U.S. patent application number 10/197081 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for cleaning brush with releasable, disposable head.
Invention is credited to Jackson, Sally B..
Application Number | 20040010877 10/197081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30442895 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040010877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson, Sally B. |
January 22, 2004 |
Cleaning brush with releasable, disposable head
Abstract
The present invention cleaning brush includes a handle member
and a brush member which are connected to one another in a
locking/unlocking fashion and wherein they are separated from one
another by a mechanism component that is located on the handle
member remotely from the brush member. The handle member has a
first end having a handle portion and a second end having a
mechanism for removably attaching the brush member. The brush
member has one of a male and female fittage and the second end of
the handle member has the other of the male fittage and the female
fittage. There is a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the
male fittage and the female fittage relative to one another. The
locking mechanism includes lock-unlock manually operated component
remotely located from the brush member, typically toward or near
the first end of the handle member.
Inventors: |
Jackson, Sally B.; (Liberty
Twp., NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth P. Glynn, Esq.
Glynn & Associates, P.C.
24 Mine Street
Flemington
NJ
08822
US
|
Family ID: |
30442895 |
Appl. No.: |
10/197081 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/176.6 ;
15/145; 15/176.1; 15/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
2200/304 20130101; A46B 2200/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/176.6 ;
15/176.1; 15/145; 15/210.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 007/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaning brush, which comprises: a.) a handle member having a
first end and a second end, said first end having a handle portion
and second end having means for removably attaching a brush member;
b.) a brush member removably attached to said second end of said
handle member, said brush member having one of a male and female
fittage and said second end of said handle member having the other
of said male fittage and said female fittage; and, c.) a locking
mechanism for locking and unlocking said male fittage and said
female fittage relative to one another, said locking mechanism
including a lock-unlock manually operated component remotely
located from said brush member.
2. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said handle member
includes a gripping area adjacent to its first end.
3. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said handle member is at
least partially hollow and said locking mechanism is contained
within said hollow area.
4. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said handle member is at
least partially hollow and includes at least two slits beginning at
said second end and extending towards said first end so as to
create at least two flexible sections, said at least two flexible
sections each containing one of a protrusion or a recess and said
brush member containing the other of said protrusion and said
recess, such that, in a rest position, said brush member is
connected to said handle member at said male and said female
fittages with said protrusion interlocking with said recesses, and
in a non-rest position wherein when a user squeezes said at least
two flexible sections, said protrusions are removed from said
recesses so as to unlock said brush member to said handle
member.
5. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said handle member is at
least partially hollow and said locking mechanism includes a
lock-unlock latch adjacent said second end of said handle member
and a lock-unlock manually operated component connected thereto and
remotely located from said second end said lock-unlock manually
operated component being selected from a group consisting of a
button, a switch, a knob, a trigger, a dial, and a pull.
6. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said brush member is of
biodegradable material.
7. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said brush member has a
plurality of bristles.
8. The cleaning brush of claim 1 wherein said handle member has
male fittage and said brush member has female fittage
9. The cleaning brush of claim 8 wherein said handle member
contains said recesses and said brush member contains said
protrusions which extend outwardly therefrom and are adapted to fit
into said recesses.
10. The cleaning brush of claim 9 wherein said recesses are
orifices.
11. A cleaning brush, which comprises: a.) a handle member having a
first end and a second end, said handle member having two halves, a
first half extending from a midpoint to said first end and a second
half extending from said midpoint to said second end, said first
end having a handle portion and second end having means for
removably attaching a brush member; b.) a brush member removably
attached to said second end of said handle member, said brush
member having one of a male and female fittage and said second end
of said handle member having the other of said male fittage and
said female fittage; and, c.) a locking mechanism located at said
fittage for locking and unlocking said male fittage and said female
fittage relative to one another, said locking mechanism including a
lock-unlock manually operated component remotely located from said
brush member and located within said handle member first half.
12. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said handle member
includes a gripping area adjacent to its first end.
13. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said handle member is at
1 least partially hollow and said locking mechanism is contained
within said hollow area.
14. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said handle member is at
least partially hollow and includes at least two slits beginning at
said second end and extending towards said first end so as to
create at least two flexible sections, said at least two flexible
sections each containing one of a protrusion or a recess and said
brush member containing the other of said protrusion and said
recess, such that, in a rest position, said brush member is
connected to said handle member at said male and said female
fittages with said protrusion interlocking with said recesses, and
in a non-rest position wherein when a user squeezes said at least
two flexible sections, said protrusions are removed from said
recesses so as to unlock said brush member to said handle
member.
15. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said handle member is at
least partially hollow and said locking mechanism includes a
lock-unlock latch adjacent said second end of said handle member
and a lock-unlock manually operated component connected thereto and
remotely located from said second end said lock-unlock manually
operated component being selected from a group consisting of a
button, a switch, a knob, a trigger, a dial, and a pull.
16. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said brush member is of
biodegradable material.
17. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said brush member has a
plurality of bristles.
18. The cleaning brush of claim 11 wherein said handle member has
male fittage and said brush member has female fittage.
19. The cleaning brush of claim 18 wherein said handle member
contains said recesses and said brush member contains said
protrusions which extend outwardly therefrom and are adapted to fit
into said recesses.
20. The cleaning brush of claim 19 wherein said recesses are
orifices.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to cleaning brushes, and, more
specifically, to such brushes that are used for sanitary
applications wherein a user may be reluctant to touch the brush end
after use, e.g. after toilet cleaning. More specifically, the
present invention cleaning brush has a releasable, disposable head
with a release mechanism which is operated remotely from the brush
head.
[0003] 2. Information Disclosure Statement
[0004] The following patents illustrate various brush arrangements
that show the state of the art:
[0005] U.S. Pat No. 2,247,526 describes a mirror, brush or similar
construction, a frame and handle assemblage to receive a mirror or
brush element comprising a split resilient sheet metal channel rim
and U-shaped cross section constituting the periphery of the frame,
a separate handle member having a throat portion connected to said
frame at the split in said channel rim, a backing member having an
enlarged portion of the same shape and outline as the mirror and
back of the brush element, the edges of said mirror or brush
element and said backing member being tightly held within said
channel rim and between the side flanges and drawn tightly up and
resiliently wedged between said side flanges, said handle member
being provided with an axial bore adjacent the frame and said
backing member being provided with a threaded extension extending
into said bore, said handle member being laterally pierced and said
piercing being provided with parallel upper and lower faces and an
elongated nut member fitted into said piercing also having upper
and lower parallel end faces closely abutting the faces of said
piercing and threaded upon said threaded extension and serving to
draw up said handle upon said frame.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,778 describes a having a body portion
having an integral circular plate head and an elongate flat solid
handle portion, a central depression in the inner face of said
head, a central opening in the outer face of said head
communicating with said depression, a circular plate member
threadably secured to said head within said depression, an annular
shoulder on the outer marginal edge of said plate member, said
shoulder adapted to engage the inner face of the head, to limit the
movement of said plate member to form said central depression as a
chamber within the head, said central opening in the outer face of
said head being connected with said chamber, and sealing means
about said central opening in the outer face of said head,
truncated conical openings in said circular plate member, truncated
conical plugs in said truncated conical openings, bristle tufts
carried by said plugs, and central bores in said plugs within said
tufts.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,015 describes a paint applicator having
an essentially cylindrical paint container serving as a handle and
formed of a resilient material, a threaded cap closing the
container, a paint applicating head and a conduit connecting the
applicating head to the paint container. The applicating head
includes a metal plate affixed to the conduit and having an opening
for the supply of paint, a layer of sponge-like material overlying
the plate, a porous layer having a nap on one surface overlying the
sponge-like material and a paint impervious layer covering at least
the top edge of the sponge-like material.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,182 describes a device having a
removable insert such as a brush, massage element or pad for
applying lotions, medicines, and the like to human body. The device
includes an elongated handle having a receptacle end provided with
opposed inwardly facing grooves. The removable inserts are
generally rectangular in shape and include integral spring biased
tabs at the sides thereof. Each tab is provided with a locking stud
that is received in a correspondingly shaped recess in the grooves.
Each insert may include a brush, massage element, or disposable
pad.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,328 describes a multi-purpose toiletry
article which comprises: a long, rigid, plastic handle; a
preferably oval rigid, plastic support head mounted in fixed or
pivotal relationship at one end of such handle; and a removable
fastener to removable and interchangeably affix one of a multiple
of oval working members to said oval support head.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,697 relates to a cleaning device for s
cleaning various surfaces, such as the surfaces in and about a
toilet, the device comprising a shaft defining a longitudinal axis
and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
adapted to be held by a user to manipulate the device; and a water
soluble brush releasably fitted on the distal end of the shaft,
wherein the brush is configured to dissolve in water. In a
preferred embodiment of the device, the shaft is constructed of a
water soluble material.
