CA2919265A1 - Curling brush head with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit assembly and moulded brush pad - Google Patents
Curling brush head with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit assembly and moulded brush pad Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2919265A1 CA2919265A1 CA2919265A CA2919265A CA2919265A1 CA 2919265 A1 CA2919265 A1 CA 2919265A1 CA 2919265 A CA2919265 A CA 2919265A CA 2919265 A CA2919265 A CA 2919265A CA 2919265 A1 CA2919265 A1 CA 2919265A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- receptacle
- brush
- mounting plate
- pad
- underside
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B7/00—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
- A46B7/04—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body interchangeably removable bristle carriers
- A46B7/042—Clip or snap connection for bristle carriers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/14—Curling stone; Shuffleboard; Similar sliding games
- A63B67/148—Curling brooms or brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/30—Brushes for cleaning or polishing
- A46B2200/308—Curling brooms
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
A curling brush head incorporates an array of rib-like and ring-like structures designed to effectively transmit force from the handle through the brush head and onto the surface of the ice. A receptacle of the head attaches to the brush handle, and incorporates the ribs and rings which transmit the force to the pad. The pad is features a mounting plate, a layer of pad material, and a layer of fabric material, all of which are co-moulded into a single unit. The mounting plate allows the pad to be attached to the receptacle by way of a convenient snap-fit.
Description
CURLING BRUSH HEAD WITH IMPROVED PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION, SNAP-FIT ASSEMBLY AND MOULDED BRUSH PAD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a curling brush head which increases brushing effectiveness by incorporating structures into the brush head which distribute force across a wider area of the head, and which employs a single-piece moulded brush pad that is snaps onto the receptacle of the brush head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Curlers use brushes to influence the trajectory of a curling rock. The rock typically rotates as it slides down the ice. The amount of rotation influences the distance the rock travels and the amount that it curls or curves. The brush is used to "sweep" the ice in front of the rock, reducing the friction between the rock and ice by polishing and heating the ice surface. The more effective the sweeping, the greater the influence on the distance and curl. Effective sweeping is determined by the amount of downward force applied to the brush, the size of the area over which that force is applied, and the number of brush strokes. So more force applied over a greater area and more strokes will generate more heat and will make a rock travel straighter and further.
The curling brush typically consists of a shaft which is gripped by the sweeper, a receptacle, and a replaceable head consisting of a backing mounting plate, a foam pad, and a fabric cover. This fabric is usually made of nylon or synthetic materials and it contacts the ice surface. The receptacle, backing mounting plate, and handle are typically made of plastic, composite materials, or
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a curling brush head which increases brushing effectiveness by incorporating structures into the brush head which distribute force across a wider area of the head, and which employs a single-piece moulded brush pad that is snaps onto the receptacle of the brush head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Curlers use brushes to influence the trajectory of a curling rock. The rock typically rotates as it slides down the ice. The amount of rotation influences the distance the rock travels and the amount that it curls or curves. The brush is used to "sweep" the ice in front of the rock, reducing the friction between the rock and ice by polishing and heating the ice surface. The more effective the sweeping, the greater the influence on the distance and curl. Effective sweeping is determined by the amount of downward force applied to the brush, the size of the area over which that force is applied, and the number of brush strokes. So more force applied over a greater area and more strokes will generate more heat and will make a rock travel straighter and further.
The curling brush typically consists of a shaft which is gripped by the sweeper, a receptacle, and a replaceable head consisting of a backing mounting plate, a foam pad, and a fabric cover. This fabric is usually made of nylon or synthetic materials and it contacts the ice surface. The receptacle, backing mounting plate, and handle are typically made of plastic, composite materials, or
2 wood although other materials may be used. They may be, in cross section, hollow or solid or a combination of both. The head is typically rectangular or ovoid in shape, although other shapes (e.g., round) are used.
Several factors influence the effectiveness of sweeping and therefore the influence on the rock's trajectory. These include; the size, strength, and fitness of the sweeper, the posture and technique used by the sweeper to apply force to the brush, and the construction of the brush shaft and head. The sweeper pushes down the shaft, exerting force through the brush head onto the ice.
Using a performance monitoring brush head, into which is embedded an array of pressure sensors, it has been determined that in heads typically used to date the force that is transmitted down the shaft of the brush is concentrated in a small area of the brush head. That is, a relatively small area of the brush head is effectively warming and cleaning the ice. This small area is directly under the point at which the handle attaches to the brush head. The rest of the brush head exerts little pressure onto the ice.
The present application discloses a distinctly different configuration of brush head and presents a significant advantage over heads that are conventionally used. This configuration increases the area of the brush head that exerts pressure on the ice. The result is that the force with which sweepers exert down the handle of the brush is more effectively transmitted through the brush head and onto the surface of the ice, increasing the extent to which they can influence the trajectory of the rock. The present disclosure also includes a unique means of attaching the pad to the receptacle. Whereas conventional brushes currently used require the use of
Several factors influence the effectiveness of sweeping and therefore the influence on the rock's trajectory. These include; the size, strength, and fitness of the sweeper, the posture and technique used by the sweeper to apply force to the brush, and the construction of the brush shaft and head. The sweeper pushes down the shaft, exerting force through the brush head onto the ice.
Using a performance monitoring brush head, into which is embedded an array of pressure sensors, it has been determined that in heads typically used to date the force that is transmitted down the shaft of the brush is concentrated in a small area of the brush head. That is, a relatively small area of the brush head is effectively warming and cleaning the ice. This small area is directly under the point at which the handle attaches to the brush head. The rest of the brush head exerts little pressure onto the ice.
The present application discloses a distinctly different configuration of brush head and presents a significant advantage over heads that are conventionally used. This configuration increases the area of the brush head that exerts pressure on the ice. The result is that the force with which sweepers exert down the handle of the brush is more effectively transmitted through the brush head and onto the surface of the ice, increasing the extent to which they can influence the trajectory of the rock. The present disclosure also includes a unique means of attaching the pad to the receptacle. Whereas conventional brushes currently used require the use of
3 screws to attach the pad to the receptacle, the present disclosure uses tabs which all new pads to be "snapped into" the receptacle, allowing for fast and easy replacement of worn pads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning circumferentially around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring;
a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle.
The rings and ribs preferably act as stiffening ribs preventing or limiting deflection of an underside surface of the receptacle from a default plane of said underside surface under loading of the receptacle from the curling brush handle in order to provide pressure distribution of improved uniformity over the area occupied by the brush pad at the underside of the receptacle.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning circumferentially around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring;
a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle.
The rings and ribs preferably act as stiffening ribs preventing or limiting deflection of an underside surface of the receptacle from a default plane of said underside surface under loading of the receptacle from the curling brush handle in order to provide pressure distribution of improved uniformity over the area occupied by the brush pad at the underside of the receptacle.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
4 a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle;
and valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs;
wherein the inner ring, the outer ring and the ribs all have taller profiles at the topside of the receptacle than at valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs.
Preferably a profile height of each rib is lesser at an outer end thereof nearest the outer perimeter than at an inner end of the rib nearest the center of the receptacle.
Preferably the profile height of each rib reduces at a gradual slope moving outwardly toward the outer end thereof.
Preferably each rib reaches fully outwardly the outer ring.
Preferably each rib fully reaches fully inwardly to the inner ring.
In one embodiment, the outer perimeter of the brush receptacle delimits an oblong shape of the receptacle, and the ribs comprise longitudinal ribs spanning outwardly toward longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape of the receptacle and shorter lateral ribs spanning outwardly toward laterally separated
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle;
and valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs;
wherein the inner ring, the outer ring and the ribs all have taller profiles at the topside of the receptacle than at valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs.
Preferably a profile height of each rib is lesser at an outer end thereof nearest the outer perimeter than at an inner end of the rib nearest the center of the receptacle.
Preferably the profile height of each rib reduces at a gradual slope moving outwardly toward the outer end thereof.
Preferably each rib reaches fully outwardly the outer ring.
Preferably each rib fully reaches fully inwardly to the inner ring.
In one embodiment, the outer perimeter of the brush receptacle delimits an oblong shape of the receptacle, and the ribs comprise longitudinal ribs spanning outwardly toward longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape of the receptacle and shorter lateral ribs spanning outwardly toward laterally separated
5 sides of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
Preferably the longitudinal ribs comprise two respective longitudinal ribs extending toward each of the longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape, said two respective longitudinal ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central major axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
Preferably the lateral ribs comprises two respective lateral ribs extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape, said two respective lateral ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central minor axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
Preferably the lateral ribs comprises a respective third lateral rib extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape of the receptacle on the central minor axis thereof.
