Fabric Brush

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brush, and more particularly to a hand brush in which the brush element comprises bristles which are embedded in a flat, flexible carrier, such as a fabric or the like, or are mounted thereon, and in which the brush element, padded by an elastic mass, is adapted to be snapped into a handle made of a suitable plastic. Any conventional material such as hair, velvet, plush, rigid fibers or the like may be used as bristles, and the bristles are inserted close together in the flat carrier with the tips of the bristles being all inclined in the same direction relative to the carrier.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a brush which may be easily and quickly assembled by production line processes, which is particularly effective in the cleaning of fabrics, and which is very convenient to use. More specifically the present invention relates to a brush comprising a brushing element bearing parallely inclined bristles which is adapted to be attached to a handle through the snapping together of several plastic parts.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is known in the art that brushes with parallely inclined bristles provide a special advantage in cleaning textile surfaces since small particles of dust, hair, fluff, etc., on such surfaces are loosened thereby, and swept into and trapped in the spaces between the bristles. However, a brush having inclined bristles can be used only in a single direction, for if the brush is moved in the opposite direction particles of dirt held in the spaces between the sloping bristles will be released and will drop out. For this reason the inclined bristle brushes of the prior art have been inconvenient to use, since the handles employed therein have not been adapted for undirectional use.

Furthermore, the brushes of the prior art are generally expensive to manufacture due to difficulties encountered in their assembly. Assembly of known brushes generally requires three steps, namely: (1) the assembly of the brushing element; (2) the attachment of the bristle carrier to this element, usually by gluing; and (3) the securing of the element-carrier combination to the handle. It should be noted that the second step, and usually the final step, requires substantial time to complete and therefore interferes with the high-speed production line assembly of the prior art brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the subject invention a fabric brush is provided in which bristles are embedded in a flat, flexible carrier such as a fabric, or are mounted thereon, and in which the carrier is padded with a resilient mass formed of a suitable material such as a synthetic foam. A generally oval shaped base plate formed of a suitable plastic supports the padded mass and the bristle carrier which is laid over the mass.

A frame, also formed of a suitable plastic, is adapted to surround the base plate, when mounted from the brush side thereof, and to firmly clamp the bristle carrier between itself and the base plate. Adjacent the edge of the frame away from the base plate, a continuous rib is provided on its outer surface which is adapted to secure the brush handle.

The brush handle is a generally oval, hollow structure, also formed of a suitable plastic material, and has two indentations which are adapted to fit the curved-over fingers and heel of the hand of a user, respectively. This handle configuration is particularly convenient for use in the inclined bristle fabric brush of the present invention since it indicates to the user the proper direction in which the brush is to be swept, and facilitates its use in this direction. On the interior surface of the handle a continuous, inwardly projecting rib is provided and is adapted to snap-over the rib on the frame to secure the handle thereto in the assembly of the brushing element-frame combination and the handle.

Further in accordance with the subject invention, the bristles are embedded in, or mounted on, the carrier in a manner such that they are all parallely inclined in the direction toward the indentation in the handle adapted to fit the curved-over fingers of the user's hand. This makes the brush particularly effective for the cleaning of fabric surfaces. Moreover, the indentations in the handle of the brush indicate the proper direction for its use, i.e., in the direction toward the indentation for the curved fingers of the user, since this is the direction toward which the bristles slope. This provides significant convenience for the user since the heel of the hand may be used to push the brush, and because the possibility of the brush being used in the wrong direction is substantially eliminated. In the latter regard, an arrow indicating the proper direction of use is provided on the horizontal portion of the finger-receiving indentation, and this arrow is positioned so as not to be covered by the user's fingers, so that it is always in view.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of the present invention to provide a fabric brush comprising parts which may be easily and quickly snapped together for rapid assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric brush in which the means utilized to secure the brushing element to the handle comprise parts which snap together in cooperation with the handle to clamp said brushing element firmly in place, thus eliminating the need for a separate assembly step.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric brush which employs parallely inclined bristles, and which is therefore particularly effective in cleaning fabric surfaces.

