Power driven duster and cleaner apparatus

Abstract

An improved hand held apparatus used for dusting, cleaning, polishing, and similar tasks utilizing a lightweight conventional power drill having a rotating axle with a chuck to which is attached one or more elongated extension members telescoped within one another and fixed relative to one another by a clamping connector, the first extension member having a first connecting member at one end constructed to be inserted into and attachable to the chuck and a second member at the opposing end of the extension members constructed to be attachable to the head of a conventional dusting device. The apparatus further includes a foam covered tubular hand guide member fitted about the first extension member and constructed to slide along the first extension member. The first connecting member is constructed having a shield to prevent water from dripping down the extension members and into the power drill, and to prevent the guide member from sliding off the extension member when the extension member is not attached to the power drill.

Claims

1. A hand held apparatus for dusting having a first elongated tubular extension member operatively attachable at one end to a motor to cause the first elongated tubular extension member to rotate, a hand guide member constructed to fit about and to slide along the first elongated extension member; and a dusting member operatively attachable to an opposite end of the first elongated tubular extension member to rotate with the first elongated tubular extension member, the improvement to which comprises a first connecting assembly affixed at one end of the first elongated tubular extension member for operatively attaching the first elongated tubular extension member to the motor, the first connecting assembly comprising: a. a rod-shaped shaft; b. a cylindrical-shaped base member sized to extend into a hollow cavity at the one end of the first elongated tubular extension member; and c. a shield having a generally cone shape attached between the rod-shaped shaft and the base member, the shield extending outward beyond the exterior surfaces of the rod-shaped shaft and the base member a sufficient distance to prevent any water traveling down the first elongated tubular extension member from entering into the motor and to prevent the hand guide member from sliding off the first elongated tubular extension member when the motor is disconnected from the first elongated tubular extension member.

2. The hand held apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rod is constructed having a circular groove to permit use of a quick connect device to operatively attach the rod to the motor.

3. The hand held apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical-shaped based member of the first connecting assembly includes an exterior surface area constructed having a series of raised areas to facilitate securely fitting the base member to an interior surface area of the first elongated tubular extension member.

4. The hand held apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shield perimeter extends beyond the surface of the base member a sufficient distance to maintain the hand guide member on the first elongated tubular extension member.

5. The hand held apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the shield perimeter extends about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches beyond the surface of the base member.

6. The hand held apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the shield perimeter is structured having rounded edges.

7. The hand held apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hand guide member comprises a resilient, compressible outer coating to cushion an operator's hand when supporting the hand guide member during operation for long periods of time.

8. The hand held apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second elongated tubular extension connecting assembly affixed at the opposite end of the first elongated tubular extension member for operatively attaching the first elongated tubular extension member to the dusting member, wherein the second elongated tubular extension connecting assembly comprises: a. a second elongated tubular extension member that extends at one end into the first elongated tubular extension member and protrudes at its opposite end out of the first elongated tubular extension member; b. an affixing member structured to fit about the opposite end of the first elongated tubular extension member and the second elongated tubular extension member and to affix the first elongated tubular extension member to the second elongated tubular extension member, the affixing member having expandable finger members that extends partially down and in contact with an exterior surface of the second elongated tubular extension member, the affixing member further having a threaded section on its exterior surface; and c. a clamping member having a hollow tapered section with an interior threaded area sized to fit about affixing member and mate with the threaded area of the affixing member, the tapered section sized to press against expandable finger members to force the expandable finger members into pressing relationship against the exterior surface of the second elongated tubular extension member.

9. A hand held apparatus for dusting having a first elongated tubular extension member operatively attachable at one end to a motor to cause the first elongated tubular extension member to rotate, a hand guide member constructed to fit about and to slide along the first elongated tubular extension member; and a dusting member operatively attachable to an opposite end of the first elongated extension member, the dusting member rotating with the first elongated extension member, the improvement to which comprises: a. a second elongated tubular extension member with a first and second end, the first end sized to telescope in and out of the first elongated tubular extension member, the second end attached to the dusting member to rotated with the first elongated extension member, wherein a gap is formed between overlapping sections of the first and second elongated tubular members; b. a first band snugly fitted about the first end of the second elongated tubular extension member and sized to permit the at least one band to fit into the gap, the first band providing stability to the second extension member with respect to the first extension member to reduce wobble in the second extension member when the motor causes the first extension member to rotate; c. an affixing member structured to fit about the first elongated tubular extension member and the second elongated tubular extension member to affix the first elongated tubular extension member to the second elongated tubular extension member; the affixing member having a shoulder section extending into the gap and together with the first band to form a stop allowing the second elongated tubular extension member to extend from the first elongated tubular extension member no more than a predetermined distance.

10. A hand held apparatus for dusting according to claim 9, further comprising a second band snugly fitted on the first end of the second elongated extension member, sized to permit the second band to fit into the gap and spaced apart from the first band, the second band providing stability to the second extension member with respect to the first extension member to reduce wobble in the second extension member when the motor causes the first extension member to rotate.

11. A hand held apparatus for dusting according to claim 10 wherein the second band is spaced apart from the at least one band about 2-4 inches.

12. A hand held apparatus for dusting according to claim 10 wherein the first band and the second band are constructed from a resilient material.

13. A hand held apparatus for dusting according to claim 10 having more than two bands snuggly fitted on the first end of the second elongated extension member, each band spaced apart from any adjacent band by about 2-4 inches and sized to permit each band to fit into the gap providing stability to the second extension member with respect to the first extension member to reduce wobble in the second extension member when the motor causes the first extension member to rotate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, sketches and photographs of a prototype of the invention illustrate preferred embodiments of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of the construction of this invention.

(2) FIG. 1 an exploded perspective view of the dusting/cleaning apparatus of this invention including a power drill, an initial extension member having one end attachable to power drill by a novel first connecting assembly and an opposite end through which a second extension member can extend and be fixed in position by a novel second connecting assembly wherein the extending end of the second extension member has a connecting member attachable to the dusting/cleaning member.

(3) FIG. 2 is a three-quarter perspective view of the first connecting assembly including a hexagonal cross-sectional shaped rod member to connect to the quick release chuck of the power drill, a cylindrical-shaped base member to attach to the initial extension member, and a rounded pyramid or cone shaped shield.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a three-quarter perspective view of the hand guide illustrating the tubular member having a passageway permitting the hand guide to slide along the first extension member and provided with an outer coating made from foam, rubber or other resilient and compressible material.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hand guide comprising a rigid, hollow tubing forming a passageway sized to permit the guide to slide over the surface of the elongated extension members and further comprising an outer coating of resilient and compressible material extending over and affixed to the rigid interior tubing.

(8) FIG. 7 is a three-quarter, exploded perspective view of a second connecting assembly used to fix the second extension member in the desired position extending from the first extension member.

(9) FIG. 8 is a three-quarter view of the extension member having two spaced apart plastic bands snugly fitted to the outer surface of the second extension member and which fit into the gap formed between the inner surface of the first extension member and the outer surface of the second extension member.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7 when second piece is screwed on the first piece causing the interior surface of the second piece to press down on the pressure plates of the fingers members.

(12) FIG. 11 is a three-quarter perspective view of the extending threaded end of the second elongated member positioned to being screwed into the hollow shaft of the dusting/cleaning head.

(13) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 10 illustrating the positioning of the bundles of fibers about the handle shaft.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(15) Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures and following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

(16) For purposes herein the term dusting when referring to a task also includes the tasks of cleaning and/or polishing. Thus, phrases such as dusting apparatus includes an apparatus that is involved with dusting, cleaning, and/or polishing tasks.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 1, the hand held dusting apparatus 1 of this invention includes a conventional cordless, light weight, low rpm, reversible electric drill 2 attachable to at least one elongated, tubular extension member 3 by first connecting assembly 4. The first connecting assembly 4 is constructed to perform multiple functions. In addition to its function of attaching drill 2 to tubular extension member 3, it also is constructed to act as a stop to prevent tubular hand guide member 5 that slides axially up and down on the exterior surface 6 of elongated tubular extension member 3 from sliding off extension member 3 when the electric drill 2 has been detached from the extension member 3. In addition first connection assembly 4 is also constructed to reduce or prevent water on the exterior surface 6 from dripping into the electric drill 2 during operation of the cleaning/dusting/polishing procedure. The apparatus 1 of this invention further includes a cleaning/dusting/polishing head 7 that is attachable to the one or more elongated tubular extension members 3.

(18) The number of elongated extension members 3 that are utilized depends on the need to extend the position of dusting head 7 to the area to be dusted or cleaned. Preferably, each member 3 is 2-3 feet in length, although greater lengths can be used. The construction of each member 3 should result in a member that is sufficiently rigid not to bend during its rotation and as lightweight as possible to reduce operator arm fatigue during its use. It is also preferred that each extension member 3 be both hollow and tubular in shape and having a passageway 8 extending axially along its length to not only decreases the weight of extension member 3, but also sized to permit a second extension member 9 to be telescoped into and out of the passageway 8. It is also preferred that both extension members 3 and 9 be constructed of light weight material such as aluminum or rigid plastic, and more preferably of a material that is non-conducting of electricity. In an alternate embodiment more than two extension members can be utilized in the construction of dusting apparatus 1.

(19) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the first connecting assembly 4 is constructed having a cylindrical barrel-shaped body 10 sized to be securely fitted into one end 11 of passageway 8 of extension member 3. The body 10 can be securely fitted in passageway 8 by gluing, crimping, riveting, screwing, welding or other known similar securing means. In various embodiments, the cylindrical-shaped body 10 includes an exterior surface 13 constructed having a series of raised areas 10 to facilitate gluing or otherwise affixing the cylindrical-shaped body 10 of the first connecting assembly 4 to an interior surface area of the elongated, tubular extension member 3. The connecting assembly 4 further comprises a circular shield 12 affixed to one end of the barrel-shaped body 10. The shield 12 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the barrel shaped body 10, as well as larger than the diameter of the extension member 3 whereby the perimeter area of the shield 12 extends outward from the barrel-shaped body exterior surface 13 a sufficient distance to act as a stop to prevent the hand guide 5 from sliding off extension member 3 and to prevent water dripping down the extension member 3 from entering into the electric drill 2. Protruding axially from body 10 is generally rod-shaped shaft 14 sized to fit into and securely held by the power drill chuck 15.

