GB2512027A

GB2512027A - A Brush

Info

Publication number: GB2512027A
Application number: GB1300587.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oluwatoyin Oyeniyi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-12
Filing date: 2013-01-12
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: GB201300587D0

Abstract

A brush comprising a handle end 1 and a distal brush end 7 connected by a body 2. The brush end includes two parts 4 hinged at the collar 8 so as to form a pair of jaws which may be opened and closed with the use of a control means in the handle 1. The jaws 4 may be fitted with bristles 3 to form a toilet brush. The device may be used to retrieve objects from the bowl of the toilet, as well as for use in cleaning it.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

OLUWATOYIN OYENIYI

FOR

A BRUSH

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a brush, more particularly but not exclusively a brush for multiple uses.

Background

On occasion a toilet or lavatory or water closet may become blocked due to excessive waste in the toilet, for example a build-up of toilet tissue, and such waste may require manual removal in order to allow the toilet to.function properly Other items may be accidently dropped down the toilet by a user such as items falling from pockets like a mobile device, or items falling from the user such as jewellery, and these items also require removal with urgency.

In order to retrieve these items the user may need to usec their hand to collect the item. Usually the user may wear a long waterproof glove so as to protect their hand although the user will be required to bend down to the toilet bowl in order to reach the item. In many ways this is not desirable.

Other devices may be improvised for use, but will need cleaning or disposal.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Chinese utility model CN 201 790 721 (FANG) discloses a multifunctional toilet cleaning brush, which aims at solving the problem of providing the toilet cleaning brush capable of being used for brush washing and flushing. The toilet cleaning brush comprises a broom handle, a double-side brush and a valve, wherein the broom handle is connected with the double-side brush, and the valve is arranged on the broom handle. The utility model is convenient for people to clean and sweep toilets, reduces the work intensity, and improves the work efficiency.

Chinese utility model CN 201 683 837 (YEBO) discloses a convenient toilet brush, comprising a brush head, a hollow brush handle and a hanging sleeve on the upper end of the brush handle, a toilet flusher container and an electric machine fixed and connected with the upper end of the brush handle, wherein a drive axle of the electric machine is fixed and connected with the brush head by the hollow brush handle and a power supply and a switch are fixed at the higher position in the middle of the brush handle and the power supply, the switch and the electric machine are electrically connected into a loop. The brush head of the convenient toilet brush rotates under the drive of the electric machine without the user. The toilet brush also has the function for housing the toilet flusher and the toilet flusher is very conveniently poured into the toilet when in need and the toilet is more conveniently cleaned The convenient toilet brush has features of multifunction, convenient use, good cleaning effect, saved time and labor.

Granted United States patent US 7 077 443 (JONES) discloses a sanitary pick-up device comprising: an elongated body having first and second opposite ends and a midsection therebetween; a fixed bail and a movable bail carried near the first opposite end of the body and a handgrip carried near the second opposite end of the body; actuation means between near the handgrip and the movable bail for moving the movable bail to and from the fixed bail; a storage member mounted on the body midsection for receiving a supply of bags; and attachment means associated with the supply of bags for releasably retaining the supply of bags in the storage compartment.

In contrast the present invention provides a simple means of allowing collection and/or displacement of items in situations where a brush is also of use.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a brush comprising a first handle end and distal second brush end, wherein the brush end includes at least two parts hinged at a hinge so as to allow mutual disengagement of the parts, and wherein proximate or at the handle end there is provided a control means for controlling the at least two parts for said disengagement, wherein said disengagement includes displacement and deviation of at least one of the parts with reference to the hinge.

Typically said brush is in use in sanitation situations, such as for use in a toilet as described above.

Therefore the invention may comprise a toilet brush comprising: an arm with at!east two distally mounted parts and a proximate handle, with at least one part, with two ends, being secured at one end by a pivot and moveable at the other end, wherein at least one part is displaced at or from a second part by a control means housed on or in the handle, said means typically èomprising a trigger which enables the parts to be displaced about the pivot. This displacement is so as to facilitate or provide a pincer mechanism, which mechanism enables items to be held between the parts and released. Typically the parts include a plurality of bristles wherein they may form the brush in secondary or primary usage.

In some further embodiments the means may include one or two mutually displaceable portions which may be squeezed together to activate the mechanism, wherein the portion(s) may connect directly to at least one of the parts.

In this way items may be picked up from a toilet bowl if for example items are accidently dropped into the toilet.

The brush may be used to retrieve the item wherein the mechanism grabs the item between interior faces. The bristles on exterior faces also enable cleaning, therefore providing two complimentary uses for the brush. Furthermore the brush may also be used to assist with unblocking the toilet when for example a build up of tissue may require remoUal so as to be able to flush the toilet and during said removal agitation and cleaning may be simultaneously achieved.

In preferred embodiments the arm is elongate, and typically tubular, enabling a user to retrieve items from the toilet whilst behg distanced from any waste in the toilet and thereby protecting the user from becoming soiled and minimising need to bend over or approximate the toilet. Furthermore as the arm is tubular it is lightweight, and able to house part of the control means and correlating mechanism.

