Trigger-actuated sweeping device utilizing rotational motion for particle collection

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of common household cleaning devices, more specifically, to a hand-operated sweeping device for the collection of particles. The trigger-actuated sweeping device comprises a circular rotating brush head unit that becomes operational once a trigger is manually compressed, causing the flow of dirt particles into a detachable particle collection unit. The mechanism of the rotation involves the compression of the hand-actuated trigger leading to a series of internal mechanical movements resulting in the downward vertical motion of a series of rods being translated into rotational motion of the brush head unit in the horizontal axis. Attached to an external shaft is the removable particle collection unit, where the clockwise rotation of the brush head unit results in the flow of dirt particles into an indented particle collection compartment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of common household cleaning devices, more specifically, to a hand-operated sweeping device for the collection of particles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years much has been done to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of home cleaning. This has lead to the implementation of changes of many common cleaning utilities including vacuums, dusting devices and sweeping utilities. However, certain cleaning devices such as the common broom and dust pan still convey many operational inconveniences including the need to group and collect dust particles in two separate steps: sweeping particles into designated piles using a broom and then collecting them onto a dust pan. This can often be a challenging process for users with physical disabilities and can cause physical strain on healthy individuals as the process of dust collection often requires the user to bend in a contorting motion to accomplish such a task.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a particle collection device that combines both the sweeping characteristics of the modern day broom with the collection ability of the dust pan, all in one discrete package. This will allow users to sweep and collect dust particles with minimal effort, without causing physical strain on the user.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a particle collection device without the implementation of motors or power supplies to reduce overall weight and size in order to prevent excessive strain on the body of the user when the device is in use. This will also allow for greater mobility of the particle collection device.

CN105455746A discloses a dust-suction type sweeper comprising an electric broom, a dust-suction device, a garbage-suction inlet, a handle, and a pedestal. The invention is an multifunctional electrical vacuum sweeper that can also be hand-held.

DE4034850A1 discloses a sweeper with roller brush and dirt collector with one opening bridged by carrying bracket with arms attached to top and base. The invention comprises a sweeper-roller rotating on a lengthwise axis and a manually-emptied dirt-container which can easily be removed to an emptying unit by the carrying bracket.

CN101669803A discloses a multi-position dust-entering cleaning device for large-scale cleaning. The invention comprises a device body, a dust bin and an electronic machine wherein more than two dust enterings are arranged on the device body with two roller brushes. The device is electronically driven by a power-transmission mechanism.

CN103767626A discloses a floor-cleaning mechanism comprising of an intelligent dust collector wherein winding and unwinding wires are arranged on the periphery of the sweeper to actuate movement. In this invention, the wires and rollers are driven by a motor.

All of the aforementioned patents describe cleaning devices utilizing similar methods of particle collection. The shortcomings of these devices includes the fact that they either do not combine the ability of particle collection with particle removal in one discrete unit, or if they do, it is through the use of heavy electrical motors used to create suction, which can significantly contribute to applied strain to the user. Electric motors also require power through the use of cables and batteries. This can greatly hinder the mobility and adaptability of the device as cables create movement restrictions and batteries require charge times in between uses.

None of the aforementioned patents combine the collecting abilities of both a broom and a dust pan in one discrete unit without requiring an electrical power source. The device to be described in the following application will be capable of particle collection and removal simply and simultaneously in one motion, relieving applied stress on the user caused by heavy motors or body contortion due to conventional particle removal methods (such as a broom and a dust pan).

Therefore, there is a need for a light maneuverable particle collection device that is manually-activated, without the requirement of motors, and that can be operated simply and comfortably by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will accomplish said objectives in the following manner. The invention comprises four main components including an angled handle coupled to a hand-actuated trigger, an external shaft, a brush head unit, and a detachable particle collection unit. The angled handle, utilizing a textured grip, is attached to the external shaft connecting to a brush head unit. Attached to the angled handle is the hand-actuated trigger. Said trigger will actuate the rotational motion of the brush head unit in the horizontal axis to maximize the collection of dust particles. A detachable particle collection unit is attached upon the distal end of the external shaft to facilitate the collection of dust particles by the brush head unit.

The rotational action of the brush head unit is accomplished through a series of internal mechanisms caused by the movement of two internal rods. Manual actuation of the trigger by the user will cause the downward compression of an upper internal rod as it is connected to said trigger via a pin joint. The upper internal rod will then push an anchored internal pivot piece which will vertically depress spring-activated distal rod with an inclined grooved axial end. A moveable cylindrical stopper stably attached to said distal rod is resting above a spring, such that the vertical depression of the distal rod results in the compression of said spring by the moveable cylindrical stopper. As the distal rod is being compressed, its twisted axial end containing inclined threaded indentations will cause the clockwise rotation of a moveable clutch element in the vertically downwards direction. Four metal teeth attached to the distal end of the clutch element will then engage four corresponding protrusions on the brush head unit, resulting in the clockwise rotation of the brush head unit thereof; all while the spring is being compressed. The release of the trigger will result in the retraction of the distal rod as it is spring activated. Since the moveable clutch element can only engage the brush head unit through the vertically downwards movement of the distal rod, the retraction of said distal rod will not terminate the rotation of the brush head unit.

A detachable particle collection unit is attached to the distal end of the external shaft using two flexible snap clips and extends underneath the brush head unit. The particle collection unit contains a short rubberized section angled from the horizontal to the surface being cleaned to facilitate optimal particle collection. This shorter section will be followed by a longer, vertically indented section to facilitate the storage of the particles in a particle collection compartment and to prevent the release of particles. As particles are moved into said indented section, an offset block unit comprising of a vertically protruding rigid tooth barrier will be used to remove particles from the bristles. When the detachable particle collection unit is full or the user is finished cleaning, a door connected to the particle collection compartment can be opened to empty its contents.

From the preceding description, it can be seen that this tool of invention can be used for a more efficient, convenient, effective, user-friendly cleaning process. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its resting form

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its activated form

FIG. 3 is a perspective interior view of the particle collection unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, the trigger-actuated sweeping device is generally represented in FIG. 1, and the mechanism of the present invention is represented in FIG. 2-3. FIG. 1 depicts the complete sweeping device 1 comprising an angled handle 2 coupled to a trigger sleeve 4, an external shaft 6 connecting the handle to a circular rotating brush head unit 36, and a detachable particle collection unit 42 fitted upon the distal external shaft 6 wherein the opening is connected to the rotating brush head unit 36.

The mechanism of the trigger-actuated sweeping device in its resting and activated forms are illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, respectively. The angled handle 2 is coupled to the trigger sleeve 4 wherein a trigger 10 is connected to an upper internal rod 14 through a pin joint 12 located in the handle. Hand-actuation of the trigger 10 causes a downward depression of the upper internal rod 14 which downwardly depresses a pivot piece 16 connected to the inside of the external shaft 6 through an anchored pin joint 18. The downward depression of the pivot piece 16 causes the downward depression of the distal rod 20 wherein a moveable cylindrical stopper 22 is stably attached upon the twisted axial end 24 of the distal rod 20. As the distal rod 20 is downwardly compressed, the moveable cylindrical stopper 22 compresses a spring 26 and the distal threaded indentations of the twisted axial end 24 of the rod 20 catches onto a moveable clutch element 28 comprising of four metal teeth. This causes the four metal teeth of the clutch element 28 to engage into four receiving protrusions on the rounded platform 30 of the brush head unit 36. Further downward depression of the twisted axial rod 24 through the clutch element translates the downward motion into clockwise rotational motion of the brush head unit 36 in the horizontal axis. A conical piece 32 connects the external shaft 6 to the brush head unit 36. A grooved platform 34 catches the twisted axial end 24 of the rod 20 during its downward depression. Upon the release of the trigger 10, the spring 26 extends back to its original position, causing the moveable cylindrical stopper 22 to pull the twisted axial end 24 of the distal rod 20 out of the moveable clutch element 28. Since the clutch element 28 can only engage the rounded platform 30 of the brush head unit 36 when the twisted axial rod 24 is extended downward, upward retraction of the twisted axial rod 24 through the opening of the dome-like platform 30 will not terminate the rotational movement of the brush head unit 36.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective interior view of the detachable particle collection unit 42 attached upon the external shaft 6 using two flexible snap clips 40. Vertical side panels with rubberized sections 44 on the sides in contact with the surface being cleaned restrict the movement of dirt particles 100 by creating a seal with the surface thereof. The clockwise rotation of the brush head unit 36 causes the flow of dirt particles 100 into an indented particle collection compartment 50 as the bristles of the brush head unit 36 slide up the angled ramp 46 wherein a short rubberized section 48 is attached to the lower end of the angled ramp 46. The short rubberized section 48 is in contact with the surface being cleaned and is parallel to the surface thereof, in order to facilitate optimal particle collection. As the brush head unit 36 is moving dirt particles 100 into the indented particle collection compartment 50 in a clockwise rotation, a rigid toothed barrier 56 attached to a raised platform 58, pushes the remaining dirt particles 100 out the bristles of the brush head unit 36 into the particle collection compartment 50. The particle collection compartment 50 can be opened using a small door 52 attached with hinges 54 to easily discard dirt particles 100.

Claims

1. A trigger-actuated sweeping device utilizing rotational motion for particle collection comprising:

an angled handle coupled to a hand-actuated trigger

a circular brush head unit which rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal axis

an external shaft connecting the handle to the circular brush head unit, wherein a series of internal rods and pivots translate the motion of the hand-actuated trigger to the rotation of said circular brush head unit

a detachable particle collection unit fitted upon the distal end of the external shaft, wherein the opening is connected to the rotating brush head unit.

2. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 1, wherein when said trigger is manually compressed, the downward extension of a series of two internal rods translates into the clockwise rotation of the circular brush head unit.

3. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 2, wherein a distal axial rod containing inclined threaded indentations along its length, moves vertically through a clutch element on the opening of the circular brush head unit to cause rotation of the head unit thereof, while compressing an attached spring such that the release of the trigger causes the spring to extend back to its original position resulting in the retraction of the distal axial rod.

4. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 3, wherein a metal clutch element comprising four metal teeth is threaded upon the distal end of the distal axial rod, so that when said rod extends through the opening in the brush head unit, the metal clutch element can engage four receiving protrusions on the head unit, transferring the rotational movement of the clutch element to the brush head unit.

5. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 4, wherein the retraction of the twisted axial rod through the opening of the head unit will not terminate the spinning of said head unit as the clutch element can only engage the protrusions on the head unit through the action of downwards vertical movement of the distal axial rod.

6. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 5, wherein the clockwise rotation of the brush head unit causes the flow of dirt particles into the particle collection unit.

7. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 6, wherein the brush head unit comprises of a plurality of angled bristles for the sweeping of dirt particles.

8. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 7, wherein the detachable particle collection unit comprising an angled ramp in contact with the surface being cleaned, to facilitate optimal particle collection, leads dirt particles to an indented particle collection compartment to store said particles.

9. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 8, wherein an offset block unit with a vertically protruding rigid tooth barrier is used for removing dust particles from the bristles as they rotate through the particle collection unit and is located adjacent to the particle collection compartment.

10. The trigger-actuated sweeping device of claim 9, wherein said particle collection unit also comprises a small door that is located on the rear-facing side of the particle collection compartment, which can be used to empty the particle collection compartment when full.