BRUSH WITH ALTERNATE ROWS OF ANGLED TUFTS
A brush may include a first row of tufts and a second row of tufts. The tufts in the first row may be angled in a first direction while the tufts in the second row may be angled in a second direction that is different from the first direction.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/358,693, entitled BRUSH WITH ALTERNATE ROWS OF ANGLED BRISTLES, filed Jun. 25, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.
I. BACKGROUNDA. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to brushes, and more specifically to brushes having some rows of tufts angled forward and other rows of tufts angled backward.
B. Description of the Related Art
Numerous types and styles of brushes are known. Typically, brushes include a tuft holder having tufts that extend at right angles from the tuft holder.
It is also known, as shown in
While known brush tuft arrangements generally work well for their intended purposes, what is needed is a brush that provides better performance than known brushes.
II. SUMMARYAccording to one embodiment of this invention, a brush may comprise: a tuft holder; a primary operation axis; a first row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts; and, a second row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts. The first tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a first tuft angle within a first plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the primary operation axis. The first tuft may be angled at a forward acute angle that is between, in one embodiment, 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively. The second tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a second tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane. The second tuft may be angles at a forward acute angle that is between, in one embodiment, 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively. The first tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a third tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane. The third tuft may be angled at a backward acute angle that is, in one embodiment, between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively. The second tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a fourth tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane. The fourth tuft may be angled at a backward acute angle that is, in one embodiment, between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a brush may comprise: a tuft holder; a primary operation axis; a first row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder; and, a second row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder. The first and second row of tufts may be substantially parallel to the primary operation axis. The first tuft of the first row and the first tuft of the second row may form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis. The second tuft of the first row and the second tuft of the second row may form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
According to yet another embodiment of this invention, a brush may comprise: a tuft holder; a primary operation axis; a handle that extends from the tuft holder substantially along the primary operation axis; a first linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the tuft holder; and, a second linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the tuft holder. The first and second rows of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation axis. The first tuft of the first row and the first tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis. The second tuft of the first row and the second tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis. The third tuft of the first row and the third tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
One advantage of this brush is that the angled brushes perform better scrubbing action.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,
With continuing reference to
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As shown in
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With reference now to all the FIGURES, many variations of the brushes 10, 10 are contemplated with some variations including a layout of adjacent rows of tufts angled in alternate directions. Within each row 60, the tufts 30 can be substantially parallel to each other or the tufts 30 may have various other configurations. For one non-limiting example, the tufts 30 within a row 60 may all be angled towards the front 16 of the brush, but at different angles. For another non-limiting example, the tufts 30 may all be angled towards the front 16 of the brush and one side of the brush at substantially the same angle. For another non-limiting example, the tufts 30 may all be angled towards the rear 18 of the brush at substantially the same angle, but at different angles to the sides of the brush. A first row 60 may have many different configurations, and an adjacent second row 60 may have a mirror configuration of the first row 60. The second adjacent row may be substantially parallel to the first row or the adjacent row may be offset at an angle to the first row.
Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
Claims
1. A brush comprising:
- a tuft holder;
- a primary operation axis;
- a first row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts;
- a second row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts;
- wherein the first tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a first tuft angle within a first plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the primary operation axis; wherein the first tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively;
- wherein the second tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a second tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane; wherein the second tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively;
- wherein the first tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at an third tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane; wherein the third tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively; and,
- wherein the second tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a fourth tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane; wherein the fourth tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
2. The brush of claim 1 further comprising:
- a third row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts; and,
- wherein each tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a right tuft angle within a third plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to the second plane; wherein the right tuft angle is substantially 90 degrees.
3. The brush of claim 1 further comprising:
- a third row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts;
- a fourth row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts;
- wherein the first tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at an fifth tuft angle within a third plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to the second plane; wherein the fifth tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively;
- wherein the second tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a sixth tuft angle within the third plane with respect to the second plane; wherein the sixth tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively;
- wherein the first tuft in the fourth row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at an seventh tuft angle within a fourth plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to the second plane; wherein the seventh tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively; and,
- wherein the second tuft in the fourth row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at an eighth tuft angle within the fourth plane with respect to the second plane; wherein the eighth tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
4. The brush of claim 1 wherein:
- the first and second tuft angles are substantially the same; and,
- the third and fourth tuft angles are substantially the same.
5. The brush of claim 4 wherein:
- the first, second, third, and fourth tuft angles are substantially the same.
6. The brush of claim 1 wherein:
- the first, second, third, and fourth tuft angles are between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
7. The brush of claim 1 further comprising:
- a handle that extends from the tuft holder substantially along the primary operation axis.
8. The brush of claim 1 wherein:
- the first and second tufts in the first row and the first and second tufts in the second row are formed of stainless steel.
9. A brush comprising:
- a tuft holder;
- a primary operation axis;
- a first row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder;
- a second row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder;
- wherein the first and second row of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the first tuft of the first row and the first tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis; and,
- wherein the second tuft of the first row and the second tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
10. The brush of claim 9 further comprising:
- a third row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts; and,
- wherein each tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a right tuft angle within a first plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the primary operation axis; wherein the right tuft angle is substantially 90 degrees.
11. The brush of claim 10 further comprising:
- a fourth row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder;
- a fifth row of tufts that comprises at least first and second tufts that extend from the tuft holder;
- wherein the fourth and fifth row of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the first tuft of the fourth row and the first tuft of the fifth row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis; and,
- wherein the second tuft of the fourth row and the second tuft of the fifth row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
12. The brush of claim 11 wherein:
- the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rows of tufts are positioned from a first side of the tuft holder to a second side of the tuft holder in the following order: the first row; the second row; the third row; the fourth row; and, the fifth row.
13. The brush of claim 12 wherein:
- the first and second tufts of the first row and the first and second tufts of the fifth row have a forward acute tuft angle; and,
- the first and second tufts of the second row and the first and second tufts of the fourth row have a backward acute tuft angle.
14. The brush of claim 13 wherein:
- the forward acute tuft angle for each of the first and second tufts of the first row and the first and second tufts of the fifth row is between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively; and,
- the backward acute tuft angle for each of the first and second tufts of the second row and the first and second tufts of the fourth row is between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
15. The brush of claim 14 wherein:
- a handle extends from the tuft holder substantially along the primary operation axis; and,
- all the tufts are formed of stainless steel.
16. A brush comprising:
- a tuft holder;
- a primary operation axis;
- a handle extends from the tuft holder substantially along the primary operation axis;
- a first linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the tuft holder;
- a second linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the tuft holder;
- wherein the first and second row of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the first tuft of the first row and the first tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the second tuft of the first row and the second tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis; and,
- wherein the third tuft of the first row and the third tuft of the second row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
17. The brush of claim 16 further comprising:
- a third linear row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal; and,
- wherein each tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a right tuft angle within a first plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the right tuft angle is substantially 90 degrees.
18. The brush of claim 17 further comprising:
- a fourth linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that extend from the tuft holder and are formed of a metal;
- a fifth linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second, and third tufts that extend from the tuft holder and are formed of a metal;
- wherein the fourth and fifth row of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the first tuft of the fourth row and the first tuft of the fifth row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis;
- wherein the second tuft of the fourth row and the second tuft of the fifth row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis; and,
- wherein the third tuft of the fourth row and the third tuft of the fifth row form an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis
19. The brush of claim 18 wherein:
- the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rows of tufts are positioned from a first side of the tuft holder to a second side of the tuft holder in the following order: the first row; the second row; the third row; the fourth row; and, the fifth row;
- the first and second tufts of the first row and the first and second tufts of the fifth row have a forward acute tuft angle; and,
- the first and second tufts of the second row and the first and second tufts of the fourth row have a backward acute tuft angle.
20. The brush of claim 19 wherein:
- the forward acute tuft angle for each of the first and second tufts of the first row and the first and second tufts of the fifth row is between 80 degrees and 85 degrees, inclusively; and,
- the backward acute tuft angle for each of the first and second tufts of the second row and the first and second tufts of the fourth row is between 80 degrees and 85 degrees, inclusively.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 24, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2012
Applicant: THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY (Cleveland, OH)
Inventors: Michael C. Lambertson, JR. (Aurora, OH), Charles T. Buckel, JR. (Valley City, OH), Dennis P. De Renzo, JR. (Concord Township, OH)
Application Number: 13/168,037
International Classification: A46B 9/02 (20060101); A46B 3/00 (20060101);