AU699296B2 - Improvements in cleaning implements - Google Patents

Description

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P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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S I I SI I II I I I I SI Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Scrvice, E. D. OATES PTY LTD GEOFFREY ANDREW OATES OB ERINS Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 530 Collins Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia Invention Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN CLEANING IMPLEMENTS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: fplstds/300253211

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general terms, to improvements in implements for the cleaning of surfaces, as for example by sweeping, mopping or the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved form of head, with associated socket, for use in such a context as well as to the handle/head combination resulting from the use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mops, brooms and the like implements generally speaking include a handle, usually in the form of an elongate member, and a head adapted, in use, to be associated therewith and affixed thereto, the said head having associated therewith ground-engaging and cleaning elements in the form of bristles as with a broom stands of water-absorbent material as with a mop etc.

Throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to an especially 'preferred embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, for use 15 in or with a broom, mop or the like implement. It should be realised, however, that the arrangement in accordance with the present invention lends itself to usage in any context wherein a handle, be it elongate or otherwLie, is adapted to be affixed, either permanently or releasably to the head of an implement, be such head in the form of a broom head, a mop head or any other implement. Under no circumstances is the arrangement the subject of the present invention to be considered to be restricted to the especially preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein.

Insofar as mops, brooms and the like are concerned, up until recent times handles therefor have generally speaking been constructed from timber. The arrangement has been that, in use, such a timber handle (generally elongate) is adapted to be disposed within a socket member provided on a broom head, mop head or the like and to be affixed relative thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by gluing, nailing or the like. Such arrangements have suffered from disadvantages in practical terms, not the least of which has been a tendency for any nail or the like to be driven through the timber handle resulting in unwanted splitting or cracking thereof. Furthermore such arrangements, and in particular the modes of fixing employed, have made replacement of damaged or worn out heads difficult.

In recent times and for a variety of reasons, attitudes have changed and there has been a tendency to use metal or perhaps plastics-coated metal for the construction of handles for brooms, mops and the like. Such materials have been found to be more acceptable in terms of conservation of timber, bearing in mind that it has been common practice to use timber from rain forests for the creation of such wooden handles, not to 1 3.

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mention the ease an cost of manufacture of metal or plastics-coated metal handles, when compared with the increasing costs of timber.

A variety of means have been employed for achieving interconnection of handle and head in brooms, mops or the like, regardless of the actual material of construction of the handle itself. One arrangement involves the use of a socket, of metal, plastics or the like material, into the end of which a handle of any suitable material is adapted to be affixed in a pressure-type fit. Such a handle may then be more permanently affixed therein by means of a nail or the like driven through the socket and extending across the diameter of the handle. In another arrangement there has been provided a socket including a 10 plurality of splines integrally disposed therewithin. In use, the splines serve to become embedded in the wood of a wooden handle, to prevent unwanted separation of handle from broom head, mop head or the like. In a further arrangement now in use, a plastics-coated metal handle which has an external thread at one end thereof is employed. The threaded portion is adapted to co-operate with a mating thread provided in the socket of the broom head, mop head or the like.

All the aforementioned arrangements have been found, however, to suffer from practical, if not economic, disadvantages. The present invention therefore seeks to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an improved socket for intcrconnection of a handle and head for use 20 in conjunction with a broom, mop or th:e ihk 'mplement.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, therefore there is provided a socket member for attachment of a handle includin-: a plurality of discontinuous protrusions disposed internally and circumferentially 0 the ;socket, the protrusions being arranged to co-operate with a handle inserted into the soikcet member to hold the handle in the socket member.

The socket member may be formed by moulding plastics material. Preferably the discontinuous protrusions are formed integrally with the socket member. The discontinuous protrusions are suitably fo' ned integraily with the socket member during the moulding operation.

The socket member may form part of a head assembly for a broom, mop or like implement. The head assembly may include a base member for holding the bristles or absorbent material of the broom or mop. The base member is suitably formed integrally with the socket member during the plastics moulding operation.

The discontinuous protrusions may be shaped to facilitate attachment of the handle to the socket. Suitably a plurality of the discontinuous protrusions may form a r*; Pr"' i- r" 7 i ~-UEj3i rrirrtz(l*w: =r discontinuous or interrupted internal thread. The discontinuous or interrupted internal thread may be adapted to co-operate with a threaded portion formed on the handle.

The discontinuous protrusions may be arranged in straight lines disposed internally of the socket. The straight lines may suitably run parallel to the axis of the socket. Additionally, the lines of protrusions may be arranged evenly around the internal diameter of the socket. Preferably there are at least four, more preferably at least eight lines of protrusions.

