U.S. patent application number 11/184104 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for quick release connector.
Invention is credited to Matthew G. Goulet, Craig S. Serio, Michael Toll.
Application Number | 20070017072 11/184104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37663435 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070017072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Serio; Craig S. ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Quick release connector
Abstract
A quick-release connector assembly includes a tip including a
plug, a depressible member proximate the plug, and a biasing
element upwardly biasing the member; and a base having a receiver
and an aperture, the receiver being complementary to the plug, the
base further including a connector section configured to secure a
tool. The tip is releasably lockable to the base by the insertion
of the plug into the receiver and the extension of the member
through the aperture, and when the tip is locked with the base, the
base is prohibited from rotating relative to the tip.
Inventors: |
Serio; Craig S.; (New
Berlin, WI) ; Goulet; Matthew G.; (Milwaukee, WI)
; Toll; Michael; (Shorewood, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT, STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
SUITE 1800
425 WALNUT STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202-3957
US
|
Family ID: |
37663435 |
Appl. No.: |
11/184104 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/573.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G 3/18 20130101; A47L
13/42 20130101; F16B 7/042 20130101; Y10T 24/4501 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/573.11 |
International
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20060101
A44B018/00 |
Claims
1. A quick-release connector, comprising: a tip including a plug, a
depressible member proximate the plug, and a biasing element
upwardly biasing the member; and a base having a receiver and an
aperture, the receiver being complementary to the plug, the base
further including a connector section configured to secure a tool;
wherein the tip is releasably lockable to the base by the insertion
of the plug into the receiver and the extension of the member
through the aperture; and wherein when the tip is locked with the
base, the base is prohibited from rotating relative to the tip.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the member includes a
projecting tab and the biasing element includes a strip connecting
the projecting tab to the plug.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the member includes a button
and the biasing element includes a spring.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the button includes a hinge
connecting the button to the plug.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug and the receiver have
complementary non-circular cross-sections.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the button includes a sloped
front such that an edge of the receiver forces the button against
the force of the biasing element during movement of the plug into
the receiver.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tool releasably
connected to the base at the connector section.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the tool is selected from the
group consisting of a brush, a spray nozzle, a water wand, and a
squeegee.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tool integrally
connected to the base at the connector section.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pole connected to
the tip at the first connection section.
11. A connector assembly with a flow through passage, comprising: a
tip having an internal passage extending the length of the tip, a
first tip connector section configured to connect the tip to a
liquid source such that the liquid source and the internal passage
of the tip are in fluid communication, and a second tip connector
section having a non-circular profile; and a base having an
internal passage and a base connector section, wherein the base
connector section has a profile that is complementary to the
non-circular profile of the second connector section; wherein the
tip is coupled to the base by engagement of the second tip
connector section with the base connector section, and rotation of
the tip relative to the base is prevented by the non-circular
profiles of the engaged second tip connector section and the base
connector section; wherein when the tip is coupled to the base, the
internal passage of the tip is in fluid communication, with the
internal passage of the base such that liquid from the liquid
source can flow through the tip and base.
12. The assembly of claim 11, the second tip connector section
comprising a plug, the base connector section comprising a
receiver, the plug being insertable into the receiver to connect
the tip to the base.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the plug comprises a
parallelepiped disposed on a cylinder, wherein the parallelepiped
disposed on the cylinder defines the non-circular profile.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein a button extends from the
parallelepiped and extends through an aperture in the receiver to
lock the tip relative to the base when the plug is inserted into
the receiver.
15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the receiver includes a
gasket against which the plug bears to seal the internal passage of
the tip and the internal passage of the base.
16. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a pole connected
to the tip at the first connection section.
17. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a hose connected
to the tip at the first connection section.
18. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a tool integral
with the base.
19. The assembly of claim 11, the base further comprising a tool
adaptor configured to secure a tool to the base.
