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, the telescoping tool handle having a locking mechanism for easily adjusting a length of the 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.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a telescopic handle is disclosed. The telescopic handle has a first segment. A second segment slides inside the first segment. A flat surface is formed on the second segment. The flat surface prevents the second segment from rotating within the first segment. A plurality of notches is formed on the flat surface. A pair of locking devices is provided. A first locking device is attached to one end of the first segment. The first locking device is configured to allow the second segment to slide within the first locking device and secure the second segment to the first segment. A second locking device is provided to secure a tool head to a distal end of the second segment.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a telescopic handle is disclosed. A telescopic handle has a first segment. A second segment slides inside the first segment. A flat surface is formed on the second segment that prevents the second segment from rotating within the first segment. A plurality of notches is formed on the flat surface, wherein the plurality of notches are approximately evenly spaced along a length of the flat surface. A first locking device is attached to one end of the first segment. The first locking device is configured to allow the second segment to slide within the first locking device to secure the second segment to the first segment. The first locking device has a first locking device hollow housing having a first open end and a second open end. The first segment is inserted into the first open end coupled to an interior of the first locking device hollow housing. A first locking device channel is formed in the first locking device hollow housing. The first locking device channel exposes the flat surface of the second segment when the second segment is inserted into the second open end of the first locking device hollow housing. A first locking device lever is positioned within the first locking device hollow housing. The first locking device lever engages one or more of the plurality of notches to hold the second segment at a desired length within the hollow housing.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a telescopic handle is disclosed. The telescopic handle has a first segment. A second segment slides inside the first segment. A flat surface is formed on the second segment preventing the second segment from rotating within the first segment. A plurality of notches is formed on the flat surface and is approximately evenly spaced along a length of the flat surface. A first locking device is attached to one end of the first segment and configured to allow the second segment to slide within the first locking device to secure the second segment to the first segment. The first locking device has a first locking device hollow housing having a first open end and a second open end, the first segment inserted into the first open end coupled to an interior of the first locking device hollow housing. A first locking device channel is formed in the first locking device hollow housing, the first locking device channel exposing the flat surface of the second segment when the second segment is inserted into the second open end of the first locking device hollow housing. A first locking device lever is positioned within the first locking device hollow housing, the first locking device lever engages one or more of the plurality of notches to hold the second segment at a desired length within the hollow housing. A second locking device is attached to one end of the second segment and configured to allow a tool head to slide within the second locking device to secure the tool head to the second segment. The second locking device has a second locking device hollow housing having a first open end and a second open end, the second segment inserted into the first open end of the second locking device hollow housing and coupled to an interior of the second locking device hollow housing. A second locking device is channel formed in the second locking device hollow housing, the second locking device channel exposing the tool head when the tool head is inserted into the second open end of the second locking device hollow housing. A second locking device lever is positioned within the second locking device hollow housing, the second locking device lever engaging a notch of the tool head to hold the tool head within the second locking device hollow housing.
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.
Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The cleaning tool 20 may have a handle member 22. The handle member 22 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. The handle member 22 may be a solid handle or it may be a telescopic handle. In the embodiment shown in
Located at one end of the handle 22 is a locking apparatus 26. The locking apparatus 26 may be used to easily secure and remove various tool heads 24 to the handle 22. The tool heads 24 may include but is not limited to a broom 24A, a mop 24B, a squeegee 24C or other similar tool heads. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.
Referring now to
The housing 30 of the locking apparatus 26 may have a tapered interior 42. The tapered interior 42 may correspond to a portion of the tool heads 24 which may be inserted into the locking apparatus 26. Further, the tapered interior 42 may be used to guide a portion of the tool head 24 into the adapter housing 30. An interaction between the tool heads 24 and the adapter locking apparatus 26 will be discussed in details below.
The adapter housing 30 may further include an aperture 34 on the perimeter 36 of the adapter housing 30. Adjacent the aperture 34, a lever 38 may be coupled to the adapter housing 30. The lever 38, may be pivotally couple to the adapter housing 30. In the present invention, the adapter housing 30 may include at least one support member 35, and the lever 38 may connect to the at least one support member 35 using a pin 37. The lever 38 may move about a single direction along its vertical axis.
In addition, the lever 38 may also include a protrusion member 40. The protrusion member 40 is integrally joined to the lever 38 at one end. The movement of the lever 38 and thus the protrusion member 40 may result in unlocked 1A and locked 2A positions. This arrangement may operate such that the movement of the lever 38 causes the protrusion member 40 to enter the aperture 34 when the lever is in the locked arrangement 1A, and to exit the aperture 34 when the lever 38 is in the unlocked arrangement 2A.
Referring now to
The tool head 24 may include a tool head adapter 50. The tool head adapter 50 may be integrally joined to the body 52 of the tool head 24. In different embodiments of the tool head adapter 50, the tool head adapter 50 may comprise of diverse shapes. Here, the tool head adapter 50 has a substantially conical shape. The shape of the tool head adapter 50 may also correspond to the interior 42 of the housing 30 of the adapter locking apparatus 26. In particular embodiments of the tool head adapter 50, the tool head adapter 50 may comprise a resilient outer surface 54. Having used resilient material on the resilient outer surface 54 of the tool head adapter 50 permits the shape of the tool head adapter 50 to be flexible under pressure. The shape of the resilient outer surface 54 may revert back to its recess shape once the pressure is removed.
In an operational example, the adapter locking apparatus 26 receives the tool head adapter 50 therein. The shape of the tool head adapter 50 may facilitate the insertion of the tool head adapter 50 into the adapter locking apparatus 26. The interior 42 of the adapter locking apparatus 26 receives the tool head adapter 50 near to the body 52 of the tool head 24. Thereafter, the lever 38 may be moved from the unlocked arrangement 1A to the locked arrangement 2A. The lever in the locked arrangement 2A, may engage the protrusion member 40 on the resilient outer surface 54 of the tool head adapter 50, and hence, causing the protrusion member 40 to exert pressure over the resilient outer surface 54. This arrangement may cause the tool head adapter 50 to tightly and securely remain within the adapter locking apparatus 26.
Referring now to
In addition, the first segment 23A may include a handle locking apparatus 60 at one end. The first segment 22A is partially disposed inside the handle locking apparatus 60. The handle locking apparatus 60 may operate between locked and unlocked arrangement. The locked arrangement may be used to lock the second segment 23B with respect to the first segment 23A, in order to adjust the length of the handle member 22 as desired.
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The plurality of indentions 100 may be used to securely engage the locking apparatus 26 to the handle member 22′. Here, each indention 100 may also be seized corresponding to the body of the protrusion member 40 (
In the present embodiment, the tool head adapter 50′ has a substantially tubular shape. The shape of the tool head adapter 50′ generally corresponds to the interior 42 of the housing 30 of the adapter locking apparatus 26. The tool head adapter 50′ may include at least one indentation member 102. The indentation member 102 may be utilized to securely connect the tool head 24′ to the handle member 22′. Here, the indentation member 102 may be sized corresponding to the body of the protrusion member 40 of the locking apparatus 26. Once the tool head adapter 50′ is inserted into the locking apparatus 26, the at least one indentation member 102 may receive the protrusion member 40 securely therein, and hence, firmly connecting the tool head 24′ to the handle member 22.
Referring to
In the present embodiment, the handle member 22′ may be a telescoping handle which may allow a user to adjust the length of the handle member 22′ as he or she may desire. The handle member 22′ may be comprised of a plurality of segments 23′. In the present embodiment, the plurality of segments 23′ include a first segment 23A′ and a second segment 23B′. While two segments 23′ are shown, additional segments 23′ may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The first segment 23A′ may be an elongated segment. Here, the first segment 23A′ may be an elongated hollow tube. Furthermore, the second segment 23B′ may also be an elongated hollow tube. The second segment 23B′ may be configured to be partially disposed inside the first segment 23A′. The second segment 23B′ may further be configured to be slidably movable within the first segment 23A′ to allow a user to adjust the length of the handle member 22′.
The second segment 23B′ may have a flat section 80 formed thereon. The flat section 80 may run along a top surface of the second segment 23B′. The flat section 80 may run along a majority of a length of the second segment 23B′. The flat section 80 may be used to prevent the second segment 23B′ located within the first segment 23A′ from rotating within the first segment 23A′.
A plurality of notches 82 may be formed in the second segment. In accordance with one embodiment, the plurality of notches 82 may be formed on the flat section 80. The plurality of notches 82 may be formed along the length of the flat section and may be equally spaced along the length of the flat section 80. The notches 82 may be used to adjust the length of the handle member 22′. The notches 82 may be used in conjunction with a locking device 84 to secure the second segment 23B′ with respect to the first segment 23A′, in order to adjust the length of the handle member 22′ as desired. The locking device 84 may also be used to secure one of the tool heads 24 to the handle member 22′.
