CLEANING TOOL HAVING AN ARCUATELY SHAPED CLEANING HEAD AND AN ADJUSTABLE SCRUBBER

Abstract

A cleaning tool is provided and includes an arcuately shaped cleaning head and a scrubber movable between a plurality of positions. The cleaning head includes an arcuate top surface and an arcuate bottom surface substantially parallel to each other along their lengths. A plurality of cleaning implements, such as bristles, extend downward from the bottom surface and a plurality of scrubber cleaning implements, such as bristles, extend forward from the scrubber. The cleaning implements of the cleaning head increase in length from a longitudinal center of the cleaning head toward longitudinal ends of the cleaning head to provide a substantially flat and coplanar cleaning surface. The cleaning implements of the cleaning head extend substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface of the cleaning head. The scrubber is moveable between at least a horizontal position and a vertical position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/183,866, filed Jun. 3, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to cleaning tools and, more particularly, to cleaning tools having an arcuately shaped cleaning head and a scrubber adjustable between a plurality of positions.

SUMMARY

In one example, a cleaning tool is provided.

In another example, a cleaning tool is provided and includes an arcuately shaped cleaning head.

In another example, a cleaning tool is provided and includes a scrubber pivotal between a plurality of positions.

In another example, a cleaning tool is provided and includes an arcuately shaped cleaning head and a scrubber pivotal between a plurality of positions.

In another example, a cleaning tool is provided and includes a cleaning head including an arcuate top surface, an arcuate bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and a plurality of cleaning implements extending from the bottom surface of the cleaning head. The cleaning implements may be bristles. The cleaning implements may be shortest at a longitudinal center of the cleaning head and increase in length as they move toward longitudinal ends of the cleaning head. Such a cleaning head may also include a scrubber movable between a plurality of positions. Such positions may include at least a horizontal position and a vertical position.

In another example, a cleaning tool is provided and includes a handle and a cleaning head coupled to the handle. The cleaning head includes an arcuate bottom surface and a plurality of bristles extending substantially perpendicularly from the arcuate bottom surface. Each of the plurality of bristles have a length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface, wherein the length of some of the plurality of bristles is greater than the length of others of the plurality of bristles and the second ends of the plurality of bristles are substantially coplanar. A rotatable scrubber including a plurality of scrubber bristles is coupled to the cleaning head and is movable between a plurality of positions.

In another example, a cleaning head of a cleaning tool is provided. The cleaning head includes an arcuate top surface, an arcuate bottom surface spaced apart from and generally parallel to the top surface, and a plurality of bristles extending substantially perpendicular from the arcuate bottom surface. The arcuate bottom surface includes a first end and a second end. The plurality of bristles include a first bristle having a first length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface, and a second bristle having a second length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface. The second length is greater than the first length, the second ends of the first and second bristles are substantially coplanar, the first and second ends of the first bristle are horizontally positioned between the first and second ends of the arcuate bottom surface, and the first end of the second bristle is horizontally positioned between the first and second ends of the arcuate bottom surface and the second end of the second bristle is not positioned horizontally between the first and second ends of the bottom surface.

In another example, a method of manufacturing a cleaning tool is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a cleaning head having an arcuate bottom surface. A plurality of bristles are attached to the bottom surface such that the plurality of bristles extend substantially perpendicular from bottom surface, a portion of the plurality of bristles having different lengths defined between a first end proximate the bottom surface to a second end distal from the bottom surface such that the second ends of the plurality of bristles are substantially coplanar. A scrubber is coupled to the cleaning head such that the scrubber is movable between a plurality of positions, the scrubber including a plurality of scrubber bristles that extend generally perpendicular to the plurality of bristles. A handle is also coupled to the cleaning head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a cleaning tool showing a cleaning head and only a portion of a handle, the cleaning head includes cleaning implements and a scrubber;

FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 1 with the scrubber in a horizontal position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2 with cleaning implements of the cleaning head and scrubber removed;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3, shown with the cleaning implements of the cleaning head and scrubber removed; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2 with the scrubber positioned in a vertical position.

Before any independent features and embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary cleaning tool 20 is illustrated. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cleaning tool 20 is a hand-operable floor cleaning device including an elongated handle 24, a hand grip 28 coupled to a first end of the handle 24, and a cleaning head 32 coupled to a second end of the handle 24. The handle 24 may be coupled to the cleaning head 32 in a variety of manners, which are well known in the art. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment and with additional reference to FIG. 7, the handle 24 may be coupled to the cleaning head 32 via a rigid, non-movable connection such as an ACME threaded connection 36. In other exemplary embodiments, the handle 24 may be coupled to the cleaning head 32 via other rigid, non-movable connections such as, for example, other types of threaded connections, fasteners, unitarily forming the handle 24 with the cleaning head 32, bonding, adhering, etc. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the handle 24 may be coupled to the cleaning head 32 via a movable joint such as, for example, a joint allowing a single direction of movement, a universal joint allowing multiple directions of movement, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the cleaning head 32 includes a top surface 40, a bottom surface 44, a handle connector 48 extending upward from the top surface 40, a plurality of cleaning implements 52 extending downward from the bottom surface 44, and a scrubber 56 extending forward of the cleaning head 32 and having a plurality of scrubber cleaning implements 60. The cleaning head 32 may be made of a variety of materials such as, for example, foam filled polypropylene. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces 40, 44 of the cleaning head 32 are both arcuately shaped and oriented substantially parallel to and equidistant from one another along substantially their entire lengths. With this configuration of the top and bottom surfaces 40, 44, the cleaning head 32 generally forms a concave shape with a reference point above the cleaning head 32 (convex shape with a reference point below the cleaning head 32). In some exemplary embodiments, the cleaning head 32 may include a bottom surface 44 having an arcuate shape similar to that illustrated in the figures and the top surface 40 may be any shape, thereby providing a cleaning head 32 that may have a variety of different shapes with at least the bottom surface 44 having an arcuate shape. For example, a cleaning head 32 may include an arcuate bottom surface 44 and a flat horizontal top surface. The top surface 40 is capable of having a variety of different shapes other than the exemplary shapes provided herein and all are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The plurality of cleaning implements 52 extending from the bottom surface 44 of the cleaning head 32 may comprise a variety of different types of cleaning implements. In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of cleaning implements 52 may comprise cylindrical clusters of bristles. In such exemplary embodiments, the bristles may be made of a variety of materials such as, for example, polypropylene, and the bottom surface 44 may include a plurality of openings 64 (see FIG. 6) oriented in the desired bristle cluster configuration for receiving the clusters of bristles. In other exemplary embodiments, the plurality of cleaning implements 52 may comprise a plurality of bristles that are not clustered together. In such exemplary embodiments, the bristles may again be made of a variety of materials such as, for example, polypropylene, and the bottom surface 44 of the cleaning head 32 may comprise a plurality of openings, one opening for receiving each bristle. In yet other exemplary embodiments, bristles may be configured in any desired orientation.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cleaning head 32 includes a substantially flat cleaning surface 68 provided by varying lengths of cleaning implements 52 extending from the bottom surface 44 of the cleaning head 32. The cleaning implements 52 extending from a longitudinal center 72 of the bottom surface 44 are shortest with the cleaning implements 52 increasing in length as they move away from the longitudinal center 72 toward longitudinal ends 76 of the cleaning head 32. In some exemplary embodiments, the cleaning implements 52 extend substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface 44 of the cleaning head 32, thereby providing a fan-shape of cleaning implements 52. Extension of the outer cleaning implements 52 from the bottom surface 44 in a substantially perpendicular manner coupled with their increased length relative to the shorter middle cleaning implements 52 positions a portion of the outer cleaning implements 52 beyond the longitudinal ends 76 of the cleaning head 32, thereby allowing the cleaning implements 52 to adequately clean surfaces in or near corners or other tight spaces. If, to the contrary, the cleaning implements 52 were not positioned beyond the longitudinal ends 76 of the cleaning head 32, the cleaning head 32 may abut a wall or other vertical surface prior to the outer cleaning implements, thereby providing a gap between the outer cleaning implements and the wall resulting in a portion of the floor surface not being cleaned.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the shortest, middle cleaning implements 52 are the most rigid of the cleaning implements 52 and the longest, outermost cleaning implements 52 are the least rigid of the cleaning implements 52. The cleaning implements 52 between the shortest, middle cleaning implements 52 and the longest, outermost cleaning implements 52 decrease in rigidity as they move outward from the longitudinal center 72. By the cleaning head 32 including cleaning implements 52 of varying rigidities, the cleaning tool 20 has a variety of cleaning functions. For example, the more rigid central cleaning implements 52 may be utilized to scrub tough stains or otherwise remove difficult debris from a floor surface and the outer less rigid cleaning implements 52 may be utilized to deform into corners or difficult to access areas to remove debris.