A still further object of the subject invention is to provide a fabric brush with parallely inclined bristles in which the handle is constructed so as to readily indicate the proper direction of use to the user, and to provide convenience for the user thereof.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a fabric brush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section view of the fabric brush taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the fabric brush shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the fabric brush shown in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The generally oval brush 10 shown in the attached drawing comprises three parts, each formed of a suitable plastic which will deform slightly without fracturing, which may be easily snapped together and which are adapted to hold a brush element 12 firmly in place. Brush element 12 comprises a carrier 14 (FIG. 2) in which inclined bristles 16 (shown schematically) are inserted close together, or are electrostatically attached thereto, with said bristles 16 being inclined relative to the carrier 14, and being substantially parallel to one another. Brush element 12 is supported on an elastic mass 18 (FIG. 2) which is preferably formed of a suitable foamed material and which imparts resilience to brush element 12.

On the opposite side of elastic mass 18 a generally rigid, oval base plate 20 (FIG. 2) is provided. Carrier 14 is made of such a size that its edge portion 22 projects beyond the periphery of base plate 20 when carrier 14 is folded over so as to project beyond the edge 24 of base plate 20.

The periphery of base plate 20 is bent upwardly out of the horizontal plane to form a generally upright rim 26 and the edge 24 of this substantially perpendicular rim 26 is bent outwardly to form a generally right angle with rim 26. The circumference of edge 24 is serrated and the serrations 28 thereupon are used to retain brush element 12 when a generally cylindrical frame 30 is slipped from the brush side over the brush element 12. The lower edge 32 of frame 30 is bent upwardly to form a flange 33 and thus engages the projecting edge of the carrier 14, draws it over serrations 28 on edge 24 of base plate 20, and clamps carrier 14 firmly in place.

The height of frame 30 corresponds generally to the width of the elastic mass 18. The inner cross-section of frame 30 is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of base plate 20, determined by the tips of serrations 28. The lower peripheral edge 32 of frame 30, being bent over inwardly, acts as a stop to ensure proper alignment of the frame and base plate 20, and also to reinforce frame 30.

Thus, when carrier 14 is laid over the lateral surface of elastic mass 18 and drawn over serrations 28 formed on edge 24 of base plate 20, as the frame 30 is fitted over base plate 20, its inwardly bent lower edge 32 presses edge 22 of carrier 14 from below against the underside of serrated edge 24 of base plate 20 to clamp the carrier in place and prevents frame 30 from being pushed too far up (FIG. 2).

Adjacent the upper edge of cylindrical frame 30 an outwardly projecting encircling rib 34 is provided which forms an attachment means for a handle 36. The point of rib 34 is connected to the upper outer surface of frame 30 by a slope without a sharp bend so that the handle 36, when being mounted, can slide on this surface without obstruction. The handle 36 is pressed from above over frame 30, and the spreading pressure exerted by the slope of the rib 34 expands the side wall 38 of handle 36. In the lower section of the internal circumference of side wall 38 of handle 36, a broken or continuous rib 40 is provided which cooperates with rib 34 on frame 30 to secure the handle. This rib 40, when the handle 36 is pressed into position, slides over the upper slope of rib 34 and snaps over the point of rib 34 on account of the elasticity of the side wall 38, and it engages in this position. To impart the necessary strength to the brush 10, upwardly projecting pins 42 are located at intervals around the peripheral edge of the base plate 20, with the length of pins 42 corresponding to the height of the handle cavity. The free ends of these pins 42 abut against the inner surface of top 43 of handle 36. Pins 42 may be replaced by ribs and grooves cooperating therewith.

To allow brush 10 to be properly gripped and held so as to lie conveniently in the hand of the user, handle 36 is provided with a first indentation 44 which extends from the circumference of the wide side of handle 36, first slanting slightly inwardly and then merging into a highly arched arc, so that its upper part again faces forward to form an acute angle with top 43. In this manner the finger tips of the user can engage in the first indentation 44 and firmly grip brush 10. The outer surface of handle 36 may additionally be provided with a second indentation 46 to ensure an even better and more reliable grip for the heel of hand.

