U.S. patent application number 11/672569 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for cleaning tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUICKIE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Vince Cella, Ryan Sheckels, Peter S. Vosbikian, Jace Weaver.
Application Number | 20080189887 11/672569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39681995 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080189887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vosbikian; Peter S. ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
CLEANING TOOL
Abstract
A cleaning tool comprising a main body and a cleaning implement
connected to the main body. The main body is configured to receive
and retain an air freshener.
Inventors: |
Vosbikian; Peter S.;
(Moorestown, NJ) ; Cella; Vince; (Medford, NJ)
; Weaver; Jace; (Gilbertsville, PA) ; Sheckels;
Ryan; (Marlton, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILDMAN HARROLD ALLEN & DIXON LLP
225 WEST WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2800
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
QUICKIE MANUFACTURING
CORPORATION
Cinnaminson
NJ
|
Family ID: |
39681995 |
Appl. No.: |
11/672569 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/105 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/38 20130101;
A61L 9/127 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; A46B 5/0095 20130101;
A46B 2200/302 20130101; A47L 13/24 20130101; A46B 15/0055
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/105 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20060101
A47L025/00 |
Claims
1. A cleaning tool, comprising: a main body configured to receive
and retain an air freshener; and a cleaning implement connected to
the main body.
2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a
cavity formed therein, the cavity being configured to receive the
air freshener.
3. The cleaning tool of claim 2, wherein the cavity is
cylindrical.
4. The cleaning tool of claim 2, further comprising at least one
tab extending from an edge of the cavity, the tab being configured
to retain the air freshener within the cavity and allow removal of
the air freshener from the cavity.
5. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises at
least one hole formed therein, the hole being positioned to allow
air to pass through the main body and over the air fresher.
6. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement is
removeably connected to the main body.
7. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement
comprises a plurality of fibers extending from the main body.
8. The cleaning tool of claim 7, wherein the fibers extend from a
bottom surface of the main body.
9. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement
comprises a dust cloth.
10. The cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising a handle
connected to the main body.
11. The cleaning tool of claim 9, further comprising a grip
connected to the handle, opposite the main body.
12. The cleaning tool of claim 9, wherein the handle is removeably
connected to the main body.
13. The cleaning tool of claim 11, wherein the handle is connected
to the main body through a plug, the plug comprising a first end
that is press fit into an opening formed in the handle and a
threaded second end that is threaded into a threaded opening formed
in the main body.
14. A cleaning tool kit, comprising: a main body; a cleaning
implement; and an air freshener.
15. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, further comprising a
handle.
16. The cleaning tool kit of claim 15, wherein the handle and the
main body are integral.
17. The cleaning tool kit of claim 15, wherein the handle is
removably secured to the main body.
18. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the main body and
the cleaning implement are integral.
19. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the cleaning
implement is removably secured to the main body.
20. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the main body and
the air freshener are integral.
21. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the air freshener is
removeably secured to the main body.
22. A method for assembling a cleaning tool, comprising the steps
of: securing a cleaning implement to a main body; and securing an
air freshener to the main body.
23. The method for assembling a cleaning tool of claim 22, further
comprising the step of securing a handle to the main body.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to dry cleaning tools, such as
brooms, dust mops, hand held dusters, and web dusters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In one example, the present invention relates to a cleaning
tool comprising a main body and a cleaning implement connected to
the main body. The main body is configured to receive and retain an
air freshener.
[0003] In another example, the present invention relates to a
cleaning tool kit comprising a main body, a cleaning implement, and
an air freshener.
[0004] In another example, the present invention relates to a
method for assembling a cleaning tool. The method comprises the
steps of: securing a cleaning implement to a main body; and
securing an air freshener to the main body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is front view of one example of a cleaning tool
according to the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is front view of one example of the main body of the
cleaning tool of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the main body of FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a back view of the main body of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, one example of a cleaning tool 10
according to the present invention is shown. For illustrative
purposes, the exemplary cleaning tool 10 described herein is a
broom, however, it will be understood that the cleaning tool 10
could be any type of dry cleaning tool such as a dust mop, hand
held duster, web duster, etc. In this example, cleaning tool 10
generally has a main body 20, cleaning implement 60, and handle
40.
[0010] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, in the example shown, main body 20
is a broom block that is made from foam filled homopolymer
polypropylene (HPPP). Main body 20 has a generally triangular shape
that is formed by bottom surface 28, and side surfaces 36, 38. In
this particular example, main body 20 has a height H.sub.1 of
approximately 3.755 inches, a length L of approximately 8.881
inches, and a depth D of approximately 1.005 inches. In addition,
the angle C formed between bottom surface 28 and side surface 36 is
approximately 28 degrees and side surface 38 is generally
perpendicular to bottom surface 28. Alternatively, main body 20 can
be made of any material and of any geometry desired depending on
the intended application.
[0011] Neck 30 is generally cylindrical and extends from side
surface 36 in a direction generally perpendicular to bottom surface
28. In this example, the height H.sub.2 of main body 20 from the
top of neck 30 to bottom surface 28 is approximately 4.736 inches.
Threaded opening 32 is formed in neck 30 and is adapted to receive
threaded end 54 of plug 50 (see FIG. 1) to connect main body 20 to
handle 40, as described in more detail below. In addition, in this
particular example, decorative tab 40 extends between neck 30 and
side surface 36. Depending on the type of tool, whether or not a
removable handle is used, and if a handle is used the type of
handle, neck 30 may or may not be required or may have a different
configuration for a different connection type. For example, if
cleaning tool 10 was a hand duster it may not have a handle and
neck 30 would not be required or the handle could be integrally
formed with the main body. Furthermore, the handle could be
connected to the main body in various ways such as a press fit, set
screws, screws, adhesive, etc.