[0011] Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is
neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention cleaning brush includes a handle
member and a brush member which are connected to one another in a
locking/unlocking fashion and wherein they are separated from one
another by a mechanism component that is located on the handle
member remotely from the brush member. The handle member has a
first end and a second end, with the first end having a handle
portion and the second end having means for removably attaching the
brush member. The brush member is removably attached to the second
end of the handle member. The brush member has one of a male and
female fittage and the second end of the handle member has the
other of the male fittage and said female fittage so the one slides
into the other. There is a locking mechanism for locking and
unlocking the male fittage and the female fittage relative to one
another. The locking mechanism includes lock-unlock manually
operated component remotely located from the brush member,
typically toward or near the first end of the handle member. The
handle member may include a gripping area adjacent to its first
end.
[0013] In some present invention cleaning brush embodiments, the
handle member is at least partially hollow and the locking
mechanism is contained within the hollow area.
[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the cleaning brush handle
member is at least partially hollow and includes at least two slits
beginning at the second end and extending towards the first end so
as to create at least two flexible sections. These at least two
flexible sections each contain one of a protrusion or a recess, and
the brush member contains the other of the protrusion and the
recess such that, in a rest position, the brush member is connected
to the handle member at the male and the female fittages with the
protrusions interlocking with the recesses, and, in a non-rest
position, wherein when a user squeezes the at least two flexible
sections, the protrusions are removed from the recesses so as to
unlock said brush member from the handle member.
[0015] In other present invention embodiments, the cleaning brush
handle member is at least partially hollow and the locking
mechanism includes a lock-unlock latch adjacent the second end of
the handle member and a lock-unlock manually operated component
connected thereto. The manually operated component is remotely
located from the second end, and the lock-unlock manually operated
component is selected from the group consisting of a button, a
switch, a knob, a trigger, a dial, and a pull.
[0016] In some embodiments, the brush member may be made of
biodegradable material. It may be a flat or rounded structure, with
a pod, a sponge, bristles, or any other scrubbing or cleaning
adaptation.
[0017] In many preferred embodiments of the present invention
cleaning brush, the handle member has the male fittage and the
brush member has female fittage, so that the handle member slides
into the brush member. Further, although a circular cross-section
for the fittages is typical for the present invention cleaning
brush, the cross-sections could be of any choice, e.g. square,
rectangular, oval, hexagonal, irregular, etc, as long as they fit
into on another.
[0018] In some embodiments, the cleaning brush handle member
contains the recesses and the brush member contains the protrusions
which extend outwardly therefrom and are adapted to fit into the
recesses. In other embodiments, the opposite arrangement may be
employed. The recesses may be orifices or indentations, and
orifices are preferred.
[0019] In the present invention preferred embodiments, the handle
member has a first end and a second end, and the handle member has
two halves, a first half extending from a midpoint to the first end
and a second half extending from that midpoint to the second end.
The first end has a handle portion, i.e. an area that is adapted to
be hand held, and the second end has means for removably attaching
the brush member. This foregoing establishes more specifically
that, in preferred embodiments, the operating component of the
lock-unlock mechanism is not only remotely located, but is located
in the upper half of the handle member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention should be more fully understood when
the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings
appended hereto wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a front view of one preferred embodiment of a
present invention cleaning brush;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment present invention
cleansing brush utilizing recesses in the handle member wherein the
handle member contains the male fittage;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a front view of another alternative present
invention cleaning brush utilizing a slide button manually operated
component of the locking mechanism which is remotely located from
the brush member;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows yet another present invention cleaning brush
wherein a rotating dial is used to operate the blocking mechanism
from the brush member;
[0025] FIG. 5 shows yet another present invention cleaning brush
wherein a pull is used to operate the blocking mechanism from the
brush member; and
[0026] FIG. 6 shows another present invention cleaning brush
wherein a trigger is used to operate the blocking mechanism from
the brush member;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0027] FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment of a present invention
cleaning brush 1. In this top view there is a handle member 3
adapted for connection to a brush member 31. Handle member 3 has a
first end 5 and a second end 7. There is a midpoint 9 and above it
to first end 5 which forms a handle portion formed of first section
11 which is inherently adapted to the handheld by its elongated
shape and size. It could be cross sectionally round, square,
hexagonal, rectangular, or otherwise, or could even have an
irregular shape. Below midpoint 9 down to second end 7 is second
half 13 adapted for and including means for removably attaching
brush member 31. Second half 13 has protrusions 23 and 25 as shown
and, because of cutout areas 27 and 29, segments 10 and 20 will, in
a spring like fashion, close together when squeezed so as to permit
the male fittage formed at second end 7 to be inserted into female
fittage 33 of brush member 31. This is done by squeezing handle
member 3 at areas 15 and 17 or 19 and 21. Upon insertion and
release, protrusions 23 and 25 will pop into recesses 37 and 39 of
female fittage 33 to secure brush 31 in a locked fashion to handle
member 3.