20. A quick release connector assembly with a flow through passage,
comprising: a tip having an internal passage extending the length
of the tip, a plug having a non-circular profile, a button disposed
on the plug and biased outwardly, and a connector section, wherein
the connector section is configured to connect the tip to a liquid
source such that the liquid source and the internal passage of the
tip are in fluid communication; a base having an internal passage,
a receiver, and an aperture, wherein the receiver has a profile
that is complementary to the non-circular profile of the plug such
that the plug can be inserted into the receiver, wherein the spring
loaded member extends through the aperture to releasably lock the
tip with the base when the plug is inserted into the receiver; and
a tool connected to the handle, the tool being selected from the
group of a brush, a spray nozzle, a water wand, and a squeegee;
wherein rotation of the tip relative to the base is prevented by
the non-circular profiles of the plug and the receiver; and wherein
when the tip is locked with the base, the internal passage of the
tip is in fluid communication with the internal passage of the base
such that liquid from the liquid-source can flow through the tip
and base.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The invention relates generally to a connector assembly for
a tool and handle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Flow through tools typically include an extension pole
having a hose connected at a first pole end and a tool connected at
a second pole end. Alternatively, flow through tools include a tool
directly connected to a hose. Liquid is delivered through the pole
and/or hose and into the tool. The tool can be any suitable tool
for dispensing water including but not limited to a watering wand,
a brush, and a mop. Such tools deliver the liquid to a surface so
that the surface can easily be watered, rinsed, washed, painted, or
the like.
[0003] In general, two methods have been used to ensure that the
tool is secured to the pole. In a first example, the tool is
integral with the pole, i.e., the tool and pole are manufactured as
a single article. This construction is deficient in that it does
not allow the user to replace the tool on the pole.
[0004] In a second example, the pole can include a threaded element
or similar structure at its second end such that the tool can be
removably attached to the pole. While this addresses the
disadvantage noted above, the tool may rotate relative to the pole
due to the forces applied to the tool during use. Further, it is
difficult to properly align the tool angle relative to the pole
when typical threaded engagements are used. The user must turn the
tool onto the pole until a water-tight connection is achieved.
However, this may not result in a proper orientation of the tool
relative to the pole, especially if the tool has been overtightened
several times.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Exemplary aspects and features of quick release assemblies
in accordance with the disclosure are described and explained in
greater detail below with the aid of the drawing figures in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of an implement including a
quick release assembly.
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a detail view of an alternative quick release
assembly.
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly
shown in FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly
of FIG. 3 after assembly.
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of an assembly
tip.
[0011] FIG. 6A depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative
assembly tip.
[0012] FIG. 6B depicts a perspective view of the assembly tip shown
in FIG. 6A.
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view of an additional
alternative assembly tip.
[0014] FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of an additional
alternative assembly tip.
[0015] FIG. 8B depicts a cross sectional view of the assembly tip
shown in FIG. 8A taken along line 8B-8B.
[0016] FIG. 9A depicts a perspective view of an additional
exemplary assembly tip.
[0017] FIG. 9B depicts a cross sectional view of the assembly tip
shown in FIG. 9A taken along line 9B-9B.
[0018] FIG. 10A depicts a perspective view of an additional
exemplary quick release assembly.
[0019] FIG. 10B depicts a cross sectional view taken of the quick
release assembly shown in FIG. 10A taken along line 10B-10B.
[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an additional
alternate example of a quick release assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded view of an implement 20
is shown. The implement 20 includes an extension pole 22, a quick
release assembly 24, and a tool 26. The extension pole 22 is
exemplified as an elongate, hollow tube with an inner flow-through
channel 28 extending throughout its length. The pole 22 has a rear
end 30 and a front end 32 and generally extends along a
longitudinal axis X. A liquid source such as a hose (not shown) can
be attached to the pole 22 at the rear end 30 in order to introduce
liquid into the pole 22 such that it can flow from the rear end 30
through the inner channel 28 to the front end 32. While a pole 22
is shown here, the quick release assembly may alternatively be
directly connected to a hose.
[0022] The quick release assembly 24 includes a tip 34 and a base
36. The tip 34 has a front section 38 and a rear section 40. The
rear section 40 of the tip 34 can be inserted into the front end 32
of the pole 22 (or directly into a hose) and is thereby secured to
the pole 22. In this example, the rear section 40 is T-shaped to
match the T-shaped channel in the pole 22, but the pole 22 and tip
34 can use other complementary cross sections. Such a T-section
configuration is beneficial however, in that it can help to prevent
rotation of the pole 22 relative to the tip 34. The tip 34 may be
attached to the pole 22 in several ways, including but not limited
to adhesives, screws, rivets, and crimping. As will be discussed in
greater detail herein, a button assembly 42 is disposed in the
front section 38 of the tip 34.
[0023] The base 36 includes a receiving portion 44, an aperture 46,
and a threaded plug 48. The receiving portion 44 has a profile that
matches the front section 38 of the tip 34. As will be more clearly
described herein, the base 36 and tip 34 can be connected to form
the quick release assembly 24 by inserting the front section 38 of
the tip 34 into the receiving portion 44 of the base 36 along the
longitudinal axis X. The button assembly 42 extends through the
aperture 46, thereby preventing separation of the tip 34 and base
36. To remove the base 36 from the tip 34, the button assembly 42
is depressed downwardly, and the tip 34 is pulled out from the base
36.
[0024] The tool 26 shown in FIG. 1 is a brush head that includes an
attachment section 50, a body 52, and a set of bristles 54
extending outwardly from the body 52. The brush head 26 can be
coupled to the base 36 by turning the attachment section 50, which
includes grooves (not shown) on the interior surface thereof for
receiving the threads of the threaded plug 48 of the base 36.
Alternatively, the brush head 26 can be coupled to the base 36 by
adhesive bonding or integral manufacture of the brush 26 and base
36. Further, other tools can be used including but not limited to
water wands, spray nozzles, brushes, and squeegees. When alternate
tools are needed, the releasable locking mechanism permits a quick
and easy release of one tool, and the addition of a new tool.
[0025] As described in further detail below, both the tip 34
includes an inner channel 35 and the base 36 include an inner
channel 37 extending the length of the respective part. Further,
the brush 26 or other tool can include a similar inner channel 39.
In use of the implement 20, the liquid source directs a liquid
through the inner channel 28 of the pole 22, through the channel 35
of the tip 34, through the channel 37 of the base 36, through the
channel 39 of the brush 26 and onto the bristles 54. The liquid on
the bristles 54 can then be used to wash, rinse, or paint a
surface. The liquid can be water, paint, liquid soap, or any other
liquid.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, a detail view of an alternative
quick release assembly 60 is shown. The quick release assembly 60
is identical to the quick release assembly 24 except for the
features specifically noted herein. The assembly 60 includes a tip
62 and a base 64. The tip 62 includes a rear section 66 with a rear
end 68 and a front section 70 with a front end 72. The front
section 70 is attached to the rear section 66 at a shoulder 74. The
rear section 66 of the tip 62 is cylindrical in shape, and not
T-shaped as shown in FIG. 1. The cylindrical shape of the rear
section 66 allows it to be attached to a pole, or directly to a
liquid source having a circular flow through channel such as a
hose. The rear section 66 includes a circumferential groove 76 in
which a gasket (not shown) can be disposed. The gasket helps to
provide a water-tight seal between the pole or hose and the tip
62.
[0027] The front section 70 is a plug 78 including a top piece 80
and a bottom piece 82. The top piece 80 generally has the shape of
a paralleleipiped, while the bottom piece 82 has a generally
cylindrical shape. The top piece 80 includes a button assembly 84
that allows the tip 62 to be releasably locked to the base 64. The
button assembly 84 includes a button 86 that is biased by a biasing
element, here a spring (see FIG. 1), to an extended position away
from the longitudinal axis X. As exemplified, the button 86
includes a sloped front side 88 and a generally vertical rear side
90.
[0028] An inner channel 92 extends from the front end 72 to the
rear end 68 of the tip 62. The inner channel 92 allows fluid to
flow through the tip 62 from the pole (or other liquid source) to
the base 64. The inner channel 92 is disposed in the bottom piece
82 of the front section 70.
[0029] The base 64 includes a rear section 94 with a rear end 96. A
receiving section 98 is disposed in the rear section 94 of the base
64 and has a shape substantially similar to that of the plug 78 of
the tip 62, with a rectangular section 100 and a circular section
102. The receiver 98 defines an upper boundary 104. An aperture 106
extends through the base 64 from the receiver 98. The aperture 104
is sized and shaped to receive the button 86.
[0030] The complementary shapes of the tip plug 78 and the base
receiver 98 allows the plug 78 to be inserted into the receiver 98.
The depressible button 86, in its normal biased position, extends
to a height above that of the upper boundary 104 of the receiver
98. During insertion of the tip 62 into the base 64, a user may
manually depress the button 86 while pushing the tip 62 and base 64
together along the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively, the user may
simply insert the plug 78 of the tip 62 into the receiver 64, and
allow the force of the upper boundary 104 against the sloped front
side 88 of the button 86 to automatically depress the button 86 as
the plug 78 is inserted into the receiver 98.
[0031] Upon complete insertion of the plug 78 of the tip 62 into
the receiver 98 of the base 64, the depressible button 86 extends
through the aperture 106 under the force of the spring. In other
words, the button 86 "snaps-up" through the aperture 106. The
button 86 releasably locks the tip 62 and base 64 together and
thereby prevents separation of these components. To disassemble the
tip 62 from the base 64, a user may simply depress the button 86
while simultaneously pulling the tip 62 and base 64 apart in
opposite directions.
[0032] The depth of insertion of the plug 78 into the receiver 98
may be limited by the engagement of the rear end 96 of the base 64
with the shoulder 74 of the tip 62. Such frictional contact may
also help to stabilize the connection of the tip 62 relative to the
base 64. Additionally or alternatively, the depth of insertion can
be limited by the depressible button 86 on the tip 62 and the
aperture 106.
[0033] While the plug 78 in this example includes a top piece 80
and a bottom piece 82, the plug 78 can generally be any
non-circular shape as such shapes prevent rotation of the plug 78
relative to the base 64. For example, the plug 78 can be
triangular, rectangular, octagonal, or any other non-circular
shape. The plug 78 could also be generally circular with certain
other elements disposed thereon to prevent rotation, such as a
keyway or wings. Such configurations are considered to be
non-circular. In each of the above examples, the plug 78 and the
receiver 98 have complementary shapes such that the plug 78 can be
inserted into the receiver 98 and rotation is prevented between the
plug 78 the receiver 98. Additionally, unlike conventional threaded
attachment mechanisms, the tip 62 and the base 64 do not loosen
when a torque is applied about the longitudinal axis to one or more
of the tip and the base.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, a quick release assembly 110 is
shown in cross-section view. The quick release assembly 110 is the
same as the quick release assembly 60 in form and function except
as specifically noted herein. The quick release assembly 110
includes a tip 112 and a base 114. The tip 112 includes a front
section 116 with a front end 118 and a rear section 120 with a rear
end 122. An annular rib 124 is disposed on the front end 118. An
inner channel 126 extends in longitudinal direction X along the
length of the tip 112 from the rear end 120 to the front end
116.
[0035] The front section 116 includes a button assembly 128
generally similar to the button assemblies previously described.
The button assembly 128 includes a depressible button 130 with a
front side 132 and a back side 134. However, the button 130 does
not have a sloped front side like button 84. Instead, the front
side 132 is generally vertical. The back side 134 is generally
vertical. The button 130 has at its base a flange 136 extending
outwardly. The button assembly 128 also includes a spring 138 that
provides an upwardly biasing force (i.e., +y-axis) on the button
130. A collar 140 having edges 142 can be press-fit into the tip
112 to trap the button 130 in the tip 112 by engaging the flanges
136 of the button 130. Alternatively, the collar 140 may be an
integral part of the tip 112 which is formed with the tip 112 in a
molding process or a machining process. The button collar 140 may
also be an extruded undercut in the tip 112 that prevents the
button 130 from "popping out" of place.
[0036] Similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 114 includes a receiver
144 that accepts the tip 112. The base receiver 144 defines an
upper boundary 146, and a tapered surface 148 extends downwardly
from the upper boundary 146. Similar to the previously described
quick release assemblies, and as best shown in FIG. 3, the base 114
includes an inner channel 150 extending forward from the receiver
144. A gasket 152 can be disposed on the end of the inner channel
150 in the receiver 144 to ensure that liquid flow though the inner
channel 150 of the quick release assembly 110 does not leak into
the receiver 144 of the base 114. As in the previously described
bases, the base 114 includes an aperture 154.
