U.S. patent application number 09/895514 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for brush with a wedge plate.
Invention is credited to Carr, Adam, Sieckowski, Steve.
Application Number | 20030000037 09/895514 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25404617 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carr, Adam ; et al. |
January 2, 2003 |
Brush with a wedge plate
Abstract
The present invention is a new and unique device which allows a
brush to be securely attached to a container. A wedge plate is
located at the brush head and in line with the handle. Offset from
the handle is a base plate. The base plate is wider and longer than
the wedge plate. When forced onto the rim of a bucket the invention
flattens a region of the rim between the base plate and the wedge
plate. This creates three points of contact with the brush--one on
the outside of the bucket and two flanking the first but on the
inside of the bucket.
Inventors: |
Carr, Adam; (Mendon, NY)
; Sieckowski, Steve; (Camillus, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON COBURN, LLP
ONE FIRSTAR PLAZA
SUITE 3500
ST LOUIS
MO
63101
US
|
Family ID: |
25404617 |
Appl. No.: |
09/895514 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/159.1 ;
15/171; 248/682; D4/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/00 20130101; A46B
15/00 20130101; A46B 2200/202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/159.1 ;
15/171; D4/134; 248/682 |
International
Class: |
A46B 005/00; A46B
015/00 |
Claims
1. A brush adapted to be wedged over a rim of a bucket comprising:
(a) a handle; and (b) a head connected to said handle wherein said
head further comprises a wedge plate flaring out from said handle,
a base plate flaring out from said handle and spaced apart from
said wedge plate, and a plurality of bristles attached to said base
plate, wherein said wedge plate and said base plate define a
central point and two lateral points which contact the rim of the
bucket when mounted.
2. The brush according to claim 1 wherein said wedge plate and said
base plate create a lateral and an axial mounting at said central
point and said lateral points.
3. The brush according to claim 1 wherein said handle is integrally
molded with said head.
4. The brush according to claim 1 wherein said handle is connected
by a fastener.
5. The brush according to claim 1 wherein said handle is
ergonomically shaped.
6. The brush according to claim 1 and further comprising a center
of gravity located on said head.
7. The brush according to claim 1 and further comprising a center
of gravity located between said handle and said head.
8. A brush adapted to be wedged over a curved portion of a rim of a
bucket comprising: a handle; a head connected to said handle, and
wherein said head further comprises a base plate connected to said
handle, a plurality of bristles attached to said base plate, a
wedge plate connected to said handle and spaced apart from said
base plate, wherein said wedge plate and said base plate define a
central point and two lateral points which contact the rim of the
bucket when mounted creating an axial and lateral mounting.
9. The brush according to claim 8 wherein said handle is integrally
molded with said head.
10. The brush according to claim 8 wherein said handle is connected
by a fastener.
11. The brush according to claim 8 wherein said handle is
ergonomically shaped.
12. The brush according to claim 8 and further comprising a center
of gravity located on said head.
13. The brush according to claim 1 and further comprising a center
of gravity located between said handle and said head.
14. A brush adapted to be wedged over a curved portion of a rim of
a bucket comprising: (a) a handle; and (b) a head connected to said
handle, wherein said head further comprises a plurality of
bristles, and a means for laterally wedging the brush around the
rim of the bucket.
15. The brush according to claim 14 wherein said head is flares out
from said handle.
16. The brush according to claim 14 wherein said means for
laterally wedging comprises a base plate connected to said handle,
a plurality of bristles attached to said base plate, and a wedge
plate connected to said handle and spaced apart from said base
plate.
17. The brush according to claim 16 wherein said wedge plate and
said base plate define a central point and two lateral points
contacting the rim of the bucket and creating a lateral and an
axial mounting at said central point and said lateral points.
18. The brush according to claim 16 wherein said handle is
integrally molded with said head.
19. The brush according to claim 16 wherein said handle is
connected by a fastener.
20. The brush according to claim 16 wherein said handle is
ergonomically shaped.
21. The brush according to claim 16 and further comprising a center
of gravity located on said head.
22. The brush according to claim 16 and further comprising a center
of gravity located between said handle and said head.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention relates generally to cleaning implements, and
more particularly, to a brush combined with a support adapted to
hang or otherwise mount the brush to the rim of a bucket.
[0005] There are many everyday jobs which require a brush and a
container of liquid. Painting, cleaning, and wallpapering are
examples of such jobs. When a break in the activity occurs, the
problem of where to place the brush arises. Placing the brush on a
floor or table creates a mess and can cause the brush to become
lost. Placing the brush in the container requires placing one's
hand into the liquid to retrieve the brush. There is thus a need
for a brush having additional features which allow the brush to be
suspended over a container.
[0006] It is generally known to combine a brush with a hook, clip,
notch, or angled recess in order to allow the brush to hang on or
over the rim of a container. The most common application of this
technology is with paint brushes. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,689,851; 2,723,826; 2,309,990; 1,763,696; 1,653,374; and
1,083,772 all show a mechanism which allows the paint brush to be
suspended over the open paint can allowing unused paint to drain
from the bristles of the brush back into the paint can. These
patents allow the brush to hang freely but do not provide a secure
attachment to the container. This technology has been used with
other types of devices. U.S. Patent No. D287,432 shows a commode
brush in combination with a hook. Similar to the paint brushes, the
hook allows the brush to hang freely. U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,546 shows
a hook allowing the scoop to hang freely from the upper lip of a
container. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,183 shows a clip located on
the handle which allows a broom to be securely attached to a
dustpan. The location and placement of the clip to the side of the
broom makes it difficult to align the clip with the rim of a
container and attach the broom.
