U.S. patent application number 11/681026 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Paul D. Morgan.
Application Number | 20080209647 11/681026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39732051 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080209647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; Paul D. |
September 4, 2008 |
Cleaning Device
Abstract
A cleaning device includes a length adjustable handle with a
traditional cleaning device selectively attached to one end and a
scuff removal device attached to an opposed end. The traditional
cleaning device may be a light or heavy duty broom, wet mop, dust
mop, squeegee, or the like. The scuff removal device may include a
motor connected to a battery and a scuff removal tip operatively
coupled to the motor. When the motor is selectively energized, the
tip is caused to vibrate for efficiently removing a scuff mark from
a surface. Thus, the cleaning device may be converted from a
traditional cleaning tool to a scuff mark removal tool merely by
inverting the elongate handle in the user's hands.
Inventors: |
Morgan; Paul D.; (Overland
Park, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARSHAW RESEARCH, INC.
210 W. TECUMSEH STREET
OTTAWA
KS
66067
US
|
Family ID: |
39732051 |
Appl. No.: |
11/681026 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/4 ; 15/105;
15/106; 15/118; 15/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
17/08 20130101; A47L 13/10 20130101; A46B 5/005 20130101; A46B
2200/302 20130101; A46B 13/023 20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101;
B25F 1/02 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/4 ; 15/105;
15/106; 15/118; 15/121 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20060101
A47L013/12; A47L 11/26 20060101 A47L011/26 |
Claims
1. A cleaning device for removing streaks and scuffs from a floor
surface, comprising: an elongate handle having oppositely disposed
first and second ends; a first cleaning device removably coupled to
said first end; and a second cleaning device attached to said
second end.
2. The cleaning device as in claim 1 wherein said handle is length
adjustable.
3. The cleaning device as in claim 1 wherein said first cleaning
device is selected from the group consisting of a broom, a dust
mop, and a squeegee.
4. The cleaning device as in claim 3 wherein said second cleaning
device is a scuff removal device having a generally tubular body
portion defining an opening at a lower end and having a scuff
removal tip at an upper end, said scuff removal tip having a
generally rigid construction of a felt material and having a
generally spherical configuration.
5. The cleaning device as in claim 4 wherein said lower end of said
body portion is removably coupled to said second end of said
handle.
6. The cleaning device as in claim 1 wherein said second cleaning
device is a scuff removal device having a generally tubular body
portion defining an opening at a lower end and having a scuff
removal tip at an upper end, said scuff removal tip having a
generally rigid construction of a felt material and having a
generally spherical configuration.
7. The cleaning device as in claim 6 further comprising: a motor
positioned adjacent said upper end of said scuff removal device; a
battery electrically connected to said motor; a switch electrically
connected to said battery and said motor for selectively energizing
said motor; a shaft operatively connected to said motor for
relative back and forth movement when said motor is energized, said
shaft extending longitudinally from said second end of said handle;
and wherein said scuff removal device is removably coupled to said
shaft such that said scuff removal device vibrates when said motor
is energized.
8. The cleaning device as in claim 4 further comprising: a motor
positioned adjacent said upper end of said scuff removal device; a
battery electrically connected to said motor; a switch electrically
connected to said battery and said motor for selectively energizing
said motor; a shaft operatively connected to said motor for
relative back and forth movement when said motor is energized, said
shaft extending longitudinally from said second end of said handle;
and wherein said scuff removal tip is removably coupled to said
shaft such that said scuff removal device vibrates when said motor
is energized.
9. The cleaning device as in claim 5 further comprising: a motor
positioned adjacent said upper end of said scuff removal device; a
battery electrically connected to said motor; a switch electrically
connected to said battery and said motor for selectively energizing
said motor; a shaft operatively connected to said motor for
relative back and forth movement when said motor is energized, said
shaft extending longitudinally from said second end of said handle;
and wherein said scuff removal tip is removably coupled to said
shaft such that said scuff removal device vibrates when said motor
is energized.
10. The scuff removal tool as in claim 5, further comprising: a
battery recharging station; and means for removably mounting said
scuff removal device to said battery recharging station so that
said battery is recharged.
11. A cleaning device for removing streaks from a floor surface,
comprising: a handle having oppositely disposed first and second
ends, said handle being length adjustable; a first cleaning device
removably coupled to said first end; a scuff removal device having
a generally tubular body portion defining an opening at a lower end
and having a scuff removal tip at an upper end, said scuff removal
tip having a generally rigid construction of a felt material and
having a generally spherical configuration; and wherein said lower
end of said body portion is coupled to said second end of said
handle.
12. The cleaning device as in claim 11 wherein said lower end of
said body portion is removably coupled to said second end of said
handle.
