US20140182074A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20140182074A1
Application number: US13/728,925
Authority: US
Inventors: Moshe Y. Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2012-12-27
Publication date: 2014-07-03

Abstract

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member and a plurality of tool heads. Each tool had is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member. The locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever kingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

Description

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a multi-purpose cleaning tool, and more particularly, to a multi-purpose cleaning tool having a plurality of interchangeable cleaning heads wherein each cleaning head has a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the cleaning head to a telescoping tool handle.

Cleaning tools like brooms, mops, and the like have been made with wooden, non-telescopic handles for many years. More recent versions of such tools have changed the handles from wood to lighter materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, or the like. The problem with existing tools is that the user is limited to one tool at a time, and each tool can only be used for a single task. Existing tools also places the user at a financial disadvantage because for each task, a different tool must be used and/or purchased.

Therefore, a need exists to provide a tool and method to overcome the above issues. The tool would have a plurality of interchangeable cleaning heads to allow the tool to perform multiple functions. Each interchangeable cleaning head would have a releasable coupling to simply and securely fasten the interchangeable cleaning head to the tool handle.

SUMMARY

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member and a plurality of tool heads. Each tool had is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member. The locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member, wherein the pole member is a telescoping pole member. A plurality of tool heads is provided, wherein each tool head is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section and a substantially tubular outer body; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

An interchangeable cleaning tool has a pole member. A tool head is removably coupled to the pole member. A locking device is attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach the tool head to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking housing having a tapered interior section; an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing; a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning tool package containing pieces of a cleaning tool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a handle member of the cleaning tool ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3ais a cross-sectional view of a adapter locking apparatus in an unlocked arrangement;

FIG. 3bis the cross sectional view of the adapter locking apparatus in a locked arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a tool head of the cleaning tool ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool head and the adapter locking apparatus in operation;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a telescoping handle member having a handle locking apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the handle locking apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the tool cleaning tool;

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the handle member and tool head of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a magnified view showing the handle member ofFIG. 9 engaging the tool head ofFIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, acleaning package10 is shown. Thecleaning package10 may comprise a plurality of components that in combination make up acleaning tool20. In the present embodiment, thecleaning package10 may contain ahandle member22 and a plurality oftool heads24. Thehandle member22 and the plurality oftool heads24 may be secured to the cleaning package in a plurality of manners. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, thehandle member22 and the plurality oftool heads24 may be secured to thecleaning package10 usingstrap members28.

Thecleaning tool20 may have ahandle member22. Thehandle member22 may be formed of light weight but sturdy material such plastic, aluminum or the like. The listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. Thehandle member22 may be a solid handle or it may be a telescopic handle. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, thehandle22 is a telescoping handle.

Located at one end of thehandle22 is alocking apparatus26. Thelocking apparatus26 may be used to easily secure and removevarious tool heads24 to thehandle22. Thetool heads24 may include but is not limited to abroom24A, a mop24B, a squeegee24C or other similar tool heads. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-3b,the locking apparatus is shown in more detail. Thelocking apparatus26 may comprise anadapter housing30. Theadapter housing30 may take on a plurality of different shapes. In the present embodiment, theadapter housing30 is substantially tubular in shape. Theadapter housing30 may have a hollow interior having open ends32A and32B. One of the open ends32A or32B may be used to receive one end of thehandle22. The other open end32A or32B may be used to receive one of thetool heads24 to be used.

Thehousing30 of thelocking apparatus26 may have atapered interior42. Thetapered interior42 may correspond to a portion of thetool heads24 which may be inserted into thelocking apparatus26. Further, thetapered interior42 may be used to guide a portion of thetool head24 into theadapter housing30. An interaction between thetool heads24 and theadapter locking apparatus26 will be discussed in details below.

Theadapter housing30 may further include anaperture34 on theperimeter36 of theadapter housing30. Adjacent theaperture34, alever38 may be coupled to theadapter housing30. Thelever38, may be pivotally couple to theadapter housing30. In the present invention, theadapter housing30 may include at least onesupport member35, and thelever38 may connect to the at least onesupport member35 using apin37. Thelever38 may move about a single direction along its vertical axis.

In addition, thelever38 may also include aprotrusion member40. Theprotrusion member40 is integrally joined to thelever38 at one end. The movement of thelever38 and thus theprotrusion member40 may result in unlocked1A and locked2A positions. This arrangement may operate such that the movement of thelever38 causes theprotrusion member40 to enter theaperture34 when the lever is in the locked arrangement1A, and to exit theaperture34 when thelever38 is in the unlocked arrangement2A.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary embodiment of one of the tool heads24 is shown. While the Figures show abroom head24A, the below description may be applicable to the other tool heads24.

In an operational example, theadapter locking apparatus26 receives thetool head adapter50 therein. The shape of thetool head adapter50 may facilitate the insertion of thetool head adapter50 into theadapter locking apparatus26. The interior42 of theadapter locking apparatus26 receives thetool head adapter50 near to thebody52 of thetool head24. Thereafter, thelever38 may be moved from the unlocked arrangement1A to the locked arrangement2A. The lever in the locked arrangement2A, may engage theprotrusion member40 on the resilientouter surface54 of thetool head adapter50, and hence, causing theprotrusion member40 to exert pressure over the resilientouter surface54. This arrangement may cause thetool head adapter50 to tightly and securely remain within theadapter locking apparatus26.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a particular embodiment of thehandle member22 is shown. In the present embodiment, thehandle member22 is a telescoping handle member. The telescopic embodiment of thehandle member22 allows a user to adjust the length of thehandle member22 as he or she may desire. Thehandle member22 may comprise of a plurality ofsegments23. In the presents embodiment the plurality ofsegments23 include afirst segment23A and asecond segment23B. Thefirst segment23A may be an elongated segment. Here, thefirst segment23A is an elongated hallow tube. Furthermore, thesecond segment23B may also be an elongated hollow tube. Thesecond segment23B may be partially disposed inside thefirst segment23A. Also, thesecond segment23B is slidably movable inside thefirst segment23A to allow a user to adjust the length of thetool handle22. Moreover, thesecond segment23B may include aresilient circumference25. Theresilient circumference25 may allow the shape of a portion of the outer surface of thesecond segment23B to slightly change under pressure.

In addition, thefirst segment23A may include ahandle locking apparatus60 at one end. The first segment22A is partially disposed inside thehandle locking apparatus60. Thehandle locking apparatus60 may operate between locked and unlocked arrangement. The locked arrangement may be used to lock thesecond segment23B with respect to thefirst segment23A, in order to adjust the length of thehandle member22 as desired.

Referring toFIG. 7, thehandle locking apparatus60 may comprise ahandle housing62. Thehandle housing62 may be available in diverse shapes. In the present embodiment, a substantially tubular housing is used. Further, thehandle housing62 may be a hollow housing having at least oneoutlet end64. Theoutlet end64 may be used to receive the second segment therein. Thehandle housing60 may further include anaperture66 on theperimeter68 of thehousing60. Adjacent theaperture66, alever70 may be coupled to thehandle housing60. Thelever60, may pivotally couple to thehandle housing60. In present embodiment, theadapter housing62 may include at least onesupport member65, and thelever70 may connect to the at least onesupport member65 using apin72. Thelever70 may move about a single direction along its vertical axis. The movement of thelever70 may result in unlocked and locked arrangements for thehandle locking apparatus70. In addition, thelever70 may also include aprotrusion member74. Theprotrusion member74 is integrally joined to thelever70 at one end. This arrangement may operate such that the movement of thelever70 causes theprotrusion member74 to enter theaperture66 when the lever is in the locked arrangement1B, and to exit theaperture64 when thelever70 is in the unlocked arrangement2B.

Referring now toFIG. 8, an operational example of thecleaning tool20 is shown. Thehandle member22 may adopt diverse tool heads24 at one end. In present embodiment, theadapter locking mechanism26 is used to attach atool head24 to thehandle member22. Furthermore, theadapter locking apparatus26 may secure thetool head24 to thehandle member22 in the locked arrangement. The user may change the purpose of thecleaning tool20 by unlocking theadapter locking apparatus26 and placing adifferent tool head24. Thehandle member22 may also adopt various lengths as the user desires. In example, the user may leave thehandle locking apparatus60 on the unlock arrangement and then slidably move thesecond segment23B of thehandle member24 into thefirst segment23A to find his or her desire length for thehandle member22. Thereafter, the user may move thehandle locking apparatus60 to the locked arrangement, therefore securing thefirst segment23A with respect to thesecond segment23B.

