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[0001] The invention is related to the art of cleaning tools. The invention will be described in terms of a household cleaning tool, such as, for example, a kitchen or bathroom cleaning tool. However, the invention can be applied to other cleaning, polishing, sanding or similar applications.
[0002] Known battery powered cleaning tools suffer from at least one of the following three drawbacks. They require non-standard power sources or batteries that are not readily available; they include slide-type switches, which are not momentary in nature; and/or they apply torque, and, therefore, stresses, to cleaning heads or brushes at relatively narrow portions of cleaning attachments.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,790 to Root, et al. discloses several battery powered scrubbing devices. Each disclosed scrubbing device includes a single rechargeable battery. Root does not disclose the size or type of battery. However, the relative size and shape of the battery shown in the illustrations, as well as a probable power requirement of a scrubbing device, indicate that the battery contemplated by Root is of a type not readily available to the general public.
[0004] Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifetime. Additionally, rechargeable batteries are known to have preferred operating and care conditions. For example, the useful lifetime of some rechargeable batteries is diminished if the batteries are not fully discharged before recharging. Many users of battery powered cleaning tools are unaware of, or are unwilling to devote the required attention to, a rechargeable battery care regime. Therefore, the difficulty in replacing the rechargeable batteries of Root, due to their uncommon nature, may lead to a shortened useful lifetime of the overall device.
[0005] The scrubbing devices of Root also include switches. Root does not disclose the type of switch. However, it appears that the switches disclosed in Root are of the push on/push off or slide type. For example, one switch is disposed at a back end of a scrubbing device. In that position, the switch cannot be reasonably held in an on position while the tool is being used. Non-momentary switches can be problematic in cleaning tools because a distracted user can forget to shut the tool off before placing it, for example, on a counter top. For instance, a user may be distracted, by a telephone or a child, and place a cleaning tool with a spinning cleaning head on a counter top. In that case, the cleaning tool may run across the counter top possibly knocking glasses and dishes to the floor. If, on the other hand, a cleaning tool were to incorporate a momentary switch, the cleaning head would stop moving as soon as the tool was released. Furthermore, the inclusion of a momentary actuation switch in a cleaning tool helps conserve energy. For example, through the use of a momentary switch the tool is de-powered during every pause in the cleaning operation, or whenever the user is not making a conscious effort to actuate the machine. Therefore, battery life is extended.
[0006] Lastly, Root discloses several cleaning heads. The cleaning heads include relatively narrow hexagonally shaped jacks that are received in a hexagonally shaped socket of the cleaning tool main body. Therefore, when the tool is operated, torque is applied with a very short moment arm to the edges and surfaces of the hexagonally shaped jack. Because the torque is applied with a relatively short moment arm, a working cleaning head, such as disclosed by Root, undergoes undue mechanical stresses that can lead to premature aging and, eventually, fatigue and brush failure.
[0007] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,681 B1 to Dolab discloses a rotary brush cleaning device including a rechargeable battery enclosed in a power source case, a switch of undisclosed type that appears to be a slide switch, and a plurality of cleaning heads. While Dolah suggests that replaceable batteries may be used, Dolah does not suggest a replaceable battery arrangement that would be adequate to provide the required power, nor does Dolah suggest a brush design that could accommodate replaceable batteries while maintaining an ergonomic form factor and pleasing design. The brushes disclosed by Dolah include base portions that are used to connect the brushes to the main body of the cleaning device. The base portions include L-shaped slots for receiving pins of the cleaning device. While no dimensions are given in either reference, the base portions of Dolah might be of a larger diameter than the jacks of Root. Therefore, Dolah may deliver torque to the brushes with a slightly larger moment arm. However, the brushes of Dolah include relatively narrow elongated intermediate shafts. The relatively narrow elongated intermediate shafts can undergo undue stress concentration which may lead to premature failure.
[0008] A third reference, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,588 to Sandt, et al. discloses a portable cleaning device. Like Root and Dolah, Sandt discloses a cleaning device having a switch of undisclosed type. However, the switch appears to be a non-momentary slide type. The portable cleaning device includes a rechargeable battery of undisclosed size and type. However, the size and shape of the battery shown in the figures appear to be that of a battery that is not readily available to the general public. The brushes of Sandt appear to receive torque in a manner similar to the brushes of Dolah. That is, while no dimensions are given in any of the references, it appears that the brushes of Sandt receive torque at a slightly larger moment arm than do the hexagonal jacks of Root. However, the brushes of Sandt include relatively narrow shafts where damaging stress due to torque can be concentrated.
[0009] Therefore, there exists a desire for a battery operated hand-held cleaning tool powered by commonly available batteries. There is a desire for a hand-held cleaning tool that is actuated with a momentary switch that de-powers the tool automatically when the tool is released. Additionally, there is a desire for a cleaning tool that delivers lower stress to cleaning heads thereby extending cleaning head life.
[0010] A first embodiment of a cleaning system includes a power compartment including, a power source housed within the power compartment, a motor mounted within the power compartment, the motor powered by the power source, a switch for selectively connecting the motor to the power source, and, a power output driven by the motor for delivering power to a device connected to the power compartment, a transmission module selectively connectable to the power compartment; and a cleaning head selectively connectable to the transmission module
[0011] For example, the power source can include four AA size batteries. The switch can be a momentary switch. The cleaning head can include a cleaning element pretreated with a cleansing agent. Preferably, the power compartment includes a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. The cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission module via a swaging cam associated with an output of the transmission, the swaging cam being operative to mate with and retain a mating portion of the cleaning head. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission module via an output hub associated with an output of the transmission, the output hub including a torque arm, the toque arm being operative to be received within interdental spaces of torque teeth of the cleaning head when the cleaning head is connected to the transmission module, the torque arm thereby providing a moment arm for the delivery of torque to the cleaning head.
[0012] A second embodiment takes the form of a cleaning wand configured for hand-held cleaning. The cleaning wand includes an elongated power compartment. A power source is housed within the power compartment. A motor is mounted within the power compartment. The motor can be selectively connected to the power source. The power compartment also houses a power output driven by the motor for delivering power to a device connected to the power compartment. The cleaning wand also includes an elongated transmission module having threads for selectively connecting the transmission module to or disconnecting the transmission module from the power compartment. The transmission module includes a mechanism for transforming power from the power output to a form selected for a particular cleaning task. The cleaning wand can drive a cleaning head. A switch for selectively connects the motor to the power source.
[0013] For example, the cleaning head can be connected to the cleaning wand via an expandable coupling received in a socket of the cleaning head. For instance, the expandable coupling can be a swaging cam. The switch can include a switch support mounted to a back end of the motor and a resiliently biased arm mounted too the switch support. For instance, the resiliently biased arm can be resiliently spaced, in an over lapping manner, from a power terminal of the motor. The switch can further include a flexible membrane sealingly engaging an aperture in the power compartment. The membrane is positioned in overlapping relation with the resiliently biased arm. Deflecting the membrane caused the resiliently biased arm to deflect and come into contact with the power terminal of the motor.
[0014] A third embodiment includes a cleaning system comprising a handle, a power source housed within the handle, an upper housing selectively connectable to the handle, a transmission mounted within the upper housing, a motor mounted to a power input portion of the transmission, a contact holder mounted to a back end of the motor, a switching element mounted to the contact holder, the switching element being resiliently bias away from a power contact of the motor, a hub connected to an output of the transmission, and a cleaning head selectively connectable at the hub.
[0015] For example, the power source can include four AA size batteries. The switch can be a momentary switch. The cleaning head can include a cleaning element pretreated with a cleansing agent. Preferably, the handle includes a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. The cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission via a swaging cam associated with an output of the transmission, the swaging cam being operative to mate with and retain a mating portion of the cleaning head. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission via an output hub associated with an output of the transmission, the output hub can include a torque arm, the toque arm being operative to be received within interdental spaces of torque teeth of the cleaning head when the cleaning head is connected to the transmission module, the torque arm thereby providing a moment arm for the delivery of torque to the cleaning head.
[0016] A fourth embodiment takes the form of cleaning wand configured for hand-held cleaning. The cleaning wand includes an elongated handle. The wand includes a power source housed within the handle, an elongated upper housing including threads for selectively connecting the upper housing to or disconnecting the upper housing from the handle, a mechanism for transforming input power to a movement selected for a particular cleaning task, a motor mounted to the mechanism for providing input power to the mechanism. A switch selectively connects the motor to the power source. The wand also includes a cleaning head and an interconnect for selectively connecting the cleaning head to a movement output of the mechanism.
[0017] The wand can include a battery charging circuit. The interconnect can include an expandable coupling for being matingly received in a socket of the cleaning head. For example, the expandable coupling can include a swaging cam. The switch can include a switch support mounted to a back end of the motor a conductive resiliently biased arm mounted too the switch support, the resiliently biased arm being resiliently spaced, in an over lapping manner, from a power terminal of the motor.
[0018] A fifth embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing, a battery located in a battery compartment in the housing, an electric motor located in the housing, a contact holder mounted to the motor, the contact holder including contacts for receiving power from the batteries and a switch element in overlapping relation to a motor contact. The switch element is resiliently biased away from the motor contact. The cleaning tool further includes an output shaft, and a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft. The output shaft extends outside the housing. The cleaning tool also includes means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.
[0019] The means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and a socket for receiving the swaging cam, the socket being associated with the cleaning attachment. The generally cylindrical housing can include a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion can be about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. A center of the switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing, so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the switch. The gripping portion can be hollowed for forming a battery compartment for housing the replaceable batteries.
[0020] A sixth embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing including a lower housing including a gripping portion, and an upper housing connected to the lower housing and extending away from the lower housing. An attachment point for the detachable head is located at a distal end of the upper housing. A battery is located in a battery compartment in the housing. An electric motor is also located in the housing. The cleaning tool includes a switch for actuating the cleaning tool by directing power from the battery to the electric motor. The switch is disposed in relation to the gripping portion to allow the switch to be comfortably operated by a finger of a hand gripping the gripping portion. The upper housing being dimensioned to space the detachable cleaning head from the gripping portion and the switch to allow the cleaning tool to be gripped, actuated and the cleaning head to be brought in contact with a work piece while preventing the work piece from interfering with the hand gripping the gripping portion or the finger operating the switch. Additionally the cleaning tool includes an output shaft, a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft, the output shaft extending outside the upper housing at the distal end, and a means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.
[0021] For example, the switch can be a momentary switch. The output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and the cleaning attachment can include a socket for receiving the swaging cam. The gripping portion can be sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion is at about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the switch.
[0022] A seventh embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing including a lower housing including a gripping portion, and an upper housing connected to the lower housing and extending away from the lower housing. An attachment point for the detachable head is located at a distal end of the upper housing. A battery is located in a battery compartment in the housing. An electric motor is also located in the housing. The cleaning tool includes a momentary switch for actuating the cleaning tool by directing power from the battery to the electric motor. The momentary switch is disposed in relation to the gripping portion to allow the momentary switch to be comfortably operated by a finger of a hand gripping the gripping portion. The upper housing being dimensioned to space the detachable cleaning head from the gripping portion and the momentary switch to allow the cleaning tool to be gripped, actuated and the cleaning head to be brought in contact with a work piece while preventing the work piece from interfering with the hand gripping the gripping portion or the finger operating the switch. Additionally the cleaning tool includes an output shaft, a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft, the output shaft extending outside the upper housing at the distal end, and a means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.
[0023] For example, the output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and the cleaning attachment can include a socket for receiving the swaging cam. The gripping portion can be sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion is at about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The momentary switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the momentary switch.
[0024] An eighth embodiment takes the form of a durable cleaning tool. The durable cleaning tool includes a housing having a power compartment for holding a power source, a motor mounted within the housing, a switch for selectively connecting the motor to the power source if the power source is installed within the compartment, an output shaft, extending from within the housing to outside the housing, the output shaft being powered directly or indirectly by the motor, torque transmission arms extending radially outward from the portion of the output shaft extending outside the housing, a cleaning head, and, torque receiving elements associated with the cleaning head for receiving torque from the torque transmission arms.
[0025] For example, the cleaning tool further includes a hub attached to the portion of the output shaft extending outside the housing, the hub can carry the torque transmission arms. The torque receiving elements can comprise teeth. The torque transmitting arms can be receivable in interdental spaces between the teeth.
[0026] Advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
[0027] The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and/or in various procedures and arrangements of procedures. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031] FIGS.
[0032] FIGS.
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036] Referring to
[0037] The exemplary lower housing or power compartment
[0038] Other power sources may be selected. However, selecting other power sources may require a reduction in the ergonomic features of the cleaning tool
[0039] In an embodiment sized to accommodate four AA batteries, a spring contact plate
[0040] Power is taken from the power delivery terminals
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, the contact holder
[0042] However, the contact holder
[0043] The motor
[0044] In the exemplary embodiment, the motor
[0045] The transmission output shaft is connected to an output
[0046] Alternatively, the alignment pin may be an additional molded and unitary component of the transmission output shaft
[0047] In operation, when the button
[0048] Cleaning heads, such as, for example, cleaning head
[0049] It can be important to prevent water and other contaminants from entering the housing
[0050] Referring to
[0051] The bottle washer
[0052] The general purpose cleaning head
[0053] Referring to
[0054] As explained above, the connecting hub
[0055] During an installation or connection process, the swaging cams
[0056] During this connection or mating process, the torque delivery arms
[0057] As explained above, when the transmission output shaft
[0058] Referring to
[0059] In the exemplary embodiment, the width
[0060] The actuating button
[0061] When the housing
[0062] When the cleaning system
[0063] When the housing
[0064] The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations are included insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.