CLEANING TOOL

Abstract

A cleaning tool comprising a main body and a cleaning implement connected to the main body. The main body is configured to receive and retain an air freshener.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to dry cleaning tools, such as brooms, dust mops, hand held dusters, and web dusters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one example, the present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a main body and a cleaning implement connected to the main body. The main body is configured to receive and retain an air freshener.

In another example, the present invention relates to a cleaning tool kit comprising a main body, a cleaning implement, and an air freshener.

In another example, the present invention relates to a method for assembling a cleaning tool. The method comprises the steps of: securing a cleaning implement to a main body; and securing an air freshener to the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front view of one example of a cleaning tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is front view of one example of the main body of the cleaning tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the main body of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the main body of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, one example of a cleaning tool 10 according to the present invention is shown. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary cleaning tool 10 described herein is a broom, however, it will be understood that the cleaning tool 10 could be any type of dry cleaning tool such as a dust mop, hand held duster, web duster, etc. In this example, cleaning tool 10 generally has a main body 20, cleaning implement 60, and handle 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, in the example shown, main body 20 is a broom block that is made from foam filled homopolymer polypropylene (HPPP). Main body 20 has a generally triangular shape that is formed by bottom surface 28, and side surfaces 36, 38. In this particular example, main body 20 has a height H₁ of approximately 3.755 inches, a length L of approximately 8.881 inches, and a depth D of approximately 1.005 inches. In addition, the angle C formed between bottom surface 28 and side surface 36 is approximately 28 degrees and side surface 38 is generally perpendicular to bottom surface 28. Alternatively, main body 20 can be made of any material and of any geometry desired depending on the intended application.

Neck 30 is generally cylindrical and extends from side surface 36 in a direction generally perpendicular to bottom surface 28. In this example, the height H₂ of main body 20 from the top of neck 30 to bottom surface 28 is approximately 4.736 inches. Threaded opening 32 is formed in neck 30 and is adapted to receive threaded end 54 of plug 50 (see FIG. 1) to connect main body 20 to handle 40, as described in more detail below. In addition, in this particular example, decorative tab 40 extends between neck 30 and side surface 36. Depending on the type of tool, whether or not a removable handle is used, and if a handle is used the type of handle, neck 30 may or may not be required or may have a different configuration for a different connection type. For example, if cleaning tool 10 was a hand duster it may not have a handle and neck 30 would not be required or the handle could be integrally formed with the main body. Furthermore, the handle could be connected to the main body in various ways such as a press fit, set screws, screws, adhesive, etc.

Opening 22 is formed within the interior of main body 22 and allows air to pass through main body 22 with cleaning tool 10 is in motion. Frame 24 is formed within opening 22 and generally extends between bottom surface 28 and side surfaces 36, 38. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, cavity 34 is formed in frame 24 of main body 20 and is adapted to receive an air freshener 44 (shown in phantom). Alternatively, a solid main body 20 can be used, in which case cavity 34 would be formed in the solid portion of the main body and opening 22 and frame 24 would not be present. In the particular example shown, cavity 34 is generally cylindrical, has a diameter of approximately 2.8-3.0 inches, and is adapted to hold an Air-Wick® air fresher, however, the size and geometry of cavity 34 will be determined by the particular air freshener used.

Tabs 42 are formed at the periphery of cavity 34, extend into cavity 34, and are used to retain air freshener 44 within cavity 34 of main body 20 through an interference fit. Alternatively, many other well known methods could be used to retain air freshener 44 within cavity 34 as well. Hole 26 is formed in frame 24 of body 20 and is positioned to provide air flow through hole 26 and over air freshener 44 when main body 20 is in motion. Therefore, when cleaning tool 10 is in use and main body 20 is in motion, air flows through hole 26 and over air freshener 44 to disburse the air freshener scent into the air while simultaneously while cleaning. The number, size, and position of the hole(s) used will depend on the type and size of the main body 20, the size of the air freshener, and the intended use.

Referring again to FIG. 1, cleaning implement 60 is attached to bottom surface 28 of main body 20 and in this example is comprised of multiple fibers 62. As discussed above, although the exemplary cleaning tool described herein is a broom, other dry cleaning tools are contemplated as well. For example, if cleaning tool 10 were a dust mop, cleaning implement 60 may be flexible dust collection fibers or a dust pad. In this example, fibers 62 are made from flaggable polypropylene (PP), have a diameter of approximately 0.020 inches, and are secured to bottom surface 28 of main body 20 by drilling holes in bottom surface 28 and staple setting fibers 62 into main body 20. Alternatively, fibers 62 could be secured to main body 20 by any well known means, such as by integrally molding fibers 62 into main body 20. Fibers 62 are distributed in a fan pattern such that fibers 62 positioned at the left side of bottom surface 28 are aligned at an angle A of approximately 112 degrees from bottom surface 28 and fibers 62 positioned at the right side of bottom surface 28 are aligned at an angle B of approximately 106 from bottom surface 28. In addition, in the example, the lengths of fibers 62 are tapered from one end of bottom surface 28 to the other such that fibers 62 at the left side are approximately 5.125 inches long from bottom surface 28 to the end of the fiber and fibers 62 at the right side are approximately 4 inches long from bottom surface 28 to the end of the fiber. Tapering fibers 62 provides a flat surface that is set at an angle in relation to bottom surface 28 and allows cleaning tool 10 to be oriented in a more comfortable position during use. Alternatively, depending on the type of cleaning implement used, cleaning implement 60 could be permanently connected to main body 20, such as described above, or could be removably connected to main body 20, as would be the case with replaceable dust pads.

