Adjustable angle cleaning brush head

Abstract

Adjustable angle cleaning brush comprised of a handle and rotatably attached first longitudinal brush head and a second longitudinal brush head that are side by side and parallel to each other in one configuration and rotate out to a T position with respect to the handle in a second configuration. One end of each brush head is fixedly attached to a pinion gear within the handle. The pinion gears engage a centrally located rack so that when a user pushes up on an actuation button attached to the rack, the brushes rotate out into a T position. They are held in a T position by a spring biased post. The user can press on the post to return the brush heads to the side by side position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of hand held cleaning brushes and more specifically to an adjustable angle cleaning brush head.

Cleaning brushes are well known in the housewares industry. They generally include a rigid handle and a brush head. Brushes are made in a variety of configurations including standard bottle brush designs that employ a central twisted wireform that holds bristles perpendicular to the wireform. Another standard brush configuration includes a rigid backing plate that has a plurality of bristles inserted into pre-formed holes in the plate. This type of brush can have a handle extending from its backing plate, or can include a griping portion directly on top of the backing plate.

For certain cleaning applications it is beneficial to have a brush head that is capable of bending or rotating to one side to help the brush head reach hard to get at spaces such as the rear portion of a kitchen faucet, or behind the spokes of a vehicle tire rim. A number of inventors have addressed this problem to some degree. W F Hoerle in his patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,962 shows a cleaning tool that includes a clevis joint to allow the brush head to rotate and bend. McLaughlin et al. in their patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,900 shows a bristle brush whose head can be rotated sideways for helping to clean ice and snow off a vehicle windshield. Lee in her patent D294886 shows a bent head for a cleaning brush for cleaning radiators and the like. Peake et al in their patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,316 shows a plate that includes bristles where the plate can pivot and be set at an angle with respect to a surrounding frame for shoe cleaning purposes. Weber et al in their patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,738 discloses a toilet cleaning brush that has a head that can be bent for fitting into the bowl more easily. Li in his patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,58 shows a wheel cleaning brush whose head can be bent. And Le Van in his patent application 2007/0297846 discloses a rim detailing brush that has a multiple replaceable cleaning heads.

However, all the above sited patents contain deficiencies with regard to providing a bendable brush head for reaching hard to get at spaces such as behind the spokes of a vehicle rim or behind a faucet set mounted on a kitchen sink. None of the sited patents except the McLaughlin patent show a way to change the angle of a brush head and lock it in place at that angle. The McLaughlin patent does not show a brush head that can be quickly turned. It must be manually removed from the handle and replaced in a different orientation. None of the above sited patents show a side by side pair of brush heads that can be quickly, by the push of a button, rotated outward to form a T shape with respect to the handle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a hand held cleaning brush tool whose bristle brush head angle can be adjusted and locked in place by the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning brush head that is composed of two brushes that can be quickly and easily rotated from a parallel side by side position to a perpendicular T shaped position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning brush head that allows the user to clean behind hard to reach areas such as behind spokes of a vehicle tire rim.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed adjustable angle cleaning brush head comprising: a first brush head, a second brush head, a brush angle change button, a hollow main handle, a slide button, a slide button track, a locking post, a locking post spring, a rack tension spring, a first pinion gear, a second pinion gear, a rack, and a rack extension shaft, said hollow handle enclosing said rack and said rack extension shaft and said tension spring which are all placed longitudinally within said handle, said hollow handle being widened at the uppermost portion to retain said first and second pinion gears, said rack extending out of the top portion of said handle, said slide button fixedly attached to said rack extension shaft, said tension spring attached at one end to said slide button and at the opposite end to a retaining post within the lower portion of said hollow handle, said first pinion gear rotatably fixed by a shaft on the upper left side of said rack and said second pinion gear rotatably fixed by a shaft placed on the upper right side of said rack, said first and second gear shafts rotatably attached to the said widened portion of said handle, said first and second brush heads being constructed in a standard longitudinal bottle brush format, said first brush head fixedly attached to said first pinion gear and said second brush head fixedly attached to said second pinion gear so that both said brush heads are in close proximity to and parallel to each other, said first and second brush heads capable of rotating outwardly to form a T shape with respect to said handle when a user slides said slide button along said slide button track located on said handle in an upward motion toward said brush head portion which causes said rack to move upward and force said first pinion gear to rotate counter clockwise and said second pinion gear to rotate clockwise, said first and second brush heads capable of being fixed in place in said T position when said spring biased locking post engages an aperture in the side of said hollow handle, said first and second brush heads capable of being disengaged from said T position and returning to said side by side parallel position when a user presses on the tip of said locking post so that it is freed from said side aperture thereby allowing said rack to be pulled downward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of the invention showing bristles in a parallel position.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of the invention showing bristles in a rotated T position.

