U.S. patent application number 11/058970 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for replaceable reciprocating work head and an electric tool assembly comprising a reciprocating work head.
Invention is credited to Gregory Clegg Spooner.
Application Number | 20060179590 11/058970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814103 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060179590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spooner; Gregory Clegg |
August 17, 2006 |
Replaceable reciprocating work head and an electric tool assembly
comprising a reciprocating work head
Abstract
A reciprocating work head for use with an electric tool
assembly, such as an electric brush, comprises a movable section
and a fixed section. The movable section carries a retaining pin.
The movable section is arranged to move along the retaining pin in
a reciprocating motion along the longitudinal axis of the fixed
section. There is also disclosed an electric tool assembly, such as
an electric brush, comprising such a work head.
Inventors: |
Spooner; Gregory Clegg;
(Causeway Bay, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
36814103 |
Appl. No.: |
11/058970 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.2 ;
15/52.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 13/02 20130101;
A46B 7/04 20130101; A47L 13/10 20130101; A46B 2200/3033
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/022.2 ;
015/052.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 11/284 20060101
A47L011/284 |
Claims
1. A reciprocating work head for use with an electric tool assembly
comprising: a movable section; and a fixed section having a
longitudinal axis, the movable section carrying a retaining pin;
wherein the movable section is arranged to move along the retaining
pin in a reciprocating motion along the longitudinal axis of the
fixed section.
2. A reciprocating work head according to claim 1, wherein the
movable section has a plurality of bristles extending through a
plurality of apertures therein, and the fixed section has a
plurality of bristles extending through a plurality of apertures
therein, wherein the plurality of bristles of the fixed section are
longer than the plurality of bristles of the movable section.
3. A reciprocating work head according to claim 1, further
comprising a drive lug mounted on the movable section through which
motion may be applied to cause the movable section to
reciprocate.
4. A reciprocating work head according to claim 3, wherein said
retaining pin passes through said drive lug to guide the
reciprocating motion of the movable section.
5. A reciprocating work head according to claim 3, wherein the
drive lug is arranged to project through a corresponding slot in
the fixed section.
6. A reciprocating work head according to claim 1, wherein the
movable section reciprocates along a first face of the fixed
section.
7. A reciprocating head according to claim 2, wherein said movable
section and/or said fixed section each have a body portion, and
wherein said body portion of said fixed brush section and/or said
movable brush section is/are formed of polyoxymethylene (POM)
plastic material.
8. A reciprocating head according to claim 1 wherein said fixed
section comprises a brush head.
9. A reciprocating head according to claim 1 wherein said movable
section comprises a brush head.
10. An electric brush assembly comprising a reciprocating work head
according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a replaceable reciprocating
work head, for example a brush head for use in an electric tool
assembly such as an electric brush assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is often desirable to remove small dirt patches and spots
from fabrics such as carpets and this is often conventionally
carried out manually using a scrubbing brush or using a vacuum
cleaner with a brush attachment. Manual scrubbing may be labour
intensive and once the bristles on the brush have worn down the
brush must be discarded. The use of a conventional vacuum cleaner
may be difficult in some circumstances as the vacuum cleaner is a
generally cumbersome device and not suitable for use in all
locations.
[0003] Thus there is a need for a low cost modular replaceable
reciprocating work head such as a brush head for use in an electric
tool, such as a brush, of small size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a reciprocating work head for use with an electric tool
assembly comprising:
[0005] a movable section; and
[0006] a fixed section having a longitudinal axis, the movable
section carrying a retaining pin;
wherein the movable section is arranged to move along the retaining
pin in a reciprocating motion along the longitudinal axis of the
fixed section.
[0007] According to a further aspect there is provided an electric
brush assembly comprising the reciprocating work head defined
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Preferred features of the invention will now be described,
for the sake of illustration only, with reference to the following
figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1a is a plan view showing the bristle side of a brush
head according to a first preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 1b is an elevation of the brush head according to FIG.
1a;
[0011] FIG. 1c is a plan view of the other side of the brush head
to that shown in FIG. 1a;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a parts exploded view of the brush head of FIGS.
1a to c showing the assembly method;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the brush head of
FIGS. 1a to c;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view through a longitudinal centreline
of the brush head of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the bristle side of a brush
head having bristles at one extreme position according to a first
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the other side of the brush
head of FIG. 5a in the same position as that shown in FIG. 5a;
[0017] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a bristle side of a brush
head with bristles at another extreme position;
[0018] FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the other side of the brush
head of FIG. 6a in the same position as the brush head of FIG.
6a;
[0019] FIG. 7a is a projection showing the underside (non-bristle
side) of the brush head attached to a brush drive assembly; and
[0020] FIG. 7b is a projection showing the upperside (bristle side)
of a brush drive assembly with the brush head removed from the
brush drive assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1a shows a brush head 1 according to a first preferred
embodiment of the invention. The brush head 1 comprises a
reciprocating bristle block section 2 mounted in a stationary
bristle block section 4, and a finger-release tab 6 attached to the
stationary bristle block section 4 for removing the brush head 1
from a brush body (not shown) to which it may be attached.
[0022] FIG. 1b shows an elevation of the brush head 1 of FIG. 1a
with the two bristle block sections 2, 4 assembled together. The
stationary bristle block section 4 has a first face 8 through which
a plurality of bristles 10 extend and a second face 11 extending in
a plane substantially parallel to the first face 8. Two
substantially parallel projections 12 are mounted on the second
face 11 and extend along the face 11 in a plane substantially
parallel thereto. The projections 12 are undercut 13 on their
respective faces to engage with flanges in the housing of the brush
assembly thereby retaining the brush head 1 on the assembly. The
reciprocating bristle block section 2 also has a plurality of
bristles extending through apertures in a face of thereof.
