Multifunctional cleaning tool

Abstract

A multifunctional cleaning tool for cleaning surfaces such as toilets. The multifunctional cleaning tool having both an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion, which are oriented generally at an angle to one another so that a user can use both the abrasive portion and the nonabrasive portions without drastically changing the orientation of the tool upon the surface to be cleaned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cleaning tools, and more particularly relates to cleaning tools that are configured for use in cleaning surfaces alternatively in both abrasive and nonabrasive manners.

2 Background Information

There are many different types of cleaning implements and tools on the market. Some of which are configured for abrasive cleaning (i.e., steel wool, pumice), and some of which are configured for a softer (nonabrasive) cleaning (i.e., cloth, sponge).

There are often surfaces or cleaning applications where both abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning is required. Typically, to clean such a surface, two different cleaning tools, namely an abrasive one and a nonabrasive one, are required. For instance, in areas of the United States where hard water is common, a toilet bowl will often develop a ring of mineral deposits at or near the surface of the water in the toilet bowl. A nonabrasive cleaning implement will be unable to remove this “hard water” deposit. As such, a user must use an abrasive cleaner to remove these mineral deposits. The preferred abrasive cleaner tends to be a pumice stone due to the fact that pumice is abrasive enough to remove the mineral deposits, yet soft enough that the porcelain of the toilet bowl will not be marred by use of the pumice stone.

While an abrasive cleaner like pumice is ideal for removing hard water deposits, the abrasive cleaner is not necessarily desirable for cleaning the balance of the surface. One reason is the fact that pumice stones tend to be a consumable cleaning product (pumice stones are used because they readily wear). Additionally, pumice stones tend to be porous, a feature that is not necessarily desirable when selecting a cleaning instrument intended to be reused. For those (and other) reasons, a user will typically (after removing the mineral deposits) use a second cleaning implement (such as a plastic bristled brush) to finish the cleaning task. Obviously, the need to use two separate cleaning instruments to clean a single fixture is less than desirable.

What is needed is a multifunction cleaning tool that would allow a user to both remove the mineral deposits (an abrasive portion) and generally clean the other toilet tank surfaces (a nonabrasive portion). Embodiments of the present invention satisfy this need.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning. The multifunctional cleaning tool (“tool”) having a handle portion, a body portion, an abrasive cleaning portion and a nonabrasive cleaning portion. The handle is for allowing a user to hold and use the tool. The body is for connecting with the handle and for providing a support for the two cleaning surfaces (abrasive and nonabrasive).

The abrasive portion attaching to the body portion and configured for cleaning a surface. The abrasive portion having an abrasive working surface. The nonabrasive portion attaching to the body portion and configured for cleaning a surface. The nonabrasive portion having a nonabrasive working surface. In the preferred embodiment, the abrasive portion working surface is not oriented generally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface.

The body portion (“body”) having a longitudinal axis defined between a body first end and a body second end. The handle portion (“handle”) preferably having a longitudinal axis defined between a handle first end and a handle second end. Preferably, the second end attaches to the body generally at the body first end so that the body portion's longitudinal axis is not perpendicular or parallel to the handle portion's longitudinal axis. The body having a top surface and a bottom surface.

It is preferred that the body second end comprise a mounting surface that is configured for attachment to the abrasive portion. Preferably, this mounting surface is at an angle relative to the bottom surface of the body. Thus, when the abrasive portion is mounted to the body, the plane of the working surface of the abrasive portion is not parallel to the plane of the working surface of the nonabrasive portion, but rather generally comes at an angle to the nonabrasive portion so that a user can manipulate the tool within the tank to selectively and alternatively apply both the abrasive and nonabrasive portions to the surfaces to be cleaned. In the preferred embodiment, the abrasive portion comprises a piece of pumice and an adhesive is used to attach the abrasive portion to the body.

It is preferred that the nonabrasive portion attach to the body at the body's bottom side. In the preferred embodiment, the nonabrasive portion comprises a number of plastic bristles that extend from the bottom side of the body.

The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show two views of one embodiment of the present invention, a multifunctional cleaning tool 10. The multifunctional cleaning tool 10 being configured for cleaning a surface (or surfaces) with both an abrasive portion 50 and a nonabrasive portion 70. In the preferred embodiment, the multifunctional cleaning tool 10 has a handle portion 20, a body portion 30, an abrasive portion 50 and a nonabrasive portion 70. While these different independent portions are envisioned, it is likewise envisioned that these various portions could be combined together into one or more solitary portions. For example, the handle could be integral to the body portion or the body portion could serve as a handle portion.

The handle portion 20 is preferably configured for grasping by a user's hand. As such, a user can maneuver and position the multifunctional cleaning tool 10 so as to clean the desired surfaces. Preferably, the handle portion 20 has a first end 24 extending to a second end 26 generally defining there between a longitudinal axis 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the handle portion (“handle”) 20 actually has two portions with a bend there between thereby resulting generally in two longitudinal axes 22, 22′, with the longitudinal axis of concern (for this discussions purposes) being the first longitudinal axis 22 that abuts the body portion 30.

The handle portion 20 is configured for attachment to a body portion 30. In the embodiment shown, it is envisioned that both the handle 20 and body 30 will be co-molded or otherwise integrally formed with one another. However, it is expressly envisioned that the handle portion 20 could be a separate piece from the body portion 30, and be configured for attachment thereto. In the embodiment shown, the handle portion 20 is molded into the body portion 30 at the body portion's first end 34. The body portion 30 having a first end 34 extending to a body second end 36 generally defining there between a longitudinal axis 32. The body portion 20 having a top side 38 and a bottom side 40 as well.

