GB2253654A

GB2253654A - Clip device for attaching hosepipe to brush

Info

Publication number: GB2253654A
Application number: GB9205685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reford Thomas Kearns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-14
Filing date: 1992-03-16
Publication date: 1992-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-16
Also published as: GB2253654B; GB9205685D0

Abstract

A brush attachment comprises an elongate base 14 for attaching to the handle of a brush. A plurality of clips 15, 16, 17, 18 are provided at spaced intervals along the elongate base 14. In use, a hosepipe 20 is fastened longitudinally along the handle by the clips 15, 16, 17, 18. The end of the hosepipe is held by an end clip 19 so that water flowing from the hosepipe is directed towards the head of the brush. <IMAGE>

Description

Brush Attachment This invention relates to an attachment for a brush or the like, and in particular to a brush spray attachment.

It is well known to attach brushes to the end of a hosepipe. One known hose attachment comprises a short hollow handle which connects to the hosepipe, and a head with a plurality of bristles, the head being formed with a number of holes which allow water to flow out through the bristles.

This hose attachment allows scrubbing and rinsing to be simultaneously carried out whilst washing vehicles for example.

Another known type of hose attachment comprises a brush fixed to an elongate handle which is suitable for scrubbing and rinsing paths and patios etc. However I have found that a hollow elongate tubular handle leads to an inherent weakness in the brush, thereby rendering it unsuitable for heavy scrubbing operations.

A problem with both of the above devices is that an existing attachment has to be removed from the hose before the brush can be attached, and the original attachment has to be replaced on the hose afterwards. Also the known types of brush attachment are expensive to purchase, and have a relatively limited use.

I have now devised a brush attachment which alleviates the problems with the above-mentioned devices and which cheap to manufacture.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a brush attachment for fastening a hosepipe to a brush, comprising an elongate base attachable to the brush, and a plurality of hosepipe fastening means disposed at spaced intervals along the base.

Preferably the fastening means are arranged to fasten the hosepipe longitudinally along a handle of the brush. In a preferred embodiment the fastening means are offset along the length of the elongate base to form a meander in the hosepipe.

The meander in the hosepipe creates resistance to prevent the hosepipe from being accidentally displaced longitudinally of the handle.

The elongate base may comprise a rigid member for attaching to the handle. In this embodiment the fastening means may comprise clips spaced in-line along the base.

Instead, the elongate base may comprise an elongate C-shaped collar formed of resiliently flexible material for snapengagement with the brush handle.

In another embodiment the elongate base member comprises a sheet of flexible material for wrapping around the brush handle. In this case the fastening means may comprise straps spaced at intervals along the flexible base. Each strap may comprise a buckle so that in use a free end of the strap can be formed into a loop around the hosepipe. Preferably the straps comprise fasteners of the hook-and-pile type (velcro).

Preferably a loop is formed at one end of the base for holding the free end of the hosepipe.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brush attachment in accordance with this invention when fitted to a brush handle; Figure 2 is an end view of the brush attachment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of brush attachment in accordance with this invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of brush attachment in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a conventional sweeping brush having a broom head 10 and an elongate handle 12 extending therefrom. The head 10 has a plurality of bristles 11 disposed on its working faces. A brush attachment 13 comprising a rigid, U-section elongate base 14 is fixed axially along the handle 12 adjacent the lower end of the latter. A clip 19 having a circular aperture projects outwardly from the base 14 at its lower end'. A plurality of C-shaped clips 15,16,17,18 project from the base 10 at spaced intervals along its length. The clips, 15;16.#R- are' in-line, and the clip 17 is positioned so that it projects perpendicular to the other clips 15,16,18.

In use, a hosepipe 20 having a spray nozzle attachment 21 is attached to the brush handle 12. The hosepipe is snapengaged with the C-shaped clips 15,16,17,18, and the spray nozzle 21 is retained by the apertured clip 19 at the end of the base 14 and directs a spray onto the back of the broom head 10. Because the C-shaped clip 17 is offset from the other clips 15,15,18, a meander is formed in the hose 20 at 22. The meander serves to provide resistance to the hose 20 from being displaced longitudinally of the handle 12, thereby retaining the hose 20 securely in position. This is particularly advantageous when pulling long lengths of hosepipe along the ground.

When water is fed along the hosepipe 20, a spray emerges from the nozzle 21. The brush can therefore be used to scrub and rinse simultaneously. The hosepipe 20 can be detached easily from the brush so that the brush can be used in the normal way.

The elongate base 14 may be fixed to the brush handle 12 by screws or by straps. In an alternative embodiment the clamps 16,17,18,19 may be fixed directly to the handle 12, in which case the handle 12 forms the elongate base.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown another embodiment of brush attachment comprising an elongate base 24 in the form of a C-shaped collar of resiliently flexible material such as plastics. A plurality of clips 25,27,28,29 are spaced along the length of the base 24, to retain the hosepipe.

In use, the base 24 is snap-engaged with the handle of the brush, and can be pulled off when required. The flexibility of the material of the base 24 enables it to be fitted to a range of handle diameters. the base 24 and clips 25,27,28,29 may be formed separately or the brush attachment may be made as a one piece moulding.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a further embodiment of brush attachment comprising an elongate base 34 formed from flexible sheet material such as woven nylon. The attachment further comprises a plurality of straps 35,37,38 arranged transversely across the base 34 at spaced intervals.

A loop 39 is formed at one end of the base. Each strap 35,37,38 is fixed at one of its ends to the base and its free end has a pad 40. A buckle 41 is retained in the strap adjacent its point of attachment to the base. A pad 42 is sewn to base 34 adjacent the buckle 41. The pads 40,42 are respectively of hook and pile (#elcro) type to co-operate together. The straps 35,38 are arranged so that their buckles, e.g. 41, are in line. The strap 37 lies the opposite way across the base 34 and its buckle is offset from the line of the other buckles. A fixing strap 32,33 is disposed midway along the base.

In use, the base 34 is wrapped around the handle of a brush so that the loop strap 39 is positioned adjacent the head of the brush. the base 34 is secured to the handle by means of the fixing strap 32,33 which, in the example shown, comprise velcro tabs. A hosepipe is secured to the base by means of the straps 35,37,38. The straps 35,37,38 are each formed into a loop around the hosepipe and are then passed through the buckle, e.g. 41, and pulled tight. The tab 40 at the free end of each strap is fastened to the corresponding pad 42 sewn to the base 32.

Because the buckles, e.g. 41, of the straps 35,37,38 are laterally offset, the hosepipe will follow a meander path as represented by the line x-x in Figure 4. The spray nozzle or the free end of the hosepipe is retained by the looped strap 39 at one end of the base. Instead of the looped strap 39, an aperture may be formed in the base 34, for the hosepipe to be passed through.

It will be appreciated that the brush attachment may be attached to any elongate member such as the handle of a garden fork or mop. For example, the brush attachment may be attached to a garden fork impaled in the ground so that a spray of water is directed upwardly into the air so as to water the garden.

Claims

1) A brush attachment for fastening a hosepipe to a brush, comprising an elongate base for attaching to the brush, and a plurality of hosepipe fastening means disposed at spaced intervals along said base.

2) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 1, in which the fastening means are offset so as to form a meander in the hosepipe.

3) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the elongate base comprises a rigid member for attaching to a handle of the brush.

4) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 3, in which the fastening means comprise clips spaced along the elongate base.

5) A brush attachment as claimed in claims 3 or 4, in which the elongate base comprises an elongate C-shaped collar which is resiliently flexible, for snap-engagement with the brush handle.

6) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the elongate base comprises a piece of flexible sheet material for wrapping around the brush handle, and means for securing the elongate base to said handle.

7) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 6, in which the fastening means comprise straps spaced at intervals along the elongate base.

8) A brush attachment as claimed in claim 7, in which each strap is provided with a buckle so that in use a free end of the strap can be formed into a loop around the hosepipe.

9) A brush attachment as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8, in which the straps comprise fastening means of hook-andpile type.

10) A brush attachment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a loop is provided at one end of the elongate base for holding the free end of the hosepipe.

11) A brush attachment as claimed substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 2 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.