BOAT DECK SCRUB BRUSH

Abstract

A boat deck scrub brush includes a brush portion, a bucket and a handle. The brush portion includes a base having a first side and a second opposing side, the first side having bristles extending away from the base. The bucket is coupled to the second side of the base with the bucket extending away from the base. The opening of the bucket is open in a direction opposite the direction the bristles. The bucket may be integral with the base. The user of the scrub brush is able to retrieve water from a body of water being traveled by extending the brush into the water while holding onto the handle, filling the bucket and performing routine cleaning during use of the boat.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “BOAT DECK SCRUB BRUSH,” Ser. No. 60/764,038, filed Jan. 31, 2006 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to scrub brushes and more particularly to boat deck scrub brushes.

2. State of the Art

Boats require frequent cleaning and maintenance to keep them in good condition. This cleaning is needed not only after use of the boat but during use, particularly on the boat deck. In particular, people with boats often have food and/or drink on the boat. A common problem is spilled drinks or other spillage of food that may stain or mark the boat deck. A quick cleaning of the boat deck while on a body of water is needed to prevent a stain from being formed until use of the boat is complete and a full cleaning may be performed.

A conventional tool for cleaning the boat deck is a boat deck scrub brush. Conventional deck scrub brushes are used with a separate bucket that is filled with water or cleaning solution. The brush is inserted within the bucket and then used to clean the boat deck. Conventional boat deck scrub brushes have particular limitations in the amount of water that can be held by the brush and the manner in which cleaning during use of boat is accomplished.

First, the scrub brush is limited in the amount of water that can be retained by the brush. Conventional scrub brushes can only hold an amount of water as the bristles can retain when soaked. The bristles can only hold water for a particular amount of time, after which it is necessary to soak the bristles again.

Second, cleaning of a boat deck during use is not efficient. Conventional ways of cleaning include filling a bucket with water from the body of water being traveled and using it on the deck with scrub brush to clean a particular spot. These buckets often have a rope or other material tied to the bucket to allow a person to hang the bucket within the body of water and the lift it back into the boat by use of the rope. This is time consuming for reasons such as, the bucket is often in a place that is not easily accessible and the time t0 lower a bucket by rope and fill it and then use the scrub brush takes additional time. The longer the spot that needs to be cleaned remains untouched the greater likelihood that a stain will permanently form.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of scrub brushes for an improved boat deck scrub brush.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a boat deck scrub brush with a bucket coupled to the brush to enable a user to retrieve water from the body of water being traveled to perform routine cleaning during use of the boat.