In some exemplary embodiments, the cleaning implements 52 may all be made of the same material. In other exemplary embodiments, the cleaning implements 52 may be made of different materials. In such exemplary embodiments, a portion of the cleaning implements 52 positioned near the longitudinal center 72 of the cleaning head 32 may be a first material and portions of the cleaning implements 52 positioned near the longitudinal ends 76 of the cleaning head 32 may be made of a second material different than the first material. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the cleaning implements 52 may be a similar width or diameter and may have a similar horizontal cross-sectional shape. In still other exemplary embodiments, the cleaning implements 52 may have different widths or diameters and may have different horizontal cross-sectional shapes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, the scrubber 56 includes a base 80 from which the scrubber cleaning implements 60 extend. The plurality of scrubber cleaning implements 60 extending from the base 80 may comprise a variety of different types of cleaning implements. In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of scrubber cleaning implements 60 may comprise cylindrical clusters of bristles. In such exemplary embodiments, the bristles may be made of a variety of materials such as, for example, polypropylene, and the base may include a plurality of openings 84 (see FIG. 2) oriented in the desired bristle cluster configuration for receiving the clusters of bristles. In other exemplary embodiments, the plurality of scrubber cleaning implements 60 may comprise a plurality of bristles that are not clustered together. In such exemplary embodiments, the bristles may again be made of a variety of materials such as, for example, polypropylene, and the base may comprise a plurality of openings, one opening for receiving each bristle. In yet other exemplary embodiments, bristles may be configured in any desired orientation.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the scrubber 56 also includes a connector 88 for pivotally connecting the scrubber 56 to the cleaning head 32. The connector 88 includes a narrow first portion 92 (see FIG. 7) extending from a rear surface 96 of the base 80 and a second wide portion 100 extending from the narrow first portion 92 (see FIG. 7). The narrow first portion 92 of the connector 88 is positioned in an opening 104 (see FIG. 7) defined in a front of the cleaning head 32 and the second wide portion 100 of the connector 88 is positioned in a cavity 108 (see FIG. 7) defined in the cleaning head 32. The second wide portion 100 of the connector 88 inhibits removal of the scrubber 56 from the cleaning head 32 during normal operation, but allows the scrubber 56 to pivot relative to the cleaning head 32. The scrubber 56 is pivotal between a substantially horizontal position as illustrated in FIG. 3 and a substantially vertical position as illustrated in FIG. 8. The connector 88 may cooperate with the cleaning head 32 in a variety of manners to ensure positive securement of the scrubber 56 in the two positions. In some exemplary embodiments, the first portion 92 of the connector 88 and the opening 104 in the cleaning head 32 may be appropriately sized to provide sufficient friction therebetween to maintain the scrubber 56 in the desired position during normal operation of the scrubber 56, but allow movement of the scrubber 56 between positions under bias of a user. In other exemplary embodiments, the first portion 92 of the connector 88 may include a non-circular shape and the opening 104 in the cleaning head 32 may have a corresponding shape providing a plurality of detent positions in which the first portion 92 may be positioned and positively secured. In yet other embodiments, a variety of other manners of positively securing the scrubber 56 in place are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that the scrubber 56 is capable of occupying more positions than the illustrated horizontal and vertical positions. For example, the scrubber 56 may occupy a plurality of positions between the horizontal and vertical positions and may be positively secured in such plurality of positions. It should also be understood that the scrubber 56 may be selectively removable from the cleaning head 32 in order to replace scrubber 56.

