IES20050082A2

IES20050082A2 - A brush head

Info

Publication number: IES20050082A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Alan Hardiman; Nick Issac
Original assignee: Alan Hardiman
Priority date: 2005-02-17
Filing date: 2005-02-17
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Also published as: WO2006087692A1

Abstract

The invention provides a table brush comprising a plurality of bristles attached to a brush head. The invention is particularly suited to cleaning a clothed surface of snooker and/or pool tables. The brush head is substantially hollow and perforated and has a plurality of perforations positioned substantially along the length of the brush head. The brush head is adapted for attachment to a vacuum cleaner such that suction from the vacuum cleaner extracts dust via the perforations from a table surface without damaging the cloth on the snooker/pool table. <Figure 1>

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a table brush comprising a plurality of bristles attached to a brush head. In particular the invention is directed towards providing a new type of brush head for use in cleaning the cloth of snooker and pool tables.

Background to the Invention Generally speaking, it is desirable to keep a snooker or pool table clean which not only makes the table look better, but is preserves the lifetime of the cloth on the table. It is known to provide table brushes having nylon or horsehair bristles to clean such cloths on tables. These brushes are hand operated by a cleaner by firmly sweeping the cloth. It is important not to apply too much pressure when sweeping so as not to damage the cloth.

There are a number of problems with existing snooker or pool brushes. When a cleaner is brushing the table with the handheld brush, the dust is blown up off the table only to come back down and settle on the cloth after brushing. Worse still, a cleaner inhales a lot of the dust brushed up. This is very unhealthy for a person with asthma and can aggravate other breathing difficulties the cleaner may have long term. Furthermore the dust can remain in the atmosphere, which makes the environment unhygienic to be in. If the cleaner applies too much sweeping pressure to the cloth, it may become damaged. ...... ' IE 0 5 0 08 2 In an effort to overcome these problems, snooker or pool clubs employ contract companies to professionally clean the tables. However, this is a costly and expensive process and tables cannot be brushed during club opening hours. The cleaners employed by the outside companies wear dust masks in order to prevent inhalation of the dust. Conventional vacuum cleaners have been employed in an effort to remove the dust, but it has been found that the suction from the vacuum cleaner damages the cloth. It has been found that the suction from the vacuum cleaner stretches the cloth, which damages the nap of the cloth, thus considerably shortening the playing lifetime of the playing surface of the pool or snooker table.

Object of the Invention Therefore, the object of the above mentioned is provide a brush head adapted to brush the cloth and extract the dust at the same time ensuring that the dust does not settle on the cloth again or not remain in the atmosphere and that a cleaner does not inhale the dust.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles attached to a brush head characterised in that the brush head is substantially hollow and perforated, having a plurality of perforations positioned along the length of the brush head, adapted for attachment to a vacuum cleaner. The perforations are dimensioned to allow a sufficient suction of the vacuum cleaner to extract dust from the table whereby the suction does not damage a cloth on the table.

IE 0 5 0 08 2 The advantage of the present invention is that when a cleaner brushes the cloth simultaneously the dust is extracted by suction from the vacuum cleaner as it is lifted from the cloth while not damaging the cloth at the same time.

Preferably, there is provided an outlet in the hollow head for attaching to the vacuum cleaner.

Ideally the hollow head and inlet defines a passage for the vacuum cleaner to extract the dust from the table via the perforations. The perforations are positioned substantially near the area of the bristles, which are attached to the brush head. In one preferred embodiment, the outlet is position at one of the ends of the brush head. In a further embodiment, the outlet can be positioned at one of the sides of the brush.

In another embodiment the perforations can be positioned on the side edges of the brush head so that the suction is not acting directly on the table or cloth, but allows for sufficient suction to remove the dust form the atmosphere as it is swept off the table. In yet another embodiment the perforations are positioned on top of the brush head.

Another aspect of the invention is that the dimension of the perforations is dependant on the length and thickness of the bristles.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of the brush head of the present invention.

IE 0 5 0 08 2 Fig. 2 is an underside view of the brush head.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the brush head.

Fig. 4 illustrates a brush head of the present invention attached to a vacuum cleaner.

Fig. 5 illustrates the brush head and vacuum cleaner of Fig. 4 been worn by a cleaner.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1-3 inclusive, there is illustrated a table brush 1 comprising a plurality of bristles 2 attached to the brush head 1. An outlet 3 is provided on the brush head 1. The brush head 1 is substantially hollow such that the hollow head 1 and outlet 3 defines a passage 5 for the extraction of dust from a surface via perforations 4 positioned in the underside of the head. The perforations 4 are ideally positioned substantially near the bristles 2.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the brush head 1 is attached to a vacuum cleaner 6 by a suction nozzle 7. Fig. 5 illustrates the vacuum cleaner 6 in operation attached to the back of a cleaner. The brush head 1 dimensions are substantially the same as that of typical hand held pool or snooker table brush. A cleaner can switch on the vacuum cleaner 6 and brush the cloth of a snooker or pool table using the normal brushing action to clean the table. As the dust is brushed from the table, the vacuum cleaner provides sufficient suction to extract the dust before the ΙΕ ο 5 0 0 8 2 user inhales the dust or before the dust has the opportunity to settle on the table again. The dust is extracted via the perforations 4 and into the passage 5 which is sucked into the vacuum cleaner via the inlet 3. The operation of a vacuum cleaner 6 is well known in the art and does not need to be explained.

The outlet 3 is positioned at one of the ends of brush 1 so that the brush is dimensioned to feel like a typical snooker or pool table brush. This is important for the cleaner as the brushing action is carried out exactly the same as that for a typical hand held table brush. It will be appreciated that the outlet 3 could be positioned on one of the sides of the brush in an alternative embodiment.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the suction from the vacuum cleaner 6 does not damage the cloth of the table. This is achieved by selecting the dimension of the perforations 4. The dimension of the perforation 4 can be selected dependent on the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 6 and the size of the outlet 3. Alternatively the dimension of the perforations 4 is dependant on the length and thickness of the bristles 2 of the brush head 1. This follows on that it is necessary to have a uniform suction from the brush head 1 which can be provided by selecting the dimension and distribution of the perforations 4 by using any of the parameters either on their own or by using a combination of parameters.

In another embodiment the perforations 4 can be positioned on the sides of the brush head 1. This has the effect that the suction from the vacuum cleaner 6 does not act directly IE 0 5 0 0 β 2 on the cloth but the suction removes the dust as it is swept by the brushing action of the cleaner.

The construction of the brush head 1 may be of wood or preferably plastic or a combination of both. However, one will appreciate that other materials can be used, for example, metal.

The hollow plastic feature of the brush head enables a sucking air passageway to operate and thus gather dust and eliminate any chalk marks from any snooker or pool table. The perforations 4 can be positioned can be positioned on either side of the brush head 1. The invention allows the perforations on both sides of the brush to be designed to facilitate right handed or left handed operation. In one embodiment the brush head is provided with a shutter mechanism to control the air passageway such that suction is permitted through perforations on one side of the brush only.

The atmosphere of snooker or pool halls will be very much improved as the dust from the tables will be removed proving a much more hygienic and healthy environment for players and staff. It would also be appreciated that the life of the cloth will be extended as it will not need to be brushed as often with conventional brushes.

It will also be appreciated that the present invention could be extended to brushing dust off seats covered in cloth, for example, seats on aeroplanes, buses, cinemas and trains. In this embodiment, it is envisaged that harder bristles on the brush would be provided.

IB Ο 5 Ο 08 2 Ί The words comprises/comprising and the words having/including when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A table brush comprising: a plurality of bristles attached to a brush head characterised in that the brush head is substantially hollow and perforated, having a plurality of perforations positioned along the length of the brush head, adapted for attachment to a vacuum cleaner.

2. A table brush as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the perforations are dimensioned to allow sufficient suction from the vacuum cleaner to extract dust from the table whereby the suction does not damage a cloth on the table.

3. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided an outlet in the hollow head for attaching to the vacuum cleaner.

4. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hollow head and inlet defines a passage for the vacuum cleaner to extract the dust from the table via the perforations.

5. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the perforations are positioned substantially near the area where the bristles are attached to the brush head.

6. A table brush as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein the perforations are positioned on the side edges of the brush head, whereby suction from the vacuum cleaner is ΙΕ θ 5 0 0 8 2 at substantially right angles to the table during brush operation.

7. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inlet is positioned at one of the ends of the brush head.

8. A table brush as claimed in Claims 1 to 6 wherein the inlet is positioned in one of the sides of the brush head.

9. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the dimension of the perforations is dependant on the length and thickness of the bristle.

10. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the dimension of the perforations is dependant on the suction strength of the vacuum cleaner.

11. A table brush as claimed in any preceding claim where the outlet is 15 mm in diameter. ..-2- 1

12. A table brush^as claimed in any preceding claim for use on a snooker table.

13. A table brush as claimed in Claims 1 to 11 for use on a pool table.

14. A vacuum cleaner incorporating the table brush of any preceding claim.