Trigger-actuated sweeping device utilizing rotational motion for particle collection

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of common household cleaning devices, more specifically, to a hand-operated sweeping device for the collection of particles. The trigger-actuated sweeping device comprises a circular rotating brush head unit that becomes operational once a trigger is manually compressed, causing the flow of dirt particles into a detachable particle collection unit. The mechanism of the rotation involves the compression of the hand-actuated trigger leading to a series of internal mechanical movements resulting in the downward vertical motion of a series of rods being translated into rotational motion of the brush head unit in the horizontal axis. Attached to an external shaft is the removable particle collection unit, where the clockwise rotation of the brush head unit results in the flow of dirt particles into an indented particle collection compartment.

Claims

1. A trigger-actuated sweeping device utilizing rotational motion for particle collection comprising: an angled handle coupled to a hand-actuated trigger a circular brush head unit which rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal axis an external shaft connecting the handle to the circular brush head unit, wherein a series of internal rods and pivots translate the motion of the hand-actuated trigger to the rotation of said circular brush head unit a detachable particle collection unit fitted upon the distal end of the external shaft, wherein the opening is connected to the rotating brush head unit.

2. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 1, wherein when said trigger is manually compressed, the downward extension of a series of two internal rods translates into the clockwise rotation of the circular brush head unit.

3. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 2, wherein a distal axial rod containing inclined threaded indentations along its length, moves vertically through a clutch element on the opening of the circular brush head unit to cause rotation of the head unit thereof, while compressing an attached spring such that the release of the trigger causes the spring to extend back to its original position resulting in the retraction of the distal axial rod.

4. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 3, wherein a metal clutch element comprising four metal teeth is threaded upon the distal end of the distal axial rod, so that when said rod extends through the opening in the brush head unit, the metal clutch element can engage four receiving protrusions on the head unit, transferring the rotational movement of the clutch element to the brush head unit.

5. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 4, wherein the retraction of the twisted axial rod through the opening of the head unit will not terminate the spinning of said head unit as the clutch element can only engage the protrusions on the head unit through the action of downwards vertical movement of the distal axial rod.

6. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 5, wherein the clockwise rotation of the brush head unit causes the flow of dirt particles into the particle collection unit.

7. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 6, wherein the brush head unit comprises of a plurality of angled bristles for the sweeping of dirt particles.

8. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 7, wherein the detachable particle collection unit comprising an angled ramp in contact with the surface being cleaned, to facilitate optimal particle collection, leads dirt particles to an indented particle collection compartment to store said particles.

9. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 8, wherein an offset block unit with a vertically protruding rigid tooth barrier is used for removing dust particles from the bristles as they rotate through the particle collection unit and is located adjacent to the particle collection compartment.

10. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 9, wherein said particle collection unit also comprises a small door that is located on the rear-facing side of the particle collection compartment, which can be used to empty the particle collection compartment when full.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device

[0017] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its resting form

[0018] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its activated form

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective interior view of the particle collection unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Referring to the drawings, the trigger-actuated sweeping device is generally represented in FIG. 1, and the mechanism of the present invention is represented in FIG. 2-3. FIG. 1 depicts the complete sweeping device 1 comprising an angled handle 2 coupled to a trigger sleeve 4, an external shaft 6 connecting the handle to a circular rotating brush head unit 36, and a detachable particle collection unit 42 fitted upon the distal external shaft 6 wherein the opening is connected to the rotating brush head unit 36.

[0021] The mechanism of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its resting and activated forms are illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, respectively. The angled handle 2 is coupled to the trigger sleeve 4 wherein a trigger 10 is connected to an upper internal rod 14 through a pin joint 12 located in the handle. Hand-actuation of the trigger 10 causes a downward depression of the upper internal rod 14 which downwardly depresses a pivot piece 16 connected to the inside of the external shaft 6 through an anchored pin joint 18. The downward depression of the pivot piece 16 causes the downward depression of the distal rod 20 wherein a moveable cylindrical stopper 22 is stably attached upon the twisted axial end 24 of the distal rod 20. As the distal rod 20 is downwardly compressed, the moveable cylindrical stopper 22 compresses a spring 26 and the distal threaded indentations of the twisted axial end 24 of the rod 20 catches onto a moveable clutch element 28 comprising of four metal teeth. This causes the four metal teeth of the clutch element 28 to engage into four receiving protrusions on the rounded platform 30 of the brush head unit 36. Further downward depression of the twisted axial rod 24 through the clutch element translates the downward motion into clockwise rotational motion of the brush head unit 36 in the horizontal axis. A conical piece 32 connects the external shaft 6 to the brush head unit 36. A grooved platform 34 catches the twisted axial end 24 of the rod 20 during its downward depression. Upon the release of the trigger 10, the spring 26 extends back to its original position, causing the moveable cylindrical stopper 22 to pull the twisted axial end 24 of the distal rod 20 out of the moveable clutch element 28. Since the clutch element 28 can only engage the rounded platform 30 of the brush head unit 36 when the twisted axial rod 24 is extended downward, upward retraction of the twisted axial rod 24 through the opening of the dome-like platform 30 will not terminate the rotational movement of the brush head unit 36.

[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective interior view of the detachable particle collection unit 42 attached upon the external shaft 6 using two flexible snap clips 40. Vertical side panels with rubberized sections 44 on the sides in contact with the surface being cleaned restrict the movement of dirt particles 100 by creating a seal with the surface thereof. The clockwise rotation of the brush head unit 36 causes the flow of dirt particles 100 into an indented particle collection compartment 50 as the bristles of the brush head unit 36 slide up the angled ramp 46 wherein a short rubberized section 48 is attached to the lower end of the angled ramp 46. The short rubberized section 48 is in contact with the surface being cleaned and is parallel to the surface thereof, in order to facilitate optimal particle collection. As the brush head unit 36 is moving dirt particles 100 into the indented particle collection compartment 50 in a clockwise rotation, a rigid toothed barrier 56 attached to a raised platform 58, pushes the remaining dirt particles 100 out the bristles of the brush head unit 36 into the particle collection compartment 50. The particle collection compartment 50 can be opened using a small door 52 attached with hinges 54 to easily discard dirt particles 100.