Counter-rotational electric scrubber
An electric scrubber includes a housing, an electric motor mounted within a housing, a pair of scrubbing blocks mounted to the housing for rotation about a common axis, and a torque transmission transmitting torque from the electric motor to the scrubbing blocks in such manner that the scrubbing blocks rotate simultaneously in mutually opposite directions about the common axis.
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The present invention relates to electric motor-driven scrubbers. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to motor-driven scrubbers having a pair of scrubbing blocks that are driven to counter-rotate about a common axis. Such scrubbing blocks might support a plurality of tufts, polishing pads, scouring pads, sandpaper, cleaning sponges or other surfaces for cleaning, scrubbing, polishing or the like.
It is known to provide handheld motor-driven rotary brushing devices provided with a single flat tuft block from which parallel bristles extend. The tuft block in such devices rotates in one direction only. If such a device is left switched on when placed upon a bench for example, it can spin haplessly and run away across the bench. Also, the cleaning action provided by such known devices is limited by the unidirectional rotation of the bristles or other cleaning surface-interactive element.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONIt is the object of the present invention to provide a counter-rotating scrubber aimed at overcoming or substantially ameliorating at least one of the above disadvantages.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThere is disclosed herein an electric scrubber, comprising:
-
- a housing,
- an electric motor mounted within a housing,
- a pair of scrubbing blocks mounted to the housing for rotation about a common axis, and
- a torque transmission transmitting torque from the electric motor to the scrubbing blocks in such manner that the scrubbing blocks rotate simultaneously in mutually opposite directions about the common axis.
Preferably one of the scrubbing blocks has a circular array of inwardly directed teeth and the other of the scrubbing blocks has a circular array of outwardly facing teeth and wherein the torque transmission comprises a pinion meshing with both of said circular arrays of teeth.
Preferably the torque transmission further include is a worm gear in mesh with an intermediate gear with which the pinion shares a common shaft.
Preferably both circular arrays of teeth are mounted in a common plane.
Preferably each scrubbing block comprises surface-interactive elements mounted upon a common plane.
Alternatively each scrubbing block comprises surface-interactive elements radiating from a common axis.
The electric scrubber might further comprise a dispenser within the housing for delivering a liquid agent to at least one of the scrubbing blocks.
In embodiments wherein the scrubber might be adapted for cleaning a toilet, or other hard to reach area, there might further be provided a handle detachable from the housing and encasing a rechargeable battery in circuit with the electric motor via terminals exposed upon detachment of the handle from the housing.
The handle might comprise an elongate extension on which the terminals are located and wherein the housing comprises an elongate recess into which the extension is received.
There is further disclosed herein a combination comprising the electric scrubber disclosed above and a recharging stand attachable to a source of mains power and comprising an elongate recess into which the extension is received.
Definition
As used herein, the word “scrubber” and its derivations such as “scrubbing” are intended to encompass any surface-interactive element that performs a scrubbing, brushing, polishing, sanding or cleaning function and the action performed thereby respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In
There is an electric motor 501 attached to a frame 9 that is in turn secured to a base 3. A rechargeable battery pack 4 is fitted upon the base 3 and provides power to the electric motor 501 when the switch 6 is depressed. The housing is sealed against the ingress of water from the outside.
A worm gear 503 is secured to the output shaft of the electric motor 501. The frame 9 supports the worm gear 503 as well as an intermediate gear 502 with which the worm gear 503 meshes The depending shaft from the intermediate gear 502 passes through the base 3. At the bottom side of the base, a pinion 504 is secured to the intermediate gear shaft so as to rotating in unison with the intermediate gear 502 at all times that the motor 501 is activated.
There is a pair of scrubbing blocks 1 and 2 mounted rotatably about a common axis A to the base 3. The scrubbing block 1 surrounds the scrubbing block 2 and comprises a circular array of inwardly facing teeth 11. The scrubbing block 2 has a circular array of outwardly facing teeth 22. The pinion 504 meshes with both of the teeth arrays 11 and 22 to effect counter-rotation of the scrubbing blocks 1 and 2.
There is a detergent reservoir 20 fitted within the housing between the cover 7 and base 3. It has a lid 10 accessible via an opening 72 in the cover 7 which can be removed to poor liquid detergent into the reservoir. A flexible hose 13 extends from a coupling 12 at the bottom of the reservoir 20 through the base 3 to the scrubbing block 2.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in
Alternative motor-to-scrubbing block torque transmission arrangements are shown in
In the embodiment depicted in the
In
In
The batteries 11 can be recharged by placing the handle 9 upon a recharging stand 140 as shown in
It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, where bristles such as 401 are depicted in the drawings, polishing pads, scouring pads, sponge pads, sandpaper or other scrubbers can be used depending on the required application of the scrubber.
Claims
1. An electric scrubber, comprising:
- a housing,
- an electric motor mounted within a housing,
- a pair of scrubbing blocks mounted to the housing for rotation about a common axis, and
- a torque transmission transmitting torque from the electric motor to the scrubbing blocks in such manner that the scrubbing blocks rotate simultaneously in mutually opposite directions about the common axis.
2. The electric scrubber of claim 1 wherein one of the scrubbing blocks has a circular array of inwardly directed teeth and the other of the scrubbing blocks has a circular array of outwardly facing teeth and wherein the torque transmission comprises a pinion meshing with both of said circular arrays of teeth.
3. The electric scrubber of claim 2 wherein the torque transmission further includes a worm gear in mesh with an intermediate gear with which the pinion shares a common shaft.
4. The electric scrubber of claim 2 wherein both circular arrays of teeth are mounted in a common plane.
5. The electric scrubber of claim 1 wherein each scrubbing block comprises surface-interactive elements mounted upon a common plane.
6. The electric scrubber of claim 1 wherein each scrubbing block comprises surface-interactive elements radiating from a common axis.
7. The electric scrubber of claim 1 further comprising a dispenser within the housing for delivering a liquid agent to at least one of the scrubbing blocks.
8. The electric scrubber of claim 1 comprising a handle detachable from the housing and encasing a rechargeable battery in circuit with the electric motor via terminals exposed upon detachment of the handle from the housing.
9. The electric cover of claim 8 wherein the handle comprises an elongate extension on which the terminals are located and wherein the housing comprises an elongate recess into which the extension is received.
10. The electric scrubber of claim 9, in combination with a recharging stand attachable to a source of main power and comprising an elongate recess into which the extension is received.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2003
Publication Date: Jun 9, 2005
Applicant: Chiaphua Industries Limited (Tai Po)
Inventors: Aik Cheah (Wheelers Hill), Kwok Shek (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 10/725,998