CA1162364A - Utility brush - Google Patents
Utility brushInfo
- Publication number
- CA1162364A CA1162364A CA000356563A CA356563A CA1162364A CA 1162364 A CA1162364 A CA 1162364A CA 000356563 A CA000356563 A CA 000356563A CA 356563 A CA356563 A CA 356563A CA 1162364 A CA1162364 A CA 1162364A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- brush
- reservoir
- accordance
- utility
- cleaning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A utility brush usable to wash various objects includes a brush head and a handle member, the former including cleaning means such as bristles extending from one face thereof. Also included are port means formed through the head to provide communication between the cleaning means and a reservoir contain-ing a cleaning fluid whereby the cleaning fluid can he fed into and out of the reservoir. Associated with the reservoir means is check valve means for allowing air to be exhausted from the reservoir during filling and for maintaining the reduced pressure in the reservoir means during the release of the cleaning fluid.
A utility brush usable to wash various objects includes a brush head and a handle member, the former including cleaning means such as bristles extending from one face thereof. Also included are port means formed through the head to provide communication between the cleaning means and a reservoir contain-ing a cleaning fluid whereby the cleaning fluid can he fed into and out of the reservoir. Associated with the reservoir means is check valve means for allowing air to be exhausted from the reservoir during filling and for maintaining the reduced pressure in the reservoir means during the release of the cleaning fluid.
Description
This invention relates to utility brushes and, more particularly, to utility brushes including integral reservoir means containing a supply of cleaning fluid.
The cleaning of various objects, for example, cars or other motor vehicles, requires the use of a brush and a cleaning fluid such as soapy water. Normally the soapy water is retained in a bucket and the cleaning brush is dipped into the bucket absorbing the soapy water. The brush is then placed on the vehicle allowing the soapy water to run on the surface to be cleaned and the brush is used to scrub that surface in the usual manner. Thi~ techni~ue is time consuming and provides only small amounts of the cleaning fluid on the object to be cleaned unless the brush ls continually dipped into the bucket.
There is known in the art, a combination reservoir-brush, in which the brush i8 associated with a cleaning fluid reservoir. To fill the reservoir requires some manipulation of a check valve and is thus time consuming. To release the fluid, a capillary action is utilized and this too is relatively time consuming. See U.S. Patent No. 1,047,338.
Accordingly, it is an ob~ect of this invention to provide a utilit~ brush with a reservoir means associated there-with for a cleaning fluid.
It is another object of thi~ invention to provide a combination utility brush and reservoir which is arranged to provide for fast filling of the reservoir with the cleaning fluid and the slow release of the cleaning fluid during the actual cleaning operation.
It is another object of this invention to provide a utility brush and reservoir for cleaning fluid which includes a simple, efficient check valve means.
,. ~r 1 ~
~;
Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a utility brush with a reservoir means associated therewith that permits efficient cleaning of various objects and that is rela-tively simple and economical.
These and other objects of this invention are realized by providing a utility brush including a brush head and a handle member. The brush head is formed with cleaning means extending from one face thereof and being formed with port means communi-cating between the exterior surface of the brush head adjacent the cleaning means and reservoir means in which a cleaning fluid can be contained. Associated with the reservoir means is a check valve means for allowing the escape of air from the reservoir when it is being f~lled with a cleanlng fluid and for maintaining a reduced air pressure in the reservoir when the cleaning fluid is being released. With this arrangement the reservoir can be filled rather quickly but the release of the cleaning fluid is somewhat slower.
For a better understanding of t~e invention, reference is made to the following description of several preferred em-2Q bod~ments thereof taken in conjunction with the figures of theaccompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 i8 a side elevation view, in æection, illu-strating a first émbodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the utility brush illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the free end of the handle illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a side elevation view, partly in section, illuætrating another embodiment of the invention; and,
The cleaning of various objects, for example, cars or other motor vehicles, requires the use of a brush and a cleaning fluid such as soapy water. Normally the soapy water is retained in a bucket and the cleaning brush is dipped into the bucket absorbing the soapy water. The brush is then placed on the vehicle allowing the soapy water to run on the surface to be cleaned and the brush is used to scrub that surface in the usual manner. Thi~ techni~ue is time consuming and provides only small amounts of the cleaning fluid on the object to be cleaned unless the brush ls continually dipped into the bucket.
