Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02519035 2005-09-13
Docket No.:
April 7, 2005
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CLEANING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a manual cleaning apparatus and specifically to a
manual
cleaning apparatus having a combined cleaning device and insert.
Background of the Invention
Cleaning implements such as brooms, brushes and dustpans are routinely used in
combination with other cleaning implements to enhance the ability of a user to
clean a given
surface. Implements commonly combine different advantageous features to
achieve a given
objective. Examples include brushes having attachable and detachable handles
and broom
heads that attach to dustpans.
Cleaning, however, frequently requires performing diverse tasks in addition to
sweeping dirt and dust from a floor surface into the dustpan. For example,
cleaning can
involve unrelated tasks such as cleaning walls and dusting furniture. It can
also include
scrubbing a first surface with one implement and using a second implement to
clean a second
different surface or the cleaning of a second different type of grime.
A manual cleaning apparatus is needed that can combine multiple manual
cleaning
devices to perform related and independent cleaning tasks.
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Summary of the Invention
A cleaning apparatus is described that comprises a cleaning device that has a
cleaning
head and a handle. The handle has a distal end portion and a proximal end
portion that
define a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion is connected to the
cleaning head and the
proximal end portion defines a first aperture aligned with the longitudinal
axis and a second
aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis.
An insert is removably positionable in the first aperture and has a distal end
portion
and a proximal end portion that define a second longitudinal axis. The distal
end portion
includes a cleaning head and the proximal end portion includes an aperture
that is at least
partially aligned with the second aperture of the handle when the insert is
positioned in the
first aperture of the handle. The insert includes a protuberance received by
the proximal end
portion of the handle of the cleaning device.
The handle proximal end portion includes a tubular wall and the second
aperture
includes two opposed apertures defined in the tubular wall. One of the
apertures in the
tubular wall that define the second aperture can be a notch. At least one of
the apertures in
the tubular wall that define the second aperture is adapted for use with a
hook. The insert
and proximal end portion of the handle can overlap and define the second
aperture. The
protuberance received by the notch of the proximal end portion of the handle.
The aperture
of the insert and the second aperture of the handle are at least partially
aligned by positioning
the protuberance in the notch when the insert is positioned in the proximal
end portion of the
handle.
The cleaning apparatus further includes a locking mechanism that retains the
insert in
position in the proximal end portion of the handle of the cleaning device. The
locking
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mechanism can engage the insert and handle such that the insert positioned in
the handle
supports the weight of the cleaning device and insert.
A combination cleaning apparatus is described that comprises a cleaning device
including a cleaning head that is connected to a handle. The handle defines a
longitudinal
axis and has a proximal end portion that defines a first aperture aligned with
the longitudinal
axis and a second aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis, the proximal
end portion has a
tubular wall that defines a notch.
An insert is removably positionable in the first aperture. The insert has a
distal end
portion and a proximal end portion that define a second longitudinal axis, the
distal end
portion includes a cleaning device.
The cleaning apparatus has a first position wherein the aperture of the insert
is at least
partially aligned with the second aperture of the handle of the cleaning
device when the
protuberance is positioned in the notch and a second position of the cleaning
apparatus
wherein the insert is removed from the handle of cleaning device.
