MULTI-SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

A multi-surface cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes. The body further comprises at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom. The first array is configured for engaging a flat surface and the second array is configured for engaging a woven surface. First and second wheels are guided by a respective annular eccentric race formed by an inset and a boss in the race. The eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races prevent the wheels from engaging a flooring surface when the first array is in contact with the floor and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allow the wheels to engage a flooring surface when the second array is in contact with the floor.

Claims

1. A multi-surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a curvilinear dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes; the body further comprising at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom, the first array configured for engaging a rigid surface and the second array is configured for engaging a flexible surface; and first and second reduced friction surfaces supported by said body, the eccentrically-shaped body preventing said reduced friction surfaces from engaging a cleaning surface when said first array is in contact with said cleaning surface and the eccentrically-shaped body allowing said reduced friction surfaces to engage a cleaning surface when said second array is in contact with said cleaning surface.

2. A multi-surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes; the body further comprising at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom, the first array configured for engaging a rigid surface and the second array is configured for engaging a flexible surface; and first and second wheels guided by respective annular eccentric races formed by an inset and a boss in said race, the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races preventing said wheels from engaging a clean surface when said first array is in contact with said cleaning surface and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allowing said wheels to engage a cleaning surface when said second array is in contact with said cleaning surface.

3. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein a first attachment for connecting to a selectable removable handle is substantially opposite a mid-point of the first array across the dowel and a second attachment for connecting to the handle is substantially opposite a mid-point of the second array across the dowel.

4. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first array extends along a length of the cylindrical dowel between an 120 to about a 200 arc and the second array extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between an 120 to about a 200 arc.

5. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first array extends from the first lobe and the second array extends from the second lobe, wherein the first lobe extends farther from a central axis of the dowel than the second lobe.

6. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first array comprises a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern different than the second pattern.

7. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first pattern extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70 to about 110 arc and the second pattern, abutting the first pattern, extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70 to about an 110 arc.

8. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second array comprises a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern different than the second pattern.

9. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first pattern extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70 to about an 110 arc and the second pattern, abutting the first pattern, extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70 to about an 110 arc.

10. The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein bristles of the first array comprise a first length and bristles of the second array comprise a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

11. A method of providing a multi-surface cleaning apparatus, the method comprising: providing a curvilinear dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes that allows for at least two rows of bristles, a first row on the first lobe and a second row on the second lobe, the rows differing in the lengths of the bristling, the curvilinear dowel supporting first and second reduced friction surfaces allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing lengths of bristle with the cleaning surface during use; and providing a selectively attachable handle for attachment to at least two attachments located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned.

12. A combination cleaning brush for rigid and flexible surfaces, the brush comprising: a cylinder having a multi-cylindrical shape that allows for at least two rows of bristles, the rows differing in the lengths of the bristling, the cylinder supporting first and second reduced friction surfaces, allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing lengths of bristle with a cleaning surface during use; and at least two attachments located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned.

13. The combination cleaning brush of claim 12 further comprising a selectively removable handle to engage in a selectable one of the at least two attachments during use.

14. The combination cleaning brush of claim 12 further comprising first and second multi-cylindrical end caps forming a fluid resistant connection with said cylinder to prevent passage of cleaning fluid from ends of the cylinder during use.

15. The combination cleaning brush of claim 22 wherein the first and second wheels are rotatably disposed about the cylinder to allow for varying degrees of engagement by said two rows of differing bristle lengths with the surface type to be cleaned during use.

16. The combination cleaning brush of claim 22 wherein said first and second wheels are located substantially inboard of said cylinder to allow for edge cleaning of the surface during use.

17. The combination cleaning brush of claim 22 wherein said at least two rows of differing bristle lengths further comprise differing pattern positions on said cylinder.

18. The combination cleaning brush of claim 17 wherein one of said differing pattern positions is localized in the body of the cylinder with first and second spaced end patterns that prevents said wheels from engaging the surface providing adequate resistance during use on the selected surface type.

19. The combination cleaning brush of claim 12, wherein a first attachment for connecting to a selectable removable handle is opposite a mid-point of a first row of differing bristle length across the cylinder for connecting to the selectable removable handle is opposite a mid-point of a second row of differing bristle length across the cylinder.

20. The combination cleaning brush of claim 17 wherein said differing pattern position comprises differing colors to aid in operation of said brush.

21. The combination cleaning brush of claim 13 wherein said cylinder further comprises first and second labels having differing indicia for guiding the user in selecting which of said first and second attachments to use for selectively attaching said handle for a given surface type during use.

22. The combination cleaning brush of claim 12, wherein said reduced friction surfaces comprises spaced first and second wheels and said at least two attachments comprises a threaded aperature for receiving an attachment handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a cleaning assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-surface cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a first rear elevation view of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 6A includes a first section view of a dowel wherein a race is shown in phantom along section lines 6-6 in FIG. 10;

[0015] FIG. 69 includes a second section view of a dowel taken along section lines 6B-6B in FIG. 6A;

[0016] FIG. 6C includes a third section view of a dowel along section lines 6-6 in FIG. 10;

[0017] FIG. 6D includes a fourth section view of a dowel along section lines 6D-6D in FIG. 6B;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a second rear elevation view of FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a third rear elevation view of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a another second rear elevation of FIG. 2 with discussion relating to the ends of the multi-surface cleaning apparatus; and

[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2.

[0022] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements having similar characteristics and operational properties throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus having multi-surface capability for cleaning both hard and fabric surfaces.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 is a cleaning assembly 10 constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly 10 comprises a handle 12 having, first and second ends 14, 16, respectively, for pushing the assembly. The cleaning assembly 10 further comprises a curvilinear assembly or dowel 20 comprising substantially curvilinear body 30. In one example embodiment, the curvilinear surfaces 20, 30 are cylindrical.

[0026] The first end 14 of the handle 12 includes a threaded portion (not shown) that is selectively positioned in one of two attachments such as tapped holes 22, 24 of the body 30 (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 5, respectively). Hole one 22 (see FIG. 2) is for rigid or flat surfaces (such as wood or tile) and hole two 24 (see FIG. 5) is for flexible fabric or woven surfaces (such as carpet). The second end 16 of the handle 12 is for gripping by the user as he or she cleans the surface as the assembly 10 is pushed and/or pulled. In an alternative example embodiment, the attachments could be male portions along the body for connecting to a female opening or aperture located in the handle. Other attachments or known modes of attaching a handle to a device are intended to be within the spirit of the present disclosure as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0027] The cylindrical assembly 20 comprises the cylindrical body 30 that includes a plurality of bristle packets 32, 36 projecting transversely from the body in a number of arrays 34a . . . 34n. The bristle packets 36 are of a first length suitable for rigid surfaces, while bristle packets 32 are of a second length suitable for flexible surfaces (see FIG. 3). In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 3, the packets 32 and 36 project orthogonally from the body 30. In one example embodiment, packets 36A and 36B comprise approximately 29 bristles, and packet 32A comprises approximately 84 bristles, and packet 32B comprises approximately 109 bristles (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In another example embodiment, the bristle packets 32 project outward from a central axis O of the body 30 to a working distance (see dimension C in FIG. 3) of 1.6675 inches and bristle packets 36 project outward from the central axis O of the body to a working distance (see dimension T in FIG. 31 of 1.8875 inches.

[0028] In another example embodiment, the individual bristles 38 forming the bristle packets 32 are formed from a polymer, such as polypropylene having a diameter of 0.008 to 0.010 inches. While the individual bristles 39 forming the bristle packets 36 are formed from a polymer, such as polypropylene having a diameter of 0.014 inches. In the illustrated example embodiment, the body 30 is made of wood or plastic, but it should be appreciated that it could be made from other materials having similar strength and weight.

[0029] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, bristle packets 32 and 36 are positioned in a hemicylindrical pattern about the body 30 of the cylindrical assembly 20. More specifically, the bristle packets 32 are aligned in a short hemicylindrical pattern 42 in order to accommodate flexible surfaces while bristle packets 36 are aligned in a tall hemicylindrical pattern 46 in order to accommodate rigid surfaces. In yet another example embodiment, the hemicylindrical patterns 42 and 46 can further be divided into first and second segments 42A, 46A and 42B, 46B, respectively in a 90 degree divisions about the respective hemicylindricals, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 3-5. In one example embodiment, the packet 32A populates the first segment 42A, the packet 32B populates the second segment 42B, the packet 36A populates the first segment 46A, and the packet 36B populates the second segment 46B. In another example embodiment, the respective segments 42A, 42B, 46A, and 46B comprise at least one of a same and/or different bristle configuration, wherein the bristle configurations are configured for cleaning various surfaces such as floors and furniture.

[0030] The cleaning surfaces acted on by the cleaning assembly 10 include rigid snakes and flexible surfaces. Examples of rigid surfaces include, but are not limited to wood floors, tile floors and surfaces, cement floors, grout or porous surface, countertops, and the like. Examples of flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to carpet, rugs, textile surfaces, fabrics, woven surfaces, upholstery, artificial turf, and the like. There are additionally soft flexible surfaces and hard flexible surfaces. Examples of soft flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to low pile carpets, shag carpets, and the like. Examples of hard flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to woven surfaces, wool rugs, tight pile carpeting or furniture, and the like.

[0031] Stated another way, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pattern 42 is divided into bristle packets 32B in segment 42B that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for a soft flexible surface to be cleaned. While the bristle packets 32A in segment 42A that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for a hard flexible surface to be cleaned. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the pattern 46 is divided into bristle packets 36A in segment 46A that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for rigid surfaces, such as tile while the bristle packets 36B in segment 46B are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for rigid surfaces, such as grout surfaces.

[0032] An operator's guide is provided for the suitable surface conditions requiring cleaning by labels 50 and 52 located along the body 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The labels 50 and 52 inform the operator as to which pattern 42 or 46 and which further division, namely segment 42A, 46A or 42B, 46B to use based upon the type of texture to be cleaned (e.g., soft carpet (shag), hard carpet (woven wool or woven loop), tile, vinyl, stone, marble, granite, etc.). In one example embodiment, label 50 states soft carpet (arrow up 50A pointing to segment 42B) and hard carpet (arrow down 50A pointing to segment 42A). In the illustrated example embodiment, label 52 states tile (arrow up 52A pointing to segment 46A) and grout (arrow down 52B pointing to segment 46B).

[0033] As can be, seen in FIGS. 1-3, the cylindrical body 30 comprises an eccentric shape 60 comprising outer lobe 62 and inner lobe 64. The eccentric shape 60 formed by said lobes 62, 64 allow for varying degrees of engagement of first and second wheels, 70, 72 with the cleaning surface during use. The eccentric shape 60 additionally allows for axis O to remain centralized through the body 30.

[0034] First and second wheels, 70, 72 are positioned in races 74 and 76, respectively as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6A-6D, and 10. The races 74 and 76 follow the same eccentric shape 60 of the body 30 such that the wheels rotate about the central axis O, In a first illustrated example embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, and 7-9, the races 74, 76 intrude into the body 30 while maintaining an equal distance from the central axis O. In this example embodiment, the wheels 70, 72 protrude past the body 30 around the circumference. In a second illustrated example embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6D, and 10, the races 74, 76 that rotatably retain wheels 70 and 72 are held in by walls 78, 80 of inset 82 illustrated in FIG. 6B through approximately 160 degrees of rotation and rotate around a protruding boss 84 or riser that radially engages art inward portion 86 of the wheel during the remaining rotation of the wheels. In this illustrated example embodiment, the races 74, 76 partially intrude into the body 30 and partially protrude from the body. In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 8, the wheels 70, 72 are illustrated protruding past the body 30, and the wheels 70A, 72A, are illustrated as both protruding past the body pattern 42 and intrudes into the body adjacent pattern 46. In the first example embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, and 7-9, the bristles 36 are sufficiently stiff to prevent the wheels from contacting the cleaning surface (such as a rigid surface or furniture) or render such contact minimal. In the second example embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6D, 8, and 10, the wheels 70, 72 do not come into contact with the cleaning surface (e.g. rigid surface or furniture) when bristles 36 are engaged with cleaning said surface.

[0035] In an alternative example embodiment, the wheels 70, 72 are replaced with a reduced friction surface. That is, the reduced friction surface is a flat/smooth surface, plurality of bearings, plurality of contact points, or any combination thereof. The flat surface could be a single point that extends to the same diameter from the body 30 as the wheels 70, 72 discussed in the prior example embodiment to operate the patterns and/or bristles substantially the same way.

[0036] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 10, the wheels 70, 72 are two pieces, both made of molded plastic that are snapped together upon positioning within the races 74, 76. Following the eccentric shape 60 are end caps 96 and 98 that are located within the ends 31 and 33 of the body 30. The end caps 96, 98 form a fluid resistant seal when pressed into the ends 31, 33, preventing cleaning solution and/or water from entering into the body 30. In the illustrated example embodiment, the body 30 is hollow for reducing material cost and/or to keep the assembly 10 light weight for ease of use.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, different patterns 42 and 46 are shown as well as different segments within the patterns indicated by reference characters A and B for the different surface types to be cleaned. In one example embodiment, the different bristles patterns and/or segments are designated with different colors for assistance to the user when considering the type of surface or floor to be cleaned, e.g. tile, wood, soft carpet, hard carpet, and the like.

[0038] The design associated with pattern 46 with bristling packets 36B are advantageously arranged to engage grout. That is, the bristles in packets 36B are centralized about the body 30 in a triangular configuration 90 and spaced regions 91 (indicated by dimensions d1 and d2 in FIG. 8) from first and second groupings of edge cleaning bristle 92 having the same length as the triangular configuration 90 extending from the body. During operation, when the handle 12 is secured in hole 22, the assembly or dowel 20 is setup for rigid surfaces, such as wood, tile, and grout. In such configuration, the multicylindrical or eccentric shape 60 of the body 30 and the cam-like configuration of the races 74, 76, prevent the wheels 70, 72 from contacting the surface. Thus, bristle packets 36 and the bristle packets alone engage the surface for maximum scrubbing action. By inverting the dowel 20 (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0) to about ninety degrees (90) in a first direction about axis O) such that bristle packets 36A engage the floor, such configuration maximizes cleaning engagement for tile and wood floor-like surfaces without contact by the wheels 70, 72. For example, the user may rotate the dowel 20 zero degrees (0) if the bristle packet 36A already engages the floor, or ninety degrees (90) if the bristle packet 369 initially engages the floor. Reversing the dowel 20 (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0) to about ninety (90) in a second direction relative to the first direction) such that the bristle packets 369 engage the floor, such configuration maximizes cleaning configuration for grout, where the spaced regions 91 allow for deeper penetration of the triangular bristle pattern 90 into the grout. In addition, the wheels 70, 72 in this position are unable to contact the floor again because of at least one of he bristle packet's relatively longer length and eccentric shape 60 of the body 30.

[0039] In yet another example embodiment, the body 30 further includes information molded into the body near the labels 50, 52, indicating to the user in selecting which of holes 22, 24 to use for selectively attaching the handle 12 for a given surface type during use. For example, during operation of the assembly 20, the user considers the type of surface to he cleaned. If the surface is for a flexible surface such as carpet, the user would selectively attach the handle 12 in tapped hole 24. As such, the pattern 42 with bristle packets 32 of segments A or B engage the floor with contact of the wheels 70, 72. That is, when the user desires bristles for soft carpet, the dowel 20 is rotated about the axis O (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0) to about ninety degrees (90) in the second direction) until the bristle packets 32B contact the floor along with the wheels 70, 72. If the user desires bristles for hard carpet, the dowel 20 is rotated (e.g., by turning the dowel between zero degrees (0) to about ninety degrees (90) in the first direction) from the soft carpet position described above until the bristle packets 32A contact the flooring along with the wheels 70, 72. The labels 50, 52 act as an aid to the user as to bristle type and location for handle 12 based on the floor type. The wheels 70 and 72 are strategically located inward along the body 30 of the dowel 20 (see dimension k in FIG. 8) that allows for the assembly 10 (e.g., using the edge cleaning bristles 92) to clean near the edges of the surface near walls and the like.

[0040] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such Modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

[0041] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0042] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms comprises, comprising, has, having, includes, including, contains, containing or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by comprises . . . a, has . . . a, includes . . . a, contains . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms a and an are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms substantially, essentially, approximately, about or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term coupled as used herein is defined as connected or in contact, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0043] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.