GB2217977A

GB2217977A - Aquarium cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2217977A
Application number: GB8908712A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Henry Allum; Frederick William Gardner
Original assignee: ARMITAGES PET PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: ARMITAGES PET PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1988-04-22
Filing date: 1989-04-18
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Also published as: GB8809583D0; GB8908712D0

Abstract

A device for cleaning an aquarium comprises an elongate handle (1) with the end (2) thereof carrying a pivotally mounted cleaning head (4) having one surface (5) covered by a first type of cleaning material e.g. scouring material and the other surface (6) covered by a second type of cleaning material e.g. a cellular foam or sponge. In use, the cleaning head may be pivoted so as to present one or the other surface to the inside surface of an aquarium in order to clean it. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Device for Cleaning Aquaria This invention relates to a device for cleaning aquaria. Aquaria constructed substantially from glass attract deposits of algae and other detritus which needs periodic removal in order to maintain a pleasing appearance. Some deposits on the inside of the glass in an aquarium are difficult to remove and this invention provides an apparatus which renders the task of cleaning the inside glass surfaces of an aquarium easier than hitherto.

Broadly and according to this invention there is provided a device for cleaning the inside surfaces of an aquarium the device comprising an elongate handle, one end of which carries a pivotally mounted cleaning means having two opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces carrying a first type of cleaning material and the other of said surfaces carrying a second type of cleaning material, the cleaning means being rotatable about the pivot so that one or other of the cleaning materials may be presented to the inside surface of an aquarium.

In a preferred embodiment the end of the elongate handle has a laterally extending arm with a free end thereof forming a mount into which an axle portion of the cleaning means may engage so as to be rotatable in a captive manner. The cleaning means preferably has a slot extending in from a side thereof with the base of the slot positioned medially and connectable with the end of the arm. The base of the slot may include a transverse axle arranged to snap-engage with an arcuate bearing portion on the end of the arm.

In an embodiment the first type of cleaning material may comprise a scourer such as "Scotchbrite" (a registered Trade Mark) and the second type of cleaning material may comprise a cellular foam or sponge.

With the means according to the invention the cleaning means or head may be offered up against the inside surface of the glass of an aquarium and the head flipped over to present one or other of the cleaning materials.

A preferred embodiment in accordance with this invention is shown by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows perspective view of the cleaning means, Figure 2 shows a detail of the end of the cleaning means with one side of the cleaning head disengaged for clarity, Figure 3 shows a view as in Figure 2 but with the other side of the cleaning head, and Figure 4 shows the end of the handle and the cleaning head in plan view.

Referring to the drawings, a device for cleaning an aquarium comprises an elongate handle 1 with the end 2 thereof having a laterally extending arm 3. The handle is constructed from hollow tubular plastics material and the arm 3 has a spigot portion which engages within the open end of the handle. The arm 3 carries a cleaning means in the nature of a plate 4 having one surface 5 covered by a first type of cleaning material comprising "Scotchbrite" and the other surface 6 covered by a second type of cleaning material comprising a cellular foamed plastic. As shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4, the end of the arm 3 has a U-shaped saddle 7 forming a support bearing. The plate 4 has a slot 8 extending inwardly from a side with the base of the slot incorporating an axle 9.

The width of the slot 8 is greater than the width of the arm 3 and the axle 9 is designed to form a snap engagement with the bearing 7. Thus the axle 9 may be retained within the bearing 7 and can freely rotate but may be snapped out of engagement if it is required to replace or clean the head 4.

In use the handle serves to position cleaning means 4 against the inside glass surface of an aquarium and by virtue of the flip action, the means 4 may be rotated through 1800 at least so as to present one or other of the cleaning materials 5 or 6 to the inside glass surface.

The cleaning means is constructed from plastics material and the cleaning materials 5 and 6 may be adhesively secured to the plate 4 in a manner affording easy replacement or alternatively the complete plate 4 with cleaning materials may be replaced in.

A further advantage of the construction is that a user may replace the plate 4 with another having different kinds of cleaning material thereon.

Claims

1.' A device for cleaning the inside surfaces of an aquarium the device comprising an elongate handle, one end of which carries a pivotally mounted cleaning means having two opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces carrying a first type of cleaning material and the other of said surfaces carrying a second type of cleaning material, the cleaning means being rotatable about the pivot so that one or other of the cleaning materials may be presented to the inside surface of an aquarium.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the end of the elongate handle has a laterally extending arm with a free end thereof forming a mount into which an axle portion of the cleaning means may engage so as to be rotatable in a captive manner.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning means has a slot extending in from a side thereof with the base of the slot positioned medially and connectable with the end of the arm.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the base of the slot includes a transverse axle arranged to snap engage with an arcuate bearing portion on the end of the arm.

5. A Device for cleaning aquaria substantially as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.