Duster with handle insert

Abstract

A duster that includes an elongated rod having a proximal end and distal end, a first cleaning head, a first handle, an opening and an insert. The first cleaning head being attached to the proximal end of the elongated rod and the first handle being attached to the distal end of the elongated rod. Atop the first handle is the opening. The insert is removably inserted into the opening of the handle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/108,973, filed Apr. 19, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a duster and handle and specifically to a duster having a smaller duster inserted in the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning implements such as brooms, brushes and dustpans are routinely used in combination with other cleaning implements to enhance the ability of a user to clean a given surface. Implements commonly combine different advantageous features to achieve a given objective. Examples include brushes having attachable and detachable handles and broom heads that attach to dustpans.

Cleaning, however, frequently requires performing diverse tasks in addition to sweeping dirt and dust from a floor surface into the dustpan. For example, cleaning can involve unrelated tasks such as cleaning walls and dusting furniture. It can also include scrubbing a first surface with one implement and using a second implement to clean a second different surface or the cleaning of a second different type of grime.

A manual cleaning apparatus is needed that can combine multiple manual cleaning devices to perform related and independent cleaning tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dusting apparatus comprising an elongated rod having a proximal end and distal end, a first cleaning head, a first handle, an opening and an insert. The first cleaning head is attached to the proximal end of the elongated rod and the first handle is attached to the distal end of the elongated rod. The opening is located atop the first handle and is used to removably insert the insert into the rod.

The elongated rod may be adjustable and may define a single longitudinal axis while the insert defines a second longitudinal axis. The axis of the rod and the axis of the insert are coaxial The opening is tubular and includes a protuberance that is received by a handle of the insert. The handle of the insert has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has a cylindrical notch around the circumference of the handle. The notch is received by a protuberance of opening when the insert is positioned in the opening.

In a first position of the cleaning apparatus the groove of the insert is received by a notch located in the opening and the insert and the handle being coaxially aligned. In a second position of the cleaning device, the insert is removed from the handle.

Additionally, the insert includes a dust collecting sleeve. The dust collecting sleeve includes a holder and holder attachment means. The dust collecting sleeve is positioned on the insert via a predetermined form that extends from the second handle. The predetermined form also includes locking means. When attached, the dust collecting means is held on the predetermined form through the use of the holder, holder attachment means and the locking means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements:

FIG. 1a is a front view of a duster of the present invention;

FIG. 1b is a front view of a bristles and rod of the present invention;

FIG. 1c is a top view of a neck of the present invention;

FIG. 1d is a front view of a neck of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a front view of a cleaning head of the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a front view of a handle and rod of the present invention;

FIG. 2c is a front view of a duster insert of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a top view of the handle with the insert removed;

FIG. 3b is a side view of the top portion of the handle;

FIG. 3c is a side view of the insert; and

FIG. 3d is the removable insert duster covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the cleaning device 10 of the present invention. The cleaning device 10 can be any type of device for cleaning and/or an applicator for uses such as sweeping, dusting, moping, scrubbing and applying chemicals such as those for stripping, waxing and cleaning. Cleaning apparatus 10 is preferably fabricated of polymer materials, but can also include metals, composites as well as cellulose and other natural materials.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a duster 10. The duster 10 includes cleaning head 21, elongated rod 100 and handle 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1b-1d, the cleaning head 21 includes a neck 20, bristles 101, rod 102, a first locking mechanism 103, and a second locking mechanism 105.

The neck 20 is removably connected to the elongated handle 100 at the distal end 19 of the handle 100. The connection is made by female screw threads 30 located within the neck 20 of the head and male threads 31 located on the distal end of the handle. To attach the neck 20 to the handle 100 a user merely screws the handle 100 into the neck 20 and hand tightens the connection.

The head 21 also includes a rod 102 that holds the bristles 101 of the cleaning head 21. The bristles 101 of the cleaning head are soft, long bristles. The bristles 101 are attached to a material (not shown) for easier attachment. These bristles 101 mimic the old-time feather dusters of the past. The material of the bristles 101 are attached to the rod 102 by the use of glue or any other type of similar adhesive.

A substantial portion of the rod 102 accommodates the bristles 101 except for the distal end 103. The distal end 103 has a cylindrical diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 102. This larger diameter is inserted into hole 105 for locking the rod into the neck. This allows for easy replacement of the cleaning head 21.