[0012] Opening 22 is formed within the interior of main body 22 and
allows air to pass through main body 22 with cleaning tool 10 is in
motion. Frame 24 is formed within opening 22 and generally extends
between bottom surface 28 and side surfaces 36, 38. Referring
specifically to FIG. 4, cavity 34 is formed in frame 24 of main
body 20 and is adapted to receive an air freshener 44 (shown in
phantom). Alternatively, a solid main body 20 can be used, in which
case cavity 34 would be formed in the solid portion of the main
body and opening 22 and frame 24 would not be present. In the
particular example shown, cavity 34 is generally cylindrical, has a
diameter of approximately 2.8-3.0 inches, and is adapted to hold an
Air-Wick.RTM. air fresher, however, the size and geometry of cavity
34 will be determined by the particular air freshener used.
[0013] Tabs 42 are formed at the periphery of cavity 34, extend
into cavity 34, and are used to retain air freshener 44 within
cavity 34 of main body 20 through an interference fit.
Alternatively, many other well known methods could be used to
retain air freshener 44 within cavity 34 as well. Hole 26 is formed
in frame 24 of body 20 and is positioned to provide air flow
through hole 26 and over air freshener 44 when main body 20 is in
motion. Therefore, when cleaning tool 10 is in use and main body 20
is in motion, air flows through hole 26 and over air freshener 44
to disburse the air freshener scent into the air while
simultaneously while cleaning. The number, size, and position of
the hole(s) used will depend on the type and size of the main body
20, the size of the air freshener, and the intended use.
[0014] Referring again to FIG. 1, cleaning implement 60 is attached
to bottom surface 28 of main body 20 and in this example is
comprised of multiple fibers 62. As discussed above, although the
exemplary cleaning tool described herein is a broom, other dry
cleaning tools are contemplated as well. For example, if cleaning
tool 10 were a dust mop, cleaning implement 60 may be flexible dust
collection fibers or a dust pad. In this example, fibers 62 are
made from flaggable polypropylene (PP), have a diameter of
approximately 0.020 inches, and are secured to bottom surface 28 of
main body 20 by drilling holes in bottom surface 28 and staple
setting fibers 62 into main body 20. Alternatively, fibers 62 could
be secured to main body 20 by any well known means, such as by
integrally molding fibers 62 into main body 20. Fibers 62 are
distributed in a fan pattern such that fibers 62 positioned at the
left side of bottom surface 28 are aligned at an angle A of
approximately 112 degrees from bottom surface 28 and fibers 62
positioned at the right side of bottom surface 28 are aligned at an
angle B of approximately 106 from bottom surface 28. In addition,
in the example, the lengths of fibers 62 are tapered from one end
of bottom surface 28 to the other such that fibers 62 at the left
side are approximately 5.125 inches long from bottom surface 28 to
the end of the fiber and fibers 62 at the right side are
approximately 4 inches long from bottom surface 28 to the end of
the fiber. Tapering fibers 62 provides a flat surface that is set
at an angle in relation to bottom surface 28 and allows cleaning
tool 10 to be oriented in a more comfortable position during use.
Alternatively, depending on the type of cleaning implement used,
cleaning implement 60 could be permanently connected to main body
20, such as described above, or could be removably connected to
main body 20, as would be the case with replaceable dust pads.
[0015] In this example, handle 40 is tubular and has an outer
diameter of approximately 0.827 inches and a wall thickness of
approximately 0.012 inches. It is made of full hard, cold rolled,
low carbon, powder coated steel having a hardness of approximately
85-95 on the Rockwell B scale. Alternatively, handle 40 could be
made of any desired material and in any geometry that suits the
indented purpose.
[0016] Handle 40 is secured to main body 20 through plug 50, which
is generally cylindrical and could be made from copolymer
polypropylene (CPPP). End 52 of plug 50 is connected to one end
handle 40 by press fitting end 52 into the end of handle 40 and
crimping handle 40 to secure plug 50 in place. End 54 of plug 50
has a threaded surface that can engage threaded opening 32 in main
body 20, thereby connecting handle 40 to main body 20.
Alternatively, rather than being removably connected to main body
20, handle 40 could be permanently connected to main body 20
through any well known means or could be made integral with main
body 20. In addition, depending on the type of tool, cleaning tool
10 may not have a handle at all.
[0017] In this example, grip 48 is also secured on one end of
handle 40, opposite plug 50, to provide a comfortable handling
surface for a user. Grip 48 has a generally cylindrical shape, is
approximately 5.75 inches long, 0.95 inches in diameter, and has a
swivel cap 49 that allows cleaning tool 10 to be hung up and
stored. Grip 48 can be press fit onto handle 40, secured with an
adhesive or screws, or connected to handle 40 in any other well
known manner and can be made of any geometry and any material
suitable for the intended purpose. Alternatively, depending on the
type of tool and the intended uses, grip 48 may not be required. In
this example, the length of the handle assembly from the tip of
swivel cap 49 to the end of plug 50 is approximately 44 inches.
[0018] In addition, the various components of cleaning tool 10
could be sold together in various combinations. For example, a main
body, cleaning implement, and air freshener could be sold together.
The cleaning implement could be integral to the main body as
described above in the case of a broom or the cleaning implement
could be removably connected to the main body as in the case of a
web duster. Similarly, the air freshener could be integral to the
main body or could be replaceable and removably connected to the
main body. Furthermore, a handle could also be sold together with
the other components. Again, the handle could be integral to the
main body or could be removably connected to the main body as
described above.
[0019] Although the present invention has been shown and described
with respect to one example embodiment thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
various other changes, omissions, and additions in the form and
detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *