BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The apparatus is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary cleaning tool head;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cleaning tool head of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section view along line 3-3;
FIG. 4 is a section view along line 4-4;
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary clip for removably attaching cleaning accessories to another embodiment of a cleaning tool head;
FIG. 6 illustrates the clip of FIG. 5 installed in a cleaning tool head; and
FIG. 7 is a view of the end wall of the recess in the cleaning tool head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The novel cleaning tool head is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features and principles of operation. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a view of the front of an exemplary cleaning tool head 1 comprising an elongated body 2 having a generally rectangular profile in this aspect. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, body 2 preferably comprises an elongated channel 9 extending the length of one side of the body 2, defined by opposing walls 10a, b having edges terminating in opposing flanges 11a, b. The channel 9 is dimensioned to accommodate a portion of a sponge 5 which is retained within the channel by the inward facing flanges 11a, b. The body 2 is further configured with a second elongated channel 12 extending along the length of a second side of the body 2 and shaped for holding an elongated squeegee blade 3. Blade 3 is formed of a flexible rubber or polymeric material and is shaped with a ridge 13 that engages an inner groove 14 defined within the channel 12. The body 2 also includes an attachment cylinder 7 that defines a female threaded bore hole 8 for receiving a male threaded handle (not shown).
In one embodiment, the body 2 includes a brush 6 at one end which may be secured to a boss 15. In a second embodiment, the body includes a firm, dense sponge 4. The sponge 4 may include a slit 16 defined therein. The body 2 may comprise a second boss 17 surrounding a recess 18 defined in the end of the body 2 into which sponge 4 is inserted.
FIG. 6 depicts a further embodiment of the cleaning tool head 1′ in which body 2′ comprises one or more recesses 19 defined in the front surface of thereof. An end wall 22 terminates each outward end of the recess 19 and an opening 23 is defined in the surface of the wall 22 and opens to recesses 18 defined in the ends of the body 2′. In this embodiment, accessories, for example, a brush 6, or a sponge 4, may be removably attached to the cleaning tool head 1′. Such accessories may comprise a cartridge 20 (FIG. 5) dimensioned to be inserted into recess 18. Cartridge 20 comprises prongs 21a, b which may be formed integrally with the cartridge 20 body such that prongs 21a, b are deformable, but resilient members. The ends of the prongs 21a, b terminate with outward directed flanges 24a, b. Accessories 4, 6 may be attached to the cleaning tool head 1′ by inserting cartridge 20 into recess 18 such that prongs 21a, b are inserted through opening 23. Prongs 21a, b are formed such that flanges 24a, b extend outside the edges of the opening 23. Accordingly, prongs 21a, b must be slightly deformed inwardly during insertion through the opening 23, and then return to form so that flanges 24a, b engage the rim of the opening 23, retaining the cartridge 20 and thus the accessory 4, 6 within the recess 18. The cartridge 20 may be removed by urging the prongs 21a, b inward, releasing the flanges 24a, b from the rim of the wall 23 and allowing the cartridge 20 to be withdrawn from the recess.
As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a cleaning tool head. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention appertaining to the cleaning tool head described is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20160106290