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the invention with bristles in parallel position.

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the invention with bristles in the T position.

FIG. 8 is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the alternative embodiment of the invention with bristles is parallel position.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the alternative embodiment of the invention with bristles in the T position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a top perspective view of the invention 100. A first and second brush head 2, 4 are positioned side by side in a longitudinal manner at the end of handle portion 8. The first and second brush heads 2, 4 are constructed in a standard bottle brush manufacturing technique. A third brush head that acts as a tire cleaning brush 10 is mounted on the opposite end of main handle 8. The brush head is positioned at approximately a forty-five degree angle with respect to the handle and is comprised of a flat rigid plastic plate having stiff nylon bristles extending up from the plate approximately one inch. A brush angle change button 6 can be pushed along slide button track 12 to cause the brush heads 2,4 to rotate to form a T shape with respect to the handle as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the invention 100. The bristles of tire brush head 10 can be clearly seen. Rubber grip portion 14 helps the user hold the handle 8 in a comfortable non slip manner.

FIG. 3 shows a partial side view of the invention. The bottom of brush head 2 can be seen to be fixedly attached to first pinion gear 20. Pinion gear 20 includes shaft 22 that pins the gear 20 to the handle portion 8. In this view raised brush angle changing button 6 can be seen, as well as raised rubber grip portion 14. Locking aperture 18 and the end of locking post 16 can also be seen. The locking post 16 helps hold the first and second brush heads 2, 4 in their spread T shaped portion, as will be explained further below.

FIG. 4 shows a partial top section view of the invention as defined by section line 50 shown in FIG. 11. The central wireform spines of brush heads 2, 4 are fixedly attached to pinion gears 20, 32. Rack 28 slidably engages both pinion gears 20, 32. Handle 8 is widened at its topmost portion to accommodate pinion gears 20, 32. Rack extension shaft 36 is fixedly attached to the bottom of rack 28 and terminates in brush handle change button 6. Button 6 includes a tab having an aperture that accepts on end of tension spring 24. The other end of spring 24 is pinned to a post 26 within handle 8. When the user pushes up on button 6, rack 28 travels upward causing pinion gear 20 to rotate counter clockwise and pinion gear 32 to rotate clockwise. Attached brush heads 2, 4 are therefore caused to also rotate forming a T shape with respect to handle 8 as shown in FIG. 5

FIG. 5 is a partial top section view of the invention as shown by section line 50 in FIG. 11 and shows locking post 16 engaged with locking aperture 18 thereby locking the brush heads 2, 4 in their rotated condition. A locking post spring 38 pushes locking post 16 out into aperture 18. The user can unlock the locking post 16 by pushing in on the tip of the post 16 until it clears the wall thickness of handle 8 wall. Of course one can envision alternate embodiments where a plurality of apertures along the side of handle 8 could allow the brush heads 2, 4 to lock at angles other than the T shape so far disclosed. These other angles would create a Y shape of varying degrees depending on how far up button 6 was pushed. Additionally, an alternate design can be envisioned where a single brush head was employed, thereby creating an L shape with respect to the handle 8 when in the rotated position.