The elongated rod 100 has a longitudinal axis X. The elongated rod 100 is extendable/retractable and has an upper portion 15 and a lower portion 17. The upper portion 15 has a slightly larger cylindrical or tubular circumference than the lower portion 17. This allows the lower portion 17 to retract into the upper portion 16. At the point of intersection of the upper and lower portion is a housing 16.

Rod 100 can be rigid or at least partially flexible and has a varying length that is preferably the approximate length of a long handled cleaning device such as a broom or a mop in which two hands are used during cleaning.

In another embodiment rod 100 can have a fixed length. Rod 100 has an external perimeter that ergonomically accommodates the use of cleaning device 10 with one or two hands.

The elongated rod 100 with telescoping feature has a stopper 18. This stopper 18 allows the lower portion 17 of the rod 100 to retract only a certain distance within the upper portion 15. The handle 13 may be either straight or ergonomically shaped to accommodate a user's hand.

The rod 100 has a handle 13. The handle 13 includes a gripping portion 14 attached to the upper portion 15 of the rod 100. The gripping portion 14 has attached at the top an insert interface 13. The insert interface is movable connected to the gripping portion 14. That is, the insert interface rotates about the longitudinal axis X. The insert interface 13 also contains a through hole 62 as shown in FIG. 3b.

Insert interface 13 defines an opening 63 (as shown in FIG. 3a) aligned with longitudinal axis-X. Opening 63 is shaped and dimensioned to receive insert 11 (See FIG. 3c) and extends a predetermined length in the distal direction within gripping portion 14 and rod 100. The inner dimensions of the opening 63 contain a tubular wall that can advantageously accommodate any insert 50 independent of the external shape of the handle 30. The insert interface 13 also contains a first protuberance 60 and 61 both of which will be discussed more thoroughly below.

As shown in FIG. 3c, insert 11 includes handle 55, holding means 50 and cleaning surface 43. The insert handle 55 preferably has a length and shape for grasping with a single hand. Handle 55 securely interfaces with insert interface 13 to lock insert 11 in a first position.

The handle 55 includes a through hole 12 to support the weight of cleaning apparatus when suspended from a hook or bar positioned through the through hole 12. The handle 55 includes an upper portion 52 and a lower portion 53. The upper portion 52 is constructed so that it interfaces with insert interface 13. The lower portion 53 is placed within the insert interface 13.

At the bottom of the lower section 53 is a second protuberance that surrounds the bottom portion of the handle 55. The second protuberance 40 forms a cylindrical groove 41 that traverses the circumference of the bottom of handle 55. This groove 41 interfaces with the protuberances 60 and 61 of the insert interface. When the protuberances 60, 61 and the groove 41 interface, the insert 11 is locked into the insert interface 13. To ensure a proper lock the insert interface 13 and insert handle 11 must be properly aligned. Also, when properly aligned through holes 12 and 62 are aligned.

In use, the insert interface locks the insert 11 into the handle 100. Insert 11 can be removed and replaced from within handle 100. Duster 10 has a first position wherein insert 11 is positioned in rod 100 and a second position wherein insert 11 is removed from rod 100. Insert 11 in the second position can be used independent of or in conjunction with duster 10.

Insert 11 has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion that define a longitudinal axis-X′, which is in coaxial alignment with the handle 100. Distal end portion includes a cleaning head 43 and proximal end portion includes handle 55.

Insert 11 is a hand held device that includes a distal end portion having a soft dust collecting type brush 43 shaped and dimensioned for readily positioning into and removing from opening 63.

In this preferred embodiment, the distal end portion includes dust-collecting fibers 43. Distal end portion is shown as cylindrical in this one preferred embodiment, but it is understood that distal end portion can have any cross-sectional shape normal to longitudinal axis-X′ that can be received in opening 63 and include alternative dust collecting materials.

The dust collection fibers 43 are formed on a sleeve 43 as shown in FIG. 3d. This sleeve 43 is connected to the handle 55 via predetermined form 50. In this embodiment, the predetermined form 50 is a metal wire but may be any type of device that will keep the sleeve 43′ erect when attached to the insert.

The metal wire 50 is attached to the lower portion 40 of the handle. The metal wire 50 is shaped that wire 50 extends from the lower portion 40 and loops around back to the lower portion 40 making an elongated loop 50. At the top portion of the elongated loop 50 is a locking mechanism 45. To place the collection fibers sleeve 43 on the insert 11 the collection fibers 43 slide along the elongated loop 50 so that the elongated loop 50 extends along and inside the full length of the collection fibers 43.

