With Handle-head Cooperating Threads Patents (Class 15/176.2)
  • Patent number: 9597169
    Abstract: The replaceable brushhead, used for a power toothbrush, includes a neck portion (22) having a hollow part located at a proximal end thereof. The brushhead assembly includes a bristle portion (18) at a distal end of the neck portion. A connecting assembly (20) is positioned within the hollow portion of the neck, the connecting assembly having two distinct, mechanically stable, positions. In the first position, the connecting assembly has a first physical arrangement in which the brushhead assembly is conveniently removable or insertable onto an output shaft (16) from a handle portion of the power toothbrush. In the second position, the connecting assembly has a second physical arrangement, in which a portion of the connecting assembly makes physical contact with the output shaft such that the force or torque produced by the output shaft in operation is transferred to the brushhead assembly for movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Scott E. Hall
  • Patent number: 7798755
    Abstract: A threaded connector includes a base and a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base. The threaded male portion is adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket. The threaded male portion includes a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section. The friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, the lead-in section is spaced from the base, and the transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section. The helical thread includes a tip and a root. The lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at the tip of said thread and the friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at the tip of the thread. The second major diameter is greater than the first major diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Erwin Tomm
  • Patent number: 7594292
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an espresso machine includes a brush head attached to a neck. The brush head includes a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to that of the neck. The neck extends along a first longitudinal axis for a length and is attached to a handle section that includes a second longitudinal axis which extends away from the brush head at a greater angle than the neck. A plurality of annular rings prevents scalding water from traversing past the neck and reaching the handle section, where a user is adapted to grasp the apparatus. A protrusion is included, as desired, to clean the orifice of a steamer wand. Various possible enhancements include ergonomic grip surfaces on the handle section, replacement component parts, and dual cleaning surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey Matthew Pelo
  • Publication number: 20090113651
    Abstract: A cleaning implement that includes a connector for connecting a handle to a base block. The connector prevents the handle from rotating relative to the base block and, thus, the connector prevents the handle from unscrewing or otherwise loosening or disconnecting from the base block. The base block can include a headpiece supported between oppositely arranged shoulders, a generally cylindrical flange projecting from the headpiece, and a generally cylindrical opening extending through the cylindrical flange. A slot may be formed in an inner surface of the cylindrical flange. A ferrule that can have a generally dovetail-shaped projection provided on its outer surface can be secured to an end of the handle. The projection and the slot can form a joint when the handle is connected to the base block. This joint substantially prevents the handle from rotating relative to the base block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventors: Robert Giacolo, Norbert Weis, David McKnight
  • Publication number: 20080300527
    Abstract: Disposable handheld devices for manually cleaning nostrils and/or other body orifices are disclosed herein. A device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a shaft having a first end portion spaced apart from a second end portion to define a first exterior surface portion therebetween with at least one ridge portion extending outwardly therefrom. The device can further include a first tip portion positioned toward the first end portion of the shaft and a second tip portion positioned toward the second end portion of the shaft. The first tip portion can include a second ridge portion extending outwardly from a second exterior surface portion. The second tip portion can include a third ridge portion extending outwardly from a third exterior surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce R. Bivins
  • Patent number: 7437792
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an espresso machine includes a brush head attached to a neck. The brush head includes a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to that of the neck. The neck extends along a first longitudinal axis for a length and is attached to a handle section that includes a second longitudinal axis which extends away from the brush head at a greater angle than the neck. A plurality of annular rings prevents scalding water from traversing past the neck and reaching the handle section, where a user is adapted to grasp the apparatus. A protrusion is included, as desired, to clean the orifice of a steamer wand. Various possible enhancements include ergonomic grip surfaces on the handle section, replacement component parts, and dual cleaning surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey Matthew Pelo
  • Patent number: 7210187
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an article for cleaning, such as a toothbrush. The article includes a hand grip part, with a screw-threaded spigot projecting from one end of the hand grip, and a cleaning part having a plurality of screw threaded sockets in each of at least a top, end and side surface of the cleaning part, which are releasably engageable to the spigot. The hand grip, part and the cleaning parts can be assembled in a plurality of different relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Graduate Group SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Hon Seong Liew
  • Patent number: 6823555
    Abstract: A backwash brush having a telescoping handle to make it convenient to carry the brush in a kit also forming a part of this development. A variety of brushes are available for use with the device and the kit is housed in a pouch of small size sufficient to house the collapsed brush handle and brush for convenient storage during travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Darren S. Warren
  • Patent number: 6658689
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed for use between a broom handle and its broom head and has other applications in which it is deemed desirable to obtain a quick and secure connection between threaded components. The male component of the connector consists of two adjacent sections of male threads, the first section having a smaller width or diameter than the second section. The first section forms the end of the male component. In the case of a broom handle, this is the end of the handle. The female component of the connector consists of an opening or cavity with female, receiving threads. In the case of a broom head, this is the opening within the head. The female component also has two opening sections of varying widths or diameters. The sections of the female component are each configured to threadably engage the respective threaded sections of the male component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Quickie Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. Vosbikian
  • Publication number: 20030217424
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a new and improved painting system having a bristle head with an aperture, a slender mounting rod adopted to removably secure the bristle head to the mounting rod and a handle or gripping portion which communicates with the slender mounting rod. It is anticipated that the securing means for securing the bristle head to the slender mounting rod may consist of: a simple tapered end and friction fit into an aperture in the bristle head, or, it may consist of a biased spring element on the slender mounting rod which will be retained in an annular groove in an aperture in the back or rear portion of the bristle head with a push-click type of securement, or, it may even consist of a simple friction fit between a tapered end of the mounting rod which is merely snugly pushed into a corresponding tight fitting aperture located in the back or rear of the handle or gripping portion. The slender mounting rod may be just a few inches long or it may even be a foot or more long.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel R. Stone
  • Patent number: 6634822
    Abstract: A cleaning brush comprises a brush embodiment, a telescopic tube, a valve assembly, a rotary connector, and a retaining sleeve wherein the brush embodiment having a threaded coupling hole disposed at the center thereof to be engaged with a threaded sleeve of the telescopic tube is provided with a through groove for a scraper strip to be adapted thereto. The valve assembly made up of a valve body, a valve sleeve and a switch sleeve is sleeve joined to an outer tube of the telescopic tube. A pivot rod of the retaining sleeve is led through a pivot hole of the rotary connector and fixedly located at a water inlet hole of the valve body thereof via ultrasonic wave or fastening agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corp.
    Inventor: King Yuan Wang
  • Publication number: 20030180085
    Abstract: A home and yard maintenance tool for performing a plurality of different task is disclosed. The home and yard maintenance tool has a handle section. A plurality of different home and yard accessory attachments are further provided. Each of the different attachments may be removably coupled to the handle for performing the plurality of different task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: David P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6616364
    Abstract: A convertible surface contacting implement having a head member and a long handle. The head member has a base, and a surface contacting member carried by the base. The head member forms a short-handled implement with the base acting as a short handle. A first connector is provided on the base and a second connector is provided on one end of the long handle. The second connector cooperates with the first connector to detachably connect the long handle to the base to form a long-handled implement. The implement may be a brush or an applicator. Preferably, the base of the head member is hollow to carry a liquid dispersed to the surface contacting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Katz, Sylvain Duchesne
  • Patent number: 6609847
    Abstract: A water inlet control mechanism for cleaning brushes has a brush embodiment, a telescopic tube, a valve assembly, and a rotary connector wherein the brush embodiment having a through groove for a scraper strip to be adapted thereto is attached to one end of the telescopic tube. The valve assembly sleeve joined to an outer tube of the telescopic tube is mainly made up of a valve body, a valve sleeve and a switch sleeve. The valve sleeve adapted to a transverse retaining hole of the valve body has a sealing ring abutting against a projecting flange of the valve body to seal up the discharge of water, and two arc ends located onto an eccentric arc facet of the switch sleeve via a guide slope for regulating the water discharge. The switch sleeve is rotated to one side to dislocate the sealing ring thereof from the projecting flange thereof via the eccentric arc facet pushing both arc ends thereof to reveal a gap there-between for the discharge of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corp.
    Inventor: King-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 6598256
    Abstract: A cleaning device for attachment to a water faucet, comprising a housing element having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being threaded for operable engagement with a water faucet, and the bottom portion having an opening therein, aperture is positioned in the housing element allowing th flow of water through the housing element. A plurality of cleaning bristles are positioned around or about the opening of the bottom portion of the housing element for cleaning fingernails, hands, razors, toothbrushes and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick S. Theriault
  • Patent number: 6594850
    Abstract: A locking bracket for brooms that have a multi-sided locking section near the mounting end of the handle has a pair of spaced-apart locking arms that enable the bracket to be attached in the proper position against the locking section without passing the bracket over either end of the handle. When secured in position, faces on the locking arms engage faces on the locking section, limiting rotation of the handle. The bracket can be mounted in position by a plug that engages the unused handle hole on the broom head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Libman Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Libman, Enzo Berti
  • Publication number: 20030061676
    Abstract: A backwash brush having a telescoping handle to make it convenient to carry the brush in a kit also forming a part of this development. A variety of brushes are available for use with the device and the kit is housed in a pouch of small size sufficient to house the collapsed brush handle and brush for convenient storage during travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Darren S. Warren
  • Publication number: 20030019062
    Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect is directed to a toothbrush comprising an elongate handle and a brushing head. The elongate handle has first and second portions. The first portion includes a generally rectangular shaped body with grip means for facilitating holding the toothbrush during use. The second portion includes an elongate body having a securing means for retaining the brushing head in a fixed position relative to the elongate handle. An axis extends between the first and second portions of the elongate handle such that the brushing head is angularly tilted relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Ira Florence
  • Publication number: 20030019061
    Abstract: A locking bracket for brooms that have a multi-sided locking section near the mounting end of the handle has a pair of spaced-apart locking arms that enable the bracket to be attached in the proper position against the locking section without passing the bracket over either end of the handle. When secured in position, faces on the locking arms engage faces on the locking section, limiting rotation of the handle. The bracket can be mounted in position by a plug that engages the unused handle hole on the broom head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Libman, Enzo Berti
  • Patent number: 6499176
    Abstract: A broom device for removably securing a handle to a broom an improved manner. The broom device includes a bar having a top side, a bottom side and peripheral edge. The bar is elongate and has a first end and a second end. A hole extends through the top and bottom sides of the bar and is positioned generally between the first and second ends. A panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The panel has at least one aperture therein extending through the upper and lower surfaces. Each of a plurality of bristles is attached to and extends away from the lower surface of the panel. The bristles are resiliently flexible. A pole is elongate and has a first end and a second end. A rod is attached to and extends away from the first end of the pole. The top side of the bar is abutted against the bottom surface of the panel such that the aperture is aligned with the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Vern A. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20020184725
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed for use between a broom handle and its broom head and has other applications in which it is deemed desirable to obtain a quick and secure connection between threaded components. The male component of the connector consists of two adjacent sections of male threads, the first section having a smaller width or diameter than the second section. The first section forms the end of the male component. In the case of a broom handle, this is the end of the handle. The female component of the connector consists of an opening or cavity with female, receiving threads. In the case of a broom head, this is the opening within the head. The female component also has two opening sections of varying widths or diameters. The sections of the female component are each configured to threadably engage the respective threaded sections of the male component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Peter S. Vosbikian
  • Publication number: 20020157179
    Abstract: A cleaning device for attachment to a water faucet, comprising a housing element having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being threaded for operable engagement with a water faucet, and the bottom portion having an opening therein. An aperture is positioned in the housing element allowing the flow of water through the housing element. A plurality of cleaning bristles are positioned in the opening of the bottom portion of the housing element for cleaning fingernails, hands, razors, toothbrushes and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick S. Theriault
  • Publication number: 20020131806
    Abstract: A convertible surface contacting implement having a head member and a long handle. The head member has a base, and a surface contacting member carried by the base. The head member forms a short-handled implement with the base acting as a short handle. A first connector is provided on the base and a second connector is provided on one end of the long handle. The second connector cooperates with the first connector to detachably connect the long handle to the base to form a long-handled implement. The implement may be a brush or an applicator. Preferably, the base of the head member is hollow to carry a liquid dispersed to the surface contacting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Katz, Sylvain Duchesne
  • Publication number: 20020088071
    Abstract: A paintbrush handle is claimed which is made of a durable material which can be reused for long periods of time allowing artisans using the paintbrush handles to avoid the problems associated with relearning a paintbrush handle after having had to discard a paintbrush of conventional manufacture. Also claimed is a process for striping cars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Robert S. Nouis
  • Patent number: 6393647