A method is described for cleaning using a combination cleaning apparatus
comprising the steps of providing a cleaning device and an insert. The
cleaning device has a
handle connected to a cleaning head and an opposed proximal end portion that
define a
longitudinal axis. A first position of the cleaning apparatus includes the
insert positioned in a
proximal end portion of the handle and a second position of the cleaning
apparatus includes
the cleaning device removed from the handle for use. The method further
includes removing
the insert from within the proximal end portion of the handle and cleaning a
surface using the
cleaning head of the insert. The method preferably further includes
repositioning the insert
to the first position in the proximal end portion of the handle. The insert is
preferably moved
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along the longitudinal axis between the first position and the second
position. The insert can
also be moved between the first position and the second position by moving the
insert
transverse to the longitudinal axis and/or rotating the insert relative to the
longitudinal axis.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to
the
drawings, wherein like numerals are used to refer to the same or similar
elements:
FIG. 1 is a frontal elevational view of a cleaning apparatus including a
cleaning
device and an insert;
FIG. 2 is a front and side perspective view of a proximal end portion of a
handle of
the cleaning device of FIG. 1 with the insert removed;
FIG. 3 is a front and side view of one embodiment of the insert of FIG. 1
having a
soft cleaning brush;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front and side elevational view of the
cleaning
apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the insert positioned in the proximal end portion
of the cleaning
device in the first position of the cleaning apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of
FIG. 1
including;
FIG. 6 is a front and side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with
the
insert separated from the proximal end portion of the cleaning device;
FIG. 7 is a front and side elevational view of a third embodiment of the
cleaning
apparatus of FIG. 1;
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FIG. 8 is a front and side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with
the
insert partially displaced from within the cleaning device;
FIG. 9 is a frontal elevational view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 showing
an
alternative embodiment of the insert;
FIG. 10 is a front and side perspective view of another embodiment of the
cleaning
apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a dust pan attached to the cleaning device in a
first position; and
FIG. 11 is a front and side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10
showing
the dust pan in a second position.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment
Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning apparatus 5 includes a cleaning device 10 that
has a
head 20, a handle 30 and an insert 50. In this one preferred embodiment,
cleaning device 10
is a long handled broom with head 20 including a base 22 that is connected to
a plurality of
bristles 24. Handle 30 connects head 20 and insert 50. Insert SO can be
removed and
replaced from within handle 30. Cleaning apparatus 5 has a first position
wherein insert 50 is
positioned in handle 30 and a second position wherein insert 50 is removed
from handle 30.
Insert 50 in the second position can be used independent of or in conjunction
with cleaning
device 10. Cleaning apparatus 5 is preferably fabricated of polymer materials,
but can also
include metals, composites as well as cellulose and other natural materials.
Handle 30 is preferably an elongate member that includes a distal end portion
32 and
a proximal end portion 34 that defines a first longitudinal axis-X. Head 20 is
connected to
distal end portion 32 and can be any type of device for cleaning and/or an
applicator for uses
such as sweeping, dusting, moping, scrubbing and applying chemicals such as
those for
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stripping, waxing and cleaning, for example. The proximal end portion 34
preferably has a
tubular shape aligned with longitudinal axis-X that receives insert 50. Handle
30 can be rigid
or at least partially flexible.
Handle 30 has a first length that is preferably the approximate length of a
long
handled cleaning device such as a broom or a mop in which two hands are used
during
cleaning. Handle 30 can have a fixed length or be adjustable using telescoping
or other
known means that can adjustably extend, retract and lock handle 30 at a
preferred length for
a given user. Handle 30 has an external perimeter that ergonomically
accommodates the use
of cleaning device 10 with one or two hands.
Referring now to FIGS. l and 2, proximal end portion 34 has a tubular wall
that
includes a proximal edge 36 and defines a first aperture 35 aligned with
longitudinal axis-X.
Aperture 35 is shaped and dimensioned to receive insert 50 and extends a
predetermined
length in the distal direction within handle 30. The inner dimensions of the
tubular wall of
proximal end portion 34 can have any cross-sectional shape normal to
longitudinal axis-X
such as for example arcuate and/or angular that can advantageously accommodate
any insert
50 independent of the external shape of the cross-section of handle 30.
A second aperture 39 is defined in the tubular wall that is aligned with an
axis-Y and
preferably normal to the first longitudinal axis. Proximal edge 36 can also
includes a portion
37 that defines a notch 38 in the tubular wall that is at least partially
opposed to and aligned
with second aperture 39. Proximal end portion 34 is constructed to support the
weight of
cleaning apparatus 5 when suspended from a hook or bar positioned through
aperture 39.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and continuing with the preferred embodiment,
insert 50
has a distal end portion 52 and a proximal end portion 54 that define a
longitudinal axis-X'.
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Distal end portion 52 includes a cleaning head 60 and proximal end portion 54
includes a
handle 70. Insert 50 is a hand held device that includes in one, this
preferred embodiment
distal end portion 54 having a soft dust collecting type brush shaped and
dimensioned for
readily positioning into and removing from first aperture 35 of handle 30. In
this preferred
embodiment, the distal end portion 54 includes dust-collecting fibers. Distal
end portion 54
is shown as cylindrical in this one preferred embodiment, but it is understood
that distal end
portion 54 can have any cross-sectional shape normal to longitudinal axis-X'
that can be
received in aperture 35 and include alternative dust collecting materials.