Preferably the longitudinal ribs are of greater profile height than the lateral ribs.
Preferably each rib wraps over the outer ring in a slightly raised profile thereover.
Preferably the topside of the receptacle comprises a concave bowl-like area centered thereon.
Preferably the longitudinal ribs comprise two respective longitudinal ribs extending toward each of the longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape, said two respective longitudinal ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central major axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
Preferably the lateral ribs comprises two respective lateral ribs extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape, said two respective lateral ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central minor axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
Preferably the lateral ribs comprises a respective third lateral rib extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape of the receptacle on the central minor axis thereof.
Preferably the longitudinal ribs are of greater profile height than the lateral ribs.
Preferably each rib wraps over the outer ring in a slightly raised profile thereover.
Preferably the topside of the receptacle comprises a concave bowl-like area centered thereon.
6 Preferably the bowl-like area comprises sloped walls that transition continuously into upper surfaces of the ribs.
Preferably the topside of the receptacle comprises a pair of opposing walls having have aligned support holes therein in which a coupling bar is received to span between said pair of opposing walls for use in coupling the receptacle to the curling brush handle.
Preferably the support holes are in a pair of opposing sloped walls of the concave bowl-like area.
Preferably a pair of channels respectively extending into the aligned support holes from the underside of the receptacle, and a respective pair of holders are received or receivable in said channels to engage the coupling bar and prevent axial sliding thereof in the aligned support holes.
Preferably the coupling bar has a respective circumferential groove therein inside each of the aligned support holes, the holders being shaped to engage said slots to block said axial sliding of the coupling bar.
Preferably snap-fit holes extending into the receptacle from the underside thereof, or snap-fit tabs extending from the underside of the receptacle, for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at a topside of the brush pad for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad to the receptacle.
In combination with the brush pad, preferably the underside of the receptacle and a topside of the brush pad feature each featuring an opposite one of either snap-fit holes or snap-fit tabs, the snap-fit tabs being cooperatively matable
Preferably the topside of the receptacle comprises a pair of opposing walls having have aligned support holes therein in which a coupling bar is received to span between said pair of opposing walls for use in coupling the receptacle to the curling brush handle.
Preferably the support holes are in a pair of opposing sloped walls of the concave bowl-like area.
Preferably a pair of channels respectively extending into the aligned support holes from the underside of the receptacle, and a respective pair of holders are received or receivable in said channels to engage the coupling bar and prevent axial sliding thereof in the aligned support holes.
Preferably the coupling bar has a respective circumferential groove therein inside each of the aligned support holes, the holders being shaped to engage said slots to block said axial sliding of the coupling bar.
Preferably snap-fit holes extending into the receptacle from the underside thereof, or snap-fit tabs extending from the underside of the receptacle, for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at a topside of the brush pad for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad to the receptacle.
In combination with the brush pad, preferably the underside of the receptacle and a topside of the brush pad feature each featuring an opposite one of either snap-fit holes or snap-fit tabs, the snap-fit tabs being cooperatively matable
7 with the snap-fit holes for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad to the receptacle.
Preferably the brush pad comprises a mounting plate selectively connectable to the receptacle at the underside thereof, a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate, and a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said material to enclose said at least some of the between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
Preferably the underside of the mounting plate comprises openings therein extending toward an opposing topside of the mounting plate, the material of the pad including material reaching into each of said openings from the underside of the mounting plate toward the topside thereof.
Preferably the material reaching into each of said openings toward the topside of the mounting plate includes an enlarged head blocking withdrawal of said material back through the opening to the underside of the mounting plate.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush pad for a curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate arranged at a topside thereof for coupling to an underside of a curling brush receptacle;
a pad of material supported at an underside of the mounting plate;
a fabric cover fitted over the pad of material to conceal said pad of material between the fabric cover and the mounting plate; and
Preferably the brush pad comprises a mounting plate selectively connectable to the receptacle at the underside thereof, a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate, and a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said material to enclose said at least some of the between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
Preferably the underside of the mounting plate comprises openings therein extending toward an opposing topside of the mounting plate, the material of the pad including material reaching into each of said openings from the underside of the mounting plate toward the topside thereof.
Preferably the material reaching into each of said openings toward the topside of the mounting plate includes an enlarged head blocking withdrawal of said material back through the opening to the underside of the mounting plate.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush pad for a curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate arranged at a topside thereof for coupling to an underside of a curling brush receptacle;
a pad of material supported at an underside of the mounting plate;
a fabric cover fitted over the pad of material to conceal said pad of material between the fabric cover and the mounting plate; and
8 at the topside of the mounting plate, either snap-fit holes extending thereinto or snap-fit tabs extending therefrom for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at an underside of the curling brush receptacle for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad thereto.
Preferably the mounting plate comprises said snap-fit tabs at the topside thereof, and said curling brush receptacle comprises said corresponding snap-fit holes in the underside thereof.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush pad fora curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate selectively connectable at a topside thereof to a curling brush receptacle at an underside thereof;
a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate that resides opposite the topside thereof;
a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said material to enclose said at least some of the material between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
Preferably the pad of material is secured to the mounting plate solely by a moulded condition of said pad of material on said mounting plate.
The fabric cover may be secured to the pad of material and the mounting plate solely by a moulded bond of said fabric to said pad of material.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a brush pad for a curling brush, said method comprising:
Preferably the mounting plate comprises said snap-fit tabs at the topside thereof, and said curling brush receptacle comprises said corresponding snap-fit holes in the underside thereof.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush pad fora curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate selectively connectable at a topside thereof to a curling brush receptacle at an underside thereof;
a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate that resides opposite the topside thereof;
a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said material to enclose said at least some of the material between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
Preferably the pad of material is secured to the mounting plate solely by a moulded condition of said pad of material on said mounting plate.
The fabric cover may be secured to the pad of material and the mounting plate solely by a moulded bond of said fabric to said pad of material.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a brush pad for a curling brush, said method comprising:
9 (a) injecting material in a flowable state into a space between a mounting plate and a fabric cover; and (b) allowing or causing said material to set into a non-flowable state between the mounting plate and the fabric cover, during which said material bonds to the fabric cover and the mounting plate.
Preferably step (a) comprises filling openings in the mounting plate with the material in the flowable state, and step (b) comprises allowing or causing said material to set into the non-flowable state within said openings.
Preferably step (b) comprises allowing or causing the material to set into the non-flowable state in a shape creating, for each opening, a respective enlarged head that blocks pulling of said material back through said openings.
Preferably the openings in the mounting plate have tapered shapes widening toward a side of the mounting plate opposite that from which the openings are filled, the material conforming to said tapered shapes during to create enlarged heads of tapered shape in step (b).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a curling brush head, including a receptacle with a coupling bar to which the brush handle attaches, a pair of holders used to anchor the coupling bar to the receptacle, and a brush pad unit made up of a mounting plate, a pad and a fabric cover.
Figure 2 an exploded elevational view of the curling brush head of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a close-up perspective view of the receptacle, which incorporates rib-like and ring-like structures that improve pressure distribution over 5 the area of the brush head.
Figures 4A and 4B show top and bottoms views of the receptacle, the top view showing the rib-like and ring-like structures that are incorporated therein.
Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of the mounting plate of the brush pad assembly, including snap-fit tabs for insertion into the receptacle, and
Preferably step (a) comprises filling openings in the mounting plate with the material in the flowable state, and step (b) comprises allowing or causing said material to set into the non-flowable state within said openings.
Preferably step (b) comprises allowing or causing the material to set into the non-flowable state in a shape creating, for each opening, a respective enlarged head that blocks pulling of said material back through said openings.
Preferably the openings in the mounting plate have tapered shapes widening toward a side of the mounting plate opposite that from which the openings are filled, the material conforming to said tapered shapes during to create enlarged heads of tapered shape in step (b).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a curling brush head, including a receptacle with a coupling bar to which the brush handle attaches, a pair of holders used to anchor the coupling bar to the receptacle, and a brush pad unit made up of a mounting plate, a pad and a fabric cover.
Figure 2 an exploded elevational view of the curling brush head of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a close-up perspective view of the receptacle, which incorporates rib-like and ring-like structures that improve pressure distribution over 5 the area of the brush head.
Figures 4A and 4B show top and bottoms views of the receptacle, the top view showing the rib-like and ring-like structures that are incorporated therein.
Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of the mounting plate of the brush pad assembly, including snap-fit tabs for insertion into the receptacle, and
10 openings which facilitate moulding of the mounting plate, pad, and fabric cover into a single unit.
Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the moulding process, where foam material injected into a mold cavity in a flowable state is received between the mounting plate and the fabric cover to form a foam pad therebetween.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a variant of the receptacle featuring the addition of a small exterior lip at each side thereof.
Figure 8 is a top view of the receptacle of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The systems described herein are directed to a curling brush head designed to increase sweeping effectiveness by enabling a sweeper to exert force onto a greater area of the ice, and to simplify the process of installing and removing the brush pad from the brush head receptacle.
Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the moulding process, where foam material injected into a mold cavity in a flowable state is received between the mounting plate and the fabric cover to form a foam pad therebetween.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a variant of the receptacle featuring the addition of a small exterior lip at each side thereof.
Figure 8 is a top view of the receptacle of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The systems described herein are directed to a curling brush head designed to increase sweeping effectiveness by enabling a sweeper to exert force onto a greater area of the ice, and to simplify the process of installing and removing the brush pad from the brush head receptacle.
11 As required, particular embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the illustrated embodiments are directed to the device designed to increase sweeping performance and ease the assembly of a curling brush.
Figures 1 and 2 show exploded views of a curling brush head 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is comprised of a receptacle 11 which attaches to the curling brush handle that is gripped by the sweeper. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 11 is approximately oval in shape. The size of the receptacle may vary and it will be understood that the brush receptacle and the other parts of the head do not need to be ovoid in shape, as shown in Figure 1, but could be other shapes, for example rectangular or round.
A mounting plate 12 attaches to the receptacle by way of tabs 13 which snap into the receptacle 11. A pad 14 of foam material covered by fabric 15 is mounted on the mounting plate 12 as part of a single-piece brush unit which is attached to the receptacle 11. A portion of the illustrated fabric cover is cut away to
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the illustrated embodiments are directed to the device designed to increase sweeping performance and ease the assembly of a curling brush.
Figures 1 and 2 show exploded views of a curling brush head 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is comprised of a receptacle 11 which attaches to the curling brush handle that is gripped by the sweeper. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 11 is approximately oval in shape. The size of the receptacle may vary and it will be understood that the brush receptacle and the other parts of the head do not need to be ovoid in shape, as shown in Figure 1, but could be other shapes, for example rectangular or round.
A mounting plate 12 attaches to the receptacle by way of tabs 13 which snap into the receptacle 11. A pad 14 of foam material covered by fabric 15 is mounted on the mounting plate 12 as part of a single-piece brush unit which is attached to the receptacle 11. A portion of the illustrated fabric cover is cut away to
12 reveal to the foam pad 14 concealed between the fabric cover and the mounting plate. The receptacle 11 and the mounting plate 12 may be constructed of metal, plastic, composite materials, or other materials or combinations of materials.
In cross section these components may be solid, hollow, or some combination of both.
In addition, the size and shape of the receptacle, mounting plate, and pad may differ in size, shape, and thickness.
While referred to herein as a foam pad 14 of resiliently compressible nature, the pad may be constructed of other materials or combination of materials. The fabric 15 may be nylon, polyester, or other natural or synthetic materials or combination of materials. The fabric covers the foam layer and is the part of the brush which contacts the ice. The foam makes up an intermediate area between the mounting plate and fabric, thereby providing isolation between the ice-contacting fabric and the harder materials of the receptacle and mounting plate.
Figures 1 and 2 also show snap-fit tabs 13 of the mounting plate 12, and the coupling bar 17 which is inserted into the receptacle through two support holes 20 and secured by two holders 16 which are inserted through the bottom of the receptacle 11. The handle of the curling brush is attached to the curling head in a known manner via the coupling bar 17. The holders 16 secure the coupling bar in place by engaging into circumferential grooves 17a in the coupling bar 17.
Figure 3 shows a close up view of the receptacle 11 with the coupling bar 17 inserted. It also shows the rib-like structures 18 and the ring-like structures 19 that are incorporated into the receptacle 11 in order to facilitate transfer of force exerted down the shaft of the curling brush handle through the coupling bar 17
In cross section these components may be solid, hollow, or some combination of both.
In addition, the size and shape of the receptacle, mounting plate, and pad may differ in size, shape, and thickness.
While referred to herein as a foam pad 14 of resiliently compressible nature, the pad may be constructed of other materials or combination of materials. The fabric 15 may be nylon, polyester, or other natural or synthetic materials or combination of materials. The fabric covers the foam layer and is the part of the brush which contacts the ice. The foam makes up an intermediate area between the mounting plate and fabric, thereby providing isolation between the ice-contacting fabric and the harder materials of the receptacle and mounting plate.
Figures 1 and 2 also show snap-fit tabs 13 of the mounting plate 12, and the coupling bar 17 which is inserted into the receptacle through two support holes 20 and secured by two holders 16 which are inserted through the bottom of the receptacle 11. The handle of the curling brush is attached to the curling head in a known manner via the coupling bar 17. The holders 16 secure the coupling bar in place by engaging into circumferential grooves 17a in the coupling bar 17.
Figure 3 shows a close up view of the receptacle 11 with the coupling bar 17 inserted. It also shows the rib-like structures 18 and the ring-like structures 19 that are incorporated into the receptacle 11 in order to facilitate transfer of force exerted down the shaft of the curling brush handle through the coupling bar 17
13 toward the edges of the brush head, thus increasing the area over which pressure is effectively transmitted to the face of the brush head and then to the ice. The number, shape, and size of the rib-like and ring-like structures may vary.
Figure 4 shows a top view of the receptacle 11 with the rib-like structures 18 and ring-like structures 19, the support holes 20 for insertion of the coupling bar 17, and the holes 21 for insertion of the tabs 13 of the brush pad.
Figure 5 shows a close up view of the mounting plate 12 in isolation prior to the moulding of the pad and fabric cover thereto. The mounting plate includes the tabs 13 that "snap into" the receptacle, and openings 22 that pass through the mounting plate to facilitate the bonding of the foam and fabric layers into the mounting plate during the moulding process.
Attention is now turned to a more detailed description of the features introduced generally above.
As most visible in Figure 2, the receptacle 11 features a flat central bottom surface 1102 spanning a substantial majority of the receptacle's area the underside thereof. A remainder of the underside area of the receptacle is defined by an outer area 1104 circumscribing the central bottom surface 1102 at a slightly raised elevation therefrom, whereby the central bottom surface resembles an inverted plateau that depends a short distance downward from the surrounding outer area 1104 in a height or thickness direction of the receptacle. The central bottom surface and surrounding area are of similar outer shape to one another, being generally oval-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, whereby the outer area spanning around the central bottom surface resembles a band of generally uniform
Figure 4 shows a top view of the receptacle 11 with the rib-like structures 18 and ring-like structures 19, the support holes 20 for insertion of the coupling bar 17, and the holes 21 for insertion of the tabs 13 of the brush pad.
Figure 5 shows a close up view of the mounting plate 12 in isolation prior to the moulding of the pad and fabric cover thereto. The mounting plate includes the tabs 13 that "snap into" the receptacle, and openings 22 that pass through the mounting plate to facilitate the bonding of the foam and fabric layers into the mounting plate during the moulding process.
Attention is now turned to a more detailed description of the features introduced generally above.
As most visible in Figure 2, the receptacle 11 features a flat central bottom surface 1102 spanning a substantial majority of the receptacle's area the underside thereof. A remainder of the underside area of the receptacle is defined by an outer area 1104 circumscribing the central bottom surface 1102 at a slightly raised elevation therefrom, whereby the central bottom surface resembles an inverted plateau that depends a short distance downward from the surrounding outer area 1104 in a height or thickness direction of the receptacle. The central bottom surface and surrounding area are of similar outer shape to one another, being generally oval-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, whereby the outer area spanning around the central bottom surface resembles a band of generally uniform
14 width measured outwardly from the outer edge of the central bottom surface to the outer perimeter edge of the receptacle. The central bottom surface 1102 and the surrounding outer area 1104 collectively define an underside 1106 of the receptacle at which the brush pad is to be mounted, as described in greater detail further below.
With continued reference to Figure 2, a central axis C extends through the receptacle 11 in an orientation normal to the flat bottom surface 1102, thereby defining the thickness direction of the receptacle. The underside 1106 of the receptacle 11 thus faces downwardly along the central axis C. A lateral direction and a longitudinal direction lie perpendicular to one another in a plane parallel to or coincident with the flat bottom surface 1102, and thus also perpendicular to the thickness direction. With reference to Figure 4, the lateral direction and longitudinal direction are denoted in the drawings by a minor axis M1 and a major axis M2 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment where the receptacle has an oblong shape of greater length than width, the major axis and longitudinal direction lie lengthwise of the receptacle, and the minor axis and lateral direction lie widthwise of the receptacle. Such major and minor axes may similarly be used as reference points even in embodiments that do have an elongated or oblong receptacle, including the instance of a circular receptacle, in which case the dimensions of the receptacle measured along the major and minor axes are equal, and the terms between major and minor are used merely to distinguish the two reference axes from one another.
A topside 1108 of the receptacle 11 resides oppositely of the underside 1106 thereof to face upwardly along the central axis C, and unlike the substantially flat underside composed of only two distinct areas, each of which is entirely flat, features a number of differently profiled areas of varying height or thickness that cooperate to provide a structure capable of delivering a substantially uniform pressure distribution to the underside of the receptacle from a curling broom handle 5 centrally coupled to the topside of the receptacle.
The distinct areas of the receptacle topside 1108 include an outer ring 191 spanning circumferentially around the central axis C adjacent an outer perimeter edge 1112 of the of receptacle, an inner ring 192 spanning circumferentially around the central axis C at a distance inward from the outer ring 191, an upwardly concave 10 bowl 1116 centered on the central axis C, a plurality of ribs 18 emanating outwardly from the concave bowl 1116 to connect the inner ring 192 to the outer ring 191, and a plurality of valleys 1118 each delimited between an adjacent pair of the ribs and the inner and outer rings. The term valley is used herein to denote an area of reduced profile, height or elevation to neighbouring features, and not necessarily to
With continued reference to Figure 2, a central axis C extends through the receptacle 11 in an orientation normal to the flat bottom surface 1102, thereby defining the thickness direction of the receptacle. The underside 1106 of the receptacle 11 thus faces downwardly along the central axis C. A lateral direction and a longitudinal direction lie perpendicular to one another in a plane parallel to or coincident with the flat bottom surface 1102, and thus also perpendicular to the thickness direction. With reference to Figure 4, the lateral direction and longitudinal direction are denoted in the drawings by a minor axis M1 and a major axis M2 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment where the receptacle has an oblong shape of greater length than width, the major axis and longitudinal direction lie lengthwise of the receptacle, and the minor axis and lateral direction lie widthwise of the receptacle. Such major and minor axes may similarly be used as reference points even in embodiments that do have an elongated or oblong receptacle, including the instance of a circular receptacle, in which case the dimensions of the receptacle measured along the major and minor axes are equal, and the terms between major and minor are used merely to distinguish the two reference axes from one another.
A topside 1108 of the receptacle 11 resides oppositely of the underside 1106 thereof to face upwardly along the central axis C, and unlike the substantially flat underside composed of only two distinct areas, each of which is entirely flat, features a number of differently profiled areas of varying height or thickness that cooperate to provide a structure capable of delivering a substantially uniform pressure distribution to the underside of the receptacle from a curling broom handle 5 centrally coupled to the topside of the receptacle.
The distinct areas of the receptacle topside 1108 include an outer ring 191 spanning circumferentially around the central axis C adjacent an outer perimeter edge 1112 of the of receptacle, an inner ring 192 spanning circumferentially around the central axis C at a distance inward from the outer ring 191, an upwardly concave 10 bowl 1116 centered on the central axis C, a plurality of ribs 18 emanating outwardly from the concave bowl 1116 to connect the inner ring 192 to the outer ring 191, and a plurality of valleys 1118 each delimited between an adjacent pair of the ribs and the inner and outer rings. The term valley is used herein to denote an area of reduced profile, height or elevation to neighbouring features, and not necessarily to
15 denote any particular shape or curvature of the valley floor and the transitions therefrom to the neighbouring features.
The inner and outer rings and the ribs are therefore all raised or elevated in profile relative to the upward facing floor 1118a of each valley.
The valley floors join the inner and outer rings and all the ribs together at the bases thereof. Each valley floor is fully intact over the entire area of the respective valley so as to make these connections to the other features in a continuous and uninterrupted manner, except where otherwise noted herein. At the floor 1118a of each valley 1118, the profile of the topside of the receptacle measured upwardly in
The inner and outer rings and the ribs are therefore all raised or elevated in profile relative to the upward facing floor 1118a of each valley.
The valley floors join the inner and outer rings and all the ribs together at the bases thereof. Each valley floor is fully intact over the entire area of the respective valley so as to make these connections to the other features in a continuous and uninterrupted manner, except where otherwise noted herein. At the floor 1118a of each valley 1118, the profile of the topside of the receptacle measured upwardly in
16 the thickness direction (i.e. parallel to the central axis C) from a reference plane lying normal to the central axis C and occupied by the flat outer surface 1104 of the receptacle's underside is less than at the inner and outer rings and the ribs spanning therebetween. The outer ring 191 has a convex profile in cross-sectional planes containing and radiating outwardly from the central axis C. The outer ring profile first curves upwardly from the valley floor 1118a to a peak 191a of the outer ring, from which the ring profile then curves back downward toward the plane of the underside's outer area 1104, which is joined to the profile of the outer ring by the perimeter edge 1112 of the receptacle 11.
Likewise, each rib 18 has a raised profile relative to the valleys 1118 of the receptacle's topside. The illustrated embodiment features ten ribs, of which four ribs are referred to as longitudinal ribs 18a. The longitudinal ribs 18a are arranged in two pairs of adjacent longitudinal ribs. The adjacent longitudinal ribs 18a of each pair extend outwardly from the inner ring 192 on opposite sides of the major axis M2 to a respective one of the two longitudinally separated ends 1120 of the receptacle.
These two longitudinal ribs 18a diverge from one another toward the respective end 1120 of the receptacle in a symmetrical manner about the major axis M2. In the illustrated embodiment where, in plan view, the overall outer shape of the receptacle, the matching shape of the outer ring, and the shape of the inner ring are each symmetric about both the major axis M2 and the minor axis Ml, the four longitudinal ribs 18a are all of equal length to one another.
The six remaining ribs are referred to as lateral ribs, and extend outwardly from the inner ring 1992 to the laterally separated sides 1122 that extend
Likewise, each rib 18 has a raised profile relative to the valleys 1118 of the receptacle's topside. The illustrated embodiment features ten ribs, of which four ribs are referred to as longitudinal ribs 18a. The longitudinal ribs 18a are arranged in two pairs of adjacent longitudinal ribs. The adjacent longitudinal ribs 18a of each pair extend outwardly from the inner ring 192 on opposite sides of the major axis M2 to a respective one of the two longitudinally separated ends 1120 of the receptacle.
These two longitudinal ribs 18a diverge from one another toward the respective end 1120 of the receptacle in a symmetrical manner about the major axis M2. In the illustrated embodiment where, in plan view, the overall outer shape of the receptacle, the matching shape of the outer ring, and the shape of the inner ring are each symmetric about both the major axis M2 and the minor axis Ml, the four longitudinal ribs 18a are all of equal length to one another.
The six remaining ribs are referred to as lateral ribs, and extend outwardly from the inner ring 1992 to the laterally separated sides 1122 that extend
17 longitudinally of the receptacle on opposite sides of the major axis M2. These six lateral ribs are defined in two groups of three, each of which extends out to one of the two laterally separated sides 1122 of the receptacle. In each group of lateral ribs
18, there is a pair of diverging lateral ribs 18b of equal length disposed on opposite sides of the minor axis M1 and diverging from one another symmetrically across the minor axis as they extend out toward the respective side of the receptacle.
The third lateral rib 18c of each group lies directly on the minor axis M1 between the diverging lateral ribs 18b so as to bisect the angle defined between the diverging lateral ribs 18b of the group. This third lateral rib is therefore also referred to herein as a central lateral rib 18c. Due to the symmetry of the receptacle about both the major and minor axes, the four diverging lateral ribs are all of equal length to one another, as are the two central lateral ribs 18c.
In the illustrated embodiment with an oval-shaped receptacle, the longitudinal ribs 18a are of greater length than the lateral ribs, among which the diverging lateral ribs 18b are of greater length than the central lateral ribs 18c. This would also be true of other oblong receptacle shapes, for example a rectangular receptacle. On the other hand, a circular receptacle with circular inner and outer rings would feature equal length among all the ribs, regardless of their different radiating directions away from the central axis C of the receptacle.
Each rib 18 has a convexly contoured upper surface sloping gradually downward from an inner end of the rib 18 that resides in an elevated position over the inner ring 192 to an opposite outer end of the rib 18 at the outer ring 191. In the illustrated embodiment, this outer end of each rib wraps over the peak 191a of the outer ring in a slightly raised profile relative thereto. Accordingly, the profile height of the topside of the receptacle is not only greater at each rib 18 than at the valley areas 1118 between the ribs, but is also greater than the profile height at the inner and outer rings 192, 191, which are of equal or similar profile height to one another.
The inner rib 192, in a manner similar to the outer rib, has a convex profile in the aforementioned cross-sectional planes that first slopes upwardly to a peak 192a before turning back downwardly.
The bowl-shaped area 1116 at the center of the receptacle's topside forms a concave recess between the inner ends of all the ribs 18. The concavely sloped walls of the bowl-shaped area are continuously and seamlessly integral with the top surfaces of the ribs 18, thus having smooth gradual curves joining the upwardly-sloping concave bowl wall to the downwardly-sloping convex upper rib surfaces. Longitudinally sloped walls 1116a of the bowl that slope longitudinally toward the opposing ends 1120 of the receptacle 11 span further outward from the central axis, and achieve greater elevation, than the laterally sloped walls 1116b of the bowl that slope laterally toward the opposing sides 1122 of the receptacle. The inner ends of the longitudinal ribs are therefore more elevated than those of the lateral ribs, thereby providing the longitudinal ribs with greater profile than the lateral ribs.
A pair of support holes 20 aligned over the major axis M2 are provided in the longitudinally sloped walls 1116a at an elevated height above the bottom floor 1116c of the bowl. End portions of the coupling bar 17 are received in these aligned support holes 20 in order to support the coupling bar 17 in a position spanning
The third lateral rib 18c of each group lies directly on the minor axis M1 between the diverging lateral ribs 18b so as to bisect the angle defined between the diverging lateral ribs 18b of the group. This third lateral rib is therefore also referred to herein as a central lateral rib 18c. Due to the symmetry of the receptacle about both the major and minor axes, the four diverging lateral ribs are all of equal length to one another, as are the two central lateral ribs 18c.
In the illustrated embodiment with an oval-shaped receptacle, the longitudinal ribs 18a are of greater length than the lateral ribs, among which the diverging lateral ribs 18b are of greater length than the central lateral ribs 18c. This would also be true of other oblong receptacle shapes, for example a rectangular receptacle. On the other hand, a circular receptacle with circular inner and outer rings would feature equal length among all the ribs, regardless of their different radiating directions away from the central axis C of the receptacle.
Each rib 18 has a convexly contoured upper surface sloping gradually downward from an inner end of the rib 18 that resides in an elevated position over the inner ring 192 to an opposite outer end of the rib 18 at the outer ring 191. In the illustrated embodiment, this outer end of each rib wraps over the peak 191a of the outer ring in a slightly raised profile relative thereto. Accordingly, the profile height of the topside of the receptacle is not only greater at each rib 18 than at the valley areas 1118 between the ribs, but is also greater than the profile height at the inner and outer rings 192, 191, which are of equal or similar profile height to one another.
The inner rib 192, in a manner similar to the outer rib, has a convex profile in the aforementioned cross-sectional planes that first slopes upwardly to a peak 192a before turning back downwardly.
The bowl-shaped area 1116 at the center of the receptacle's topside forms a concave recess between the inner ends of all the ribs 18. The concavely sloped walls of the bowl-shaped area are continuously and seamlessly integral with the top surfaces of the ribs 18, thus having smooth gradual curves joining the upwardly-sloping concave bowl wall to the downwardly-sloping convex upper rib surfaces. Longitudinally sloped walls 1116a of the bowl that slope longitudinally toward the opposing ends 1120 of the receptacle 11 span further outward from the central axis, and achieve greater elevation, than the laterally sloped walls 1116b of the bowl that slope laterally toward the opposing sides 1122 of the receptacle. The inner ends of the longitudinal ribs are therefore more elevated than those of the lateral ribs, thereby providing the longitudinal ribs with greater profile than the lateral ribs.
A pair of support holes 20 aligned over the major axis M2 are provided in the longitudinally sloped walls 1116a at an elevated height above the bottom floor 1116c of the bowl. End portions of the coupling bar 17 are received in these aligned support holes 20 in order to support the coupling bar 17 in a position spanning
19 longitudinally across the bowl in perpendicular intersection with the central axis C.
Each support hole is a through-hole that communicates the interior of the bowl with the valley 1118 located between the respective pair of longitudinal ribs 18a.
During manufacture of the receptacle 11, the coupling bar 17 is therefore insertable into the aligned support holes 20 from between an adjacent pair of the longitudinal ribs 18a. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the coupling bar 17, for example in the form of a solid cylindrical pin or rod, features a pair of circumferential grooves 17a therein at axially spaced positions along the bar. Each groove 17a resides adjacent a respective end of the bar 17 so as to reside within a respective one of the support holes 20.
For each support hole 20, a respective slot-shaped channel 20a opens into the flat bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle and intersects the bottom half of the support hole 20. The channel 20a does not pass fully through the support hole
Each support hole is a through-hole that communicates the interior of the bowl with the valley 1118 located between the respective pair of longitudinal ribs 18a.
During manufacture of the receptacle 11, the coupling bar 17 is therefore insertable into the aligned support holes 20 from between an adjacent pair of the longitudinal ribs 18a. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the coupling bar 17, for example in the form of a solid cylindrical pin or rod, features a pair of circumferential grooves 17a therein at axially spaced positions along the bar. Each groove 17a resides adjacent a respective end of the bar 17 so as to reside within a respective one of the support holes 20.
For each support hole 20, a respective slot-shaped channel 20a opens into the flat bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle and intersects the bottom half of the support hole 20. The channel 20a does not pass fully through the support hole
20, and therefore does not penetrate fully through the receptacle at the topside thereof. Each channel 20a is dimensioned for insertion of a support bar holder therein, which features a U-shaped cutout 16a in the top end thereof to form a cradle, the width of which exceeds the support bar diameter at the grooves 17a therein, but not at the ungrooved majority thereof. During manufacture of the receptacle 11, insertion of the holder 16 upwardly into the respective channel after insertion of the support bar into the support holes 20 thus engages the top end of the holder 16 into the respective groove 17a of the support bar, whereby the holder 16 blocks axial sliding of the support bar 17 out of the respective support hole 20, thus locking the support bar in place. So to assemble the receptacle to a curling brush handle during manufacture of the curling brush, one places the lower end of the brush handle into the central bowl 1116 of the receptacle in a position residing between the support holes 20 of the receptacle, and inserts the support bar 17 through the aligned supports holes to engage with the curling brush handle in 5 manner pivotally coupling the handle and receptacle together. The holders 16 are inserted in order to lock the support bar against axial displacement, and then the holders are permanently affixed in place in the respective channels by filling the open bottom end of the channel with a resin or other hardenable/settable/curable filler. The installed holders 16 are thus effectively embedded within the receptacle in 10 order to permanently affix the brush handle thereto.
With reference to Figure 4, in the valley 1118 between each pair of longitudinal ribs 18a, a respective snap-fit hole 21 passes upwardly through the valley floor 1118a from the flat bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle 11 on the major axis M2. Turning back to Figure 1 or 2, the tabs 13 on the mounting plate 15 stand upwardly from a topside thereof, and each feature a catch tang 132 that juts outwardly from one side of the tab toward a respective one of the mounting plate's longitudinally separated ends 1120. The outside-to-outside distance between the two tabs 13, not including the catch tangs 132 thereon, is approximately equal or slightly less than the outside-to-outside distance between the snap-fit holes
With reference to Figure 4, in the valley 1118 between each pair of longitudinal ribs 18a, a respective snap-fit hole 21 passes upwardly through the valley floor 1118a from the flat bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle 11 on the major axis M2. Turning back to Figure 1 or 2, the tabs 13 on the mounting plate 15 stand upwardly from a topside thereof, and each feature a catch tang 132 that juts outwardly from one side of the tab toward a respective one of the mounting plate's longitudinally separated ends 1120. The outside-to-outside distance between the two tabs 13, not including the catch tangs 132 thereon, is approximately equal or slightly less than the outside-to-outside distance between the snap-fit holes
21 in the 20 receptacle, each of which is flat-sided on the outer side 21a thereof.
