US20070186365A1

US20070186365A1 - Combined cleaning sponge and sponge holder

Info

Publication number: US20070186365A1
Application number: US11/603,579
Authority: US
Inventors: John Armaly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2007-08-16

Abstract

A disposable cleaning head and adapter therefor are positioned in a receptacle of predetermined cross-section at the forward end of a handle, the adapter converting the receptacle for use with cleaning heads having a different mounting cross-section. The cleaning head includes a base member of predetermined cross-section and configured for removable fitment in the converted receptacle, a cleaning member, and a holder for connecting the cleaning member to the base. Various cleaning heads are disclosed, one wherein a plurality of sponge-like cleaning strips radiate outwardly from the holder and form a ball, much like a sunburst, with the holder being fixed or mounted in a ball-joint socket relation to permit the “sunburst” to rotate relative to the base, another wherein a sponge like element is mounted to or removably interengaged with the holder, such as via piercing or complementary retention structure operating between the sponge element and the holder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/739,559, filed on Nov. 23, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a disposable cleaning head and adapter therefor that are positioned in a receptacle at the forward end of a handle, the cleaning head adapted for cleaning without scratching plated and painted surfaces of a vehicle, such as the wheel cover and the front grille. More particularly, this invention pertains to a cleaning head comprised of sponge-like cleaning elements affixed to a holder that is mountable in detachable fashion in the receptacle, wherein the cleaning head is held in frictional closure with and rotates relative to the adapter or is locked in place.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cleaning head for use with a handle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. US-D496,138, issued Sep. 14, 2004, and a handle for use with a disposable cleaning head is disclosed in US-D496,512, issued Sep. 21, 2004, and Patent Publication 2004/0129296, published Jul. 8, 2004, the disclosures of each of these patent documents being specifically incorporated herein by reference.
In general, the cleaning apparatus of the above patent documents comprises a cleaning head and a handle apparatus. The cleaning head comprises a cylindrical bundle of axial bristles arranged within a receiving sleeve detachably mountable to an end portion of the handle apparatus under friction closure. The handle apparatus includes an elongated handle including the cylindrical end portion for detachably mounting the cleaning head, and actuation means operably coupled to the handle and including a plunger, wherein actuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning head from the end portion.
The cleaning head is particularly used for cleaning a toilet bowl and is discharged into the toilet bowl when the useful life is exhausted. The cleaning head, while believed suitable for the use in cleaning toilet bowls, has a bristle construction which may not be appropriate in cleaning other surfaces.
Present day automobile wheels are often constructed with attractive designs to generate customer appeal. Customer demand is such that many different styles and configurations of wheels are necessary to meet the diverse taste of customers.
There has developed a very lucrative market for both OEM and aftermarket wheels constructed with numerous different styles of spoke and aperture configurations combined to present an eye pleasing design. Many of these wheels incorporate attractive finishes, which may be constructed of expensive metal platings and the like. Such finishes often require a great degree of care in order to maintain a clean attractive appearance. This demand leads to a challenge for the automobile owner in keeping the wheels clean. During operation of the car, both the wheel and various component parts thereof and the vehicle trim may become covered with grease and other dirt, which detracts from the appearance of the automobile.
What adds to the challenge of effective wheel cleaning is the fact that popular wheel designs often incorporate recesses, holes, crevices and spaces which have endless numbers of shapes, sizes and angles thus exhibiting a challenge to effective access by presently known cleaning brushes and pads.
Commonly used tools, such as oversized sponges, long bristle brushes and sets of brushes with specific sizes and shapes have not provided a satisfactory solution to cleaning the dirt and grime without somehow degrading a surface finish.
As an example, in many wheel designs, the depressions and openings therein are formed with radially inwardly turned peripheral lips which often collect dust and grime which is difficult to access with a typical sponge or brush. Those depressions and crevices often incorporate a triangular configuration such that a brush sized for ready access to the enlarged end of the triangle cannot be slid into the narrow end of the triangular crevice thus preventing access to the inturned peripheral lips for adequate cleaning thereof.