Insert 50 has a
second length that is preferably less than the first length of handle 30.
Proximal end portion 54 includes a handle 70 that preferably has a length and
shape
for grasping with a single hand. Handle 70 securely interfaces with proximal
end portion 34
to lock insert 50 in the first position. Handle 70 includes a terminal end
portion 72 that
functions as a cap for proximal end portion 34. In the preferred embodiment,
terminal end
portion 70 seats with proximal edge 36 of handle 30. The distal side of
terminal end 72
preferably abuts edge 36 of handle 30 and can also include a cantilevered
portion 76 that
extends beyond the perimeter of handle 30 that can readily assist a user in
removing insert
50.
Handle 70 also includes an aperture 79 that is aligned with an axis-Y' and
preferably
normal to the longitudinal axis-X'. Aperture 79 preferably extends through
insert 50 and
constructed to support the weight of insert 50 and/or cleaning device 10 in
conjunction with
aperture 3 9.
Proximal end portion 54 also includes a protuberance 74 that preferably
projects
distally from terminal end 72 and defines an arcuate shaped edge 77 that
interfaces with
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notch edge 38 of proximal end portion 34. In this one preferred embodiment,
when insert SO
is in the first position in handle 30, protuberance 74 is received in notch 38
and axes-Y' and
Y of insert 50 and proximal end portion 34, respectively, are aligned.
It is understood, however, that while apertures 79 and 39 are preferably
normal to the
longitudinal axes-X' and X, respectively, apertures 79 and 39 can be at any
angle transverse
to the longitudinal axes-X' and X. Similarly, apertures 79 and 39 can have
different inner
perimeter dimensions, for example, and axes-X' and X can be non-coincident.
It is also understood that while protuberance 74 of insert 50 and notch 38 of
proximal
end portion 34 interface to align aperture 79 of insert 50 and second aperture
39 of handle 30,
alternatives structures can also include one or more overlapping portions, for
example, that
define a common aperture 39 and 79 transverse to the longitudinal axis
Referring now to FIG. 4, cleaning apparatus includes a lock 40 that secures
insert 50
in the first position of apparatus 5 in cleaning device 10. In this one
preferred embodiment
the proximal and distal ends of handle 70 include an inward taper 72 that is
received by an
extension 42 to the tubular wall of the proximal end portion 34 when cleaning
apparatus 5 is
in the first position. Extension 42 is preferably biased such that the tubular
wall and/or insert
50 resiliently flex for the passage of distal end portion 52 of insert 50, as
required, and then
return to the initial position to retain insert 50 in the first position.
Taper 72 and extension 42
can also lock and engage such that the weight of cleaning apparatus 5 can be
supported by
insert 50 in the first position. It is understood that while lock 40 is
described as the
engagement of taper 72 of head 70 and extension 42 of the tubular wall of
handle 30, lock 40
can be any type of lock mechanism such as a friction fit, snap or threaded
connection, for
example.
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As shown in FIGS. 5, cleaning apparatus 5 in a second preferred embodiment
includes cleaning device 10 having an adjustable medium length handle 30
preferably
between approximately 33 and approximately 55 inches. Proximal end portion 34
includes
removable and replaceable insert 50. Distal end portion 32 has a cleaning head
20 in this one
preferred embodiment that is a scrubber that can be readily used to clean
tiled surface
commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, but it can be any device suitable
for a medium
length handle including a single handed broom or dust mop, for example (see
FIG. 10).
Handle 30 can have any kind of connection with head 20 to include for example,
fixed,
flexible or pivoting.
Referring now to FIG. 6, continuing with the second embodiment, insert 50 and
proximal end portion 34 are shown with longitudinal axes-X' and X aligned for
the removal
and/or replacement of insert 50 in handle 30. Insert 50 has a distal end
portion 52 that has a
cleaning head 60 that is a hand held cleaning brush that can be manually
grasped by handle
70 of proximal end portion 54. In this preferred embodiment, insert SO is a
brush having
bristles that extend normal to longitudinal axis-X' that are specialized for
cleaning grout.