It is preferred that the body second end 36 further comprise a body second end abrasive portion mounting surface 42 configured for attachment to the abrasive portion 50. In the embodiment shown, this abrasive portion mounting surface 42 is oriented along a first plane 46. This first plane 46 preferably oriented at an angle to the body bottom side plane 48 so that the working surface of the attached (preferably rectangular prismatic shaped) abrasive portion 50 is oriented likewise at an angle to the body bottom side plane 48.

It is preferred that the abrasive portion 50 be adhered to the body second end abrasive portion mounting surface 42 through use of an adhesive. However, it is likewise envisioned that the abrasive portion 50 could be removable and replaceable, for instance, if the user wanted to replace the abrasive portion 50 when it wears down. Possible manners of releaseably attaching the abrasive portion include, but are not limited to: adhesives, hook-and-loop attachments, fasteners, friction fits, etc.

These two planes (46, 48) preferably result in, when the abrasive and nonabrasive portions are attached/extend therefrom, the provision of an abrasive working surface plane 58 as well as a nonabrasive working surface plane 78. These two working surface planes are oriented generally at an angle to one another, not being parallel or perpendicular to one another.

As discussed above, the body second end abrasive portion mounting surface 42 is configured for attachment with an abrasive portion 50. In the preferred embodiment, this abrasive portion 50 comprising a rectangular prismatic block of pumice stone, however, other abrasive materials could likewise be used for the abrasive portion. This abrasive portion 50 having a working surface 52 configured for engaging a surface to be abraded. It is preferred that this working surface 52, as discussed above, generally lie within a working surface plane 58 which extends to join the working surface plane 78 of the nonabrasive portion at an angle. As such, the abrasive portion 50 being oriented at an angle to the position of the nonabrasive portion 70. Obviously, an abrasive portion used for cleaning could have more than one working surface, and as such, the above disclosure of a particular working surface 52 is not intended to be a limitation as to what working surfaces may be used by a user.

The nonabrasive portion 70 is configured for extending from the body bottom side 40 and attaching to the body bottom side nonabrasive portion mounting surface 44. In the preferred embodiment, it is likely that the nonabrasive portion 70 comprises a plurality of bristles 74 molded into and extending therefrom the body bottom side 40. However, other types of nonabrasive portions are likewise considered.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning, said tool comprising:

a handle portion for holding by a user;

a body portion connecting to said handle portion, said body providing a support for an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion;

an abrasive portion configured for cleaning a surface, said abrasive portion having an abrasive working surface; and

said nonabrasive portion having a nonabrasive working surface;

wherein said abrasive portion working surface is not generally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a body portion first end which extends to a body portion second end, wherein said handle portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a handle portion first end which extends to a handle portion second end, said handle portion second end attaching to said body portion generally at said body portion first end, wherein the body portion longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to said handle portion longitudinal axis.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion has a top side surface and a bottom side surface.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein said body portion second end comprises a mounting surface configured for attachment to said abrasive portion.

5. The tool of claim 3, wherein said nonabrasive portion attaches to said body portion at said body portion bottom side.

6. The tool of claim 3, wherein said nonabrasive portion is molded into said body portion bottom side.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein said abrasive portion is configured for removal and replacement.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein said abrasive portion is comprised of pumice.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said abrasive portion attaches to said mounting surface through use of an adhesive.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein said nonabrasive portion comprises a plurality of bristles.

11. A multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning, said tool comprising:

a handle portion for holding by a user;

a body portion connecting to said handle portion, said body providing a support for an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion;

an abrasive portion configured for cleaning a surface, said abrasive portion having an abrasive working surface; and

said nonabrasive portion having a nonabrasive working surface;

wherein said abrasive portion working surface is not generally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface;

wherein said body portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a body portion first end which extends to a body portion second end, wherein said handle portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a handle portion first end which extends to a handle portion second end, said handle portion second end attaching to said body portion generally at said body portion first end, wherein the body portion longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to said handle portion longitudinal axis.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein said body portion has a top side surface and a bottom side surface.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein said body portion second end comprises a mounting surface configured for attachment to said abrasive portion.

14. The tool of claim 12, wherein said nonabrasive portion attaches to said body portion at said body portion bottom side.

15. The tool of claim 12, wherein said nonabrasive portion is molded into said body portion bottom side.

16. The tool of claim 11, wherein said abrasive portion is configured for removal and replacement.

17. The tool of claim 11, wherein said abrasive portion is comprised of pumice.

18. The tool of claim 11, wherein said abrasive portion attaches to said mounting surface through use of an adhesive.

19. The tool of claim 11, wherein said nonabrasive portion comprises a plurality of bristles.

20. A multifunctional cleaning tool for abrasive and nonabrasive cleaning, said tool comprising:

a handle portion for holding by a user;

a body portion connecting to said handle portion, said body providing a support for an abrasive portion and a nonabrasive portion, wherein said body portion has a top side surface and a bottom side surface, said body portion having a first end extending to a second end, said body portion second end comprising a mounting surface configured for attachment to an abrasive portion;

an abrasive portion configured for cleaning a surface, said abrasive portion comprising a pumice stone having at least one abrasive working surface, said pumice stone attached to said mounting surface through use of an adhesive; and

said nonabrasive portion having a nonabrasive working surface, wherein said nonabrasive portion attaches to said body portion at said body portion bottom side, said nonabrasive portion comprising a plurality of bristles molded into said body portion bottom side;

wherein said abrasive portion working surface is not generally parallel to said nonabrasive working surface;

wherein said body portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a body portion first end which extends to a body portion second end, wherein said handle portion has a longitudinal axis defined between a handle portion first end which extends to a handle portion second end, said handle portion second end attaching to said body portion generally at said body portion first end, wherein the body portion longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to said handle portion longitudinal axis.