Also, any effort to utilize a set of multiple brushes of different sizes and shapes is generally impractical. The expense of acquiring such sets of brushes and the challenge of having the properly sized brush readily available at the time it is needed renders the overall proposition quite unsatisfactory.
Inability of the cleaning implement to reach awkward places often results in dirt, grime and dust being left on the vehicle part after the cleaning task is completed, thus leaving an unsightly appearance.
Various different proposals have been made for solving these various problems. As an example, Sellers U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,857 discloses a polishing tool having an elongated stem mounting on one side a series of tufts of brush bristles and on the other side a layer of sponge-like material configured in a V-shape for accessing specifically shaped crevices and depressions.
In recognition of the need for a device for cleaning lug nut wells, Gronkiewicz U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,686 discloses a generally tubular shaped sponge configured to be received telescopically within the lug nut well. Large U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,526 discloses a resilient pad fixedly attached to a handle with the pad formed by cylindrical segments stepped down in transverse cross-section toward the forward end of the handle.
Such devices, while satisfactory for certain applications, have limited utility and have not been broadly accepted in the marketplace.
Consequently, there exists a need for a wheel cleaning tool for accessing wheel indentations and apertures having different shapes, sizes and configurations and which accommodates wide ranges of such configurations. It is preferable if the cleaning task could be undertaken without subjecting the finish of the wheel to harsh rigid surfaces which might result in dragging grit over the finish resulting in scratching thereof.
It is to be appreciated that there is a need for a cleaning head and holder which may be detachably connected to a handle, and configured to enable the user to clean recesses and surface indentations such as defined by wheel covers, trim, and other surfaces of an area.
An object of this invention is the provision of improved cleaning apparatus having a shaped handle with ejection plunger and swiveling cleaning head that will enable the user to gain access to hard to reach locations and yet apply cleaning force as needed without damaging the vehicle surface being cleaned.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a disposable cleaning head and adapter therefore which enables the cleaning head to be easily mounted to a handle and ejected from the handle and disposed of when the useful life of the cleaning head is reached.
Another object is the provision of a cleaning head, having different construction and different cleaning elements, and an adapter, enabling different types of cleaning heads to be demountably attached to a receptacle at the end of an elongated handle, thereby enabling the cleaning tool available and the work to be performed to be customized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an apparatus for cleaning vehicle surfaces, the vehicle surfaces including plated and painted wheel covers, grilles, vehicle trim and other surfaces to be protected from scratching during cleaning, the apparatus including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end providing an outwardly open cylindrical receiving sleeve for receiving a first cleaning head, and actuation means operably coupled to the handle and including a plunger wherein actuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning head from the receiving sleeve, the improvement comprising:
an adapter ring to convert the receiving sleeve to receive a second cleaning head, said adapter ring having opposite ends and a cylindrical inner wall extending between the opposite ends, the inner wall forming rearward and forward wall portions with the rearward wall portion being fixedly mounted to the distal end portion of said receiving sleeve and the forward wall portion extending forwardly of the distal end, the inner wall of said receiving sleeve and the forward wall portion of said adapter ring combining to form a receptacle to receive said second cleaning head, and
a second cleaning head, comprising a holder adapted to be received in said receptacle, said holder including a cylindrical shoulder proximate to the forward end thereof, a plurality of sponge-like cleaning elements, and means for attaching said cleaning elements to said holder,
the outer surface of said shoulder being complementary to the forward wall portion of said adapter wherein to permit the holder to be detachably mounted in said receptacle in a frictional snap-fit engaging closure.
In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the outer surface of the cylindrical shoulder is frusto-conical and the engagement thereof with the inner wall of the adapter ring is such as to provide a snap-fit frictional closure between the adapter ring and the cleaning head wherein the cleaning head is free to rotate relative to the receptacle.
However, in another preferred aspect of this embodiment, if desired in some application, the snap-fit engagement may be such that the cleaning head holder is fixed relative to the receptacle and does not rotate relative thereto. The means for preventing relative rotation may comprise a rib from one member interengaging with a detent in the other member.
Preferably, the sponge-like cleaning elements comprise a plurality of shaped strips of soft water absorbent polyurethane foam cut to a predetermined size and shape and connected to the forward end portion of the cleaning head holder, the strips being flexible, having a square, or other suitable geometrical cross-section, and arranged to radiate outwardly from their connection and form into a ball-like or “sunburst” shape.
Preferably, the strips are generally of the same length, and connected to the holder at their respective midpoints
According to this embodiment, the strips may be comprised of expanded polymeric foam, glass mop, nylon, sponge, soft rubber, or other appropriate cleaning or brush material configured to clean the vehicle surface without damaging the surface of same.
Such a combination of soft, absorbent foam strips radiating outwardly at different angles from the cleaning head holder provides a multi-action cleansing ability for cleaning the desired surfaces of the vehicle.
In a second embodiment according to this invention there is provided a cleaning head assembly connectible to a receptacle provided at the forward end of a handle, comprising
a cleaning device, said cleaning device including an elongated plate having forward and rearward end portions and an opening in the forward end portion, a cleaning brush comprised of a plurality of separate strips of fluid absorbing material fixedly attached to said opening, said strips radiating outwardly from said opening to form a sunburst and ball-like shape, and a cylindrical mounting member fixedly attached to the rearward end of said plate, and
an adapter ring configured for fixed attachment to the forward end of said receptacle, the adapter ring adapted to receive and frictionally captivate the mounting member in a snap-fit engagement.
Preferably, the strips of the cleaning head are as described herein above.
According to another embodiment of this invention a cleaning brush for cleaning vehicle surfaces, comprising
a brush head, said head comprising a mounting body and a plurality of cleaning strips of a sponge-like material, the strips radiating outwardly and forming a generally ball-shaped cleaning element forwardly of said mounting body, and
a handle with a brush head holder for detachably mounting the brush head in a releasable frictional snap-fit engagement, the handle being composed of several parts cemented together and comprising an ejection mechanism for ejecting the brush head from the brush head holder.
Preferably and according to this embodiment of the invention the mounting body is generally cylindrical and includes rearward and forward ends, and a cylindrical rib proximate to the forward end, and the brush head holder includes a stepped cylindrical bore for receiving the mounting body and a shoulder inwardly from the open end thereof for engaging the rib, the rearward end being engageable by the ejection mechanism, and the rib limiting insertion of the mounting body and forming a frictional engagement with the stepped bore.
According to another embodiment, an apparatus for non-destructively cleaning plated and painted surfaces of a vehicle comprises:
a disposable one-way brush head, the brush head including a cylindrical mounting member having a cylindrical shoulder formed proximate one end of said mounting member, a plate extending from the one end of said mounting member, and a plurality of separated foam cleaning strips, the strips radiating outwardly from a common location on said plate and formed into a ball,
an elongated handle having proximate and distal ends and a brush head holder at the distal end to releasably frictionally engage and secure the mounting member in working relation with the handle, said holder including an annular ring that extends forwardly from said distal end to form a stepped bore wherein the distal end forms a stop for said shoulder and the wall of said ring frictionally engages said shoulder in a snap-fit friction closure, and
an ejection mechanism for the brush head, the ejection mechanism comprising:
a cup-shaped ejection member movable within the stepped bore of said brush head holder,
an actuator element movably arranged on the handle, and
a motion transfer element between the actuator element and the cup-shaped ejection member, wherein the motion transfer element extends in the interior of the handle, movement of the ejection member causing the brush head to be ejected from the brush head holder.
In another embodiment according to this invention, there is provided a disposable cleaning head for a handle, comprising:
a cylindrical body having forward end rearward ends and a cylindrical rib extending outwardly from the body proximate to the forward end,
a mounting plate having a rearward end portion fixedly attached to the forward end of said body and a forward end portion, said forward end portion including a generally circular opening, and
a plurality of separate sponge elements, each element having opposite ends and a medial portion, the cross-sections of the medial portions being squeezed into gripped retaining relation within the circular opening, and the opposite ends of the strips extending away from the opening by substantially the same amount wherein to form a sunburst or ball-like shape.
According to this embodiment of the invention, the mounting plate is attached to the forward end of said body in a ball and socket arrangement. In particular, the rearward end portion of the mounting plate is formed with a ball, and a socket is formed in the forward end of said body and sized to receive the ball, whereby the mounting plate, with the sunburst of separate sponge elements may swivel and rotate relative to the forward end of the mounting body.
In yet another embodiment of this invention there is provided a disposable cleaning head for a handle, comprising:
a separate sponge element, and
a cylindrical body having forward end rearward ends, and a mounting plate at the forward end of the body, the mounting plate forming the forward end face of the body and adapted to be adhered to the sponge element to fixedly secure the sponge element thereto.
In yet another embodiment of this invention there is provided a disposable cleaning head for a handle, comprising:
a separate sponge element, and
a cylindrical body having forward end rearward ends, a front end face, and a retention structure projecting forwardly from the end face, the retention structure being adapted to engaged with the sponge element to removably secure the sponge element thereto.
According to this latter aspect, the retention structure may comprise a an elongated spear projecting away from the front face, the spear being adapted to be driven into the material of the sponge element to removably retain the sponge element to the body. The retention structure may also comprise one or more retention fingers, or a tubular sleeve element, sized to be received in a complementary slot in the sponge element, the fingers or sleeve element being retained by squeezing frictional engagement by the sponge material. In this regard, an enlarged bead or rib may be formed at the forward end of the retention finger or sleeve.
The present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and to the following Detailed Description, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and where:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art handle and a disposable cleaning head mounted in the handle.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the handle and the cleaning head illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a handle, adapter ring positioned for attachment to the handle, and a disposable cleaning head positioned for mounting to the handle according to this invention.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the handle with the adapter ring fixedly attached thereto according to this invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the disposable cleaning head according to this invention.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the handle with the adapter ring fixed thereto and the disposable cleaning head mounted in the handle for use and ejection therefrom.
FIGS. 7 and 7A illustrate another preferred embodiment of a disposable cleaning head according to this invention, wherein a cleaning element is mounted in a ball and socket arrangement for swiveling motion relative to the cleaning head.
FIG. 8 illustrates yet another preferred embodiment of a disposable cleaning head according to this invention, wherein a spherical cleaning element is mounted to a spear-like element that extends from the cleaning head.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are yet other preferred embodiments of a disposable cleaning head according to this invention, wherein a slab-like cleaning element is affixed to a mounting plate provided at the end of the cleaning head.
FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred arrangement according to this invention for inhibiting rotation the cleaning head relative to the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate cleaning apparatus 10 including a handle 12 and a disposable cleaning head 14 mounted thereto as is generally shown and described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. US-D496,138 and US-D496,512 and Patent Publication 2004/0129296. Each of these patent documents are specifically incorporated herein by reference and complete details are found in these references as to the specific structure and operation.
In general, the handle 12 includes a substantially hollow tubular body 16 having proximal and distal ends and formed with a receiving sleeve 18 at the distal end thereof for receiving the cleaning head 14. An actuating plunger 20 is provided in the handle and coupled to a slidable plunger head 22 concentrically disposed within the sleeve. Actuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning head 14 from the receiving sleeve 18.
The cleaning head 14 includes a cylindrical sleeve 24 provided with a cleaning element 26, such as bristles fibers, cotton, paper masses, unitary cloth and various other materials or arrangements. The receiving sleeve 18 is dimensioned to receive the sleeve 24.
According to this invention, and referring to FIG. 3, there is provided an adapter sleeve or ring 28, and a disposable cleaning head 30, each adapted to be used in connection with the handle 10.
The adapter sleeve 28 is generally cylindrical and includes forward and rearward end faces 32 and 34 and a cylindrical inner wall 36 having forward and rearward wall portions 36 a and 36 b, the rearward wall portion 36 b being fixedly mounted to the outer surface 38 of the receiving sleeve 18. The method of attachment is not described as comprising conventional means for attachment, depending on the materials. For example, if the sleeves 18 and 28 are of polymeric material, the attachment may be by adhesives, epoxies, and heat fusion.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when the adapter sleeve 28 is affixed to the receiving sleeve 18, the sleeves 18 and 28 cooperate to form a receptacle (or socket) 40 for receiving the cleaning head 30. Further, the sleeves 18 and 28 are generally coaxial with one another and the plunger head 22. The inner wall portions 18 a and 36 a of the sleeves 18 and 28 cooperate to form a stepped wall, and the distal end 18 b of the receiving sleeve 18 forms a stop for limiting inward insertion of the cleaning head 30 into the receptacle 40 and positioning the cleaning head relative to the plunger head 22.
Preferably and according to this invention, and turning to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cleaning head 30 comprises a base member 42, a mounting plate 44, and an array of cleaning elements 46.
The base member 42 is generally cylindrical, cup shaped and includes rearward and forward ends 48 and 50 and a cylindrical outer wall 52 dimensioned to permit sliding coaxial fitment of the cleaning head 30 within the receptacle 40 and interiorly of the receiving sleeve 18. When the base member 42 is in position within the receptacle 40, the rearward end 48 is in juxtaposed relation with the forward end face 23 of the plunger head 22 and the forward end 50 is generally coplanar relation with the forward end face 32 of the adapter sleeve 28.
Importantly, a cylindrical shoulder or rib 54 extends outwardly from the base member 42 adjacent to the forward end 50 thereof, the rib being adapted to seat against the distal end 18 b of the receiving sleeve 18. The rib 54 includes a cylindrical outer surface 56 that is generally frusto-conical and angles outwardly from the base member in a direction proceeding rearwardly from the forward end 50. Importantly, the rib 54 is adapted to form a frictional closure with the inner wall portion 36 a of the receptacle 40 of an amount sufficient to provide a snap-fit retention as well as permit the cleaning head 30 to rotate relative to the adapter sleeve portion of the receptacle.
The mounting plate 44 is generally flat, planar, rectangular, and has forward and rearward end portions 58 and 60, the rearward end portion 60 being fixedly attached to the center of the forward end 50 and the plate projecting perpendicularly away from the base member 42. The forward end portion 58 includes a circular opening 62, formed by a wall 64, to receive the cleaning elements 46.
The cleaning elements 46 comprise of a plurality of shaped individual flexible strips 46 a of soft water absorbent polyurethane foam cut to a predetermined size and shape and fixedly connected into the circular opening 62 of the mounting plate 44. Preferably, the strips 46 a have a square cross-section, are axially elongated, and generally of substantially the same length, each strip 46 a having opposite ends and a medial portion.
According to this invention, the strips 46 a of the cleaning head may be comprised of expanded polymeric foam, glass mop, nylon, sponge, soft rubber, or other appropriate cleaning or brush material configured to clean a plated or painted vehicle surface without damaging the surface of same.
The strips 46 a mount into the opening 62 of the plate 44 with the medial portions of the strips being encircled by, with some engaged in part by, the wall 64 forming the opening 62 and the opposite end portions of the strips being arranged to radiate outwardly from their connection. So bundled and arranged, the strips 46 a radiate outwardly from the opening 62 to form a ball or “sunburst” shape “S”.
In FIG. 5, the medial portions of the strips 46 a are shown in the circular opening 62 with the cross-sections of the strip medial portions being squeezed or scrunched radially together by the wall 64. Although the two end portions of the strips radiate outwardly from both sides of the plate 44, only the end portions of the strips 46 a that extend to the left (as viewed in the Figure) are shown. The dotted circular line about the opening 62 indicates the generally spherical ball or “sunburst” “S” that is formed by all of the end portions radiating away from the opening 62 and from both sides of the plate 44.
Turning to FIG. 6, the cleaning head 30 is shown mounted in the receptacle 40. The end portions of the strips 46 a are indicated by the dotted line formed about the opening 62.
So mounted, the cylindrical shoulder 54 is positioned in frictional snap fit rotating closure engagement with the inner wall 36 a of the receptacle 40 and the rearward end 48 of the base member 42 is positioned against the forward end face 23 of the plunger head 22. Movement of the plunger head 22 in the direction of the arrow will operate to eject the cleaning head 30 from the receptacle 40.
Alternate preferred embodiments of this invention are illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. In general, in each, the cleaning head comprises a cylindrical base or mounting body, such as base 42, with a cylindrical collar, such as 54, and mountable in the receptacle formed in part by the sleeve 28.
In FIGS. 7 and 7A, a disposable cleaning head 130 comprises the cylindrical base 42, a mounting stem or plate 144, and a plurality of cleaning elements 46. The mounting stem 144 has forward and rearward end portions 158 and 160, and an opening 164 formed in the forward end portion. A plurality of cleaning elements 46 are secured to the forward end portion 158 in the manner described hereinabove.
Preferably, as shown in the enlargement FIG. 7A, the rearward end portion 160 is connected to the base 42 in a manner that enables the mounting stem 144 to rotate and swivel relative to the connection. According to this embodiment, the connection comprises a socket 142A formed in the forward end face 50 of the base 42 and a ball 144 a formed at the rearward end portion 160 of the stem 144, the ball 144 a being interfitted within the socket 142 a. The arrangement could be reversed, wherein a ball protrudes from the forward end face of the base 42 and a socket is formed in the rearward end of the stem.
In FIG. 8, a disposable cleaning head 230 comprises the base 42, a mounting stem 244, and a cleaning element 246. As shown, the cleaning element 246 is in the form of a sphere, which is comprised of a suitable sponge-like material suitable for cleaning surfaces. The mounting stem 244 is in the form of a spike, or spear, and projects forwardly from the forward end face 50 of the base 42 to terminate in a pointed end 244 a, which end is driven into the spherical shaped cleaning element 246.
In FIG. 9, a disposable cleaning head 330 comprises the base 42, a mounting plate 344, and a cleaning element 346. The mounting plate 344 is generally flat, rectangular, and secured to the forward end of the base 42. The mounting plate 344 may be integrally formed with the base 42 or formed as a separate element and secured to the base 42.
The cleaning element 346 is generally rectangular in shape and secured to the mounting plate 344. The cleaning element 346 may be fixedly attached to the plate 344 by a suitable adhesive or be removably connected thereto.
Although not shown, the cleaning head may comprise other arrangements and cleaning elements as described herein. For example, a cleaning element may be secured to the base 42 by means of one or more gripping fingers and receiving slots operating between the cleaning element and the base.
In FIG. 10, according to this invention, a disposable cleaning head 430 comprises the base 42, and a cleaning element 446. A pair of fingers 445 upstand from the front face 50 of the base 42 and each terminates in a respective retention element 447, such as an enlarged bead. The cleaning element 446 is comprised of a suitable sponge-like material and includes a pair of retention slots 449. In practice, the fingers 445 are received in a respective slot 449. The slots 449 are dimensioned to receive and form a frictional gripping engagement with the fingers 445 and the retention elements 447.
The frictional retention could be other than shown. For example, the retention fingers may comprise an annular or tubular projection, which projects forwardly from the front face 50 of the base 42, and the tubular projection terminate in an enlarged retention rib or bead thereabout, and the receiving slot comprise a complementary annular slot, sized to receive and frictionally engage with the tubular projection and the retention rib.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, according to this invention, in some applications a rib 66 and a detent 68 may operate between the cleaning head 30, 130, 230, 330, and 430 and the inner wall 136 of the receptacle 28 wherein to prevent rotation of the cleaning head 30 relative to the handle 10. Advantageously, in some applications, this interlocking engagement will operate to ensure that the cleaning head remains at a desired angular relation with the handle during a cleaning activity.
Other combinations and structure, although not illustrated, are intended to be covered.
That is, the foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope if this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

Claims

1. In an apparatus for cleaning vehicle surfaces, the apparatus including a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end providing an outwardly open sleeve of predetermined cross-section for receiving a first cleaning head of having a cross-section complementary to said sleeve, and a hand operated actuator operably coupled to the handle for ejecting the cleaning head from the receiving sleeve, the improvement comprising:

a second cleaning head, said second cleaning head including a base member having forward and rearward end portions and a stop member extending radially outwardly, a cleaning member, and means for mounting said cleaning member to said base member, said base member having a cross-section that is greater than the predetermined cross-section of said first cleaning head, and

a hollow tubular adapter ring to convert the receiving sleeve into a stepped receptacle configured to receive the base member of said second cleaning head, said adapter ring having a rearward end portion fixedly mountable to the distal end of said receiving sleeve and a forward end portion extending forwardly of the distal end, the forward end portion of said ring having an interior wall configured to receive and frictionally engage said stop member, and said mounting forming an interior shoulder to engage said stop member and limit inward insertion of the second cleaning head into the receptacle.

2. The improvement of claim 1, further wherein:

said means for mounting comprises an elongated holder, and

said cleaning member comprises a plurality of sponge-like cleaning elements, and means for attaching said cleaning elements to said holder.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein

each said sponge-like cleaning element is axially elongated and has a medial portion and opposite ends,

said elongated holder includes forward and rearward end portions, said rearward end portion being connected to said base member and said forward end portion being spaced from said base member, and

said means for attaching comprises the forward end portion of said holder being provided with an opening of predetermined shape, the cleaning elements being bundled together with their respective midpoints compressed tightly together within the opening and ends radiating outwardly therefrom.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein the rearward end portion of elongated holder is substantially immovably secured to said base member.

5. The improvement of claim 3, wherein the rearward end portion of said elongated holder is connected via a ball and socket arrangement wherein the holder may both rotate and swivel relative to the connection.

6. The improvement of claim 2, wherein the adapter ring and the receiving sleeve each include a generally coaxially disposed cylindrical inner walls, and the stop member is generally annular and has an outer surface dimensioned to engage the inner wall of the adapter ring in a releasable snap-fit closure.

7. The improvement of claim 6, wherein the releasable snap-fit closure is such that the cleaning head may rotate relative to a central axis of the stepped receptacle.

8. The improvement of claim 6, further comprising means for preventing rotation of the cleaning head relative to the stepped receptacle.

9. The improvement of claim 8, wherein the means for preventing rotation comprises a rib from one said cleaning head and receptacle interengaging with a detent in the other of said cleaning head and receptacle.

10. The improvement of claim 2, wherein each sponge-like cleaning element comprises a shaped strip of soft water absorbent polyurethane foam cut to a predetermined size and shape, the strips being flexible, having a square, or other suitable geometrical cross-section, and arranged to radiate outwardly from their connection to the holder and form into a ball-like or “sunburst” shape.

11. The improvement of claim 10, wherein the shaped strips are generally of the same length, and connected to the holder at their respective midpoints.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein the strips are comprised of expanded polymeric foam, glass mop, nylon, sponge, soft rubber, or other appropriate cleaning or brush material capable of cleaning without harming or damaging the surface being cleaned.

13. The improvement of claim 1, wherein

said means for mounting comprises an elongated holder, and

said cleaning member comprises at least one sponge-like cleaning element, and means for attaching said cleaning element to said holder.

14. The improvement of claim 13, wherein said holder comprises an elongated spike, and said means for attaching comprises said spike being adapted to be removably impaled into the body of the sponge-like cleaning element, wherein the spike is frictionally engaged by said sponge material and said cleaning element is removably retained on said spike.