[0037] During insertion of the tip 112 into the base 114, the
tapered surface 148 provides a contact interface with the button
130 of less than ninety-degrees. Such a lessened angle of interface
allows the tapered surface 148 to automatically depress the button
130 when the user pushes the tip 112 and base 114 together along
the longitudinal axis X. However, when the tip 112 is coupled to
the base 114, and the button 130 is extended in the aperture 154
(see FIG. 4), the back side 134 of the button is generally parallel
with a back-end 156 of the aperture 154 such that the button 130 is
prevented from being automatically depressed when the tip 112 and
base 114 experience a separating force along the longitudinal axis
X. Preferably, separation of the tip 112 from the base 114 includes
the user depressing the button 130 while simultaneously applying a
separating force on the tip 112 and base 114 along the longitudinal
axis X.
[0038] Upon coupling the tip 112 to the base 114, the front section
116 of the tip 112 is inserted into and locked in the receiver 144
of the base 114. The annular rib 124 on the front end 118 of the
tip 112 bears against the gasket 152 in the receiver 144 of the
base 114 such that the inner channel 126 of the tip 112 is in fluid
communication with the inner channel 150 of the base 114.
Specifically, any fluid flowing through the inner channel 126 of
the tip 112 will flow through the inner channel 150 of the base 114
without any of the fluid leaking into the receiver 144. Thus, it is
typically desirable for the front section 116 of the tip 112 to fit
snugly in the receiver 144.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a quick release tip 160, which includes a
front section 162 and a rear section 164. The rear section 164 may
be any shape to fit a pole or hose. The front section 162 includes
a first button 166 and a second button 168. Such a tip 160 requires
a base (not shown) with a receiver that includes two apertures
through which the first and second buttons can extend. While two
buttons 166, 168 are shown, the tip 160 can include any number of
buttons around the periphery of the tip.
[0040] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a quick release tip 170, which
includes a front section 172, a rear section 174, and an inner
channel 176 extending the entire length. Similar to the embodiments
previously described, the rear section 174 may be any shape to fit
a pole or hose. The front section 172 includes a bottom piece 178
and a top piece 180. The top piece 180 includes a button assembly
182 that functions generally similarly to the previous examples.
The button assembly 182 includes a button 184 that is biased
upwardly by a spring 186. The button assembly 182 further includes
a hinge 188 at its back side 190. The button 184 includes a flange
192, and the top piece 180 includes a retention post 194 that
engages the flange 192 so that the spring 186 maintains the button
184 in the extended position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As can be
seen in FIG. 6B, the top piece 180 and the bottom piece 178 create
a non-circular profile for the front section 172 that, when
inserted into a coordinated receiver of a base, restrict rotation
between the tip 170 and a base. To remove the tip 170 from a base,
the user an depress the button 184 as in previous examples.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a further example of a quick release tip
200, which includes a front section 202 and a rear section 204.
Similar to the embodiments previously described, the rear section
204 may be any shape to fit a pole or hose. Instead of a button
assembly, the front section in this example includes a projecting
tab 206 attached by a strip 208. The strip 208 may be made of a
flexible material such that the strip 208 acts as a spring and the
projecting tab 206 can pivot about the strip 208 and return to its
extended position upon the release of any force upon the projecting
tab 206. In an example, the strip 208 can be a thermoplastic
polymer. In another example, the entire tip 200 can be made from
such a polymer.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, perspective view and a
side section view of a quick release tip 210, respectively, are
shown. The tip in FIG. 8A is coupled to an extension pole 211. As
in some of the previously described embodiments, the top piece 212
on the front section 214 includes a collar 216 that engages the
flanges 218 of the button 220 to capture the button 220. However, a
side rail 222 of the collar 216 is slidably removable in a side
groove 224 in the collar 216. Accordingly, the button assembly 228
can be assembled by removing the side rail 222, inserting the
button 220 and spring 230 with the flanges 218 under the collar
216, and replacing the side rail 222. The side rail 222 can be held
in place by an interference snap-fit engagement, a suitable
retention bracket (not shown), an adhesive bond (in which case it
would not be removable), or other known methods.