There is known in the art, a combination reservoir-brush, in which the brush i8 associated with a cleaning fluid reservoir. To fill the reservoir requires some manipulation of a check valve and is thus time consuming. To release the fluid, a capillary action is utilized and this too is relatively time consuming. See U.S. Patent No. 1,047,338.
Accordingly, it is an ob~ect of this invention to provide a utilit~ brush with a reservoir means associated there-with for a cleaning fluid.
It is another object of thi~ invention to provide a combination utility brush and reservoir which is arranged to provide for fast filling of the reservoir with the cleaning fluid and the slow release of the cleaning fluid during the actual cleaning operation.
It is another object of this invention to provide a utility brush and reservoir for cleaning fluid which includes a simple, efficient check valve means.
,. ~r 1 ~
~;
Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a utility brush with a reservoir means associated therewith that permits efficient cleaning of various objects and that is rela-tively simple and economical.
These and other objects of this invention are realized by providing a utility brush including a brush head and a handle member. The brush head is formed with cleaning means extending from one face thereof and being formed with port means communi-cating between the exterior surface of the brush head adjacent the cleaning means and reservoir means in which a cleaning fluid can be contained. Associated with the reservoir means is a check valve means for allowing the escape of air from the reservoir when it is being f~lled with a cleanlng fluid and for maintaining a reduced air pressure in the reservoir when the cleaning fluid is being released. With this arrangement the reservoir can be filled rather quickly but the release of the cleaning fluid is somewhat slower.
For a better understanding of t~e invention, reference is made to the following description of several preferred em-2Q bod~ments thereof taken in conjunction with the figures of theaccompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 i8 a side elevation view, in æection, illu-strating a first émbodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the utility brush illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the free end of the handle illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a side elevation view, partly in section, illuætrating another embodiment of the invention; and,
- 2 1 ~ 6~364 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the utility brush illustrated in Figure 4.
Referring to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawing, there is illustrated a u~ility brush 10 in accordance with this in-vention. The brush 10 includes a brush head 12 and a handle member 14. The brush head 12 is a generally rectangular member which can be made of any generally conventional mat~rial.
Extending from one face of the brush head are generally con-ventional bristles 18 which can be uged in the usual manner to scrub and loosen dirt on the object to be cleaned. It should be under3tood that the bristles 18 could be replaced with other clean~ng or scrubbing means.
Located centrally on the face of the brush head 12 opposite that from which the brigtles 18 extend, is a generally hollow cylindrical socket 20 which receives the handle member 14. The handle member 14 is hollow and forms, along with the socket 20, a reservoir in which A cleaning fluid can be con-tained. The cleaning fluid is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing and can be soapy water or other cleaning fluids.
Communicating with the reservoir for filling and re-leasing the fluid, there is provided a port mean~ in the form of a cylindrical opening 22 extending from the face of the head member 16 from which the bristles 18 extend through the opposite face thereof in the region of the socket 20. Thus, the cleaning fluid can flow through the opening 22 into the reservoir when the brush is dipped into a container of the cleaning fluid and the cleaning fluid can be released through the opening to the surface to be cleaned. This flow is usually induced by gravity.