15. The improvement of claim 13, wherein

said holder includes a pair of retention fingers each formed at a forward free end thereof with an enlarged bead, and

said means for attaching comprises the body of said sponge-like cleaning element including a pair of complementary recesses adapted to receive the retention fingers, the enlarged beads cooperating to form a releasable frictional engagement with the material of the sponge material when the fingers are inserted therein.

16. The improvement of claim 13, wherein

said holder comprises a tubular sleeve element, said tubular element extending generally coaxially forwardly from the forward end of said base member, and

said means for attaching comprises the body of said sponge-like cleaning element including an annular ring-shaped recess extending inwardly of the sponge material, the sleeve element being insertable into the ring-shaped recess and gripped by the material of the sponge.

17. The improvement of claim 16, wherein an annular rib is formed on said tubular sleeve proximate to the distal end thereof, the rib engaging the material of the sponge when the sleeve element is inserted into the ring shaped recess wherein to inhibit unwanted withdrawal of the cleaning element

18. The improvement of claim 2, wherein

said means for mounting comprises a mounting plate, said plate being disposed in a plane generally transverse to the geometrical axis through said base member and at the forward end thereof,

said cleaning member comprises a generally rectangular shaped sponge-like cleaning element, and further comprising

means for attaching said cleaning element to said mounting plate.

19. An apparatus for cleaning plated and painted surfaces of a vehicle without damaging the surfaces being cleaned, comprises:

a disposable cleaning head, the cleaning head including a cylindrical base member having a cylindrical flange proximate one end thereof, a mounting plate extending from the one end of said base member, and a plurality of separate foam cleaning strips, the strips being bundled together at their midpoints and the midpoints connected to said plate in a manner that the opposite ends of the strips radiate outwardly and form into a ball shaped element,

an elongated handle having proximate and distal ends and a cleaning head holder at the distal end to releasably frictionally engage and secure the base member in working relation with the handle, said cleaning head holder forming a cup-shaped receptacle having a stepped interior wall wherein a cylindrical forward portion is greater in diameter than that of a cylindrical rearward portion and a stop is formed between the receptacle portions for engaging the flange and limiting inward insertion of the cleaning head into the receptacle, the inner wall of said forward portion being dimensioned to frictionally engage said flange in a snap-fit closure, and

an ejection mechanism for ejecting the cleaning head from the cleaning head holder, the ejection mechanism comprising a movable ejection member within the stepped receptacle of said cleaning head holder, an actuator element movably arranged on the handle, and a motion transfer element operating between the actuator element and the ejection member, wherein the motion transfer element extends through the interior of the handle, is hand operated by the user, and user initiated movement causes the ejection member to move and eject the cleaning head from the cleaning head holder.

20. A method of converting cleaning apparatus designed to be used with a first cleaning head provided, at least in part, with mounting portion having a first cross-section, and for use with a second cleaning head provided, at least in part, with a mounting portion having a second cross-section that is larger and possibly different than said first cross-section, the cleaning apparatus of the type which includes a handle, a hollow cylindrical sleeve at one handle end, said sleeve open thereat for receiving the first cleaning head, terminating in a forward facing endwall, and having interior and exterior walls, and a hand operated ejector at the other handle end for ejecting the cleaning head from the sleeve, comprising

providing a hollow cylindrical adapter ring having an interior wall; the interior wall of said adapter having a forward portion that conforms and is slightly larger than the second cross-section and a rearward portion that conforms to and is slightly larger than the cross-section formed by the exterior wall of the sleeve, and

fixedly attaching a rearward end portion of the adapter ring to the exterior wall of the sleeve wherein the forward portion of the ring extends forwardly from the sleeve, the ring and sleeve cooperating to form a receptacle wherein the forward facing endwall of the sleeve forms a shoulder, the forward end portion of said receptacle receives said second cleaning head, at least in part, and endwall of said sleeve forms a limit on inward insertion of said second cleaning head.