Patent Application
20070056127
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cleaning implements and, more particularly, to a toilet cleaning implement.
II. Description of Related Art
The proper hygienic maintenance of a toilet has previously required two separate and distinct components. The first component is a plunger having an elongated handle and a compressible cup at one end. A plunger is employed to free any clogs in the waste pipe from the toilet by compressing the cup against the toilet outlet.
The second component for proper hygienic maintenance of a toilet comprises a toilet brush. The toilet brush is used to scour the interior of the toilet of debris, stains and the like in the toilet bowl.
A primary disadvantage of the previously known toilet cleaning implements is that each implement required its own separate storage. This is particularly disadvantageous for small bathrooms and lavatories where only minimal storage space is available.
The present invention provides a toilet cleaning implement which overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of previously known devices.
In brief, the toilet cleaning implement of the present invention comprises a plunger having an elongated handle and a compressible cup attached to one end of the handle. The cup defines a cavity which is open at one end.
An elongated rod is slidably mounted to the handle and is movable between an extended and a retracted position. Preferably, an actuator button is attached to the rod and is slidably mounted within an elongated slot formed in the plunger handle. The coaction between the actuator button and the handle slot also prevents rotation of the rod relative to the handle.
A toilet cleaning brush is then attached to one end of the rod. When the rod is in its retracted position, the toilet cleaning brush is nested within the cup cavity of the plunger. Conversely, when the rod is moved to its extended position, the toilet cleaning brush protrudes outwardly from the open end of the cavity for use in cleaning the toilet bowl.
A primary advantage of the toilet cleaning implement of the present invention is that, with the rod in its retracted position, both the plunger and the toilet cleaning brush occupy the same space previously required by the plunger alone.
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
With reference first to
The cup 16 defines a cavity 20 open at one end 22. The open end 22 of the cavity 20, furthermore, faces outwardly from the end 18 of the plunger handle 14.
The plunger 16 is formed of any flexible and compressible material, such as synthetic rubber. Other materials may be used for the cup 16, however, without deviation from either the scope or spirit of the invention.
With reference now particularly to
An elongated rod 28 is slidably mounted within the handle bore 24. One end 30 of the rod 28 protrudes into the cup cavity 20.
A toilet cleaning brush 32 is attached to the end 30 of the rod 28. The toilet cleaning brush 32 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as a synthetic plastic material.
The rod 28 with its attached brush 32 is movable between a retracted position, illustrated in
With reference now particularly to
The actuator button 34 serves two distinct purposes. First, the actuator button 34 enables the rod 28 to be easily manually moved between its extended and its retracted position. Secondly, however, the actuator button 34 prevents rotation of the rod, and thus rotation of the brush 32, relative to the handle 12. Consequently, the brush 32 may be rotated in unison with the handle 12 for better cleaning action of the brush 32.
In operation, with the handle 28 and its attached brush 32 in its retracted position, the plunger 12 may be used, when required, in order to clear toilet clogs. Similarly, with the handle 28 and its attached brush 32 in the extended position, the handle 14 may be used to manipulate the brush 32 to clean a toilet bowl as required. Most importantly, however, with the handle 28 and brush 32 in their retracted position, the entire toilet cleaning implement 10 of the present invention provides compact storage of the implement 10 when not in use.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet highly effective toilet cleaning implement which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously known devices. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
