Handle for a scrub brush

Abstract

A handle for a cleaning implement, particularly for a scrub brush includes a resilient handle having a c-shaped bend along its length. The c-shaped bend can be grasped by a user and the handle caused to rotate along an axis defined by the scrubbing end and an upper terminal end.

Claims

1. A handle for a cleaning implement to mitigate user fatigue comprising: (1) a resilient cylindrical body including: an otherwise continuously straight handle with a discontinuous portion defined by a c-shaped bend having an upper curving portion and a lower curving portion, and a first straight section is adapted to extend from the upper curving portion and a second straight section is adapted to extend from the lower curving portion, and the first straight section and second straight section are in coaxial alignment when the resilient cylindrical body is in a relaxed state; (2) a first end of the resilient cylindrical body having a first grip member for applying force thereagainst; (3) a scrubbing member at a second end of the resilient cylindrical body; and, wherein the first end and the second end are at opposite ends of the resilient cylindrical body, and the c-shaped bend is resiliently compressible when force is applied at the first end in a direction toward the scrubbing member, and the first straight section and the second straight section are configured to spring back into coaxial alignment when the force is relieved.

2. The handle according to claim 1 wherein portions of the c-shaped bend define a second grip member.

3. The handle according to claim 1 comprising a grip member that extends from the lower curving portion.

4. The handle according to claim 1 wherein the scrubbing member is attachable to, and detachable from the body.

5. The handle according to claim 1 further comprising an extended or telescoping portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side plan view of one embodiment according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in (FIG. 1);

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view thereof with the handle rotated on its axis 90 degrees clockwise from the position shown in (FIG. 1);

(4) FIG. 4 a side plan view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view thereof with the handle rotated on its axis 90 degrees clockwise from the position shown in (FIG. 4);

(6) FIG. 6 a side plan view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view thereof with the handle rotated on its axis 90 degrees clockwise from the position shown in (FIG. 6);

(8) FIGS. 8A and 8b show a stepwise attachment process for lower handle body 112 and brush section member 126 wherein aperture (a) is slid over spring button 128;

(9) FIGS. 9A and 9b show a telescoping embodiment wherein brush section member 126 telescopically extends from lower handle body 112;

(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of (FIG. 1);

(11) FIG. 11 shows an embodiment according to the present invention in a typical use setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference Listing

(12) 110 upper handle body 112 lower handle body 114 bend 116 upper bend 118 lower bend 120 outermost section of bend 122 upper hand grip 124 scrub brush 125 brush plate 126 brush section member 128 spring button 129a collar 129b collet 130 auxiliary hand grip 131 integrated hand grip 132 clamp

Definitions

(13) Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word or is intended to include and unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term comprises means includes. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

(14) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-11, a handle for a cleaning implement includes a resilient body having a bend 114 with an upper bend portion 116 and a lower bend portion 118 along its length wherein any portion of the bend may be grasped by a user, a scrubbing endtypically including a brush plate 125, scrub brush head 124, and a terminal upper end to which a upper hand grip 122 may be affixed.

(15) FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment having an upper handle portion 110, a lower handle portion 112 and a scrub brush section 126. In this case, the lower handle portion tapers (see FIG. 8a) and is sized to slip within section 126 wherein the two sections are coupled by spring button 128 aligned with aperture (a). This arrangement permits different brush sections to be interchanged easily and quickly as required by the particular cleaning task. It should be noted that the position of the taper along lower handle portion 112 can vary as can the number of apertures along brush section 126.

(16) FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment having an auxiliary handle 130 fitted adjacent lower bend 118. Although the embodiment shows auxiliary handle 130 generally co-planar with the bend, the handle may be positioned at any point around the scrub brush handle. Preferably auxiliary handle is secured by a clamp 132. However, auxiliary handle 130 may include a threaded post (not shown) that threads into a threaded recess (not shown) of the handle, or other suitable means of attachment.

(17) FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment wherein integrated hand grip 131 projects from lower bend 118 in a substantially downward direction. Although the embodiment shows handle 131 co-planar with the bend, the handle may be formed at any point around the scrub brush handle below lower bend portion 118.

(18) In enlarged partial views of handle sections 112, 126, FIGS. 9A and 9b show one possible configuration of a telescoping handle wherein lower handle body 112 possesses a greater diameter than scrub brush section 126 which telescopes therefrom and is positioned by extending or retracting when collar 129a is twisted to loosen collet 129b. It should be understood that the telescoping configuration shown is merely exemplary, and other telescoping configurations will suggest themselves to those having skill in the art.

(19) FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of (FIG. 1), showing a section of handle 110 extending into grip 122.

(20) FIG. 11 shows one embodiment according to the present invention in a typical use setting.

(21) Materials for the handle 110, and the hand grips 122, 130 and 131 may vary. Lower handle portion 112 may extend all the way to the scrub brush 124 which may be permanently fixed thereon 112 or reversibly attachable thereto; e.g., via brush plate 125 which may be adapted by threading or otherwise to be attached and removed from handle section 112. The overall length of handle 110 may vary. The position of bend 114 along handle 110 may vary. The shape, size, bristle arrangement and bristle stiffness of scrub brush 124 may vary.

(22) It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosure encompass any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure, and falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.