[0023] FIG. 1c shows a plan view of the non-bristle side of the
assembled brush head 1 of FIGS. 1a and b. A drive lug 14 is mounted
on to the face opposing the bristle face of the reciprocating
bristle block section 2 and projects through a slot 15 in the
stationary bristle block section 4. A guide and retaining pin 16,
which is preferably formed of stainless steel, passes through the
drive lug 14 and is retained in the body of the stationary bristle
block section 4. The pin 16 has a longitudinal axis which extends
substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the reciprocating
bristle block section 2. the pin 16 serves to retain the
reciprocating bristle block section 2 in place on the drive
mechanism and to guide it in its reciprocating motion.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a parts exploded view of the brush head 1
according to a first preferred embodiment, and illustrates the
assembly method. The reciprocating bristle block section 2 (shown
here without its bristles) slides along the first face 8 of the
stationary bristle block section 4 (also shown here without its
bristles) and the drive lug 14 on the face of the reciprocating
bristle block section 2 opposing the face through which the
bristles extend is mounted through the slot 15 in the stationary
bristle block section 4. The guide pin 16 is inserted into the
stationary bristle block section 4 and passes through the drive lug
14 on the reciprocating bristle block section 2 so that the pin 16
is retained at both ends in the stationary bristle block section 4
and the reciprocating bristle block section 2 is able to slide on
the pin 16 when moved by the drive mechanism along the longitudinal
axis of the stationary bristle block section 4.
[0025] The head of the brush assembly is mountable in use on a body
(not shown) and is retained by flanges on the body engaging with
the undercut surfaces 13 of the projections 12 on the second face
11 of the stationary bristle block section 4.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a section through an assembled brush head 1
along the axis of motion. The reciprocating bristle block section 2
(shown here without its bristles) is mounted on the first face 8 of
the stationary bristle block section 4 with its drive lug 14
passing through the slot 15 in the stationary bristle block section
4 (which is also shown here without its bristles). The guide and
retaining pin 16 is inserted along the axis of the brush head 1 and
passes through the stationary bristle block section 4, through the
drive lug 14 of the reciprocating bristle block section 2 and into
the stationary bristle block section 4 at the other end of the slot
15 therein. The drive lug 14 is a sliding fit on the guide pin
16.
[0027] The reciprocating bristle block section 2 and/or the
stationary bristle block section 4 may formed of polyoxymethylene
(POM) plastic which is advantageous as it does not require
lubrication which could stain the fabric to be cleaned using the
brush assembly.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a projected view sectioned along the central
longitudinal axis of the guide pin 16. The reciprocating bristle
block section 2 slides on the first face 8 of the stationary
bristle block section 4 with its drive lug 14 projecting through a
slot 15 in the stationary bristle block section 4. The guide pin 16
extends through an aperture in the stationary bristle block section
4, across the slot 15 therein, and passes through the drive lug 14
in the process
[0029] FIG. 5a shows a projection view of a first face of the brush
head 1 with the reciprocating bristle block section 2 at one
extreme position of its travel, that is, at the end furthest from
the finger release tab 6. The bristles 10 on the stationary bristle
block section 4 are preferably longer than those on the
reciprocating bristle block section 2.
[0030] FIG. 5b is a projection view of the second face of the brush
head 1 with the reciprocating bristle block section 2 still at its
extreme point of travel furthest from the finger release tab 6.
[0031] FIG. 6a shows a projection view of the first face of the
brush head 1 with the reciprocating bristle block section 2 at the
other extreme position of its travel to that shown in FIGS. 5a and
b, that is, at the end closest to the finger release tab 6.
[0032] FIG. 6b is a projection view of the second face of the brush
head 1 with the reciprocating bristle block section 2 still at its
extreme point of travel closest to the finger release tab 6.
[0033] FIG. 7a shows the one side of the brush head 1 attached to a
body 20 of a brush assembly 22 and FIG. 7b shows the other side of
the brush assembly 22 with the brush head 1 removed from the brush
assembly 22.
[0034] The brush head may preferably be used as part of an
electrically driven brush, for example for cleaning fabrics such as
carpets and may be used for cleaning other fabrics. In such a
configuration, it comprises the two bristle block sections 2, 4
each containing a plurality of bristles 10, an outer set 10
projecting through the stationary bristle block section 4 which
does not move in use with respect to the drive assembly and an
inner set extending through the reciprocating bristle block section
2 which is arranged to reciprocate along the axis of the device.
The stationary bristles 10 may preferably be slightly longer than
the moving ones and would thus tend to take the higher loading when
the brush head 1 is pressed against the fabric/surface to be
cleaned thereby reducing motor loading and increasing battery
life.
[0035] The outer bristles 10 brush against the fabric due to the
natural hand motion of the user and thus combine with the
reciprocating bristles to assist in the cleaning process.
[0036] The brush head 1 is a complete module in itself and may be
clipped on and off the brush body 20 manually and without
tools.
[0037] When replacing the brush head 1, it is not necessary to
align the drive lug 14 with the drive mechanism as this will align
automatically as it is pressed home.
[0038] Various modifications to the embodiments of the present
invention described above may be made. For example, whilst
embodiments of the present invention have been described and
illustrated herein in the context of an electric brush assembly and
a brush head therefor, the present invention is not to be
considered limited thereto as it is applicable for use in the
context of other forms of electric tool assemblies. Also, other
components, materials and method steps may be added or substituted
for those described above. Thus, although the invention has been
described using particular embodiments, many variations are
possible within the scope of the claims, as will be clear to the
skilled reader, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
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