13. The cleaning device as in claim 11 further comprising: a motor
positioned adjacent said upper end of said scuff removal device; a
battery electrically connected to said motor; a switch electrically
connected to said battery and said motor for selectively energizing
said motor; a shaft operatively connected to said motor for
relative back and forth movement when said motor is energized, said
shaft extending longitudinally from said second end of said handle;
and wherein said scuff removal tip is removably coupled to said
shaft such that said scuff removal device vibrates when said motor
is energized.
14. The cleaning device as in claim 11 wherein said first cleaning
device includes a plurality of cleaning instruments, each of which
is removably attachable to said first end of said handle.
15. The cleaning device as in claim 14 further comprising: a
battery recharging station; and means for removably mounting said
scuff removal device to said battery recharging station so that
said battery is recharged.
16. The cleaning device as in claim 11 wherein said first cleaning
device is selected from the group consisting of a broom, a dust
mop, and a squeegee.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a cleaning device and,
more particularly, to a cleaning device for removing streaks or
scuff marks from a floor surface.
[0002] Scuff marks, particularly those caused by black leather
shoes or appliance wheels, are an unsightly problem for floors
covered with wood, vinyl, tile, linoleum, and the like. It is
inconvenient or otherwise disadvantageous to have to clean such
scuff marks with a liquid cleaning solution. Further, it is
inconvenient for a person to have to stop using a traditional
cleaning implement such as a broom or dust mop, retrieve another
implement to remove a scuff, or to have to wet the floor, clean the
scuff mark, and then dry the floor before continuing to work with
the original cleaning device.
[0003] Various devices have been proposed in the art for cleaning
scuff marks from a floor surface. Although assumably effective for
their intended purposes, the existing devices do not overcome the
several disadvantages and inconveniences discussed above.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a cleaning device that
includes one or more traditional floor cleaning devices as well as
a scuff removal device. Further, it would be desirable to have a
cleaning device that may be used both for traditional floor
cleaning and for cleaning scuff marks without having to change
cleaning attachments. In addition, it would be desirable to have a
cleaning device that efficiently removes scuff marks using a
motorized scuff removal tip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention includes a cleaning device having a
length adjustable handle with a traditional cleaning device
selectively attached to one end and a scuff removal device
removably attachable to an opposed end. The traditional cleaning
device may be a broom, a wringer/wet mop, a dust mop, a squeegee,
or the like. The scuff removal device may include a motor connected
to a battery and a scuff removal tip operatively coupled to the
motor. When the motor is selectively energized, the tip is caused
to rapidly vibrate for efficiently removing a scuff mark from a
floor surface. Thus, the cleaning device may be converted from a
traditional cleaning tool to a scuff mark removal tool merely by
inverting the elongate handle in the user's hands. In addition, the
motorized scuff removal device provides an efficient means for
removing scuff marks without the need to apply a liquid cleaning
solution and without the need for other cleaning instruments.
[0005] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide
a cleaning device that enables a user to clean a floor surface in a
traditional manner or to clean scuff marks from the floor surface
without having to store one device and access another.
[0006] Another object of this invention is to provide a cleaning
device, as aforesaid, that enables a user to remove scuff marks
without need for liquid cleaners or other cleaning tools.
[0007] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
cleaning device, as aforesaid, having a handle that is
length-adjustable.
[0008] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
cleaning device, as aforesaid, in which cleaning attachments are
removable and interchangeable.
[0009] A further object of this invention is to provide a cleaning
device, as aforesaid, that is simple to use and economical to
manufacture.
[0010] A still further object of this invention is to provide a
cleaning device, as aforesaid, that is motorized and energized with
a rechargeable battery.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device with
attachments according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a scuff removal device
removed from the cleaning device of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 2b is an isolated perspective view of a portion of the
handle removed from the cleaning device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 3a to 3d are isolated views on enlarged scales of
first cleaning member devices as in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the scuff removal device as in
FIG. 2a; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery recharging unit
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] A cleaning device for removing streaks from a floor surface
according to the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. A cleaning
device according a preferred embodiment of this invention includes
a handle 12, a first cleaning device 30, and a second cleaning
device 40.
[0019] More particularly, the cleaning device 10 includes an
elongate handle 12 having a first handle member 20 and a second
handle member 22 coupled to the first handle member 20 (FIG. 1).
The handle 12 is length adjustable in that the first handle member
20 may include a tubular construction having a diameter that is
smaller than the diameter of the second handle member 22 which also
has a tubular construction. A coupling 18 may join the first 20 and
second 22 handle members, allowing relative movement when loosened
and fixing them at a selected position when tightened. Of course,
other constructions enabling length adjustment would also be
suitable, such as a plurality of holes in the tubular members and a
pin for fixing the tubular members at a desired position relative
to one another.