The mounting plate 12 is of equal or similar outer shape to the receptacle 11, whereby alignment of the mounting plate beneath the receptacle places the tabs 13 in alignment with the snap-fit holes. Pushing the mounting plate 12 up against the underside of the receptacle 11 causes the upwardly and outwardly sloping face of each catch tang 132 to ride against the outer side 21a of the respective snap-fit hole 21, thereby causing inward deflection of the two resiliently flexible tabs 13 toward one another so that the catch tangs 132 can clear the outer sides 21a of the snap-fit holes.
At this point the tabs achieve fully insertion into the snap-fit holes and the two resiliently flexible tabs 13 flex back into their normal default positions, i.e. snap back into place.
Accordingly, the catch tangs now jut outwardly over the respective valley floors 1118a above the snap-fit holes 21 at the topside 1108 of the receptacle so that downward withdrawal of the mounting plate 12 from the underside 1106 of the receptacle 11 is prevented by the default positions of the tabs 13. To remove the mounting plate 12, once simply pushes the two engaged tabs 13 inwardly toward the center of the receptacle, thereby forcing the catch tangs inwardly over the snap-fit holes to unlock the tabs from the receptacle and enable withdrawal of the tabs from the snap-fit holes 21 by pulling or dropping of the mounting plate 12 from the underside 1106 of the receptacle.
Such snap-fit engagement of a brush pad to the receptacle can be employed regardless of how the pad body and fabric cover are attached to the mounting plate. While the illustrated embodiment places the snap-fit tabs 13 on the topside of the mounting plate 12 and the mating snap-fit holes 21 in the underside of the receptacle, other embodiment may employ a reverse configuration with the tabs on the receptacle and the holes on the mounting plate 12. The mounting plate 12 of the illustrated embodiment features a sunken central area of equal or slightly greater size than the central bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle's underside for mating
The mounting plate 12 is of equal or similar outer shape to the receptacle 11, whereby alignment of the mounting plate beneath the receptacle places the tabs 13 in alignment with the snap-fit holes. Pushing the mounting plate 12 up against the underside of the receptacle 11 causes the upwardly and outwardly sloping face of each catch tang 132 to ride against the outer side 21a of the respective snap-fit hole 21, thereby causing inward deflection of the two resiliently flexible tabs 13 toward one another so that the catch tangs 132 can clear the outer sides 21a of the snap-fit holes.
At this point the tabs achieve fully insertion into the snap-fit holes and the two resiliently flexible tabs 13 flex back into their normal default positions, i.e. snap back into place.
Accordingly, the catch tangs now jut outwardly over the respective valley floors 1118a above the snap-fit holes 21 at the topside 1108 of the receptacle so that downward withdrawal of the mounting plate 12 from the underside 1106 of the receptacle 11 is prevented by the default positions of the tabs 13. To remove the mounting plate 12, once simply pushes the two engaged tabs 13 inwardly toward the center of the receptacle, thereby forcing the catch tangs inwardly over the snap-fit holes to unlock the tabs from the receptacle and enable withdrawal of the tabs from the snap-fit holes 21 by pulling or dropping of the mounting plate 12 from the underside 1106 of the receptacle.
Such snap-fit engagement of a brush pad to the receptacle can be employed regardless of how the pad body and fabric cover are attached to the mounting plate. While the illustrated embodiment places the snap-fit tabs 13 on the topside of the mounting plate 12 and the mating snap-fit holes 21 in the underside of the receptacle, other embodiment may employ a reverse configuration with the tabs on the receptacle and the holes on the mounting plate 12. The mounting plate 12 of the illustrated embodiment features a sunken central area of equal or slightly greater size than the central bottom surface 1102 of the receptacle's underside for mating
22 receipt thereof in the assembled condition of the receptacle and mounting plate, which helps maintain alignment therebetween. As a result, the mounting plate has a raised rim around the outer perimeter thereof that mates up against the raised outer area 1104 of the receptacle's underside.
In addition to the unique ring-and-rib structure of the receptacle, and the unique snap-fit between the receptacle and the brush pad, the illustrated embodiment also features a unique construction of the brush pad itself. At its central area inside the outer rim, the mounting plate 12 of the brush pad features an array of openings 22 therein passing fully therethrough between the topside and underside thereof, which like the topside and underside of the receptacle, are spaced apart on the central axis C and face opposing directions therealong when the brush pad is assembled to the receptacle. The openings 22 of the illustrated embodiment are frustoconically tapered over at least part of their axial length so as to widen toward the topside of the mounting plate 12 from a narrower end of the opening at the underside of the mounting plate. The foam pad 14 is pre-moulded to the mounting plate 14 during factory manufacture of the brush pad.
To accomplish this, with reference to Figure 6, the mounting plate 12 is placed upside down in a mold cavity 23 with the fabric cover 15 placed over the inverted mounting plate 12 (i.e. placed over the untabbed side thereof, which serves as the above described `underside' of the mounting plate in the useful upright position of an assembled brush head, but is actually at the top of the inverted mounting plate during the described moulding process). A foam material is injected into the mold cavity, specifically into the space between the fabric material 15 and
In addition to the unique ring-and-rib structure of the receptacle, and the unique snap-fit between the receptacle and the brush pad, the illustrated embodiment also features a unique construction of the brush pad itself. At its central area inside the outer rim, the mounting plate 12 of the brush pad features an array of openings 22 therein passing fully therethrough between the topside and underside thereof, which like the topside and underside of the receptacle, are spaced apart on the central axis C and face opposing directions therealong when the brush pad is assembled to the receptacle. The openings 22 of the illustrated embodiment are frustoconically tapered over at least part of their axial length so as to widen toward the topside of the mounting plate 12 from a narrower end of the opening at the underside of the mounting plate. The foam pad 14 is pre-moulded to the mounting plate 14 during factory manufacture of the brush pad.
To accomplish this, with reference to Figure 6, the mounting plate 12 is placed upside down in a mold cavity 23 with the fabric cover 15 placed over the inverted mounting plate 12 (i.e. placed over the untabbed side thereof, which serves as the above described `underside' of the mounting plate in the useful upright position of an assembled brush head, but is actually at the top of the inverted mounting plate during the described moulding process). A foam material is injected into the mold cavity, specifically into the space between the fabric material 15 and
23 the untabbed side of the mounting plate 12, as schematically illustrated by arrows entering the mold cavity through an injection port 24 that aligns with a flow-through hole 26 passing through the seated mounting plate 12 in the thickness direction.
Filling of this space between the fabric cover 15 and the mounting head 12 with the flowable foam material expands the flexible fabric cover against the boundary walls of the closed mold cavity, which is shaped according to the desired final shape of the foam pad. During this process, the flowing foam material not only fills the space between the mounting head and the fabric cover, but also fills the openings 22 in the mounting plate.
The initially flowable foam material hardens/cures/sets in place, during which it bonds itself to the fabric cover and the receptacle. The openings 22 in the mounting plate serve to improve the fixation of the foam pad to the mounting plate 12. During the injection molding process, the flowable foam enters the narrow ends of the openings 22 from the untabbed side of the mounting plate, and fills the widened areas of the openings at the opposing tabbed side of the mounting head, where the outward expansion of the material into the wider end of the frustoconcial taper at the tabbed side of the mounting plate forms an enlarged head or button once the foam has hardened. The enlarged head or button 25, visible in the finished brush pad of Figure 1, blocks this foam material from being drawn back through the opening 22 to the untabbed side of the mounting plate, thereby anchoring the foam pad, and the fabric cover bonded thereto, to the mounting plate. If a separate flow-through hole 26, as opposed to one of the openings 22, is used to introduce the foam material during the pad moulding process, the flow-through hole may be
Filling of this space between the fabric cover 15 and the mounting head 12 with the flowable foam material expands the flexible fabric cover against the boundary walls of the closed mold cavity, which is shaped according to the desired final shape of the foam pad. During this process, the flowing foam material not only fills the space between the mounting head and the fabric cover, but also fills the openings 22 in the mounting plate.