In order to provide for the rapid filling of the reservoir and a generally slow release of the cleaning fluid therefrom, there is provided check valve means generally indi-cated at 24 and as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawing. The check valve means 24 includes a closure member 25 fitted over the free end of the handle 14 which is formed with a plurality of openings 26 communicating between the interior of the reservoir and the atmosphere. Associated with the openings 26 i8 a valve member 28 comprised of rubber closure member secured to the member 25 at its center so that its outer area normally seats over and closes the openings 26. When the utility brush is placed into the tank of the cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid flows through the opening 22 and into the reservoir com-pressing the air in the reservoir which forces the outer area of the valve member 28 away from the openings exhausting the air to the atmosphere. For facilitating the exhaust of the air, the valve member 28 should be made of a light, flexible material. After filling the atmospheric pressure is sufficient to retain the closure member 28 over the openings 26 so that leakage of air into the reservoir is inhibited. Thus, during the cleaning ~peration, the fluid flows at a substantially reduced rate through the opening 22. This is because there is a generally greater pressure acting on the outside of the ports 22 than on the reservoir side of the port 22.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there i8 illustrated another embodiment lOa of a utility brush in accordance with this invention. In de~cribing the embodiment, like reference numerals will deæignate like parts with the addition of the suffix~a. In this embodiment there is also provided a brush head 12a and a handle 14a. The brush head 12a is generally ~ I 62364 rec:tangular and bristles 18a extend from one face in a manner similar to that in Figures 1 through 3. Carried about the opposite face of the head member 16a is a suitable housing 19 which is secured to and co-operates with the brush head 16a to form a reservoir for cleaning fluid. The cover 19 may be secured into the brush head member 16a in any suitable fashion it being important that an effective seal preventing leakage be provided. In this embodiment the edges of the housing are embedded in the sides of the brush head 16a. The outer surface of the cover 19 can be formed with a threaded socket for receiving the handle 14a.
Formed through the head member 16a are a plurality of openings 22a similar to the opening 22 illustrated in Figures 1 through 3. In this embodiment, however, there can be provided a plurality of openings 22a so that the release of the cleaning fluid is more uniformly distributed throughout the working area of the bristles l~a, There is also provided a check valve means 24a for allowing the escape of air during the filling operation and for thereafter maintaining a reduced air pressure on the fluid in the reser~Joir. The check valve member 24a includes a cylindri-cal sleeve 30 formed in the housing 19 and communicates between the interior of the reservoir and with the atmosphere. The cylindrical sleeve 30 is closed by a closure member in the form of a cage 32 so that the closure also communicates with the atmosphere. Inside the cage 32 ~s located a lightweight ball valve member 34 that cooperates with the free end of the sleeve 30 to allow or prevent the flow of air. The ball valve member 34 can be a hollow table tennis ball or a ball of about 1 i 62364 that height. The ball valve 34 is normally retained in the closed position by a relatively light spring member 36 so that only a small pressure differential is required to open the valve.
In use, the utility brush lOa can be placed in a con-tainer of cleaning fluid so that the cleaning fluid flows through the openings 22a into the interior of the housing 19.
As the liquid enters, it forces the air, by compression, to open the ball valve member 34 allowing the escape of air through the cage 32. The cleaning fluid can, if the reservoir is filled to the top fill the inside of the cage member 32. The light-weight ball valve member 34 will float on the surface of the cleaning fluid and will clo~e against the sleeve 30 as the level of the cleaning fluid recedes. Once the filling is complete, the spring 36 urges the ball valve member 34 back against the sleeve 30 closing the valve and inhibiting the flow of air back into the reservoir. This means a reduced air pressure is main-tained in the reservoir so that there is a slow discharge of the fluid.
1 ~ 62364 . While in the foregoing there have been disclosed pre-ferred embodiments of the invention it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various.changes and modifications can be . made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .
S as recited in the appended claims.
Il . , ~
Referring to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawing, there is illustrated a u~ility brush 10 in accordance with this in-vention. The brush 10 includes a brush head 12 and a handle member 14. The brush head 12 is a generally rectangular member which can be made of any generally conventional mat~rial.
Extending from one face of the brush head are generally con-ventional bristles 18 which can be uged in the usual manner to scrub and loosen dirt on the object to be cleaned. It should be under3tood that the bristles 18 could be replaced with other clean~ng or scrubbing means.
Located centrally on the face of the brush head 12 opposite that from which the brigtles 18 extend, is a generally hollow cylindrical socket 20 which receives the handle member 14. The handle member 14 is hollow and forms, along with the socket 20, a reservoir in which A cleaning fluid can be con-tained. The cleaning fluid is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing and can be soapy water or other cleaning fluids.