    Abstract: A broom has a handle, a broom head, a bracket for securing the handle against rotation, and a plug for securing the bracket to the broom head. The handle has a segmented locking section near its mounting end, and can be attached to either of two opposed apertures in the broom head. The bracket has a pair of spaced-apart arms with locking faces that can engage the faces on the locking section. To enable the locking faces to engage onto the locking section from a radial direction, the open ends of the locking arms are spaced apart by a distance at least equal to the minor chord of the locking section. The bracket also has a locking aperture that allows it to be secured to the broom head by fastening the plug to the unused opposed aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Libman Company
    Inventor: Robert Libman
  • Patent number: 6367113
    Abstract: An artist painting brush having a brush head including a ferrule and a brush tuft, a forward barrel having a portion with a reduced cross section, a hollow grip fitting over the part with reduced cross-section. The brush head is fixed to the forward barrel whereby the ferrule brush tuft and forward barrel are replaceable, and a rear barrel having means to be removably connected to the front barrel whereby the cross-section of the combined forward barrel portion and hollow grip is substantially the same as the cross-section of the rear barrel. The ferrule is fabricated of stainless steel in order to avoid the possibility of allergic reaction to an artist handling the painting brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Sam S. Usui
  • Patent number: 6336241
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a number of hard to reach places with less difficulty. The cleaning device includes a cleaning device that comprises a handle member. The handle member comprises an elongated shaft that includes a first end and a second end. The handle member also includes threads positioned adjacent to the first end. The inventive device also includes plurality of heads. Each of the heads is removably coupled to the threads of the handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Gary D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6321408
    Abstract: A basting brush having a replaceable bristle head provides for economical and hygienic reuse of basting brush handle portions. The brush also permits rapid twist-lock disconnection and replacement of the bristle head element. Angled bristles, a curved neck and a soft-grip hand-piece provide for improved comfort during use for more convenient basting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Esterson, Kristie M. Killen, Donald R. Lamond, Paul Lacotta, Anna Stern, Bill Fiebel
  • Patent number: 6277090
    Abstract: A nose cleaning system is provided including a handle and a nose tip including an ellipsoid mounted with respect to an end of the handle. The nose tip has a foam outer layer defining an outer surface with a hemispherical inboard extent and a tapering outboard extent which terminates in an arcuate apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond Crawford, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010010105
    Abstract: A tool handle connection system and apparatus includes an elongate metal tube, and a connection member. The connection member has one attachment end thereof fitted in an end of the metal tube, and an opposite, threaded end axially projecting from the metal tube and connection member assembly. The metal tube is crimped around the attachment end of the connection member, and the threaded end of the connection member includes self-tapping screw threads and a rotation preventing member is connected to a tip portion to the threaded end after it is inserted through a broom head or the like to prevent the handle from rotating relative to the broom head once it is attached thereto. The connection member includes at least one flat region engaged by a crimped portion of the end of the elongate metal tube. The connection member preferably includes a means for reinforcing axial retention of the metal tube and a stopper means for limiting insertion of the attachment end into the metal tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony Flanz
  • Publication number: 20010009048
    Abstract: An infant toothbrush is described that comprises a generally cylindrical handle member and a brush head. The handle member is in the form of a baby bottle having an upper end and lower end. The brush head is releaseably securable to the upper end of the baby bottle. The brush head is comprised of a generally conical central body having a lower generally cylindrical base and an upper reduced diameter neck portion ending in a generally rounded tip. The rounded tip has a plurality of protrusions positioned thereon. The cylindrical base of the brush head is releaseably securable to the baby bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Eric Safieh
  • Patent number: 6240590
    Abstract: A grout scrubber for providing interchangeable scrubber heads having scrubbing pads sized to correspond to a width of a surface being scrubbed to facilitate cleaning of the surface includes a scrubber portion and a handle assembly. The scrubber portion is slidably couplable to the scrubber portion. The scrubber portion includes a slot having angled sides and a nipple for engaging the handle assembly. In an embodiment, a protrusion is positioned on the handle assembly to engage the nipple on the scrubber portion. The handle assembly provides a grip at a distal end of an elongated handle. In an embodiment, the elongated handle is separable into two sections threadingly engageable to each other. Alternately, the handle assembly provides an angled shortened handle having an offset grip for scrubbing surfaces at an elevated level within reach of an upright user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Colette L. Nesbit
  • Patent number: 6219883
    Abstract: An assembly for locking a handle to an implement head having convergent bores for mounting the handle. The assembly includes a handle mountable to one head bore with a transverse aperture located adjacent one end of the handle. A locking plug includes a locking pin. When the locking plug is mounted to the other head bore, the locking pin projects into the handle aperture, thereby locking the handle to the head. A flexible restraint may bridge the locking plug and handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Cyber-Mation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darwin Keichline
  • Patent number: 6202245
    Abstract: A musical toothbrush including a handle. A coupling member couples with an open upper end of the handle. A brush portion detachably mates with the coupling member. A digital sound generator is disposed interiorly of the handle. The digital sound generator is coupled with a power source positioned within the handle. A speaker is disposed within the handle. An activation button couples with the digital sound generator. Pressing inwardly on the activation button will activate the digital sound generator to emit a tune through the speaker and releasing the activation button will deactivate the digital sound generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Ramin Khodadadi