The socket itself may be of substantially constant diameter in the portion connecting to the handle. Alternatively, the socket may be slightly tapered in order to facilitate insertion of the handle into the socket member.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail a preferred embodiment of an arrangement in .**accordance with the present invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a socket member in accordance with the I, tpresent invention to constitute part of a broom head, mop head or the like; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a handle and associated head, with socket in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a top view of the arrangement of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT S, ,In the preferred embodiment illustrated, relating to a mop head, there is provided a head member, generally designated 1. This may constitute the head of a broom, mop or the like. The head member 1 can be constructed in any known manner and from any 25 suitable material, such as for example a plastics material. The head member 1, of anll integral construction, includes two main components, namely a base member 2 of any suitable shape and an upstanding hollow socket member 3 which may extend normally therefrom. The socket member has a substantially constant diameter or may taper slightly from the socket opening. The base member 2 is adapted, in use, to have associated therewith bristles, water-absorbent material or the like. Extending substantially normally upwardly from the base member 2, and disposed substantially centrally thereof, is the socket member generally designated 3. In the especially preferred embodiment illustrated the socket member 3 includes a plurality of spaced-apart internally formed discontinuous protrusions 4 disposed internally thereof and extending substantially circumferentially therearound. The protrusions extend in straight lines preferably arranged to run parallel to A the axis of the socket. Generally the lines of protrusions are arranged evenly around the socket. Whilst 12 such lines are illustrated it is to be appreciated that the lines may run at an angle to the axis and fewer or more lines may be used although generally it is preferred that there are at least six such lines. The number of protrusions in each line may vary depending on the depth of the socket and the strength of connection required. Generally speaking, however, at least three protrusions in a line are preferred. These protrusions 4 are adapted, in use, to co-operate with a threaded portion 11 provided at one end of a handle or the like member 10 whereby to allow for fixture of said handle or the like member 10 relative to the head member 1. This arrangement lends itself to usage with both handles of timber material and handles of metal or metal-coated plastics material. In a situation wherein a metal or plastics-coated material is employed in the construction of the handle, the threaded portion 11 provided at the lowermost end thereof co-operates with the protrusions/discontinuities 4 provided internally of the socket member 3 to provide an effective form of interconnection of handle 10 and head membei 1.

The arrangement in accordance with the present invention is itself responsible for a number of advantages when compared with the prior art. In a practical sense the 15 procedure of installation/insertion of any given handle on a broom head, mop head or the like will be simplified, with there being no need for any auxiliary fixing means, be it a nail, glue or the like. Even more practically speaking a mop head, broom head or the like in accordance with the present applicant's arrangement will be capable of being readily l replaced if necessary. This in marked contrast to the prior art arrangements wherein 20 replacement was difficult, if not actually impossible, to achieve without actually causing damage to the handle and/or socket or head means itself.

A further advantage of the present applicant's arrangement arises from the method and means for manufacturing/creating the head member 1, with its associated socket member 3. Bearing in mind that, in accordance with one prior art arrangement, a head can 25 be constructed including a socket member with a continuous internal thread adapted in use ."1u to co-operate with a mating thread provided on a handle (be it of wood, plastics-coated metal or whatever), in accordance with the present invention the die used for forming such a head/socket combination can be readily adapted to provide a socket member 3 having a discontinuous thread or interrupted thread internally thereof, giving rise to the protrusions 4 as illustrated. Thus existing tooling can be adapted and utilised, if necessary, to manufacture the present applicant's arrangement, giving rise to substantial savings in cost to the manufacturer, since new dies do not need to made.

Yet another advantage attributable to the arrangement in accordance with the present invention resides in its very flexibility. Indeed the present applicant's arrangement lends itself to use with all types of handles, regardless of whether or not the handle itself is threaded. If the handle has its own threaded portion then the handle can simply be screwed onto the head member. On the other hand, however, even if the handle has no threaded i- 6.

portion associated therewith at the end thereof, the existence of the protrusions/ discontinuities 4 still allows for ready connection to the head member when the handle is pushed into the socket. Separation of the head member from the handle is achieved by forcefully pulling the handle from the socket.

Insofar as the join between handle and head member is concerned, experimentation has revealed that the use of the protrusions/discontinuities in the form of a discontinuous thread or threaded portion on the head member actually results in a much firmer connection between head member and handle, especially with a timber handle, when compared with head members including continuous splines, splined portions or threaded members as currently in use.

Finally it will be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the arrangement in accordance with the present invention and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit S 5 and scope of the invention.

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Claims (3)

1. 7. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A circular socket member for attachment of a handle including a plurality of discontinuous protrusions disposed internally and circumferentially of the socket, the protrt sions being arranged to co-operate with a handle inserted into the socket member to hold the handle in the socket, the construction of the socket and arrangement of the protrusions being such that a handle may be screwed into the socket to hold the handle therein. 2. A socket member according to Claim 1 wherein the socket member has been formed by moulding plastics material and the discontinuous protrusions are formed integrally with the socket member during said moulding. 3. A socket member according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the discontinuous protrusions form a discontinuous or interrupted internal thread adapted to co-operate with a threaded end portion of the handle. 4. A socket member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 15 socket is circular and includes a length of substantially constant diameter. 5. A socket member according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the socket is circular and tapers slightly along its length where it co-operates with the handle. 6. A socket member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the protrusions form a plurality of straight lines running internally of the socket. 7. A socket member according to Claim 6 wherein the straight lines run H substantially parallel to the axis of the socket. S8. A socket member according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein there are at least six straight lines of protrusions distributed around the interior of the socket.
2. 9. A head assembly for a broom, mop or the like implement including a socket 25 member according to any one of the preceding claims and a base member integrally formed with the socket member, the base member being attached to bristles or a water absorbent material. A socket member according to Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
3. 11. A head assembly according to Claim 9 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. i II~ ~~cb~y2ma~~c~;rc~-- ABSTRACT A socket 3 which is used for attaching a handle to a cleaning implement such as a broom head or mop head 1. The socket includes a number of discontinuous protrusions 4 which may be arranged internally of the socket in such a manner as to constitute a screw thread. The screw thread may co-operate with a complimentary screw thread provided on the handle. The socket broom head and projections may be an integral moulding of plastics material. '15 I C