WO2003055350A1 - Brushing tool with continuous combined outlines - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a tool whereof the frame (1) has a substantially planar lower surface (10) with generally triangular shape whereof the front pointed part (11) forms at least an ovoid portion extending said surface and likewise extending the lateral parts (12) at least partly doughnut-shaped which are extended upwards and on the sides of the triangular surface. Said frame is provided with fiber bristles (13). The invention is useful for producing brushes for all types of surfaces.

Description

 Brushing tool with continuous combined profiles.

The invention relates to cleaning brushes with multiple functions and relates more specifically to a brushing tool having a new form of framework which makes it possible to combine with the object to be cleaned contact areas which are both rounded or flat or semi -planes.

There are generally single-purpose cleaning brushes on the market such as dish brushes, toilet brushes or floor brushes (brooms), which are round, rounded or flat depending on the intended use. Some combine several surface shapes to be adaptable to irregular objects, for example a flat dish brush ending in a portion of a cylinder.

In addition, on the framework of these brushes there are two different types of stacking, for example a flexible on the underside with a brushing or washing function, and a more rigid one at the front to allow scraping. Other brushes have appeared which provide the scraping function by an additional stacked zone on the top of the framework, obtained in recovery, or by the addition of a curved bottle brush and crimped or welded in the frame. But the ergonomics of these brushes, particularly in terms of scraping, is not always obvious. In addition, the need to have to take back the parts for an additional stacking or crimping operation increases the cost price of the brush. The invention aims in particular to avoid these drawbacks by proposing a new concept of brush, the stacking of which is capable of simultaneously reaching all of the continuous surfaces to be cleaned and precisely those which are more difficult to access. The main object of the invention is therefore a brushing tool with essentially combined continuous profiles, a frame carrying a stack or a cleaning coating, and a gripping and / or fixing means. for its manipulation, the framework having a substantially planar lower surface and of generally triangular shape, tool according to which the pointed front part forms at least a portion of ovoid extending said surface and also prolonging at least partially toric lateral parts which develop up and to the sides of the triangular surface.

Other characteristics, advantages and variants of

1 the invention will appear on reading the description which follows of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments in which reference is made to the appended drawings which represent:

Figures 1 to 3, schematic views respectively in elevation, in plan and in cross section of a brush tool frame.

Figures 4 to 6, similar schematic views of a first alternative embodiment.

Figures 7 to 9, similar schematic views of another alternative embodiment. Figure 10, a plan view of an alternative embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 11, a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of Figure 3.

Figures 12 and 13, elevation views of alternative embodiments of Figure 1.

Figures 14 and 15, respectively elevation and plan views of a frame equipped with a textile fastening system.

Figure 16 and 17, views respectively in elevation and in cross section of another alternative embodiment of the frame.

Figure 18 a schematic elevational view of a frame with adjustable handle.

Figure 19 a schematic elevational view of another variant of tool forming a shower brush.

Figures 20 and 21, respectively elevation and plan views of an alternative embodiment of a frame with adjustable handle. Figures 22 and 23, views respectively in elevation and in plan of another alternative embodiment of a brush frame with large surfaces with adjustable handle.

Figures 24 and 25, respectively elevation and plan views of another embodiment of Figures 22 and 23.

Figure 26, a schematic perspective view on a larger scale of the indexing notches of Figure 25.

FIGS. 27 and 28, elevation views of concepts for making washing brushes.

Figures 29 and 30, respectively elevation and plan views of another embodiment of the brushing tool.

Figure 31 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a toilet brush.

Figure 32, an elevational view of another alternative embodiment of a frame with adjustable handle.

There is shown in Figures 1 to 3 a brush having a frame designated as a whole by the reference 1, connected to a gripping and / or fixing means, in this case a handle 2. The frame 1 of general shape triangular has a flat bottom surface 10 connecting at the rear, along the base of the triangle, to the handle 2. The pointed front part 11 of the framework forms at least one part of an ovoid, and in the example shown c ' is a ball extending the surface 10 and also extending the lateral toric parts 12 which develop upwards and on the sides of the triangular surface 10, possibly also behind the side of the handle. In an alternative embodiment, instead of rectilinear sides of the triangle, it is possible to have a curvilinear triangle whose sides are quarter of an ellipse. Likewise, the rear segment can be a cord, which improves the aesthetics and increases the flat area. A stack 13 of fibers is provided on this framework including at the rear if necessary, which promotes the cleaning of dishes like stoves for example. In the case of a dish brush made in this way, one can much easier access to the radiated parts of the containers to be cleaned. In addition, the treatment of an extended flat surface is improved and reduces the premature wear of the brush since the pressure is distributed. This shape is also effective for cleaning containers and / or surfaces with a predominantly flat or large radius of curvature, for example a dish brush for plates. A flat area 15 is also provided at the upper part.

The stacking is ensured using synthetic, animal, vegetable or metallic fibers crimped in the frame. It is also possible to provide bristles made of injected elastomeric thermoplastic, clipped or overmolded on the rigid frame. Similarly, from the same frame, it is possible to change the length of the bristles, which makes it possible to obtain different flexibilities with the same fiber. In the spherical end zone (the ovoid or the ball 11), it is advantageous to increase the cleaning function, by increasing the stiffness or density of the bristles or by covering the sponge with a scraping part. One can also consider a mixed solution using a flat sponge cut out with a cookie cutter and glued or clipped in places on the framework so as to slightly overflow from the neighboring stack. So for a light cleaning, it is the sponge which acts, the hairs not touching the surface. For a more accentuated cleaning, the stronger pressure crushes the sponge and the hairs touch the surface. The cleaning surface thus consists of continuous combined profiles. Alternatively, you can also use a double-sided sponge clipped. In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the framework is formed by a decreasing half-cone 14 from a radius Ri, above the lower surface 10. The half-cone forms an angle α with this surface. We find at the front a half-sphere of radius R ₂ in continuity with the half-cone. A toric portion of radius R extends tangentially to the three above surfaces.

The framework shown in Figures 7 to 9 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment. The lower surface plane 10, triangular, is always provided in the front part with a portion of sphere 11, but a planar zone 15 is provided in the upper part, in place of the half-cone of the previous example and below the portion of sphere . This shape is particularly effective for cleaning containers and / or surfaces with a predominantly flat or large radius of curvature, for example a dish brush for plates.

The type of framework according to FIGS. 1 to 3 may also be suitable for a washing brush, if the triangular lower surface 10 is extended by a zone 16 of constant section also provided with the quarter toroidal side, as shown in FIG. 10. It is thus possible to treat larger surfaces, mainly flat. If we seek to obtain a brush more precisely suitable for cleaning rounded shapes, for example a dish brush for bowls, we can favor the embodiment shown above, making sure that the lower triangular dish 10 is an arc large radius of curvature as seen more precisely in Figure 11.

With the framework illustrated in FIG. 7, it is possible to provide alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this case, above the flat zone 15, it is possible to clip a cleaning half-sphere of radius R, which is provided with bristles 17 (Figure 12). Or the sphere is covered with a scraping layer 18 (FIG. 13). The connection of the spheres and the armature can be permanent or temporary, which in this case makes it possible to have various spare parts. The tool described above also lends itself to receiving textiles added to the framework, disposable or not, possibly permeable which allows it to be used for coating, washing, drying or buffing various surfaces. Figures 14 and 15 show a frame 1 equipped, at the start of the handle 2, with a fastening system 19 type hook-cloth. One can also provide instead a fastening system with a snap button not shown, or a textile in the form of a closed cover, the backbone. As a variant, one could imagine a glove type textile held by an elastic or an elastic fabric.

The tools previously described can be declined with various types of handles of various shapes and sizes. So we use a handle with direct grip on the frame, or with offset handle - short or long ...

According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the handle 2 comprises a fixed part 2a and a part 2b which is orientable by 180 ° relative to the axis of the part 2a. The handle 5 of the handle can thus occupy the high or low portions shown. In this way, the surfaces to be treated are optimized by no longer being hampered by the handle.

On the other hand, from a central recess 3 advantageously obtained by piercing the frame 1 lengthwise (Figures 16 and 17), and holes 4 distributed over the surface 1 and the front part 11 and which emerging in the recess, the tool can be connected to a suction system or to a distribution system, continuous or discontinuous, of liquid or gel. The holes 4 are advantageously some of those which are drilled directly by the machine on one frame for the purpose of stacking, and which are deliberately not furnished with a tuft of bristles. This avoids directly making holes from the molding, which is a delicate and expensive operation.

In the variant where the tool is connected to a suction system, there is then a suction brush, the rows of bristles 17 are judiciously placed, and interrupted to create large compartmentalized spaces necessary for the passage of impurities, such as this can be seen more precisely in FIG. 16. By placing on the framework, above the bristles, a textile of the "windscreen" type which is permeable, there is then a tool usable in a clean area of the hospital type. In fact, the floor-wall and wall-ceiling connections being more and more rayon to minimize the stagnation of impurities and facilitate their extraction, the suction brush according to the invention is particularly suitable, preferably with brooms. conventional and flat vacuum cleaners that do not allow simultaneous treatment of floors and to go back up on the shelves.

In the other variant where the tool is connected to a liquid distribution system, a preferred embodiment is the shower brush shown in FIG. 19. Advantageously made in one piece, the central recess 3 of the frame 1 communicates with a hollow handle 2, the end of which is connected to a hose 7 for the water supply. As in the suction variant, there are a number of holes 4 framed in tufts of bristles 17 in the framework.

We can also provide - so as not to modify an existing hand shower - to make this particular frame as a brushing accessory which would be clipped or fixed to the shower head.

We see that with this basic framework and its various variants described above, there is a brushing tool which, by homothety, can be declined as a small dishwashing brush or a larger WC brush or even brush for cleaning large areas, as a suction brush or a shower brush etc. The frames of these brushes are stacked as needed, as indicated above. Finally, other variant embodiments are also envisaged.