Communicating with the reservoir for filling and re-leasing the fluid, there is provided a port mean~ in the form of a cylindrical opening 22 extending from the face of the head member 16 from which the bristles 18 extend through the opposite face thereof in the region of the socket 20. Thus, the cleaning fluid can flow through the opening 22 into the reservoir when the brush is dipped into a container of the cleaning fluid and the cleaning fluid can be released through the opening to the surface to be cleaned. This flow is usually induced by gravity.
In order to provide for the rapid filling of the reservoir and a generally slow release of the cleaning fluid therefrom, there is provided check valve means generally indi-cated at 24 and as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawing. The check valve means 24 includes a closure member 25 fitted over the free end of the handle 14 which is formed with a plurality of openings 26 communicating between the interior of the reservoir and the atmosphere. Associated with the openings 26 i8 a valve member 28 comprised of rubber closure member secured to the member 25 at its center so that its outer area normally seats over and closes the openings 26. When the utility brush is placed into the tank of the cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid flows through the opening 22 and into the reservoir com-pressing the air in the reservoir which forces the outer area of the valve member 28 away from the openings exhausting the air to the atmosphere. For facilitating the exhaust of the air, the valve member 28 should be made of a light, flexible material. After filling the atmospheric pressure is sufficient to retain the closure member 28 over the openings 26 so that leakage of air into the reservoir is inhibited. Thus, during the cleaning ~peration, the fluid flows at a substantially reduced rate through the opening 22. This is because there is a generally greater pressure acting on the outside of the ports 22 than on the reservoir side of the port 22.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there i8 illustrated another embodiment lOa of a utility brush in accordance with this invention. In de~cribing the embodiment, like reference numerals will deæignate like parts with the addition of the suffix~a. In this embodiment there is also provided a brush head 12a and a handle 14a. The brush head 12a is generally ~ I 62364 rec:tangular and bristles 18a extend from one face in a manner similar to that in Figures 1 through 3. Carried about the opposite face of the head member 16a is a suitable housing 19 which is secured to and co-operates with the brush head 16a to form a reservoir for cleaning fluid. The cover 19 may be secured into the brush head member 16a in any suitable fashion it being important that an effective seal preventing leakage be provided. In this embodiment the edges of the housing are embedded in the sides of the brush head 16a. The outer surface of the cover 19 can be formed with a threaded socket for receiving the handle 14a.
Formed through the head member 16a are a plurality of openings 22a similar to the opening 22 illustrated in Figures 1 through 3. In this embodiment, however, there can be provided a plurality of openings 22a so that the release of the cleaning fluid is more uniformly distributed throughout the working area of the bristles l~a, There is also provided a check valve means 24a for allowing the escape of air during the filling operation and for thereafter maintaining a reduced air pressure on the fluid in the reser~Joir. The check valve member 24a includes a cylindri-cal sleeve 30 formed in the housing 19 and communicates between the interior of the reservoir and with the atmosphere. The cylindrical sleeve 30 is closed by a closure member in the form of a cage 32 so that the closure also communicates with the atmosphere. Inside the cage 32 ~s located a lightweight ball valve member 34 that cooperates with the free end of the sleeve 30 to allow or prevent the flow of air. The ball valve member 34 can be a hollow table tennis ball or a ball of about 1 i 62364 that height. The ball valve 34 is normally retained in the closed position by a relatively light spring member 36 so that only a small pressure differential is required to open the valve.
In use, the utility brush lOa can be placed in a con-tainer of cleaning fluid so that the cleaning fluid flows through the openings 22a into the interior of the housing 19.
As the liquid enters, it forces the air, by compression, to open the ball valve member 34 allowing the escape of air through the cage 32. The cleaning fluid can, if the reservoir is filled to the top fill the inside of the cage member 32. The light-weight ball valve member 34 will float on the surface of the cleaning fluid and will clo~e against the sleeve 30 as the level of the cleaning fluid recedes. Once the filling is complete, the spring 36 urges the ball valve member 34 back against the sleeve 30 closing the valve and inhibiting the flow of air back into the reservoir. This means a reduced air pressure is main-tained in the reservoir so that there is a slow discharge of the fluid.