Referring now toFIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of thehandle member22′ andtool head24′ are shown. In this embodiment, thehandle member22′ is similar to thehandle member22. In the present embodiment, thehandle member22′ may include a plurality ofindentions100. The plurality of theindentions100 may be placed on at least a portion of the body of thehandle member22′. Eachindention100 may be equally spaced apart from a successive another. This arrangement may permit the user to change the length of thehandle member22′ to certain predetermined lengths.

The plurality ofindentions100 may be used to securely engage thelocking apparatus26 to thehandle member22′. Here, eachindention100 may also be seized corresponding to the body of the protrusion member40 (FIG. 7) of the lockingapparatus26. This arraignment may allow theprotrusion member40 to be inserted into theindentation100, and hence, securely maintaining thehandle member22′ with respect to thelocking apparatus26.

In the present embodiment, thetool head adapter50′ has a substantially tubular shape. The shape of thetool head adapter50′ generally corresponds to the interior42 of thehousing30 of theadapter locking apparatus26. Thetool head adapter50′ may include at least oneindentation member102. Theindentation member102 may be utilized to securely connect thetool head24′ to thehandle member22′. Here, theindentation member102 may be sized corresponding to the body of theprotrusion member40 of the lockingapparatus26. Once thetool head adapter50′ is inserted into the lockingapparatus26, the at least oneindentation member102 may receive theprotrusion member40 securely therein, and hence, firmly connecting thetool head24′ to thehandle member22.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising:

a pole member;

a plurality of tool heads, wherein each tool head is removably coupled to the pole member; and

a locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach one of the plurality of tool heads to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises:

a locking housing having a tapered interior section;

an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing;

a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and

a protrusion formed on the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes the protrusion to move in and out of the aperture causing the locking device to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

2. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 1, further comprising the locking housing having a substantially tubular outer body.

3. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises:

a tool head adapter shaped in a substantially conical shape and having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and

a body member integral to the tool head adapter.

4. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises:

a tool head adapter having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing;

a locking indention formed in the tool head adapter; and

a body member integral to the tool head adapter.

5. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 1, wherein the pole member is a telescoping handle.

6. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 5, wherein the telescoping handle comprises:

a first segment; and

a second segment, wherein the first segment slides inside the second segment, a portion of the first segment disposed inside the second segment.

7. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 5, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.

8. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising:

a pole member, wherein the pole member is a telescoping pole member;

a locking housing having a tapered interior section and a substantially tubular outer body;

an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing;

a lever kingly coupled to the locking housing; and

9. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 8, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises:

a tool head adapter shaped having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and

a body member integral to the tool head adapter.

10. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 8, wherein the telescoping handle comprises:

a first segment; and

11. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 8, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.

12. An interchangeable cleaning tool comprising:

a pole member;

a tool head removably coupled to the pole member; and

a locking device attached to one end of the pole member to removably attach the tool head to the telescoping pole member, wherein the locking device comprises:

a locking housing;

an aperture formed in a side of the locking housing;

a lever hingly coupled to the locking housing; and

12. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 11, further comprising the locking housing having a substantially tubular outer body.

13. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 11, further comprising a plurality of tool heads, wherein each of the plurality of tool heads comprises:

a tool head adapter having an inner perimeter corresponding to the shape of the locking housing; and

a body member integral to the tool head adapter.

14. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 11, wherein the each of the plurality of tool heads further comprises a locking indention formed in the tool head adapter, the locking indention receiving the protrusion.

15. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 11, wherein the pole member is a telescoping handle.

16. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 15, wherein the telescoping handle comprises:

a first segment; and

17. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 16, further comprising a handle locking apparatus attached to the second segment, the handle locking apparatus locking the position of the first segment with respect to the second segment.

18. The interchangeable cleaning tool ofclaim 17, further comprising a plurality of handle locking indentions formed in the second segment.