Regarding the handle 2 shown in Figure 18, it can be replaced by a self-rotating and retractable handle illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. The handle 2 is connected to the tool 1 by a hinge 20 allowing its pivoting at an angle α of the order of 80 °, between two stops, a low stop 21 possibly formed by the flat area 15 and a high stop 22 made for example of a particular profile produced on the handle 23 of the tool . This naturally takes its angular position on the surface to be treated, the forces being transmitted by the pin 24 between the tool 1 and the handle 2. As a variant, the pin and the stops could be modified, as well as the clearance α according to the advantage of having a tool with a handle as shown or a tool with a handle. It will be noted that the stacking 17 is produced, in the case of FIG. 20, with a variable height, - between hi and h ₃ -, around the periphery of the tool.

For the use of the tool 1 as a brush with large surfaces, preference is given to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. The connection between the handle 2 and the tool 1 is ensured by an articulation 20 of the dog clutch type with locking by a screw-nut system 25, simply by molding in one piece the brush tool and one of the two notched parts of the connection.

In the variant illustrated in Figures 24 to 26, maintaining the angular position of the brushing tool 1 relative to the handle 2 is provided by an elastic pad 26 whose height X and flexibility are compatible, with the crushing height Xi indexing notches 27 better visible in FIG. 26, but also with the desired residual retention effort. This principle allows faster indexing than the solution by screwing according to Figures 22 and 23.

The embodiment of FIG. 32 shows the possibility of indexing the brush tool on the handle 2. The latter can rotate around a horizontal axis. The articulation 20 is provided with notches 32 cooperating with small studs 33 in relief on the tool. Two locking positions are thus defined, the passage by force from one position to the other being authorized by the deformation of the studs.

Figures 27 and 28 illustrate particular concepts of washing brushes. In FIG. 27, the "iron" shaped tool has a handle 23 attached to the tool 1 itself and more precisely to the pointed front part (11) of the frame. In the version of Figure 28, the handle 23 forms a molded handle with the frame of the tool.

In FIGS. 29 and 30, it can be seen that the brushing tool 1 is clipped onto another rectangular brush 28 to which the handle 23 is fixed. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to envisage a brush, in particular a WC brush with liquid diffuser as shown in FIG. 31. To this end, the handle 2 is hollowed out of a conduit 29 opening out towards the rear part and oriented towards a brush 30 , attached to the tool, under the handle which allows in the same gesture as the brushing action, to access the internal rim of the bowl.

Advantageously, a wipe 31 can cap the brush.

Claims

1.- Brushing tool with essentially combined continuous profiles, of a frame (1) carrying a stack (13, 17) or a cleaning coating, and of a gripping and / or fixing means (2, 23) for handling, the framework (1) of the tool having a substantially planar lower surface (10) and of generally triangular shape characterized in that the pointed front part (11) forms at least one portion of an ovoid also extending parts lateral (12) at least partially toroidal which develop upwards and on the sides of the triangular surface (10). 2. A brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the ovoid portion of the front part is a ball (11). 3. Brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the ovoid portion of the front part is a hemisphere (11) coming in continuity with it, a half-cone (14) forming the upper part of the framework, the toroidal part extending tangentially to these surfaces. 4.- brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that a flat area (15) is provided at the upper part of the frame (1) and below the ovoid portion (11). 5. Brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (2) formed by a fixed part (2a) and a part (2b) orientable by 180 ° relative to the axis of the fixed part. 6. Brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (2) whose pin (24) allows it to pivot between a low stop (21) and a high stop (22) consisting of a particular profile produced on the handle (23) of the tool. 7. A brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (2) mounted on the tool (1) by an articulation 20 of the type dog clutch with locking by a screw-nut system (25). 8. Brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (2) articulated on one brushing tool (1) by an elastic pad (26) equipped with indexing notches (27). 9. Brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the framework is pierced with a central recess (3) which communicates with a hollow handle (2) the end of which is connected to a hose (7) for connection from the tool constituting a shower brush, to a water distribution system. 10.- brushing tool according to claim 9 characterized in that the frame forming a shower brush is made as a brushing accessory attached to a shower head. 11.- brushing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the cleaning coating consists of a sponge clipped to the frame, a scraping part replacing the coating in the area of the ovoid portion ( 11). 12. - Brushing tool of claim 11 characterized in that a cleaning hemisphere covered with scraping parts (17, 18) is clipped above the flat area (15) of the frame. 13.- brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (23) fixed on the pointed front part (11) of the frame (1). 14.- Tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the gripping means is a handle (23) forming a molded handle with the frame of the tool. 15.- brushing tool according to claim 1 characterized in that the brushing tool (1) is clipped onto another rectangular brush (28) to which is fixed a gripping means consisting of a handle (23). 16. Brushing tool according to claims 1 and 9 characterized in that the handle (2) is hollowed out of a conduit (29) opening towards the rear part and oriented towards a bottle brush (30) attached to the tool,