[0043] Similarly, FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a perspective view and
a front section view of a quick release tip 240, respectively. In
this exemplified quick release tip, a front rail 242 is removable
from the collar 244. In all other repsects, it is similar to the
quick release tip 210 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0044] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a perspective view and a side
section view of a quick release assembly 250. A base 252 may
include a front section 254 with a front end 256 and a rear section
258 with a rear end 260. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the rear
section 258 attached to a pole 262. In this example, the front end
256 of the base 252 may include a receiver 264. A button assembly
266 is generally disposed in the receiver 264 and includes a button
268, a collar 270 capturing the button 268, a spring 272 biasing
the button 268 toward the longitudinal axis X, and a tab 274
connected to the button 268. The user may pull the tab 274 away
from the longitudinal axis X against the force of the spring 272 to
move the button 268 in a similar direction, thereby permitting the
removal of the tip 276 from the base 252.
[0045] The tip 276 includes a rear section 278 sized and shaped to
be inserted into the receiver 264. The rear section 278 has a rear
end 280 and an inner channel 282 extending throughout its length,
and includes a plug 284 with an engagement ledge 286 and a platform
288. The platform 288 and the engagement ledge 286 each have a flat
surface 290, 292. A gasket 294 is disposed on the rear end 280
surrounding the inner channel 282.
[0046] When the tip 276 is assembled to the base 252, the button
268 extends toward the longitudinal axis X, with the button 268
bearing against the platform 288 past the engagement ledge 286.
Accordingly, the engagement ledge 286 bearing against the rear side
of the button 268 restricts the tip 276 from moving longitudinally
relative to the base 252. Further, the flat surface 290 of the
engagement ledge 286 bears against a flat internal surface 296 of
the receiver 264, and the flat surface 292 of the platform 288
bears against the button 268. These interactions restrict the tip
276 from rotating relative to the base 252.
[0047] To separate the tip 276 from the base 252, a user pulls up
on the tab 274 away from the longitudinal axis X which raises the
button 268 above the engagement ledge 286. The assembly 250 may
then separate when the user pulls the base 252 and tip 276 in
opposite directions of the longitudinal axis X.
[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an additional
example of an implement 300 with a tip 308 and a base 310. The tip
308 is connected to an extendible pole 304 that is fully described
in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, the contents of which
are included herein by reference. The pole 304 is sealed on its
rear end by a handle 306, and therefore does not allow a liquid
such as paint, water or other liquid to be introduced into and flow
through its interior as in the previous examples.
[0049] The tip 308 and the base 310 are constructed similarly as in
FIG. 2, except that neither the tip 308 nor the base 310 includes
an inner channel. While, of course, the tip 308 and the base 310
can include inner channels as in previous examples, it is not
required because the pole 304 in this example has no provision to
allow a liquid to flow through its interior to the tip 308 and base
310 (due to the sealing by the handle 306).
[0050] A paint roller 312 is shown integrally connected to the base
310 in FIG. 11, but other tools can be used with the implement 300.
The base 310 and the paint roller 312 can be secured to and removed
from the tip 308 as in previous examples. After the base 310 is
removed from the tip 308, a second base (not shown) similar to the
base 310 can then be disposed on the tip 308. The second base can
have a different type of tool such as a paint brush (not shown)
attached to it. Furthermore, a base similar to base 310 with
virtually any type of tool attached to it could be disposed on the
tip 308 and used. For example, in addition to the already mentioned
paint roller and paint brush, other tools such as a broom,
squeegee, pik, other kinds of brushes, and the like can be
connected to a base and used. Thus, the implement 300 allows for
the quick interchangeability of tools.
[0051] A variety of materials may be used to manufacture the quick
release tip and the base including but not limited to die cast
zinc, aluminum, stainless steel, and a variety of thermoplastic
resins. Thermoplastic polymers such as, for example, polyesters,
nylons, polypropylenes, and mixtures thereof are specific materials
that can be used to fabricate the tip and the base.
[0052] Although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of a quick-tip
system, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited
thereto. On the contrary, the detailed description is to be
construed as exemplary only and does not describe every embodiment
of a quick-tip system.
* * * * *