1 ~ 62364 . While in the foregoing there have been disclosed pre-ferred embodiments of the invention it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various.changes and modifications can be . made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .
S as recited in the appended claims.
Il . , ~
Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A utility brush for washing various objects, said brush including a brush head and a handle member, said brush head including cleaning means extending from one face thereof and being formed with port means for communicating between the exterior of said brush head adjacent said cleaning means and reservoir means in which a cleaning liquid can be contained, check valve means associated with said reservoir means for allowing the escape of air when said reservoir means is being filled with the cleaning liquid and for maintaining a reduced air pressure when the cleaning fluid is being released from said reservoir means.
2. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said handle member is hollow and forms said reservoir means.
3. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said handle member extends from the opposite face of said brush head and wherein check valve means comprises vent means located in the free end of said handle member and communicating with the atmosphere and a soft rubber valve member normally overlying said vent means.
4. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said check valve means comprises vent means formed in said reservoir means and a valve member operatively associated there-with and normally closing said vent means.
5. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said reservoir means includes a housing secured to said brush head adjacent the face thereof opposite said one face.
6. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said handle member is connected to said housing.
7. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said check valve means includes a sleeve member formed with a valve seat extending from said housing and a valve member cooperating therewith.
8. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 7 further including spring means exerting a light force on said valve member for biasing said valve member into closed position.
9. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 8 further including a cage member carried on said sleeve member for retaining said spring means and said valve member in operative relationship with said vent.
10. A utility brush in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said valve member is a light-weight ball that can float on the surface of a cleaning fluid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6232079A | 1979-07-30 | 1979-07-30 | |
| US062,320 | 1979-07-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1162364A true CA1162364A (en) | 1984-02-21 |
Family
ID=22041716
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000356563A Expired CA1162364A (en) | 1979-07-30 | 1980-07-18 | Utility brush |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1162364A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD404923S (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1999-02-02 | Diaz Louis M | Water broom |
| US6419415B1 (en) | 2001-03-29 | 2002-07-16 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Fluid distribution appliance |
| USD743176S1 (en) * | 2013-02-15 | 2015-11-17 | Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. | Water broom |
-
1980
- 1980-07-18 CA CA000356563A patent/CA1162364A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD404923S (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1999-02-02 | Diaz Louis M | Water broom |
| US6419415B1 (en) | 2001-03-29 | 2002-07-16 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Fluid distribution appliance |
| USD743176S1 (en) * | 2013-02-15 | 2015-11-17 | Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. | Water broom |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5397194A (en) | Fountain cleaning device | |
| US7437795B1 (en) | Mop bucket assembly | |
| CN206285036U (en) | Clean robot | |
| US4174977A (en) | Apparatus and method for mopping floors | |
| US5114255A (en) | Applicator brush assembly | |
| US6962456B2 (en) | Washing brush with incorporated liquid reservoir | |
| US5640738A (en) | Wet and dry vacuum cleaner | |
| US7824120B1 (en) | Hand held carpet spot cleaner | |
| SK284818B6 (en) | Proportioning device for disinfectant and/or cleaning fluid | |
| CA2018937A1 (en) | Dustless drywall finisher | |
| CA1162364A (en) | Utility brush | |
| EP1301115B1 (en) | Cleaning bucket | |
| US4370072A (en) | Utility brush | |
| EP2449941B1 (en) | Mop wringer and bucket assembly | |
| CN210144609U (en) | Mop with water sprinkling function | |
| US20030081984A1 (en) | Brush for use in washing an object | |
| US20130086763A1 (en) | Washing brush | |
| EP0308032A2 (en) | Improved floor cleaning device | |
| KR100247500B1 (en) | A container of wiping fluid for semiconductor package | |
| CN210810840U (en) | Convenient cleaning sponge | |
| CN218356002U (en) | Water spraying mop capable of storing sewage | |
| CN213524983U (en) | Water supply installation and cleaning machines people | |
| CN217645128U (en) | Cleaning system | |
| US11832775B2 (en) | Rinse bucket for floor mop | |
| KR102370999B1 (en) | Toilet with automatic detergent supply |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |