transverse wall
`
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`IPR2024-00219
` Page 8 of 9
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`6,161,244
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`86 Transverse wall
`90 Wire
`92 Spherical cup
`100 Bristle bed
`102 Recess
`106 Locking groove
`106a Locking groove
`104 Bristles
`108 Portion
`110 Portion
`112 Portion
`114 Portion
`116 Lock-in path
`118 Sealing ribs
`120 Unlocking device
`122 Elongated slot
`124 Connecting pin
`126 Locking peg
`What is claimed is:
`1. A toothbrush comprising a brush head and a brush
`handle;
`wherein Said brush head comprises a front end and a rear
`end;
`wherein Said brush head includes an axial receSS
`extending along a longitudinal axis of Said rear end
`of said brush head;
`wherein Said brush handle comprises a front end and a
`rear end; and
`wherein Said brush handle further comprises an axial
`Sliding bearing extending along a longitudinal axis
`of said front end of said brush handle;
`wherein Said brush head is releasably connected to Said
`brush handle by a bayonet catch;
`wherein Said bayonet catch comprises
`at least one locking groove in Said axial receSS in Said
`rear end of Said brush head; and
`a locking pin which is mounted in Said axial sliding
`bearing:
`wherein Said locking pin comprises
`a front end which protrudes out of said front end of
`said brush handle wherein said front end of said
`locking pin comprises at least one bayonet Stud,
`each said bayonet Stud being directed radially to
`the lockingpin and engaging a corresponding Said
`locking groove; and
`wherein Said locking pin is movable within Said axial
`Sliding bearing to a limited extent along Said longi
`tudinal axis of said front end of said brush handle and
`is non-rotatable about Said longitudinal axis of Said
`front end of Said brush handle; and wherein said
`lockingpin is resiliently prestressed by a prestressing
`device along Said longitudinal axis of Said front end
`of said brush handle in a direction away from the
`brush head.
`
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`2. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the axial
`Sliding bearing is an integral component of the brush handle
`(24) and the locking groove is an integral component of the
`brush head.
`3. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the
`locking groove comprises a first curve portion parallel to the
`axis, a Second curve portion extending in the axial direction
`and over a circumferential angle of the axial receSS and a
`locking portion for engaging the bayonet Stud of the locking
`pin, the Said locking portion being angled towards the rear
`end of the brush head.
`4. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the brush
`handle further comprises a handle neck.
`5. The toothbrush according to claim 4 wherein the brush
`head further comprises a bristle bed comprising a front end
`and rear end and wherein the locking groove is arranged in
`the rear end of the bristle bed of the brush head and the axial
`Sliding bearing is arranged in the front end of the handle
`neck.
`6. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the walls
`of Said axial sliding bearing include at least one longitudinal
`locking groove.
`7. The toothbrush according the claim 6, wherein the
`locking pin further comprises at least one longitudinal rib
`which projects radially from the lockingpin, which includes
`a rear end, and which engages longitudinally the at least one
`longitudinal locking groove.
`8. The toothbrush according to claim 7
`wherein the axial sliding bearing comprises a first end and
`a Second end; and
`wherein Said Second end of the axial sliding bearing is
`bounded by a stop of the longitudinal locking
`groove, against which stop the rear end of the at least
`one longitudinal rib rests, and
`wherein the locking pin includes an end Shank, which
`end Shank extends out of the Second end of the axial
`Sliding bearing into the interior of the brush handle;
`and
`wherein the prestressing device comprising a first end
`and a Second end is connected at its first end to the
`end Shank and is connected at its Second end within
`the brush handle.
`9. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the
`toothbrush further comprises an unlocking device wherein
`Said unlocking device comprises an actuating member which
`is displaceably mounted on Said brush handle and is con
`nected to Said bayonet catch and which is capable of
`unlocking Said bayonet catch when actuated.
`10. The toothbrush according to claim 9 wherein said
`locking groove includes a locking portion and wherein Said
`actuating member is connected to the locking pin and allows
`the locking pin to be moved out of the locking portion in the
`brush head counter to the action of the prestressing device.
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`SharkNinja Ex. 1008
`SharkNinja et al. v. Dyson Technology Limited,
`IPR2024-00219
` Page 9 of 9
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