The initially flowable foam material hardens/cures/sets in place, during which it bonds itself to the fabric cover and the receptacle. The openings 22 in the mounting plate serve to improve the fixation of the foam pad to the mounting plate 12. During the injection molding process, the flowable foam enters the narrow ends of the openings 22 from the untabbed side of the mounting plate, and fills the widened areas of the openings at the opposing tabbed side of the mounting head, where the outward expansion of the material into the wider end of the frustoconcial taper at the tabbed side of the mounting plate forms an enlarged head or button once the foam has hardened. The enlarged head or button 25, visible in the finished brush pad of Figure 1, blocks this foam material from being drawn back through the opening 22 to the untabbed side of the mounting plate, thereby anchoring the foam pad, and the fabric cover bonded thereto, to the mounting plate. If a separate flow-through hole 26, as opposed to one of the openings 22, is used to introduce the foam material during the pad moulding process, the flow-through hole may be
24 subsequently closed off after the moulding process with a resin or other suitable filler. Alternatively, it may not be necessary to close the flow-through hole 26 after the moulding process. The flow-through hole 26 may be molded into the mounting plate 12, for example in the case of a moulded plastic mounting plate, or may be drilled into the mounting plate regardless of its material composition.
Alternatively, it may be possible to use one of the openings 22 to introduce the foam during the moulding process.
Figures 7 and 8 show a variant of the receptacle featuring all the same features as the receptacle of Figures 1 to 4, but additionally featuring a small outwardly-jutting lip 27 at the outer perimeter edge 1112 on each of the laterally separated sides 1122 thereof. The lip 27 in the illustrated embodiment resides at the central area of the receptacle where the width of the receptacle is at is maximum, and does not extend the full length of the receptacle. In the assembled brush head, the lip 27 juts outwardly beyond the periphery of the brush pad so that when the curling brush is used for support while throwing a rock, this lip 27, and not the side of the brush pad, rides on the ice surface. The lip may alternatively extend the full length of the receptacle, and therefore not project outwardly from adjacent non-lipped areas 28 of the perimeter edge 1112 in the manner shown by the illustrated partial-length lip Figures 7 and 8. In the illustrated version, the lip extends between, but not past, the two diverging lateral ribs 18b on each side of the receptacle.
The above-disclosed curling brush technology is very different from, and has significant advantages over, the conventional brush head. The incorporation of rib-like and ring-like structures into the receptacle effectively transmits the force exerted down the brush handle across the face of the brush head, allowing the sweeper to warm and clean a greater area of the ice, and therefore have greater effect on the trajectory of the curling rock. Testing with a 5 brush head containing arrays of sensors confirms that this technology results in a much greater area of effective force being applied to the ice. The increased thickness or height profile of the receptacle at the rings and ribs thereof provide increased rigidity or stiffness to better prevent deflection of the outer areas of the receptacle relative to the central handle-attached area thereof, thereby maintaining 10 the planar state of the underside surfaces providing more uniform pressure distribution over the full area of the receptacle. Ways of providing stiffening rings and ribs other than by increased thickness or profile may alternatively be employed, for example by embedding rib and ring shaped inserts of more rigid material into the receptacle, for example by insert molding such inserts into a surrounding plastic 15 body of the receptacle. The use of tabs to attach the pad to the receptacle allows for much quicker and easier replacement of pads than conventional brushes which require a new pad to be attached to receptacles by two screws.
Different versions of the present invention may be marketed. Variables include but are not limited to the length, width, and shape of the receptacle, 20 mounting plate, ribs, and rings, and the materials used to construct and those components. Variables also include the shape and density of the pad and the materials used in the pads and fabric. It will be appreciated that embodiments employing the ring and rib structures of the receptacle for improved pressure distribution may optionally use conventionally fastened attachment of a brush head to the receptacle in place of the described snap-fit connection, and may optionally forgo the moulded-together brush head components for an alternate brush head assembly or configuration. Likewise, the unique snap-fit connection and the moulded brush head unit are useful independently of one another, and independently of the rib and ring receptacle design.
While the illustrated embodiment employs a pin-like support bar for pi As used herein, the terms "comprised" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open-ended and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, "comprised" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean the specific features or components included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features or components.
Since various modifications can be made in this invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the scope of the claims without departure from such scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Alternatively, it may be possible to use one of the openings 22 to introduce the foam during the moulding process.
Figures 7 and 8 show a variant of the receptacle featuring all the same features as the receptacle of Figures 1 to 4, but additionally featuring a small outwardly-jutting lip 27 at the outer perimeter edge 1112 on each of the laterally separated sides 1122 thereof. The lip 27 in the illustrated embodiment resides at the central area of the receptacle where the width of the receptacle is at is maximum, and does not extend the full length of the receptacle. In the assembled brush head, the lip 27 juts outwardly beyond the periphery of the brush pad so that when the curling brush is used for support while throwing a rock, this lip 27, and not the side of the brush pad, rides on the ice surface. The lip may alternatively extend the full length of the receptacle, and therefore not project outwardly from adjacent non-lipped areas 28 of the perimeter edge 1112 in the manner shown by the illustrated partial-length lip Figures 7 and 8. In the illustrated version, the lip extends between, but not past, the two diverging lateral ribs 18b on each side of the receptacle.
The above-disclosed curling brush technology is very different from, and has significant advantages over, the conventional brush head. The incorporation of rib-like and ring-like structures into the receptacle effectively transmits the force exerted down the brush handle across the face of the brush head, allowing the sweeper to warm and clean a greater area of the ice, and therefore have greater effect on the trajectory of the curling rock. Testing with a 5 brush head containing arrays of sensors confirms that this technology results in a much greater area of effective force being applied to the ice. The increased thickness or height profile of the receptacle at the rings and ribs thereof provide increased rigidity or stiffness to better prevent deflection of the outer areas of the receptacle relative to the central handle-attached area thereof, thereby maintaining 10 the planar state of the underside surfaces providing more uniform pressure distribution over the full area of the receptacle. Ways of providing stiffening rings and ribs other than by increased thickness or profile may alternatively be employed, for example by embedding rib and ring shaped inserts of more rigid material into the receptacle, for example by insert molding such inserts into a surrounding plastic 15 body of the receptacle. The use of tabs to attach the pad to the receptacle allows for much quicker and easier replacement of pads than conventional brushes which require a new pad to be attached to receptacles by two screws.
Different versions of the present invention may be marketed. Variables include but are not limited to the length, width, and shape of the receptacle, 20 mounting plate, ribs, and rings, and the materials used to construct and those components. Variables also include the shape and density of the pad and the materials used in the pads and fabric. It will be appreciated that embodiments employing the ring and rib structures of the receptacle for improved pressure distribution may optionally use conventionally fastened attachment of a brush head to the receptacle in place of the described snap-fit connection, and may optionally forgo the moulded-together brush head components for an alternate brush head assembly or configuration. Likewise, the unique snap-fit connection and the moulded brush head unit are useful independently of one another, and independently of the rib and ring receptacle design.
While the illustrated embodiment employs a pin-like support bar for pi As used herein, the terms "comprised" and "comprising" are to be construed as being inclusive and open-ended and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, "comprised" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean the specific features or components included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features or components.
Since various modifications can be made in this invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the scope of the claims without departure from such scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (35)
1. A brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning circumferentially around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring;
a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle.
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning circumferentially around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring;
a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle.
2. A brush head receptacle for a curling brush, said receptacle comprising:
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle;
and valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs;
wherein the inner ring, the outer ring and the ribs all have taller profiles at the topside of the receptacle than at valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs.
a topside at which the receptacle couples, or is arranged to couple, to the lower end of a curling brush handle;
an opposing underside at which the receptacle carries, or is arranged to carry, a brush pad;
an outer ring lying circumferentially of the brush head receptacle adjacent an outer perimeter thereof;
an inner ring spanning around a center of the receptacle at a distance inward from the outer ring a plurality of ribs spanning outwardly away from the inner ring toward the outer ring at spaced apart positions around the center of the receptacle;
and valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs;
wherein the inner ring, the outer ring and the ribs all have taller profiles at the topside of the receptacle than at valley-like areas delimited between the inner and outer rings and the ribs.
3. The brush head receptacle of claim 2 wherein a profile height of each rib is lesser at an outer end thereof nearest the outer perimeter than at an inner end of the rib nearest the center of the receptacle.
4. The brush head receptacle of claim 3 wherein the profile height of each rib reduces at a gradual slope moving outwardly toward the outer end thereof.
5. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each rib reaches fully outwardly the outer ring.
6. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each rib fully reaches fully inwardly to the inner ring.
7. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the outer perimeter of the brush receptacle delimits an oblong shape of the receptacle, and the ribs comprise longitudinal ribs spanning outwardly toward longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape of the receptacle and shorter lateral ribs spanning outwardly toward laterally separated sides of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
8. The brush head receptacle of claim 7 wherein the longitudinal ribs comprise two respective longitudinal ribs extending toward each of the longitudinally separated ends of the oblong shape, said two respective longitudinal ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central major axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
9. The brush head receptacle of claim 7 or 8 wherein the lateral ribs comprises two respective lateral ribs extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape, said two respective lateral ribs being symmetrically disposed across a central minor axis of the oblong shape of the receptacle.
10. The brush head receptacle of claim 9 wherein the lateral ribs comprises a respective third lateral rib extending toward each of the laterally separated sides of the oblong shape of the receptacle on the central minor axis thereof.
11. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the longitudinal ribs are of greater profile height than the lateral ribs.
12. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein each rib wraps over the outer ring in a slightly raised profile thereover.
13. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the topside of the receptacle comprises a concave bowl-like area centered thereon.
14. The brush head receptacle of claim 13 wherein the bowl-like area comprises sloped walls that transition continuously into upper surfaces of the ribs.
15. The brush head receptacle of claim 13 or 14 wherein a pair of opposing sloped walls of the concave bowl-like area have aligned holes therein in which a coupling bar is received to span between said pair of opposing sloped walls for use in coupling the receptacle to the curling brush handle.
16. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the topside of the receptacle comprises a pair of opposing walls having have aligned support holes therein in which a coupling bar is received to span between said pair of opposing walls for use in coupling the receptacle to the curling brush handle.
17. The brush head receptacle of claim 15 or 16 comprising a pair of channels respectively extending into the aligned support holes from the underside of the receptacle, and a respective pair of holders received or receivable in said channels to engage the coupling bar and prevent axial sliding thereof in the aligned support holes.
18. The brush head receptacle of claim 17 wherein the coupling bar has a respective circumferential groove therein inside each of the aligned support holes, the holders being shaped to engage said slots to block said axial sliding of the coupling bar.
19. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 18 comprising snap-fit holes extending thereinto from the underside thereof, or snap-fit tabs extending from the underside of the receptacle, for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at a topside of the brush pad for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad to the receptacle.
20. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 18 in combination with the brush pad, the underside of the receptacle and a topside of the brush pad feature each featuring an opposite one of either snap-fit holes or snap-fit tabs, the snap-fit tabs being cooperatively matable with the snap-fit holes for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad to the receptacle.
21. The brush head receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 18 in combination with the brush pad, wherein the brush pad comprises a mounting plate selectively connectable to the receptacle at the underside thereof, a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate, and a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said material to enclose said at least some of the material between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
22. The brush head receptacle of claim 21 wherein the underside of the mounting plate comprises openings therein extending toward an opposing topside of the mounting plate, the material of the pad including material reaching into each of said openings from the underside of the mounting plate toward the topside thereof.
23. The brush head receptacle of claim 22 wherein the material reaching into each of said openings toward the topside of the mounting plate includes an enlarged head blocking withdrawal of said material back through the opening to the underside of the mounting plate.
24. A brush pad for a curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate arranged at a topside thereof for coupling to an underside of a curling brush receptacle;
a pad of material supported at an underside of the mounting plate;
a fabric cover fitted over the pad of material to conceal said pad of material between the fabric cover and the mounting plate; and at the topside of the mounting plate, either snap-fit holes extending thereinto or snap-fit tabs extending therefrom for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at an underside of the curling brush receptacle for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad thereto.
a mounting plate arranged at a topside thereof for coupling to an underside of a curling brush receptacle;
a pad of material supported at an underside of the mounting plate;
a fabric cover fitted over the pad of material to conceal said pad of material between the fabric cover and the mounting plate; and at the topside of the mounting plate, either snap-fit holes extending thereinto or snap-fit tabs extending therefrom for mating with corresponding snap-fit tabs or snap-fit holes at an underside of the curling brush receptacle for fastener-free snap-fit attachment of the brush pad thereto.
25. The brush pad of claim 24 wherein the mounting plate comprises said snap-fit tabs at the topside thereof.
26. The brush pad of claim 25 in combination with the curling brush receptacle, said curling brush receptacle comprising said corresponding snap-fit holes in the underside thereof.
27. A brush pad for a curling brush, said brush pad comprising:
a mounting plate selectively connectable at a topside thereof to a curling brush receptacle at an underside thereof;
a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate that resides opposite the topside thereof;
a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said cmaterial to enclose said at least some of the material between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
a mounting plate selectively connectable at a topside thereof to a curling brush receptacle at an underside thereof;
a pad of material molded in place to the mounting plate with at least some said material disposed at an underside of the mounting plate that resides opposite the topside thereof;
a fabric cover fitted over said at least some of said cmaterial to enclose said at least some of the material between the fabric cover and the underside of the mounting plate.
28. The brush pad of claim 27 wherein the underside of the mounting plate comprises openings therein extending toward the topside of the mounting plate, the material of the pad including material reaching into each of said openings from the underside of the mounting plate toward the topside thereof.
29. The brush pad of claim 28 wherein the material reaching into each of said openings toward the topside of the mounting plate includes an enlarged head blocking withdrawal of said material back through the opening to the underside of the mounting plate.
30. The brush pad of any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the pad of material is secured to the mounting plate solely by a moulded condition of said pad of material on said mounting plate.
31. The brush pad of any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the fabric cover is secured to the pad of material and the mounting plate solely by a moulded bond of said fabric to said pad of material.
32. A method of manufacturing a brush pad for a curling brush, said method comprising:
(a) injecting material in a flowable state into a space between a mounting plate and a fabric cover; and (b) allowing or causing said material to set into a non-flowable state between the mounting plate and the fabric cover, during which said material bonds to the fabric cover and the mounting plate.
(a) injecting material in a flowable state into a space between a mounting plate and a fabric cover; and (b) allowing or causing said material to set into a non-flowable state between the mounting plate and the fabric cover, during which said material bonds to the fabric cover and the mounting plate.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein step (a) comprises filling openings in the mounting plate with the material in the flowable state, and step (b) comprises allowing or causing said material to set into the non-flowable state within said openings.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein step (b) comprises allowing or causing the material to set into the non-flowable state in a shape creating, for each opening, a respective enlarged head that blocks pulling of said material back through said openings.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the openings in the mounting plate have tapered shapes widening toward a side of the mounting plate opposite that from which the openings are filled, the material conforming to said tapered shapes during to create enlarged heads of tapered shape in step (b).
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2919265A CA2919265A1 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-01-28 | Curling brush head with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit assembly and moulded brush pad |
| CA2968420A CA2968420C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
| CA2938943A CA2938943C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
| US15/418,014 US20170215564A1 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2017-01-27 | Curling Brush with Improved Pressure Distribution, Snap-Fit Head Assembly, Moulded Brush Pad and Pivot Limiting Means |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2919265A CA2919265A1 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-01-28 | Curling brush head with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit assembly and moulded brush pad |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2919265A1 true CA2919265A1 (en) | 2017-07-28 |
Family
ID=57122338
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2919265A Abandoned CA2919265A1 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-01-28 | Curling brush head with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit assembly and moulded brush pad |
| CA2968420A Active CA2968420C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
| CA2938943A Active CA2938943C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
Family Applications After (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2968420A Active CA2968420C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
| CA2938943A Active CA2938943C (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2016-08-12 | Curling brush with improved pressure distribution, snap-fit head assembly, moulded brush pad and pivot limiting means |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20170215564A1 (en) |
| CA (3) | CA2919265A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10201737B2 (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2019-02-12 | Kroy Everett Nernberger | Curling broom head and removable handle attachment |
| CN107866052B (en) * | 2017-12-26 | 2019-08-02 | 绍兴市华获智能装备有限公司 | A kind of curling stone boost motor |
| CN109436334A (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2019-03-08 | 航宇救生装备有限公司 | Bundling belt tightens locking mechanism |
| US11806566B2 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-11-07 | No Conformity Co, LLC | Device for arm-strength training |
-
2016
- 2016-01-28 CA CA2919265A patent/CA2919265A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-08-12 CA CA2968420A patent/CA2968420C/en active Active
- 2016-08-12 CA CA2938943A patent/CA2938943C/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-01-27 US US15/418,014 patent/US20170215564A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2968420C (en) | 2018-04-24 |
| US20170215564A1 (en) | 2017-08-03 |
| CA2938943A1 (en) | 2016-10-14 |
| CA2938943C (en) | 2017-07-11 |
| CA2968420A1 (en) | 2016-10-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20190129 |