It should further be understood that the exemplary cleaning tool 20 is only one of many different types and sizes of cleaning tool 20 to which the cleaning head 32 may be coupled. For example, the cleaning head 32 may be coupled to any other type or size of mop-style cleaning tool for cleaning a floor surface from a standing position. Also, for example, the cleaning head 32 may be coupled to “hand held” type cleaning tools commonly characterized as having a shorter handle length than a “stand-up” or “mop” type cleaning tool 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or a handle formed directly on the top surface 40 of the cleaning head 32. Further, for example, the cleaning head 32 may be coupled to any type or size of cleaning tools for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces such as floors, walls, or any other surfaces.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The descriptions were selected to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although particular constructions of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool, comprising:

a handle; and

a cleaning head coupled to the handle, the cleaning head including: an arcuate bottom surface, and a plurality of bristles extending substantially perpendicular from the arcuate bottom surface, wherein each of the plurality of bristles have a length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface, wherein the length of some of the plurality of bristles is greater than the length of others of the plurality of bristles and the second ends of the plurality of bristles are substantially coplanar; and

a rotatable scrubber coupled to the cleaning head and movable between a plurality of positions and including a plurality of scrubber bristles extending generally perpendicular to the plurality of bristles.

2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a top surface spaced apart from the bottom surface and including a first end and a second end, wherein the handle couples to the top surface between the first end and the second end of the top surface.

3. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the handle threadably couples to the cleaning head.

4. The cleaning tool of claim 3, wherein the handle includes external threads on an end thereof and the cleaning head further includes a connector positioned on the top surface, the connector including a cavity having internal threads complimentary to the threads of the handle.

5. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled to the cleaning head by a fastener.

6. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the handle and the cleaning head are unitarily formed as one piece.

7. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the top surface is arcuate and generally parallel to the arcuate bottom surface.

8. The cleaning tool of claim 7, wherein the arcuate top and bottom surfaces are concavely shaped relative to the handle.

9. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the rotatable scrubber and the cleaning head each have a longitudinal extent and the rotatable scrubber is rotatable between a first position, in which the longitudinal extent of the rotatable scrubber is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the cleaning head, and a second position, in which the longitudinal extent of the rotatable scrubber is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the cleaning head.

10. A cleaning head of a cleaning tool, the cleaning head comprising:

an arcuate top surface;

an arcuate bottom surface spaced apart from and generally parallel to the top surface, the arcuate bottom surface including a first end and a second end; and

a plurality of bristles extending substantially perpendicular from the arcuate bottom surface, the plurality of bristles including a first bristle having a first length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface, and a second bristle having a second length defined by a first end proximate the arcuate bottom surface and a second end distal from the arcuate bottom surface; wherein the second length is greater than the first length, the second ends of the first and second bristles are substantially coplanar, the first and second ends of the first bristle are horizontally positioned between the first and second ends of the arcuate bottom surface, and the first end of the second bristle is horizontally positioned between the first and second ends of the arcuate bottom surface and the second end of the second bristle is not positioned horizontally between the first and second ends of the bottom surface.

11. The cleaning head of claim 10, wherein the arcuate bottom surface is convex shaped relative to the plurality of bristles.

12. The cleaning head of claim 10, further comprising a rotatable scrubber movable between a plurality of positions and including a plurality of scrubber bristles.

13. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the plurality of bristles of the cleaning head and the plurality of scrubber bristles extend in different directions.

14. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the plurality of bristles of the cleaning head and the plurality of scrubber bristles extend substantially perpendicularly to each other.

15. A method of manufacturing a cleaning tool, comprising the steps of:

providing a cleaning head having an arcuate bottom surface;

attaching a plurality of bristles to the bottom surface such that the plurality of bristles extend substantially perpendicular from bottom surface, a portion of the plurality of bristles having different lengths defined between a first end proximate the bottom surface to a second end distal from the bottom surface such that the second ends of the plurality of bristles are substantially coplanar;

coupling a scrubber to the cleaning head such that the scrubber is movable between a plurality of positions, the scrubber including a plurality of scrubber bristles that extend generally perpendicular to the plurality of bristles; and

coupling a handle to the cleaning head.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the handle is coupled to the cleaning head by threading the handle to the cleaning head.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the handle is coupled to the cleaning head by a fastener.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the scrubber and the cleaning head each have a longitudinal extent and the scrubber is rotatable between a first position, in which the longitudinal extent of the scrubber is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the cleaning head, and a second position, in which the longitudinal extent of the scrubber is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the cleaning head.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bristles are attached to the cleaning head by staples.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bristles are attached to the cleaning head by molding the plurality of bristles into the cleaning head.