An aspect of the present invention includes a boat deck scrub brush comprising a brush portion having a base with a first side and opposing second side, the first side having bristles extending away from the base. The present invention further comprises a bucket having an opening coupled to the second side of the base, the bucket extending away from the base, wherein the opening of the bucket is open in a direction opposite the direction the bristles are extending. Further still, the present invention includes a removably securable handle coupled to the brush and extending out and away from the brush.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a boat deck scrub brush comprising a brush portion having a base with an integral bucket and a bottom side, wherein the bucket has an opening facing a direction opposite the bottom side. The present invention further comprises bristles coupled to the bottom side of the base, the bristles extending away from the base in a direction opposite the direction the opening of the bucket faces. Additionally, the present invention includes a removably securable handle coupled to the brush and extending out and way from the brush.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method of using a boat deck scrub brush to clean a boat deck, the method comprising extending a brush portion of a boat deck scrub brush over a side of a boat and into a body of water by use of a handle, filling a bucket of the boat deck scrub brush with water from the body of water, lifting the bucket filled with water into the boat, emptying the water onto a location to be cleaned, and scrubbing the location to be cleaned with bristles of the brush portion of the boat deck scrub brush.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brush of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a boat deck scrub brush with an integral bucket in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a boat deck scrub brush with an integral bucket and an angled handle coupler in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a side view of a boat deck scrub brush with angled bristles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a front view of a boat deck scrub brush with angled bristles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of use of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a brush portion of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a rear view of a brush portion of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a boat deck scrub brush with a bucket coupled to the brush portion to enable a user to retrieve water from the body of water being traveled to perform routine cleaning during use of the boat. Generally, a boat deck scrub brush according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a brush portion, a bucket and a handle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, particular embodiments of the present invention include a boat deck scrub brush 10. The scrub brush 10 comprises a brush portion 12, a handle 14 and a bucket 16. The brush portion 12 may include a base 18, the base portion having a first side 20 and a second opposing side 22. The first side 20 may have bristles 30 extending away from the base 18. The bucket 16 may be coupled to the second side 22 of the base 18, wherein the opening of the bucket 16 is open in a direction opposite the direction the bristles 30 are extending. Fastener 24 maybe used to couple the bucket 16 to the base 18 of the brush portion 12. The handle 14 may be removably coupled to the second side 22 of the base 18 of the brush portion 12. The handle 14 may be coupled such that it extends out and away from the second side 22 of the base 18. With the handle 14 extending in this manner from the base 18, the brush portion 12 may easily be held in a usable position such that proper use of scrub brush 10 may be performed.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the bucket 16 may be coupled in various different ways to the second side 22 of the base 18. While shown that it is a fastener 24, the bucket 16 may be coupled by other connections types, such as, but not limited to, bolts, screws, lock pins, clips, buckles, bands, hook-and-loop fasteners and adhesives. It will also be understood that in particular embodiments, the bucket may be removable for instances where the user of the scrub brush 10 does not want the bucket 16 attached during use. Further, if a bucket 16 is damaged over time or in another manner, the bucket 16 may be replaced without having to replace the entire brush. In other particular embodiments of the present invention, the bucket 16 may be integral with the base 18 of the brush portion 12. Further still, the bucket 16 is formed such that there is only one opening wherein water can enter and leave, such that water does not empty from the bucket 16 unless the user turns the bucket 16 to empty it. There is no through flow of the liquid being retained in the bucket 16. The bucket 16 may also be of any size depth to hold various amounts of water.

It will also be known that the brush portion 12 is not limited to a particular type of boat deck scrub brush, but may be any type of boat deck scrub brush, such as, but not limited to a typical brush and a bi-level brush. Further, the brush portion 12 and the bucket 16 are not limited in their shape. For example, the brush portion 12 may be, but is not limited to a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a square shape, an oval shape and any other type shape. The bucket 16 may be of a shape that compliments the brush portion 12 shape including, but not limited to a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a square shape, an oval shape and any other type shape.

The handle 14 may be a standard length handle to allow a user to properly use the scrub brush 10 while in a standing position. The handle 14 is removable and may be coupled to the brush portion 12 in various ways, such as, but not limited to a threaded fit, a press fit, a clamp, a bolt, a screw, a latch or any other type of coupling. Further, while it is shown that the handle 14 is a single piece, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the handle 14 may be, but is not limited to, a telescopic handle, a foldable handle and a sectional handle. Further the handle 14 may also be pivotable with respect to the brush portion 12, thereby allowing a user of the scrub brush 10 to scrub in all directions.

While it is shown that the handle 14 has a length sufficient for a user to use the brush while standing, it will be understood that the handle 14 may of any size, wherein the handle may be shorter for a particular use specific to a particular boat. The length of the handle may also be sufficient for a user to extend the scrub brush 10 over the side of a boat and fill the bucket 16 with water from the body of water being traveled without letting go of the handle 14. Additionally, on a particularly large boat with a greater distance to reach the water, a telescoping handle may be used to extend the handle 14 to a length wherein the bucket 16 may be filled with water from the body of water. Also, in particular embodiments of the present invention, the scrub brush 10 may not include a handle 14, but rather the brush portion 12 may be held in the hand of a user while scrubbing.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used on both a volume of water that is fresh water or salt water. Further, embodiments may be used a form of quickly cleaning the boat deck, or performing a preliminary cleaning when access to common boat deck cleaning products are not readily available, such as, but not limited to when a boat is being operated upon the volume of water. Additionally, embodiments of the boat deck scrub brush may be used without a separate bucket, unlike common boat deck scrub brushes. Common boat deck scrub brushes require the use of a separate bucket to accomplish the same task as embodiments of the present invention accomplish.