[0020] The handle 12 presents a first end 14 and a second end 16
oppositely disposed from the first end 14 (FIG. 1). The cleaning
device 10 includes a first cleaning device 30 removably coupled to
the first end 14 of the handle 12 (FIG. 1). As best shown in FIGS.
3a to 3d, the first cleaning device 30 may be a heavy duty broom
32, a squeegee 34, a light duty broom 36, a dust mop 38, a wet mop
(not shown), or some other cleaning instrument. Further, the first
cleaning device 30 may include a plurality of cleaning instruments,
each of which may be selectively attached to the handle first end,
as desired. Thus, the cleaning device 10 may be marketed in the
form of a kit. The first cleaning device 30 may be attached to the
first end 14 of the handle 12 using a coupling 39 as described
previously, with a friction fit attachment, with a pin, or other
similar fastener.
[0021] The cleaning device 10 includes a second cleaning device 40
attached to the second end 16 of the handle 12 (FIG. 1). More
particularly, the second cleaning device 40 includes a scuff
removal device 42 (FIG. 2a). While the scuff removal device 42 may
be fixedly attached to the handle second end 16, it is preferably
removably attached as will be described below. The scuff removal
device 42 includes a generally tubular body portion 43 defining an
opening 44 at a lower end and includes a scuff removal tip 46 at an
opposed upper end. The scuff removal tip 46 is preferably
constructed of a felt material that is generally rigid and arranged
in a generally spherical configuration (FIG. 2a). The scuff removal
tip 46 is useful for cleaning scuff marks from a floor surface. The
scuff removal device 42 may be attached to the handle 12 by
inserting the second end 16 thereof into the opening 44 of the body
portion 43. It may be held thereon by a friction fit, threads, or
another suitable fastener.
[0022] The scuff removal device 42 may also include means for
causing the scuff removal tip 46 to vibrate for the purpose of more
efficient removal of scuff marks. More particularly, the scuff
removal device 42 includes a motor (not shown) positioned within
the body portion 43 adjacent the upper end thereof. The body
portion 43 may include a generally bulbous or protruded
configuration 48 in which to house the motor, as shown particularly
in FIG. 2a. A battery may also be positioned in the body portion 43
of the scuff removal device 42 and may be electrically connected to
the motor. The battery may be rechargeable. A switch 50 may be
mounted to the body portion 43, such as on the protruded section
(FIG. 2a) and be operatively and electrically connected to both the
battery and the motor for selectively energizing the motor. An axle
shaft 52 is operatively connected to the motor and extends
therefrom along a longitudinal axis defined by the scuff removal
device 42. The shaft, therefore, is capable of relative back and
forth movement when the motor is energized. Further, the scuff
removal tip 46 may be releasably coupled to the shaft 52 such that
it may be removed and replaced when it becomes worn, degraded, or
unacceptably dirty. As shown in FIG. 4, the scuff removal tip 46
may include a bore 52b in a lower surface 52a into which the axle
shaft 52 may be inserted in a friction or snap fit relationship or
the like. When attached to the shaft and the motor is energized,
the scuff removal tip 46 is caused to vibrate at a high frequency
rate for optimal efficiency in removing a scuff mark on a floor
surface. It should be appreciated that the scuff removal device 42
may be removed from the handle 12 and used by hand to remove scuff
marks from a floor surface.
[0023] The cleaning device 10 may also include a battery recharging
station 60 (FIG. 5). The recharging station 60 may include a power
cord 62 that may be plugged in to a traditional AC electric outlet
and may include a receptacle for receiving a lower end of the scuff
removal device 42. The lower end of the scuff removal device 42
includes a plug 54 or other electrical connection for receiving an
electric charge from the recharging station 60 and for transferring
it to the battery.
[0024] In use, the handle 12 of the cleaning device 10 may be
adjusted to a desired length and a desired first cleaning device 30
may be selectively attached to the first end 14 of the handle 12.
The scuff removal device 42 may likewise be removably coupled to
the second end 16 of the handle 12. A user may then hold and
manipulate the handle 12 in a traditional manner to clean with the
first cleaning member 30. The scuff removal device tip 46 may be
rubbed against a streak mark on a floor surface so as to remove the
streak mark. In addition, the motor positioned in the handle 12 may
be selectively energized such that the scuff removal device tip 46
vibrates to more efficiently rub a streak mark from a floor
surface. In addition, the cleaning device 10 may include a battery
recharging station 60 into which the rechargeable battery
positioned in the scuff removal device 42 may be recharged. The
scuff removal device 42 may be removed from the handle 12 and used
independently.
[0025] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention
have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
* * * * *