Once in place the collection fibers 43 have a string 44 and holder 42 attached. The holder 42 is slide in between the elongated loop 50 and the locking mechanism 45 is slide along the loop 50 to hold the holder 42 firmly in place. This in turn locks the collection device 43 firmly on the insert 11. FIG. 2c shows the sleeve 43 on the metal wire 50 with the locking mechanism 45 in use.

The insert 11 in this preferred embodiment is preferably sized for cleaning in small spaces such as between the slats of blinds, for example. Insert 11 is removed and replaced within proximal end portion by generally aligning longitudinal axis-X′ with longitudinal axis-X of handle 13.

While insert is shown to be aligned with longitudinal axis for movement relative to longitudinal axis-X, insert 11 in the embodiments of the present invention can be removed and replaced in any manner to include axially, transverse to the longitudinal axis and further include rotating about the longitudinal axis or pivotal movements.

Cleaning apparatus 10 can also include a combination of inserts 11 that define a kit. For example, cleaning device 10 can also include one or more additional inserts 11 such as a flexible whisk hand broom, a duster, a brush and/or scraper.

In operation, cleaning device 10 can be removed from a preferred stored position wherein a hook, line or beam is positioned through and/or into at least a portion of through holes 12 and 62 and the cleaning device is suspended from a wall, for example. Cleaning apparatus 10 can be selectively employed using head 20 of cleaning device 10 for cleaning, using insert 11 separately and/or in a third mode that can selectively combine the use of both cleaning device 10 and insert 11.

Insert 11 is preferably moved from the first position to the second position by moving insert 11 in the proximal direction along longitudinal axis-X. Cleaning device 10 can include configurations that support alternative movements between the first and second positions such as transverse to the longitudinal axis and rotating movements. Insert 11 can then be employed as a second cleaning device. When the use of insert 11 is completed, insert 11 is moved to the first position by any of the previously described methods.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those specific embodiments and that various other changes, combinations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.

Claims

1. A dusting apparatus comprising:

a. an elongated rod having a proximal end and distal end;

b. a first cleaning head, said first cleaning head being attached to the proximal end of the elongated rod;

c. a first handle, said first handle being attached to the distal end of the elongated rod;

d. an opening located atop the first handle; and

e. an insert, said insert including a second handle and a second cleaning head, whereby the insert is removably inserted into the opening of the handle.

2. The dusting apparatus of claim 1 whereby said second handle removably fits into said first handle.

3. The dusting apparatus of claim 1 whereby the elongated rod is adjustable and defines a longitudinal axis.

4. The dusting apparatus of claim 3 whereby the insert has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion that define a second longitudinal axis, the distal end portion being attached to the second cleaning head and the proximal end being attached to the second handle.

5. The dusting apparatus of claim 1 whereby the insert has a dust collecting sleeve.

6. The dusting apparatus of claim 5 whereby the dust collecting sleeve includes a holder and holder attachment means.

7. The dusting apparatus of claim 6 whereby the dust collecting sleeve is positioned on the insert via a predetermined form that extends from the second handle.

8. The dusting apparatus of claim 7 whereby the predetermined form includes locking means.

9. The dusting apparatus of claim 8 whereby said dust collecting means is held on the predetermined form through the use of the holder, holder attachment means and the locking means.

10. The dusting apparatus of claim 4 whereby the opening includes a protuberance that is received by the second handle.

11. The dusting apparatus of claim 10 whereby the opening is tubular.

12. The dusting apparatus of claim 11 whereby the second handle has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second handle having a cylindrical notch around the circumference of the second handle.

13. The dusting apparatus of claim 1 whereby the first and second handle are adapted for use with a hook.

14. The dusting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the protuberance is received by the notch when the insert is positioned in the opening.

15. The dusting apparatus of claim 4 whereby the elongate rod and the insert are in coaxial alignment.

16. A dusting apparatus comprising:

a. a first handle;

b. a first cleaning head;

c. an opening located atop the first handle; and

d. an insert, said insert including a second handle and a second cleaning head,

e. whereby: i. the insert is removably inserted into the opening, ii. a first position of the cleaning apparatus wherein a groove of the insert is received by a notch located in the opening, the insert and the handle being coaxially aligned; and iii. a second position of the cleaning device wherein the insert is removed from the handle.

17. The dusting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the notch extends distally from the proximal edge of the tubular wall of the proximal end portion.

18. The dusting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the insert and proximal end portion of the handle overlap.

19. The dusting apparatus of claim 16 whereby the insert includes a dust collecting means.

20. The dusting apparatus of claim 16 that further includes a lock for securely positioning the insert in the first position.