In this example, handle 40 is tubular and has an outer diameter of approximately 0.827 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.012 inches. It is made of full hard, cold rolled, low carbon, powder coated steel having a hardness of approximately 85-95 on the Rockwell B scale. Alternatively, handle 40 could be made of any desired material and in any geometry that suits the indented purpose.

Handle 40 is secured to main body 20 through plug 50, which is generally cylindrical and could be made from copolymer polypropylene (CPPP). End 52 of plug 50 is connected to one end handle 40 by press fitting end 52 into the end of handle 40 and crimping handle 40 to secure plug 50 in place. End 54 of plug 50 has a threaded surface that can engage threaded opening 32 in main body 20, thereby connecting handle 40 to main body 20. Alternatively, rather than being removably connected to main body 20, handle 40 could be permanently connected to main body 20 through any well known means or could be made integral with main body 20. In addition, depending on the type of tool, cleaning tool 10 may not have a handle at all.

In this example, grip 48 is also secured on one end of handle 40, opposite plug 50, to provide a comfortable handling surface for a user. Grip 48 has a generally cylindrical shape, is approximately 5.75 inches long, 0.95 inches in diameter, and has a swivel cap 49 that allows cleaning tool 10 to be hung up and stored. Grip 48 can be press fit onto handle 40, secured with an adhesive or screws, or connected to handle 40 in any other well known manner and can be made of any geometry and any material suitable for the intended purpose. Alternatively, depending on the type of tool and the intended uses, grip 48 may not be required. In this example, the length of the handle assembly from the tip of swivel cap 49 to the end of plug 50 is approximately 44 inches.

In addition, the various components of cleaning tool 10 could be sold together in various combinations. For example, a main body, cleaning implement, and air freshener could be sold together. The cleaning implement could be integral to the main body as described above in the case of a broom or the cleaning implement could be removably connected to the main body as in the case of a web duster. Similarly, the air freshener could be integral to the main body or could be replaceable and removably connected to the main body. Furthermore, a handle could also be sold together with the other components. Again, the handle could be integral to the main body or could be removably connected to the main body as described above.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to one example embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool, comprising:

a main body configured to receive and retain an air freshener; and

a cleaning implement connected to the main body.

2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a cavity formed therein, the cavity being configured to receive the air freshener.

3. The cleaning tool of claim 2, wherein the cavity is cylindrical.

4. The cleaning tool of claim 2, further comprising at least one tab extending from an edge of the cavity, the tab being configured to retain the air freshener within the cavity and allow removal of the air freshener from the cavity.

5. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises at least one hole formed therein, the hole being positioned to allow air to pass through the main body and over the air fresher.

6. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement is removeably connected to the main body.

7. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement comprises a plurality of fibers extending from the main body.

8. The cleaning tool of claim 7, wherein the fibers extend from a bottom surface of the main body.

9. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement comprises a dust cloth.

10. The cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the main body.

11. The cleaning tool of claim 9, further comprising a grip connected to the handle, opposite the main body.

12. The cleaning tool of claim 9, wherein the handle is removeably connected to the main body.

13. The cleaning tool of claim 11, wherein the handle is connected to the main body through a plug, the plug comprising a first end that is press fit into an opening formed in the handle and a threaded second end that is threaded into a threaded opening formed in the main body.

14. A cleaning tool kit, comprising:

a main body;

a cleaning implement; and

an air freshener.

15. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, further comprising a handle.

16. The cleaning tool kit of claim 15, wherein the handle and the main body are integral.

17. The cleaning tool kit of claim 15, wherein the handle is removably secured to the main body.

18. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the main body and the cleaning implement are integral.

19. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the cleaning implement is removably secured to the main body.

20. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the main body and the air freshener are integral.

21. The cleaning tool kit of claim 14, wherein the air freshener is removeably secured to the main body.

22. A method for assembling a cleaning tool, comprising the steps of:

securing a cleaning implement to a main body; and

securing an air freshener to the main body.

23. The method for assembling a cleaning tool of claim 22, further comprising the step of securing a handle to the main body.