With further reference to the drawings, FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a boat deck scrub brush 60 having a brush portion 62 and a removably securable handle 64. The brush portion 62 includes a base 68 having an integral bucket 66 and a bottom side 70. Bristles 74 are coupled to the bottom side 70 of the base 68. The bristles 74 extend in a direction opposite the direction an opening 67 of the bucket 66 faces. The brush portion 62 may further include a handle coupler 72 that couples to the removably securable handle. The handle coupler 72 may removably couple the handle 64 to the brush portion in various ways, such as, but not limited to a threaded fit, a press fit, a clamp, a bolt, a screw, a latch or any other type of coupling. In particular embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, the handle coupler 72 may be angled to allow the handle 64 to out and away from the brush portion while maintaining a straight coupling to the handle coupler 72.

The integral bucket 66 is formed such that there is only one opening wherein water can enter and leave, such that water does not empty from the integral bucket 66 unless the user turns the integral bucket 66 to empty it. There is no through flow of the liquid being retained in the integral bucket 66. The integral bucket 66 may also be of any size depth to hold various amounts of water.

It will also be known that the brush portion 62 is not limited to a particular type of boat deck scrub brush, but may be any type of boat deck scrub brush, such as, but not limited to a typical brush and a bi-level brush. Further, the brush portion 62 and the integral bucket 66 are not limited in their shape. For example, the brush portion 62 may be, but is not limited to a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a square shape, an oval shape and any other type shape. The integral bucket 66 may be of a shape that compliments the brush portion 62 shape including, but not limited to a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a square shape, an oval shape and any other type shape.

The handle 64 may be a standard length handle to allow a user to properly use the scrub brush 60 while in a standing position. The handle 64 is removable and may be coupled to the brush portion 62 in various ways, such as, but not limited to a threaded fit, a press fit, a clamp, a bolt, a screw, a latch or any other type of coupling. Further, while it is shown that the handle 64 is a single piece, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the handle 66 may be, but is not limited to, a telescopic handle, a foldable handle and a sectional handle. Further, the handle 66 may also be pivotable with respect to the brush portion 62, thereby allowing a user of the scrub brush 60 to scrub in all directions.

While it is shown that the handle 64 has a length sufficient for a user to use the brush while standing, it will be understood that the handle 64 may of any size, wherein the handle may be shorter for a particular use specific to a particular boat. The length of the handle may also be sufficient for a user to extend the scrub brush 60 over the side of a boat and fill the integral bucket 66 with water from the body of water being traveled without letting go of the handle 64. Additionally, on a particularly large boat with a greater distance to reach the water, a telescoping handle may be used to extend the handle 64 to a length wherein the integral bucket 66 may be filled with water from the body of water. Also, in particular embodiments of the present invention, the scrub brush 60 may not include a handle 64, but rather the brush portion 62 may be held in the hand of a user while scrubbing.

With further reference to the drawings, FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a boat deck scrub brush 60 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The scrub brush 60 may include a brush portion 62 having a bucket 66 and a base 68 with a bottom side 70. Bristles 74 are coupled to the bottom side 70 of the base 68. The bristles 74 extend in a direction opposite the direction an opening 67 of the bucket 66 faces. Further, the scrub brush 68 may also include bristles 78 coupled to the bottom side 70 at a plurality of angles. The bristles 78 may be coupled along at least three sides of the base 68 of the brush portion 62. The bristles 74 and 78 are configured to scrub a boat deck and a lower portion of a boat deck wall substantially simultaneously when the base 68 is substantially parallel to the boat deck.

Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of the method 40 of using a boat deck scrub brush to clean a boat deck in accordance with the present invention. The method 40 may be accomplished by the steps of extending a brush portion of a boat deck scrub brush over a side of a boat and into a body of water being traveled by use of a handle (Step 42), filling a bucket of the boat deck scrub brush with water from the body of water (Step 44), lifting the bucket filled with water into the boat (step 46), emptying the water onto a location to be cleaned (Step 48) and scrubbing the location to be cleaned with bristles of the brush portion of the boat deck scrub brush (Step 50). The method 40 may include a step of repeating the process until the desired location is clean. Step 44 of filling the bucket may include the step of immersing the bucket and brush into the body of water wherein the opening of the bucket is below the water level. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that while a particular method of use is shown in FIG. 6, that the use of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention is not limited to such use, but rather may be used in various ways, including, but not limited to use in the conventional way with a separate bucket.