Typically the handle is mounted so as to enable the user to easily hold, manipulate and position the brush into a toilet bowl in use.

Preferably the means or trigger may comprise a button or lever that is depressed in order to activate the mechanism and displace the parts. Activation of the trigger is linked to at least one of the parts so that at least one part moves about the pivot to enable the pincer mechanism.

In preferred embodiments only one part is pivotable and the second part is fixed, thereby reducing moving parts required and simplifying the mechanism. Typically the first pivotable part is displaced from the second fixed part so as to move from a closed position to an open position wherein said closed position may provide a closed brush end.

Ideally the mechanism is facilitated or operated by a cord internal to the arm which connects the at least oneS movable part to the trigger so that when the trigger is depressed the cord is pulled, displacing the part to the open position. Preferably the cord passes within the arm so as noP4e damaged or soiled in use.

In preferred embodiments a torsion spring or other deformable member may be provided to return the part to the closed position on release of the trigger and bias the parts to the closed position. Therefore the trigger remains depressed in order to keep the part in the open position and when the trigger is released the part will return to the closed position.

In other embodiments the parts may be biased to an open position wherein to grasp items the trigger or more generally control means must be operated.

In some further embodiments the amount of pressure applied to the trigger is proportional to displacement of the part wherein if the trigger is fully depressed the first part is most displaced from the second part In preferred embodiments when in the open position the item to be retrieved may be located between the parts, and the trigger released so that the parts close around the item thereby holding the item by the mechanism.

In preferred embodiments the pans are shaped to as to aid retrieval of items.

Typically the parts may be tapered to a tip so as to enable retrieval of small items. In some embodiments the parts may be ribbed on interior faces so as to provide purchase and in yet further embodiments the parts may be arcuate so as to traverse a toilet U-bend.

Preferably the pads' opposing interior or internal faces may be arcuately bowed so as to provide a lacuna between the opposing interior faces when closed, thereby providing a location for holding an item.

Typically the parts may be formed from a lightweight, durable material such as synthetic plastic that may be readily moulded.

Advantageously at least a portion of the interior faces touch when closed so as to be able to hold smaller items that may fall out from the lacuna. Typically the touching portion is flat so as to provide an adequate surface for retrieval of smaller items, furthermore the touching portion may be provided at the tips so as to be similar to tweezers and suitable for retrieval of fine or delicate items such as jewellery.

Preferably the opposing interior faces are textured so as to aid with retrieval of items.

In some embodiments the interior faces may be lined with a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or a cellular structure such as foam so as aid with retrieving items and holding the items securely until they are released away from the toilet.

Alternatively the interior faces may be moulded so as to include a textured surface Additionally in some embodiments the parts may include magnets to assist in retrieving ferromagnetic items such as some jewellery items.

In preferred embodiments the part exterior faces or backs include a plurality of bristles formed from a non absorbent, durable material such as polypropylene or nylon.

Ideally the bristles are splayed in different directions so as to fan out around the backs on the parts so as to allow optimal cleaning. Typically the back of the part may be curved so as to allow for more bristles and to enable the bristles to be splayed out efficiently with reduced chance of clogging of matter in the bristles.

Therefore the brush may be readily used to clean the toilet with no requirement for the mechanism. Advantageously being able to displace the parts may aid cleaning in harder to reach parts of the toilet bowl.

In some other embodiments the interior faces of the parts may also include bristles so as to aid with cleaning and/or retrieval of items.

In some eiiibodiments the brush may include more than two parts for example having three or more which may displace or mutually disengage in order to retrieve items. ha

In preferred embodiments the brush maynprovided with a holder so as to store the brush alongside the toilet therefore being ready for immediate use. Preferably the holder may be adapted to enclose at least the parts in an upright orientation so as to allow the brush to drain after use.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the brush according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second isometric detail view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a second side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a third side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows another isometric detail view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 7 shows another isometric detail view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures the handle 1 is joined by the body 2 to the bristled heads 3, with are provided on the parts 4, wherein one of the pads 4 is hinged so as to pivot away from the other part 4 at the pivot collar 8, wherein a section 9 of the movable part4extends from the collar 8.

The parts 4 are shaped so as to provide a offset grip 7 and provided with resiliently deforniable ends 6 which prevent marking and damage.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that vaiation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ad, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desirecJto limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A brush comprising a first handle end and distal second brush end, wherein the brush end includes at least two parts hinged at a hinge so as to allow mutual disengagement of the parts, and wherein proximate or at the handle end there is provided a control means for controlling the at least two parts for said disengagement, wherein said disengagement includes displacement and deviation of at least one of the parts with reference to the hinge.
2. A brush according to claim 1 wherein an operative mechanism for displacement of the at least one part is substantially enGlosed within a housing extending between the ends.
3. A brush according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the parts are provided with bristles and comprise a toilet brush.
4. A brush with reference to the figures.