(20) FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of hand guide 5. Hand guide 5 includes a rigid hollow tube 16 provided with an axial passageway 17 sized to permit hand guide 5 to slide along the exterior surface 6 of extension member 3. Coating the exterior surface 18 of tube 16 is a resilient and compressible material 19, such as foam, rubber, soft plastic or similar material to cushion the operator's hand when gripping hand guide 5 for long periods of time.

(21) FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a preferred means to fix the position of the second extension member 9 when it is partially extended out of the second end 20 of passageway 8 of the first extension member 3. This means includes a two-piece securing device 21 that when threaded together clamp down on the second extension member 9 to prevent further movement of the second extension member 9. In a more preferred embodiment the outside diameter of at least one of the two pieces 22, 23 is sufficiently greater than the outside diameter of the first extension member 3 so as to act as a stop to prevent the hand guide 5 from sliding off first extension member 3.

(22) In a more preferred embodiment the first piece 22 is constructed having a hollow tubular body 24 shaped to fit snug over the exterior surface area 25 forming second passageway end 20 of first extension member 3. If desired additional rivets 26 can be used to further affix the hollow tubular body 24 to the exterior surface of extension member 3. The first piece 22 is further constructed to have multiple finger members 27. Finger members 27 include a flexible section 29 extending out from the end surface 30 of body 24. Finger members 27 also include pressure plates 31 extending from flexible section 29. Each pressure plate 31 is thicker at its base end 32 extending from flexible section 29 than at its forward section 33. Pressure plates 31 extend over and press down on the exterior surface area 34 of second extension member 9 protruding from passageway second end 20 of first extension member 3. In this configuration when the second extension member 9 slides past finger members 27, pressure plates 31 exert pressure against the exterior surface 34 of extension member 9. To fix and increase this pressure the second piece 23 is constructed as a tubular member having a decreasing interior diameter at its extending end section 35 provided with interior threads 36 that can be screwed onto the exterior threads 37 on exterior surface 38 of body 24 when pieces 22 and 23 are screwed together. The decreased interior diameter surface 39 presses onto the pressure plates 31 further securing the second extension member 9 in position.

(23) As seen more clearly in FIGS. 8-10, extension member 9 is constructed having two, spaced-apart bands 51, 52 snugly affixed to the exterior surface 34 of extension member 9. Both bands 51, 52 are sized to fit into gap 53 formed by the inner surface 54 of the first extension member 3 and exterior surface 34 of the second extension member 9. In a preferred embodiment the bands 51, 52 are constructed from a resilient material, and more preferably from plastic or rubber. These bands 51, 52 in their spaced-apart position, preferably 2-4 inches apart, provide stability to extension member 9 when it is extended out of extension member 3 and significantly reduces the wobble to dusting/cleaning head 7 during operation of the apparatus 1. If desired, more than two spaced-apart bands can be utilized. Band 51, in conjunction with the shoulder section 55 of first piece 22 extending downward into gap 53, form a stop preventing extension member 9 from being extended more than a predetermined distance out of extension member 3. In the event band 51 fails, then band 52 acts as a safety back up to band 51 to keep extension member 9 from being extended completely out of extension member 3.

(24) In another preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 a threaded shaft 40 is crimped or otherwise affixed to the protruding end 41 of the second extension member 9. Threaded section 42 of shaft 40 is constructed to extend into hollow handle 43 of head 7 and mate with threads 45 position on the interior surface section 46 of handle cavity 44. Preferably, the treaded sections 42 and 44 are constructed to mate by screwing in the same direction as the rotation of first and second extension members 3 and 9. In this manner the operation of apparatus 1 will not disconnect the dusting head 7 from the extension members 3 and 9.

(25) As illustrated in FIG. 13, a typical dusting head 7 is constructed by affixing a multitude of bundles 47 of soft fibers 48 to a central shaft 49 extending axially from the handle 43. In a preferred embodiment the bundles 47 affixed to closest portions of end section 50 of handle 43 are constructed to contain at 25% more fibers per bundle 47. It has been found that this configuration of bundles 47 results in dusting head 7 being able to retain more water during the cleaning operation of apparatus 1. It is further preferred that the fibers 48 contained in bundles 47 be constructed from a split-tipped soft poly fibers, and more preferably fibers that are 0.015625-0.0625 inches in diameter and 0.5-6.0 inches in length. In a still further preferred embodiment the fibers 48 have varying lengths and are attached to head 7 to form a generally bulbous shape such as illustrated in FIG. 12. In addition to the fibers 48 having multiple shapes, they can be constructed of other materials that may be more suitable to the surface being dusted, cleaned, or polished.

(26) Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.