[0028] Pad 35 of the brush member 31 is utilized to clean, for
example, sanitary facilities such as toilet bowls and bidets.
Thereafter, the brush member 31 may be disposed of simply by
squeezing the handle member 3 to cause inserts 23 and 25 to pull
inwardly away from recesses 37 and 39 so that brush member 31 drops
away. Thus, a user need not touch the wet or contaminated portions
of the handle member 3 or the brush member 31.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a partial top view of an alternative embodiment
present invention cleaning brush 51. It is similar to that shown in
FIG. 1 . However, this version has reversed the protrusions and
recesses, and, additionally, relies upon an internal living spring
in the handle member.
[0030] Handle member 50 is segmented by cutouts such as cutout 63
to form segments 59 and 61, for example. First end 55 and second
end 57, function similarly to that which is described in FIG. 1.
Handle portion 53 is squeezed against the spring force of molded
plastic living spring 65 so that second end 57 may be inserted into
female fittage 61 of brush member 60. Upon release, recesses 67 and
69 fit into protrusions 63 and 65 so as to secure the brush member
60 until used. Thereafter, a simple squeeze of handle member 50
will release brush member 60 for instant, hands-free disposal.
[0031] In any of the above or below embodiments, the male and
female fittages may be reversed so that the brush member fits into
the handle member. In some embodiments, the brush member may be
biodegradable, as, in the case of biodegradable plastics and or
cellulosic or other degradable materials.
[0032] FIGS. 3,4,5, and 6 show views of various brushes which have
a variety of possible remotely located lock operating mechanisms
and different types of brushes. With respect to all of these
figures, identical parts are identically numbered and are discussed
only once in detail.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a present invention cleaning brush having a
handle member 70 and a brush member 73. There is a first end 75 and
a second end 71 of handle member 70, with first end 75 terminating
a handle, and including slide button 95. Second end 71 includes
protrusions 77 and 79, which fit into recesses 93 and 97 of female
fittage 91 of brush member 73 when the handle member 70 and the
brush member 73 are connected.
[0034] When slide button 95 is moved upwardly, rod 81 and fins 83
and 85 also move upwardly such that fins 83 and 85 ride up
stationary ramps 87 and 89 so as to be squeezed together and so as
to pull protrusions 77 and 79 away from recesses 93 and 97,
rendering brush member 73 free to drop away from handle member
70.
[0035] Brush member 73 has a bristled brush base 101, as shown.
Alternatively, the brush member could be a spherical, elliptical,
ovate, or other shaped structure formed of bristles, strands,
cloth, sponge, or any other cleaning structure.
[0036] In FIG. 4, brush member 73 is identical to that shown in
FIG. 3 and handle member 100 is similar to handle member 70 of FIG.
3, except that a wheel or dial replaces the button and appropriate
internal modification has been made. Specifically, first end 105 of
handle member 100 has a rotating dial 109 which is internally
threaded and causes the threaded section 113 and rod 111 to rise or
lower in response to rotating. This permits hand-free removal of
brush member 73, as desired.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a device similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, except that
brush member 78 includes a sponge 107 and handle member 110 has a
pull 119 at first end 115 of handle member 110 to move rod 117
upwardly to withdraw protrusions 77 and 79 from recesses 93 and 97.
Likewise, FIG. 6 is also similar except that first end 121 has a
trigger 125 for upward movement of rod 127 to effect activation of
the unlocking feature. Additionally, brush member 130 has a hollow
center 131 and a donut-shaped configuration with bristles, such as
bristle 131.
[0038] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *