Multipurpose brush with ergonomic handle
An ergonomic handle for a multipurpose brush includes a gripping surface having a series of protrusions along a rear surface of the handle, a thumb recess formed along a front side of the handle and first and second opposed lateral recesses extending along sides of the proximal segment.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,477, entitled “Multipurpose Brush”, filed Dec. 19, 2002, which is currently pending
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multipurpose brush having an ergonomic handle so as to provide for improved functionality. More particularly, the invention relates to a multipurpose brush having an ergonomic handle permitting gripping by either hand and complete support of brush regardless of the orientation of the brush.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many brushes have been developed over the years for addressing the cleaning concerns of individuals. However, most brushes are made for use in a single orientation and are not adapted for proper handling when the brush is used in an alternate orientation. As such, a need exists for an effective, easy to use multipurpose brush adapted for cleaning the wide range of surfaces in a variety of orientations. The present brush addresses this ongoing problem by providing a brush offering a plurality of cleaning surfaces and an ergonomic handle optimized to effectively help an individual clean the many different surfaces found in a common household bathroom or kitchen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic handle for a multipurpose brush. The handle includes a gripping surface having a series of protrusions along a rear surface of the handle, a thumb recess formed along a front side of the handle and first and second opposed lateral recesses extending along sides of the proximal segment.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a multipurpose brush 10 is disclosed. The brush 10 generally includes a brush head 12 and a handle 14 coupled to and extending from the brush head 12. The brush head 12 is configured so as to allow for the use of the present brush 10 in a variety of orientations and for a variety of purposes without necessitating that the user unduly exert himself or herself. Thereby, the present bush(es) has been designed to minimize extreme and/or awkward body positioning typically required of the users of currently available brushes.
In accordance with alternate embodiments, and as respectively shown in
In accordance with the embodiment disclosed in
With reference to the brush head 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the brush head 12 includes a central core member 16. The central core member 16 includes a top surface 18, a bottom surface 20, a rear surface 22 and a front surface 24. The central core member 16 also includes a first side surface 26 extending between the top surface 18 and the bottom surface 20 and a second side surface 28 extending between the top surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. As shown in
The brush head 12 further includes bristles 30 extending from the top surface 18, bottom surface 20 and front surface 24 of the central core member 16. The bristles 30 extending from the forward portion 32 of the top surface 18 are cut to define an upper brushing surface 34 at distal ends of the bristles 30. The upper brushing surface 34 is angled to be approximately 5° to 20° relative to the central longitudinal axis 35, and preferably 13°. Similarly, the bristles extending from the forward portion 36 of the bottom surface 20 are shaped to define a lower brushing surface 38 at distal ends of the bristles 30. The lower brushing surface 38 is also approximately 5° to 20° relative to the central longitudinal axis 35, and preferably 13°.
The effectiveness of the present brush 10 is further enhanced by the bristles (or lack thereof) at positions along a rear portion 42 of both the top surface 18 and bottom surface 20 of the central core member 16. Specifically, the rear portion 42 of the top surface 18 is free of bristles. By providing a rear portion 42 of the top surface 18 which is free of bristles, the weight of the present brush 10 is substantially reduced, enhancing the overall positioning flexibility, usability and versatility of the present brush 10.
The rear portion 42 of the bottom surface 20 is similarly configured to enhance the usefulness and versatility of the present brush 10. Specifically, the rear portion 42 of the bottom surface is provided with bristles 30. However, the bristles are cut so as to define a secondary lower brushing surface 44 which is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 35 of the central core member 16. By orienting the secondary lower brushing surface 44 in this manner, the brush 10 is configured so as to facilitate ease of use on further surfaces in a manner which will be discussed below in greater detail.
As mentioned above, the upper and lower brushing surfaces 34, 38 are oriented at angles of approximately 5° to 20° relative to the central longitudinal axis 35. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper brushing surface 34 is approximately 13° relative to the central longitudinal axis 35 and the lower brushing surface 38 is approximately 13° relative to the central longitudinal axis 35.
With regard to the handle 14, it is also shaped to enhance the usefulness of the present brush 10 and provide for optimal versatility. With this in mind, the handle 10 is generally S-shaped. Specifically, the handle 10 includes a distal segment 46 directly coupled to the rear surface 22 of the central core member 16, a proximal segment 48 remote from the rear surface 22 of the central core member 16 and a central segment 50 connecting the distal segment 46 to the proximal segment 48.
The distal segment 46 is substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis 35 of the central core member 16, and the central segment 50 and proximal segment 48 extend therefrom. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central segment 50 is oriented at an angle of approximately 125° relative to the distal segment 46 and the central segment 50 is oriented at an angle of approximately 160° relative to the proximal segment 48. While specific angular orientations are disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate the variation in those orientations which might be employed to expand upon the versatility and usefulness of the present brush.
The handle 12 is further provided with various gripping surfaces 52. The gripping surfaces 52 may be knurled or textured to enhance the usefulness of the present brush. The usefulness of the various gripping surfaces 52 will become apparent as the functionality of the present brush 10 is described below in detail. Specifically, a first gripping surface 54 is provided in the rear side 56 of the central segment 50 at a position adjacent the proximal segment 48 of the handle 12. A second gripping surface 58 is provided on the rear side 60 of the proximal segment 48 adjacent the central segment 50 of the handle 14. The second gripping surface 58 is further provided with a cooperating thumb recess 62 formed along the front side 64 of the proximal segment 48. A hanging loop 66 is also provided at the free end of the proximal segment 48.
A handle 612 with ergonomic gripping surfaces 652 is disclosed with reference to
More specifically, the first gripping surface 654, along the rear side 656 of the central segment 650, includes a series of protrusion 662 shaped and dimensioned for receipt of an individual's fingers. The first gripping surface 654 is supplemented by the provision of a pair of lateral recesses 664 along the sides of the central segment 650. The lateral recesses 664 extend along the longitudinal axis of the central segment 650 and assist the user as he or she grips the first gripping surface 654. The lateral recesses 664 allow the user to place the tips of his or her fingers within the sides of the central segment 650. As such, a user may grip the first gripping surface 654 at a variety of orientations while still encountering a gripping recess facilitating secure gripping of the handle 612.
With regard to the second gripping surface 658, it is provided at the proximal segment 648 of the handle 612. The second gripping surface 658 includes a cooperating thumb recess 663 formed along the front side 665 of the proximal segment 648. The second gripping surface 658 also includes lateral recesses 668 extending along the sides of the proximal segment 648. The lateral recesses 668 extend longitudinally along the proximal segment 648 and provide an ideal surface for gripping by the user. In particular, the lateral recesses 668 provide an ideal leverage surface by which an individual can support the brush as he or she orients the brush in a variety of orientations. As such, a user's thumb, or other fingers, may be placed within the lateral recesses 668, creating a leverage point enabling a user to rotate the handle 612 to a desired orientation without creating undue stress upon the hands of the user. For example, when a user wishes to reorient the brush by rotating it 90° or 180°, he or she may simply place the gripping thumb within the lateral recess 668 creating a leverage point for the ready rotation of the brush to a desired orientation. As discussed above, the second gripping surface 658 also includes a series of protrusions 661 along the rear surface 660 of the proximal segment 648. With this in mind, the user may grip his hand around the handle and engage the recesses during use of the handle.
The shape and depth of the thumb recess 663 and the lateral recesses 668 may be varied to suit specific users. In addition, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thumb recess 663 and the lateral recesses 668 each include pronounced sidewalls providing a user with leverage as he or she places fingers within the recesses 663, 668.
In particular, and with reference to
Further handling orientations are shown in
As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the recesses may be formed with various shapes to improve the aesthetic characteristics so long as the recesses are sufficiently deep to provide a user with a surface in which he or she may plant his or her hand during use.
The usefulness of the present brush 10 is further enhanced by altering the details associated with the junction between the upper and lower brushing surfaces 34, 38 and the side brushing surfaces 68, 70. Specifically, and as briefly discussed above, the central core member 16 further includes a first side surface 26 extending between the top surface 18 and the bottom surface 20 and a second side surface 28 extending between the top surface 18 and the bottom surface 20, the brush head 12 further includes bristles 30 extending from the first side surface 26 and the second side surface 28, wherein the bristles 30 extending from the first side surface 26 define a first side brushing surface 68 and the bristles 30 extending from the second side surface 28 define a second side brushing surface 70.
In accordance with a first embodiment disclosed with reference to
In accordance with a further embodiment of the brush 110 as disclosed with reference to
As the various embodiments of the present brush 10, 110 are adapted for use in performing different functions, it is further contemplated that brushes 10, 110 will be constructed in various lengths. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rounded edge brushes disclosed with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, will be constructed with a length of approximately 30″, while the square edged brushes (see FIGS. 1 to 3) will be constructed with a length of approximately 28″. However, those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate other lengths that may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In addition to the specific multipurpose brushes 10, 110 described above, the present invention also relates to a set of brushes 200 allowing for multipurpose cleaning (see
In general, the set of brushes 200 is composed of a first brush 210 including a brush head 212 and a handle 214 coupled to and extending from the brush head 212. The brush head 212 includes a central core member 216. As with the embodiment disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the central core member 216 includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, a second side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, a rear surface and a front surface. The central core member 216 also includes a central longitudinal axis. The brush head 212 further includes bristles 230 extending from the top surface, bottom surface, first side surface, second side surface and front surface of the central core member 216. The bristles 230 extending from the top surface define an upper brushing surface 234 at distal ends of the bristles 230. The bristles 230 extending from the bottom surface define a lower brushing surface 238. The bristles 230 extending from the first side surface 268 define a first side brushing surface and the bristles 230 extending from the second side surface define a second side brushing surface 270. The intersection of the first side brushing surface 268 with the respective upper brushing surface 270 and lower brushing surface 238 is squared so as to define pointed corner surfaces with the intersection of the second side brushing surface 270 and the respective upper brushing surface 234 and lower brushing surface 238 is squared so as to define pointed corner surfaces.
As to the second brush 310, it includes a brush head 312 and a handle coupled 314 to and extending from the brush head 312. The brush head includes a central core member 316. As with the embodiment disclosed with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the central core member 316 includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, a second side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, a rear surface and a front surface. The central core member 316 also includes a central longitudinal axis. The brush head 312 further includes bristles 330 extending from the top surface, bottom surface, first side surface, second side surface and front surface of the central core member 316. The bristles 330 extending from the top surface define an upper brushing surface 334 at distal ends of the bristles. The bristles 330 extending from the bottom surface define a lower brushing surface 338. The bristles 330 extending from the first side surface define a first side brushing surface 368 and the bristles 330 extending from the second side surface define a second side brushing surface 370. The intersection of the first side brushing surface 368 with the respective upper brushing surface 334 and lower brushing surface 338 is rounded so as to define rounded corner surfaces and the intersection of the second side brushing surface 370 with the respective upper brushing surface 334 and lower brushing surface 338 is rounded so as to define rounded corner surfaces.
The third brush 410 includes a brush head 412 with a central core member 416 and bristles 430 extending therefrom and a handle 414 coupled to and extending from the brush head. However, the handle is at least 40% shorter than handles of the first and second brushes.
With regard to the first and second brushes 210, 310 the construction of the brush heads and handles is similar to that disclosed with reference to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 6. As such, these brushes are designed for ease of use and application in achieving a wide variety of functions. As to the third brush 410, it may adopt the construction elements applied in the embodiment disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, or it may be otherwise designed as those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate.
With regard to the set of brushes designed for cleaning a bathtub and the surrounding area, the set is composed of a 30″ second brush 310 having rounded edges, a 28″ first brush 210 having squared edges and a third brush 410 specifically designed for cleaning a sink top. In particular, the rounded edges of the 30″ second brush 310 are applied to this brush as it is intended for use in cleaning the inside and surround of the bathtub itself. The square edges of the 28″ first brush 210 are applied to this brush as it is intended for cleaning the flooring surrounding the bathtub or the flat surface of the floor within the bathtub or the floor and walls of a stall shower.
With regard to the set of brushes designed for cleaning a toilet and the surrounding area, the set is composed of a 30″ second brush (with telescoping handle and circular head, see
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in
As discussed above, the brushes of the present invention are adapted for a wide range of uses. As shown in
The brush head's final trim may vary slightly from that presented in the attached drawings, depending upon the specific surface or area, in the bathroom or kitchen, it is configured to scrub clean.
While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An ergonomic handle for a multipurpose brush, comprising:
- a gripping surface having a series of protrusions along a rear surface of the handle, a thumb recess formed along a front side of the handle and first and second opposed lateral recesses extending along sides of the proximal segment.
2. The ergonomic handle according to claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral recesses extend longitudinally along the handle.
3. The ergonomic handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle is S-shaped.
4. The ergonomic handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle includes a loop at a distal end thereof.
5. An ergonomic handle for a multipurpose brush, comprising:
- a first gripping surface including a series of protrusions along a rear side of the handle and first and second opposed lateral recesses along sides of the handle.
- a second gripping surface having a series of protrusions along a rear surface of the handle, a thumb recess formed along a front side of the handle and first and second opposed lateral recesses extending along sides of the proximal segment.
6. The ergonomic handle according to claim 5, wherein the first and second lateral recesses of the second gripping surface extend longitudinally along the handle.
7. The ergonomic handle according to claim 5, wherein the handle is S-shaped.
8. The ergonomic handle according to claim 7, wherein the first gripping surface is angular oriented relative to the second gripping surface.
9. The ergonomic handle according to claim 7, wherein the handle includes a proximal segment, a distal segment and a central segment, and the first gripping surface is oriented upon the central segment and the second gripping surface is oriented upon the proximal segment.
10. The ergonomic handle according to claim 5, wherein the handle includes a loop at a distal end thereof.
11. The ergonomic handle according to claim 5, wherein the second gripping surface includes a series of protrusions along a rear surface of the handle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 18, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2005
Inventor: Louis Tubman (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Number: 11/036,173