Referring further to the drawings, FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a brush portion 80 of a boat deck scrub brush according to particular embodiments of the present invention. The brush portion 80 may have bucket 82 having a first side 81 and a second opposing side 83. The bristles 84 may be coupled to the base 85 which is coupled to the bucket 82. The first side 81 of the bucket 82 may have a first connector 86 and the second side 83 of the bucket 82 may have a second connector 88. The first connector 86 may be a threaded connector to allow a handle with a threaded end to be removably secured to the brush portion 80. The second connector 88 may be a snap engagement for a handle with a snap lock that is spring loaded, such that as the handle is inserted within the second connector 88, the spring loaded snap lock engages the connector and secures the handle to the brush portion. The handle with a snap lock further includes a disengaging actuator that releases the snap lock for removal of the handle.

While particular embodiments of the present invention include a boat deck scrub brush that is used for cleaning of a boat deck, other embodiments may be used on other surfaces. For example, and without limitation, embodiments of the boat deck scrub brush may be used for cleaning such as preliminary cleaning of surface such as pool decks, spa decks, docks and the like. Various liquids or debris can damage such surfaces wherein such damage may be eliminated or minimized by a preliminary cleaning by use of embodiments of the boat deck scrub brush.

Accordingly, the components defining any embodiment of a boat deck scrub brush of the present invention may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of the present invention. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any embodiment of a boat deck scrub brush in accordance with the present invention may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. Manufacture of these components may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.

Claims

1. A boat deck scrub brush comprising;

a brush portion having a base with a first side and opposing second side, the first side having bristles extending away from the base;

a bucket having an opening coupled to the second side of the base, the bucket extending away from the base, wherein the opening of the bucket is open in a direction opposite the direction the bristles are extending; and

a removably securable handle coupled to the brush and extending out and away from the brush.

2. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 1, wherein the bucket is adapted to receive and retain water through the opening.

3. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 2, wherein the handle has a length sufficient to extend the bucket into a body of water over a side of a boat to receive water.

4. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 1, wherein the bristles further comprise bristles extending at a plurality of angles along at least three sides of the base of the brush portion.

5. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 4, wherein the bristles are configured to scrub a boat deck and a lower portion of a boat deck wall substantially simultaneously when the base is substantially parallel to the boat deck.

6. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupler extending from the base, wherein the removably securable handle is coupled to the handle coupler.

7. A boat deck scrub brush comprising:

a brush portion having a base with an integral bucket and a bottom side, wherein the bucket has an opening facing a direction opposite the bottom side;

bristles coupled to the bottom side of the base, the bristles extending away from the base in a direction opposite the direction the opening of the bucket faces; and

a removably securable handle coupled to the brush and extending out and way from the brush.

8. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 7, wherein the integral bucket is adapted to receive and retain water through the opening.

9. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 9, wherein the handle has a length sufficient to extend the integral bucket into a body of water over a side of a boat to receive water.

10. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 7, wherein the bristles further comprise bristles extending at a plurality of angles along at least three sides of the base of the brush portion.

11. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 10, wherein the bristles are configured to scrub a boat deck and a lower portion of a boat deck wall substantially simultaneously when the base is substantially parallel to the boat deck.

12. The boat deck scrub brush of claim 7, further comprising a handle coupler extending from the base, wherein the removably securable handle is coupled to the handle coupler.

13. A method of using a boat deck scrub brush to clean a boat deck, the method comprising:

extending a brush portion of a boat deck scrub brush over a side of a boat and into a body of water being traveled by use of a handle;

filling a bucket of the boat deck scrub brush with water from the body of water being traveled;

lifting the bucket filled with water into the boat;

emptying the water onto a location to be cleaned; and

scrubbing the location to be cleaned with bristles of the brush portion of the boat deck scrub brush.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein filling a bucket of the boat deck scrub brush further comprises immersing the bucket and brush portion into the body of water wherein an opening of the bucket is below the water level.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising repeating until the location is clean.