[0007] As can be seen there is a need for a device which allows a
brush to be located proximate a container. Depending upon the type
of use, there exists a need for a mechanism which allows the brush
to be suspended in such a manner as to allow liquid to drain from
the bristles of the brush. At best, these prior art inventions
suggest using two connecting points separated by an axial distance,
where the axial distance is along the axis of the handle. The prior
art is limited in this regard in that the hooks, clips, notches and
angled recesses known allow a brush to be easily dislodged by
accidental contact.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a new and unique device which
allows a brush to be securely mounted on a container. The cheapest
and most durable buckets produced are semi-rigid plastic and
frusto-conical shaped. The present invention is especially suited
for use with the round rim of such a bucket. A wedge plate is
located at the brush head and in line with the handle. Offset from
the handle is a base plate. The base plate is wider and longer than
the wedge plate. When forced onto the rim of a bucket the invention
flattens a region of the rim between the base plate and the wedge
plate. This creates three points of contact with the brush, two
endpoints and one center point. The three points of contact are
laterally separated from each other in a direction that is
generally perpindicular to the handle. The center point of contact
must be on the opposite side of the rim from the two endpoints of
contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the brush.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the brush.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention in use with a
bucket.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference numbers indicate like elements, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a
brush 10 having a base plate 34 and a wedge plate 32 adapted to be
wedged over a rim of a bucket. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the
brush 10 has a handle 20, a head 30 and a plurality of bristles 36.
Preferably, the handle 20 and head 30 are integrally formed of any
suitable material, preferably plastic. In the alternative the
handle could be connected by any suitable fastener. The length of
handle 20 can be increased as needed to extend the reach of a user.
The length of the handle determines a center of gravity of the
brush. For a longer handle the center of gravity would be located
in the handle and for a shorter handle the center of gravity would
be located in the head. A portion of the handle can have a series
of raised ridges 38 to enhance gripping, and other gripping means
can also be used on the handle, such as a pattern of dimples or a
soft spongy material.
[0016] The head 30 of the brush 10 comprises a wedge plate 32, a
base plate 34 and a plurality of bristles 36. The base plate 34 and
wedge plate 32 can be of any shape including but not limited to
triangular, rectangular, oval and semi-circular. The bristles 36
can be any type of conventional brush bristles. The handle 20 is
generally linear and defines an axis, and the base plate 34 is
generally two dimensional and defines a base plate plane that is
preferably offset from the handle axis.
[0017] The wedge plate 32 flares out from the handle 20 and
converges back to a point 40 and the handle axis preferably runs
through the center of the wedge plate 32. Similarly, the base plate
34 also flares out from the handle. The wedge plate 32 and the base
plate 34 are spaced apart creating an empty space 38.
[0018] A second embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. 4.
In this embodiment the brush does not have an elongated handle. The
brush 110 has bristles 136, a base plate 134 and a wedge plate 132.
The wedge plate 132 also serves as the handle and is ergonomically
shaped to fit in a person's hand.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that the
invention is especially adapted for use with a semi-rigid plastic
and frusto-conical bucket 50. The bucket can be filled with a
liquid 52 and the brush 10 dipped into the bucket 50 in a normal
manner. To wedge the brush 10 on the rim 54 of the bucket 50, a
person places the endpoint 40 of the wedge plate 32 such that the
rim 54 of the bucket 50 is aligned with the space 38 between the
wedge plate 32 and the base plate 34. A downward push forces the
brush 10 over the rim 54. With the bristles 36 located above the
center of the bucket, the brush contacts the rim at three points. A
central point 60 of the wedge plate 32 contacts the outside of the
bucket and two lateral points 62 of the base plate 34 contact the
inside of the bucket. The spaced apart configuration of the plates
32 and 34 causes the rim 54 to deform between the two lateral
points 62 from a curved configuration towards a linear
configuration (best seen in FIG. 6). The resiliency of the rim 54
causes the deformed portion to attempt to return to a non-deformed
configuration, exerting a force on the brush 10 in both an axial
and lateral direction. The configuration of the present invention
creates a two-dimensional lateral mounting to a bucket and may also
have an axial attachment. The prior art is limited to creating a
one-dimensional attachment or a two dimensional axial attachment.
For example, a simple hook or clip would attach to a bucket with an
axial force, and would deform the rim at a single point creating
axial compression at that point. In contrast, the brush of the
present invention attaches to a bucket in a region of the rim
creating both axial and lateral compression in that region.
[0020] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several
advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. The
preferred embodiment and alternatives were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art
to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. As various modifications could be made in the
constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather
than limiting. For example, the head could e connected to the
handle by a fastener. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present
invention should not be limited by any of the above-described
exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance
with the following claims appended hereto and their
equivalents.
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