The shape and inner dimensions of the tubular wall of proximal end portion 34
and the shape
and dimensions of insert 50 preferably correspond such that, for example, the
bristles or other
cleaning surfaces of insert 50 are not misshapen or distorted in the first
position in handle 30.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in another preferred embodiment cleaning apparatus
5,
cleaning device 10 has a length and weight that can be readily used with a
single hand.
Distal end portion 32 connects to a feather duster or brush type cleaning head
20. Proximal
end portion 34 receives insert 50 that in this preferred embodiment is
preferably sized for
cleaning in small spaces such as between the slats of blinds, for example.
Insert 50 is
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removed and replaced within proximal end portion 34 by generally aligning
longitudinal
axis-X' with longitudinal axis-X of handle 30 as shown. While insert 50 is
shown in FIG. 8,
for example, aligned with longitudinal axis for movement relative to proximal
end portion 34
along longitudinal axis-X, insert 50 in the embodiments of the present
invention can be
removed and replaced in any manner to include axially, transverse to the
longitudinal axis
and fiitther include rotating about the longitudinal axis or pivotal
movements.
Referring now to FIG. 9, in another preferred embodiment, insert 50 and
proximal
end portion 34 are shown with longitudinal axes-X' and X aligned. Distal end
portion 52 in
this embodiment has a head 20 that is a scraper for cleaning surfaces. The
scraper can have a
metal, composite or plastic distal edge 21, depending upon its intended
application. It is also
understood that insert 50 can combine two or more of the above embodiments
such that, for
example, insert 50 as a bristled brush for cleaning can also have a distal
terminal end portion
that includes an opposed portion with an alternative cleaning device such as a
scraper, stiffer
brush or softer brush. Edge 21 can also have any angular orientation such as
for example
approximately aligned with or transverse to longitudinal axis-X'.
As shown in FIG. 10, cleaning device 10 can also include a combination having
an
insert 50 and a dustpan 80. In this one preferred embodiment, dust pan 80
includes a distal
end portion 82 and a proximal end portion 84 that define a longitudinal axis-
X" in a first
position is approximately parallel with longitudinal axis-X. Distal end
portion 82 includes a
dustpan 90. Head 20 is shaped and dimensioned to structurally support and
receive the
concave structure of dustpan 90. Proximal end portion 84 includes a handle for
grasping by
the user. A biased U-shaped clip 85 assists in retaining dustpan 80 with
handle 30.
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Refernng now to FIGS. 10 and 11, dust collecting pan 90 can be removed from
head
20 of cleaning device 10 in this one preferred embodiment and can pivot about
distal end
portion 82 between the first position and a second position for use wherein
the dust collecting
pan 90 is transverse to the longitudinal axis-X".
Cleaning apparatus 5 can also include a combination of inserts 50 that define
a kit.
For example, cleaning device 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can also include one or more
additional
inserts 50 such as a flexible whisk hand broom, a duster, a brush and/or
scraper.
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1-11, cleaning device 10 can be removed from a
preferred stored position wherein a hook, line or beam is positioned through
and/or into at
least a portion of apertures 39 and/or 79 and the cleaning device is suspended
from a wall, for
example. Cleaning apparatus 5 can be selectively employed using head 20 of
cleaning
device 10 for cleaning, using insert 50 separately and/or in a third mode that
can selectively
combine the use of both cleaning device 10 and insert 50.
Insert 50 is preferably moved from the first position in proximal end portion
34 to the
' second position by moving insert 50 in the proximal direction along
longitudinal axis-X.
Proximal end portion 34 can include configurations that support alternative
movements
between the first and second positions such as transverse to the longitudinal
axis and rotating
movements. Insert 50 can then be employed as a second cleaning device. When
the use of
insert 50 is completed, insert 50 is moved to the first position by any of the
previously
described methods.
Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the
disclosure is not
limited to those specific embodiments and that various other changes,
combinations and
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modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention which is to be determined with reference to
the following
claims.
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