CLEANING DEVICE FOR WRINGING ASSIST
A cleaning device includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A handle adapter can be coupled to the first end of the housing. A motor enclosed within the housing is coupled with a cleaning head adapter that is configured to couple a cleaning head to the motor such that the cleaning head extends from the second end of the housing. A controller is configured to operate the motor to rotate the cleaning head adapter based on operation of a user control component. A user can use the cleaning device by holding onto an end of a cleaning head and operating the user control component to cause the cleaning head to rotate and wring out a portion of the cleaning head.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/330,892 filed on Apr. 14, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDIn general, the present invention relates to a cleaning device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCertain mops and/or chamois cloths can be used for cleaning various surfaces such as floors, decks, patios, pool decks, boat decks, among others. After absorbing a liquid, the mop head or chamois cloth can become saturated and therefore require a user to wring out the mop head or chamois cloth. A device for assisting in wringing out a mop head or chamois cloth may be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning device includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A handle adapter can be coupled to the first end of the housing. A motor enclosed within the housing is coupled with a cleaning head adapter that is configured to couple a cleaning head to the motor such that the cleaning head extends from the second end of the housing. A controller is configured to operate the motor to rotate the cleaning head adapter based on operation of a user control component.
These and other objects of this invention will be evident when viewed in light of the drawings, detailed description and appended claims.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:
Embodiments of the invention relate to a cleaning device that provides a twisting action to a cleaning head. For example, a user can hold one end of a cleaning head that may be saturated (e.g. a chamois or a mop head) while operating a user control component such as a button or switch to cause a motor to rotate and twist the cleaning head. The twisting action of the cleaning head while being held causes the saturated cleaning head material to be wrung out. An embodiment of the cleaning device includes a cleaning device that includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A handle adapter can be coupled to the first end of the housing. A motor enclosed within the housing is coupled with a cleaning head adapter that is configured to couple a cleaning head to the motor such that the cleaning head extends from the second end of the housing. A controller is configured to operate the motor to rotate the cleaning head adapter based on operation of a user control component. A user can use the cleaning device by holding onto an end of a cleaning head and operating the user control component to cause the cleaning head to rotate and wring out a portion of the cleaning head.
The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described for the purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time of the filing of this patent application. The examples and figures are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, which is measured by the scope and spirit of the claims.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Turning now to
As also shown, the handle adapter 104 can be configured to removably couple with a handle 122. In certain embodiments, the handle 122 can be a telescoping pole and/or a standard mop pole. The handle 122 may also be retrofitted to fit other types of common poles. Similarly, the cleaning head 108 can be configured to removably couple with cleaning head adapter 106. In some such implementations, the handle 122 and/or the cleaning head 108 may be detachably fixed to the housing 102. Thus, the handle 122 and/or the cleaning head 108 may be replaced upon deterioration. Due to the detachable parts, the cleaning device 100 may also be disassembled for storage. Further, the housing 102 can be operably coupled to a variety of handles 122 having different shapes and sizes, and/or cleaning heads 108 according to user preference.
In one embodiment, the handle adapter 104 includes at least one handle locking hole 104a configured to receive a corresponding handle locking pin from the handle 122. For example, the handle locking pin can be spring-loaded such that it projects perpendicularly from the surface of the handle 122. Upon insertion of the handle 122 into the handle adapter 104, the handle locking pin projects through the handle locking hole 104a and secures the handle 122 onto the handle adapter 104. To remove the handle 122, a user can press the handle locking pin inwards against the force of the spring and remove the handle 122 from the handle adapter 104. Similarly, the cleaning head adapter 106 can include at least one cleaning head locking hole 106a configured to receive a corresponding cleaning head locking pin from the shaft 112 of the cleaning head 108. For example, the cleaning head locking pin can be spring-loaded such that it projects perpendicularly from the surface of the shaft 112. Upon insertion of the shaft 112 into the cleaning head adapter 106, the cleaning head locking pin projects through the cleaning head locking hole 106a and secures the cleaning head 108 onto the cleaning head adapter 106. To remove the cleaning head 108, a user can press the cleaning head locking pin inwards against the force of the spring and remove the shaft 112 from the cleaning head adapter 106. The cleaning head 108 may be remove to, for example, replace the absorbent material 110, to clean the absorbent material 110, or to attach a different type of cleaning head 108 to the cleaning head adapter 106, among others.
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the user control component 116 includes a first button configured to operate the motor 114 in the first direction 124, and a second button configured to operate the motor in the second direction 126. In another embodiment, the user control component 116 can be a switch or a rocker switch, where a first position of the switch operates the motor 114 in the first direction 124, a second position of the switch operates the motor 114 in the second direction 126, and/or a third position of the switch maintains the cleaning device 100 in a “rest” state. In one embodiment, a user must maintain activation of the user control component 116 to keep the motor 114 rotating. In another embodiment, a user can cause the motor 114 to spin in an automated sequence upon a singular or momentary activation of the user control component 116. For example, the user can momentarily activate (e.g. a single button push) the user control component 116, which initiates a predefined routine of the motor. The predefined routine of the motor can include a predefined number of rotations in the first direction 124, followed by a predefined number of rotations in the second direction 126. In certain embodiments, the predefined number of rotations in the second direction 126 can be greater than the predefined number of rotations in the first direction 124. In this manner, when a user is holding onto the absorbent material 110 at its end, the absorbent material 110 would be wrung out in both directions.
In still another embodiment, a user can operate the user control component 116 to continuously rotate the cleaning head 108 during a cleaning mode. By using this mode, the user can removably attach a cleaning head 108 such as a scrubber or a brush to the cleaning head adapter 106 and control the motor 114 to provide a continuous rotation of the cleaning head 108 during a cleaning mode.
Turning now to
Turning now to
The collar 104c can be located at an end of the handle adapter 104 opposite from the opening 104d. In one embodiment, the collar 104c can have threading on an outside surface of the collar 104c. In another embodiment, the collar 104c can have threading on an inside surface of the collar 104c. The collar 104c can be configured to couple with an end of the housing 102 via a threaded engagement. It should be appreciated that the collar 104c can couple to the housing 102 by other means such as a twist and lock connection, screws, a hand pin, latches, clips, among others.
The first housing component 102a and the second housing component 102b can be shaped and configured such that they fit together to create an at least partially enclosed housing 102. For example, the first housing component 102a and the second housing component 102b can be shaped such that when attached to each other, the two components form a cylindrical shape or a prism shape, among others. The attachment end 130 on the first housing component 102a and the attachment end 132 on the second housing component 102b can couple together to form a continuous threaded surface. This continuous threaded surface formed by the attachment ends 130 and 132 can threadingly engage with the collar 104c of the handle adapter 104.
In certain embodiments, at least one of the shaft 112 or the handle 122 can have a bend to allow for more ergonomic control of the cleaning device 100. In other embodiments, the cleaning device 100 can include a cleaning solution storage container and/or water dispenser that can both be used for storing and dispensing cleaner and/or water. In another embodiment, the motor 114 can include a torque sensor that can detect a torque applied by the motor 114 and can automatically stop rotation of the motor 114 upon the torque reaching a torque setpoint. In another embodiment, the motor 114 reverses rotation of the motor 114 upon the torque reaching a torque setpoint. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning head 108 can include a weight sensor to detect when the cleaning head 108 is saturated and needs to be wrung out. For example, the weight sensor can send a signal to an indicator such as a light on the cleaning device 100 to notify the user that the absorbent material 110 needs to be wrung out. In still another embodiment, the cleaning device 100 can include a lever-operated clamp that, upon manipulating the lever, the clamp clamps the absorbent material 110 between two clamping surfaces. While the absorbent material 110 is clamped, the user can operate the user control component 116 to rotate the cleaning head 108 and wring out the absorbent material 110 without needing to grab the material with the user's hand.
In another embodiment, the handle adapter 104 may be removably coupled to a drill to increase agitation of cleaning head 108 and improve cleaning efficiency. For example, the drill may assist in spinning the cleaning head 108 during a cleaning operation while the motor 114 assists in spinning the cleaning head 108 during a wringing operation. In other embodiments, the drill and the motor 14 may both rotate during a cleaning operation and a wringing operation. In yet other embodiments, the drill may assist in spinning the cleaning head 108 during a wringing operation, while the motor 114 assists in spinning the cleaning head 108 during a cleaning operation.
In certain embodiments, the cleaning device 100 improves a user's safety as a user wrings out the cleaning head 108. For example, the cleaning device 100 may be used to remove excess water from a boat's interior after rain and/or may be used to remove dirt and debris from the boat's interior or exterior. The handle adapter 104 may be configured to receive a typical boating tool pole. In some such embodiments, if the cleaning device 100 is used on a boat, a user typically has to bend over the edge of the boat to wring out the cleaning head 108 into the water below. Because of the rotation provided by the motor 114 in the disclosed cleaning device 100, the user does not have to vigorously twist the absorbent material 110 and potentially lose balance at the edge of the boat upon wringing out the cleaning head 108. Similarly, the disclosed cleaning device 100 may be used for window cleaning, patio cleaning, or some other high surface above ground to improve user safety.
