Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a handheld scraping device, and more particularly, a device having a blade with a plurality of selectively shaped edges which can be gripped by a handle for scraping scum especially from showers, tubs, sinks or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore handheld scraping devices have been generally known in the art, and known devices are usually configured for scraping for a particular application. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,050 discloses a scraping device adapted to cut and remove soft material such as the pulp of a pumpkin to adequately prepare the pumpkin for carving. U.S. Pat. No. D469,587 disclosed a sweat scraper and shredder for horses. Another example of a handheld scraper is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,670 which disclosed a handheld scraper in the form of a plate-like structure for removing solid and semi-solid objects from smooth surfaces. The device includes multiple straight working edges which is particularly suitable for scraping a windshield as shown in
Further examples of known prior art generally related to scraping devices are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,202,093; 4,612,707; 4,637,090; 5,263,222; 5,337,442; 5,418,998; 5,586,357; 5,809,604; 6,000,091; 6,158,493; 6,163,919; 6,311,362; D467,395; 6,516,490; 6,519,801; and D470,985.
In according with various features of the present invention, a soap scum scraper for removing soap scum from the surfaces of showers, sinks, tubs, around faucets and the like is provided. It will be recognized that soap scum is a filmy residue that collects on showers, tubs and sinks from the use of soaps, cleaners and shampoos. The scraper includes an elongated handle which is mounted along one edge of a blade. The handle is designed to be gripped by the user's hand to manipulate the blade for scraping purposes. In the preferred embodiment, the blade includes a perimeter having multiple edged sections particularly suitable for scraping soap scum. To this end, in the preferred embodiment, one of the edges is preferably linear or substantially, one of the edges is convex, and yet another edge is concave terminating in a point. The adjacent edges are interconnected and provide geometric configurations particularly suitable for soap scum scraping on flat surfaces and around faucets or other tight areas and in corners.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which:
Referring now to the Figures, a soap scum scraper constructed in accordance with various features of the present invention is illustrated at 10 in
At the opposite end 22 of the straight edge 14, the blade defines a concave edge 24 that terminates in a point 26 at the juncture between the end 22 of the edge 14 and the end 28 of the concave edge 24. This point 26 together with the curved portion of the concave edge 24 facilitates removing soap scum and/or other debris from around the base of a faucet control knob such as the faucet control knob 30 shown in
The remaining edge 32 of the blade 12 is joined at one end 34 with the convex edge 20 as is shown in
An elongated handle 40 is connected to the perimeter of the blade 12 proximate the edge 32 as is shown in
In one embodiment, the opposite ends of the handle 40 are beveled as is shown at 44 and 46 in
In application, a user will grip the soap scum scraper by the handle 40 and select the edge which is to be applied to the working surface such as the wall of a shower or the area around the faucet or faucet control knob of a sink. The scraper will then be manipulated such that the appropriate edge or point can be applied to the working surface for removing the soap scum. After use, the scraper can be cleaned by hand or dishwasher.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.
Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. For example, the convex length of the edge 20, the concave length of the edge 24, and straight length of the edge 14 of the blade 12 are shown to extend along the entire length of the respective edges. The lengths of these portions of the edges could be foreshortened such that each edge could include distinct geometries. More specifically, the edge 14 could include a length which is straight and a length which is of a different geometry such as convex, concave or pointed.