The locking device 84 may have a housing 86. The housing 86 may be a hollow structure having a pair of openings 88A and 88B. The housing 86 may come in various geometric shapes. In accordance with one embodiment, the housing 86 is tubular in shape.
The housing 86 may be attached to one end of the first segment 23A′. In accordance with one embodiment, one end of the first segment 23A′ may be inserted in to the opening 88A and extend partially into the housing 86 around the areas of the opening 88A. An exterior surface of the first member 23A′ may be secured to an interior surface of the housing 86. The interior of the housing 86 around where the opening 88B is located is generally unobstructed and is not coupled to the first segment 23A′. The first segment 23A′ generally does not extend more than half way into the housing 86. However, this should not be seen in a limiting manner.
The second opening 883 may be used to receive the second segment 23B′ therein. The second segment 23B′ may be dimensioned to slide within the second opening 88B of the housing 86 and into the first segment 23A′.
The housing 86 may be attached to one end of the second segment 23B′. In accordance with one embodiment, a distal end of the second segment 23A′ may be inserted in to the opening 88A and extend partially into the housing 86 around the areas of the opening 88A. An exterior surface of the second member 23B′ may be secured to an interior surface of the housing 86. The interior of the housing 86 around where the opening 88B is located is generally unobstructed and is not coupled to the second segment 23B′. The second segment 23B′ generally does not extend more than half way into the housing 86. However, this should not be seen in a limiting manner. One of the tool heads 24 may be inserted into the opening 883 and extend partially into the housing 86.
Located within the interior of the housing 86 is a locking switch 90. The locking switch 90 may be used to engage and hold the second segment 23B′ at various lengths within the housing 86 when the second segment 23B′ is inserted into the housing 86. The locking switch 90 may be used to secure one of the tool heads 24 to the second segment 233′.
A channel 92 may be formed in the housing 86. The channel 92 may be configured to allow a tab member 94C of the locking switch 90 to be positioned within and protrude out of the channel 92. The tab member 94 may be used to engage and hold the second segment 23B′ at various lengths within the housing 86 when the second segment 235′ is inserted into the housing 86 and to secure one of the tool heads 24 to the distal end of the second segment 23B′.
The channel 92 may be used to expose the second segment 23B′ being inserted into the housing 86. In accordance with one embodiment, the channel 92 may expose at least one of the plurality of notches 82 that may be formed along the length of the flat section 80 of the second segment 23B′ when the second segment 23B′ is being inserted into the housing 86. Thus, a used may slide the second segment 23B′ to a desired length within the housing 86 and then the locking switch 90 may be used to engage and hold the second segment 23B′ at this length.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the locking switch 90 may be a hinged lever 94. The hinged lever 94 may be configured in a staircase pattern. The hinged lever 94 may have an activation area 94A. The activation area 94A may allow a user to press and release the hinged lever 94 to lock and unlock the locking switch 90. Extending outward and downward from the activation area 94A is a body area 94B. The body area 94B may be used to hingely secure the hinged lever 94 within the housing 86. Extending outward and downward from the body area 94B is the tab member 94C, the tab member 94C may be configures to extend down from the hinged lever 94 through the channel 92 which may allow the hinged lever 94 to engage one or more of the plurality of notches 82 that may be formed on the flat section 80 of the second segment 23B′ to hold the second segment 23B′ at a desired length within the housing 86 and/or to a notch 102 (
The locking switch 90 may be hingely secure within the housing 86. In accordance with one embodiment, a pivot pin 98 or similar device may be used to pivotably couple the locking switch 90 within the housing 86. A spring 100 may also be provided. The spring 100 may be positioned in the interior of the housing 86 and below the activation area 94A of the hinged lever 94. The spring 100 exerts an upward force thereby causing the hinged lever 94 to pivot downward about the pivot pin 98 and pressing the tab member 94C through the channel 92 which may allow the hinged lever 94 to engage one or more of the plurality of notches 82 and/or to the notch 96 formed in a tool head 24.
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.
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of U.S. patent application entitled, “A MULTIPURPOSE CLEANING TOOL HAVING AN INTERCHANGABLE HEAD”, Filed Dec. 27, 2012, and having U.S. Ser. No. 13/728,925 in the name of Moshe Y. Mark
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13728925 | Dec 2012 | US |
Child | 15496955 | US |