When using a brush element 12 comprising inclined bristles 16, it is necessary for the brushing strokes to be made only in one direction. When used properly the fabric brush 10 on the present invention may be used to remove easily and completely particles of dust, fine hair, fluff, etc., since even the finest particles are swept into and trapped in the spaces between bristles 16. It is essential, however, for the brush to be drawn over the fabric surface to be cleaned in the direction toward which bristles 16 slope. Moving the brush in the opposite direction would release the entrained particles. To ensure that the user utilizes the brush in the correct manner, i.e., toward the first indentation 44, a directional arrow 48 is provided on the horizontal portion of this indentation in such a position that it is not covered by the fingers of the user. To indicate the correct direction of use of the brush 10, the first indentation 44 is also of advantage, since it automatically causes the brush to be so gripped so that arrow 48 points in the same direction, regardless of whether the brush is used with the right or the left hand.

Base plate 20, frame 30 and handle 36 are all made of a plastic which has the required strength but also a certain elasticity so that in the assembly of the fabric brush 10, frame 30 can be slipped over serrations 28 on the edge 24 of the base plate 20, and side wall 38 of handle 36 can be snapped over rib 34 on frame 30.

Thus, the elements of the fabric brush of the subject invention can be easily and quickly assembled without any difficulty. The individual components are held firmly together so that it is practically impossible for them to come apart. The brush 10 itself, is lightweight and lies easy in the hand. The shape of the brush is optional, an oval or circular outline being preferred.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arrangements taught herein are merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the subject invention and that additional changes, modifications and variations may be made in the arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A fabric brush comprising:

a brush element comprising bristles which are embedded in a flat, flexible carrier part such as a fabric, or are mounted thereon, and in which the carrier is padded by an elastic mass and is clamped between plastic parts comprising a rigid plastic base plate to support the brush element and elastic mass;

a plastic frame adapted to be mounted over the base plate from the brush side so that the edge of the carrier is firmly clamped in the space between the plastic frame and the periphery of the plastic base plate, the peripheral edge section of the base plate is bent substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the base plate and the edge of this substantially perpendicular edge section is in turn bent outwards, and

a hollow plastic handle engaging over the upper edge section of the frame from the side remote from the brush element.

2. A fabric brush comprising:

a brush element comprising bristles which are embedded in a flat, flexible carrier part such as a fabric, or are mounted thereon, and in which the carrier is padded by an elastic mass and is clamped between plastic parts comprising a rigid base plate to support the brush element and elastic mass;

a frame, corresponding in height substantially to the width of the elastic mass, adapted to be mounted over the base plate from the brush side so that the edge of the carrier is firmly clamped in the space between the frame and the periphery of the base plate; and

a hollow handle engaging over the upper edge section of the frame from the side remote from the brush element, the peripheral edge of the base plate is bent substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the base plate and the edge of this substantially perpendicular edge section is in turn bent outwards, and wherein the periphery of this edge section is serrated.

3. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the periphery of this edge section is serrated.

4. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner cross-section of the frame is somewhat larger than the cross-section determined by the tips of the serrations on the periphery of the edge section of the base plate, the lower peripheral edge of the frame being bent over inwards to form a flange.

5. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 4, wherein an encircling rib is provided around the outer circumference of the upper section of the frame.

6. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 5, wherein a continuous rib on the lower section of the inner surface of the side wall of the handle is provided, the rib cooperating with the rib on the outer circumference of the frame to secure the handle to the frame.

7. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 6, wherein the side of the base plate remote from the carrier is provided with upwardly projecting pins, the length of the pins corresponding to the height of the cavity in the hollow handle.

8. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 7, wherein the handle is provided with a first and a second indentation.

9. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first indentation slants slightly from one longitudinal edge of the handle and then merges into an arc which forms an acute angle with the handle.

10. A fabric brush as claimed in claim 9, wherein a directional arrow is provided on the handle.

11. A brush as claimed in claim 10, wherein the directional arrow is located in the first indentation of the handle.