To further improve user safety and ease of operation, in certain embodiments, the controller 118 may be wirelessly coupled to an external remote. The controller 118 may be in wireless communication with a remote such that the user can control the rotation of the cleaning head 108 without bending over and/or can control the rotation of the cleaning head 108 from a distance. For example, on a boat, a user can turn the motor 114 “on” via the remote to wring out the cleaning head 108, while the cleaning head 108 is extended over the side of the boat and above ground or water. The remote may have an attachment feature such as a clip or carabiner such that the user can keep the remote attached to their person via a belt, a hat, pants, shirt, or the like. Similarly, the remote may have an attachment feature such as a clip, carabiner, or adhesive such that the user can keep the remove attached to a location on their boat. The attachment feature of the remote may also allow the remote to be secured (e.g., via clip or clamp) to the handle 122 near the hand-grip area such that the user can easily access the remote during cleaning and store the remote the handle 122. The remote may also be small enough to fit within a user's pocket. This way, the user can conveniently control the motor 114 from a distance and can also avoid getting contaminated by debris from the cleaning head 108 during the wringing out function.
As stated previously, the handle adapter 104 may be mechanically retrofitted to fit any pole. In some embodiments, the handle 122 may be inserted into the handle adapter 104, and a clamp, a screw, or the like may secure the handle 122 to the handle adapter 104. In boating applications, for example, a typical boating pole may comprise a hook at the end of the pole. In some such embodiments, the handle adapter may be configured to receive the hook within the opening 104d of the handle adapter 104. The handle adapter 104 may be dimensioned such that its opening 104d can receive the hook and also receive at least a portion of the boating pole shaft. The boating pole shaft may be at least partially in the opening 104d of the handle adapter 104, and an attachment feature may secure the boating pole shaft to the handle adapter 104. For example, in some embodiments, the handle adapter 104 may comprise a screw or clamp that, upon tightening, can secure the boating pole shaft to the handle adapter 104. In other embodiments, the boating pole comprises a hook at a first end and only comprises a handle portion at a second end. In some such embodiments, the handle portion at the second end of the boating pole may instead be secured to the handle adapter 104, and the user may grip the boating pole between the first end and the second end to control the cleaning head 108.
The above examples are merely illustrative of several possible embodiments of various aspects of the present invention, wherein equivalent alterations and/or modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware, software, or combinations thereof, which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated implementations of the invention. In addition although a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Also, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and/or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described for purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time. The examples are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and merit of the claims. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A cleaning device, comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a handle adapter coupled to the first end of the housing, wherein the handle adapter is configured to couple the housing to a handle;
- a motor enclosed within the housing;
- a cleaning head adapter coupled to the motor, wherein the cleaning head adapter is configured to couple a cleaning head to the motor such that the cleaning head extends from the second end of the housing;
- a user control component; and
- a controller configured to operate the motor to rotate the cleaning head adapter based on operation of the user control component.
2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction upon a first operation of the user control component, and in a counterclockwise direction upon a second operation of the user control component.
3. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the user control component is a switch and the first operation is a first switch position and the second operation is a second switch position.
4. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the user control component comprises a first button and a second button, wherein the first operation is a press of the first button and the second operation is a press of the second button.
5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the handle adapter is configured to removably receive the handle.
6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein the handle adapter comprises at least one handle locking hole configured to receive a handle locking pin from the handle.
7. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein the handle adapter has a threaded inner surface and is configured to receive a threaded end of the handle.
8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the handle adapter has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the handle adapter has a threaded surface and the handle adapter is coupled to the first end of the housing by way of a threaded engagement with a corresponding threaded surface on the first end of the housing.
9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head adapter is configured to removably receive the cleaning head.
10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the cleaning head adapter comprises at least one cleaning head locking hole configured to receive a cleaning head locking pin from the cleaning head.
11. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the cleaning head adapter has a threaded inner surface and is configured to receive a threaded end of the cleaning head.
12. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the motor for an operating cycle that includes a predefined number of revolutions in response to operation of the user control component.
13. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to reduce a rotational speed of the motor as the operating cycle progresses.
14. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to, in response to operation of the user control component:
- operate the motor in a first direction for a predefined number of revolutions, and
- following the operation of the motor in the first direction, operate the motor in a second direction.
15. A cleaning device comprising:
- a motor located within a housing, and
- a cleaning head having a first end coupled to the motor, and a second end that includes an absorbent material, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the cleaning head by a predefined number of rotations in at least a first direction upon operation of a user control located on the housing.
16. The cleaning device of claim 15, further comprising a handle adapter coupled to a first end of the housing, wherein the handle adapter is configured to removably receive a handle.
17. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the cleaning head in the first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction.
18. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the motor is configured to reduce its rotational speed while rotating in at least the first direction.
19. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the absorbent material is a chamois.
20. A cleaning device comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a means for coupling the first end of the housing to a handle;
- a motor enclosed within the housing;
- a means for coupling a cleaning head to the motor such that the cleaning head extends from the second end of the housing;
- a means for operating the motor; and
- a controller configured to operate the motor to rotate the cleaning head in at least a first direction based on operation of the means for operating the motor.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 14, 2023
Publication Date: Oct 19, 2023
Inventor: Christopher TJOTJOS (Westlake, OH)
Application Number: 18/300,846