FIG. 6 shows a partial top view of the invention showing brush heads 2, 4 in the parallel position. Brush angle change button 6 is in the lowered portion and is guided by button guide track 12.

FIG. 7 shows a partial top view of the invention showing brush heads 2, 4 in the perpendicular T position. Locking pin tip 16 can be seen protruding from the side wall of handle 8. Brush angle change button 6 is in the raised position. Rack 28 is protruding slightly from the widened portion of handle 8.

FIG. 8 shows a partial section plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where brush heads 202, 204 are pinned at the top 214 of a central slidable post 206 which is contained within a hollow handle 210. Brush heads 202, 214 are constructed by standard bottle brush manufacturing techniques.

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the alternate embodiment of the invention 200. Brush heads 202, 204 are pinned by shaft pin 214. Slide button 208 is shown in the up portion in its slide track 212 located on the wall of handle 210.

FIG. 10 is shows a partial plan view of the alternate embodiment of the invention 200 where brush heads 202, 204 are splayed outward so that the brush portion located near pin 214 is engaged by the flat surfaces 218 located at the top of handle 210. Slide button 208 is shown in the down position in its slide track 212.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the invention 100

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. adjustable angle cleaning brush head comprising:

a first brush head;

a second brush head;

a brush angle change button;

a hollow main handle; a slide button;

a slide button track;

a locking post; a locking post spring

a rack tension spring;

a first pinion gear;

a second pinion gear;

a rack; and

a rack extension shaft; said hollow handle enclosing said rack and said rack extension shaft and said tension spring which are all located longitudinally within said handle; said hollow handle being widened at the uppermost portion to retain said first and second pinion gears; said rack capable of extending out of the top portion of said handle; said slide button fixedly attached to said rack extension shaft; said tension spring attached at one end to said slide button and at the opposite end to a retaining post within the lower portion of said hollow handle; said first pinion gear fixed by a shaft on the upper left side of said rack and said second pinion gear fixed by a shaft on the upper right side of said rack; said first and second gear shafts rotatably attached to apertures in the said widened portion of said handle; said first and second brush heads being constructed in a standard longitudinal bottle brush format; said first brush head fixedly attached to said first pinion gear and said second brush head fixedly attached to said second pinion gear so that both said brush heads are in close proximity to and parallel to each other; said first and second brush heads capable of rotating outwardly from each other to form a T shape with respect to said handle when a user slides said slide button along said slide button track located on said handle in an upward motion toward said brush head portion which causes said rack to move upward and force said first pinion gear to rotate counter clockwise and said second pinion gear to rotate clockwise; said first and second brush heads capable of being fixed in place in said T position when said spring biased locking post engages an aperture in the side of said hollow handle; said first and second brush heads capable of being disengaged from said T position and returning to said side by side parallel position when a user presses on the tip of said locking post so that it is freed from said side aperture thereby allowing said rack to be pulled downward.

2. Adjustable angle cleaning brush head as claimed in claim 1 wherein a third brush head is fixedly attached to the opposite end of said handle;

said third brush head angled at approximately forty five degrees with respect to said handle.

said third brush bristles mounted in a standard rigid flat plastic base plate so that said third brush head bristles are facing away from said handle.

3. An alternate embodiment of said adjustable angle cleaning brush head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning brush head is comprised on only one rotatable brush head capable of forming an L shape rather than the said T shape.

4. An alternate embodiment of said adjustable angle cleaning brush head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second brush heads are capable being fixed a plurality of Y shaped configurations by use of a plurality of said locking pin apertures located in a linear orientation on the side of said brush handle.

5. An alternate embodiment of said adjustable angle cleaning brush head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second pinion gears are eliminated and said rack is eliminated and said first and second brush heads are rotatably pinned to the top most portion of a centrally located slidable post within said hollow handle and where said slidable post can be pulled down by the user causing said first and second brush heads to be forced from a parallel position to a T position with respect to said handle.